SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
(James 2:1) "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons."
(Proverbs 16:18) "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
(Proverbs 6:16-19) (16) "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:" (17) "A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood," (18) "An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief," (19) "A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
(Ephesians 4:30) "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
(Isaiah 63:10) "But they rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them."
PREFACE SUMMARY
I do not know where to start to begin writing this message, for all through my life's experiences, I have either been involved in or witnessed such atrocities as church splits, where disagreements and pride led to division, and people who are supposed to be examples cause disturbances in houses of worship, disrupting the peace and unity of the congregation.
Remember, the church was borne in power, and we are each chosen by God to fill the right place in the body of Christ. No one can do what you have been called and purposed to do. Beloved, you are not here by chance because God had a divine plan for you even before your creation in the womb.
God desires you to be an active and productive part of the body of Christ, fully embracing and fulfilling the unique calling He has placed upon your life. He desires that you appreciate and embrace this calling because it is essential to your identity and impact on the world.
One problem in today's society is that some have developed pride and fallen into the devil's deception that they can isolate themselves from the body and build their kingdom, going so far as to call themselves "God's man or woman of the hour." What’s wrong with this dangerous mindset is that it isolates them from their covering and leads people to associate their gifts with the person instead of the body.
It's crucial to remember that we are all part of one body, the body of Christ on earth. When we insult or grieve His Holy Spirit, we not only hurt God's heart but also disrupt the unity and harmony of the body. Let's be mindful of this in our actions and words.
If there is one thing that I have learned in my Christian life, it is that people are essential to God, and he does not want us living in bondage but in the power and victory of the cross.
Through the pages of church history, we discover that God has allowed his Spirit to empower men and women of God in mighty demonstrations of his power, causing medical science to reconsider the power of prayer.
These powerful men and women of God allowed the Lord to use them to leave his signature through them to future generations, including us today, and it's exciting to read some of their profound revelations and read about the testimonies from eyewitnesses who themselves have experienced a one-on-one covenant relationship with the Living God of the bible.
These patriarchs all agreed that Jesus Christ is the same today as He was in Bible times. They also believe that He will be found among those who seek Him with their whole heart. The lives lived by these Saints are treasured maps that lead to treasures buried in remote hidden places, waiting for someone to find them and claim them.
Saints, our prayer should be for God to send a mighty earth-shaking revival, one where his holiness will unmask the pretense that we witness in some churches today of what people call worship when, in reality, it is nothing more than a show of worked-up flesh full of pride and deceit.
I ask that you prayerfully go with me through this message with an open mind as we minister on the seven sins that God hates, including one that he calls an abomination, which should serve to sound a solemn warning to all who would wish to ignore them thus grieving his Holy Spirit having him become their enemy.
These sins, often referred to as the 'seven deadly sins,' are a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in the running to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren. These sins are actions, attitudes, and behaviors that can lead to spiritual and moral decay.
"GOD HATES A PROUD LOOK"
The sin of humanity was dealt a mighty blow by our savior at the cross, and the prince of this world was judged when God raised Jesus Christ from the dead for our justification that we could come into his holy presence as one who had no sin.
We are declared righteous through the blood of Jesus, and we need to start living as one who knows God from the free pardon of sin and put the devil where he belongs under our feet. We must never give the devil an inch in our lives, for if we do, he will become our ruler, luring us to take the bait dangling in front of us like an angler trying to catch a fish. He will make it look appealing, but remember if we do take the bait, it will have consequences and place us in bondage not only to him but to ourselves, causing us to sink deeper and deeper into mental depression.
It is time to come clean before God and ourselves and realize we are in a colossal war between good and evil, which is attempting to snare us into its malicious web of lies, believing that man is good and if you change his environment, you can change the man but doe, not the scriptures tell us that man's heart is desperately evil and did not one writer declare that in this flesh, there is no good thing?
Did you know that there are two significant sins of the flesh that can profoundly obstruct the flow of God’s Spirit in our lives and ministries: Pride and Racism?
Pride often manifests as an inflated sense of self-importance, leading individuals to prioritize their desires and achievements above God and others. This attitude can create barriers to humility, community, and genuine connection with those we serve.
Racism, on the other hand, fosters division and perpetuates injustice by devaluing the inherent worth of individuals based on their race or ethnicity. It contradicts the essence of love and acceptance central to Christ's teachings.
Both Pride and Racism affect our personal relationship with God and undermine our ability to effectively minister and reach out to others. Recognizing and addressing these sins is essential for a vibrant spiritual life and a ministry that reflects the love and unity of the body of Christ.
I want to take this moment to pose some vital questions regarding the concept of "divide and conquer." These questions are not just theoretical; they hold the potential to significantly impact your life, both in the present and for eternity. Reflecting on how this principle may influence your relationships, choices, and spiritual journey is essential.
1. Did you have any control over the era in history in which you were born?
2. Did you have any say in determining your race, gender, or who your parents would be?
Beloved, with those questions being answered, may I ask if you had anything to do or say concerning what nationality or race you would be born into, and did you have anything to do or say concerning the gifts that would be placed within you at birth?
Everyone has unique brainwaves, genetic makeup, fingerprints, and personal talents. This inherent diversity is what makes humanity vibrant. With this in mind, we should refrain from seeing ourselves as better or superior to others, regardless of whether they are our neighbors or come from different countries.
Pride can manifest in various ways, such as arrogance, entitlement, or an inflated sense of self-worth. These traits can lead us to prioritize our own desires over others and create barriers in our relationships.
Recognizing if pride is in our life is the first step toward redemption; the next is to sincerely repent and seek God's cleansing through His blood. This process helps us rid ourselves of pride and draws us closer to a more humble and compassionate way of living, allowing us to better reflect God's love and grace.
Pride- Wikipedia Pride is an inwardly directed emotion with two antithetical meanings. (1) Pride refers to a foolish and irrationally corrupt sense of one's value, status, or accomplishments. (2) Pride refers to a sense of attachment toward one's or another's choices and actions or a whole group of people and is a product of praise, independent self-reflection, and a fulfilled feeling of belonging.
In my studies, I found that in Judaism, pride is considered the root of all evil. Similarly, in the word of God, pride is regarded as the first and most severe of the seven deadly sins in Christianity, and the writer of Proverbs 16:18 warns us, "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall."
Pride manifests powerfully in individuals, often marked by a distinct mindset and attitude that drives them to dominate others. They believe in their superiority, viewing themselves as more important than those around them. This arrogance closes their eyes to the serious risks associated with their behavior, including the inevitable spiritual consequences.
Embracing a selfish viewpoint can lead individuals down a dangerous path, leaving them unaware of the reality of facing God's righteous judgment. Understanding that true strength lies in humility and compassion for others is crucial. This aligns with the royal law, which instructs us to love one another as Christ has loved us, ultimately reminding us that we should love each other. (John 13:34)
"THE STRATEGY TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER"
When some people in Los Angeles were praying for a move of God, did you know that the Lord heard their prayer and directed an African American man named William Seymour, who wore a patch over one eye, to their residence very late at night?
During that era, African Americans were under a curfew and forbidden to be out at that time of night. Can you imagine how the people in the home felt when there was a knock at their door? When they opened it, they found a black man with a patch over one eye. Can you envision their response when they asked what he wanted, only to hear him answer, "You have been praying for revival, and God directed me to come here?"
William J. Seymour, an African American preacher, led the Azusa Street Revival. This movement began with a meeting on April 9, 1906, and continued until roughly 1915. Did you know that this move of God is recognized as the origin of the Pentecostal movement? It made history with reports of spiritual experiences and testimonies of physical healing miracles, worship services, and speaking in tongues.
Beloved, the participants faced criticism from the secular media and Christian theologians for outrageous and unorthodox behaviors, especially at that time in history. Even today, historians view the Azusa Street Revival as the primary catalyst for the spread of Pentecostalism in the 20th century. Did you know that near the end of this incredible outpouring of God’s Spirit, white attendees began to complain about whites and blacks worshiping together?
The persecution against this mighty move of God's Spirit grew so intense that soon, the Azusa Street mission was deserted by whites, evolving into a predominantly black church. Tragically, the flames of revival that once swept the world began to dim as racism once again stifled the flow of God’s Spirit.
How can we, as people who had no choice in when we would be born, what gender we would be, or even what race we would be, think that we, as fragile human beings dependent on Him for our very next breath, could believe that we or our race are superior to another?
The Word of God tells us we are not ignorant of our enemy's devices. His most efficient strategy is to divide and conquer, affirming the old saying, “United we stand, divided we fall.”
The late A. A. Allen and my Apostle Don Stewart, whom he mentored, faced protests and legal challenges for having mixed groups of people in their services. Still, let me close with an illustration that sheds light on why this strategy is employed today in our nations, creating fear and dividing people.
Did you know that a hungry lion stalks a herd for days, looking for a weak member? When the time is right, the lion charges the herd, going after the strong to confuse them, but he has his eye on the weak one all along. After scattering the herd, the lion leaves the strong and circles back to attack the weak, claiming an easy meal.
The truth is, “We are better together, and there is strength in numbers.” We who love Christ must unite in harmony, recognizing that we are brothers and sisters in Christ. According to God’s Holy Word, when we stand united, we become ten times stronger than our enemy, speaking forth the Word in faith and declaring that we are more than conquerors through Christ.
The blessed Holy Spirit, symbolized by a gentle dove, delights in our unity when we gather in harmony, pursuing God's purposes with one mind and heart. This spirit of togetherness fosters an environment where love, peace, and mutual support can thrive.
In conclusion, let me say that “When we allow disagreements and conflicts to arise, the Holy Spirit withdraws from our midst. Discord undermines the unity needed to fulfill God’s divine purpose for which we were born. Therefore, we must prioritize understanding and compassion in our interactions, welcoming the Holy Spirit to dwell among us.
"DO NOT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT"
Matthew 16:18 states that the Lord will build his church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. This means that Christ, the head of the church, will build his church on top of the false, the hurting, the broken dreams, and broken hearts, including divorce and worldly views. The true church of Jesus Christ is not and will not be a weak church.
Beloved, what caused people to sit comfortably in some churches today and feel comfortable in their sins, and have church leaders and Christians forgotten why they were saved?"
I will now attempt, by the Spirit of God, to expound on the strategy and tools of the enemy that can and will hinder the flow of God’s Spirit in our lives and ministry. Before I expound upon these dangerous schemes of the enemy, let me post for you some scriptures that I think will give us clarity concerning how God feels when we grieve or insult his spirit.
(Ephesians 4:30) "And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
(Isaiah 63:10) "But they rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them."
To understand what it means to grieve the Holy Spirit, we must first know that this indicates the Spirit possesses a personality, and since the Spirit of God is a person, we know and understand that only a person can be grieved; therefore, the Holy Spirit must be a divine person to have this emotion, thus, since we know this, we can better understand how the Holy Spirit can be grieved, because if we were honest, we would have to admit that there have been times in our life where we have been suffered.
We grieve the Holy Spirit when we live like the world. Christians are to influence the world and culture, not allow the world to affect or influence us.
The world is known for its lying, outbursts of anger, stealing, cursing, bitterness, by being unforgiving, and by being sexually immoral. Still, this behavior should not be the trait of someone who has had their nature changed by the grace of God.
I am referring to those who have given up their rights to life and are depending on God's Holy Spirit, who began the work of grace in them and is helping them respond to situations as if they have no hope.
Did you know that grieving the Holy Spirit refers to responding to a situation in a sinful manner? This can occur in various ways, including harboring inappropriate thoughts or engaging in wrongful actions. When we allow our emotions or desires to lead us away from righteousness, we not only stray from the teachings we hold dear but also create a barrier in our relationship with the Holy Spirit.
1. Both quenching and grieving the Spirit are similar in their effects.
2. Both hinder a godly lifestyle.
3. Both happen when a believer sins against God and follows worldly desires.
"THE IMPORTANCE OF THE GOLDEN SCEPTER"
(Esther 5:2) "And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter in his hand. A scepter was an ornamented staff carried by a king or queen that was used on special occasions to symbolize their sovereignty. So Esther drew near and touched the top of the scepter."
Throughout the scriptures, we can discover that God worked in types and shadows of things to come. We can better understand the importance of the golden scepter by reading (Numbers 20:8) where we find God instructing Moses the second time to speak to the rock, which represents Christ because Christ would only be struck once.
The King extending the Golden Scepter to Esther gives us a view of God raising Jesus as that Golden Scepter welcomes us, the redeemed of the Lord, into his presence and fellowship.
Proverbs 6:16 highlights the sins that God hates. It goes on to say that the seventh sin, grave sin, is someone who would sow discord among fellow believers, such as a person (busy body) allowing the enemy to disrupt the harmony and unity in a church body, something like the working of a Jezebel spirit causing confusion, division, strife, jealousy, tale-bearing including forming their little cliques among the Saints of God.
Those who sow discord threaten the important unity required for a thriving faith community and provoke a fierce response from God. His disdain for this sin is so profound that it places the individual in a position where His mercy can be easily strained. In extreme cases, the repercussions can be severe, even leading to swift divine judgment, as God upholds His church's standards for love and harmony.
May I ask you some fundamental questions that I believe can illuminate this entire message about just how dangerous sin is to the believer? What about the scripture found in Proverbs 6:27, "Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?"
1. What happens when God turns his back on a person guilty of the seventh sin that Proverbs 6:19 declares to be an abomination in the eyes of God?
2. What causes a person to burn up on the inside and never catch anything on fire, such as burning through a chair in their home without seeing the house on fire or walking down the street, and suddenly, something happens in their body, and they begin to burn on the inside?
Think about it: spontaneous combustion happens when something is so close together, like wooden poles stacked on top of one another or clothing so closely packed together that air cannot get between the clothes. What about hay or straw in a closed place, and without warning, the heat is so hot that it starts to produce smoke, which can lead to a fire?
Just like the soldiers covering wicked Haman, who no longer was worthy of being in the presence of the king, there are and have been instances of people that, with no reason, catch on fire with their internal organs becoming the fuel that is feeding the fire till they are consumed.
This should give all of us a wake-up call that we must reverence and respect almighty God as the standard for all things because unique, all creation, both seen and unseen, is dependent upon him to sustain it. God does not need anything to support him, for he is not confined or restrained by time, distance, or the law of physics because galaxies and worlds were formed with just the word of his mouth.
"THE JEZEBEL SPIRIT EXPOSED"
Is it not true that sometimes in life, we encounter some difficult times, causing us to get upset with those who caused our problems, or we may even get angry with ourselves, questioning if God truly loves us, especially if we witness or encounter those who love to sow discord among the brethren, but what about those leaders who do not have enough discernment to know when the enemy will come in operating in a Jezebel spirit which identified would be, "I will get it for you and you will not have to pay the price that others paid to get it?"
Did you know that Asap, one of the worship leaders for Israel, questioned God on why the ones that do evil seem to be the ones that prosper? However beloved, he changed his mind concerning the prospering of the wicked when he received the revelation from God that they would come to an unexpected end. (Psalms 73:1-20)
We must pray to know and experience God's peace in everything we attempt to do, for there are many distractions the enemy will use against us to get our eyes off our assignment. One of them will be people who are either sent in by witch covens to join our church or those who do not want to pay the high price to walk where we walk but instead give in to a Jezebel spirit that convinces them that they are better and more prepared to lead than the one God appointed.
Did you not know that a person operating in a Jezebel spirit will come in and be faithful in the church, attempting to be known among the members, even going so far as to visit with them in their homes, but the entire time they have an agenda and it will not take long for their true colors to be exposed?
After making friends and visiting with different families in the church, they will begin to spread gossip, such as telling a family that they are staying with that one of the other families had said some bad things about them, which when the next time that they are in service together, they will be acting strange toward the family that was supposed to have said bad things about them. Still, that innocent family will not even know why they are starting to distance themselves from them.
Did you know that after trouble in the church caused the pastoral leadership to wonder what was happening, those operating in the Jezebel spirit attempted to convince the church leadership that the pastor was the problem and that they needed to ditch them and put them in their place?
If the church leaders give in to them and decide to get rid of their pastor and vote them in, the demons controlling these evil people operating in a Jezebel spirit will cause problems for anyone who attempts to get them out of office; thus, a once thriving church will now be left to its demise.
It's so sad that many churches today will fall for anything, including witches that will come in and join their church, and the leadership does not have enough discernment to know the difference. These evil people will come in as faithful members to gain the trust of pastors who are so overworked and who, without spending time in solitude with God, will vote them into church positions and do not know that they just voted demon-led people into office until it is too late.
I cannot help but think of the movie The Lion King, in which the uncle allows the Hyenas to come in and ravage their food supply, thus upsetting the balance of nature and causing hunger until the natural son of the Lion King defeats him and takes back leadership, gaining the trust of the kingdom.
God states in his word that the sinner cannot sit in the congregation of the righteous, and did he not say if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the sinner and the ungodly appear?
I always like to leave a way out when writing about the calamities we face in church today. The bottom line to this complete message would be, "Those who preach the gospel of Jesus Christ must be sensitive to the timing of the Lord and have their spiritual ears tuned to what the Lord is saying by maintaining a disciplined prayer life including a set time to be alone in solitude with God."
To be victorious in ministry and to properly discern those who would come into our midst with ill intentions, our prayer time must come to a place in our lives where it is not what we do but who we are. Let us not be concerned about what man will think about us, for man is not the one who will be signing our report card. Therefore, may we come to a place where God can trust us to win the lost at any cost.
"THE DOVE IS A SYMBOL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT"
The Lord led me to use the dove in the title of this message to refer to God’s Spirit and abiding presence. The Holy Spirit is recognized as being in the form of a dove, which represents the spirit as a symbol of purity. The dove can often be pictured carrying the olive leaf as a symbol of peace and purity.
I have taken the liberty of providing you with several references concerning the dove as used in the holy scriptures. We all remember the bird Noah sent out to see if the water had receded from the earth.
(Genesis 8:8-9) (8) "Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;" (9) "But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark."
The dove is recognized as a symbol of purity, and many times, it is pictured carrying the olive leaf as a symbol of peace and purity, which is clarified in God’s word as a symbol of purity.
The symbol of a dove can be found in the book of Luke, which describes the visual appearance of the Holy Spirit coming upon Jesus as he was baptized by the Apostle John. (Luke 3:22) "And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee, I am well pleased."
In the scriptures, the dove returned and brought peace to Noah, letting him know that the waters were receding from off the earth and unique; this is why I titled this chapter "Don't Chase the Dove Away," because the dove represents the purity and holiness of God.
In Psalms 133, the writer discusses the holiness seen when brethren unite. He likens it to the precious anointing oil that ran down Arron's beard to the skirt of his garment. He then compares it to the snow melting on Mount Hermon, running down, watering the Jordan Valley, where the writer declares that this is where God declares his blessing.
The Holy Spirit is easily grieved and will not stay around when we constantly find fault. Instead of working together in love to solve an issue, we can hinder the Holy Spirit's work to the point where He will leave a church, even a ministry, saying, "Write Ichabod over this mess; I do not want any part of it."
I remember one time, as a young preacher, helping my mentor in a revival. When I walked behind the pulpit to bring forth the word, It felt like two big, strong hands pushed me in my chest away from the pulpit, and in my spirit, I could hear a loud voice saying, "Draw the Line."
I found out three years later from the pastor's daughter that during that revival, some of the people were slipping out of the service to engage in sexual acts in the cars that were parked in the parking lot of the church.
Back when I was a young boy, I heard some of the elders speak about it not being unusual for pastors to stop a revival to bury some deacons who were hindering God's move, who were mixing and dabbling in sin, declaring themselves to be in control of the affairs of the church.
We are living in dangerous times, and we cannot afford to take the chance of stepping in wanting the best of both worlds by getting mixed up in church quarrels or even being mixed up with church elders who would look down on another race as if they are superior to them.
Angels keep records of why we do what we do, including the motive behind our actions and decisions. God declares plainly throughout his word that you will become his enemy if you insult his Holy Spirit.
Who can hide from God? What about the time we read about in scripture where the people questioned the right for Moses to lead them, and the Lord God caused the earth to open up and swallow over one hundred and twenty thousand people, which means that these people went to hell screaming until they ran out of oxygen to breathe.
The problem today is that people do not fear the Lord God, who declared in his word that it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God who cannot only destroy the body but also cast the person's soul into hell where the flame is not quenched and the worm does not die or "dieth" not."
MY CONCLUSION
This world desperately needs a move of God's Spirit to bring a correction and a reverential fear upon us that we would put aside our differences and come together in unity of the faith, for in (Psalms 133) God speaks volumes concerning the need for unity among the believers.
(Psalms 133) "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments. As the dew of Herman, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. A-Men
Pride and Racism are not only hindering blocks to our Nation but are hindering blocks to experiencing a true revival. I am speaking about a revival where sin is judged; the pretense is unmasked and exposed for what it is, which is worked-up flesh. Not what we have witnessed from half-stepping ministers who are going to play one last time with God's Holy Spirit and be found dead behind their pulpits, dying like a fool.
There can be no room for these evil sins to exist in the life of a faithful Christian; therefore, churches and religious organizations that send their missionaries to other countries and rejoice over their pictures being taken with other races but refuse to allow other races to attend their church meetings are not of God but are religious pawns caught up in pride and religious bigotry.
Racism is a taught behavior, and God will not tolerate it. Therefore, my question for us today is, "How can one claim to know God and be a part of something God hates with a passion?"
Until we can see people the way God sees them and realize that if they miss heaven, they will be a part of God that he can never get back, then we will be missing the chance to experience the fires of a life-changing revival, where lives can be changed for eternity.
We are better together when we contend for the faith and agree on the virgin birth, the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave his life for all races, creeds, and people so that they may be rescued from the rebellion of Satan and be adopted into the royal family of God. Let us take the call on our lives seriously, treating all men with love, respect, and honor. I assure you, beloved, that this mindset will get God’s attention, causing him to send the dove into our lives and ministries.
As we follow God's promises, heaven will intervene and send angel armies to assist us in the final battle against the kingdom of darkness. Those who have dedicated their lives to serving God will come together in alignment with the Holy Spirit to bring about a life-changing revival that will lead millions to the family of God.
Lord, we ask that you use this message to awaken our spirits and bring us together as a united community of believers working in harmony to bring about a move of God that will deliver and heal our nation and the world. We pray for these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
International Evangelist
Jerry W. Hulse, Ph.D.
Miracle Life Church International
