The Living among the Dead: A Portrait of a Manipulated Destiny
Study Text: John 11:32-44, Revelation 3:1
Introduction:
Lazarus was not supposed to die, because Jesus said his sickness was not unto death, but his destiny was manipulated.
He died, and was buried four days before the Lord could get there. His case was closed by the enemy and the purpose of God for his life was terminated.
In the program of God, Lazarus is a living Soul, but in the realm of darkness, he had been declared dead.
There was only one thing wrong with Lazarus, but as a result of that one thing that was wrong with him, all things were wrong with him.
What was wrong with him? He was dead. Popularity does not count much when a man is dead. Handsomeness is irrelevant when a man is dead. Beauty has no value when a woman is dead. Academic qualifications have no voice when a person is dead.
In fact, all things that we think are important lose their importance when death comes. All things that we hold dear lose their attraction when death comes.
So many people today are like Lazarus, they are physically alive, but their destiny and glory are getting rotten in the grave.
We shall be discussing the topic under three subheadings:
1. The Reasons for Manipulated Destiny
2. The Results of Manipulated Destiny
3. The Recovery of Manipulated Destiny
1. The Reasons for Manipulated Destiny
There are several possible reasons for manipulation of destinies:
1. Living under a Curse or Walking on a Cursed Path
Gehazi would have received the double portions of the anointing of Elisha, but rather, he received a curse, and His glorious destiny was manipulated.
Curses can be pronounced upon unprotected people by those having legal spiritual authority over you.
Moreso, some people were not cursed directly, but they walked upon a path that was cursed.
2. Operating under Evil Covenant
Evil Covenant can be entered into personally, being conscious or not, or can be entered into by representation being conscious or not.
Covenant can be made through words, through blood and or by invoking demonic spirits over any material or action steps. They are supervised by Satanic spirit to remain binding on the parties unless broken by a superior power.
3. Manifestations of Family Evil Background and Cycles
There are evil family backgrounds due to occultic practices and idol worshipping.
There are evil cycles which runs through the family. Examples include, sickness common in the family, delay in marriage or barrenness, limitations of various kinds and so on.
4. Reaping the Evil Seeds Planted by Self or Generations
The law of sowing and reaping is applicable in many ways. Some people's destiny was manipulated because they are reaping the evil seeds planted by them or by someone in their generation.
Jacob deceived his father to steal the blessings of Esau, he was also deceived at the point of marriage, and his own children deceived him concerning Joseph.
5. Yielding to Negative Influence
So many people with a glorious destiny could not fulfill purpose because they yielded to negative influence.
Judas was chosen among the twelve disciples, but could not fulfill purpose with them because of negative influence.
6. Demonic Oppressions due to Carelessness or Prayerlessness.
Some believers are under the oppression of demons either because they open doors for demons in their life due to carelessness or prayerlessnes.
7. Lack of Genuine Salvation in Christ
The world has a large population of dead people who move about as if they were living, because they failed to receive the free gift of Salvation that Christ offers. Acts 4:12
It is a common sight to see dead men eating, drinking, laughing, crying, and getting married and moving all over the place.
Everyone living now, is certainly physically alive, no doubt. But no one should assume that he is spiritually alive.
2. The Results of Manipulated Destiny:
There are some simple signs that you can use to tell whether you are dead or alive. It is a simple thing to find out whether you are spiritually alive or dead.
1. Dead men have no appetite.
When Lazarus was alive, he got hungry regularly. But once he died, he lost all interest in all the food his sisters were preparing. Why? He was a dead man.
So one of the signs of spiritual deadness is a lack of appetite for God. This does not automatically imply a lack of appetite for church. You may be coming to church, no doubt.
This does not indicate a lack of appetite for praise, worship, dancing, and shouting that God is good. You can have an appetite for church without an appetite for God.
Lack of hunger for God means no spiritual appetite, and that usually means spiritual death.
Once you notice that the Bible is becoming boring to you, you find it so boring to read, and although Jesus said it is more important than our daily bread, it means that spiritually, you are dead.
There are thousands of people who come to church but have absolutely no hunger or appetite for God. There are people who are not interested in any Bible reading of any kind, even the little daily quiet time; they are not interested; they are dead.
2. Loss of Activities Spiritually
When Lazarus was alive, he was an active man. But the moment he died, all traces of activity ceased. That happens to a person too when he is spiritually dead.
There is a complete absence of spiritual activity. They will not be able to point out one thing they are doing for Jesus. Once your life is not invested in the things of the kingdom, it is a dead life as far as heaven is concerned.
There is no love in your heart for prayer, whereas prayer is a love affair between you and the Lord Almighty. The lack of activity for God on your part is a good indication of spiritual death and manipulation of destiny.
3. Lack of Favour from Men
Mary and Martha loved Lazarus when he was alive, but when he died, he no longer seemed aware of them. He can not be loved and he cannot receive favour from people.
There is no awareness in a dead man. Dead men do not love people or see danger; they are unmoved by tears or crying. They are totally insensitive to everything happening around them. When you are unable to measure and evaluate things around you on a spiritual basis, it is spiritual deadness.
4. Dead Men cannot enjoy their Wealth or Blessings
Lazarus has certain blessings and wealth he enjoys when alive, but has no control over them again when he died.
3. The Recovery of Manipulated Destiny
There is only one thing a dead man needs: He needs Life.
The first thing that Lazarus did when he heard “come forth!” was that he stopped living amongst the dead.
In the restoration of Lazarus back to life, and the recovery of his destiny, we can observe certain significant events:
1. His Destiny was Secured by the Word of God.
- Jesus said that his sickness was not unto death.
- No matter what the situation looks like, always go back to the Word, if it is written, then it is secured.
2. His Destiny was Sustained by Positive Confession.
- Jesus said that our friend Lazarus is sleeping, and we are going to wake him up.
- The power of life and death is in the tongue, you must be very careful with what you say to yourself, your children and about your situations.
3. His Destiny was Searched Out by Love
- Jesus asked them where they laid him.
- You need to make investigations spiritually through the help of the Holy Spirit about what is happening in your life.
- Jabez was able to find out that his troubles were linked with his name.
- Jacob was able to discover that he needed the real blessings from God to be truly blessed.
4. His Destiny was Supported by Divine Intervention
- They told Jesus he was already buried for four days and stinking, and was written off.
- But he received Divine backing for the stone to be rolled away.
- Always ensure that you remain connected with God in a healthy relationship and fellowship to continually enjoy Divine support.
5. His Destiny was Separated from the Graveyard
- Jesus called Lazarus to come forth from the grave. He was separated from the land of the dead to the land of the living.
- You need to call out your destiny and glory from anywhere it is kept, hidden, abandoned or held bound.
6. His Destiny was Sanitized by Divine Authority
- When Lazarus came forth, he was still bound by grave clothes. Alive, but no capacity to succeed.
- Jesus commanded them to loose him and let him go. To go and fulfill purpose and destiny.
- You need to break loose from every hold of the powers of darkness upon your life and fully recover your destiny.
Conclusion:
If you do a critical evaluation of your life, and you discovered that you are a living Soul among the Dead, you can call on the Lord Jesus Christ, and your glory and destiny will be recovered by His Power on the platform of His Mercy.
