The Letters

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)

Jesus is cleaning His house. He has to do so in order to prepare us for what is coming. He has to remove some of the things that have been standing in the way and that have been holding us back. This includes changing belief systems that have hindered Him from governing His church. 

One of these is confusion over “spiritual leadership,” and how to navigate it. Well known ministers have written books on this subject, but that doesn’t mean that everything is right. Just because we pass down a tradition, doesn’t mean that God approves of it. We should always judge the motive behind a teaching or belief-system. We should also look at what it produces. 

“I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.” (3 John‬ ‭1‬:‭9)‬

Jesus said that the religious leaders of His day would receive those who came in their “own name.” What does that mean? They would come with credentials. Today, that could mean the name and endorsement of an organization, church, ministry, Bible school, or seminary. But those whom God had sent, who came in the Father’s name, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, they would reject.

“I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?” (John 5:43-44)

They could not discern the grace of God working in their midst, and therefore missed the time of their visitation. Visitation is important. It could be the answer to what you have been praying for decades. But for them it did not come in the form that they had expected. It did not fit into their “theological box.” 

Spiritual leadership is important. It is ordained by God. However, proper understanding is important. When the grace of God is on a leader, the people should recognize it. Jesus commended the church of Ephesus for not receiving self-appointed apostles who were not sent by God. 

The people also made a demand in regard to Joshua:

“And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.” ‭‭(Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬-‭17)

“And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship, that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.” (Galatians 2:9)‬ 

Even under the law, the loyalty of the people came with conditions, that Joshua would obey and follow the Lord. 

Under the New Covenant, we do not follow a “Joshua or Moses,” in that sense, for our loyalty is not to men. 

“For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.” ‭‭(Acts‬ ‭3‬:‭22‬-‭23)‬ ‭

That prophet is Christ. 

Have you ever heard anyone say, “Such and such (church, ministry, or organization) is our ‘covering?’” You probably have, as it is fairly common.

The idea became popular during the “Shepherding movement,” or “Discipleship Movement” of the 1970’s. I won’t go into all of that here, but you can research it on Google. It created a lot of problems, and was later renounced by some of its founders as heresy, as it indeed was. But its “tentacles” still remain in the church. 

What is a “covering?” 

Words are powerful. They are not harmless. Words create and form beliefs. They are containers that carry power. James tells us that the tongue can deceive the heart and alter the trajectory of not only our own lives, but also the course of nature. 

Governments have used propaganda for centuries in order to steer thought and culture in a particular direction. Consider the words “social justice,” “equity,” and others that have very different meanings today than the conventional and original meanings of the words. They originate from a different spirit. A different kingdom. Their use perverts order and brings people into bondage. Propaganda is the devil’s specialty. He has been doing it for thousands of years, and so we must be sharp and vigilant, for of course, he will attempt to bring it into the church. The purpose of propaganda is to deceive and control. The final objective is always control.

The head (covering) of every man is Christ. 

“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3)

It is wrong to introduce an addition, a substitute, or to dilute or alter what God has established. The only time that the concept of covering is used in the New Testament is in regard to husbands and wives, in reference to the authority of the husband. 

A covering represents having authority on (over) your head. It is a covering for a married woman, and nature attests to this fact. It is a blessing, a protection. Even in our modern culture it is an anomaly for a woman to have her head shaved. It is basically considered an act of rebellion, even by the women doing it. Modern culture encourages women to abhor submitting to the authority of a husband, and for men to either abuse their authority or allow themselves to be emasculated and relinquish it. 

“Covering” denotes authority, but also protection, and consequently, the reverse is also implied. In other words, to remove a covering would then make one vulnerable, and no one wants to be vulnerable. This is where the enemy has injected fear, and a perversion of God’s intended order, to exercise control over something that does not belong to him. 

God’s people, and specifically the man’s leadership position in Christ. 

Spiritual manipulation

The hijacking of this principle is designed by evil powers to control. God Himself does not violate our free will. Remember the mask-mandates? The mask was a sign, a “covering.” Signifying subjection to an antichrist spirit that is in opposition to God. It was a manifestation of the kingdom of darkness. A foreshadow of things that will come upon the earth. 

Some teach, or imply, that if people leave their churches then bad things will happen to them. They use manipulation and religious fear in order to coerce and intimidate people into doing what they want them to do, or what they think that they should do. Some of it is done innocently, as pastors and leaders may simply be repeating what they have been taught. But it is still damaging. This can be true whether it is in the giving of money, staying in churches, and in many other things that God has delegated to the conscience of individuals. Some also usurp the authority of husbands in marriages (a form of adultery) to manipulate and bring families under their control. They prey on weak and vulnerable women in order to hijack the authority of the home. God will judge this type of abuse in the church. 

Then what purpose is there in being a part of a local church if there is no benefit? 

But there is a benefit, and the principle itself goes much deeper than the local church. It intimately affects every area of our lives, from the family, to the church, to personal relationships, business relationships, government, and every human institution and endeavor. An accurate understanding brings freedom to obey and serve the Lord without fear.

The principle is found in John, Chapter 15:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭4‬

The Apostle Paul further expounds to the Colossians regarding God’s structure and order. It is not revealed in formula, but rather in principle.

“and not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.” (‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬)

He is speaking about supply. Supply is a different principle than “covering.” Supply edifies and brings life and order. 

A supply of the Spirit flows naturally through God’s established order, and God’s Kingdom and His order are spiritual, not natural. 

“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:19)

“ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter‬ ‭2‬:‭5)‬ 

Elijah received supply by the brook, and then through a widow woman. Peter received supply to pay his taxes from the mouth of a fish. They received supply in unusual ways. Can you see how man’s traditions and formulas limit how God can work with His people and move on the earth? 

If you are receiving supply, and also generating supply, then that is a good place to be! When we walk with the Lord, the source of the supply (the Father) never changes, but the location may, and probably will. I have heard pastors say that God would “never tell anyone to leave this church.” This is either gross ignorance or willful and intentional abuse of authority. God can and will tell people to leave churches for a variety of reasons, and He is free to do what He pleases. 

“Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” ‭‭(John‬ ‭21‬:‭21‬-‭22)‬ ‭

Elijah received supply next to a brook. He received water, and the ravens fed him there, but then the brook dried up. What if Elijah had stayed after the brook had dried up? Things would have become difficult, and he would have been out of order. His loyalty was not to the brook, nor to the ravens that had fed him, but rather to the source of supply. To the One who had sent the ravens with provision! 

If a person leaves their place, then the supply ceases. This is true of a branch. If a branch abides not in the vine, it begins to wither and die. For example, if Elijah had said, “There is no way I am camping out by a brook!” He would have missed God’s provision and blessing. Remember Naaman? He had leprosy, and sent his servant to Elisha so that he could be healed. Elisha told him to dip in the Jordan seven times and that he would be healed. But Naaman refused and stayed leprous. Finally, one of Naaman’s servants persuaded him, and he went and did what Elijah had told him to do and was completely healed. He aligned himself with what God had told him to do, and he received a supply of the Spirit in the form of healing. 

But we can make a religion out of many different things. Suddenly the Jordan is “holy,” and you have people coming to the river to be healed rather than seeking the Lord. But God may never use that river for that purpose ever again! 

A source of supply is much different than an implied “covering.” Supply is a transactional arrangement. We are not only to receive supply, but we should bring something also. 

The local church is not the vine, but rather a source of supply, and a recipient of supply. When something tries to replace the true vine, it becomes a degenerate vine.

“Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?” (Jeremiah‬ ‭2:21‬)

Did you know that God has had to get some people out of their churches in order for them to hear Him and obey Him? This may go against the theology of some, but it is true nonetheless. Anything can become a place of dependency and an alternate place of “refuge” apart from the Father. Some pastors and churches refuse to grow, and eventually God will “transplant” people who desire to go deeper with Him. He will not leave them to stagnate in something that is dead.

There are also some pastors who do not have God’s heart. They do what they do for selfish motives and do not care about the people, and many people are looking at the wrong things in judging fruit. The size of the church or ministry, the buildings, charisma, momentum, excitement, among other things. God is not looking for perfect pastors. He is looking for a pastor’s heart. He can do much with very little if the heart is right. 

There are good pastors and leaders also, but we need to hear God’s voice for ourselves. A wrong spirit will promote dependency rather than encourage people to follow the Lord and develop their own relationship with Him. Some don’t need to be involved in every church service, every outreach, and every gathering at the expense of their marriages, children, families, and businesses. So much of this is going on. Everything revolves around the church, rather than living and walking in the Spirit. These are dead, religious works, and we wonder why kids grow up and want nothing to do with all of it. Because the parents never had time for them, and they were raised under the pressure of religious conformity rather than the freedom found in Jesus Christ and the love of the Father. 

When we gather together, we should be strengthened, strengthen others, and then head out into the world and be the church. And it shouldn’t be put into a box either. We can get into legalism with “witnessing” and actually drive people away from the Gospel. Just because something has a religious label does not mean that it was birthed out of obedience. We’re not trying to impress God. That’s not what this is all about. We should follow God’s unique plan for our own lives. That could be starting and running a business, being a parent, or spending more time with our spouses. God is very much into these things. He just doesn’t want anything to come before Him, and “Him” is not always synonymous with a conventional understanding of “church” or “ministry.” How many lives are shipwrecked by this type of thinking? Many never answering their true calling or purpose? If we are on the path that God has called us to walk, there will be plenty of opportunities to demonstrate and testify of the grace and mercy of God. More than we could ever imagine! It will be genuine, and flow naturally, and be as easy as breathing!

How can we be a testimony if our families are in ruin? We should be different. Make the tree good and the fruit will be good. God will always deal with the root first. This doesn’t mean that we don’t have challenges. The Christian marriage is ground-zero for the enemy’s attacks. If he can destroy the marriage, then he has the family, the church, the nation, and the next generation. We should learn how to resist him, overcome him, and kick him out of our homes!

Some are hiding from God through “religious service.” 

Jonah was supposed to be somewhere else other than the boat that he was on. However, the men on the ship did not want to let him go, and it created a problem for everyone. Peace came when they tossed Jonah out. Pharaoh and Abimelech both took Sarah, Abraham’s wife into their personal harems. They endeavored to take possession of something that did not belong to them, and God sent a storm in the form of plagues. It didn’t stop until they had returned Sarah to her rightful place. 

God sends gifts into churches. The apostle and the prophet may stay for a season in order to help lay a foundation block, something that the church may have been praying for, for years. These things just don’t “float out of heaven.” God does things in the earth, and in His church, through earthen vessels. I have heard pastors say things like, “If God is going to do anything in this church, then He will do it through me!” Those churches are shipwrecked today. They never became what God intended them to become. When the work is done, these gifts move on.

Some in positions of authority are attempting to take (or keep) things that do not belong to them, and in doing so, like Abimelech and Pharaoh in regard to Sarah, they are cursing their own houses. Consequently, some who are sent are allowing themselves to be contained and controlled.

Paul addressed this: 

“For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.” (2 Corinthians 11:19-20). 

The person being controlled is as complicit as the controller. People talk about “false prophets,” but there would be no false prophets without itching ears, isn’t that right? In the same manner, there would be no spiritual abuse without those who allow themselves to be abused! And they allow themselves because of fear, guilt, insecurity, or maybe even for personal advantage themselves. Maybe they are looking for acceptance from men, or for position. Religious fear is one of the most powerful and persuasive forces on earth. It will compel people to do some of the most heinous things known to man. 

There is no excuse for subjugating ourselves to men at the expense of our relationship with the Lord. Ahab was not excused from responsibility because he was being controlled by his wife, Jezebel. His heart had been deceived, and he paid the ultimate price, and his kingdom paid the price. Adam’s defense before God, “It was the woman whom you gave me,” fell to the ground. God did not even acknowledge it. 

But doesn’t God say to obey those who have the rule over you? 

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17)

The word obey here is not the same Greek word that was used in regard to “children obey your parents,” or “wives submit to your husbands.” These are different words with very different meanings. 

In relation to husbands and wives, the Greek word for “submit” is hypotasso. It means to subject oneself. To literally obey. Strong’s Concordance puts it like this:

“This word was a Greek military term meaning “to arrange [troop divisions] in a military fashion under the command of a leader”. In non-military use, it was “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, assuming responsibility, and carrying a burden.”

In 1 Peter 3:6, Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord…” The word for “obey” here is hypakouo, which is the same word used in Ephesians 6:1 for “children obey your parents.” It carries the same weight and meaning. 

What about spiritual authority?

The word “obey” in Hebrews 13:17 is peitho. It means to be persuadable. To be pliable and teachable. The word “submit” in this verse is hypeiko, meaning to let down resistance, and yield to admonition. 

You are not obligated to obey them in the sense that they have authority over you. Oversight is different from authority. Furthermore, I Peter 5:3 instructs pastors and spiritual leaders not to be “lord’s” over God’s heritage, but rather examples to the flock. 

God will not judge you for making personal decisions based on conscience, regardless of whether or not a spiritual leader agrees with you. You have a responsibility to follow God with a clean conscience. In fact, you are obligated to judge all things and hold fast to what is right, and not allow men to put you into bondage. To do so is to allow a man or woman to usurp the authority of Jesus Christ in your life. 

On the other hand, it is important to be able to receive wisdom and correction that comes from God, as He uses those whom He has called to be a blessing to you, and to keep you out of trouble! 

Hebrews 13:17 could be paraphrased like this: 

“Be pliable and teachable to those whom God has given oversight for your benefit. It is a good thing for you. Don’t dismiss it. Don’t be stubborn or obstinate, for they watch for your souls.”

1 Thessalonians 5:12 is saying the very same thing:

“And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you.”

Those that have oversight, to edify, and admonish, not over you in the sense that they have authority or lordship over your life and walk with the Lord.

These scriptures have been misunderstood and twisted by the enemy in order to bring people under bondage, when they were really meant to bring freedom.

Receive the things that come from God, but (confidently) reject the things that do not. 

One foundational block misplaced can cause an entire building to be compromised. Sometimes the entire structure must then be dismantled and rebuilt in order for it to stand correctly. 

Reformation is a mass course-correction. It brings a change in thinking, culture, and tradition. An overall, exhaustive shaking and restructuring. New wine cannot be put into old bottles. Jesus wants to govern His church without restraint, but some of our traditions have made this difficult. He wants to bring in the harvest, but the “barn” must first be prepared. 

We should not be afraid of men, or live to conform to something that God is not calling us to conform to. We should not live a life of dependency on men, or to please men. This is not right before God. You may have a good pastor, but it is still not his job to seek the Lord for you! God doesn’t want us dependent on anyone or anything but Him.