Can We Judge?

Can We Judge?

We were often taught not to judge as Christians. 

"We are not called to judge; we are called to love." This is usually a religious statement that is void of truth and power. Because the one saying it is usually living a life of judging people, whether consciously or sub-consciously.

Jesus said, "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (John 7:24) He wasn't saying that you cannot judge. He was teaching you HOW to judge. In fact, there are many Scriptures that Jesus and Paul talked about judging.

Because 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 (1 Cor 2:15).

The word 'judge' in this context is 'anakrino', which means to separate, to discern.

𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠. The preceding verse before 1 Cor 2:15 talks about spiritually discerning the things of the Spirit. The purpose of the manifestation of the gift of discerning of spirits (1 Cor 12) is meant for judging ALL things.

We are to separate between truth and lies, right and wrong; for this is what anakrino is about.

Discerning of spirits allows us to judge between truth and lies (what manner of spirit a person is operating from). A person can speak what seems to be diplomatically/politically correct, but operates from a wrong spirit. We are empowered by Jesus to judge that, for we judge ALL things.

What we are not called to do is to condemn people ('katadikazo' in Greek but translated as 'judge' in the English bible). The English translation of the word 'judge' is a bad translation. If you go to the Greek Bible, you will see that there are many different Greek words that are translated as 'judge'.

The earthly exousia is a divine ordinance set up by God to reflect the heavenly exousia. The earth's system of government is to reflect the heaven's government. This is why there is the position of (judiciary) judge on earth. He/she is meant to judge righteously, though it is not always the case due to the Fall of Man.

If God has called you and me 'gods' and sons of the most High, then you and I are called to judge righteously, not with condemnation, but with the power of Redemption.

What Is The Key To Hearing His Voice Part 2

What Is The Key To Hearing His Voice Part 2

As mentioned in the previous post, the ONE thing that is needed to hear the voice of God is faith. 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞.

Some think that they can never hear the voice of God. It's actually easier than they think. A lack of confidence in knowing their identity in Christ often results in that mindset.

Some, on the other hand, think that they are hearing the voice of God pretty well. But it has never been tested. They pray alot, but they never take a step of faith to act on what they heard. They never take a step of faith to hear God for someone else. If you can't hear God for someone else (and test it with fruit), chances are... you haven't really heard God for yourself. Because it is the same principle.

God speaks in so many ways, and we should not limit the way He speaks. However, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐇𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮. If you try to over-spiritualise how you often hear from Him, but you never hear Him the same for others, there is a good chance that you have missed Him altogether. It becomes your own thoughts and your own imagination.

The foundation to hearing His voice is to know His love through the Word of God. Nothing is more sure than His Word. If you are unsure of His Word, His love for you will seem to change from time to time. Without knowing His love, you will not walk out faith, which is the key to hearing His voice.

Simple application: Take a verse (eg. 1 John 4:10) in the Bible and read it aloud 5 times slowly. Close your eyes and think about the verse.

What comes to your mind first?

What do you see?

What do you sense/feel?

Is there any word that you see in your mind?

Is there any thought that you think in your mind?

Is there any emotion that you feel in your heart?

Is there any word that you feel like speaking out of your mouth?

The list goes on...

I just did what I told you to do. When I closed my eyes, I saw a big hammer nailing both His hands to the Cross and the word 'forgiveness!' was shouted out of His mouth.

Notice... what I saw has nothing to do with the verse literally. It isn't in the verse. The word 'forgiveness!' isn't in the verse either. But God is speaking in alignment with His Word.

This is God speaking. But there is a place for interpretation after hearing from God. Sometimes, it is literal. Sometimes, it is figurative and you need to connect with Him deeper for the interpretation.

We will talk about that further in the next post. Meanwhile, this is the simplest approach to practise hearing God in alignment with the Word..

What Is The Key To Hearing God's Voice?

What Is The Key To Hearing God's Voice?

We are all growing in hearing the voice of God. None of us gets it 100% perfect every single time. However, we can keep growing in accuracy.

As shared recently in my post, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲. Intimacy has to do with surrendering every area of our lives to Him who loves us. Hence, you can hear the voice of God accurately and still be living a carnal life.

That aside... the most fundamental approach to hearing His voice has to do with 𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠.

The just shall live 𝐛𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡. - Rom 1:17

We walk 𝐛𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡, not by sight. - 2 Cor 5:7

Since Christianity is about living and walking by faith, then hearing the voice of God has no difference. 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞.

Note: The foundation of faith is to be rooted in His love (Gal 5:6). And the Word of God (aka the Bible) reveals the fullness of His love.

Each time when you hear from God, you are not 100% sure if it is Him until you step out in faith. If you are 100% sure, you don't need faith. 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝.

The New Covenant is designed for relationship. Faith is the main ingredient in this relationship. God the Holy Spirit does not speak from outside in (like the Old Covenant). He speaks from within you (because He lives in you).

Each time when you sense/feel/see/smell/taste anything that you think might be from God, you complete it with faith by acting on it. Faith + His voice generate POWER. There will be fruit that results from that act of obedience.

In the next part, I'll share my thought process when I hear the voice of God, using recent outreach as an example. I realised that we often share testimonies without sharing the actual thought process to empower people. Testimonies do not empower people --- it only stirs them up; some might even shrink back thinking that it is not possible for them to hear God this way.

My desire is not for people to feel encouraged, but to take courage with action, knowing that it is simple because you are a child of God.

Back In Haji Lane

Nothing beats having your own family going on outreach with you. It's a dream come true.

Healings, word of knowledge, prophecies, tattoo interpretations...

One huge and tall sports guy from Sweden with tears in his eyes; a male youth whose eyes grew watery; two ladies crying, etc.

We ministered to about 40 pax within a short span in the evening. People kept coming and we had to stop as it was getting late.

The harvest is always plentiful.

Glad to be back in Haji Lane. May the son catch the spirit and fire of evangelism from the heavenly Father through the earthly father.

#discipleship #powerandlove #spiritualreading #healing #prophetic #outreach #lifestylechristianity101

Revisiting Healing

Revisiting Healing

We have to keep growing and learning, and never think that we already knew everything.

In my recent study on the Scriptures on healing, I realised that the word 'rebuke', which was often used by Jesus for healing and deliverance, has another meaning in the Greek.

It is referred to "to honor, to properly, assign value as is fitting the situation."

One does not think of the word 'rebuke' in such manner. However, the true potential of rebuking a demon or a sickness is to recognise the value of the imprisoned person and the value of the devil.

We need to honour the person in front of us, esteeming him/her. Because his/her value was paid by the stripes and the sacrifice of Jesus. By esteeming him/her high, we are saying, "This demon or sickness cannot be in you. It has to come out of such a precious son/daughter created in the image of God. The demon or sickness has no value as compared to you, the most prized possession of God."

The next time when you rebuke a demon or sickness, assign proper value to the person in front of you and de-value the works of the devil.

Keys to Receiving Healing

By Roger Sapp

Keys to Receiving Healing

It is a common experience for people seeking the Lord on a matter - such as healing - for them to initially experience what seems to be the opposite of what they desire. I believe this to be demonic resistance -spiritual warfare. I believe that the Lord spoke to this issue very specifically. He said:

7 "Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.

8 "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened.

9 "Or what man is there among you, when his son shall ask him for a loaf, will give him a stone?

10 "Or if he shall ask for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?

11 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him! (Matthew 7:7-11)

Initially, we may experience what seems like a "stone" or a "snake" instead of a loaf or a fish. This is where a lot of people quit believing and are defeated by the devil. We hold on - by faith in Him - to the fact that a good Father God will give us what is good "much more" than what we would do for our children. 

Christians are often unaccustomed to believing without any evidence in their bodies or negative evidence that may actually say to them that things are worse. They quit believing at this critical point thinking that "things are not working" or "we must not be doing this right." They become passive and may settle into a passive waiting for healing rather than continuing to actively believe. I meet lots of people who didn't receive healing because they were unable to continue to believe without outward evidence. 

In my own experience with healing, I have found that making a very strong commitment to the truth that Jesus is already my Healer regardless of what I am presently experiencing has resulted in me receiving healing a number of times. Because I preach this, often in meetings people who have been doubleminded about their healing are able to commit themselves strongly to the truth and receive healing.

I think that most people who are struggling with receiving healing are approaching it backward. Instead of making a strong commitment to the truth that Jesus is already their Healer, they are waiting for healing to happen so that they can believe. This is backward of course. 

Believing that healing is yours before you have it in your experience is important. Believing that Jesus is already your Healer without evidence in your body is the right way. Keeping your focus on the truth rather than your symptoms is essential. Not letting symptoms tell you what is true is highly important. They will be "lying symptoms" because the truth is that Jesus is already your Healer even if you have not received healing yet.

Early in my own personal experience with healing, I found myself doing it backward. I wanted a healing to show me that I was doing it correctly. Instead of believing in what Christ had done before I received, I was waiting for healing to happen before I committed myself to the truth of Christ already being my Healer. 

Once that I quit waiting for a healing to validate that I was doing it correctly, I committed myself strongly to the truth and it set me free within seconds. I was healed and my symptoms were gone.

I had prayed for my healing seriously and repeatedly for ten days without a positive change. In fact, my symptoms were worse. I was worse because I was not believing the truth even though I wanted it to be true. The moment that I made a strong commitment to the truth without any evidence of healing in my body, I was healed within seconds of that moment. I said very loudly with a strong commitment to the Lord, "I don't care how long it takes or how it happens. Jesus You ARE my Healer!" Immediately, I was completely well from a condition that had afflicted me since my childhood. That condition has never returned.

I find that a focus on results instead of the truth of the Good News will not work to receive healing. We need to quit looking for a manifestation. We need to focus entirely on the truth and not keep looking away from the truth to see if we are healed. When we look away to see a result, we are continually being exposed to the idea that we have not received. 

You can't focus on the truth and results at the same time. Every time that we look away from Christ, it is like unplugging from the power source. Instead, keep the eyes of your heart fixed on Jesus and the truth of what He has done and do not consider symptoms to be significant. Symptoms should not be allowed to tell you a contrary truth. The truth is that Jesus is already Your Healer. The work is done for you. Symptoms have no message to a person who is believing in Christ as Healer.

Keep your eyes FIXED on Jesus and focus on the truth of what He has accomplished for you and the healing will arrive often without fanfare. At some point, you will become aware that your healing need no longer exists and that you have received. At that point, it is appropriate to go to the doctor for a checkup and let the doctor tell you that you are no longer sick as a testimony to the doctor.

What Do You See?

The Spirit Of Faith

The opposite of faith is not fear. The opposite of faith is sight (2 Cor 5:7). 

Fear is in the spirit realm (2 Tim 1:7) that attaches itself to the soul through the body (sight --- visual, feelings, symptoms, etc.) In other words, fear enters from the outside.

On the contrary, faith (2 Cor 4:13) lives out from the inside. Since it is in the spirit realm, it cannot be seen (Heb 11:1).

We are trained to find evidences in many places but they are all by sight. If you believe what you see, you are not walking by faith. The only evidence that the Bible teaches us to see is faith (Heb 11:1) and nothing else.

Until we have learnt to trust the only unchanging evidence (faith), we will not have the evidence (proof of faith) that we want.

Since faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word (Rom 10:17), the only unchanging evidence must be the Word of God. 

This is why man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matt 4:4).

To walk by faith is to walk by (hearing and hearing) the Word. When we can see the Word and believe the Word; all of a sudden, sight does not matter anymore. The visual, feelings, symptoms, etc. do not matter anymore. Because your only evidence is left with the Word.

When the feeling of fear arises and seems so real and overwhelming, you need to intentionally walk contrary to it by acting on the Word. If you believe, you will act on it (Mark 11:24).

The Bible does not say that if you have faith, you will not feel fearful. It says that you are to walk by faith, not by sight. In other words, even when you feel fearful, you CHOOSE to walk by the Word.

Acting on the Word is what allows the spirit of faith to flow through the soul into the body and out of it. This is how you receive all the promises of God which are "Yes" in Christ, and in Him, "Amen" to the glory of God through us.

Righteousness (Truth) & Mercy (Grace)

While driving, I saw a vision of fig tree leaves (oh yeah I could still see the traffic). So I asked, "What's that?" He said, "What do you see?"

I replied, "Green leaves and gaps?" He said, "Righteousness and mercy are on the same side."

Grace & truth is the same as mercy & righteousness. Both are found in Jesus. I questioned, "There is a balance. But how do I apply it wisely?"

He answered, "I give grace to the humble and oppose the proud."

And I realise how grace (mercy) and truth (righteousness) work hand in hand.

Jesus said to the woman, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." Grace is given, followed by truth. This is consistent in the Gospel when Jesus spoke to sinners who humbled themselves before Him.

Jesus, on the other hand, released truth to Nicodemus, Pharisees, etc. Truth is given to the proud to knock them off the pedestal so that they may come to the place of humility for grace to be received.

Jesus is Grace and Truth. Grace gives grace to the humble. And Truth opposes the proud.

He shows us the sequence to demonstrate to others, whether Grace or Truth first (without compromising on any of the two).

P.S: Driving on the road with Jesus is never boring. Because He keeps speaking.