Introduction
Copyright 2007 Theresa Harvard Johnson
(Minor Revisions March 2017)
As a prophetic scribe, the Lord is always downloading nuggets of revelation into our hearts. Our role in this process is to follow those instructions and write out those nuggets. We are to follow through with our appointed times in acting out, demonstrating or releasing what we have been given. In Matthew 13:52, the scripture that I use to serve as the foundation for understanding The Scribal Anointing, we are to be “scribes instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven” who are “householders” who pull out old and new treasure directly from the spiritual realm. We are TREASURE HUNTERS.
Truly, understanding this aspect of our calling as scribes — not just as writers is immeasurable, invaluable. You see, most of us are MORE THAN WRITERS. (See my article, “More Than A Writer’s Anointing.”) Many times we think that the Word of God is hidden from us, but it isn’t. We can access whatever we desire as Sons of God simply by tapping into our omniscient Father, and in His timing secrets set aside for our calling, destiny and purpose will be revealed. God doesn’t want to withhold anything from us. Rather, He is always preparing and positioning those who are thirsty to receive more.
If we are truly prophetic scribes, then we WILL ADMINISTRATE OR DEMONSTRATE what Father gives us in an earnest pursuit in our mature place. In truth, everything we do in the Kingdom, though for us, is often just as much for others. I am often reminded how being obedient to sharing poetry before others, and taking command of a mic paved the way for us to have this conversation today. This ministry entrusted to me (AND THE ONE GIVEN TO YOU) might be the small beginning that gives way to a rich, prosperous and profitable future. Truly, we are not to despise small beginnings.
It is for this reason that I write to you concerning a raging problem among scribes called – self-sabotage.
Part I: Defining Self Sabotage
If this stronghold isn’t exposed and its roots destroyed, many scribes will leave this earth without fulfilling their purpose; and those assigned to that specific scribal work will not receive what Father intended. It’s a sad thing to carry a prophetic word from the Lord in your heart concerning your destiny; and never see it fulfilled.
At one time, my name could have very well been “Self-Sabotage” instead of Theresa. Father revealed that the root of it in my life was strong feelings of unworthiness, self-hatred, comparison, fear and more. I also must say that I WAS SO LAZY!!! LAZINESS WILL KILL THE GIFTS OF GOD!!! I needed healing on so, so many levels. We cannot allow our “need for healing” to cause us to stop along the path. Even as we need healing, we push in to touch the hem of His garment.
The Lord doesn’t want His people existing in the “wishing place,” but in the manifesting place. He does not want us to leave the earth realm with unfulfilled vision inside us… and “I-could-have-but” laying in a grave. He doesn’t want us to dwell here having never tasted His goodness and His faithfulness in every area of our lives. He wants us to walk out the plans He has for us with passion and power. Were it not so He would never have placed them in our hearts and sent us forth. PLEASE hold on to this.
People of God, we must know that we are well able to walk out the vision written in Heaven for our lives.
We must remember that even if man does not believe in us (mothers, spouses, friends, loved ones, pastors, mentors, etc.), that God does. While we need people, we were never created to be controlled by them. The LOVE OF GOD must compell us. Period.
2 Corinthians 5:14 says, “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.”
Philippians 1:6 says, “For I am convinced that he who began a good work in you will see it completed until the day Jesus Christ returns.”
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts and the plans that I have for you, to give you a hope and a future.”
WHAT IS SELF SABOTAGE (SPIRITUAL)? It is the deliberate act of destroying or disrupting the plans and purposes that the Lord has for your life; or any act that an individual commits against himself that hampers, hurts or destroys the plans of God in, through and for their lives.
In part two of this article, I outlined some examples of strongholds that are activated in the lives of people who walk in self-sabotage. At one point in my life, I was the extreme of all of these. I was confronted one day by a sister in the Lord who literally “tore me up” in love with the truth. This helped me begin the process of overcoming them. Of course they didn’t all go at once, but I asked the Holy Spirit to help me root them out, and He did.
Part II: Cyclic Patterns and Behaviors of Self Sabotage
Self-sabotage is a vicious cycle. When a person is in it, they continuously repeat bad habits or learned behaviors that are self-destructive to them. Their mind-set is messed up, even stuck in places of poverty and negativity. Obvious behaviors that cause self-sabotage in the natural could be the continuous practice of poor spending habits; eating all the wrong foods after receiving a diagnosis of diabetes; or something as extreme as showing up late for work every day knowing that you have already been warned or written up for tardiness. In other words, you are walking out attitudes and behaviors that will result in negative consequences for your life – closed doors, lost opportunities, lack of credibility, poor integrity, etc. Sometimes, it’s not easy to make a comeback once the damage has been done.
Listed below are some behavior cycles or areas of self-sabotage that can significantly derail the spiritual and natural maturity of the ministry of a scribe. Our focus is on those strongholds that hinder the birthing or completion of writing projects. Most of the time, I give tons of scriptures with these articles. This time, however, I want to challenge you to seek out and find scriptures and biblical situations addressing these strongholds. Many of them can be found in Proverbs.
The Self Sabotaging Scribe Can Operate In:
- Procrastination is the act of constantly postponing or putting off opportunities to write, complete areas of your writing, or to otherwise focus on what the Holy Spirit is constantly bringing to your remembrance. If the Lord is calling you to write, you will receive constant reminders, nudges and pulls in your spirit to do so. These are “beckoning” or calls to come into the presence of the Lord because our Father wants to speak with you. Many people will dismiss these nudges with a promise to “do it tomorrow.” While the Father is patient, there will come a time when the assignment will be passed to someone else who will answer the call.
- Excuse Making: This is the pattern of consistently coming up with reasons or explanations concerning why you cannot do something or why something has not been completed and/or started. Many times, there are multiple reasons why something you were assigned to do did not get done. The root here is usually selfishness and willfulness, wanting to do it “my way” and when “I feel like it.” Sadly, they fail to understand that they are doing this for the Lord and for His Kingdom, and that this assignment is more important the other. I’ve learned that when I take care of God’s business, my stuff automatically works itself out.
- Lack of Focus: The inability to stay on task. When working on an assignment from the Lord, many become easily distracted by “other” things and are unable to devote any significant amount of time to their projects without being “interrupted.” I was in a meeting with someone recently. The meeting was planned a month or more earlier. However, they picked up their cell phone four times during our 1-hour meeting to take a call. When a person is focused, they use their time wisely and give full attention to the project at hand or in this case with the person they are meeting. When we are talking to the Lord, we have His complete attention. He deserves at least that much from us when He calls us into a work for Him.
- Slothfulness: This is just another word for being lazy. A slothful person lacks passion and motivation for their writing projects. They tend to be jazzed up about the “idea” of the project – but lacks follow through. Projects often tend to sit ignored or forgotten.
- Denial: This is a biggie. It is the inability to inwardly see that “you” are the problem – and not the people around you. It is a rejection of reality and truth concerning one’s own self. It is the failure to fully recognize and acknowledge that self-sabotage is taking place. Often pride, self-will, rebellion and disobedience is at the root. (Watch out for this one! It has many associated strongholds.)
- Negative Thought Patterns/Figures of Speech: This one is devastating. A scribe will talk him or herself out of their own project simply with their thought processes, mouths and views of themselves. People suffering from this stronghold often need a great deal of encouragement due to ungodly beliefs rooted in their hearts and deep deliverance. They tend to speak negatively of themselves — belittling their own knowledge, skills, and possibility of success. They even settle for anything. This type of scribe will always have an “I think the worst” type of mentality. For everything good that is presented, they automatically counter with a negative thought process. The root here is generally rejection, comparison and feelings of unworthiness.
- Poor Planning/Time Management: Failure to make time for the project. Deluded by a “busy” smoke screen that has been specifically designed to block the project. People who overly tax themselves may also suffer from forgetfulness and CHAOS.
- Fear: An overwhelming feeling of anxiety or apprehension caused by a lack of confidence, a lack of support in the natural, the possibility of competition or as a result the opposition. This is also an area where scribes are afraid of taking risks by stepping out on faith. Other associated strongholds could include spirit of suspicion, inability to trust others, or thoughts of conspiracy. Fear can also lead a scribe into a place of desperation – especially in the publishing process. (I may come back to this particular topic later).
As a result of these behaviors — many of which are extreme, many of the TREASURES OF THE KINGDOM are lost, delayed or forgotten. The Father will not give up on us, but if he wants something done and we refuse to do it… he will find a willing vessel to carry that task forth. Don’t give up one of the keys to your destiny.
Had I not broken the ROOT of these strongholds off of my life, the Lord would not have been able to trust me with the other books I am in the midst of writing. It is imperative that the scribe wake-up from His sleep to be used by God. Have you ever met a “scribe” who didn’t write?
Have you ever met a medical doctor who did not practice or teach medicine on ANY LEVEL? What if Jesus called himself a savior but then decided He wasn’t going to save anyone? It is is illogical — in the natural and in the spirit.
In Part III we will discuss uprooting sabotage from the life of a scribe.
