Copyright 2012 Theresa Harvard Johnson
(This article is intended to touch your hearts concerning the weight of our call. It is in no way written to condemn, but to convict. It is to prompt us to fully release Holy Spirit to reveal the motives of our hearts to us. For those of you who are assigned to read this article, I pray that you are blessed, and that Holy Spirit will do what He was ordained to do on the inside of you in this very hour. To Father alone be the Glory.)
Back in 2005 when I finishing my first instruction manual, The Scribal Anointing: Scribes Instructed in the Kingdom of Heaven, I had a powerful visitation from the Lord. I was on the brink of planning a county-wide poetry slam when Father woke me up in the middle of the night and said plainly, “Beloved, I have not called you to do this. Shut it down.”
I had volunteer teams set up; a city permit approved; flyers going out; vendors in place; Christian writers in the area on board; local news media coverage organized; and a list of poets ready and waiting. I had even invited a famous Georgia writer to join us and perform through storytelling for the children and youth. It was on, until Father turned it off.
I was four weeks from the event, and terrified of the fallout. In counsel with my pastor at the time, he said to me: “Always remember, it’s better to follow God than yourself. Only he knows your destiny Theresa and the plans he has for you. Either way, I will support your decision.”
I followed God’s directives for me.
One afternoon after making the final cancellations Father gave me a vision. He presented two people before me. I couldn’t see their faces but I knew they were young adults who were hungry and on fire for God. I was like a scribe watching and recording. These two young people were standing before the throne room of God in the very presence of our Father.
Then I heard Father address them. People of God, I want you to visually imagine this scenario in the spirit realm. He asked each one of them the following questions and wouldn’t move to the next one until He had received a response. The questions were in the following order and released as follows:
- Beloved, is my precious Spirit living inside you? Answer: Yes, Lord.
- Is the same precious Spirit living inside you also living inside your brother next to you? Answer, Yes Lord.
- Beloved, have I given you gifts to do my work? Answer: Yes, Lord.
- Are the gifts inside you mine or yours? Answer: Yours Lord.
- Do you own your gift or are you just a steward over it? Answer: No Lord, they belong to you and I am a steward over the gift.
- Am I one with you Beloved? Answer: Yes, Lord you and I are one as you were one with Christ.
In this vision, there was a long pause. Then the Lord had the two young people face each other – eye to eye. Then he said, “If you and I are one, then why would I ever have a need to compete against myself? Why would I ever call you to compare yourself against yourself? Are we not one Body? A house divided cannot stand.”
Immediately, my vision shifted to one physical body. Even now, people of God, take a look at your PHYSICAL BODY in the mirror. Can you imagine your physical right hand trying to out-do the left? Well, Father was showing me that this is what we do when “put ourselves in competition” with one another. We fall into the sin of comparison and division; and attempt to force God to choose one powerful gifting over another powerful gifting. One beautiful face over another beautiful face. One gifted singer over another gifted singer.
It makes absolutely no spiritual sense when we realize that FATHER HIMSELF through Christ is the true vine and we are the branches. It makes no sense when we realize that it is not necessarily the “gifting” that is the issue but the power of the anointing on the gift to work the works of God.
It calls into question all the things that “we do” in the name of the Lord.
It causes us to face this simple truth: “God would never compete with himself! He would never compare himself against himself.” Wouldn’t you agree? In the beginning He said, “Let us….” But let me tell you something, that old man call the flesh would. Hello Theresa! Can you imagine Holy Spirit comparing His gifts to the gifts of Christ or either one of them comparing their gifts to the gift-giver and gift-owner God? Silly isn’t it?
I know this is a difficult message for those rooted in this stronghold to embrace. Even now, there are minds “thinking through” scenarios and circumstances when this is okay. They are looking at their favorite cooking show showdowns and seeing such innocence in the intent. But I tell you, innocent acts born of Babylon are never without motive.
2 Corinthians 10:12 CJB says, “We don’t dare class or compare ourselves with some of the people who advertise themselves. In measuring themselves against each other and comparing themselves with each other, they are simply stupid.”
Please note that “stupid” means to act without wisdom or to act as a fool. It is used throughout the Torah, the Wisdom Books and the Prophets.
Matthew 7:2 CJB says, “For the way you judge others is how you will be judged — the measure with which you measure out will be used to measure to you.”
We see this scripture as one to justify being “judgmental.” In fact, when we enter into comparison we are also placing ourselves as judges over gifts, talents, callings and ANOINTINGS. The spirit of comparison is very subtle, but it is not limited to being judgmental about lifestyle choices and behavior. The “way you judge” is significant! Please understand that comparison is a WAY OF JUDGING and by that measure YOU WILL BE JUDGED.
You see, righteous judgment is DISCERNMENT and discernment is simply distinguishing good from evil – not a test of talent or skill or determining who is better or best.
There are so many scriptures we could discuss to bring this biblical truth forth in this hour, and we could take this discussion so much further. But I want to seal it with Galatians 2:20 CJB:
“When the Messiah was executed on the stake as a criminal, I was too; so that my proud ego no longer lives. But the Messiah lives in me, and the life I now live in my body I live by the same trusting faithfulness that the Son of God had, who loved me and gave himself up for me.”
People of God, I don’t care how much “social Christianity” twists this and tries to make it okay, sin will still be sin… and the truth of God’s Word will still stand. We are ONE in Christ – living, moving and breathing. And there is no way that my Father would pick one child out of himself and choose that child over another.
Romans 2:11 CJB, “For God does not show favoritism.”
So the next time, you or a person around you feels the urge to pick out “the best talent” or “the best gifting” please counsel with Holy Spirit concerning what you are communicating and releasing in the Spirit. People who do this are teaching ungodly judgment and they are practicing “body division.”
Truly, this is the way of the world – to compare itself; but it is not the way of our God. God HATES division in HIS Body.
You might also want to read: What are your gifts making room for?
This article digs deeply into the Hebrew understanding of the scripture that discusses our gifts bringing us before great men.
Just A Note For Those Reading This Message: If you have been blessed with an anointing to draw the people of God together, then I pray that it will be used for God’s Glory and the building up of His Kingdom. Our desire must never be to build our own kingdoms, create fan bases or to get a following. Instead, it must be for the ultimate call: Be reconciled. It is alright to have a good time, but it is not okay to do it at the expense of the precious soul’s of God’s people. Many seek out and enter contests – not to make Christ famous — but to buid an altar of worship for themselves. The scripture says, “Your gift clears the way and places you before great men.” In other words, your gift levels boundaries and walls that block access to places the Lord desires His light to shine. If you have been afforded an opportunity to stand before the masses or people of influence (the kings of this world), then please know that the reason why is simple: He wants access for his purposes. Period. Many in this hour, will find themselves eating, drinking and being merry. But on the day they give an account, many will wake up in hell…. having been found without oil in their lamps. To yield to Father’s purposes, all we have to do is ask Holy Spirit to teach us and give Him authority over our will that we might be broken for the Kingdom. Blessings to you and all that you do in the name of the Father.
