Who hired Judas to be the treasurer of the ministry? Jesus, of course. Now think, Jesus gave an opportunity for a greedy man to handle His money. Did He not know that Judas had a problem with money? Certainly. Which makes for TWO important discoveries:
- The area of gifting is the area of temptation,
- God will give you responsibility and opportunity in that area in spite of your weakness.
WHY?
Does God want to set you up to fail? Actually, He is setting you up to succeed. The only way you can break through a weakness is to face it and overcome it. To break off the iniquity – you must face off with the iniquity.
God doesn't tempt us – yet the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Why? Meeting the tempter seems to be a right of passage into promotion. Did the Father want the Son to fail? Obviously not. He wanted the Son to be tested and qualified to drive the enemy out.
Maybe you and I are tempted most in the area we are called to drive out the devil? Look at the thing you struggle with now and consider if it isn't a spirit somehow associated with the territory you are called to occupy. Judas had a gift for money and therefore had to overcome a spirit of greed. A strong leader may struggle with control, a great persuader with manipulation or seduction.
Temptation reveals weaknesses and “Owning” a weakness actually makes you more authentic. It makes you more generous with others who fall and the humility you experience creates a vacuum in you that draws in greater grace! God gives grace to the humble. Grace is the word that describes a current of divine energizing power from Heaven. As you draw near to Him, He gives you grace and this creates energy to overcome. Heaven creates a table for you right “in the presence of your enemies.” You “occupy till He comes.” You don't run from the pressure. Heaven wants you to win. You'll never meet a temptation you do not have ability to resist. (read 1 Cor 10:13)
And you'll never be held back from promotion because you might be tempted. In fact your weakness and your strength are so intertwined that you will surely meet temptation as you advance. Don't let it stop you.
ALWAYS am edified by your shared thoughts. Thank you for the opportunity to participate!
E
Strongly agree and love the thought. Our weaknesses are for His glory so that others can experience generous grace and ability to walk forward with God in achieving their destiny.
Someone will fill up all peophesies, none shall lack her mate. Someone must wear anti Christ names; we don’t have to be anything but HIS, the choice is ours. Judas had iniquity in his heart which led to him filling that word. He was betrayed by his friend.
good word Pastor Lance. very helpful. God bless you.
Thank you, Lance. This is a timely and personal encouragement. I’m struggling to start/build a real estate business to worship the Lord and fulfill vision. Confronted fear and greed and continuing… Now, must overcome another weakness – marketing. May the Lord help me conquer and grow in all areas so i may please him.
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Thank you for sharing, Lance. My husband and I appreciate what you are sharing. I especially said to him that in all my 33 plus years of knowing the Lord, I have never heard a better description of grace. I’ve also learned in my experiences with Him that before every promotion there is a test we must overcome: sense knowledge evidence or the Word? Revelations speaks of our overcoming by the Blood of the Lam and the Word of our testimony and loving not our lives unto the death.
Your article gives me fuel to fight the enemy’s manipulation of progression into the area of my gifting. It explains a lot of issues I have confronted in my attempts to break through successfully. God bless you and all who read this information.
Great Read : https://t.co/Hhidksjb2E
This is what I have prayed for you since I first heard you speak. It is what I have observed in people, including myself.
“Their greatest strength can be their greatest weakness.” Thank you for the confirmation. Will continue to pray for you that your giftings will be surrendered to the LORD for HIS purposes and not your own, that HIS strength is made perfect in your weakness.
Am praying the same for myself. SHALOM