2 And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a [a]slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.
3 But immorality (sexual vice) and all impurity [[b]of lustful, rich, wasteful living] or greediness must not even be named among you, as is fitting and proper among saints (God’s consecrated people).
4 Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God].
5 For be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vice or impurity in thought or in life, or one who is covetous [who has lustful desire for the property of others and is greedy for gain]—for he [in effect] is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for these sins], for through these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience.
7 So do not associate or be sharers with them.
8 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light].
9 For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or [c]the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.
10 And try to learn [in your experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [let your lives be constant proofs of what is most acceptable to Him]." Ephesians 5: 1-10 Amplified Bible
As I had my prayer time today, I heard the Lord say, “My people want to carry uncommon anointing, but remain common in life.” As I began to mull over what He had said I began to understand. We want to do the miracles, signs, and wonders like Jesus did. We want to be able to raise the dead, empty the hospitals, have lavish wealth to “be a blessing to others”, cast out devils, write with the anointing Paul, Timothy, Matthew, James, John, etc. had, but there is a price for the uncommon! You can’t be common in your behavior and life and then expect to carry an uncommon anointing to do these things! Your faith and authority will be effected!
Let us look more closely at what “common” means. The definition of ”common” according to Webster’s Dictionary is “Occurring, found, or done often; prevalent.” I found the synonyms to be even more interesting. They are “ordinary – vulgar – usual – general – coarse – public”. In our scripture, verse 4 to be exact, we are admonished to not allow filthy or “coarse jesting” (jokes) to come out of our mouths. Why? Because you are acting common, or acting in a way that is done often and is prevalent in the world today. You are no longer being an “imitator” of God. We are called to be a “royal priesthood and a holy nation”. Royalty does not behave in a “common” way. There is a protocol for behavior. If that protocol is not followed, then royalty becomes common and the position no longer carries the respect and dignity it once did.
What is a Christian’s “protocol”? We find it in verse 9 where it states, “For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or [c]the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life…” What is common? Sexual impurity, covetousness that leads to greediness, filthy talk, and idolatry (anything that is more important to you than your love and servitude to God). Take NO part in it! I like verse 6, too. It says in general, don’t excuse or allow anyone else to excuse or make excuses for this type of behavior! In other words, we can’t say, “Well, Sister Philomena does it and she is a Sunday School teacher, so it is okay for me to do it and for you to do it!” God will deal with her, believe me! I want to be blessed not “dealt with”! You may say, “Well, the Bible says all things are now lawful.” But, don’t forget the second part of that verse, ‘BUT NOT ALL THINGS ARE PROFITABLE!’ There is a saying my mother has that says, “Better safe than sorry”. Just because we CAN does not mean we SHOULD!
You will know if you are being “common” by knowing something is “off” in the realm of your anointing. You will notice things that didn’t anger or aggravate you before, anger and aggravate you now. Things you wouldn’t have watched before, doesn’t bother you to watch as much now. You will notice in you have less patience with your family, co-workers, friends, driving in traffic, etc. and it wasn’t like that before! You will notice a bit of “spiritual sloppiness” has crept in. Ask God to show you where you have slipped up and ask Him to forgive it and restore relationship to you! As your relationship increases with God the more you will reflect God, Himself. The more you reflect God the more the anointing will increase and increase until you carry an UNCOMMON anointing that is full of the power to permanently change your world and the world around you!
Thank you for stopping by, dear reader! I hope you stop by again soon!
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