TO THOSE WHO HAVE EARS

by Patricia Usiobaifo

I have never really understood why we seek advice from leadership or those in authority over us if we have no intention of heeding that advice. I see this time and time again both in the church and the work place when we give someone permission to speak into our lives and situations and yet then either fail to implement or act on the advice given or indeed we do the opposite to what has been suggested or asked of us. In the church we seek out wisdom from a trusted source often because we are not hearing for ourselves what God is saying to us concerning a specific situation or concerning a decision we need to make. Surely we are not seeking an opinion from that person, or even their earthly wisdom, surely we are seeking to hear from them a God perspective since they have the Spirit of God residing within them and they are the Godly authority placed over us for our covering and protection. Is that not why we ask that person to begin with, because we trust Christ in them? So why then would we seek out an Apostle for their advice if we have no intention of following that advice? It is not only a waste of their precious time but it is also incredibly disrespectful.

Staying stuck in your stuff because you haven’t heard from God concerning your situation is simply an excuse, it is either so you can keep doing what you are doing, it is rebellion or it is fear. Either way God has spoken to you loud and clear regarding His heart for your situation …….you may not have heard the audible voice of God or had it written in the sky  but you have heard clearly through His chosen servant and mouthpiece. Who better to ask than someone who will stand before God and give an account for how they were Christ to you while you were in their care?

Just as loving parents want to save their children from hurt and pain, from repeating the same mistakes they have made in their lives, so an Apostle will advise you  to save you falling into snares and traps set for you. They speak from the heart of God and from their countless experiences.
Do yourself a favour, if you don’t intend to follow instruction then don’t ask. Remember once you have asked you are then without excuse. Shalom.