DO NOT LISTEN OR CONSENT

Dearly Beloved, welcome to the month of September, the ninth month in the year 2018 – our year of Commanded Blessings. Thank God for His mercies that have brought us thus far, He truly is faithful and He keeps covenant. Today I want to share with you concerning the authority you wield as a believer. Christianity is an active faith, and so you must not fold your arms and just expect things to happen. You experiencing victory is contingent on what you do in line with what Christ has done. Therefore arise and exercise your authority in Christ.

And all the elders and all the people said to him, “Do not listen or consent.” (1 Kings 20:8 NKJV)

Beloved, there are three gates into a man’s life – the eye, the ear and the mouth, and as believers, we must be very careful who/what we give access to these gates of our lives. Like I’ve said before and it bears repetition, these are not the days to walk about carelessly, or to handle yourself anyhow. The enemy is let loose out of the closet, and his target is to pull believers down. Ephesians 5:15 (KJV) says “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,”. Did you see that? You must be careful what you pay attention to, because whatever you give your attention to, has the ability to affect your life either positively or negatively.

Reading from the 1st verse of our text in 1Kings 20, you will see that the King of Syria in literal terms, decided to start a war with the King of Israel. He sent him threatening messages demanding the goods of the land, which the King of Israel actually agreed to. It did not stop there; Ben-Hadad probably feeling like he had backed Ahab, King of Israel to the wall, made additional requests, much more than what he asked for initially. At this point, Ahab cried out to the elders of the land about what was happening.

In verse 8, which is our text, tells us what the elders’ response was. They said to him “Do not listen or consent”, because whatever you consent to, has the power to influence you. I particularly like the order of their statement, which is listen first, then consent, because you have to listen first, in order to give consent. These elders said, don’t even listen, not to mention giving consent, and I believe that, that was the turning point for Ahab. The bible tells us that they went on to defeat the Syrians.

Child of God, what are you listening to, and what are you consenting to? Remember the scriptures tell us Matthew 18:18 that whatever we bind on earth, would be bound in heaven, and whatever we loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven. You have authority. These are not the days to just sit down and fold your arms, and allow life happen to you. You can change the course of situations, you can turn it around; you have the power and authority to do that. Therefore don’t just accept any thought that comes into your head, you have the right to choose what you pay attention to, and what you consent to. When life places a demand that is not palatable on you, it lies within you to renounce it by not consenting to it. Make the right decision today.

I declare over you that this month, you shall take delivery of your desires. Only the sound of rejoicing shall be heard from your camp. Commanded Blessings will rest upon your household. I shall hear your testimonies. I bless you in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Maranatha!

In His Royal Service
Dr. Mike Okonkwo
The Presiding Bishop