An Identity Shift

I noticed this apostolic streak in me these days. Gone is my pastoral touch. I am speaking truth into and calling fire down on people's lives when, in fact, I realize in hindsight that a hug would convey a truth as important as the truth I convey in pithy words. I have very little tolerance for deviance from the way these days.

Yet, am I compassionate in a way that people can understand? I am basically telling people that their lives are jacked up and that they need to experience some truth in Christ. Wouldn't a hug and then a few consoling words be good enough this season? Apparently not. There was a season to be a pastor. This season God moves me in the apostolic and prophetic spirit. Praise God.

I recall distinctly my terse words these days, to two brothers and then to three adrift acquaintances, sisters in degrees of confusion. My being a good soldier of Christ, to share in his sufferings and then in his glory, demands obedience, and to a degree, ruthlessness against the lies and assignments of the enemy over people's lives. I will capture my thoughts for Christ but when it comes to assignments, lies, vows and curses, I take no prisoners. Kill all the things that separate us from the Father or be killed in certain ways on this earth.