2Cor4:2 but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully; but by manifesting the truth we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.kjv
PRESSURE TO PERFORM
I was discussing with a brother who told me about a Pastor I knew over 20 years ago. That Pastor met this brother and told him that what people are looking for today is a pastor that can see visions and prophesy to them. He told this brother that he would take him to bar beach to receive the power to see people's problems and profer solutions. Thank God that brother didn't fall for it. I heard the story of another gospel musician who has sonorous voice. He is late now but it was revealed that he normally kiss a python before climbing the pulpit to minister. Why would a minister of God seek diabolic means to enhance his ministration? It is because of the pressure to perform.
The pressure to perform is very deadly. It can turn a preacher to a ritualist. Often, we have read in the dailies how some Pastors were caught burying human parts on their altars or in the church premises. Years back, we were out for an outreach in a village in Akoko-Edo area of Edo state years back. As some of our brethren boarded bike to the village, the bike men asked them if they were going to collect power. They told them they are children of God so they wouldn't do that. The bike man told them point blank that preachers come there to receive demonic power so that they can perform.
The pressure to perform is the reason for so many emergency prophets and fake prophecies in town. At the beginning of the year, you'll read several 'thus saith Lord'in newspapers but we know God didn't send most of them. Someone has come under pressure to perform and must prove to the world that he is anointed and has been called to be a national prophet. The day you allow people put you under the pressure to perform or maybe you put yourself under such pressure because of what you see happening in the life and ministry of others, you will miss God. God was about to give some ministers real power but they missed it because they came under presssure to perform. Jesus was asked to show sign. They wanted him to perform but he was wise enough to tell them he won't give them any sign,Matthew12:38. These days, members push pastors to perform. Someone has asked me if I see visions like prophets, she needed someone to say, 'thus saith Lord'. That's how people put pressure on ministers to perform. Beware of introduction that speaks more about you than Christ. Certain introduction before coming on the altar can put you under pressure to perform.
I shall not come under the pressure to perform In Jesus name