The Consecration Filter

The Bible repeatedly encourages us to align our character and lifestyle to reflect the Lord Jesus. Doing so requires that we maintain a Biblical worldview and remain devoted to the commands of Christ. As we grow in our faith and consistently demonstrate a purity of heart, we become empowered by the Holy Spirit; God then shows us favor which is a privilege of Kings.

“The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole Earth to show Himself strong on the behalf of those whose hearts are perfect toward Him.”
II Chronicles 16:9

However, the grace that flows our way from Heaven comes with tests at times. God wants to ensure that He is not overwhelming His children with power that might misdirect them. Even the apostle Paul had to admit this. He had been provided astounding levels of revelation. The Lord saw the purity of his heart and gave him insights that allowed him to write two-thirds of the New Testament. However, he also developed a “thorn in the flesh,” some sort of physical ailment, which he classified as a message from Satan, and sent by God Himself, to ensure Paul’s continuing humility.

The process of conforming to the principles of Jesus, while accepting and passing the tests from God Himself, is called consecration. It strengthens our character and increases our holiness. As we continue to grow spiritually, we become increasingly mature. Eventually, we can agree with Jesus when He says, “Therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
I Corinthians 13:11

Several spiritual qualities are found in consecrated believers.  They include: 

1. A Devotion to a Purely Biblical Worldview 
   Mature believers agree that scripture alone is “God-breathed” and informs all life decisions.  Immature or soulish believers ignore Scripture, using religion or philosophy to justify personal morality. 

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness… 
2 Timothy 3:16

2. Honors and Pursues God’s Heart and His Will in All Issues 
   Mature believers seek justice and display gratitude easily.  Immature or soulish believers seek fairness and the praise of men rather than approval of God. 

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8 

3. A Devotion to the Fatherhood / Sonship Doctrine 
   Mature believers know that as fathers we “go and prepare a place” for sons, and as sons, we wait for phased release into our destiny by our father.  Immature or soulish believers retain an orphan spirit and reject fatherhood as authoritarian.  They feel abandoned and rejected, self-referential, autonomous, and can be uncoachable. 

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 
John 14:2-3 

4. A Devotion to Advancing the Kingdom of God 
   Mature believers behave honorably, as an ambassador of God.  Immature or soulish believers manufacture ministry “in the name of the Lord.” 

Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 
Matthew 7:22

5. A Devotion to Following the Commands of Christ 
   Mature believers are obedient; willing to be purified and tested and eager to conform to the character of Christ.  Immature or soulish believers pick and choose the commands which are convenient and easy to obey. 

He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him. 
John 14:21
 
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
John 6:63 

6. Accepts Authority Even When it Restricts One’s Personal Choices 
   Mature believers find their identity in organic submission to God.  They honor the grace on other people’s lives. Immature or soulish believers find identity and comfort in religion/denomination/spiritual titles and/or rituals. 

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 
Matthew 23:27

7. Have Belief in and Devotion to the Power of Alignment 
   Mature believers honor authorities, believing they are appointed by God as a source of protection and provision.  Immature or soulish believers reject authority as it restricts one’s personal choices.  They pick and choose who to follow based on personality. 

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 
Romans 13:1

8. A Willingness to Allow the Holy Spirit to Change Hearts 
   Mature believers live according to the Law of Love.  They display meekness; they beckon and persuade rather than demand compliance. Immature or soulish believers live by the Love of Law.  They often seem angry, acting like Holy Ghost Jr. and can maintain a veneer of false humility which masks an arrogant nature. 

Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go. 
Proverbs 22:24

9. Have a Belief in and Devotion to the Power of Agreement 
   Mature believers recognize and pursue authentic agreement with those they are “set with” in the Body of Christ.  Immature or soulish believers often are caught peace-faking; quick to form and break alliances and can negotiate a truce rather than making authentic peace. 

Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 
Matthew 18:19

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 
Matthew 5:9

10. A Willingness to Operate on Grace 
    Mature believers are willing to solve problems by drawing on a “fuel supply of grace” rather than on emotional energy.  Immature or soulish believers attempt to perform the work of the Spirit with the energy of the flesh.  They would be considered “a worker of iniquity,” performing spiritual works completely outside the will of God. 

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ 
Matthew 7:21-23

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. 
Proverbs 16:32

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 
Ephesians 4:29

11. A Devotion to the Concept that All Authentic Submission is Voluntary 
    Mature believers discern who is appointed to speak into their life.  They patiently wait for followers. Immature or soulish believers assertively recruit members to a cause and persuade others to enlist in their personal vision. 

For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 
1 Corinthians 4:15

And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse. 
Malachi 4:6

12. Avoidance of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil 
    Mature believers realize we were never meant to evaluate right and wrong in our soul, but rather to discern good and evil in our spirit.  Immature or soulish believer’s decisions are based on intellectual or emotional criteria and reinforced by human will.  They take up offenses for others (for which there is no grace) and can be a peacebreaker. 

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. 
Genesis 3:6-7

13. Maintain a Clear Conscience 
    Mature believers strive to live at peace; speak redemptively and quickly seek or offer forgiveness.  They keep their word.  Immature or soulish believers speak impetuously and foolishly without regard to integrity.  They seek the applause of men rather than the approval of God and can withhold forgiveness. 

Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 
Matthew 5:23-24

Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few. For a dream comes through much activity, and a fool’s voice is known by his many words.
Ecclesiastes 5:2-3