WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHRIST

Text: 1 John 2:7; 1 John 1:7; John 13:15; 1 Cor. 11:1; Eph. 5:2; 1 Pet. 2:21; Phil. 2:5-11

In biblical contexts, "walk" often refers to how a person lives their life, their daily conduct, choices, values, and behavior. To walk in Christ's footsteps means to strive to live the way Jesus lived with love, humility, compassion, obedience to God, and to be selfless [Phil. 2:5-11]; Such must be full of power and glory, and live a godly lifestyle in holiness and walking in righteousness.

When compounded into one word as they are in this verse, “walk in the footstep”, the new word means to carefully follow after Jesus Christ and to replicate what and how he did it. It depicts a person so committed to imitating another person that he is willing to follow him exactly and to do whatever he does. This is a picture of true discipleship. The word “walk” could only describe a person who is very serious about replicating someone else’s life as his own. Although everyone will not heed it, this call to replicate the life of Jesus is a call that God has given to every child of God. In simple terms, it means to walk like Jesus walked. Jesus gave us a perfect revelation of God, and we should model our lives after His. 

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” 1 Peter 2:21

But as Peter continued, he used a word to explicitly show how closely we are to imitate the life of Jesus in our own lives. Peter went on to say that we should follow in his steps. The word “step” is the Greek word “ichnos”, meaning footprints, precisely like the footprints we left in the sand at the beach. It is the picture of us putting our feet exactly where Jesus first placed His feet, stepping in His very footprints and following His actions in every circumstance we face. Love when we ought to love like Him, and pray to the Father when we ought to pray as He did. The verse could therefore read, “We must ardently follow Jesus' lifestyle, to replicate His life in ours. Yes, we must be so committed to follow Him that we step in His very footprints.” We must do as He has done, live as He had lived

“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you,” John 13:15 

This means we must learn to walk in Jesus’ steps, even if it seems His pace, His standard, His example, His way of living and loving, and forgiving seem much bigger than the level we are used to “walking in” right now. We must be committed to leap from one footprint of the Master to the next until we have learned to easily match His stride and keep the pace He set while He walked the earth. When the religious elders saw the boldness of Peter, they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus. 

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvel; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Act 4:13 

To "walk in the footsteps of Jesus" means to live a life that reflects his teachings, values, and actions. It involves imitating his example of love, compassion, humility, obedience, purpose, and devotion to God, while giving priority to his commands and embracing a life of service and sacrifice. Essentially, it's about embodying the spirit of Jesus in all aspects of our lives.

Jesus walked in holiness, righteousness, and submission to the Will, Way, and Word of the Father; we too must walk that way. He did the Father’s will, so must we do also!

For emphasis's sake, Jesus showed deep compassion, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, delivering the oppressed, and welcoming the outcasts like the lepers [Matt. 9:36; John 8:1-11]. He taught with divine authority, never compromising the truth [Matt. 7:28-29]. Jesus walked in perfect obedience to the Father, doing nothing apart from God’s will [John 5:19; Phil. 2:8]. He embodied perfect love for God and His people and even His enemies [John 13:34-35; Matt. 5:44]; and though He was fully human, Jesus lived a sinless life [Heb. 4:15].

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin” 1 John 1:7

Walking in the light like Jesus means living in truth, purity, and being in close fellowship with God, just as Jesus did. It is about honesty with God and others, obedience to God’s commands, rejecting sin and all things about darkness, and allowing God’s truth to guide our actions. This was how Jesus Christ walked with the Father, for He was sinless, pure, holy, and in full fellowship with the Father. We are called to model our lives after His life. We are to strive to live in a way that reflects His character; we must be renewed in our mind and be transformed into His image [Romans 12:2; 2 Cor 3:18].

“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us” Eph. 5:2 

Of all the good ways that Jesus walked, the way He expressed the love of God in whatever He did and wherever He went was the most important. He walked in “agape and not in phileo” love. So are we to walk also? This means we must love with “selfless and sacrificial” love that reflects the heart of God by putting others first [Phil. 2:3], love without conditions [Luke 6:35], serve and sacrifice [John 15:13], forgive freely [Col. 3:13], live by the spirit and speak [Gal. 5:22], and act in truth [Eph. 5:2].

To go deeper in following Christ, we must …

Follow His Teachings

This involves studying and living according to scriptures, understanding Jesus's message of love, forgiveness, and grace, and we have to apply those principles in our lives daily. It is called living by the word of God.

Emulating His Actions

This means being compassionate, kind, and helpful to others, just as Jesus was. It also involves showing grace and forgiveness, even when we were wronged.

Prioritizing God's Will

Walking in the footsteps of Jesus requires making decisions that align with God's will, even when they are difficult or unpopular.

Living a Life of Service

This involves using one's talents and divine abilities to serve others and to advance God's kingdom.

We must be humble and obedient

It means recognizing one's dependence on God and submitting to his authority.

Experiencing Transformation

As one follows Jesus, we should experience a growing sense of transformation, as God works in our lives, to make us more like Christ [2 Cor. 3:18].

Here’s how someone can do that

Study His life and teachings by reading the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) to understand Jesus’ actions, words, and heart; and emulating it. We must pay attention to how He treated people, especially the poor, the sick, the sinners, and the outcast.

Love Others Deeply

Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–39). Forgive, show kindness, and help those in need.

Practice Humility and Service

Jesus washed His disciples’ feet to show that true greatness is found in serving others (John 13:12–17). Do not lord over the flock of God you are just their shepherd not their lord or master.

Walking like Christ means putting others before yourself.

Live with Integrity and Faith

Jesus always aligned His actions with God’s will. Be honest, faithful, and seek to live according to God’s truth.

Pray and Stay Connected to God

Jesus often prayed alone to stay connected to His Father [Mark 1:35]. Make prayer and spiritual reflection a regular part of your life.

Carry Your Cross

Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).

It means being willing to endure difficulty for the sake of love, truth, and faith.

Walking in Jesus' Footsteps also involves…

1. We should imitate Jesus' love by showing kindness, empathy, and compassion to those around us.

2. We should serve others in practical ways, such as volunteering, helping those in need, and being a good neighbor.

3. We should seek God's will for our lives, striving to obey Him and follow His guidance.

Challenges and Opportunities

1. Following Jesus requires self-denial, which can be challenging but ultimately freeing from a carnal lifestyle. 

2. We may face obstacles and challenges, but perseverance and faith can help us overcome them.

3. As we walk in Jesus' footsteps, we can experience growth and transformation, becoming more like Him.

The call to supernatural life and ministry

There is an important side to how Jesus Christ walked and worked that we ought to walk in which the Church has often ignored. That has to do with the fact that He walked with the fact that all the AUTHORITY in heaven and on earth has been given to Him by the Father, and He walked appropriating and manifesting that authority that the Father gave Him by healing the sick, delivering the oppressed and the harassed, raising the dead and setting the captives free.  

“Then Jesus came close to them and said, “All the AUTHORITY of the universe has been given to me. Now go in my AUTHORITY and make disciples of all nations…” Matt. 28:18-19 TPT

Jesus now gave us the authority and the glory that the Father gave Him to do the same works, and to walk the same walk in life and ministry [John 17:21]. Unfortunately, most of us do not “go in His authority” to do as commanded or to walk and work as Jesus did!

Please let us use another scripture to understand this better…

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” Mark 16:17-18 [See verse 20]

As many as understand the fact that Jesus worked miracles, signs, and wonders, and has given them the same grace to work and walk with the same grace, should be able to do the same works that He did.

The heart of Christianity is a call to supernatural life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to manifest God's kingdom on earth. As believers, we are consecrated to follow in Jesus' footsteps, extending His saving work and demonstrating His power through the grace gifts of the Spirit [healing, miracles, signs, and wonders inclusive].

"For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. " Romans 8:19

Both ministers and the congregation of the New Testament Church must arise and manifest Christ's glory, love, and power in our lives and to a dying world, testifying [Witnesses Acts 1:8] to God's goodness and majesty; we have been made kings and priests unto our God and also sons of the heavenly Father who manifests the works of Christ on earth. Walking an+-+++d working like He did.

We must embrace our divine calling, yield to the Holy Spirit's guidance, and walk in the supernatural life that Christ has won for us. Our lives must be a testament to the transformative power of the gospel, and God's kingdom must come on earth as it is in heaven! (Matthew 6:10). For emphasis’s sake, we must crucially hook up with the power of the Holy Spirit and access miracles, signs and wonders for ourselves and those we minister to.

The Lord Jesus Christ could do nothing until He was full of the Holy Spirit and with power of the Spirit [Luke 3:23, Luke 4:1, 14, 28] and He categorically stated that we must tarry until we are endued with power from on high [Luke 24:49]. The Holy Spirit is the power source for effective ministry and living a supernatural life. Jesus Himself said, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you" (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit is the One who empowers us to witness (Acts 1:8), gives us spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11), works miracles, signs, and wonders (Acts 2:22, Hebrews 2:4), guides us into truth (John 16:13) and fills us with God's love and grace (Romans 5:5, Ephesians 3:19).

Believers must earnestly seek the Holy Spirit's power and presence, be yielded to His guidance, leading and directing; and filled with His grace. As we do so, we'll experience the supernatural life God intended for us to live and manifest His glory to a world in need! (Matthew 3:11.). We must not grieve the Holy Spirit by who we are sealed until the day of redemption.

However, we are consecrated as saviors [Obad. 1:21], just like Christ was [John 17:19, 17]; we must follow in the footsteps of Jesus, our ultimate Savior. We are called to continue His redemptive work, extending His love, grace, and salvation to a world in need, and consecrated by God to be agents of salvation, reconciliation, and healing in our spheres of influence. We are empowered by the Holy Spirit to fulfill this divine mandate, being used by God to bring hope, light, and life to those around us.

We must embrace this high calling, humbly acknowledging our role as saviors after the order of Christ, and our lives must be a reflection of His love, compassion, and saving grace. [2 Cor. 5:18-20]

Believers must arise as sons of God and manifest Christ in their lives, reflecting and demonstrating His glory, love, character, and power to a world in need. We must arise and show the world what it means to be sons of God, living like Jesus lived, loving like He loved, and demonstrating His kingdom's power and grace like He did.

As we arise, we must embrace our true identity as sons of God, extend His kingdom on earth, and bring hope and light to a world in need. It is time to reveal the glory of God Jesus gave to the Church [John 17:22] and reveal it to a world waiting to see His splendor! (Psalm 82:6)

Manifesting sonship

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” Rom. 8:17 KJV

“And since we are his true children, we qualify to share all his treasures, for indeed, we are heirs of God himself. And since we are joined to Christ, we also inherit all that he is and all that he has. We will experience being co-glorified with him, provided that we accept his sufferings as our own” Rom 8:17 TPT

Jesus Christ walked with the consciousness of who He is in God. The day I saw a governor at the airport, he walked as one who carries power with a bodyguard and police men all around him. Jesus walked with the knowledge of the only begotten son of the Father with great pomp, we too ought to walk with the consciousness of who we are …sons of God and be aware that we carry ballistic missiles of heavenly power and glory; and the host of angels all around us daily.

“Elijah was just as human as we are, and for three and a half years his prayers kept the rain from falling. But when he did pray for rain, it fell from the skies and made the crops grow” James 5:17-18 CEV

The Holy Spirit came upon Elijah, and he decreed no rain for three and a half years, and it was so. Scriptures declared that he is just as human as we. We even stand in a better position than Elijah to do these works. The Holy Spirit only came upon him in the Old Testament whenever God wanted to use Him, but the Holy Spirit lives in us.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” 2 Cor. 4:7  

 

CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST

"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son…" Romans 8:29

This verse highlights God's ultimate purpose for believers to transform them into the likeness of Jesus Christ. The term "conformed to the image of his Son" means that believers are being shaped and molded to reflect the character, nature, and righteousness of Jesus Christ. It’s a process of sanctification, by which a person is set apart for God’s purposes; they grow more like Jesus in their thoughts, deeds, and attitudes as they follow Christ. Sanctification includes separation from sin, consecration by setting oneself apart for God’s purposes and services, transformation into Christ-likeness, and progressive and continual spiritual growth and maturity. [1 Thess. 4:3-4; Heb. 10:10; 1 Peter 3:15]

It also suggests that Jesus is the model for all Christians, and by this transformation, believers are brought into a closer relationship with Christ, sharing in His glory and becoming part of God's family. 

Meaning of "Being Conformed"

The term "being conformed" comes from the Greek word "syschematizo", which means to be shaped or molded according to a particular pattern or standard. In Romans 8:29, "being conformed" refers to the ongoing transformation in a believer's life, where their thoughts, actions, and character are molded to match the example and nature of Jesus Christ. This is not just about outward behavior but about a deeper, internal change where a person’s heart, mind, and desires begin to reflect more of Christ’s nature.

The idea of being conformed involves a continuous process over time; it's not something that happens all at once but is an ongoing work that God does throughout the life of a believer. It’s the Holy Spirit’s role to use the word of God to shape the believer to become more like Jesus, who is the ultimate pattern or model we need to become like.

Meaning of "Image of Christ"

The "image of Christ" refers to the likeness or representation of Jesus Christ’s character, nature, and attributes. In the Bible, the word "image" often implies the moral and spiritual resemblance to something or someone, in this case, the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Image of Christ includes…

His character: Jesus’ humility, love, compassion, kindness, and grace.

His righteousness and holiness: The perfect obedience to God, walking in right standing with God, and purity that Jesus lived out.

His attitude and thinking: The mind of Christ, characterized by servitude, sacrifice, and a focus on God’s will rather than personal gain.

Being conformed to the image of Christ means that believers are being shaped to reflect becoming like Christ in their lives. It means that, over time, a believer’s attitudes, actions, and choices should resemble Christ more and more, in an ever-increasing splendor. This involves growing in Christlike qualities or character, such as love, humility, forgiveness, and patience, and living in a way that brings honor to God.

Being conformed refers to the process of being shaped or molded into the standard of Christ. The image of Christ refers to the perfect character and nature of Jesus, and the process of being conformed to His image means growing more like Him in every aspect of life.

The process of being conformed to the image of Christ

The way of being conformed to the image of Christ, also known as sanctification, is a lifelong journey of spiritual transformation. It involves the Holy Spirit working within a believer's life to make them more like Jesus in their character, actions, and desires. This transformation is both a positional reality (through faith in Christ) and a practical process (through daily growth in holiness); as we behold Christ in the mirror of the word of God, we are being transformed into His image [2 Cor. 3:18]

Here's how this process typically unfolds:

1. Justification (“Being made just” Position in Christ)

“Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us” Rom. 5:1 TPT  

The process begins with justification, where a believer is declared righteous before God through faith in Jesus Christ. This is not based on anything a person does but on Christ's finished work on the cross, having accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Justification makes a believer united with Christ, and the transformation process begins.

2. The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in sanctification. When a person is saved, the Spirit comes to live within them and empowers them to live Christ-like lives. The Spirit helps convict believers of sin, guides them in the truth, and produces Christ-like fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).

The Holy Spirit also enables believers to put to death the deeds of the flesh and live according to the Spirit (Romans 8:13).

3. Renewing the Mind

Believers are instructed to… "be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2

Transformation of the mind is key to being conformed to Christ.  This involves changing how we think, see the world, and understand and be a doer of God’s will. It’s a shift from a worldly mindset to a spiritual one that reflects Christ's values, priorities, and attitudes. It is our reasonable service!

Regular immersion in God’s Word [Reading, studying, meditating upon, and becoming a doer of the Word of God], is essential in this process. The Bible teaches, corrects, and shapes a believer’s understanding, helping them to live according to God's will, way, and word (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

4. Obedience to God's Commands

As believers grow in Christ, they are called to obey God’s Word. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Obedience is a natural outflow of the love and transformation that God works in our hearts. The more we align our lives with Christ’s example of doing the will of the Father, the more we become like Him.

Obedience, though not perfect, reflects a desire to honor God and imitate Christ in everything from love and humility to patience and kindness.

5. Suffering and Trials

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” Rom. 8:18  

Being conformed to the image of Christ often involves suffering and trials. Romans 8:18, as quoted above, speaks of sharing in Christ’s sufferings to also share in His glory. These difficulties refine faith and help believers to grow in Christlikeness by teaching them to rely on God, persevere, and trust Him in all circumstances. [2 Cor. 4:17-18; Heb. 11:25-26; 1 Pet. 1:6-7]

Jesus' life included suffering, and Christians are called to follow Him in this, growing in humility, compassion, and dependence on God.

6. Developing Christlike Character

As believers submit to God’s process, they begin to reflect more of Jesus’ character. This includes virtues like…

Love (John 13:34-35)

Humility (Philippians 2:5-8)

Patience (Ephesians 4:2)

Forgiveness (Colossians 3:13)

Purity (1 Peter 1:15-16)

Joy and Peace (Romans 15:13)

The goal is to increasingly resemble the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23), where love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are evident in our daily lives

6. Fellowship with Other Believers

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another…” Heb. 10:25 

The Church community is essential in the process of sanctification. Believers encourage one another, hold each other accountable, and encourage each other on in their faith (Hebrews 10:24-25). Relationships with other Christians provide opportunities to serve, learn, and grow in Christlikeness together. Iron sharpens iron and deep call unto deep.

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” Act. 2:42 

8. Glorification (The Final Stage)

“Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified” Rom. 8:30 

The ultimate goal of being conformed to the image of Christ is glorification. This will happen when Christ returns, and believers will be made fully like Him, perfected and free from sin, living forever in His presence. We shall be caught away to live with Christ in eternal paradise.

"…who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:21

The process of being conformed to Christ

"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Cor. 3:18 [See also Col. 3:10]

The process of being conformed to the image of Christ involves the work of the Holy Spirit, the renewal of the mind, obedience to God's Word, enduring trials, and growing in Christlike character. These all lead to eventual glorification, when believers will be made perfect like Christ. It’s a continual, ongoing process that will be fully realized only when believers are with Christ in eternity.

Blessings of conforming to the image of Christ

Conforming to the image of Christ brings many blessings to a believer's life, both spiritually and practically. Here are some of the key blessings:

Spiritual Transformation: Conforming to Christ's image means growing in holiness and becoming more like Him. This transformation leads to a deeper relationship with God and a more Christ-like character, which includes qualities such as love, humility, patience, kindness, and peace.

Increased Inner Peace: As you align your life with Christ’s teachings and example, you experience a sense of peace that surpasses understanding. This peace comes from knowing that you are walking in alignment with God's will.

Purpose and Fulfillment: By reflecting Christ’s character, you are more attuned to God’s purposes for your life. This alignment brings fulfillment and a clear sense of purpose, knowing that your actions reflect His will for you.

Eternal Rewards: The Bible teaches that those who are conformed to the image of Christ will receive eternal rewards. Living a life that reflects Christ's love and obedience leads to treasures in heaven.

Empowerment by the Holy Spirit: The process of conforming to Christ is made possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit equips you with strength, guidance, and wisdom to follow Jesus’ example and resist temptation.

Greater Compassion for Others: As you grow in Christlikeness, you develop a greater love and compassion for others. You are moved to serve, care, and share the love of God with those around you, reflecting Christ's heart for the world.

Freedom from Sin: Christ’s image is one of perfect obedience and purity, and as you grow in that image, you experience freedom from the power of sin. The more you become like Him, the more you are set free from destructive patterns and behaviors.

Unity in the Body of Christ: Conforming to the image of Christ promotes unity among believers. As each person seeks to reflect His character, it builds a strong and harmonious community within the Church.

Joy in Suffering: In Christ, suffering is not in vain. Being conformed to His image helps you endure hardships with a perspective of hope, knowing that trials are part of God's refining process to make you more like Christ.

These blessings all point to a deeper, more meaningful walk with God and ultimately a life that reflects Christ’s love, grace, and truth in the world.

 

 

BREAKING THE YOKE OF DELAY

Delay means to postpone, slow down, detain, linger or late. There is marital delay, financial delay, physical delay, spiritual delay, material delay or academic delay. Causes of delay include sin [Isa 59:1-2, Jer. 5:25], your foundation. [Gen. 6:25-27], curses [Gen. 49:1-4], wrong association. [Gen 13:8-12], wrong positioning. [Gen 12], various evil powers that can be ancestral or even the powers in the house you live in. There are withholding powers and they play a major role in the rising and falling of families, individuals, organizations, nations etc. They are crucial to the fulfillment or frustration of our divine mandate.

Scriptures: Genesis 28:1-5; Genesis 28:1-4; 11-19; 31:38-42; Psalm 105:17-22; I Cor. 15:8-10; Isaiah 60:1 

There are good things in life, but those good things could be delayed or withheld. There are powers that specialize in holding back good things which are actually available. The spirit of delay hinders people from entering their destiny at the appropriate or set time despite much efforts and labor.

Those who suffer from this spirit spend a much longer time to get what others get easily and quickly. They work so hard before they can get anything. By the time they eventually get it, all the joy of such achievement would have gone. They pay unusual price in getting anything done and they are always last on the line of blessing. The last to get admission, the last to pass examination, the last to get married, the last to have children.

But you can only correct what you are willing to confront. Victory is never accomplished without conflict.

Delay is not a good thing. It brings shame, late achievements, and sometimes non-achievement. It leads to wasted resources, efforts, and even a wasted life. Believers must break free from obstacles that prevent progress. “God will destroy yokes and take burdens off shoulders and necks” [Isa. 10:27] to free us from delay. God’s will is for us is to progress and rise higher, as the Scripture says, “The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children” (Psalm 115:14).

From the beginning, when God blessed humanity, He commanded them to be fruitful and multiply [Gen. 1:28]. This clearly shows that God is not the author of delay. The spirit of delay seeks to stop people from being fruitful, multiply, and fulfilling their destinies. We can categorically say an enemy has done this, in order to weary us from persevering until our goal is achieved, if we are facing spiritual delay.

Delay is when you are hindered or stopped from doing, having, knowing, or becoming what was originally intended. It is an obstacle designed to slow down or derail destinies. Delay is a satanic tactic aimed at causing frustration, stagnation, and missed opportunities. There are different types of delay, for example as seen with Zechariah and Elizabeth, Elkanah and Hannah. It could be divine delay, personal delay, inherited delay, programmed delay and satanic delay.

Breaking the yoke of delay requires recognizing the source of delay, identifying spiritual forces that may be hindering progress or causing delay and acknowledging personal weaknesses, fears, or doubts that may be contributing to delay.

“For we wanted to come to you … but Satan blocked our way” 1 Thess. 2:18 (NIV)

We must seek God's intervention through prayer and intercession, asking for breakthrough and acceleration. We must trust in and have confidence in God's sovereignty, goodness, and timing, even when faced with uncertainty or delay.

Some of the ways to break delay include using the name of Jesus [Acts 2:21], prayer and fasting [Matthew 21:17], anointing of the Holy Spirit. [Isaiah 10:27], praise warfare [Acts 16:25-26] and the ministry of prophet [Hosea 12:13]

Believers must exhibit persistent effort by continuing to take intentional steps towards goals and objectives, despite obstacles or setbacks and have strategic planning by re-evaluating and adjusting plans, seeking wisdom and guidance from God and others. We must embrace divine acceleration, which can bring sudden breakthroughs and rapid progress, and recognize and cooperate with the supernatural momentum that God can bring to our endeavors.

However, we must understand that delay does not necessarily mean denial sometimes; God may be using the delay to refine, prepare, or redirect. Breaking the yoke of delay often requires perseverance, persistence, and determination. We must also trust that God's timing is perfect, even when faced with delay or uncertainty. We must be inspired to break the yoke of delay, trusting in God's sovereignty, goodness, and timing, and persevering towards our goals and objectives.

Many times, we suffer delays in our lives due to satanic manipulations. When Daniel fasted and prayed for twenty-one days, the Lord had answered him from first day. Ungodly delay is a form of denial of God’s blessings. Is there an area of your life where you are experiencing stagnation or delay? Daniel got his answer eventually because he persisted in the place of prayers. When you check your life and you find out that the spirit of delay is in control, then you need to resist it. You must embark on aggressive fiery delay destroying prayers against the spirit of delay with holy aggression.

UNDERSTANDING THE YOKE OF DELAY

Proverbs 13:12 says “Hope deferred make the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.” Delay is to defer, detain, linger, to pause hinder, and +to cause something to occur more slowly than normal. There are good things in life, but those good things could be delayed or withheld. There are powers that specialize in holding back good things which are actually available. The spirit of delay hinders people from entering their destiny at the appropriate or set time despite much efforts and labor. Delay is a spirit, and it’s one of the favorite tools of the devil and his agents used against the children of God. It is use to delay, distract, discourage, and destroy many people lives.

The devil is behind many of our delays, but not every delay originates from the devil. Sometimes, some people might be the architect of their delay through disobeying divine instructions, sins, procrastinations, negative thoughts, prayerlessness, negative confessions, one’s foundation or, wrong association; wrong positioning; double minded; a curse; redeeming our vows. Some of these can delay manifestation of our blessings and breakthroughs.

The goal of the devil is to deny or deprive people of what they need to make fulfilling their divine purpose or destiny. But on the other hand, there can be delay from God. He is the Creator of everything in heaven and earth. He can orchestrate any delay in one’s life because He is arranging a better thing for us at the appointed time. The birth of John the Baptist was delayed so that as the fore runner of Christ, he can be born around the same time that Jesus was birthed.

The Bible talks about the vision being for an appointed time. God promised to answer our prayers, but He did not say He will do it according to our own timetable. The timing might seem not right to us, but God has His own divine appointment time awaiting us. Take for example Joseph, it took another two years for Pharaoh to have a dream that needed interpretation, and it was only then that Pharaoh’s cup bearer remembered Joseph. We need to remember that God has scheduled an appointment time for us to connect with our divine helpers and we can’t force it to happen.

The Bible tells us of how a delay can happen when we pray to God. We’re told of how Daniel prayed and his prayer was answered but the Prince of Persia delayed the angel and God now had to send Angel Gabriel to deliver the answer to his prayer (Daniel 10:12-13). The same thing can happen to anyone’s prayers and answers. It was the operation of territorial spirits, forces of delay and frustration, for example, witchcraft manipulation. Also, Apostle Paul revealed how they were hindered by the devil according to 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18. Those who suffer from the spirit of delay, spend much longer time to get what others get easily and quickly.

The anointing of God shall break the yoke of delay. We must remember that time is very important; Time is value; life is time; and destiny is time bound. Jeremiah 30:8 says that “And it shall come to pass in that day, declares the Lord of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off your neck….” How do we break delay? We must first and foremost, analyze the history of our family or what we are trying to achieve to detect any pattern of delay; Through the help of the Holy Spirit; righteousness; divine Intervention; prayers and sometimes including fasting; meditating on God’s Word, and having godly fellowship with others, we can breakforth. I pray that the power of God come upon us to set us free from every form of delay and when the yoke of delay is finally broken, then the person afflicted will be set free from the spirit of delay.

STRATEGIES FOR OVERCOMING DELAY

In Genesis 15:9-18 God makes a covenant with Abram, promising him descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky but then God gave Abram time frame that his seed will be in captivity for 400 years.

Here we will be discussing strategies for overcoming delays in achieving goals and moving forward in life, where you will get knowledge about breaking free from procrastination and taking action to avoid delays in progress.

Delay is a real concept that can be experienced in both natural and spiritual dimensions. This means that delays can occur as a result of both physical circumstances and spiritual obstacles. The scripture emphasizes that God has not given us a spirit of fear [2 Tim. 1:7], so we must overcome fear in order to defeat it. Delay and fear are both two-dimensional, with delay being physical and spiritual.

To overcome these obstacles, one does not need to focus on the physical body, but rather on the spiritual realm. The word emphasizes the importance of fearing God over fearing those who can harm the physical body. It highlights the significance of the spirit in defining humanity, implying that without the spirit, a person cannot truly be considered human.

Delay can be seen in two dimensions: the physical delay itself and the spiritual aspect known as the spirit of delay. This spirit cannot be overcome through conventional methods, and instead requires a supernatural approach to be addressed effectively through spiritual warfare.

To overcome delays, one must confront them with a determined attitude. The word emphasizes that if you are only addressing physical delays and ignoring spiritual ones, you will not make progress and your efforts will be ineffective. We must engage weapons of our warfare [2 Cor. 10:4-6; Eph. 6:10-18]

For emphasis sake, delay refers to a period in which no growth or progress is seen except for aging. It is seen as a hindrance to achieving prophecies, visions, dreams, aspirations and advancing in life. Delay does not care about the prophecies spoken over your life, even if they were given by great men of God. Rather delay gets excited when it sees progress and prophecies, and it does not show any respect for them. Note that delaying addressing issues can lead to denial. The phrase “delay is not denial” can be an excuse created by the devil to justify procrastination in believers’ lives. Delaying dealing with an issue will eventually lead to denying its existence and it will inhibit your progress.

Many people struggle with delays impacting their lives significantly. Failure to address this negative trait or issue will result in future generations inheriting it. Genesis 15:13 states that God told Abram that his descendants would be in captivity for 400 years. This text explains that the captivity of the children of Israel was not the work of the devil, but rather a fulfillment of God’s word to Abram. The Israelites stayed in captivity for more than 400 years originally prophesied in Exodus 12:40, ultimately falling out of God’s prophetic calendar.

The scripture discusses how the Israelites faced delays despite God’s promises being true, highlighting the idea that delays can hinder progress regardless of authority. The text discusses the concept of delays in God’s timing, using the example of the Israelites staying in Egypt for more than the 400 years. Delay is not the only factor at play, as it is often accompanied by stagnation and backwardness.

When God speaks to someone about you, delays can prevent them from fulfilling what God had asked them to do in your life. The passage in 1 Kings 19:15-17 shows God speaking to the prophet Elijah, instructing him to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha for specific purposes. The scripture discusses the oversight of Elijah in forgetting to anoint Jehu as king, despite anointing two others. This suggests that Jehu’s situation had moved beyond the natural realm, as it is unusual for a prophet to forget such an important task. Prophet Elijah was taken to heaven with an anointment of king Jehu. Jehu was so frustrated about his destiny that he ended up becoming a soldier, yet God sees him as a king. This tells us that delay does not discriminate based on education or qualifications and can have negative impacts regardless of one’s level of expertise or experience. Delay can diminish the value of a person’s accomplishments or credentials. “Delay will turn your degree into a decoration.”

Delay is so stubborn even if they say education is the key to success, delay will come and change the lock where someone has the key, put the wrong lock and they cannot open the door. Delay is so mean that it can come and deal with the whole community, school, family or even nation. Delay is not merciful!