Remember Lot's wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it.
God is doing a radical work within the Body of Christ that is both painful and costly. A Refiner’s fire is sweeping through the Church that is testing both character and conduct. He is lifting the standard of righteousness and seeing who can pass through the flames as purified vessels. And to bring us through safely, He is calling many to walk away from what was once “home.” Because of the sin and compromise within various streams of the Church, there is a sovereign separation occurring. Whether it’s belief systems, fellowships, or associations with certain people, He is asking many to “leave” what is familiar and follow Him to new terrain. For some it may mean a physical move, but for most it is an emotional and spiritual cutting away of that which is no longer good for us.
This may not apply to everyone, but for those who can relate, it is serious business. The call to separate ourselves from what we’ve always known is not without a great price. Unless we are convinced of His promise for something better and trust where He is leading, our emotional attachments will keep us tied to the past and bound to systems that will only fail us. We must determine where our treasure lies if we are to make the right choice.
When God called Lot and his family out of Sodom and Gomorrah, it was for their own good. Sin and compromise had become rampant in their city and the only way for the righteousness of God to be preserved was to leave and go somewhere new. In order for God’s covenant promises to be fulfilled, it would require Lot’s family to move. Immediately. Knowing how hard that would be, God’s directives were very clear. Lot and his family must walk away without hesitation and not look back. There was no middle ground here. Either leave – or die.
But for Lot’s wife, this was not an easy task. Though she took the initial step to leave, her heartstrings kept pulling her back. Imagine what she must have been feeling as she started walking out of her home town. She was walking away from all her old friends and all the memories that had been made. She was walking away from everything she had known. She may have been wondering what would happen to her neighbors who were still there. She may have been grieving the material possessions she had to leave behind or the loss of her home. Regardless of the gross immorality and depravity that prevailed in the city, life in Sodom was what was familiar to her. It was her life. It was what she knew. And now she was told to leave – without looking back.
But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.
Even though God had made it very clear what would happen if they looked back, Lot’s wife allowed her emotional attachments to prevail. When she looked back, the consequence was immediate. God fulfilled His Word and she became a permanent testament to the cost of disobedience.
But this isn’t just a story about disobedience. It’s a lesson about where our treasure lies. For Lot’s wife, her treasure was in her home, what was familiar, and perhaps what brought her comfort. It could be that she actually looked back out of concern for her neighbors and friends. And yet, God was testing her heart. Could she trust His Word and believe that this decision was for her good? Could she leave old acquaintances, knowing their choice to stay was going to be even more costly than her choice to leave? Could she let go of her past and keep her eyes fixed on what was ahead? I believe this is the lesson God is teaching many of us today.
There has been major compromise, sin, and abuse in the Church which God is now calling to account. And it’s not just the Charismatic stream that is being impacted. His entire Body is going through the fires. He is purifying His Bride with a cleansing fire and everyone is having to respond. Do we cling to the past or let it go? Do we hang on to our familiar beliefs, our long-held ideologies, and our favorite ministers, or allow Him to test them all with fire? This is His fire, after all. And to allow those fires to burn and walk away from what “once was,” may seem like a huge loss. And yet – what are we really losing? If the things God is asking us to leave behind are only destructive and dangerous, why would we hang on? Are we clinging to those beliefs and associations because they are right and true – or simply familiar? Perhaps they have even brought us comfort in the past. And yet – if God is judging some of those very beliefs and systems, and they are coming out of the fire as fleshly idols, do we dare cling to them for some sense of false security?
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:7-8)
In this time of testing, the Lord wants to remind us that making the right choice will be worth the cost. Whatever He is calling us to leave behind, we must trust Him and place everything we’ve held dear on the altar. That which is truly of Him and for our good will pass through the flames and come out tried and true. But not everything may pass through. Not everything we’ve held onto has been good for us. Thus, for many there will be a pruning of our lives – a cutting away of dead wood that must take place in order for greater fruitfulness to come.
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. (John 15:2)
Whatever it is that the Lord may be calling you to do, decide where your treasure is. Choose to lay everything on the altar and allow His fires to do the needed work. You have no control over the flames for it is a sovereign work of His Spirit. He will be the one to determine what comes through the fire and what remains. Our part is to simply surrender.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7)
Not everyone will make the same choice. In this corporate baptism of fire, there will be much change and even loss. And yet, it is simply preparation for what’s ahead. The fires of God leave no regret. They are always for our good and for His greatest glory. And they always serve to prepare for the future and make room for new growth.
Yes, there is a cost to leaving. But in yielding to His purposes, that which lies ahead carries even more promise, offers more hope, and is filled with even greater power. Just fix your eyes on Him – and don’t look back.
Wanda has been in ministry for over 35 years as a worship leader, teacher, author, deliverance counselor, and speaker.
23 Responses
Thank for this word. My family is at the place where we must make a choice. We will make it but in the reality of the pain that comes with it. I needed to hear this word.
This is such a good word. My husband and I are going through the refining fire. Job 23, the cleansing is sufficient because we shall come forth as gold.
I never understood why I never received the baptism of the Holy Spirit since becoming a believer in 1980, even after going to Brownsville 5 years after it started, but now I’m waiting on the baptism with fire. I can hardly wait.
Leaving Church by Barbara Taylor Brown a few years back shares her testimony of leaving church due to apostasy. It is leaving comforts and the familiar behind and the power and authority given those who are called to lead tge flock in various capacities. You will arrive into a wilderness of testing and trial of your faith and have to hold firm to Jesus hand as He guides you in faith to your destiny. A time where your faith will be exposed and either make you or break you. Its Peter outside the bost its the woman with the issue of blood. Unless we live a devoted rather than devotional life we will be found wanting in this hour. We seek other true believers and walk in unity one accord. With the Word and Spirit we are an unstoppable force, a restrainer in the face of global evil as this church age closes. Thank you Jesus for what you are doing. Amen
Thank you for sharing. The part about “leaving comforts and the familiar behind” and “You will arrive into a wilderness of testing and trial of your faith and have to hold firm to Jesus hand as He guides you in faith to your destiny” were especially meaningful and so true. We left 18 yrs of involvement as leaders, many many friends, in a ministry that is known worldwide. We did not know that the decision to get free would plop us into the wilderness of testing as you say. But it was the right thing to do.
Thank you, Wanda, very well said and explained the process of exodus that’s taking place right now everywhere – at churches, families, work places! Separate yourself like sheep and goats are separated and don’t look back, look ahead only!
Well said, Wanda. We actually walked away from all that was familiar nearly 20 years ago & we won’t go back! It was a HUGE CHANGE, but WELL WORTH IT! We got FREEDOM in return!
Thank you, Wanda. I am in agreement with you. I believe we are experiencing Godly shaking and sifting. It’s heartbreaking to witness some of my friends’ choices. I’m not sure where God is taking us, but holiness and a more perfect bride will most likely be the result.
I left the organized church businesses over 2o years ago. I was seeking help for peace and freedom. I felt torment and stress knowing that I needed knowledge of exactly what issues I was dealing with. At every church I tried to be a part of, I looked for answers to my problems that needed to be addressed. I responded to every alter call without getting what I needed. I finally left as I always felt abused without freedom. I prayed and ask God to direct me to a Christian Psychologist that I could talk to, that it needed to be someone who could give me insight. I felt like if I had insight I would know what I needed. He sent me to the perfect vessel. It did cost me about $500 but this is where I got the simple word I needed. She listened to my issues of continued “going around the mountain” always bringing pain and sorrow. She identified the devil that I needed freedom from. It was people pleasing. Thinking I had to please people to be loved traced back to an alcoholic father and a critical spirited mother. What a relief this simple information was….it was never talked about in church…as a matter of fact people pleasing was encouraged…to please the pastor would put one in good standing with the Father. That was the unspoken attitude in every church. That is how a business is built. Churches should not be businesses. It was clear that the more $ given the closer one was to the church, leadership, and of course God. I did not return to be a member of another church. I could see how helping to build several churches, my efforts and motives were wrong. What a relief I found. It was clear I needed to repent for not placing God first instead of looking to people to love me and help me. I drew closer to God and concentrated on His Word that concerns how He sees and loves me. I am the apple of His eye, I am above and not beneath in Christ Jesus, the head and not the tail. He loves me unconditionally without having to buy His love.
Best $500 I ever spent! I got delivered from that devil just by taking authority over it and believing that I am who God says I am, without having to earn it or buy it. I have not been back and I await to be sent to help bring in souls wherever He decides.
Thank you again for words of wisdom from Holy Spirit through you! I am encouraged that I have been attending congregations in my hometown of all denominations, and happy to report the pastors and believers are being refined by fire. I hear it and see it in their messages and in the testimonies. Been praying against the spirit of religiosity, which I believe was a principality over our churches for a long time. To God be the glory!!!!! Our good Abba Father expects us to use our most important tool: PRAYER1
This is so confirming of the season I have been in. I changed churches because of new ge/witchcraft types of things going on in the previous church. I’ve als been feeling a nudge to move, but it’s not an easy decision because I really like the little town I live in.
Thank You, Wanda. I needed this. It has been lonely and full of misunderstanding but all we can do is follow where He leads. He is faithful.
Thank you Wanda. This is a much needed message. My family left a denominational church 47 years ago. Yes it was very difficult. It was my whole life at 23 years old. Today, I am very thankful we followed the LORD’s leading. He continues to lead us every day. My relationship with my LORD, is everything to me. So much baggage left behind. Thank you LORD. Thank you, Wanda, for this reminder for everyone everyday. God With Us
Thank you, Wanda for this timely word. We just don’t know where or how God is going to lead us. I do believe, as you said, the church is in a time of refining fire.
This is prophetically timely for me today, as I ponder on a hard conversation I know I need to have and have made all kinds of excuses not to have it, and tried to foresee the outcome in a number of ways and failing each time to move forward with the conversation. Today was the day I committed to my closest prayer partners to make the call. Til now, I still was giving myself a way out- but this clenched it. Whatever the outcome, it lies in my Lord’s hands. I will call and trust Jesus for He knows best.
Thank you Jesus, thank you Wanda.
I’ve always pondered this story. The disobedience of looking back cost not only her but also her other daughters, who had to grow up without a mother. Also, as a mom, I understand that she had other children who stayed behind, which would have been heartwrenching. In Genesis 19, we find that they had other daughters who were married.
Genesis 19:12-14
12 Then the men said to Lot, “Have you anyone else here? Son-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city—take them out of this place! 13 For we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.”
14 So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who had married his daughters, and said, “Get up, get out of this place; for the Lord will destroy this city!” But to his sons-in-law, he seemed to be joking.
Is it possible that Lot and his wife even had grandchildren? Then that would be a horrible thing to face, knowing what was coming to them for not understanding or believing, and leaving with them. I’ve always believed that the reason Abraham stopped asking God to save Sodom at 10 was because he felt Lot and his entire family would make up that 10. Sadly, living in that depravity did not, and apparently, Lot was not a strong enough leader to keep his children or raise them up in the ways of the Lord.
Sheryl York
http://www.AmericaReimagined.faith
So many of us, as I read these messages, have experienced this and more than once! It is very hard to leave what you think is your “Place.” I was brought up in the Roman Catholic Church and I’m grateful that we were taught to honor and respect God but there was never anything taught about a personal relationship with God. Our Mom was longing for more and behold the Charismatic Renewal swept thru our community in the early seventies as I became a young adult and for a wonderful, albeit short period time, was there was a new Hope, we heard that we could have a relationship with our Savior, Jesus! Hundreds were drawn every week to an old Episcopalian Church to Worship and Praise and we became one new man! It was wonderful ! 20 years later, immaturity in leadership, lack of grounding, a “pedowolf” priest in sheep’s clothing, and the leadership of the Episcopal Church moving to affirm homosexual priests took its toll on many of us and we would move on. We went to another Church for a few years, but it was a hard transition for our Children and it just wasn’t going to be our home.
To wrap up, there was another Church that we became involved in and felt hopeful as renewal seemed to be coming there and then once again scandal would shake it. It all seems unbelievable looking back. Sexual scandals, dictates in the hierarchy, and ignorance of the Word have done so much damage. For some years now, we have been joining in on the Web to Fellowship at Glory of Zion(Chuck Pierce is Apostle) and we are so grateful for that Spirit lead place!. It is not our “idea” of whatChurch looks like but Holy Spirit has shown us to let go of how we think things should look and sound and that has brought great Blessing. We also do Communion in our homeas often as possible and that is amazing coming from our backgrounds, as The Lord gave us the freedom to join Him! I would love a Church Home but I want the Spirit to lead us there!
Wanda-Please post this on YouTube -Record this divine & timely message and post it-THE COST OF LEAVING-DON’T LOOK BACK! This word is beyond needful for the body of Christ! It has to reach the masses! Blessings to you, Woman of God!
Wanda-Please post this on YouTube -Record this divine & timely message and post it-THE COST OF LEAVING-DON’T LOOK BACK! This word is beyond needful for the body of Christ! It has to reach the masses! Blessings to you, Woman of God!
You said: “He is calling many to walk away from what was once “home.” Because of the sin and compromise within various streams of the Church, there is a sovereign separation occurring. Whether it’s belief systems, fellowships, or associations with certain people, He is asking many to “leave” what is familiar and follow Him to new terrain. For some it may mean a physical move, but for most it is an emotional and spiritual cutting away of that which is no longer good for us.” We left our “home” of 18 yrs & it has definitely been a difficult emotional & spiritual rollercoaster. This whole post felt like a balm of Gilead, of tangible comfort being poured into me, into all the pain, the doubts, the fears, and reached down into the depths of my soul to confirm we made the right decision. Thank you!!
Thank you for sharing. The part about “leaving comforts and the familiar behind” and “You will arrive into a wilderness of testing and trial of your faith and have to hold firm to Jesus hand as He guides you in faith to your destiny” were especially meaningful and so true. We left 18 yrs of involvement as leaders, many many friends, in a ministry that is known worldwide. We did not know that the decision to get free would plop us into the wilderness of testing as you say. But it was the right thing to do.