It has been months ago now I heard in the Spirit “litmus test” more than once. I didn’t understand it at first but soon came to realize the Lord was sending me on assignment and teaching me even through my own suffering, allowing me to see the condition of the Body as a whole. Over a period of about four months through various trials, circumstances, encounters, and mostly through the way others responded to me He was showing me “where the Body was at” so to speak through the litmus tests.

The Lord has been teaching me shepherding through Shepherding me, because a shepherd knows their flock. Our great Shepherd leads with both rod and staff, this is a pivotal time in history and the Body needs both love and correction. Through humbling me in my own life, He showed more than I ever wanted to know – while crushed speechless so I couldn’t boast in what He was sharing with me. This is just a very small impression of the overall dynamic that was laying on me heavy last night – which I hope is perceived through the contrition of my heart, not in judgment or anger.

Last night I went to sleep feeling the grief of the Lord, particularly over how Christian’s within the Church body treat one another. The below scripture came to mind as I said aloud we are hurting His heart. I awoke early to hear the Lord speak in my spirit for a long while regarding.

“And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:40‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When did I think I was better than you Lord?

When did I slander your name Lord?

When did I exalt myself over You, Lord?

When was I excluding You from “my group”, Lord?

When did I cut in front of You, Lord?

When did I tell lies and spread rumors about You, Lord?

When did I look down on You, Lord?

When did I compete with you Lord?

When did I judge you, Lord?

When did I accuse you, Lord?

When did I try and “block” You, Lord?

When did I act like I was more gifted than You, Lord?

When did I say I deserved Your seat, Lord?

When did I say I owned a position in Your house, Lord?

When did I pretend to serve You in humility, Lord?

When did I pretend to love You, Lord?

When?

…

“And the King will reply to them, Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least [in the estimation of men] of these My brethren, you did it for Me. [Prov. 19:17.]” Matthew‬ ‭25:40‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

The least of men according to our own estimations….

Why are the sheep acting like goats? One reason is the Church has exchanged discipline for the discipleship of the spirit of the world, and Babylon still longs for her.

The Church is lagging behind in immaturity living beneath her calling, the Lord is patient but He is also Holy, and His heart is grieved. There is much work to be done, and it’s time to grow and mature. How do we expect to steward mass harvest when we are still cutting down our own, fighting for position or seeking our own glory … all in His Name? Oh how this burdens His heart!

Sheep, goats, wheat, tares; what’s the difference you ask? Fruit. We are judged by God and separated by fruit.

Are we houses of healing or houses of hurt? No longer can the two streams coincide together. If we hurt people in thought, judgments, words, actions – we are hurting the Lord Jesus in thoughts, we are judging Him, we condemn ourselves by condemning others with our mouths, and the action is just a mere reality of wickedness in our hearts – the very place we boast He has a home.

Litmus test is defined by Webster’s dictionary, “something (such as an opinion about a political or moral issue) that is used to make a judgment about whether someone or something is acceptable”. The Lord loves us more than we could ever imagine and equally He is just and righteous deciding what He is for and what He is against. It is maturity to embrace, welcome and even ask for pruning. You are loved by God when you are disciplined by Him. Get in the fire before it consumes you. Yield and prefer the Holy Flame! Judge yourself so you will not be judged.

Father, forgive us. Holy Spirit convict us. Jesus change us.

“Then he said to me, This [addition of the bowl to the candlestick, causing it to yield a ceaseless supply of oil from the olive trees] is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of Whom the oil is a symbol], says the Lord of hosts.”
‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

Spirit move upon us, burn away the chaff, and burn our hearts with holy devotion unto Your Name! Make us a people who truly fear Your Name and keep Your commandments. If we love you, we will obey. Your sheep hear Your Voice and the voices of strangers they do not follow. Guardian of our soul keep us for you!