Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. —Jonah 3:2

God gave the prophet Jonah a commission to go to Nineveh and “preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.” The other prophets may be displeased, the people may not like it, and you may not get recognition for your sacrifice. You may even be run out of town, but be faithful. Do not preach opinion or your ideas, but preach what the Spirit says with love, judgment and Holy Ghost boldness.

It is not the job of the ministry to simply make the sheep feel good. While there are times for ministering comfort and encouragement, growth often comes from discomfort and effort. How will there be growth if the ministry does not proclaim that which the Spirit says?

The devil will try to bind the mouth of every true minister of God. If you preach this, that person will be offended. If you preach that, someone else might not like it. Pretty soon, there is never an ‘acceptable’ time to preach on certain subjects. What shall we then do? To what pressure will we bow? What shall we preach?

Preach the Word. Preach the truth. Preach what God bids thee to preach when He calls for it. Fear not man. Fear not your position. Fear not others. It will be lonely at times, but God will be faithful to His messengers and to His truth.

—mws