Let's Be Clear

Judges 7:22
When the three hundred trumpets sounded, the Lord caused the enemies throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords.

I Corinthians 14:8 again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call who will get ready for battle?

It’s important to be clear when you are communicating. Missions can be aborted when communication is not clear. If you are not clear on your instructions you can fail an entire test. When you are not clear on directions you can end up lost. If you are not clear on your expectations you may never find what you are looking for. If you are not clear on instructions you can put in the wrong ingredient and ruin a recipe. It’s important that you be clear.

The Apostle Paul spent an entire chapter talking about the importance of clear communication in the church. He specifically talked about tongues vs. prophecy being used for the edification of the church. Speaking in tongues has been highly emphasized in Charismatic churches as the litmus test for whether or not someone was filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul did not discount speaking in tongues as a gift but rather emphasized Prophecy as more beneficial. Tongues without an interpreter left people unclear as to what was being said by God whereas Prophecy gave people clear instruction from God. The people must be clear on what is being said or else they will never move.

Paul used the example of clearly hearing the trumpet before the people would move out to battle. Before the ancient Israelites armies would go out to battle they waited on the sound of the trumpet. Numbers 10:9 when you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the Lord your God and rescued from your enemies. The problem with modern day leaders is that they are too busy tooting their own horns instead of blowing their trumpets. We are so busy trying to impress people with our gifts that we are never prophetic in blowing our trumpets. People jump when we toot our horns but a movement is started when we blow our trumpets. The trumpets represent the prophetic word of God that notifies the people that we have to make a move against the enemy. People will not move until they clearly hear the trumpet. You can’t be afraid to speak the truth if you want to help the people.

Gideon had 32,000 men to go out to fight against the Amelakites who were oppressing them. God told him he had too many men because if they won they would brag saying they did it. So he narrowed it down to 300 men with swords, torches, and trumpets. When Gideon sounded his trumpet the 300 sounded theirs. Gideon had been reluctant to fight because he was a farmer but once he was clear on the fact that God was with him. He blew his trumpet, then the people blew theirs and the enemy destroyed himself.

Let’s Be Clear:

1. Your spiritual gifts are not for ecclesiastical entertainment but for mobilizing the masses
2. Always be ready to give an account of what you believe.
3. It doesn’t take a whole lot of people to win what God already gave you.
4. Less is more.
5. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
6. People need to know what YOU stand for.
7. They will not move until you blow your trumpet.

Dear God, give me the courage to be a clear communicator even when it looks like I’m outnumbered. People are waiting on me to sound the alarm so I need to be clear on what I believe. Give me your word so I can be clear before I open my mouth. Let me be clear about what I believe and sound the alarm so the people can move out for the Victory that is already ours.

In Jesus Name,
Amen