There are three stages or levels of much concern in the realm of the spirit which are the critical stages of testing and tempting. In the realm of physical, it is termed the wilderness experience of a spirit filled believers. Every born again Christian must be ready and fully prepared for these three stages, for it comes at different times and not one after the other but when one is less expected, he found himself in any of the stages regardless of the order of the stages. Many believers failed the test in their wilderness experience and could not enter their rest in Christ Jesus though they still remain members of His Household.
The first level or stage is the level of Revelation. It is the level for a believer to fully depend on revelation of the word of God, living by the word of God for any of their need in life. It’s a time that a pressing needs will definitely come on their way as a result of their dedication and devotion to the things of God. This stage call for one to live only by what proceeding from the mouth of God. The source of authority must be in what the Lord says not what men says or what fear, envy, jealousy or anger in us (self) says. So, in this stage one might be surrounded with different needs of life that need urgent intervention, don’t device your way or walk by men say but walk by the revelation of the word of God, it is a part of your wilderness experience.
The second level or stage is the stage of Humility, a stage to humble oneself before the word of God, leading by the guardiance of the Holy Spirit in order not to tempt God. This stage is not different from the last stage because it’s still a wilderness experience of testing. In this stage one must be watchful to avoid too know syndrome. It’s good to know scripture and be familiar with it but we must learn how to wait for the leading of the Holy Spirit to direct us and not to end up in tempting the Lord in His word. We should put off pride and ego of knowing the word of God less we allow pride to lead us in applying the word of God, for God hates the proud and gives grace to the humble.
The third level or stage is the level of Exaltation when one is highly exalted and lifted. Made to see the glory of this world. Great care is needed as one mingle with great people of the world or introduced to great kings or men highly positioned that could have means of changing things, the influential people. One might even be surrounded with the pleasant things of the world and highly positioned in the realm of affairs of this world. Also nothing is different with this level and the last two, for all are wilderness experience test of life. At this stage, you must not compromise your faith in the Lord. This is the stage to grow deeper in the worship of only One God. Your devotion for only One God must be maintained. And do not bow down to any other gods. Resisting any temptation on the way by your perpetual service to the true God and never at any point in time worship your glory or Mammon.
Let us be very careful in any of the stages we found ourselves. Moses the servant of God failed the test of the 2nd stage as he failed to glorify God before His people when he struck the rock with his staff as he previously did and he could not enter the promise land though he saw it afar of, Aaron the High Priest likewise failed the test of the 3rd stage, when he devices god for people of God to worship and many Israelites perished in the wilderness because they failed the test of the 1st stage because of their unbelieve in the word of God, always complaining and grumbling about needs and they did not enter the promise land. But Jesus passed through the stages and was victorious and angels ministered unto Him. Hallelujah! Let us be warned and properly position ourselves to enter into His rest. He who has ears let him hear what the spirit says to the churches.
Praise God! Amen