GOD NEVER USES THE UNTRAINED — HE FORMS BEFORE HE SENDS
One of the greatest misconceptions in modern Christianity is the belief that passion alone qualifies a person for ministry, leadership, or spiritual authority. Many assume that zeal, innocence, gifting, or personal ambition is enough to be used mightily by God.
But Scripture reveals a different pattern.
God does not send until He has trained.
God does not promote until He has prepared.
God does not empower until He has formed.
In every generation, the greatest danger to the Church has not come from atheists, persecution, or external enemies — but from untrained, unequipped, and immature people operating in spiritual roles they were never prepared for.
1. GOD’S PATTERN: FORMATION BEFORE FUNCTION
From Genesis to Revelation, God consistently forms His servants before He uses them.
Consider:
Moses — 40 years in the wilderness before leading Israel (Acts 7:30).
Joseph — betrayal, prison, and testing before becoming Prime Minister (Psalm 105:19).
David — shepherd years before becoming king (1 Samuel 16–17).
Paul — three years in Arabia before public ministry (Galatians 1:17–18).
None of them were “thrown into ministry” because they were gifted. They were processed, tested, humbled, and trained.
This is because:
“God does not build His house on enthusiasm — He builds it on character, obedience, and spiritual maturity.”
2. EVEN THE DISCIPLES WERE NOT READY AT FIRST
Jesus did not send His disciples out immediately in full authority.
They walked with Him first.
They watched Him first.
They learned His ways first.
They made mistakes first.
They were corrected first.
Even after three years with Jesus, they were STILL not ready until the Holy Spirit came upon them.
Jesus Himself said:
“Tarry in Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” — Luke 24:49
Before Pentecost:
Peter was impulsive
James and John were power-hungry
Thomas was doubtful
The disciples fled in fear
After Pentecost:
Peter preached boldly
The Church was established
Miracles broke out
Persecution could not silence them
The lesson is clear:
Calling is not enough.
Training is essential.
Power must follow preparation.
3. THE FIVEFOLD MINISTRY EXISTS TO EQUIP, NOT ENTERTAIN
Many churches today focus more on performance than preparation.
But Scripture states clearly:
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers — for the EQUIPPING of the saints for the work of ministry…” — Ephesians 4:11–12
The role of spiritual leaders is not to replace the saints — but to prepare them.
A healthy church does not produce dependent believers that are solely dependent on the anointed but those that are growing in faith and being prospered by ministry of the anointed. It produces trained, disciplined, and spiritually mature disciples.
A real pastor does not simply shout, prophesy, or perform miracles — he builds people spiritually.
4. THE GREATEST WEAPON AGAINST THE CHURCH TODAY
One of the greatest threats to the Church in the end times is untrained people in ministry.
When people:
lack biblical grounding
lack spiritual formation
lack submission to authority
lack humility
lack accountability
They often mix flesh with spirit, emotion with revelation, and tradition with truth.
This is why we now see in some places:
Mixture of Christianity with occult practices
Prophecy without holiness
Power without character
Ministry without discipleship
Deliverance without doctrine
Paul warned of this:
“In the last days, people will not endure sound doctrine…” — 2 Timothy 4:3
5. SATAN TRAINS HIS SERVANTS — WHY WON’T THE CHURCH TRAIN ITS OWN?
This is a profound point.
Satan does not use untrained agents.
Occult systems require:
discipline
initiation
training
apprenticeship
submission
Yet in the Church, people want:
instant ministry
instant title
instant platform
instant recognition.
Some come from demonic backgrounds — trained in divination, manipulation, or spiritual darkness — and then try to operate in church without proper deliverance, repentance, or re-training in righteousness.
This is why we have confusion in some places:
False prophecy
Spiritual manipulation
Cult-like control
Spiritual abuse
Emotional witchcraft
God will not share His glory with darkness.
6. WE MUST BE CAREFUL WITH OUR WORDS
You have the right to challenge casual spiritual labeling.
We must stop saying:
“Everyone is a man of God.”
“Everyone is a woman of God.”
“Everyone is a Christian.”
“Every gathering is a church.”
Why?
Because Jesus Himself said:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven…” — Matthew 7:21
Christianity is not just a confession — it is a transformation into the likeness of Christ.
A true Christian:
lives like Jesus
loves like Jesus
forgives like Jesus
walks in holiness like Jesus
demonstrates humility like Jesus
7. GOD WANTS TO DO GREAT THINGS — IF WE LET HIM TRAIN US
God is not withholding greatness from believers. He is withholding promotion until formation is complete.
He wants to use you.
But He wants to shape you first.
He wants to:
purify your heart
renew your mind
train your spirit
discipline your flesh
align your purpose
When you submit to His process, you become a vessel He can trust.
CONCLUSION: A CALL TO MATURITY
The Church does not need more platforms — it needs more processed people.
We do not need more noise — we need more depth.
We do not need more gifting — we need more godliness.
May we embrace training, submission, discipleship, and the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.
Only then will God release His power through us safely and effectively.
Pray this Prayer
“Lord Jesus, train me, shape me, refine me, and prepare me for the work You have ordained for me. Deliver me from pride, impatience, and presumption. Fill me with Your Spirit, teach me Your ways, and make me a faithful vessel in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
CALL TO SALVATION AND INVITATION TO BE EQUIPPED
If you are reading this and you know that you have not truly surrendered your life to Jesus — or that you have been living in religion without relationship — this is your moment of grace.
God is not calling you to performance; He is calling you to surrender.
He is not calling you to a platform; He is calling you to transformation.
He is not calling you to activity; He is calling you to discipleship.
Before God can use you mightily, He must first save you, cleanse you, and form you into the image of Christ. The greatest training begins with salvation.
Make this decision today
If you want to give your life to Jesus Christ and begin a journey of training, equipping, and spiritual growth, pray this prayer sincerely from your heart:
Salvation Prayer
“Lord Jesus, I come to You today as I am.
I confess that I am a sinner and I need Your mercy.
I believe that You died for me and rose again for my justification.
I repent of my sins and turn away from my old life.
Wash me with Your blood, cleanse my heart, and make me new.
I receive You now as my Lord and my Saviour.
Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and begin to train me for the life You have ordained for me.
From today, I belong to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
If you have prayed this prayer, heaven is rejoicing over you — and your journey of formation has begun.
INVITATION TO BE TRAINED AND EQUIPPED IN CHURCH
Salvation is the beginning — training is the journey.
We invite you to join The Dream Centre of the Life Oasis International Church (Dream Centre of the LOIC) where believers are intentionally discipled, trained, and equipped for ministry and for life.
Here you will:
Grow in sound doctrine
Be trained in the Word
Be shaped in character Be equipped for service
Be nurtured in community
And prepared for the great works God has for you
You are not called to walk this journey alone — you are called to be built within a spiritual family.
Connect with us
You are welcome to worship, learn, and be discipled with us either online or in person.
👉 The Dream Centre of the Life Oasis International Church
You can join our live services and teachings via:
YouTube: DreamCentreLiveSTREAMING
DCI Radio: dciradio.org
Facebook: facebook.com/ReverendAreogun
Or reach out to the church office:
📧 info@dreamcentre.org
📞 +2348037252124
🌐 http://www.dreamcentreoftheloic.org
God does not just want to save you — He wants to train you, equip you, and send you out for greater works.
We would be honoured to walk this journey with you.
The Message Bearer (SmilingPreacher), Cornelius Bella
corneliusbella 