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“Of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do…” — 1 Chronicles 12:32
In 1 Chronicles 12:23–40, Scripture introduces us to the mighty men who gathered with David at Hebron. Among the multitudes from various tribes, the sons of Issachar stood out—not for their numbers, but for their discernment. They understood the times; they perceived Israel’s spiritual climate and knew what action was needed.
Genesis 1:14–18 tells us that God created the sun, moon, and stars to indicate times, seasons, and climates—establishing His divine order from the beginning. Time is not a casual matter in God’s design; it is critical. The word time appears over 500 times in the Bible, revealing its immense value.
Satan, too, understands the power of timing and spiritual climate. He knows that if the divine climatic season over a church is altered or hijacked, the church’s vision, supernatural operations, and destiny can be sabotaged. Tragically, many churches remain unaware of the pivotal role spiritual climate plays in their growth, health, and influence.
UNDERSTANDING CHURCH CLIMATE
The term climate here refers to the spiritual atmosphere that consistently prevails in a church over time. A church founded by Christ is divinely ordained to be:
✓ A Growing Church – Numerically expanding
✓ A Groaning Church – Prayerfully fervent
✓ A Glowing Church – Vibrantly impactful
✓ A Going Church – Evangelistically active.
✓ A Glorious Church – Prepared for Christ’s return
Revelation chapters 2 and 3 provide an analysis of seven churches, each with a distinct spiritual climate. God’s evaluation of each was based on their prevailing spiritual condition. This reveals that a church’s climate determines its spiritual health, physical wellbeing, and eternal relevance.
REALITIES OF CHURCH CLIMATE
Jesus instructed in Matthew 10:11–14 that ministers must discern the spiritual condition of the places they minister in.
- It affects everything about the church.
- It reveals root causes of battles, stagnation, and demonic oppression.
- A church cannot rise above its prevailing climate.
- It can be created, influenced, reset, or controlled—for better or worse.
A church operating under a hijacked climate may unknowingly be manipulated by the enemy.
CHAOTIC CHURCH CLIMATE
A church may operate under a spiritually hazardous atmosphere, as seen in Revelation 2:17–23. Unfortunately, many leaders fail to detect when their climate is being manipulated, attributing issues to chance or coincidence. Symptoms of a Chaotic Church Climate include:
- Spiritual and numerical decline
- Confusion and lack of divine direction
- Heightened demonic activity
- Frequent sickness and diseases
- Ongoing conflicts, doctrinal splits, and breakaways
- Diminished commitment from workers and volunteers
- A lifeless prayer altar and uninspiring worship
- Absence of the supernatural
- Carnality overtaking spirituality
- Rampant immorality—even among leaders
- Hypocrisy and concealed sin
- Rebellion against the Word and resistance to holiness
- Negative and oppressive spiritual atmosphere
- Rise of false doctrines and deception
- Stagnant or declining church growth—God becomes an observer, not the driver.
CAUSES OF CHAOTIC CLIMATE CONDITIONS
a. Sinful leadership and secret sin
b. Prayerlessness and a cold altar
c. Faulty church foundation or unhealthy familiarity
d. Wrong location or polluted environment
e. False doctrines and deceit from the pulpit
f. Spiritual blindness and lukewarmness
g. Demonic infiltration and oppression
h. Carnal church culture and compromised values
i. Tolerance of sin and watered-down standards
j. Ignorance and poor spiritual sensitivity
CHANGING THE CLIMATE: Spiritual Renewal
To shift a toxic church climate, intentional and strategic actions must be taken. Here’s how:
- Rekindle spiritual vibrancy
- Engage in personal and corporate repentance
- Implement necessary structural and spiritual reforms
- Pursue consecration and holiness
- Embrace deliverance, individually and corporately
- Reignite intense prayer and fasting networks
- Declare war against ungodliness and immorality
- Conduct territorial and environmental warfare
- Repair faulty foundations through truth and alignment
- Commit to Christ-centered evangelism and discipleship
- Strengthen and revive ministry teams and service units
- Organize life-transforming and Spirit-filled services
Dr. Niyi Oluwatuyi
Church Health & Resuscitation Ministries
Website: churchhealthcentre.com
WhatsApp: +234 807 781 4990
Email: crcinfo2004@gmail.com
CRM – “…for the work of the ministry, for the edification of the Church”
