Be faithful within your present field
DOVE Family Core Teaching
2 Corinthians 10:13-16
The Greek word metron means “measure”. It is translated as “field” or “sphere” in 2 Corinthians 10. It could be defined as “a sphere of activity that defines the limits of one’s power and influence.”
Understanding fields of ministry
Every believer has various spiritual fields of influence. These areas of influence give individuals opportunities to experience God’s blessing and empowerment.
Examples of fields of ministry: marriage and family, church, small group, community, business, or job
God gives grace for the field that has been assigned to each one of us. (See Ephesians 4:7, 8.) The word “apportioned” in these verses is a translation of the same word metron found in 2 Corinthians 10:13.
Psalm 16:6 says, “Boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.” Boundary lines do not limit us but allow us to be fruitful in certain areas. They provide a pleasant and secure place in which we can minister.
Pray for the Lord’s wisdom and blessing within your own field.
Do not surrender authority in your God-given field to another.
God gave Adam and Eve authority over the whole world, but over the garden of Eden first (Genesis 1:26). Satan came into their field, and unfortunately, they surrendered authority to Satan.
We should be aware that not everyone who comes into your field is from the Lord! The usurper will come to take your field. Stand against him with great confidence and grace.
Do not allow the enemy’s activity in your fields. Stand in the gap, do spiritual warfare, and cover them with prayer. You have the authority to do so. Your field is your God-given territory; it has been entrusted to you.
Do not try to plow in another’s field.
It is important that we do not get out of our field and try to overstep boundaries put there by the Lord. If we presume that we know what is best for another person’s field and attempt to implement our ideas, it will cause confusion. Do not try to make things go the way we see rather than the way the person responsible for that metron is being led to pray or act.
Paul boasted “only” of the Corinthian church because he was responsible before the Lord for them (See 2 Corinthians 10:13-15.)
You have great authority and confidence in your field. But if you move outside of your field, you are outside of grace and could be standing in opposition to God. Presuming that anointing and authority is general and applies at all times and locations is dangerous, even when done in ignorance.
Be aware that evil powers take advantage of confusion over authority when one intrudes into a field assigned to others.
During the shepherding movement of the 1970s, good discipleship principles were overshadowed by unhealthy one-on-one relationships where leaders required those under their authority to get their approval before making personal decisions. So instead of giving general spiritual advice and encouragement, they ended up telling people what person they should marry and what kind of car to buy. These leaders were overstepping their God-given authority as they tried to hold undue influence in the life field of others.
Delegating authority
We can at times hold temporary authority in another’s field. For example, Paul assigned Timothy a portion of authority as seen in 1 Timothy 1:1-4.
When parents are away from home, they might ask the oldest child to be responsible for the house. The child has been given delegated authority for the parent’s field.
God determines and expands your fields of ministry.
Remember, God is the one who assigns spiritual fields. This is clearly stated in Psalm 16:5-6. Be faithful within your present field. When you are cultivating your field within its boundaries and receiving God’s grace for the field, it will yield fruit. Build it, and God will enhance it.
In Matthew 10:1, Jesus gave His disciples authority.
God gave the apostles Paul and Peter different fields to reach. We can see this dynamic in Acts 17-21. Paul discovered the areas where he didn’t have grace (with the Jews). He understood the concept of fields of ministry and appealed to others in their fields. He came under the Jerusalem elders in their field but was over others in his own field. Paul discussed this further in Galatians 2:7-13.
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