Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel, there is an accursed thing in the midst of thee. O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you – Joshua 7:13

Israel was fighting against the people of Ai, but because Achan had stolen 200 shekels of silver, a Babylonian garment and a wedge of gold weighing 50 shekels, and hid them in his tent, Israel was losing the battle with Ai.

The children of Israel were losing the battle because one of their people had stolen what God had instructed them not to take. Many times churches don’t grow because sin is being practiced with the people in the congregants as well as the ministers. People join, but don’t stay. Many sicknesses and diseases occur. There are emotional, financial, and divorce problems. Prayers are not being answered because those in ministry aren’t flowing in the gifts of the Spirit to discern what’s among the congregants to pray against the sin.

This is why the Pastor as well as the ministers must be filled with the Holy Spirit. They must have a consistent prayer and fasting life to discern what is needed in the congregation. Many who attend church are losing the battle because they continue in their sin. The ministers aren’t aware of what’s going on with the congregants to know what to pray for and against. Ministers are holding positions and mistreating others, this is also sin.

When sin is being practiced and it’s not being dealt with, God is not going to move in the sanctuary, just because the ministers aren’t aware of it. It doesn’t make Him enter into the sanctuary. The ministers, elders, deacons, mothers, and others that has been filled with the Holy Spirit should be aware if they are sensitive to the voice and the Spirit of God. They should know what is among them and what spirits are operating in the congregants.  In order to win the battle, and our prayers being answered, sin must be dealt with!