Spiritual Sacrifices

As part of the prophetic word we released for 5786, I shared a short but fairly specific word about “trimming our lamps,” echoing the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1–13). Growing up with a good dose of village life, I remember how polishing a kerosene lamp was one of the chores I absolutely hated as a kid. Getting decent light from that thing depended on everything: how long you scrubbed, what you used to clean it (because water did nothing for lamp oil), whether you grabbed a cloth or—let’s be honest, the undisputed champion of shine: yesterday’s newspaper.

And then there was the wick. Did you leave enough? Was it positioned correctly? Was it catching on the metal frame? So much went into preparing those lamps. But if you did a good job, my grandmother would quietly slip an extra piece of meat onto your plate: a small reward for a well-trimmed lamp.

I mention this because Jesus calls us the light of the world (Matthew 5:14–16). The time we invest in preparing ourselves: our hearts, minds, habits, and inner life to display His light is essential. The clearer our “lamp,” the more easily others can see the light we carry.

Today, I want to explore what preparation looks like in the New Covenant through the lens of spiritual sacrifice.

1. Sacrifice: God’s Ancient Language of Worship

Sacrifice as a means of communion with God didn’t begin with Leviticus, it appears right in Genesis after the Fall (Genesis 3:21; 4:3–4). Throughout the Old Testament, sacrifice served as the way humans approached the spiritual realm and engaged God in worship.

2. Sacrifice Is Not the Same as Suffering

Whenever I begin teaching on sacrifice, I can sometimes feel the room deflate, don’t stop reading on me, because for many believers (including myself at one time), “sacrifice” feels synonymous with suffering. But biblically, they are not the same thing.

Scripture speaks often about presenting acceptable sacrifices (Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 13:15–16). We need that distinction clear in our spirits.

God does not delight in your suffering.

Why?

1. You are made in His image. He doesn’t take pleasure in the distortion or destruction of His image-bearers (Genesis 1:27).

2. God is your Father. No good Father delights in watching His children hurt (Matthew 7:11).

3. Jesus already carried the suffering. He is the “Man of Sorrows” who became the acceptable offering on our behalf (Isaiah 53:3–5; Hebrews 10:10).

When suffering becomes the basis of our relationship with God, our spirituality drifts into something He never asked for.

3. True Worship vs. Demonic Worship

To clarify the distinction, let’s compare biblical worship of Yahweh with worship directed toward false gods.

Prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:26–29)

Their worship involved:

• Shouting from morning until evening

• Ecstatic, frantic dancing

• Self-harm:  slashing themselves with swords and spears to provoke a response

Other pagan practices included temple prostitution (Hosea 4:14) and child sacrifice (Jeremiah 32:35). These acts demean the image of God and distort the nature of worship.

The God of Scripture never demands self-mutilation, humiliation, or torment as worship. Only the kingdom of darkness makes suffering a prerequisite for acceptance.

4. When “Worship” Becomes Penance Instead of Repentance

There was a season in my life when I would fast and pray for long stretches not simply out of devotion, but as if to prove my desperation to God or when I had sinned and needed to get my spirituality up. Or worse, when I was confused about to do and I must have done something wrong. I’d shout till I was hoarse. I hadn’t worshipped if I wasn’t dripping with swear. When hunger pangs hit, I felt satisfied, assuming I was “killing my flesh,” the thing that caused me to stumble.

I didn’t realize that much of what I called spiritual discipline was actually penance trying to punish myself into holiness instead of repentance, which is a change of heart and mind empowered by grace.

Disclaimer: I still fast, pray, dance, shout till I lose my voice. No longer as self-punishment but now I do it from a place of devotion.

5. Circumcision of the Heart

Jesus tells us plainly that the primary “work” God asks of us is this:“Believe in the One He has sent.” (John 6:29)

Paul warns against harsh treatment of the body, saying it is of no value in overcoming the flesh (Colossians 2:20–23). This is a heart issue, not a punishment issue. Boy, are we religious people addicted to punishment.

We are invited to draw near to the heavenly Mount Zion, the New Jerusalem where innumerable angels and the spirits of the righteous dwell (Hebrews 12:22–24). We are told to enter boldly. The door is open.

But meaningful ascension, encountering God, receiving strategy, walking in clarity becomes incredibly difficult when our minds are preoccupied with battling our humanity instead of beholding His glory. Please note I said battling your humanity. God loves you, you flawed, imperfect human.

Despising our humanity or be it frailty leaves us stuck, frustrated, spiritually in a fog

6. Abraham: A Model of Accepted Spiritual Offering

As I prayed this morning the Lord dropped a phrase in my heart:“Abraham’s circumcision was the sign of a complete and accepted spiritual offering.”

Think of Abraham’s journey:

• He believes God, and it is credited as righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:1–3).

• He receives the sign of circumcision as a seal of that righteousness not as a cost of that righteousness (Romans 4:11).

• His obedience flows from encounter, not coercion or striving.

No one saw Abraham’s divine encounter (Genesis 15).The only person who would have seen the physical sign was Sarah (Genesis 17).But the whole world saw the fruit of his transformed life (James 2:21–23).

1. No one will be aware when God reveals His plan for your life to your heart- INTIMACY

2. Close friends and family may see the change in personal discipline as you pursue the Lord- CONSCENCRATION

3. The whole world will become aware of you stepping into your sonship- EVANGELISM & DISCIPLESHIP

4. This is New Covenant worship: inward encounter producing outward obedience.

   
   

7. An Invitation for This Season

As we seek the Lord for strategy, clarity, and direction, remember the invitation:

Enter the secret place and shut the door from every other voice (Matthew 6).Let your conscience be cleansed, Rest in the finished sacrifice of Jesus (Hebrews 10).

Receive heart circumcision. Be marked by encounter! (Romans 2:29).

Your lamp will burn brighter.Your heart will grow lighter.

Your spirit will ascend with ease.

Because your offering, Jesus Himself - is both complete and already accepted (Ephesians 1:6).