Who's Your Covering?
The Healing and Deliverance Ministry we have has pretty much been created straight from the Holy Spirit. Nearly everything we have is original and not a replica of other peoples ideas. There may be the odd prayer or idea that has been added to our Ministry because it impacted us, but more often than not you will be viewing an original.
God once told me that I was the mother of this Ministry and He was the Father. When I first found Christ I was incredibly broken. Unlike Mark I did not grow up in a Christian home. In fact I had no religious background at all. When I was first saved God told me that He was going to cleanse, deliver and heal my areas of brokenness and create a Ministry whilst doing so. This is exactly what happened. Our whole Ministry was born from my damaged, fragmented wounded soul and physical infirmities. God turned something that was ugly into something beautiful. If Christ created this Ministry straight from me then who is our covering?
So many people when hearing about us have asked 'Who is your covering"? Being a new Christian I had no idea what this really meant, or how to answer, so I researched what exactly a covering was. This is what I found was the main principle of mans idea of a covering : The idea is that everybody has to have a spiritual covering that he or she can be in submission to. The word submission in this sense is to accept or yield to a superior force. This is for protection. The main teaching is that the wife is to be in submission to the husband, the husband in submission to the pastor, and the pastor in submission to their church authorities. It is pyramidism. If a woman's husband is not saved or if she is single, or a widow, then she needs a 'spiritual father' or church pastor to be her covering. If one is not under a covering, they are said to be 'out from the umbrella of protection'.
In order to keep people happy Mark and I asked a local Ministry to be our covering. People were happy with this and allowed us to speak into their lives. Turns out that God was not happy with this idea of covering! God showed me that Mark as my husband was my covering, and that Jesus was our spiritual and physical covering, and that was the correct order of the covering. But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God (1 Corinthians 11:3, NKJV). What exactly does this mean? The Word of God tells us that man and woman are equal, they are both created in the image of God. So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them (Genesis 1:27, NKJV). The Bible tells us that man and woman when joined become one flesh, not two separate entities, so not one is greater than the other. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh (Genesis 2:24, NKJV). In the Garden of Eden Eve ate the forbidden fruit, then coerced Adam to do the same. This act created a curse to come upon man and woman. To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you” (Genesis 3:16, NKJV). This poses a problem. Men and woman are cursed for man to rule over the woman. The Jezebel spirit coerced woman to rise up in disobedience, to proclaim back equality, so in turn tried to rule over the man. Disunity, chaos, bickering, and contention was born. Having no respect in the home between mum and dad can enable children to learn from their parents example, in turn resulting in dishonour towards mum and dad, continuing on generation upon generation. The following scripture spoken by Paul has been misused by many as a means for the husband to continue to dominate the wife. Submission to Husbands: Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. A Word to Husbands: Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honour to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered (1 Peter 3: 1-7, NKJV). The word submit (Hupotasso in Greek) means 'be subject to', to get under and lift up, to put in order, to subject one's self, obey, to submit to one's control, to yield to one's admonition or advice. Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Ephesians 5:21-33, KJV). By this Scripture we see that husbands and wives are to submit to one another. Submit is better translated as ‘identifying with’ and ‘supporting one another’ in our God given roles as well as humbling ourselves and exalting one another. Husbands are not to rule over the wife, nor take power over her, as this is part of the curse that Christ came to break off believers. The relationship between husband and wife is about honouring and respecting each other’s roles in the house and marriage. The wife is made as the weaker vessel and needs to allow the husband to protect and care for her and the family. He is her covering. He is the head of her and the family in the sense that He is responsible for the provision and well-being of His family. But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (1 Timothy 5:8, NKJV). The wife needs to honour and support him in this role of leadership. Many argue that because woman is made from man, he has dominance over her. This is incorrect. For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God (1 Corinthians 11:12, NKJV). This Scripture shows equality as the woman also gives birth to the man. Another scripture used for men to rule over the wife is: The head over every man is Christ, the head over woman is man and the head over Christ is God (1 Corinthians 11:3, NKJV). God's order is that the husband is the head of the wife as God is the head of Christ. The word Head when taken back to the Greek means superiority. How is man superior to the woman when they are created equal, and how is God superior when God and Jesus are one and created equal? For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10, NKJV). The husband is physically stronger so protects the weaker vessel in the physical. Jesus also had weakness in His flesh as He humbled himself and became a man. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 14:11, NKJV). He came in humility as a servant, to serve, but there is no inequality or inferiority between them.
Please note the following Scripture: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name (Philippians 2:5-9, NKJV). Jesus was equal with God as He is God, but made Himself lower by becoming a man in a servant role. God then exalted Him above all things. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9 – 11, KJV).
You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I' (John 14:28, NKJV). We know by Scripture that God and Jesus are equal but in John Jesus is saying that God the Father is greater than He. God and Christ are equal and united, just as the husband and the wife are one. The kingdom is about humility and becoming as servants. In the humbling of oneself one to the other we are exalted. I believe also to have Christ as head over us, it implies a protective covering. Christ is our covering. The husband protects the wife and the family, as Christ protects them both. How can Christ protect a family when there is no unity between husband and wife? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12, NKJV).
The order of the covering is and always has been God - Jesus - Man - Woman. Woman need to humble themselves and allow the man to protect them. Many woman in their quest for equality do not allow themselves to be seen as the weaker vessel. They take on a false covering - themself - they are their own protection. They refuse help and want to do everything themselves. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered (1 Corinthians 11:5-6, NKJV). This Scripture shows us that if a married woman isn't allowing her husband and Christ to be her protection, then she is ultimately voiding the covering that only God can give her. She has no covering. Her head is uncovered. In the case of a single woman she needs to allow Christ to be her protection, and not herself. Self sufficiency is the root of the matriarchal spirit that is so prevalent in woman today. Men in turn need to see themselves as a weaker vessel to Christ - submitting all to Him and allowing Him to be their covering. Man and woman are both seen as a bride to Christ, so the man essentially becomes the woman to Christ. If a man allows a woman to dominate him and rule over him, then she becomes a false covering over him. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head (1 Corinthians 11:4, NKJV). Another false covering over the man and woman is when we ask others such as leaders, Pastors etc to be our covering if God hasn't ordained this. I believe that God has specific people to feed our spirits, as in the role of Spiritual Mothers and Fathers. They are people He has selected. Many people believe they 'need' to have a covering so go about choosing those whom they think should be their covering. The common Scripture used for the whole idea of covering is: Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you (Hebrews 13:17, NKJV). Biblically shepherds (pastors, elders and teachers) are given to help teach, guide and nurture our walk with God. God has given them to us for that very reason. In turn we should obey our pastors and respect their role as shepherds over us. This is good and pleasing to God. If we do not do this, it is classed as dishonour and can result in spiritual attack, as this can give satan a legal right. If the shepherd over us is teaching contrary to what the Word of God says, then submission is out of the question as we cannot be in support of, nor identify with them. This is when we take it in prayer to God. The whole covering movement came from the Shepherding Movement. The idea was that we need to be in accountability relationships and therefore should find a shepherd to look out for us and give us spiritual protection. When we find the right shepherd, he becomes our covering. In essence the whole accountability structure is good. No one wants to become a law unto themselves. Scripture tells us to let every word be established by the witness of 2-3. We absolutely need others to pray for us, intercede for us and to bounce ideas off one another. A Spiritual Mother and Father are there chosen by God to look out for our souls. Deception is rife and we need to have like-minded people looking out for us. But these things being put in place as coverings over us is not to replace the covering of Jesus. The whole concept of covering in Churches is man's order. Most of the time these coverings become control and manipulation techniques. None of these things are our correct 'spiritual covering' if God has not chosen them for us. When you begin at a Church it goes without saying that you need to come under their leadership and authority and submit to their rules and way of doing things. This is respect for them and the fact that you want to become part of their organisation, but again it is not a spiritual covering. The 'covering' and 'submission to leadership' are two entirely different things, both of which are required by God and will aide in our protection. If you are going to accept and come under one's Spiritual covering seek the Holy Spirit and make sure this is who God has in mind for you.
Mark and I have been given a Ministry by God. We do not need our Pastor or anyone else to be our 'covering' as Jesus is already doing that. Having our pastor and other Ministries supporting us, networking together with us, vouching for us, and working together with us as a body to benefit one another should be how, as children of God we should all aspire to function.
The Word of God tells us; But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God (1 Corinthians 11:3, NKJV). The man protects the woman in the physical, and Christ protects man and woman both in the physical and the spiritual. He is and always will be our covering!
Repentance Prayer for renouncing False Covering
"In the name of Jesus Christ I repent for the belief in false coverings. I repent for submitting to and coming under man-made coverings. If I have coerced others to come under false coverings I repent also. I renounce all counterfeit coverings and repent for not coming under the correct covering which is outlined in the Word of God. I declare I am under the one and only true spiritual covering which is Christ. I understand that man is head of the woman, and that Christ is head of the man, and that God is head over Christ. I understand the need to have other Christians around me in order to have accountability structures so I do not deviate from Your truth. I pray that You would close the door to those who You do not want speaking into my life, and circumstances, and open the door to those whom You do. I command all false coverings to leave immediately in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
By Tania Francis