The Rise of Unsent Influencers: Where’s the Oil?

When Life Be Lifing… But Jesus Is Still King!

Long time no blog—life be lifing, but Jesus is still on the throne! This season has been humbling, stretching, and let me be real…some days I’m walking in faith like a warrior, and other days I’m Jacob in a full-on WWE match with the Lord. But He’s doing something deep in me. I told the Lord I didn’t just want to know about Him — I want to know Him. Like, for real for real. Not church catchphrases. Not what so-and-so said. I need a firsthand revelation. And let me tell you, when you ask for that… buckle up. The Lord doesn’t play about intimacy. He will take you on a journey.

And speaking of journeys, let’s talk about something that’s been bugging my spirit…

Half-Baked Christian Influencers. Can this trend just…end?

Now before y’all start clutching your pearls, hear me out. I’m not here to drag people. But I am here to lovingly sound the alarm.

And fam, we need to talk about it — because it’s hurting more than it’s helping.

Loud for the Lord… But Lacking Oil

There’s a wave crashing through the digital frontlines of the Church.

It’s loud… but there’s no fire.

Emotional… but not anointed.

Zealous… but never sent.

We’re in a time where passion is trending, but His presence is missing.

Posting Jesus Without Knowing Him First

Here’s how the trend shows up:

1. Bold, passionate, camera-ready believers—hearts in the right place, sure—but not yet refined in the secret place. They love Jesus, but they’re trying to post Him before they’ve truly known Him.

2. High production, low presence. The lighting is great, but the oil is missing. There’s charisma—but where’s the character? The message has become a marketing strategy. A testimony turned TED Talk. A viral reel with a Scripture slapped on it. Just performance wrapped in Christian packaging.

Who Sent You? Zeal, Emotion… or the Lord?

And I have to ask: Who sent you?

Your emotions? Your desire to be seen? Or the Lord of Hosts Himself?

Don’t get me wrong—zeal is good. Testimonies? Beautiful. But a powerful testimony is not the same as being sent. Having a platform is not the same as having authority. A camera and a ring light don’t equal a calling. Here’s the deal: just because you have a testimony doesn’t mean God gave you a mic.

Before He Sends You, He Brings You Into Intimacy With Him

Because last I checked, before Jesus sent the disciples out, He had them with Him.

Mark 3:14 — “Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.”

Did you catch that? “That they might be with Him…”

Before He sent them, He called them to be with Him first. That’s the blueprint, fam.

See that order? With Him first. Sent later.

Your Testimony Is Not a License to Lead

But now? Everybody’s launching ministries or platforms off vibes and emotions. Preaching with no oil. Posting like they’re apostles, but their life be reflecting something else.

I’ll say it again, a powerful testimony doesn’t equal a divine calling. Influence without intimacy is dangerous. And y’all — the enemy knows it. He’s not scared of your story, your speaking skills, or your social media presence . He’s terrified of someone who’s been in the secret place. Because that’s  where the real assignments are birthed. Where refinement happens. Because who God uses, He first prepares.

He Refines Before He Sends: God Doesn’t Send Unbaked Bread: Refined Before Released

Before God sends us; He refines. He sanctifies. God detoxes us from the world’s ways — from carnal ambition, ungodly ideologies, hidden sin, ego — and He teaches us His ways. You don’t go from altar call to apostle overnight. Ask John the Baptist — he was in the wilderness before he ever preached his message. His life became the message. No wonder the impact was undeniable.

Now contrast that with what we see today: folks preaching purity and holiness with cheeks and cleavage out. Sharing “Christian dating advice” while shacked up. Quoting Scripture one moment, then next post or story playing ratchet soundtracks. Woman or Man of God caption but still slipping into fornication. It’s giving confusion, not conviction.

The Gospel Is Not a Campaign.

The Gospel isn’t a trending topic. It’s not a business model or content series.

It’s not about us. It’s all about Jesus.

That’s exactly why God takes His time with the ones He sends.

He’s not trying to make us go viral—He’s making us vessels that carry weight of his glory, not just words.

Don’t Just Preach It — Become It

We’re not here to perform the gospel.

We’re called to become it.

1 Corinthians 9:27 — “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”

That part: “Disqualified.”

Because the message loses power when the messenger lacks alignment. That means your life must match your message. You’ve got to live it before you post it.

No Oil? No Authority. Ask the Sons of Sceva.

You can’t microwave this process.

You can’t skip the wilderness and sanctification process .

And you definitely can’t fake fire—the devil knows the difference.

Trying to step out without being sent? That’s not bold—that’s dangerous.

Remember the seven sons of Sceva in Acts 19:15? They tried to cast out demons “in the name of Jesus whom Paul preaches.” And that demon clapped back, “Jesus I know. Paul I recognize. But who are you?”

Translation: “You don’t have the clearance for this battle, sir or ma’am”

They were trying to operate in authority they never received—and what happened?

The demon beat them down, stripped them, and sent them out naked and humiliated.

(That’s not just Bible drama—that’s a warning.)

When we step out in emotion, hype, or borrowed revelation—without real authority—we’re easy targets.

That’s what happens when zeal jumps ahead of obedience.

When emotion tries to do what only anointing can accomplish.

When you carry a mic without carrying the authority to back it.

This is the result!

Move When God Says Move — Not When You Feel Like It

We’ve got to stop jumping ahead of God’s timing, slapping “God told me” on what’s really just emotion.

Paul didn’t preach immediately after his radical encounter. He fasted. He waited. He spent time in Arabia before ministry. (Acts 9:9, Galatians 1:17–18).

Why? Because God was preparing him, refining him, rebuilding him.

Even when he wanted to go to Asia, the Holy Spirit said “not there.” God rerouted him to Macedonia (Acts 16:6–10).

That’s called sensitivity to the Spirit—and it comes from time staying in the secret place.

Submission > Perfection

God works progressively, shaping us day by day. One layer at a time, He peels back pride, teaches obedience, walks us through holiness, and shows us what true sacrifice looks like.

He’s not after perfection. He’s after surrender.

A heart that says, “Lord, have Your way—on Your terms, in Your timing.”

We’ll always be under construction, always being molded—but I truly believe there’s a certain level of refinement He must go through before He releases us. Because God doesn’t send out unfinished vessels for his assignments. He’s too intentional for that.

Private Before Public. Secret Before Seen.

Preparation comes before promotion.

Sanctification before influence.

Consecration before public announcement.

Yes, you’re zealous. But without wisdom, that zeal can hurt people. Influence without intimacy is dangerous. Because holding a mic means being accountable for souls. And James 3:1 reminds us that teachers will be judged more strictly. This is no light thing.

Don’t Chase Influence. Chase Intimacy.

So please — before you hit “post” — pause and ask: “Lord, is this You? Or is this me?”

Take time to be with the Lord. Let Him refine you. Let Him shape the message inside you first. Let Him show you your assignment—whether it’s public or private.

Remember: Not everyone is called to the mic. The body has many parts (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)  . Some seen. Some hidden. But all essential and necessary .

Don’t chase visibility. Chase obedience.

Don’t crave influence. Crave intimacy.

Don’t go viral. Go deeper.

And above all let God announce you!

Because a message preached with your mouth but not reflected in your life?

That’s not ministry — that’s performance.

YOU MUST BECOME THE MESSAGE YOU PREACH!

Still learning,

Still growing,

Still staying in the secret place.

Music Time 🎵

“Ojoro” – Sound of Salem

Now this song? It’s a public declaration of wholehearted, “I’m-all-in” love for Jesus. The rhythm carries you, but the lyrics convicts your soul. It’s like your heart stands up and testifies, “Jesus, I won’t play games with you”

“Hosanna We Hail You” – TY Bello

A melody that drips with reverence, and a groove your spirit just knows how to move to.

It’s worship that whispers and roars all at once.