Reclaiming the Power of the Holy Spirit in Your Life

This summary and brief rewrite draws upon excerpts from a sermon by Christine Caine, focusing on the biblical account of the prophet Elisha and the lost axe head (2 Kings 6:1-7) to illustrate the essential need for the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life.

The Context of Revival and Generational Growth

The biblical setting is a dark time in Israel’s history, marked by foreign occupation. In this challenging season, Elijah, mentored by Elisha, began training the next generation through the schools of the prophets located in places like Gilgal, Bethel, and Jericho. Sowing into the next generation is presented as the best action when circumstances seem dark.

The message of expansion and growth originated not from the leadership, but from the students themselves. The sons of the prophets told Elisha that their current place of residence was “too small” for them to live and train under his supervision. This desire for a bigger place suggests a type of revival was occurring, demanding enlargement and growth. They were not content with mediocrity or being limited, expressing a need to enlarge their territory to have a greater impact on the world around them.

Crucially, when the student prophets asked permission to go to the Jordan to cut down trees and build a larger place, they also insisted that Elisha come with them. They understood that they needed not just his permission (“yes”), but his presence. This emphasizes that God is a generational God—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—and the enemy (the devil) constantly seeks to separate the generations. To “checkmate the devil,” the church needs the wisdom of the older generation, the resources of the middle generation, and the energy and zeal of the younger generations working together. The student prophets understood they would need Elisha’s wisdom, stability, and insight later on, warning against taking off prematurely without the experience of those who have gone before.

Co-Laborers, Not Co-Stars: The Need for the Axe

To prepare the place for growth and expansion, everyone was called to action; no one left the work up to just one person. Everyone picked up an axe, fulfilling their part to get the necessary work done to fulfill God’s purpose. God invites us into his work and calls us co-laborers. The challenge is that many believers prefer to be “co-stars” rather than co-laborers, seeking the front line and relying on self-determined activities rather than practical effort.

Ephesians 2:10 is cited, affirming that believers are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. These good works were prepared by God even before we were born. While we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8), we are saved for good works. The sources emphasize the need to be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that labor in the Lord is never in vain (1 Corinthians 15:57-58).

Losing the Edge: The Fall of the Axe Head

The student prophets went to the Jordan, cut down trees, and were smack-bang in the will of God, doing the purpose of God when a critical moment occurred: the iron axe head fell into the water. The student prophet cried out because the axe head was borrowed.

Losing the edge (the axe head) can happen while full on doing what God called you to do, not due to disobedience. This highlights a loss of effectiveness—the student prophet lost the very thing that gave him the edge to fulfill the calling. Losing your edge can occur during challenging times, when the world feels heavy with pressure, noise, and instability.

The analogy is potent: an axe without an axe head is just a stick. This problem was apparently common in Bible times, as Deuteronomy 19:5 addresses the scenario of an axe head flying off while cutting wood.

The Stick vs. The Anointing

Many believers today are metaphorically trying to do the thing God called them to do without an axe head any longer. This leads to exhaustion, burnout, and ineffectiveness. Instead of admitting the loss, some try to mask it, putting “a really nice filter” on their lives so others believe the axe head is still attached, even though they are “dying dying” inside.

The sources define the axe head in scripture as representing the anointing.

Trying to manage relationships, finances, ministry, and life without the anointing (or “oil”) means people come bound and leave bound because the confusion between gift and anointing persists. We end up burnt out, going through the motions, and lacking power and breakthrough because we are only turning up with a stick.