BEING MADE A VESSEL OF THE LORD –
EVEN A CRYSTAL VESSEL
By W. G. Guy
When the Lord chooses a person to be His servant or minister, it is likened to a potter forming a vessel of clay. Being made a vessel made of clay for God’s use is a difficult and trying process. The clay has to be kneaded with pressure by the potters hands and fingers in order to be molded and shaped into what the potter wants. The process includes times of being wetted to make the clay more malleable.
Isaiah 64:8 – But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Sometimes the person God has called has his own plan of what kind of servant or minister he wants to be. Thus the potter has to work the clay a little harder to get it into the proper shape that he wants as the clay puts up some resistance to the potters desire. The potter may even have to mush the clay back down into the lump and start over.
Jeremiah 18:4-6 – And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
Romans 9:20-21 –But who do you think you are to second-guess God? How could a human being molded out of clay say to the one who molded him, “Why in the world did you make me this way?” Or are you denying the right of the potter to make out of clay whatever he wants? Doesn’t the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay an elegant vase or an ordinary pot? (The Passion Translation)
After the potter has formed the vessel to the proper shape it has to be put in the furnace to be cured or hardened before it can be used to contain anything. This means there are fiery trials and tribulations to endure before the servant of the Lord can be usable for His purpose. Many people called of the Lord for His purpose balk at this process and chose to go their own way and do their own thing. These are those who are trying to do their work for God instead of allowing God to do His work through them with what He fills them with.
Matthew 7:22-23 –Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity, (doing your own thing).
Even after the clay vessel becomes usable by the Lord to carry about what God fills it with, only the vessel is seen and not what is within it. This vessel is usable for the purpose God intended. But there are other kinds of vessels besides those made of clay that God uses for special purposes.
2 Timothy 2:19-21 – And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these (iniquities and selfish desires), he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
The Lord sometimes calls for a “crystal vessel” to be made for His purpose. What is unique about a crystal vessel is that when it is filled, you no longer see the vessel itself but can see what is within it. A clay vessel cannot reveal what is within until it is poured out. The crystal vessel clearly displays what it is that it holds within.
This article deals with the process of being made a crystal vessel. It is obviously a much more intense process. The vessel made by a potter is made of earthen clay whereas a crystal vessel is made from sand (silica). The sand has to be heated much hotter than the process for curing clay into pottery. After the heat is sufficiently applied the sand becomes clear and molten at which time it can be formed into the desired shape by the craftsman. This means that a person called of God to be a crystal vessel is going to go through greater and longer fiery trials and testing than the clay vessels.
The crystal vessel must be transparent! The fleshly self of that person must not obscure the precious contents within so that it is the contents that are seen.
Colossians 1:27 – to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
John 3:30 – He must increase, but I must decrease.
Obviously what is described here is that Jesus Christ is seen in the crystal vessel more than the servant or minister who is that vessel. Such a servant has become selfless, or has died to self, and exhibits the qualities of Jesus in serving others.
Matthew 7:20 – Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (See also John 15:1-5 to see that only the life of Jesus produces this fruit in us.)
The fruit mentioned here is the Fruit of the Spirit which is the character and nature of God as it fully appeared in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the perfect example of the crystal vessel as the Bible records that everything He did was for the benefit of others; He did nothing for Himself. He was self-less! The following is the process that Jesus went through to prove Himself to be the perfect crystal vessel in whom was seen the glory of God the Father.
This process that Jesus went through to be proven that He was indeed God’s crystal vessel can be called “the wilderness experience” and is recorded in Matthew 4, and Luke 4. After Jesus was baptized in water, and God acknowledged Him as His Son, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to go through His fiery trial and testing by Satan the tempter and accuser.
The tempting of Jesus was all based on the things of this world regarding the needs and desires of human flesh; things that the devil has influence or control over, which are also the same things that caused Lucifer to become the resister of God – the devil:
1 John 2:16 – For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Consider that the purpose of the wilderness experience as it was imposed on the Israelites:
Deuteronomy 8:2-3 – And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
This test of Israel lasted forty years because they kept failing to trust and obey. Jesus’ test was forty days and He passed each trying temptation that the devil presented Him with. Note that the main evidence of the crystal vessel is self- denial, or death to self, being self-less. This is the characteristic that Jesus demonstrated in the wilderness during the tempting of the devil.
Jesus went without food for forty days; he denied His fleshly body the basic thing that it needs to sustain itself. He denied self! Jesus was very hungry after fasting for forty days when the devil tempts Him with “the lust of the flesh”, (called the “I will”), when he suggested Jesus to “turn these stones to bread”. Jesus did not respond to the devil’s tempting in his own ability. He did not say to the devil, “I rebuke you Satan, I will not live by bread alone”, or “I resist you”. Jesus’ response was not of himself, but the one whom He served when He responded with the Word of God as He quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3, “man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.”
This lack of fleshly provision is a real test of who do you really put your trust in, God, or in your own ability to provide? Are you going to fully trust God in your wilderness experience to provide what you need or will you “hang it up” after being in want and not provided for as you think you should be? Do you break it off with trusting God and rely on yourself, or even accept what the devil offers you?
Satan will always tempt you to do it his way, and his way is always a counterfeit that may seem to meet the need but leads to a dead end. Challenge the devil’s false provision with God’s Word, His promises and your knowledge of God as your loving and caring Heavenly Father.
Jesus was also tempted with “the pride of life”, (called the “I am”), which is about personal importance, position and notoriety in life; or in your case, who you are. The devil wanted Jesus to “prove it” by a form of self-preservation. He did not give in to Satan’s lure of self-exaltation and pride. Jesus again responded with the Word of God. (Note that Satan tried to use the Word of God in this test but He perverted it and misapplied it – something he frequently does even today.) Jesus again responded quoting the Word of God, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
The devil then tried to tempt Jesus with “the lust of the eye”, (called the “I want”), by showing Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, (a supernatural event). People fail to realize that Satan, “the god of this world” and the “prince of the power of the air” actually was given dominion over the kingdoms of this world back in the Garden of Eden when God’s Adam family submitted to the devil’s trickery and deceit. Jesus responded again with the Word of God, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve”.
The devil greatly desires to be worshiped due to his pride. Again Jesus responds with the Word of God instead of his own ability to resist. Devoting yourself, time, energy and money to things of this world that the devil controls is a form of worshiping him. Denying self also means not being hooked by the material things of this world.
Jesus was victorious in His wilderness experience by depending on the Word of God to see Him through. Satan, (his name means the accuser), had nothing that he could accuse Jesus with. Jesus had no problem recognizing the tempter and his temptations because of His communion and fellowship with His Heavenly Father. In a similar way those chosen to be crystal vessels will experience variations of the wilderness experience to test their readiness to be filled with His ability for the work He has purposed for them.
If the crystal vessel process is not completed, or if there is a failure in any one of the three areas of testing, there will be a delay and a repeat of the process because the gifts and calling of God is without repentance – God does not change His mind regarding you, but it is up to you. If you refuse to be crystalized, you can be used only to the extent that you have achieved the preparation as a clay vessel, or a semi-crystal vessel. So you can still be used by God but maybe not for all that He wanted to do through you. Remember God even used a donkey to rebuke a prophet.
Philippians 1:6 – being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Successfully completing the crystal vessel process brings heavenly results. Consider that Jesus returned from the wilderness in the power of the Holy Spirit. He was able to represent all that God is to the people He ministered to. This is what needs to be in the qualified servants and ministers of the Lord today, but few have paid the price to die to self and go through such trials. To die to self is to lose your identity; people will then be able to see Christ in you as you are filled with Him and His Word. Too many ministers today relish in their identity, fame and fortune as compared to those who are selfless crystal vessels.
While going through this wilderness experience, if you are called to be a crystal vessel, expect to have the devil throw all manner of challenges at you to appeal to your flesh in all of the three areas of human vulnerability as listed in 1 John 2:15. You must keep your goal and calling in view and do not let go of that sense of purpose that God has for you, even if you don’t know exactly what it is. You must know God’s Word and promises and apply them as needed. Prayer and intimate fellowship with Him is also essential to maintain close communion with the Lord who sustains you by His Spirit. He will never leave you or forsake you as He is developing something special in you. Don’t let anything of the world distract you as this is Satan’s tactic.
There is no real ministry you can do while you are in the wilderness. It will seem as though you have been cut off from others as the wilderness is a lonely and desert type of place. It is also sparse of provision. Please understand that the wilderness is where the excess baggage that you have carried falls off or is discarded.
Comfort and encouragement comes from your fellowship with the Lord in prayer and in His Word. Full and anointed ministry begins after coming out of the wilderness, but don’t let your guard down because Satan will attempt to throw roadblocks and hindrance’s in your path as you serve the Lord. Daily praise, worship and giving of thanks to the Father and or Lord Jesus Christ is essential to continue to walk in the power that He bestowed on you for ministry. That power is not for you to use for your own benefit, but to the benefit of others, just as Jesus did. Do not let pride touch you due to the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit that shows in your ministry – pride is an open door for the devil to take serious advantage of you. Remember, the ministry is not yours, it is Christs!
2 Corinthians 4:7 – But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Being made a crystal vessel can be a lengthy process, taking many years, and requires patience and faithfulness to see it to the end.
EVEN A CRYSTAL VESSEL
By W. G. Guy
When the Lord chooses a person to be His servant or minister, it is likened to a potter forming a vessel of clay. Being made a vessel made of clay for God’s use is a difficult and trying process. The clay has to be kneaded with pressure by the potters hands and fingers in order to be molded and shaped into what the potter wants. The process includes times of being wetted to make the clay more malleable.
Isaiah 64:8 – But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Sometimes the person God has called has his own plan of what kind of servant or minister he wants to be. Thus the potter has to work the clay a little harder to get it into the proper shape that he wants as the clay puts up some resistance to the potters desire. The potter may even have to mush the clay back down into the lump and start over.
Jeremiah 18:4-6 – And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.
Romans 9:20-21 –But who do you think you are to second-guess God? How could a human being molded out of clay say to the one who molded him, “Why in the world did you make me this way?” Or are you denying the right of the potter to make out of clay whatever he wants? Doesn’t the potter have the right to make from the same lump of clay an elegant vase or an ordinary pot? (The Passion Translation)
After the potter has formed the vessel to the proper shape it has to be put in the furnace to be cured or hardened before it can be used to contain anything. This means there are fiery trials and tribulations to endure before the servant of the Lord can be usable for His purpose. Many people called of the Lord for His purpose balk at this process and chose to go their own way and do their own thing. These are those who are trying to do their work for God instead of allowing God to do His work through them with what He fills them with.
Matthew 7:22-23 –Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity, (doing your own thing).
Even after the clay vessel becomes usable by the Lord to carry about what God fills it with, only the vessel is seen and not what is within it. This vessel is usable for the purpose God intended. But there are other kinds of vessels besides those made of clay that God uses for special purposes.
2 Timothy 2:19-21 – And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these (iniquities and selfish desires), he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
The Lord sometimes calls for a “crystal vessel” to be made for His purpose. What is unique about a crystal vessel is that when it is filled, you no longer see the vessel itself but can see what is within it. A clay vessel cannot reveal what is within until it is poured out. The crystal vessel clearly displays what it is that it holds within.
This article deals with the process of being made a crystal vessel. It is obviously a much more intense process. The vessel made by a potter is made of earthen clay whereas a crystal vessel is made from sand (silica). The sand has to be heated much hotter than the process for curing clay into pottery. After the heat is sufficiently applied the sand becomes clear and molten at which time it can be formed into the desired shape by the craftsman. This means that a person called of God to be a crystal vessel is going to go through greater and longer fiery trials and testing than the clay vessels.
The crystal vessel must be transparent! The fleshly self of that person must not obscure the precious contents within so that it is the contents that are seen.
Colossians 1:27 – to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
John 3:30 – He must increase, but I must decrease.
Obviously what is described here is that Jesus Christ is seen in the crystal vessel more than the servant or minister who is that vessel. Such a servant has become selfless, or has died to self, and exhibits the qualities of Jesus in serving others.
Matthew 7:20 – Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (See also John 15:1-5 to see that only the life of Jesus produces this fruit in us.)
The fruit mentioned here is the Fruit of the Spirit which is the character and nature of God as it fully appeared in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the perfect example of the crystal vessel as the Bible records that everything He did was for the benefit of others; He did nothing for Himself. He was self-less! The following is the process that Jesus went through to prove Himself to be the perfect crystal vessel in whom was seen the glory of God the Father.
This process that Jesus went through to be proven that He was indeed God’s crystal vessel can be called “the wilderness experience” and is recorded in Matthew 4, and Luke 4. After Jesus was baptized in water, and God acknowledged Him as His Son, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to go through His fiery trial and testing by Satan the tempter and accuser.
The tempting of Jesus was all based on the things of this world regarding the needs and desires of human flesh; things that the devil has influence or control over, which are also the same things that caused Lucifer to become the resister of God – the devil:
1 John 2:16 – For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Consider that the purpose of the wilderness experience as it was imposed on the Israelites:
Deuteronomy 8:2-3 – And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
This test of Israel lasted forty years because they kept failing to trust and obey. Jesus’ test was forty days and He passed each trying temptation that the devil presented Him with. Note that the main evidence of the crystal vessel is self- denial, or death to self, being self-less. This is the characteristic that Jesus demonstrated in the wilderness during the tempting of the devil.
Jesus went without food for forty days; he denied His fleshly body the basic thing that it needs to sustain itself. He denied self! Jesus was very hungry after fasting for forty days when the devil tempts Him with “the lust of the flesh”, (called the “I will”), when he suggested Jesus to “turn these stones to bread”. Jesus did not respond to the devil’s tempting in his own ability. He did not say to the devil, “I rebuke you Satan, I will not live by bread alone”, or “I resist you”. Jesus’ response was not of himself, but the one whom He served when He responded with the Word of God as He quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3, “man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.”
This lack of fleshly provision is a real test of who do you really put your trust in, God, or in your own ability to provide? Are you going to fully trust God in your wilderness experience to provide what you need or will you “hang it up” after being in want and not provided for as you think you should be? Do you break it off with trusting God and rely on yourself, or even accept what the devil offers you?
Satan will always tempt you to do it his way, and his way is always a counterfeit that may seem to meet the need but leads to a dead end. Challenge the devil’s false provision with God’s Word, His promises and your knowledge of God as your loving and caring Heavenly Father.
Jesus was also tempted with “the pride of life”, (called the “I am”), which is about personal importance, position and notoriety in life; or in your case, who you are. The devil wanted Jesus to “prove it” by a form of self-preservation. He did not give in to Satan’s lure of self-exaltation and pride. Jesus again responded with the Word of God. (Note that Satan tried to use the Word of God in this test but He perverted it and misapplied it – something he frequently does even today.) Jesus again responded quoting the Word of God, thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
The devil then tried to tempt Jesus with “the lust of the eye”, (called the “I want”), by showing Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, (a supernatural event). People fail to realize that Satan, “the god of this world” and the “prince of the power of the air” actually was given dominion over the kingdoms of this world back in the Garden of Eden when God’s Adam family submitted to the devil’s trickery and deceit. Jesus responded again with the Word of God, thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and Him only shalt thou serve”.
The devil greatly desires to be worshiped due to his pride. Again Jesus responds with the Word of God instead of his own ability to resist. Devoting yourself, time, energy and money to things of this world that the devil controls is a form of worshiping him. Denying self also means not being hooked by the material things of this world.
Jesus was victorious in His wilderness experience by depending on the Word of God to see Him through. Satan, (his name means the accuser), had nothing that he could accuse Jesus with. Jesus had no problem recognizing the tempter and his temptations because of His communion and fellowship with His Heavenly Father. In a similar way those chosen to be crystal vessels will experience variations of the wilderness experience to test their readiness to be filled with His ability for the work He has purposed for them.
If the crystal vessel process is not completed, or if there is a failure in any one of the three areas of testing, there will be a delay and a repeat of the process because the gifts and calling of God is without repentance – God does not change His mind regarding you, but it is up to you. If you refuse to be crystalized, you can be used only to the extent that you have achieved the preparation as a clay vessel, or a semi-crystal vessel. So you can still be used by God but maybe not for all that He wanted to do through you. Remember God even used a donkey to rebuke a prophet.
Philippians 1:6 – being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Successfully completing the crystal vessel process brings heavenly results. Consider that Jesus returned from the wilderness in the power of the Holy Spirit. He was able to represent all that God is to the people He ministered to. This is what needs to be in the qualified servants and ministers of the Lord today, but few have paid the price to die to self and go through such trials. To die to self is to lose your identity; people will then be able to see Christ in you as you are filled with Him and His Word. Too many ministers today relish in their identity, fame and fortune as compared to those who are selfless crystal vessels.
While going through this wilderness experience, if you are called to be a crystal vessel, expect to have the devil throw all manner of challenges at you to appeal to your flesh in all of the three areas of human vulnerability as listed in 1 John 2:15. You must keep your goal and calling in view and do not let go of that sense of purpose that God has for you, even if you don’t know exactly what it is. You must know God’s Word and promises and apply them as needed. Prayer and intimate fellowship with Him is also essential to maintain close communion with the Lord who sustains you by His Spirit. He will never leave you or forsake you as He is developing something special in you. Don’t let anything of the world distract you as this is Satan’s tactic.
There is no real ministry you can do while you are in the wilderness. It will seem as though you have been cut off from others as the wilderness is a lonely and desert type of place. It is also sparse of provision. Please understand that the wilderness is where the excess baggage that you have carried falls off or is discarded.
Comfort and encouragement comes from your fellowship with the Lord in prayer and in His Word. Full and anointed ministry begins after coming out of the wilderness, but don’t let your guard down because Satan will attempt to throw roadblocks and hindrance’s in your path as you serve the Lord. Daily praise, worship and giving of thanks to the Father and or Lord Jesus Christ is essential to continue to walk in the power that He bestowed on you for ministry. That power is not for you to use for your own benefit, but to the benefit of others, just as Jesus did. Do not let pride touch you due to the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit that shows in your ministry – pride is an open door for the devil to take serious advantage of you. Remember, the ministry is not yours, it is Christs!
2 Corinthians 4:7 – But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Being made a crystal vessel can be a lengthy process, taking many years, and requires patience and faithfulness to see it to the end.
