Brokenness — Dr D. K. Olukoya [Book Summary]
About Book
Brokenness was co-authored by Dr D. K. Olukoya and Pastor David Laleye, with eight of its nine chapters written by Dr Olukoya, and Pastor Laleye wrote the seventh chapter which deals with brokenness in the family and in relating with neighbours. Dr Olukoya goes in-depth to describe what brokenness is, what it isn’t, the qualities of a broken person, the qualities of an unbroken person, the pathway to attaining brokenness, the price and the power associated with being broken, the simplicity found in a broken person, spiritual maturity and immaturity, backsliding, primitive Christianity, etc.
Chapter One — What is Brokenness?
Dr Olukoya starts by making us understand what brokenness is. He makes us understand that it is the pathway to spiritual power, “the beginning of a personal spiritual revival.” He also tells us that it “is painful and sometimes humiliating.” He brings to our understanding the need to deal with self because it prevents God from doing much in us. He uses the lamb as a symbol of brokenness and humility, and he tells us the need to be like the lamb for the Holy Spirit (who is dove-like (peaceful) in nature) to descend on us. He uses the goat, pig, and dog to illustrate how a person can be the opposite of being broken in the Lord.
Dr Olukoya further explains what brokenness is. He tells us that it “is to be completely divorced from self … to be completely emptied of pride … to be completely yielded to God,” and he urges us to take the path of brokenness though “it is a painful exercise.”
Chapter Two — Foundation of Brokenness
Dr Olukoya tells us how the evil in the world could turn the lives of men and women upside down. He says that this result when there is a failure to follow the ways of God. He tells us that “the foundation of brokenness is holiness.” With diverse stories, he describes sin and its consequences. He uses different portions of the Bible to show us different acts that are sinful.
Dr Olukoya goes in-depth to tell us what holiness is, what it is not, the reasons for holiness, and the step toward holiness. He tells us that “Holiness is when [we] are wholly dedicated to … God.” He makes us know that one’s holiness can be lost and that being holy does not make one superior to others, but makes such a person meek. He ends this chapter by telling us to seek God and ask for His help.
Chapter Three — The Highway of Brokenness
Dr Olukoya starts by making us understand that brokenness is the pathway to power. He gives us three things that are needful in our lives, and they are;
- Self-denial
- Taking up our cross
- Following Christ
He tells us that the cross was the altar on which the divine sacrifice was offered to reconcile all humans to God. He tells us of Christ’s victory on the cross and the need for us to also die on that cross (that is, live a crucified and holy life).
Dr Olukoya tells us what it means to die on the cross and illustrates behaviours that negate dying on the cross. He also makes us understand the divine protection and power that is endued on a believer who is broken.
Chapter Four — The Spiritual Power of a Broken Life
Dr Olukoya tells us that it is brokenness that enables us to have a deep relationship with God. He goes on to tell us what superficial/surface Christianity is. He tells us that deeply broken Christians can be seen and known by their simplicity and godly sincerity.
He tells us that there are four ways of getting broken, which are;
- By praying
- By studying the Bible
- By meditating on God’s word
- By fasting
He also tells us the need for spiritual warfare in taking firm control of the mind, crucifying the flesh, and dealing with the devil and his host, which are all geared to the attainment of brokenness. He ends this chapter by telling us to practise brokenness by avoiding things in our lives that had made us unbroken in the past.
Chapter Five — Spiritual Maturity
Dr Olukoya tells us that “Spiritual maturity … is Christlikeness; to be like Christ.” He says spiritual maturity has nothing to do with age or spiritual gifts, and there is no shortcut to it. He says, “spiritual growth must involve determination, discipline, effort and perseverance.” He also noted that “it is the spiritual fruit that you grow that determines whether you are matured or not.” He goes on to tell us characteristics found in Christians who are not mature, which include;
- They are ruled by feelings and emotions
- They are quarrelsome
- They are worldly minded
- They are dominated by self/flesh, etc.
He also lists out several obstacles to being matured spiritually and they include;
- Unforgiveness
- Failure to control the tongue
- Failure to take up one’s cross
- Neglecting the warnings of the Scripture, etc.
He explains the need to confess our immaturity, get close to God, take spiritual responsibility, exercise our spiritual talents, etc., to move from baby Christianity (spiritual immaturity) to spiritual maturity.
Chapter 6 — Brokenness and Spiritual Warfare
Dr Olukoya tells us about the efficacy of brokenness in spiritual warfare. He says, “Once you are broken, the majority of Spiritual Warfare that you will ever encounter in your life has been settled.” He warns against the spirit of anger, and he makes us understand that for the devil to carry out his destructive activities on us, there must be a legal ground or a foothold (that is, there is something in our lives that is negating the will of God). He says, “if you give the devil one inch in your life, he will travel one foot, if you give him one foot, he will travel one mile.” He speaks highly of the Christians of old and the persecution they endured. He tells us of the need to discipline ourselves and work on our weak areas. He gives examples of people in the Bible whose weaknesses caused problems for them.
Dr Olukoya lists bad traits that can be found in the life of a person lacking brokenness, which include; being highly disorganized, being weak-willed, lack of internal discipline, people pleasing, habitual late coming, emotional instability, being easily tempted, etc.
Chapter 7 — Brokenness and the Home
Pastor David Laleye wrote this chapter. Pastor Laleye tells us that the test of brokenness in the home has two characteristics;
- The fear of the Lord
- Obedience to the word of God
He goes on to list and explain the qualities of a broken husband, which include love, patience, kindness, being forgiving, etc. He also lists and explains the qualities of a broken wife, which are; co-operation, submission, and not being clamorous. He describes how we are to relate with our neighbours in brokenness, which entails not despising them, not joining them to do evil, and living in moderation. He ends this chapter by describing the need for everyone to daily keep and commit their marriages by taking them to God daily in prayers, praying together as a family, and practising brokenness.
Chapter 8 — Fake Brokenness
Dr Olukoya starts by using a fable and an experience he had to illustrate what fake brokenness is. He speaks of power, the need to do away with worldly labels, and to get serious with God. He tells us what it is to be unbroken. He says, “Unbroken people are people who are blinded by their worldly success … are selfish, proud and lack knowledge and understanding … are those who are prone to backsliding.” He speaks of what it means to backslide. He says, “Backsliding is turning away from the truth … [it] is denying God … [it] is refusing to obey the truth … [it] is leaving your first love … [it] is failure to pursue the path of righteousness.”
Dr Olukoya goes in depth to list and explain the lifestyle of a broken person, and he speaks of baby Christianity. He questions if we are willing to pay the price needed to be broken, and finally, he reminds us that God uses only those who are broken.
Chapter 9 — Primitive Christianity
Dr Olukoya describes the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries. He explains the unchangeableness of God, Christianity as of old, and the lifestyle of the Apostles.
Few Quotes from the Pages of “Brokenness”
- Brokenness is a pre-requisite for being a true Christian Soldier (Pastor Ayo Oluwatosin).
- To be broken beloved, is the beginning of a personal spiritual revival.
- For you to be mightily used by God, every ambition that comes from the flesh must be demolished and killed. Unless you and I become nothing before God, He can never make anything, out of us.
- The only way God can be so close to you is when there is brokenness in your life.
- Holiness is to let go and allow God to be in control.
- The foundation of brokenness is holiness.
- It is when you begin to get holy that you start to get matured.
- The Bible is a textbook of holiness.
- Temptation is not sin except you yield to it. You cannot stop birds from flying across your head, but you can stop them from building nests on your head.
- A Christian can have a problem, but the problem must not have the Christian.
- Matured Christians do not dwell on past mistakes.
- The purpose of Christian meetings is for us to gather together and allow iron to begin to sharpen iron.
- Your present spiritual level is determined by how well you can dominate the flesh.
- When you study the nine characters of the Spirit filled life [fruit of the spirit], you will also be able to know any area of weakness that you have.
- If you are broken before God, your brokenness will attract God’s power.
