Learning to Defend Yourself
What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You
As we enter together into the darkest times the earth has ever experienced, our greatest danger is being rendered powerless. While this in no way endangers our salvation, it prevents us from doing what Jesus told us to do, and weakens our spiritual ability to take the offensive. Not only are we unable to help others by “casting out devils” and freeing them to achieve freedom through salvation; but it puts us in a spiritual prison allowing the enemy to tear us down and literally destroy our lives.
The Bible has a “flow” that occurs throughout its text. Failing to spiritually perceive this flow comes with a price. So many of us fall into these “pigeon holes” of contrived doctrine because we do not see this “flow”. There is a divine “story line” that unfolds from the beginning to the end. But wait … What end? When you read the Bible from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21 one realizes there really is no “end”. In fact one could argue the entire Bible is an introduction to a “new beginning”. We are all just taking part in PHASE I, of all of eternity.
Pigeon Holes and Traps
Depending on your age, you may remember a game we used to play in the back seat of the car when our parents would take us on trips. It kept us engaged for hours. In our hands we would hold this little plastic box with a clear top. Inside this box were little silver balls and a maze of holes. Our challenge was to tip this box, to and fro, and capture all those silver balls into each of the holes. Remember?
In a sense our entire spiritual lives are similar to this box with the little holes. As we mature in our understanding of the Word of God, we fall into these holes and God needs to reach out and “thump us on the head” so we can “pop out” and move on to what? …. Yes you’ve guessed it …. the next DARN HOLE! Why do we keep falling into these holes? Perhaps it is so we learn. Maybe each hole becomes a lesson for growth. One thing is for sure, you cannot allow yourself to remain stuck in any of those holes. You must fight yourself to become free of these “sacred cows” so you can grow into a powerful Jesus-like force.
Each one of these holes is a prison. And there are thousands of “holes”. You may fall into a hole called “the names of God” and spend your time explaining why you must use YHWH or Yeshua, or some other “name” to speak to our Lord. Never mind the endless scripture that frees you from such traps. Never mind the fact that God looks into your heart and knows your deepest feelings. We think he doesn’t hear our cries because we haven’t figured out the formula for reaching him. Did it ever occur to you that it was GOD Himself that created our linguistic challenges in the first place?
Realizing Your Advantage
Consider this:
2 Chron 16:9
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him.
AMP
This doesn’t mean God looks to do good for you because you are “sinless”. It is God Himself that makes it perfectly clear we can never be sinless without accepting the sacrifice of his Son. Having a blameless heart unto God simply means you love Him and and are doing your best. We make God too complicated. He doesn’t expect you to be perfect. He feels no differently about you than you feel about your own son or daughter. He just wants to be loved. He just wants you to “show it”. He expects you to “mess up”. He just wants you to ask forgiveness, love him, and seek him with “all your heart”. Once you truly commit yourself to Him, and take your STAND, you are “blameless” and He will search you out and show himself strong on your behalf.
Consider Elisha.
Elisha had a helper. He is referred to as the “young man”. In 2 Kings 6, the King of Syria was baffled. He couldn’t figure out how all of his plans to conquer Israel were being foiled. The King figured he had a “mole” in his ranks. Someone was leaking all his plans. But in fact this wasn’t the case.
The King then confronted his men in anger asking WHO was sending the “Top Secret” documents to Wikileaks! They answered emphatically “None, my Lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom”. So the King of Syria gets “miffed” and sends his entire army out to surround Elisha and “take him out”.
Now try your best to understand this picture. Here you are this “young man” living in a house in Dothan, with this old bearded Hebrew dude who spends all his time praying and praising God. You hear thousands of horses surrounding your village as you wake up in the morning. You look outside and you “crap your pants” … do you not? Wouldn’t you? You are DEAD MEAT! You have absolutely no doubt in your mind you are about to be slaughtered. You scream in panic to the old dude in the back room,
“HOLY CRAP …. WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO!!”
Does Elisha say, “Go grab the rifles and ammunition, and call uncle Billy-Bob to bring reinforcements”? NO. He calmly looks at the “young man” and says …
2 Kings 6:16-17
16 […] “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.”
NKJV
BUT THIS IS THE BEST PART. Look what Elisha prays for. Elisha doesn’t pray “Oh Lord please help us”. Elijah simply asks God to OPEN THE YOUNG MAN’S EYES SO HE CAN SEE.
2 Kings 6:17-18
Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
NKJV
The entire place was covered with God’s mighty army. God’s spiritual soldiers dwarfed the army of Syria. Elisha already knew they were there. He never missed a beat.
What will it take us to realize that we have those same “angelic warriors” standing by our side?
Following the Power
As the flow of the Bible text unfolds, you see an amazing dynamic occur. First you see God establishing His people and providing behavioral guidance written in stone. Then you see more amazing dynamics unfold as these people of Israel become both empowered through their allegiance with God and be placed in “bondage” by their “falling away” from God. This dynamic of choice is a part our everyday lives.
But then a wonderful thing happens. The most amazing thing that has ever happened in the HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE. The “Most High” God, the creator of all the Universe(s), gives His only “begotten” Son … Jesus … as a sacrifice for the sin of all of mankind.
ALL of mankind.
And then later you see Paul. Remember Simon Magnus? Simon the Sorcerer? Here is this “mighty and powerful” sorcerer that was trying to pay BIG BUCKS to Paul so he could have some of that “Holy Spirit” action. WOW. And we get that power just for asking. Paul reminds the various “ecclesia” all throughout the New Testament to follow “the POWER”.
Don’t fall into the trap of running after some “bearded” messianic “Torah of the Month Club”. Follow Jesus. Follow the POWER. Align yourself with people like David Hogan, and Curry Blake. These are people who are doing what Jesus said to do. These are people creating empowered disciples. They are “healing the sick” and “casting out devils”.
We underestimate this POWER that Jesus left for us. We forget how amazing His atonement was. When Jesus said “Tetelestai” (just before he died on the cross) it BLEW THE MIND of the enemy. The “Darling of Heaven” was crucified. All the angels of Heaven, and devils in Hell, were in utter shock. Here was the SON OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD, beaten to the point of death hanging from a cross. Millions of angels were astonished that God let him die! And Satan himself was beaten at that moment in time.
And just before Jesus dies, a criminal hanging beside him on a nearby cross simply asked Jesus to remember him. And what did Jesus do? Jesus told that man he would be in paradise with him that day.
HOW COOL IS THAT?
Don’t you see the POWER behind that act? Don’t you realize this FREES you from ALL CONDEMNATION?
You simply can no longer be CONDEMNED. You can no longer be ACCUSED. Once you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the penalty of sin is PAID IN FULL.
Do Not Let the Accuser Accuse You
Our greatest enemy is our own ignorance and failure to recognize the significance of Jesus’ gift to us. If you are not “born again” and have not accepted Jesus as your savior, then you have a different set of rules and you indeed “stand accused”. But once you accept Jesus as your savior then you are free from the penalty of sin and you MUST NOT allow the accuser to accuse you. BUT HE WILL!
The greatest advantage the enemy can gain on God’s spiritual army of believers it to convince them that they can still be accused of past sins.
This is BOVINE FECES!!
I get emails all the time from wonderful spirit filled people who start following the Lord and get attacked with vivid memories of their past. This is the DEMONIC at work. That’s their greatest weapon against your POWER. When you do nothing for God you are not a threat to them. But the second you “start walking toward God” you will be “battered” with vivid memories of every “screw up” in your life.
You must understand the enemy has NO RIGHT to do this. You have your debt certificate. You can no longer be accused. But you must KNOW THIS and STAND ON IT in Jesus name.
If you don’t, you can be in serious trouble. Once the enemy wrongfully convinces you that you CAN be accused, it renders your spirit “impotent”. You crumple in fear. You get broken down. You doubt your salvation. You become a prime target. Once you are down the enemy will continue kicking you. I guarantee if you remain down long enough you will find verses in the Bible that convince you of your doom.
STOP IT!
IN JESUS NAME
Stand before the ENEMY and PROCLAIM YOUR FREEDOM. All your sins have already been PAID IN FULL. When those thoughts enter your mind you say “Get Behind Me Satan!” I am saved by the Blood of Jesus Christ. I am free of your accusations.
You must never forget your purpose in life.
- You are a divine “Son of God”
- You are the “Master of the Devil”
- And you are the “Servant of Man”
Summary of Empowerment
The best weapon the enemy has against the “assembly of Jesus” is “false accusation”. We must shed ourselves of these false doctrines and “sacred cows”. There is NO SUCH THING as family curses that affect you. There is NO SUCH THING as “past sins” for which you must pay. When those thoughts enter your mind you become “weakened” by the forces of darkness and they will JUMP ON YOU and rip you to pieces.
When Jesus sent out those Seventy men from the crowd. Those men were sinners. Jesus told them to GO from house to house and “heal the sick” and “cast out devils”. These men didn’t even have the benefit of Christ’s atonement. These men didn’t even have the benefit of the Holy Spirit living within them. But these TRUE SINNERS went out and did what Jesus told them to do “In Jesus Name”.
WOW
And here we are EMPOWERED by the Blood of the Lamb. Here we are with the POWER of the Holy Spirit living within us. With the faith of a mustard seed, we can “move mountains” .. but instead we get trapped in the “pigeon holes” of “thought”. Instead we allow the accuser to tear us down.
Take a STAND and accept your promotion into the Kingdom of Heaven.
The next time you feel down, the next time you start remembering your past mistakes, GET ANGRY and realize what is happening.
HOW DARE THEY DISREGARD THE SACRIFICE OF YOUR KING!
You STAND and you TELL THEM …
THEN TAKE YOUR POWER AND GO DO WHAT JESUS TOLD YOU TO DO
“GO”
“Preach”
“The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand”
“Heal the Sick”
“Cast Out Devils”
And most of all….
BE BLESSED IN JESUS NAME
Once again, very timely John. My family and I went to the movies last night and watched Robin Hood. (go see it!) The overarching theme of your post and the movie is, "Rise and rise again until lambs become lions." That's the crux of where we are on this divine story line. For Robin it was his rallying cry to take up his father’s cause for liberty and a reminder to never give up against the adversity and challenges that we might face.
I found a sermonette on this, author is 'Father Mark':
Paul proclaimed to the Ephesians:
“And he put all things beneath his feet
and gave him as head over all things to the church,
which is his body,
the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.”
However, the Church is not a building made of brick, wood or stone, but the Body of Christ is made out of living stones…the people of God who are called to embrace the responsibility and mission of their baptism.
Like the early Church we face our own problems, difficulties, setbacks and anxieties as we strive to proclaim the gospel in our own time. Some of these realities are small, while others seem to loom too large to overcome. Yet, throughout the history of the Church it is during our most difficult days and darkest hours where the Church has shown her greatest strength and treasure: living stones, the people of God who have answered the call and summons of Christ in every generation to take up the challenge of the gospel and to not only proclaim it, but to live it with all of our hearts.
The same Spirit that transformed tax collectors, fisherman, and persecutors into the Church’s greatest witnesses is alive and well today. The same Spirit that descended upon the Apostles on Pentecost is the same Spirit that dwells in our hearts and runs through our veins. This same Spirit calls us to answer the challenges of our own time and to be faithful heralds of the gospel that has been entrusted to us by the Lord.
The gospel cannot be met with lukewarm hearts or timid souls, it requires a firm spirit and sound commitment that asks us to live for something that is greater than ourselves. To stand up for something that is worth giving one’s life for. It is that pearl of great price or that treasure in the field where we are willing to sell everything in order to possess it.
Like Robin Hood, the greatest challenges do not always lie outside ourselves, but it is sometimes the journey to the very depths of our souls, our own discernment and self discovery that can be our greatest adventure. Commitment, responsibility, perseverance and faith are essential if we want to possess that treasure or hold tight to that pearl. Jesus was willing to give his very life so that we might be able to live. He was willing to sacrifice everything and our response to the gospel can be nothing less. Discipleship is not a part-time job and anything that is lukewarm does not taste very good in the mouth. Why are we still standing around looking at the sky?
We rise up as the Body of Christ.
We rise up as living stones.
We rise up as the Church.
We rise up as witnesses.
We rise and rise again until lambs become lions!! (crumbsofbread.wordpress.com)
kari
Now THIS is an utterly fabulous contribution.
I find it amazing that just before I read this post, I received an email from a "Holier than Thou" so-called "Christian" that decided to send me pages of meaningless diatribe about my choice of "words" suggesting that I am "cusing". Why does the "F" word pop into my head. I turn the tables of the tabernacle over upon them in Jesus name and look forward to seeing their work be "tested by fire".
On the other hand, look at the awesome encouragement you have posted. This is fabulous and it is filled with the understanding and love of our KING.
We cannot reach people with a "holier than thou" attitude. We've already screwed up enough and until we make the Bible scipture SPEAK to people in the vernacular of the day – we FAIL!!
God Bless You for Your Post
I recommend everyone go and see their web site. I am sure it is filled with the divine power of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN
Thank you John… what a beautiful post and much needed reminder of really how easy it is to stand up against the enemy. Many christians don't realize the power we've been given through Christ Jesus. I had an experience several months with a neighbor who was abusing or neglecting his dogs. I have an inherent love for animals and could not bring myself to ignore these situations although many, well meaning friends, would tell me to "butt out" as trouble would ensue. They were right… I gave his dogs water one day, left him a note letting him know I had done so and was awakened the next morning by a policeman at my door who informed me I would go to jail if I ever went on this man's property again. I'll add here that I had called the local animal shelter weekly, if not daily, throughout this ordeal; to no avail. This plagued my soul for weeks as the dog's continued to suffer. Early one Sunday morning, after observing the dogs not having water for three days (it was 106 degrees, my eye's opened as to what was transpiring at this house. Evil spirits were everywhere. I got on-line, looked up exorcism, and found a prayer of exorcism for the lay person. I have to add here that the priest, who's website I found this prayer on, stated that women aren't permitted to perform exorcism's as we are responsible for the "fall of man." The F word popped into my head then… followed by "forgive them, for they know not what they do." Anyway, I printed out the prayer and proceeded to my back yard which was adjacent to the backyard of this house where these poor animals were. My biggest fear was that I would "chicken out" if any neighbors came outside and heard me; so, I asked God to give me the strength not to let that stop me. I recited the very long prayer of exorcism, aloud, walking back and forth along the fence line. When I was through, I went back inside my house, cried and pleaded with God to help these dogs. This all started at 7 a.m. At 10:20 a.m. I saw the man, through my kitchen window, come outside and give his dogs water. I went to my bedroom and collapsed. I slept as soundly as I ever have until 4 o'clock that afternoon. I was emotionally, mentally and physically drained.
The suffering of others, who were weak and unable to speak for themselves, motivated me to this end. I am reminded this Sunday morning that I often forget to do this for myself. It's really that simple. And it's really that effective.
Just Do It! In Jesus' Precious Name… Amen.
Your Sister in Christ,
Cathy
John wrote: "There is NO SUCH THING as family curses that affect you."
These verses seem to indicate otherwise:
"And I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed." (Genesis 12:3)
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this in a book as a memorial and recite it to Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." Moses built an altar and named it The LORD is My Banner; and he said, "The LORD has sworn; the LORD will have war against Amalek from generation to generation." (Exodus 17:14-16)
"You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." (Exodus 20:4-6)
"No one of illegitimate birth shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of his descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall enter the assembly of the LORD. No Ammonite or Moabite shall enter the assembly of the LORD; none of their descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall ever enter the assembly of the LORD, because they did not meet you with food and water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you." (Deuteronomy 23:2-4)
If our fathers sinned against Adonai, then that sin, that curse, will be visited upon us unless we do something to break the curse. In modern terms, we pass our sins along to our children through learned behavior, as well as through certain genetic traits, but Yeshua can release us from the curses we've inherited from our fathers.
How can we possibly deliver another believer from something that we ourselves do not believe?
AMEN
Praise the Lord Jesus that you understand how critical it is that we all DO WHAT JESUS SAID TO DO…. Even if we don't see immediate results the power is moving and we ARE having a profound effect.
BE BLESSED IN JESUS NAME
Bonnie above.
This is exactly what I am talking about. When you don't understand the "flow of the text" in the Bible you fall into traps of misunderstanding the "atonement" and the power of Christ's gift.
The OLD TESTAMENT stories help reveal the power of Christ's atonement. But they are not a substitute for it.
The Bible is layed out in "Phases" of truths and failing to grasp that can be a very disabling challenge for those who were saved by Jesus' amazing sacrifice.
BE BLESSED IN JESUS NAME