Apostle George created a doc. Yesterday at 8:04am Intercessors & Spiritual Warfare - 2 Let us begin the journey down the wire on this ground breaking sub series on the things Intercessors will need to deal with in the Kingdom and the world. The question now should be: how can intercessors wage effective spiritual warfare in view of the land mines laid by Satan? #.1. Resolve the Identity Issue No intercessor can go beyond the identity he or she walks in! Many who minister in prayer are often living defeated lives because they operate from a religious rather than a Kingdom mindset. Religion tells an intercessor constantly that he or she is ‘unworthy’ to approach the Throne of Grace. This is the outcome of the jaded theology which suggests that though Christians are saved, they are still saints in need of salvation! Whoever is unable to throw this theological thrash into the bin will walk in defeat, engaging in motions of prayer without assurance or faith. Yes, you may have stumbled a number of times. Yes, you would have made many errors of judgement. You may even have fallen into sin in time past. But hear this: unless you were not convicted of the sins and repented of them, then are you still in your sins! But if you genuinely repented of them, placing your faith in Yahshua and His shed blood, they no longer exist except in the mind of Satan and human agents including Church folks who have been recruited into his ministry of accusation! That is what Justification does: the Blood of Yahshua not only cleanses sin, it blots it away so much so that there is no record of or remembrance of any bit of sin that the Blood deals with! Saints, this is not an excuse to live in sin. Anyone living in sin as a regular lifestyle is a sinner, period. This is not about the jaded theology of ‘eternal security’ because whoever continues in sin negates redemption as Hebrews 6:1-8 and Hebrews 10:26-31 say with clarity. This is about walking in the truth of what was finished at Calvary and reckoning it to be true that we are saints of the Most High, redeemed by the Blood. As a man thinks in his heart, says the word, so is he. If you are saved and continue to believe the lie of Satan that you are a sinner, you make Yahweh and His word false, period and cannot intercede with authority. We are saints of Yahweh in the earth realm, bought by the Blood of Yahshua. We are standing as His sons, in the same way Yahshua the ultimate Son was when on planet earth.It is for this reason that intercessors and all saints are invited to come boldly to the Throne of Grace to receive help in time of need! We come on the merit of the shed blood to Yahweh our heavenly Father, conscious of the reality that Yahshua is right now at His right hand standing as our Intercessor and High Priest. Here is an invitation in Hebrews 4:14-16 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. It is recommended that all intercessors study the ground breaking release GSOM Course 104:“Glorious Truths” which detail 11 things which define our identity. Walking in your true spiritual identity leads to healthy self esteem in the ministry of intercession. #.2. Wear the whole armour of Yahweh, always Some intercessors are used to wearing some of the armour some of the time. A few wear the whole armour some of the time. But the command is for saints and especially those who transact with heaven often and confront Satan and his cohorts regularly is to put on and wear the WHOLE armour, ALL the time! The armour is a complete whole and effective when all the pieces are in place. That way, there will be no chink in the armour that Satan can exploit. Let us read and analyse this epic passage which Holy Spirit used Paul to bring forth: Ephesians 6:10-18 (KJV) 10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Commentary: This is a call to be strong in King Yahshua, our Captain, not in our selves or our Pastors or other leaders! It is a call to focus intently on Him at all times and walking in the reality of all that He accomplished for us at the Cross of Calvary. Yahshua was the stronger Man who effectively crushed the head of Satan on the Cross, took away the keys of death and humanity from him; took captivity captive, ascended on high with triumph and gave gifts of Holy Spirit to His Church as Ephesians 4: 7-10 affirm. When we give heed to this charge and walk in it as an experiential reality, our lives are simply hidden in Yahshua which in turn is hidden in Yahweh. This is the essence of Colossians 3:1-3. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Commentary: We are to put on the whole armour of Yahweh as the basis of standing against and overcoming all wiles of Satan. Satan is crafty, full of wiles and devices which can trip over any intercessor who walks in the flesh. This is a sure promise that many do not take time to understand. The word here is clear: intercessor that understand and walk in the reality of the truth in Ephesians 6:1-18 will walk in victory 24/7! 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Commentary: The word is very clear here that though most things we suffer are supposedly from people – both saints and sinners, we need to come to a place of maturity in Yahshua where our focus is not on the individuals we see but the power at work in them! All humans – saved and unsaved – are essentially vessels. Whatever power occupies and uses their vessels at any given time is going to manifest in their speech, attitude, lifestyle and ministry focus. Yahshua used the case of Peter in Matthew 16:13-23 to demonstrate for us how even saints can become vessels in the hand of Yahweh and later give room for Satan, when they are careless or presumptuous. After being used by Yahweh to affirm the divine identity of Yahshua, Peter gave his own flesh room to be occupied by Satan to denounce the necessity of the Cross. Yahshua dealt with Satan, rather than Peter. In the case of Judas Iscariot, we also see that Satan entered into him at a specific time and date Luke 22:3; John 13:27. This was possible because Judas had been opening doors to Mammon the demon of money through his covetousness – John 12:4-6. Between spouses; parents and their children; siblings; leaders and the led and indeed in all relationships, saints will achieve greater results and still recover those who try to fall away when we focus on Satan that is at work through them rather than the individuals. It is not that we will be blind to the evil they are doing or not see effects of what they do. This is a command to discern the spirits at work in the vessels and concentrate our fire power on the real enemy, while giving room for recovery of those saints or natural brethren and reconciliation with them when they are delivered. Of course those who are used by Satan to do evil may even be oblivious of how great evil they are inflicting on the Body of Yahshua. The worst state to be in life is to be sincerely wrong. Many people are in this state, blinded by Satan and therefore not acting rationally from both a spiritual and physical perspective. In this passage, Paul by the Spirit reveals that Satan has a hierarchical system of governing the realm of darkness whereby Principalities are set over Nations and Regions. Then there are Powers, Rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. These demonic personalities are assigned over territories like States, Nations and Regions as well as People groups, cultures. Some have authority to supervise political thrones while others operate through religious activities which take people off the knowledge of and worship of the One true Yahweh and Yahshua the Only bridge with Him. Understanding by discernment or revelation the spirit at work in any given situation is a sure pathway to enforcing the victory Yahshua procured at Calvary. Please read the Course note GSOM 139: Critical Adversaries for a better understanding of this subject. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Commentary: This command is specific: we are to take the whole armour of Yahweh as the basis of withstanding on the day of trouble. Saints, there are evil days. There are seasons when it appears that all hell lets loose. There are times when trouble comes in various ways – attacks on health, finances, peace and other material and intangible assets. The word says, it we have the whole armour, such days will come and go and we will be the last man/woman standing. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Commentary. Two pieces of the armour are mentioned as first order of business! #.2.1. Truth. Saints, Truth is presented as the first armour to put on! It is likened to a belt which holds up all the other pieces of the armour. What this means is that Truth should undergird intercession and spiritual warfare. Once intercessors war on the basis of a lie, they have failed even before they start! Truth is one of the foundations of the New Covenant (John1:17). For instance, those who intercede and war for America on the basis of the lie that it is a ‘Christian nation’ open the door for Satan because he is the Father of lies (John 8:44)). #.2.2: Breastplate of Righteousness – Intercessors must wear the breast plate of righteousness on a 24/7 basis. No intercessor can put down this breastplate which guards the heart for even a moment. Righteousness protects the intercessor from exposure to dangerous enemy fire. Righteousness is right standing with the Father on the merit of the Bloodshed by Yahshua. We are victorious in spiritual warfare when we proceed on the basis of who we are in Yahshua. 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; #.2.3: Commentary: Intercessors must be in ‘Go Ye’ mode always. Intercessors need to be the advance party which is constantly pulling down strong holds that hinder the gospel; standing in the gap for those appointed to Salvation and warring in the Spirit for them to be delivered from the spirit of the world. 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. #2.4: Commentary: One of the greatest threats to the life and ministry of intercession is sense knowledge. Sense knowledge fights faith from the realm of the soul where the mind tries to respond to things that are seen, heard, perceived, tasted or touched. Intercessors must mature beyond their senses and walk by faith at all times. If prayer is made from a carnal mindset, the intercessor will be off course and displease Yahweh as Hebrews 11:1, 6 reveal: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. The shield of Faith is needed to arrest all fiery darts of Satanic suggestions, ideas and concepts which are designed to penetrate the realm of the mind and heart. When the shield of faith is deployed, intercessors see beyond the surface and challenges of life to remain focused on things of the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 says: 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV) 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Commentary: Two pieces of armour are mentioned here: #2.5. Helmet of Salvation. Our Salvation is likened to a Helmet which protects the head from danger. To do effective spiritual warfare, intercessors need to have the experience of Salvation fresh always. Intercessors cannot afford the luxury of switching off from the King for even a moment in order to enjoy the deceitfulness of sin only to switch back again. Our helmet must be on 24/7! #2.6 Sword of the Spirit, the Word of Yahweh. Intercessors war best when they war in, with and through the Word. That is why they need to be avid students who dwell in the Word and meditate on it to develop intimacy with Yahweh; understand Yahshua who is the Living Word and have their minds renewed to think like sons. Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; 2 Timothy 2:15. When this is so, the Word dwells richly in them in all wisdom and flows from their belly when in prayer. Colossians 3:16. When in warfare, they behave like King Yahshua who refuted Satan with ‘It is written’ in Matthew 4:1-11. 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Commentary. Three additional pieces of spiritual armour are revealed in this verse: #.2.7. Praying always with all prayer – True intercessors pray with great wisdom and creativity. They pray in, with and by every situation. They are able to pray kneeling, prostrate, standing, pacing and even lying down. They are also able to worship and war and indeed bring forth prayer anywhere and everywhere including their homes, while driving, while walking, in public transportation such as buses, trains, while flying and even in their bathrooms. The idea is to pray without ceasing – whether in good weather or through storms, tornadoes, rainfall and sun shine. #2.8. Praying with Supplication in the Spirit. The sensitive intercessor knows how to yield when Holy Spirit wants to take over the act of praying. He who knows the mind of the Father always does a better job when He borrows the vocal chords of the intercessor to bring forth the perfect will of the Father – bypassing the mental realm where words, concepts and thoughts are formed into prayer. Here is how 1 Corinthians 14:2 puts the issue: 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries Romans 8:26-27 (KJV) 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. This is why many are drained after prayer. By praying in the Spirit however, no human energy is exerted and one is rather refreshed by His presence. When praying in the spirit in a situation of warfare, great victory is secured because the opposing demon may not comprehend the words uttered by the intercessor who Holy Spirit is using! #2.9. Watch thereto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Intercessors are called to a ministry of watching. Watching provides direction for prayer. King Yahshua did not ask saints to ‘Pray and Pray’ but to ‘Watch and Pray’. Many continue to pray out of ignorance or half knowledge. It is sad that many intercessors are not making good use of Spiritual intelligence that is available in many forms. Many others pray out of emotional responses to ideological, cultural, racial and other divisions that drive public discourse in their nations or states. Intercessors must get off these divisions and stand on Kingdom pedestals to watch out and know what to intercede for. We need to watch out for unfolding biblical prophecies concerning the end times and sound the alarm for saints to be aware of what is happening. Supplications of Intercessors need to undergird and cover all saints, not just those in their denominations or local assemblies.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 16:30:49 +0000