letsloveothers

If you are a disciple of Jesus. You have the authority to reach into the supernatural realm. Harness its miraculous power. Bring heaven to earth. Destroy the devil’s soul seeking missiles.

Historical evidence suggests belief in demons is as old as mankind. Demons were immortalized with graphic images and religious practices. The Greeks even had a cleansing process for driving out evil spirits so a person’s health was restored.

Today, satan and his demonic army are dismissed as living entities. Physics, meteorology and medicine can now explain phenomena once attributed to God and satan.

Satan also has fabricated a slick ad campaign to recreate himself. No longer a supernatural force opposed to God. Evil is merely a consequence of man’s decision to exercise his free will.

Instead of an ongoing battle between the followers of a holy God and the followers of an evil fallen angel. The battle is now one of philosophical ideals.

Good versus evil.

Right versus wrong.

Light versus darkness.

Positive life force versus negative life force.

The Proverbs 31 woman is not fooled. Knowing only the Lord’s wisdom can equip you to defeat satan. She opens her mouth in skillful and godly wisdom. Proverbs 31:26

She believes Jesus and His promise.

I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will ever harm you. Luke 10:19

Throughout the Bible snakes and scorpions are associated with the ungodly. Rebellious individuals who joined forces with the powers of darkness.

The scorpion was idolized because it attacks without provocation or warning. Its sting is potentially more lethal than that of the snake because it stings not once but many times. A desirable trait in a nation where the absolute control of others is a necessity.

Among the Babylonians, the serpent was in a league of its own. Possessing many admirable attributes that were beneficial in warfare. Appearing and disappearing quickly and easily. Flexibility. Quickly changing its posture and shape. Living in obscure and harsh places.

As a spiritual entity, the snake could manipulate and deceive man. Especially valuable to those whose ultimate goal was to conquer the world.

Snakes were often carved on buildings. Warning trespassers and invaders the buildings and those who dwelt within were protected. Even the Hebrew leaders carved snakes on the walls of the Temple. Hoping to ward off enemy attacks.

How could the children of Israel entertain the idea they could dance with the devil and not get burned?

Just ask some of your fellow Christians. Who have carved images of political correctness and apathy on their hearts?

Political correctness that

• equates humanistic philosophies with God’s absolute truth.

• implements ministerial programs that regurgitate the theories of unbelievers.
• segregates people by marital status, gender or age under the guise of ministry.
• endorses the use of personal pronouns more than Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
• invests more money and time on Easter egg hunts, fall carnivals and Christmas pageants than community outreach programs.
• promotes service within the four walls of a church as superior to service outside its walls.

What can be done to wash this obscene graffiti off the walls of the Church?

A rejuvenated heart that keeps on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment. So that you can determine what really matters and can be pure and blameless. Philippians 1:9-10

The spiritual discernment to recognize false apostles, deceitful workers. Disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. For satan himself is disguised as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:13-14

A transformed mind that understands the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God. For pulling down strongholds. Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 

Faith that boldly invades the territory of darkness. The Church needs more Elijahs.

When King Ahab of Israel and Jezebel of Phoenicia were united in marriage. The realm of darkness was jubilant. At long last there was leadership in the kingdom of Israel that would do their bidding. Eliminating all the Lord’s prophets and crowning the pagan god Baal Israel’s official god.

But the Lord had other plans. He anointed Elijah as His prophet and equipped him with supernatural power.

Elijah told the people. “I’m the only surviving prophet of the Lord, but there are 450 prophets of Baal. Give us two bulls. Let the prophets of Baal choose one for themselves. Cut it into pieces. Lay it on the wood, but not set it on fire. I’ll do the same with the other bull. You call on the name of your gods, but I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire is the real God.”

All the people answered, “That’s fine.”

Elijah told the prophets of Baal. “Choose one bull for yourselves. Prepare yours first because there are more of you. Call on the name of your god but don’t set the wood on fire.”

They took the bull he gave them. Prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon. They said, “Baal, answer us!” But there wasn’t a sound or an answer. So they danced around the altar they had made.

At noon Elijah started to make fun of them. “Shout louder since he is a god. Maybe he’s thinking, relieving himself or traveling! Maybe he’s sleeping, and you have to wake him!”

So they shouted louder. They also cut themselves with swords and spears until their blood flowed. This is what their ritual called for.

In the afternoon they continued to rant and rave until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no sound. No answer. No attention given to them.

Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come over here.”

So all the people came to him. He rebuilt the Lord’s altar that had been torn down. Elijah took 12 stones, one for each of the tribes named after Jacob’s sons. Elijah built an altar in the Lord’s name with those stones.

He also made a trench that could hold 12 quarts of grain around the altar. He arranged the wood. Cut up the bull and put it on the wood.

He said, “Fill four jars with water. Pour the water on the offering and on the wood.”

Then he said, “Do it again.” and they did it again.

Then he said, “Do it a third time.” and they did it a third time. The water flowed around the altar, and even the trench was filled with water.

When it was time to offer the sacrifice. The prophet Elijah stepped forward.

He said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. Make known today that you are God in Israel. And that I’m your servant. And have done all these things by your instructions. Answer me Lord! Answer me! Then these people will know that you Lord are God, and that you are winning back their hearts.”

So a fire from the Lord fell down and consumed the burnt offering, wood, stones and dirt. The fire even dried up the water that was in the trench. All the people saw it and immediately bowed down to the ground.

“The Lord is God!” they said.

“The Lord is God!” 1 Kings 18:22-39

Like Elijah, believers have been given authority over satan for a single purpose. To bring honor— glory to the Lord. So His Kingdom increases and the kingdom of darkness decreases.

Be a VOICE in the deafening sound of sameness!