For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12
Some study is now reporting that 40% of professed Christians do not believe in ‘a’ real Satan or demons. Well not here… on this site. We who understand the prophetic side of God fully have experienced the enemy. Unfortunately, when the ‘spiritual leadership’ doesn’t preach and teach about the Holy Spirit the entire spiritual realm is diminished to just be a ‘fairy tale’. Many of these ‘spiritual leaders’ also diminish Jesus’ gifts to the ‘ekklesia’ mentioned just a few chapters before in Ephesians 4:11. Supposedly the only “gifts” that remain are the ones they use … ie. their interpretation of the ‘pastor’ and ‘teacher’ roles. The apostle, prophet, and evangelist gifts are barely passed over if at all mentioned. And of course, if these roles ‘were’ to exist they are to be subservient to the HIGH authority of the Pastor role. (ahem – sarcasm) When in all of the New Testament the pastor gift is only mentioned ONCE. When one reads the New Testament for themselves it can be a real eye opener. Read it WITH the Holy Spirit AND the revelation is astounding and shocking. So much that is taught with the 4 walled institution called the “Church” is severely lacking and anemic.
Who is our Shepherd? Jesus.
Who is our authority? Jesus.
Who is our Source of spiritual teaching? The Holy Spirit.
Who is our Creator? The Father.
Who is our enemy? This is the topic of this devotional. Anyone who aligns themselves against God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have become an ‘agent’ of the enemies of God whether they know it or not.
What did Jesus say?
Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters. Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Matthew 12:30-31
What are demons? They are disembodied spirits. Are they fallen angels? No. The angels were given eternal bodies just like we will have at the resurrection. So how does one lose an eternal body? You don’t. All of this revolves around our understanding Genesis chapter 6. Needless to say, demons ARE VERY REAL. But that is just a few things the scriptures talk about. The depth and width of God’s creation is still much more complex than we currently understand. Jesus dealt with demons is His time on earth. How do we deny that? We just need to understand how to recognize the enemies of God and take the correct measures. What are those measures? It begins as simple as this…
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
It is submitting to the Holy Spirit for revelation, direction, and ‘personal cleansing’ / repentance. It takes full surrender to Him to just begin to ‘listen to Him’. If you are not very sensitive to the spiritual realm you will most likely not believe those who are. But that is why Jesus gives multiple gifts to His friends, so that we would have a better-rounded spiritual understanding. We are a Body. It takes all of the members in obedience to the Head (Jesus) to be fully effective. But mostly we have many paralyzed (in their soul / heart / and mind) members who need His healing and restoration. Yes Virginia … those other ‘gifts’ Jesus gives to His friends DO exist. Many have to function OUTSIDE of the man-made institutions (501c3 state religious institutions). That’s okay, Jesus functioned outside of the normal religious ‘robes’ too when He was here in person.
Do you know any of these other ‘gifts’ I’m talking about here … personally? If you do, then you know what a blessing they are to you. And YOU are an incredible blessing to THEM! It is when we see them as Jesus sees them – that is when we can truly be an incredible encouragement to them and to each other.
Father …connect us! Connect us to YOU! Connect us rightly within Your Body Jesus! Help us hear the Holy Spirit within us! Teach us Holy Spirit!!!