The Church is given Marching Orders – Under the Lord their Banner. We cannot separate spiritual warfare from world evangelism. We, as the Church, have not dealt with the Forces of Spiritual Wickedness to the degree that we should have, living in the victory of Jesus' name and in the power of the Holy Spirit. There is a 'War' going on and most of the Church doesn't even understand it. In most of the 'Body of Christ' today, there is no joy, no anointing, and no passion for evangelism.
Could it be the reason there is no real Victory in the Church is because, the Church has not woke up to the fact that God has assigned it the duty of dealing with the demonic first, there is a 'War' going on and most of the Church seem to respond clueless too, and have no real knowledge, or understanding of which is the second part of the Great Commission which is another reason for the lack of success.
Even though Evangelizing is the most important duty of the Church, there is more to the Great Commission than just evangelizing. The Church is to 'expose' the demonic for who and what it is. The Church is to wage war against the demonic, putting them 'under the feet' of Christ Jesus. The Church is to 'spiritually' take back the 'land' and 'claim it' for the Kingdom of God.
The Church is to be the 'vessels' used by God to bring healing and deliverance to the Captives. Evangelizing, bringing the lost to Jesus. We cannot separate spiritual warfare from world evangelism. Even though the enemy is a defeated foe, Satan still has limited authority over this world. We continually give him this authority through our sins. The reason many do not receive their salvation is because Satan has blinded their minds to the 'light of the glorious gospel of Christ'. Satan has sent thousands, upon thousands, of demonic spirits into the world with the sole purpose to keep men's minds in darkness, blinding the minds of the unbeliever. They lie, deceive, and trick the non-believer, bring doubt and unbelief into their mind and hearts.
Our whole lives are a process of gaining further light, of seeing falsehoods exposed, and embracing God's Word. The job of these 'Forces of Spiritual Wickedness' or 'Mind Blinders' is to continually hinder this process, hiding the light and blinding us with falsehood. A constant barrage of lies is aimed at every person's mind. These spirits lie to us about God; that He does not exist, or that He is not good and loving. They give us wrong concepts about other people, causing strife, contention, division, and hatred. They will tell us lies about ourselves, making us hate ourselves.
These 'Forces of Spiritual Wickedness' are not just interested in spreading lies, but also in hindering truth. It may not often occur to us, but there are demonic spirits assigned to hinder the preaching of the Gospel. They do everything in their power to keep Christians from sharing, and people from hearing the Gospel. The ‘Forces of Spiritual Wickedness' hate evangelism because it invades their territory. When we move into their territory and start to free souls from their grasp, we must be prepared for all-out warfare. They will lie to us about our abilities. They will try to bring fear upon us. They will hold back our finances so we can't go to the mission field. They will stop at nothing to keep us from spreading the Gospel, 'setting the Captives free'. We know it is our responsibility to share the Gospel, but many times we are not overly enthusiastic. Could it be that there are 'Forces of Spiritual Wickedness' hampering our attitudes and efforts in evangelism? There is a demonic army trying to talk us out of evangelism.
Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord. Ezekiel 13:5
The phrase 'the house of Israel' is really saying 'the people'. It is referring to people. This verse is saying to the intercessor, you have not stood in the gaps, you have not made up the hedge, you have not prayed for the people! God is saying to us today, you have not prayed for the salvation and deliverance of the people!
You have not prayed for the spiritual, emotional, mental, or physical healing of the people! You have not prayed for the needs or the prosperity of the people! You have not prayed for the people! But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:16-18
Unbelievers are blinded in their minds and either can not hear or do not understand the Good News of the Gospel of Christ.
But if our gospel (the Gospel of Christ Jesus) be hid, it is hid to them that are lost (the unbeliever): In whom the god (little g - Satan) of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 4:3-6
Jesus has given us all power and authority over these Mind Blinders. We must bind them and take authority over them in the Name of Jesus, placing them under the feet (authority) of Jesus. Then we can evangelize and proclaim the Good News, the Gospel of Christ Jesus to the unbelievers. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Matthew 18:18
Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? And then he will spoil his house. Matthew 12:29
God tells us in His Word that whatever we 'bind' here on earth all Heaven stands behind us to help 'bind' it and whatever we 'loose', all Heaven stands behind us to see that it is 'loosed'.
That is an awesome promise from the Throne of God.
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. II Timothy 2:26
To 'bind' the enemy makes him helpless and unable to manipulate those they have been controlling. How can we bring the unsaved to salvation? First, we 'bind' the Powers of hell that are controlling them and 'loosen' them from the enemies hold.
How do we 'bind' the enemy? By faith in the Word of God and the words of our mouth. Speaking to the enemy and telling him that in the name of Jesus, he is 'bound'. Telling him, that he can no longer control or manipulate the person you are praying for. Command him in the name of Jesus to 'loosen' their mind and to stop 'spiritually blinding' their mind. As a Believer, you have this authority.
The Church has tried to evangelize the world in the physical realm without first taking full authority in the spiritual realm. God is calling men and women across this nation to a full time ministry as Intercessor.
May all the Blessings and Promises of God be yours today, tomorrow, and forever!!!
Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Psalm 2:8
God is telling us to pray for the people! Pray for the heathen, pray for the unsaved. Ask for their salvation, and He will give them to you as an inheritance in the Kingdom of God.
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