We are in a battle. If you are a believer in Christ Jesus, then you have been enlisted. Have you responded to the draft?
Perhaps you have not been trained in how to pray in such a way that heaven meets earth, but there are directions in the word of God. Lurking behind every plan of God is a plan of the enemy, the devil. His goal is to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10) everything good and holy. Satan will not stop until one day, he is completely defeated.
Jesus gave the command to occupy until He returns for a reason (Luke 19:13). One of the definitions for the word occupy is to do business, while another one is to "fill or occupy" the minds or thoughts. When our minds are full of God's word, we will be in alignment with His will. It is for this reason that the Apostle Paul said, 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 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, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Co 10:3–6.
Verse five in the NASB version says We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God.
To occupy is to take a stand to take control by military conquest or settlement, to capture or seize a thing. We can't do Jesus' business when we are bound by demonic thoughts. When we take our thoughts captive, we are blocking the enemy's ability to infiltrate them and cause us to get off course in our walk with God. Whenever the enemy brings his theory of our situation, we not only refuse to align with those thoughts, we destroy them and fill them with the word of God, exchanging the lies for the truth.
In my book, End of Days Battle, Satan's Triune Generals of Darkness, I define in detail the words of Apostle Paul in Ephesians 6.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. - Eph 6:12
I won't write it all in this article but let me give you some insight into the mighty workers of darkness and iniquity that we are to wage war against.
Principalities suggest a head place of dominion: a ruler, leader, or chief. This ruler is a spiritual prince who has authority over a territory. The territory can be a person, place, region, or nation.
Powers are delegated influences of control. These powers are superhuman, spiritual influences with authority, jurisdiction, and power.
Rulers are a reference to Satan and his demons. He is called the lord or prince of this age (darkness). The word rulers is translated from the Greek word kosmokrator is derived from two words: kos'-mos, meaning orderly arrangement, and krat-eh'-o, which means to use strength, such as to seize or retain (literally or figuratively).
Thrones and Dominions indicate that Satan has been granted certain powers of specific regions and territories whereby he operates from the unseen world.
Authorities represent angels, powers, and demons.
Thankfully, Jesus made a spectacle of all of the enemy and his army when He took the cross, giving Himself over to death and then raising from it, whereby He conquered the hold of death! Now Jesus has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. - 1 Peter 3:22
Because Jesus passed the baton to His disciples, and they down the line, we now have the authority to cause the enemy to flee. James gives us clear direction on how to defeat the enemy. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. - Jas 4:7 NKJV
Notice the devil flees when we are submitted to God in humility. We are submitted when we flee from idolatry, flee from sexual immorality, and Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. - 2Ti 2:22 NKJV
If we are unwilling to present ourselves to the Lord in total commitment to His will, then we will always have a door open that allows the enemy access to our lives. Our heart posture to the Lord is the most important thing we can offer Him. This is why God says He prefers obedience over sacrifice.
Many people prefer to shortcut their deliverance process. These people hope that a demon can be cast out of their lives and everything they are in agreement with that is not of God will go. However, this would eliminate God's character-building process in His children.
If you are ready to enlist in the army of God and answer the call to battle, it must start with you. Humble yourself. Flee the things of this world that entangle you. Repent, and don't look back. Then, you can successfully demolish the enemy's strongholds in your life, family, church, city, and so on. It always begins with one person. Once you take your territory and occupy it then you can take territory in other places. If you are going to disconnect yourself from the demonic warriors mentioned in Ephesians six, you will have to do some battle and make no room for compromise. The good news is Jesus already did the hard stuff. You just need to make an agreement with God's Kingdom purpose.
Let's pray,
Heavenly Father, thank You for the commitment You have made to humanity and the covenant I have in Jesus Christ. I proclaim Your perfect will for my life is my desire and that I do not want to have anything in common with the demonic rulers of the heavenlies. Help me to choose wisely and with a pure heart the things that make Your destiny possible in my life. I choose to break all agreements with this world and adjust my thinking to that which is pure, noble, and praiseworthy. In Jesus name, Amen
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