Prophetic Worshippers- IHOPKC

Exploring Presence Worship
This is the word of the Lord… 'Not by might (force, efficiency) nor by power
(human ability), but by My Spirit,' Says the Lord of hosts. – Zech. 4: 6
I. HOW I ENCOUNTERED THE HOLY SPIRIT (His Person and Power)
A. It happened in Buenos Aires, during the winter of 1991, while I was sentenced to
my ‘bible college bed’ (for 2 weeks—fighting extreme fever, not able to move at all).
When I asked the Lord why this was happening to me, I heard a voice from within: “If
you give ME room I will completely revolutionize your life”.
B. During those weeks, Andrea (who later became my wife), gave me a skinny book
titled: Good Morning Holy Spirit. My soul burned as I read the book—it was the first
time I heard about the person of the Holy Spirit in such a direct way—I began
engaging HIM as a Person. I was transformed, and so was my worship.
C. Why am I sharing this? Because the ministry and fellowship of the Holy Spirit is the
secret to “presence worship”.
 Main GOAL of this Teaching: to provide a better understanding of the term
“presence worship” and about the ministry of Holy Spirit in worship.
II. THE MEANING, PURPOSE AND IMPACT OF PROPHETIC WORSHIP
A. Before we dive into “Presence Worship” we need to define “Prophetic Worship”.
What comes to mind when you think about the term prophetic worship? I believe that
within the House of Prayer paradigm we have touched certain dimensions of
prophetic worship, but there is much more the Lord wants to give us.
B. In the days of Samuel, when Saul approached a company of prophetic worshipers
he experienced a life changing encounter with the Holy Spirit.
C. What we read below demonstrates the power of Prophetic Worship and provides
clues to the kind of training Samuel gave to his generation (the forerunners of the
tabernacle of David).
After that you shall come to the hill of God… and it will happen, when you
have come there to the city that you will meet a group of prophets coming
down from the high place with a stringed instrument, a tambourine, a flute,
and a harp before them; and they will be prophesying. Then the Spirit of the
Lord will come upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned
into another man. – 1 Sam. 10:5-6
D. What Saul found was way more than “sincere worshipers” adoring Yahweh. He
came across an irresistible heavenly atmosphere—Saul encountered the authority
and power of the Holy Spirit moving in (their) worship. That’s what changed him.
E. Based on this biblical event and others we’ll study, as well as drawing from 20
years of experience in worship leading (doing it right and wrong)—in different venues,
nations and cultures, here is my definition of prophetic worship:
1. Prophetic Worship is the ability to carry and release the presence of God. It
is what happens when [prophetic worshipers] usher the tangible
testimony of Jesus into the room and impart the power of the Holy Spirit
to the congregation.
2. Prophetic worshipers are carriers of God’s presence, like a walking
convergence between heaven and earth―a connecting link between the
Throne Room and the earth realm.
F. Corporate prophetic worship goes beyond having a “song service”. It may start
with a devotional or celebration feel, turn into warfare and proclamation, but can
eventually become PRESENCE WORSHIP (if we take the time to keep ascending in
worship).
G. It builds into a divine encounter between the Bridegroom God and His Bride―we
get to experience God—feel His touch, hear His voice and behold His face. And the
Lord also gets what He wants: intimate fellowship with His people.
H. At times, PRESENCE WORSHIP can turn into GLORY WORSHIP. (I have witnessed
glory worship only a few times in my life—when God comes and no person can
remain standing, because the weight and AWE of God’s glory is pushing you down).
I. I’m convinced, however, that we will see increasingly more GLORY WORSHIP as we
approach the end of this age.






III. THE ANOINTING TO MOVE ANGELS AND DEMONS
Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the
LORD terrorized him... whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul,
David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be
refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him. – 1 Sam.
16:14, 23
A. How can we worship like King David did? How can we change spiritual
atmospheres, move demons away and bring in angelic armies by simply playing?
What was the secret of David’s powerful worship?
B. The Bible reveals a significant event in David’s life―it happened the day Samuel
visited his house:
Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers,
and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. – 1
Sam. 16:13 (NIV)
C. The secret to David’s worship was the person of the Holy Spirit―the authority,
power and presence of the third person of the trinity. David’s music (because of the
anointing of the Spirit) caused the atmosphere to change―a wind began to blow and
brought ONE soaring on its wings:
He opened the heavens and came down… He mounted the cherubim and
flew; he soared on the wings of the wind… Out of the brightness of his
presence bolts of lightning blazed forth – 2 Sam. 22:10-13 (NIV)
D. These are not just fancy poetic words; it is the reality that David experienced when
the Lord came down… he witnessed the power and glory of God bringing freedom
and defeating his enemies (2 Sam. 22:14 -20).
E. This is what is like, when the heavens open through prophetic worship—the wind
of the Spirit begins to blow and the Lord Himself soars upon His wings—He rides on
the wings of the Spirit (Ps. 104:3), shines the brightness (light) of His glory and causes
our hearts to burn with holy passion.

IV. MOVING IN THE SUPERNATURAL REALM OF THE SPIRIT
A. The Holy Spirit taught David to minister worship in an effective way. Thanks to this
amazing Teacher, David learned to move in the supernatural—a dimension that
(according to Paul) the natural man cannot perceive nor understand:
“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for
they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually
discerned.” - I Cor. 2:14
B. The ways of the “anointing” will not make sense to the natural mind. They must be
discerned “spiritually”. One of our goals (as prophetic worshipers in development) is
to discern the person and work of the Holy Spirit in worship. We must learn to follow
Him and move in the supernatural. Listen to what Jesus revealed:
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I
speak to you are spirit, and they are life” – John 6:63
C. We can learn all the mechanics of worship, have the latest gear, the best band and
sound amazing… but unless the Holy Spirit is active and tangible in our music and
spoken words, it will profit nothing (in terms of bringing life to people in the room).
D. Yes, of course, we minister before the audience of ONE. Our worship still counts
(God loves and enjoys every expression of worship). Plus, our faithfulness adds up, we
can grow in meekness, intercede for others, get eternal rewards, etc. And yes, God is
forever worthy to receive all the praise, and even demands excellence in music (Ps.
33:3 “play skillfully”), but all those relevant subjects are NOT my point here.
E. Here is my point: Jesus deeply loved the disciples—they were his friends, his
faithful followers—He taught them about the Kingdom for 3 ½ years, he showed them
how to live (according the Sermon of the mount), he promised them eternal rewards,
and even breathed the Holy Spirit over them in (John 20:22), nevertheless… right
before ascending to heaven He announced: But you shall receive power when the
Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and
in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. – Acts 1:8
F. In short, you can only become an effective ‘witness’ of the person, work, and
presence of Jesus through the power (anointing) of the Holy Spirit.

Be it preaching, worship ministry or any other ‘public ministry’ that is done in the
name of Jesus. He has to come “upon” you and flow from “within”—that is, power
from on high and rivers of living water flowing from within (Acts. 2 / John 7:37).
V. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE FIRST 24/7 WORSHIP CENTER ON EARTH
A. It’s very likely that the musicians (Samuel trained) end up ministering in the
tabernacle of David. And it’s clear that both (David and Samuel’s company of
prophetic worshipers) moved in the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.
B. Here at IHOP, we often use the phrase “night and day prayer and worship in the
spirit of the tabernacle of David”. Let us never forget, how the authority and power of
the Holy Spirit moved through the founder and forerunners of “the Tabernacle of
David”. Let us always remember, that the same man that wrote “One Thing I Desire”
was inspired by his friend the Holy Spirit.
C. So important was the Holy Spirit to David that the day he repented from the
worst mistake of his life, he was not worried about losing the kingdom, or his wealth,
or his influence over Israel… no… here is what concerned David the most:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do
not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit
from me. - Psalm. 51:10-11
D. The presence of the HOLY SPIRIT was the most valuable asset David had. Without
the Holy Spirit he was lifeless. (Plus, he saw what happened to King Saul when the
Spirit of God departed).
VI. THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY AND THE TESTIMONY of JESUS
“See that you do not do that! … Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is
the spirit of prophecy.” - Rev. 19:10
1. First, “the testimony of Jesus” as a strong tangible presence of the Son of
God in the room. You can feel the Lord is manifest in the room.
2. Second, “the testimony of Jesus” as the declaration of His beauty and
majesty through the music and singing of prophetic worshipers.

The Alabaster

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Good News in an Alabaster Jar

Matthew 26 records an interesting episode in the life of Jesus, just two days before he was killed. This was an action-packed week, filled with highly significant events — and this event is no exception. In Matthew 26, we find a description of Jesus being anointed with perfume. The story begins in verses 1-2:

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, “As you know, the Passover is two days away — and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.” (NIV 1984)

Jesus knows that his time is short – he has only two days to live – but his disciples seem to be unaware of it. Jesus will soon be given another opportunity to tell his disciples about his impending death. Then there is an abrupt change of scene, in which Matthew tells us what is happening in another place at about the same time:

The chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and they plotted to arrest Jesus in some sly way and kill him. “But not during the Feast,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.” (verses 3-5)

Jesus anointed with perfume

Matthew then takes us back to Jesus:

While Jesus was in Bethany [two miles east of Jerusalem] in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table. (verses 6-7)

A whole jar of perfume! The smell would have filled the entire room.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. “Why this waste?” they asked. “This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor.”

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.”

Then Jesus, with special emphasis, said,

I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her. (verses 8-13)

Why is this so important?

I would like to ask a follow-up question: Why is this story so important that it will be told wherever the gospel message goes?

The woman had done a nice favor for Jesus, and it was appropriate for Jesus to thank her in a nice way. But surely this does not mean that the disciples, no matter where they went in the world, would have to tell this story everywhere they told the gospel? If the disciples were running short of time, couldn’t they just preach the gospel and skip this particular story? No, said Jesus. Wherever the gospel is preached, this story must be told, too. It is practically as important as the gospel itself!

When the disciples were inspired to write the stories of what Jesus did, they also wrote the story of what this woman did. In the Gospel accounts, it is on an equal level with the teachings and miracles of Jesus. What this woman did is an essential part of the story of Jesus. That is not just long ago and far away. It also applies right now, and right here. Wherever the gospel goes, this story must be told, too. Why is that?

The context: Jesus’ death

This section of Matthew is about Jesus’ death. It begins in verse 2 with Jesus mentioning his death. It moves in verse 3 to the conspiracy to kill Jesus. And in verse 12, Jesus connects the anointing with his burial.

Right after Jesus says that this story will be told around the world, Matthew tells us in verse 14 that Judas went out and conspired with the chief priests to betray Jesus. This anointing with perfume was the last straw for Judas. He was so upset about this waste of money that he went out to betray his master for 30 pieces of silver – ironically, money that he himself would waste. He eventually saw that there was something more important than money – but that is a different story. Our focus today is on the story of what the woman did. That is the story that must be told everywhere the gospel goes.

The story is set in the context of Jesus’ death. It is part of the introduction to what is called “the passion” – Jesus’ suffering and death. That helps make the story significant. There are several points of resemblance between what this woman did and what Jesus did on the cross. Her action was in some ways a parable, a drama that portrayed spiritual truth about Jesus.

Many of Jesus’ own actions were object lessons for spiritual truths. He did many more miracles than could be recorded in the Bible, but some are reported to us because they have special significance.

The miracle of feeding 5,000 people, for example, helps show that Jesus is the bread of life. Just as he gives food for physical life, so also he gives what we need for eternal life. The fact that he could do something we can see, gives us assurance that he can do something we cannot see. Just as he heals diseases, so also he forgives sins. The physical action pictures a spiritual truth.

This is also true of what this woman did for Jesus. What she did illustrates for us some lessons about the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It also pictures the way that we should respond to Jesus. What this woman did is a miniature picture of the gospel. That is why this story is so important that it has become part of the gospel message. It can help us explain the nature of the gospel.

A powerful devotion

Let’s give this woman a name. John 12 tells us that she was Mary, sister of Lazarus, and that this was shortly after Jesus had raised Lazarus from the dead. The story can be told without that particular fact — the action is more important than the name of the person who did it — but it does help us understand a little more of what went on behind the scenes. (It is not certain that the story in John 12 is the same incident as we read about in Matthew 26, but that question does not affect the point we wish to make here.)

We’ll look at three ways in which this anointing resembles the sacrifice of Jesus himself.

First, Mary was motivated to do this out of love. Nobody told her to do it. It was not commanded. It was just something Mary took upon herself to do, and she did it out of love. Jesus also made his sacrifice out of love. He had no obligation to die for us, but he chose to do it, willingly, motivated by love. Even while we were sinners, he loved us with incredible intensity.

Mary may have known that Jesus was soon to die, but perhaps not. The disciples didn’t understand that Jesus was going to die, and Mary probably didn’t, either. Otherwise, she would have saved the perfume for the actual burial. She seems to have poured the perfume on Jesus simply because she had an incredibly intense devotion to Jesus. She was overwhelmed with love. Maybe it was a response to the resurrection of Lazarus.

Mary may have bought that perfume to anoint the dead body of her brother. Now that Lazarus was alive, Mary did not need the perfume for him — thanks to what Jesus had done. How could Mary thank Jesus for his wonderful gift of life? Why, she could use that same perfume to lavish it on Jesus, as a token of her thanks and love. Mary was praising Jesus, honoring Jesus—in effect, worshipping Jesus, sacrificing to Jesus.

Many people today are concerned with right beliefs. Right beliefs are good. We need them. Many people today are concerned with right behavior. Right behavior is good. We need it — but we need something else, too, and that is something that Mary demonstrates for us. Mary shows us right emotion, right feeling. The heart we need for God is an intensely personal devotion, a powerful dedication of ourselves to his service.

This intensity of emotion is unusual, and like most unusual things, this was criticized. This kind of devotion was not within the ordinary range of acceptable behavior. People would call Mary eccentric, maybe even out of her right mind. Society says, Don’t get carried away with your emotions. Mary did. Her society criticized her, but Jesus praised her. Society says, Moderation in all things. Mary was not moderate. Her society criticized her, but Jesus praised her. The jury of 12 men said this is wrong, but Jesus said, she is better than you all.

Mary had an intense affection and devotion for Jesus. We can see it when she sat at Jesus’ feet listening to him teach. She was a contemplative person who liked to think. Here, she is an expressive person — expressive not in words but in actions. Her quiet nature did not prevent her from making a powerful statement — more powerful than words could have possibly done.

An enormous sacrifice

The second way in which Mary’s action was like the sacrifice of Jesus is that it was a sacrifice. This was some incredibly expensive perfume. Mary could have sold it for a large amount. Mark tells us it was worth about one year’s wages — the amount of money that a working person would earn in an entire year. In today’s economy, it would be worth several thousand dollars.

Can you imagine one bottle of perfume that costs several thousand dollars? Now, can you imagine just pouring it out? Thousands of dollars evaporating into thin air — gone forever. A year’s worth of work, gone, just like that.

This shows us something of the intensity of Mary’s love for Jesus. She must have known what she was doing, and how much it had cost her, but she did not care. Her love for Jesus was so great that she was not concerned about the cost. She was probably happy about it — she was getting a chance to demonstrate her devotion to Jesus. If she had sorrow, it was not about how much she was giving up, but that she had so little to give. Love often expresses itself in self-sacrifice, with little thought for self.

If an offering is to be meaningful, it should cost us something, and it should be done out of our own free will. We should give up something that is of value to us. Worship always involves sacrifice — sacrifice of money, time or pride, or all three. Maybe it requires everything we have, and everything we are. The disciples were concerned with self. They wanted to be great in the kingdom of God. But Mary was achieving greatness already, through her devotion to Jesus. She was not concerned for self and what she would get out of it. She was concerned for nothing but Jesus, and in that, she was already great.

Concern about the money

The disciples suggested that the money could be given to the poor. It wasn’t just Judas who objected to this “waste” of money. All the disciples were indignant. It is good to give money to the poor. The traditional Jewish understanding of righteousness included giving money to the poor, and apparently the disciples sometimes did it. (When Judas went out from the last supper, the disciples thought that he might be going to give something to the poor. If Jesus had never given any money to the poor in the previous three years, the disciples probably would not guess that he would start right then. Charity seems to have been part of what they normally did.)

When someone has lots of money, it is appropriate to share some of it with those who need it. That is a good use of money. But in this case, Mary had picked an even better use of the money. She used it in an act of tremendous devotion, an act of worship. That is a legitimate use of money, too.

Some Christians make a religion out of social activism, and they do it very well. Social work can be part of the Christian faith. But some unfortunately see that as the only form of religion, and they have forgotten about devotion to Jesus. Social work is good, but it is not supreme. Jesus is supreme — and our devotion to him will cause us to help the people who need help. It’s a question of priorities, and Jesus must always be first. For Christian service to really count, it must be done for Christ. We are serving him. Even when we are helping other people, we are serving Christ.

What Mary did, from an observer’s perspective, was a big sacrifice. But because she was willing, it was for her a small price to pay, a token of her love. Jesus’ crucifixion, from all perspectives, was a tremendous sacrifice, but he was willing to make it. For the joy set before him he endured the cross. He knew that glory was waiting not just for him, but for all who would be saved by what he did. He was willing to pay the price—and he was happy that he was able to pay the price, because he knew how valuable the result would be.

As we grasp the enormity of his sacrifice, we cannot help but respond in love and devotion — and there is no sacrifice too great. Nothing we do could ever compare to what he has done for us. Our love for him causes us to live for him, to give all that we are.

Extravagant sacrifice

The third way in which Mary’s action was similar to Jesus’ crucifixion is that it was extravagant. It was far more than what was necessary. It was outrageous! Mary was not a calculating person who thought, what is the least I can do? How much do I have to spend to be enough? What is my duty?

Nor was she tied down to tradition. Mary did not think, How do other women show respect for a rabbi? She was not afraid of public opinion. Her love freed her from that fear. She was not afraid to do something out of the ordinary. Mary did not ask the disciples if it was OK. No, Mary broke traditions. She broke the limits of what is public propriety. Mary didn’t even ask Jesus if it was OK. She just seized the opportunity, and did it. She did what she could, because only that expressed her devotion to Jesus. Her love was so great that it called for an exceptional act of creative devotion.

The disciples didn’t object to the anointing in itself. They didn’t object to perfume, but they objected to the extravagance. This was too much of a good thing — way too much. This was ridiculous, wasteful, even sinful. No so, said Jesus. What she has done is a beautiful thing. It had an aesthetic value, like a beautiful work of art, a beautiful piece of music. It was a beautiful action — a beauty that defies cost analysis. It is impossible to put a price on such personal devotion.

Sometimes we are too concerned about the usefulness of something. I often think that way. But that may mean that I do only the ordinary things, never the unusual, never the beautiful, never anything heroic, never anything requiring faith.

The disciples wanted the money to be put to good use, for something practical, like food for the hungry. That is a very good use for money. It was the ordinary thing to do, the normal thing to do, even a respectable thing to do. But usefulness is not the most important thing in the universe. Usefulness is not our god. Efficiency is not our god. Public opinion is not our god. Traditional boundaries of politeness are not our god. Jesus is our God, and it is useful to use up our material resources to honor and glorify him.

Maybe there aren’t any tangible results, but a sacrifice of love and devotion has a usefulness of its own. An act of great beauty has a usefulness of its own when it is done for Jesus Christ. Mary’s act of extravagant waste was actually a picture of spiritual beauty — a heavenly fragrance. It pictured the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in a way that words could not. It was extravagant, and that is part of its beauty. God himself is extravagant.

When something is done out of the ordinary, someone is going to complain about it. Someone is not going to understand the motive, or understand the beauty, or they are going to say, “That’s not right. We don’t do things that way.” To them, it seems that mediocrity is better than intense emotion. But Jesus praises extravagance, not mediocrity.

God gave us an extravagant gift in the person of Jesus Christ. It was an outrageous gift, worth far more than what we deserve. Grace is extravagant. Jesus gave everything he had for us. He gave his life. He gave more than necessary — he died for the whole world, and yet the whole world does not accept him. He died even for the people who reject him.

What a waste!, some people might think, but it was really an act of love, of sacrifice, of extravagance. Some people said, “That can’t be right. That’s not the way God normally acts with us.” But God does things out of the ordinary. Jesus shows us total commitment, total sacrifice, so that we might respond to him with all that we have.

An extravagant response

We need to respond to Jesus the way Mary did — with a supreme focus on him, a single-minded love that counts everything else loss for Jesus Christ, a love that does not ask how little we can do to get by, a love that is not worried about public opinion, a love that is no longer concerned about what is within the boundaries of normal devotion — a love that is willing to be extravagant.

When Mary poured perfume on Jesus, she was not only picturing some aspects of what Jesus did on the cross, she also pictured the way that we should respond to Jesus, with such complete devotion, such willingness to sacrifice, such willingness to go beyond the boundaries of normal and to have an extraordinary love for Jesus.

Have you ever done anything extravagant for Jesus Christ? Have you ever done anything so outrageous for him that other people thought you were foolish? Have you ever been so bold with love that other people have criticized what you did? Some of us have. Maybe it was a long time ago. Whenever it was, it was sweet-smelling aroma offered to God.

The example of Mary tells me that I am too reserved. I am too often concerned with what others think. I am not loving Jesus as much as I ought. I am too concerned with myself. I need to think more about actions of extraordinary beauty. God has been extravagant with me. He has lavished on me the riches of his grace. He has repeatedly given me things I did not deserve and things I did not appreciate the way I ought. His grace toward me abounds and abounds and abounds. How do I respond to him who gave his life for me?

BREAKING THE ALABASTER BOX

         "Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with odor of the ointment." – John 12: 1-3

         "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." – Luke 10:42

         "And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head." – Mark 14:3

         The two sisters of Bethany loved Jesus. Their home was always open to Him. Their hospitality and service of love proved irrevocably their devotion and spiritual standing. While all of this is granted, immediately on closer examination, we see a great difference in their lives. The road, so to speak, forks. The likeness changes suddenly into two dissimilar religious lives.

         Martha illustrates one life. The Scriptures bring out facts about her life and conduct that find a strange response and recognition by the people who are only regenerated. Let us notice a few things said about her. "She was cumbered about much serving." Oh, that much serving, and that heavy feeling that arises often as a consequence in the Christian life! The wrinkles and care-worn expression in many Christian faces spell the sentence "cumbered about much serving." Her eyes were on her sister. One of the hardest things in the world for a regenerated person to do is to keep his eyes off his brother. Then her grief was increased by having "to serve alone." This is a great trial to the soul that has not passed into the Heavenly zone of the sanctified life. Again she was "careful and troubled about many things." Her life was full of anxiety, worry, fretting, and fear about the past, present, and future. This is true of multitudes of professed Christians today.

         Mary illustrates the sanctified life. The things said about her bring out the hidden traits of her character.

         1. She gave her most costly possession to Christ. Many Christians keep back the costly things. They will give of their money, but withhold their name and reputation. However, the sanctified soul feels there is nothing too good or costly for Christ.

         2. Mary broke the alabaster box because she would not use it for anything else. If she had only taken the lid off, it could have been used for something else; but she made a complete sacrifice, and broke the box. When Moses smote the rock with his rod, he broke the rock, and the water poured out. Gideon's three hundred men broke their pitchers to let out the light. Jesus broke His own body on the cross that He might save the world. So those who would have the highest Christian experience must break their boxes. You will find that the saints of all ages have had to break their boxes, and the Devil does not like that.

         There are many boxes we must break, if we would receive the Holy Ghost. There is the Church box, the sectarian – the ecclesiastical box, the financial box, the social box, all of which should be broken for Him. Then you must break the box of affections. Many times the affections are set on things that are wrong. Now God does not destroy our affections or freeze them. But He gently unwinds them from earthly things, purifies, and sets them on things above.

         3. Notice the fragrance. When Mary broke the alabaster box and poured it on Jesus, the house, we are told, was filled with the sweet odors. When Jesus poured out His life on Calvary, earth and Heaven were filled with the fragrance of His life. The fragrant oil which she poured out is a type of the Holy Ghost. So the Holy Ghost brings to us the very fragrance and sweetness of Heaven. There is something about the sanctified, Spirit-filled life which cannot be put into print. "It is the breath of Jesus in the heart, the vapor from the river of life, the perfume of the Rose of Sharon, the elixir of prayer. This is far more in the sight of God than all the outward hulls of religious form and teaching which only serve as the alabaster box to this divine spikenard of Heavenly love." The holy anointing oil compounded of myrrh, calamus, cinnamon, and cassia made a most delightful odor. "But it was not as fragrant as Holiness itself. Think of perfect love, perfect peace, perfect faith, and perfect joy all poured into a purified heart. The fragrance of such a life soon steals through the home, is felt in the church, distributes itself through the community, and even goes around the world. The spices of Ceylon can be smelled leagues away at sea, but the perfume of a Holy life crosses seas and lands, belts the whole world, and even after hundreds of years is as fragrant as the first day it started forth to bless mankind." The sweet incense consisted of select ingredients. When these were crushed and beaten into a fine powder and finally offered by fire, the sweet fragrance arose to fill the Holy place in the old tabernacle. In like manner when God takes us and breaks us and puts us through the fiery tests, it is then our prayers and tears ascend up to God as a sweet smelling savor.

         Years ago a young successful preacher became rich. He was engaged to a very wealthy lady. When she became sick and died, it broke his heart. He lay on the floor for hours each day for two or three months weeping and fasting. Later he went to India as a missionary and gave away his great wealth to those people. For forty years living in a small room he served God and those people. William Taylor met him and led him into the "more excellent way." He renounced Calvinism and joined the Arminian Methodist Church and was known all over Bombay as a devoted saint of India. God often breaks our plans and our affections that we may pour out our prayers, our love, and tears on the feet of Jesus.

         4. She sat at His feet. What a picture of contentment, rest, quietness, and humility. "It was the nestling attitude of a little child sitting at a mother's knee."

         There is a beautiful grace known as "Sanctification" which takes all worry and unrest out of the heart and deposits within a rest and peace which cannot be described. A sense of unmistakable fullness is realized. The consciousness fills one that every part of the soul and body has been reached. There is a sense of being inwardly healed, for an exquisite experience of purity is felt. The soul fairly melts with a baptism of perfect love, and through it all and in it all, the Spirit of God whispers to the soul this is sanctification.

         5. She "heard His words." What words of comfort, words of love, sweetness, and tenderness. "She sat at His feet and drank in the deep ocean meaning of His words, and gazed into the depths of His Spirit, until she was nigh beside herself with divine fervor. She yearned to give the highest possible expression of her personal love for the Master. Her act at the banquet beautifully illustrates those believers who reach the highest state of divine contemplation and those whose love becomes a burning flame."

         There is special blessing pronounced on those who have ears to hear what the Spirit has to say. Listen to the prophet Isaiah, "Hear and your soul shall live." How simple! How sublime! "The river of crystal love flowing into my panting spirit simply by listening to the ripple of its flow. Cease your useless struggling; hush the self-noise of your self-will and heart; get quiet; listen to Jesus – only let His words float into your ears, down into your heart, and it will heal. If our entire soul will but hearken to Christ, His word will heal our soul, His voice will soften and pacify us." Oh, to sit at His feet and like Mary of old, drink in the ocean meaning of His words.

         6. Mary chose the good part. We are told "Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Luke 10:42. Here you have the key to Mary's marvelous life. She chose the more excellent way. The word "chosen" in the above quotation explains the difference between the two sisters in Bethany. Some would try to make it appear that the difference between Mary and Martha was a purely natural one – a mere question of temperament. This is contrary to the teaching of the Bible. This would make God unjust. No person can choose his temperament. There are three factors in every life which can make or break us: heredity, environment, and willpower. Heredity has to do with our natural birth. Environment has to do with our surroundings and associates. But, if we will make God our choice forever, we can be made a partaker of Divine Nature. Then God will work miracles in our lives. God can take a Jacob with a fallen twist in his very nature and by conquering and subduing him, change him into a prince overnight.

         Notice the power of choice in some Bible characters. "Ruth and Orpah go for awhile side by side, and Orpah seems much more devoted of the two.

Notwithstanding all her kisses and caresses, Orpah goes back to her heathen people and her earthly life. Ruth, with her quiet, unostentatious manner chooses the people of God and cleaves unto her mother-in-law. Thus her whole nature moves on majestically in the line of God's covenant and blessing, and the heir of all the promises.

         The secret of Moses' life can be summed up in one word "choice." He was the great lawgiver and leader of Israel. It was he who went up into the Holy Mount and spent forty days with the Lord. He brought with him a perfect pattern of the tabernacle with its golden candlesticks, the golden altar of incense, the Holy of Holies with its golden ark of the covenant. Moses gave to us a set of moral codes which has affected every civilized nation on earth. But all of this dates back to one word "choice." As he looked out over Egypt with her great wealth and pomp and glory, we are told by the Hebrew writer, "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."

         God seems to take a peculiar delight in showing His love to the heart that wholly chooses Him. It must be a single choice. Christ describes it in the words, "One thing is needful." Saint Paul says, "This one thing I do." "If there be but one thing needful, then all other things and beings are not needful. They can come or go, can smile or frown, can be for us or against us, and all the time the soul in the enjoyment of perpetual love and presence of Christ is amazingly lifted above the force and influence of them all. The trouble about many things is gone. A great contentment and indescribable satisfaction reigns within."

         7. Mary had an independent blessing: Jesus said "which shall not be taken from her." Thank God for such a blessing. The Comforter has come to abide. The Dove of Peace spreads her wings within the inner chambers of the human heart and lifts her angelic voice with Heaven's sweetest message "Peace be still." We enter into a Divine Sabbath of rest and unfailing sunshine which has no end, though the earthly sun hide its face for days. Things of time and earth fail to disturb this inner repose. All through the trying hours of the day the blessing holds good like a golden lump of honey which seems to have been lodged right in the middle of the heart dripping sweetness and tenderness into all parts of the entire being as the hours of the day go by. The blessing is with us in the morning hours, and all through the day this undergirding is realized. The cares of life and the assaults of men and devils vanish as the waves split and fall to the right and left under the irresistible prow of the rushing steamer. Christ has a blessing for each of us that shall never be taken from us without our consent. We die with it in the soul, enter Heaven with it, and go through all eternity enjoying it. No one can take it from us as long as we choose to keep it. Trouble may beat upon us; tongues may slander us; riches may take to themselves wings and flee away and leave us in poverty; old age may creep into this temple of clay; but nothing shall be able to rob us of this Pearl of Great Price. It abides with us forever.

         8. One more thing about Mary's experience. The blessing came back on her own head. When she broke the alabaster box and anointed the feet of Jesus, she then wiped His feet with her hair. We see in this act that the blessing and sweetness came back on her own head. In like manner when we pour out our prayers, love, and money to bless others, the blessing to a very great extent comes back into our own lives. This will continue to draw interest as long as we live here or hereafter. In the words of a great saint I heard preach nearly forty years ago concerning the poured-out life: "The love that we pour out comes back on our own head. The love that Jesus poured out will come back on His own head. The tears you shed and the prayers you offer will come back to you. The life poured out will come back like birds coming home to roost."

         Jesus said Mary had anointed Him against the day of His burial, but Mary did not know she had done that. A child of God will often do and say things he did not intend to do. A preacher will say things under the guidance of the Holy Spirit away beyond his knowledge, and things he did not intend to say because God is dealing with the people. It is a wonderful thing to serve God. It is a wonderful thing to have the Holy Ghost in you. If you belong to God, you will write words, you will pray prayers, you will preach sermons, you will give money, you will do many things without being conscious why you are doing them. It is a wonderful thing to pray and to think and to walk and to teach and to live in the Holy Ghost. Jesus gave Mary a memorable reputation. He said, "Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her." It is two thousand years since this incident and Mary is still remembered by this act. God tells us that the memory of the just shall live forever.

         Dear friends, God wants to give you a blessing that will transform your life. Do you know there are gifts, talents, and powers lying hidden away in your soul which will never be discovered until they are quickened by the Holy Ghost? When this takes place, oh, what praying; oh, what preaching, what unction, what power, what liberty and Heavenly anointing! Your words, looks, and manners will bless people. I trust the Holy Ghost will reveal these things to your hearts and give each one of you a Mary-like experience which shall not be taken away from you.

Authority Over Demons

AUTHORITY OVER SATAN

We must understand the nature and origin of our problems, circumstances, and attacks in life.                  Many mistakenly think that their trials and tribulations come from God. Here are several scriptures that will prove this:

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 (Ephesians 6:12).

3That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.  4For verily, when we were with you, we told you before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and ye know.  5For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain (1 Thessalonians 3:3-5).

31And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren (Luke 22:31-32).

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (James 1:13).

Demons

There is a devil also known as Satan or Lucifer. He was once an angel who led the other angels in worship to God. These angels are now Satan’s fallen angels who operate in the heavenlies             (Ephesians 6:12).

This means Satan is not on the level of God but was created by God; therefore he is not all-powerful. He can only be in one place at one time, and he does not know everything as God does. He also has demons all over the world who assist him.

Demons are disembodied spirits or evil spirits who are controlled by Satan.  They are assigned by him to carry out Satan’s evil plans and purposes against God’s purposes, plans and people.

Demons are real personalities; able to think, speak, act and create evil circumstances in the lives of God’s people (Luke 4:41, Acts 8:7, Matthew 8:28-31).

They are spirit beings, invisible persons without bodies always seeking human beings they can use to manifest their evil desires (Matthew 8:16, Luke 9:38-42).

Demons possess supernatural strength and are large in number (Mark 5:1-13).

Demons have names such as: evil spirits, unclean spirits, deaf spirits, dumb spirits, spirits of infirmity, familiar spirits, devils, etc.  (Mark 9:25, Matthew 12:22, Luke 13:11).

Demons dwell on earth at this present time.  They are not in hell and will not go there until their future judgment (Matthew 12:43-45, Matthew 8:29).

Demons are the source of most sicknesses and diseases (Matthew 4:23-24; 8:16; Luke 7:21; 13:16; Acts 10:38).

Demons attack and wage war against the minds of men with fear, oppression, depression, worry and they are responsible for emotional and mental breakdown, insanity and suicide                        (II Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 61:3, Mark 5:1-15, I Peter 5:7-9).

Demons desire to steal anything that represents the life of God in our lives.  They seek to steal our peace, joy, health, emotional stability, finances, and family relationships.

Their desire is to ultimately destroy our lives or even kill us if we cooperate with them (John 10:10,            1 Peter 5:7-9, I Corinthians 5:5). If it steals from you, attempts to kill you or tries to destroy you, it is of Satan.

Satan and demons do have the ability to bring death before the time because of the cooperation of believers in sin, ignorance of the Word of God, and neglect of applying the truth of God’s Word.  This is why God calls death an enemy. (Hebrews 2:14 [Satan had the power of death],                  John 8:44 [The devil is a murderer], I Corinthians 5:5 [Satan destroys the flesh], I Corinthians 15:25-26 [The last enemy of Jesus is death])

Demons seek to ensnare, enslave or take people captive with unclean habits such as alcoholism, drug abuse, smoking, sexual immorality, perversion, pornography, etc. (John 8:34, Romans 6:16).

Two Mistakes Christians Make Concerning Satan and Demons

A) Trying to see a demon in everything (a calorie demon, chewing gum demon, etc.)

B) Or thinking that there are no demons and ignoring them altogether.

All Christians are the target of demon spirits and satanic attack because they do not want to see us carry out our God-ordained purpose in the earth.

A Christian can never be possessed by a demon, because to be possessed, a demon(s) would have to control us in all three areas (spirit, soul and body).  A Christian’s spirit has been indwelt by the Holy Spirit once they are saved, therefore they cannot have possession of a Christian.  However, a Christian can have demonic activity in his life: depression, oppression, obsession, fear, anger, lust, but never possession; neither the devil nor any demon is greater than the indwelling Holy Spirit.  (Ephesians 1:13, I John 4:4)

Most of the problems Christians have are a result of the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21).

The works of the flesh (maybe secret sins) yielded to, abided by and embraced by Christians are decision of the will (choice).  If believers continue in a sin or a particular work of the flesh, it will give demons an opportunity to come in and build a stronghold, then prayer for deliverance is needed.

Our Authority Over Satan and Demons

God has given every born-again believer His authority in the earth.

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you (Luke 10:19).

Does the church of the Lord Jesus Christ have (or need) any less authority today than it had in the first century?  It would be preposterous to think so, wouldn’t it?  The value of our authority rest on the power that is behind that authority.  God Himself is the power behind out authority!  The devil and his forces are obliged to recognize our authority!  The believer who thoroughly understands that the power of God is backing him can exercise his authority and face the enemy fearlessly.  What is authority?  Authority is delegated power.

Policemen who direct traffic during the rush hour just raise their hands and the cars stop.  These men don’t have the physical power to stop the vehicles if the drivers choose not to stop.  But they don’t use their own strength to stop traffic; they are strong in the authority that is vested in them by the government they serve.  People recognize that authority and stop their cars.  Blessed be God, there’s authority that’s vested in us by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Paul told believers to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10). That means you can step out in front of the devil and in the Name of Jesus, hold up your hand, and tell him not to come any closer.  Use your authority!  A person who has authority has higher rank and power over a subordinate.  Example:  Employer over an employee. Through Christ, we outrank Satan and he is compelled to obey us through Jesus’ name.



Proofs Believers Have Authority Over Satan and Demons

I. Jesus defeated Satan and all his principalities and powers (demons) when He was resurrected from
   the dead; Jesus took Satan’s power and control over man away from him. He spoiled them or disarmed
   them of their power:  fear, oppression, depression, sickness, lack, sin, habits, etc.

And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it (Colossians 2:15).

II. Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the grave destroyed (not annihilated, but loosened
    and dissolved) Satan’s works.  Any work that originates from Satan has no legal right against Christians
    who know their authority or rights.

He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son
of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8).

III. God says believers can cast out devils by the Spirit of God and by the name of Jesus.  This means
     God’s kingdom (and those who are ruled by His kingdom) is greater than Satan’s kingdom.  If we are given
     authority to cast out or tell spirits where to go, this means we have authority over them.

But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you
            (Matthew 12:28).

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (Mark 16:17)

IV. Jesus gave the first 12 disciples the authority and power over unclean spirits. Men who did not have
     the Holy Ghost in them, neither the use of Jesus’ blood because He had not died yet, had authority through
     His Name over demons.

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease           (Matthew 10:1).

V. The 70 disciples confirmed that demons were subject to them through Jesus’ name.  Not just the 12;
     but the 70.

And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name (Luke 10:17).

VI. Jesus said that we have the divine power and ability to tread on (trample or walk on) serpents and
     scorpions (demons and evil spirits), or any of their power.  None of Satan’s power has to harm us.
     We have authority over any power of the enemy.

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power               of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you (Luke 10:19).

VII. God has called Christians to reign in life or to rule as kings through Jesus Christ.  We cannot rule in
      life if Satan has authority and control over us.

For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) (Romans 5:17).

VIII. Because of Jesus’ position and access to the throne of God, He rules above all evil spiritual
       heavenly rulers, authorities, powers and lords; He has a title superior to all titles of authority in this
       world and in the next.  Everything that has a name, the rule of Christ is above it: cancer, high blood
       pressure, heart problems, poverty, lack, fear, sin, alcoholism is subject to the name of Christ.  Every single
       thing because He says all things from Satan’s kingdom are under His feet.

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (Ephesians 1:21).

IX. We have that same access to God’s throne as Jesus does because, positionally, we are seated with
      Christ in heavenly places, and we are joint heirs with Him (Romans 8:17).

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
(Ephesians 2:6).

      Because of our union with Christ, God has raised us, His body, His church to sit with Him on high to rule
      with Him in heavenly places.  We are not waiting for it to happen; he has given us that authority now.

X. The church has been given the same authority as Jesus by virtue of us being seated with Him.
     Therefore, according to Ephesians 4:27, how is the devil able to get a place (room, foothold) in our lives?
     We give him a place by our ignorance of the Word or our sin. When we consistently live in sin, we give
     Satan an opening into our lives to kill, steal, and destroy (John 10:10).

Neither give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27).

We know [absolutely] that anyone born of God does not [deliberately and knowingly] practice committing sin, but the One Who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him [Christ's divine presence within him preserves him against the evil], and the wicked one does not lay hold (get a grip) on him or touch [him] (I John 5:18, AMP).

XI. If Satan has authority over us then there would be no way we could resist him (withstand, stand up
     to, stand immoveable, take a stand against). But God says we can resist him.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

XII. Whenever Jesus wanted to resist the devil, he resisted him with the Word of God, when He would
      say it is written.  This is how the believer is to resist the devil or cast down imaginations, thoughts he
      brings to our minds.

Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God (Matthew 4:7).

XIII. Therefore, Christians do not have to fight Satan ourselves.  Jesus has already defeated him.
        We are only told to fight the good fight of faith. We use our faith against him with our words.

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses (I Timothy 6:12).

XIV. We are told in the Word of God that we can quench Satan’s fiery darts (thoughts, attacks). Speak
        God’s Word for every wrong thought he sends to our minds.

Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:16).

XV. Satan is called the god of this world.  Meaning he rules the world’s systems. Yet, God says if we are
       born of God, then we can overcome Satan’s influences over the world through our faith.

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (I John 5:4).

XVI. All three realms (heaven, earth and things under earth/hell) are affected by the name of Jesus.
        All the circumstances and situations of life in all three realms must submit or surrender to the name of
        Jesus.

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth,        
 and things under the earth; (Phillipians 2:10).

         All oppression, fear, sickness, depression, worry, sin, debt, habits, curses, pride, anger or any other circumstance associated with Satan’s kingdom must surrender to the name of Jesus.

XVII. The Word of God says we have already overcome the wicked one because of what Jesus has
         already done on the cross for us.  We are able to overcome him because of the Word that abides in
         us.
I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one (1 John 2:13).

XVIII. It is because of the presence of the Lord through the Holy Ghost in us (the greater one in us)
            that we are able to overcome he (satan) that is in the world.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world (I John 4:4).

XIX. Jesus, the Lamb of God, the testimony we give of what He did in His Word, and His blood applied
        by our words in faith, gives us the weapon we need to overcome the devil.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death (Revelation 12:11).

             Notice that the word overcome is mentioned several times.  This was the intent of our Pastor in naming
        the church. World Overcomers reminds us of who we are and who Christ has made us to be.

XX. Even the Old Testament saints had authority over Satan his kingdom and their enemies.  It also
       prophesied of Jesus delegating His authority to Zion (the church) in the future (Psalm 91:13; Psalm 110:2).

XXII. How Do We Exercise Our Authority Using Our Faith?

Authority energizes faith and releases God’s power into our circumstances.  When we pray in the name of Jesus and believe and speak His Word, our faith is ignited by our God-given authority and the Holy Spirit moves to perform His Word.  God gave us faith and now we must use it through our authority in Jesus’ name.  The more we use our faith, the more we begin to understand it and grow in it.

The centurion soldier who had a sick servant demonstrates what one who has authority does.                  He speaks the Word and he expects those under him to go and obey.

The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.  For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth;             and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it               (Matthew 8:8-9).

The only way people who are under authority can carry out orders they must be told what to do.
In verse 4, the soldier said “SPEAK THE WORD ONLY.”  In verse 5, he says, “I SAY” to this man.  Saying or speaking is involved in faith and in you having authority.  A soldier cannot carry out the orders of his sergeant unless the orders are spoken to be heard.  Demons respond to words, especially God’s Word, in your mouth.  This is what must be done in order to see mountains (obstacles) removed?  (Mark 11:23)

Faith involves speaking to the mountains (obstacles, circumstances, and problems). Notice how many times the faith scripture emphasizes say or saith.

And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.  For verily I say unto you,  That whosoever shall  say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.  Therefore I say unto you,           What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them (Mark 11:22-24).

C. The epistles and the Apostle Paul also define the spirit of faith as believing and speaking.

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; (II Corinthians 4:13).

D. Faith and authority are released through words.  When we fully accept and recognize the authority
                 that has been given to us through His finished work on the cross and resurrection and we begin to
                 release the power that stands behind His great and mighty Name,
                 then we will begin to see the victory, success, blessings, and prosperity in our lives that the Bible
    promises.  Joshua 1:8 gives three (3) keys to being prosperous and successful in life.

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:            for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success
(Joshua 1:8).
               
     Meditating on God’s Word in an area gets it in your heart.

E. A SAMPLE STATEMENT OF AUTHORITY IN FAITH

The following confession of faith is a demonstration of how to exercise our authority by faith.              Let’s stand and do these. Teacher should use other areas.

SICKNESS AND DISEASE

I take authority over sickness and disease and I command it to leave my body in the name of Jesus.  I command that spirit of infirmity to cease and desist from its maneuvers and operation in my body.  I am healed by His stripes.  Jesus took my infirmities and bore my sicknesses and I believe I receive my healing in Jesus’ name.

ON THE JOB

I take authority over every demonic spirit ruling through my boss or coworkers. I bind that spirit that attempts to harass me. I command you to be gone in Jesus’ name. I overcome you by the blood of the Lamb. I have the favor of God on my life on my job. Every evil spirit is subject to me through Jesus’ name.

The greatest book on the subject of authority over Satan is called The Believer’s Authority by Kenneth Hagin. It is a must–read classic for understanding how to operate in your authority.            Please purchase a copy in Christian bookstore. Or at rhema.org/store.

Guide the Scroll

How Demonic Spirits Attack Prophets

Every move of God, outpouring, time of refreshing and relevant truth for a particular generation has battled its own particular demonic resistance. That also holds true for prophetic ministry.

Apostles and prophets are both apostolic gifts, apostolic in the sense of being sent-ones, foundational in calling, and given to serve the body of Christ and equip the born-again believer in distinct ways. One particular, yet pervasive tactic of the enemy against prophetic ministry is the introduction of faux prophetic operations and unhallowed defilement.

True prophetic people have seen false prophets precede them. This makes the acceptance of their ministry much more difficult. The reason for this is because prophetic ministry is a stalwart opponent of Satan. To stop the prophetic ministry, the enemy must interpose a counterfeit, something that looks and sounds like Christ’s true prophetic ministry but is not. Satan is the master deceiver and knows ancient weapons of seduction needed to deceive all save the most mature and discerning.

Christ is still calling, training, activating and sending His prophets into the world He loves. Even as prophets are sent into the world there remains a continuing effort by the prince of darkness to introduce prophetic defilement into prophetic ministry. This is why emerging prophets need to learn from seasoned prophets and established spiritual leaders. These prophetic contaminants are deceptive cancers sent to vitiate true prophetic ministry. Like cancer, prophetic debasement is progressive. Sometimes prophetic defilement is dormant or hidden and at other times hideously apparent.

Once I was with several people praying and heard some of them prophesy. I was uneasy in my spirit because there was something that wasn’t quite right. Maybe you have been in meetings like that too. Something appeared foreign and strange. I couldn’t seem to put my finger on it at the time, so I continued to pray. As time went by the Holy Spirit began to talk to me ever so softly. “There are things in their lives defiling them. There is no longer a desire for holiness, they have a blend, an unholy mixture.” That unholy concoction He called “prophetic defilement.” It can be likened to that “strange fire” the sons of Aaron brought into the temple that ushered God’s judgment on their lives (Leviticus 10:1). As you read this work pray, the Holy Spirit increases your spiritual discernment. You may be familiar with the spirit of Jezebel that attacks prophetic ministry but let’s examine these less familiar and unholy contaminates too.

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SHARPEN YOUR SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

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SEDUCING DECEPTIONS

Satan has been diligently implementing his strategy of prophetic defilement. For you to be effective in prophetic ministry, you must not be seduced by his deceptions. Throughout this essay, we will unmask various demonic assignments that introduce unholy mixtures into the prophetic ministry. “How could it happen,” you ask? Are there any early warning signs? Can we protect ourselves? Are there foreign spirits training prophetic people? How do we discern the true from the false? These are some of the questions we will explore. Let’s get started.

We are in the times of “the restitution of all things,” including prophetic ministry (Acts 3:21). There continues to be a restoration of prophets and prophetic grace released in our generation. Christ has not changed since his resurrection and ascension. God is still giving gifts to men. He continues calling, training, activating and releasing prophets into His Church.

There was a time, not too long ago, when the only five-fold ascension gifts embraced within the Church were evangelists and pastors. Many didn’t even identify the unique ascension gift of teacher. Yes, many believed there were evangelists, but some taught there were not any prophets and certainly were no apostles. Today this has changed and many agree that there are five distinct ascension gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers all called to perfect the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12). As a prophet, you already know that. Christ didn’t remove any ascension gifts from His Church, and all five are still vital and functioning today. With the restoration of all five gifts working together, we can expect at least five things to happen:

1. There will be a greater release of true prophets, speaking with true prophetic utterances throughout the Church.
2. The devil will oppose prophetic ministry by releasing deceitful spirits into the prophetic ministry speaking with mystical voices.
3. There will be a danger of true prophets speaking with false prophetic utterances. These false prophetic operations will release defilement and discredit the true prophetic ministry.
4. There will be a strong prophetic release that will make a way for restoring God’s apostolic government within local churches.
5. There will be a separation of true prophets from deceived prophets into different companies leading to a prophetic confrontation with foreign spirits of divination such as Jezebel and Baal.

Spiritual confrontation within the prophetic ministry is historic. Examples include Micaiah, Elijah, and Jeremiah. Micaiah contended with King Ahab’s prophets, and Elijah and Jeremiah battled the prophets of Jezebel and Baal. The Apostle Paul and Barnabas also confronted Elymas the sorcerer who withstood them at Paphos. The true will always face-off against the false. Jeremiah’s prophetic ministry is an example of that face-off. His apostolic assignment and prophetic confrontation took place because the prophetic ministers of his day:

• Failed to address sin
• Pursued idols
• Concentrated on amassing personal wealth
• Pursued power, status , nd prestige
• Did nothing to turn the people from sin toward God
• Led the people of God astray

Because of neglect of God’s house and self-centered idolatry in the land, God anointed Jeremiah to oppose an erring prophetic movement that was leading people astray. Let’s take a look.

“Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the Lord, and because of the words of his holiness.” (Jeremiah 23:9)

Jeremiah, speaking by the Spirit of God said, “My heart is broken because of the prophets.” Notice he didn’t say false prophets. The word prophet means prophetic voice. In other words, Jeremiah’s heart was broken because of the false prophetic operations of these wayward prophets. We can see the anointing of the Spirit on him as he shakes under the power of God. He looked like a “drunken man.” This shaking is an indication of the powerful anointing that engulfed him.

He had the Word of the Lord in his mouth and was made ready to address the prophets in the land. A prophetic showdown was about to take place. Prophetic ministry can’t avoid spiritual confrontations with worldliness, carnal Christianity and faux prophetic operations. This is part of prophetic ministry. Scripture says God seeks for a voice that “calls for justice and pleads for truth” (Isaiah 59:4). Prophetic ministers answer that call.

ROOTING OUT

Let’s review Jeremiah’s confrontation with sullied prophets. Remember, this is the same prophet that God called to root out, pull down, destroy and throw down (Jeremiah 1:10). Let’s see that calling in action because you may face the same battles.

The Spirit of God said “the land was full of adulterers.” An adulterer is an unfaithful spouse. Serving God in spirit and truth is serving Him from a pure heart. One becomes a spiritual adulterer by putting something, someone or something foreign between them and God, even their ministries. 

“For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.” (Jeremiah 23:10) 

Abandoning God for something or someone else is committing spiritual adultery. God said these adulterers were evil and their acts erring. As their corruption continued without interruption the nation became full of adulterers, the land mourned and the people lacked true spiritual revelation of God. “What brought about this corruption,” you ask? It happened because the people became apathetic, self-centered, and idolatrous.

HARD HEAVENS

During Jeremiah’s confrontation the heavens were brazen because the prophets and priests led people away from God. The consequences for the nation was grave, the heavens became as brass. Spiritual climates are affected by the actions of prophets, priests and inhabitants of the land. Sin, rebellion and idolatry will harden spiritual climates. Scripture says, 

"And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass...” (Deuteronomy 28:23). 

You are probably familiar with the list of blessings in the book of Deuteronomy including blessing and prosperity but this verse makes it clear the heavens turn as brass for the disobedient. As a prophet you understand spiritual climates. Those who have ministered in various meetings notice big differences in spiritual climates. Some churches are wonderful to preach in having open heavens, while others are hard as stones with closed heavens. A brazen heaven is a spiritual climate that must be plowed through strong intercession, confronting sin and living right. Hard heavens are the result of:

• Sin
• Rebellion
• Demonic influence
• Strong territorial spirits
• Evil principalities and powers
• Practicing idolatry
• Backsliding
• Worldliness
• Upholding deceitful doctrines of devils
• Legalism, self-righteousness and hypocrisy

Hard heavens have little, if any, revelation. When you pray hard heavens feel like your prayers hit the ceiling and fall back into your lap. When you prophesy the words come out of your mouth and seem to fall to the ground. Not only are the heavens hardened because of sin and idolatry but spiritual strength and maturity is hindered too.

“...the earth under you shall be as iron.” (Deuteronomy 28:23) 

When the earth is like iron nothing grows. The land was defiled because of the fruit of sin and the ministry of deceived prophets. Where there is no growth there is can be no spiritual maturity in the people. Prophets are the ministry gifts called to war against principalities and powers in the heavens. To win those battles, however, requires spiritual confrontations with opposing spirits even within prophetic circles.

Every nation, including North America must beware the fruits of idolatry and sin caused by rebellion. When prayer was removed from our public schools June 25th, 1962, for example, the alternative was lawlessness. Whenever one rejects what comes from God they have to live with the opposite. If they don’t want the Prince of Peace they get the prince of calamity. The same holds true in prophetic ministry. If true prophets don’t guard the prophetic ministry the Church will suffer under the whoredoms of Jezebel and the merchandising prophets of Baalim.

AVOIDING SLIPPERY WAYS

God revealed to Jeremiah that His house was full of wicked prophets, priests and corrupted ministers. Surely this grieved the man of God. Scripture says,

“For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:11) 

The word “profane” means soiled, polluted, defiled and corrupted. These prophets and priests crossed God’s holy threshold and entered the dark side. A threshold is the divider between two rooms. When you walk through a doorway there is a metal or wooden threshold on the floor that separates one side of the room from the other. There is a spiritual threshold that is a separation between the Holy and the unholy. When one is profaned they have stepped across the threshold of holiness and entered the realm of the wicked. This scripture teaches that some prophets morally abandoned holy operations and crossed the boundary from holy living into prophetic defilement. Both prophets and priests were living in sin but they didn’t quit the ministry. Their sullied lives hindered God’s plan for them, the Church and released spiritual divination into the land. This is the environment that the spirit of Jezebel and false prophets flourish. This is the spiritual climate God sent Jeremiah. As a prophet you may face the same.

From studying this we discover two different prophetic operations. First, we see that Jeremiah was very different from the other prophets in the land. Jeremiah managed to live a holy life whereas the others fell into sin and idolatry. Second, we discover there were true prophetic operations and false prophetic operations in the land. It’s interesting that God never addresses the erring as false prophets instead He focuses on their prophetic operations. The true prophetic operation released blessing and the false corruption. Jehovah didn’t turn his back on His Church. He prophesied to the corrupted ministers.

“Wherefore their way will be to them as slippery ways in the darkness: they will be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil on them, even the year of their visitation, saith the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:12) 

God pronounced that these prophets would have “slippery ways” and lack true spiritual discernment because of their corrupted lifestyles. They had no spiritual insight because they were walking in darkness having defiled themselves. Spiritual darkness opened the way for foolishness.

“And I have seen folly in the prophets…” (Jeremiah 23:13). 

“Folly” is acting rash, stupid, foolish, senseless and lacking common sense. These prophets sounded spiritual, looked the part, had the prophetic buzzwords, yet were void of biblical soundness, stability and discretion. They acted foolishly and lacked spiritual and emotional balance in their lives. Their idolatry produced amoral behavior that caused them to lose true spiritual discernment and right prophetic operations. The problem was the average person didn’t know these prophets were not speaking the truth. This can happen today if prophets get caught up in the glitz and glamour of celebrity Christianity. Satan waits for opportunities to entice both prophet and priest by seductions for public attention, admiration from men and the deception of earthly riches. Others are deceived because they seek the supernatural rather than Christ our Savior.

ANOTHER SPIRIT

God revealed the finale of their contaminated state, they prophesied by another spirit. He told Jeremiah, “They prophesy by Baal and caused my people to go astray” (Jeremiah 23:13).

“If they were prophesying by another spirit why didn’t the people turn away from these ministers,” you ask? It’s because many good people don’t know the Word of God good enough to tell the difference. If the delivery or mannerisms of the minister appear spiritual they let their guard down and don’t judge the biblical accuracy of the message. We have this problem in the Church today and it’s getting worse every day.

Because of God’s love for people he sent Jeremiah to deal with deceived prophets. Can you imagine Jeremiah telling these prophets they were prophesying by a foreign spirit? Could you do that? Baal is a spirit of divination. A true prophet of God will not allow people to go astray. Even if their heart is not open to God’s representative, he will speak to them without compromise and out of a right spirit. True prophets are not trying to win the fancy of men rather they are actively pursuing the approval of God. Jeremiah was one of God’s faithful prophets sent to confront corrupted voices who were ministering to God’s people by another spirit.

CONCLUSION

• Every move of God, outpouring, time of refreshing and relevant truth for a particular generation has battled its own particular demonic resistance.
• To stop the prophetic ministry the enemy must interpose a counterfeit, something that looks and sounds like Christ’s true prophetic ministry but is not.
• Satan is the master deceiver and knows ancient weapons of seduction needed to deceive all save the most mature and discerning.
• The devil will oppose prophetic ministry with a release of faux prophets speaking with mystical voices.
• There will be a separation of true prophets from false prophets into different companies leading to a prophetic confrontation with foreign spirits of divination such as Jezebel and Baal.
• Spiritual confrontation within prophetic ministry is historic. Examples include Micaiah, Elijah and Jeremiah.
• Prophetic ministry can’t avoid spiritual confrontations with worldliness, carnal Christianity and false prophetic operations.
• A brazen heaven is a spiritual climate that must be plowed through strong intercession, militant preaching and right living.
• Baal is the spirit of divination.