Unpacking The Bible is hosted by former Worship Pastor Jonathan Clarke and School of Ministry Director Dr. Gordon Harris.
Tune in every Thursday and subscribe to the podcast through Simplecast, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcast.
Unpacking The Bible is hosted by former Worship Pastor Jonathan Clarke and School of Ministry Director Dr. Gordon Harris.
Tune in every Thursday and subscribe to the podcast through Simplecast, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcast.
Unpacking The Bible, is hosted by former Worship Pastor Jonathan Clarke and School of Ministry Director Dr. Gordon Harris. Tune in every Thursday and subscribe to the podcast through Simplecast, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcast.
Unpacking The Bible is hosted by former Worship Pastor Jonathan Clarke and School of Ministry Director Dr. Gordon Harris.
Tune in every Thursday and subscribe to the podcast through Simplecast, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcast.
By Steve Long
Matthew 1:20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[f] because he will save his people from their sins.” 24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
Matthew 2:1 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Matthew 2:13 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night, and left for Egypt,
Luke 1:35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[b] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth, your relative, is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 2:13 Suddenly, a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.
Luke 2:21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.
Luke 2:22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
Luke 2:27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God,
Luke 2:36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
As you read these famous passages about the Christmas story, what did you see repeating in each narrative? Yes, there is the supernatural in terms of angels, visions, dreams, etc. Yes, there is the fulfillment of the prophetic and what the Law requires. But, I’d like to draw your attention to how the people reacted. There was always an urgency to respond.
Matthew 1:24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
Matthew 2:2 We (Magi) saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Matthew 2:12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they (Magi) returned to their country by another route.
Matthew 2:14 So he (Joseph) got up, took the child and his mother during the night.
Luke 1:38 Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
Luke 2:15 “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off.
Luke 2:21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child (Jesus).
Luke 2:22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
Luke 2:27 Moved by the Spirit, he (Simeon) went into the temple courts.
Luke 2:38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she (Anna) gave thanks to God.
Each person’s response in the Christmas narrative acted on the revelation they had received. Mary talked to an angel, Joseph had a dream, the Magi saw stars and then later had an inclination, Simeon felt the Spirit moving, etc.
I love this. If you’ve heard my talks on faith, you will know that my definition of faith is Acting On Revelation. As I read the stories throughout the Bible, I see a pattern.
God speaks in some form, such as a dream, a prophetic word, a thought. Our spirit is quickened, and hope comes to us about this possibility. Then there is usually a very good reason why what we heard and feel doesn’t make sense. If we value the God-inspired thought more than the obstacle, we will act on the revelation. This is called faith!
Mary has an angel physically visit her. She is told she will be the mother of the Messiah. Problem - she is a virgin. She believes, and the Spirit of God does a miracle in her body.
Joseph, like his namesake from the Old Testament, was a dreamer. God tells him to take Mary as his wife. The problem is she is pregnant, and he doesn’t know who the father is. But he believes the dream and acts. He takes Mary as his wife.
Shepherds see an angel and then a massive group of them. It would appear that they left their flocks of sheep unguarded and went into the town of Bethlehem. They were the first to see baby Jesus and to believe he was the Saviour.
Magi see stars align in the sky and know that it is a prophetic statement that a king has been born to the nation of Israel. Problem - that is a long way away and a dangerous journey. It takes them up to two years, but they acted on the revelation and were able to worship this soon-to-be King.
Joseph has another dream and is told that Jesus, now a toddler, is in danger from Herod. Get out quickly! Problem: what about selling our house, what about our stuff? Joseph and Mary acted decisively and left Bethlehem that night.
Four men get a God thought to let their paralyzed friend through the room. Jesus sees “their” faith, and the man is instantly healed. A big problem - public destruction of private property, but that didn’t stop them.
Having her menstrual cycle for twelve years non-stop, a woman has a God thought to touch the hem of Jesus’ robe. Despite being unclean, she does what she believes she heard and is instantly healed.
Peter and the other disciples are told to toss the fishing nets on the other side of the boat. Problem - they have fished all night and caught nothing. By the way, who is this hidden person on the shore? They do what they have been told and catch 153 large fish!
The stories go on and on, friends.
This is how we are to live. The Bible calls this living in the Spirit or being led by the Spirit. This is how miracles and breakthroughs happen!
The Christmas season is a special time of unique revelation. I feel that followers of Jesus and non-followers receive individual God thoughts during the Christmas season. Why? Because Father God has good news for everyone! He wants to communicate that a Saviour has been born. He is shouting out to all who will hear that there is hope for the hopeless because of a baby named Jesus.
Friends, expect to hear from Father God this week. Expect Him to speak into your destiny. Expect Him to speak into your now circumstances, the opportunities and challenges you are in right now. Expect revelation!
Then, let’s respond quickly! That is what the Bible calls faith!
P.S. To go deeper into this topic, consider reading my book called The Faith Zone. Thirteen chapters of stories from Matthew’s gospel of how faith works.shouts
Steve Long is the Senior Leader of Catch The Fire Church (Toronto). He is the author of several books including The Faith Zone and My Healing Belongs to Me. Steve and his wife Sandra serve on two apostolic teams; one for the City of Toronto as well as Catch The Fire World. They live in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
By Steve Long
The way the victim spirit operates is to cause a person to shift their thinking from believing who they are in Christ (an overcomer, seated in heavenly places, etc.) to believe that they have lost their standing. The result of someone falling prey to the victim spirit is a demonstration of blaming others, without taking responsibility for their own actions.
Here are some ways to spot a victim spirit:
Victim spirit is heard in how we speak. They will usually take every opportunity to share their troubles and negativity with others.
Victim spirit is extremely self-centred. They will rarely if ever, ask you anything about yourself. You can sit with these people for a couple of hours talking, and it will never occur to them to ask you anything about your life.
Victim spirit is self-absorbed. They will complain about everything that happens to them without owning their part. Nothing is ever their fault.
Victim spirit will cause them to hold on to every injustice, every hurt, every pain, and they refuse to let go.
Saul the King
Saul had every opportunity to be a huge success as the first king of Israel. He was anointed by Israel’s most anointed prophet Samuel. He was mentored in decision-making by Samuel. He was taller than everyone else. He came from a prestigious family. He was a tremendous warrior and general as Israel never lost a battle under his leadership (until his last battle).
But the Bible records that all of his life Saul was negatively influenced by a spirit. You will remember that David, prior to killing Goliath, would play his harp to calm down the spirit that affected Saul. I believe this spirit was the victim spirit. It showed itself several times, including early on in Saul’s reign as seen in this story.
1 Samuel 13: 7 Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear. 8 He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul’s men began to scatter. 9 So he said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. 10 Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him. 11 “What have you done?” asked Samuel. Saul replied, “When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, 12 I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” 13 “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 14 But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” (NIV)
Note how King Saul takes no responsibility for his actions. He blames others for his disobedience. Specifically, he blames Samuel the prophet.
“You did not come at the set time” vs. 11
“So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” vs. 12
His excuses for bad behaviour are all about him. He is the victim.
“When I saw that the men were scattering” vs. 11
I thought, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal” vs. 12
“I have not sought the Lord’s favor.’ vs. 12
So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering.” vs. 12
Joseph the Dreamer
I believe Joseph began as a victim. He was probably teased by his brothers for how his parents babied him and treated him as their favourite. When he began to have dreams, his whole family, parents, and siblings, ridiculed him.
He could have blamed his brothers for being sold as a slave to Potifar. He could have blamed Potifar’s wife for being accused of rape and sent to jail. He could have blamed the cupbearer for leaving him in jail when he had the opportunity to be remembered for a new trial.
But, we don’t read of Joseph blaming others or feeling sorry about his circumstances during these years. In fact, just the opposite is true.
Somewhere along the line, Joseph pushed into God. God blessed him with more dreams and on top of that, the ability to accurately interpret dreams. Somewhere in the thirteen years in jail for a crime he didn’t commit, Joseph learned to forgive. It appears that he forgave Potifar, Potifar’s wife, and especially his brothers.
Joseph, when he sees his brothers before him as the prince of Egypt, quickly realizes the big picture of what God was doing. Joseph famously says these overcomer words…
Genesis 45: 5 Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. (NIV)
Paul the Apostle
If there is a person who could have blamed others for his circumstances it is Paul. Look at his negative resume of what happened in his life.
2 Corinthians 11: 23 I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. (NIV)
Paul could have blamed others. He could have blamed the Lord, he could have blamed the weather. He could have blamed the circumstances. But no; he revels in it. He knows that blaming others would be foolish talk. To live like a victim was crazy thinking.
2 Corinthians 11: 21 Whatever anyone else dares to boast about - I am speaking as a fool - I also dare to boast about. 22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham’s descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.)
Later in Paul’s life while in a Roman jail, he reflects on all the events of his life. Many of us would have taken Paul’s list of bad stuff as a justification to be a victim. But not Paul.
Philippians 1: 12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. (NIV)
Paul knew Biblical truths that we can learn from. We need to adopt these principles to get out of the victim mentality and into overcome mode.
Jesus modelled being an overcomer.
John 16:33 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (NIV)
John the apostle knew he was an overcomer and invited us to join him.
1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (NIV)
Paul knew his position and perspective. Seated in heavenly places – a ruler not under the feet of Satan or anyone else!
Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (NIV)
Paul knew how to train his mind to think right so that he would make good and godly decisions.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)
Can I humbly suggest that living as a victim may have begun quite innocently? Your parents lived this way and you fell into a lifestyle copying your parents. You didn’t know the Lord and assumed that blaming and thinking of your own interests is how one lives. You didn’t know that Satan was programing you to be a victim.
First, repent of living as a victim. Jesus, forgive me for blaming others, for being selfish and self-centred in my life, through my actions and words.
Second, renounce this lifestyle. Jesus I do not want to live as a victim. I do not want to function as a slave of Satan, listening to his demonic spirits for how I live my life. I command this victim spirit to leave my life. I choose to let the Holy Spirit lead and guide me. I choose to be led by the Spirit of Christ in how I behave and speak.
Third, I forgive. I forgive my parents/siblings who modelled a victim spirit. I forgive my spouse/roommates/friends who enforced that I was a victim by their words and actions towards me. I forgive myself for being deceived and not understanding until now that I entered into an agreement with this victim spirit. Father God, forgive me for blaming you for my choices and circumstances.
Lastly, I make a choice. I choose to live my life as a child of the most high God. I am seated in heavenly places with Christ. I am not the tail but the head. I have the mind of Jesus. I align my will to the will of God. I am an overcomer! Amen.
Footnote:
https://folcc.org/the-biblical-way-to-overcome-victim-mentality-and-be-a-victor/
Steve Long is the Senior Leader of Catch The Fire Church (Toronto). He is the author of several books including The Faith Zone and My Healing Belongs to Me. Steve and his wife Sandra serve on two apostolic teams; one for the City of Toronto as well as Catch The Fire World. They live in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
By Steve Long
I’m very aware that those in our congregation who are not vaccinated are under extreme pressure. There is pressure to conform or to defend their position. Public opinion in our city and nation seems to be against this segment of our community. In response to forced vaccinations, some of you quietly ask the Lord if you are making the right decision. In contrast, others of you are more vocal in your convictions. As a spiritual leader, I’ve been pondering how I can help people hold on to their convictions and not become regretful about their choice.
In reading various social media posts and listening to my unvaccinated friends, their reasons not to be vaccinated vary. Some of them I find logical, and it's easy to understand their position. I’m struggling to understand others, as it sounds like some reasons may be rooted in pain rather than hearing from the Lord.
Let me give an overview and reminder of where Catch The Fire Church in Toronto stands on vaccinations. We decided in 2020, being vaccinated was a personal choice. As a church, we would not influence either direction but encourage everyone to take this decision to the Lord. We’ve taught people how to hear from God. We’ve encouraged everyone who is in doubt to also consult their family doctor. (If you haven’t read my earlier blog on this topic, click here)
As I understand the mandate, any person may appeal the forced vaccination for their employment by having a medical or a religious exemption under the Human Rights Code. Our church doesn’t have an official written position on this topic, and we cannot help craft exemption letters. That is your role, but we can support you. The Creed section of the Human Rights Code implies a written statement such as our church’s Statement of Faith. Most churches do not have a long-standing position on vaccinations in general, so helping their congregants to get exemptions from the Covid-19 vaccine has been very challenging. In my research, I have found only one denomination in Canada that has a historical stance on vaccinations. That is the Dutch Reformed Church.
So let me try to encourage those of you who have chosen not to be vaccinated.
That is good news as long as Covid-19 doesn’t continue to mutate into new strains that may need new vaccine versions. So hold on. Premier Ford last week announced March 2022 as the date these restrictions will be lifted.
Whether this disease is purposely man-made, accidental or a fluke, it is not from God. Jesus would treat it as he would all sicknesses and diseases he came into contact with — it is an enemy. In John 10:10, Jesus said it is Satan who comes to kill, steal and destroy. Jesus said he came to bring life. Let’s put our faith in God, way ahead of faith in politicians!
I wrote a book a while back about how faith works (The Faith Zone). When you and I hear from the Lord, we have to hold on to it. That process is “believing.” As we are believing, we ask the Lord more questions such as how do we do this?
For most of you, the how has been a simple decision not to take the vaccination. Now you are in what I call the faith zone. You have done your part, and you are now waiting for the Lord to do His part in caring for you, providing for you and healing you. Well done!
I know of people in our congregation who are currently suspended from their jobs because they have felt the Lord speaking to them not to be vaccinated. They have heard the Lord say He will open other doors of opportunity for them. I congratulate these people! According to Hebrews 11, you are living by the revelations (Rhema) of God.
My challenge to you is to hold on to what the Lord spoke while you wait to see how the Lord will act. Don’t give in to peer and public pressure. Do what the Lord has told you. Also, don’t despair while you wait. Don’t look back and doubt. There are always breakthroughs for those who act on revelation!
I hear many people, especially on social media, talk about their rights as Canadian citizens not to be forced to do anything, including taking a vaccine. Paul, the apostle, only once used his rights as a Roman citizen to help his situation. In Acts 16:37-38, Paul was beaten before an investigation. He used his rights as a Roman citizen to be exempt from further punishment.
On the other side, I see Jesus, who released all his rights, to live and die for us. He told us that when governments prevail on us, we serve joyfully, going above what is asked of us. Matthew 5:41 talks about Roman soldiers being able to conscript a Jew to carry their backpack for a mile. Jesus said, go two!
For those of you who have confidence in the laws of Canada to defend you, keep going. Be the activist you are called to be. Fight for yourself and for others. Know that you may need to hire lawyers to help you. Know, you may be misunderstood by many, and you may face criticism for fighting. My question to you is this: is this vaccine a fight and a cause you are willing to die for? Is this your calling, or is this a distraction designed to keep you from the actual assignment God has given you? Be careful that you don’t find yourself loving the law more than loving grace and mercy.
Our church has followed the law in asking people to wear masks indoors. When people say they have a medical reason not to, we bless them not to wear a mask.
One couple in our church community talked to me about their desire to have a child. They were unsure if the rumours about infertility were accurate regarding the vaccines. Another couple is pregnant right now and felt to wait until their baby is born. Without being in the medical profession, I think these are valid concerns. I would be doing the same as they are and waiting for more information. I would be consulting my family doctor and specialists to make sure I made the right decision.
To this group, I challenge you to make informed decisions by talking to your doctor. Your doctor will know more about you and your health in the best way possible.
I was reading about several very vocal media personalities in the States who have been anti-Covid advocates. They have taken the stance that is characterized as conspiracy theories. Sadly three of these voices who denied Covid-19 have just died of Covid-19. To me, their stubbornness may have resulted in their premature deaths. If this is you, please open your heart and ask the Lord if your motives are pure.
In 1 Peter 2:18-21 Peter writes an encouragement to people who are under authority to have hope if you suffer for being godly. But his warning for those who suffer because of bad behaviour, is “why?” Basically he says God isn’t on your side if you are fighting the wrong issues.
Almost all vaccines build on previous ones. The first of the modern vaccines began in the 1970’s and did use a fetus. But no one took note if the fetus was from a still-born child or an aborted one. So we have silence and neither side can prove their case.
To conclude, each person’s reasons regarding this vaccine will be unique. We live in a secular society where public belief is that medicine and vaccinations will keep us healthy. That is true on one level, but many have more faith for a vaccine than for God to be their saviour and healer.
Paul told his protege Timothy to drink wine for his stomach. I’m sure that was after he prayed for his healing. King Hezekiah was told by Isaiah the prophet, to eat a fig jam for his healing. The Lord can and does use natural and medical means to bring healing. God also does miracles!
The stats show that vaccinated people don’t die of Covid-19 at the same levels as those not vaccinated. I believe vaccines in general are a way in which the Lord prevents sickness and diseases (which come from Satan). If we wear glasses until we are healed of sight issues, I don’t have a problem taking a vaccine until the Lord gives us victory of this disease called Covid-19.
As I wrote in my blog about why I was vaccinated, I did so because of my calling. The Lord’s voice to me to be able to travel for my role, trumps any concerns that I may have had for what is or isn’t in the vaccine. Just as many of you have had the Lord speak to you not to have the vaccine yet, He is able to speak to others to say don’t worry about taking the vaccine.
So, church family, whether you are vaccinated or not, know you are all equally loved and accepted. Let’s continue to have grace for each other. Let’s not judge those who have heard or think differently. Let’s do what the Bible says and “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3
Steve Long is the Senior Leader of Catch The Fire Church (Toronto). He is the author of several books including The Faith Zone and My Healing Belongs to Me. Steve and his wife Sandra serve on two apostolic teams; one for the City of Toronto as well as Catch The Fire World. They live in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
By Steve Long
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
Paul, the apostle, says the real enemy is demonic spirits. When we feel that a person or group is the enemy, we step into Satan’s plan. We miss the opportunity to be a solution. We’ve been duped! I’ve been asking Christian leaders to help me with this blog. I’m hoping to identify what spirits we are up against and then how do we battle them? Some of the ideas I’m presenting aren’t original to me. Hopefully, my thoughts will be beneficial.
Let me back up a bit. I heard through a friend that a very anointed and intellectual leader was having breakthroughs in seeing people instantly healed of Covid-19. His name is Ken Fish (https://orbisministries.org). Ken has a history in signs and wonders, having been mentored by John Wimber. Ken is a deliverance specialist, among other things.
The story as I heard it was as Ken was reading Psalm 91, he was drawn to verse 6.
Nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. (NIV)
Ken went to a Hebrew Lexicon and found that the Hebrew word “destroys” is qeteb. It is the name of a Canaanite god. The passage tells us the name of the spirit that organizes plagues and pestilence, and the name of that spirit is Qeteb.
Note how the Passion translates this verse.
Don’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you, nor will the powers of evil be launched against you.
As Ken and others pray this spirit off of people, Covid-19 is being healed and instantly eradicated. Wow! They weren’t praying specifically for Covid, instead got rid of a spirit, and the result was healing.
So that got me thinking about what other demonic spirits are at work in our society. What are we battling in the spirit world and how do we pray for freedom for ourselves and others?
When George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis, a spirit rode in. I felt the Lord saying to me that it was the spirit of anarchy. What we saw was the rise of anarchist organizations and thinking. We saw friends turn on each other. We saw followers of Jesus preaching and advocating defunding police, deconstructing the church, revoking laws, impeaching civic leaders, etc.
That spirit of anarchy has subsided a bit, but it is still very current. It is actively working, causing rebellion. I fear that some of the pastors of churches who are challenging laws may have come under this spirit. Their view is that they are right, and every other pastor/priest who isn’t opposing lockdown rules has given in to government control. Heaven knows.
Mark Hardy, (deeperthanwar.com) one of our former youth leaders in Toronto and now a tattoo artist in the UK, shared this with me. “I believe that the more profound crisis affecting us right now as a body is one of polarization and division, and maybe that’s the spirit that’s really behind all this.”
I call this the political spirit.
The political spirit is what Jesus was up against with the Pharisees; a political party. You will remember what Jesus said of them; “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” Mark 8:15
From Bethel Church, Redding, California, Kris Vallotton (krisvallotton.com) shares the following insights to watch for and self-diagnose to know if we are under the influence of a political spirit.
The political spirit always needs an enemy! This spirit is more concerned with winning than with solving a problem.
The political spirit demonizes anyone who disagrees with them. In other words, we don’t just see them as wrong on an issue; we view them as evil.
The political spirit imprisons our minds and reduces us to partisan opinions. This spirit separates people into two categories; winners and losers.
Along with her husband Dan, Caroline Smith, (facebook.com/carolina.smith.18) who leads LifeBridge Church in Ontario, shares the same opinion. “The political spirit is taking hold of this season more than ever with all the conflicts and corruption. Still, Covid has accentuated the political spirit’s need for control, as world leaders seize the opportunities that Covid presents to hold onto power, take freedoms away from people through fear and legalism. I am not an anti-vaxxer. I believe there is a virus, and I believe we need some protocols to follow to stop the spread. But fear, contention, control, disputes, and divisions are taking hold in the church because of listening to the political spirit.”
Jacob Murphy, (jacobandcarolyn.blogspot.com) the pastor of Catch The Fire Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, shares this: “I believe there is a victim spirit at work. Both sides of any argument these days show victimization tendencies and have a clear human enemy. I believe that is a spirit working hard to divide people and obscure the real source of the division. People are looking around at each other as the enemy, getting angrier and angrier at each other. I can’t recall anyone lately who called out across the chasm of difference of opinion and invited those on the other side to join in prayer and warfare in the Spirit. I think the victim spirit is at work.”
One other spirit is always seeking to take captives, and that is fear. Supposedly there are about 4000 different fears; all of them are bad for us. Having written a book about Faith (The Faith Zone), I think I have a good understanding of how fear works. If faith is acting on revelation from God’s Spirit to get a breakthrough, fear is its evil brother. Fear is the result of acting on a revelation from Satan. Its reward is bondage and blame.
The difference is we believe or don’t believe when God speaks to us. If we agree and act on the revelation, we move forward; we see miracles, healings, and breakthroughs. Fear is what we reap when we say no to what God speaks. Satan and his spirits jump in immediately, and we find ourselves on the wrong side of breakthroughs. Fear steals our joy, our hope, our love for one another, our compassion, etc. The fruit is all bad with the spirit of fear. So, how do we know if we are under the influence of one of these spirits?
First, if you feel angry with people who disagree with you, you may be under one? Remember the passage we began with from Ephesians 6? If you blame me or one of the other Christian leaders who shared their opinions, you have aligned yourself with blaming the wrong being. I’m not the problem, a spirit is, and it wants to distract you by blaming others.
Second, we need the Spirit of God to give us revelation. Paul the apostle, when he wrote to the Galatians, tells them, You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Galatians 3:1
He calls out this church for coming under a demonic spirit that is taking them away from the truth. We need to humble ourselves to ask the Holy Spirit to speak to us on this topic. Have I come under a spell?
Third, we ask the Spirit of God to cleanse us from every and all spirits! If you’d like to pray a cleansing prayer, read this with me:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sins. Psalm 51:1-2
If I confess my sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive my sins and purify me from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
No weapon forged against me will prevail, and I will refute every tongue that accuses me. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 54:17
Father, we lift off every demonic spirit that is affecting our lives. We tell the spirit of anarchy, qeteb, the political spirit, the victim spirit, and the spirit of fear to leave us now. We cleanse ourselves from these spirits and speak to our bodies to receive full healing now in Jesus name.
Fourth, if you’d like the promises of Psalm 91 to be over your life, you and I need to fulfill the qualifying prerequisites.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 NIV
My responsibility to protect myself from plagues, pestilence, demons, evil spirits, etc., is to dwell in the shelter or the presence of God. We hide as close as we can to Father God. We position ourselves away from spirits that bring negative consequences, such as what this blog has covered.
Friends, let’s take this week to proactively not partner with Satan by yielding to these spirits and their destructive plans. Conversely, let’s welcome God’s very Holy Spirit that is pure and brings beautiful benefits to us.
Steve Long is the Senior Leader of Catch The Fire Church (Toronto). He is the author of several books including The Faith Zone and My Healing Belongs to Me. Steve and his wife Sandra serve on two apostolic teams; one for the City of Toronto as well as Catch The Fire World. They live in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.
