term spiritual warfare.
Psalm 24 asks us this pertinent question:
“Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?”
(verse 3). The answer comes quickly:
“He who has clean hands and a pure heart”
(verse 5). It takes an internal heart of
purity to produce external works of our
hands that are acceptable to the Lord.
Unseen purity results in visible fruit!
What a truth! What a reality!
Again, as author Terry Crist states:
When the devil struck at Jesus, there was
nothing whatsoever in Him to receive the
“hit.” When Satan examined Him, there
was nothing for him to find. Jesus and
Satan had no relationship one to another,
no common ground. There was nothing
in Jesus’ life that had agreement with
the works of darkness! One reason so
many ministers and intercessors have
been spiritually “hit” by the fiery darts
of the enemy is because they have not
responded to the law of purification.” 39
Pastor and author Terry Crist writes, “If
you are going to gather people for battle,
you must free them from their captivity…. A WORD OF WISDOM
You can’t possess the land without until
you possess the land within.” 36
As you function as an intercessor and
engage in spiritual warfare, keep in mind
Thus, the first battlefield we must win is that not every battle is for you. Yes, some
the battlefield of our own minds, and as are for you. Some are for others. Some
we make progress and gain victories, we are for today. Some are for another day
become better prepared to face territorial (or even year). For some battles, you
strongholds that control the thoughts are called to the frontlines. For others,
and actions of groups of people. George you are called to bless those on the
Otis Jr. broadly defines the force of these frontlines. Some battles are not to be
strongholds as “repelling light” and fought at all. Knowing your role in each
“exporting darkness.” 37 Such strongholds battle requires continual discernment.
can be categorized as personal, mental,
ideological, occultic, social, demonic, Therefore, as we seek to strike the
sectarian, iniquitous, and other types. 38 mark by hitting the right targets and
recognizing false targets, the essential
Could it be that part of the reason Jesus question becomes, “Who is leading you
was so effective in spiritual warfare into this particular battle? The Lord or
in His wilderness confrontation with the enemy?” We are not called to follow
Satan was that He recognized the “law the enemy; we are called to follow the
of purification”? Jesus could stand in Lamb of God wherever He goes. (See
complete power and authority to deal Revelation 14:4.) Yes, He always leads
effectively with the strongholds of us into triumph. (See 2 Corinthians
the oppressor because there was no 2:14; Colossians 2:15.) Clearly, though,
common ground between Him and His knowing where He is leading is the key!
adversary! His heart was pure. Jesus We must keep close to the Lord so we
said to His disciples, “The ruler of this can hear what the Spirit is saying to us
world is coming, and he has nothing in Me” at each moment.
(John 14:30).
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