As a believer that professes his/her faith in Christ, it is already a known fact that your fight is not against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). So, it is not a surprise if the powers of darkness come to “try” and distract you every once in a while. It is also not a surprise that powers of darkness exist.
Intentions of Darkness:
Their intention is to “attempt” to get you to agree with both the spirit of fear and also to try and get you to agree with things that you have let go of in the past. The works of the spirit of fear is the complete opposite of the reverent fear of God. Therefore, it is a clear hindrance. Once you let go of things in the past, you are not to go back and pick those things back up. The reason you were set free is so that you are freely able to move forward, not backwards and to not remain stagnant.
So you see, coming back into agreement with anything of the past you’ve let go is also a hindrance. Both of these combined is a major hindrance and many times the enemy is relentless in attempting to lure you. Many of these attempts are subtle. As you continue to give in over time, they affect you and your life greatly. These attempts are specifically targeted to the areas that use to be weaknesses or they still are. The powers of darkness can only know your weaknesses by your reactions. In other words, you give it away yourself. Those reactions, especially repeated ones, are equivalent to holding up a massive target sign. The enemy cannot read your mind but the enemy can read you by watching you closely.
“8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers[b] all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.” – 1 Peter 5:8-9
All the enemy wants from you is the agreement made with those “attempts” and “whispers” so that doors can either open back up or it is an attempt to keep that door open as their access point in your life. Definitely be aware and guard your heart. Don’t be afraid because the same power that rose Jesus Christ from the dead lives in you. You do have authority! Using your authority in Christ against the powers of darkness is actually a normal and regular part of being a believer of Christ. It’s nothing new. Just watch that focus, motive, and intention of yours.
Intentions of Rejoicing when Darkness Flees:
It should be no surprise that by using the authority you have in Christ that darkness flees. Sometimes the attempts are so intense and sudden that when you finally realize and use your authority to get rid of it you get super excited that you prayed and it’s gone. There is nothing wrong with being happy about the relief. However, the primary focus and intention should not be that you are glad that evil spirits obey you rather you should be mainly rejoicing because your name is written in Heaven.
“19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.” -Luke 10:19-20
The Lure of Strategic Isolation from the Enemy:
Be encouraged! Use the resources of people that God Himself placed in your life to help you be set free by identifying where these consistent patterns and cycles hit. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you in this process. Don’t be afraid or uncomfortable to reach out to those you do know God put in your life to help you through and to pray for you. Trust me when I say that those ones won’t be bothered at all because they know when they have an assignment from God.
By not reaching out and falling for the thought and whispers of lies connected to, “oh I don’t want to bother them…etc.”, you may be lured into “strategic isolation” from darkness just to keep you away from getting any kind of help. The enemy does not want to see you or your lineage get set free. Darkness is actually afraid of the day you fully find out and grasp the reality of who you are in Christ (true identity) and who God truly is. The ultimate goal is to keep you from finding this out. The enemy knows that once you find this out it will be the end of the grip he has had on your life in order to prevent you from walking out your called purpose on this Earth. Once you fully find out and grasp your true identity, that is when you will start walking out in the full authority in Christ that you have.
The powers of darkness already know who you are in Christ and it’s time that you find that out for yourself. Ask this question, “when Heaven looks at me, what does Heaven see?” Wait for that answer because whatever you get back is tied to your true identity. It’s time to let go of that duplicate version of you that does not align with God (which is what the enemy wants you to keep believing) and it’s time to come into agreement with who Heaven says you are.
“23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”
-Hebrews 10:23-25
