God Is Still Hiring

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THE BATTLE

We did not know much about terrorism until recently, and we are still learning more because the enemy is unpredictable, dangerous and widespread. This chapter is a summary of the contest with the satanic forces we are battling.

The Apostle Paul teaches in Ephesians 6:12 that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, meaning the struggle is spiritual. How then can a carnal person fight a spiritual battle unless he or she operates in the spiritual? We therefore have to analyze issues facing us in the physical and link them to the spiritual by the help of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

In Chapter Eight we looked at the four-tier operational structure of the satanic forces as depicted in Ephesians 6:12 by the Apostle Paul and these are: Principalities, Powers, Rulers of the Darkness of this world and Spiritual Wickedness in high places. A revisit of some issues raised in Chapter Eight may be of help learning about the satanic forces’ operations and how to combat them.

1. Principalities

We learned principalities are satanic agents whom the Bible refers to as strong men:

Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. (Matthew 12:29)

In Daniel 10 we learn of how the prince of Persia (a principality) withstood an angel sent to Daniel for twenty-one days until Michael the archangel came to his rescue. Let us examine the scripture and make some deductions to know whom we are dealing with:

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. (emphasis mine) (Daniel 10:10–13)

From the scripture above, the nature of the principality is revealed as a “prince,” while Michael is also referred to as one of the “chief princes.” This suggests to me, that principalities were in the rank or among a group of angels who were mighty warriors, who undertook special assignments before the fall. For Michael to be referred to as a “chief” means he either heads that group or has a very high rank in that group; and if Michael undertakes those special assignments for God, then we can deduce the principalities must be Satan’s special-forces.

To better understand their operations and influence, we shall look at what happens in areas they control.

In Chapter Eight I explained how we can know their operations by observing the activities that go on at a locality, fulfilling the desire of their master, Satan.

CASE STUDY #1:

Let us take a look at the example I used in Chapter Eight with respect to the property the three pastors leased for their respective ministries and what eventually happened to them.

• All three pastors fell and lost their ministries through immorality.
• All three churches were lost.

Questions that need to be asked are:

• What could have been the modus operandi of the principality that had control over that building?
• Could it have used a group of vessels yielded to its cause for its agenda or was it done through a single vessel?
• What role did their success play in this?
• What was their family life before taking over the place and just before the crisis?
• Finally, did they all have something similar in their background?

Principalities are ruthless, wicked, domineering and strategic so care must be taken in dealing with them. It is expedient that the intercessor, prayer warrior or anybody handling an issue with a principality involved do research, evaluate the situation very well and seek direction from the Holy Spirit.

What could have been the solution?

Since no one had any clue, the principality had a field day accomplishing its purposes. This is why the revelational gifts (word of knowledge, word of wisdom and discerning of spirits) are needed and must be encouraged in the church today. Churches must pray for these gifts for those who God will choose; we cannot afford to operate in darkness and ignorance.

When taking over a property for church, business or for residential purposes, much prayer must be offered at that location: driving away any spirits that have been operational there and taking authority over the place by the blood of Jesus and the Word of God. This must be accompanied with fasting, knowing it is a battle and not a joke, because the outcome of it will determine how safe, peaceful and prosperous you will be at that location. I believe some sicknesses and diseases were acquired at places not cleansed and dedicated to God, not to mention the challenges otherwise not faced before entering those places.

Had much prayer gone into the cleansing and dedication unto God of the property in question above, I believe somebody would have broken that curse or assignment over that building.

Some of these spiritual confrontations must be done by men and women of God having the knowledge and understanding in these matters. In case you cannot find someone, you can of your own accord break the authority and power of that principality by applying the blood of Jesus over the place, praying with the Word of God, and claiming that place to be your domain.

Scriptures that can be used are:

• Revelation 12:11
• Luke 10:19
• Joshua 1:3
• Mark 16:17