A Response To Fear of The Devil in Prayer Groups

The following post is my response to a great article submitted by JENNIFER LECLAIRE, who is a News Editor at Charisma. You can read and respond to her article here: When Intercessors Are Afraid of The Devil. Its clear that there is a loud voice that opposes the Christian perspective and I believe those of us who are invested in our walk with Jesus Christ, (as HE is completely invested in us) should participate and rally in support of what makes us breathe and have being.

Sister LeClaire, thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and the Spirit of GOD with us in your teaching and instruction. It is such a blessing to gain such valuable insight in spiritual matters. What is not received by others will be picked up and valued by those who are called to be intercessors and are in the trenches as they hear from and respond to GOD. The Word of GOD so clearly tells us in Ephesians 6:12 (as you have mentioned) that we are wrestling or warring with spiritual entities and beings. The ensuing verses 13 through 17 stress the importance of wearing the full and complete armor of GOD. People who are not warring or in opposition to enemy spiritual forces are probably not in need of the armor. I take the armor of GOD seriously. These scriptures are as biblical as any other and should not be confused as objective or leaning towards a testimony that does not render supernatural evidence of truth. We serve a supernatural GOD and many people will see, hear, smell and experience things that others only will be able to read about. As a leader for a small intercessory group, I know your message was point on! I am always in the learning mode and prayerfully, becoming more sensitive to the unction and Spirit of GOD. When the early Israelite's covered their door posts with the sacrificial blood of lambs, the Angel of Death had to pass over their households without taking any lives. That blood could only cover sins temporarily. How much MORE does the Blood of Jesus (The Perfect Lamb) that removes sins forever, take authority over evil, demons and demonic activity? I love to remind myself aloud about the Blood of Jesus and remind the spiritual realm of how excellent it is in regards to healing, deliverance and/or protection.

I do not believe there is anything that concerns Jesus that HE would not want us to use and take advantage of in spiritual warfare. Before I knew my calling, as a babe in Christ, I could see demons walking in people's homes. They would break the furniture and when I left I would hear demonic sounds in my car( growling and hissing) in the empty back seat. I kept on driving and I am quite sure I plead the Blood of Jesus.

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate what you have shared and I will be sharing this with my church group of prayer warriors. And Ephesians 6:18-20 says,18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

{Let those who will pray in the Spirit, praying for all saints even with heavenly language, be able to open their mouths boldly proclaiming the beauty of the gospel of Christ where change will take place.} And in boldness, there is no fear. Being loud is not to be confused with being bold.

Knowing HIM ~

Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

We are told to be still and know that HE is GOD. Being still implies not moving or doing something. This dormant activity refers to us laying down our wills in a situation we have brought before the Lord. It's telling us to be at rest in the Lord, in the very One who will resolve the problem for us. GOD has given HIS people the ability to think, to rationalize, to speculate, to wonder and comprehend. HE has also given us the faith to trust HIM and trust HIS Word. HE gives us an opportunity to have witness of HIM performing HIS Word, promise, and taking care of us personally.

Knowing GOD is trusting HIM. It's also the ability to recognize HIM, have faith in HIM,

be cognizant of HIM, understand HIM and love HIM. You understand HIM as GOD who created all things seen and invisible and HE desires to have relationship with you. In addition, you understand HIM in HIS Word and that HE has a purpose for you. GOD is the One with the eternal vision in this relationship. What HE allows you to go through is part of a much bigger picture that your destiny is entwined to.

In everything we have been given by GOD, we must clearly see that HE receives the Glory. Resting in and trusting HIM is no different. What and who GOD saved us from is a testimony waiting to be declared, a testimony waiting to happen! If we point to our own capabilities as opposed to giving thanks to GOD, we are left in a worse state than before. There is such wealth accumulated from trusting GOD and giving HIM the Glory. A part of this wealth is increased, crazy faith! GOD desires you to walk in this kind of faith that will get the attention of others and point to HIM and HIS goodness!

People spend a lot of money to hear experts speak in order to duplicate their actions and become experts themselves. There is only One Expert that has dominion over and in the entire universe and HIS Word is freely given with fail proof accuracy. HIS Word never fails. HIS Word is Jesus. That is recognizing HIM. How can you not trust someone who is accessible from anywhere, at any time, by anyone who calls on HIM? 

Whatever the problem may be, give it to The Lord Jesus and trust in HIM to handle it for you. Rest in the actions and counsel of GOD's Word and come to know for yourself, personally, that HE is Who HE says HE is and that is GOD. Shalom. 

Anticipation vs. Hope

The Dictionary defines "anticipation" as having foreknowledge or foretaste of, and a realization of something in advance. Hope is defined as what you want can be had. I believe that anticipation is a more vigorous, passionate and aggressive form of hope.
When you anticipate, you are in position to wait for what you believe will happen. There is no place in the Word of GOD where anticipation was ever let down or yielded disappointment. GOD has not said or has ever said anything HE did not bring to pass. Even people who do not have a relationship with GOD cannot disprove HIM.

Anticipation that arises when you read GOD's Word is a strong catalyst to your faith being increased and rewarded. You know something is going to happen and you are anticipating it and probably making ready for it in the natural realm. When you want something to happen at its basic level, that is exhibiting hope. Hope has a tendency to be patient in its initial stage. It can produce itself all through out the day and show up in your day dreams. Hope can be a security blanket when one feels threatened, that things are bound to change for the better in your situation. Hope is relatively calm and collected. It really does not go past what you perceive.

However, anticipation can be dangerous! Your faith has triggered a spiritual adrenalin that will have you to call on those things that are not as though they were.
You believe the promises of GOD are for you and you prepare yourself to receive. You don't and won't allow circumstances, people, time or demonic influences to take possession of what you believe belongs to you from GOD. You can taste and see it and you are ready to take possession of it. You may find yourself reminding GOD of HIS promise to you. You will declare HIS Word in the atmosphere around you and you will walk in the arena of receiving that which belongs and is promised to you. Anticipation is certainly dangerous to any counter activity that presents itself against your faith and expectancy in GOD.

Hebrews 11:6

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

You have a Father in GOD who is pleased by your faith. HE desires for you to expect good things from HIM. HE desires for you to seek HIM and HIS promises for you and your life. HE ushers in expectancy because HE is a relationship driven GOD who showers HIS people with HIS love. It is impossible to spend time with GOD and not receive from HIM. Your anticipation is very much warranted because HE is a GOD who does for HIS people all the time. HE is in the doing realm. HIS Word have actions and even HIS breath is action.

Isaiah 55:11

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Anticipate with GOD and let your faith arise! HE operates HIS Word and has never failed to perform it. Be overly expectant of receiving from HIM. Be confident in HIS ability to perform what HE says HE will do. Locate a promise for you in HIS Word and proclaim it faithfully for yourself. Then allow yourself to anticipate receiving from your Father. Do not neglect the opportunity of developing your relationship past receiving from HIM. There is such a blessing in knowing Father GOD and desiring to see HIS heart for HIS people. HE will not let you down. Shalom.

In Prophetic Gifts - Discernment is Required

      In Prophetic Gifts - Discernment is Required      By: John Mark Pool

If there is any one gift that is needed more today in the Body of Christ and especially in the prophetic ministries--it is the Discernment of Spirits.

"By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one baby's milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God's ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong." (Hebrews 5:12-14 The Message Bible, emphases added).

The Amplified Bible teaches us very carefully in the way it is expanded on the root words, "But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law." (Hebrews 5:13-15 Amplified, emphases added).

Hear what the New King James says, "But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:14 NKJV, emphases added).

What is Discernment?

According to Sandy Warner (a long-time Bible teacher and author with whom I greatly value her spiritual insight and years of history to back up her knowledge of the Word of God), she explains discernment like this:

"Discernment in the Greek language means judicial estimation, discern, disputation. It comes from a word meaning to separate thoroughly, withdraw, oppose, discriminate, decide, hesitate, contend, make to differ, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, and waver.

So if you wrestle with wavering in what you discern, now you know why. These words describe the process the receiver of discernment goes through! When the discerner is confronted with something that appears good on the outside, but isn't, it becomes a stumbling block to his spirit. His flesh sees good signs, but his spirit is disputing, opposing, hesitating, contending, differing, doubting, staggering, and wavering against the outward appearance. Discernment is an internal war as one grapples to line up what they perceive, with Who God is, and what is being offered." (Excerpts of Sandy Warner's book "Discernment-Separating the Holy from the Profane".)

If milk drinkers in the Kingdom of God are always waiting to have their bottle changed and replaced with easy-to-swallow milk, then discernment will never be a gift they can apply to their walk with the Lord. When I was a child, I spoke and acted like one. I need to get past childhood in the Kingdom and become a spiritual adult! It's like this: when I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.

"Now we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now. There are three things that will endure--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:12-13 NLT, emphases added).

In Love, the Father will Discipline as Needed

"There are three things that will endure--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT, emphases added)

It is the Love of the Father that we are disciplined to move forward with the meat of His Word and be able to incorporate discernment rather than ask for a prophet to always give a word on how to live, move, etc. The fullness of our being should be in the fullness of Christ, not the fullness of the word from a prophet! Yes, prophecy certainly has its place or we would not have the gift nor the office, but we must become mature Christians that can hear and follow the leading of the Lord ourselves. Prophets aren't around on a day-to-day basis to give you a word, but rest assured, Jesus Christ--THE PROPHET, will be there to give you the right word!

Hebrews 12:6-8 plainly states that those the Lord loves will be disciplined, "For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes those He accepts as His child. As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as His own children. Whoever heard of a child who was never disciplined? If God doesn't discipline you as He does all of His children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really His children after all." (Hebrews 12:6-8 NLT, emphases added).

Babies Cannot Discern the Meat of God's Word

"For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do." (Hebrews 4:12-13, KJV emphases added).

Before we get a really good grasp of discernment that will not be grasped in just one lesson, we must be transformed by the "renewing of our minds." Why would we remove a baby bottle from a child? Or even an adult adolescent used to sucking on a free dose of baby's milk and then put a chunk of meat in their mouths? They would literally choke to death on the "strong meat" that takes chewing and processing. This is a gradual process the Body will need to go through in order to become "Discernment Adjusted."

Once this adjustment period is complete (dependent upon obedience, dying to selfishness and cutting away cords of past fleshly habits), we can start receiving genuine training in discernment that will begin to take root and open the heart up--to the deep things of God. It is not a toy to simply know what someone is "thinking" about you. Discernment is not to be confused with conjuring in the occult realms and to know things about someone to draw them into your sphere of influence. No, "Discerning of the Spirits" is a vital gift of the Holy Spirit for the use in all areas of the Body of Christ, yet especially those who move in the Gift of Prophecy and the Office of the Prophet today.

"To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues." (1 Corinthians 12:10 KJV, emphases added).

This is a gift from the Holy Spirit. Yet, no babe in the Body of Christ will appropriate this gift without the grounding in of the real meat of the Word of God, and the process of applying this gift in genuine guided, discipleship care--to grow the person and the ability to properly use this gift. Gifts are given by God, but the ability to have the character to correctly dispense these gifts comes from proper processing in the journey of the calling from God. Motives then become invaluable to use the "gift of discernment" in knowing what kind of spirit is speaking! This takes time to grow into the fullness of Christ!

"Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole Body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (Ephesians 4:13-16).

When you view someone operating in the prophetic gifts that literally bring forth edification, exhortation and comfort to the whole assembly or the entire Body of Christ, then you can be sure that person is on more than baby's formula from the Word of God! Know that this gift is more necessary today than ever to accomplish what God has given each person to accomplish within the Body of Christ. As we mature, we must apply ourselves to our own regimens of time in the Word, daily altars of prayer and fasting, and seeking to grow up in Christ.

Remember, especially In Prophetic Gifts--Discernment is Required!

Always a voice for our LORD,

John Mark Pool
Word to the World Ministries
Email: MarkandSandyPool@aol.com

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