By Steve Quackenbush
Read 1 Samuel 17
In this famous passage of David and Goliath are keys to rising above situations in our lives that have held us trapped or kept us in fear. My goal and desire in this blog is that you are strengthened to not just overcome, but destroy the giants that stand before you and the destiny that seems to be just out of reach. There are no limitations in Christ!
Vision and connection to God’s power is decreased when we listen to and entertain the enemy’s taunting.
17:24 “All the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him and were much afraid. And the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up”
17:16 “And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days.”
17:8-11 “…Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us.” And the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day. Give me a man that we may fight together.” When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid.”
The Israelites, for forty days were being verbally abused. The problem with verbal aggression and abuse is that eventually we begin to believe the lies declared over us until we are the ones beating ourselves up.
It’s time to take back what the enemy has stolen!
The Israelites cowered and recoiled in fear, forgetting how God in a previous battle at Mizpah had stirred the Philistines up in confusion, giving the victory to the Israelites (1 Samuel 7). Another in Geba, when Prince Jonathan, Saul’s son, defeated the Philistine army with 3000 men (1 Samuel 13).
Verbal abuse DESTROYS the memory of your IDENTITY and the POWER you possess. It’s time to reclaim it!
BUT HOW?
1. Stop listening to negative speech that destroys and tears down your self-esteem and identity!
You are not who the enemy says you are. You are who God says you are. Whether he (the enemy) likes it or not! We’ve stood too long on the battle lines listening to the enemy’s taunting, letting him win without a fight. The Bible teaches us that we are more than conquerors, meaning that God fights for us. If we were to understand, this then we would understand that satan knows he has already lost the war. He is banking on us not believing it! We demonstrate our belief in our actions and decisions, from battle to battle.
When the enemy tells you that you can’t do it, and you feel like you can’t do it, REFUSE TO LISTEN. Spit back in his face “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13) and because “no weapon formed against me shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17) I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to “Get behind me…” (Mark 8:33).
No one can make you stay and listen to speech that cuts you down. It’s in these moments that we rise and seize authority over the enemy’s words.
RIGHT NOW! Seize authority over every negative word that has penetrated your shield, making you something you are not.
SAY: “I cancel every spiritual and demonic attack against my identity, right now in Jesus’ name. Every negative thought or sentiment about myself deriving from an attack, be uprooted in the mighty name of Jesus. I have let you have control over me for too long. It ends NOW! I reclaim my identity, authority and strength in Jesus Christ. I am His bride and a child of the Most high God. Satan you are a liar and I refuse to listen to your lies about me any longer. With the authority given to me in the name of Jesus Christ,
LEAVE!”
If you’ve said this with boldness and authority, then you are starting anew. The enemy might try to come again to rock your boat and shake your faith, but my Bible tells me that he has already been defeated. So seize authority at every battle. Remember winning the small battles leads to victory in the war!
Your breakthrough in this area of your life is NOW coming.
Stay connected to our blog section for part 2 in the series.
Nothing can hold you down that you don’t allow to hold you…Are you free in Jesus’ name?