In the previous article, we established that the Kingdom of God is spiritual with influence in the physical world, and so is the Kingdom of darkness.
The epic centre of activity is in the spiritual realm and that’s where failure and success, victory and defeat are realised.
Elisha’s experience gives us a good understanding of what we are dealing with.
2 Kings 6:14-17 says;
“Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
“And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
“And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
“And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
Elisha told his servant that this was more than a physical battle.
There was an invisible company called “they” that was with them and another “they” that was with their enemy the Syrian.
He prayed to the Lord to open the eyes of his servant and look beyond the material world.
There were demonic forces behind the Syrian army and Elijah had angelic forces on his side.
This was spiritual conflict manifesting in the material world..
Ephesians 6:12 says;
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Look at the events in Job’s life.
The devil tired his best to tear Job apart and he couldn’t until God withdrew the hedge of protection.
Job 1:9-10 says;
“Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
“Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land,”
The events around his life could only be explained in terms of spiritual forces at play in His life.
Any attempt to fix things naturally before dealing with it in the spirit is like chasing shadows.
It’s cosmetic and sooner or later it will revert to where it was or even worse.
Paul told us not to be flesh (physically) minded but spiritually minded.
1Cor 10:3-4 says;
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds”
Peter and company didn’t know what they were dealing with.
A mere resolve was not going to scare the devil who was coming at them and especially Peter.
Luke 22:31-34
“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
“But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
“And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.
“And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.”
In Acts, Peter makes it clear that they were not going to be distracted from the central kingdom business.
Acts 6:2-4
“Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
“Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
“But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
If Jesus hadn’t dealt with the devil in prayer, Peter wouldn’t have recovered from that knock down.”
These are the two most effective ways of establishing God’s kingdom on the earth.
WORD POWERED PRAYER AND PRAYER POWERED PREACHING.
You are a spiritual being with a physical body therefore fix things spiritually and watch it’s ripple effect in the natural world of your life.
Stay blessed and favored.
rytahrich@gmail.com
