Fighting the Good Fight
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe
The situation in the Middle East continues to
escalate. Our leaders seem simply
baffled. It is understandable. No man-made plan alone will alleviate the
anguish. The problem is more than
political. It is spiritual in its
roots. For victory to come, battle must
be waged in the heavenlies as well as on the earth.
I sense four major spirits in the conflict:
A: the Hittite
spirit. The Hittites are descendents of
Heth, a descendent of Canaan, the grandson of Noah. The meanings of the names have significance. Canaan means shame. Heth means terror. The Hittite spirit is the spirit of terrorism. It descends from shame. In ancient times, the Hittite empire spread
over the Middle East and up into Turkey. Both Canaan and Heth are mentioned in Genesis
10. Therefore, the spirits were in
operation before the time of Abraham.
They are deeply entrenched in the culture.
B: False Religious Spirit. Remember that Nimrod, the first world leader
and type of the anti-Christ, settled Babel.
Babel is the center of false religion.
We can trace the worldly mythologies of Egypt, Greece and Rome back to
Babel. False religion always seeks to
place man’s will over God’s will. It is religion
that seeks power in the world. It is never a spirit of peace.
C. The Prince of
Persia. Remember that the angel carrying
the answer to Daniel’s prayer was delayed because he had to defeat the Prince
of Persia. Persia is Iran. The word “Iran” is derived from “Aryan” which
is a spirit of narcissism and, therefore, intolerance. It is the same spirit that empowered many
facets of the Holocaust.
D. The Spirit of Stupor: This is the spirit that has
blinded the eyes and hearts of world leaders.
In this spirit of stupor, many have become confused and immobilized.
To intercede, we must first walk in the opposite spirit—the
spirit of peace, truth, love and spiritual wakefulness. In other words, we must manifest the fruit of
the Holy Spirit in our personal lives. Galatians 5:22-25 (NKJV) “But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the
flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk
in the Spirit.”
God has also given us spiritual armor and the power of
the Word of God to enable us, not only to stand, but to be victorious in these
difficult times. Ephesians 6:10-18
(NKJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His
might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole
armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having
done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth,
having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with
the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith
with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the
word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the
saints.”
In the power and authority of the Holy Spirit, we can rebuke the demonic oppression and declare
triumph in Jesus’ name. This is not the
time for superficial praying. It is time
to stand in the power and authority that Jesus won for us on the cross.
1 John 4:3-4 (NKJV) : “and every spirit that does not confess that
Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you
have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God,
little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater
than he who is in the world.”
I am reminded of the old hymn, “Rise Up, Oh, Men of God”.
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
To serve the King of kings.
Rise up, O men of God!
The kingdom tarries long.
Bring in the day of brotherhood
And end the night of wrong.
Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait,
Her strength unequal to her task;
Rise up and make her great!
Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where His feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
Rise up, O men of God!”
William R. Merrill, 1911
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