Recently I have received so many messages from friends about lying accusations and spiritual attacks. It seems that as people are identifying their purpose and making strides towards their destiny, the enemy is creating unnecessary conflict and distraction. These slanderous attacks and accusations flow from the arsenal of hell.
It is sad to say but they often come from other people in the body of Christ that should know better.
One particularly ugly manifestation of a spiritual attack is slander. I have seen leaders with a Saul spirit assassinate the character of an emerging leader. They often do it in the form of a warning to someone else. Typically, they are simply spreading something that they have heard and they do not take the time to discuss it with the person involved.
These types of rumors also flow freely from believers towards churches, ministries, and preachers that they have never met or encountered. Far too often, one Christian is accusing a fellow believer without ever bringing the unproven issue to that person. How do we avoid this trap? The Bible is very clear on how we should handle issues with each other.
“Now if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother” (Matthew 18:15).
If an issue arises, it should be communicated openly and honestly with the person involved.
Slander is a high level of character assassination that is purposeful and evil. It is designed to abort someone’s assignment and diminish their influence. There is a supernatural level of warfare that occurs and releases slanderous spirits. They operate through hidden whispers and ungodly proclamation. How should you handle a lie or evil accusation?
It is vital that you quickly identify the lies, persecution and whispers as a spiritual attack. Every person who ever steps out to take a risk in faith faces these types of adversities. Attacks and accusations can appear to be devastating to the human mind but we must dig deep and remember that it is God who fights our battles!
“The Lord shall fight for you, while you hold your peace” (Ex. 14:14).
1. Identify the source. You are not wrestling against a person, but the enemy. He is the one that is motivating the lies. Do not make the mistake of getting drawn into an offense.
“For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12).
2. Stay in the arena of the spirit. This is a key time for you to use your spiritual weapons. Bind the enemy and release strong victory proclamations! Pray in the spirit—when you pray in other tongues you are exiting the earth realm and entering the spirit realm! This is one of the most vital things that you must do during a season of lies and whispers.
“I say then, walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:17).
3. Refuse to enter the realm of the flesh. One of the primary purposes of these types of battles is to make you weary and get you into the flesh. When you are in the flesh you are outside of grace.
You are fighting in your own strength and entertaining frustration. The enemy knows that if he can pull you out from under the shadow of the Almighty then he can vanquish you.
You must make a concerted effort to stay rooted in the Father. It is an opportunity to grow and allow yourself to depend more on Him.
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).
4. Don’t allow the lies to take root in your soul. If you have been praying, seeking and listen, then you have a fairly good idea of who God has called you to be! Get out those prophecies, your prayer journal and remind yourself of what The Lord has said!
“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that he should repent. Has He spoken, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Num. 23:19).
5. Let you character speak! The fruit of your life will always outlive a lie. Godly character is the greatest defense.
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things. And an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things” (Matt. 12:35).
The bottom line is this; you fight and win in the spirit! Keep your eyes on what Jesus has already said about you and stay rooted in godly character through this season. Jesus faced character assaults. Paul was talked about and maligned. Every champion faces opposition. You must keep your heart pure and rooted in the Father. This is but a passing moment. Your character and your purity will outlast the lies!
Ryan LeStrange began in ministry after training under his spiritual father, Dr. Norvel Hayes. The apostolic call on his life led him to build multiple ministries in various geographical locations, the foremost being Ryan LeStrange Ministries. Ryan, a modern-day revivalist, moves strongly in the power of God, traveling the globe to ignite revival fires. His crusades and services are alive with prophetic declaration, miracles, healings and powerful preaching. Ryan is one of the senior leaders of New Breed Revival Network, a network of ministers committed to see revival birthed in America and the nations. He is co-founder of AwakeningTV.com, a media channel created to host revival-inspired services, featuring ministers and messages both past and present. Ryan has authored several books and is presently working on several more. The fire of revival and releasing the prophetic have inspired believers to press for more of God. He is the founder and Apostle of Impact International Apostolic Fellowship, an organization created to father and network ministers around the world.
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