Overcoming The Spirits That Hinder The Flow Of God

Overcoming the Spirits that Hinder the Flow of God

Theme:

Text: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Ephesians 6:12

Introduction

Last Sunday the Word was brought forth about the Importance of Staying in the Flow. There is a river that flows from the throne of God. I belive this river symbolizes the Spirit of God. Ideally we need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit pratically we need to stay connected to the flow.

The same flow not only flows through us but it flows through our church. God has called this church to be a sanctuary. A place of comfort, a place of protection a place of refuge. A place of healing and restoration. It happens only in the river becaue the river brings life and healing.

We talked of the importance of staying in the flow.

This morning I want us to recognize some of the spirits that can hinder the flow.

There are many spirits mentioned in the bible. As you study scripture you see the charactericts of these spirits that operate in a persons life. From the very beginning we see this spirit of doubt begin to come into play. In the form of serphent the devil begins to place doubt in the mind of Eve to take of the fruit.

Today I just want to look at four as it pertains to our church. I believe these are the most accessable and volitle spirits that want to come into our church as the Lord directs our paths.

Spirits

In each one of these we must recognize these spirts and call them out by name.

Spirit of Cain – Spirit of Murder- Genesis 4

You don’t have to read long in scripture to find out about a man by the name of Cain. Cain was the first child born into this world. What is interesting is that Cain and Able may have been twins. We are not sure but some say he may be. So they would seem to be just a like. Yet they were worlds apart. God had them through Adam how to worship, there must be a blood sacrifice to cover over the sins. Cain got mad because he was a tiller and Able was a shepherd. It finally happened that Cain murdered his brother.

Spirit of Korah – Spirit of Rebellion – Numbers 16

Blatant disregard for the authorities that God has set up in his kingdom. This could be disregard for the prophet/messager of God who is operating in his gifts.

Spirit of Balaam – Spirit of Error and Greed - Numbers 16

Spirit of Jezebel – Spirit of Control, Manipulation and Intimidation – 1 Kings 16

Manipulation is very covert; it tricks people into doing what the controller wants. Domination is the opposite of minipualtion, in that it declares boldly, “I do not need to trick you; I am going to make you do what I want you to do.” A domination person relies on the strength of his or her hysique or personality to contor others. Intimidation is both covert and overt. People who use intimidation to control others attmpt to frighten or pressure people into doing what they want thme to do. Intimidation relies on deception of feaer to control actions of others.

Spirit of the Pharisees – Spirit of Legalism, Judgmentalism, - Matthew 22

How to Over Come the Spirits

Understand the Battle Field –Our Mind

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Understand Our Battle Foe- The Devil

Ephesians 6:12 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.

Know that He is a Defeated Foe

Colossians 2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

Have Confidence in Who we are in Christ