The power of darkness

The bible is saturated with many references of the word darkness; in particular it is used metaphorically to bring about greater spiritual understanding and much needed spiritual insight.

Our quest today is to discover what exactly is the understanding of the phrase" the power of darkness" and how does it affect every human being that has ever set foot on the face of this earth.

The most common use of the word darkness throughout the bible mainly signifies ignorance. Ignorance, which comes from the word ignorant, is defined as lacking in knowledge or information. However in the biblical sense it speaks of lacking in the knowledge of God which entails the laws, rules, principles, commandments, precepts and protocols of the Holy scriptures, that controls and sets the boundaries of our natural world and the spirit world.

The Apostle Paul in Colossians 1:13 speak of how God has delivered us from the "power of darkness", and have translated us in to the kingdom of his dear son. The word power speaks of authority or dominion. So, in essence The Apostle Paul in his revelation is revealing that there is literally an authority that rules the ignorance of folks that resist, disobey or out right reject God's way of how things should be done.

Now, to build upon this truth lets look at another scripture as evidence to this revelation. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 says, “But if our gospel (God’s word) be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world (Satan) have blinded the minds (to make ignorant) of them which believe not, least the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God should shine unto them.

So, as you've read when folks make the decision to not believe God’s word or lack the knowledge of him. Satan which is the god of this world has a spiritual legal right to enforce his authority of ignorance upon the unbelievers, so that the light or understanding of the gospel would not appeal to them. In such cases according to Apostle Paul only God can deliver such a person from the power of darkness.

Satan of course, who is the master manipulator behind this diabolical plan, has a kingdom which has a hierarchy according to Ephesians 6:12 that have the following order:

• Principalities
• Powers
• Rulers of the darkness of this world
• And spiritual wickedness in high places

Now, Isn't it interesting to know that the third rank in Satan’s kingdom is in fact the "rulers of the darkness" of this world? Indicating that, there are high ranking demonic forces that are solely responsible for managing and administering ignorance over the Believers and unbelievers of this world.

This revelation spoke volumes to me because, I began to see that folks that are ignorant of God and the spiritual things allowed by God concerning him is never by chance or accident, but are intentionally governed and calculated by high ranking evil spirits. As a matter of fact, the Apostle Paul cautioned the Christians of Ephesus, in Ephesians 6:11, 13-17 that in an effort to resist these spirits, we should always be outfitted with the whole armor of God due to their subtle ability to manipulate the minds of the naive and even learned. I would like to insert here that the armor of God is not a physical suit. Instead it is a spiritual suite, specifically designed to stand against the wiles of the Devil and his cohorts. I would also like to add that the wiles of the Devil are never physical in its origin. to the contrary the wiles of the Devil is always conceived in the spirit realm and hatched in the natural realm. So, whatever it is that you are contending with in the natural, will always be the result of what was conceived in the spirit world.

When Jesus was initially betrayed by Judas, the chief priests and captains of the temple came looking for Jesus with their swords and staves, Jesus said, “When I was daily with you in the temple, you stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the" power of darkness” Luke 22:53. 

Again, here is another piece of evidence that because of the people’s unbelief the power of darkness or the authorities of ignorance which are high ranking evil spirits operating through human agents had a legal right to dominate the unbelievers. Unfortunately in this case even the priest and captains of the temple (church) have been dominated by the rulers of the darkness of this world. I think it’s obvious they did not possess the armor or true knowledge of God.

As we've discovered thus far the bible clearly shows us that darkness symbolizes ignorance and at the same time light symbolizes understanding or knowledge according to Colossians 1:13. King Solomon alluded to this in Proverbs 4:18-19, he said, “But the path of the just is as a shining light (understanding) that shines more and more unto the perfect day. However, the way of the wicked is as darkness (ignorance); they know not at what they stumble.

King David, the father of King Solomon also had insight to this revelation when he said the following, “Such as sit in darkness (ignorance) and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most high Psalms" 107:10-11. again their ignorance was due to rebellion of God’s word which in turn gave Satan the spiritual legal right to keep them ignorant.

Folks, I am of the view that God wants us to walk in complete obedience towards him. Our obedience to him is the deciding factor as to whether we’ll live in ignorance or not. Ignorance to the word of God opens the door to the spirits of depression, hate, anger, sexual immorality, fatigue, frustration, confusion, poverty and every spirit that is not of God. The keys that evil spirits use to gain access to our lives are the keys of ignorance of the knowledge of God. Scripture confirms this when it said that, “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge, Hosea 4:6. If carefully analyzed this passage of scripture is literally giving us spiritual insight into the overlooked protocol to destruction. Suggesting that in order for destruction to be achieved or accomplished, there must be a LACK OF KNOWLEDGE! 

The facts will reveal that Satan, can only oppress us with ignorance, if we give him permission through the lack of knowledge. “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you. That God is light (understanding and knowledge), and in him is no darkness (ignorance) at all. If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness (ignorance), we lie and do not the truth" 1 John 1:5.

Therefore the revelation here is, wherever the word of God is void in one’s life it is automatically replaced with ignorance, the possessor of that ignorance now becomes impaired in their decision making and their counsel to others. These people become slaves to a life of confusion and instability. In my observation I have discovered that the worst of this kind are those that are educated and feel as if their education supersedes the knowledge of God. The tell tail signs of such people are:

• Arrogance
• No submission to authority
• Manipulative
• Controlling
• And most evident is the consistent displaying of selfishness and the obsession to always be in control.

Regrettably, the power of darkness is spiritually holding the hands of these folks leading them on a guaranteed path of self destruction.  These folks have no idea that they are being dominated and manipulated by unseen forces, that are greatly influencing them and using them as their agents to achieve their diabolical objectives.

It is my prayer that you would allow God to deliver you from the power of darkness and replace it with the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, so that the spiritual eyes of your understanding would be enlightened to the works and devices of Satan.

Heavenly father, again I thank you for your divine revelation, and the delivery of it to your people. Your word declares that wisdom is the principal or most important thing; therefore I speak wisdom and understanding to every dark and confused area of their lives. I bind the power of darkness, and command it to leave their lives indefinitely. I pray Father that the power of darkness would be replaced with your word and that they’ll have an insatiable for the things of you in the matchless and might name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Written by: Kevin L. A Ewing

kevinewing@coralwave.com
kevinlaewing.blogspot.com

Perception!

Perception is the process of receiving information through the senses (hearing, feeling, tasting, smelling and seeing) and making sense of it. It is also defined as the process by which an organism detects and interprets information from the external world by means of the sensory receptors.

When making our assessments of others, our decisions or conclusions of them are usually only garnered from our senses. This can be erroneous in some cases because things aren't always they way they appear. The bible admonishes us to walk in the spirit so that we would not fulfill the lust of our flesh. We are also told to walk by faith and not by sight. In both scriptures the underlying tone suggests that we can judge or perceive incorrectly if left to our senses and not being aided by the spirit of God.  

In many of our local churches, we are reminded frequently of the favor of God, but very few explain to us how this favor comes about. In today’s teaching we will analyze how God will alter the perception of others in an effort to not only grant us favor but via the perception of others cause promotion, opportunities, open doors that could not have happen under normal circumstances.

Just before I proceed any further with this biblical insight, I must make clear that when God promotes, give favor, advances, or elevate you he initiates it by changing the perception of those around you. The lessons which were via your trouble and challenges were making the necessary changes in you. However I am sure you’ll agree that no matter how much you’ve changed some folks refuse to accept the fact that you’ve changed, and will continue to label or categorize you as to who you use to be. Therefore, if it were left up to those around you who refuse to accept your change you’ll never advance. So, it is necessary for God to change their perception of you to accommodate the change in you.

Joshua, who was the minister of Moses was about to take on one of the greatest challenges of his life. That challenge was taking over as the leader of the children of Israel following Moses’ death. Now, least we forget this was not an easy task, simply because Moses was the greatest leader they ever knew. Aside from leading them out of Egyptian bondage, the many miracles that were performed by God through him and to top it off he brought them of slavery by breaking the back of poverty and making them wealthy.

Like any good leader Moses affirms Joshua as the future leader to the children of Israel. “And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of Israel, be strong and of good courage.” Moses added by saying, “The Lord will go before thee, he will not fail thee nor forsake thee, fear not neither be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8). In reading this I was compel to ask myself, why would Moses say this to him be strong and of good courage? I am convinced Moses knew the difficult times Joshua would have faced leading an estimated three million people who revered Moses.

In Deuteronomy 31:7-8, Joshua 1:6,7,9 Moses and God had repeatedly said to Joshua: a) Be strong b)  Be of good courage c) Fear not and d) Be not dismayed. Again seeing that Joshua is now the leader, why are these four statements being rehearsed into his hearing?

It is almost as if they knew something Joshua did not know. The truth is they both knew that the children of Israel would automatically compare Joshua to Moses and conclude that Joshua was inferior to Moses and not capable of leading them like Moses did.

So, even though Joshua was qualified for the job the children of Israel perception needed to be amended to remove this comparison issue. Right now you are qualified for that promotion on your job, or you've changed your life and decided to live for God, but somehow folks don’t accept your new status because you are still the same old you in their sight. Therefore God will have to do for you what he’s about to do for Joshua.

“And the Lord said to Joshua, this day will I begin to "MAGNIFY" thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. The word, magnify means: to make someone or something appear larger than it is as with a lens or microscope.

The revelation here is simply this, God changed absolutely nothing about Joshua. God did not change his height, strength, weight etc, but instead the bible said that God made Joshua appear larger than he was in the sight of Israel. The only thing that was changed was Israel’s perception of Joshua who was already qualified for what God had called him to do……wow!

My beloved readers, you've been ridicule, talked about, used, skipped over for promotion, degraded and laughed at. To add insult to injury it has been trouble after trouble, disappointment, set backs and not to mention hindrances. However this year God has decided that you've qualified to go forward, but he has to change the perception of your haters and oppressors. All of the challenges were in an effort to change you. Now that, that leg of the process is completed GOD WILL NOW MAGNIFY YOU IN THIS YEAR!

Magnification from God places a demand on your haters and oppressors to respect you and see you as what God has called you to be. JUST FOR YOU, GOD WILL CHANGE THE SPIRITUAL LENS OF ALL THOSE THAT OPPOSED YOU IN YEARS, MONTHS, AND WEEKS PAST, ONLY TO REVEAL TO THEM WHAT HE HAS DONE IN YOU….

Remember when Jesus did his miracles, the nay Sayers said, “Isn't this Mary and Joseph boy? Isn't this the carpenter”. God magnified Jesus through his miracles and teachings. However prior to this he was just a regular person to the people, not that he wasn't ready to do God’s work, but the people’s perception had to be altered, and only God can do that.

Wherever you are right now say it out loud or scream it out in your mind GOD HAS MAGNIFIED ME AND IT HAS CAUSED ME TO APPEAR LARGER, MAGNIFICENT, GLORIOUS, AND MORE CONFIDENT IN THE SIGHT OF MY ENEMIES!

Prayer points:

• Confess and repent of all your sins
• Ask God for courage, strength and the ability to resisting fear and confusion
• Believe that God is with you and will not forsake you
• Finally, ask God to magnify you and begin thanking him and behaving as if it has already happened.

Heavenly father thank you once again for your revelations, and for everyone that would have read this article. It is no accident that they came across this article today, but all according to your divine plan for their lives. I now come in agreement with your word which is faith and declare that you magnify them in the sight of those around them. I command that the spiritual lens of their oppressors and haters be changed only to behold what you've done in their lives. Your word declares that whatsoever thing we desire when we pray, believe that we've receive it and we shall have it, in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ.

Written By Kevin L A Ewing

kevinewing@coralwave.com