I don’t know about you, but the last few weeks have been pretty intense, with various spirits in full-blown attack mode.
I don’t like to highlight the enemy’s work, and I don’t like to blame everything on him. But I am very aware when he starts working.
Over the last week, I have experienced a mocking spirit, a religious spirit, a prideful spirit, a rejected spirit and an easily offended spirit. Typically, when someone has a “religious spirit,” you can experience all of these within one person. However, I have had the unusual experience of having all of these spirits attack me individually over the last week, including the Leviathan spirit. It is really good at twisting words and causing miscommunications.
It is important to stay prayed up and not give these spirits a foothold. If we are not careful, we will find ourselves operating under these evil spirits because we get our feelings hurt or harbor unforgiveness. It is important to check ourselves and ask God to reveal any hidden pain, trauma, offenses or unforgiveness in our hearts. If we don’t, we give the enemy a foothold.
I had to check myself recently and ask God if there was any truth to the negative words that had been spoken to me by a well-known prophetic voice. Sometimes we can do or say things with the right intentions, but they do not come across correctly. Sometimes this happens because we lack judgment, and sometimes it happens because of something the other person is dealing with. Sometimes both.
I too have operated under all of these spirits unknowingly; that’s why we need to fast and check ourselves often. Everyone, no matter how anointed or popular, can be influenced by these spirits.
I have seen many times where influential leaders have become prideful in their gifts. They will make their “call” superior to yours. They will make it plain to you that you could never understand their “mantle” and the warfare they must endure. To even assume you understand is foolish and immature, according to their viewpoint.
This is pride. But if you were to mention that they are prideful, you would be met with more pride.
It is best to disconnect yourself from people who operate this way—regardless of how well known they are.
While we all have different callings, gifting and ranks, we should never make ourselves out to be more than we are. The sign of a mature leader is that they won’t brag about how anointed they are; they will never compare themselves. They walk in authority but also humility.
Roman 12:3 (NLT) is clear: “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.”
Sometimes we can bring unnecessary warfare on ourselves just by allowing the enemy a foothold with spirits such as pride, unforgiveness and offense. Repent for anything that may be hindering your witness. Seek God, have Him search your heart daily and stay prayed up!
“Be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him firmly in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (1 Pet. 5:8-9, MEV). {eoa}
Gypsy Dallas Smith is called to the mountain of media. She and her husband, Daryl, are the founders of Born 2 Inspire Life, a Christian media ministry that broadcasts Voices of Hope. She is an ordained minister through Summit Bible College and holds the position of prophetic program and leadership director as well as instructor. Visit her website at gypsydallassmith.com, and listen to her podcast Voices of Hope on the Charisma Podcast Network.
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L.A. Marzulli