Leviathan is a ruling demon that uses many different means to cause believers to circumvent God’s plan for their lives. Its primary tactic is to build a demonic network focused on twisting the truth and instilling pride, but it can manifest in many different ways. When we learn to recognize the toxic operations of Leviathan in our lives, families, businesses, churches, ministries, communities, cities, regions and nations, we will be able to defeat the wily schemes of the enemy and cut off betrayal at its root.
Slander and Strife
The Leviathan spirit will twist not only the words but also the thoughts of people it binds. Slander is an operation of manipulation. It brings heavy accusation under the cover of darkness, in secret. Instead of choosing a pathway of biblical restoration, it will make hidden accusations to tear down another person. This demon attempts to drive a wedge in relationships by attacking minds. Slander thrives in the lives of people who are double-minded and who waver in assignments and relationships. The Bible clearly warns about slander:
“You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people” (Lev. 19:16a).
“And he who spreads slander is a fool” (Prov. 10:18b).
Slander refuses repentance and responsibility, and it continues to place blame. It will attack those who are the target of offense. Prideful people become angry when they do not get their way and attack others with their words. They will use slander and accusation as tools to exact revenge on another. And slander goes hand in hand with another tool of Leviathan—strife.
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins” (Prov. 10:12).
“A perverse man spreads strife, and a slanderer separates intimate friends” (Prov. 16:28, NASB).
The spreading of strife is demonic. Releasing toxic and negative reports about others can be an act of betrayal in and of itself, and it impairs the advancement of the kingdom of God. The Bible tells us in Matthew 18 that if a wrong has been committed, the first step is to go directly to the person. The intent should be to mend the wound and restore the relationship.
Leviathan will twist conversations to create havoc. It will release nasty decrees against men and women of God. Leviathan will prophesy destructive and slanderous things over the lives of choice servants, and it will sow strife. Those bound by this spirit have a tongue that is out of control. Not only do their minds need deliverance, but their mouths as well! Leviathan creates offense and justifies the spreading of slander. It is a sneaky demon that operates under cover.
Pride Produces Destruction
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18, MEV).
Pride is an instrument the enemy uses to block men and women’s discernment. When you are bound by Leviathan and stuck in pride, you are not allowing the Holy Spirit to convict you and draw you out of sin. This is one of the objectives of pride.
Prideful people find fault. They identify demonic operations and manifestations in the lives of everyone else but fail to take ownership of their own issues, whether in family and personal relationships, business relationships or ministries. This is a setup to keep them bound. Leviathan is good at pointing the finger instead of looking in the mirror. It takes humility to go through deliverance. You must admit the issue, confront the bondage and come before God in a posture of full submission. Many people miss this because they are too concerned about their images and reputations. They must become truly broken before the Lord.
Standing Against the Lord
The arrogance of Leviathan will cause people’s hearts to become hardened as Pharaoh’s did when Moses told him God wanted Him to let the Israelites go. They will actually stand against the plans of the Lord. This is both foolish and dangerous.
Each of us must live with eternity in mind. We are going to give account of our lives, our words, our deeds and our actions. Did we cooperate with God’s plans on earth? Did we live radically and passionately for Jesus? We cannot afford to pursue our own paths instead of the plans of the Lord. We want to stand before the great judgment seat of Christ and receive rewards, not rebukes.
We do not want to miss the mark and not tell the story that we were called to tell while on earth. God has ordained us for mighty plans and purposes. The great joy of our lives is to discover the plan of God and live it out each day. I call this “the great discovery.” It is an adventure. We don’t want to have a hard heart and miss it.
Prideful people lose sight of God’s grace in their lives. They become self-reliant, self-promoting and self-protecting. People bound by pride emphasize their own abilities, their own talents and their own achievements. They really discount the presence of God. When God calls a man or a woman to do something, He can provide the talent in a moment! He is the creator of the universe. It is easy for Him to place ability and gifts inside human beings. What He is really looking for is surrender. We need to wholeheartedly pursue the plans and purposes of the Lord rather than giving way to the Leviathan spirit and standing against them out of pride and arrogance. {eoa}
This article is excerpted from Chapter 4 of Betrayal From Hell by Ryan LeStrange (Charisma House 2020).
Ryan LeStrange is the founder and apostolic leader of an international network of ministries known as the TRIBE Network. He is also the senior leader of the iHub movement, through which he plants and oversees a network of governing churches, apostolic and revival hubs.
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