Kingdom Blog

Where the Spirit was, and the works of God, those of the Spirit should continue otherwise the void will be filled by others….

As shared recently, we who believe in Christ Jesus have the Spirit of God in us, as the Father and the Son make their home in us (John 14:23), and we are encouraged to be filled with His Spirit (Eph. 5:18). This filling includes the miraculous (dunamis) power of God, which both strengthens us for the journey, but also enables us to be part of the many marvellous things God can do through our lives.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens [empowers] me. (Philippians 4:13)

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

As the Bible says, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and for reasons known only to God, being His grace, He chose earthen vessels to hold His Most Holy Spirit. However this blessing is not for our own blessing, but it is for His kingdom expansion.

When we become selfish in its use, and perhaps shrink back from the world in fear, we are diminishing His plans for our lives, and creating a void that others will fill.

Read Matthew 12:22-32 – 12:43-45

Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”

But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. (Matthew 12:22-32)

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” (Matthew 12:43-45)

Here Jesus is revealing the challenge in a most stark way. The religious spirits (people) of the day obviously were fearful of losing control, and continually sought to denigrate and kill Christ, the Anointed One. Their words revealing their true motivation, but also causing them to commit the unpardonable sin, blaspheming the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, was healing and setting people free from demonic possession. Obviously the pharisees et al accuses this to be a work of the devil, which Christ both ridicules, and also reveals the judgement that is coming there way for such accusations!

However He also speaks of the personal issue that can occur if someone is set free from demonic possession, but also a peoples. In the former He speaks of something those involved with deliverance ministers are most aware of. Unless the Spirit of Christ is invited in to fill the void, those delivered can often end up worse, and sickness can return and increase. This is not always the case, but certainly a good guide. Remembering grace and mercy does triumph, and those who are delivered and believe can no longer be possessed, but the enemy may still seek to oppress and accuse.

In terms of a people, Jesus says this, ‘So shall it also be with this wicked generation.’ This is because He is about to depart, and the void created amongst a people who could not accept or receive the Spirit of God operating through the Son of God, will cause dire consequences. He symbolised the bodily presence of the Spirit, and His presence kept the darkness at bay, as John 1 says.

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (John 1:4-5)

He was leaving their midst, and so this light was also leaving. Not only that these same people were not going to receive those who Jesus sends in His place, and so this void becomes filled with an even darker presence.

Today as Christians, and bearers of His light, we have this responsibility. To go out, and stay out amongst the world, otherwise the darkness will get worse. In fact the kingdom of God is meant to increase … not shrink back.

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

( See also Dan. 2:44; Luke 1:32,33)

Sure, sometimes we have no choice but to leave the scene, but in the main the choice in the western world is often ours. Persecutions may come as we live our lives for Christ, but the community could be much worse off he we simply chose to leave to make life easier.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Letting our light shine, not hiding it under a basket.

We should not hide our light, either through selfish reasons, fear, or unbelief. Sometimes we need others to call us in to our God-light identity. As mentioned recently as we believe, and by faith speak and live His word, we emanate a brighter light, and release His miracle working power. 

[And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, (1 Timothy 1:12)]

Being carriers of the Holy Spirit, there is one aspect His character that seems quite pertinent at the moment.

And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:16-17)

As referred to in this passage, the Spirit of Christ is Grace and Truth, however the opposite of grace is works for favour ( the so so-called currying favour) and intolerence, and the opposite of truth, is lies deception (and manipulation). Knowing the one behind all this is the father lies, and who seeks to usurp control, we need to be aware that the other aspect of this contrary behaviour involves the desire for control and inappropriate power.

So whether at work or at home, we need to be on the guard when we see these things occurring, as it is often an insight to the demonic spirits that maybe at play. It is on us, to rise up in the power of the Spirit of God to confront these by:

• Praying
• Living a life of grace
• Speaking and discerning truth. 

These weapons of our warfare are not carnal but indeed mighty in God.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10:4-6)

All this is really only possible as we allow the Spirit of Christ to move through us. This takes belief in God, faith in His ways, an active acknowledgement of who Jesus is in us, and to live the life of grace and truth He indeed. All the while acknowledging that He the only reigning power over our lives and the City Mission, He is the King and Lord of all, and His reign is over all things and eternal.

There are certainly praying people from different part of the Commonwealth who are certainly saying we should be on particular guard against deception, manipulation, and control at the moment. And I would say as some have observed lately the increased bickering, undermining, and deception (guilding of the Lilly) is more than just an end of financial year stress (although we do need to acknowledge that), but also due to the influence of evil spirits. However, there is One much greater in us, and with Him we can overcome these worldly influence with radical love, grace, and truth.