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LAYING THE GROUNDWORK
Chapter 1
THE MINISTRY OF VIOLENCE... View MoreLAYING THE GROUNDWORK
Chapter 1
THE MINISTRY OF VIOLENCE
Jesus said that “from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize]” (Matt. 11:12). The apostle Paul was no stranger to this ministry of violence. He told us how to prepare, and he also told us how to engage: Be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. —EPHESIANS 6:10–12 We see the pain and the misery around the world and what the demonic kingdom has done to humankind. We first fell into sin in the Garden of Eden, and the violence began. In history’s first murder, Cain shed his brother Abel’s blood. Violence continued throughout the Bible’s pages, and it continues in the world today. We hear the cries of children aborted in their mothers’ wombs. We hear the myths about abortion being good for us. Around the world, there are stories of premature death, infirmity, and demonic oppression and possession that attack precious believers. Division and discord persist among the races, and the sin of oppression continues. We have witnessed murders wreaking havoc in our schools, shootings devastating our churches, and fake news teaming up with the devil himself. Families are breaking down and divorce rates are rising in our churches. There is debauchery in the house of God, even though Jesus warned two thousand years ago, “‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den” (Matt. 21:13). The devil and his cronies are having a field day. But there is good news! The devil is defeated by the finished work of the cross. Satan’s time is short. Exodus 15:3 reminds us that “the LORD is a warrior; the LORD is His name.” It’s time to fight back. We are on the victor’s side.
DISCERN THE SPIRITUAL CONFLICT
What exactly is the ministry of violence? It is the spiritual conflict that no child of God can afford to sweep under the rug. Remember, those who don’t engage suffer spiritual loss. You cannot ignore the ministry of violence and be more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:37). If you want your God-given destiny to be fulfilled in the land of the living, you have to recognize how critical this ministry is. We are in the last hour, but examples from the Scriptures still guide us. Look at David’s life: he was a man of war who killed the giant Goliath and fought many battles. We fight the same spiritual battles today, but do we recognize them? Hosea 4:6 tells us, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge [of My law, where I reveal My will]. Because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.” This is not the time to sleep. It’s time to wake up, wear the armor of God, and put on Christ (Rom. 13:14). The battle is ongoing. You have been called by the Most High God and are enlisted in the almost untouchable, unmovable army of King Jesus. The battle is real, but if the devil couldn’t kill you in your B.C. (before Christ) days, he is even less able to do it now. God wants “to keep Satan from taking advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11). The apostle Paul said that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places” (Eph. 6:12). We don’t aim our spiritual warfare at people; we fight the forces of wickedness in high places. Stop fighting the friend, child, spouse, or coworker who offended you. You’re wasting time and falling into the enemy’s entrapment. The battle is not about flesh and blood. It’s about demonic spirits and wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:12). The one manipulating you to fight the wrong fight is a demon spirit. To be armed, dangerous, and supernaturally effective in waging war against the forces of hell, just do what Paul said: “Be strong in the Lord” (Eph. 6:10). It’s about being spiritually mature. That comes through total submission to the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. It requires obedience to Christ, an attitude of humility, and standing in righteousness. Instead of acting on your emotions or carnal mindsets, maintain holiness and right standing in Christ. Let them show up in your lifestyle. Being strong in the Lord means surrendering yourself completely to Christ. Then you will access all He has prepared for you in the fight. No devil can easily manipulate a person who is strong in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Here’s what the Lord says: “I…will be a wall of fire around {Jerusalem/God’s people} [protecting her from enemies], and I will be the glory in her midst” (Zech. 2:5). The devil is no match for God. Now let me share some spiritual warfare strategies that make us champions in the battle.
KNOW THE TRUTH THAT WILL SET YOU FREE
John 8:32 says, “You will know the truth [regarding salvation], and the truth will set you free [from the penalty of sin].” Study Scripture and memorize God’s Word. Then, when the devil shows up, use it as the sword of the Spirit against the forces of darkness (Eph. 6:17). Let it form the prayers that come out of your mouth. That is what Jesus did in the wilderness when Satan came with three of the evilest temptations on the planet (Matt. 4:1–11). When the devil tried to entrap Jesus, He fought back by speaking God’s Word. King Jesus defeated Satan right on the spot. The number one weapon for believers is realizing that the more we live in God’s Word, the more discernment, revelation, and clarity we have against the forces of darkness.
BE A SPIRITUAL SNIPER
Stop aiming the weapons in your arsenal and missing the target. Fire on the devil’s setups, wiles, and schemes. Aim at any demonic altars or entrapments that have your name on them. Launch some fire prayers! Here are some keys to praying effectively: Stop praying from your emotions. Pray from your spirit. Emotion-based prayers are powerless against satanic forces. Mix your prayers with faith, and target whatever is plaguing you (it has a name), tormenting you (it has an assignment), or afflicting you (be specific). Every infirmity in your body—whether cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, or multiple sclerosis—has a name. Each ailment is from the devil’s arsenal, and each one has a target. But you have the faith, power, anointing, and fire of the Holy Spirit to make all of them shrivel up and die, in the name and blood of Jesus. Break every demonic stronghold, and put the judgment of God on those demons. Don’t let them escape from your prayer closet. Shut the door spiritually, and let them be tormented by the blood of Jesus, the Word of God, and the anointing you carry. Use the authority God has given you. Let those devils know that you’ve been with Jesus. Who are they compared with Jesus? That’s how you fight. That’s how you develop spiritual maturity. King David was a man of war. He declared, “Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked” (Ps. 3:7). That’s a violent prayer! I’m not talking about punching people. I’m talking about breaking down, destroying, dismantling, and cursing to the root satanic forces, demonic forces, and the demonic assignments, strongholds, and bondages the devil wants to use to spiritually incarcerate you. Put the fire of the Holy Spirit on every demon’s head and claim your victory. It’s time to be more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. Start and finish every assignment. God is a God of purpose and brings everything to completion.
ENGAGE THE ENEMY OF YOUR SOUL
Second Corinthians 10:4 says, “The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” The devil wants to yank God’s plan from your life, but as a believer you are heavily armed. “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy,” but Jesus came so we “may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]” (John 10:10). You cannot negotiate with the enemy of your soul. Stop compromising and making peace with him. All he understands is violence. Satan draws you into his fight to destroy you because he hates you. Do you know why he hates you? First, you are made in the image of God. Second, you took over his job of worshipping Christ. Fire prayers, whether in earthly languages or in the heavenly language of tongues (described in chapter 3), are the violent weapons God has given you to pull down strongholds and destroy the schemes Satan has set against you. Don’t let fear rule you. It is not from God but is the devil’s biggest weapon. It paralyzes you and brings torment. Look what happened to Lot’s wife: she stopped moving during the battle and became a pillar of salt (Gen. 19:26). Remember what 2 Timothy 1:7 says: “God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” In 2020 a demonic attack took my eyesight. That has happened several times, starting in 1997—even to the point that I was registered with the New York State Commission for the Blind. In 2020 not only did I lose my eyesight, but at 7:02 p.m. on December 31 of that same year, my twentynine-year-old sister passed away. Hell sunk its claws into me. Within a month and a half I had two major eye surgeries. Even then my vision was not normal, and I received multiple injections in one eye. I remember sitting in the doctor’s office during one of the most important checkups of my life. I was there to learn how the last surgery turned out and whether my eyesight would ever be restored. The devil tried to destroy me with torment. He distorted God’s character and manipulated my mind. He fed me thoughts about how the doctor would walk in any minute with bad news. I had two choices: I could shrivel up and die spiritually, or I could be powerful in spiritual warfare. I decided to put on Christ and my spiritual armor and fight in the name of Jesus, with the fire of the Holy Spirit. I told myself, “I will live and not die spiritually. I will declare the works of the Lord.” (See Psalm 118:17.) I made up my mind to continue doing life in Jesus. There would be no “parole.” I would live out my days on “death row” as an arrow in God’s quiver. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I would rise up from the ashes of satanic torment, and I would make Jesus Christ proud that He picked me. When the doctor walked into the office, he would know that I had been with Jesus, and he would deliver a praise report instead of bad news. If Jesus was with me, who could be against me? (See Romans 8:31.) If Jesus had blessed me, no devil could stand before me. That very moment, the doctor walked in and said that in his entire career he had never completed a more elegant surgery. I said, “Doctor, let me correct you. You completed the most anointed surgery of your lifetime, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.” My Jewish doctor looked at me with wide-open eyes. He didn’t even know what to say. So I said, “Have a blessed day, doctor.” I was on my way to my victory, in Jesus’ name. That is what separates the saints from the ain’ts. I don’t say that to make light of anybody’s situation. People go through some terrible battles in this life. But it is time to grab the devil by the throat and be a champion in Christ Jesus.
FASTING DESTROYS DEMONIC WEAPONS
To be powerful in spiritual warfare, we need a life of fasting. Why? Because it opens prison doors. We know that Moses fasted for forty days. Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights in the wilderness. When Saul (who became the apostle Paul) was converted, he fasted for three days. Later, when he and his shipmates were facing shipwreck, the crew went without food for several days before an angel appeared to Paul, letting him know their lives would be spared. (See Exodus 34:28, Matthew 4:2, Acts 9:9, and 27:21–36.) If you are facing spiritual shipwreck in your walk, fasting will release you from the bonds of spiritual incarceration. Also, fasting is a lethal weapon in the Spirit against the devil, and it breaks, destroys, dismantles, and uproots demonic activity in your life a lot faster. In a very tough season Daniel engaged in spiritual warfare by fasting for twenty-one days, and God sent reinforcements to deliver him. In those days I, Daniel, had been mourning for three entire weeks. I ate no tasty food, nor did any meat or wine enter my mouth; and I did not anoint (refresh, groom) myself at all for the full three weeks. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was on the bank of the great river Hiddekel [which is the Tigris], I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, there was a certain man dressed in linen, whose loins were girded with [a belt of] pure gold of Uphaz. His body also was like beryl [with a golden luster], his face had the appearance of lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and his feet like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words was like the noise of a multitude [of people or the roaring of the sea]. And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision [of this heavenly being], for the men who were with me did not see the vision; nevertheless, a great panic overwhelmed them, so they ran away to hide themselves. So I was left alone and saw this great vision; yet no strength was left in me, for my normal appearance turned to a deathly pale, and I grew weak and faint [with fright]. Then I heard the sound of his words; and when I heard the sound of his words, I fell on my face in a deep sleep, with my face toward the ground. Then behold, a hand touched me and set me unsteadily on my hands and knees. So he said to me, “O Daniel, you highly regarded and greatly beloved man, understand the words that I am about to say to you and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” And while he was saying this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing in opposition to me for twenty-one days. Then, behold, Michael, one of the chief [of the celestial] princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.” —DANIEL 10:2–13 Fasting develops spiritual maturity. It empowers us to be victorious and confront spiritual wickedness on every level. Obviously we also need to live in holiness. The following scriptures make that very clear. Who may ascend onto the mountain of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to what is false, nor has sworn [oaths] deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. —PSALM 24:3–5 The one who practices sin [separating himself from God, and offending Him by acts of disobedience, indifference, or rebellion] is of the devil [and takes his inner character and moral values from him, not God]; for the devil has sinned and violated God’s law from the beginning. The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. —1 JOHN 3:8 The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. —ROMANS 6:23 It is written, “You shall be holy (set apart), for I am holy.” —1 PETER 1:16 Sin opens doors to demonic attacks. Therefore, holy living is vitally important. That means living a pure and genuine life. None of us is perfect in any way. Even Paul admitted that. But we need to follow Paul’s example: Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. —PHILIPPIANS 3:12–14 Satan never runs short of plots and schemes. He is good at setting up spiritual barriers to keep us from living holy lives. Arsenals of satanic weapons are aimed at us for that very reason. To live a pure, dedicated, sold-out life of uncompromised holiness, we need to set our hearts and minds on Jesus Christ, from the moment we open our eyes each day until we close them and go to sleep.
FIRE PRAYERS
Lord Jesus, I renounce every demonic activity, alliance, alignment, and compromise with which I have come into agreement. Today, I am deciding in my heart to live in holiness. Let every demonic stronghold, bondage, or struggle in my life be destroyed. Because of the cross, I am covered from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet in Christ Himself, to live a life that honors Him. May the world know that I have been with Jesus, living with purpose and godly values, aligned to His perfect will for my life. I declare and decree that I will not depart from being the person Jesus has called me to be. By His grace, I will not be distracted, and no hindrance, delay, or blockage will be able to stop me from being and becoming who I am—a child of the King who is powerful and anointed in spiritual warfare. In the name that is above every name, the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
By John Ramirez
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