STAND FIRM AGAINST DEMONIC OPPOSITION
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
—EPHESIANS 6:12, NLT
AS A PROPHET or intercessor, you will run into opposition. The Lord will put you in situations where you must overcome such things as fear, criticism, rejection, jealous people, and the like. This is one of the consequences of having a strong anointing. But the Lord will build courage in you. There will be times when you have to make decisions some people won’t agree with. You will have to take a stand. You cannot please everyone, and you may lose some relationships.
It is important that you realize the battles you face to maintain your anointing have more to do with what you don’t see than with the people you do see. The Bible says that “our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). This verse is about the devil and his demons.
Demons hate prophets. Witches and warlocks hate prophets. The Jezebel spirit hates prophets. Why? Prophets are a threat to the works of darkness. Because prophets expose the works of the enemy, they are on the enemy’s hit list. But God protects His prophets. He sustains them. So don’t be afraid of the enemy. No weapon formed against you will prosper.
No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment, you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me, says the LORD.
—ISAIAH 54:17
When Jezebel killed the prophets of the LORD, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them in groups of fifty in a cave and fed them with bread and water.
—1 KINGS 18:4
Even in the midst of trial and hardship God sustains His prophets. They don’t have to depend on men and religious systems to survive. Prophets depend on God.
Elijah was fed by ravens. This showed that God was his source and provider. Prophets are often rejected by men, which is why you must always depend on God for sustenance. Just as God provided for Elijah, He will miraculously provide for you too.
“Go from here and turn eastward and hide by the Kerith brook, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the Kerith brook, which is east of the Jordan.
—1 KINGS 17:3–5
God preserves His prophets. Prophets can be mistreated, persecuted, ignored, called crazy, rejected, overlooked, isolated, muzzled, and passed over. Prophets are often persecuted by the systems they cry out against. This is nothing new. But God vindicates His prophets, defends them, and deals with the systems that mistreat them.
He did not permit anyone to do them wrong; indeed, He reproved kings on their behalf, saying, “Do not touch my anointed ones, and do no harm to my prophets.”
—PSALM 105:15
God is with you in the difficult seasons in your life and ministry. He will sustain you. And He will give you courage to stand firm against opposition.
In that day the LORD will end the bondage of his people. He will break the yoke of slavery and lift it from their shoulders.
—ISAIAH 10:27, NLT
PRAYER
Lord, You went about doing good and healing all those oppressed of the devil (Acts 10:38). I rebuke and cast out any spirit that would attempt to oppress me in the name of Jesus. I rebuke and cast out all spirits of affliction, sorrow, rejection, and anything attempting to bring me low in the name of Jesus (Ps. 107:39). I strip all power from spirits that would oppress me (Eccles. 4:1).
I am established in righteousness (Isa. 54:14). The enemy will not take my inheritance through oppression in the name of Jesus (Ezek. 46:18). No weapon formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against me in judgment shall be condemned. This is my heritage as a servant of the Lord. Father, my vindication is from You.
I boldly say, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man will do to me” (Heb. 13:6). Lord, as You provided for Elijah, You will provide for me. You will sustain me. I will wait on You, Lord, and be of good courage, and You will strengthen my heart (Ps. 27:14).
Father, “my times are in Your hand” (Ps. 31:15). You uphold me with Your righteous right hand; therefore I will not fear (Isa. 41:10). You are my refuge (Ps. 9:9). You are my light and my salvation. You are the strength of my life (Ps. 27:1). Lord, because You are with me, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me (Ps. 118:6)? I trust You, Lord. You are my shield and my exceedingly great reward (Gen. 15:1).