"And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when
the kings went to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and
all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But
David tarried still at Jerusalem." [2 Samuel 11:1]
David's GREATEST MISTAKE in life was staying behind at the time of year when
other kings went to battle! Someone reading this today needs to hear this
message! After many victories and much tribulation, at the peak of his career,
David let his guard down! Don't you do it! The Spirit of God is having me give
you this message TODAY!
Sylvester Stallone, in the movie Rambo does NOT accurately
represent the real "Green Beret" soldier. The real "Green
Berets" work together. And so should the Christian warriors!
NOTE #1: Know the real war, the real "warrior battle," or else
the false battle will be upon you!
NOTE #2: The enemy wants you to think, "I'm too old . . . the
battle is for the young guys." If you think this way, you'll become a
casualty!
NOTE #3: It is not enough to defeat the enemy, you must occupy his
territory!
NOTE #4:When there's strife at home, at work, in ministry, wherever . .
. it's not the other person . . . IT'S THE ENEMY. Attack the enemy! "Be
wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove."
NOTE #5: Always be a warrior . . . at all times!
NOTE #6:Media diversion (TV, DVD's, movies), aimless travel, and the
cares of this world are all "escape" from combat. "R and R"
(rest and recreation) is fine when needed but NOT for protracted periods of
time.
NOTE #7:What would a "warrior" lifestyle look like? • Always
in fellowship with other warriors • Disciplined (in all aspects) • Anger
against the enemy (from God) mixed with compassion for the oppressed • Doesn't
play while his unit is in battle • Soldiers facing death (small group within a
unit) will fight for each other out of loyalty to each other more than because
of loyalty to superior officers.
LOOK FOR ANOTHER WARRIOR TO HELP!!!
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh (for the
weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but mighty through God to the pulling
down of strongholds); Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that
exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ."
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the LORD, and in the power of his
might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil."
STRATEGIES OF THE ENEMY TODAY
Concerning David's sin with Bathsheba discussed previously, we see a double
problem:
[2 Corinthians 10:3-5]
[Ephesians 6:10-11]
1. He was resting when it was
the regular time for kings to go to battle; and
2. He lusted after Bathsheba.
This double problem
ended up in both adultery and murder, and brought much pain and unnecessary
defeat into his life ... and family ... and kingdom. Had he gone to battle, the
problem would probably never have started in the first place. The Bible tells, "Commit
your works unto the Lord, and your thoughts will be established." [Proverb
16:3]
Concerning item #2, the lust after Bathsheba, I am including the section below
to help you titled, "The Lust of the Eyes."
________________________________________
The Lust of the Eyes - by
Prophet David Davenport
One of the more sobering words for us is that with reference to "the lust
of the eyes" (1 John 2:16); a fierce element of the larger spiritual
battle currently being waged against us. This attack is year by year, and in a
measure that is unprecedented. Those presently grappling with this stronghold,
if left unchecked, may very soon be overcome by such, to the degree that they
will not be able to control their eyes in public, and will thus be
exposed.
A sobering warning should be issued, that those struggling with this issue
should judge themselves privately, lest the Lord judge them (expose them)
publicly. We are in the midst of a short season of grace wherein the Lord is
calling His sheep to repent and breakaway from this stronghold. Prophetic and
intercessory ministers are the figurative eyes of the Body of Christ. It is
therefore no surprise that those attacked most frequently by this force are
often those called to move in the greatest measures of the prophetic and
intercessory ministries.
It is my belief therefore, that these attacks are an indirect affirmation of
your call to the prophetic and/or intercessory ministry. It makes perfect sense
therefore, that if a Believer's vision is clouded and obscured with dark
images, one's prophetic insight will therefore be clouded as well. In
essence, we are dealing with a "smoke screen" tactic from our
adversary.
One of the most effective means by which one may rid themselves of this
stronghold is that by way of confiding in another brother or sister, and acting
upon James 5:16, which reads: "Confess your trespasses to one another,
and pray for one another, that you may be healed." This humble act
releases the Sword of The Lord, to swiftly sever the chords of entanglement,
and set free those who are captive. Remember that "…two can set 10,000 to
flight…," for there is exponential power released when we band together to
bring darkness into the light. When we do so, "He shall deliver you
from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover
you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge;"
(Ps. 91:3-4).
In addition to confiding and confession, a specific fast for deliverance
from this force can prove very effective. During such a fast, a prayerful
focus upon Psalm 25:15 delivers a powerful blow to this force. The verse reads
as follows: "My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for He shall pluck my
feet out of the net." With this verse as a prayer-platform, one may
pray literally, that the Lord keep their eyes"ever before Him,"
and thus find their feet being "plucked from the net" of the lust of
the eyes.
If you have found yourself struggling with this issue, or know of others who
are wrestling with the same, I encourage you to implement this prayer and
fasting model, and pass it on to others as well.
________________________________________
NOTE BY PRINCE HANDLEY
Current surveys show that somewhere between 20% and 40% of pastors have a
problem with pornography. Depending upon the survey(s) it is a high percentage
either way. I would tend to think that the higher percentage may be nominal
pastors that may NOT be born again. This is one reason I included "The
Lust of the Eyes" in part of Section 2. You need to counsel and
help those under your watchcare; I was just asked by a long time friend and
fellow minister to pray for him because of the problem he had with pornography.
Those in your watch care may be embarrassed to come foreward for help. Ask God
to give you wisdom as to how to approach them for their deliverance. I might
also suggest that you read an article I wrote titled: "Self
Deliverance." If you will teach on that subject it may help someone who
desires to remain anonymous about such a problem, but will them be able to take
advantage of this method of deliverance.
________________________________________
[] ASSIGNMENT
SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH THREE (3) OTHER MINISTERS AND THREE (3) LAY PEOPLE.
WRITE US THE RESULTS IN 125 WORDS OR LESS.
[] SUGGESTION
TEACH THIS MESSAGE EVERY THREE (3) MONTHS BY SOME MEANS: PUBLISHING, DIRECT
MINISTRY, EMAIL, ETC. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR CHRISTIAN WOMEN, AS WELL AS MEN.
