“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion”
Proverbs 28:1
Have you ever felt like something unseen was wreaking havoc in your life or relationships?
Maybe you’ve experienced unexplained conflict, twisted words, or a struggle for control. As believers, we must be aware of destructive spiritual influences that can poison our walk with God and others. Let me share some critical insights I’ve gained about confronting these toxic forces head-on.
The Sneaky Serpent: Recognizing the Leviathan Spirit
The Bible warns us about a spirit called Leviathan, which comes from a Hebrew word meaning “connected to” or “joined together.” This spirit operates through:
– Chaos
– Gossip
– Twisted words
– Breaking covenants
Genesis 3:1 shows us how the serpent twisted God’s words in the Garden of Eden: “Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Has God indeed said, “You shall not eat of every tree of the garden”?'”
We must be vigilant against this spirit’s attempts to distort truth and sow division. When you notice someone twisting words or spreading gossip, don’t attack the person. Remember, “we are not wrestling against flesh and blood, we are wrestling against spirits” (Ephesians 6:12). Instead, pray and cast out that destructive influence.
The Control Freak: Confronting the Jezebel Spirit
Another toxic influence we must confront is the Jezebel spirit, characterized by an obsession with control. We see this in 1 Kings 19:2, where Jezebel threatens the prophet Elijah: “So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time.”
This controlling spirit can manifest in various ways:
– Manipulation
– Intimidation
– Immorality
– False teaching
We cannot tolerate this spirit in the church. As Revelation 2:20-21 warns: “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.”
The Passive Enabler: Addressing the Ahab Spirit
Alongside Jezebel, we find the Ahab spirit – a passive force that enables and supports sin. King Ahab married Jezebel and joined her in idol worship, setting up altars throughout Israel. This spirit manifests as:
– Tolerating sin
– Compromising God’s standards
– Passive leadership
We must be careful not to fall into this trap of passive acceptance. God calls us to actively confront and destroy these destructive influences in our lives and communities.
Destroying Destructive Influences: Our Responsibility
So how do we confront these toxic spiritual forces? We take our cue from Jehu in 2 Kings 9:30-33. When faced with Jezebel’s manipulative tactics, he commanded, “Throw her down.” We must take decisive action to throw down and destroy these influences in our lives.
Remember, “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). When we know who we are in Christ and live in His presence, we have the authority and courage to confront these destructive spirits.
Living in God’s Presence: Our Ultimate Protection
The key to overcoming these toxic influences is to live continually in God’s presence. As Jesus said in John 8:29, “And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”
When we abide in God’s presence and obey His Word, we find the strength to resist temptation and confront destructive forces. It’s only when we step out of His presence that we become vulnerable to sin and deception.
Putting It Into Practice: Next Steps
1. Examine your life for any signs of these destructive influences (Leviathan, Jezebel, or Ahab spirits).
2. Pray for God’s discernment to recognize these spirits in yourself and others.
3. Take decisive action to “throw down” and destroy these influences through prayer, repentance, and obedience to God’s Word.
4. Cultivate a lifestyle of living in God’s presence through regular prayer, worship, and meditation on Scripture.
5. Speak the truth in love to confront destructive influences in your church and community, always remembering to attack the spirit, not the person.
As we commit to destroying these toxic spiritual influences and living in God’s presence, we’ll experience greater freedom, unity, and power in our walk with Christ. Let’s stand firm against the enemy’s schemes and walk boldly in the authority God has given us!
