It is common to imagine or believe that before an oppressed individual experiences any form of deliverance, he or she must have screamed and rolled on the floor after someone with higher anointing or power must have prayed or laid hands. Several years ago, I attended a 3-day deliverance session somewhere and after that I felt pains all over my body instead of getting better. It was as if the battle with the enemy must be physical involving shaking of my head, clapping my hands and forcefully moving my arms.
So many people have ignored what God is saying concerning their case and have sought alternative solutions to no avail. In this part of the world, it is common for people including those in church to seek solution through what is called ‘assignment’ where they get prescription of all manner of materials to use for their deliverance. Do you know the truth concerning that unwanted issue in your life? It is the knowledge of the truth that guarantees deliverance.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32
I will discuss the battles of life and how one can be delivered from these battles through the knowledge of God’s word.
The Battles of Life
The Bible tells us that the whole world lies in wickedness and each day is full of evil (1 John 5:19; Matthew 6:34). The Bible also says that satan goes about like a roaring lion seeking those to hold captive (1 Peter 5:8).
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Satan in collaboration with his demonic and human agents are never tired of oppressing people through plagues, poverty, sin and so on. He takes advantage of an individual’s ignorance of God’s word to cause destruction – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6) For this reason, Andrew Wommack, an American Evangelist, in his book – Effortless Change, stresses the need for God’s people to labor on God’s word to receive the kind of positive change they desire. The good news is that in God’s Kingdom, there is deliverance and every child of God is assured of his or her inheritance in Christ (Obadiah 1:17).
“But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.”
My mentor, Papa David Oyedepo, in one of his messages said that man’s adventure on earth is essentially a warfare for both saints and sinners. For the saints, it is a triumph of faith and for the sinners, it is survival of the fittest. This tells us that we are faced with battles as we journey through life (Ephesians 6:12).
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
If you are doubting that there is warfare in your life, as a Christian, just pick up your Bible and begin to read; if you do not doze off after 5-10 minutes, go on your knees and thank God that your spiritual life is gathering momentum. The devil has held many captive through sleep and laziness keeping them away from their study and prayer altars. For students, the battles of life could be low self-esteem, loss of memory and persistent failure; for couples, it could be frequent squabbles, barrenness, infidelity and hardship. Sickness, disease, stagnation, depression, set-backs and struggles are other battles common among people of all ages and social status.
God is not ignorant of these battles; He has assured His children victory. God said when His children (not sinners or unbelievers) pass through fire and rivers, they will still triumph because He will be with them.
“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:2
Fire and rivers used in this verse refer to ugly and unpleasant situations an individual goes through in life. As a child of God, remember that the Israelites fought more than 13 battles before they got to the Promised Land – Canaan. As a servant of God, remember that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the furnace of fire to be destroyed for not compromising their faith but God intervened. For couples who believe God for the fruit of the womb, remember that Sarah laughed at the end after God assured them that there is nothing too hard for Him to do.
Knowledge of God’s Word
As life is full of battles, we need to live ready. One can be alert and maintain victory through the knowledge of God’s word.
“….but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.” Proverbs 11:9b
We can see from the above Bible verse that even the righteous or just fight the battles of life. God’s word is God Himself (John 1:1) and your knowledge of God guarantees your strength and exploits in life.
“…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”Daniel 11:32b
What is your knowledge of God? For the sick, have you received the light or revelation from God that He is Jehovah Rapha or Jehovah Ropheka? It is this revelation you receive by faith that guarantees your deliverance from every spirit of infirmity including terminal cases.
God’s word is the sword of God’s Spirit with which a believer can defeat the enemy (Ephesians 6:17b).
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God..”
A great man of God has shared a testimony on several occasions; how he got a revelation of healing from Matthew 8:17 and used that word to break free from the spirit of infirmity called Hepatitis.
“That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.”
He got the light and accepted the truth that Jesus took the Hepatitis over 2000 years ago and that he does not have it anymore. An encounter with one word concerning that unwanted issue in your life can set you free forever.
As a believer, do you know that you are seated together with Christ in Heavenly places and from there you can issue decrees against the kingdom of darkness? Satan cannot ascend that esteemed position to possess you with any evil spirit or oppress you.
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;).And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:5-6
“In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.” Isaiah 54:14
God’s word is the bank of wisdom and intelligence that exposes the weakness of satan and his agents. You can therefore use it as an offensive and defensive against every enemy of your finances, marriage, health, business and so on. As you prayerfully believe and obey God’s word (rod) you begin to command the death of your enemies.
“Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.” Psalms 119:98
“The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.” Psalms 110:2
In conclusion, God has instructed us to rise up and take a journey through His word daily and by so doing, we will always defeat the enemies standing against our advancement in life.
“Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle.” Deuteronomy 2:24
Your deliverance is not guaranteed if you are yet to surrender your life to Christ. I urge you to say this prayer of salvation for you to be delivered from the slavery of sin. You can say this prayer as well:
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him (Ephesians 1:17).
Sunday Omori
HEM Int'l 