An initial truth we must understand is that all spirits
are created by God.
Colossians 1:16 records; For
by Him all things were created that are in heaven and
that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones
or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were
created through Him and for Him.
This is especially important to remember when dealing
with spiritual warfare. The Lord spoke the devil and his
host into existence and could simply speak the word and
he with all of his host would cease to exist! All things
were created... for Him! This means that no matter what
the enemy accomplishes it is all still in accordance with
the permission and ultimate plan of God. We find an account
in 2 Chronicles 18:18-22 which shows where even a lying
spirit was used for the plan of God.
Then Micaiah said, "Therefore
hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on His
throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right
hand and His left. And the Lord said, ‘Who will persuade
Ahab king of Israel to go up, that he mayfall at Ramoth
Gilead?' So one spoke in this manner, and another spoke
in that manner. Then a spirit came forward and stood before
the Lord, and said, ‘I will persuade him.' The Lord
said to him, ‘In what way?' So he said, ‘I will
go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.'
And the Lord said, ‘You shall persuade him and also
prevail; go out and do so.' "Therefore look! The
Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these prophets
of yours, and the Lord has declared disaster against you."
The vision of Micaiah is troublesome to some as it seems
to suggest that God is the author of deceit. However,
it is clearly just one of many examples of the sovereignty
of God who does not initiate attacks of evil spirits but
sometimes allows it to occur for His own purposes. We
can also observe this principle operating from God thru
the lives of Job (Job Chapters 1-2), in king Saul (1 Samuel
16:14-16) and in the life of the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians
12:7-9).
When we become intimately acquainted with the spirit of
God, all other spirits will come under subjection to the
authority gained thru this relationship. True authority
over the enemy is a result of a person submitting himself
to God and His word.
James explains this in James 4:7; Therefore
submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from
you.
Submission to God and obedience to his word will afford
authority to every believer over the wicked spirits of
the age. It is every believers responsibility to mature
in his walk with God that he may take authority over spirits
that may be harassing their or others lives.
All spirits must answer to an be subject to the spirit
of God either now by choice or one day by force.
We find this truth supported in; Romans 14:11; For
it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall
bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Also in Philippians 2:9-11; Therefore
God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name
which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth,
and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God
the Father.
What a joy to be able to make Jesus Lord of our hearts
now by choice and subject our spirits to His Holy Spirit!
We gladly bow the knees of our hearts to our Lord and
Savior!
