Overcoming Goliath

Bob Jones, Bobby Conner, Wanda, myself and a team of close friends were in a recent prophetic conference in Birmingham AL. While there, the Lord released a strong anointing during the last service that also contained corporate implications. Only He could have orchestrated the divine release that took place during that time.

We had as part of our ministry team a Jewish believer who is recognized, not only as extremely gifted musician, but also one with spiritual understanding of heavenly sound, light and colors. As I was about to share that morning following a prophetic word spoken by Bob, I felt the Holy Spirit directing us to simply flow with Him and release prophetic proclamations as our brother played the piano. Not only was this the consolidation of the minstrel and prophetic mantles but also a demonstration of the “one new man” ministry.

The Lord seemed to honor our obedience and release a powerful anointing to begin to set captives free and impart seeds of destiny into those who were in attendance. One of the first enemies the Lord had us address was fear. The prevailing spirit of fear was keeping many saints from entering their calling and purpose.

Many of the people were experiencing the fear of failure inhibiting them from exercising their spiritual gifts and walking in obedience to the Holy Spirit. Others were overcome with feelings of dread concerning their marriage and/or the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of their children. Still others were struggling with insecurity concerning their financial well-being and future. All of these are legitimate concerns that we can and must transfer to the Lord for His care and oversight.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6 7)

The Holy Spirit has made it clear that what transpired that morning was a “token” of the entire body of Christ and must be applied on a corporate level. The enemy is seeking to amplify and overemphasize these areas to paralyze and neutralize the Lord’s Church. We are also seeing this take place in the secular arena throughout our nation as it relates to the economy.

REVELATION OF “GOLIATH”

The morning following the conference and these prophetic releases, Bob Jones was taken in a extraordinary prophetic encounter and shown how these enemies are strategically amplified in this hour in an attempt to prohibit the birthing of God’s purposes within us.

In the revelation, Bob found himself on a battlefield similar to the circumstances Israel discovered in 1 Samuel 17. In this prophetic scenario, the adversary once again sent out his “Goliath” to contend with the armies of God. This champion of the enemy army was named “fear”. The would-be conqueror sent to antagonize and ridicule the armies of God is “fear”.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Fear is defined as an emotion characterized by alarm, anxiety, and tension, often caused by an expectation of danger or pain. It is a dread birthed through anxiety and tension, whether real or imagined, producing timidity and cowardice.

THREE COMPANIONS OF “GOLIATH”

In Bob’s vision there were three additional spirits that stood behind “Goliath” to work in unison with him. In the Scriptures, we are told that Goliath had four brothers. In this experience three spirits accompanied the spiritual “Goliath” and a fourth was standing off to the side and had not yet been released into its purpose.

The first companion standing with “Goliath” was “insanity and mental instability”. The desire of the adversary is to create such fear in the hearts of people that he would actually cause impairment in our thinking even paving the way for varying forms of insanity.

Insanity is birthed from a root of fear. This form of delirium is distinguished through words and actions that we would not normally consider. A lack of sound judgment provides options that we would ordinarily shun or not even give consideration.

For instance, statistics have proven in recent days that more people are turning to drugs and alcohol than prior to the attack on our nation last year. Immediately following the events of September 11, 2001, multitudes of people were filling the churches across America. Now the statistics reveal that taverns and drug houses are more popular than a year ago. This has been facilitated by a spirit of fear permeating the hearts of many causing them to look for relief. This is just one expression of “spiritual insanity”. There can be many, including unhealthy relationships, financial irresponsibility
or the excessive pursuit of entertainment and the squandering of precious time that we need to redeem for His Kingdom.

The second spirit accompanying “Goliath” was “fear of sickness and infirmity”. It is the plan of our adversary to create such
insecurity and anxiety of sickness and disease that we would not pursue our divine destiny and Heavenly purpose with determination and faith.

The final adversary standing with “Goliath” was “fear of financial failure”. Clearly, our nation is experiencing notable financial
difficulties because of the perceptions of our citizens. Economic analyst and experts have openly acknowledged that this downfall is primarily motivated because of fear and misconceptions by the general public.

That instability has also been facilitated by overemphasized reports of corporate abuse and unscrupulous business leaders by the secular media. In reality, the heart of our economy is sound. We believe it is the Lord’s intent to use this nation to help facilitate the birthing of divine purposes and stand in strong support of Israel. Clearly, there are issues of repentance and a return to righteousness that must be realized within the Church which will release times of refreshing from His presence. (Acts 3:19)

EXPOSING THE ENEMIES PLAN

When given opportunity, the prevailing spirit of fear will give place to one or all three companions that travel with it. These spirits are the ones attempting to defile the camp of the righteous and hinder the Church from entering our place of anointing and fruitfulness. The first step in overcoming the designs of the enemy is to bring them out of darkness and obscurity and into the light. The enemy hates for his plans to be exposed. This was explicitly demonstrated in 1 Kings 6:11-12. By obtaining a clear comprehension of his schemes, we are more amply able to fortify ourselves through the word of truth and appropriate it through prayer and proclamation.

When Israel heard Goliath they trembled and when they saw him they fled. This analogy is given to portray our adversaries plan and purpose. It is the grace of God to allow us to understand these things so that we can take our position through faith and prayer to overcome.

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:15 17)

Fear is a form of bondage and spiritual slavery. It is a ruthless taskmaster attempting to steal the seeds of destiny and purpose being awakened within the hearts of God’s people. The Lord knew us before the foundation of the world. Those who belong to Him were in Him before creation was fashioned. He foreknew all who would desperately search for Him and to those He deposited divine seeds of Kingdom design and destiny. Those seeds are now being awakened and activated within many and it is our adversaries’ determined desire to prohibit that from coming into full fruition. We are on the threshold of another “Great Awakening”.

IN THE ORDER OF DAVID

There will be a company of people who arise from the wilderness, having conquered the “lion” and the “bear”, with confidence in God’s anointing and willingness to overcome His enemies. The “Davids” will be both worshippers and warriors who have discovered the Lord’s voice in the wilderness and another they simply will not follow or give ear to. We received a token of this reality while in Birmingham. The warlike anointing came during times of worship orchestrated and led by the Holy Spirit through vessels willing to be yielded to His anointing.

The spirit of fear functioned as captain of satan’s host. Like David, we are insufficient in our own strength to overtake this adversary. However, we do not come in our own name nor in our strength but in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom he has taunted (1 Samuel 17:45).

SMOOTH STONE OF APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY

Through this experience, the Lord has again shown it will take the “smooth stone” of apostolic authority to destroy this antagonist and plunder the camp of the enemy. David was able to bravely stand before “Goliath” because he knew his promise and whose seed he was. Likewise, he recognized the seed of corruption and ungodliness from which Goliath came. The clear distinctions between the two are going to become apparent in the coming season. No longer will the line be blurred separating those who belong to the Lord Jesus and those who have yielded to ungodliness and corruption.

To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days. And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on BEFORE THE LORD TO PREPARE HIS WAYS; (Luke 1:74-76)

The prophetic promise spoken over John the Baptist pronounced deliverance from our enemies and service to God without the encumbrances of fear. The spirit of Elijah being deposited in this generation will likewise pronounce a message of freedom from the enemy of fear and all of the entanglements associated with this demonic “champion”. It will provide a message of preparation and restoration to our inheritance and promises.

There is presently a challenge coming to the forefront to confront the intimidations and trepidations many are experiencing concerning their ministries, health, finances and families.

Although the brothers of David witnessed the anointing oil poured upon him by the prophet Samuel, they were the very ones who chastised David for his willingness to confront the champion of the enemy army. Nonetheless, that did not deter him from fulfilling his destiny and demonstrating the Lord’s victory.

We cannot allow chastisement from within our own camp to hinder us from this commission and purpose. The demonstration of the Lords mantle as Warrior and Captain of the Heavenly Host will overcome “Goliath” and release the armies of God to plunder the camp of the enemy. Many of our brethren are held captive by the forces of the adversary. It is the Lord’s desire and intent to free them.

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:28 29)

Presently, we are being given a choice— faith or fear. Faith works through love but anger and disillusionment is the offspring of fear.