Monitoring Spirits
This post is not for everyone. It’s important for you to take this back to the Lord and confirm with Him that this is for you. If you do not have a prayer life, there’s no better time to open one up. This should not be the first time you are hearing about this and if it is, take the wisdom and invite Jesus in, to further speak to you about who He is and who you are according to His will. If this is for you it should serve as confirmation and give you understanding. Glory be to God!
There is a level of exclusivity required when the Lord is bringing something new into this world. We go through a process, a gestation period where we are prepared behind the scenes and eventually the time comes for whatever God has been working on in you, to be birthed into this physical reality. In Matthew chapter 2 we are provided with understanding on why wisdom and discernment are necessary when we are creating with the Holy Spirit and bringing new things of God into this world to be used for His Glory.
At the time of the birth of Jesus, King Herod was ruling. The King was intimidated by what was to come because the word had been sent around that a newborn King had arrived, he saw that others were already desiring to worship him. Anything that the Lord has cultivated in you to birth through you and into this world is a direct threat to the ruler of this realm. The enemy knows what God can do through us, and it is most vulnerable in its infant stages. This is why it’s wise to discern who you are opening up to about what’s going on in your spirit. Not because God wants you to be secretive but because He wants it to reach full maturity and carry out His purpose.
King Herod didn’t approach the situation head on to begin with. He was sneaky and acted as if all was well. He pretended to be supportive and sent others to go and scope out the scene. Just like Herod, the enemy will send monitoring spirits to report back to him, they may not even know the truth behind their actions and we aren’t meant to be offended, just separated. This is why it’s wise to discern who you have around and informed about the things God is doing in your life. In this story, the wise men who were sent to witness the baby Jesus were instructed by God not to go report back to King Herod but that was because they were wise. Wisdom is a gift from the Lord. The men received wisdom and instruction and they were obedient. When choosing who you want around or informed about whatever God is working on in your life, consider if they operating in biblical wisdom and obedience. You will know them by their fruit. Is their desire the purpose of the Lord or just to be “in the know”?
Overall Jesus was kept safe from the attack of the enemy because His parents knew the voice of God, the wise men were obedient to the Lord, and Joseph understood how to take direction and move without focusing on emotions or fear. He was led by spirit in the way the Lord commanded. Joseph is a perfect example of someone who was alert and sober minded, he did not let the expectations or excitement of the moment fog his brain from hearing what the Lord was saying.
The Word of God says, I Peter 5:8-9 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” This is why it’s important to focus on hearing the voice of God and learning how to properly obey while you’re in the wilderness. Without that knowledge, the purpose of the Lord wouldn’t have been carried out. The family was called into a separation from that place for a season for protection, their discretion was a shield from the attempts of the enemy.
Our ability to discern when the Lord wants us to move strategically and in silence is a weapon against the enemy that sends monitoring spirits to keep tabs on our progress in hopes to destroy what God is doing. It’s not the people, it’s the spirit behind them and we aren’t meant to be upset but instead equipped to move wisely and in unison with the Spirit of the Living God. If we let Him guide our steps and focus on His voice He will let us know when the enemy is removed from the situation without us ever having to be face to face with it. Some enemies are meant to be waited out.
If we focus on discernment, obedience and wisdom in the wilderness, we will be well equipped when the time comes for the promise to be fulfilled. This is why we can’t spend our wilderness season glorifying the gifts or the outcome. It’s meant to be used to establish a relationship with the Lord for the seasons to come. The love and trust you develop between you and God will prevail over any circumstance. King Herod was an enemy to the plans of God, he was dealt with in the way God saw fit. Joseph and Mary didn’t see the life of Herod play out. Avoid monitoring spirits, don’t become one. Stay focused.
Glory be to God!
Ari
