The Risk of Snowflake Christianity
A refusal to wrestle with “negative” issues threatens American Christianity.
As I write, I'm looking at the stunning beauty of a winter storm from the lobby of my hotel in Denver. The individual snowflakes have banded together to create a never-ending sheet of white.
However, the fragile, melting qualities of a single snowflake have been ascribed to hyper-sensitive people, typically on the left. Ironically, the accusation fits for many of today's Believers as well.
Are American Christians Fragile?
From my article, 16 Dangers of the Positive Christianity Movement:
There is a rapidly growing aversion to any discussion about God that includes anything that feels negative. The problem? Cover to cover in Scripture we see endless accounts of God displaying His attributes—many of which would not be defined as positive.
Time and again, I've experienced conversations, sermons and viewpoints being shut down, renounced and furiously attacked by Spirit-filled Christians. The topics? Supposed negative perspectives on their pet beliefs. When their theological, political and philosophical safe places are threatened, they melt.
Many of today's American Christians are allergic to anything that puts their happy vibes at risk. The truth is their aversion to truth puts their eternities at risk.
Sin
False-grace and similar theologies have been invented to put us at ease, emphasizing the victory of the cross while ignoring the expected response of Jesus' followers. People have been so frustrated at their failure to live up to God's standards that they give up and embrace a false message. When their new paradigm is exposed as untrue, they strike back, accuse, mock or simply put their fingers in their ears. Instead of discovering the grace to live holy, they give up and give in to spiritualized poison and fight all who would attempt to help them.
Hell
For similar reasons, offense erupts when it's suggested that the road is narrow and that a small percentage of people may ultimately end up in Heaven. They have bought into a non-existent loophole that moves them closer to Universalism and further away from orthodox Christianity. The anxiety is too extreme, so they dismiss such suggestions of a wide road to hell outright. Is it possible that less than 5% of people avoid hell? Yes, it is, and we need to talk about it.
Church
Come and die. That should be the tagline of every church in the nation. Not come for the coffee. Not come for the show. Not come to find your spiritual family.
When the alarm is sounded and the call for radical surrender and consecration is blasted from the rooftops, the flakes start melting, desperate to find an environment that will satisfy and comfort. When calls to death to self are heard, fear strikes many souls.
The result? Pastors know the demands and expectations of the people very well. Many create an environment that perfectly matches what they desire. They prefer the frozen chosen to the mess of melted snowflakes all over their sanctuary.
Trump
While Christian America was celebrating in the streets and prophesying happy times as a result of Donald Trump's election, Emma Stark had quite a different take. Since we're talking about snowflakes, I'd say her perspective is a polar opposite of the jubilation expressed by most.
Emma said, “It's not always a blessing when God gives His people what they ask for and long for, according to the Bible. It can be a sign of imminent judgement and coming distress.”
She actually communicated that God would “punch Donald Trump in the face.” She said, “…He has not learnt how to redeem money, fame, sex or power. He has a preference for a different sort of Jesus to the one found in the Bible.“
The true church must arise.
My question is simple. Is there not a place to honestly discuss what Emma brings up? I'm sure most would be so deeply offended and enraged by such a “negative” word that they would scoff. They would melt. The very people who accuse the liberal left of turning to water when confronted with truth are actually doing the same.
We must not avoid the uncomfortable roundtable discussions about such topics. We have to stop shutting down sharp preaching that causes people to squirm. We must not be such political fanboys that we ignore severe, compromising issues.
The political spirit that has infiltrated the church is so fragile, though it presents as strong and bold.
It may be brash, but it's melting under the heat.
Will this Election Launch Revival?
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The fervor surrounding this election has broken the scale. The church seems to have been awakened to the responsibility to cast their vote. Lines of cars heading to polling stations led to lines of people willing to wait for hours in some locations. This is very good.
It would seem the passion for righteousness is suddenly spiking and hopes for a mighty move of God are trending upward. Then again, maybe not.
Five Reasons Revival Should Not Be Expected – Yet.
ONE: Where are the lines?
I'm not talking the lines to pull the lever and vote. I'm referring to the lines to the prayer rooms. While intercession has been on the increase over the last several years, a culture of fervent, strategic prayer has not overtaken most of our churches. Fiery prayer must be the primary activity of every Believer. The pastors and the leaders who promote this in their churches will be key catalysts of authentic revival in the nation.
TWO: Who cares?
I hear more about how the election will effect Bitcoin than I do revival. I've been a raging, desperate revivalist for nearly three decades, and I'll never forget the sad epiphany I had near the beginning of my ministry journey. I discovered almost nobody cares about revival. It's not something they think about. It's not on their grid. They don't pursue it. They don't care.
THREE: Why would it?
I agree that having a wicked leader leading a nation can result in a weeping church that cries out night and day for God to intervene. In that regard, yes, a national election can impact revival. Aside from a negative stimulus and other nuances in the grand scheme, we have to understand that secular politics have little to do with spiritual awakening. Spiritual awakening, on the other hand, will have a mighty impact on the politics of America.
FOUR: Is it a priority?
Obviously, if few care about revival, why would we presume strategic pursuit of it would be a priority? For too many, the focus is not on awakening. People are paying close attention to other important yet lesser issues such as the economy and national security.
Of course, some of the policies we are campaigning for like the ending of abortion are at or near the top of the list. I do not mean to minimize desperately critical issues. What I am attempting to communicate is simple. For most, revival is near the bottom of their list of priorities, if it's on the list at all.
FIVE: Have we paid the price?
It's clear we haven't prayed the price. Sadly, few have paid the price either. They have not counted the cost and shifted their life sufficiently to have any expectation of revival coming to America. The price is too high.
The benefits of revival are nuclear in power, invaluable beyond measure. Any price is worth what this nation, our churches and our families would experience should a supernatural outpouring visit us. Dramatic miracles, healings, encounters, freedom from demons, moved mountains and a massive harvest of souls is held back by a quasi-interested church.
REVIVAL IS ON GOD'S AGENDA
As many have said, we aren't waiting God. He's waiting on us.
Let me make it clear with a shout from the rooftops! I believe a planet-shaking, supernatural outpouring of the Holy Spirit is coming. I sense it can come much sooner than later should the remnant church take it up about a hundred levels.
Revival is simply defined as biblical normalcy. We are supposed to be living in revival at all times. Jesus has done all that needs to be done for us to initiate revival, to live in it, to minister in it and to invite a dying world into it.
Winning an election does little to cause a sleeping church to start doing what must be done for revival to break out. The prerequisites are nonnegotiable and few have even started on them.
Intense prayer, determined growth, active faith, radical surrender and locking into a church that is giving itself to nonstop advance toward city-wide and national revival are critical first steps.
A politician can't do that for us.
Yes, a righteous leader can promote righteousness in a deeply wicked nation. There is much good that can come which is why our vote is so important.
But the day after election day, our responsibility shifts. It's time to fill the prayer rooms, to contend for revival and to cry out for God to move powerfully in America.
The level of our celebration or depression following the election is directly related to the level of our pursuit of revival.
If we prioritize a move of God more than the appointment of a politician, we'll be as invigorated and focused after the votes have been tallied as we were before.
Trump: Democratic Party is ‘Demonic’
DEMONS ARE MANIFESTING
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On the heels of my article released two days ago titled, "Demons aren't Hiding this Election Season," former President Donald Trump made quite a remarkable declaration. As reported by Newsmax, Trump said, "This is a group of people, large group of people, larger than people think, but it's a very demonic party."
He distinguished between the party and the Democratic voters, clearly stating that the party was the target of his comment. However, one could argue that "guilty by association" may apply here, at least in part.
BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT ARE COMPROMISED
It must be said that you can find wickedness and corruption on both sides of the divide. A secular political system, sadly, is not a holy institution.
That being said, it doesn't take much analytical prowess to see exactly what Donald Trump is seeing. As I wrote in my previous article, "Whether it's God causing the veil to be lifted between the natural and the supernatural or if Satan has just upped his game, the truth remains. Demons have come out into the open."
The paradigms of the left boldly embrace some of the most demented wickedness our nation has ever known. These atrocities are strategically, directly inspired by the most unholy forces on earth. It's not difficult to arrive at the conclusion that Satan is advancing an end-time scheme to destroy people and our nation.
Time and time again, the Democratic party is campaigning for the cause of darkness to take dominion.
No, Republicans aren't as pure as the driven snow, but the policies and ideologies put those of the left to shame. While perfection is no where to be found, it's obvious to many that the advance of righteousness drives the agenda of most right-leaning American citizens.
A GODLESS PARTY
I'll never forget a story from a ministry friend of mine who was attending a pastor's meeting in Detroit several years ago.
When asked if anybody had a prayer request, my friend stood up and requested intercession for the ending of abortion. He was stunned when a prominent pastor rose and confronted him. He told my friend that he needs to understand that many in the room were proponents of "a women's right to choose." Yes, these were pastors. Professing Christians. Spiritual leaders in our nation.
Yesterday I saw a church sign with a message shaming anybody who would vote Republican.
Not only do we have a godless political party, we have a crisis of godless churches.
Any political or spiritual leader who would so aggressively promote the barbaric act of infanticide (abortion) as a right has been fully baptized by murderous demons.
Any who would endorse drag queen indoctrination of children in our nation's libraries and schools have been seduced by a perverse spirit that is determined to destroy our kids and families.
The unbridled hatred that many spew when even the scent of a Republican enters their safe place is a picture of demonization that's taking place all of the nation. The fangs are out and the venom is injected all over social media. Our nation is manifesting demons at a record pace.
Yes, I know, there's weakness on the right in regard to these and other dark topics as well. I pray Donald Trump and others discover the depths of God's heart and rise up as prophets in our nation. However, as it stands, the difference between the left and right is stark. The contrast is sharper than in any time in history. The left is dark and getting darker by the day.
PRAY AND VOTE
The demonic anointing that has saturated so much of the Democratic party demands the church hit its knees and pray with deep passion. Repentance must shatter the atmosphere of our nation.
In a state of fervent intercession, cast your vote for righteousness, and then pray again. Don't stop. Let the echo of rended hearts crying out be felt from coast to coast. It's time for the church to rise up and the political system to yield its position of national leadership to those who live holy and surrendered lives.
It's time to route the nation of the demonic influence and see life and righteousness return. That's how you make America great again.
Demons Aren’t Hiding In This Election Season
The demons are here, and I'm not talking about Halloween.
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It's November. The haunts of October are gone, and visions of joy and merriment are upon us as Thanksgiving and Christmas draw near, right? Not so fast. Imps and evil entities are very much among us as America is getting close to matching the supernatural climate of many third-world countries.
Disturbing demonization is openly visible in many places such as Haiti and parts of Africa. The enemy doesn't hide there.
Last night I was flicking through Instagram and was bombarded by not one, but many, videos of left-leaning liberals erupting with animalistic growls and curses. Some of you may have seen similar behavior as it seems to have become fairly normal in this political season. People ripping Trump signs out of the ground and spitting verbal assaults at any who would confront them is happening from sea to shining sea.
Of course, we know about the riots and fires and looting that have been on the increase over the past several years. This is most certainly wicked, evil behavior, but what we are seeing now is different. Manifestations of actual demons have become commonplace.
EXPOSURE
Many prophetic voices have declared our recent spiritual history has been one of exposure. God, who is as just as he is good, is out to cleanse and purify his glorious church. While this has certainly happened, and has revealed terrible wickedness, I believe it was only the beginning.
The devil is being exposed as well. Whether it's God causing the veil to be lifted between the natural and the supernatural or if Satan has just upped his game, the truth remains. Demons have come out into the open.
Students are identifying as “furries,” crawling on hands and knees. Drag queens have infiltrated public libraries and are indoctrinating the next generation. Twisted demons are among us and it has nothing to do with October 31st.
Many years ago, I felt strongly that we would soon see actual demonization become quite common in the streets, schools, businesses and parks of our nation. People don't know what to make of it other than to accept it as the new normal. To their unrenewed minds, supernatural beings inhabiting people isn't within the realm of possibility. At worst, they might need a mental health check. At best, these are their new crusaders, people who have had enough and who are responding in hatred and rage against the machine.
My wife, two young daughters and I were coincidentally in Philadelphia the day of the Presidential debate. We were greeted with brash signage, high fences, strange individuals and more SWAT and tactical police than you could imagine, walking the streets with assault rifles and body armor.
It was daylight and we felt safe as we passed through to see the Liberty Bell. On the way back, someone yelled out at me. After brief small talk, he began hurling accusations, calling me a homosexual. He then confronted my daughters, asking if anyone ever accused me of being gay. It was time to move on, and when we did, he started shouting loudly through the square, “He's a homosexual! He's a (expletive) homosexual!”
The devil is not hiding.
WICKEDNESS INCREASING
The church in its current state is nearly hopeless against this bold, new advance of the enemy.
We don't need any more supposed political pundits in the pews. We must have prophets! It's time to equip fire-breathing intercessors, prophetic messengers, deliverance ministers and others who will expose the darkness (though it's exposing itself without much help) and confront the spirit of the age.
All sorts of wickedness is on the rise. We shouldn't be surprised if it becomes culturally acceptable to take abortion to the next level. A spirit of Herod has no problem killing children under the age of two. Why did Herod endorse this? To protect his throne. Don't doubt for a minute that today's demonized political system would affirm such a strategy. Politics is one of Satan's primary vehicles to deliver it's wrath.
The devil is not hiding.
Fiery, strategic prayer meetings must take over as the primary gathering. Sunday mornings must become furnaces of intercession where groans and cries echo. A righteous President will help a little, but that cannot be our focus. It's time for the church to repent, to pray, to rend its heart and to get equipped to fight a hoard of demons who have boldly emerged from their dens.
Is Kamala Harris the Enemy?
HATRED WILL FUEL THE ENEMY'S PLANS
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The political spirit in the church just may be doing more damage than any of us realize. I'm often stunned at the cold, heartless retorts and accusations that are hurled by professing Christians at those who endorse opposing political views. This is more than a political spirit. It's a spirit of witchcraft.
When Christians vomit curses on political figures (or anyone), the enemy's power is supercharged and wicked schemes become strengthened.
In our ministry we often contend in fiery, strategic, life-giving intercession for the world's influencers, including people like the Pope, LeBron James, Taylor Swift and, especially in this season, individuals like Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
Quite often, especially when inviting people to join us in prayer for Kamala Harris and others on the political left, I hear the cold, heartless retorts. Supposed blood-bought Believers come out of their skin, shocked that we would ever pray for them. Many refuse to pray at all. Others pray for God's severe judgment. I've heard others predict their soon-coming torment in the fires of Hell. These national leaders are being assaulted by the enemy and cursed by the Christians.
Pray for a dramatic encounter with Jesus? Not a chance.
Contend for the Holy Spirit to wrap them in love? No.
Intercede with passion understanding that Heaven would not be the same without them? For many, it's laughable. For others, offensive. They don't want Kamala Harris anywhere near them. They certainly don't want her mansion next to theirs in Heaven.
A SPIRIT-FILLED FEMALE PRESIDENT
I'm not prophesying or predicting the results of the upcoming election. My educated guess is that Donald Trump just may win it. I'm simply suggesting a glorious, nation-sharking possibility that would be felt around the world for generations to come.
What if our love for Kamala Harris was so deep, so moving, that we prayed relentlessly for God to transform her life?
What if Kamala trembled under the weight of God's glory, hit her knees, wept uncontrollably and cried out for Jesus to flood into her life?
Should that happen, and should she be elected, she'd be the first female, Spirit-filled, passionate lover of Jesus to hold the highest office in the nation. The earth would quake.
Sadly, the alternative approach is being employed by many Christians. They take careful aim and fire off curse after curse in an attempt to destroy Kamala Harris (and other "enemies"). They spiritualize their hatred as sanctioned holy warfare when it's nothing more than sinister witchcraft.
Gossip. Cursing. Accusation. Hatred.
That sounds like the battle-plan of Satan. It is.
It's also the blueprint for many Christians in this political season, and it's grieving.
CHECK YOUR HEART ON ELECTION NIGHT
At Revival X, our ministry in Branson, Missouri, we'll be going deep in intercession and worship on election night. We'll pray for the Holy Spirit to move supernaturally and for both candidates to be drawn into an authentic encounter with Jesus. We will give no room for curses, anger, finger-pointing or shaming. The devil is not allowed to attend our prayer event. Kamala Harris is not the enemy.
Ask God to search your heart on election night. If you feel yourself despising either candidate, campaigning for their demise, turn off the news broadcast you are watching and take time to repent. Don't allow a wicked spirit to convince you to align with its war plans. This nation needs a surrendered, love-driven church to contend for a move of God unlike any we've ever seen.
On the other side, I know there's energy surrounding Donald Trump unlike any we've ever seen in our nation's history. Again, check your heart. The answer for our nation isn't the election of Donald Trump. While God can certainly use him in a profound way, the intercessors cannot come down from the wall presuming ultimate victory has come. The war will only rage hotter, and the enemy will take its plans of destruction into the next phase.
A righteous President will benefit our nation a little. A righteous, praying, repentant church will benefit our nation more than we could ever measure.
Over Half of Christians Consume Porn
BARNA REPORT REVEALS DISTURBING TREND
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No naked people. For Believers, the clear, biblical standard is to live pure, holy lives free of forbidden sexual imagery. No naked people in our sexualized thoughts unless, and only unless, it's our spouse. Sexual lust steals, kills and destroys in ways few other sins can.
A disturbing recent Barna report reveals that 54% of practicing Christians are consuming porn. Seven percent view porn daily. Fifteen percent weekly.
Possibly even more troubling are the arguments I've heard on the topic. Some Christians have challenged me by saying it's not possible for a man to avoid lust, as if it's an expected part of our make-up. Others proclaim Scripture doesn't forbid all sexual lust, only lust about married women. The deception is widespread.
After writing an article on the topic several years ago, I was contacted by a Christian sex-therapist. In his long letter he vented his frustration and firmly renounced the idea that lust is inappropriate. In fact, he proudly revealed how he actually prescribes sexual fantasy about strangers and other people to those who are struggling in the area of sexual intimacy.
SEVEN DANGERS OF PORN AND SEXUAL LUST
ONE: No Intimacy with God
The authentic Christian life demands intimacy with Jesus. The parable of the virgins clearly reveals how intentional our pursuit of God must be. It wrecks my heart to know that people live outside of an all-consuming, loving relationship with the Lord.
When counterfeit intimacy takes the place of the authentic, only despair remains. Praying in the Spirit is not possible. Faith fades. Love dissipates. Hope is gone.
TWO. Shame
When the serpent told Eve, “You will not surely die,” he knew the result would be fig leaves. Shame. Adam and Eve did die, spiritually, and their innocence was gone. How often do people make that late-night decision to enjoy some sexual entertainment with the thought that, “I will not surely die?”
Of course, the “repentance” rarely works and, according to Barna, many will be back at it again the next day or later in the week.
THREE. Demonization
The Bible reveals that “the curse without cause shall not come.” Well, the counter is true as well. When there is cause, when we open the door to the enemy, all sorts of wicked schemes are initiated. When we view porn or lust, we open the door to the devil.
Demonization is when evil spirits attack, torment and refuse to stop. There is a license, a permission, that allows them to remain. Sexual lust is one such permission, and unless true repentance occurs, deliverance cannot be experienced.
FOUR. Wounding our Loved Ones
There are women (and some men, I'm sure) who worry continually about their spouses falling into porn. If it happens, it rips through their heart. The pain is extreme and difficult to heal. Further, parents often fear their children falling into this vice, knowing how spiritually and emotionally deadly it is.
FIVE. Failure to Fulfill our Calling
We are all ministers and we all have a ministry. I'm convinced that my failure to fulfill my ministry directly impacts people's eternities. When we view porn, when shame overwhelms us, when demonization is deep and when there is wounding all around, any thought of advancing in ministry is shot until we repent.
SIX. Living in Adultery
Scripture reveals the true impact of inappropriate sexual lust. Adultery. When we watch porn, we are committing adultery with every person on the screen. When we lust, the same is true for every person in our thoughts.
SEVEN. Eternal Separation from God
Many Christians will be shocked to find themselves in Hell one day. When we live in sin, devoid of true repentance, we cannot presume to be saved. An eternity of torment awaits. This truth grieves me like no other.
FREEDOM
If you are struggling with lust, don’t despair. Don’t quit contending for intimacy with God. You can absolutely find freedom! God loves you with a passion that’s deep…and he is longsuffering. He will be with you in your journey to freedom.
Nine Marks of a Revival Church (CM)
Are Spirit-filled churches becoming “typical?”
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I've given leadership to revival-style churches and ministries for decades. It's grieving how few Spirit-filled churches are truly taking people unapologetically into the depths of surrender to Jesus. Instead, the preference is to grow wide and shallow in the hopes that the seats stay full, the money keeps coming in and the programs are staffed.
Of course, the majority of churches, Charismatic included, aren't pretending to be concerned about revival at all.
The cost is too high. The chances are too slim.
To most, it's not worth it.
The truth is, revival churches don't see dramatic impact, big crowds and overwhelming wonders in the early stages. The wells of revival must be dug. The hours of prayer must be invested. Repentance, consecration and a radical devotion of time must be constant. Few are willing to buy in at this level, and pastors know it.
The preferred church growth method is to create a “healthy, vibrant” atmosphere that's focused on meeting needs and fulfilling expectations. The shock and awe of God's glory is traded for a more naturally familiar environment that's sprinkled with some worship, teaching and fellowship. Nothing too deep, expensive or disruptive.
Nine key differences between typical churches and revival churches:
- Typical Church: Participation is emphasized
Revival Church: Consecration is emphasized
In a revival church, the focus is radical surrender to Jesus. Simple church attendance does little to advance the vision of dramatic, supernatural, regional impact. A revival-style church would be happier with 50 people going deep in the Holy Spirit than 500 attending, giving and serving.
- Typical Church: Prayer is rare
Revival Church: Prayer is constant
Prayer is the primary call of all. A supernatural culture of intercession burns nonstop. No authentic revival has been initiated without first developing a foundation of unceasing and effective prayer. Without the intensity of intercession, revival churches cannot exist.
- Typical Church: Church growth is the goal
Revival Church: Regional revival is the goal
Revival church leaders don’t care about the numerical growth. Their eyes are on the city. They understand the Gideon principle. Fewer devoted people keenly focused on revival is powerfully effective.
- Typical Church: Relationships are a key focus
Revival Church: Relationships are a byproduct
Authentic relationships are developed in the foxhole at revival-style churches. The mission is the main thing. Relationships result as consecrated people put differences aside and contend for revival with military precision.
- Typical Church: Demons remain hidden
Revival Church: Demons are exposed
At risk of offending those in attendance, leaders will discern haunting, taunting spirits and expel them. They train the body to do the same and wouldn’t think of hiding the dramatic moments of freedom from others in the service.
- Typical Church: Encouragement driven
Revival Church: Prophetically driven
Prophetic messages will at times cut, offend, correct and challenge. Those who respond will be encouraged as they blow through limitations. Revival churches are equipping an army. Revival soldiers endure radical transformation in order to be made ready.
- Typical Church: Driven by expectations
Revival Church: Establishes expectations
Revival churches get their vision and strategy from the prayer room. They refuse to buy into the “tried and true” methods of building a church. Many will be turned off by revival churches as their demands go unmet. The rest will come alive and burn hot on the battlefield.
- Typical Church: One-stop shop
Revival Church: Specialized ministry
Revival leaders encourage people to draw from other churches and ministries. This allows them to remain focused on their specific part of the city-wide vision. Revival leaders make no apology about being laser-focused and allowing other needs to be met by other ministries in the city.
- Typical Church: A family gathering
Revival Church: A school of fire
Those in revival churches find themselves groaning in intercession, crying out to God, repenting with passion and getting baptized in holy fire most every day.
For a more comprehensive understanding of this message, listen to the podcast HERE.
How to Defeat this Wicked Church-Destroying Spirit
The Spirit of Absalom is crafty, wicked and out to destroy churches.
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In the aftermath of a covert Absalom attack a few decades ago, I was left stunned, confused and without any real resolution. So, I prayed.
“God, how can I ensure an Absalom-type attack never impacts our church again?”
His answer? Impossible. The spirit of Absalom is the primary demonic strategy against churches. It has always been this way and it will always be this way.
Wonderful. How encouraging.
In truth, I was thankful for God's straightforward honesty.
Since I couldn't avoid the attack, I asked God for a strategy against the attack. In part, this is what he revealed:
Eight Marks of an Absalom Attack
- Gossip
Even the most seasoned Christians can fall into the trap of talking when they should not. Gossip is any discussion about a person or an entity (such as a church, group or business) that the person or leader of the entity would disapprove of. It's witchcraft, self-serving and driven by pride. It is revenge at its worst.
- Right vs. Wrong
Are you living in the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil by attempting to prove yourself right and your leaders wrong? Or, are you living in the Tree of Life that results in honoring and serving them?
- Contrary Visions
Are you attempting to promote your own agenda instead of rallying around the vision of the house? People can get frustrated when their viewpoint, spiritual DNA and passion for a specific ministry isn't affirmed by leadership. Handling this wrongly is an indication of being influenced by an Absalom spirit.
- Gathering Others
Are you seeking support for your viewpoint? Gathering people around you who have the same concerns as you is out of line. The same thing happened in the story of Absalom.
- Stealing Hearts
As you gather others, are you stealing their hearts, or are you affirming the pastor or leader God assigned them to? Absalom stole the hearts of people who were under the care of David by listening to their complaints. Always call people to be loyal to their leaders and to approach them, not you, with their complaints.
- Disengaging
Are you running strong with the leader or are you shrinking back into a smaller group of disgruntled people?
- Matthew 18
Are you applying Matthew 18 protocol to situations you are concerned about? Do you approach leadership alone with your concerns, or do you violate Matthew 18 by involving other people and seeking their counsel?
- Division
Have you considered aborting your assignment in the church God planted you in by dividing off into another church? A lot of churches are born out of rebellion in the spirit of Absalom. Is this a desire of your heart? Or, are you willing to grow through the challenge in your current church?
I’ve watched the Absalom spirit absolutely destroy people and churches. The human wisdom that fuels it feels extremely spiritual! The arguments seem scriptural! However, the spirit is deadly.
One possible indicator that you have been impacted by Absalom is how you move from one church to another. If your influence to move on came through arguments of others, and you didn’t involve your leader in the decision, you’ve been hit by Absalom!
You should be looking for counsel from the leader God gave you before you talk to others, and certainly before you actually make a decision to leave. Key partnerships of God have been dismantled through the Absalom strategy, and it has left the mission of Kingdom advance at risk.
FIGHTING THE SPIRIT OF ABSALOM
Identifying the marks of an Absalom attack is just the beginning. God revealed a specific, step-by-step strategy of dealing with this most challenging of assaults against the church.
I have an Ebook that I have made available at no cost at www.burton.tv/absalom.
It will help equip you and strengthen you and your church against this terribly wicked scheme of the enemy.
Are Sleeping Christians the Greatest Threat to Revival?
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Chapter one of my upcoming book, 27 Points of Revolution: A Call to Personal Revival
A Call to War
“The dead are no threat to the enemy. The sleepers are an ally.”
War cries of victory resound from the hoards of Hell when their adversaries slumber. Truly, to be fully dead is less of a concern to the enemy than those who casually saunter through life.
Quite literally, the greatest allies of the kingdom of darkness are not witches, Satanists, murderers or abortionists (though they are on the list), they are sleeping Christians. Lukewarm, careless people who acknowledge Christ and pretend to enjoy allegiance to Jesus, unknowingly spread an eternally deadly virus through an Ichabod church. The glory of God has departed.
If you are looking for a quick and easy guide to experiencing some mystical, satisfying “buzz” called revival, you should stop reading right now. This is an invitation to accept the call to such a radical devotion that the wicked world in which we live begins to tremble.
This most certainly is a call to war.
Before you dismiss the war-talk as nothing other than hyper-Charismatic rhetoric, give me another moment to explain just how important it is.
Many Believers today are on a journey to the mythical land of ease. They look for the teachings, philosophies, paradigms and communities that best embrace their determined desire to see burdens removed.
The mere thought of battle is enough for many to shut down. The allure of emotional, spiritual and physical comfort is too strong.
Most can endure for a while, but many end up pulling back or falling away when the battle intensifies. They leave churches, quit praying, lose their passion and turn focus on themselves and their comfort.
If we have any hope of city-wide or national revival, much less personal revival, warfare will forever be required. There are devils to fight, cultures to shift, darkness to invade and religious spirits to confront.
Before we can truly focus on revolution and revival in the church, we must learn how to engage in war in our own lives. Before we fight against territorial schemes and see shift come to churches and cities, we must fight the imps.
This testing ground will determine whether we mature into mighty soldiers and lethal weapons in the hands of God, or if we just wait out our years on the earth, searching for self-satisfying and elusive comfort and ease.
DOES ANYBODY CARE ABOUT REVIVAL?
I often wonder if we truly understand the immeasurable joy, freedom, glory and abundant life that result from victory in battle. I’m sure we don’t.
Even the concept of revival is lost on those who are ready to take a spiritual nap. A collective, “Meh,” is heard when prophetic warriors sound alarms and cast vision for a massive end-time outpouring. Too many people just don’t care.
Messages that communicate the benefits immediately available to us are quite popular. Spiritualized “get rich quick” programs that communicate promises of breakthrough will draw a crowd. But what about messages of warfare? Few are signing up.
Yes, we need to seek revelation on strategies for personal revival and revolution, but it’s not a quick fix system. We will be challenged and we must respond.
The first step is to cry out to God for a softened heart and a passion for revival. You can no longer seek the easy route. The road to supernatural fire and all-encompassing revival in your life, your family and your city is steep, difficult and lined with enemies determined to take you down. True warriors will look at the challenge and charge ahead. I declare that you are a warrior. You will experience battle after battle and victory after victory. Why? You are coming more alive with an unrelenting zeal for the Holy Spirit. You will not be stopped.
Yes, you were born for war.
Wiser Than The Witches
This Halloween season we must be aware of the enemy's schemes.
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When planting our first church in one of America's darkest regions in the Rocky Mountains, where witchcraft and paganism saturated the atmosphere, it took us three years to learn how to fight. We were not wiser than the witches.
Over the years in that Spirit-driven, prayer-fueled ministry, we experienced many supernatural attacks, visits from witches and organized efforts to stop us.
Shortly after we planted the church, our oldest son was admitted to the hospital with a severe asthma attack. It was October 31st. One year later, on Halloween, he was admitted again with yet another asthmatic episode. Finally, when he was rushed to the emergency room and admitted for a third straight year, on the 31st of October, it hit me. This is no coincidence. It was an organized, strategic, deliberate witchcraft attack.
“so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.” (2 Corinthians 2:11, ESV)
SCHEMES AND OPEN DOORS
To be wiser than witches requires us to level up in our authority. While, of course, we don't wrestle against flesh and blood (people), witches and others who embrace demonic ideologies do allow themselves to be used by the enemy to curse God's people.
Awareness of schemes and open doors will give us opportunity to interceded for the witches who have been so terribly deceived so we can focus our assault on the devil. Of course, it's quite common to open doors to the enemy with no human mediator like a witch involved at all. We are all at risk.
Especially during the month of October, when the activity of the enemy is extreme, it's imperative that we stay alert, repentant, full of grace, with our lamps filled with oil.
ONE. Christian Curses
If, according to Scripture, “the curse without cause shall not come,” when there is cause we can be sure curses will hit with great and terrible force.
It's possible Christians are hurling more curses into the atmosphere than all the witches in our nation.
Though we are commanded to bless and not curse, gossip is rampant. Shaming and cursing political opponents, especially this time of year, are non-stop. Villainizing all who disagree with our spiritualized opinions on social media flood our streams. Speaking death over our own lives and the lives of others is common.
The Bible reveals that, as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.
Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
There's power of life and death in the tongue.
Our unholy, unconsecrated thoughts will ultimately make it out of our mouths, often as curses that have devastating impact.
TWO. Celebrating Halloween
Dabble with the demonic, party like the pagans, dance with the dead and come dressed for the occasion.
The world's largest coven meeting is about to commence, and shockingly many Christians will be in attendance.
It's stunning that blood-bought, Spirit-filled Christians would ever slap the label, “innocent fun” on this most wicked of days. Most would argue that we are saved, covered by the blood and that we have no fear regarding simple costumes, candy and parties.
However, the blood of Jesus doesn't grant us immunity. It grants us authority.
If we are participating in, enjoying and affirming death, demons, darkness and witchcraft, we have lost our authority against the wicked entities behind it all.
We are opening doors that give the enemy direct access to demonize our children and those we love when we celebrate this most wicked of days in any manner. Evil isn't innocent just because we invite children to the party.
Instead of harvest parties, trunk or treat or other Christianized alternatives, let's teach our children about exposing darkness.
How's this for a Halloween alternative? A fiery, Holy Spirit-filled prayer meeting. And, yes, bring the kids.
THREE. Emotional Crisis
In nearly three decades of ministry, I've witnessed, time and again, solid, anointed, amazing people “swirl out” emotionally. All sorts of feelings overwhelm and overtake them. Rejection, fear, depression, anxiety, despair, sadness and other emotions, at the least, can cause people to retreat into their caves, ready to surrender.
We must be wiser than the witches, ready to go to war against the devil and discern the season we are in.
Instead of retreating into a cave, run to others who can stand with you, pray with you, love you, challenge you and, if necessary, cast some demons out.
FOUR. Media and Entertainment
Whether it's impure music, horror movies, sexual immorality, foul language or unrighteousness promoted on screen as entertainment, doors fling wide open and the enemy can quickly and easily demonize.
If there's one idol that must be destroyed in this nation, it's entertainment. Specifically, media. It's a killer.
And no, as already discussed, you can't “handle it just fine.” You lose all authority to stand against the wicked schemes of the enemy if you are enjoying them.
To those who say, “nudity (or other sins) in movies doesn't offend me,” who cares about what offends you? The Holy Spirit is offended and I'm certain a large portion of your troubles in life come as a result of not understanding that.
FIVE. Prayerlessness
One of the greatest weapons against the schemes of the enemy is fiery, Spirit-filled, prophetic prayer. Tongues of fire will help fill lamps and strengthen us in ways that little else can.
Those who aren't absolutely consumed with a spirit of prayer will typically struggle, especially during the month of October when the enemy is so active.
WE CANNOT TAKE THE ENEMY LIGHTLY
Humility, non-stop prayer, intimacy with Jesus and the Word of God exploding in and out of us all work as guards against demonic attack. Holiness, forgiveness, grace and love will further your strategy and enable you to stand in the face of occult activity.
I've heard it said that we need to put on our armor every day. I disagree. I would question why they are taking it off every night. Put it on. Keep it on. Pray continually. Fight the devil. Close open doors.