In that day the Lord with His hard and great and strong sword will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisting serpent, and He will slay the dragon that is in the sea.
This is an appeal for prayer. As many online conversations are taking place about various leaders and ministries, I see one of Leviathan’s tactics at work. Known as a twisting spirit, this demonic principality inserts itself in the middle of conversations where people are trying to understand each other and find the truth. One individual will make a statement, but before reaching the other individuals’ ears, this twisting spirit will take those words and manipulate them to mean something totally different. The message intended reaches the listeners’ ears distorted and void of factual truth.
More than likely, everyone has already experienced this in their marriage or a close relationship. You say something to someone else, fully convinced you are communicating your heart with good intent. But by the time they feed it back to you, it’s totally changed. What you said and what they heard seem to be miles apart. What was meant to clarify things only ends up causing more offense and misunderstanding. The only way to get past it is to keep asking questions and clarifying statements until an understanding is reached.
Due to what is at stake in these current scandals and controversies, this demonic twisting spirit is operating at full power. The enemy is inserting himself into these situations to cause perceptions and perspectives to be skewed and void of integrity. Regardless of what “side” you are on, I guarantee the enemy is at work. Statements are being made to mean one thing, and they are being received as something different. Situations are being perceived in a particular way, but the enemy is using filters to alter reality. Unless we are aware of this, we will make assumptions and determine a meaning that isn’t fully true. Leviathan’s hope is to so manipulate the truth that no one truly sees what God is revealing.
How should we respond? By first recognizing the spiritual warfare and renouncing the work of our common enemy. Secondly, by being slow to speak and quick to listen. The only way to ensure that things are being received correctly is to ask for feedback. Clarify the details. Make sure you are responding appropriately before assuming you know the answer.
In this season of exposures, dealing with sins and abuses is painful. And the truth can actually “hurt.” And just because someone is upset or zealous doesn’t mean they aren’t walking in truth. But if we want to get at that truth, we need to be aware of enemy infiltration. Leviathan’s goal is to divide and conquer; to sow discord and chaos so that our agreement is broken.
The body of Christ needs to face some harsh realities right now. It is not easy. Statements being made and stories being shared are intense and stirring a lot of emotion. But even as sins are exposed and stark realities are being discovered, we must not let the enemy distort the process. Now, more than ever, we need to rebuke this twisting spirit by taking time to assess what is being said before jumping to conclusions. We must carefully examine things so that what is being communicated is clear and accurate.
The intensity of this warfare only confirms the weight of God’s dealings and the victory He intends. Leviathan knows the reward that awaits us as if we can simply remain steadfast and contend together for a righteous outcome. The truth WILL set us free. We just have to be willing to face it through the eyes of the Spirit and not some twisted version of the enemy’s making.
All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
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