Destined To Take Over Territories — The Joshua Generation!

Throughout the Bible, we find numerous examples of individuals whose fear hindered them from fulfilling God’s plans for their lives:

1. The Israelites at the edge of the Promised Land (Numbers 13-14): Fear of the inhabitants of Canaan caused the Israelites to doubt God’s promises, leading to 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.
2. Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33): When Peter took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm around him, fear caused him to sink, requiring Jesus’ intervention to save him.

Fear can negatively affect a Christian’s mindset, causing them to doubt God’s promises and question His goodness. It can also lead to emotional turmoil and hinder spiritual growth, preventing believers from fully embracing their identity in Christ and living out their purpose.

The Bible offers numerous scriptures that encourage believers to overcome fear and trust in God’s promises:

1. “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)
2. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
3. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Real-Life Examples of Prominent Christians Overcoming Fear:

1. Corrie ten Boom: Despite the dangers she faced as a Christian during World War II, Corrie ten Boom overcame her fears and played a vital role in hiding Jews from the Nazis, later sharing her story of faith and forgiveness worldwide.
2. Billy Graham: Though initially hesitant to become an evangelist, Billy Graham overcame his fears and went on to preach the gospel to millions of people, becoming one of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century.

How to Overcome Fear and Live Victoriously

It is very important that as a believer you strengthen your faith through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers. Focus on God’s promises and His faithfulness in all situations; Replace fearful thoughts with scripture and affirmations of God’s love and protection; Share your fears with trusted friends or mentors who can provide support, encouragement, and prayer. Take small steps of faith, trusting God to guide and strengthen you as you face your fears.

As Christians, overcoming fear is essential for living victoriously and fulfilling our God-given purpose. By understanding the negative impact of fear, embracing the encouragements found in the scriptures, and learning from the examples of others, we can conquer our fears and rely on God’s strength to achieve victory in all areas of life. Remember, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

3. The Spirit of Humanism — Hivite Spirit

In recent times, the infiltration of humanism into Christian beliefs has become a growing concern. As followers of Christ, it’s crucial to recognize this destructive spirit and understand how it can undermine our faith.

Humanism is a philosophical and ethical stance that emphasizes the value and agency of human beings, often prioritizing human reason, experience, and desires over divine revelation and guidance. While some aspects of humanism may seem appealing or compatible with Christian values, it ultimately undermines the authority of Scripture and the sovereignty of God, leading believers astray from their divine purpose. This is very evident in our society today even with the great push from the LGBTQ+ group to push God out of schools and society and embrace the opposite of what God says. Humanism forces persons to become slaves to sin.

Biblical Examples of Humanism Hindering Individuals:

1. Adam and Eve (Genesis 3): The first instance of humanism in the Bible occurred when Adam and Eve chose to rely on their own understanding instead of obeying God’s command. This decision led to sin entering the world and humanity’s separation from God.
2. The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11): In an attempt to make a name for themselves and reach the heavens, the people of Babel relied on their own abilities rather than trusting in God. Their pride and self-reliance led to confusion and division among them.

Humanism can negatively affect a believer’s mindset, emotions, and spiritual growth by encouraging self-reliance and independence from God; Undermining the authority and relevance of Scriptures; Diminishing the importance of prayer and divine guidance; Promoting moral relativism and subjective truth.

The Bible contains numerous passages that attest to the power of Christ to overcome any evil spirit, including humanism:

• “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
• “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

This means we do not have to fall prey to what the world is pushing us to accept but to lean solely on God — even if it cost us our lives!

Testimonies of Biblical Figures Overcoming Humanism:

1. Moses: Despite his initial reluctance and self-doubt, Moses overcame humanism by embracing his divine assignment to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, relying on God’s strength and guidance throughout the journey (Exodus 3-4).
2. Joseph: Faced with numerous challenges, Joseph maintained his faith in God and resisted the temptation to rely on his own understanding. As a result, he became a powerful leader in Egypt and played a crucial role in preserving his family during a famine (Genesis 37-50).
3. David: Though he faced significant obstacles and personal failures, David continually sought God’s direction and acknowledged His sovereignty. This humble dependence on God allowed him to overcome humanism and become a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 16 – 2 Samuel 5).

Real-Life Examples and Practical Steps for Overcoming Humanism:

Prominent Christians such as C.S. Lewis, Mother Teresa, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer overcame the spirit of humanism by fully embracing their divine purpose and relying on God’s guidance.

To overcome humanism and live victoriously, you can develop a strong relationship with God through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers; submit to the authority of Scripture and seek divine guidance in all aspects of life; recognize and resist the temptation to rely solely on human reason, experience, desires and even societal laws and requirements that are contrary to God’s; and embrace a spirit of humility, acknowledging our dependence on God and His sovereignty.

Overcoming the spirit of humanism is essential for Christians to live out their divine purpose and experience victory in all areas of life. By understanding the dangers of humanism, relying on Christ’s power, and following the example of biblical figures and prominent Christians, we can triumph over humanism and embrace the abundant life God has planned for us.

4. The Spirit of Immorality — Perizzite Spirit

In our walk as believers, it’s crucial to recognize the importance of remaining steadfast in our beliefs and not compromise God’s standards for anything or anyone! It is a fact that we often face situations that challenge our faith and tempt us to compromise, situations that if we don’t give in to the other side we could lose, our jobs, our friends, our homes, and unfortunately even our lives.

Compromise is making concessions or finding a middle ground in order to reach an agreement or maintain peace. While compromise can be beneficial in certain situations, it becomes damaging when we compromise on God’s standards, diluting our faith and weakening our commitment to His principles. It’s important to recognize that not all compromises are beneficial, especially when they involve sacrificing core values or principles.

Compromising God’s standards can have several adverse effects. These include eroding our faith, since when we compromise on God’s principles, we implicitly question His wisdom and authority, which can lead to a gradual erosion of our faith; Damaging our testimony: Compromising our beliefs can undermine our credibility as followers of Christ and hinder our ability to share the gospel with others. Another adverse effect is that it can invite spiritual consequences. Because disregarding God’s standards can result in negative spiritual consequences, distancing us from His presence and guidance.

According to Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV):

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

This verse highlights the dangers of compromising our faith, as lukewarm believers you are not fully committed to God’s standards and risk being rejected by Him. We have to take a stand — we are either in or out. We cannot be in between.

There are so many things happening today that see even some of God’s churches who should know better, compromising and watering down the Gospel. Recently, we saw in England where the archbishop of the Anglican church apologized to the gays and stated that the church has been wrong all along for not accenting them. This is utter compromise and not of God. This should not be a shocker to Believers though, since we know all too well that it was religious leaders who crucified Jesus!

As Christians, it’s essential to recognize the dangers of compromising God’s standards and remain committed to upholding His principles in our lives. By understanding the perils of compromise and seeking strength and guidance from Scripture, we can maintain a strong, unwavering faith that honors God and serves as a powerful testimony to others.

6. The Spirit of Rebellion and Pride — Amorite Spirit

We are called to live a life of humility and submission to God’s will. However, the spirit of rebellion and pride can creep into our lives, leading us down a dangerous path that undermines our faith and relationship with God — a path that many never get back off and which cost them their souls.

Rebellion refers to the act of opposing or defying authority, often resulting in resistance to God’s will and His commandments. Pride, on the other hand, is an excessive sense of self-worth or superiority, leading to arrogance and a lack of humility. Both rebellion and pride can negatively impact a believer’s life, hindering spiritual growth and damaging relationships with God and others.

Recognizing Rebellion and Pride

To guard against the spirit of rebellion and pride, believers must first recognize these traits in themselves. Some signs may include disregarding or questioning biblical teachings; Resisting correction or guidance from spiritual leaders; Believing that one’s opinions and beliefs are superior to others; And refusing to submit to God’s will in various areas of life.

Consequences of Unaddressed Rebellion and Pride

If left unaddressed, rebellion and pride can lead to disastrous consequences in a Believer’s life. These include strained relationships with God and fellow believers; Hindered spiritual growth and maturity; Loss of opportunities to serve and bless others; Possible discipline from God to correct our behavior.

The Bible contains numerous warnings and teachings about the dangers of rebellion and pride:

1. Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
2. James 4:6: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
3. 1 Samuel 15:23: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.”

A few years ago I met a reverend in Nigeria that I respected very much because of the wealth of spiritual knowledge that he carried. He was one of those persons who when he teaches, you are awed by how he explained the deeper truth of the Word.  As a result, myself, and two of my friends (one of whom was a Pastor) decided to have him teach us via Zoom.  But during his classes, we found him to be very arrogant and would speak down to us. We couldn’t ask questions during class and we couldn’t oppose anything he said. Before long my pastor friend stopped attending and myself and my other friend left the class. I realized that he possessed the spirit of pride that made him place himself above others. We had initially respected him to the point where I applied for a Canadian visa on his behalf so that he could come and teach in our region. When the embassy emailed to say that my application on his behalf was accepted and that he should take his passport to the embassy to be stamped, we had long stopped communicating. I realized that his rebellion and pride were shutting doors that God was opening. Something I told him back then for which he didn’t take kindly to. But his behavior also resulted in the closing of his own church doors in Nigeria. This reminds me of what was mentioned above —  rebellion can cause strained relationships with God and fellow believers; Hindered spiritual growth and maturity; Loss of opportunities to serve and bless others; and possible discipline from God to correct our behavior. I can only pray that he has rid himself of the spirit of rebellion and pride and has humbled himself before God so He can be used in the most effective way to bless thousands.

Practical Advice for Avoiding Rebellion and Pride:

To avoid falling into the trap of rebellion and pride, we should:

1. Cultivate a humble spirit through prayer, Bible study, and self-reflection.
2. Seek accountability and mentorship from trusted spiritual leaders.
3. Embrace correction and guidance from God and others.
4. Focus on serving and loving others, putting their needs before our own.

The spirit of rebellion and pride poses a significant threat to the life of a Christian believer. By recognizing these traits in ourselves, understanding their consequences, and applying biblical teachings, we can guard against their influence and find renewed faith in our walk with God. May we continually strive to be humble and submissive to His will, seeking His guidance and wisdom in all aspects of our lives.

7. The Spirit of Discouragement — Jebusites