The 9 Lies/Fortification

This message has some great stuff in it. One of my tops so far here at Ellerslie. May it lead you in discerning the voice of the enemy and what does not come from God.

Truth wins. We need to know the truth. We need to believe the truth. Remain in truth. Truth sets free. We need to cry out for wisdom and understanding, and a Spirit of revelation. God has made known to us the way of Life and He provides us with everything we need for life and godliness. All of the enemy’s tactics are laid out right in front of us in scripture. We can therefore be armed and ready to stand our ground against temptation and attack. The enemy has no power over us because we stand in the authority of Jesus. If we speak the truth in faith the enemy will flee. We need to go to the ankle of our Shepherd and stay there, and the wolves will not come near us. The book of Nehemiah lays out this concept of fortification.

            Just like Nehemiah built up the walls of the city, we need to fortify our walls (internally). If there is a breech in our wall, there is a gap where the enemy can sneak through and wreck havoc on our life. The enemy is very deceptive and he has learned how to lie well. He works in half-truths. Here are some of his schemes and lies he uses to try and get us to stop building our wall (drawn out of Nehemiah):

            1^st Lie: It is impossible; the wall can never be built.

The Bible equips us against attack. We need to know the truth so we can use it as our weapon and hit the enemy back in his teeth and silence that voice. The half-truth in this lie is that yes, I cannot build the wall (in my own strength) but with God and in Christ, I can. (Mark 10:27, Luke 1:37, Luke 18:27).

            2^nd Lie: You are too weak, after all, don’t you realize that you are in captivity? You are not able to undertake such a project as this – it is foolish, scornful, and ridiculous.

Fight back with truth (Phil. 4:13, Romans 8:26,31,37) We’re more than conquerors through Jesus! If your wall is your wall and your righteousness, than it has no strength. But if it’s God’s wall and you are in His righteousness it is a strong tower that will not be shaken.

            3^rd Lie: All this work is for nothing; the progress you have made is not real. There is no real strength in your wall; even the slightest breeze from the enemy will knock it down. You cannot take the rubbish of your inner life and expect to revive what has already been burned.

Truth: “Being confident in this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Chirst.” Phil. 1:6. God is working and His work is unstoppable.

            4^th Lie: You are too tired to continue; you need your sleep, God knows you need your sleep.

Truth: (2 Cor. 4:1, Galatians 6:9). Don’t fall asleep at the time of the greatest battle. When God asks you to watch with Him, trust Him and He will give you grace to stay alert. Submit to the Spirit of Christ. He gives His beloved rest.

            5^th Lie: I have the power to sneak up upon you when you least expect it and wipe out everything you have done; all the spiritual steps you have taken will mean nothing when I come in the night to slay you.

The enemy plays on our fear. Do not live in foreboding. James 4:7, “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” This is a fact. Stand on it.

            6^th Lie: You are currently under enemy siege; you’d better stop working and protect yourself.

I am protected by Jesus. He delivers me from every evil work. (Matt. 6:33, 2 Tim. 4:18). My Shepherd protects me from the wolves if I stay at His ankle.

            7^th Lie: You are building this wall for your own blessing, to be your own king, to rule for your own glory. You should stop working on such a vain self-aggrandizing project.

Trust the Lord to put conviction on you if your motives are for your glory and not His. Don’t take it from the enemy. Only take correction from the Holy Spirit. The Lord reveals pride. Don’t stop building on the word of the enemy. Keep building in obedience to God. (Matt. 6:13).

            8^th Lie: Meet me for a coffee in Ono. I’m concerned for your well-being, and I might be of some help in your current endeavors. I know of things that you aren’t privy to know. If you listen to my counsel it will make your work go a lot smoother.

Don’t consult the enemy. Only consult the Word of God. Counsel belongs to God. (Prov. 8:14, 2 Cor. 10:4-5).

            9^th Lie: You need to consider your protection. I know of dangerous things that loom on the horizon, large enemy forces are gathering together to come against you. Go and hide. For if you don’t concern yourself with your own safety, it might be too late. Listen to my counsel and you just might escape this whole matter alive.

Truth: (Ps. 56:4, Ps. 118:6, Hebrews 13:6).

            Now let’s talk about fortification: the sacred shield, removing breeches, putting on the armor of God. Fortification starts with the individual and spreads throughout the church body. So someone hurting and struggling can enter the fortified church and find refuge within the walls of the intercessors.

            Some ways we can tell we are being harassed by the enemy: fear, anxiety, depression, guilt, confusion, insecurity, family problems, health problems, financial problems, spiritual defeat, etc. As children of God, we should be on the offensive rather than defensive. Rise up on the strength of God and resolve to conquer! Know that nothing will hinder us from what God calls us to accomplish.

            God’s pain vs. the enemy’s pain. We need to be able to identify the difference. Sometimes God allows enemy attack to bring forth His glory, as in the case of martyrdom. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. God can also give us a kind of boot camp training that makes us stronger so we can become intercessors to stand in the gap and spend ourself for the weak. Like exercise, it hurts, but it’s a good hurt that makes us stronger. However, we are not to accept attack from the enemy, thinking that it is from God. Pray for spiritual discernment. Know the nature and character of God.

            Identify the breeches in your life, the areas where sin is controlling you. Areas that are not surrendered to the Lord. Lies you believe. Unconfessed sin, sinful habits, satanic objects or activities, unforgiveness, unrepentance. Wrestle in prayer until the breaking of day. The Lord is our Deliverer and He loves to set the captive free. Don’t let go of God. Maintain a constant watchfulness over your life and what you allow in. Take every thought captive and filter everything through the Word of God.

(content from message of www.ellerslie.com)