Monday, June 13th 2022
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome PhD DSc DD
If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me… (1 Corinthians 15:32).
From studying the Scriptures on Paul’s ministry at Ephesus, we understand that he wasn’t fighting animals like a gladiator. It was actually illegal to make Roman citizens gladiators. We also know he never went into the bush to fight animals, neither was he engaged in any physical combat with men. So, what did he mean when he said he “fought with beasts at Ephesus?”
In 2 Corinthians 1, he again described this horrible experience, explaining that he and his companions were pressed beyond measure and despaired even of life: “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life” (2 Corinthians 1:8).
God, however, delivered them from this great peril. But they had been in prayer, and other saints were also interceding for them: “Ye also helping together by prayer for us…” (2 Corinthians 1:11). They had been wrestling. Their struggle wasn’t with flesh and blood; it wasn’t against humans. It was spiritual.
Paul dealt with the wickedness of men against him from the realm of the spirit. When you come to spiritual maturity, you don’t confront human beings when they’re mistreating you; you confront the spirits responsible for their actions. That’s what Paul did when he said, “I have fought with beasts at Ephesus.”
When you exercise dominion over these evil spirits and break their influence over the people, they’ll stop thinking and acting the way they used to, because the spirits responsible for their actions have been bound or expelled.
Are the leaders of your country making wrong decisions? Don’t get angry with them. In many cases, they’re unaware that their wrong decisions are a result of demons talking to them and putting thoughts in their minds. With intercessory prayer and using our authority in the Name of Jesus over demons, we can change the situation in our cities and nations.
We must, in prayer, break the influence of demons over the governments and leaders of our nations. Be bold to exercise this power in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ!
Confession
I’m sensitive to God, to spiritual realities, and to the spiritual realm where I function from a vantage position of victory and dominion in Christ Jesus. I’ve been granted the power of attorney to use the Name of Jesus; therefore, I disallow all demonic activities in my life, in my environment and in the lives of my loved ones. Hallelujah!
Further Study:
Ephesians 6:12
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].”
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Acts 4:1-31;
2 Chronicles 16-19
2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
2 Corinthians 3:1-10;
Songs Of Solomon 5-6
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