Wounded to Warrior

I recently had a dream that I was watching a girl run from demonic creatures. As I watched the scene play out, I instantly knew these hideous beings were allowed to pursue her because of negative words she had spoken; the damaging words she said about herself, her circumstances, and others gave permission for the creatures to chase her. There was no doubt in my mind as I continued to watch the harrowing scene unravel that these beings would in fact attain what they were after. When they did, it would not be pretty. The next scene I saw was the same girl climbing up the flue of a chimney. Trying desperately to escape what her words had unleashed, she wedged herself between the narrow four walls of the flue as the demons clawed their way up after her. Then I saw something I hadn't seen nor expected. The girl stopped trying to escape. Instead of frantically shimmying away from the atrocious monsters, the girl froze and set her gaze directly down on them. With unusual confidence, she calmly said a variety of positive affirmations aloud - like, "I am smart, I am beautiful, I am not afraid". As she spoke these fresh words, the demons gradually backed off and started receding down the chimney. Their access to pursue her - and eventually destroy - was closed. The dream ended after that, leaving a lasting impression on me.

I believe God was showing me an ongoing reality of what happens in the unseen when we speak, complain, gossip, and even think negatively about ourselves or others. My mind goes to the various instances in the written account of the Israelites journey out of Egypt. You see patterns of their complaints throughout both Exodus and Numbers. For instance, in Exodus 16, the Israelites grumble about food, and God provides manna. In Numbers 11, they complain about hardships and crave meat instead of manna, and that's where God provides quail but also sends a plague. Numbers 21 is another instance where they complain about the journey, and serpents are sent. Complaints pop up repeatedly, often followed by divine responses - provision, correction, or consequences. Aside from complaints, we also see the Bible portraying stories of how internal negativity often leads to external consequences. Saul's jealousy in 1 Samuel 18 and 19 is a great example - his envy of David leads to torment and downfall. Similarly, in Numbers 12, Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses out of jealousy, and Miriam is struck with leprosy. If you're like me and you believe these stories to be true, we'd be wise to pay attention. Intentionality in what we think and say is needed more than ever in the church today. It's no wonder Paul encourages Christians in the Corinthian church to take every thought captive to obey Christ. His message was about being intentional in their thinking and aligning their thoughts with Christ's teachings (2 Corinthians 10:5).

On the flip side of this spiritual discipline is the authority Christians carry to shape their circumstances through words aligned with truth. Christ dwells in us; His presence in us and operating through us is the power and authority that stops the principalities of darkness in their tracks. When we speak in faith, we're not just echoing truth - we're letting Christ's power work through us to shape the world around us. Biblical examples of this are littered everywhere in the Old and New Testament. One example is Peter in Acts 3, when he says to the lame man at the temple gate, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!" - and the man is healed. Another is Paul in Acts 16, when he commands an oppressive spirit to leave a servant girl, freeing her. In the Old Testament, David declares faith in God when facing Goliath, saying, "The battle is the Lord's," and he defeats the giant. Jesus Himself speaks to the storm in Mark 4, saying, "Peace, be still," demonstrating ultimate authority. In each case, faith-filled words or thoughts align with God's power, making change happen.

There is a scene in the original Lion King where Simba, struggling with his identity, looks into a pool of water and sees his reflection. All of a sudden, the reflection transforms into his father, Mufasa. Mufasa's spirit speaks to Simba, telling him, "Remember who you are." In Simba's case and in our case, we desperately need to remember who we are. We are sons and daughters of the living God; we have divine authority coursing through our veins - power to make things change. The enemy of our souls will stop at nothing to keep us from believing this because he knows when we do, it is game over for his schemes and deceptions.

It is imperative that the church today realizes who she is and the authority she possesses. She needs to stop running and decisively cut off the access point of the principalities of darkness that have been at work. For too long the church has played defense against the evil in our world, walking in fear and skepticism of the truth - that the victory has been decided, ground work laid. Jesus accomplished it. If you are in Christ and you bear His name, then this is for you: Stop giving the enemy access to your life by your words and thoughts. Think about what you're thinking about and speak life to those around you and to yourself. Take hold of what's always been at your disposal: POWER - Holy Spirit, fire-wielding, demon-suppressing, deliverance-engaging, miracle-making, faith-giving, authoritative, Kingdom-advancing power. Let Christ operate through you today as you advance his Kingdom in this world. Be blessed!