ENDORSEMENTS

Many believers will fall away in these last days, but God has given us a
secret weapon. This book will activate the difference maker in you—the gift
of discernment. It could save your life!
SID ROTH
Host, It’s Supernatural! television

Rebecca Greenwood is a seasoned and trusted intercessor, teacher,

mentor, prophetess, and apostolic leader. I respect and honor deeply and
highly recommend her timely book for the body of Christ, Discerning the
Spirit Realm.
PATRICIA KING
Author, minister, television host
www.patriciaking.com

Discerning the Spirit Realm is an extraordinary book! The revelation it

contains will open your eyes to strongholds that have led to defeat in your
life. It is full of keys that will open doors of victory to help you lead an
overcomer’s life, to pray victoriously and to discern and welcome history-
making moves of the Holy Spirit.
CINDY JACOBS
Generals International

We are living in a momentous new era in the spirit. Now more than
ever, it is time for the Church to fully awaken and identify how God is
moving across the earth. In her new book, my good friend Rebecca
Greenwood opens up a unique door for believers to enter into greater
discernment in the spirit realm, as she shares biblical principles and
powerful stories that will spark your faith to grow more in this gift.
Discerning the Spirit Realm imparts valuable insights as you are guided
through different layers of tapping into your God-given spiritual senses and
aligning with the ways of God. I believe God is raising up change agents
who can discern the times and seasons and shape history even in the midst
of unprecedented global shaking. Take these words to heart and let the Holy
Spirit transform your prayer life!
DR. CHÉ AHN
Founder and President, Harvest International Ministry
Founding and Senior Pastor, Harvest Rock Church
Pasadena, California
International Chancellor, Wagner University
Founder, Ché Ahn Ministries

Angels, demons, principalities, four living creatures—what do they

have in common? They are all created beings with distinct purposes. What
else? They are all spiritual beings that can be perceived, distinguished, and
discerned by believers in Christ Jesus through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Becca Greenwood is a biblically sound prophetic teacher of the Word of
God who demystifies the unseen realms and makes flowing in the
supernatural very natural. You hold in your hand a stick of dynamite to
blow up the powers of darkness! Read and act!
JAMES W. GOLL
Founder of God Encounters Ministries
GOLL Ideation LLC
© Copyright 2020–Rebecca Greenwood

All rights reserved. This book is protected by the copyright laws of the United States of America.
This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use of short quotations
or occasional page copying for personal or group study is permitted and encouraged. Permission will
be granted upon request. Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are taken from The
Passion Translation, Copyright © 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, www.thepassiontranslation.com. Used by
permission of BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC, Racine, Wisconsin, USA. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright
1996, 2004, 2015. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All
rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW
INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 International Bible Society.
Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken
from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971,
1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture
quotations marked AMPC are taken from the Amplified® Bible, Classic Edition, Copyright © 1954,
1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked HCSB are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright ©
1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked MEV are taken from The Holy Bible, Modern English Version.
Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House. All
rights reserved. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked AMP are taken from the
Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights
reserved. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James
Version. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright
© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations
marked MSG are taken from The Message. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002.
Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Please note that Destiny Image’s publishing style
capitalizes certain pronouns in Scripture that refer to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and may differ
from some publishers’ styles. Take note that the name satan and related names are not capitalized.
We choose not to acknowledge him, even to the point of violating grammatical rules.

DESTINY IMAGE® PUBLISHERS, INC.

P.O. Box 310, Shippensburg, PA 17257-0310
“Promoting Inspired Lives.”

This book and all other Destiny Image and Destiny Image Fiction books are available at Christian
bookstores and distributors worldwide.

Cover design by Eileen Rockwell

Interior design by Terry Clifton

For more information on foreign distributors, call 717-532-3040.

Reach us on the Internet: www.destinyimage.com.

ISBN 13 TP: 978-0-7684-5487-1

ISBN 13 eBook: 978-0-7684-5488-8
ISBN 13 HC: 978-0-7684-5490-1
ISBN 13 LP: 978-0-7684-5489-5
For Worldwide Distribution, Printed in the U.S.A.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8/24 23 22 21 20
 CONTENTS

Foreword
Introduction
Chapter One Discernment Defined
Chapter Two They Will Hear My Voice
Chapter Three Maturing in Hearing and Discernment
Chapter Four Discernment and Prophecy Work Together
Chapter Five Learning to Discern by Observing in the Natural
Chapter Six Discerning Angels
Chapter Seven Discerning the Demonic Realm
Chapter Eight Territorial Discernment
Chapter Nine Discerning Times and Seasons
Chapter Ten Discerning Moves of the Holy Spirit
Conclusion Prayer to Awaken Discernment in You!
Appendix Apparent Demonic Groupings List
 FOREWORD

What an honor to be able to write the foreword for Rebecca Greenwood’s

book, Discerning the Spirit Realm. I’ve had the privilege of knowing her
and her husband Greg for several years. They are great people, down to
earth, fun, and like family. But also very gifted!
I’ve sat back and watched Becca, as she is affectionately called by close
friends and family, over the years develop from a simple yet powerful
prayer and deliverance ministry to an exploding international ministry that
very much touches discerning the spirit realm. Yet the totality of her gift
and ministry is much larger than this. I watched her develop grace, not just
experience, as she’s advanced, and she’s a delight to work with.
How we need to understand the whole realm of discerning! I’ll never
forget when I stumbled into this realm and with shocked awareness thought,
What in the world just happened to me? I was a graduate student and had
recently been baptized in the Holy Spirit. Walking past the student center, I
looked through the window to where students were sitting at tables eating
as well as walking around. Suddenly, they were no longer people but they
were white forms. They were in the form of a person yet they obviously
were not flesh and blood. They were moving about as these white, formless
bodies. In one sense they looked like ghosts that were in the form of a
person. I knew they weren’t ghosts; I’m simply trying to describe what I
saw. They looked like walking spirits.
I returned to my apartment and thought, What in the world just
happened to me? I called a woman who was much more mature than I in
spiritual matters to see if she could explain to me what just happened. She
confirmed that yes, I was seeing spirits and they were human spirits. I had
suddenly entered a realm that was both totally new and quite shocking as
well as intriguing. My spiritual senses were being enlarged to see in to the
spirit world. I had just experienced the discerning of spirits.
To discern in its simplest form is to see. I learned that there are three
realms in which the Holy Spirit pulls back an invisible curtain so that we
can see this spiritual realm, not with our natural eyes but through our
spiritual eyes. There are basically three rooms to discerning of spirits. We
see human spirits, angels, and demonic spirits.
This realm became essential to understand when I was a young pastor.
The only resource I knew of at that time to understand it was Kenneth
Hagin’s book on the Holy Spirit and His gifts. Since then I’ve experienced
God walking me through strategic prayer for people by seeing into the spirit
realm. They didn’t need to be present for me to experience this. People have
been healed from cancer because God showed me pictures of what was
keeping that cancer in place. I would pray through the picture until the
entity I saw was totally removed. (I usually saw those spirits in the form of
gorillas or monkeys.) When that entity was removed, the people were
completely healed or released from the cancer.
Discerning of spirits is the most dangerous and has been the most
misused gift of the Holy Spirit. Many people believe that it’s limited to the
demonic realm. When they see a demon, they immediately use it to accuse
or label a person. But God shows us things so that we know how to pray for
and help people. In prophetic churches it can be the most damaging gift
because people’s spiritual senses are heightened yet they lack knowledge.
Both knowledge and experience are necessary to correctly interpret what
one is seeing. When this is lacking, people can get hurt and at times even
leave a church because of what someone has “seen” concerning them.
Why? Because it’s used to label and accuse a person rather than set them
free. There’s been a dearth of books serving as resources to understanding
this area of discerning of spirits. People have desperately needed
knowledge, experience, and wisdom in this realm from someone who is
experienced and mature.
What a blessing for the body of Christ to finally have a resource to use
in this area. Rebecca’s book is timely because we’ve never needed to
understand this realm more. She deals with not only the realm of seeing but
other gifts of the Spirit that release supernatural knowledge to help us
understand what is happening. The gift of knowledge often imparts a
different type of discernment to us.
I found it very significant that, upon reading this book, I had a very
unusual and intimidating encounter with a demonic force. That encounter
literally made me ill. Because I had just completed reading this book and
was preparing to write the foreword, I was alerted to the need for
discernment. I was able to tease apart some of the aspects of what I’d
experienced. The encounter had to be discerned so that I could then move
on into devising and then implementing a strategy to overcome.
Becca’s book is totally down to earth yet detailed and extremely helpful.
I can hear her in the book. I hear her voice. It doesn’t simply impart
knowledge, but her book is wrapped in the warmth with which she
ministers. We’re in a season when we need help. It seems the whole world
and the nations of the earth are in an uproar. And that uproar or rage is a
complex intertwining of multiple factors, societal and individual hurts and
wounds. We need love and we also desperately need discernment.
May your discernment be multiplied through reading this book. And
may God give you His heart as you interpret what you’re seeing and feeling
so that you can advance with great victory and deliverance. This is an
amazing day that calls for great people with a great heart that is both
informed by and wrapped in the love of God!
BARBARA YODER
Lead Apostle, Shekinah Regional Apostolic Center
Breakthrough Apostolic Ministries Network
www.shekinahchurch.org
 INTRODUCTION

Have you ever been in a room where others are rejoicing, yet you are not?
Or have you watched as doors are flying open for someone, meaning others
are promoting this individual, but you do not feel at ease with this particular
person? Have you felt the presence of angels? Have you felt the presence of
demons? Are you able to know a person is demonized just by looking at
them? Are you able to know the Lord’s purpose for an individual? Do you
hear, see, or feel angelic activity? Maybe you hear, see, and feel demonic
activity. Are you able to know who or what is influencing the spiritual
atmosphere of a city or region? Can you feel the direction the Holy Spirit is
moving in a meeting? Allow me to personally share that I often experience
the majority of the above-mentioned spiritual encounters, which are all
encompassed in the gift of discernment.
Discernment is a gift that has not been widely taught in the Body of
Christ, often because of lack of understanding of the gift. That being said,
there are many who operate in this revelatory gift but find it hard to
communicate what they are encountering, experiencing, or what is being
revealed to them in the realm of the spirit. As one who functions highly in
discernment, I understand the difficulty when the gift is in operation, yet
those with whom I am attempting to communicate the spiritual reality I am
experiencing stare at me with a blank or perplexed look.
Often conversations between me and my husband will go as follows.
Me: “Do you feel that?”
Greg: “Feel what?”
Me: “That heaviness in the atmosphere. It is overwhelming.”
Greg: “No, I am not feeling the heaviness.”
Or another scenario:
Me: “Do you hear that?”
Greg: “Hear what?”
Me: “That sound of worship in the atmosphere.”
Greg: “Is someone worshiping? I’m not hearing it.”
 Me: “Yes. I hear the angels worshiping as we pray.”
Or maybe some have experienced this:
Me: “That person is tormented by a spirit of fear.”
Greg: “How do you know?”
Me: “I see it on his countenance. I hear the lies it is speaking to him in
the spirit.”
There are many key words or phrases that are used by those who
function in the gift of discernment. I hear, I see, I feel, I know, I smell. Or
another common statement: “I am not able to explain how I know what I
know, but I know what I am sensing, hearing, seeing, and feeling is real.”
The truth is, those who function in this gift are legitimately having these
experiences. But often they have learned not to share what is being revealed
due to previous times of being shunned or misunderstood.
Allow me to share a testimony that is common in our world. I had just
returned from a powerful time of ministry in a particular nation that will
remain unnamed for security purposes. I love the church and the friends we
work with in this nation as they are ones who are on fire and have learned
to follow the Lord through extreme situations of persecution. In fact, the
government sends agents into Christian church services in order to listen to
what is being shared to ensure that there are no “rebellious” mindsets being
perpetuated that would threaten or challenge their government. When these
agents come into the service they dress in civilian clothes and record what
is being shared. They then will share the recording with government
officials. Therefore, while ministering I am keenly aware of the fact that I
am being watched, listened to, and recorded. Even so, I have yet to feel
unsafe.
As I said, I had just returned home. Greg and I, along with our three
daughters, decided to have a fun family night. We enjoyed a nice dinner and
spontaneously decided to go to a movie. Upon arriving at the theater, I
quickly began to experience alarms going off in my spirit. I felt a looming
sense of danger in the atmosphere. My husband could see that I was
apprehensive. He asked, “Are you okay?”
In order not to alarm our daughters, I calmly replied, “No, not really.
Greg, I just returned from meetings where government agents came for the
sole purpose of recording my messages. I knew that if I had said something
the government deemed out of line I would have been taken by the
authorities and questioned and possibly arrested, yet I never felt unsafe
while ministering. But at this theater, I feel a looming sense of danger. It
does not feel safe.”
After sharing this discernment with my husband, immediately two of
our daughters began to chime in: “Dad, she is right! We feel it too. Maybe
we should leave.”
Greg has proven to be a voice of wisdom in the midst of these
situations. He patiently inquired, “Do you feel we are in danger now, or are
you discerning something in the spirit realm concerning the atmosphere of
the area and region we are in? Why don’t we ask the Lord for clarity?” He
then prayed a simple prayer, “Lord, if we are in danger and need to leave,
we welcome You to speak to us now. Or if this is discernment in operation
concerning the spiritual atmosphere or a demonic presence in this area and
region, reveal it to us. Lord, are we in a dangerous location? Should we
leave?”
We stood in a close huddle as a family and listened to the Lord. Quickly,
we came to place of unity. We were not in danger but were indeed
discerning a demonic strongman in the region, resulting in a tangible
feeling of endangerment. Once we gained this understanding, we were able
to watch the entire movie in peace and to continue our family night of fun.
We do not need to run and hide just because we find ourselves in the
presence of evil. We can discern and yet remain in peace and joy. Through
the blood of Jesus, we have the victory.
Maybe many of you reading this story can relate. Some might be
rejoicing to realize you are not alone in this world of discernment. Actually,
I believe many are functioning in this gift without full understanding
because of lack of training. I also feel strongly that discernment can be
taught and activated in many by natural observations of people, situations,
and regions. It is my prayer that as we delve into this teaching, great truth
and wisdom on how to discern the times and seasons will be imparted to
help you navigate this gift. May you feel empowered and be activated in
your ability to distinguish in the realm of the spirit. Most importantly, may
each of you reading experience a release to be yourself and no longer feel a
need to apologize for this gift. It is time for Holy Spirit-anointed permission
and freedom to discern.
 Chapter One

DISCERNMENT DEFINED

Every believer has received grace gifts, so use them to serve

one another as faithful stewards of the many-colored tapestry
of God’s grace. For example, if you have a speaking gift, speak
as though God were speaking his words through you. If you
have the gift of serving, do it passionately with the strength
God gives you, so that in everything God alone will be glorified
through Jesus Christ. For to him belong the power and the
glory forever throughout all ages! Amen.
—1 PETER 4:10-11

Every believer has received abilities, administrations, enablements,

functions, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. The beauty of this truth is that each
gift and ability is given for the profit of all. You see, the Church is a living
being, a body, which is to function in a cooperative manner as a coalition
and network to benefit and profit each other and influence and disciple
culture. I appreciate how this is clearly explained in Romans 12:4-5: “In the
human body there are many parts and organs, each with a unique function.
And so it is in the body of Christ. For though we are many, we’ve all been
mingled into one body in Christ. This means that we are all vitally joined to
one another, with each contributing to the others.” Peter Wagner defines a
spiritual gift “as the special attribute given by the Holy Spirit to every
member of the Body of Christ, according to God’s grace, for use within the
context of the Body.”1
You and I are a part of a living body with Jesus as the head. As further
discovered in Romans, “God’s marvelous grace imparts to each one of us
varying gifts and ministries that are uniquely ours” (Rom. 12:6). How
awesome is it that our heavenly Father has created a many-colored tapestry
of grace gifts that we are to faithfully steward. While this book is not a
teaching on all the spiritual gifts, abilities, and functions, I do believe it is
important to understand that we are all uniquely created and graced to be a
part of the living Body of Christ. It is also vitally important to understand
and to know how God has gifted each of us individually so we can learn,
grow, function in, and mature in the giftings and abilities He has bestowed
to benefit the corporate body. But in this message, we are going to focus on
thoroughly outlining a particular gift that is not often considered or taught
—discernment. What is discernment? How is it defined according to the
Word of God? How am I to grow and mature in this Holy Spirit-given
ability? These questions, along with many other topics, will be clearly
discussed and explained.

THE ABILITY TO DISCERN

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to
another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.
The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone
else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person
the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to
prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether
a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still
another person is given the ability to speak in unknown
languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what
is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all
these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should
have (1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NLT).

Discernment is a revelatory gift. It is one of the nine gifts given to us

through the Holy Spirit. It is a gift that has rarely been taught. For those
who function in discernment, many have walked for years without teaching
and training, feeling alone in their revelation. There are those who have
misused the gift. And there are many believers who shun or do not accept
the discernment of those who clearly function in this ability because it is
difficult to lead, make decisions, and understand times and seasons based
off revelation in the spirit realm that is not visible or tangible in the natural.
 The ability to discern is very real and biblical. Several times people
have asked me, “Can’t you turn that off or shut that down?” The question
does make me laugh because, for the most part, those who have posed this
question are coming from a genuine place of trying to understand. However,
others have asked because they truly don’t want to hear what is being
discerned. All of that being said, the reality is—no, I can’t. To ask someone
who functions in the ability to discern if they can stop discerning is like
asking someone who has the gift of faith to quit believing. It is real and
functioning and is one of the ways the Lord has knitted me and countless
others into the tapestry of the living being of the Body of Christ.
The Greek word for discernment is diakrisis (see 1 Cor. 12:10). It
means the ability to judge or decide, the ability to judge the genuineness of
gifts that come from the Spirit and those that do not, the gift to differentiate
the Word of God proclaimed by a true prophet or that of a satanic deceiver
(Strong’s #G1253). In this First Corinthians passage it is also used to
describe one of the gifts or enablements of the Spirit and refers to the
supernatural power of spiritual insight to know what is from the Lord and to
detect and expose demonic and false strategies, teachings, and activities. A
more simplistic explanation is the differentiation between good and bad and
the discerning of spirits.
I am sure some of you reading this can relate to these definitions. There
have been numerous times I have heard someone speak and minister and I
have absolutely no peace. Or I am watching a governmental leader, media
anchor, businessman or woman, even ministry leader or fellow believer
speak and everything inside of me is telling me what is being spoken is not
truth but deception and a lie. Then there are those times I hear an individual
speak and I know that everything that is being said is coming from truth, a
genuine honesty, or a pure and true revelation of the Lord. We will discuss
this later, but it definitely takes time to mature in this area so as not to cross
over into a critical or judgmental spirit that is not from the Lord or to try to
force someone to fix an unrighteous area in their lives when they are not
ready to do so. When I was younger in the Lord and new in discovering and
operating in this gift, I had to go through many lessons on how to maneuver
in wisdom with the revelation I was hearing and receiving.

A PERSONAL LEARNING LESSON

As I listened to the prophet speak revelation to the group, I was extremely
troubled. Many were listening, certain that what was being shared was a
message from the Lord. As the ministry time progressed, I could not
understand how those receiving were not able to recognize the subtly
controlling, demeaning tone of the words being released and the power play
occurring through this individual. I could see in the near future great
division coming to the prayer group if this individual was allowed to
continue down this vein of ministry. Suddenly, in the midst of his corporate
ministry, this individual turned to me in front of the entire prayer team and
called me out, “The Lord says you are still in fear! He has told me to ask
you how long you will hold on to this demonic spirit in your life!” He then
abruptly turned and proceeded to the next person in a demeaning,
intimidating, and divisive manner. All the words being given were totally
off and inaccurate. Not only did this occur publicly, but there were also
many private divisive conversations about the leadership of this network.
This individual decided to become a very active member in this prayer
ministry. It became apparent to me that they were aiming extreme jealousy
at me and several others. I decided to try to remedy this situation. Against
the wisdom of my husband, I met with this person in a sincere attempt to
work through the jealousy and negative prophetic words that they continued
to aim toward me. I thought to myself, “I am being overly judgmental and
critical. Certainly, this person’s motives aren’t as bad and divisive as I feel
they are.”
We planned a private meeting at a public location. I wanted to inquire if
I had done something to cause this person to view me as fearful and as a
threat. The response was, “You are jealous of me.”
I gently replied, “No, I am not jealous of you. But if I have given you
that impression I apologize, and I ask you to forgive me.”
As soon as this statement came out of my mouth the reply was, “Thank
you for sharing that. I receive it. But let’s not tell anyone about this
conversation. I don’t want the leaders of this group to view you in a more
negative light because they have confided in me that they already do. If you
tell them you came to me, this might harm your relationship with them and
your position in this group.” Instantly, red flags sounded the alarm in my
spirit man and I knew this was not an acceptable response, but in my lack of
experience I did not know how to maneuver this situation and I agreed to
the terms.
Within 48 hours, this individual decided to share with the leaders and
others in the prayer group that I had admitted my jealousy. As a result, I
was thrown into a season of having to lay low and pray that this divisive
spirit would be fully exposed. Soon, this person overplayed their hand, and
exposure did come. I was invited into a leadership meeting and asked, “You
have been very quiet about this person; what have you been discerning?” I
shared what I had discerned through revelation of the Holy Spirit, and
within a short amount of time this individual was brought into a meeting
and offered help to receive freedom and training in order to move beyond
these divisive ways. Unfortunately, the person chose not to and left the
group. What proved heartbreaking was the number of other individuals hurt
and falsely accused during this short time. It took many several months to
recover from the chaos and confusion released.

THE WISE IN HEART ARE CALLED DISCERNING

The one with a wise heart is called “discerning,” and speaking

sweetly to others makes your teaching even more convincing
(Proverbs 16:21).

I cannot express enough the need for wisdom when operating in

discernment. In my personal testimony above, my discernment was correct,
but my lack of wisdom in handling this situation set me up for a season that
proved to be difficult. We will discuss maturing in this gift later, but our
foundation here is an important truth in the Word: “Solid food is for the
mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good
and evil” (Heb. 5:14 NASB). When discerning, wisdom and maturity to
handle and share the revelation must be an intentional goal.
As also exemplified in the above testimony, the individual functioning
in division was not using words of love and caring to bring wise instruction
but was purposely acting in a divisive manner in order to be the one heard
and in control. This is a clear example of manipulation in action—when
someone is attempting to operate in prophecy and a gift of discernment but
is either not gifted or is gifted but does not carry the depth of purity or
maturity necessary to function in the wisdom of the Lord.

WE ARE CALLED TO CAREFULLY EVALUATE THINGS

This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human

wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual
realities with Spirit-taught words. The person without the Spirit
does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but
considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them
because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person
with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a
person is not subject to merely human judgments, for, “Who
has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we
have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:13-16 NIV).

People often ask me, “Can all believers discern?” My answer to this
question is yes. While some might not function in this ability on a regular
basis, I do believe people can learn how to discern and can mature in it. The
Greek word in this scripture for discern is anakrino. It means “to examine,
evaluate carefully, investigate, interrogate, determine, and judge” (Strong’s
#G350).
Paul is teaching here that all believers are being taught by the Spirit. As
sons and daughters of God, we are no longer taught by the ways of the
world but by the Holy Spirit. We are spiritual beings. As representatives of
His Kingdom we must know and understand the vocabulary of His
Kingdom. This also includes the realities and vocabulary of the Spirit. Just
as an engineer, a teacher, a doctor goes to school and has to learn the
vocabulary and ways of that trade, we too must learn the vocabulary and
ways of the spirit realm. Hear me—the spirit realm is more real than the
physical realm. The physical will pass away, but the spirit lives eternal. As
believers, we have now entered the plane of the spiritual. We are now able
to live in the realm of the Spirit. Therefore, we all must grow in this reality
in our lives. The unsaved cannot understand or comprehend the things of
the Spirit. However, you and I can and must.
 One of the marks of growth and maturity in our spiritual lives is
discernment. While it might look different for each of us, there is a divinely
given ability to be able to examine, evaluate, and judge in order to see or
penetrate beyond the surface of life and the natural world to see, perceive,
and understand the way things truly are. You see the unsaved walk by sight
and yet they really see nothing; they lack depth of sight because they are
spiritually blind. Paul clearly states:

Beware that no one distracts you or intimidates you in their

attempt to lead you away from Christ’s fullness by pretending
to be full of wisdom when they’re filled with endless arguments
of human logic. For they operate with humanistic and clouded
judgments based on the mindset of this world system, and not
the anointed truths of the Anointed One (Colossians 2:8).

The maturing believer grows in discernment and the ability to

understand more and more the ways of God, the Word of God, and the
realm of His Kingdom. Maturity positions us for victorious insights and
solutions to issues that can only effectively be resolved through
understanding and wisdom in the realm of the Spirit.

SALVAGING THE GOOD AND DISCARDING THE USELESS

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and
more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be
able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless
until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that
comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God
(Philippians 1:9-11 NIV).

Let’s investigate this scripture further. In this scripture, the Greek word
for discernment is dokimazo. It means “to approve or the testing process
that salvages the good and discards the useless” (Strong’s #G1381). It
signifies the ability to regard something as genuine or worthy on the basis
of testing. This is exactly what Solomon prayed and asked the Lord to
bestow on him.
 Most scholars believe that Solomon was twenty years old when he
began his reign. His words express his feelings concerning his lack of
experience in order to fulfill this new position. It seems evident that it was
weighing heavily on him to be able to function effectively as the vice-regent
of Yahweh. We read that the Lord came to him in a dream and gave the
following instructions: “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (1
Kings 3:5 NIV). As we continue to read, we learn what transpired.

“Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place
of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know
how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the
people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count
or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern
your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For
who is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord
was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to
him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or
wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your
enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do
what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning
heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor
will there ever be” (1 Kings 3:7-12 NIV).

I can imagine the overwhelming weight of following in the footsteps of

his father David. And even though he had reached manhood, he was still
younger in years. We see the awesome exchange between him and the Lord
and the promise of destiny released. Solomon asked for a discerning heart
to govern the people. The Hebrew word for discern in this encounter is
habin, also stated as biyn. It means “to understand, pay attention, examine,
realize, hear, and pay attention to information; have specialized knowledge
that is effectively implemented; teach, perceive, look closely, see with the
eyes, cunning; and to have perception and judgment about what is seen”
(Strong’s #H995).
It is evident from his reign that wisdom and discernment were indeed
bestowed on Solomon. He was able to build the temple and return the Ark
of the Covenant to its divinely designed home. He built his palace, he
attained great wealth, he traded with nations. His fame spread wide because
of the gift of wisdom conferred on him by the Lord. However, Solomon did
not listen to the Lord concerning his wives and concubines from the nations
He had previously warned the children of Israel about. The Lord said that if
they lay with them in sexual relations, they would succeed in turning their
hearts away from the God of Israel and toward their gods. That is exactly
what happened to Solomon in his later years. Therefore, when his son
became king, the kingdom was torn out of his hands due to the sin of his
father.
What is the lesson here? We must ask the Lord for increased wisdom
and discernment, but also learn to walk in obedience with the Lord and
allow His purifying work in our hearts so that we will not bow our knee to
idols of our culture. Even the wisest are able to stumble and be lead astray
by the desires of the flesh and the seduction of worldly and impure cultures.

BUILDING AN ALTAR THAT BROKE OFFENSE

As I travel and minister throughout the nations, there is a consistent prayer I
voice to the Lord: “Lord, give me Your heart, discernment, wisdom,
presence, message, and strategies for transformation.” For several years, I
visited a particular city and region in Mississippi. We watched the Lord
move miraculously in tangible breakthrough and victory leading to
transformation, which I will share in Chapter Eight. On this visit, the Lord
spoke to us to go to a location where there had been hurt and offense from
the white man to the First Nations people of our land.
As we stood in on-site intercession and worship, the Lord moved
powerfully. We engaged in effective repentance and true intercession,
healing a divide. As we were completing the time of intercession, all on the
team felt we were to do a prophetic act on the land. It was an act of building
an altar to the Lord, dedicating this land to Him. When the Lord moved
powerfully on behalf of the children of Israel, altars of covenant and
dedication were erected. Likewise, when it was mentioned we all agreed,
including me.
As we gathered stones to build the altar of covenant, I quickly felt a
check and uneasiness in my spirit. I stopped and engaged the Holy Spirit.
“Holy Spirit, why am I uneasy? Is there something we need to know?” I
quickly heard Him and gained wisdom I would not have known in my own
understanding. As I approached the team I shared, “The Lord just spoke to
me. He said we are not to build an altar made of stone with our hands on
this Native land. If we do, it will be another act of the white man enforcing
our ways and spirituality on their sacred places. He revealed that we are to
form a circle, kneel on our knees, and lock arms. We are to build a human
altar of love and blessing for our Native brothers and sisters and their land.”
As soon as I voiced His Kingdom strategy, the glory presence and anointing
enveloped the entire group. We fell to our knees in a circle and locked arms,
establishing a covenant of love, acceptance, and blessing. It was a weighty
and powerful moment. When we shared it with leaders from the tribe, they
were beyond blessed. From that act that night, the beautiful people of this
First Nations tribe blessed me as one of them and said, “You are truly one
of us.”
Friends, I had no understanding in the natural that this would bless my
Native friends to the degree that it did. This is what occurs when we ask for
an increase in discernment and wisdom. Our hearts become so in tune with
Him that we are able to maneuver in ways beyond our own knowledge to
see deliverance, healing, breakthrough, and victory.

MOVING ON
As we have discovered, discernment involves words that carry much weight
and responsibility—words such as examine, test, evaluate carefully, to
know if a message is true or false, to judge, to know if one is a true or false
prophet, the differentiation of good and bad, to discern spirits in operation,
and to salvage the good and throw out the useless. All of us as believers are
to discern or approve what is good and what is useless. But we must be sure
to do this with the heart of love. This is something I want to ensure from the
beginning—to invite and welcome His heart of love so that as we learn to
function in this ability we do not cross into critical judgment, which then
becomes sin in our own lives. This is the point of caution. God is not giving
us this gift so we can be critical or judgmental. He is not licensing us to
glorify the demonic and get our focus out of balance. He is not bestowing
this ability for us to use our discernment as a gossip session or as an
invitation to think or operate in a rebellious way. Operating in this realm is
to be done in love, wisdom, maturity, and revelation from the Holy Spirit.
This gift is bestowed because it is a key to powerful breakthrough prayer
and intercession, clear prophetic words, and victorious warfare for
individuals, churches, cities, regions, and nations. The truth is, discernment
is to be used in beautiful ways that bring victory over death and healing
over wounds that have existed for hundreds of years. So let’s advance in our
journey to understand how learning to hear and receive the voice of the
Lord causes our discernment to mature and increase.

NOTE
1. C. Peter Wagner, Discover Your Spiritual Gifts (Ventura, CA: Regal
Books, 2002), 15.
 Chapter Two

THEY WILL HEAR MY VOICE

My own sheep will hear my voice and I know each one, and
they will follow me.
—JOHN 10:27

It was my Sunday night off from serving on the worship team. I was
looking forward to a time of refreshing in the Holy Spirit in our corporate
gathering. A time to worship and to be filled and refreshed. The added
bonus was worshiping and sitting with my husband. A few minutes into the
worship service, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and saw one of the
pastors of the church standing next to me. He whispered, “Becca, we need
your help. Can you come to my office? It is a deliverance crisis that has
been going on now for almost 18 hours and we are at a loss of what to do.”
To be honest, I did not want to say yes, as it had been a very busy week of
deliverance ministry sessions, but my pastors very rarely interrupted me in
a service unless there was a serious situation. So I obliged and followed him
to the office.
As we entered the room, there was a woman sitting in the chair
trembling uncontrollably in utter fear. Several of the trained deliverance
ministry team members were seated in front of her. It was quickly explained
to me that she had called the pastor at 3:30 a.m. that morning in great fear
and unable to function. Her husband was out of town on business and they
had small children. They quickly drove to her home to try to calm the crisis.
But after three hours of ministry, the manifestation increased with no relief.
The pastors called friends to take care of her children and took her to their
home in the hopes of helping her. Unfortunately, they had not been able to
bring her any reprieve. They felt bringing her to the worship service that
evening would help. Unfortunately, it only further aggravated this demonic
manifestation. I asked her and the pastor what was causing this torment.
Her explanation: “I just woke up like this.”
Allow me to explain—I was newer in deliverance ministry, but God had
been using me to see people radically set free. One of the reasons I believe
this was and is the case is because of the giftings I operate in—prophecy
and discernment. Often when I minister in deliverance, I am able to
prophetically see and hear the root issue or demonic open door quite
quickly through hearing the voice of the Lord. Also, through the gift of
discerning of spirits I am more often than not able to identify the demonic
spirit that has gripped the individual. In other words, this gifting allows me
to hear, see, feel, and perceive in the spirit realm. So when it was explained
to me that she “just woke up” in this great fear-based torment for no
apparent reason, multiple red flags and spiritual alarms began to be resound.
I was not buying that explanation. Quietly in my spirit, I spoke to the Holy
Spirit, “Holy Spirit, direct me on what to do.”
He answered me, “Ask her the following questions as I speak them to
you.”
In obedience, I turned my attention back to her, all the while listening to
the Holy Spirit in an inner dialogue. I asked her if I could ask a few
questions before praying. While trembling excessively she replied, “Yes.”
First question: “Your husband is out of town and you were in bed
alone?”
She replied, “Yes.”
Second question: “Did you have a bad dream or a nightmare? Did a
demon visit you in a dream?”
“No.”
Third question: “But you woke up suddenly in unexplainable torment?”
“Yes.”
Now at this moment the Holy Spirit opened my spiritual eyes to see a
vision. I saw her wake up, yet she was calm and fully able to function. She
then walked over to a desk in her bedroom and sat in the chair. She turned
on the computer and went to a website. The Holy Spirit did not show me
the website but instructed me to tell her the vision I was seeing and then to
ask her to identify the website that she had intentionally chosen to visit.
Shocked, she quickly blurted out, “He is showing you that?”
 Calmly, I replied, “Yes. Can you please share with us the website you
visited this morning at 3:00 a.m.?”
She began to weep uncontrollably and between sobs shared, “I have
been going through deliverance for pornography and compulsive
masturbation. I have received tremendous freedom. I woke up and was
missing my husband so I decided to visit a porn site one more time. When I
did the demons came back and they came back seven times worse. I was so
ashamed to admit that I had fallen back into sin.” Turning to the pastor she
explained, “I just could not tell you the truth, pastor. I was so ashamed and
embarrassed. This torment is unbearable! I want these demons out of my
life for good.”
Without any coaching, she began to repent to the Lord and to the pastor
for not sharing the truth. And friends, she really meant it. As soon as she
repented, I was able to cast out the spirits of perversion and fear that had
been welcomed back in, and the unbearable demonization and torment
instantly left her. She has walked free since that day. You see, hearing the
voice of the Lord and paying attention to the red flags and alarms
resounding in my spirit were the keys for this breakthrough, deliverance,
and victory.

THE LORD’S VOICE IS POWERFUL

It is evident from these testimonies that the Lord uses many ways to speak
to us. As we begin to learn His ways of discernment communication, a key
point I want to emphasize is the voice of the Lord is powerful, and when we
learn how to recognize the different ways He is speaking to us we can
obtain wisdom to see breakthrough and victory. Hear me in this word of
encouragement and exhortation—He has not left us alone or without
spiritual foresight, language, or gifts. He is more than able to give us what
we need at the exact right time. Jesus too was able to perceive and discern
in the midst of many situations as He maneuvered in His ministry on earth.

And some men were carrying on a bed a man who was

paralyzed; and they were trying to bring him in and to set him
down in front of Him. But not finding any way to bring him in
because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him
down through the tiles with his stretcher, into the middle of the
 crowd, in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend,
your sins are forgiven you.” The scribes and the Pharisees
began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks
blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” But
Jesus, aware of their reasonings, answered and said to them,
“Why are you reasoning in your hearts?” (Luke 5:18-22
NASB)

What an insightful example of Jesus being aware of the thoughts of

others. Some translations use the words, “But Jesus, knowing their
thoughts”; other translations say, “But Jesus perceived their thoughts.” The
root Greek word for aware in this scripture is epiginosko. It means “to
know, recognize, perceive, be aware, and to have full discernment”
(Strong’s #G1921). Therefore, here in this moment of the religious leaders
yet again inaccurately questioning and judging Jesus, His teachings, and
actions, He fully discerns what they are reasoning in their hearts and begins
to teach them based off this supernatural gift “to know, perceive, recognize,
and fully discern.” The results are powerful lessons and truths spoken in
such a way that it can only come from supernatural, spiritual insight.
Some of you might be reasoning, “Well, this is Jesus and of course He
could do this, but this level full discernment is not for us.” However, the
truth is it is available and many function in this same manner that Jesus
modeled. God wants to work with and through each of us the same way He
worked with and through Jesus. He is our example and model to follow.
The Word also tells us that we will do greater things than He did (see John
14:12). His voice is powerful. It is His desire and divine design for us to
understand and to be equipped and operating in hearing His voice and
discerning in the realm of the Spirit. Not only is it a divine design, but,
friend, it is one of the most necessary gifts we must begin to understand,
activate, and maneuver in. We are in the most historic time of Christianity
in the world. To extend His Kingdom in the earth, it is imperative that we
learn the moves of the Holy Spirit; the deceptions, traps, and schemes of the
enemy and His army of darkness; and also the times and seasons in which
we have been we born.
Allow me to pose a question—how can we leave our mark on this earth,
the lives of others, and spheres of influence if we shun the ability to discern
in this crucial time? It is my belief that our influence to transform will not
fully be reached if we do not discern and move in His wisdom and
strategies to see breakthrough and victory.

HIS VOICE IS CREATIVE

In the Genesis creation account, we see repeatedly that God’s voice was
creative. He created the heavens and the earth. He spoke and there was
light. He spoke and there was night and day. He spoke and there was
separation of land and water. He spoke and there was vegetation. He spoke
and the creatures of the water, sea, and land came into being. Then from the
ground He formed human beings. The power of His voice created all the
beauty of the canvas of the earth and the heavens, which is now our
inheritance as His sons and daughters and Kingdom ambassadors. You and I
and our very existence are a product of His creative voice and foresight.
We think of a voice as something that is spoken out audibly, and this is
correct. However, the voice of the Lord speaks in many different ways and
it is important to learn how to recognize His voice and His Kingdom and to
become familiar with all the different creative dialects used in the language
of heaven. Key ways He communicates with us are prophecy and prophetic
words spoken through others, spoken or taught words, dreams, visions,
impressions, a knowing or perceiving, the Word of God, angels, a message
the pastor or minister is speaking, signs in the natural, circumstances, our
five senses, discernment, and the discerning of spirits.

Prophecy
Prophecy is one of the most familiar ways many of us in this age and
time have become familiar with hearing the voice of the Lord. A scriptural
promise that speaks of the times we are in is Acts 2:17-18:

This is what I will do in the last days—I will pour out my Spirit
on everybody and cause your sons and daughters to prophesy,
and your young men will see visions, and your old men will
experience dreams from God. The Holy Spirit will come upon
all my servants, men and women alike, and they will prophesy.
 Propheteuo is the Greek word used in this text. It means “to speak or
make inspired utterances, to declare the will of God, sometimes with regard
to what is to happen in the future, to speak under divine utterances, to
exercise the prophetic office” (Strong’s #G4395). As the Holy Spirit is
poured out and is welcomed, for many the revelatory gift of prophecy is
awakened and activated. Often those who have a strong and maturing gift of
prophecy will also function in the gift of discernment and discerning of
spirits.

A Spoken Word
While this obviously can occur in a prophetic word, it often can come
innocently in a conversation with a friend, through a pastor who is speaking
a message, through a spoken prayer released during an intercession time,
through a news broadcast, a Christian radio or television show, a book
being read, or the Word of God. There have even been times when a lost
person has innocently spoken words to me that have confirmed the
discernment of a situation at hand. As a mentor and dear friend, Alice
Smith, always expresses, “In God’s Kingdom, any old donkey will do.”
While this statement makes us chuckle, in reality it is profoundly true. God
can use creative ways to confirm revelation and discernment even through
those in the world.

Learning His Voice Through the Word

For we have the living Word of God, which is full of energy,

and it pierces more sharply than a two-edged sword. It will
even penetrate to the very core of our being where soul and
spirit, bone and marrow meet! It interprets and reveals the true
thoughts and secret motives of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12).

We find great supernatural help and advantage from the Word of God to
strengthen our faith and motivate our persistence. The Word is quick, very
lively, and active. It convicts of sin, transforms the mind and thoughts,
brings comfort, and binds up the wounds of the soul. It is full of life and is
compared to the light. It is vital to bring full, free, victorious, and abundant
light. As stated above, God’s voice is powerful, and I want to add here that
His Word is all-powerful. It is so powerful that it pulls down strongholds,
raises the dead, and makes the deaf to hear, the blind to see, the dumb to
speak, and the lame to walk. It is powerful to batter down satan’s kingdom
and to set up the Kingdom of Christ. It is sharper than any two-edged
sword. It enters where no other sword is able and makes a more critical
separation. It penetrates and pierces to the very core of our being where the
soul and spirit meet—where those sinful habits that have become natural to
the soul, rooted deeply and at home in it, are separated and cut out and off.
It cuts off ignorance from the understanding, rebellion from the will, and
hostility from the mind and thoughts. This sword divides between the bone
and marrow, which are the most secret, close, and intimate parts of the
body. Praise God, this sword cuts off the lusts of the flesh as well as the
lusts and vain imaginations of the mind. We rejoice that it snatches us out of
sin into a transformed life. It is a discerner and interpreter of the thoughts
and intents and secrets motives of the heart. His Word brings life, hope, joy,
passion, faith, encouragement, and divine direction. Friends, how necessary
it is to intimately acquaint ourselves with this living Word so vital to life.
Knowing and studying His Word is one of the most essential and
imperative ways to learn His voice and increase in discernment. Why?
Because at the basic level of functioning in this gift we must discern the
“wiles of the enemy,” who always seeks to appeal to our emotions. While
we will discuss sensing and feeling to help us grow in this gift, we also
must realize that the enemy seeks to entangle us by enticing and seducing
us through our “feelings.” We need to discern from an objective perspective
and a neutral standpoint by keeping before us the original blueprints of the
Word of God and prophetic revelations the Lord has given us. We discern
by the Spirit of the Lord and move strategically in alignment with His
Word. All is not implemented simply by emotions.

Dreams
Throughout the Word we read of men and women who experienced life-
changing revelation and direction in their dreams. One instance occurred
when the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him to
take Mary as his wife because what was conceived in her womb was by the
Holy Spirit (see Matt. 1:20). Other instances include Solomon, Pharaoh,
numerous kings, and prophets.
 A dream is revelation that is released while our physical body and mind
are at rest. Sometimes this is the best and most effective way for God to get
a message through to us. I believe dreams are one of the most significant
ways the Lord speaks to bring clear revelation and discernment. Here is a
beautiful testimony from our oldest daughter, Kendall:

The ways the Holy Spirit speaks to us—alerting us that we

need to pay attention to our surroundings and the people in
them and things in ourselves—are immeasurable. In the Bible,
the Lord tells us that we’ll feel the Holy Spirit’s guidance
through His intercession over us (Rom. 8:26), His actual voice
(Acts 13:2), in signs and wonders (Mark 16:17-18), and more.
But my favorite way to hear the Lord’s voice and feel His
guiding, reassuring hand comes during the hours of the day
when I’m the least alert—when my eyes are closed, my mind is
wonderfully blank and my body is almost completely still.
I absolutely love it when He speaks to me with dreams. You
see, discernment doesn’t sleep.
I get giddy even typing about it now because in my adult life
this is a new part of our relationship. The first time I remember
feeling that the Lord was talking to me this way was when I
was about seven or eight years old. My family, living in Texas
at the time, was potentially going to move to a new town or
state because my dad was looking for a new job. One night, I
had a dream of mountains and snow (I can still picture the
scene today) and woke up telling my parents that Jesus said we
are going to move to Colorado. Guess what’s been home for
the last 20 years?
About three years ago, after a slow and quiet dream life
through my teens and early adulthood, a prayer brought it all
back. I was reminded in a teaching that we can ask the Lord for
anything, and anything we ask, the Lord wants to give us
(Matt. 7:7-8). I’d really been missing having Him in my
dreams, so I started asking. As I prayed, my request got
confirmed through others’ prayers over me. I so eagerly waited.
And sure enough, I woke up one morning to a detailed,
completely lucid memory of the previous night’s vision and a
loving little twinge on the right side of my chest. No one get
concerned—there is no need to call a doctor! This is how I feel
the Holy Spirit a lot of times—I’ll get this burning, twinging
sensation opposite from where my heart is, and I just know it’s
Him.
Since that night, the Lord has talked to me about my heart, my
fears, my family, my career, my prayer group, and the spiritual
atmospheres I’m in while I sleep. I have learned quite a bit
about interpreting dreams (though not enough to do it
completely on my own just yet), but what I’ve heeded even
more is the sharpening of my discernment in speedy
circumstances.
If discernment is gut (or rather, for me, chest) instinct, then
walking through a dream with the Lord is, to use one of my
mom’s phrases, a gut instinct on steroids. When I think I feel
the Holy Spirit tell me something when I’m awake, there are
often worldly thoughts and distractions I have to contend with
in the midst of determining if that inkling is from Him; and I’ll
sometimes take too much time to figure it out. But in the short
moments when I am just waking up from my usual seven hours
—those seconds when any dreams you had suddenly come
flooding back—thoughts about my to-do list, people I need to
text back who I didn’t have time to respond to the day before,
work deadlines and so on aren’t there. For a split second, the
only thing that’s real is the urging I get in my spirit as to
whether or not the midnight showing that just happened in my
mind is from the Lord.
And to know the answer to that question, I have to listen to that
urging just as quickly as it happens. I need to recognize it and
remember it; it needs to stick in my spirit. And then I need to
act on it.
At the start, my feet were so unsteady in knowing if a dream
was from the Lord. But the more He brought them, the more I
 could identify that fast feeling and the more convinced I
became. The ultimate result of all of this—my relationship with
the Lord has grown more special and intimate. When I feel the
Holy Spirit jump up inside of me to give me a loving insight—
no matter the time the clock reads—I’m finding it easier to
humble myself to His direction.
The Lord doesn’t sleep, which means our discernment—our
literal direct connection to the God of heaven and earth—
doesn’t have to either.

Such a powerful testimony of what dreams are able to activate. I love

and appreciate Kendall’s statements, “Discernment doesn’t sleep” and “If
discernment is gut (or rather, for me, chest) instinct, then walking through a
dream with the Lord is, to use one of my mom’s phrases, a gut instinct on
steroids.” The following are a few key areas in which dreams empower us
to discern even while we sleep.

■ Dreams can reveal events and discernment that will lead the
dreamer to make the right decision for his or her future.
■ Dreams can reveal discernment for intercessory prayer
assignments.
■ Dreams can reveal discernment and victorious battle plans for
intercessors.
■ Dreams can bring revelation and discernment concerning
future events.
■ Dreams can bring a warning.
■ Dreams can bring us into beautiful heavenly encounters with
the Lord, angels, and His heavenly Kingdom.
■ Dreams can identify areas in need of deliverance and healing.

Visions: Seeing in the Spirit Realm

A vision is like a dream. However, you are awake when it occurs. The
apostle Peter’s commission to eat with and minister to the Gentiles came in
a vision (see Acts 10:9-23). C. Peter Wagner shares the significance of this
type of communication:

God knew that ordinary communication processes would not

be adequate to move Peter in the radical direction He wanted
him to go. So God did an extraordinary thing and gave Peter
the famous vision of the unclean food in the sheet. Peter’s
background had personally prepared him to receive visions. For
one thing, it would fit his worldview. Unlike many today, Peter
believed that one of God’s normal ways of communicating
from time to time was through visions and dreams. He was
praying at the time, so his heart was open to God. He may have
been fasting, too. Luke doesn’t say he was, but we read that
Peter became very hungry (Acts 10:10). Prayer along with
fasting removes obstacles to hearing God’s voice.1

We read in scripture where there were visions of angels, the angel of the
Lord, fire, an army of horses and chariots, and numerous other spiritual
encounters. There are two types of visions—open and closed. In an open
vision spiritual objects or beings are seen with the physical eyes. Sometimes
objects that are not yet built, but will be in the future, can be seen with the
physical eyes as if they already exist. Or they may be visions of future or
past events. A closed vision is seeing something play out in the theater of
your mind or your spirit much like a dream. There is also the operation of
discerning of spirits in which you can see an individual’s countenance and
see the beauty and presence of the glory of the Lord or the shadow of
darkness of emotional distress and demonic strongholds. We may also see
moving shadows or glimpses of light in our peripheral vision. Allow me to
share an experience in which perceiving, seeing a vision, and hearing were
all in play.

An Open Door
Many years ago, Greg and I were in a church membership situation
where things seemed to get increasingly more difficult every time we
attended a service. What do I mean by difficult? This is where discernment
begins in the impression and your “spiritual knower” realm. For several
months, when we would attend a service I would feel confusion, unease,
and a heaviness/darkness looming in the spirit. I was unable to fully enter
into worship even though the other ten thousand in attendance were
engaged. I felt a deep knowing of great caution and that something was not
acceptable. Many times, I would begin to feel agitated while attending. That
being said, I was not hearing specifically from the Lord what the issue at
hand was, but I undeniably continued to feel the caution He was placing in
my spirit. Not only was this occurring, but at this time the leader of the
church had approached my husband about the possibility of a job on staff.
This undeniably caused a hard to ignore uneasiness. I felt this leader could
not be trusted and that we definitely could not put any real hope or
consideration in this offer. As I prayed and sought the Lord, He did not tell
me the moral issue occurring with the pastor that was revealed several
months later, but He did reveal a clear vision. I saw the face of this pastor
looking directly at me and out of his mouth came the word, “No!” I
instantly knew we were not to continue down this path and that whatever he
was saying he was going to offer my husband, the answer was to be no.
In time it was revealed that this leader totally misrepresented the
possible staff position and was not truthful with us in the process. Within
several months we attended a service in which the spirit realm was very
active. I was uncomfortable and highly in tune, hearing in the spirit realm
clearly. Honestly, it was one of those times I wish I could not hear what I
was hearing. It was as if a multitude of demons had been unleashed and
their mocking, demonic laughing and sneering of hatred toward the
believers was beyond active. I knew at that point that someone in leadership
had opened a demonic door of sin.
Greg could see that I was clearly perceiving, hearing, and discerning.
As we made our way out that night, I explained to him, “It is as if a portal
to the demonic realm has been opened. Someone is in sin. I cannot go back
and won’t go back. What I was hearing in the spirit is demonic, unpleasant,
and beyond unacceptable.” From that night, I spent much time in
intercession for the church and the leadership. Sadly, this leader was
exposed in a moral failure very soon after this encounter.

Hearing in the Spirit Realm

This is the ability to hear what is occurring in the spirit realm. Often it
can be the sound of angels worshiping. It can be the sound of angelic
activity in the room. It can also be the sound of the demonic. Personally, I
regularly and consistently hear in the spirit realm. It becomes a powerful
weapon in deliverance ministry and while praying on the land for cities and
regions. There is also the supernatural ability to discern sounds being
released through music, voices, instruments, words spoken, and spiritual
atmospheres. What do I mean by this? There is an ability to hear and
perceive if music being played is spiritually acceptable or demonic. When
someone is speaking it is possible to sense a pure anointing or a tainted
message. The spiritual atmospheres in cities and regions also have a sound
that can be heard in the spirit for those gifted in this ability.

Is the Sense of Smell Used to Discern?

The answer is yes, the sense of smell is often active with those with the
gift of discernment. Scripture speaks of the pleasing aroma and fragrance
that would come from the sacrifices in the temple. And there are those
scriptures in which Jesus is also referred to as a pleasing aroma and
fragrance. Paul teaches a powerful truth concerning the fragrance that we
carry:

But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to

lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us
to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet
perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to
God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who
are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who
are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But
to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And
who is adequate for such a task as this? (2 Corinthians 2:14-16
NLT)

It is evident that there are fragrances and aromas in the spiritual realm.
For instance, there have been many times when there is a weighty presence
of the Holy Spirit and angels and fragrances of sweet myrrh and roses can
be tangibly detected. In the Word of God, death is described as a foul
stench. And even though demons and the demonic are alive and active in
the spirit realm, they are doomed to eternal torment and spiritual separation
and death. To those who walk in spiritual sensitivity, fragrances, aromas,
and odors are important. When a strong demonic presence is manifest, those
who are spiritually sensitive can smell death, decay, sulfur, or even odors
similar to nicotine.

Impressions, Feelings, Discernment, the Sixth Sense

Eddie Smith terms discernment “the sixth sense.” While this does sound
mystical, I assure you he is not meaning it that way, I completely agree with
and appreciate this description. Discernment is something that is not
experienced in the natural, as seen in my testimony of the church we were
attending many years ago. When someone has an impression or a revelation
in their “knower,” the one experiencing this will “know that they know”
what they are prophetically hearing or perceiving. However, often there is
no sign or indication in the natural of what is being encountered in the
spirit. Below is a powerful testimony shared by my dear friend Becky
Albert about the importance of not ignoring the impressions in our
“knower”:

My firstborn son had left the nest and moved away to college
and my momma’s heart was missing him. His first semester of
college at Oral Roberts University had gone well. However,
semester two brought some challenges. Too much fun and not
enough studying seemed to be the biggest challenge.
He had found a part-time job and met a new friend. In the
summer they decided to rent an apartment together. I was
uneasy about it from the beginning, but my husband and son
convinced me to “let go a little,” so I agreed. About four weeks
into this new living arrangement, I could not shake feelings of
dread, feelings of darkness, and feelings of “something is just
not right” about my son. I was praying for him daily, but the
feelings persisted. I attributed it to empty-nest and being
overprotective.
I had only been Spirit-filled for about five years and had come
from a Baptist background. I was still learning about the gifts
of the Spirit and how they functioned. Honestly though, at that
time in my life, I had never heard a teaching on discernment
and its operation in our lives.
A couple of weeks passed, and the “feelings” persisted. One
morning I woke up just before dawn almost unable to breathe
with such a sense of dread about my son. I ran to my prayer
room and hit the floor praying in tongues. It was all I knew to
do. I cried out, “What, Lord? What are these feelings, what is
this dread? I need to understand! Is my son in trouble or am I
just being overprotective?” After an hour the Lord spoke to my
heart very clearly and strongly. He gave me specific
instructions to wake up my husband and explain to him all that
I had felt for the last few weeks. He said we were to get in the
pickup truck, drive straight to our son’s apartment, and move
him home before the end of the day! He told me specifics about
the roommate/friend selling drugs from the apartment while my
son was at work. He said the police were staking out the
apartment and an arrest of the roommate was imminent.
God bless my husband, he listened carefully and knew by the
intensity of my words that this was the Lord. We did exactly as
the Lord had instructed. We arrived at the apartment complex
to a very sleepy and surprised son by 8:00 a.m. that morning. I
told him everything the Lord had said to me. He sat down with
his head in his hands and began to weep. He knew what had
been happening but did not know what to do to get out of the
situation. He had felt ashamed and trapped. By the end of the
day, my son was moved home. There was such a sure word
from the Lord, we all knew it was right and true.
Within three days, the roommate was arrested and charged with
selling drugs. My son gave a statement but was not charged
with any involvement. The important thing you should know is
that at the age of eight my son had heard the voice of the Lord
calling him to be an attorney. Had he been caught in those
felony drug charges, his dreams of being an attorney would
have been thwarted by the enemy. After all the dust had settled,
my pastor helped me to understand that what I had “felt” had
been the gift of discernment operating through me. All those
 feelings and senses of dread and darkness were Holy Spirit
showing me what was surrounding my son and trapping him.
Needless to say, this incident changed my son’s life, my life,
and our family. What an incredible gift from Holy Spirit we
have been given in the gift of discernment. It is a gift to be
embraced and to learn to cooperate and flow with. I have
walked in this gift now for over 20 years. It is not always a
feeling. I now know discernment as “red flags” in my spirit.
Sometimes it is a sense or feeling, sometimes it is an unusual
smell, a chill up my neck, or a tightening around my head. But
I now recognize it is Holy Spirit putting up a flag saying, “Pay
attention, I want to show you something.” I immediately
engage in the spirit and ask, “What, Lord?” He shows me and
tells me what to do or what to pray. I am so thankful and
grateful for all the gifts of the spirit, and the gift of discernment
is invaluable to our lives. It is time for more teaching, more
understanding, and more cooperation with this powerful gift to
the body of Christ!

DISCERNMENT CAN CAUSE CONFUSION

The truth is discernment can be confusing to those who are gifted in this
arena. It can be confusing to believers and non-believers. Allow me to
explain. Those who function in discernment can see, hear, feel, perceive,
and sense. For many of us, it begins at a young age. For me, this was the
case. I began to see in dreams and visions, seeing both the good and pure
and the demonic and evil. It became a point of fear for me from a very
young age. I was raised in a wonderful and loving Christian home, but there
was no gauge for the dreams I experienced and the nightmares and visions
that brought great fear and torment. Praise God, in my early twenties I was
set free and my life radically changed.
I am going to make a rather controversial statement. I believe and know
that there are many discerners—those who see, hear, feel, sense, and
perceive in the spirit realm—who have been diagnosed with some sort of
mental disease or handicap. Not all mental illness is spiritual or derived
from heightened spiritual sensitivity. But when a young child or any
individual shares that they are seeing, hearing, feeling, and sensing demons,
dead people, or angels and this is shared with those who lack spiritual
insight and understanding—the next step is often a visit to a psychologist or
psychiatrist. Soon, this child or individual is labeled as paranoid, one who
hallucinates, or one who hears voices—bipolar or schizophrenic.
Remember, discernment can often feel so real that the one discerning
believes he or she is dealing with a mental or emotional instability or
problem. If this one is a feeler, the diagnosis or label might be that of manic
depression or bipolar. Another label might be one who struggles with
anxiety and panic attacks. Hear me—I am not stating that all of these issues
are caused by discernment. I am not a medical doctor nor do I claim to be,
nor will I ever make a diagnosis or suggest someone quit taking
medications. If the doctor prescribes the medicine, it is between the
individual and the doctor to make the decision to stop the medication. I am
giving a perspective that we have seen several times. When the issue is
spiritual or lack of knowledge concerning discernment and this is realized
and instruction and wisdom given, then growth in the gift and freedom can
be achieved. The following is a true testimony written by my friend Tonya
in which this was part of the issue at hand in a life gravely impacted by
abuse and trauma.

Throughout a life of abuse and trauma, I was diagnosed with

major depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, multiple
personality disorder, struggled with addictions, and had
numerous suicide attempts. I had hallucinations and heard
voices, which only intensified my desire to escape and harm
myself. Taking 15 prescriptions per day resulted in weight gain,
and I reached 270 pounds. After many years of therapy and
hospitalizations, at age 24 I was declared permanently mentally
disabled and plans were being made to have me court
committed to the state mental institution for the rest of my life.
I accepted Christ as my Savior at age 12 and even felt called to
ministry. I had a genuine love for God and for people and
continued to serve in the church as often as possible. I
memorized scriptures and did everything religion had taught
me, until I could no longer function and my only hope was
heaven. After each failed suicide attempt, the pastor scheduled
for hospital visitation would come and encourage me to get
better. Three weeks later, I would be back at church and no one
ever said a word.
I knew it was one thing for the world to say I was hopeless, but
their lies were reinforced when the church had no other
solutions. In my desperation to not be locked up for life, I
discovered Mercy Multiplied. Through a process of
discipleship, counseling, and deliverance, God began to restore
my life. For the first time, I was discovering my identity in
Christ and how to apply the authority He has given me. As I
renewed my mind with His Word, I learned how to take my
thoughts captive and to control my flesh. I realized that I had a
voice and I could choose life!
Within that year, I stopped taking all medication and lost over
100 pounds. I was connected in a life-giving non-
denominational church and learning to worship and cultivate a
relationship with God. Being filled with the Holy Spirit was a
game changer for me. I say speaking in tongues is my super-
power! The mystery of supernatural things was a new
revelation after previously judging everything weird as
demonic.
I would never have chosen to participate in something
demonic, yet I cannot deny the bondage that controlled my life.
I do not believe all mental illness is demonic or discernment in
action, but I know from experience that demons will take
advantage of mental illness and intensify the battle raging in
the spirit realm to cause heightened confusion. Satan is a
legalist and seeks opportunity for an open door. If we’re not
aware of the spiritual realm, then we try to explain it in the
natural.
After psychological testing, the doctor told me, “You have the
most creative imagination and the most active fantasy life of
anyone we’ve tested in our 20 years of practice.” I’ve always
been creative. Imagination was an escape for me. Dealing with
multiple personality disorder, I discovered that it actually
 begins as a means of protection during trauma. It’s during the
trance-like state of switching where demons take advantage
and pose as other personalities. In my case, I needed inner
healing to deal with each trauma in my soul. I recognized any
remaining personalities as evil spirits and commanded them to
leave. If I had not learned about discernment in the spiritual
realm, I would not have complete freedom. Why? Because
much of what I was experiencing required discernment to know
what was demonic, my flesh, or emotion. And what was also
key to learn was that a great deal of what I was discerning in
others and in the spirit realm, I thought was my own issue,
which added to my confused state.
Because of my history with physical and mental illness, I’ve
had to learn not to automatically accept what I’m seeing,
hearing, thinking, and feeling as my own personal issue. It’s
easy to be deceived and think, “Oh no! I’m dealing with this
again.” I now realize discernment can often be a call to
intercede for someone else experiencing that same thing. It is
now an honor to know and discern how to pray specifically.
As I grow in spiritual discernment, I can recognize I’ve always
had an eye for detail or see words as pictures. I love receiving
dreams and visions. Even in mental institutions, I was
encouraging others and speaking life over them. Though I had
little knowledge of the spiritual realm, something in me would
rise beyond my emotional struggle to challenge others. No
amount of medication could keep it suppressed. Ironically,
celebrating imagination, which I now realize was my gift of
discernment in action, and having permission to dream has
brought great peace and mental health.

In this powerful testimony, Tonya obviously had several issues

empowering her mentally tormented state. Yes, there was abuse, which
caused great trauma and resulting demonic oppression. But throughout all
of this and still to this day she functions in a high level of discernment. The
demonic voices Tonya heard and the demons she felt and saw in the spirit
realm in those hallucinations, she believed and embraced as her own issue.
Therefore, she was labeled as hearing voices and suffering from
hallucinations. The truth is, it was the spirit realm in action adding to the
torment, not a mental illness. Once she received freedom, she was able to
quickly discern the enemy’s voice and lies and also recognize that what she
was feeling was not her own issue but activity in the spirit realm. Trust me,
when you are with Tonya now there is no shadow lingering over her from
this troubled past. She is a free and victorious woman of God birthing her
own deliverance ministry, training and encouraging others in how to
function in their gift of discernment.

IS WHAT I’M PERCEIVING TRUE AND ACCURATE?

A key question I am asked frequently is, “How do I know that what I am
perceiving is true and accurate?” This is an important question. It is
imperative to try to recognize and be with those who function in this
revelatory gift and who can mentor and impart wisdom. Read books and try
to locate teachings on the topic. Obviously, this is a clear reason for this
book. It is my prayer and desire to impart wisdom on how to maneuver. We
will continue to discuss key ways to grow and mature, but I want to give a
word of encouragement to you who are discerners—do not shun, sluff off,
or ignore this revelatory gift given by the Lord. It is a vital and necessary
gift in the days, times, and seasons we are in.

NOTE
1. C. Peter Wagner, Acts of the Holy Spirit: A Modern Commentary on the
Book of Acts (Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 2000), 228-229.
 Chapter Three

MATURING IN HEARING AND

DISCERNMENT

We’ve been learning the different dialects of heaven and how the Lord
speaks. Now we must begin to dive into the importance of maturing in
hearing His voice and how to operate with discernment revelation evident
in our walk. Personally, I believe the content of this chapter is some of the
most crucial information on this topic. We are going to discuss some of the
hard questions concerning discernment. We must learn and know what His
Word says concerning discernment, and we must, to the best of our ability,
understand what He is saying concerning how to handle discernment with
great maturity, humility, holiness, and wisdom. It is my prayer that this
message will bring people out of impure and immature operations into
mature, holy, and wise function.
Let me state right now that there is therefore no condemnation for those
who are in Christ Jesus (see Rom. 8:1). Are we all going to get things right
100 percent of the time? The answer is no. But I do believe we can mature
to the point where our accuracy is sharper and sharper and is handled to
bring victory and breakthrough. Hear me—it is our personal responsibility
to guard and steward that which has been entrusted to us. That being said,
let’s begin this portion of our discussion with one of the most frequent
questions I receive: “How do I discern and not enter into a judgmental and
critical spirit?”

MOVING BEYOND JUDGMENTALISM AND A CRITICAL SPIRIT

I wrote you in my previous letter asking you not to associate

with those who practice sexual immorality. Yet in no way was I
referring to avoiding contact with unbelievers who are
immoral, or greedy, or swindlers, or those who worship other
 gods—for that would mean you’d have to isolate yourself from
the world entirely! But now I’m writing to you so that you
would exclude from your fellowship anyone who calls himself a
fellow believer and practices sexual immorality, or is consumed
with greed, or is an idolater, or is verbally abusive or a
drunkard or a swindler. Don’t mingle with them or even have a
meal with someone like that. What right do I have to pronounce
judgment on unbelievers? That’s God’s responsibility. But those
who are inside the church family are our responsibility to
discern and judge. So it’s your duty to remove that wicked one
from among you (1 Corinthians 5:9-13).

These are very direct and powerful words spoken by Paul to the
Corinthian church. Obviously, we are to reach those who are lost and
trapped in bondage of sin. This is the heart of Jesus, and He sacrificially
and victoriously died that all may have the opportunity to come to the
saving knowledge of Jesus. But sadly, not all people will come to this vital,
life-altering decision. Therefore, absolutely continue to pray for, witness to,
and love the lost with His heart to see them brought to the beautiful gift of
salvation. That said, let’s study the words used in verse 13, where Paul
plainly states it is our job to discern and judge those in the church family.
Krino is the Greek word used in this scripture and it means “to judge,
distinguish, prefer, decide, evaluate, make a legal decision, rule over
people, govern, condemn, or punish” (Strong’s #G2919). Very powerful
words. But these actions are to be based in the knowledge of the Word of
God and the context of scriptural protocol. This scripture is not giving all
who operate in discernment the license to become the Holy Spirit for the
Body of Christ. However, we are not to ignore certain behaviors and sweep
them under the rug as if they do not exist. It is very evident that we are to
deal with these sins and not entertain them in our midst.
It is a leadership responsibility to deal with moral issues at this level,
and it is my prayer that more in the Church will begin to rise up in
obedience to the Word of God. During this time, we are seeing more and
more churches not only tolerating perversion, homosexuality, lesbianism,
and same-sex marriage, but pastors who are openly teaching that this
lifestyle is acceptable for Christians. Many leaders themselves are walking
in this sin. Of course, if someone involved in these activities is approached
and does repent, then absolutely we want to see people turn from their sin
and embrace the process of deliverance, healing, discipleship, and
restoration. The point is, we are called to discern and judge those who are
falsely misrepresenting the Word of God and the Kingdom of God.

Constantly be on your guard against phony prophets. They

come disguised as lambs, appearing to be genuine, but on the
inside they are like wild, ravenous wolves! You can spot them
by their actions, for the fruits of their character will be
obvious. You won’t find sweet grapes hanging on a thorn bush,
and you’ll never pick good fruit from a tumbleweed. So if the
tree is good, it will produce good fruit; but if the tree is bad, it
will bear only rotten fruit and it deserves to be cut down and
burned. Look at the obvious fruit of their lives and ministries,
and then you’ll know whether they are true or false (Matthew
7:15-20).

The key here is we will know if they are true or false by the fruit in their
lives and ministries. I believe the following example will help illustrate.

AN IMPURE PROPHET AT THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME

I was privileged to be invited to be a part of an international team on a
strategic prayer assignment at a key location in the nations. Each team
member had been chosen carefully through interviews and prayer. The team
was formed a year before the scheduled dates of the planned initiative. We
had spent months in preparation. The day arrived to leave on the long
journey and to pray for transformation in the nations.
I traveled with an intercessor friend of mine. We will call her Judy. Thus
far, it has been a very long and tiresome thirty-six hours of flight time. We
were finally on the final flight to our destination. After boarding the plane
and taking our seats, we patiently rested while the other passengers made
their way onto the aircraft. I often enjoy people-watching as the boarding
process ensues and quickly noticed a gentleman boarding the plane who
caused an instant red flag and check in my spirit. Judy recognized him as
one who had been invited to minister in our home church on a weekend
Greg and I were out of town. She recalled how he caused problems and an
uproar as a result of his ministry. My first inward thought was, “Oh my,
why is he on this flight to such a remote nation?”
Soon the plane was full, the door shut, and it was time to take off. Once
in the air, Judy and I were enjoying a nap. We were awakened by a man’s
voice: “Excuse me.” It was the gentleman. He curiously inquired, “Are you
ladies team members on the international strategic prayer assignment
occurring over the next two weeks? I am curious because I was invited at
the last minute to be a team member as well.”
Now this instantly did not sit well with me. This nation was not friendly
to Christians, and we were told not to mention what we were sent to
accomplish. At that point in time, those who were believers living in this
nation suffered great persecution. Not only was he asking us, but he was
intentionally speaking loudly, purposefully projecting his voice where many
on the plane could hear the conversation. I abruptly ended the conversation
by stating, “We were told not to mention that to anyone in our travels.” It
felt as if a thousand alarms were echoing out “DANGER” in my spirit.
Sure enough! He ended up at the same hotel and informed our team
leader that the leader over the entire international team had, a month prior,
invited him to join our team and assignment. This was done without
informing any of the other team leaders or team members. The leader of the
entire international team was already in a remote location in the nation and
had been for three weeks. Finally, we were able to make contact and it was
confirmed the invitation to this man had been issued. This caused the entire
team to be uneasy with this sudden change, and the majority of us felt great
concern regarding the spirit operating through this man. To be honest,
everything about him screamed impure prophet controlled by and operating
with a spirit of perversion and a religious spirit.
It soon became clear that he felt he was there to “correct” and “teach”
our team. As he plainly stated, “You all are full of pride and don’t know
how to hear God or pray to bring breakthrough.” I finally decided one day
to begin to ask the questions that would reveal his lone ranger, loose cannon
and impure motives. The conversation went something like the this:
“What church do you belong to?”
“I don’t belong to any church. No one wants me and I am usually such a
threat to the pastors and leaders, I am asked leave.” This had occurred
multiple times now. “Churches don’t like me.”
 “Are you in relationship with any other believers on a regular basis? Do
you have anyone you are in a relational alignment with?”
“No, I just need God. The Lord told me a long time ago that I don’t
need anyone but Him. I am a lone ranger prophet. And to be honest people
don’t like me and don’t want me around. And I don’t want to be around
people.”
“Then why are you here?”
He then answered, “I am here for (he stated the name of the
international team leader). She is an angel and I am sent here to be her
angel on this assignment and in her calling to the nations. God revealed
secrets to me about her that only she and the Lord know. I tracked her down
in the hotel she was staying in before she left the U.S. for this assignment. I
found she and her husband in the hotel restaurant and revealed to her the
secrets I had received. She instantly expressed to me that I was angel sent
by the Lord to her and invited me to be involved. We had never met before
that day. I really don’t care about being here with you all or for the
assignment. I just want to be here in support of her.”
When the entire team was finally united in one place, his motives for
being with us became visibly evident. He was attracted to the international
team leader, who was not picking up on the not-so-subtle comments,
flirtatious moves, and come-on lines and actions. This was proving to be
beyond torturous for the rest of the team leaders and team members.
As the trip progressed, one afternoon he was able to corner me and the
international team leader by ourselves. It was just the three of us. He was
very condescending, attempting to label me as the impure false prophet.
Trying to sway the leader to his point of view, he stated, “She has hated me
since day one. I’ve done nothing but try to be nice to her. But she dislikes
me!” The leader was puzzled by this comment and said she did not see this
in me. But he had already convinced a good portion of the members of a
team from another country that I was jealous of him and I was the one who
was off spiritually. One of the intercessors on a team from another nation
was so convinced concerning his accusations that she bluntly stated, “God
will deal with your religious and impure heart.”
At this point the other team leaders had decided enough was enough. A
meeting was called with all the leaders and they insisted on his instant
removal, which he begrudgingly adhered to. Although he did show up the
final night at our departure hotel. He had showered, was attired in dress
clothes, and was wearing a cheap cologne; the scent greatly overpowered
the entire room. He instantly sat next to the leader with her spouse sitting on
the opposite side and began flirting again, showing absolutely no regard for
the spouse’s presence.
Obviously, this man was impure, religious, and I will venture to state a
false prophet. I learned a great deal from this experience about how to
investigate and ask questions for confirmation. Most importantly, there is
the crucial ministry lesson of protocol and having history with those who
are involved in significant ministry assignments.
Dutch Sheets said, “There are those you go to lunch with and those you
go to war with.” Hear me, because I am going to take it a step further—
know those you live life with and who sit at the table of friendship, and
know those you go to war with. This is always our protocol in our ministry.
If we do not know a person, have history with them, or there is not
alignment or relationship with a reputable leader, we do not go to war with
this person.

THE ORIGIN AND MOTIVE OF THE JUDGMENT

So yes, we have the understanding that the Word of God does indeed
encourage us to discern and judge someone by their fruit. We also have the
following words by Jesus in Matthew 7:1-4:

Refuse to be a critic full of bias toward others, and judgment

will not be passed on you. For you’ll be judged by the same
standard that you’ve used to judge others. The measurement
you use on them will be used on you. Why would you focus on
the flaw in someone else’s life and yet fail to notice the glaring
flaws of your own? How could you say to your friend, “Let me
show you where you’re wrong,” when you’re guilty of even
more?

Jesus is identifying the wrong motive of a critical spirit. You will be

judged, krino—judged, evaluated, condemned—by the same standard that
you’ve used to judge, krino—make a decision about, evaluate, judge, or
condemn others (Strong’s #G2919). The standard by which you are
evaluating, making decisions about, and condemning others will also be
used on you. Judgments made in a critical or wrong spirit come from
motives such as bitterness, unforgiveness, hatred, a holier-than-thou
mindset, enjoying finding fault in others for the sake of feeling better about
yourself, a spirit of competition, feeling elite and above all in your
knowledge, a divisive spirit, a religious spirit, a defensive spirit, or one who
has not welcomed a purifying work of the Lord. If the judgment is shared in
a way to bring harm—through bitter unforgiveness, as a gossip session, to
undermine in order to gain position, or in order to be heard for popularity—
then the door is open for that same type of judgment to come back on the
originator.
I shared in Chapter Two how the Lord led me in discerning a sin issue
in a church many years ago. Not one time did I make what I was hearing
into a gossip session. First and foremost, I took the discernment and
revelation to intercession because I am a firm believer in this statement by
Oswald Chambers: “Discernment is God’s call to intercession, never to
faultfinding.”1 Yet the spiritual alarms, red flags, and concern continued to
increase and escalate.
In my intercession time, I felt the Lord leading me to schedule a time to
speak with a leader who had been in a ministry alignment with the pastor
and whom I also had relationship with. However, the sin was exposed
before the meeting occurred. Here is key word of wisdom—I did not go to
anyone outside the right and appropriate leadership channels to voice my
concern. Going to other members of the church, staff members, or random
people is not appropriate and is out of protocol. But I will add—when
someone is being treated in an abusive, sinful manner by a leader or another
member of a corporate gathering, it is a must to reach out for help and not
remain silent. Going to trusted leaders to share and to ask for wisdom is the
correct avenue.
When you are discerning something about someone, do not judge them
from your own flesh and emotions. While I realize this can be easier said
than done, ask the Lord to help you intercede and to handle this situation
with His heart and with purity, truth, and wisdom. You love people but hate
the sin. In operating in discernment this is a vital Kingdom principle to
understand and to exercise.
 DISCERNMENT SEES WITH THE EYES OF THE FATHER
The carnal man is not able to judge a spiritual man or things of the Spirit
because he does not know our heavenly Father or the things of the Spirit, as
taught by Paul: “We join together Spirit-revealed truths with Spirit-revealed
words. Someone living on an entirely human level rejects the revelations of
God’s Spirit, for they make no sense to him” (1 Cor. 2:13-14). However, we
as believers and sons and daughters of our heavenly Father are to discern all
things and to do so in the sight of our heavenly Father. Allow me to explain
by sharing scriptural examples.

Samuel Learns to See with the Father’s Sight

We are all familiar with Samuel the prophet and his role with Saul.
After Saul’s disobedience to God and the Lord’s rejection of him as king
due to his rebellion, Samuel was given instruction to anoint the new king.
Let’s look at the encounter when the Lord spoke to him to go to the house
of Jesse to discover and anoint the one chosen by God to be the future king
of Israel. The encounter occurs in First Samuel 16.
He held a sacrifice, inviting Jesse and his sons to come. During this
consecration time, all of Jesses’ sons passed before Samuel. As Samuel
looked upon Eliab, he thought, Surely he is the anointed one of the Lord
(see 1 Sam. 16:6). But let’s look at our heavenly Father’s response, “Do not
look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have
rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees. For man looks on the
outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7 MEV).
Powerful words and a great teaching moment for Samuel. The Lord
Himself was teaching him that man will nabat—judge, see, a judgment
made on perceptions of physical sight (Strong’s #H5027). But our heavenly
Father doesn’t yireh—approve, judge, discern, evaluate—as man does based
on the appearance (Strong’s #H7200). He does so by looking and seeing at
the lebab—the mind, soul, spirit, and source of inner life of a person with
the focus of this action being on feelings, thoughts, and volition (Strong’s
#H3824). What a great scriptural example of a prophet being taught directly
to hear the Lord and perceive. What was it he was being taught? How to
discern who Jesse’s sons were not and to see who David was. We all know
the story. When he saw David, he discerned he was the one and anointed
him with oil in preparation for his calling to be king.

Jesus with Peter

Now let’s examine Jesus in a teaching and revelatory moment with
Peter. It was evident through Jesus’ ministry that the religious leaders and
many others did not have the discernment to know who He truly was—the
Son of Man and the Son of God, the promised Messiah. He asked His
disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” and they replied, “Some say
Elijah, some say Jeremiah, some say a prophet.” You see, many were not
able to discern correctly who He truly was. Then He asked the disciples
another question: “Who do you say that I am?” And praise God, Peter “got
it” and discerned correctly. “You are Jesus the son of the most high living
God” (see Matt. 16:13-16). Peter had the revelation and discernment to
know the true identity of Jesus.
In spite of Peter discerning the true identity of Jesus, he still needed to
mature. For example, in the next biblical encounter, Peter, out of his sincere
love for Jesus, spoke out of emotion, stating that Jesus should never suffer
at the hands of man. Jesus rebuked him: “Get behind Me, satan.” Why did
Jesus give such a harsh rebuke? Because even emotions can prove to be a
snare if they are not lined up with God’s Kingdom plan. We discover that
Peter had other moments. He cut the ear off the servant of the high priest
who was part of the large detachment sent to arrest Jesus in the Garden of
Gethsemane. He denied Jesus three times when Jesus needed unwavering
support of faithful friends. It is evident that Jesus discerned Peter’s carnal
nature and the areas in which he must continue to grow and mature, yet He
looked beyond Peter’s carnal nature and chose to see him with the sight of
our heavenly Father. This should be a great encouragement to each of us as
we are all still in the process of growth and maturity. Not only should it be
an encouragement to us personally, but also a model to follow as we discern
and perceive concerning others.

Jesus Could Perceive Beyond the Darkest of Strongholds

Remarkably, Jesus was able to perceive beyond the utterly evil and
depraved condition of the Gadarene demoniac. He discerned, cast out the
army of demons, and this man was victoriously set free. He perceived and
saw a man whose freedom struck great fear in an entire region through the
victory ordained by His Father. We can continue to read numerous
encounters throughout the Word where in His earthly ministry He saw
beyond sin and powerfully transformed many—the woman with the issue of
blood, the woman at the well, the Roman centurion whose child had died,
the criminal who hung next to Him on the cross.
One beautiful encounter that pierces my heart each time I read it is
found in Luke 7:36-50. Jesus saw beyond the lifestyle of the prostitute who
humbly, beautifully, and sacrificially anointed His feet with costly perfume
and wiped them with her tears and hair. This pure act of devotion and
surrender brought her into glorious freedom. And highlighting one more
significant event, He even saw beyond the hatred of those who savagely
crucified Him when He cried out, “Father, forgive them for they know not
what they do.”

Jesus Perceived the Hearts of the Sadducees and Pharisees

Then Jesus addressed both the crowds and his disciples and
said, “The religious scholars and the Pharisees sit on Moses’
throne as the authorized interpreters of the Law. So listen and
follow what they teach, but don’t do what they do, for they tell
you one thing and do another. They tie on your backs an
oppressive burden of religious obligations and insist that you
carry it, but will never lift a finger to help ease your load.
Everything they do is done for show and to be noticed by
others. They want to be seen as holy” (Matthew 23:1-5).

In Chapter Seven, we will discuss a religious spirit and how to see, hear,
feel, and sense when it is in action through an individual or region. Suffice
it to say, Jesus had watched, perceived, discerned, and understood the heart
motives of these religious leaders who were fiercely jealous and envious of
Him and who engaged in conversation and plots to have him killed. He
used them and their poor behaviors as an object lesson to His disciples and
those He taught. He spoke with wisdom and truth, clearly stating they were
not to follow what had been modeled by those religious leaders, but to
follow His lead of humility and service.
What About Others?
What about others in the Word of God? Peter discerned through a vision
he encountered while in a trance. As a result, he did the unthinkable in
Jewish culture and preached the Gospel to Gentiles, which forever changed
the tapestry and history of Christianity. Saul was spiritually blind and
satisfied to kill those who believed in and lived a life surrendered to Jesus.
But God! He then encountered the radical, life-transforming moment on the
road to Damascus and received spiritual sight. He stepped into his true
Kingdom identity as Paul. He transformed from Christian-killer to the most
influential apostle at the foundation of Christianity spreading throughout the
nations of the world. He boldly became one who turned the world upside
down for the Kingdom of God.
Paul discerned the spirit operating in the slave girl and cast it out. As a
result, the entire city of Philippi began to experience salvation and
transformation. He did not preach in Turkey when instructed by the Lord
not to. Instead, he ministered and had great impact throughout other regions
of Asia. Paul, discerning the will of the Father beyond human concern and
emotion, chose to go to Jerusalem even when others begged him not to out
of genuine and great concern. He still went, even knowing it could cost him
his life. And we could continue to share many other testimonies from others
who learned to hear the voice of the Lord and to discern the correct path to
follow.
Greg and I recently watched the movie Tortured for Christ, the powerful
and true story about Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, who lived in Romania
during World War I. He was a Christian pastor who refused to quit speaking
the truth of the Gospel even in the face of severe persecution at the hands of
Russians. He spent 14 years in prison suffering unimaginable interrogation
and torture. At the end of the movie they shared this piercing quote he made
after their time in unthinkable circumstances, “I love the Russians and the
Russian prison guards, while I hate the Communist system.” You see,
Richard could perceive men beyond the darkest of strongholds. It is good to
study these examples and learn to glean what was modeled.

LORD, IS THIS ME OR YOU?

One of the key concepts we have to be intentional to mature in is separating
what is the Holy Spirit and our own thoughts, opinions, and emotions. At a
personal level, you might be seeing, hearing, and discerning correctly, yet
the Lord will not or does not release you to share the revelation for great
periods of time. It is a Kingdom principle; He will take us through testing
times before He allows us to share. He deals with our character and takes us
through circumstances and situations to ensure our motives are pure and
emotionally we are healed. This is done so we will function in a mature
manner and not the motives of a critical mindset or wounded soul.
As stated above, the measure that we judge will be how we are
measured. Unhealed trauma attached to our soul will cause our discernment
and spiritual hearing to be off. We must get healed from past wounds. We
must be healed from a critical mindset and spirit. Critical means inclined to
find fault or to judge with severity, often too readily. Someone who is ready
to judge with severity and do it quickly and readily is not seeing, hearing, or
discerning as the Father sees. All wise and mature sons and daughters will
weigh things carefully before the Lord.
At other times, some things should be shared quickly and right away to
avoid severe or traumatic wounding in individual lives. If discernment is
operating from hurt feelings, woundedness, and fleshly opinions, welcome
the Holy Spirit to bring healing and deliverance to those areas and to release
purity to the gift. Trust me, He will aid us in this process. The good news is,
as we draw closer to Him we learn that our thoughts, words, and actions
begin to line up with His and we grow in recognizing the difference
between His voice and our own.

LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE—SPEND TIME NURTURING THIS GIFT

Frankly, if a person has no intention of developing intimacy with the Father
and allowing Him to transform them from glory to glory, then they should
not release discernment concerning others. Yes, the gift is without reproach,
but character is more important than the gift. I have witnessed many who
have a strong gift, but they abuse the revelation in a power play or
competition. When the fruit of their lives reveals the motives of their hearts,
often there is impurity and the desire to be heard before the growth,
discipleship, and maturity has transpired.
 There is a vast difference between impurity and immaturity. Those who
desire to be teachable will grow to be trusted. The Lord will graciously take
each of us through seasons of discipleship and growth. Once He knows
hearts can be trusted and motives are being led in obedience to Him, He
will entrust more. Remember, He reveals His secrets to those who abide in
Him and are vitally united to Him, who have learned to move in obedience
to Him instead of over-zealousness to be heard and known. I fully believe
God does not have favorites, but He does have intimates. His desire is that
each of us would be intimates.
Make time to know the Word and to study it. Make time to worship Him
until His presence is increasingly manifest. Be intentional about spending
time in His throne room glory presence. Learn to set aside quality time with
Him even in the midst of all the busyness and distraction of our culture.
Build a personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. Welcome Him to
transform you from glory to glory. And grow in an intimate friendship from
an abiding place.

ABIDE IN HIM
I thoroughly explain this truth in my book Glory Warfare, but I feel the
urging of the Lord to share it here again as we learn how to know His voice.

Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me and I will live
in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without
abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you
bear fruit unless you abide in Me (John 15:4 AMPC).
If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words
remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever
you will, and it shall be done for you (John 15:7 AMPC).

Upon hearing the word abide, our minds quickly go to the normal steps
we have been taught and know to be true. However, let’s take a closer look
at this word, abide. The Greek word is meno. It means “to remain, dwell,
continue, endure, not to depart from, to continue to be present, to be held
and kept” (Strong’s #G3306). In other words, when we abide we become so
in tune with His presence from the dedicated times of entering in beyond
the veil and encountering Him in His glory that we grow into the ability to
remain in existence with Him. We know who we are in Him. He is very real
and close to us. We are not separate or apart, but vitally united. The
following is an incredible promise that Jesus shared:

No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection]
than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. You are
My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command
you to do. I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the
servant does not know what his master is doing (working out).
But I have called you My friends, because I have made known
to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have
revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.] You
have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have
appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear
fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting
[that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the
Father in My Name [as presenting all that I Am], He may give
it to you (John 15:13-16 AMPC).

Such an awesome Kingdom promise. He is stating that you and I can be

vitally united to Him, His friends to whom He reveals everything, and we
will grow in wisdom and discernment to see victorious answers to our
prayers. I believe He hears all of our prayers. But the key is this—when we
are vitally united to Him, our prayer burdens and assignments become those
that He has entrusted to us. Praying in unison and agreement with His heart
over a matter is key for breakthrough. And it is key in maneuvering in the
gift of discernment.
Truthfully, to be vitally united to Him and effectual intercessors,
warriors, prophets, believers, and people operating in discernment, we must
know the realms of the glory. Otherwise, we live in the realm of man’s
understanding and spend most of our time thinking on, interceding, and
warring over all the wrong things. When we move beyond the veil into the
realm of His Spirit, He shows us what to target because the glory causes our
spiritual eyes and ears to be opened to see, hear, and receive from Him.
Therefore, we must be intentional in pursuing Him so this gift of
discernment is used in a purity of heart and motives and the resulting
actions and intercessions follow His plan to see the breakthrough come.

LEARNING TO ASK AND LISTEN

Not only do we want to learn to hear His voice, we want to mature in
conversing with Him. When you discern a situation, begin to ask questions,
from this abiding place, about how His design for handling the revelation.
Trust me, if He reveals something, He will also help you maneuver in the
revelation with wisdom and in the right timing. It is vital to engage Him in
the complete process of the revelation you discern. Therefore, learn to ask
and, most importantly, to listen. Listening is vital in spiritual growth. If you
are constantly speaking at someone, it is impossible to develop an intimate
relationship. To abide, to learn His voice and distinguish between our own
voice and His voice, or our ways and His ways, we must learn to sit in His
presence and listen.

Is This My Assignment?
Those who have heard me teach will be familiar with the principle that I
am about to share. Just because I discern something does not mean it is my
assignment to deal with it or fix it. We are not to spiritually take on, come
against, or engage ourselves in everything we see or discern. Not every
demonized or troubled person is my assignment. Not every unjust issue or
righteous movement is my assignment. Trust me, if I addressed all that I
discerned, I would be totally worn out. Seeing my zealousness and
feistiness, C. Peter Wagner many times gently reminded me, “Choose your
battles wisely, darlin’. Only fight the battles the Lord is calling you to
fight.” And I would add this—choose your ministry undertakings and
involvements wisely.
This is such an important principle—knowing His assignments for the
season we are in, especially those involving spiritual warfare. Why is this
imperative? Being in the right assignment begets authority for victory and
breakthrough. The truth is, if we take on assignments that have not been
allotted to us, we can wear ourselves out by striving in order to make things
happen and begin to feel worn down, battle weary. I have seen this happen
to numerous believers and Kingdom warriors. They take on every
assignment that they discern without seeking Him over the specific
missions He is calling them to. They do not spend time in His glory
presence to hear and receive clearly the marching orders to advance in order
to achieve victory. We will discuss this further in Chapter Nine, but the
most important model to follow in this is Jesus. Jesus did what He saw and
heard His Father leading Him to see, hear, and ultimately do. Jesus
intimately knew the voice of His heavenly Father, and it was the key voice
guiding Him to stay within the assignments God was entrusting to Him.

Submitting Revelation to Those Who Function in Authority

Learn to gain wisdom and insight from those who speak into your life.
If they advise you to share the discernment, then do so. If they say to hold
it, then do so. I am an international minister. Last year I ministered in
thirteen nations and over twenty cities in the United States. This year I will
do the same. Yet when I am discerning something that will potentially
influence many or strongly influence someone or a group of individuals, I
will take the revelation to those who love me, believe in me, and have
discipled me in the path I am on. Why? If what I am going to speak and
release is going to reach and possibly influence multitudes, I believe it is
imperative to have the wisdom and agreement of those who have gone
before.

Red-Light Revelation—Stop, Listen, Use Caution and Wisdom

First allow me to state that if someone functions as a lone ranger in the
Body of Christ, the likelihood that they will receive discernment is minimal.
If someone arrives on the scene with no relationship and begins releasing
words of discernment, prophetic words, judgmental words, directional and
correctional words, this will not be received. How relationship is
established and the history of relational experience is valuable when
sharing. When functioning in discernment, be cautious or avoid sharing
sexual sin, adultery, and personal sin in a public forum. This should be done
in a private deliverance session to bring freedom and victory. But in a
corporate setting, take the revelation and pray into it and seek the Lord over
the steps to initiate before blurting it out. Be cautious about sharing
discernment that could cause confusion and harm if spoken and released too
quickly.
 Friends, I prophesy over multitudes, cities, regions, and nations. But
these are the following principles I adhere to when discerning and releasing
that discernment:
I do not engage in spiritual matchmaking. I am cautious and use time-
proven wisdom on speaking out discernment concerning new jobs, moves,
future pregnancies, and major life decisions. Even in the midst of
prophesying, I am listening to the Holy Spirit on how to share, what to
share, and when to share. Remember to engage Him in the full process of
the discernment and the manner and steps taken to share it. How the
discernment and revelation are spoken is at times as important or more
important than the discerned revelation.
Here is a great scriptural example of how Nathan maneuvered with
David in the discernment of his sin. It was a dark hour in the life of King
David. He had committed adultery with Bathsheba and then had her
husband, Uriah, killed. God sent the prophet Nathan to tell David a parable
of a rich man who passed over his own flock and took a poor man’s beloved
pet lamb to feed his guests. The parable aroused David’s anger at the
injustice of it all. Let’s read further about the encounter:

And the Lord sent Nathan [the prophet] to David. He came and
said to him, “There were two men in a city, one rich and the
other poor. The rich man had a very large number of flocks and
herds, but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb
which he had purchased and nourished; and it grew up
together with him and his children. It ate his food, drank from
his cup, it lay in his arms, and was like a daughter to him. Now
a traveler (visitor) came to the rich man, and to avoid taking
one from his own flock or herd to prepare [a meal] for the
traveler who had come to him, he took the poor man’s ewe
lamb and prepared it for his guest.”
Then David’s anger burned intensely against the man, and he
said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this
deserves to die. He shall make restitution for the ewe lamb four
times as much [as the lamb was worth], because he did this
thing and had no compassion.” Then Nathan said to David,
“You are the man!” (2 Samuel 12:1-7 AMP)
 You see, Nathan did not come into David’s presence and blurt out the
sin the king had committed. He sought the Lord and came prepared to share
the truth of David’s sin in a manner that he could receive it. Now, I am not
saying that there should never be an up-front conversation with someone
who has been involved in sin. But in this case, as in some situations in our
lives, how a matter is spoken and handled is as crucial as stating the
obvious. What was the result of this encounter between Nathan and David?
He confessed his sin: “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Sam. 12:13
AMP).

Green-Light Revelations to Share

Let’s end this chapter on those issues I term green-light discernment and
prophetic revelation to share—words of exhortation, encouragement,
comfort, confirmation, hope, Kingdom direction, words of destiny released
in the right timing, and words of deliverance and freedom. Even words of
transition or direction, if worded in a way that brings guidance, hope, and
confirmation, are generally good words you can share freely. With
discernment like this, it’s always the right time!

NOTE
1. Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, “May 3: Vital
Intercession” (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House, 2018).
 Chapter Four

DISCERNMENT AND PROPHECY

WORK TOGETHER

Now I’ll listen carefully for your voice and wait to hear
whatever you say. Let me hear your promise of peace—the
message every one of your godly lovers longs to hear. Don’t let
us in our ignorance turn back from following you.
—PSALM 85:8

The phrase I’ll listen carefully is also as stated in some translations, “I will
listen intentionally.” The desired outcome is to hear His voice. The Hebrew
word for hear in this scripture is shama. It means “to hear intelligently, to
hear attentively and obediently, to discern” (Strong’s #H8085). David goes
onto to say, “Let me hear [shama] your promise of peace.” It is important to
recognize how discernment and prophecy work together. The two partnered
together cause us to speak the word of the Lord and engage in godly
actions, but to also do so in wisdom. Let’s investigate and learn how this
works in operation.

DISCERNING SPIRITUAL CONDITIONS

I am a prophet and release prophetic words on a regular basis to individuals,
churches, governments, spheres of influence, regions, and nations. It is
important to not only release the true word of the Lord but to also learn to
discern and perceive the spiritual condition of the individual church or
region you are prophesying to. Why is this so crucial? Because their
spiritual condition will also determine how the prophetic word will best be
received and the level of preparedness to steward the word. So not only am
I listening to and hearing the prophetic word from the Lord, I am also
engaging the Holy Spirit on how to specifically share the word based on the
condition and readiness of the ones I will be speaking into.
First and foremost, I am discerning what it is that they are in need of
while I am ministering. Sometimes, people are certain they know what
needs to be dealt with in a particular area when in fact the Lord is focusing
on another topic or issue. There are times I have been asked to minister an
exact word of destiny and the Lord is telling me to minister healing to the
wounded emotions that have been ignored. Or then there are those who are
running from their calling and the direction the Lord wants them to go, and
He will lead me to release the word of the Lord to push them out of their
comfort zone into more. So here is the inner dialogue I have as I minister in
person or as I am preparing ahead of time in intercession: “Lord what is on
Your heart for this person, church, governmental leader, region? What do
You want me to share?” And after I hear from Him: “Lord give me wisdom
and keen discernment on how to share the word that will bring this group
into Your purposes and plans.”
Then there are the more pressing times when I discern hardness in
someone’s heart or in a region and the Lord will assign me to be the one to
break things open. Or I have come prepared to share one message and as I
worship with the corporate gathering before ministering I can feel and sense
that the message I am going to speak is not what the group is in need of. I
will often hear the Holy Spirit directing me to go in another direction. You
see, I believe the Lord wants a discernment and maturity level as we
intercede and minister that will truly break people out of the old and into
the new. Let me give a for instance at a regional level.

Church in Russia
I was invited to minister in a city in Russia and was asked to speak from
my book Let Our Children Go, which in many settings is a great and
appropriate message. However, as I met with the leadership team and heard
their heart and learned the vast work they were engaging in throughout the
nations, the Lord led me to speak a prophetic word to the leader, “It is time
to go into cities and regions and to contend against principalities and
territorial spirits to see transformational breakthrough and victory realized.”
Based off of this prophetic word, the entire pre-planned weekend agenda
changed.
 It proved to be a power-packed weekend with key strategies that were
formed for the nation of Russia, which our prayer network has partnered
with now for five years. The Lord led me to end the weekend with a
message from Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit fell at Pentecost. In that Sunday
service, many were healed, saved, delivered, and filled with the fire of the
Holy Spirit. To this day, I am still hearing testimonies of breakthrough from
that weekend of ministry.

NOT SPEAKING MORE THAN WE SHOULD

As stated above, I am in and out of a new region on a consistent basis. Each
group and region I minister in has its own issues that require healing and
destiny that the Lord is bringing them into. Therefore, as I am speaking to
one church or region, in listening and hearing the Lord it is key to discern
whether each group is ready for the fullness of the word concerning the
strategy, outpouring, or move of the Spirit the Lord wants to release. These
same principles can be applied to individuals as well.
On a personal level, if I am sensing that a person needs deliverance
from a demonic spirit yet this person has not been saved, then I must
introduce salvation first. If I see or discern a call to nations, yet this
individual has only been a believer for six months, is still walking through
deliverance, and is just engaging in discipleship, then I must discern if they
are ready to hear the word. Why? Because a ministry to the nations involves
navigating through spiritual warfare or battles that this individual might not
be prepared to face. Is the individual at a maturity level to follow the
direction of leadership, or do they have an independent or lone ranger
mentality? Why is this good to perceive? Because the fullness of the
prophetic word might encourage this lack of relational alignment and
accountability. As we say in the South, will this empower their immaturity
to cause them to “fly the coop” and launch out on their own too soon? Have
I witnessed and discerned a teachable and hungry spirit in this individual?
As I am preparing to minister for a region, I ask—are they at the
maturity level to handle the fullness of the revelation? Is this group
relatively young in the Lord? If I am seeing the principality over the region
and yet the group I am ministering to is barely practicing deliverance
ministry, this is not a group who is ready to begin contending against
principalities at a regional level. I also consider—is the church or region in
an emotionally wounded place from trauma? Is there unity or division? Is
the leadership of the believers in a level of maturity, established authority,
and relational alignment to steward the fullness of revelation? Is the group
on fire and hungry and pressing into the Lord? Is there Holy Spirit glory
presence and activity in the gatherings? It is important to think long term—
to have the mindset of relationship building and to continue the building
process with them. Therefore, I seek wisdom from the Lord on what to
share and release each time I am with a group.
Some of you might be pondering, “Is she saying that she does not
always share what she is fully hearing and receiving?” My answer would be
yes. At the direction of the Holy Spirit, some of what I am hearing I will
share; some of what I am hearing I will not share. I am discerning the big
picture, not just the immediate moment in front of me.

FAITH TO SPEAK OUT THE CREATIVE WORD

As we discussed in Chapter One, God’s Word is creative. As we prophesy
the word He is releasing, there is an agreement with His ordained agenda
and it carries with it the power and creative anointing to see it come to pass.
So while we discussed above discerning the condition of those we are
prophesying to, we also must learn to discern when we are to speak the
word to bring empowerment in that creative, supernatural atmosphere for it
to bring life and come to pass. I will term these words creative words and
plowing words. What does it mean to spiritually plow? Plowing is bringing
the anointing of His Spirit and speaking out the word into the untilled
spiritual soil of the individual, the corporate gathering, the sphere of
influence, or the nation so it can create the Lord’s intended purpose.
Therefore, the word being spoken might take the hearers by surprise.
I was ministering in a conference in Houston. A pastor and his wife
were attending from another state. I felt the Lord prompting me to prophesy
to them. I quickly discerned in the spirit a demonic assignment of covenant
breaking that had resulted in betrayals from several long-time church
members and ministry friends. This assignment was a territorial spirit
operating against the work of God and His move of glory in the region, and
this couple was key to usher in awakening.
I shared the discernment and broke off the assignment that had come
against them corporately and prophesied that within a short amount of time
people would begin to return. Healing and restoration would begin for the
corporate gathering and the region. Within two weeks, six couples who had
been a part of the betrayal and exodus contacted them, scheduled a meeting,
repented for the betrayal, and all the individuals returned to the church. You
see, speaking the word out loud plowed the soil in the spirit and opened the
creative atmosphere for the spoken and creative miracle to occur. The
Lord’s voice is powerful, and when we speak in agreement it carries the
power and anointing to create the atmosphere for breakthrough and victory.

DISCERNING SOULISH DESIRES

What do I mean by soulish desires? Our soul is made up of our mind, will,
and emotions. When there are soulish desires at play there will be a pull in
the spirit from people and/or gatherings that feels like a forceful or impure
fleshly pull instead of a purity of true hunger and passion. When asked to
prophesy it will feel like a wrong demand and a pull of manipulation
instead of a purity of hunger and humility. I am a lover of people. I enjoy
being with people. When a pull is made on me with a manipulative and
soulish bent, quickly a righteous indignation rises in my spirit. I still will
respond out of grace, but that does not diminish the feeling of discernment.
Usually my answer is a gentle, “No. But I will pray in agreement with you
to hear the direction of the Lord clearly as you continue to pursue and seek
Him.” A scriptural example is found in Mark 10:35-40 when James and
John ask for a favor from Jesus:

Jacob and John, sons of Zebedee, approached Jesus and said,

“Teacher, will you do a favor for us?” “What is it you’re
wanting me to do?” he asked. “We want to sit next to you when
you come into your glory,” they said, “one at your right hand
and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You don’t have
a clue what you’re asking for! Are you prepared to drink from
the cup of suffering that I am about to drink? And are you able
to endure the baptism into death that I am about to
experience?” They replied, “Yes, we are able.” Jesus said to
them, “You will certainly drink from the cup of my sufferings
and be immersed into my death, but to have you sit in the
 position of highest honor is not mine to decide. It is reserved
for those whom grace has prepared them to have it.”

I believe this is an obvious request made from a soulish desire and naïve
understanding. They were evidently exaggerating their spirituality and
believing that they were more mature than they really were. In spite of their
soulish ambition and self-confidence, Jesus does express that they will taste
of the sufferings of Christ. But then to show His level of submission to the
Father, He Himself expresses that He does not choose who gets that honor
of sitting at the right and left hand of the throne, but only His Father in
heaven determines who sits in this place of distinction.

DISCERNING HIS TIMING

There are many scriptural examples that direct us to the truth that God is a
God of timing. What do I mean by this? That there is the time to hold
revelation and a time to speak revelation, a time to wait and a time to
advance into a regional assignment. Discerning His timing of moving
forward empowers the victorious outcome. How do we know the timing of
when to speak? This might sound like a simplistic reply to the question, but
we ask Him, “Lord, is this Your timing for me to speak what I am hearing
and discerning?” Engage Him in conversation. He will answer.
Cindy Jacobs is a dear friend and mentor in my life. She had been
watching Greg and I serve in ministries for many years. One day she
phoned and asked to meet with me. As we engaged in conversation over
breakfast, it was evident that she came with an agenda and a prophetic
message and instruction. She began to tell me her story of her calling as a
prophet to the nations, the processes the Lord took her through, and many
of the growth lessons she had to walk through. The difficulties of spiritual
warfare she and Mike and their family pressed through, but also the
glorious spiritual journey they had encountered and how faithfully the Lord
had moved in their lives, ministry, and throughout the nations of the world.
To be honest, I was completely fixated on the conversation and gleaning
all I could as she was sharing with me. She then began to shift the
conversation to me. “Becca, where are you on this journey in your calling to
the nations? How are you on this journey?” She brought me into a time of
intentional examination. She spoke as a spiritual mother and encouraged me
to run the race and to not shrink back. She shared that there were many
women who felt the call but did not advance because of the cost and
sacrifice required. “Becca, don’t shrink back. Be the woman leader the Lord
is calling you to be as a prophet to the nations.” I was challenged in a
beautiful way.
I was totally honored, humbled, and undone by her words, but also
filled with a newfound impartation of faith and resolve to continue pouring
into the nations. As we left the restaurant, I asked her, “Cindy, how long
have you held off on having this conversation with me?”
She smiled and stated, “I have waited twelve years. If I had spoken all
of this before now it would have been too soon. The Lord told me that now
was the time.” I was so beyond grateful for her wisdom in waiting to have
this conversation until the Lord spoke to her and discerned the correct
timing. If we speak too soon, we can abort or delay the victorious
breakthrough the Lord has already intended to bring.

DISCERNING FALSE WORDS AND PROPHETS

We previously discussed knowing those who are true or false by the fruit of
their lives and ministries. But in the discernment realm, what is transpiring
for the discerner when in the presence of a false word being released or a
false prophet speaking? There will be a feeling of being slimed in the spirit.
An agitation in the spirit. A strong sense of distrust. A strong sense of
knowing that what is being said is off or a lie. A feeling of wanting to
protect those hearing this person. Sometimes it feels like a tight band
around the forehead or an ache or pain in the heart. A feeling of being
manipulated to do something or believe something that is totally against the
Word of God. Others might be loving the moment and rejoicing, but
everything in you is seeing, hearing, and sensing the false words being
released. Don’t put yourself in a place of questioning yourself. Remember
converse with the Holy Spirit on what is occurring concerning these
feelings and how to maturely handle the revelation. He will guide you.

DISCERNING THE ESTABLISHED DEMONIC STRONGHOLD AND THE

STRATEGY FOR VICTORY
Hearing the sounds of the angels and demons in the spirit is a normal
occurrence. I can honestly say sometimes when we are on site praying in a
city, sphere of influence, region, or nation it sounds like a Frank Peretti
book in action in the spirit realm. I will share further in Chapter Seven
about discerning different strongholds. But I will state here, I often see the
activity of the demonic stronghold in a person’s life. I can sense and feel the
spiritual atmosphere of bondage around an individual or established in a
region. It is common for me to discern in a closed vision how the demonic
stronghold established its grip, but also the strategy to see it broken. The
following is an example that truly played out much like an encounter from a
Peretti novel with angels, demons, and a clear open vision of a profound
and distinct supernatural event.
It had been a power-packed weekend of ministry with the time of
speaking and praying winding up in a Sunday morning church service.
Following the close of the meeting, we ministered to a precious woman
whom we will call Laura. She was a mother of three beautiful children who
came in great need of ministry. She was living with the shaman from her
Native American tribe. He was practicing occult rituals in their home and
had begun to turn against her in acts of abuse and violence. Three days prior
she had to leave the home with her children to escape danger.
As the ministry time ensued, I explained we needed to break soul ties
between her and her boyfriend. Laura gladly agreed. I discerned in the spirit
that he would try to come back into her life and force her back into a
relationship. I sensed great concern over this. I shared the warning with her
and told her she must not fall back into his trap of deception because the
harassment in the occult demonic realm would come back seven times
worse and she and her children would be in danger. Little did I know how
quickly that prophetic warning would come to pass.
It was time for lunch, so we all made our way to a local restaurant.
Laura and her children accompanied us. The majority of the group had
already arrived before me and the pastor of the church. As we entered the
restaurant, it was busy that afternoon as many were out for Sunday lunch.
Our crew was seated in the second room at a large table, and we began to
make our way to them.
I had recently appeared on Sid Roth’s It’s Supernatural! for the first
time, and there was a woman in the restaurant who recognized me and was
extremely happy to meet me. I pleasantly greeted her with a warm, “Hello.”
As soon as I did, I saw a gentleman out of my peripheral vision moving
toward the table with our church friends, including Laura and her children.
As soon as I caught a glimpse of him, something began to transpire that
I had not experienced in many years. The room began to move in slow
motion and went totally still and quiet. All in the restaurant were
completely motionless and no one was speaking. It was as if for them time
was standing still and silent. The only ones not impacted by this
supernatural occurrence were the angry shaman, the woman who had seen
me on Sid Roth, me, and the pastor who quickly whispered in my ear,
“Becca that is him. The shaman.” Then she realized that there was zero
movement in the room and no one was making a sound, “Becca, are you
seeing this? What is going on?” The woman who had seen me on Sid Roth
continued to talk, but did not perceive what the pastor and I saw. She was
very involved in the conversation and seemed to be oblivious to what was
transpiring.
The shaman then spoke directly to Laura: “How dare you do this to me!
How dare you humiliate me. You will come with me!” Laura, as if in a
trance, stood up and began to follow him out of the restaurant while tears
were streaming down her cheeks. He saw me and ensured he was a good
distance from me as he made his exit out of the restaurant, feeling as if he
had succeeded in intimidating her to follow and releasing his witchcraft
spell in the atmosphere. Laura, however, walked only three feet from me as
she was following him out. At that point, I gently pushed aside the woman
speaking to me about the Sid Roth show.
I reached for Laura and swiftly pulled her toward me and exclaimed.
“Laura, look at me! Look at me! I break all witchcraft control off of you
right now in Jesus’ name. You will not leave nor go back to him!” As I
exclaimed this directive out loud in the atmosphere, she instantly fell into
my arms weeping. I embraced her as I would one of my own daughters in
the midst of a trauma. “Laura, I’ve got you. We are here for you, Jesus is
here for you, He’s got you. He loves you.” I turned to see the shaman
boyfriend staring at me in complete anger and disbelief. I shouted out to
him as he quickly exited the restaurant in almost a full run, “And I am
praying for you too. Jesus loves you and one day you will be saved!” As
soon as those word came out of my mouth, the restaurant completely came
back to life.
Wow. This truly was an unusual supernatural encounter. It was like a
showdown between the sorcerers of Egypt and Moses and Aaron. The
pastor and I were trying to process what had occurred. I was also in a state
of questioning, “How did I know to do what I did in that moment?” To be
honest, this is not something one prepares for. This is where abiding in Him
and being vitally united to Him is so imperative. Frequently, there are
encounters and confrontations that unfold in the supernatural realm in
which I walk away asking the Lord, “How did I know how to do that!?” All
the while rejoicing, “Thank You, Holy Spirit, for anointing me and causing
me to respond in discernment and in sync with Your Spirit and wisdom!”
That night as I slept in the hotel room, the shaman astral projected into
my room. I could hear him breathing at the side of my bed. I asked the
Lord, “What do I do?”
He told me, “Go back to sleep. The angels will take care of the
situation.” As I closed my eyes, I could hear the dispatching of the angels
and him leaving the room abruptly. It happened a second time, with the
same scene playing out. And again, a third time. This final time the Lord
released me to call the shaman out by name and to command him in the
name of Jesus to leave. He left with the escort of the angels again and did
not return that night nor any other time I have been ministering in that
region. Laura and her children were free from the abuse.
Now this might sound a little out there for some of you, but it happened
and I have 20 witnesses who were there in the restaurant in the midst of this
showdown. The spirit realm is alive and active. Throughout the Word of
God, we see multiple power encounters and engagement in the spirit.

■ The eyes of Elisha’s servants were opened to see that there are
more for him than against him.
■ Aaron’s snake (rod) swallowed up the snakes (rods) of
Pharaoh’s sorcerers.
■ Satan appeared to Jesus in the wilderness to tempt Him.
■ Peter experienced a trance.
■ Phillip translated.
 ■ Jesus and Peter walked on the water.
■ Elijah called down fire from heaven to consume the altar
when encountering the prophets of Baal.
■ Michael battled the Prince of Persia to release the answer of
prayer to Daniel.

Suffice it to say the Bible is replete with supernatural encounters in the

spirit realm. Trust me, it is more real than the physical. And we must not
shun or ignore the reality of it nor the activity in it.

DISCERNING AND DISMANTLING HINDRANCES

There are churches and regions I am invited into in which there is a felt,
tangible resistance in the atmosphere to a move of God. The people are
visibly hungry and active in worship and intercession. Yet there is a
hindrance to a move of the Spirit that they have been believing and
contending for. Evansville, Indiana was one of those locations.
I had been invited by my dear friend Janet Douglas to minister in a
weekend gathering at her apostolic center, CityGate Indiana. They are on
fire for the Lord, faithful prayer warriors and worshipers cultivating an
atmosphere for spiritual awakening. Following this time of ministry, I was
invited to teach our Regional Transformation Spiritual Warfare School. I
enjoyed and truly loved being with these awesome men and women from
across Indiana and Kentucky. It was a dynamic time of training.
On the last weekend of this school, we go on site together as a group to
key locations in the region to pray for breakthrough. The Lord had been
revealing the strategic prayer locations. One was the Islamic Center of
Evansville. We called and asked if we could have a tour of the center,
explaining that we were Christian religious history students. We shared our
interest to learn about their beliefs and to tour the center.
Now, before some begin to struggle with this, we were making this
request in order to have an open door and access to get inside. We have
learned from much experience over the past thirty years that when we are
welcomed inside, we learn key information to pray into. And in this
instance the added bonus was that we were able to meet the imam. This
gives us a face and name so we can intercede for his salvation and of
course, if the opportunity presents itself, a divine moment to show the love
of Jesus. The center gladly granted our request and a tour was scheduled on
our prayer journey day.
Upon arrival, the imam warmly met us at the entrance. He initiated the
tour throughout the Islamic Center and asked if we would like to enter the
prayer room where they gather five times a day to engage in the Muslim
call to prayer. We agreed. Some of the older team members sat at the
entrance of the door in chairs in order to listen as he continued to answer
our questions over the microphone. They do not allow sitting on the floor of
the prayer room by those who are not Muslim.
About twenty minutes into the interview, another gentleman joined us—
a doctor from the town of Evansville, who is also a Muslim. They both
engaged in conversation, sharing their beliefs and answering any questions
we asked. The imam then began to tell us about his family in Syria and how
they were in danger. The leader in the area of Bashan had initiated jihad and
killing sprees in which he assassinated his own Islamic people. The imam
genuinely made the following request, “Please, when you remember them,
pray for the protection of my family in Syria.”
I knew this was my open door. I inquired, “May we pray for them
now?” The imam turned to the doctor as if they had to weigh this request.
But quickly they both nodded in agreement and handed me the microphone.
I gently asked, “Is it okay for me to pray in my Christian way to my
Christian God?” Again, they both agreed! So now here I am, a Christian
western woman in the prayer room of an Islamic Center. At this mosque,
they only allow Muslim men to enter in order to pray during the Muslim
call to prayer. I had been granted permission to pray and to pray to my
Christian God on the microphone that will sound out through the entire
Islamic Center. Woohoo!
Boy, did I pray! We prayed for the imam, the doctor, and for the imam’s
family in Syria. I prayed a sincere prayer of protection for the family. I
entered into intercession for the family, the imam, and the doctor in which I
invited encounters with the Father’s heart of love. As the prayer time drew
to an end, I stated out loud the following words, “And, Lord, we make all of
these requests and stand in the truth that all these prayers will be answered
in the powerful name of Jesus of Nazareth. Amen.” When I opened my eyes
to discern if I had crossed a line, the imam and the doctor, two Islamic
leaders, were both fighting back tears. The presence of the Lord was
tangibly resting in the center. To be honest, I was a little undone myself.
They graciously thanked me and asked me to continue to pray for them and
their families. The entire team agreed to do so. A sincere invitation was
extended for us to visit again.
After making our way out to the parking lot, we broke out into pure
rejoicing at what had just transpired. Rob Murphy, a pastor in Indiana,
asked, “Becca do you realize what just happened?”
I enthusiastically exclaimed, “Yes. As a woman and a Christian woman
on top of that, I was invited to pray on the microphone of the Islamic Center
and to do so in Jesus’ name. They don’t allow their own women in that
prayer room to pray. Even if they are praying to Allah!”
Rob then pointed out, “Becca, it was even more than that. Other Muslim
men were waiting to enter that prayer room through another door. They
were there for the call to prayer. Because we were in there with the imam,
they waited to enter. When they allowed you to pray it was at the exact time
of the beginning of their call to prayer. You just opened up their prayer time
in Jesus’ name and delayed them from praying at their scheduled time to
Allah. A Christian western woman was granted permission by the imam to
violate all rules in the Islamic Center and in their prayer room!” The entire
team shouted in awe and joy!
That Sunday night in the church service, the tangible shift in the
atmosphere was palpable. God’s shekinah glory fell. People came from all
across the region. Some were healed, some delivered, and some filled with
the fire of the Holy Spirit. One person received salvation. Not only did this
happen in the CityGate service, but churches across the region that were not
a part of the prayer time reaped this glorious benefit as well. God’s glory
broke open in that region after that supernatural encounter in the Islamic
Center. And as of the writing of this book, His presence is still moving in
corporate gatherings. It has continued to increase since that weekend. Even
typing this makes me want to release my Texan shout of praise, “Woohoo!
Go God!”

DISCERNING OPENNESS TO A NEW MOVE OF GOD

When we view the lives of the apostles before the Upper Room experience,
we see them in a process of asking questions, discovering, and learning.
They were firsthand witnesses of Jesus. They observed and participated in
many supernatural events, but they were not exhibiting Kingdom living.
When the Holy Spirit appeared on the scene at Pentecost, these men and
women were filled with His fire and great boldness. Their understanding of
the Kingdom of God changed, and Peter—blunt, well-intentioned, all-too-
human Peter—was no exception.
In truth, as we study Peter, we discover that he was often the first of the
disciples to stumble into this new kind of living, although he sometimes
took two steps forward and one step back. He was the first to realize that
Jesus was the Son of God; he was the first and only one to walk on water;
he was the first to deny Jesus; he was the first disciple to the tomb after
Mary brought the news that Jesus had risen from the dead; he was the first
to preach the Gospel message; he was the first to preach to the Gentiles.
Peter was on the forefront of all that was happening.
When the Holy Spirit came on the 120, they began to operate under His
guidance and anointing. They now had the power of the Holy Spirit
available in their lives. Their focus shifted from lack of understanding,
blind trust in tradition, and selfish thinking to a Kingdom Ekklesia mindset
of saving souls and transforming society. At this life-transforming
encounter, Peter never considered the idea of stopping and building a
dwelling as he had done at the transfiguration, but instead he began
immediately to declare the Gospel outside the walls of that room.
We see his changed nature in the story told in Acts 10 and 11 of how
God used Peter to bring salvation to the Gentiles. Cornelius was a centurion
in the Italian regiment in the town of Caesarea. The Bible tells us that he
was a God-fearing man who gave generously to those in need. One
afternoon he had a vision.

One afternoon about three o’clock, he had an open vision and

saw the angel of God appear right in front of him, calling out
his name, “Cornelius!” Startled, he was overcome with fear by
the sight of the angel. He asked, “What do you want, Lord?”
The angel said, “All of your prayers and your generosity to the
poor have ascended before God as an eternal offering. Now,
 send some men to Joppa at once. Have them find a man named
Simon the Rock, who is staying as a guest in the home of Simon
the tanner, whose house is by the sea” (Acts 10:3-6).

Needless to say, following this encounter Cornelius dispatched two of

his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants to find this
man Simon. As they were on their journey and nearing the city, Peter went
up on the roof to pray. The Spirit caused him to fall into a trance and he,
too, had a vision.

As the heavenly realm opened up, he saw something resembling

a large linen tablecloth that descended from above, being let
down to the earth by its four corners. As it floated down he saw
that it held many kinds of four-footed animals, reptiles, and
wild birds. A voice said to him, “Peter, go and prepare them to
be eaten” (Acts 10:11-13).

Peter was aghast at the suggestion: “There’s no way I could do that,

Lord, for I’ve never eaten anything forbidden or impure according to our
Jewish laws” (Acts 10:14). Peter was sensitive to the Spirit and the voice of
the Lord, but his lifestyle of obedience to the Law was still in force, and it
was overriding his discernment and resulting desire to obey. In his human
thinking, it was difficult for him to believe the Lord would say this to him.

The voice spoke again. “Nothing is unclean if God declares it

to be clean.” The vision was repeated three times. Then
suddenly the linen sheet was snatched back up into heaven
(Acts 10:15-16).

The Lord was using this vivid picture to prepare Peter for his kingdom
role of bringing salvation to the Gentiles. Peter had enough discernment to
perceive and understand that the vision was symbolic and began pondering
the interpretation. About that time the three men sent by Cornelius stopped
at the gate of his house asking for him. The Spirit spoke to Peter: “Go
downstairs now, for three men are looking for you. Don’t hesitate to go with
them, because I have sent them” (Acts 10:20). The vision required an act of
obedience by Peter, and the Spirit led him step by step.
 The visitors were welcomed into the home and they stated their
business. The next day they all set out for Caesarea along with a group of
men from Joppa. Peter knew he would be called into question for going to a
Gentile home and so took witnesses he could depend on.
Now Cornelius was expecting them, even though he knew it was against
Jewish law for a Jewish person to associate with a Gentile. Not only was it
illegal, it was also an offensive and detestable notion to the Jews. I so love
this about Cornelius and Peter—they could see and discern past the law of
man and religious tradition to step into the new era of awakening. Cornelius
sent for his relatives and close friends to be a part of the amazing thing that
God was doing. As Peter entered the home and saw the crowd, he explained
that God had told him to come, for he must no longer call any man impure.
He then asked why he had been summoned.
Cornelius described the encounter he had experienced with the angel of
God and explained that he, his family, and his friends were eager to hear
everything the Lord had commissioned Peter to tell them. Peter shared a
landmark message, one of the most strategic messages in the history of the
Early Church. This sermon is important because Peter revealed that he now
fully discerned and understood the meaning of the rooftop vision: God is no
respecter of persons; He does not show favoritism or partiality.
When Peter recognized and discerned through the prophetic vision that
God had sent him to share the truth of Jesus, he realized that his purpose
was to be one to break cultural beliefs, traditions, and prejudices between
Jew and Gentile and open the door for all mankind to hear the truth of the
Gospel.
Peter discerned and knew he was operating under the mandate of the
Lord, which went beyond the boundaries and restrictions of Jewish law.
Because of his obedience there were powerful results. As he preached, the
Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.

While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit cascaded over all
those listening to his message. The Jewish brothers who had
accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy
Spirit was poured out on people who weren’t Jews, for they
heard them speaking in supernaturally given languages and
passionately praising God. Peter said, “How could anyone
 object to these people being baptized? For they have received
the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he instructed them to be
baptized in the power of the name of Jesus, the Anointed One.
After their baptism, they asked Peter to stay with them for a few
more days (Acts 10:44-48).

No one could doubt that God had been at work. When the Jewish
believers heard the truth, they were able to discern this new era and had no
further objections and themselves began to praise God that even the
Gentiles could receive repentance unto life.
What a tremendous encounter! This incident changed the face of
Christianity in the Early Church and, through those believers, throughout
the world today. When we operate under the direction of our own
understanding, traditions, and human desires and choose to shun prophetic
revelation and the gained discernment, we can miss the big picture and
God’s designed plan. However, when we walk in step with Jesus, operate in
the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and embrace His prophetic revelation and
Kingdom discernment of the plan at hand, transformation and a new move
of God will take place. So now let’s move on to learn how discernment can
be activated by observing in the natural.
 Chapter Five

LEARNING TO DISCERN BY
OBSERVING IN THE NATURAL

The mind of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of

the wise seeks it.
—PROVERBS 18:15 HCSB

We can learn to discern. As we develop our natural discernment in practical

ways, we will grow and mature into the spiritual gift of discernment to gain
understanding of moves of the Holy Spirit, the truth of the Kingdom, and
also uncovering the schemes of the enemy. Discerning the implication of
behaviors, words, and situations and learning to detect and discern the long-
term effects of decisions, behaviors, and actions are key focuses in this
process. In fact, the FBI, CIA, and law enforcement officers identify and
discern criminal activities by determining a pattern of behavior through an
analysis of possible motives, means, and opportunities. These FBI and CIA
people discern all different variables, traits, and factors that become a
“sign” pointing to the answers. The following are interesting, real, and
practical responses that these officers of justice are taught to watch for
during interrogations in order to detect deception, discover truth, and to
reveal possible guilt versus innocence. Below are portions of an article
written by former FBI special agent Joe Navarro.

In some respects, interviewing entails nothing more than

“effective communication with a purpose.” In a forensic
setting, investigators search for information with general
investigative value or something that may prove their case.
That constitutes the purpose of the interview.
Communicating effectively includes both verbal and nonverbal
messages. It means that the interrogators must ask questions
properly so as not to arouse behaviors that mask true
sentiments. When an interviewer becomes suspicious of a
statement or begins to accuse a suspect, a negative emotional
response usually results—the kind most people feel when
someone blames them for something. When stimulated this
way, the interviewee’s emotional state and nonverbal behavior
become altered, masking true sentiments. This affects the
innocent, as well as the guilty.
If investigators ask questions with curiosity rather than
suspicion or animosity, they will notice the suspect displaying
nervousness, tension, stress, anxiety, fear, apprehension,
concern, or dislike as a result of the substance of the question,
rather than the tone. This proves critical to detecting deception
because the interviewer’s tone, attitude, demeanor, intensity,
and manner all affect the emotions of the interviewee. It is
better to be curious than accusatory. Once interviewers cross
that line, the suspect’s behaviors result from emotions, not
guilt.
When the suspect with guilty knowledge hears a question,
survival instincts kick in, body movements can become
restricted, and psychological discomfort may result.
Interviewers may observe these reactions as body tension, a
furrowed forehead, immobile arms, disappearing or tense lips,
and distancing by leaning away. At the same time, this person
initiates pacifiers—any tactile self-touching, such as stroking
the face, biting nails, licking lips, wringing hands, or tugging at
clothing—to relieve stress.
As most parents know from caring for an infant who does not
speak, the brain responds to the world around it in real time,
which allows people to see or sense what others think or feel.
However, each person physically responds differently to
stressors. Some people show stress by excessively sweating,
vigorously massaging their neck or forehead, blocking with
their eyes, ventilating their shirt, or tightly grasping their legs.
 More subtle persons swallow hard, compress or lick their lips,
conceal their neck dimple with a hand, or cover their thumbs
with their fingers. Over 215 identified behaviors associated
with stress and discomfort provide clues as to how a person
feels when asked a question. Fear, guilt, shame, and excitement
cause emotional responses that most people cannot control.
These provide insight during the interview process.
Law enforcement officers must recognize the limits of lie
detection. Deception can be identified only when all
information is known, which usually is not the case. To guide
them in their inquiries, investigators look for cues of
discomfort or lack of confidence. If unknown issues or hidden
information cause stress, interviewers must ask why. They
should ascertain if the suspect is involved, lying, or not telling
the entire story. Investigators should pursue all questions that
indicate issues. A polygrapher cannot say definitively that
persons have lied, only that they displayed indicators of stress
when asked a question. Unfortunately, the same holds true for
interviewers. That does not mean that interrogators stop asking
questions. The interviewee’s discomfort or lack of confidence
during questioning compels knowledgeable investigators to
look further.1

This provides powerful insight into how agents are trained to detect
deception and to reveal the truth. They learn how to observe clues through
gathering information and observing responses in the natural. We see this
with men and women of law enforcement. What about in the Word of God?

JESUS ASKS QUESTIONS TO FURTHER DISCERN A DEMONIC

ASSIGNMENT
We see throughout His ministry that Jesus functioned in a very keen ability
to perceive and discern as we have already discussed and will continue to
discuss throughout this book. Let’s investigate a situation where He did
investigative work and asked questions in order to understand fully what He
was dealing with. It is the encounter with the boy who was bound by a deaf
and dumb spirit that was causing violent and harmful manifestations.

“What are you arguing about with the religious scholars?” he

asked them.
A man spoke up out of the crowd. “Teacher,” he said, “I have a
son possessed by a demon that makes him mute. I brought him
here to you, Jesus. Whenever the demon takes control of him, it
knocks him down, and he foams at the mouth and gnashes his
teeth, and his body becomes stiff as a board. I brought him to
your disciples, hoping they could deliver him, but they were not
strong enough.”
Jesus said to the crowd, “Why are you such a faithless people?
How much longer must I remain with you and put up with your
unbelief? Now, bring the boy to me.”
So they brought him to Jesus. As soon as the demon saw him, it
threw the boy into convulsions. He fell to the ground, rolling
around and foaming at the mouth. Jesus turned to the father
and asked, “How long has your son been tormented like this?”
“Since childhood,” he replied. “It tries over and over to kill
him by throwing him into fire or water. But please, if you’re
able to do something, anything—have compassion on us and
help us!”
Jesus said to him, “What do you mean ‘if’? If you are able to
believe, all things are possible to the believer.”
When he heard this, the boy’s father cried out with tears,
saying, “I do believe, Lord; help my little faith!”
Now when Jesus saw that the crowd was quickly growing
larger, he commanded the demon, saying, “Deaf and mute
spirit, I command you to come out of him and never enter him
again!” (Mark 9:16-25)

In this encounter, it is obvious that this boy was bound by a demon. We

know this was something that all in proximity could see. We also read that
the father had already explained about the boy’s demonized condition. But
still Jesus asked questions in order to gain necessary information. In verse
21, Jesus turned to the father and asked. The Greek word for ask is
eperotao. It is defined as inquire, seek, and interrogate (Strong’s #G1905).
So here we see that Jesus inquired to gain necessary information in a
situation to ensure supernatural breakthrough not only for the boy but to
awaken the father and all those observing to a new level of faith.

MY TESTIMONY OF ASKING QUESTIONS TO DISCERN

Pastor John called the U.S. Prayer Center office in Houston, Texas, where I
served as assistant prayer coordinator, in urgent need of assistance. He had
been ministering to a woman in his church by the name of Christina for five
weeks. She was experiencing great torment, and demonic manifestations
were occurring every night in her apartment. These visitations were
frightening her and her three daughters. Being new to deliverance ministry,
Pastor John had done all he knew in praying for Christina, but she could not
gain freedom. He asked if I would help. I agreed, scheduled an
appointment, and secured the team members. Pastor John and Christina
arrived for the ministry session. Because the pastor and the church’s
deliverance team had been meeting with Christina for five weeks, I
assumed that they had investigated all essential areas. Because of this, I did
not ask some of the questions I normally do before agreeing to pray with
someone. (I have since learned never to assume!) I did ask her to explain
the torment she was experiencing. As I listened, I knew it was a stronghold
of witchcraft with strong ties to voodoo practices.
The team began to minister to Christina. We prayed and asked the Lord
to bring revelation of the root or pillar event that had opened a door to this
stronghold of witchcraft. We asked Christina if she had been involved in
witchcraft at any point in her life. What about past family members? We
prayed through all these areas, broke ties, and renounced in Jesus’ name,
but this spirit was not budging.
Let me explain that I had assembled a power-packed team. We had all
ministered together on a regular basis for several years, and it was not
normal for spiritual freedom not to come quickly with this group. I could
see it on the team members’ faces, and I was beginning to feel it as well—
we were stumped by this demon. It would not leave. I then heard the Holy
Spirit speak to me. “Becca, as I instruct, ask Christina the following
questions.” After hearing each question in my spirit, I then voiced it to her.
This had happened to me several times in previous deliverance sessions, so
I knew the Lord was trying to expose something. The following dialogue
transpired.
“Christina, what time of the night do these visitations happen?”
“Around midnight.”
“They happen at the same time every night?”
“Yes.”
“Are you and your girls asleep by this time?”
“Yes.”
“Is there music playing in the house that would present an open door to
these demons?”
“No.”
“Are there items in your house that are attached to witchcraft or voodoo
practices?”
“No.”
“Christina, I will ask one more time—you have no clue why these
spirits are tormenting you daily and entering your home every night and
frightening your girls? You have not been in the past and are not presently
involved in any type of activity that would allow this to be happening?”
“No.”
“Well, Christina, the Lord wants you to tell me who is lying in bed next
to you when the torment begins and the demonic visitations occur.”
Christina’s face instantly turned red. She raised her head, locked eyes
with me, and answered, “My boyfriend.”
I responded, “Christina, the Lord wants you to tell Pastor John, the team
members, and myself how long you and your boyfriend have been living in
sin. He also wants you to tell us the evil practices your boyfriend is
involved with and performs in your apartment on a daily basis.”
With an edge of defiance in her voice she replied, “We have been living
together for two years, and he is a voodoo priest from Africa. He practices
witchcraft in my apartment.”
 Needless to say, the group was stunned. I turned to the pastor and asked,
“Pastor, did you have any idea this was happening?”
His face was nearly frozen in shock. “No, I did not.”
“And how long have you been ministering to her?” I asked.
Now quickly growing agitated with Christina and the situation, he
turned to look at her while answering my question. “Five weeks!”
I then confronted Christina. “You have abused five weeks of this
pastor’s time? You have taken two hours of my time? Do you know you are
in blatant sin?”
“Yes.”
“Then why have you submitted yourself for deliverance ministry?”
“Because,” she said, “I was hoping to get breakthrough so I could
continue to live with my boyfriend. He won’t marry me, but I love him. I
thought the deliverance might make my sin and the spirit of witchcraft
easier to deal with.”
I was truly shocked. “You have been using deliverance ministry to get
enough temporary relief from the torment in order to go home and
purposefully sin, opening yourself up once again to this demon of
witchcraft?”
With a shrug she said, “Yes.”
“Christina, are you willing to repent, get right with God, and break off
the relationship with your boyfriend? You can do this right now. We can
then pray and get you free from this torment and a life with a voodoo
priest.”
“No,” she said. “I will not repent, and I have no desire to break the
relationship with my boyfriend. I love him.”
I announced immediately that the deliverance session was over!

JOSHUA ASKED IN ORDER TO DISCERN THE ANGEL

Now when Joshua was by Jericho, he looked up, and behold, a

man was standing opposite him with his drawn sword in his
hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us
or for our adversaries?” He said, “No; rather I have come
 now as captain of the army of the Lord.” Then Joshua fell with
his face toward the earth and bowed down, and said to him,
“What does my lord have to say to his servant?” The captain of
the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from
your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy (set
apart to the Lord).” And Joshua did so (Joshua 5:13-15 AMP).

Here we witness Joshua, the one anointed and appointed to lead the
children of Israel to possess the promised land—the same one who led with
Moses in the wilderness and who spent time in face-to-face encounters with
the Lord in the tent of meeting during the 40 years of wandering in the
wilderness. The children of Israel had been encamped at Gilgal, and all
those who had not been circumcised during their journey through the
wilderness, in a covenantal act of obedience, had fulfilled the Lord’s
direction to do so. They then set aside time to heal and observe Passover.
As Joshua approached Jericho, he encountered the armed man with his
sword. Unaware of the stranger’s identity, Joshua quickly engaged him. The
word for said in the above scriptural reference is amar. It means to
command or ask (Strong’s #H559). It is apparent that Joshua was not
discerning or perceiving the magnitude of who stood in front of him.
I find it interesting that as soon as the true identity was spoken out,
Joshua did not hesitate in his response to quickly humble himself in honor
of this angelic captain. This warring angel stood with him to prepare him
for the battle by revealing the strategy that would secure ultimate victory. I
must admit, I am a warrior. And I love that this captain of the Lord’s army,
in response to the covenant previously made through circumcision, was
armed to show his agreement with and commissioning into battle and taking
of Jericho. So here we see an example of an angel in human form and
Joshua, a spiritually well-prepared warrior inquiring to discern correctly the
true identity of this mighty warrior.

EVEN DEMONS CAN IDENTIFY THOSE WHO OPERATE IN THE SPIRIT

OR THE FLESH

God kept releasing a flow of extraordinary miracles through

the hands of Paul. Because of this, people took Paul’s
 handkerchiefs and articles of clothing, even pieces of cloth that
had touched his skin, laying them on the bodies of the sick, and
diseases and demons left them and they were healed.
Now, there were seven itinerant Jewish exorcists, sons of Sceva
the high priest, who took it upon themselves to use the name
and authority of Jesus over those who were demonized. They
would say, “We cast you out in the name of the Jesus that Paul
preaches!”
One day, when they said those words, the demon in the man
replied, “I know about Jesus, and I recognize Paul, but who do
you think you are?”
Then the demonized man jumped on them and threw them to
the ground, beating them mercilessly. He overpowered the
seven exorcists until they all ran out of the house naked and
badly bruised (Acts 19:11-16).

This is indeed a powerful story we are all familiar with. Let’s

investigate a little further for the sake of our study. The exclamation the evil
spirit spoke out was, “Jesus I know and Paul I know.” The Greek word for
know is this scripture is ginosko. It means to be familiar with, acknowledge,
or to perceive (Strong’s #G1097). This is an important point to make in this
study. We want to be known in the demonic realm, because if we aren’t then
it means we have not obtained to the authority bestowed to us as believers.
Then there are those who claim to know the Lord or try to operate in
authority in the flesh who have no intimacy or personal relationship with
Him.
Hear me—true authority comes from a surrendered relationship with
Jesus and the Holy Spirit, not just using formulas and techniques.
Understand that the higher up you go on the mountain of the Lord, the
closer you get to your assignment on earth. The closer you get to your
assignment, the closer you get to invading that second-heaven realm of
demonic resistance. Your job is to show up at the gates of influence in your
assigned sphere. What matters is that you are well known in heaven. When
that happens, you will be respected in the gates of influence. The truth is,
evil spirits recognize the depth of relationship with our Lord. We all want to
be known by evil spirits. Not for the purpose of us to be harassed, but for
the intended outcome that when demons hear our voices they are struck
with fear, trembling at the sound of Kingdom holiness and authority causing
them to obey and leave. I love the fact that darkness knows my name and
trembles when I intercede, war, prophesy, and decree.

LEARN TO DISCERN BY OBSERVATION

The truth is, we too can learn to grow in our discernment through questions
and observation. I will share a more practical way that has been used for
many years. Many have been involved in deliverance ministry and have
used a questionnaire to learn what the open doors for demonic influence are
in the life of the individual they will be ministering to. Allow me to share
some of the following questions in order for us to engage in an exercise
together by mapping out a portion of the questions to help identify a
specific area. I will provide example answers to each question to lead us to
a conclusion at the end of our investigation.

1. Was your relationship with your parents good, bad, or

indifferent?
I had a strong relationship with my mother, but relationship
with my father was indifferent. I never felt or experienced a
strong emotional connection with him.
2. Were you a planned child or a surprise child?
Surprise child, and my parents spoke about this often.
3. Were you conceived out of wedlock?
Yes. And I am the main reason why my parents married.
Their marriage was never good, I felt responsible for this.
4. Were you adopted?
No.
5. If adopted, do you know anything about your natural parents?
N/A
6. Do you know if your mother suffered any trauma with you
during her pregnancy?
Yes. She was very sick the entire pregnancy.
7. Do you know if you suffered a difficult or complicated birth?
Yes. I was born through a cesarean section. My mother bled
extensively and required a blood transfusion.
8. Were you bonded at birth?
According to what my parents told me, not right away. Due
to her health issues during pregnancy and the complicated
birth, I was whisked away to the nursery and did not get
personal time with my mother for three days.
9. Were you a breast-fed baby?
No.
10. Do you have brothers and sisters?
One brother and one sister.
11. How was your relationship with your siblings growing up?
Closer to my brother, distant from my sister. She never had
time for me. She was very popular. I always struggled to feel
accepted by her.
12. Are you a critical person?
Sometimes I can be very critical. Especially of myself.
13. Do you feel emotionally immature?
Yes.
14. Highlight what applies to your self-image.
Low image
Condemn myself
Feel worthless
 Punish myself
Feel insecure
Hate myself
Believe I am a failure
Question identity
15. Was your father passive, strong and manipulative, or neither?
My father was emotionally absent. No words of affection or
affirmation. He provided money for the family but was not
engaged emotionally in our lives.
16. Were you close to your father?
No.
17. Was your mother passive, strong and manipulative, or neither?
She was strong, but not manipulative.
18. Was yours a happy home during childhood?
Sometimes yes. Sometimes no.
19. Were you lonely as a teenager?
Yes. I never felt received by my peers. Did not have a lot of
friends.
20. Has lying or stealing been a problem to you?
No.
21. Have you suffered an injustice in your life?
Yes. Was greatly bullied in school.
22. Do you have trouble giving or receiving love?
Yes.
23. Do you find it easy to communicate with persons close to you?
 No. I feel it is hard to trust people so I find it hard to
communicate.
24. Do you have or have you had problems with:
Impatience
Pride
Racial prejudice
Moodiness
Anger
Temper
Rebellion
25. Do you have unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness, or hatred
toward anyone?
I find myself angry with my dad for not giving emotional
support. Resentful toward my sister.
I believe I struggle with unforgiveness to those who bullied
me in school.
26. Do you struggle with a cycle of broken friendships?
Yes.
27. Do you feel no one wants to be your friend so you isolate?
I’m afraid to trust people, so yes, I isolate.

This is an extensive list of questions. But based off of this gathered data,
I would like to pose a question. Are you able to state what this person might
be battling in their spiritual walk? If you answered or discerned a spirit of
rejection, you are correct. By the observations drawn from these questions it
is quite easy to perceive that freedom from the stronghold of rejection is
needed. Let’s continue by sharing a testimony by my friend Jareb Nott. In
this demonstration, a way was paved to achieve keen discernment through
an investigation process composed of thought-out questions that led to a
great victory.
When used properly, a questionnaire is a very helpful
discernment tool when utilized prior to and during deliverance
sessions. The questionnaires are designed to be very thorough
and help us gain a clear understanding of what strongholds we
will likely need to address during the deliverance session.
For example, we often have clients send completed
questionnaires that contain contradictory information. One such
contradiction that shows up frequently pertains to their
involvement in witchcraft activities. Many people do not fully
understand what involvement in witchcraft truly means; in their
minds, it means specifically that a person belonged to a witch
coven or has been in the practice of casting spells, etc.
Therefore, their understanding of how to answer questions
pertaining to that stronghold is often wrong.
We once had a woman return a completed deliverance
questionnaire that highlighted a deep witchcraft stronghold.
This woman had previously sought deliverance several years
ago from another ministry and received some freedom. But she
was reaching out to our ministry now because there were still
areas where she was tormented and had not been able to
receive freedom in her life. For years, this woman dealt with
frequent headaches and constantly battled a fear that she would
never be good enough for God to love her or accept her. Her
life was full of religious actions designed in her mind to earn
favor from God and, in return, freedom and the Father’s love
that she greatly desired but could never grasp.
In the questionnaire she filled out prior to her session, she
clearly stated that she had never been involved in occultism or
witchcraft. That, combined with all of her statements pointing
toward a religious spirit, could have made it seem like an open
and closed case that religious bondage was the only reason why
freedom had been out of reach for her for so long. Some
deliverance ministers may even be inclined to move on and
look for the “greater” stronghold such as a spirit of rejection or
fear based on her insecure, self-doubting nature. However, the
questionnaire is designed to dig deeper and gain further clarity
on these important strongholds.
The very next question on the form asked her if she had ever
been involved in specific witchcraft practices. This is where
things became interesting. She then identified on the
questionnaire that she had in the past directly participated in
seances, Ouija boards, visited mediums, practiced astral
projection, had palm readings, and practiced with spirit guides.
The woman then proceeded to add written comments,
indicating that their involvement with the Ouija board was an
innocent one-time occasion when she was in high school many
years ago. She then continued to answer more questions and
specifically indicated that her grandparents were involved with
Native religions as full-blooded members of the Cherokee
nation. This family involvement created an open door for
generational bondage and a familiar spirit of witchcraft to
freely operate throughout the generational lineage of which she
is included.
All of these involvements are clearly interactions with
witchcraft. However, because many of these practices are
deceivingly advertised as spiritual helps and self-improvement
aids, they become falsely detached from what is generally
believed to be involvement in witchcraft. This person’s beliefs
that she was not involved in witchcraft left an open door for the
enemy to continue tormenting her even after completing
previous deliverance sessions without a questionnaire. In this
instance, using the questionnaire we were able to quickly
discern that she was bound by the stronghold of divination and
the familiar spirit of witchcraft.
During the deliverance session she forgave herself and her
family for involvement in witchcraft and divination. I then
walked her through a prayer of repentance from her willing
involvement in these evil practices. Moving on she then
renounced the evil things that she had done and practiced over
the years. From there she broke the resulting curses and
tormenting spirits that had been brought on her as a result of
 her willing practice. With these prayers and
acknowledgements, finishing the deliverance was simply a
matter of me taking the final authority over the trespassing
demons of divination and witchcraft and evicting them from
her life, her body, and her mind. Finally, we dealt with the
familiar spirit of witchcraft in her family lineage and closing
the entry points and doors where it entered, and she was
miraculously set free. In that moment, we witnessed a physical
transformation of this woman’s countenance and body posture.
At last, she had received the freedom that she had desired for
so long but was thought to be out of her grasp. She was
miraculously set free from a stronghold of divination and
witchcraft that has been deceiving her and binding her for
decades.
Today, this woman does not struggle with her identity; she is
now gaining a greater understanding of her unique place in the
Kingdom as a daughter of the King. The freedom she received
has enabled her to see herself as a true daughter, with authority
and a place in this world where she is free to use her God-given
gifts and abilities to glorify God and bring healing and joy to
others around her as she in turn ministers to others in her own
spheres of influence.
The questionnaire did not set her free; our ability to use the
questionnaire along with the Holy Spirit as a guide is what
often leads to greater discernment and freedom for our ministry
clients. The questionnaire should not be used as a sole
technique when ministering freedom, but paired with guidance
from the Holy Spirit it is a powerful tool that can be used in the
process of setting captives free.

What a powerful testimony of freedom and victory. So, we clearly see

that through natural observation and the process of asking questions,
individuals can be radically set free and transformed. Let’s now look at how
we can observe in the natural and through investigative research we are able
to grow in discernment at a regional level.
 HOW TO GROW IN DISCERNMENT IN CITIES AND REGIONS
I have taught for many years that knowledge builds power of action. While
we have spoken about discernment in the spiritual sense and will continue
to discuss even further in this book, let’s investigate how we are able to
grow in discernment by a series of actions that we will term spiritual
research or mapping of regions. While I will not give a full teaching on this
topic, you can read my books Authority to Tread and Glory Warfare to gain
further understanding and insight. But for the sake of learning how to grow
in discernment through observations in the natural, I will discuss several
key points.
A good place to start is to determine what you are seeing in the natural
about the sphere of influence, city, region, or nation of interest. Is there
prosperity or poverty? Or is there both? Do you see people walking in hope
and joy? Or do they exhibit hope deferred or despair? Is there a high crime
and death rate or abundant life? Is the region clean or dirty? Is there active
idolatry? Are women and children free or oppressed? Do you see and
witness God moving among the people and the churches?
Another area to obtain wisdom and insight is by researching the sphere
of influence, city, region, or nation. Truth be told, satan is a strategist. While
this thought might make some uncomfortable, the reality is he and his army
of darkness are busy implementing their strategies. Therefore, we must
learn to be strategists. In order to do so we must learn his evil and demonic
schemes so that he might not outwit or outmaneuver us. Effectual and
victorious prayer strategies often come from informed deliverance and
informed intercession empowering us to pray on site with insight. Think of
it this way—when special ops teams go into a battle to discover and to
defeat a ruthless and evil tyrant, they do so in an undercover hidden tactic.
It occurs under the radar. And more times than not the enemy’s stronghold
and defense has no clue the special ops team has advanced until the target is
under fire and being overtaken in a time of defeat. In order to do this, there
are hours of investigation, undercover work, research, studying the
movement of the tyrant and his accompanying battalion. This is the type of
warfare tactics we are to operate in. So, what are key points we can
investigate at a regional level for the purpose of forming an effective and
victorious strategy?
 1. Who were the original inhabitants of the land and what
happened to them? Who or how did they worship?
2. Is there idolatry in the region? If so, who is it that is being
worshiped?
3. Is freemasonry at the foundation?
4. Why was the city established? Is there a history of purity or
corruption at the foundation? Was the government established on
Kingdom principles?
5. What were the principles at the foundation? Were they ungodly
or Kingdom in focus? Or a mixture of both?
6. Is there trauma at the foundation of the city?
7. Were there corrupt practices and broken covenants?
8. Were there pacts made with evil?
9. Was there a dedication to the Lord and His purposes?
10. Is there violence, trauma, and bloodshed?
11. Is there rampant sexual perversion?
12. Has the economy and economic structure been established in a
Kingdom paradigm or is it built on greed and robbing God’s
Kingdom plan?
13. What are the prophetic words concerning the region? Have they
come to pass? If not, what is the Lord’s strategy to see
breakthrough come and prophetic destiny released?
14. Have righteous root covenants been established throughout the
history of the region?
15. Have there been moves of awakening and transformation?

These are all focuses of study, research, and investigation in order to

pray from an informed position. This gathered data is then combined with
spiritual insight such as dreams, visions, and prophetic strategies birthed in
prayer. This provides a focus that hits the mark in the Spirit and realizes
great victories. The following is a powerful testimony at a regional level
that effected legislation for the entire nation.

Patsy’s Testimony
In 2010, I was on a prayer assignment with Rebecca Greenwood and
several other team members in Dallas, Texas. One of the places we
researched and felt we needed to pray at was the Cathedral Shrine of the
Virgin of Guadalupe. This is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic
diocese of Dallas, Texas. It is the mother church of the 630,000 Roman
Catholics in nine-county dioceses of Dallas. It is the second largest
cathedral congregation in the nation, second only to St. Patrick’s Cathedral
in New York City, and it has 25,000 registered families. It is one of seven
basilicas/cathedrals/shrines built for devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe of
Mexico.
The mother church in Mexico is the most visited Queen of Heaven
shrine in the world. Seven million people from the Americas visit the Virgin
of Guadalupe every year. The shrine was built in the rubble of an ancient
pagan temple in a village near Mexico City. The belief system was taken
from a vision encountered by an Aztec peasant of a young girl he claimed
was the Virgin Mary. The lady asked for a church to be built at that site in
her honor. When the church was erected, they took the worship of Aztec
and Mayan deities and combined their symbols into their new idol, which
they named the Virgin or Our Lady of Guadalupe. One of the deities
morphed into the idol was Ixchel, the goddess of medicine, childbirth, and
war. Although she was the goddess of childbirth, in the ancient worship of
this entity they would sacrifice 12-year-old virgins by throwing them into
the cenotes to drown. This was done as a sacrifice to appease and empower
Ixchel’s hold. Therefore, she was also the entity of childbirth and child
sacrifice.
Our team visited the cathedral church in downtown Dallas and prayed
there. We felt we needed to cut, sever, and destroy the ley lines and power
grids connecting the cathedral in Dallas to the mother church in Mexico and
every influence it has over God’s people. (For further understanding of ley
lines and power grids you can find further information in my books
Authority to Tread and Glory Warfare.) The day we visited the cathedral it
was crowded, which made it more difficult to find a private area to pray. As
we were leaving, I was walking beside Becca and mentioned to her that I
didn’t feel we completed everything that needed to be done on this
assignment. She agreed, and because I’m from Texas she asked me to come
back, bring a team, and finish the task. I did not forget, but the timing didn’t
present itself for a period of time.
On June 24, 2018, I was asked to be on a prayer team to pray against
abortion inside the old United States District Court for the Northern District
of Texas in Dallas—the location where Roe v. Wade was held. It is not an
active courtroom now and special permission is needed to get in. The
judge’s original bench is still there. Our small team spent about two hours
inside that courtroom adding our prayers to the many others who have
prayed against abortion.
On July 27, 2019, I was leading an assignment in downtown Dallas for
Becca’s Strategic Prayer Apostolic Network (SPAN). I knew the timing was
right for us to go back to the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe
and finish the assignment there. During research, I found that the site where
the cathedral is located today is not the original location. After completing
our prayers at the cathedral, we decided to pray at the original site.
When we walked up to the location my heart started pounding. It was
the exact location of the courthouse where Roe v. Wade was held. What a
revelation from God! This changed our whole course of prayers from that
location as we connected the root of the death spirit of Our Lady of
Guadalupe to abortion. On January 3, 2020, we saw on Facebook the
following article: “200-plus members of Congress asked the Supreme Court
to ‘reconsider’ legal abortion rights. The lawmakers, who are mostly
Republican men signed an amicus brief urging the court to reconsider Roe
v. Wade as well as a 1992 ruling barring laws putting an ‘undue burden’ on
abortion access. The brief comes ahead of arguments in an abortion case
that will consider a Louisiana law that was passed in 2014 but never
enacted. If enacted, the law would severely restrict abortion access by
imposing stricter requirements on doctors providing abortions. Lawmakers
who signed the brief argue that Roe v. Wade and the decisions that stemmed
from it are too obscure and opaque, leaving judges unable to determine how
to apply the rulings. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the
Louisiana case.”
On March 9, 2020, I was part of a team that once again gained access to
the courtroom in Dallas where Roe v. Wade was held. We worshiped and
made many decrees and declarations that took on new meaning and power
since the revelation of the Queen of Heaven’s altar being on that site. The
timeframe of this assignment was over a period of ten years, which included
several combined initiatives. This is a good example of how important it is
to continue to research and discern what the Lord is saying in each
assignment, make connections, and continue to push through until you have
breakthrough!

NOTE
1. Joe Navarro, M.A., “Perspective: Detecting Deception,” Law
Enforcement Bulletin, August 1, 2012,
https://leb.fbi.gov/articles/perspective/perspective-detecting-deception.
 Chapter Six

DISCERNING ANGELS

Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who
will inherit salvation?
—HEBREWS 1:14 NIV

It was by far the most difficult night of my life. My father, Ronnie Long,
had passed away four hours earlier. My mother and I had returned to their
home in East Texas, while the rest of the family would make their way the
next day. It was an extremely emotional moment to walk back in the home
for the first time without my father. Just no words. Now, my dad was a
strong believer and Christian; we knew he was with the Lord, but how
difficult were those “firsts” without him. We were tired from the previous
sleepless week spent in the hospital with my dad and decided that we must
try to rest and sleep, considering that the next few days were going to be
even busier planning his memorial service. I ensured my mother was settled
in her room and asleep before making my way to the guest bedroom.
As I sat on the bed, I admit I was emotionally overwhelmed and numb
all at the same time. You see, I had always been a daddy’s girl. I loved my
father. He was a wonderful, wise, kind, patient, fun, and loving father. I just
could not imagine what life was going to be like without his physical
presence. As I laid my head on the pillow in an attempt to sleep, I heard a
sound and felt a presence. So much so, I sat up in bed and listened intently
to what I was hearing. “What is that sound?”
Quickly, I decided to check on my mother. I walked to her room and
stood outside her bedroom door. All was quiet. But now it seemed as if the
sound was coming from the family room or maybe the dining room. As I
entered the dining room I continued into the kitchen as I felt an
overwhelming feeling of love and peace drawing me in that direction.
Suddenly, I could feel a supernatural presence of peace, joy, and love that
enveloped me. At this moment I was clearly engaged in the spirit realm and
realized I was hearing and sensing the presence of ministering angels.
Suddenly, I heard these words and my father’s voice, “I am good, Becca. Be
strong. Be courageous. All is well.” Then I heard voices speaking in the
tongues of angels and felt the holiness of pure emotion of rejoicing
surrounding me. Suddenly their voices quickly grew more and more distant.
Overcome and overwhelmed, I fell in a heap on the kitchen floor and began
to weep tears motivated by awe and gratitude.
How beautiful it was that the Lord sent me this encounter and message
from my father along with His ministering angels. I shared this story with
my mother the next morning. We both wept tears of joy. This angelic
encounter brought us great comfort and peace in a time of the sudden and
unexpected loss of my father. These moments genuinely cause the
following truth to come to light—that the veil between eternity and the
natural realm is truly a thin place.

WORKS OF ANGELS
In the above encounter, I did not see these angels, but I discerned their
presence and heard their voices as described by Paul, “The tongues of men
and of angels” (1 Cor. 13:1 NASB). The Bible is replete with testimonies of
angelic encounters with the saints of God. So let’s continue to discover the
different areas we see in scripture in which angels work and share insight
and testimonies to empower us to discern each of these angelic activities.
Keep in mind this is not an exhaustive account concerning these heavenly
agents. But I have tried to include the most significant roles that we are all
graced to encounter.

Angels Are Messengers

The Greek word for angels in the Bible is aggelos (Strong’s #G32). The
Hebrew word for angels is malak (Strong’s #H4397). Both words translate
to mean “messenger.” In the simplest terms, angels are both God’s
messengers and God’s message. They will always carry His message and
fulfill the mission He has sent them to accomplish. Billy Graham shares
concerning the role of these divine angels:
 Angels belong to a uniquely different dimension of creation
which we, limited to the natural order, can scarcely
comprehend. In this angelic domain the limitations are different
from those God has imposed on our natural order. He has given
angels higher knowledge, power and mobility than us. Have
you ever seen or met one of those superior beings called
angels? They are God’s messengers whose chief business is to
carry out His orders in the world. He has given them an
ambassadorial charge. He has designed and empowered them
as holy deputies to perform works of righteousness. In this way
they assist Him as their Creator while He sovereignly controls
the universe. He has given them the capacity to bring His holy
enterprises into a successful conclusion.1

Angels Are Bearers of God

Angels not only bring messages, but they also bring the presence of
heaven and eternity. And it appears that within an initial encounter some
experience an overwhelming awe and reverence when seeing an angelic
being sent from heaven, evidenced by them falling face down in the
presence of holiness angels bring. We spoke of this in Chapter Four, when
Joshua encountered the commander of the Lord’s heavenly army. Their
messages are pregnant and pulsate with the presence and holiness of God.
Sometimes they don’t even have to say anything, but the essence of who
they are and whose presence they live in communicates the love, guidance,
comfort, holiness, presence, fire, and glory of the Lord.

Angels Bring Answers to Prayer

In Acts 12, we clearly discover that angels assist God in answering
prayers. It was during the time when King Herod had incited persecution
against the church to such a degree that, “He even had the apostle Jacob,
John’s brother, beheaded” (Acts 12:2). Upon this horrible act, Herod
quickly realized that this action greatly pleased the Jewish leaders and
decided to have Peter arrested and thrown into prison during Passover. He
was so aggressive to ensure that Peter would not escape, he assigned sixteen
soldiers to guard him until he could be brought to public trial. “Immediately
after the Passover celebrations were over. The church went into a season of
intense intercession, asking God to free him” (Acts 12:4-5). Let’s continue
to read the story as it is so beautifully told in The Passion Translation.

The night before Herod planned to bring him to trial, he made

sure that Peter was securely bound with two chains. Peter was
sound asleep between two soldiers, with additional guards
stationed outside his cell door, when all at once an angel of the
Lord appeared, filling his prison cell with a brilliant light. The
angel struck Peter on the side to awaken him and said, “Hurry
up! Let’s go!” Instantly the chains fell off his wrists. The angel
told him, “Get dressed. Put on your sandals, bring your cloak,
and follow me.”
Peter quickly left the cell and followed the angel, even though
he thought it was only a dream or a vision, for it seemed unreal
—he couldn’t believe it was really happening! They walked
unseen past the first guard post and then the second before
coming to the iron gate that leads to the city—and the gate
swung open all by itself right in front of them!
They went out into the city and were walking down a narrow
street when all of a sudden the angel disappeared. That’s when
Peter realized that he wasn’t having a dream! He said to
himself, “This is really happening! The Lord sent his angel to
rescue me from the clutches of Herod and from what the Jewish
leaders planned to do to me” (Acts 12:6-11).

What a powerful testimony. You see, Peter discerned that he was

encountering an angel in spite of the fact that he thought it was in a dream.
Isn’t it beautiful how the angel brought Peter and the entire praying church
into a supernatural encounter in response to intercession! The angel
delivered the miraculous answer to prayer.

Angels Provide Protection and Deliverance

God sends angels with special orders to protect you wherever

you go, defending you from all harm (Psalm 91:11).
 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an
anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your
God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from
the lions?”
Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his
angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt
me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever
done any wrong before you, Your Majesty” (Daniel 6:20-22
NIV).

The attacks of satan and his army of darkness, who in their evil schemes
desire to harass us incessantly, would often be thwarted if we as believers
would grasp the assurance that His mighty angels are always nearby
wanting to help. Sadly, many believers have failed to accept this fact so
frequently expressed in the Bible. You see, God dispatches His angels to
protect us from harm. We should be encouraged and strengthened to know
that the angels are watching. They mark our paths. They oversee the events
of our lives and protect the interests of our Lord, always working to
promote His plans and to bring about His highest destiny for each of us.
What good news this is! Our heavenly Father assigns angelic powers to
watch over us. I have testimony after testimony that attests to this fact.
It was 2013, I was ministering in the city of Nairobi, Kenya. It was late
as we left the church from the meeting that night. The pastor hired a taxi,
giving the driver the address of the hotel. We began to make our way down
the unkept roads of the city center. This particular day, there was great
tension and fighting occurring between the city bus drivers and taxi drivers.
The bus drivers felt they were losing too much business to the taxi drivers
and were not happy about the situation. While stopped at a street corner, we
were suddenly surrounded by buses being driven by unhappy men. They
literally encircled our taxi, making it impossible for us to move. Our driver
was noticeably nervous.
After a few minutes passed, which produced no foreseeable hope of this
scene changing, he suggested we get out and walk the rest of the way. I
instantly heard the Lord say, “Do not get out of this taxi in the midst of this
angry display.” I told him, “No, we are not going to do that. It would
endanger us.”
 He responded, “I am not going to be able to get you out of this situation
and to the hotel.”
I gently and confidently replied, “But I know someone who will make a
way out of this situation. We all must begin to pray and now!” I turned to
my friend and traveling companion, Pam, and said, “Pray in tongues out
loud now!” So we both began to pray in the Spirit. I then entreated the
Lord, “Lord, send an angel to deliver us from this situation.”
Suddenly, from nowhere, in the middle of the circle of buses appeared
what looked like a kind and wise elderly man. Friends, I am here to tell you
that he just appeared behind the taxi and made his way to the window of the
driver. He motioned for him to roll down his window. He calmly and
confidently stated, “I will get you out of here.” He walked to the bus
directly behind us. Tapped on the door motioning for the driver to open it.
They had what appeared to be a calm and brief exchange in which the bus
driver gladly began to pull forward making a slight open space for our taxi
driver to maneuver through in order for us to exit the increasingly volatile
scene. All the while this elderly man was directing the taxi driver on how
far to back up, how sharp to turn the wheel. He did this until we were safely
outside the ring of buses.
As I turned to wave and thank the man he had vanished.
The taxi driver quickly quizzed me, “Did you see where that man went?
He is gone. Where did he go?”
I joyfully responded, “Friend, the Lord answered our prayer. He sent an
angel to deliver us out of this danger.”
“You ladies pray different than what I have been taught. You prayed, the
Lord sends an angel, and we are delivered out of danger!”
We had a powerful time of witnessing and prayer with our taxi driver
before leaving the cab to enter our hotel. You see, angels will come to us in
times of need and distress to encourage and release a message, and they are
faithful to deliver us out of danger.

Angels Can Appear in Human Form

I believe, whether we realize it or not, that we have all entertained
angels who appear in human form. Hebrews 13:2 clearly shares, “Show
hospitality to strangers, for they may be angels from God showing up as
your guests.” Many translations will express it as, “Some have entertained
angels unawares.” Greg and I have encountered several occasions when we
know beyond any doubt that an angel was sent by the Lord, appearing as a
human to aid us. The above testimony from Kenya was one of them and the
following testimony shared by my friend Dawn Reece is another.

Angels Distribute Supernatural Provision

He lay down and slept under a juniper tree; and behold, there
was an angel touching him, and he said to him, “Arise, eat.”
Then he looked and behold, there was at his head a bread cake
baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank
and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came again a
second time and touched him and said, “Arise, eat, because the
journey is too great for you.” So he arose and ate and drank,
and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights
to Horeb, the mountain of God (1 Kings 19:5-8 NASB).

The Lord uses angels to bring supernatural provision as seen in this

encounter between the angel and Elijah. He had just defeated and executed
the prophets of Baal and also prayed to see the supernatural ending of the
drought. As Ahab reported the great exploits to Jezebel, she was angry and
sent her servant to tell Elijah she would end his life as he had ended the
lives of the prophets of Baal. Therefore, Elijah fled to Beersheba and asked
the Lord to take his life. But the Lord had other plans in mind for Elijah and
sent the angel of the Lord to nourish him in his time of need. Below is a
beautiful testimony of provision and aid in a time of loss and uncertainty in
the life of my beautiful friend Dawn Reece.

I was in a completely overwhelmed time in my life. It seemed

like if anything could go wrong it did. I was on my way to the
grocery store with my daughter when I heard something loud
dragging below my vehicle. When I got to the store, I looked
underneath and realized it was the cover plate that had partially
broken off and was dragging. And that was the straw that
nearly broke me.
 I walked into the store at my breaking point and standing in the
produce section I lifted my hands to heaven. With tears
streaming down my face I cried out to God, “Lord, when I lost
my husband You said You would take care of every detail of
my life. Well, I need help now and I don’t know what to do. I
need You!” Peace came over me; I lowered my arms and did
my grocery shopping.
When we walked out of the store, I remembered my dilemma
and looked underneath the vehicle again to see if I could crawl
under there and remove it. There happened to be a homeless
person with a cardboard sign sitting next to the front entrance.
He saw me, jumped up, and asked if he could help. Before I
could barely tell him my issue, he crawled underneath my
vehicle onto the oil-covered parking lot and removed it for me.
I was actually a little horrified because he was wearing off-
white linen clothing. I knew his back was going to be covered
in that oil.
I thanked him with tears in my eyes and offered him some
money. Then Kelsea and I drove off. We hadn’t even made it
out of the parking lot when we both looked at each other as it
suddenly dawned on us what had just happened! What
homeless person wears perfect off-white linen? And has a
ruddy, glowing complexion! We both said, “Oh my goodness,
that was an angel!” We immediately turned around and went
back to the store but he was gone. We drove all around and he
had completely disappeared!
When I had hit my breaking point and called out to Jesus, He
was there. He sent a ministering angel to provide for us and
help us out! I know today there are so many of you who are
struggling. But the Lord is there, He hears you, and He will
most definitely help you! All you have to do is call out His
Name!

Angels Are Ministering Spirits, Sent to Minister for Us

 And behold, one who resembled the sons of men touched my
lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke and said to him who
was standing before me, “O my lord, because of the vision
anguish has come upon me, and I have retained no strength.
For how can such a [weakened] servant of my lord talk with
such [a being] as my lord? For now there remains no strength
in me, nor has any breath been left in me.” Then the one
(Gabriel) whose appearance was like that of a man touched me
again, and he strengthened me. He said, “O man, highly
regarded and greatly beloved, do not be afraid. Peace be to
you; take courage and be strong.” Now when he had spoken to
me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you
have strengthened me” (Daniel 10:16-19 AMP).

Angels are involved in the ministry of comfort, mercy, and service. As

we read above, Gabriel appeared to Daniel to refresh him following his fast
and warfare intercession for God’s purposes to be released in the earth. The
resulting encounter and vision caused great anguish of which Gabriel spoke
and released divine peace. Remember, it is not just what they say, but how
they say it. They bring the shalom presence of the Lord. Shalom means
peace, but it also means everything the presence of the Lord brings and
imparts to us such as welfare, health, prosperity, peace (Strong’s #H7965).
Just as Daniel needed this encounter and word of strength and peace, I can
truthfully say I have experienced an angelic encounter and message of
shalom peace as a result of a message written on a scroll sent by a
ministering angel.
I was speaking at a conference in 2014. It had been an intense season of
ministry. I had been intentionally and seriously seeking the Lord over our
calling to nations and was needing clear direction and peace as we
continued to move forward. Shawn Bolz was also ministering at the
conference. We had not met until he arrived for the evening session he was
assigned at the gathering.
As Shawn has done for several years now, he began to minster very
deep, profound prophetic words. I was rejoicing as I witnessed many of my
friends receive such beautiful, life-giving hope messages from the Father’s
heart. Soon, Shawn asked if the date August 20 was significant to any of us
in the room. Thinking the word was for someone else I scanned the room
looking for the raised hand. Shawn once again asked the question. I
suddenly realized that date was significant to me. It is the date Greg and I
were married. I raised my hand and shared this fact with Shawn. He then
began to call out my daughters by name and also their birth dates. He
shared beautiful words concerning their destinies. He prophesied about our
calling to China bringing great clarity and confirmation.
He then made a statement, “I am really going to step out on a limb right
now. As I was flying here today an angel appeared to me with a scroll in his
hand with the following words written on it. I have no idea what they mean,
but can I read them to you?”
I quickly replied, “Yes!” When he spoke of seeing this angel with the
scroll in hand, a holy presence was settling in the room and the anointing
was weighing heavy on me. I began trembling in my seat in response to the
holy presence now enveloping me.
He spoke the written words, “Goin’ to China or maybe Siam, they call
me a dreamer; well, maybe I am.” With genuine curiosity he asked, “Do
those words mean anything to you?”
By this time, I was doubled over in my chair, tears gently streaming
down my face. “Yes. Those are the words to a song my father used to sing
to my sister and I when we were little girls. It is titled ‘Far Away Places.’” I
was undone.
Shawn, also emotionally impacted, replied, “Oh, this is such a holy
moment.”
Even scribing this testimony, I feel the presence, peace, comfort, and
holiness I felt that night. An angel of the Lord sent a message of great peace
and comfort to me from the eternal realm. I call this experience a kiss from
heaven. It brought and imparted great peace to keep moving into the nations
the Lord was calling me into. Angels can and are used to minister to us
when sent by our heavenly Father.

Angels Rejoice When a Sinner’s Heart Is Saved

That’s the way God responds every time one lost sinner repents
and turns to him. He says to all his angels, “Let’s have a joyous
celebration, for that one who was lost I have found!” (Luke
15:10)
 Seeing someone receive the gift of salvation is such a beautiful,
supernatural experience. There have been many times when I have led
someone to the Lord at the altar. As one who hears in the Spirit, I have
heard upon several occasions the rejoicing of the angels as the newly saved
soul encounters Jesus and the security of forgiveness and eternity is made
manifest. Angels are sent to partner with us in reaping the harvest!

Angels Assist God and Us in Shaping History

We see numerous encounters in the Bible in which angels were sent to
release messages, but also to secure victory and to shape history. The truth
is our heavenly Father uses angels to work out the destinies of men and
nations. He has altered the courses of busy political and social arenas of our
society and directed the destinies of men numerous times. We must
understand and be aware that angels keep in close and vital contact with all
that is unfolding in the earth. Their knowledge of earthly matters exceeds
that of men. We must acknowledge their invisible presence and unceasing
labors.
We know Gabriel appeared to Mary and shared that she would birth
Jesus. An angel came to Joseph telling him to still follow through with his
marriage to Mary. He also warned Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and flee to
Egypt and also when to return home. We will discuss this further in this
chapter, but Michael battled the Prince of Persia so the angel of the Lord
could deliver a message of breakthrough to Daniel. There was the encounter
when the angel of the Lord stood between Moses and the children of Israel
and Pharaoh and his army. The angel did so to stop Pharaoh’s intent to
recapture the nation of Israel as slaves and to help secure the new era of
freedom for Moses and God’s chosen people. And again, as seen in Exodus
23:20-24, the Lord sent an angel to guard and lead the way for Moses and
the children of Israel.

Behold, I am going to send an Angel before you to keep and

guard you on the way and to bring you to the place I have
prepared. Be on your guard before Him, listen to and obey His
voice; do not be rebellious toward Him or provoke Him, for He
will not pardon your transgression, since My Name (authority)
is in Him. But if you will indeed listen to and truly obey His
 voice and do everything that I say, then I will be an enemy to
your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. When My
Angel goes before you and brings you to [the land of] the
Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Canaanite, the Hivite,
and the Jebusite, I will reject them and completely destroy
them. You shall not bow down to worship their gods, nor serve
them, nor do [anything] in accordance with their practices. You
shall completely overthrow them and break down their [sacred]
pillars and images [of pagan worship] (AMP).

Here the Lord is directing Moses and revealing clearly that God wants
obedience and that the angel was prepared to go with them. It is obvious
that the angel knew the plan as the Lord had prepared him. And it is evident
that he carried the Lord’s authority. He was assigned to bring Moses and the
children of Israel into the conquest of the land that the Lord had promised
as their inheritance. I appreciate the following teaching from my friend
Kevin Zadai in his book The Agenda of Angels:

Although that angel was not always visible to the children of

Israel, there was a hidden agenda—the angel was assigned to
bring them into the land that God had prepared for them. We
must always remember that though an angel is not always
visible, God asks people to be aware of the angel, to obey his
voice, and not to provoke him. Therefore, by this example we
know that we are not to provoke angels. God even goes as far
to say that we are not to disobey him because he will not
pardon such transgressions for God’s name was in him. The
good thing about the angel in this situation was that God
clearly stated that if you obey the angel, the Lord says that He
will be an enemy to our enemies as well as an adversary to our
adversaries. The angel was going to go before them and cut off
their enemies. The Lord has promised that these angels will
help to overthrow our enemies and completely break down the
secret pillars that uphold our enemies. It is obvious that
working with angels is something that really happens for those
who choose to walk in the spirit. We must not faint or hold
back from God’s call and mission. We must be confident that
 angels are present to help us when we do what God has
ordained us to do.2

History-Shaping Angels Assigned to Me

I will share further about this prayer assignment in Chapter Eight, but
we had just experienced a tangible, amazing breakthrough and victory as a
result of a mission revealed in an open vision the Lord caused me to see.
Not only did I see the vision, it was as if I was in the vision while it was
playing out. To make a long story short, trust me when I say that the prayer
assignment the Lord directed us to engage in that evening was historic. As
we finished praying and making our way back to the car, the country dirt
road we walked down was alive with supernatural spirit realm activity. On
the left side of the road there were demons standing side by side facing us
in a stance of trying to intimidate. But on the right side of the road, warrior
and defender angels were also standing side by side facing toward us and
the demons, in a stance of defending and protecting. Why was there so
much spiritual activity and a showdown occurring in our midst? Because an
exacting blow of defeat was issued to an ancient principality that had
gripped that region.
The following morning in the church service at Global Vision Faith
Center, we experienced an open heaven and weighty glory. At one moment,
the Lord’s presence was so holy that we were all prostrate on the floor. I felt
and heard the presence of angels. There were four that surrounded me. One
in front, one behind, one on the left, and one on the right. In a vision, my
eyes were opened in order to see them. The Lord spoke to me, “These
angels are now assigned to you and will be with you wherever you go. They
are warrior angels, sent on assignment to defend and ward off all attacks of
the enemy and to help in your ministry of making history as a prophet and
prophetic intercessor to the nations.”
Friends, I can honestly say they have been with me since. Although I
might not see them all the time, I know they are there. I have heard multiple
times from those who see clearly and consistently in the spirit realm that
angels are with me on the platform as I minister. And another beautiful
experience I have had since that evening is the sound of the worship
through these angels in partnership with our worship and intercession as we
advance in prophetic and strategic warfare assignments in the nations. Not
only do I hear the singing, but the clashing of swords when we pray to
break strongholds. This does not occur all the time, but to be truthful it does
quite frequently.

Personal Angels

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him
[with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with
obedience], and He rescues [each of] them (Psalm 34:7 AMP).

The Word of God clearly tells us that our heavenly Father commands
angels concerning us. These angels will guard us and encamp around those
who fear Him. We have always been very aware of those angels that the
Lord has guarding each of us in our family. Allow me to share one of my
favorite testimonies of our daughter Kendall when she was the age of four.
Some of you will already know this testimony and are very familiar with it.
But oh, how awesome and special it is and what a great encouragement it
will be to those who have not heard it. Kendall is a seer, and it became
evident that this was the case in her life from an incredibly young age. She
would speak of activities in the spirit realm that a child her age would have
no gauge for or ability to explain unless she was truly discerning and
seeing.

Kendall Sees the Angels

Kendall, our oldest daughter, was four years old. I was cooking dinner
and suggested that she clean her room. Being a happy and obedient child,
she quickly agreed. Within a short amount of time, she returned to the
kitchen, stood with her hands on her hips tapping her foot as if she was
mad.
“Momma, you want to know what just happened?”
“Sure, baby. What?”
“Momma, you told me to clean my room. Well, there was one of those
little bad things. You know, Momma, those bad things in my room.”
“Honey, do you mean a demon?” Let me interject before I go further
that we did not talk about demons and darkness in our home around our
young children, because we did not want to frighten them. But our oldest
daughter has always been sensitive to the spirit realm and began seeing in
the spirit realm at a very young age.
“Yes, Momma, that bad thing. You know what it said to me?”
Not liking the thought that a demon was in my baby’s room, I quickly
replied, “Yes, baby. I do want to know what it said to you.”
Tapping her foot quicker and harder, “Well, it told me not to clean my
room!”
Having my complete attention, I asked her what she did.
Smiling in pleasure she replied, “Well, I stomped on its head and told it
no in Jesus’ name! And you know what, Momma? It disdappeared!” (She
could not pronounce “disappeared” correctly. In her four-year-old
vocabulary, it was pronounced “disdappeared.”) “And you want to know
something else, Momma?”
Totally intrigued and wondering what else she would say, “Yes, baby. I
do want to know something else.”
With total confidence in her wisdom and understanding, she began to
teach me. “Momma, we all have angels. You have angel, Daddy has angel,
and the babies have angels. And, Momma, the angels help us. They have
that pointy, shiny thing, Momma. You know the thing they hold that is
shiny.”
“Baby, do you mean a sword?”
“Yes, Momma, that! You know what, Momma? They take that sword
and do this!” I observed as my four-year-old daughter acted out an angel
using a sword as if in a spiritual battle. She then exclaimed, “And Momma,
when the angels do that, the demons disdappear (disappear)! Momma, you
want to know something else?”
Wondering what else would flow out of that baby’s mouth, I quickly
replied, “Yes, I do!”
“Momma, those demons do not like you and Daddy. No, not at all! You
know what they do when you pray in Jesus’ name?”
“No, baby. What do they do?”
“Well, Momma, they do this.” Enacting her story, my daughter began to
aggressively shake her body as if nervous and in a loud voice exclaimed,
“Aaaaagggghhhhhh! And then they disdappear! Momma, those demons
don’t like you and Daddy. No, not at all!”
My daughter happily left the kitchen to return to cleaning her room.
Stunned and amazed, I called my husband explaining that I just had a
spiritual warfare 101 lesson conducted and taught by our four-year-old
daughter!
I love to share this testimony due to the beauty it exhibits when there is
childlike faith involved. Listen to the level of discernment and faith of a
four-year-old. I fully believe many of us were this sensitive when we were
younger, but were un-taught the gift of discernment, seeing, and hearing
because we were told the things we were seeing and hearing in the spirit
were not real. “It was just your imagination.” But look at the faith a of four-
year-old concerning spiritual authority. If a seer child this age can exhibit
this level of confidence in the Lord and His angels, then, oh, friend, how
much more should we! Out of the mouth of babes we shall learn.

Warrior Angels

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was standing in

opposition to me for twenty-one days. Then, behold, Michael,
one of the chief [of the celestial] princes, came to help me, for I
had been left there with the kings of Persia (Daniel 10:13
AMP).

Here we see that Michael, the archangel, was sent to engage the Prince
of Persia, an ancient principality holding Babylon captive and blocking the
answer to Daniel’s prayer. The Hebrew word for archangel is sar. It means
“representative of the king, commander, military officer, governor, ruler”
(Strong’s #H8269). Michael is the elite of the elite of the military and
commanding angel armies. He is the top commander of the elite forces of
heaven. And he is sent to contend with the prince or chief principality
positioned in the second heaven over Babylon. Why? He is, as it were, the
prime minister in God’s administration of the universe and is the angel
administrator of God for judgment.
You see, angels are the ones who do administrate judgments of the
Lord. In this instance, Michael was dispatched in order to ensure
breakthrough so that the angel of the Lord was able to deliver the answer to
Daniel’s prayer. In fact, some Bible students and scholars have speculated
that Michael cast lucifer and his fallen angels out of heaven, and Michael
enters into conflict with satan, his principalities, and evil angels in our
present time to destroy their power and to give us—God’s people, Ekklesia
—the expectation of and assurance of our secured ultimate victory. To be
honest, I love this! It makes me shout a big hallelujah as I type this on the
page. Friends, hear those words again as they are worth repeating. And
don’t just hear them but receive them. Michael enters into conflict with
satan, his principalities, and evil agents in our present time to destroy their
power and to give us—God’s people, the Ekkleisa—the expectation of and
assurance of our secure ultimate victory. Thank You, Lord!

Defender Angels
One of my favorite Scriptures of the many that reference God’s
protector and defender angels is Second Kings 6:15-17:

The servant of the man of God got up early and went out, and
behold, there was an army with horses and chariots encircling
the city. Elisha’s servant said to him, “Oh no, my master! What
are we to do?” Elisha answered, “Do not be afraid, for those
who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then
Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, please, open his eyes that he
may see.” And the Lord opened the servants eyes and he saw;
and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire
surrounding Elisha (AMP).

What a powerful encounter! The king of Syria had dispatched his army
to Dothan, learning the prophet Elisha was there. Upon dressing in the
morning, Elisha’s servant exclaimed nervously and excitedly that that the
countryside was teemed with armies and implements of war prepared for
battle. Elisha exhorted him, “Don’t be afraid! Those who are with us are
more than those who are with them.” In other words, our army is bigger
than theirs! Elisha then prayed that the Lord would open the eyes of this
young man to see the multitudes of protector and defender angels. His eyes
were opened, and he saw the truth of the spiritual forces gathered to defend
their safety and to secure victory.
The beauty of this story is that the spiritual reality of God’s army
became real to Elisha’s servant once Elisha asked the Lord to open his eyes.
Elisha already had the spiritual sight and wisdom to know. His faith did not
need to be adjusted. We clearly see that when the spiritual eyes of
understanding and discernment were opened to his servant, his fears of loss
vanished.
I want every reader to hear this truth—there are more for us than are
against us. Our army is bigger than theirs! Our army is bigger and stronger
than any assembled army of darkness. What a powerful Kingdom
inheritance and promise for each of us. These defender angels are sent to
bring messages, serve as ambassadors, defend, protect, keep, act as
watchmen, preserve, and set in order our course of life, journey, pathway,
and course of action. Thank You, Lord, that we are never alone.

What Angels Do Not Do and Do Not Want

Let’s discuss briefly what angels do not do in order to help us increase
in our discernment in supernatural encounters. The Lord’s angels never
change scripture and their messages will never contradict scripture. Angels
do not want to be worshiped. They want all worship, honor, and glory to be
to our heavenly Father, the Most High God, and Jesus. The entire book of
Revelation was delivered to John by angels. Revelation 1:1 says: “He
[Jesus] made it [the revelation] known by sending his angel to his servant
John” (NIV). As we read near the end of this encounter, we discover that
John was so overcome by what had been delivered to him he fell down at
the feet of the angel to worship before him. Let’s read the full encounter.

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things, and when
I heard and saw it all, I fell facedown to worship the messenger
who showed me these things. But he said to me, “Don’t do it! I
am but a fellow servant with you and your brothers, the
prophets, and with those who cling to the words of this book.
Worship God!” (Revelation 22:8-9)
 This scripture paints a clear picture. Angels do not want to be
worshiped. Angels are not to be objects of prayer. They may help in
releasing the message, breakthrough, or answer to prayer, but they are not to
be prayed to. Angels do not desire to draw attention to themselves. They
often do things in secret. They may get our attention, but they do so on
behalf of God and the assignment He has prepared for them to accomplish
on our behalf. Angels do not violate the free will of humans. God uses
angels to guide us, not to control us; to teach us, but not to dictate to us; to
protect us, but not to violate our free will. However, it is clear in scripture
that when an angel delivers a command or instruction from heaven we are
to obey: “You have been given the law by the visitation of angels, but you
have not obeyed it” (Acts 7:53). The Greek word for visitation in this
scripture is diatage, which stems from the root word diatasso. Together
both mean “to command, give an ordinance, or to decree, appoint, ordain”
(Strong’s #G1296 and #G1299).

THERE ARE MORE FOR US THAN AGAINST US

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the
things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are
temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2
Corinthians 4:18 NASB).

I want to reiterate here that the spirit realm is alive and active. I believe
this is made so clear through all that we have discussed. The truth is its
activity does not depend on our belief in or lack of belief in its existence. It
is real and buzzing with activity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The spirit
realm is never on vacation. God is and His army of angels are always about
His business of His Kingdom. And His business is ruling the entire universe
for an eternity.
I agree with the following quote from my friend Eddie Smith, “God is
not waiting to rule. He is ruling now. As He listens to the prayers of His
people, He continuously decrees and implements His purposes from the
throne. The throne of God literally vibrates with divine activity.”3
Therefore, for us to be effective sons and daughters in His Kingdom, we
must not ignore the most active part of His creation. Why? Because as
scripture tells us concerning our position that we are seated with Him in
heavenly places (see Eph. 2:6). If God is concerned about the spirit realm
and He resides in the eternal spirit realm, and our position is one of being
seated with Him in heavenly places, then it is our responsibility to accept
the reality of this vital portion of His Kingdom.
While some of us might not have the experience of seeing in that
supernatural realm as of yet, obtaining understanding of this Kingdom truth
is imperative. Begin to ask the Lord to open your spiritual sight and eyes of
discernment and perception in the reality of the spirit realm. Soon, you will
be aware of those heavenly supernatural activities that are occurring on
behalf of all sons and daughters of our heavenly Father.

NOTES
1. Billy Graham, Angels: God’s Secret Agents (Garden City, NY:
Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1975), 18.
2. Kevin L. Zadai, The Agenda of Angels (Shippensburg, PA: Destiny
Image Publishers, 2019), Kindle loc. 21-22.
3. Eddie Smith, Spiritual Advocates: How to Plead for Justice, Stand in
the Gap, and Make a Difference in the World by Praying for Others
(Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2008), 81.
 Chapter Seven

DISCERNING THE DEMONIC REALM

Delightfully loved friends, don’t trust every spirit, but carefully

examine what they say to determine if they are of God.
—1 JOHN 4:1

We were on a layover in the city of Houston on the way home following a

powerful weekend of teaching on the topic of deliverance. As is normal, the
Houston International airport was busy with many travelers on that Sunday
afternoon. We went to a restaurant to eat dinner in between flights. Now, for
those who are not familiar with a lot of travel, public restaurants in airports
do not allow for personal bubble space. Neighboring tables and chairs are
usually only inches away. This was the case in the chosen restaurant for that
meal.
As we settled in to read the menus, a young man was seated in the booth
approximately 12 inches away from me. It quickly became apparent that he
was demonized, or as some others would say, demonically oppressed or
influenced. How did I know? Because I could feel an agitating vibration
coming from him as soon as he was seated next to me. My friend traveling
with me that weekend also functions in a high level of discernment. She too
is one who feels, sees, and hears. We quickly yet subtlety made eye contact
with one another over the top of our menus acknowledging to each other the
awareness of the “visitors” who were brought in with this young man.
Soon the waitress returned to order our food. Following her exit, I could
sense this young man staring at me. I turned to greet him, “Hello.”
He kindly and warmly replied back with a greeting, “Hello. If you don’t
mind, may I ask you an unusual question?” Curious as to what it would be,
I agreed. “Who do you mediate to? I meditate a lot. But you have a warm
glow and presence surrounding you. You have a really nice vibration. I
would like to know who it is you mediate to.”
Obviously, the format in which these questions were presented revealed
beyond any doubt that this young man was into some form of new age
meditation. And I now also felt with assurance that this was a divine setup
for this young man to have been seated next to me. I warmly replied, “It is
Jesus of Nazareth. This is who I pray to and who I am in relationship with.”
He joyfully responded, “I just returned from Tibet where I was taught to
meditate with one of the top Buddhist monks. He taught me how to engage
all the chakras and to also call on spirit guides. Jesus appeared to me while I
was meditating and He is now one of my spirit guides. Can you tell me if
you feel and sense things in the spirit? And if you do can you tell me if I
vibrate like you do? Do you feel the warmth of Jesus?”
My heart was quickly moved to compassion for this young man, but I
also laughed with joy on the inside because this could not be a more perfect
setup from the Lord for the love and presence of God to touch him.
I gently answered, “Wow. You were in Tibet. May I answer your
questions honestly?” He nodded his head in agreement. “Yes, I do feel and
sense things in the spirit. And I want to be as real with you as I can. The
vibration coming from you is not one of peace, warmth, and comfort. It
carries with it an aggression and agitation.” And then I demonstrated
physically the agitation I was feeling in the spirit.
He was genuinely shocked. “How can that be when Jesus is one of my
spirit guides?”
“Well, the Bible tells us that satan can and does appear as an angel of
light. You see, Buddhism is not a Christian belief. And when you engage in
opening up chakras and welcoming spirit guides in new age meditation,
oftentimes demons will first appear as an angel of light in order to trap you
in their deception. But when you really encounter the true Jesus, He will
change your life and will cause you to feel this warmth, peace, love, and
supernatural presence.”
He responded, “I want what you have. My mother is a Christian and she
has been telling me to not get involved in Buddhism and new age
meditation. She told me she has been praying for God to send me someone I
would listen to. Can you pray for me?”
 I gladly obliged and the Lord touched Him with His presence in that
booth at the restaurant.
As we made our exit, he joyfully explained, “I am going to go to church
with my mom this weekend. Thank you for showing me the love of Jesus. I
am going to look at the Bible again and seek the truth found in Jesus.”

WHAT ABOUT CHRISTIANS?

I love the above testimony. It is obvious this young man was not a Christian
and this encounter set him on the right path toward Jesus. But what about us
as Christians? Can we be demonized or demonically oppressed? The
answer is yes. While this is not a book on deliverance ministry, it is
important to know this truth. Christians are given the right of choice and
free will; therefore, yes, we can have anything we welcome into our lives.
Trust me, I know. I used to be bound by fear, depression, and anger. I
walked three years in rebellious sin while being a Christian. As a result of
this time, I walked through a season of overcoming those demonic spirits.
To learn more concerning personal deliverance ministry, you can read
books I have previously written on the topic—Breaking the Bonds of Evil,
Let Our Children Go, and Defeating Strongholds of the Mind.

DISCERNING DEMONIC STRONGMEN

That being said, I would like to dive into a teaching time of how to discern
some of the most common and also not-so-common demons that we deal
with. Please keep in mind this is not an exhaustive list. I have narrowed this
discussion down to those demonic spirits that I feel are encountered on a
more regular basis in our culture, in the Church, and sadly enough the lives
of Christians. When we gain understanding on how these spirits operate and
are discerned then it empowers us to pray victoriously. The Hebrew word
for spirit is ruwach. It is defined as wind or breath with a resemblance of a
spirit, which can be violent. It affects the mind or a region by its expression
and its function. It stems from a word that implies that it can be smelled,
perceived, touched, seen, and identified (Strong’s #H7307). Interestingly
enough, as previously shared, these are the ways we are able to function in
discernment when we are operating in the gift.
 It is important to state before diving into this discussion that spirits of
darkness have distinct personalities. For instance, the personality and action
of a spirit of fear is fear. A spirit of death involves everything encompassing
death. This understanding will be evidenced as we further our discussion
and lay out ways these dark spirits are discerned. I will state emphatically
before moving on that we do not focus on spirits of darkness on a continual
basis. I am writing this portion of this message to help teach discernment
revelation in order to empower each of us to an overcoming life and victory.
For a complete overview of these strongmen and their activities please see
the thorough listing found in Appendix A.

FEAR

For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy
Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control (2
Timothy 1:7).

As one who used to be bound by a spirit of fear. I can attest to how it

operates and many of the lies it speaks to its captives. The Greek word for
fear, deilia, is defined as “lack of courage or moral strength, to have a fallen
heart, or one’s heart has disappeared” (Strong’s #G1167). This demonic
enemy will cause all types of fears and phobias such as fear of heights,
dark, closed-in places, spiders, snakes, etc. Fear can cause confusion,
mental torment, fear of authority figures, fear of failure, migraines, self-
rejection, distrust, worry, anxiety, and panic attacks just to list a few.
Furthermore, fear can cause a deep-rooted hardness of heart, which can
make one feel as if they’re dead inside. This, too, comes from fear. Let’s
discuss further ways to perceive and discern when fear is in operation by
talking about different areas of our senses.

Seeing
Some individuals who have a seeing gift will actually discern fear by
seeing it in the spirit, as is the case with all of the strongmen that will be
discussed. But there is also the ability to see the presence of fear on
someone who is bound by this spirit. The one bound will appear anxious,
nervous, uneasy, fearful; suffer from visible panic attacks; their spoken
words and resulting actions will be ones of anxiousness, fear, worry. It will
be evident that this spirit intends to hinder and paralyze. Noticeable
confusion will be seen. Fear in a region will be seen by bars on windows
and extreme measures of protection on property. People are afraid and
intimidated to be out at night. Individuals are afraid to make eye contact
and are visibly fearful to acknowledge those around them. Suspicion of
others and paranoia will be visible on many in the region. A large portion of
the population will struggle with anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and heart
conditions throughout the region.
The writing of this book has occurred during the worldwide shutdown
due to COVID-19. We are seeing many of these above-mentioned
manifestations on people, our nation, and the nations. This virus has
unleashed a spirit of fear affecting the nations of the world. But we as
believers do not live in fear. He has given us power, love, and a sound
mind.

Hearing
When hearing in the spirit, the words of this demon will be ones of fear,
such as:

■ “If you do that you will be harmed.”

■ “No one wants to hear what you have to say.”
■ “If you get on that plane, it is going to crash.”
■ “If you leave this house, you will be in danger.”
■ “The only safe place to be is isolated in your home.”
■ “You will never have enough money to pay your bills.”
■ “God cannot protect you from harm.”
■ “You cannot trust anyone. All people are out to hurt you.”
■ “You are going to die a young death.”
■ “If you climb that ladder, you will fall and break your back.”
■ “The world is a very scary and dangerous place.”
 ■ “If you say no to people it will not please them and they won’t
like you.”
■ “All people of authority are bad.”
■ “When you fall asleep, I will be there to torment you in your
dreams.”

You get the idea. Lies of fear will reverberate out in the atmosphere.
Sometimes when I am praying for people or even regions, I will hear fear
shriek when I call it by name. It will plead and weep, begging in a fearful
manner through the ministry recipient to not be cast out. And when praying
for regions, I can hear fear pleading in the spirit realm for me not to break
its hold.

Feeling/Sensing
When feeling or sensing this foe, the discerner will feel an atmosphere
shift from calm and peace to anxiousness, worry, tension, and fear. And it
often can be a sudden shift. There is the feeling of danger or harm coming.
When felt in regions, you can sense the anxiousness of the people and a
sudden sense of wanting to flee quickly. Sometimes a racing heartbeat and
increased adrenalin will occur. Here is where maturing in discernment is so
key in order to move in victory. Why? Because oftentimes the one
discerning will feel or sense so strongly that they believe they are the one
with the fear.
It is my hope as we discuss this openly that all reading will be
empowered to grow into maturity to perceive and know when discernment
is in operation, not only with this spirit of fear but all of these discussed in
this chapter and the following chapter.

FAMILIAR SPIRIT, ALSO KNOWN AS WITCHCRAFT AND DIVINATION

One day, as we were going to the house of prayer, we

encountered a young slave girl who had an evil spirit of
divination, the spirit of Python. She had earned great profits for
her owners by being a fortune-teller (Acts 16:16).
 Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek
after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God
(Leviticus 19:31 NKJV).
For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is
as iniquity and idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23 NASB).

Witchcraft and divination, also termed a familiar spirit in many Bible

translations, has greatly infiltrated our society with much of our culture
steeped in its influence. Through books, music, media, movies, and
practices such as wicca, New Age, yoga, psychics, mediums. To be truthful,
the list can go on and on. To give a brief overview, in the above scripture
from Acts 16, the Greek word for divination, putho, is exactly as translated
in the above reference—the spirit of Python (Strong’s #G4436). In that time
in Greek culture Apollo was the god of prophecy. Python was also another
name and symbol assigned to him in their occult belief. In this region, this
slave girl was an oracle or fortune teller for Apollo; therefore, she was also
known as a pythia.
In the Leviticus 19:31 text, the Hebrew word for medium is yidd’oniy,
which is defined as a conjurer or knowing one (Strong’s #H3049). The
Hebrew word for familiar spirit is obe, meaning necromancer, one who
speaks to the dead (Strong’s #H178). In the First Samuel 15:23 scripture,
the Hebrew word for rebellion is mriy, which means “bitter, rebel,
disobedience” (Strong’s #H4805). The word for divination is qecem, which
is also defined as oracle and witchcraft (Strong’s #H7081). As you can now
perceive, a familiar spirit, witchcraft, and divination encompasses more
than occult practices. Our rebellion and sin against the Word of God and
control over our own life is also witchcraft. Let’s continue our discussion of
how to discern this spirit.

Seeing
Those who are steeped in witchcraft practices will have a countenance
that appears dark, without hope, and sometimes very oppressed. Their dress
attire will often reflect their stance into darkness and many times will be
seductive in nature with occult symbols boldly shown. Often, there is an
intense or piercing darkness in their eyes and a mocking attitude. Those
who have embraced rebellion will appear manipulative in their actions,
worldly in how they dress. Aggressive actions will be witnessed and there
will be a hopelessness yet controlling, defiant look in their gaze. In regions
steeped in witchcraft you will see new age shops, occult bookstores,
psychics, stores carrying seductive and very worldly products, and a high
amount of idol worship. Masonic and Eastern Star lodges will carry a
significant presence.

Hearing
What does this spirit sound like? There will be a hissing sound, an evil
whisper, and mocking. It speaks lies of temptation to cross into rebellion
and evil occult practices. This spirit will often laugh and mock at the
righteous and will speak religious and legalistic lies to keep one bound to its
web of deceit. It will and can speak as one beyond the grave when it
manifests in occult practices such as seances. It will appear in dreams as a
lost loved one and speak with a voice that sounds like the one who is being
seen or heard.

Feeling/Sensing
Those who are feeling and sensing this spirit will often feel a sudden
nausea, have a pressure or headache, or feel as if something is wrapping
itself around their mind. When there is strong witchcraft in a region it feels
as if the ground is moving under your feet; feelings of dizziness might be
experienced. There will be an intense oppression and darkness in the
atmosphere. Some will say when they are sensing this spirit it feels as if
they are trudging through mud when they move.

HAUGHTY SPIRIT

An arrogant man is inflated with pride—nothing but a snooty

scoffer in love with his own opinion. Mr. Mocker is his name!
(Proverbs 21:24)

Pride and a haughty spirit are synonymous. This is a spirit that is

extremely active and working overtime in our world. The above scripture
describes well what pride actually encompasses. The Hebrew words used in
the referenced text are zed and yahiyr. The two coupled together both carry
meanings such as haughty, arrogant, proud, high-minded, presumptuous
(Strong’s #H2086 and #H3093). This spirit causes agitation, anger,
entitlement, an elitist mindset, gossip, greed, holier-than-thou attitude,
deception, hatred, false humility, judgmentalism, religious spirit, lack of
compassion, wrath, rejection of God, self-righteousness, etc.

Seeing
When in operation through a person, they will make mocking sneers
and gestures or have a holier-than-thou disposition. This individual will
carry themselves with lofty looks and an air of arrogance. Not always, but
pride oftentimes can appear as perfectionism in an individual and a region.
Now, there is nothing wrong with good stewardship. But when appearances
are used to make others feel “less than” and there are scornful, stiff-necked,
and stubborn actions involved, then you know pride is at work. If it is in a
region or sphere of influence, you will see these types of manifestations on
many of those you encounter within that area, along with a higher education
focus, humanism, Darwinism, perfectionism, elitism. There is also evidence
of racism and prejudice.

Hearing
When hearing this spirit, it will be just as stated in the above scripture—
whispers and phrases of scoffing and mocking. It will cause its victims to
speak in a controlling, competitive way. It will speak obstinate, rebellious
lies, such as:

■ “You are so much better than everyone else.”

■ “Others are less than you.”
■ “You are so right in your critical and condemning thoughts.”
■ “You are more spiritual than everyone else. You know more.”
■ “You don’t need God. You can achieve everything on your
own.”

It sounds out with insolence, intolerance, self-centeredness.

Feeling/Sensing
When felt and sensed in the spirit realm, pride causes agitation. It
carries a feeling of anger and aggression. For those close to the Holy Spirit
it will feel as if there is a mocking about who you are. There is
condemnation that lingers, a sense of having to be perfect and being in a
competition. Some who feel pride in a region will feel a stiffness on the
back of their neck. It feels as if there is a heavy glass ceiling over the
region. Some feel a heaviness on their shoulders and a tightening of their
spine and righteous indignation and anger toward this defiant spirit.

LYING SPIRIT

There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are
an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and
hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked
plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters
lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers (Proverbs
6:16-19 NASB).

One of the many things my parents, especially my father, did not

tolerate was lying. We were taught from a very young age—lying is
unacceptable and truth is the only available and correct path to follow.
Sadly enough, lying and a lying spirit are hot topics in our society and
culture. It seems that when we turn on the news the majority of the time we
are viewing and listening to lies from the pit of hell! While to some this
might seem to be an exaggeration, the truth is it really isn’t. Those who lie
and do it on a consistent basis without conscience are indeed bound by this
deceptive demonic spirit. In the above scripture there are two Hebrew
words used for lie. Sheqer is defined as deceit and to deal falsely (Strong’s
#H8267). Kazab is defined as falsehood or liar (Strong’s #H3577). Lying is
the initial open door to walking in rebellion.

Seeing
One might ask, how do I see a lying spirit? Drug use and abuse. This is
the strongman behind all addiction. You will witness actions of cheating
and deceit, financial problems, confusion over sexual identity. A lying spirit
is the strongman behind all sexual confusion, lust, and mental bondage. It
acts similar to a Jezebel spirit. Why do I state this? Because a Jezebel spirit
partners with a lying spirit. It’s also seen in someone who consistently
appears a victim. Those who have strong religious actions may be driven by
a lying spirit and a spirit of religion. Those who act from a worthless self-
image. Hypocritical behavior. Which leads me to share a powerful quote by
Jake Kail:

When God opened my eyes to the true nature of hypocrisy it

was a game changer. Jesus warned us to be aware of hypocrisy,
but we’ve often not understood what it truly means. The word
hypocrite means to be an actor; someone who wears a phony
mask to hide evil intentions and evil behavior. In short, the
hypocrite is not the righteous person who sins, but the evil
person who pretends to be good. Do you realize how common
it is for chronic liars, domestic abusers, and sexual predators to
blend into our churches undetected? How does this happen? In
short, hypocrisy.1

I would also like to add a lying spirit partnering with hypocrisy

empowers the issue so well described in the above statement. Jake goes on
to say, “God is exposing hidden things in this hour. He is shining His light
so that justice, healing, and reformation can happen!”2

Hearing
Identifying a lying spirit in action is not that difficult. You will hear
slander, accusation, and deceit; twisting God’s Word; twisting truth on a
consistent basis, as is seen in the majority of media outlets at this point in
history. Gossip and spoken heresy. Self-inflicted spoken curses. Excessive
talking of falsehoods. Vengeful words. A lying spirit will demonically
whisper lies concerning identity into the ears of those who will listen. It will
forcefully speak lies with aggression to intimidate one to embrace the lie or
to act on it. It has the sound of a hissing snake when it speaks out to an
individual or in the spiritual atmosphere of a region. We will discuss
Leviathan in the next chapter, but it is evident that a lying spirit works hand
in hand with Leviathan at a regional, spherical, principality level.
Feeling/Sensing
I don’t know how else to say this, but a lying spirit makes you feel as if
your skin is crawling. When it is speaking, red flags will be sounding out in
your spirit. Thoughts will quickly cross your mind such as, “I don’t believe
that. That cannot be true.” If you hear or sense that in your spirit then pay
attention to that prompting and dialogue with the Lord about what you are
sensing. Some who feel and sense this demonic spirit in operation will feel
a righteous anger begin to rise up. Don’t ignore that. Again, engage the
Holy Spirit and ask Him to help you know why you are feeling and sensing
this.

RELIGIOUS SPIRIT

Jesus spoke up and said, “Watch out for the yeast of the
Pharisees and the Sadducees” (Matthew 16:6).

The Pharisees were a part of a strict legalistic religious party in Judaism.

The Sadducees were a politically influential Jewish party. These two groups
exemplified religious structures and leaders operating under a religious
spirit. Jesus warned His followers to stay away from their yeast. The Greek
word for yeast is zyme. It is defined as pretense and hypocritical teaching
(Strong’s #G2219). A religious spirit is a demonic force that influences
people to act pious, self-righteous, or super-spiritual. It avoids true spiritual
authority, denies the power and gifts of God, and lives by rules and legalism
instead of a personal, on-fire relationship with the Lord. It does things the
way they have always been done. It disorients one’s perception of who
Jesus is, and it stands in the ways of God’s efforts to build His glorious
church. It resists change and causes critical, judgmental thinking. It often
opposes new moves of God in a knee-jerk reaction.
It is imperative to state here that we must remember not to be critical of
past moves of God, because they once were the new move of God. If we do
become critical then we are discerning and judging from a wrong intent and
motive and are ourselves empowering a religious spirit.

Seeing
 To me the most obvious sight to witness and to know when a religious
spirit is in operation is active idolatrous worship. If idols must be present or
prayed to in order for a person to feel close to the Father, Son, or Holy
Spirit, this is an indication that a religious spirit has an established
stronghold. Idols that represent false religions are a sure sign of a religious
spirit over a region. The Word of God is clear concerning the worship of
idols. Also, another sight indicator of a religious spirit is zero joy on the
worshipers. Worship being done by rote and no personal connection to
Jesus does not cultivate a healthy spiritual life.
We all know and understand the truth that salvation and our personal
growth are based on a personal relationship with Jesus and growing in
depth through reading His Word, worship, prayer, intercession, and
discipleship. Please hear my heart. I am a prophet. I believe in shofars,
banners, dynamic worship, and dancing. This is awesome. But then there
are those who insist on pushing the envelope by plowing through or forcing
their form of worship on others who do not have this understanding. And
there are those who dress to appear as an angel, to look like Jesus, or to
draw attention to themselves and not the Lord. These individuals appear
and act in such an out-of-the-norm manner that no one wants to relate to
them. Often, these individuals are lone rangers with no friends. These also
are consistently seen to be bound to a religious spirit.

Hearing
One who is operating under a religious spirit will always have a holier-
than-thou attitude along with pious dialogue. They are above others in their
conversation. They are often critical of others’ worship if it differs from
their idea of worship. Their words will freely express this sentiment. Also,
this individual will monopolize prayer meetings and their voice is the one
that has to be heard. If they prophesy, they will try to get the mic in their
hand and take over the meeting. A religious spirit will whisper lies out in
the spiritual atmosphere to the bound individual, such as:

■ “You are the only one who knows the truth.”

■ “You are the one who must be the Holy Spirit to others.”
■ “No one knows how to prophesy as effectively as you.”
 ■ “You must pray longer than everyone else because no one else
knows how to pray.”
■ “You are the only one with the true, pure message of the
Lord.”
■ “You must show up at this church/ministry/prayer meeting
and announce to the group they are in error and being
judged.”
■ “Bowing your knee and worshiping that image is the only
way to answered prayer and salvation.”

Here are key questions to ask if you feel the one you are dealing with
might have a religious spirit, along with the answers that will confirm the
spirit in operation.

1. “Do you go to a church, home group, Bible study?”

“No, there is no church or group that is right for me. I don’t
like them; they don’t like me. So I am not connected
anywhere.”
2. “Who are you in alignment with or have relationship with in the
Body of Christ?”
“No one. I just need God.”
3. “Why did you come here today?”
“God revealed to me that you and your group needed
correcting and sent me here.”
4. “Interesting. You have never been here before. We have never
met. Oh, and excuse me, what is your name?”
“Yes. But I have read articles about you and have heard
about this group from the Lord in my prayer time. He told me
you are a false prophet and He is going to hold your group’s
feet in His fire of accountability. And I will not tell you my
name.”
 You get the idea. At this point I am gladly escorting this person out of
the meeting or inviting someone on my leadership team to do so. So how do
you recognize a religious spirit in the region? Muslim calls to prayer five
times a day over a loudspeaker. This would also be an anti-Christ spirit in
operation considering that Muslims worship a false and demonic god.
Hearing the majority of the churches in that region speak messages against
a move of the Holy Spirit. Messages shunning the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Teachings based and steeped in head and book knowledge with no presence
of the Lord. Many in a religious region will speak about the Lord daily in
their lives on a continual basis, but there is no fruit of salvation. They have
a vocabulary that sounds Christian, but a lifestyle of zero relationship with
the Lord.

Feeling/Sensing
I will begin with a completely “feeler” statement. Those of you who feel
will probably giggle and shout out in agreement. When a religious spirit is
in operation and the person bound by it speaks or you hear it in a region, it
makes you feel like fingernails are being dragged down a chalkboard. There
is a quick sense of agitation and strong and urgent sense of wanting the
person speaking or the sound being made to stop. It also carries with it the
feeling of being slimed in the spirit. It has a dark and weighty feel, and
believers operating in purity and holiness will often feel as if they are being
harassed and backed into a corner in order to be shut down. It also carries a
sense of grief because the activity of this spirit greatly grieves the heart of
the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. And there is also the righteous
indignation or anger that will rise in the feeler or the one sensing when they
are made to entertain or tolerate this spirit for long periods of time.
Hear me, leaders—if this is not dealt with and is ignored in a corporate
group, then eventually those who are discerning this spirit correctly will
leave or no longer attend prayer meetings or gatherings with this individual.

SHADOW OF DEATH

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I

fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they
comfort me (Psalm 23:4 NASB).
 The Hebrew word for “shadow of death” is salmawet (Strong’s
#H6757). It means gloom, dark shadows, terror of darkness, the place of
death. This spirit will rob life in all areas—physical, spiritual, emotional,
mental. It is a tormenting spirit whose goal is to cause ultimate death in all
the above-mentioned areas. It will cause repeated accidents, trying to rob
life. It is the grim reaper.

Seeing
Someone bound by this spirit will repeatedly abandon their family and
friends. One bound by this entity will often have dreams of seeing and
being attacked by animals, demons, or what looks like the grim reaper.
There will be dreams of being chased by dead people, being hit by a
vehicle, or falling into a pit and being unable to get out. They may see a tall
demon with a dark robe, wearing a hood. It can also appear as a shadowy
figure lurking around the atmosphere of a home, building, city, and region.
In regions where there is a stronghold of death, there are patterns of
people dying young and untimely deaths will appear across generations.
Among those who live in the area of its influence, there will be unexplained
cases of incurable diseases. People will have no spiritual hope and life.
Often, even within church services there will be no life or movement of the
Holy Spirit. The region will report high suicide rates. Not always, but many
times where there is a high death/ suicide rate, poverty will also be seen.
That being said, a spirit of death or shadow of death can easily grip affluent
regions as well. Abortion rates will be high and numerous active abortion
clinics will be seen. Death will also be empowered or enthroned in a region
where ungodly massacres of the innocent have occurred or there have been
many battles with a high number of casualties. Murder and homicide will
occur regularly.

Hearing
This spirit whispers to those bound by it that he or she will die an
untimely death. It will whisper lies of no hope causing great depression. It
will whisper lies encouraging its victims to kill themselves. “You should
just end your life. There is nothing for you here but misery. When you die
you will go to a better place. You will go to paradise. Death is better for you
than life.” Hear me—the level of torment this demon brings as it partners
with heaviness and depression can be unbearable to the one suffering from
these tormenting lies if deliverance is not received. Spirits of death cannot
be medicated. The medication will cause the person to go into slumber and
to have less strength to fight the spiritual battle raging in their minds. When
the issues are spiritual only, deliverance and casting out the demon will help
this individual. In the region, these same lies will be spoken out in the
atmosphere. Prophets and prophetic intercessors will hear these lies
reverberating out in the atmosphere in an attempt to steal life. Ministries
will have a difficult time surviving in the region. Terms will often be heard,
“This place is a graveyard for pastors and Christian leaders.”

Feeling/Sensing
Those feeling and sensing death will feel an eerie cold in the
atmosphere. Sometimes there will be such a heavy oppression that it feels
difficult breathing. Allow me to explain. You can breathe, but in the spirit
you feel heaviness as if there is an assignment trying to snuff the life out of
people by robbing breath in their lungs. There is a feeling and a sensing of
depression. Being in a region with this in the atmosphere will make you feel
as if your energy and resolve to accomplish tasks and to walk in joy is being
drawn out of you. There will be much sorrow and despair looming in the
atmosphere from all the death and suicides that have occurred.

SPIRIT OF HEAVINESS/DEPRESSION

To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland

instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the
mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be
called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He
may be glorified (Isaiah 61:3 NASB).

Isaiah does a thorough job in this above scripture speaking of a spirit of

heaviness, which I also call depression. The Hebrew word for mourn is abel
(Strong’s #H57). It means “lamenting, mourner, and to bewail.” He then
goes on to share that the Lord will give the oil of gladness. This is what we
are to have! The Hebrew word for ashes is eper and it describes extreme
mourning that leads to thoughts of worthlessness, insignificance, and
distress (Strong’s #H665). This spirit of fainting is where we really begin to
understand this demonic foe. The Hebrew word for fainting is keheh, which
also means “colorless, disheartened, heaviness, distress, troubled, despair”
(Strong’s #H3544). This spirit does all of the above to keep a demonic grip
of despair on all of those encountering it.

Seeing
Grief, sadness, torment, depression, anger, fatigue, hopelessness, dread,
guilt, rejection, suicide, tiredness—these are just a few manifestations of
this spirit. Ones who are gripped with this stronghold will exhibit all of the
above symptoms and more. While some might be able to hide it well
publicly, they will have patterns of not wanting to be in crowds or a pattern
of extreme emotional changes, meaning really high emotional peaks to
sudden really low emotional valleys. This individual can for a period be
happy around others, but soon you will see repeated patterns of isolation or
periods of emotional despair. A region gripped by this stronghold will look
depressed with no life. I realize this will sound different, but even the town
will appear sad, asleep, dreary, with no life.

Hearing
All demons want to torment, but this one in particular is aggressive in
its evil desire to cause anguish. It is busy speaking its lies into the ears,
mind, and emotions of the one it has demonically gripped.

■ “You are worthless.”

■ “God will never love you.”
■ “God can never forgive you.”
■ “No one loves you.”
■ “You are a nuisance.”
■ “You think you can be of any good?”
■ “Your life has no meaning.”
■ “You would be better off dead.”
 Where it has a regional influence, these lies will be repeated out loud by
many. This is a true sign that this is a territorial issue. There have been
numerous times I have gone into a region and spoken about this stronghold
and when it is time for ministry the entire congregation or conference will
come forward. This is seeing a territorial stronghold in action, meaning all
or the majority in the area struggle with the same mental or emotional
onslaught unleashed in the spirit realm.

Feeling/Sensing
When in proximity to this spirit, it feels as described above—very
oppressive and stifling. It makes it hard to feel and experience joy. Some
will feel a heaviness on their shoulders as an indicator that it is in operation.
There is a feeling of shame and guilt in the atmosphere where it has
established a foothold. And it can often be felt and sensed as a restlessness
in the spirit causing people to want to wander instead of planting roots.

SPIRIT OF BONDAGE

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us

free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage
(Galatians 5:1 NKJV).

The Greek word for bondage is douleia and it means slavery (Strong’s
#G1397). Bondage is a demonic spirit that establishes its hold and grip on
an individual to keep them bound as a slave to numerous things. Basically,
bondage and any and all forms of addiction go hand in hand. Alcohol,
caffeine, drugs, cigarettes, sexual addictions, overeating, anorexia, bulimia,
over-spending, shopping, exercise, addictions to medications, hoarding, and
compulsive behaviors are just a few examples of demonic bondage. Those
who wrestle with this might also experience the following: chronic fatigue
syndrome, ADD or ADHD, MPD, fear, anxiety, shame, hopelessness, and
self-condemnation. This person will feel lost and greatly battle in the ability
to gain freedom. There is much more to the activity of this demon, as you
will discover in Appendix A.

Seeing
 Someone bound by this spirit will be enthralled in a battle with some
sort of addiction that in time will no longer remain hidden but be made
evident. This addiction and behavior will overcome the captive so that all
will be able to visibly see its destructive hold. Those gripped by this will
appear restless, hyperactive, have compulsory behaviors, and suffer with
strife. Other visible actions will be a vagabond lifestyle or a tendency to
wander with an inability to settle down. Sometimes in the spirit realm this
demon will be seen with chains.
If a region is held by this stronghold it will be one with an unusually
high percentage of individuals who struggle with all forms of addiction.
Activity of addicts will be highly visible in the region. Many will also be
bound in poverty. Sex has now become an addiction for many. There will a
high number of prostitutes, sex trafficking, sex shops, etc. Within the area
there is little visible sign of hope, joy, and Kingdom living and blessing.

Hearing
This demon speaks lies such as the following:

■ “You need that drink to cope.”

■ “You cannot make it without that cigarette.”
■ “Drugs are your comforter. You don’t need God.”
■ “You are hopelessly poor and can never have wealth.”
■ “You can never be set free. I will never leave your life.”
■ “Spending another thousand dollars on that credit card is not a
problem. You cannot live without those clothes.”
■ “Go spend money on that prostitute just one more time.”

The problem is that lie will be spoken every day and sometimes
multiple times a day. You get the idea. At a regional level it will speak out
these same lies to the majority of the population and the lies will be
embraced as part of their culture.

Feeling/Sensing
 Hopelessness, worthlessness, and a very heavy yoke of oppression will
be felt emotionally and physically. While I do not have a section listed on
smelling, I will make it a point when discussing this demon to say it does
have an odor and it smells like nicotine on steroids—so strong it is almost
impossible to ignore.

SPIRIT OF ERROR

We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of

God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and
the spirit of error (1 John 4:6 NKJV).

A spirit of error is not the same as a lying spirit, although they do work
together. A spirit of error is often one that grips someone who is in doctrinal
error. This individual easily embraces false doctrines and exhibits the
tendency to be drawn to occult and new age practices. The Greek word used
for error is plane (Strong’s #G4106). It is defined as a straying from
orthodoxy, to deceive. It stems from a root word that literally means an
imposter, misleader, deceiver.

Seeing
The one who is demonized by this spirit will be very argumentative,
always trying to be right, or have a pattern of lying. Their actions will be
ones of no submission. And often they have occult and new age books and
items. They will wear occult jewelry and dress in attire reflecting their false
beliefs. Visibly it is evident that those who are being influenced by this
strongman are contentious and highly argumentative about their beliefs. A
region gripped by this demon will have an abnormal amount of new age,
occult stores and cult activity and gatherings. People will flaunt their false
doctrines and the region will appear and seem totally out of place with the
normal and accepted way of life. Regions steeped in error and false beliefs
will not welcome a lot of outsiders.

Hearing
 This spirit will obviously speak lies. It will entice with its doctrines of
devils and false doctrines. Falsehoods such as the following are an example
of what it speaks out:

■ “It is good to embrace this teaching.”

■ “You are superior to the rest of the world.”
■ “You are above all others and have attained to a higher
spiritual plane.”
■ “Reject the truth.”
■ “It is best to speak lies. The truth will get you nowhere.”
■ “You do not need to be under anyone who has authority over
you.”
■ “This meditation and these spirit guides will lead into true
enlightenment.”
■ “It is good to want to know more about spiritual things and
the universe.”

There will be a dissonant sound such as a demonic humming that can be

heard in the atmosphere.

Feeling/Sensing
Righteous indignation, agitation, and a nauseous feeling are normal
when encountering this spirit. A feeling and sensing of things not being
right. Usually you will feel, for lack of a better term, your skin wanting to
crawl. You will sense hatred from this person, and the witchcraft and occult
empowerment will also feel like a strange and intense shaking and vibration
in the spirit, much like I described to the young man in the airport,
mentioned earlier. You may also feel a tightness around your forehead and
chest or a sense of not being able to believe one word being said by the one
bound in error. All the while there will be alarms sounding in the spirit and
multiple checks, which will cause thoughts like, “That person is speaking
false doctrine. That is a lie from the enemy,” and, “I want this person to be
quiet and not speak another word.” It is not the person who causes the
irritation; it is the spirit speaking through this individual. Remember, our
battle is not against flesh and blood. We love the people and hate the sin. It
is important to keep our focus in the right perspective.

SEDUCING SPIRIT

But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that

in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying
attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and
doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1 AMP).

When we hear the word seducing it is fairly normal for our minds and
thoughts to quickly categorize this with perversion. While some of this is
true, a seducing spirit is one that entices people into evil actions and ways.
The Greek word for seducing is planos. It is defined as an imposter,
misleader, seducer, and deceiver (Strong’s #G4108). It is extremely active
in the world today through entertainment, which pulls people into a
fascination with evil such as vampires, warlocks, witches, werewolves,
zombies, ancient principalities, and satan and his army of darkness.

Seeing
It will be seen manifesting through someone who greatly seeks attention
and many times it is accomplished through sensual dress and actions.
Visible false signs and wonders will operate through this person. Or
someone bound by this spirit will regularly be attracted to false prophets,
signs, and wonders. Many evil objects and ways will be seen in the
individual entertaining this demon. Regions gripped by a seducing spirit
will be steeped in the fascination of evil. Many will dress sensually, and
their actions and beliefs will be excessive and worldly. False prophets will
regularly be drawn, attracted to, and operating in the region.

Hearing
This spirit will be heard through music, movies, and television shows
that defy, mock, or reject God. Spheres of influence and individuals
operating under the influence of this spirit will have a sound of darkness
and evil in what they produce. The following are examples of some of the
lies it will speak:

■ “You will attract interested parties with sensual and revealing

dress attire.”
■ “These lyrics defy all things pure and good, which is a great
accomplishment.”
■ “Listen to the wisdom that the prophet is revealing. It is
wisdom that is above the knowledge contained in all other
spiritual beliefs.”
■ “Christians have inferior understanding. You have attained to
a higher level of spiritual enlightenment.”

Obviously, a seducing spirit has a very dark and enticing sound. It is not
only aggressive, but it has an eerie, haunting, and otherworldly sound in
order to entice its victims and lull a region into its demonic grip.

Feeling/Sensing
To a believer is feels unclean, unholy, dirty, and evil. Even when others
might be drawn to a certain minister, you will sense or perceive seduction
and falsehood. You will feel the pull in the spirit that entices, but everything
in you will know that it is false and it is necessary to walk away. There will
be no desire to be near the false prophet or healer. There will be a strong
sense and knowing that the person, music, object, or action is not of God
but is truly evil.

SPIRIT OF INFIRMITY

And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity

eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise
herself up (Luke 13:11 NKJV).

The Greek word used for infirmity is asthenia. It means “to make
feeble, weak, malady, disease, sickness” (Strong’s #G769). I will never
forget ministering to a pastor who will remain nameless. In two days, he
was scheduled to have surgery on the arteries leading to his kidney. He had
battled kidney disease for many years, yet he knew it was a spiritual
condition. As we prayed, I saw the spirit of infirmity gripping his arteries
with its demonic talons in order to bring death. I broke its demonic grip. He
went to the hospital the next day and as they ran the final test before surgery
it was discovered that there was no blockage and his kidneys were
functioning normally. No more disease. Not every illness is caused by a
demonic spirit. But in this particular situation it was. It is important to know
and discern when this is the case so we can see people healed.

Seeing
As I stated in the above testimony, I could see the demonic grip and
hold of the spirit of infirmity gripping the arteries. When ministering you
will see in the spirit where the infirmity has attached itself to the physical
body. I function in this manner often when praying for healing. When this
spirit in active in a person there will be chronic illness, sometimes epilepsy,
seizures, physical feebleness, lameness, or mental illness. Regions bound by
infirmity will have an unusually high rate of terminal or chronic illness.
There can also be a higher death rate per capita as a spirit of infirmity and
death will often go hand in hand. There will be a high diagnosis of unusual
diseases. The young in this region will be sick with illnesses that are not
normal for their age.

Hearing
The most frequent lies of this spirit are the following:

■ “God brought this disease on you.”

■ “It is His will that you are sick.”
■ “He does not want to heal you.”
■ “Your mother and grandmother suffered from this illness and
you will as well.”
■ “You can never be healed and whole.”
■ “You have a right to be mad and to not forgive those who
have wronged or hurt you.”
 Unforgiveness is one of the main open doors to attract a demonic spirit
of infirmity. To be truthful, it is a tormenting spirit and will speak out its
lies consistently to achieve its plan of robbing and stealing health and life.

Feeling/Sensing
There will be a knowing that the illness being dealt with is not normal
and that it is not a physical problem but one caused by this demonic spirit.
The heaviness of the torment caused by this spirit will be tangible. You
might feel a twinge of pressure on a certain part of your physical body
when ministering to someone who needs healing and deliverance in that
exact area. A sense of pending death will be felt. A coldness and weighty
oppression will be tangible in the atmosphere.

SPIRIT OF JEALOUSY

And if a spirit (sense, attitude) of jealousy comes over him and

he is jealous and angry at his wife who has defiled herself—or
if a spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his
wife when she has not defiled herself (Numbers 5:14 AMP).

Jealousy and envy will lead its victim to a path of discontentment,

anger, rage, violence, coveting, or bitterness. The Hebrew word for jealousy
is qana. It is defined as being zealous in a bad sense, to envy (Strong’s
#H7068). It embodies excessive and sometimes extreme competitiveness.
Bob Sorge shares a powerful truth concerning jealousy and envy from his
book Envy: The Enemy Within:

As the Lord has challenged the envious tendencies of my soul,

I have come to realize how pandemic envy truly is and how
deadly it is every time it infects the church of Jesus Christ.
Envy has the power to sabotage our own personal destiny in
God because God cannot honor our efforts when they are
subliminally driven by impure motives. As long as envy
remains hidden in the crevices of our hearts, our fruitfulness in
Christ will inescapably be impeded. But more than that—and
here’s where I sense an even greater urgency—when we envy
 one another in the Kingdom of God, we release dynamics that
actually bind the progress of the Kingdom in our sphere, or
region. Envy has the power to obstruct the release of Kingdom
blessing, even in places where massive amounts of intercession
for revival and visitation are ascending to God’s throne. In fact,
I will argue in this book that envy has been responsible,
perhaps more than any other evil or vice, for quenching the
fires of revival both in the past and in the present.3

Seeing
Jealousy manifests in many unpleasant ways. One who is influenced by
this spirit will have anger, envy, strife, competition, backbiting, belittling,
bitterness, coarse jesting, enmity, division, mocking, slander, suspicion,
gangs, fighting, and stealing. Just as in a person, these demonic
manifestations will also be witnessed in a region. When this strongman has
gripped a territory there will be much division among the people and also,
sadly, within churches. There will be gang activity, prejudice, materialism,
and competition to the degree that even grown men and women will be
embroiled in quarrels and fights, for example, parents engaging in physical
altercations at their child’s sporting event. Great hindrances to a move of
God and revival will be tangible.

Hearing
You will hear coarse jesting and inappropriate and dishonorable words
and actions. Spiteful conversations. Outbursts of rage and hatred. In the
spirit, lies voiced by jealousy will carry this sound:

■ “You are better than everyone.”

■ “You must win everything at all costs even when it harms
someone else. That doesn’t matter. All that matters is you
winning and being the one most recognized.”
■ “I hate my neighbors.”
■ “I hate people who do not have money.”
■ “I hate people of color.”
 ■ “Go ahead and get angry. You have a right to be mad.”
■ “Violence and anger are good.”
■ “You need to murder that man.”

These statements should help paint the picture. This spirit, as all
demonic spirits, is pure evil.

Feeling/Sensing
It is not hard to recognize that the presence of this spirit would cause
feelings of uneasiness and vulnerability. There will be a strong feeling or
sensing of wickedness. Grief in the spirit will also be felt and sensed
because of the extreme competition and hardness of heart. Now, I do not
follow through with what I am about to share with you, but when I feel,
sense, or witness this spirit manifesting through a person, sometimes there
is such a righteous indignation that rises up, I feel as if I want to reach out
and smack this individual a good one! I love people and I would not do this.
It is a righteous indignation toward the demonic spirit. The region will have
a feeling of aggression, hard-heartedness, and extreme competition. There
will be a sense of not being welcomed.

SPIRIT OF REJECTION
Rejection is by far the most common spirit I have witnessed in my years of
deliverance ministry. Almost everyone I pray for has experienced rejection
in one way or another. It can occur anytime from conception into adulthood.
Remember that demons live up to their names, possessing those attributes
and personalities. When a spirit of rejection is in operation, therefore, it
causes the victim to be rejected on a repeated basis. The response that the
person fears is the exact assignment and objective of this demonic being.
The reality of never being accepted causes these individuals to behave in a
manner that hastens the sad and discouraging outcome.

Seeing
This spirit is a major issue in the Body of Christ. In Evicting Demonic
Intruders, Noel and Phyl Gibson explain the fruit of rejection:
The roots of rejection produce three different fruit-bearing
branches. Firstly, rejected people show a variety of aggressive
attitudes. Secondly, they suffer from symptoms of self-rejection
which may or may not be seen. Thirdly, motivated by their fear
of rejection, they make constant attempts to avoid being
rejected again. The following list clearly show the fruit
systems:
Hearing
 This spirit is relentless in deceptively speaking out demonic lies to keep
its hold.

■ “No one likes you.”

■ “Everyone is against you.”
■ “You must not ever trust anyone.”
■ “All people want to hurt you.”
■ “You are ugly.”
■ “You are so unworthy.”
■ “All people conspire against you.”
■ “Your parents love your brother (or sister) more than you.”
■ “Your boss dislikes you.”
■ “All men (or women) will betray you.”
■ “Your parents did not want you.”
■ “You are a mistake.”

Feeling/Sensing
Rejection is a spirit that self-sabotages. Therefore, when it is in the
atmosphere there is a sense of hopelessness. There is an intense selfishness
and self-centeredness exuding off the one who is held captive. Fear will
also be tangible and a strong feeling of a pull on emotions in order to
control or manipulate.

SPIRIT OF PERVERSION/WHOREDOM AND LUST

The Lord has mingled a perverse spirit in her; so they have

caused Egypt to err in her every work (Isaiah 19:14 MEV).

The Hebrew word used for perversion in this scripture is av’eh. It is

defined perversity (Strong’s #H5773). It also stems from the root word
avah, which gives further insight. It means “to bow down, make crooked,
commit iniquity, pervert, turn, and do wickedly” (Strong’s #H5753).
Perversion, whoredom, and lust are one and the same. In the New
Testament, the word uncleanness is also used to describe this entity,
meaning that someone is physically or morally impure. Unfortunately,
perversion has largely gripped our culture and society and, what is even
more sad, many in the church.

Seeing
In writing, it is difficult to know where to begin on laying out the seen
activities and partnering spirits that work in conjunction with this evil
strongman. As a reminder, the demonic grouping list in Appendix A is very
thorough to help in identifying and discerning this spirit.
This spirit is seen in acts of adultery and arrogant actions. Those who
are trapped in bisexuality, homosexuality, lesbianism, transvestite actions,
and transgender transformations are definitely bound. Prostitution,
drunkenness, and actions that exemplify all kinds of lusts such as lust for
authority, sexual lust, lust for food, money, position, perverse sexual acts,
power, sex, social standing, and the world. Acts of seduction and greed.
When a region is steeped in the demonic grip of this unclean spirit there
will be all kinds of sex shops and prostitutes on the street. Pimps walking
the streets at night. There will be strip clubs and porn shops. Men and
women exhibiting extreme driven actions to achieve power through the
means of evil acts.

Hearing
I am hesitant to type the horrible things that this spirit speaks out in the
atmosphere or to those held captive by its evil web. Let’s just include a few
examples, but also not linger here long.

■ “Turn on that computer and view that woman on that porn

site.”
■ “Adultery is not wrong, you are just satisfying your human
desire.”
■ “Look at the young boy.”
 ■ “You are a woman and you like other women. You were born
this way.”
■ “Go ahead and have sex. If you get pregnant abort it.”
■ “There is no such thing as God.”
■ “I am going to get the executive position no matter the cost. I
will run over and harm everyone in my way.”
■ “I must have more money. Money is my god.”

What is it that the discerner might hear in the spirit when you are in
proximity to perversion? Usually an evil mocking and laughing aimed at
you and God. Things such as, “We hate you here,” and, “Leave.”
Sometimes if abuse and abortion is in the region, there will be the sound of
weeping in the spirit for those who have been tragically harmed, trafficked,
and aborted. The way to describe this is when the Lord spoke to Cain, “I
hear your brother’s blood crying out from the land.” This same phrase will
also be heard when a spirit of death is active.

Feeling/Sensing
A dirty, perverse, unclean feeling in the atmosphere. A feeling and
sensing of the depravity of the sin. A feeling of wanting to not be around
those gripped by it or in the region where it is active. Sensing the extreme
greed and worldliness and much grief concerning those trapped in this life
of sin. There can often be a feeling and sensing of the tragic abuses that
have occurred.

SPIRIT OF SLUMBER/UNBELIEF

God granted them a spirit of deep slumber. He closed their eyes

to the truth and prevented their ears from hearing up to this
day (Romans 11:8).

The Greek word in this scripture is katanyxis. It means “stupor, slumber,

deep sleep, sluggish, dullness, lethargy, unable to think” (Strong’s #G2659).
This spirit will cause people to fall into a deep sleep when trying to cast it
out. Many years ago, I served on the altar ministry team at a conference
hosted by Peter and Doris Wagner and Global Harvest Ministries. During a
break time, I began to pray for a woman who had requested prayer. As soon
as I began to minister, she slumped over, leaning her head on my shoulder.
She was in a deep sleep and began to snore loudly. The rest of the altar
ministry team found it quite humorous and began to laugh at what was
unfolding. I pretty much knew instantly what I was dealing with. I called it
out by name: “You spirit of slumber and unbelief, I break your hold right
now in Jesus’ name. Get off of her!”
She instantly awoke and stood straight up while shouting joyfully, “I am
free.” And she took off running. Yes. She was a runner. She did a joy run
around the entire auditorium repeatedly shouting, “I am free! I am free!”
This story is humorous in many ways, but it is also a very accurate portrayal
of this spirit.

Seeing
Obviously, someone falling asleep while receiving ministry as shared
above is a manifestation. Also, those bound by this spirit will fall asleep
regularly in church, but not from boredom. This spirit will cause the sleep
on the one gripped by it while reading the Word or attending a church
service. There will be an inability to stay awake. One bound by this spirit
and who is gifted in the seer realm will experience great torment resulting
in terror and fear. Actions will exhibit mental slowness, fear, being easily
distracted, or confusion. Regions bound by unbelief will oppose truth,
meaning they are not able to hear the truth. Churches will be dead—
absolutely no life. And the region might have many who suffer mental
slowness and sicknesses such as arthritis, chronic fatigue, circulatory
problems, eye disorders, hearing disorders.

Hearing
Repeated spoken words of unbelief are the telltale sign that a person is
held captive by this spirit. Often there will be statements of blasphemy and
obvious confusion in their thinking and words. The following are some of
the lies that are spoken by this spirit:

■ “Don’t listen to the message.”

 ■ “You don’t need the word of God.”
■ “You will always be fearful.”
■ “Deny the Holy Spirit.”
■ “Deny God. You don’t need Him.”

Feeling/Sensing
When encountering this spirit, there will be a heaviness and a feeling of
sleepiness. Perversion works with this spirit, so the perverting of truth will
be tangible in the atmosphere. Sometimes when sensing this spirit there
might be a slight sensation of dizziness. At a territorial level, the region will
feel asleep and will not be able to hear or respond to the Word of God or
His truth or any movement of the Holy Spirit.

DEAF AND DUMB SPIRIT

Now when Jesus saw that the crowd was quickly growing
larger, he commanded the demon, saying, “Deaf and mute
spirit, I command you to come out of him and never enter him
again!” (Mark 9:25)

The Greek word for deaf is kophos (Strong’s #G2974) and for mute is
alalos (Strong’s #G216). This spirit is exactly as described—one that
hinders and paralyzes the ability to speak and hear. Interestingly, it also will
cause things such as drowning accidents, accidents around fire, and
repeated accidents.

Seeing
This spirit is discovered when repeated accidents occur, especially those
surrounding water and fire. Other manifestations are the inability to speak
and hear. Now, this does not apply across the board. If someone is mute or
deaf, it is not always caused by a demonic spirit. Those bound by this will
visibly exhibit insanity, destructive behaviors, schizophrenia. Some will
also suffer from seizures, foaming at the mouth, gnashing of teeth, chronic
infections. This spirit can also be the cause of Tourette’s, but not all cases of
Tourette’s are caused by a deaf and dumb spirit.
At a regional level there will be a high percentage of the inhabitants
who struggle with insanity or schizophrenia. Many will battle with epilepsy
and seizures. A region will appear crippled spiritually. What do I mean? It
will be difficult for people to hear and speak out or prophesy.

Hearing
Spoken words of unbelief will be heard as these two spirits often work
together. Words of bitterness and unforgiveness. Repeated schizophrenic
episodes of great confusion in which the one bound will be convinced they
have seen and also heard voices of people who are not real. Of course, I
believe that much of the time when this occurs they are seeing and hearing
demons. In a region, hearing prophetically will be difficult as this spirit will
want to silence or mute the message of truth and the Gospel.

Feeling/Sensing
To the one held captive there will be a sense of death approaching.
Those who have the gift of discernment will feel this looming in the
atmosphere surrounding the one they are ministering to and also in the
region. As described in scripture, it is an aggressive spirit when it manifests.
The sense of this aggression will be tangible. Many of the people in the
region will struggle with mental issues. The result is a sense of confusion
and a difficulty in thinking with clarity. It will feel as if there is a brass
ceiling over the region making it hard to receive, hear, or speak fresh
revelation imparted through the Word of God or by the Holy Spirit.

IN CLOSING
For some, this might be an overwhelming amount of information to digest.
To be honest, it is not fun or enjoyable for me to outline these spirits and
how they are perceived. But it is my prayer that this will help explain some
of what many have encountered or discerned yet did not have words or
vocabulary to adequately express these spiritual realities. I also pray that
this has brought an empowerment to deeper understanding, which will lead
to maturity.
 A word of caution—do not allow this information to make you act
overly zealous like a loose cannon toward these dark spirits. Hear me—I
have perceived, discerned, and known the activities of these demons for
quite some time. The ability to share all this comes from over thirty years of
maturing in this gift. Our heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are my
focus and should be the focus of each of us. We do not glorify darkness.
Nor should a fascination with darkness be the outcome of what has been
taught. No demon, principality, nor scheme of the enemy is more powerful
than the Great I Am. My worship and praise is always directed to our Lord,
and this information is only tapped into when in a ministry setting or on a
regional assignment in which this knowledge builds power for effective and
victorious action. It is my hope that this now will empower each of you to
the same desired outcome.

NOTES
1. Jake Kail, Facebook post, April 12, 2020,
https://www.facebook.com/JakeKailAuthor/posts/weve-totally-
misunderstood-the-concept-of-hypocrisywhen-god-opened-my-eyes-to-
th/2965309196862275.
2. Ibid.
3. Bob Sorge, Envy: The Enemy Within (Bloomington, MN: Chosen
Books, 2012), Kindle loc. 10.
4. Noel and Phyl Gibson, Evicting Demonic Intruders (Chichester, UK:
New Wine Press, 1993), 200.
 Chapter Eight

TERRITORIAL DISCERNMENT

We had moved from Texas to Colorado Springs in the year 2000 to work for
Peter and Doris Wagner and Chuck Pierce at Global Harvest Ministries. We
were confident that this was the new season the Lord had for us. Before our
move, several friends had cautioned me concerning the spiritual atmosphere
of the city explaining that it was not easy for those gifted in prophecy and
intercession. However, in my unprepared thinking I would ponder how this
could be true. After all there were over 120 Christian ministries thriving in
the city and many key leaders made the city their ministry base.
Once we arrived and settled into our new norm, I soon realized that my
friends were speaking truth. It is a beautiful city, but at that time it proved to
be difficult to prophetically hear the Lord and to break through into His
presence. As a worshiper, prophetic intercessor, and warrior this was not an
easy adjustment. I was also born and raised in Texas and had lived in that
state my entire life prior to this move. I often tease that you can take the girl
out of Texas, but you can’t take Texas out of the girl. The atmosphere in
Texas and Colorado proved to be vastly different. We were beyond honored
to be with Peter, Doris, and Chuck. The job part of our move was
wonderful, but I was struggling in the city. I began to inform the Lord that
we had misunderstood Him by making this move and asked Him to open
doors for us to return to Texas. I prayed this consistently for over five years.
Not only was I attempting to sway the Lord to relocate us, but I regularly
spoke about the difficulty of the city and with my mouth released negative
words and curses out in the atmosphere.
It was 2007. I was speaking at a lady’s retreat in Vermont. In prayer the
Lord led me to teach about possessing the land. I was already feeling this
was a different topic to teach at a women’s gathering but strongly felt the
Lord leading this direction. That night the glory of the Lord fell in that
gathering. Everyone was either kneeling or laying prostrate on the floor. No
one, including the worship leader, was standing. She was lying on her back
on the platform, playing the guitar. His presence was so holy she did not
want to stand.
As I lay prostrate on the floor, I heard Him ask a question: “Becca, you
are teaching these women about possessing their land.”
I replied, “Yes, Lord, You led me to teach this, right?”
He gently spoke without hesitation, “Yes, I did, but how can you teach
these women to possess their land if you despise the Jerusalem where I have
placed you?”
Ouch! I will be very transparent. I began to weep, “Lord, please don’t
ask me to do this.” But soon I was completely undone and did exactly what
He was asking of me, “Lord, please forgive me for despising where You
have placed us and cursing the people and the land. Help me to love my
city, the region, and the state with Your heart.”
As soon as I prayed that prayer, He took me in a vision. I was soaring
with Him over the state of Colorado. He asked me, “Becca, do you see it,
do you feel it, do you hear it?”
Why was He asking this? Because in this vision I could see, hear, and
feel the winds of revival blowing across the plains of Colorado. I assuredly
said, “Yes, I see it, I hear it, I feel it!”
He responded, “Then get up, go back, and be one to help make that
happen.” Wow. Even typing this I am undone. While I am not certain we
will live all of our days in this state, I can guarantee you that I now love the
people, city, region, and state with His heart. I no longer curse the city in
which I live but speak blessing to the people and land. Friends, if you want
to have impact that transforms and brings His glory to the lands and nations
He is leading you to, do not despise the Jerusalem where He has placed
you, but love the people and the land with His heart. Pray, intercede, and
contend from His heart and Kingdom perspective.

THE SPIRITUAL ATMOSPHERE IS HARD

Why was I struggling in the city the Lord had moved us to? Because of the
principalities enthroned in the region. They influenced the spiritual
atmosphere to cause feelings and thoughts of not belonging, being isolated,
and alone. There was a strong spirit of covenant breaking and a true hold of
a Jezebel spirit empowered by a religious spirit that worked aggressively
against the gift of prophecy. Not only was this over the region but also
strongly influencing Christians within the churches of the city. Let me give
further examples to illustrate what some of you might have experienced in
the territorial discernment realm.
Your marriage is good and strong. The two of you are getting along
beautifully. All is well! However, as soon as the plane lands for the
beautifully planned and much anticipated vacation there is a tangible
agitation the two of you begin to experience. Before you realize it, the two
of you are irritated with each other and the bickering and arguing ensues.
What changed? What caused this to occur? It is not the two of you, but it is
the spiritual atmosphere in the region, which has a history steeped in
covenant breaking and a spirit of division. It is causing the tension you are
experiencing and pulls you into dishonoring and divisive reactions toward
each other. Why? To accomplish bringing division in your covenant
relationship.
Or maybe the family is on a road trip. It has been a pleasant and
enjoyable time thus far. All are resting peacefully while the driver forges
onward making headway toward the desired destination. Suddenly, there is
a feeling of an intense evil oppression. You go from a very peaceful sleep to
an instant wide-awake moment while strongly sensing deep darkness and
evil activity. What is the cause of this? You have entered a region active
with occult groups who engage in occult practices. When we lived in the
city of Houston and would drive to see my husband’s parents in Mississippi,
our travel route took us through the state of Louisiana. As soon as the
wheels of the car hit the boundary line of New Orleans, I would instantly
awaken from a deep sleep to sitting straight up in the passenger seat and on
full alert. At that time, the spiritual atmosphere of the city was dark, evil,
and suffocating. This, my friends, is territorial discernment in action.

YOU CAN DISCERN AND LIVE ABOVE IT

The word of God tells us that we are seated with Him in heavenly places.
Therefore, we do not have to be influenced by the territorial spirits that are
enthroned in the second heaven. We can learn to recognize who or what has
established its demonic grip and is seated above the region in the heavenlies
instigating schemes of evil. What do I mean by this? We can discern and
identify who those spirits are and their strategies while not allowing their
evil doings to affect or control our spiritual walk. We are of His Kingdom,
carrying Kingdom authority. Once the discerned principalities are
discovered, we intentionally understand its traps and choose to rise above it.
This knowledge builds power for action that will involve strategies to see
the demonic grip of these principalities lose their evil sway, influence, and
hold. But before discussing these action steps, let’s briefly discuss the
actions and principles we can implement to live from heaven’s perspective
and our Kingdom position. The following are proven weapons to aid us in
this process. I want to emphasize that when oppression from territorial
spirits is attempting to hinder hearing His voice and the Holy Spirit flow, no
matter what our feelings are dictating, it is imperative to press through those
emotions to encounter Him.

Worship
Worship is a powerful weapon. It empowers us to ascend into His
presence above the darkness of oppression, which aligns and connects us
once again in a place of remembrance, recognition, and empowerment that
we are indeed seated with Him in heavenly places. We then descend
refreshed, empowered, renewed from the life-empowering and supernatural
glory infused, inspired, and immersed in the awakening that only comes
from pure and holy glory encounters with Him. Worship invites us into the
eyes and sight of heaven. Therefore, we see the way He sees, hear what He
is welcoming us to hear, and walk in supernatural grace and wisdom that is
more powerful above all principalities and powers.

His Word
Reading His Word out loud. Speaking His Word out in agreement.
Voicing out and magnifying Him. Letting His Word not only empower us
but also proclaiming it out and declaring it forth to shift atmospheres. This
is key in shifting the feeling caused by regional oppression and causing
faith to rise up in order to advance.

Life Giving and Holy Spirit Anointed Alignments and

Relationships
Being engaged in vibrant intercessory prayer groups, Bible studies, and
churches hungry for the presence and fullness of the Lord is imperative. We
will discuss the importance of Ekklesia later in this chapter. I will state here
that having and developing a close relationship with those who understand
these concepts is vital for growth and support. If you are living in a region
and experience the same type of confusion as I did when we first moved to
Colorado Springs, begin to pray and ask the Lord for the assignment He has
ordained to bring His Kingdom plan into the region. This leads us to the
next focus of this chapter.

PRINCIPALITY DEFINED

Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with

the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion
under the heavenly realms. For they are a powerful class of
demon-gods and evil spirits that hold this dark world in
bondage (Ephesians 6:12).

I have mentioned the term principality many times. Let’s take a moment
and define this term in order to ensure we are all in the same vein of
understanding. The Greek word for principality is arche. It means “chief
magistrate or ruler who originates from the beginning” (Strong’s #G746).
The word for authorities is exousia. It means “superhuman, delegated
influence, jurisdiction” (Strong’s #G1849). Kosmokrator is the Greek word
for demon gods and it refers to world rulers under satan (Strong’s #G2888).
This word was often used to refer to a conjuring of pagan deities or
supreme powers of darkness mentioned in occult rituals. Poneria is the
word for evil spirits. It refers to maliciousness, iniquity, vicious, degenerate,
sinful, dark spirits who are possessors of this dark world (Strong’s #G4189).
The scripture makes it clear that our battle is not with each other but should
be aimed in the spirit realm and directed toward satan and his hierarchy of
rulers and demons.
Other names frequently used for principality are territorial or master
spirit. These evil spirits are assigned to geographical territories and social
networks. Their assignment is to keep large numbers of humans networked
in spiritual captivity—through cities, neighborhoods, regions, nations,
people groups, industries, government, businesses, education systems,
religious alliances, media, or any other form of social institution. Results of
this oppression include but are not limited to the rampant injustice,
oppression, misery, hunger, disease, natural disasters, racism, human
trafficking, economic greed, wars, and the like now plaguing our world.
Some might be wondering where we see these spirits mentioned in the
Word of God. Let’s investigate several of these entities we read about in
scripture and are still dealing with throughout cultures in our world today.
And let’s look at how to discern if these are in operation.
Before doing so, I want to state that I am giving brief explanations of
these principalities. This certainly is not a comprehensive list. But as in
Chapter Seven, this will give you a jump start in understanding their
functions and activities. Those discussed here will be ones that have been
empowered and are active in our culture, society, and nations. And
remember, we as believers can identify and discern these entities and
absolutely live above their influence.

QUEEN OF HEAVEN

Then all the men who knew that their wives were burning
sacrifices to other gods, and all the women who were standing
by, a large group, including all the people who were living in
Pathros in the land of Egypt, answered Jeremiah, saying, “As
for the word (message) that you have spoken to us in the name
of the Lord, we are not going to listen to you. But rather we
will certainly perform every word of the vows we have made: to
burn sacrifices to the queen of heaven (Ishtar) and to pour out
drink offerings to her, just as we ourselves and our forefathers,
our kings and our princes did in the cities of Judah and in the
streets of Jerusalem; for [then] we had plenty of food and were
prosperous and saw no misfortune. But since we stopped
burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and pouring out
drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been
consumed by the sword and by famine.” And said the wives,
“When we were burning sacrifices to the queen of heaven and
were pouring out drink offerings to her, was it without [the
knowledge and approval of] our husbands that we made cakes
 [in the shape of a star] to represent her and pour out drink
offerings to her?” (Jeremiah 44:15-19 AMP)

Who is the Queen of Heaven? The Hebrew word used in the above
scripture is meleket. It is defined as “a female royal ruler, one who is a
governmental head of a kingdom” (Strong’s #H4446). It stems from the
Hebrew word malak, defined to reign and to ascend to the throne (Strong’s
#H4427). In this scripture, it is specifically referring to a pagan deity who
rules in the heavens, meaning the area of the stars, skies, air, as a region
above the earth including the horizon. She is an ancient principality also
known as the moon goddess that has been worshiped in many forms with
many different names, which I term adaptations or manifestations, some of
which I will explain further. Other names for this entity are Ishtar, Astarte,
Diana, Artemis, Sophia, Cybele, Minerva, Lilith, Jezebel, Venus, Ashtoreth,
Isis, Juno, Medusa, and Santa Muerte.
Peter Wagner states in his book, Confronting the Queen of Heaven,
“The Queen of Heaven is the demonic principality who is most responsible
under Satan for keeping unbelievers in spiritual darkness.”1 Even though
that was written by Peter in 1998, I have to honestly admit I still believe
this to be true today, in this time and season.
This is a goddess system or structure of worship originating in ancient
cultures, most of which engaged in a polytheistic worship structure,
meaning they revered and bowed to multiple gods. The worship would
often focus on a male god or principality. We will discuss some in this
chapter. In some cultures, the male god could be viewed as the moon god,
but most often he was portrayed as the sun god. It is important to
understand that even in cultures where the sun god was revered, it was the
rotation or cycle of the moon that had the “life-giving” significance and
superiority. Why? Because it was linked with the cycles of the female body.
Therefore, the moon was the source of blood flow and fertility.
It is sometimes found that the male god controls harvest, wealth, and
grain while the female god controls fertility, idolatry, and family well-being.
In some beliefs, such as the Egyptian deification of Osiris and Isis, she
possessed the power through witchcraft to bring resurrection life. Therefore,
Osiris, the Egyptian adaptation of the sun god, when killed twice had no
power to raise himself from the dead. It was Isis who carried the powers of
witchcraft and divination to resurrect Osiris—not once, but twice. The
conclusion is that in this structure she is the principality with the ultimate
power. The structure of freemasonry positions her with more authority than
Osiris, who is known in this secret society as the adaptation of Baal, the sun
god.
The Queen of Heaven in her many adaptations and manifestations was
also recognized as the goddess of war and who also exerted ultimate control
over the agriculture of the world. In these cultures, the belief was that
prosperity and blessing were linked with their loyal, abandoned worship
and devotion to her. She maintained her grip through the demonic forces
linked to her hierarchal structure.
If she was not worshiped and appeased, then people would experience,
war, poverty, confusion, and chaos. Barrenness and poverty would be other
exacting blows this entity would deliver to those who tried to break free
from her evil and demonic control. Through fear, this principality has
governed cultures with its many manifestations and adaptations, keeping a
strong grasp as a world ruler on wealth structures of influence, religious
structures, industries, regions, and nations. We will discuss several of these
adaptations. But to fully discuss her many manifestations in an in-depth
manner necessary to gain full understanding will require another book.
When this entity has ruled a region there will be blatant visible idolatry
where her name, Queen of Heaven, will be proudly displayed. People will
be seen bowing to, praying to, and worshiping idols carrying her name or
one of her many adaptations. Allow me to clearly state here that worship of
an idol is focused on a lesser and dead object. A strong religious spirit will
be in operation. Freedom and welcoming of the gift of prophecy or any gifts
of the spirit will not be evident. Witchcraft and occult practices will be
active. A strong hindrance and evil, divisive schemes to work against true
apostolic-prophetic expression of the Church will be a repeated pattern.
Let’s begin exploring one of the most commonly known demonic entities
who is a high-ranking general in the Queen of Heaven structure.

JEZEBEL
Jezebel—the wicked woman from the Word of God we have all grown to
dislike. Why? Because this spirit is very alive and active in our culture. The
meaning of her name is “where is the prince?” or also “un-husbanded.”
Isn’t it interesting that even the meaning of her name depicts the truly
demonic lack of reverence to the Prince of Peace and our heavenly Father
who is a covenant-keeping God. Jezebel, or the one un-husbanded, will
always aggressively attack covenants made in righteousness. Her name was
actually the ritual cry in the worship of Baal. Jezebel’s story is told in the
Books of Kings. She was a Phoenician princess, the daughter of Ethbaal,
king of Tyre. First Kings 16:31 says she was “Sidonian,” from Zidon, which
is generally a biblical term for Phoenicians. In this city and culture of her
upbringing and royal influence, the Queen of Heaven was the eminent and
supreme ruler. Therefore, when Jezebel married Ahab, she became the
human manifestation and personification of the Queen of Heaven.
Jezebel married King Ahab of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. He was
the son of King Omri, who had brought the northern Kingdom of Israel to
great power and established Samaria as his capital. This marriage was the
culmination of the friendly relations existing between Israel and Phoenicia
during Omri’s reign, and possibly cemented important political designs.
This was the first time that a king of Israel had allied himself by marriage
with a heathen princess, and the alliance was disastrous.
Jezebel, like the foreign wives of Solomon, required facilities for
carrying on her form of worship. Therefore, Ahab made an altar for Baal in
the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. She stamped her name on
history as the representative of all that is designing, crafty, malicious,
revengeful, and cruel. Jezebel went so far as to require that her religion
should be the national religion of Israel.
She also destroyed as many prophets of Israel as she could reach and
was the first great instigator of persecution against the saints of God. She
was guided by no principle, restrained by no fear of either God or man,
passionate in her attachment to her heathen worship; she spared no pains to
maintain idolatry around her in all its splendor. Four hundred and fifty
prophets ministered under her care to Baal, besides four hundred prophets
of the groves, Asherah, which ate at her table (see 1 Kings 18:19). The
idolatry, too, was of the most debased and sensual kind in which their
rituals involved depraved and licentious sexual practices and abominations.
Human sacrifice was often made to appease Jezebel’s pagan desires.
We are all familiar with her disdain toward Elijah and her plot to
destroy and kill him. In First Kings 21, we then learn of another deplorable
act she initiated. Ahab desired to have Naboth’s vineyard as his own.
Naboth refused to sell his inheritance to the king. Ahab was upset and
began to pout. Jezebel, through cruel abuse of her power as queen,
employed a scheme steeped in lies to secure Naboth’s death by stoning. Not
only is this an evil abuse of power but it is significant because Naboth’s
name means “words of prophecy.” Her name afterward came to be used as
the synonym for a wicked, seductive woman (see Rev. 2:20).

Seeing
Obviously based off of the above description, a Jezebel spirit can be
seen operating through someone who dresses in sensual attire or one who is
very sold out to all kinds of evil, deception, and control in order to gain and
have an exceeding amount of power. There are those operating in this spirit
who are seen as very well put together in appearance. One who is in the
world driven by this spirit will lie, manipulate, and shake hands with evil,
corrupt structures in order to gain wealth and power. This will be seen on a
regular basis. Jezebel wants to kill the prophetic voice and rob Kingdom
inheritance to make it her own. In the church world there are those who
have the demonic stronghold of a Jezebel spirit operating through them.
They will infiltrate churches, ministries, prayer groups. Allow me to state
this clearly. We do not call a person a Jezebel. That is incorrect terminology.
They are being influenced by the demonic spirit of Jezebel. We must know
and learn the difference. And this spirit does not only operate through
women. It can and does operate through men.
This person engages in quick attempts to get close to leadership. They
maneuver to bypass all protocols, but oftentimes with subtle actions. How
does this appear in the spirit in regions where Jezebel is seated as a
principality? Numerous churches, ministries, prayer groups, and believers
will exhibit a strong apprehension toward prophetic intercessors and the gift
of prophecy. Churches and ministries in the region will repeatedly shut
down the operation of this gift. But to give clear understanding here, I will
state this sometimes occurs due to past abuses with the prophetic that cause
leaders to be cautious. When speaking regionally, I am speaking of an
unusually high opposition to revelatory gifts across the board. There will be
consistent, repeated patterns of individuals infiltrating ministries who
operate under the influence of a Jezebel spirit. It is an abrasive and
controlling figure who works behind the scenes against leaders and all that
is godly, all the while stating words, prayers, messages, and prophecy to
appear righteous or godly. At the time of the writing of this book we are
seeing this spirit manifest strongly and frequently through men and women
in the government, media, and positions of power.
I will express this clearly here. Strong, anointed women of God are not
operating under a Jezebel spirit. This is an incorrect label that has occurred
throughout the Christian Church for too long. Deborah served as a judge for
Israel. Esther saved her people and a nation. Lydia led the church
movement in Philippi. None of these women were operating under the
influence of a Jezebel spirit. They were women whom God anointed to
make history in the Kingdom of God.

Hearing
In the corporate expression, those bound by this demon are ones who
are against God and prophecy, yet they themselves will prophesy in order to
be the only prophetic voice heard. This is done in an attempt to get close to
leadership and to outperform the pure prophetic voices and intercessors in
this corporate expression. Listening and discerning the words are very
important. There will be subtle words or voiced-out intercession that will be
slightly off or carry manipulation, a religious tone, and a putting down of
others who flow prophetically. Statements like, “Lord, I know that You
desire to bring a pure prophetic flow and voice to this Church. Help
everyone hear Your voice clearly so the words they deliver will not distract
or take us off focus.” “We pray for pure prophets who truly have Your heart
for this Church and the leaders. God, thank You for bringing me here that I
can be that for these leaders and body of believers. It is not the people’s
agenda, but Your agenda that needs to be accomplished. I bless these
leaders.” Do you hear the power play in these words? While some of these
prayers seem innocent, the words come at the cost of others, but not to the
one praying.
If Jezebel is operating across a region, many leaders and believers will
voice out that the prophetic direction and guidance of the Lord is not
needed with statements such as, “We do not welcome the gift of prophecy.”
They will use terminology such as, “You will not prophesy here. We do not
want to hear what God is saying. You will not speak out or release any
words that you are hearing from the Lord.” Within the context of
manifesting in the world, the one acting out with a Jezebel spirit will speak
lies and deception in order to gain power and influence. They will be
opinionated, very worldly, seductive, and manipulative without shame.
They will stand for everything that is against God, but out of the same
mouth will try to sound wholesome, even stooping to read God’s Word or to
use expressions, words, or phrases that seem pure to spin their web of
deception, deceit, and control further.

Feeling/Sensing
For you feelers out there, being in the vicinity of a Jezebel spirit will
raise a parade of red flags along with loud alarms roaring out in your spirit.
While others will be drawn to this person, you will want nothing to do with
the individual in question. There are usually feelings of a righteous
indignation, a righteous anger when they speak, pray, or prophesy. It is not
unusual to have no desire to interact with this individual. An overwhelming
sense of grief will occur because of the level of deception and manipulation
being released and the resulting blind receptiveness by those who are not
discerning accurately.
For feelers at a regional level, an oppression in the spiritual atmosphere
will be tangible, causing hindered freedom to prophesy or to flow freely in
prophetic intercession. It will feel like a brass ceiling is over the region.
Prophetic gifts will be unwelcome and the atmosphere will be religious and
oppressive. Strong, ungodly, feminist ideologies and actions will be
consistently witnessed in a structure or region where Jezebel is operating at
a principality level.

LILITH
Lilith is cited in Isaiah 34:14: “The wild beasts of the desert shall also meet
with the wild beasts of the island, and the satyr shall cry to his fellow; the
screech owl also shall rest there, and find for herself a place of rest” (KJV).
The Hebrew word is lilim with the English version being Lilith, whose
name means “the night monster, night hag, or screeching owl” (Strong’s
#H3917). In 1994, I had a series of dreams in which the Lord opened my
spiritual eyes and revealed to me the demonic spiritual entity Lilith. The
Lord wanted me to understand how this principality maneuvers. So in my
dreams He opened my spiritual eyes, positioning me to spy on her in the
spirit realm, yet this entity remained totally unaware. Why was this
occurring? Chuck Pierce had given a prophetic word concerning the city of
Houston. He saw that the night hag, also a name for Lilith, was singing over
the city in an attempt to establish a stronghold. He gave the directive that
the intercessors had three weeks to thwart and to stop this demonic
assignment. In the dreams the Lord expressly showed me this territorial
deity to be one of the principal forces behind death and abortion. After
further research, I understood why.
Lilith is an ancient deity that came from Babylonian and Assyrian
mythology but was also identified in later Jewish legends as a demon. She
is also known as a woman who in rabbinic legend is Adam’s first wife. She
was supplanted by Eve and then became a demonic spirit. In this legend it is
stated that she refused to lie submissively beneath Adam. She fled to the
Red Sea. In occult witchcraft and mystic beliefs, it is said she gives birth
daily to more than one hundred demons. She is depicted as a nocturnal
great-winged goddess with bird-clawed feet. She carries a ring or rod of
power, signifying that she is among the first-ranked gods. She is a
seductress, replete with destruction, known as the goddess of death or
Hades.
I find this portion of her description interesting. In the dream in which
the Lord allowed me to see her, she appeared just as described above—a
nocturnal, great-winged goddess with bird-clawed feet. She carried a ring or
rod of power and was a seductress replete with destruction. In occult
witchcraft circles, they believe this dark entity has charge over all newborn
infants, and she is worshiped with this understanding. In Jewish mysticism
they believe that she is the entity responsible for the unexplained death of
newborn babies in defiance to God for her expulsion from the Garden.
Lilith is the entity to which the modern feminist movement gives
allegiance. Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood, was
engaged in the movement. It is an historically known fact that at the
foundation of the abortion industry the purpose was to create a eugenics
movement that would kill off the African-American race in our nation.
Lilith and racism work together, hand in hand.
Seeing
Abortion clinics will be active in regions where the principality of Lilith
has been enthroned. Suicide will be high. Sexual perversion and a seducing
spirit will be in operation along with a spirit of death. Spirits of incubus and
succubus will appear regularly in dreams. These are demonic spirits that
come in dreams in the night hours to harass through sexual encounters.
Incubus appears to women and succubus appears to men. Racism will be
seen and heard. Repeated movements involving the feminist ideology will
be seen as well as a defiant and angry reaction to those who oppose
abortion. As stated above, the Lord brought me into a strategic and
prophetic time of revelation through a series of dreams in which I spied on
the demonic entity Lilith. I would like to share one of those dreams as it
brings clear revelation of this entity and her role in relation to the
principality Baal.
Greg and I were administrative and prayer pastors on staff at Houston
House of Prayer in Houston, Texas. Eddie and Alice Smith were the senior
pastors. In the dream, Greg, Alice, and I were driving to attend a church
picnic being held on a ranch out in the country. As we arrived, Greg parked
the car next to the wood fence where the cattle were kept. There was a large
black bull in the pasture. He noticed Alice and I immediately and instantly
began charging toward us. He was coming at us in a fast and furious
manner with the intent to bring deadly harm. Alice and I in unison stomped
our feet and shouted in an authoritative decree, “Stop!” As soon as the
rebuke was proclaimed, that black bull went from a full throttle charge to an
instant stop. It then stood up on its hind hoofs and took its front right hoof
and reached behind its head. It then unzipped a zipper that ran down his
front. The black skin dropped to the ground in a heap. It was evident that
this was a costume. From inside that unzipped costume as it fell limp and
lifeless to the ground, out stepped Lilith fully revealed.
What is the interpretation of this dream? When we deal with the black
bull of Baal, we must discern and know that Lilith is the one hidden on the
inside. Once the defeat is issued to Baal and he has been rendered
powerless, the hidden truth is revealed. It is Lilith inside the bull calling all
the shots. Therefore, when dealing with Baal we must always remember
only half the assignment has been completed if he is the only entity dealt
with. Lilith must not be ignored or forgotten. To see the full breakthrough
and victory we must go to the hidden root to ensure Lilith is exposed,
defeated, and dethroned. This adaptation of the Queen of Heaven hides
inside the essence of Baal. This is a key revelation for all believers and
intercessors when dealing with Baal.

Hearing
As I spied on her in my dreams, it is apparent this entity is a seductress.
Therefore, a seducing spirit is part of her hierarchy. She also works with
death. I share this because in those dreams I could hear their conversations.
They will issue threats of death. Allow me to share an encouraging
testimony that occurred in 2007.
Believers across the nation began a period of fasting and prayer in the
night hours. The idea behind this was to intercede and war when the
demonic activity of Lilith is the strongest in order to counter and defeat her
strategies. It was an amazing 21-day focus. During this time, I was leaving
the prayer time in the early hours of the morning. As I entered my car to
drive home, a demonic entity revealed itself in an attempt to intimidate me
from moving forward in the assignment the Lord had entrusted to us. It
fiercely stated, “If you continue in this assignment, you and your family
will die.”
Understanding that this demon was coming against me because of what
we were doing and the victory we were gaining, I was not intimidated.
Instead, I instantly laughed out loud. An authoritative, righteous anger rose
up from within me and I quickly bound it. And then I began to joyfully sing
out loud songs about the blood of Jesus at the top of my lungs. That demon
hated this! Needless to say, my response proved to be a torment to that dark
angel. Soon, I heard the Lord: “You have had enough fun. Now command
that demon to leave.”
In instant obedience I rebuked that demon: “I command you to get out
of this car. You will leave and don’t you ever come back. You will not touch
my husband or my children. If you ever visit me or my family again, you
will receive even more torment than you did tonight. Get out in Jesus’
name!” It instantly obeyed and it has never visited or harassed me again.

Feeling/Sensing
 Based on the description above, it is obvious that there will be great felt
grief over the bloodshed and murder of the unborn. A feeling of being
unclean will be strong due to the seduction and perversion. Where there is a
strong feminist population there will be a sense of not being welcomed for
those who are Christian and value the life of the unborn. Strong occult
activity will be felt throughout the night hours, specifically between 3:00
a.m. and 6:00 a.m. as this is the time those who worship her gather
corporately.

BAAL
Baal is the supreme male divinity of the Phoenician and Canaanite nations.
Ashtoreth was their supreme female divinity. She is also another adaptation
and manifestation of the Queen of Heaven structure. Baal is also known as
the sun god. Baal worship is ancient. This practice prevailed in the time of
Moses through the Moabites and Midianites. Unfortunately, it spread to the
Israelites. Sadly, in the time of the kings it became the religion of the court
and people of the ten tribes. Temples were erected to Baal in Judah where
he was worshiped with great ceremony. The worship to this principality was
very licentious in nature. Other names for Baal are Bel, Molech, Marduk,
and Merodach.
He was the chief god of the pantheon and celebrated in the spring of the
year to venerate the awakening and conception of nature. The medieval
druids, who saw his name as meaning “the shining one,” adopted his
worship. In his demonic belief, he earned his ranking position in the
Babylonian pantheon by killing the goddess of chaos, Tiamet (see Isa. 46:1;
Jer. 50:2; 51:44). By studying the word of God, it is plain he was worshiped
under different adaptations and manifestations according to people, cities,
and regions.

1. Baal-Berith—the covenant Baal

2. Baal-Zebub—lord of the fly
3. Baal-Hanan—the name of the early kings of Edom
4. Baal-Peor—lord of the opening
 5. Baalath-Beer—lord of the well
6. Baal-Gad—lord of fortune
7. Baal-Hamon—lord of the multitude
8. Baal-Hazor—village of Baal
9. Mount Baal-Hermon—lord of Hermon

I believe we get the idea that this territorial spirit was widely worshiped.
Other sun god names are Ra, Osiris, Horus, Apollo, Zeus, Hercules, Nike,
Helios, Dazhbog, Sunna, Mithras, Shamash.

Seeing
What are its more modern manifestations? Osiris, Horus, and Ra are a
part of the sun god structure and make up the demonic deities attached to
freemasonry and Eastern Star from ancient Egypt. So where Baal is
empowered, lodges and temples will be established in a region. The symbol
of Osiris is the obelisk with many being seen throughout our nation and the
nations. Baal is also worshiped in the form of a bull or a golden calf.
Therefore, he has been given place as the bull outside of Wall Street. Baal
and Lilith work together. Therefore, active and thriving abortion clinics will
be part of the city landscape.

Hearing
There will a history of repeated covenant breaking. Stories will be
shared that this a common reoccurrence in the territory. Words of division,
impure conversations of gaining wealth. Strategies to overturn righteous
alliances. Media reports swaying public opinion to encourage support of
legislation steeped in an anti-Christ agenda.

Feeling/Sensing
Anti-Christ and Baal work closely together. So the things that are felt
and sensed when dealing with an anti-Christ spirit will be pretty much the
same when Baal is the principality.
 LEVIATHAN
Leviathan is the king of pride. He is a coiled animal. The word specifically
means “a coiled one given in union by covenant.” It is a ruling principality
of the serpentine family whose rule and influence is likened to that of a
dragon. Also known as a dragon creature of old who was a representation of
the devil. He symbolized mystical intelligence and animal force.
The Leviathan of antiquity was an aquatic creature and represented the
cruel and absolute forces of nature. He was believed to symbolize that
which cannot be subdued. Leviathan is completely associated with chaos. In
ancient Babylon, he was seen in the constellation of Dracos and was
adopted as the spiritual authority over Babylon. It is also extremely
interesting that Leviathan in ancient times was also known as the Lady of
the Sea, coinciding with Revelation 17:1. Therefore, Leviathan is actually a
converging of the sun god and the moon goddess into one entity—male and
female as one.
In Job 41, Leviathan is depicted as a sphere of spiritual power and
human experience of pride where he was the ruler of the children of pride.
False religion, illusion, delusion, chaos, twisting of words, and confusion
are features of this principality’s powers. Leviathan was worn on the crown
of all the pharaohs of ancient Egypt.

Seeing
This entity is seen and heard daily through many media outlets in this
nation. Leviathan is king of lies and deceit empowering an occult veil as its
webs of deception are spoken out to seduce people to follow blindly. False
religions, delusion, and chaos will be seen. Pride and superiority will be
seen throughout the culture. People withdrawing from key relationships.
Attempts to rob people of their destiny will be evident. And repeated
warfare assignments to halt the apostolic and prophetic churches in the
region.

Hearing
Where is Leviathan spinning its web of chaos? The answer is media,
corrupt government, and world structures. It can also influence believers. It
speaks out blatant lies and falsehoods. Conversations will twist words,
resulting in profound confusion. Prideful, arrogant, and boastful
conversations are a common occurrence when Leviathan is kingpin over a
structure or system. It is heard as the false prophet of this day and partners
strongly with an anti-Christ spirit.

Feeling/Sensing
Confusion, chaos, and striving will be felt. An edgy agitation and
mocking of Christianity will be sensed in the spiritual atmosphere. It will be
difficult to sleep at night. Restlessness resulting in fatigue. Feeling of life
and strength being drained out of you. Feeling that no conversation can be
trusted and also no relationship is safe and secure. Frustration will occur
due to the fact that time continues to get robbed on a regular basis. A
whirling of occult activity combined with an overwhelming sense of being
deceived.

PYTHON
Python is also a serpent spirit. It is mentioned in Acts 16:16: “One day, as
we were going to the house of prayer, we encountered a young slave girl
who had an evil spirit of divination, the spirit of Python. She had earned
great profits for her owners by being a fortune-teller.” In this region, the
python spirit was the epithet of Apollo, who was known as the Greek god of
prophecy. A chosen individual, often a young virgin, would become the
oracle of Apollo. Thus, she would be known as the Python, or pythia. As
stated above, this spirit was in operation in the city of Philippi. It
manifested as a spirit of divination and we still see it active today.

Seeing
This python spirit will manifest in forms of witchcraft, fortune telling,
and speaking out false prophecy through occult empowerment. There will
be idolatrous allegiance toward an occult spirit or this principality. But it
will also try to snuff out the vibrant prayer life in a prayer group, city, or
region. There will be psychic businesses and fortune telling activity such as
tarot cards, mediums, crystal balls, etc.

Hearing
 A strong mocking of the true anointed and called ones of the Lord. A
spiritual warfare to prevent corporate times of prophetic prayer. A usurping
of spiritual authority through voiced-out challenges with the intentional
plan to do so publicly.

Feeing/Sensing
It will attempt to squeeze any fire or life out of the church, ministries,
and prayer groups. It will attempt to choke out the vision of destiny,
callings, and spiritual awakening. Therefore, a choking or a tightening
around the throat will be felt. This entity is also linked with wealth, which
will be gained through the hands of divination. So a sense or feeling of a
seductive pull to draw people into divination to obtain wealth will loom in
the atmosphere.

PRINCE OF PERSIA

But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one

days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me,
because I was detained there with the king of Persia (Daniel
10:13 NIV).

The Hebrew word for prince is s’ar. It means “a leader, commander,

chief, as of troops” (Strong’s #H8269). As the word is used in the phrase
prince of Persia, it is referring to a prince ruling over a kingdom or to a
prime minister of the state; but the language also is such that it is applicable
to an angelic being that is presiding over a state in order to influence its
counsels. When one takes into view all the circumstances referred to in this
passage, it becomes evident that this demonic being had some kind of
jurisdiction over the kingdom of Persia. It is seen that he had a chieftainship
over that kingdom—watching over its interests and directing its affairs.
This demonic entity identified as the prince of Persia resisted Daniel’s
answer to prayer. As a result, Michael the archangel was sent to overcome
this opposition. All of this opposition was an attempt to have Daniel killed.
In this evil scheme, the prince of Persia tricked Darius through the same
plot he had also used on Nebuchadnezzar by stirring up the governors of the
kingdom along with the administrators, counselors, and advisors. It
appeared to be a dismal scene for Daniel. This dark prince had done his
homework to know what would cause the demise of Daniel. But God
rescued Daniel out of the lion’s den and once again the power of the prince
of Persia was broken for a season. In ancient history, we see this repeated
again with Queen Esther. This principality rose up and operated its evil plot
through Haman in an attempt to destroy her people, the Jewish race.
What is important to know about this entity in today’s world? It remains
a chief ruler over the Middle East and beyond. Historically it is a known
fact that the ambassador of Persia made an alliance with Nazi officials
leading into World War II. Hitler considered the Aryan race, Persians, a
superior race, which he wrote about in his publication Mein Kampf. When
this alliance was formed, Persia officially changed their name to Iran at the
leading of the Nazi regime. This pact and alliance made with the Nazi anti-
Christ structure is still having an impact today. As clearly stated by my
friend Jon Hamill in White House Watchmen:

There is no doubt the Prince of Persia was greatly empowered

by Iran’s newfound alliance with the Nazis. And it’s no
coincidence that within only a few years, Hitler’s Final
Solution sought the eradication of the Jewish people from the
entire face of the earth. Beloved, this was the very force Daniel
was up against during his 21 days of contending for answered
prayer. He did not even know it. And the same holds true today.
A clear manifestation of the Prince of Persia’s influence over
the Iranian government can be seen in its resolute vow,
repeated many times, to “wipe Israel off the map.” Moreover
Israel is considered the “little satan,” and America the “great
satan.”2

Seeing
Actions that originate from Iran with the purpose of bringing harm to
Israel. Angry protests against Christians and the Jewish nation that originate
in the Middle East. Anger, violence, threats of violence. Plots to control and
obtain wealth at the cost of other nations. Militant demonstrations.

Hearing
 Hate speech filled with anti-Semitism. Phrases such as, “wipe Israel off
the map.” Speaking out that Israel is the “little satan” and America is the
“great satan.” Speeches and words of superiority, inciting feelings of hate
toward Christian and Jewish nations.

Feeling/Sensing
A knowing in your spirit of a coming crisis. Sensing in intercession that
an uprising is being planned. Feeling the warning of the Lord that
something is stirring in Iran. The overwhelming feeling of needing to
intercede and war to stop this principality from rising up against Israel.

ANTI-CHRIST SPIRIT

Everyone who does not acknowledge that Jesus is from God

has the spirit of antichrist, which you heard was coming and is
already active in the world (1 John 4:3).

The Greek word for anti-Christ is antichristos. It means “one who

opposes and carries the belief that it surpasses Christ” (Strong’s #G500).
This is an evil spirit that is completely against our Savior and Lord, Jesus. It
is an evil, vicious entity that opposes the blood of Christ, the Bible, the
deity of Christ, the humanity of Christ, the fellowship of Christ. It opposes
miracles, moves of God, the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, men of
God, ministry, etc. Anti-Christ is lawlessness. Anti-Christ partners with
communist governments as usually there is high persecution of people of
any type of faith, especially Christians and Jews. An anti-Christ spirit
empowers and works with racism. It will cause great chaos, but often will
promote peace on its own imposed terms through the confusion and unrest
it has created. This is done in order to control and suppress.

Seeing
This spirit will act against the miracles of God and the Word of God. It
will disturb the fellowship of believers and harass and persecute the saints.
It stirs up strife. It is violent when in action. It will be seen in mocking
gestures, anger, and violence. When an individual is gripped by this spirit,
you will see the above actions in operation through them. You can see it in
movies, television shows, commercials, media, and advertisements that are
full of violence and worldliness. In a region where a strong anti-Christ spirit
is enthroned over the territory, it will seem that there are many who are
steeped in the above-mentioned actions. There will be idolatry, false
religions, cults, and occult activity. Christianity will be hidden and
persecuted. Many will have been imprisoned and killed for their faith. High
activity of intellectualism and worldliness. A great lawlessness toward the
Lord and His Word and also outbursts of lawlessness and corruption will be
witnessed.

Hearing
Words, along with actions, that attack Christians, Jesus, and the Bible.
There will be much dialogue to explain away the miracles of God. Words of
hatred will be heard. Mocking attitudes and dialogue will be normal. There
will be no hesitation to blaspheme the Holy Spirit. Intense arguments full of
defense will regularly ensue. This is when anti-Christ is speaking and
manifesting through a person. When heard in the atmosphere of a region,
there will be a mocking spirit against the Christian faith. Government and
political leaders will not support Christianity or godly values. It will spew
venomous threats in the spirit realm sent with the intent to intimidate. It
might threaten to kill.

Feeling/Sensing
When sensing this evil entity, you will experience great hatred and
resistance. There will be a feeling of violence and disgust toward you. Great
darkness and oppression will many times be tangible. A feeling of looming
danger and death. A great grief might be felt in your spirit and also a
righteous anger because of how this spirit has harmed and oppressed so
many. It will feel difficult to stay for extended periods of time. One must be
graced to work in this atmosphere. I honor those who are called to such
mission fields.

COMMUNISM
We discussed Leviathan, which is also referred to as the dragon, and also an
anti-Christ spirit. We will now briefly discuss the definition of communism.
I want to make it clear that communism is an anti-Christ system and
structure. It is the anti-Christ spirit that drives the communist ideology of
extreme control. In order to paint a picture of what is happening across
nations at a principality level through the anti-Christ structure of
communism I want to give a brief description here. This has been
something that our prayer network has been strategizing and praying into
for several years.
Communist ideology was founded by Karl Marx. He was a historian,
economist, and philosopher whose theories were the foundation of the
communist revolutions that erupted all over the world in the 20th century.
Marx viewed history as a constant evolution where workers are exploited
until they revolt. He was actually building upon the foundation of socialism,
but considered communism a higher and purer form of socialism in which
all private property would become obsolete, class distinctions would
dissolve and goods and services would flow freely according to each one’s
ability and need. His explanations rang true with the working class of the
time who often suffered awful conditions. The communist call was taken up
in many countries in the hope of a better life. But to gain further
understanding, what were his spiritual beliefs?

[Karl Marx] viewed religion as “the soul of soulless

conditions” or the “opium of the people”. At the same time,
Marx saw religion as a form of protest by the working classes
against their poor economic conditions and their alienation. In
the Marxist-Leninist interpretation, all modern religions and
churches are considered as “organs of bourgeois reaction” used
for “the exploitation and the stupefaction of the working class”.
Due to this, a number of Marxist-Leninist governments in the
20th century, such as the Soviet Union after Vladimir Lenin
and the People’s Republic of China under Mao Zedong,
implemented rules introducing state atheism.3

At its peak, over a third of the world’s population lived under some
form of a communist regime. Although many of these caused more misery
than they prevented, Lenin and Stalin were ones who took his model and
turned it into brutal control. Then we see others throughout history, such as
Hitler who took communism into his evil structure of Nazism and Franco in
Spain instituting fascism. Then there is North Korea, who instigated its
demonically controlled regime of communism in 1948 led by Kim Il Sung.
And we also see China through a revolution in the early 1900s moved from
an imperial leadership into communism, with the militaristic arm of the
communist party of China referred to as the red dragon. Hear my heart.
When I am speaking of these structures, I am speaking principalities and the
anti-Christ sprit that is driving them. I love the people of all the above-
mentioned nations. I have visited all of them many times except for North
Korea.
These specific communist structures still active today are controlling
and do not allow freedom of religion. All religions and beliefs are highly
controlled and, in many situations, there is great persecution to any who
profess faith in God, especially Christians and Jews. It is imperative to have
our eyes open to this system and to have discerning eyes to see what these
structures attempt to accomplish in their nation and the nations of the world.
I have met and prayed with many believers who have been tortured,
persecuted, and imprisoned for their faith at the hands of communist
regimes. If the communist party is not the focus of worship then there will
be punishment. This is demonic and stands against all that we stand for in
our Christian faith. Therefore, we must have the discernment to see this red
dragon spirit of communism, as it is known in China, for what it truly is and
also obtain supernatural insight and wisdom of how to pray.

Seeing
As one who has traveled extensively to nations, I will first state on the
positive what is seen under an anti-Christ, communist regime—an on-fire,
sold-out Church who is willing to follow the Lord no matter what the cost
or price. They are so grateful for their faith they live a surrendered and
abandoned life that is holy, pure, and beautiful. Often, I feel unqualified to
teach these amazing believers as they have paid a price for their faith that I
myself have not.
On the other hand, there is visible fear seen on all the inhabitants,
except for the Christians. They appear bound, with no hope. Often they will
not make eye contact with outsiders for fear of punishment. Usually the
people of the land are not prosperous except for a small percentage of the
very wealthy. Pictures, posters, or billboards of the ruler will be seen
throughout the culture as he becomes the idol toward whom all worship is
directed. It is forced idolatry to that leader, but nonetheless it is seen and
evident. In some of these nations there will be other entities or ideologies
worshiped in culture such as Daoism, Confucianism, dragon spirits,
zodiacs, etc. There is control on all avenues of communication.

Hearing
Fear and control over the people. Consistent propaganda in the news.
Threats to people who do not obey the strict rules and guidelines of the
culture. Lies about free nations, especially directed toward their leaders.
Mocking of freedom. Mocking and hatred toward God.

Feeling/Sensing
When in these nations, my heart so connects with the people. I will feel
and sense an overwhelming love for the citizens of the land. In the demonic
realm there will be an oppression that often feels like you can cut it with a
knife. A heavy weight in the atmosphere. A feeling or sense of always
being watched and listened to, which is often true because hotel rooms are
bugged. Therefore, a sense of extreme caution is tangible. The same
feelings and senses that occur with an anti-Christ spirit and a spirit of
witchcraft due to the extreme rebellion and enmity toward God that
welcomed this principality at a government level and forced it on the
people.

ISLAM/ALLAH
Allah is the deity that is worshiped in Islam. Islam defined in Arabic means
“submission to God.” It is an attitude of manliness describing someone who
was heroic and brave in battle. It carries a secular concept with the attitude
of defiance of death and heroism. There are five pillars of the Islamic faith:

1. Their confession of faith, which is that there is no God but

Allah.
2. Prayer in which they bow to the east (Mecca) five times a day.
 3. Ramadan—this is their month of fasting, which is considered
high holy days. The fasts are different every year based on the
lunar calendar, which comes from the ancient worship of the
Queen of Heaven in Mecca before Muhammed encountered the
demonic revelation to birth Islam.
4. Giving money to the poor and the Islamic state or mosque. This
is a mandatory requirement. It explains why we see mosques
going up all around the world.
5. The pilgrimage to Mecca, which is their divine shrine located in
Saudi Arabia. At least one time in his life a Muslim is to make a
pilgrimage here.

Allah, the god of the Koran, is not the God of the Bible. The
encyclopedia of Islam states that the Arabs in ancient culture knew Allah as
one of the Meccan deities, of which there were 360. What is necessary to
highlight here is the Ka’aba, the black stone worshiped at Mecca. This word
is translated “black cube stone.” It is the Arabic word for an ancient
principality of the Queen of Heaven structure called Cybele. Therefore,
when Muslims bow to the east, to Mecca, five times a day they are actually
bowing to Cybele, the Queen of Heaven. Islam is a demonic network of
principalities that reaches across the world. The top spirits operating in
Islam weaving their web of deceit are anti-Christ, witchcraft, fear, and lies.
These are the spirits that are seen, heard, and felt in a region where Islam
has its hold.

Seeing
Mosques being built throughout the region. Erected billboards and signs
promoting Ramadan. Muslims engaging in their call to prayer in public
places such as schools, airports, hospital chapels, local businesses. An
increase in private businesses owned by Muslims. Oppression of women.
Acts of anger and violence, such as jihad. Hopelessness and loss of joy
begin to take hold in the region.

Hearing
 The obvious to state here will be the Muslim call to prayer. In the spirit
realm, you will hear those things we spoke about in Chapter Seven when
hearing spirits of witchcraft, fear, and lies and the anti-Christ spirit. There
will be taunting and intimidating threats voiced out in the spirit realm by
these spirits.

Feeling/Sensing
Heavy oppression, fear, intimidation, and danger are common to feel or
sense when Islam has its demonic hold in a region. A sense of not being
free to trust and a loss of security and safety. Spiritual death with no hope.
A strong religious atmosphere. A feeling of being “less than” because of the
Islamic belief that all who do not bow the knee to Allah are infidels.

MAMMON

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one
and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise
the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money,
possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the
Lord] (Matthew 6:24 AMP).

The Greek word for Mammon is mamona. It is defined as worldly

riches and wealth (Strong’s #G3126). Wealth and money in and of itself is
not evil. God can and does grant us wealth for His Kingdom blessing and
purposes. In this text Jesus is speaking with a strong and intense negative
connotation, signifying that someone has made friends with wealth through
unrighteous means. Mammon, greed, and avarice go hand and hand. In
ancient times, some associated Mammon with Plutus, the Greco-Roman
god of wealth.
This demonic spirit is greatly evident throughout culture and the world
today with leaders who go to any means to obtain wealth and power.
Mammon is strongly connected with all of the above-mentioned
principalities. It operates in and through freemasonry, the wealth of Islam,
and all the excessive wealth poured into the worship of the Queen of
Heaven in its many adaptations throughout the nations of the world.
 Mammon is the principality that empowers corrupt world brokers who
consider themselves the elite—those who desire to use their wealth to
control governments, legislation, and judicial systems. They partner in the
abortion industry with Planned Parenthood. They shake hands in under-the-
table deals and bribes. They obtain great wealth through pornography and
sex trafficking. Mammon has become their god.

Seeing
This evil spirit inspires actions of envy, greed, and lust so powerful that
even good men can be driven to corruption. Its grip leads to obsessive
behavior. Once one falls under its spell, they struggle to focus on anything
other than the treasure that tempted them to enslavement. There is such a
seducing pull that people will do almost anything to get their hands on this
treasure. Once enslaved by Mammon, people’s energy will be controlled by
it. The most surefire way of recognizing Mammon is by watching out for
brazen displays of wealth. Such a person will always find a way to flaunt
his wealth, whether it is covering himself in precious jewelry, shaking bags
of money under your nose, or inviting you to visit him in his treasure-filled
lair.

Hearing
People enslaved to this entity will speak about gaining more and more
extravagant wealth:

■ “I will gain that wealth and power at any cost.”

■ “I am willing to enter into that corrupt business if the outcome
is more money.”
■ “I want to be the wealthiest person alive.”
■ “I will accept your bribe.”
■ “I will donate a million dollars to your campaign if you will
do what I say.”
■ “My wealth has been gained through the murder of unborn
children.”
 ■ “Pornography and sex trafficking have made me a
millionaire.”

Feeling/Sensing
Pure greed, evil, and corruption are felt when in the presence of
someone partnering with Mammon or in a sphere of influence or region
steeped in its web of greed. The sense of corruption, perversion, lust, deceit,
and pride will emanate in the spiritual environment. Often witchcraft is
discerned due to the blatant rebellion and idolatry of sin, greed, and wealth
used for evil and corrupt purposes.

RACISM

From one man, Adam, he made every man and woman and
every race of humanity, and he spread us over all the earth. He
sets the boundaries of people and nations, determining their
appointed times in history (Acts 17:26).

I believe we all agree that our heavenly Father makes no mistakes. He

made every man and woman and every race of humanity. What a beautiful
tapestry of mankind. God in His perfect vision and Father’s heart of love
made every race of humanity in His image. Every man and woman, every
race of humanity made from one man, Adam, in the image of God. Who is
man to determine one is above the other? To do so is to say we are above
God and His perfect design for every race and nation.
Every race and all humanity are beautiful in the sight of our heavenly
Father. Yet we continue to see prejudice and racism manifest in horrible,
violent, and murderous ways, as if one race of people is better than another
race. I write this chapter at the time of the devastating and horrific murder
of George Floyd. It was an evil act with no visible compassion or humanity
by those officers who pinned him down while he died. I want to stop and
state right here that I know there are many officers of the law who would
never entertain or engage in such an ungodly act. Why is it so difficult for
each race to walk in the love of the Lord toward each other? I believe it is
because of the sinful heart of man, but I also believe it is an evil principality
that stretches across the nations of the world, and it is called racism.
 Racism is defined as a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among
the various human racial groups determine cultural or individual
achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and
has the right to dominate others or that a particular racial group is inferior to
others. A policy or government fostering such a doctrine is discrimination.
Racism has been operating for thousands of years. The children of Israel
were enslaved by Egypt. The Jews were treated poorly and discriminated
against by the Romans; the Gentiles were considered dogs by the Jews. The
Jewish race has suffered and endured horrific acts at the hands of the Nazis
and also religious structures steeped in anti-Semitism. Native Americans,
African Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans, Latin Americans, and
Hispanics have all endured racism and discrimination in our nation. To me
it is beyond heartbreaking. John states in First John 2:11, “But whoever
hates a fellow believer lives in the darkness—stumbling around in the dark
with no clue where he is going, for he is blinded by the darkness.” The
Greek word for hate is miseo. It is defined as to hate and detest (Strong’s
#G3404). It is time to remove the blinders. This evil principality must be
dealt with in the hearts of men and the nations of the world. It is my prayer
that this truth fully awakens in hearts in this new era and great healing
sweeps across lands gripped by racism.

Seeing
I believe I have already given a pretty clear picture of what is seen when
this principality is ruling. Acts of violence, anger, hatred, death, murder,
and abuse are all ways this entity manifests. Discriminatory actions
motivated by lack of human compassion. Organizations whose foundation
are racism such as the KKK, gangs and cartels will be active. One side of a
town or city is thriving, yet the side of town where the “minorities” live is
steeped in poverty, drug use, and gangs. Due to the anger that is involved in
racism, at times outbreaks of lawlessness will occur.

Hearing
Verbal abuse, slander, and demeaning name calling. Thoughts and
spoken words such as, “I am better than black people,” and “I dislike
Asians. Why are they in our nation?” Verbal slurs against those from
Mexico and Latin American nations. Basically, hate words and demeaning
words spoken out against races and ethnicities that find themselves in the
minority. This must stop!

Feeling/Sensing
Animosity, bitterness, and anger will all be felt. Grief experienced by
the Holy Spirit will be palpable. The pain of great division and the resulting
despair, rejection, hatred, pride, rage. A feeling of not being safe and great
vulnerability due to looming danger.

BELIAL

Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth on high among the people, and
set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against
him, saying, “You blasphemed God and the king.” And then
carry him out and stone him, so that he will die (1 Kings 21:9-
10 MEV).

The sons of Belial are mentioned throughout the Old Testament. They
were considered scoundrels and operated in deceit, accusation, and evil
acts. Belial is defined as “wickedness, what does not conform to a right
standard, of no worth, evil person, troublemaker, vile thing” (Strong’s
#H1100). Obviously, this spirit partnered with Jezebel in her evil plot to kill
Naboth and carried it through without hesitation. Just to give two more
examples, it also stood against David and his kingdom and stirred up strife
and dissension between Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. This spirit is a
destiny and inheritance robber and will promote lawlessness through its
demonic agenda.

Seeing
Under the evil influence of this spirit, those who are actively engaged
with someone operating under the influence of a Jezebel spirit will speak
accusations and lies against believers and leaders who are positioned in
spheres of influence. These repeated patterns are intentional, to wear them
out from being able to accomplish all they are called to do. Divisive actions
will be witnessed. Stealing from the Lord, as this spirit was also evident and
operating through Eli’s sons when they stole from the offering given by
worshipers to the Lord.

Hearing
Repeated accusations, divisive words, and manipulative conversations.
Those who hear in the spirit realm perceive these accusatory lies. This spirit
will attempt to whisper its lies to those who are not aware that this is an evil
spirit in operation. This is done in order to cause people to believe in and
accept the accusation.

Feeling/Sensing
This spirit will cause a feeling of being worn out. There will be a sense
of stress and strife that will attempt to rob all strength and joy. It will cause
a sense of confusion in an atmosphere where these schemes have been
perpetuated.

ABSALOM
Absalom was the third son of David. The full account of the conspiracy
that Absalom devised to usurp his father, David, to gain the throne in
Hebron can be found in Second Samuel 15–18. Here is a brief excerpt from
the Word:

Then Absalom sent secret messengers throughout the tribes of

Israel to say, “As soon as you hear the sound of the trumpets,
then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’” Two hundred men from
Jerusalem had accompanied Absalom. They had been invited
as guests and went quite innocently, knowing nothing about the
matter. While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for
Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from Giloh,
his hometown. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and
Absalom’s following kept on increasing (2 Samuel 15:10-12
NIV).

When we read the entire encounter, it is clear that he was a usurper of

authority and would go to any means to ensure he was the one who ruled.
He established a plan to take the throne from his father, caused the children
of Israel’s loyalty to sway toward him, and slept with his father’s concubine
in order to ensure an heir to the throne once his coup was successful and he
was positioned as the king. He even had a monument erected in his name:

During his lifetime Absalom had taken a pillar and erected it in

the King’s Valley as a monument to himself, for he thought, “I
have no son to carry on the memory of my name.” He named
the pillar after himself, and it is called Absalom’s Monument to
this day (2 Samuel 18:18 NIV).

Interestingly enough, his name means “my father is peace” (Strong’s

#H7965). He did not live up to the prophetic meaning of his name by lining
up with the plans of his biological father David, nor his Father in heaven.
But due to his appearance and charm he was able to win many over to his
side to partner with him in his rebellious conspiracy. This same spirit that
gripped Absalom is still active in culture today and is known as an Absalom
spirit.

Seeing
When this spirit is in operation the vessel or vessels being used will
seem likable and charming. They will be able to win the affections of
people by saying and doing the right things to win allegiances. Vessels
positioning themselves in secret meetings or calling secret meetings to plan
a usurping of the one in authority. Acts of perversion and seduction.

Hearing
Discussions of magnifying the importance of this usurping vessel will
occur. Statements will be made to draw attention to the importance of the
one desiring to gain the position of authority. Subtle divisive remarks will
be heard toward the one in authority. This individual’s ability to charm
others into the planned conspiracy will be done with seemingly “wise”
words.

Feeling/Sensing
 For feelers there will be strong cautions and red flags and a sense of not
being able to trust the one influenced by this spirit. Deception, rebellion,
and seduction are commonly felt. Maybe even a strong urge to want to
confront the one who operates in this usurping of authority. Perversion or
twisting of the truth will be felt as this individual will use any means to
secure a position of authority, even if it means acts of perversion.

WHAT TO DO WITH DISCERNMENT AT A PRINCIPALITY LEVEL

As previously stated, when discerning spirits at a regional level, knowledge
builds power for action. Your first act is to take what you are discerning to
the Lord and seek Him concerning the strategy. As a reminder as we
advance, this is a brief discussion of how to engage. There is extensive
training on these topics in my books Authority to Tread, Glory Warfare, and
our online training course, Regional Transformation Spiritual Warfare
School.

Is This Your Assignment?

Being in your assignment begets authority for victory. What do I mean?
My assignment might not be your assignment and your assignment might
not be my assignment. If we step into an assignment that is not our portion,
the intended victorious results will not manifest. We will be worn out and
tired because of time spent warring in the flesh instead of the Spirit.

Strategy for Intercession

When He reveals a strategic assignment for a region, He will also give
you the strategy. As a word of wisdom and caution, do not go to battle
without His divine tactic and plan. Do not war from the flesh or emotional
zeal.

EKKLESIA IN THE REGION

Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He

asked His disciples, Who do people say that the Son of Man is?
And they answered, Some say John the Baptist; others say
Elijah; and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. He said to
 them, But who do you [yourselves] say that I am? Simon Peter
replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Then
Jesus answered him, Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be
envied) are you, Simon Bar-Jonah. For flesh and blood [men]
have not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven
(Matthew 16:13-17 AMPC).

Here we witness the history-making exchange between Jesus and Peter.

As Peter boldly proclaimed the true identity of Jesus, Jesus then made a
paradigm-shifting proclamation of His own to Simon Peter: “And I tell you,
you are Peter [Greek, Petros—a large piece of rock], and on this rock
[Greek, petra—a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church” (Matt.
16:18). Simon Peter, the first to make this Kingdom declaration, was the
first to receive the promise that God would use him like a substantial piece
of rock to build upon. Jesus stated that joining Peter would be other
believers who would also proclaim this truth and represent the Kingdom of
God. Together this body would make up a great rock, like Gibraltar—petra.
And on this rock He would build His Church, the Ekklesia.
The word church in the above scripture does not portray what Jesus was
powerfully stating. The literal meaning is “called-out ones or assembly.”
The word Ekklesia is used 114 times in the New Testament, and in 90 of
these references a local church assembly is in view. However, in this first
use of Ekklesia it seems likely that Jesus had a more significant and larger
picture in mind. He was not just building a local assembly but a worldwide
body of believers composed of all who make the same confession of faith
that Peter made.
The word and concept of Ekklesia was not new to the disciples. It
carried significant cultural emphasis. In this time of history, this word was
applied to the popular assembly of Greek or Roman citizens who helped to
govern a city or district, as referred to in Acts 19:32,39,41. The Greek
translation of the Old Testament used Ekklesia to describe the congregation
of Israel when it was corporately gathered when Moses presented the Law
in order for all of Israel to perform and carry out the Law as a people and a
culture.
In Greek and Roman society, the Ekklesia consisted of ones who
functioned in their cities as a senate or legislative governors in the land.
They were known as a military task force of the culture they represented.
Their function carried with it the ideology to disciple people, cities, and
nations to cause things to appear as Greek or Roman. To understand our
keys of authority to bind and loose, we must realize the history-making
message Jesus was relaying at this crucial moment. We are his Ekklesia
carrying His Kingdom authority. Not only does Jesus have all authority, He
also bestows all authority.

BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF APOSTLES AND PROPHETS

To be effective as Ekklesia it is important to build on the foundation of
apostles and prophets. In Ephesians 2:20, Paul shares:

You are rising like the perfectly fitted stones of the temple; and
your lives are being built up together upon the ideal foundation
laid by the apostles and prophets, and best of all, you are
connected to the Head Cornerstone of the building, the
Anointed One, Jesus Christ himself!

Apostles are ones who are sent forth with a mission, a message as
Kingdom ambassadors. They are thinking forward in how to advance and
they are not in the least bit afraid to take on the giants in the land. As
already discussed in Chapter Three, prophets have the gifting to hear,
discern, and perceive the strategy of the Lord. These two gifts in operation
and agreement together become a powerful foundation on which to engage
in territorial assignments for awakening and transformation. When we go
into regions, we work with apostles and prophets of those lands to ensure
we are partnering with those whom the Lord has positioned for victory in
the region.

WATCHMAN ON THE WALL

In biblical days, a watchman was one who stood on the walls of Jerusalem
or in the watchtowers to observe whatever was coming toward the city. The
Hebrew word for watchman is sopeh. It is translated “lookout, guard,
sentinel, sentry, armor, protection, security, shield, keeper, or turnkey of
one’s territory” (Strong’s #H6822). Anything that this person saw
approaching, either good or bad, would be announced. Naturally it was vital
that he warn of coming danger. He had to remain on the alert for any hostile
advances against the city—particularly at night. The night watches were the
most likely times of attack.
We are also watchmen in our territories. We must be on alert and see
what is approaching in our personal lives and our territories before it arrives
at the gate of entrance. Standing on the wall for us is a spiritual stance; it is
the Holy Spirit who reveals the spiritual activity around us.
In 2007, I was leading a prayer meeting. As we were praying, the Lord
revealed to me a vision of the Church. I saw an army standing in rows of
perfectly formed lines. The soldiers were clothed in armor and standing at
ease. They were just standing still. They were in line formation but were not
moving and were not on the alert. It was as if the soldiers in this army were
positioned in formation because they knew they were supposed to be there,
but they were passive in their stance and not fulfilling their duty.
Suddenly I heard a heavenly command: Attention! As the command was
released every soldier in that formation came sharply to attention. The
command awoke and aroused the army. It seemed to awaken their spirits to
become alert and ready for their orders and assignments. I heard the Lord
say, “It is time to be alert, to awaken from your position of stillness and
come to attention before the King. It is time to stand in authority, hear, and
receive your assignments and to advance.” You see, the army was standing
in line and file and rank, but every soldier was standing in position asleep.
It was not an awakened army.
As the Lord was speaking this vision, one of the men praying with us
began to read these words from the book of Ezekiel:

The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, speak to your
people and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against a
land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and
make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming
against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people,
then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not heed the warning
and the sword comes and takes their life, their blood will be on
their own head. Since they heard the sound of the trumpet but
did not heed the warning, their blood will be on their own
 head. If they had heeded the warning, they would have saved
themselves. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and
does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword
comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken
because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable
for their blood.’
“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of
Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from
me. When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will
surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from
their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will
hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the
wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so,
they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved.
“Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘This is what you are saying:
“Our offenses and sins weigh us down, and we are wasting
away because of them. How then can we live?”’ Say to them,
‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no
pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn
from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why
will you die, people of Israel?’” (Ezekiel 33:1-11 NIV)

In November of 2017, I began to hear and see this same army again.
This time the Lord revealed that it is a new season, therefore I was seeing in
a new way. The army is standing in file and rank, fully awakened, marching
in place, in step and in unity in a strong military cadence. In the vision, the
army is awaiting the announcement of their Commander-in-Chief to
advance. The longer the army marches in place, the stronger the sound of
the cadence and step of the march becomes. It is increasing in intentional
focus and authority—that place of tension for the release from their
Commander to advance. Suddenly, the sound of the Commander’s voice
echoes a decree in the atmosphere, “Advance and possess!” This united,
anointed, and prepared army begins to advance with the fullness of
Kingdom expression into victory in a battle.
I believe we are in this season now. A season of awakening and
advancement to usher forth victorious transformation. The Lord has given
to each of us a responsibility to watch, a directive to stand on the wall to see
what is approaching, to announce it and to blow the trumpet. As we stand in
a place of prayer, watching on the wall, discerning and hearing the voice of
the Lord, we can announce and release His directions and commands. We
can reveal the presence of the enemy and welcome the presence of the
Lord. When we are rightly positioned in our territory or sphere of influence,
we can discern how to effectively establish and build a place of habitation
of the Lord—the spiritual atmosphere for harvest, awakening, and Kingdom
transformation.

GATEKEEPERS FOR THE CITY

As the watchman stands on the wall and sees who is approaching, he
reports to the gatekeeper: “Then the watchman saw another runner, and he
called down to the gatekeeper, ‘Look, another man running alone!’” (2
Sam. 18:26 NIV). The gatekeeper is the one who tends and guards the gate.
He has the authority to control access through the city walls. If he does not
open the gate, then entrance to the city is not allowed. If he opens the gate,
entrance is permitted. In Bible days, gatekeepers were Levites, Temple
officers. They were guardians both of the city and of private houses. In one
of Jesus’ parables, He described the porter or gatekeeper as someone who
was also responsible to watch: “The Son of Man is as a man taking a far
journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every
man his work, and commanded the porter to watch” (Mark 13:34 KJV).

Engaging Principalities Is a Function of the Ekklesia

Hear this important message—dealing with territorial spirits over a
structure, system, city, or region is an Ekklesia act. There are no lone
rangers when contending at this level. To be Ekklesia at a regional
transformation level requires an assembly, a legislative body. Just as one
soldier would not go into a physical battle on his own against the army of
his enemy, we too must go into battle as an Ekklesia. We are to function as
His legislative battalion armed for victory.

Wisdom and Insight to Maintain and Build

 Once victory has been realized, it is imperative to also have the
discernment of the Lord to build in place of what has been evicted. The
same principles apply in regional victories that also apply in personal
deliverance. There must be a filling back up in the land and region when the
strongman has been removed. Therefore, seeking the Lord in His strategy to
build is as important in discerning and taking action to see these
principalities lose their demonic grip.
As a national and international traveling minister, I seek the Lord in
order to discern the regions I have been invited into—first to hear His word
and His agenda for what I will be speaking into. But also, I seek Him to
discern what the spiritual climate of the region is. What is the spiritual
condition of the region? Are there principalities or issues that have harmed
the people and defiled the land that might be holding back a move of God?
It is common for the Lord to reveal these to me. It is also a regular
occurrence for me to feel, see, hear, or sense the strongman affecting a
region. The following is a powerful testimony that clearly encompasses all
of the principles we have discussed in this chapter.

Transformation in Philadelphia, Mississippi: A Discerned Time

to War
In 2008, I was invited by Ruth Ann McDonald to teach on intercession.
Upon my arrival, Ruth Ann shared the history of their small town,
Philadelphia, Mississippi. Three civil rights workers—James Chaney,
Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner—had been hatefully murdered
by the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan on June 21, 1964. Justice was
never duly served. Division, racism, and trauma had gripped the region.
Ruth Ann and her small, powerful band of prayer warriors felt it was time
for healing and breakthrough. On the same day of the week for two years,
she and her prayer team stood on the murder site and prayed that Edgar Ray
Killen, a Ku Klux Klan member and orchestrator of the murders, would be
brought to justice. A series of events transpired causing the investigation to
be reopened. On the 40th anniversary of the murders, a cry of justice rose
from the citizens of Mississippi. Edgar Ray Killen was arrested and indicted
on January 6, 2005. On June 21, 2005, the 41st anniversary of the murders,
the 80-year-old Killen was found guilty of manslaughter and is currently
serving three consecutive 20-year prison terms. It’s amazing what can be
accomplished through a few humble and obedient prayer warriors!
Ruth Ann voiced her appeal, “Teach us how we were able to see justice
served. We need to understand strategic warfare more.” Thus began the
journey of me instructing and partnering with them in strategic warfare
intercession.
Prior to my return in 2009, we continued to strategize and pray. From
2008-2009, much of the prayer was focused on the upcoming mayoral
elections. On July 3, 2009, this town that had been steeped in racism
experienced an amazing historic event. The first African American mayor
was elected.
Ruth Ann also began sharing about the Choctaw Nation and the
strategic calling they carry to bring breakthrough and transformation. She
felt strongly that I must meet a young Choctaw man whom we will call
John. Due to his marked sensitivity to the spirit realm, he had been chosen
as a shaman. However, as the final rituals of his shaman training
approached, Jesus appeared to him in a succession of three dreams that
resulted in his salvation.
While ministering again in 2009, the Lord gave me a clear open vision.
I saw two Choctaw men in a cave and the demonic principality of the
Queen of Heaven descending between the two men. This demonic
encounter resulted in division. At that point, I knew little about the history
of the Choctaw. Per my request and the nudging of the Lord, we met with
John. He confirmed what I was seeing and explained that in the Choctaw
creation story they believe they were birthed out of the mouth of the cave in
this vision. The head/source of the Pearl River is also situated at the mouth
of this cave, which in turn runs into the Mississippi River.
He explained there were two brothers who had an intense disagreement
in the cave that was caused by this Queen of Heaven demonic
being/principality. One brother left and took members of the tribe with him.
This group became the Chickasaw. This gained my attention. Greg, my
husband, is Chickasaw. I quickly understood that the Lord was entrusting us
with a prayer strategy to deal with the root issue of racism and a covenant-
breaking spirit.
When God is orchestrating a kairos Kingdom moment, He will ensure
that all the necessary people are present to bring the transformational
breakthrough. There were key intercessors and leaders attending the
teaching that day. Representatives from the Choctaw and Chickasaw. An
intercessor who had married into the family of one of the Klansmen
involved in the killings of the civil rights workers. An African American
pastor and those whose family members had been highly involved in
freemasonry and the Ku Klux Klan. Every representative necessary to bring
identificational repentance and healing to the racial covenant-breaking
wounds of the region was at hand.
We strategized and drove to the cave. One key factor to include is that
we ensured we had the welcome from the Choctaw to pray on their land.
When we arrived, it was night time. We were in the country surrounded by
trees. Our cell phones had zero service. This was a problem. Greg was to
join us by phone so he and John could initiate a time of identificational
repentance. Having nothing to lose, I decided to dial our home number.
Greg answered with a completely clear connection, “Hi, are you there and
ready to pray?” We shrieked in amazement.
It was time for Greg and John to repent and establish covenant. Greg
told us to go to the entrance of the cave. I hesitated and explained it was
dark outside, that a pavilion had been built above the mouth of the cave and
crawling under the pavilion was necessary to reach the entrance. He
responded with a clear conviction, “Becca, you must get to the mouth of
that cave!” So, we got on our hands and knees and crawled to the entrance.
Greg instructed us to put land in our hands, to pour anointing oil on top of
the dirt, and to hold hands as an act of agreement. They repented, Choctaw
to Chickasaw and Chickasaw to Choctaw, and established a new covenant
as brothers with the land. I announced to that Queen of Heaven demonic
territorial spirit that it was bound and its influence was coming to an end.
All division, racism, and covenant-breaking was ended. We prophetically
called in the true apostles/prophets of the Choctaw and Chickasaw to arise
and decreed that a move of God would be realized among the Choctaw in
Philadelphia and Mississippi. We sounded the shofar and shouted a shout of
breakthrough. Instantly, the call was dropped and I was unable to reach
Greg again until we were two miles away from the cave.
John was greatly impacted and, upon returning home, shared with his
aunt and mother all that occurred. The next morning, his aunt came to the
church. I did not know who she was but felt a strong prompting of the Lord
to give her a prophetic word. The Lord spoke the word “Chief.” I was
nervous to share this with her. Questions raced through my mind: “Do the
Choctaw allow women to run for chief? Will she be open to hearing and
receiving this prophetic word?”
I Introduced myself to her and received permission to share the
prophetic word I was hearing. “I know we do not know one another. But as
I am praying for you, I keep hearing the word chief. Are you thinking about
running for chief? If so, I feel the Lord is saying you are to do this.”
She replied, “Your word is the confirmation I have been waiting for. My
nephew is John and he came home last night explaining the miraculous time
of prayer at the cave. The Lord told me that you are the prophet I have been
waiting for to confirm I am to run and this is the reason I came today. If you
released the prophetic word to run for chief then I am to do it. So, yes, I am
to run.” As a promise, I told her Greg and I would return the week of the
elections.
Over the next two years, she and her campaign team worked tirelessly.
She was running against a corrupt leader. Not only was there trouble
through his decision-making process, but financially as a people they were
struggling. Many were losing hope. To make matters more difficult, drought
had greatly affected the region. She strongly desired better for their people.
So, on little money and a lot of faith in God, partnered with a strong belief
in the power of prayer, they began the two-year campaign.
Greg and I kept our word and returned the week of the election. She
stopped her campaign for one evening and served us dinner. She invited me
to speak to her entire campaign team. The Lord led me to prophesy that she
would win. That the journey to victory would seem impossible, but she
would win the election and it would be the Choctaw moment in history.
Earlier that week, Ruth Ann was in the store and had an encounter with
a shaman. He stated, “Whoever has the most power will win the election.”
Based on this encounter, we understood through clear guidance of the Lord
that the elections would require further informed strategic warfare prayer to
ensure our friend’s victory.
The key location of this focused prayer was a burial mound. The day we
prayed, it was over 100 degrees, miserably hot with no wind. As we
worshiped, Sheila, Ruth Ann’s worship leader, said, “It feels as if life is
flowing through my feet.” I told her to take her shoes off and to release life
where there had been death and occult practices. When she did this
prophetic act, a strong breeze blew across the fields and over the top of the
mound. That breeze soon grew into an overpowering, intense wind, making
it difficult to stand. We all went to our knees to keep balanced. The
temperature dropped drastically. Just as He had directed me to do at the
cave two years prior, the Lord had me bind the Queen of Heaven
principality. When I made this warfare decree, a whirlwind came across the
field and began circling the mound. Lightning began to flash. We were
without words as it became visibly apparent that we had effectively broken
the power of this spirit. We made our way to the car elated and awed by the
moment we were witnessing. A deluge of rain began to fall. The drought
has been broken since this time; the Mississippi River in many places has
reached an all-time high in elevation.
On election night, June 14, 2011, a young Choctaw woman shared, “I
had a vision of a white horse running across the Choctaw land. Redemption
is about to happen.” The results of the polls that night positioned our friend
and the former chief to enter into a runoff election. A month later she won
the runoff, but the corrupt chief refused to leave office. They went into a
third election. Again, she won by more votes, and on September 6, 2011 the
former chief accepted his loss, announcing her as the first woman chief.
During this three-month timeframe, we continued to pray. Illegal money
handling between Mercury Gaming and Titan Corporation had been
exposed. Forty FBI agents converged on the nearby casino and took all the
hard drives and computers from the accounting offices. Since this time,
Mercury Gaming and Titan Corporation were also caught in illegal money
handling in the state of Oklahoma and have been indicted.
October 4, 2011 was her historic inauguration day. The theme of her
speech became the prophetic word spoken that night at the campaign
headquarters: “Our Moment in History.” There is great power and authority
in an apostolic prophetic declaration from the highest governmental leader
of a people group and nation. I believe we are seeing the fruit of this in
Mississippi.
The Lord has led me to prophesy over this chief several times. One
word was that she would become a key voice of Native Americans in
Washington D.C. She has made several trips to our nation’s capital and
carries great favor. Another word was that the Lord is entrusting her with
seven keys to bring further wealth and prosperity to the Choctaw,
Philadelphia, and Mississippi. She and her key staff and advisors pray
through these spoken prophetic words, hear God’s strategy, and do what He
directs.
Chief completed her first term and was re-elected for her second term in
2015. Here are a few things that have transpired under her leadership.

1. Bald eagles have now returned to Mississippi!

2. Business has greatly increased. Chief has requested that the
CEO of marketing pull back from some of the marketing until
they can hire more employees to keep up with the booming
business in Native American-run hotels, resorts, concerts.
3. They have built a hospital, which is ranked as one of the top
hospitals in that region. This has provided jobs and better
healthcare.
4. They have built a new preschool providing more jobs and better
education.
5. They are working on a transportation system from Jackson to
Philadelphia that will financially benefit the state.
6. They are in the planning stages of tapping into the land and
implementing an organic farm to provide healthy food and
further employment.
7. From March 1, 2012 to March 1, 2013 the revenue in the
Choctaw owned businesses increased $3.7 million dollars and
continues to increase.
8. They are now ranked the number-two employer in the state of
Mississippi. At this time, they employ over 6,000 people.
9. In May of 2013, the chief was awarded the Woman of the Year
award in the political/state and government category by the
Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women. She was
chosen over two state lawmakers, the senate secretary, and an
eight-term mayor.
 10. In February 2012, Forbes Magazine wrote an article focusing on
Chief. Below is an excerpt:

Under the astute leadership of Chief, the tribe continues to

thrive and become a magnet for new industry and investors. An
innovative, forward-thinking approach to business has always
been the tribe’s practice. To further its economic success, the
tribe is moving from traditional manufacturing into high
technology pursuits. The tribe’s outstanding progress in
economic, educational and community development over the
past 30 years not only attracts positive attention at home, but
also at the state, regional, national and international levels.
By bringing people together and promoting unity, Chief is
successfully leading the tribe out of the shadows of the national
economic recession. She has been recognized as a visionary
and consensus builder in Indian country and was selected by
the White House to introduce U.S. President Barack Obama at
the 3rd Annual White House Tribal Nations Conference, further
demonstrating the respect she has earned from Indian and non-
Indian leaders alike.4

Friends, when we enter into the God-ordained kairos strategic moment,

that Issachar anointing for our regions, we can and do see supernatural,
miraculous breakthrough. Not let’s advance further to gain further
understanding of how to discern the times and seasons we are in.

NOTES
1. C. Peter Wagner, Confronting the Queen of Heaven (Colorado Springs,
CO: Wagner Publications, 1998), 17.
2. Jon Hamill, White House Watchmen (Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image
Publishers Inc., 2020), 79.
3. “Marxism and Religion,” Wikipedia,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marxism_and_religion.
4. “Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians Tribal Chief Phyliss J.
Anderson,” Forbes Magazine, February, 27, 2012.
 Chapter Nine

DISCERNING TIMES AND SEASONS

There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time

for every delight and event or purpose under heaven—a time to
be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot
what is planted. A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear
down and a time to build up. A time to weep and a time to
laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw
away stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and
a time to refrain from embracing. A time to search and a time
to give up as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away. A
time to tear apart and a time to sew together; a time to keep
silent and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate; a
time for war and a time for peace.
—ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8 AMP

What a powerful statement! “There is a season (a time appointed) for

everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven.”
The significance of the biblical concept of time is the way in which it
unmistakably and divinely presents God at work in guiding the course of
history according to His saving plan. The Hebrew words used in the above
scripture are zeman and et. Zeman is defined as an appointed, set time.
When a time is appointed, it means it is an officially set time (Strong’s
#H2165). Et is defined as an occasion and point in time for an event to
occur (Strong’s #H6256).
Each of these words and the words we will discuss further in this
chapter clearly show that He is Lord over time. It is important to know that
time is not passive or unpredictable but, according to the Word, under God’s
personal direction and control. Time began at creation and becomes the
agency through which God continues to unveil His divine purpose. God is
sovereign over time. He established the cycle of days and seasons by which
time is known and reckoned: “And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the
vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as
signs to mark sacred times, and days and years’” (Gen. 1:14 NIV).
God in His sovereignty is not limited by time. You see, He is in all time
at the same time. “One thousand years pass before your eyes like yesterday
that quickly faded away, like a night’s sleep soon forgotten” (Psalm 90:4)
The following is a great description of time written by Chuck Pierce:

God is not in time as we are in time. Our Father has access to

every moment in our lives from beginning to end as though
they were the present. By the Holy Spirit, we can actually
access those times in our pasts when we felt abandoned,
abused, betrayed, fearful, happy, fulfilled, or any other emotion
or condition. Not only can the believer be forgiven for the past,
but he or she can see back in time with God, see Him as “a
very present help” in the past, and redeem those past times that
the enemy wanted to use for evil.
Imagine for a moment that all of eternity is represented by a
large piece of paper. This is where God is unlimited by time
and space. Now draw a line on that piece of paper, representing
time. Make sure that line has a beginning and an end. This line
begins when God instituted time at Creation, and it will end
when God says, “Time’s up!” Man lives on the line while God
can step in and out of time according to His purposes and
plans. God sees all of time at once and doesn’t have to wait for
anything to happen; all is present for Him. This is a simplified
explanation of a complex idea, but it works.
Now pretend that you can pick the line up and use it to make a
circle. That better represents how the Lord sees time. Time is
generational. Time is cyclical.1

It should bring us great comfort to understand that time as we know it in

no sense diminishes His person or work—our eternal God does not grow
tired or weary and His purposes prevail.
 Furthermore, God imminently expresses concern for His creation. He
reveals Himself in history according to the times and dates set by His own
authority and will bring about in His own time the consummation of world
history in Jesus’ return. As we read in the Word, He is “the First and Last,”
“the Beginning and End,” “the one who is, was, and is to come,” “King of
the Ages.” The New Testament also presents Jesus as Lord over time. With
the Father, He existed prior to the beginning of time, created all things, and
sustains all things. He is neither limited by time nor adversely affected by it:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8
NIV). He too is properly called “the Alpha and Omega, the First and Last,
the Beginning and End.”

HE DETERMINED OUR APPOINTED TIME IN HISTORY

Let’s now begin to apply time and its significance to each of us and how we
are all called to partner with Him in the strategic and divine plan of His
unfolding of timeline. He has determined in advance the times set for all
peoples and nations as stated in Acts 17:26-28:

From one man, Adam, he made every man and woman and
every race of humanity, and he spread us over all the earth. He
sets the boundaries of people and nations, determining their
appointed times in history. He has done this so that every
person would long for God, feel their way to him, and find him
—for he is the God who is easy to discover! It is through him
that we live and function and have our identity; just as your
own poets have said, “Our lineage comes from him.”

So think about this. Our heavenly Father has always known the day,
time, and appointed season in which you and I were destined to be alive.
We all have a set time in His divine plan of history.
As we grasp this supernatural and awe-inspiring truth, we also must
learn to think and discern time based on the fact so well stated and shared in
the quote from Chuck Pierce: “Time is generational. It is cyclical.” What
does this mean? It is God’s designed plan for the blessing of one generation
to be passed to the next generation. What was established in the generations
before provides an already established path for the now generation to step
into and to build upon. There is momentum that continues to increase
generation to generation in order that the Lord’s Kingdom plan of
awakening and transformation will be realized in cities, regions, spheres of
influence, and nations. So not only do we discern the time we are in for our
personal lives, but we are to build upon previous generations while also
providing the way for the generations to come.

WE ARE TO DISCERN SIGNS AND TIMES

But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be

fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will
be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you
know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot
discern the signs of the times?” (Matthew 16:2-3 NASB)

Here we see Jesus rebuking the Pharisees and Sadducees because they
insisted that He give them a sign that He was the Messiah. The truth is they
were not able to see from spiritual sight the true identity of Jesus and the
significant time they were witnessing unfold. How sad this is! If they had
chosen to see with the eyes of the Father or with His spiritual
understanding, they would have perceived, known, and received. Praise
God there was a remnant who were able to discern and step into the
promise of the salvation, redemption, and privilege of the calling to
continue to spread the Gospel and to make history for His Kingdom and His
name’s sake throughout the nations of the world.
While all of us reading this book are not denying who Jesus is, we must
continually stay in a place of hearing Him concerning the times and seasons
we are in personally and corporately. The following are some of the
questions to engage in with Him and to discern along our path:

■ Is this a season that He is leading us in a new way?

■ Is this a season when He is wanting to make new
connections?
■ Is this a time He is leading you to gain deeper understanding
through mentoring and discipleship?
 ■ What season are we in corporately?
■ What are we seeing unfold in this time?
■ What is occurring in the nations according to His written
Word and spoken prophetic direction?

I personally believe and discern, as do many other prophetic voices, that

we are alive in the most historic time of Christianity in the history of the
world. However, this does not mean everything will be a tiptoe through the
tulips type of reality. With harvest and awakening and a new era comes new
warfare to engage in. To gain further understanding of how to discern and
maneuver in our walk, let’s investigate the key “time” words from the New
Testament.

Chronos

Jesus taught the people this story: “Once there was a man who
planted a vineyard, then leased it out to tenants and left to go
abroad and was away for a long time” (Luke 20:9).
After the four men spent some time there, the church sent them
off in peace to return to the apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 15:33).

Here we see two examples in scripture in which the Greek word

chronos is used for time. It is defined as an indefinite unit of time or period
of time. In essence, this word refers to time in general. Therefore, it is the
time we spend most of our life operating in. Time to get up, time to eat,
time to go to work, time to come home, time for vacation, time for rest. You
get the idea. It is our understanding of time and how it operates in our day-
to-day lives. We all live in this place. But I also believe and know that the
Lord has ordained that each of us will have moments and a key role to play
in what is termed kairos time.

Kairos

From one man, Adam, he made every man and woman and
every race of humanity, and he spread us over all the earth. He
 sets the boundaries of people and nations, determining their
appointed times in history (Acts 17:26).

This scripture shares the fact that the Lord has destined each of us to be
alive right now and also caused generational blessing and building. I want
to emphatically state that we are not born by happenstance. Each of our
lives has been appointed in a kairos time. You see, the Greek word used for
time in this scripture is kairos. It is defined as “occasion, period of time, era,
opportunity, and to make good use of an opportunity” (Strong’s #G2540).
Interestingly, Brian Simmons shares in his brief footnote concerning this
verse in The Passion Translation that in the Aramaic there is an added
nuance to this scripture: “He commands the separation of the seasons and
sets the lifespan of every person.” Kairos is a word that depicts a strategic
time to be alive, a strategic time to do something, and a strategic time for an
event to unfold and God to move. I have witnessed repeatedly in my walk
with the Lord that obedience opens doors to epic kairos moments. Many
testimonies have been shared that model this truth and one powerful
example will be stated at the closing of this chapter.

Hora and Ede

To live like this is all the more urgent, for time is running out
and you know it is a strategic hour in human history. It is time
for us to wake up! For our full salvation is nearer now than
when we first believed (Romans 13:11).

In this above scripture we have three Greek time words in action.

Kairon is the Greek word for strategic hour and, yes, it is same as kairos.
Paul then tells us it is time to wake up. The Greek word for time is this
statement is hora. It means the time, occasion, and hour for something to
occur. He then explains our salvation is nearer now. The Greek word for
now is ede. It is defined as the day, the time is already here. Or to explain
more clearly, it means that time is now. Therefore, kairos, hora, and ede
time are greatly connected and converged together for epic, strategic,
history-making encounters and events to occur.
We see this throughout scripture. Just to give a few examples—the birth
of Moses, the exodus of the children of Israel out of Egypt. Jesus being
born at the strategic fullness of time. He died on the cross as the Passover
lamb on Passover. He rose from the grave and ascended into heaven. The
strategic time, 50 days following Passover, when the Holy Spirit came as
the mighty rushing wind into the Upper Room at Pentecost—which had
also been known and celebrated in Jewish culture as the feast of weeks, the
feast of harvest, which is important to understand and remember when we
discuss the Issachar anointing.
We also see those who missed divine, strategic, kairos moments, such as
the spies sent by Moses and Aaron to spy out the promised land. Ten of the
spies returned terrified of the giants while Joshua and Caleb were not afraid.
The fear of those ten spies delayed the possessing of the promised land for
forty years—a generation of time. This is so important for us to learn and
glean from and to not repeat the same mistake. We should not allow our
fear or complacency to delay a move of God for an entire generation.
Actually, to be honest, the awakening we all are crying out for is not a
moment we are waiting to see suddenly appear out of nowhere. The Lord is
waiting on us to say a resounding yes and to come into a place of surrender,
welcoming the fire and glory of the Holy Spirit and entering into the
awakening that is at hand now. I shared abut a spirit of delay in my book
Glory Warfare, but let’s discuss this here again to ensure we are not bound
or operating in agreement or alignment with the spirit of delay.

SPIRIT OF DELAY
What is a spirit of delay? It is a spirit that is unleashed to keep us out of
God’s time. It will bring circumstances and distractions. It will hinder, put
off to a later time, postpone. It will impede the process of moving forward
and advancing. As a result, weariness and feelings of being overwhelmed
will begin to take hold in order to rob strength or the desire to move
forward. If these demonic schemes succeed, then unbelief takes hold. Lies
will begin to invade our thoughts and emotions, such as: “His promises will
not come to pass. God cannot use you. He is not for you.” The truth is,
everything in this earth is not in submission to the Lord as of yet. We must
allow the warrior within us to rise up and bring correction to that which has
not aligned with God and His purposes. When the enemy and his army of
darkness are delaying our Kingdom promises, we must speak out loud and
demand these evil spirits stop.
 We recently hosted a conference in 2017 titled “Engage.” My dear
friend and mentor in my life, Cindy Jacobs, was a keynote speaker and
released an anointed prophetic message on the spirit of delay. She
emphatically decreed out loud in a warfare stance over the corporate group,
“BASTA!” (The Spanish word for enough!) Hear me—if delay is coming
against you, there must be a warrior’s cry that rises up and that decrees,
“Basta! Enough!” When a demonic force is at play and holding back
destiny and promises, begging God is not going to bring the breakthrough.
We must break those demonic assignments and bind all schemes of the
enemy that are hindering, delaying, and obstructing and command them to
go! The following is a declaration to declare out loud: “Get out of my life! I
break your demonic grip off of my family, my life, my destiny. Your
assignment is cancelled, null, and void! Go now in Jesus’ name!”

ISSACHAR ANOINTING

These are the numbers of the [armed] units equipped for war
who came to David at Hebron to turn [over] the kingdom of
Saul to him, in accordance with the word of the Lord. Those of
the tribe of Judah…of the tribe of Simeon…of the tribe of
Levi…Jehoiada was the leader of [the house of] Aaron…and
Zadok, a courageous young man, and twenty-two captains from
his father’s house. Of the tribe of Benjamin, the relatives of
[King] Saul…for until now the majority of them had kept their
allegiance to the house of Saul. Of the tribe of Ephraim…
courageous men, famous in their fathers’ houses. Of the half-
tribe of Manasseh…who were designated by name to come and
make David king. Of the tribe of Issachar, men who understood
the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, two
hundred chiefs; and all their relatives were at their command;
of the tribe of Zebulun…Of the tribe of Naphtali…Of the tribe
of Dan…Of the tribe of Asher…From the other side [east] of
the Jordan River, of [the tribes of] Reuben and Gad and the
half-tribe of Manasseh…All these, being men of war arrayed in
battle formation, came to Hebron with a perfect (committed)
heart to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of
Israel were also of one mind to make David king. They were
 there with David for three days, eating and drinking, for their
relatives had prepared for them. Also those who were [living]
near them [from] as far as [the tribes of] Issachar, Zebulun,
and Naphtali, brought food on donkeys, camels, mules, and
oxen, abundant supplies of flour, cakes of figs and raisins,
wine, [olive] oil, oxen, and sheep, for there was joy in Israel (1
Chronicles 12:23-40 AMP).

What an amazing battalion who assembled in Hebron arrayed in battle

formation with a perfect, committed heart to ensure David would become
king over all of Israel. It is a beautiful depiction and picture of the tribes
uniting together in God’s Kingdom plan and purpose, which I feel is also a
prophetic picture of the season we are in at this time. Just as the tribes
aligned for the future king and the nation of Israel, each bringing their own
strength to ensure the victory, I believe in our nation and the nations we are
in a time of alliances and alignments that will require this type of joining
together and unity behind God’s appointed leaders to usher in the fullness
of the great awakening that so many have been prophesying.
At this point, for the sake of our discussion, we will speak specifically
about the story of Issachar and his descendants known as the sons of
Issachar. Why? Because it is imperative to have this understanding due to
the season we find ourselves positioned in at this time of history. God has
been and is continuing to raise up a remnant with an Issachar anointing who
are able to discern the times and to lead in the way to go.

WHO WAS ISSACHAR?

Who was Issachar? He was the ninth son born to Jacob and the fifth son of
Leah. We are all familiar with the story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. If some
reading are not familiar with this history, I will give a brief overview. The
entire story can be found in Genesis 29–31. Jacob loved Rachel and wanted
to marry her. Her father Laban agreed. But Laban lied to and tricked Jacob
by sending Leah, Rachel’s older sister, to be the first wife of Jacob.
However, this truth was hidden and not revealed until her head covering
was removed following the marriage ceremony. All the while, during the
marriage union, Jacob thought that he was marrying the woman he truly
loved. Needless to say, Jacob was not happy when the identity of his bride
was revealed. He confronted Laban, who then educated Jacob that in their
culture, they did not marry the younger daughter until the older daughter
was married. He again promised Rachel to Jacob in marriage, if he would
agree to fulfill his week of consummation with Leah. Jacob agreed and then
soon married the one he truly loved and originally intended to marry,
Rachel. But in order to receive the blessing of Laban to marry her, Jacob
had to promise another seven years of labor under Laban’s direction.
Leah was able to conceive but was not loved by Jacob. Rachel was the
one loved by Jacob but could not give him children. Both sisters were
married to the same man and competing and striving for love and affection.
After Leah gave birth to Judah, she was no longer able to conceive and gave
her maid, Zilpah, to Jacob to bear children in her place. Zilpah bore two
sons. Rachel, unable to conceive, in turn gave Jacob her maid, Bilhah, who
conceived two children. The painful competition continued to escalate
between Rachel and Leah. As a result, Rueben, Leah’s son, went out into
the fields and found mandrakes, which served as symbols of love and
fertility in this ancient culture. He brought them to his mother. Rachel
desired those mandrakes because they were a sign of blessing and fertility
and she longed to bear children for Jacob. She asked Leah for the
mandrakes. Leah gave Rachel the mandrakes as a payment in exchange for
a night with Jacob in order to conceive again. Leah sacrificed the
mandrakes and Rachel sacrificed a night with her husband, believing that
sacrifice and these mandrakes would be the way to be able to conceive.
As Leah shared with Jacob that she had bought a night with him in
exchange for mandrakes, Jacob complied. Issachar was conceived at an
interesting time. It was the time of the wheat harvest, which also coincides
with the day of Pentecost. He was birthed nine months later. Leah gave him
the name Issachar because of the meaning, “he will bring a reward.”
Issachar was the reward of that night spent in intimacy with Jacob. And as
Leah stated, “God has given me my compensation because I have given my
maid to my husband.” Leah and Rachel both truly had to persevere through
much emotional pain being married to Jacob. Both sacrificed in an attempt
to obtain love, favor, and generational blessing.
We read in Genesis 49:14-15 that Jacob, in his act of the father’s
blessing, blessed Issachar by saying that he was a man of strength who
would not pull back from hard work to establish provision and a safe place
to rest. Let’s now look at the promise and inheritance that was bestowed on
the sons of Issachar as one of the twelve tribes of Israel and the many areas
in which they discerned and led through the times and seasons.

PROPHETIC INSIGHT THAT LEADS TO VICTORY

As stated above in First Chronicles 12:32, “Of the tribe of Issachar, men
who understood the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, two
hundred chiefs; and all their relatives were at their command” (AMP). The
men of Issachar were the fewest of all, only 200, but were as valuable to the
interests of David as those who arrived in the greatest numbers. The sons of
Issachar could accomplish with 200 what took other tribes very large
numbers to achieve. They were men of great skill above any of their
neighbors as they were men who had understanding of the times. The
Hebrew word for understanding is yada. It means “to advise, answer,
appoint, discern, perceive, know, comprehend, to have understanding, to be
wise, have skill, and to be cunning” (Strong’s #H3045). They exemplified
ones who embodied keen discernment and prophetic insight to lead an
entire nation and its divinely called leader into its new season and era of
victory.

Wisdom for the Harvest

They understood the natural times by discerning the face of the sky.
What does this mean? They studied the movements of the stars and planets
and understood chronological time. They were weather-wise, could advise
in the proper times for plowing, sowing and reaping. In other words, the
processes to go through to reap a harvest!

Alignments to Assemble and Release Abundance

Through the aligning of the stars they knew when to call the nation to
assemble for the ceremonial times, the times appointed for the Jewish
feasts. “They will call the peoples to the mountain; there they will offer
sacrifices of righteousness, for they will draw out the abundance of the seas
and the treasures hid in the sand” (Deut. 33:19 MEV). This is a powerful
example of bringing an entire nation together to worship in a solemn
assembly as the Ekklesia in the appointed times and season. As a result,
favor concerning provision and supply was realized.

Discernment in Advancing Peoples and Nations

The sons of Issachar excelled in knowledge and wisdom of the laws of
God. As Israel moved through the wilderness, God chose the sons of
Issachar as one of the three tribes to lead the way when the nation
advanced. Judah, the ones of worship and war, went first. Then Issachar, the
wise and discerning ones, would go second. Zebulun, the financiers and
ones of supply, would go third. Issachar had the ability to maneuver in
discernment strategies to make a way for provision and supply.

Discernment to Support God’s Appointed Leaders

Issachar understood public affairs and political times, the disposition of
the nation, and the tendencies of unfolding events. In other words, the tribe
had keen insight and made a good use of it. They knew what Israel should
do. From their wisdom and experience they learned both their own
responsibilities and the duty and interest of others. In this critical time
spoken of in First Chronicles, they knew Israel was to make David the king.
It was not only beneficial but necessary as the state of events and the
appointing of the Lord called for it.
In Judges 5:15, we read of “the princes of Issachar” (NIV). As this part
of their story testifies, they were with Deborah and Barak and went to battle
under her leadership. Although at this time in history women did have some
rights in Israel, it was still unusual for a woman to sit in authority over the
nation. The sons of Issachar could discern the times and season and they
knew God’s hand was on her and it was her time to lead.

Anointed and Appointed to Lead

In Judges 10:1-2, we read of one of their own who rose to leadership as
a judge: “Tola the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, arose to
save Israel…He judged Israel for twenty-three years” (MEV). They knew
when a leader was falling and a leader was rising. They could discern if
they were to lead or who the next leader was to be and then lead by
example in following him or her.
 APPLYING AND ACTIVATING THE ISSACHAR ANOINTING
The sons of Issachar had something special. Their ability to discern the
times and seasons was an incredible advantage. It gave them inside
knowledge and understanding of God’s activities. They were not taken by
surprise when transition and change occurred. They had influence as a
result of their unique ability to discern times and seasons. They knew what
Israel should do and when it should be done. They walked in wisdom and
favor, and the nation followed their example.
So how does this apply to you and I? As stated above, we are in season
and time when the Lord has been and is continuing to raise up an army of
the sons of Issachar—ones who will surrender at the altar of intercession to
discern, hear, and prophesy. We will discuss surrender further in the final
chapter, but I will briefly give the definition here. It means to cease
resistance, yield, give way, unconditional surrender and abandonment. You
see, if we are going to walk as a son of Issachar, there must be discernment
when the new is upon us and a place of deep obedience and surrender to the
new. Just as Leah and Rachel had to sacrifice in order to achieve the
blessing for their generations, there will be a price for this anointing.
The truth and good news is, you and I can have the anointing of the sons
of Issachar. We can have the same ability to discern the times and seasons.
We can begin by asking the Lord for a fresh fire and anointing of His Spirit.
Just as Issachar was conceived at the feast of harvest, the time of Pentecost,
seek the Lord for a new awakening of His fire and glory. We will continue
to speak even further about encountering the Holy Spirit in the closing
chapter of this book. Understand that He is no respecter of persons as stated
by Peter in Acts 10:34, “Now I know for certain that God doesn’t show
favoritism with people but treats everyone on the same basis.” I fully
believe God does not have favorites, but He does have His intimates. And
He desires a personal, intimate relationship with each of us. Through Jesus,
our heavenly Father has also bestowed on us the blessings He released to
Abraham and the children of Israel, and He has blessed all of us with
everything that pertains to life and godliness. Therefore, as heirs of God and
co-heirs with Christ, it is our Kingdom inheritance to walk as sons of
Issachar.
If you desire to be awakened to this anointing and appointing of
discernment and wisdom, ask Him. We have not because we ask not. And
when you ask, expect Him to answer. Pay close attention to the following:

■ When you feel like something new is about to happen

■ When you feel reluctant to make a certain decision because
you feel like it isn’t quite time
■ When you feel like you should not take on anything new
because it feels as if a door is about to open
■ When God leads you to stand for something or someone who
is biblically supported but is not popular
■ When God starts to give you influence and people follow your
example
■ When you begin to get strategies to advance in a new
endeavor
■ When people begin to ask you for more insight
■ When the Lord is calling you into a season of fasting and
intercession
■ Increased prophetic insight from the Lord
■ Leading of the Lord to prophesy
■ Strategies for victories within your sphere of influence
■ An understanding of how to create supply and provision
■ Having the boldness to back God’s chosen, anointed, and
appointed leaders—yes, even governmental leaders
■ Having a Kingdom mindset over a religious mindset

TESTIMONY OF DISCERNING THE TIMING OF THE LORD THAT CHANGES

OUR LIVES AND THE DESTINY OF A NATION
The Lord impressed upon us to go to Wales to spend time in the Bible
college that was founded by Rees Howells. You see, I was reading a book
about him in the early ’90s when the Lord called me as an intercessor and
prophet to the nations. Not only were we to spend time there, but we were
to pray in the chapel and the Blue Room where all the years of history-
making, Holy Spirit-empowered intercession had occurred. When I was
called to intercession for the nations, the Lord said to go back to the place
of the anointing that had been so mightily used by Him. Go back to that
place, because there was more that He wanted us to receive in that mantle
of intercession. It felt as if a holy, glorious impartation would occur, one
that would take us beyond, causing us to go higher and deeper in the
impartation of our calling.
Greg and I went together in January of 2018. We spent three days in the
chapel praying, interceding, and dedicating our lives and our ministry to the
Lord. It was a moment between the two of us and the Lord when He spoke
so clearly to us personally and for the ministry we lead. It was a glorious,
holy, sacred time of surrendered consecration. He ignited our passion for
the nations again and sealed it in beautiful glory encounters with Him.
Then in March we took a small group of prayer leaders in our prayer
network. We were welcomed and given two full days in the chapel, were
involved in an intercessory prayer time for the nations in the Blue Room,
and visited Pisgah Chapel and Moriah Chapel where the Welsh Revival
occurred through Evan Roberts. I have to admit what transpired for us in
those four days in Wales was beyond words. But I am going to share some
of the things that I feel will spur each of you to hunger for more of Him and
impart faith to enter into a fresh encounter of His fire and glory as this is the
time and season we are in—encounters that awaken us for glory and
transformation.
I am going to attempt to describe an anointing that we encountered in
our prayer times. I do not share this to make it sound as if we are special
because of what transpired, but to encourage each of you to move into an
abiding, surrendered place that causes you to rise up to purpose, destiny,
and victory. His magnificent glory came into our prayer times. It was
tangible and holy, a glorious heavenly presence so real that it causes you to
want to surrender all you are, to lay down all that you have, and to
consecrate everything to Him. A presence where groans begin to rise in the
room: “Lord, I want more of You. I need more of You. I surrender all to
You. Jesus, we want more of You.”
As we entered this place of consecrated surrender, He met with us.
There was an expansion in the Spirit that occurred for each person in that
divine encounter moment. We caught the glory wave of intercession within
the history and the sound of those walls from years of nation-shifting
intercession. We could hear in the spirit the decades of intercession that
shaped the history of the world. The glory wave of the Holy Spirit swept us
up into the atmosphere of heaven. But the beauty was as we were swept up
into the atmosphere of heaven, the atmosphere of the glory and heaven met
us in that prayer chapel. We were in a womb of intercession that had
captured and carried within its memory all of the intercession across the
generations. It was a time of synergy, a converging point. We were one with
Him and eternity in that prayer room. And as we pressed into a place of
complete adoration and abandonment to Him, He expanded us to think far
beyond ourselves, sweeping us into a passion for the nations that was
beautiful, glorious, full of immense holiness and joy. The nations became
the cry of our hearts. It was as if our intercession was a bowl being tipped
out for the nations. I am undone all over again typing this. Six of us laid
prostrate on the floor holding hands in a circle and covenanting with God
for the nations. The lead intercessor of the Bible college had joined us in the
chapel and at one point she began to pray, sing, and prophesy. Here is one
word she delivered in this holy moment:

This is special, oh, this is special! I see a window of heaven

open and oil just pouring down—there is a pouring forth into
this time right now. And I just see a portal and it’s open right
now in the center of this room. And it’s pouring forth oil and
the wine. He’s pouring it in the center of this room right now.
And it is just moving, coming toward us! It’s spreading over
the whole room. Oh, the oil and the wine. By faith we stand in
it. By faith we lay (prostrate) in it. Oh, Holy Spirit, You make
all this possible. Oh, Lord, for the healing of the nations. We
are at the dawn of an awakening. We are at the dawn of a
breaking, a breaking of the Spirit of the Lord. The latter rain.
The latter rain. Take your places now. Take your places. You
are vessels of honor, vessels filled with My power and My
spirit. Stand before Me, consecrated. There are amazing things
I will do. We are at the dawn of an awakening and the dawn of
a breaking. Be ready, be expectant!
 As we pressed in deeper, we encountered a beautiful moment that
transformed all of our lives. It seemed as if the veil between heaven and
earth opened and we began to have encounters in the great cloud of
witnesses. It was such a holy, holy moment. Weeping broke out across the
room. I was totally undone as I saw Jesus, my spiritual father C. Peter
Wagner, and Rees Howells. I heard the following words just as if Peter
would have spoken them to me when he was alive: “Good job, darlin’. You
came to Wales to finish receiving the anointing and mantle for the nations.
I’m proud of you. I love you.” No words. Just tears of brokenness, awe,
reverence, and joy all at the same time.
As we all came out of our encounters, we made our way back to our
rooms. We were all speechless at what had transpired. A student from the
Bible college saw an object on the floor of the chapel in which all of this
had occurred. She picked it up to see that it was a key. A double-sided key
with a crown and the word master on each side. To ensure we were not in
the flesh, everyone on that campus was asked if they had seen that key,
owned that key, or knew where it came from. No one had seen it, nor did it
belong to anyone. One of the gentlemen who had worked on the campus
explained to us what a master key does. It is a key that goes into a lock that
has been locked up and cannot be opened. It realigns, resets, and opens that
which has been locked up.
If you recall, we discussed the Ekklesia in Chapter Eight. One key point
we need to make here is the authority that has been bestowed on each of us
as His Ekklesia. When Jesus made the statement, “I will give you the keys
of the Kingdom,” it carried great spiritual significance. In ancient Jewish
culture, to be given a key to someone’s home or business did not carry the
implication of house sitting. It actually meant that you were being entrusted
with the full authority, as if you were the master of the house yourself. So
now, in this deep time of surrender, intercession, and making covenant with
the Lord for the nations, as a sign from heaven a master key was entrusted
to us. We all fully believe that this is a sign and a wonder of the time the
Body of Christ is in—awakening to our call as the Ekklesia to see the
greatest awakening, movement of transformation, and harvest of souls in
the history of the church.
We soon realized after this occurred that we were in that chapel on the
82nd anniversary of when the Lord spoke to Rees Howells to contend
against the anti-Christ principalities in operation through Adolf Hitler and
the Nazi structure. He also was praying concerning Stalin, Mussolini, and
Franco, as the four dictators had made an alliance as communist and fascist
leaders. Now we know what occurred with all of these leaders. Hitler,
Stalin, and Mussolini died quickly once Rees and his prayer army began to
contend against that anti-Christ principality. However, Franco of Spain
lived a long life of 82 years, dying on November 20, 1975. He even went to
the extreme of overseeing the construction of the mausoleum he demanded
to be erected in his honor. It was a death shrine as he had the remains of
33,000 dead bodies buried in the walls as a death memorial to himself—the
bodies of those who had died at his hand or under his leadership. He then
dictated that his body be buried in the floor of the altar. For 44 years after
his passing, ancient Gregorian ceremonies were held over his grave, per his
instructions. For years, the people in the nation of Spain had wanted that
shrine to the dead dictator shut down. He was a ruthless dictator who had
struck fear in his people.
Before this trip to Wales was planned, the Lord had already directed
several of us to go to that mausoleum in Spain directly following our time
in the Bible college. I have been traveling in and out of Spain since 2003. It
is a nation I am called to. Cindy Jacobs challenged me repeatedly over
several years to pray to see that anti-Christ structure that perpetuated the
worship of a dead dictator dethroned and the mausoleum shut down. We felt
the timing was right to go, following our time in Wales. And boy did we
discern the times correctly!
On the day that we prayed, we witnessed the worship in the mausoleum
over his dead bones and with our own eyes watched that anti-Christ
principality rise up out of his grave. The Lord led us to go to the steel gates
at the entrance where he had been brought in 44 years earlier to be buried.
In the natural, those particular gates were shut that day. But at the leading of
the Lord, we engaged in a prophetic act with a key brought by a team
member. A prophetic declaration was made that the gate opening up the
worship and glorifying of the dead dictator was shut, the worship of Franco
would stop, and the mausoleum would be closed. We as a team all heard
simultaneously the sound of large, steel, heavy gates slamming in the spirit.
The impact of that sound was such that it caused the ground to shake and
tremble under our feet. All of us heard it and felt it and shrieked with joy.
We knew something had just transpired in the spirit.
 I was invited to return and to minister in the nation 18 months later.
Upon our arrival, our dear friends and hosts, Jose and Elba Lopez, said they
had a great surprise. During that 18-month period, a series of miraculous
events had transpired. Legal documents had been pushed through every
level of government in Spain and also the government of the Vatican. Why
the Vatican? Because they owned the mausoleum; Spain did not. After 44
years of the nation of Spain tirelessly working to see this place of worship
shut down, the legal documents were signed and on October 24, 2019, we
watched with the entire nation of Spain and the nations of the world as the
remains of General Francisco Franco were exhumed and carried through the
exact steel gates where we performed the prophetic act 18 months earlier.
The coffin was lifted in a helicopter and taken to the cemetery to be buried
next to his wife. The gates to the mausoleum were shut, never to be opened
again. The Prime Minister of Spain came on national television and made
the governmental decree that the remains of a dictator would no longer be
glorified in the nation of Spain! Wow! Woohoo! Go, God! We were undone
and wept tears of joy as we witnessed this miracle of healing of a nation
unfold before our eyes.

DISCERNING THE CALL

This is the historic time we are in. This testimony is a “sons of Issachar”
calling and anointing. The Lord desires to use each of us to be history
makers even in the midst of the crisis and darkness we see unfolding in the
nations in this time. You are also called to be His anointed one moving in a
kairos time, producing the miracle of the now, hora, time and executing
transformation and the healing of spheres of influence and the nations with
the anointing of the sons of Issachar.

NOTE
1. Chuck Pierce, Redeeming the Time (Biblical Studies Press, 2005), 24-
25.
 Chapter 10

DISCERNING MOVES OF THE HOLY

SPIRIT

Now, may the grace and joyous favor of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the unambiguous love of God, and the precious communion
that we share in the Holy Spirit be yours continually. Amen!
—2 CORINTHIANS 13:14

When you look at me and my physical body, you see me. Everyone knows I
am Becca from my appearance. But the real me is my spirit and soul. This
body will pass away and die, but it is who I am as a person—my mind, will,
emotions, feelings, personality—that will live for an eternity. What makes
me is not my physical body but what comes from the inside out. You see, it
is the Holy Spirit alive in me and flowing out of me and through me that is
what makes me fully who I am.
Just as you and I are people with personalities, so is the Holy Spirit. He
is part of the Holy Trinity. Holy Spirit is not an “it.” He is the Spirit of God,
the breath of life of God. Religious tradition void of the acceptance and
activity of the Holy Spirit has caused many to think that we have to wait to
be in heaven to encounter His presence. But the Holy Spirit is a gift from
heaven sent to us by our heavenly Father as shared by Luke in Acts 1:4-5:

Jesus instructed them, “Don’t leave Jerusalem, but wait here

until you receive the gift I told you about, the gift the Father
has promised. For John baptized you in water, but in a few
days from now you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit!”

The Greek word for gift is epangelian. It means promise (Strong’s

#G1860). It signifies that He is a precious and great promise. It is a pledge
and a divine assurance of a message.
Friends, the Holy Spirit is a person. And just like you and I, He can feel,
perceive, and respond. He can be grieved. He has the ability to love and the
ability to hate. He speaks, and He has His own will. But exactly who is He?
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God the Father and the Spirit of God the
Son. He is the power of the Godhead. What is His job? The task of the
Spirit is to bring into being the commandment of the Father and the
implementation of the Son. To understand what the Holy Spirit does, we
need to understand the work of the Father and the Son. Our heavenly Father
is the one who speaks out and gives the command. He has always been the
One who speaks, “Let there be.” From the beginning, it has been Him who
issues the directives. On the other hand, it is God the Son who performs the
command and what has been spoken by the Father. When God the Father
said, “Let there be light,” God the Son came and performed it. Then, God
the Holy Spirit brought the light.

FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM

The Holy Spirit is the very essence of the Spirit of the Father and the Spirit
of Jesus with us. Therefore, it is imperative for us to have a relationship
with Him, to discern when He is moving, and to not ignore or shun Him and
the moves of His Spirit. I am married to my husband and do not shun him
or ignore him. Why? Because my marriage will not succeed if I totally
ignore who my husband is as a person and refuse to relate to him.
Therefore, we must relate to the Holy Spirit as a person and form a
relationship with Him if we want to grow into the fullness of all the Lord
has destined for us. Just as Paul so clearly states in Second Corinthians
13:14, we are to have “precious communion” with the Holy Spirit. And it is
not just communion but a precious close association, fellowship,
relationship, and partnership. I so love that I know and fellowship with the
Holy Spirit. We can truly know Him and He becomes our very close friend.

HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERED

Jesus also spoke of what Holy Spirit brings and makes available to us: “But
I promise you this—the Holy Spirit will come upon you and you will be
filled with power. And you will be my messengers to Jerusalem, throughout
Judea, the distant provinces—even to the remotest places on earth!” (Acts
1:8). The Greek word for power is dunamis. It means “ability, power,
mighty deed, ruler, supernatural power” (Strong’s #G1411). For a long time,
it seems that we have made the power of the Holy Spirit and the gift of
tongues the main focus of being filled or baptized in Holy Spirit. I
absolutely agree with and operate in speaking in tongues. But there is so
much more available to us, as we clearly see when we study more of the
fullness of what occurred in the Upper Room at Pentecost: “Suddenly a
sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole
house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2 MEV). For some reason, in my
own thinking I always knew this event was significant, but I never fully
understood or grasped how incredibly supernatural this historic encounter
was until four years ago in an all-night intercession time. In the early
morning hours, the Lord led me to study the full meaning of the words from
Acts 2:1-4 and to do so from the Bible software I use when studying and
preparing teachings. Suffice it to say that this event in the Upper Room was
not casual. Receiving the gift of tongues is awesome and I am so blessed to
have a prayer language, but this was only a portion of what transpired for
the 120 disciples and what is made available to each of us.
When studying the translation of the words mighty rushing wind, a clear
and descriptive picture of what happened is established. This wind was
mighty, and it carried a force, impact, and burden. As it rushed in, it went to
the very deepest part of a man or woman that is able to respond to God.
They were suddenly, instantly filled with the very breath and life of God
Himself—the Holy Spirit. When they were filled, their minds, thoughts,
emotions, and beliefs in spirit-realm encounters were instantaneously
transformed into a new paradigm and a Kingdom of God way of thinking. It
was a sudden and drastic change that filled each of them with boldness, joy,
and fire, and tongues of fire were distributed on each of them. I truly
appreciate how this is stated in The Passion Translation: “Then all at once a
pillar of fire appeared before their eyes. It separated into tongues of fire that
engulfed each one of them” (Acts 2:3). The fire of the Holy Spirit anointed
and empowered each of them and they were set aflame, a burning torch.
Let’s depict this with an even clearer picture. Instead of looking at the
burning bush as Moses did in the Old Testament, they became the burning
bush—the burning ones commissioned by God Himself to go out and
boldly proclaim the Gospel, to see a harvest come forth, and to literally
carry an empowerment to dramatically turn the world upside down for the
Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit is this wind—the very breath of God, the
fire carrying the glory and His ruach, His breath of life that comes into the
deepest part of a man or woman who can respond to Him. Just as the 120
were filled, we too are completely filled, transformed from the inside out,
and emboldened with His fire and glory to move and advance His Kingdom
in this lost world.

HE EMPOWERS OUR INTERCESSION

And in a similar way, the Holy Spirit takes hold of us in our

human frailty to empower us in our weakness. For example, at
times we don’t even know how to pray, or know the best things
to ask for. But the Holy Spirit rises up within us to super-
intercede on our behalf, pleading to God with emotional sighs
too deep for words. God, the searcher of the heart, knows fully
our longings, yet he also understands the desires of the Spirit,
because the Holy Spirit passionately pleads before God for us,
his holy ones, in perfect harmony with God’s plan and our
destiny (Romans 8:26-27).

As an intercessor, I love this promise. We are in a relationship with the

Holy Spirit, so we don’t make requests; we come and say, “What is on Your
heart today? Holy Spirit, help me to pray.” It is my prayer that each of you
are receiving an impartation of this truth as you read. He is here to have
relationship with us, and He aids us even when we do not know what to
pray. When we are baptized, immersed, and cultivate a fellowship and
abiding relationship with Him, there is a power and authority given to see
breakthrough come. He fills us with His fire and presence. He ushers us into
the throne room to encounter Jesus and His glory. In this place, we are
awakened to the reality that we are vitally united to Jesus and our heavenly
Father and empowered and anointed for great Kingdom exploits. Our
spiritual eyes and ears are open to see, hear, and discern as Jesus speaks and
leads. We are filled with the might and power of Jesus—a light that causes
darkness to be expelled. Boldness, power, and authority are realized to
engage in Kingdom assignments to see victory.
 Some of you reading might be praying faithfully but not seeing results
or breakthrough in your intercession. I want to speak encouragement that if
you have not received the infilling of the Holy Spirit, invite Him into your
life. Welcome Him to baptize you in His glorious presence. As you cultivate
a relationship with Him, His power and authority for victory will be ignited
and made known in your intercession.

HE TEACHES US THE WORD

He is the teacher of the Word.

For we did not receive the spirit of this world system but the
Spirit of God, so that we might come to understand and
experience all that grace has lavished upon us. And we
articulate these realities with the words imparted to us by the
Spirit and not with the words taught by human wisdom. We join
together Spirit-revealed truths with Spirit-revealed words (1
Corinthians 2:12-14).

As I read the Word of God, I pray, “Holy Spirit, cause the Word to come
alive to me. Teach me Your Word. I invite Your ruach to awaken Your
rhema word in me.” And as this request is made and also granted, holy, key,
and strategic revelation is awakened by Him and through Him.

HE WANTS US TO PERSONALLY ENCOUNTER HIM

We are all familiar with the temple of the Lord so vividly described in the
Old Testament—the outer court, the inner chamber, the Holy of Holies that
housed the Ark of the Covenant, the very presence of God. The blueprint of
the temple was a picture that the God we worship is a Trinity, three persons
in one—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Word of God tells us we are
made in His image and likeness, and we are three-part beings made up of
the body, soul, and spirit. Just as the temple was modeled on God’s design
of a three-person Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—the divine forming
and makeup of each of us is that, we too, are the temple—body, soul, and
spirit. When Jesus came, He made the way for each of us to be anointed and
appointed in the throne room of His presence.
 When Jesus died on the cross, the veil was rent in two. The Holy Spirit
is the heavenly host within the inner chambers of the Holy of Holies. He
prepares and serves our spiritual food. He lifts us up into the presence of
Jesus, into His throne room to encounter Him in His glory. The fire, glory,
and presence that was depicted in the temple in the Old Testament within
the Holy of Holies is now within each of us. As ones who are a new
creation in Christ filled with the Holy Spirit, we become the carriers of His
fire and glory—the living temples of the Lord. Jill Austin shares with great
clarity the significance of intimacy with the Holy Spirit:

He opens powerful doorways of understanding; the Word of

God goes from logos to rhema. He awakens our hearts and we
begin to long for deeper places. How can we move through the
wildernesses of the earth with any kind of forerunner anointing
unless we have that intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit?
He wants us to get revelation about where we are going—and
revelation of who Jesus is. That is His job. He wants the Bride
to love the Son intimately. We are often taught in churches that
John the Baptist is the best man for the Bridegroom, but, no, it
is the Holy Spirit. He wants to make the Bridegroom’s joy
complete.
Some of us have never really known the Holy Spirit as a
Person, as the best friend of the Bridegroom. If we do not know
Him in this way, then unless we are in a season of renewal or
attending meetings where the fire is released, we feel alone and
abandoned. That is because we do not understand the bridal
partnership: The best man is bringing us to the Bridegroom
King.1

Friends, this is the dimension in which everything in our Christian walk

is to be birthed. So how do we begin to experience, activate, and walk out
this commissioning?

ABIDE IN HIM
 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me and I will live
in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without
abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you
bear fruit unless you abide in Me (John 15:4 AMPC).

We already discussed this place of abiding in Chapter Four. But this

principle is so necessary for maturity and purity and cultivating a deep
sensitivity to the Holy Spirit that I will state it here again. We must be
intentional in pursuing an on-fire, abiding, surrendered relationship with
Him. What is it I have learned and been awakened to from this relationship
with Him? Discerning His presence, moves of His Spirit, discerning when
to war and when not to war. How to pray, how not to pray. When He is
pleased, when He is not pleased. When to prophesy and when not to
prophesy. How to see from His heavenly Kingdom perspective and to not
be trapped by my own limited thinking and understanding. And sometimes
His presence comes in ways that we don’t know how to handle, but even in
these moments He moves so faithfully. Why does He do this? Because it
keeps us totally dependent on Him and ever increasing and expanding in
our experiences and encounters with Him. These times stretch us into
higher heights and deeper depths. There truly is a dance we can discern and
learn in the Spirit that is beyond our own human reasoning and that brings
us into the supernatural truths of the Spirit realm where signs, wonders, and
miracles occur.

KNOWING HIS PRESENCE

Greg and I were given a copy of the book Good Morning, Holy Spirit. We
read the book and it radically changed our lives. I welcomed the Holy Spirit
to fill and baptize me, and He did so in such a life-altering, beautiful way. I
began spending long hours in prayer, intercession, and worship before the
Lord. I had a hunger to know Him. The reality was the Lord had me on a
journey that would supernaturally teach me that we can experience His
presence. I learned it was not just the sweetness and nearness of His
presence He was leading me into, but He was inviting me into His tangible,
manifest, and glorious throne room presence.
We were preparing to move to Houston. We arrived in town on a house-
hunting trip and met up with a close family friend, Alice Smith, who was
also a successful real estate agent at the time. She told us that she had
arranged for us to attend a large meeting that night in the Summit, a
convention center that holds thousands of people. Benny Hinn would be
speaking. We were excited as he was the author of the book that had been
the springboard for miraculously changing my life.
Alice prepared us as we drove to the event, as we had never attended a
gathering like this. She spoke of how powerful the service the night before
had been. She said it was time to lay down all skepticism and to trust God.
She did this to prepare our hearts because we were so new to this new
Spirit-filled and empowered walk. By the time we arrived, we were both
eager for the service to begin.
As the worship leader and choir led us in the songs of adoration to the
Lord, the presence that had become so sweet and real to me some twelve
weeks before began to flood the convention center. It was a strong and
precious presence. What an anointed time of exalting the Lord! Benny gave
a powerful message and many people came forward for prayer and were
healed.
As he was closing the service, he said that he felt the Lord leading him
to pray an “impartation” to those who wanted more of God’s presence. He
gave this instruction: “Those of you who want this, put your hands up and
get ready to receive.” Without hesitation I threw my hands up to receive
from the Lord. As soon as I did, I began to tremble at the touch of the Holy
Spirit.
Alice noticed what was happening and quickly came to my side.
“Becca,” she asked, “do you need a healing?”
I said no.
“Well,” she said, “this is obviously the Lord so we are going to go with
it.” There were no arguments from me.
Benny extended his hands toward the audience to impart the anointing
and exclaimed three times, “Take it, take it, take it!” Well, all I can say is,
every time he spoke those words it felt as if a bolt of lightning shot through
my body. We were a great distance from the platform—up in the nosebleed
section—but I might as well have been on the stage. By the third
declaration, I fell backward onto the floor and was instantly swept away in
the Spirit.
 I no longer knew anything of my physical surroundings. I was clueless
that I was on the floor, and if I had known I would not have cared. In the
Spirit I had been taken to the throne room of God and was lying face down
at the feet of Jesus and our Father. The presence was glorious, awesome, so
holy and majestic. The tangible glory presence of the Holy Spirit engulfed
me. I could see the feet of Father God and Jesus, but their presence was so
holy I stayed on my face and dared not move.
It is difficult to put into words what I felt or the fullness of what I was
encountering. It was everything I could ever desire. I wept, sobbed, and
rejoiced as I lay at Jesus’ feet and began to say, “Lord, this is all I have ever
wanted in my life. You are awesome, powerful, wonderful, and holy. Lord,
let me stay here with You. Don’t send me back.”
Jesus replied, Becca, you must go back. You have a husband and
daughter and you will have more children. You have a call on your life that
I destined for you. I brought you here into My throne room to call you to Me
and for you to understand the reality and revelation of who I am. I want you
to experience the throne room. It is from this place where all you do for Me
will be birthed. Now go fulfill your call.
God wants this for each of you reading and participating in this study. It
is my heart to write this journey in such a way that each of you can
encounter Jesus, our heavenly Father, and Holy Spirit and maneuver from
these times spent with the lover of your soul, brother, teacher, all-
consuming fire, and friend.

DISCERNING MOVES OF HIS GLORY

As air is the atmosphere of the earth, glory is the atmosphere of

Heaven. It lifts us up above the earthly, into the very presence
of God.2

Glory. We have heard statements such as, “He is glorious!” “Lord, bring
Your glory.” “What a powerful service; the glory was strong.” I myself have
even made these comments. Allow me to pose a question. What does this
word actually mean? The Hebrew word for glory is kabod. It is splendor,
honor, wealth, manifestation of power, glorious presence, reward, glory in
the inner person, ruler, men of high rank, one who governs (Strong’s
#H3519). As stated in Isaiah 4:5, “Then the Lord will create upon every
dwelling place of Mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke
by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night. For over all the glory shall
be a covering” (MEV). In this context it becomes a covering, which is a
defense, canopy, shelter from the elements, and bridal chamber. It also
comes as the shekinah glory, which is the manifest weight and heaviness of
the Lord. We must not mention the glory without speaking of the time when
the glory fell so strongly in the temple that the priests could not stand nor
perform their duties.

The priests then left the Holy Place. All the priests there were
consecrated, regardless of rank or assignment; and all the
Levites who were musicians were there—Asaph, Heman,
Jeduthun, and their families, dressed in their worship robes;
the choir and orchestra assembled on the east side of the Altar
and were joined by 120 priests blowing trumpets. The choir
and trumpets made one voice of praise and thanks to God—
orchestra and choir in perfect harmony singing and playing
praise to God:
Yes! God is good!
His loyal love goes on forever!
Then a billowing cloud filled The Temple of God. The priests
couldn’t even carry out their duties because of the cloud—the
glory of God!—that filled The Temple of God (2 Chronicles
5:13-14 MSG).

It is the beautiful reality that the Lord has designed for us to encounter. I
will always remember the first time I saw an overwhelming presence of the
Lord’s glory, a glory cloud that literally descended upon and enveloped
hundreds of people in a very dramatic way. It was in the early ’90s. The
church we were attending was on the verge of an all-out revival.
Oftentimes, services would continue until two to three in the afternoon. No
one allowed weekend plans to interfere with attending a Sunday evening
service because missing a service most assuredly meant missing a move of
God. As we gathered corporately, the Lord was faithful to move in tangible
and glorious ways.
 One particular evening, I was singing on the worship team. That night
when we arrived for practice prior to the service, the weight of His presence
entered into the sanctuary. Rehearsal never ended. In a place of surrender
we continued to exalt Him. As members arrived and entered the room, they
instantly responded to His presence and quietly made their way to a seat or
the altar. No one had to explain His glory was there. All who entered
immediately knew. We had entered the glory realm, the realm of eternity.
The realm of the revelation of the presence of God. At one point as we
continued in abandoned worship, the weight was heavy and unearthly,
beyond human words of expression. I opened my eyes to see. As I looked
out over the crowd, I watched as a thick cloud supernaturally descended on
hundreds of people. No eyes were opened. Each person was lost in the
moment with the Lord. Suddenly, without anyone in the congregation aware
of what the others were doing, each person in that sanctuary in full
abandonment raised their hands simultaneously, threw their heads back,
opened their eyes, and began to shout, “Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!” People fell out
in the presence, weeping, and joy broke out across the auditorium. Jesus
had entered that room that night. Lives were radically transformed. Many
were set free and several saved.
I was recently in a meeting at the House Modesto in Modesto,
California. It is an awesome, on-fire church led by pastors Glen and
Deborah Berteau. They genuinely welcome moves of the Holy Spirit and
have seen thousands of souls come into the Kingdom. It is actually one of
my favorite places in which I have ministered. Pastor Glen challenged me,
“Becca, teach my people how to walk in their full authority. I want them to
understand and know the price of being awakened in the authority that has
been given to them.” I accepted his request and ministered very
transparently in the final afternoon session on the journey the Lord brought
me through to awaken the authority He has made available to us.
I must admit, I was in awe and undone by what transpired. The more I
spoke, the heavier the tangible, manifest glory descended into that
sanctuary. I looked out and saw fog that appeared to be increasing in
thickness and weight. I thought to myself, “Did they have fog machines
turned on? I don’t remember them being on.” But as I continued, it was
evident it was the glory presence of the Holy Spirit as many of the leaders
were weeping and kneeling on the floor under the weight of this presence.
Many lives were changed and transformed that day in the weight of His
glory. I am still receiving messages of testimony from that time.

DISCERNING HOW HE DESIRES TO MOVE

The Holy Spirit desires to meet with us personally and corporately as
shared in the above testimonies. When He comes into a meeting, I have
learned it is key to listen intently and closely in order to discern the
direction He is intending to lead the meeting. And it is imperative to lay
aside what we had previously planned.

When the Holy Spirit comes into a meeting, He comes with

purposes and plans; He has an assignment from the Father. It is
not a trivial thing that the Holy Spirit shows up. When He
arrives He breaks in with the purposes of heaven for our
destinies. He awakens our hearts to Jesus’ love for us.
These are radical encounters! Yet, do you know what
sometimes happens? The Holy Spirit comes and we do not
even talk to Him. We ignore Him because we are too busy with
our agendas. Do we say, “Holy Spirit, what do You have?” Or
do we say, “Excuse me, but we have ten worship songs on our
list and this is not the time for healing. Do You mind following
the program?” We grieve Him and shut Him down. We want
Him only when it is convenient and makes us look anointed.
Even when we do move beyond our own agendas and say we
want the gifts He brings, do we want those things or do we
want Him? Granted, we are to use the gifts; people need to be
set free and healed. But He is more than the gifts. He is a
Person. He is our friend. If we have Him, He is going to come
in and shake the Church. He is going to shake everything in our
lives, too. He will bring a refiner’s fire because His job is to
nurture and to heal and to get the Bride ready.
So He comes in and deals with the dross—the bitterness and
pain and resentment in our lives.3
 So how do we discover what to do when He begins to move? Dialogue
with Him. Welcome Him to have His way. And as He begins to speak,
follow His lead. There are times He will want a corporate move of
intercession. There are times He will desire to bring deliverance. There are
times He will want to bring healing. There are times to be militant and war
and decree. There are times He will want to release a purifying fire or a
Holy Love. There are times for an outpouring of His glory. There will be
times of great joy. Don’t rush what is occurring; give room for this time of
encounter.
I was ministering in Scotland at the Glasgow Prophetic Centre led by
dear friends David and Emma Stark. We had just completed a powerful
prophetic conference they host annually and were in their Sunday morning
service. Worship was glory-anointed, and Emma got up to share and to
welcome me to speak. She attempted to share but was literally on fire in the
anointing of the Holy Spirit. She was shaking and unable to stand still. All
knew He was moving and she was encountering His glory and anointing.
But I did not comprehend the degree of it until she asked me to try to help.
As I made my way to the platform, that same presence fell on me. My
feet felt as if they were on fire and I began to shake. I desperately tried
several times to speak and to talk, but I was not able to form the words and
to complete a sentence. We finally said, “Holy Spirit, we submit to You.
Have Your way!” We both then proceeded to lay hands on everyone in that
meeting. People attending in person and online had radical glory encounters
with the Lord. Many were delivered. Many were healed. Some were swept
into personal encounters with the Lord in heaven. There was not one person
in that gathering who did not experience a dramatic supernatural encounter
with the Lord. Lives were empowered and transformed that day. This type
of move is not something that we can orchestrate or work up in our flesh.
When a room of over a 150 people all have a tangible encounter, this is a
move of God.

DISCERN THE ANOINTING

This is also a term that we use quite frequently as believers. But what does
it actually mean? Simply put, the anointing is the power of the Holy Spirit.
You see, as a spiritual people the supernatural should seem natural to us. I
so appreciate the phrase Sid Roth has coined: “naturally supernatural.” I
smile every time I hear him say this. It is the truth spoken so simply—the
supernatural is to be natural to each of us. Allow me to give a brief
explanation. When we experience the anointing, it causes movement in the
spirit and use of our gifts to function and work easily. A person filled with
the Holy Spirit is able to do extraordinary things, but to that person it seems
quite natural and easy. What do I mean by this? When the anointing is
present and working, it is as natural to flow in a gift as it is to speak to a
friend. It becomes an expected outflow.
I travel and minister in different churches, cities, regions, and nations on
a regular basis. I can pray and feel the tangible presence of God on the
message He has led me in preparing. When I speak it in one location, there
is a definite ease, presence, and authority. Then other times I will try to
speak that same message in another location and there is absolutely no
presence on it and the teaching is a labor and difficult. I believe the reason
is I can’t turn it on or off at will. Yes, the Holy Spirit is with us, but there
are times His presence and power are tangibly stronger, allowing gifts to
flow with ease.
The apostle John states in First John 2:20 and 27: “But the Holy One
has anointed you and you all know the truth…His anointing teaches you all
that you need to know, for it will lead you into truth, not a counterfeit. So
just as the anointing has taught you, remain in him.” The Greek word for
anointing is chrisma. It means “smearing, like smearing of oil, a special
endowment” (Strong’s #G5545) It is derived from the Greek word chiro,
which means “to rub with oil, to consecrate to an office or religious service”
(Strong’s #G5548). Therefore, it is the special endowment of His oil, the oil
of the Holy Spirit, which when in operation causes an ease in functioning in
a gift or in unison with Him. It is as if we are at home, functioning easily
with no pressure, nothing to prove. I can honestly say that when I am
functioning in the glory or anointing, I leave from that time of ministry so
in awe and humbled by the moving of His Spirit.

Discerning the Anointing in a Corporate Gathering

I was ministering in Cleveland, Ohio and teaching from my book Glory
Warfare. Our dear friends, Mike and April Farris, were hosting the
gathering. We were having a powerful time. We returned from lunch
planning to enter into a time of teaching followed by an afternoon break
before the final evening session. A long-time friend, Anthony Turner, led us
in glory-anointed prophetic worship. I walked to the platform to teach.
Instantly, I felt a weighty anointing. I strongly discerned Him leading me to
redirect all that was transpiring. Instead of sticking with the laid-out plan,
we chose to follow His leading. A revival fire, holiness, and glory move
broke out in that gathering. We continued to press into the Lord, and within
a few minutes the entire gathering was prostrate at the altar where they
stayed for hours. The afternoon soon grew into the evening time. The
service lasted five hours with no one wanting to leave.
The next morning as people arrived for the Sunday service, the presence
of the Lord was tangible. People responded to the glory, kneeling at the
altar in deep surrender before the worship began. By the end of that
morning service the entire congregation had again rushed the altar. His
presence, glory, and fire are still moving as they gather, and many lives
have been radically transformed and Kingdom destinies birthed. It is
imperative to discern when a true move of His increased, tangible, shekinah
glory is breaking open and to follow the cloud. When He shows up, He is to
be given the seat of honor and no man-made agenda is to take His place.

Discerning the Anointing in Everyday Life

There are also times in my everyday life while speaking with someone
that I suddenly sense the tangible presence of the Lord to prophesy to one I
am encountering. This can occur while I am out and about running errands,
enjoying a leisurely time out with family and friends, and while flying on
airplanes.
Let’s make it even more practical. You might be a schoolteacher
functioning in the classroom. It’s been a routine, normal day, and the
anointing is suddenly tangible. Allow me to share an example of what
occurred when I was a substitute teacher many years ago in a small town in
Texas, which unfortunately at that time was still functioning in racism and
prejudice.
I was subbing for a week in a high school math class. Jeremy was an
African-American teenager, and I could see and discern that he felt he had
no hope, that he would never be good enough. I discerned prophetically that
his family had a long history of financial struggles, so he believed he would
as well. And with racism being so prevalent in this town, he now had a new
teacher for the week who happened to be a white woman. Jeremy refused to
do the math assignments in class and at home. On the second day in the
classroom, I felt the anointing of the Holy Spirit to reach out to him.
“Jeremy, you need to do your work. Please pick up your pencil and try.”
Not willing to look at me as I spoke to him, Jeremy crossed his arms
and looked away. I could see and feel in the spirit the years of hurt,
struggle, and the resulting defiance as he spoke. My heart was pierced with
the heart of the Father for him.
“Mrs. Greenwood, I don’t need to do this work. It is not going to help
me in life. I do not want to do this work.”
“Jeremy, I need you to pick up your pencil and do your work. Please do
what I am asking you to do,” I replied calmly and patiently.
“Mrs. Greenwood, I am not going to do this work.”
My heart ached as I continued to replay that scene later that day. How
could I get through to this young man? That night I went to prayer and Holy
Spirit spoke to me: “Becca, I have brought you to this classroom for
Jeremy. He is your assignment for this week. There are deep issues in his
heart and emotions that need healing.” The Lord revealed to me the strategy
of how to help Jeremy. I waited for His prompting and anointing while in
the classroom for the right time to engage His plan.
It was two days later, as the bell rang; Jeremy came in the door of the
classroom at the precise moment that would not make him late. After a
week of seeing this behavior, it became evident this was a well-rehearsed
routine.
I explained the math assignment for the day. Within a few minutes,
Jeremy laid his head on the desk to take a nap while the rest of the students
did their work. I felt the anointing of the Lord nudging and saying, “Now.”
“Jeremy, you need to pick up your pencil and do your work.”
Jeremy responded in the same manner he had the day before. “Mrs.
Greenwood, I told you yesterday, I am not going to do this work. I do not
need this math. I am not going to use it and I am not going to do it.”
I leaned over his desk trying to catch his eyes. In a soft, calm voice I
reached out to him. “Jeremy, look at me please. Can you look at me? I
would like to talk to you about something.”
 Curious, he turned his eyes toward mine. “Jeremy, I realize you have
lived in an area where you and your family have been shunned and treated
poorly because of the color of your skin. Is this true?”
Surprised by my words, he cautiously and quietly answered, “Yes
ma’am.”
“Well, Jeremy, I recognize that how you and your family have been
treated is not right. As a matter of fact, my ancestors were some of the
founding fathers of this small town. I don’t know for certain, but I realize
that it is possible some of my ancestors in my family line might have been
among those who said and did hurtful things to you and your family. If they
were some of those involved in these words and actions, I want to say that
how they treated you is wrong. And I want to ask you to forgive us.”
At that moment he shockingly replied, “This sounds like church.”
“Yes, Jeremy, it does. I also, as a white woman, want to say that when I
look at you, I do not see you based on others’ wrong assumptions because
of the color of your skin. I see a handsome, bright young man who has
unlimited potential to break out of the cycle your family has been in and to
do something great with your life. Don’t let the past and the wrong actions
of the white race and the people of this town control your future. Please
forgive us.”
Fighting back the tears, he emotionally and quietly said, “Yes ma’am.”
“Jeremy, do you live with your mother?”
“No ma’am. I live with my grandmother.”
As we had been speaking, I had already seen this prophetically. I
continued to ask questions based off of this revelation. “Does she pray for
you?”
“Yes ma’am, she does. Every night she kneels by her bed and prays for
me.”
“Jeremy, I know your grandmother wants you to do your work. I know
she wants the best for you. I do too. I prayed for you last night. I believe in
you. For your grandmother and me, can you please pick up your pencil and
do your work? Are you able to choose to make today a new day in your
life?”
A tear gently rolled down his cheek as he slowly pulled himself up in
his desk from his slouched position, reached for his pencil, and pulled the
sheet of paper toward him. As he began to solve the first math problem, he
answered in a soft whisper, “Yes ma’am, I can.”
The classroom was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. I
gratefully and lovingly placed my hand on his shoulder and said, “Thank
you, Jeremy.” As I made my way back to the desk, I was rejoicing on the
inside and so moved by the Holy Spirit that I could hardly contain my
emotions and tears.
During the following days Jeremy came to class early and would
excitedly exclaim, “Mrs. Greenwood, are we going to learn something new
today? I am going to do my work!”
The remainder of the school year, Jeremy always tried to find the
classroom I was subbing in. One day he asked me, “Mrs. Greenwood, I
have friends who want me to hang out with them tonight. They are going to
be up to no good.”
“Jeremy, are you needing assistance from an adult to help you tell them
you can’t go?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Jeremy, you go tell your friends that Mrs. Greenwood said that it is not
a good idea for you to hang out tonight, and if they have a problem with
that, they can come and see me.”
I smiled as Jeremy walked out of the classroom confidently exclaiming,
“Hey guys, Mrs. Greenwood said it is not a good idea for me to go tonight
and if you have a problem with that you can talk with her about it!”
I realize this is a more practical example of anointing, but I felt the Lord
leading me to share this particular testimony. Why? Because everyone
reading this might not be a platform minister. This example is how
discernment, anointing, a prophetic gift, and an obedient act can change and
empower a life outside the walls of the church.

Discerning the Anointing in the Family/Home

We have intentionally made our home a place in which the presence and
peace of the Lord is tangible. I also have a room that is set a part as my
prayer room. It is my favorite room in our home because this is where I
spend hours in worship, intercession, writing books, and studying to prepare
new teachings. This location is also beyond special to me because my
daughters can feel His presence when I am in intercession and worship.
There are many times when I have been in abandoned worship and
intercession and I hear a gentle knock on the door and the voice of one of
my daughters asking if they can join me. This happens with our youngest
daughter, Katie, quite often. As I welcome her into the room, she sincerely
inquires, “Mom, can I come in and join you? Can I be in God’s presence
with you? Mom, can you pray for me?” These moments are so beautiful to
me. I love that even in the middle of the night my daughters discern the
presence and anointing and are drawn to and desire to be with Him. Our
homes are to be a habitation for Him.

Discerning the Anointing in Spheres of Influence

Many, including me, have been hearing prophetically that this next
move of God will greatly involve church outside the walls in what we have
come to call the seven mountains of influence—church, family,
government, education, arts and entertainment, media, and business. The
marketplace will play a key role in this new era. The following is a great
testimony from my friend Jareb Nott.

Ministry in the marketplace is something that because of its

nature is executed differently than other spheres of influence.
Ministry in a corporate setting is typically covert and mostly
unseen because of the conflicts it presents corporately.
One area of marketplace ministry that should never be executed
covertly is that of relationships. People are people, and people
just need Jesus, especially at the office. The truth is that people
are not lining up anymore to go to church as was the case
during the Brownsville revival in Pensacola Florida in 1995.
Instead, people are in the office gathering around the proverbial
water cooler or coffee maker.
Back in 2010 I began an office relationship with an individual
I’ll call Mark for anonymity. This individual was attracted to
me because of a reputation that I carried within the office. I
was referred to as “Pastor Jareb.” I earned this title because of
my openness to pray for people and share Jesus with anyone
who inquired. Over the next two years Mark would visit my
office and he would share his story with me. We discussed
stories of loss and how he struggled with his relationship with
his family. Frequently he would ask what the Bible said about
certain issues he was facing, and I would guide him through the
appropriate scriptures.
I became a spiritual mentor in his life, with the goal to guide
him closer to Jesus. I never preached at him and I always let
the word of God speak for itself. For two years I wondered if I
was getting through. Finally, one morning in 2012 things came
to a head for Mark. I was running about an hour late for work
due to an appointment. Mark had arrived at my office early
hoping to talk to me about an urgent issue. My coworker was
there and explained that Mark was resolved to meet with me
that day. Mark had waited in my office for two hours until I
arrived.
When I arrived, I barely had a moment to set my bag down and
make sense of what was happening. Mark grabbed me and
began to tell me that his world had fallen apart. Divorce was a
certainty, and his relationships with his children and the loss of
his home were all at risk. He was broken in that moment, and
in his speech, he told me, “I have nowhere else to go for help.”
My heart broke for him as he wept in front of me and explained
his story of hopelessness. I began to weep with him!
Eventually, Mark looked at me with tears streaming down his
face and said, “I don’t know what to do but I can’t keep this up
and I need you to help me.”
I looked at Mark and said, “I know what you need, we’ve been
talking about it for two years and it’s what led you to me in this
moment.” Looking into his eyes I said, “Mark, you need
Jesus!” At those words Mark grabbed both of my hands and
immediately fell to his knees. Squeezing both of my hands and
weeping uncontrollably, he said, “I have to know Jesus, what
do I need to do? Who can I talk to? Do I need a priest? Can you
do this?” I said, “Mark, Jesus is here, now, and all you need to
do is talk to Him! I will help you find the words.” Over the
 next 20 minutes I had the pleasure of introducing Mark to Jesus
and welcoming him into the Kingdom.
When Mark entered my office, he was bound with anxiety,
worry, stress, and feelings of hopelessness. When he left my
office that morning, he was a free man who discovered hope,
and faith, and a Jesus who loves him through all his
shortcomings. Today Mark is a happy, Jesus-loving man who
has a renewed relationship with his children and has turned his
life around for the Lord.
Ministry within our spheres of influence should not be stressful
or laborious. Rather, it should be relational and life-giving to
the people around us.

Discerning Past the Viewed Anointing

Bringing the context back to inside the walls of the church, Paul states
in First Corinthians 5:6, “Don’t you understand that even a small
compromise with sin permeates the entire fellowship, just as a little leaven
permeates a batch of dough?” Is it possible for there to be a powerful move
of God? One in which signs, wonders, and healing are overflowing, yet the
one being used is flowing out of a compromised life of impurity? The
answer is yes, this does happen. If you recall the testimony in Chapter Two,
Greg and I had been attending a church and I discerned that a door had been
opened to sin. Before the sin was exposed, it appeared God was still moving
in tangible ways. It was at first confusing, because God seemed to be
blessing those in attendance. It is important for us to mature in order to
discern the moves of the Holy Spirit along with sound scriptural doctrine
from those moves that prove to be unhealthy, impure, and unbiblical.

Discerning a Move of Signs, Wonders, Miracles, Healings

As in these testimonies, we can know, perceive, and move in the
direction He desires to go. In some services, we stay right on schedule with
what we prayed into and planned prior to gathering and meeting. However,
there are those times He comes to set captives free, to move in signs,
wonders, miracles, and healing. For me, when a healing anointing is
present, I will begin to feel prompts from the Holy Spirit in my physical
body. Sometimes my ears will begin to feel an intense warmth or heat. I
might begin to feel pressure in my shoulder, legs, or hips. My heart might
begin to flutter. Or suddenly I am hearing or receiving impressions of
names of those the Lord wants to bring healing to.
I was ministering at a women’s gathering in Colorado. While speaking I
felt a tangible heat or warmth on my body. I knew this wasn’t from being
overly warm on the platform. The warmth of the Holy Spirit feels
noticeably different from the normal feeling of becoming too hot. It is
warmth that is spiritual, not uncomfortable. I quickly began to pay
attention. As I did, I heard the name Linda. I asked if there was a Linda
present in the meeting. She quickly raised her hand, “Yes! I am Linda.”
When she spoke her name to me, my heart began to flutter and the
warmth moved to my chest area where the heart is located. I asked her,
“Linda, do you need healing from a heart condition?”
She began to weep. “Yes, I was born with a congenital heart defect. I am
scheduled for open heart surgery in two days. The doctors have told me if I
do not have the surgery, I will soon have a heart attack and die. So I am no
longer able to postpone the operation.” I asked if I could lay hands on her
and pray for healing, to which she exclaimed a joyful, “Of course! Please
pray for me!” I laid hands on her and commanded all abnormalities in her
heart and the arteries to be healed in Jesus’ name. She began to laugh
joyously as the irregular heartbeat and flutter that comes with this heart
defect stopped. She felt strongly that she was healed. She went to the
hospital the next morning, and that heart condition she was born with was
completely gone. She had been healed!

THE COST OF THE ANOINTING

All things precious and valuable cost something. And who or what is more
precious or valuable than our heavenly Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit? I so
love the old hymn, “I Surrender All.”

All to Jesus I surrender,

All to Him I freely give,
I will ever love and trust Him,
 In His presence daily live,
I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender,
At Thy feet I humbly bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken,
Take me, Jesus, take me now,
I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee,
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me,
I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.4

Surrender in not a negative action. It is a beautiful yielding to Him.

Surender is defined as “to cease resistance, yield, give way, and abandoned
surrender.” The more we surrender, the more of Him we receive. Why is
this necessary to function in discerning the spirit realm? Because it is in the
intimacy of surrender where we receive more of Him and we know His
ways. Allow Him to awaken your soul, and don’t allow your hunger and
passion to diminish or fall into slumber. Stay in the place of awakening.
Allow His presence to increase in you to the place of anointing and from
the place of anointing to abiding in His glory. Guard that which has been
entrusted to you as precious. Listen to the powerful words spoken from an
anointed woman of God, Kathryn Kuhlman:

The anointing…It costs much, but it is worth the cost. It costs

everything. If you really want to know the price…You really
want to know the price, I will tell you. It will cost you
everything. Kathryn Kuhlman died a long time ago. I know the
 day, I know the hour. I can go to the spot…where Kathryn
Kuhlman died. But you see for me it was easy. Because I had
nothing. One day I just looked up and said wonderful Jesus. I
have nothing. I have nothing to give you but my love. That’s all
that I can give you is my love. And I give you my body as a
living sacrifice. If you can take nothing and use it. Then here’s
nothing. Take it. It isn’t silver vessels that He is asking for. It
isn’t golden vessels that He needs. He just needs yielded
vessels.5

DISCERN THE ANOINTING FOR REGIONAL AWAKENING

Yielding is such a beautiful and necessary posture to walk with Him to
begin to discern Holy Spirit moments and moves personally, as a family, in
our spheres of influence, and corporately that lead to a deep awakening. It is
also imperative to discern when the Holy Spirit is moving to reveal or bring
a region into a new awareness of kairos moments to open the door of
awakening.
I was ministering again in Cleveland, Ohio. We were teaching Unit 3 of
our Regional Transformation Spiritual Warfare School. It was the day we
pray together as a class and seek the Lord over the prayer assignment and
journey we will engage in as a group in order to bring impartation and
activation of what has been taught in this sixty-hour course on how to
victoriously usher in regional transformation.
As we began to worship and to seek the Lord together, Holy Spirit
moved into the room with a tangible anointing. Friends, I am a history buff
and very familiar with the history of our nation. And those whom I was
with in Ohio know the history of their state as they have been praying
across their region for many years. Through words of knowledge that were
revealed in intercession, the Lord took us on a spiritual journey of prophetic
revelation and research. One of the key revelations released while in
intercession was the phrase “hidden gem.” The prayer warrior who spoke it
felt it carried a positive and negative connotation that unveiled a hidden
treasure we were all unaware of in the history of Ohio and the Northwest
Territory of the United States dating back to the colonial days.
 Revelation continued to build in our prophetic intercession and research
time. We all knew that a Christian group called the Moravians had traveled
from Germany to the United States in the 1700s. What we didn’t know is
that they also settled in the land of Ohio and the Northwest Territory of the
new land. For those unaware, the Moravians are believers who initiated a
round-the-clock prayer watch in 1727 that continued nonstop for over a
hundred years. They experienced great moves of the Holy Spirit much like
Pentecost. During this time, the leader of the movement, Zinzendorf, felt
the Lord leading them to send missionaries to foreign lands. By 1791, sixty-
five years after commencement of that prayer vigil, the small Moravian
community had dispatched 300 missionaries to many foreign lands. They
had arrived in the land of the United States in 1735 from their Herrnhut
settlement in present-day Saxony, Germany. They came to minister to the
scattered German immigrants, to the Native Americans, and to enslaved
Africans. They established settlements to serve as home bases for these
missionaries, one being Schoenbrunn village located in Ohio that was
settled in 1772. Zinzendorf, the leader of the Moravian movement, came to
Schoenbrunn with one of his spiritual mentees David Zeisberger. David
remained even when Zinzendorf returned to Germany. He began to work
among the Native Americans in the thirteen colonies. His work among the
Delaware Indians proved to bear much fruit; there was a move of God with
many saved. The Delaware were so impacted by David and the other
Moravian missionaries that they also became known as the Moravian
Indians. David as well as other Moravians lived with and among the
Delaware in a town called Gnadenhutten, meaning “tents of grace.” It was a
beautiful move of God in the very early history of our nation.
In September 1781, a time leading into the Revolutionary War, the
British-allied Indians forced the Christian Delaware, now known as the
Moravian Indians, to leave their settlements. They took them northwest to a
place called Captive Town on the Sandusky River. The British took the
Moravian missionaries David Zeisberger and John Heckewelder to Detroit,
where they were kept under guard and tried under charges of treason. They
suspected them of giving information concerning the British forces to the
American military base, Fort Pitt. They were acquitted. The following is the
sad story of what then transpired for the Christian Delaware.
Due to the insufficient rations in Captive Town, the Delaware were
going hungry. In February of 1782, 98 were given permission to return to
the Moravian village to collect the stored food and to harvest the crops in
the field that they were initially forced to leave behind. There was still great
unrest in the region, so safety was a concern.
On March 8 and 9, 1782, a group of Pennsylvania militiamen under the
command of Captain David Williamson, engaged in a surprise raid on the
Delaware at Gnadenhutten. The militia accused the Christian Indians for the
deaths and kidnappings of several white Pennsylvanians, although they had
not been involved in the previous incidents and truthfully denied the
accusation. The militiamen refused to listen to or believe the truth.
In retaliation, the soldiers rounded them up and placed the men and
women, along with the children, in separate cabins overnight. The
militiamen then voted to execute their captives the following morning.
Informed of their impending deaths, the Moravian Delaware spent the night
shouting out to one another from the two cabins and joining in a night-long
time of intercession, singing hymns and prayers to forgive their
executioners. The next morning, the soldiers took the Delaware one at a
time and murdered them. In all, Williamson’s men murdered 28 men, 29
women, and 39 children. The militia piled the bodies in the mission
buildings and burned the village down. They also burned the other
abandoned Moravian villages.
Two boys survived, one Moravian and one Delaware. The young
Delaware was scalped in this tragic massacre, but he survived. The two
were able to return to Sandusky to inform the Moravian missionaries and
other Christian American Indians as to what had occurred.
Some of the militiamen refused to take part and left the area. One of
those who opposed the killing of the Moravian Lenape was Obadiah
Holmes, Jr. He later wrote of the incident:

One Nathan Rollins & brother [who] had had a father & uncle
killed took the lead in murdering the Indians,…& Nathan
Rollins had tomahawked nineteen of the poor Moravians, &
after it was over he sat down & cried, & said it was no
satisfaction for the loss of his father & uncle after all.6

In 1889, future president Theodore Roosevelt called the atrocity “a stain

on frontier character that the lapse of time cannot wash away.”7
 As this was fully revealed and shared, the glory of the Lord filled the
meeting room to such a degree all we could do was weep under the weight
of His presence and the weight of this tragic wound that occurred to stop
the harvest and revival move of God. We knew we must go there to pray for
Ohio and the Northwest Territory and to see this “stain on frontier
character” healed and cleansed.
We arrived the next afternoon and had the village to ourselves. It was a
pleasant surprise as we walked the land and felt the tangible anointing and
glory of His presence. So much so that we took our shoes off due to the
overwhelming sense of holiness at this massacre site. As we began to pray,
a gentleman appeared walking down one of the paths next to where we
huddled. He kindly interrupted us, “Excuse me for interrupting you. My
name is John and I am the caretaker of this village. I wasn’t supposed to be
here. I just came to see work that was done today on the rock paths. But if
you would like, I will open up the museum and the cabins and share with
you the full story of what transpired here.”
The group responded with a resounding, “Yes!”
All that I have shared above is an abbreviated yet accurate portrayal of
what occurred, but I will add one more revelation. When the Delaware and
Moravians prayed the night before they were massacred, they also voiced
out loud forgiveness to those who performed the horrific and evil act. Just
wow. I still get moved to tears typing this. Thus, the resulting glory of His
presence that is evident in the land. That all-night intentional time of
worship, prayer, intercession, and forgiveness on the revival site by the
Delaware and Moravians who would be massacred the next day left a mark
of glory, revival, and awakening in the land.
John, the caretaker, shared with us that he was not a Christian when he
first took the job at this historic site. One day, he was walking down the
rock path and had an encounter with the Holy Spirit. He rushed to the
nearest church he could find. The pastor at the church led him to the Lord,
and John is now saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. We prophesied that
he had been sent there to be the new apostle of the Indians to bring back the
revival move that was killed by the militia men that sad day in 1782. He
smiled and shared, “David Zeisberger was known as the apostle of the
Indians.”
 I replied, “Yes, and now you will be that in this new era of awakening in
this land.”
Such a profound and powerful time. He has now invited us to come
back anytime we want and has welcomed us to hold intercession, revival,
and prophetic glory encounters in the Moravian Church in Gnadenhutten
and the oldest Moravian settlement Schoenbrunn, which houses the first
Moravian Church of the Northwest Territory. Our worship and prayer time
on the land was life-altering and glorious. And John has already asked Mike
and April Farris and me to return to lead a service in the church.

GOSPEL OF WORDS AND HOLY SPIRIT

In closing, I want to end with a powerful scriptural truth shared by Paul in
First Thessalonians 1:5, “For our gospel came to you not merely in the form
of words but in mighty power infused with the Holy Spirit and deep
conviction.” It is so imperative as we move in the anointing and power of
the Holy Spirit that all we do is grounded in His Word—the Spirit and Word
partnering together. Jesus spoke the Word to the disciples, and they were
clean (see John 15:3), and yet later He breathed on them to receive the Holy
Spirit (see John 20:22). This shows that both were needed. In the encounter
at Pentecost, they were empowered with the dunamis power to fulfill the
Kingdom exploits the Lord had destined for them to achieve. Stay grounded
in His Word and empowered with the presence, anointing, and glory of the
Holy Spirit.

NOTES
1. Jill Austin, Dancing with Destiny: Awaken Your Heart to Dream, to
Love, to War (Grand Rapids, MI: Chosen Books, 2007), 72.
2. Ruth Ward Heflin, Glory: Experiencing the Atmosphere of Heaven
(Hagerstown, MD: McDougal Publishing, 1990).
3. Austin, Dancing with Destiny, 71-72.
4. “I Surender All,” Judson W. Van deVenter (lyrics) and Winfield Scott
Weeden (music), 1896. Public domain.
5. Kathryn Kuhlman, “Jerusalem Conference (1 of 2),” Fruitful Sermons,
YouTube, March 01, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?
 v=iL2xx9Jm7vE.
6. “Gnadenhutten massacre,” Wikipedia, accessed July 2, 2020,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnadenhutten_massacre.
7. Ibid.
 Conclusion

PRAYER TO AWAKEN DISCERNMENT

IN YOU!

I continue to pray for your love to grow and increase beyond

measure, bringing you into the rich revelation of spiritual
insight in all things. This will enable you to choose the most
excellent way of all—becoming pure and without offense until
the unveiling of Christ.
—PHILIPPIANS 1:9-10

Here we end this message with one of the foundational scriptures used in
Chapter One. Friends, just as Paul prayed the above prayer for the believers
in Philippi, I pray this prayer for each of you—that you will have eyes to
see, ears to hear, feelings to feel, and a knowing revelation to know. The
Greek word for insight (aisthēsis) refers to practical understanding linked to
life. It is a word that implies walking out the truth that insight reveals
(Strong’s #G144). Other translations of this word are experience and
discernment. You see, it is more than discerning something—it means to
experience the reality of something and apply it to life. This is so powerful!
It is my prayer for you that you discern and experience the reality of the
spirit realm and you are awakened and activated to be able to apply it to
your life.
As we look to verse ten, we discover that the Greek word for choose is
one that we introduced at the beginning of this discussion. It is dokimazo,
which means to approve or also as the testing process that salvages the good
and discards the useless. It signifies the ability to regard something as
genuine or worthy on the basis of testing (Strong’s #G1381). This truly lays
out a wise Kingdom understanding. Discernment becomes the path to
finding what God approves, not simply what God forbids. When love,
revelation, and insight overflow into our discernment, we will always be
looking for what is excellent and pleasing in our heavenly Father’s eyes. We
choose what is the most excellent or best, not by law or rules but by loving
discernment. We see with the eyes of discernment as our heavenly Father
sees.
In the closing of this journey, I would like to scribe a prayer that will
inspire empowerment and faith for a new encounter and season to walk in
discernment. Apply this in every area of your life so you walk in a most
excellent way in all the Lord has called you to accomplish.

Lord, thank You for this journey of learning and discovery in

discerning the spirit realm. I come before You now and
welcome the awakening and increase of discernment in my
spiritual walk. Lord, impart wisdom and keen insight as I grow
and maneuver in the realities of the spirit realm. Lord, I say yes
to hearing Your voice more clearly. Lord, bring me into the rich
revelation of spiritual insight in all things.
Lord, awaken dreams, visions, impressions, seeing, hearing,
feeling, and sensing—all of those areas You have blessed us
with in order to relate to You and to hear and partner with You.
Cause me to see through Your eyes with Kingdom sight. Let me
see from heaven’s perspective and not man’s perspective. Help
me to see and discern through and from Your heart of love,
wisdom, and truth. Lord, where I have been judgmental or
critical, I ask that You forgive me. I welcome You to give me
keen wisdom and an ability to carry burdens faithfully in
intercession to victory. Open my eyes to see, my ears to hear,
and my senses to know when You are speaking and revealing
spiritual insight and truth. Cause me to be more sensitive to
perceive Your promptings in the Spirit. Cause Your Word to
come alive in me that I will discern with wisdom and truth from
Your Word.
Lord, I thank You that there are more for us than against us.
Cause me to perceive and know the activity of the angels You
have sent to aid me in all You have called me to do. Lord, give
me insight and maturity when discerning those spirits in
operation in the demonic realm. Lord, I choose to focus on You
and worship You and exalt You and to live above the
principalities enthroned over regions. I ask for strategies from
heaven to see these entities lose their demonic hold. Bless me
with the understanding of times and seasons we are living in
and sensitivity to Your anointing and moves of Your Spirit.
Lord, I desire to step into the fullness of what You are calling
me to in this now time. Use me, Lord, to impact the lives of
those I encounter in my everyday life, in my workplace, in my
ministry, and in the spheres of influence where You have
positioned me. Cause me to walk in Your anointing, to be
supernaturally natural. Holy Spirit, fill me with a fresh fire and
breathe into me Your ruach breath of life. I say yes to
discerning the spirit realm, and as this gift is awakened and
increased may the lives of those around me be impacted with
Your love and for You and Your Kingdom. May captives be set
free, may a harvest be realized, spheres of influence and
regions set free, and great victories attained and
transformation achieved. Fill me with boldness. Empower me
to walk fearless. Awaken to me the warfare arsenal You have
bestowed on me. Empower me to be a Kingdom glory carrier to
impact the dark world, to see Your Kingdom come and Your
will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And Jesus, I give You
all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise. It is in Your name
I pray! Amen!
 Appendix

APPARENT DEMONIC GROUPINGS

LIST1

ALTAR MINISTRY RESOURCE: DEMONIC GROUPINGS

■ Spirit of Antichrist
■ Spirit of Bondage
■ Deaf and Dumb Spirit
■ Spirit of Death/Shadow of Death
■ Familiar Spirit: Witchcraft, Spirit of Divination, Occult,
Rebellion
■ Spirit of Fear
■ Haughty Spirit: Prideful Spirit
■ Spirit of Heaviness/Depression
■ Spirit of Infirmity
■ Spirit of Jealousy
■ Lying Spirit
■ Spirit of Error
■ Spirit of Perversion/Whoredom/Lust Sexual Sin
■ Seducing Spirit
■ Spirit of Slumber/Unbelief
■ Spirit of Rejection
■ Religious Spirit
 ■ Spirit of Jezebel

SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST

Everyone who does not acknowledge that Jesus is from God

has the spirit of antichrist, which you heard was coming and is
already active in the world (1 John 4:3).

Spirit of Antichrist
Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the spirit of antichrist
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs: Self-Exalting, Humanism, Opposes Jesus, Critical, Confusion,

Occult
Attempts to Take Christ’s Place
Blasphemes Holy Spirit
Displays Open Unbelief
Acts/Speaks Against
The miracles of God, Word of God, testimony of Jesus Christ and His
teachings, God, Christians
Denies/Opposes
Atonement of Christ, deity of Christ, humanity of Christ, blood of
Christ
Work of the Holy Spirit, ministry and victory of Christ miracles
Rationalizes
Christ, the Word, miracles
Disturbs Fellowship and Gathering of the Saints
Stirs up strife between believers
Harasses, persecutes the saints
Suppresses ministry
Doctrinal Error/Twisting of Doctrine
Humanism
Legalism
Cults, Occult
Note: For Cults see also Familiar Spirit
Closed-Minded
Confusion
Deceiver
Defensiveness
Self-Exalting
Worldliness
Critical, Mocking Attitude
Judgmentalism
Lawlessness
Mean-spirited
Violent
Once the house is plundered: command the antichrist to get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: a dynamic personal relationship with
Jesus, a baptism in the Holy Spirit, grace, truth, awakening to
the Word of God, awakening to the presence of God, a hunger
and faith to know Him more, spirit of prophecy, gift of
teaching and sharing the true word of God, gifts of the Spirit

SPIRIT OF BONDAGE
 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us
free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage
(Galatians 5:1).

Spirit of Bondage
Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the spirit of bondage
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs: Unworthiness, Rejection, Fears, Performance, Control, Pride,

Self-Pity, Poverty Mindset, Feeling Lost, Addictions, Compulsions,
Infirmity, Spiritual Oppression, Thoughts of Death
Unworthiness/Worthlessness
Embarrassment, Shame, Condemnation, Rejection
Bruised Spirit, Anguish of Spirit, Brokenhearted
Self-Condemnation, Self-Pity
Bitterness/Resentment
Critical Spirit, Fault Finding, Judgmentalism, Accusation, Strife
(conflict)
Self-Deception (believing what is not true about yourself, positive or
negative)
Spiritual Blindness (inability to see God’s truth)
Unrighteousness
Doubting salvation, no assurance of salvation, fear of death
Performance
Perfectionism, drivenness
False responsibility, false burden (not your own), false guilt
False compassion (misplaced compassion)
 Anxiety, nervousness, frustration
Feeling Lost (disconnected)
Vagabond Spirit, Restlessness
Fears/Paranoia/Fear of Death
MPD (multiple personality disorder), Schizophrenia
Pride, Superiority
Control, Dominance, Possessiveness, Compulsory Subjection and
Control, Slavery (enslavement, oppressed)
Poverty Mindset (never enough)/Coveting Wealth in Order to Hoard
Self-Reward
Compulsions and Addictions
Substances: Caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs (legal or illegal) or
medications (beyond prescribed use)
Behaviors: Overeating (gluttony), anorexia, bulimia, overspending,
sexual activity
Unholy Soul Ties
Inability to Break Free/Bound
Helplessness, Hopelessness
Thoughts of Death, Death Wish, Thoughts/Attempts of Suicide
Phantom Pain (not due to loss of limb)
Infirmity
Stiffness
Chronic Fatigue
Idleness (sloth, sluggish)
Hyperactivity, ADD, ADHD
Tourette’s Syndrome (involuntary activity, movements and
vocalizations)
Spiritual Oppression
Mind Control
Witchcraft (rebellion)
Satanism
Once the house is plundered: command the spirit of bondage to get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: liberty, Spirit of Adoption, true
kingdom identity, freedom and healing from all addictions,
fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit

DEAF AND DUMB SPIRIT

Now when Jesus saw that the crowd was quickly growing
larger, he commanded the demon, saying, “Deaf and mute
spirit, I command you to come out of him and never enter him
again!” (Mark 9:25)

Deaf and Dumb Spirit

Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the deaf and dumb spirit
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs: Unforgiveness, Sorrow, Sleepiness, Confusion, Infirmity,

Seizures, Accidents, Thoughts of Death
Unforgiveness
Self-Pity/Wallowing/Pining Away
Uncontrolled Crying
Emotionless
Sleepiness
Confusion
Stuttering
Stupors (dazed)/Motionless Stupor
Lethargy (sluggish, slow)
Tourette’s Syndrome
Chronic Infections
Chronic ear infections, eye diseases
Deafness/Blindness
Seizures
Convulsions, epilepsy, foaming at the mouth
Tearing Things, Gnashing of Teeth
Dumbness (insanity in the Greek)
Madness, insanity, lunatic behavior, schizophrenia
Poverty
Accidents
Burning accidents, drowning accidents, destruction
Fear of fire, fear of water
Thoughts of Death
Thoughts or acts of suicide, sensing approaching death
Death
Notes: For Uncontrolled Crying see also Spirit of Heaviness
Once the house is plundered: command the deaf and dumb spirit to get
out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: healing, hearing, boldness, peace,
deep and peaceful sleep

SPIRIT OF DEATH/SHADOW OF DEATH

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I

fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they
comfort me (Psalm 23:4).
 Spirit/Shadow of Death
Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the spirit of death/shadow of death
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs: Fears, Deception, Destruction, Seduction, Nightmares,

Mental/Spiritual Torment, Hopelessness, Isolation, Sickness, Thoughts
of Suicide/Death
Unbelief
Fear
Deception
Blinded Heart and Mind
Seduction (luring)
Abortion (one or more)
Discouragement/Hopelessness/Despair/Depression
Sorrow/Aching Heart/Excessive Mourning or Grief
Lethargy
Isolation/Abandons Friends or Family
Occult Involvement involving
Lilith
Diana
Luciferian doctrines
Satan
Wicca practices and rituals
Worship of dead saints
Dedication to dead saints
Being named after dead saints
 Prayers to dead saints
Ouija board
Occult, witchcraft rituals involving killing of animals or bloodshed
Oppression, Mental Torment
Something keeps whispering that he or she is going to die.
Dreams of:
Being attacked by animals, demons, grim reaper
Being chased by dead people
Being married to dead people
Walking in a graveyard
Being flogged
Being shot
Being hit by a vehicle
Falling into a pit and being unable to get out
Seeing Shadowy Dark Figures
Obsession with Blood, Death, Violence
Sickness or Disease (that does not respond to prayers or medical
treatment)
Sharp pains in the body
Sudden loss of appetite
Self-Affliction
Death Wishes, Thoughts of Suicide/Attempts of Suicide
Thoughts of Murder/Murder
Once the house is plundered: command the spirit of death/shadow of
death to get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: life and light, prosperity, healing,
blessing, a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit
 FAMILIAR SPIRIT: WITCHCRAFT, SPIRIT OF DIVINATION, OCCULT,
REBELLION

One day, as we were going to the house of prayer, we

encountered a young slave girl who had an evil spirit of
divination, the spirit of Python. She had earned great profits for
her owners by being a fortune-teller (Acts 16:16 TPT).
Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek
after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God
(Leviticus 19:31 NKJV).
For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is
as iniquity and idolatry (1 Samuel 15:23 NASB).

Familiar Spirit and Spirit of Divination/Occult/Rebellion

Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the familiar spirit/witchcraft/spirit of
divination/occult/rebellion
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs: Independence, Control, Spiritual Error, Fears, OCD, Drugs,

Infirmity, Sexual Sin
Generational Iniquity, Family Curses
Self-Will (independence from God)
Stubbornness, disobedience, rebellion, blasphemy
Control, Manipulation
Lying, deception
Spiritual Error
 Unhealthy fear of God or hell
Fear of losing salvation
Superficial spirituality
Religiosity, legalism, ritualism
Doctrinal obsession, doctrinal error
Spiritual adultery, spiritual unfaithfulness
Superstition
Fantasy
Hallucinations
Fears, Suspicions
Obsessions, Compulsion
Drugs (pharmakeia)
Easily Persuaded, Passive Mind
Victim, Lethargy
Poverty Mentality
Entry to Occult
Dungeons and Dragons and other dark games, Ouija board, Pokémon,
horror and “supernatural” movies, music that defies, mocks or rejects
god (hip-hop, rock), astrology, horoscope, tarot cards, tea leaves,
fortune telling, palmistry, psychics, past life readings, psychic healing,
pendulum divination, charms, fetishes (good luck piece), occult
jewelry, yoga, I Ching, martial arts, Rieke (palm healing), video games
and online games steeped in the occult, witchcraft, sexual perversion
and killing
Occult Activity
Clairvoyance, dreamer (false), divination, channeling, automatic
handwriting, mind reading, mental telepathy, false prophesies
transcendental meditation, trance, spirit guides hypnosis, mind control,
enchanter (spells), charmer, muttering, incantation, white magic,
levitation-séance, necromancy (consulting the dead), medium,
consulter of the dead, black magic (evil), sorcery (spells, black arts),
witch, conjuring (summoning demons), soothsayer, ritualistic body
piercing, occult and demonic tattoos, ritualistic flying and suspension
 by hooks for spiritual enlightenment, Ouija board, physical ritual
abuse, death
Cults
Belial, Black Panthers, Buddhism, unbiblical Catholicism, Christian
Science, Confucianism, Freemasonry, Eastern Star, Hinduism, Islam,
Jehovah’s Witnesses (Watchtower), KKK, Mind Control, Mormonism,
New Age, Occultism, Rosicrucianism (secret society), Satanism,
Scientology, Shintoism, Spiritism, Sufism (Islam-related), Taoism,
Theosophy, Unitarianism, Unity, Universalism, Voodoo, Santeria,
Wicca, Witchcraft, Lilith worship, Santa Muerte worship, Brujeria
Sexual
Incubus, Succubus (dreams of sexual activity with demon spirits)
Seduction
Incest
Ritual sex
Harlotry (prostitution)
Once the house is plundered: command the familiar spirit/witchcraft/
spirit of divination/occult/rebellion to get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: truth and revelation, humility, mercy,
love, peace, joy, purity, a spirit of prophecy, awakening to the
Word of God, awakening of the presence of the Lord, fresh
infilling of the Holy Spirit

SPIRIT OF FEAR

For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy
Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control (2
Timothy 1:7).

Spirit of Fear
Bind:
Plunder its house!
 ■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the
influence of the spirit of fear
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs: Abandoned, Abused, Fear of Authority, Low Self-Esteem,

Unbelief, Depression, Paranoia, Sleep Disorders, Illness, Escape,
Addictions, Trauma or Repeated Traumas
Abandonment
Orphaned
Abuse
Trauma
Fear of Touch
Fear of Giving or Receiving Love
Fear of Authority
Fear of Man
Fear of Confrontation/Correction/Disapproval/Judgment/Accusation
Fear of Intimidation, Embarrassment
Fear of Failure
Passivity, Timidity, Compromising (conceding)
Frustration
Judging, Resentment
Jealousy
Excessively Self-Aware
Low self-esteem, inadequacy, inferiority complex, insecurity Self-
Rejection
Unbelief
Faithlessness, no fellowship with the Father, cannot call upon God
Spiritual blindness, fear of losing salvation, fear of God (in an
unhealthy way)
Lack of Trust/Doubt/Distrust/Skepticism/Suspicion
Stress/Tension/Anxiety/Apprehension/Worry
Agitation/Vexation/Negativity/Dread
Moodiness, Sorrow, Continual Crying
Loneliness
Depression
Confusion, Ineptness, Paralysis (mental?)
Stuttering
Hyper Sensitivity, Unduly Cautious/Careful
Excitability/Panic/Hysteria
Fears of:
Heights, closed-in places, darkness, germs, danger, death
Phobias, Paranoia, Terror, Torment, Trembling, Rejection Sleep
Disorders
Insomnia, sleeplessness, sleepiness, teeth grinding, nightmares
Sickness
Hormonal imbalance, headaches, high blood pressure, heart attacks,
migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome
Escapism
Procrastination
Daydreaming, fantasy, unreality, indifference
Pretension (posing, posturing), sophistication, playacting, theatrics,
pouting, hypochondria, isolation, recluse
Restlessness, roving
Self-Reward
Mind Control
Schizophrenia
Insanity
For Fantasy, see also the Spirit of Whoredom
For Headaches, see also the Spirit of Infirmity
For Resentment, see also the Spirit of Jealousy
Once the house is plundered: command the spirit of fear to get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: humility, mercy, love, peace, joy, a
spirit of truth, spirit of boldness, power, love, a sound mind, a
spirit of adoption, true kingdom identity, awakening to the
Word of God, awakening of the presence of the Lord, fresh
infilling of the Holy Spirit

HAUGHTY SPIRIT: PRIDEFUL SPIRIT

An arrogant man is inflated with pride nothing but a snooty

scoffer in love with his own opinion. Mr. Mocker is his name!
(Proverbs 21:24)

Haughty/Prideful Spirit
Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the haughty/pride spirit
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs: Independence, Intellectualism, Self-Centered, Pride, Control,

Entitlement, Anger, Excessively Competitive, Racism
Competitive (excessively)
Perfectionist
Pride in education, pride in position (excessive)
Entitlement
Coveting, greed, self-pity, idleness
Frustration, Impatience, Agitation
Critical, Judgmental, Resentful, Intolerance, Gossip
Argumentative
Lying/Deception
Spiritual Pride (independence)
Intellectualism (knowledge is from reason), Rationalism (reason is
truth)
Religious spirit, legalism
Rebellion
Rejection of God (atheism)
Ego-Centric
Self-Importance, vanity, self-centered, self-righteous
Self-Delusion, self-deception, selfishness
Pretension (posing or posturing)
False Humility, playacting, theatrics
Uncompassionate (emotionally hard)
Unforgiving
Pride
Superiority, egotism, arrogance, haughtiness, smugness
Stubborn, obstinate, stiff-necked
Boastful, bragging
Scornful (mocking)
Holier-than-thou attitude, lofty looks
Controlling
Overbearing, domineering, dictatorial
Anger/Bitterness, Bitter Root Judgment/Hatred
Irritability, unkindness
Insolence (rude), contentiousness (combative)
Wrath (anger), rage
Violence
Note: For Wrath see also Spirit of Jealousy
Once the house is plundered: command the spirit of pride/haughtiness
to get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: humility, mercy, love, peace, joy, a
spirit of truth, awakening to the Word of God, awakening of
the presence of the Lord, fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit

SPIRIT OF HEAVINESS/DEPRESSION

To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland

instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the
mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be
called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He
may be glorified (Isaiah 61:3 NASB).

Spirit of Heaviness/Depression
Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the spirit of heaviness/depression
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs: Abandonment, Rejection, Brokenhearted, Condemnation,

Unworthiness, Self-Pity, Hopelessness, Insomnia, Torment, Passivity,
Escape, Thoughts of Suicide, Trauma or Repeated Traumas
Abandonment
Rejection
Bastard (to alienate)
Abortion (having one, surviving one)
Brokenhearted
Heartbreak, heartache, hurt, inner hurts
Excessive mourning, grief, sorrow, continual sadness Continual crying
Condemnation/Guilt/False Guilt
Burdened/False Burden, Pressured
Introspection
Critical, disgust
Unworthiness, shame
Troubled Spirit, Wounded Spirit
Self-Pity
Lack, Poverty
Discouragement
Dejection, defeatism
Despair, despondency, gloom
Hopelessness
Dread
Passivity
Weariness, sleepiness, tiredness, fatigue
Lethargy, listless, laziness
Indifference
Insomnia
Torment
Escape
Isolation, loneliness
Drivenness (excessive)
Hyperactivity
Restlessness, vagabond, wanderer
Gluttony
Disorder
Cruelty
Suicide
Morbidity (injury, illness)
Pain, headache, sickness
Death
Once the house is plundered: command the spirit of
heaviness/depression to get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: The Comforter, a garment of praise,
joy, love, peace, power, a sound mind, acceptance, true
kingdom identity, a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit, right
brain alignment and thoughts

SPIRIT OF INFIRMITY

And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity

eighteen years and was bent over and could in no way raise
herself up (Luke 13:11 NKJV).

Spirit of Infirmity
Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the spirit of infirmity
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs: Unforgiveness, Allergies, Infections, Diseases, Disorders, Mental

Illness, Oppression, Death
Generational Curses
Wounded Spirit
Unforgiveness
 Bitterness, hatred
Allergies
Hay fever, other allergies
Infections
Fever, inflammation
Colds, bronchitis
Fungus infections
Plague
Venereal disease
Diseases/Chronic Diseases
Arthritis
Asthma
Cancer
Epilepsy, seizures
Heart disorder, heart attack
Skin disorders
Ulcers
Lingering Disorders
ADD, ADHD
Bent body or spine Bleeding
Blindness
Deafness
Chronic weakness, feebleness
Fainting
Headaches, migraines
Impotence
Lameness, paralysis
Lingering trauma
Mental Illness
Memory loss, senility
Tourette’s syndrome
 Hallucinations
Schizophrenia paranoia
Mania (obsession, hysteria)
Insanity, lunatic, madness
Spirit of Death
Oppression
Slavery (enslavement, bondage, oppression)
Torment
Death
Note: For Oppression see also Spirit of Heaviness
For occult activity and cults that lead to infirmity, see Familiar Spirit
Once the house is plundered: command the spirit of infirmity to get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: wholeness, health, life, joy, power,
love a sound mind, peace, fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit

SPIRIT OF JEALOUSY

And if a spirit (sense, attitude) of jealousy comes over him and

he is jealous and angry at his wife who has defiled herself—or
if a spirit of jealousy comes over him and he is jealous of his
wife when she has not defiled herself (Numbers 5:14 AMP).

Spirit of Jealousy
Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the spirit of jealousy
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
 ■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs: Unworthiness, Insecurity, Self-Centered, Competitive, Critical,

Anger, Unforgiveness, Argumentative, Gossip, Inability to Cry, Causing
Division, Rebellion, Self-Hatred, Bitterness, Hatred, Racism
Unworthiness, Inferiority
Insecurity
Materialistic/Covetous/Envy/Greed
Dreamer (imaginations)
Ego-Centric/Self-Centered (self-focused)
Competitive (excessively)
Discontent, dissatisfaction, restlessness
Indifference, hardness of heart, inability to cry
Selfish
Critical
Judging, faultfinding
Distrust, suspicion
Gossip, accusations, backbiting, belittling
Anger
Spite, (anger), strife (anger), temper, burn (anger), rage Bitterness,
bitter root judgment, hatred, enmity (hatred)
Unforgiveness
Factiousness (division)
Seeking to cause debates, causing divisions, disputes
Contentious, argumentative, bickering, quarreling
Mocking, dishonorable words, cursing, coarse jesting
slander, lying
Deception (deceived, deceiving)
Rebellion
Blasphemy
Malice (evil intent, anger)
Retaliation, revenge
 Stealing
Fighting, gangs, violence
Cruelty, hurt, sadism (inflicting pain)
Wickedness
Destruction
Murder
Self-Hatred, Suicide
Once the house is plundered: command the spirit of jealousy to get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: love, acceptance, peace, joy, self-
control, patience, contentment, fresh infilling of the Holy
Spirit

LYING SPIRIT

There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are
an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and
hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked
plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters
lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers (Proverbs
6:16-19 NASB).

Lying Spirit
Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the lying spirit
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits
Signs: Independence, Pride, Performance, Low Self-Image, Poverty,
Emotionalism, Wickedness, Rationalization (excuse), False Spirituality
Mind Control, Sexual Sin, Drugs, ADD
Fear of Authority, Other Fears
Independence
Pride, arrogance, vanity
Entitlement
Self-Protection
Performance
Perfectionism, drivenness
Seeking approval
Insecurity, low self-image
False responsibility, false burden
Lying
Excessive talking
Flattery
False compassion
Exaggeration, insinuations (implying)
Gossip, accusations, slander
False witness
Deceit, cheating, manipulation
Stealing, robbery
Rationalization (excuse)
Hypocrisy
Poverty, Financial Problems (especially tithing)
Emotionalism
Passion (inordinate)
Crying
Arguments
Profanity
Wickedness
 Vengeance
Religious Spirit
Jezebel Spirit
False Spirituality
False Prophet/False Prophecy
Dreamer, Vain Imaginations/Strong Delusions
Superstitions
False Oaths
Curses, Self-Inflicted Curses
False Teaching/False Doctrines/Heresy
Divination
Mind Control
Mental Bondage
Sexual
Fantasies, uncleanness, lust, pornography, compulsive masturbation,
fornication, adultery, sodomy, lesbianism, homosexual behavior,
transsexual behavior, transvestite, depraved desires
Drugs
Notes: For False Prophecy, see also Familiar Spirit.
For “homosexuality” and Sodomy, see also Spirit of Perversion,
Whoredom.
Once the house is plundered: command the lying spirit to get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: honesty, goodness, truth, purity, joy,
awakening to the Word of God, a fresh filling of the Holy
Spirit

SPIRIT OF ERROR

We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of

God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and
 the spirit of error (1 John 4:6 NKJV).

Spirit of Error
Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the spirit of error
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs:Lack of Discernment, Easily Persuaded, False Beliefs, Pride,

Anger, Competition, Lies
Lack of Discernment
Easily Persuaded (toward error)
False Doctrines, New Age Beliefs
Cults, occult, doctrines of devils
Pride/Haughtiness
Always right, unsubmissive, unteachable
Angry
Argumentative, defensive, contentious, (self-protection)
Hatred
Competition (excessive)
Hypocrisy, Lies
Once the house is plundered: command the spirit of error to get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: Spirit of Truth, Spirit of Promise,
patience, peace, self-control

SPIRIT OF PERVERSION/WHOREDOM/LUST/SEXUAL SIN

 The Lord has mingled a perverse spirit in her; so they have
caused Egypt to err in her every work (Isaiah 19:14 MEV).

Spirit of Perversion/Lust, Spirit of Whoredom/Sexual Sin

Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the spirit of perversion/whoredom/lust/ sexual sin
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs:Lusts, Sexual Sin, Emotional Dissatisfaction, Wounded Spirit,

Confusion, Unbelief, Deception, Worldliness, Evil Actions
Wounded Spirit
Guilt, shame, chronic worry
Emotional weakness, weakness, dizziness
Emotional dissatisfaction
Unforgiveness
Hatred
Self-hatred, marking, cutting, suicidal thoughts, actions
Doubt, Unbelief
Atheism
Idolatry
False teachings
Doctrinal error (twisting the word of God)
Diviner (false prophet)
Confusion (spirit of Egypt)
Deception
Lover of Self
Arrogance, stubbornness, contentiousness, crankiness
Lust for Authority/Power/Position/Social Standing
Lust for Money, Greed, Hoarding, Poverty
Lust for Food
Lust for Activity (excessive)
Worldliness
Foolishness
Drunkard spirit
Tattoos
Evil actions
Cruelty
Lust for Sex
Uncontrollable sexual desires, perverse sexual acts,sensuality, lustful
fantasy, filthy mindedness, adulterous fantasy pornography, self-
gratification, compulsive masturbation, self-exposure, exhibitionism
Seduction
Fornication (sexual activity before marriage), Promiscuity,
Unfaithfulness, Adultery, Rape
Harlotry, whoredom, prostitution of body, soul or spirit; illegitimate
children, bastard spirit (unholy covenant) Abortion
sexual deviation, perversion
Homosexuality (same sex), sodomy (anal, oral), lesbianism (same sex)
Bisexuality (with both sexes), Transvestite (cross-dressing+),
Sadomasochism (physical, mental suffering in sex)
Incest (family members)
Child abuse
Pedophilia (with children)
Incubus, Succubus (dreams of sex with spirits)
Chronic sexual dissatisfaction, frigidity
Seducing spirit, Spirits of Shame, Pride, Lust
Once the house is plundered: command the spirit of
perversion/whoredom/lust/sexual sin to get out.
 ■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)
■ Loose and welcome in: chastity, discernment, godliness,
purity, Spirit of Truth, Spirit of Holiness, ability to abstain
from sexual sin, self-control, healing from addiction and
bondage

SEDUCING SPIRIT

But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that

in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying
attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and
doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1 AMP).

Seducing Spirit
Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the seducing spirit
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs:Fear of Man, Seeks Attention, Dulled Sense of Right and Wrong,

Attracted to False Prophets, Evil Persons, Greed, Hypocrisy
Fear of Man
Wanders from the Truth of God
Seared Conscience (dulled sense of right and wrong)
Emulation (imitates)
Gullible/Easily Swayed/Easily Deceived/Enticed/Seduced
Attracted to False Prophets, Signs and Wonders
Fascination with Evil Ways
Evil objects, evil persons
 Music that defies, mocks or rejects God
Trance
Including fascination with evil television shows and movies steeped in
the occult, vampires, dark angels, werewolves, etc.
Seeks Attention
Sensual in Dress, Actions
Greed, Exploitation
Hypocritical Lies
Once the house is plundered: command the seducing spirit to get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: Spirit of Truth, Spirit of Holiness,
purity, awakening to the truth and Word of God, true gift of
prophecy

SPIRIT OF SLUMBER/UNBELIEF

God granted them a spirit of deep slumber. He closed their eyes

to the truth and prevented their ears from hearing up to this
day (Romans 11:8).

Spirit of Slumber/Unbelief
Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the spirit of slumber/unbelief
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs:Can’t Hear or Understand the Word of God, Unbelief, Confusion,

Distracted, Mental Slowness, Sleep Disorders, Sickness, Sexual Sin
Can’t Hear the Word of God
Can’t Stay Awake in Church
Confusion
Distracted Easily
ADD, ADHD
Dizziness
Mental Slowness
Lethargy
Lazy
Sleep Disorders
Sleepiness, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleeplessness
Unbelief, Blasphemer
Fear, Torment, Terror
Sexual Sin, Perversions
Sickness
Eye disorders, blindness
Hearing problems
Arthritis
Asthma
Anemia
Circulatory problems
Palpitations
Note: For Sickness see also Spirit of Infirmity
Once the house is plundered: command the spirit of slumber/unbelief to
get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: being filled with the Spirit, spiritual
eyes open, healing, awakening to the Word of God,
awakening to the presence of God
 SPIRIT OF REJECTION
Spirit of Rejection
Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the spirit of rejection
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs:Self-Rejection, Overly Aggressive Reactions, Independence, Self-

Idolatry, Covetousness, Pride, Sabotaging of Relationships, Fears,
Rebellion, Emotional Immaturity, Trauma or Repeated Traumas
Aggressive Reactions
Refusing comfort
Rejections of others
Harshness, hardness
Skepticism, unbelief
Aggressive attitudes
Swearing, foul language
Argumentative
Stubborn, defiance
Rebellion
Fighting
Self-Rejection
Low self-image
Inferiorities
Insecurity
Inadequacy
Sadness, grief, sorrow
 Self-accusation, self-condemnation
Inability or refusal to communicate
Fear of failure
Fear of other’s opinions
Anxiety, worry, depression
Negativity, pessimism
Hopelessness, despair
Measures to Counter Fear of Rejection
Striving, Achievement
Performance, Competition
Withdrawal, Aloneness
Independence:
Isolation
Self-protection
Self-centeredness
Selfishness
Self-justification
Self-righteousness
Self-Idolatry:
Criticism
Judgment
Envy, jealousy
Covetousness
Self-pity
Pride:
Egotism
Haughtiness
Arrogance
Manipulation
Possessiveness
Emotional immaturity
 Perfectionism
Once the house is plundered: command the spirit of rejection to get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: love, acceptance, true kingdom
identity, spirit of adoption, awakening to the Father heart of
God

RELIGIOUS SPIRIT

Jesus spoke up and said, “Watch out for the yeast of the
Pharisees and the Sadducees” (Matthew 16:6 TPT).

Religious Spirit
Bind:
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the religious spirit
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs: Legalism, Pride, Holier-Than-Thou Attitude, Ritual over

Relationship, Fear, Judgment, Against New Moves of God
Overemphasis on Outward Form
Have to say the right word
Have to do the right things
Have to have the right look
Fear of what others think
Dresses to attract attention on oneself
Dresses like Jesus, an angel, in a manner that draws attention to the
person and not to Jesus
 Acts otherworldly
Always quoting scripture, cannot engage in conversation without
making everything spiritual, acting above others
False tongues
Condemnation and Fear
Condemns when things aren’t done “just right”
Perfectionism
Fear of failure
Fear of losing man’s approval
Pride
Judgmental
Critical
Holier-than-thou attitude
Self-righteous
Self-exalting or great false humility
Functions closely with a political mindset and spirit
Resists New Moves of God
Jealousy
Steeped in tradition
Speaks out against moves of the Lord
Their tradition and movement is the most spiritual and elite
Elitist thinking about their traditions
Superstition
With using the Word
With their rituals
All tradition works and fear based
Oppressive Legalism
No flexibility
Rigid dogma
Required and method-based prayers
Required and method-based services
 No freedom for gifts or the Holy Spirit to move freely
No thriving relationship with Jesus or the Holy Spirit
Driven Need to Figure Out God
Intellectualism
Driven to make God predictable
Cannot relate to the supernatural
Places God in a box
Much doctrinal error
Deception
Lying spirit
Dependence on Self-Effort
Achieves righteousness through works of the flesh
Striving
Cannot experience peace separate from works
Perfectionist
Undue Emphasis on Tradition
Turning tradition into an idol
Idol worship
Worship focused toward an object or person and not to Jesus
No spiritual life or presence on the tradition
Spiritually dead
Accuses and condemns those who do not embrace tradition
Falsely honoring God with words, but not in heart and action
Spirit of Unbelief
Spirit of Slumber
Spirit of Bondage
Spirit of Fear
Once the house is plundered: command the religious spirit to get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

 ■ Loose and welcome in: Spirit of Truth, freedom, relationship
with Jesus, awakening to His Word, awakening to His
presence, fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit

SPIRIT OF JEZEBEL

But I have this against you: you tolerate that woman Jezebel,
who calls herself a prophetess and is seducing my loving
servants. She is teaching that it is permissible to indulge in
sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols. I have
waited for her to repent from her vile immorality, but she
refuses to do so. Now I will lay her low with terrible distress
along with all her adulterous partners if they do not repent
(Revelation 2:20-22).

The Spirit of Jezebel (This spirit can operate in both men and
Bind:
women)
Plunder its house!

■ Repentance for aligning with and operating under the

influence of the Jezebel spirit
■ Break attachments from the below listed activities and other
partnering demonic spirits
■ Renounce all of the following activities
■ Cast out or evict all partnering evil spirits

Signs: Prophetic, (but wants to control those who are truly prophetic);
Gets Close to Leadership, Defensive, Not Teachable, Bypasses Proper
Authority, Deceptive, Spiritual Pride, Desires Control; In the World:
Seductive, Power Hungry (makes evil deals for power, will say one thing
to gain favor will do the exact opposite to get power)
Prophetic Assignment
Appears prophetic
Threatened by true prophets
 Speaks soulish prophecies to entice people
Controls those who are true prophets
Silences the voice of the true prophet
Steals favor from the true prophet
False Favor
Establishes relationship with leader
Finds weakness and uses against others, leaders
Usurps authority for complete control
Seduction with words
Seduction with actions
Seeks to gain pastoral, leadership endorsement
Manipulation
Seeks recognition impurely
Will deceive and lie to gain favor (lying spirit)
Operates in false humility (for the sake of favor)
Will look for the weak link (someone to become the Ahab)
Appears Very Spiritual
Uses flattery to appeal to others
Their word is the final word even over leaders
Operates in a religious spirit
Quick to point out faults of others while appearing sad about those
faults
Doctrinal error, subtle twisting of the Word of God
Impure motives
Seek sdisciples to lead
Very secretive when praying for others (usually in isolated places)
Says to be able to impart a higher spiritual impartation than anyone
else
Control
Controls prayer, church, Christian meetings
Business meetings
 Governmental meetings
In the world wants media attention
Will engage in evil deeds to control
Sexual acts
Sexual perversion
Mammon, greed/illegal money dealings for wealth
Lies and Defames for Power/Control
Kills
Robs Inheritance
Pride
Control
False humility
Actually, has poor selfesteem, wears religious mask to hide it
Will engage in very overt “spiritual acts” to gain attention
Wailing, crying, mourning, warring, contending, prophesying
Families Life Is Shaky
When in the World, Often Involved in Occult Activity
Once the house is plundered: command the spirit of Jezebel to get out.

■ Issue an eviction notice to this spirit (Speak it out loud)

■ Loose and welcome in: Spirit of Truth, love, spirit of
prophecy, holiness, purity, new infilling of the Holy Spirit,
awakening to His Word and awakening to His presence

NOTE
1. Alice Smith, Delivering the Captives (Bloomington, MN: Bethany
House Publishers, 2006), 96-118, Used by permission of publisher.
 ABOUT REBECCA GREENWOOD

Rebecca Greenwood co-founded Christian Harvest International, Strategic

Prayer Apostolic Network and Christian Harvest Training Center which
ministers to the nations through teaching at Christian conferences, schools
and gatherings and travels extensively releasing prophetic words and
strategies for cities, regions, nations, and spheres of influence. Over the past
30 years, she has mobilized and led prophetic intercession and
transformational spiritual warfare prayer journeys to over 45 nations which
have resulted in effective transformational breakthrough. She is the author
of ten books. And is the host of Reigning in Life, which appears on It’s
Supernatural Network (ISN). Rebecca and her husband, Greg, reside in
Colorado Springs, CO and they have three beautiful daughters and three
wonderful sons-in-law.
 from

Your gateway to knowledge and culture. Accessible for everyone.

z-library.se singlelogin.re go-to-zlibrary.se single-login.ru

O cial Telegram channel

Z-Access

https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Z-Library
ffi