THE HOLY GHOST: A BELIEVER’S FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE
“WHEN THE ENEMY SHALL COME IN LIKE A FLOOD, THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD SHALL LIFT UP A STANDARD AGAINST HIM.” (Isaiah 59:19b) When a believer is yielded to the Divine Ministry of the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost places a standard or a shield, around that person. The enemy is barred at a safe distance. Satan is reduced to casting threats and snares, but cannot touch them. This is a perfect picture of how far beneath the supernatural powers available our church world is living.
THE CHURCH WORLD DOES NOT GRASP THAT EVERYTHING JESUS CHRIST DID, EVERYTHING HE SAID, THE TOTAL PLAN OF REDEMPTION IS EXACTLY WHAT THE HOLY GHOST WAS SENT TO ACCOMPLISH. Without the Holy Ghost anointing, it’s all empty words and no person can be changed or redeemed. This is why Jesus Christ said to His disciples, “Tarry in the city of Jerusalem UNTIL ye be endued with POWER. A Preacher that does not pray until he is filled with the Holy Ghost is just noise, maybe good noise, but empty to change lives.
The Holy Ghost is not only a “River of Grace,” He is a “Wall of Defense.” The Holy Ghost is the great “Restrainer” of Satan and all his fallen angels. Paul, the Apostle spoke of this in connection with the spirit of Antichrist. His anointed words were, “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming…” (Thessalonians 2:6-8) All the way back to Genesis, the Holy Spirit is the Divine One that drives darkness away in defeat.
When Jesus Christ came into the human realm to redeem us, the Father gave him an anointing of the Holy Spirit. Our Scripture informs us that He received this anointing without limitation. The fullness of the Holy Ghost was set to defend Him, because He would be a subject of Satan’s greatest possible effort to destroy. “For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him: (John 3:34) There were times that the effort was made to kill him, but they failed. The Holy Ghost put an absolute hedge around the Son of God and nothing could touch Him until he planned His own death.
Look at how desperately we need the proper defense of ourselves against Satan’s horde. The Ephesian Church was warned of the overwhelming forces that Satan would marshal against them, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11) It is very clear that Believers defense is not an automatic fact. We prepare for our own victory by obedience to Biblical preparation. We are not robots and the Lord does not impose against our own lack of action. This is a very important truth.
He said, “Put on the whole armour.” Be a good soldier of the Lord and gird yourself for battle. Then He stated, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) This passage reveals the entire organization of Satans army. From the foot soldiers to the “spiritual wickedness in high places,” we are under attack. Most Christians have never even considered their plan for defense. Satans powers are only paranormal, but our defense is supernatural. Remember David’s words as he heard the bellowing of the giant? He faced him bravely declaring, “And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands…” (I Samuel 17:47) David was not idle when He said those words. He was racing toward the giant but trusting in the Lord. The giant did not have a chance.
It’s beautiful to discover how many times in Scripture we are told to “pray in the Spirit.” Jude warned us saying, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost…” (Jude 20) After the instruction concerning our enemy in Ephesians Six, He concludes by saying, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit (THE HOLY GHOST), and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Ephesians 6:18) The Holy Ghost is our wall of defense against Satan.
Of course this entire victory is the great plan of redemption that Jesus Christ has won for us, but the administrator of this plan is the person of the Holy Ghost. You can claim victory in Jesus all day, but until you yield your life to His Spirit, the Holy Ghost, it’s all beautiful words with no authority. Satan is laughing at the spiritual ignorance of today’s religious world. At least 60% to 70% of the infirmities afflicting our world including the church are “afflicting spirits” or spirits of infirmities. No medicine can change the condition of our bodies when the affliction is spiritual. God’s Holy Ghost can defeat that spirit instantly and the person will be whole. The Bible says that “..God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38)
In this battle with the devil, we do not even know how to pray but the Holy Spirit does. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26) Our battles are the Lord‘s battles and He is ready to come to our defense. Turn it over to Him and He will unleash the powers of the Holy Ghost and your life will be ready for victory.
PLEASE ORDER THE FREE GIFT FOR THIS WEEK, “THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES” OR “THE KUNDALINI SPIRIT, IMITATING THE HOLY GHOST.” A NEW STUDY NOTEBOOK IS IN THE MAKING, “THE COMFORTER HAS COME: THE SPIRIT OF JESUS CHRIST.” The theme is “A River Flowing From The Throne.” This STUDY NOTEBOOK is for every Believer who is hungry for a rich and powerful life in Jesus Christ. Whatever your Church background, this STUDY NOTEBOOK is for one purpose. We want you to discover the promises of Jesus Christ for a Spirit-filled walk in the Holy Bible. This is going to be a wonderful Bible study. Call (800) 33-TRUTH (800) 338 7884 or (704) 391 0588. E-mail us at secretary@pawcreek.org
Susan Howell
Please send me the free gift this week “They Shall Speak with New Tongues” and “The Kundalini Spirit, Imitating the Holy Ghost.” I enjoy your ministry. Thank you.
Betty Russell
I would like the Comforter Has Come and TheY shall Speak With New Tongues God Bless You enjoy your sermons.Thank You!!!
Ed Wood
Perhaps a simple way to think the Holy Spirit is to think of him as the “Great Communicator.” With him dwelling within us, he provides the path for God’s messages, discernment, and insight to reach us. And, on occasion, even miracles themseves. Not only that, but he makes our prayers back to God go far beyond words alone.
Without his presence, we can do nothing.
On a greater scale the absence of the Holy Spirit certainly explains the present condition of the weak and theologically adrift condition of much of the modern church today.
Sandra Hendricks
It’s an amazing thing that God would evem use us in the war against satan….but so many choose to do it in their own strength….rather than His…and it’s been devastating to the churches today! Without ME you can do nothing, He said! The Spirit will not speak of Himself, but of Christ. God said about Christ, Hear ye Him! Mary said about her son, “Whatever He says, do it”! When God’s people stop thinking, and start obeying what their LORD has already told them, the Holy Spirit will do more abundantly than we could ever ask or think!