As a believer, do you see yourself as a victim or as an overcomer? The adversary will exploit weaknesses of a believer in order to keep the believer in subjection to his demonic intent. We have been given the Absolute Truth so that we can be successful in warfare against the adversary and his subtle strategies.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 1st Corinthians chapter 14:
1 It is good that you are enthusiastic and passionate about spiritual gifts, especially prophecy. 2 When someone speaks in tongues, no one understands a word he says, because he’s not speaking to people, but to God—he is speaking intimate mysteries in the Spirit. 3 But when someone prophesies, he speaks to encourage people, to build them up, and to bring them comfort. 4 The one who speaks in tongues advances his own Spiritual progress, while the one who prophesies builds up the church. 5 I would be delighted if you all spoke in tongues, but I desire even more that you impart prophetic revelation to others. Greater gain comes through the one who prophesies than the one who speaks in tongues, unless there is interpretation so that it builds up the entire church.
Though Paul focused on the gift of Tongues to build up the church in the above passage, we must understand that praying in Tongues does two important things at a personal level: speaking intimate mysteries in the Spirit and advancing our personal Spiritual progress.
As you mature, you become qualified to build up the church by submitting to The Holy Spirit in a public setting. This is what happened to me. FATHER has used me to bring forth hundred’s of messages in Tongues with others anointed to interpreted them. Rarely would HE give me the interpretation… only when there was no other willing vessel to provide it.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in 2nd Corinthians chapter 10:
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
A stronghold is a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack. We have full and complete access to the power and authority required to pull down any stronghold established by the adversary, without limitation. Our only limitation is our ignorance due to lack of revelation and/or resistance by a contrary mindset.
James wrote in chapter 4 of his epistle:
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
When we submit to GOD, we only respond and act according to what HE instructs. We no longer take the view that we will take action until HE stops us. We should only act WHEN HE instructs us. The faith movement of the 70’s and 80’s tended to promote “faith” actions hoping that FATHER would bless them even though they did not receive instructions from Heaven. Many crashed and burned thus they questioned themselves rather than the ministries that promoted such a doctrine.
It is critical that we focus explicitly on what the Scriptures convey rather than man’s slanted view of what is written. In order to be successful in Spiritual warfare, we must discipline ourselves and remove any past doctrines which contained partial truths, mixed with man’s intent apart from FATHER.