Today, we are blessed to share with you a message from guest Voices Against the Grain devotional writer, Minister Bryan Williams of Charlotte, N.C. Thank you Minister Williams for presenting a word to embolden us in our faith walk. -Nicole
Minister Bryan Williams, Voices Against the Grain Guest Devotional Writer
How do you fight against the unseen world?
I just finished up a series where I was teaching teens on “The Benefits of Having a Godly Man in the Home” and “The Side Effects of Not Having One” and I must say that this study took on a life of its own. From that, the Lord impressed upon my heart to transition from that topic to talking about ‘Demons and the Unseen World’ and I felt led to share this word with you.
So how do we fight against demons and the unseen world:
1) “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10)
If we’re going to fight against the demonic spirits in this world, then the first thing that I encourage you to be is STRONG IN THE LORD! I mean:
- a) Strong mentally
- b) Strong physically (with keeping your body healthy and in shape)
- c) Strong in your word, knowing and proclaiming it
- d) Strong in your faith
- e) Strong with filling up in the Holy Spirit
With all that is happening all over the world, Orlando, ISIS, planes being shot down, who our next president will be, gun control and the demonic spirit that is homosexuality, it is a must that we are and remain strong in the Lord.
2) “We have to put on the WHOLE armor” (Ephesians 6:11)
The Word teaches us that we need the WHOLE armor (and not some or one) but the WHOLE ARMOR to fight against what is constantly before us. One of the main weapons that we need to make sure is sharp is ‘the sword of the spirit,’ which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). Now what I’m about to mention is not one of the weapons but I believe it flows along with having the armor on. Verse 18 in Ephesians 6 talks about ‘praying in the Spirit’ and in order to fight against spiritual wickedness, we must be praying IN THE SPIRIT, BY THE SPIRIT, THROUGH THE SPIRIT AND TO THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD. Not only that, verse 19 of Ephesians 6 talks about speaking boldly. My brothers and my sisters, stand boldly on the Word of God and tell those who are lost about His love, His forgiveness, His grace and mercy and never leave out that He’s coming back (Matthew 24:36).
3) “Recognize that our fight is NOT with flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12)
During this fast, I was reminded by the Holy Spirit that our battle is NOT with people (or flesh) but our battle is against unseen spiritual wickedness that is all around us. It’s not the people but what it’s trying to possess, control and persuade people to do the very opposite of what Christ has instructed us. Don’t engage in arguments with non believers and the rebellious. Stand firm on the Word and do what #4 below says in calling out the spirits.
4) “We must call out those spirits” (Mark 9:25)
Instead of engaging in meaningless arguments (about the truth) with people who are being rebellious, while giving them “a soft answer that turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1), speak to the spirit within them and call them out. You who carry the cross, you who carry the name Jesus in your spirit and in your heart, you who display the image of God, with the power of His might, call the evil spirits out.
5) “Understand that only some things comes through FASTING & PRAYING” (Mark 9:29)
I encourage the Body of Christ that not only do we need more praying in the spirit but I encourage you to proclaim a fast for you, your household and your church. I so appreciate those who are on their knees and face but I encourage those (under the sound of my text voice) to fast and pray in the spirit. I hear in the spirit that some walls need to come down, some doors need to be opened, some family members need to be healed, set free and delivered. I believe that God’s order, plan and commands need to be re-established, that the Men of God need to reclaim our Dominion and that fasting and praying is needed and so necessary for a time such as this.
6) “We must display God’s love through the image of God through us” (Acts 4:13)
Food for thought: If I were to see you Monday through Saturday night and if I never spoke to you, could I tell you were a Christian? Would I want to know God based off your actions? Would I be able to see Christ through you (outside of church)? I lift this up because, now more than ever, lost people don’t just need to hear a sermon but they need to see one as well. How else are the lost going to turn toward Christ unless they see God’s love and compassion displayed through us? Christ is calling us (the children of light) into dark places so that His light can shine and expose what’s been hidden in the dark but trying to overpower the light.
Minister Bryan Williams, who says “I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about somebody, who can save anybody,” recognized his gift to encourage at a young age. As he grew up in church and started hearing from the Lord (in a today generation voice), he recognized that he was set apart and in 2007, he accepted his call to the ministry. Not only did he recognize his call but he learned early that his passion was for the youth. Min. Williams volunteers in the community, is part of various teen girls’ organizations and mentors teen boys in the process. Min. Williams resides in Charlotte, N.C., and is the son of Walter and Helen Williams and has one brother, Walter Williams.
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