Genesis 14:14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan.
Abram whose name was later changed to Abraham zealously arouse and went against the five kings who took his nephew and his possessions captive. Genesis 14:16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people. When Abraham and Lot separated and went their way, Lot impetuously and immaturely chose the land that looked attractive and glamorous. However, when Abraham heard about the calamity that hit his nephew, he did not gossip, complain or judge about Lot’s wrong decision. He immediately mustered 318 able trained men and pursued the raiders and recovered not only his nephew and his possession but all those who were taken captive.
The battles of the Old Testament are the shadows of the spiritual battles of the New Testament. We hear of our relatives and friends being robbed of their family, children and oneness; we hear of their devil looting the wealth, health and well being; we hear our dear ones taken captive by ungodly habits, unhealthy friendships and unwholesome lifestyles. When Abraham heard that his nephew was taken captive, he plunged into action. The devil, the destructor invades into our lives to steal, slay and enslave us. John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.
However, everybody’s battles cannot become ours. This was not Abraham’s battle, there was no loss of possessions or interruption to his life yet, he sprung into action. Three keys to take ownership of the battles that others face as our own:
1. Steal: There are those around us that are being constantly robbed, but are naive that their wealth and health is being stolen. When friends and family accept diabetes, blood pressure and migraine as hereditary or aging issues, we must step in to fight those battles. These are delusions that the devil has blinded us into. Patterns of financial loss, repeated wrong business decisions and constant stress in money matters is caused by the looter stealing into our bank balances. These are battles that we must step into, imprison the thief and secure the homes.
2. Slay: There are other families and friends who go through repeated relationship issues, early deaths and irreparable damage to their family union. Tearing families apart is the technique of the devil to devastate our spiritual lives. We must be the bigger person to forgive, let go and reconcile or be the facilitator to bring about peace, joy and unity back into families. Where there is division the demonic will rule, the children will become unruly and trespasser will become bosses. These are battles we must step into, expose the enemy and seal our homes.
3. Slave: There are families that are enslaved by habits, practices and lifestyles that keep them captive to demonic activity. These associates are helpless and blinded. They are under the illusion of charms, superstition and sorcery. When we are drawn into their life, it becomes our responsible to fight the battle for them on our knees to deliver them. We must invest our time to pray, counsel and set them free from captivity.
Information is made available to us for a reason. It is not for us to discuss, regret and forget but for us to mobilize spiritual strength and swing into action! We are called to get into spiritual warfare to set the captives free, heal the broken hearted and break bondages.
Isaiah 42:7 ..Open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.
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