Principalities & Spiritual Warfare: Part 1

Principalities: The Spirit of the World and the Spirit of Religion

As the children of God, we must not be naive but aware and have the correct understanding of principalities and spiritual warfare, lest we "perish for the lack of knowledge." In a dream, the Lord said to me that there's a healing rain coming to this space, to this church, to this city, and to this nation. This rain symbolizes cleansing and refreshing - and with this will come exposure of DARKNESS. I was then taken up into a vision where I saw a person holding a HUGE larger-than-life broom, and this person was sweeping, sweeping, sweeping. The Lord said a CLEANSING is needed - such a clean-up will bring healing and deliverance. And then I was taken into warfare prayer. Some of you are going to find that in the coming weeks, your prayer life is going to be taken into dimensions you haven't seen or experienced before - many miracles, signs, and wonders will also happen, and above all that - much-needed healing and deliverance are going to take place. There's a healing and cleansing RAIN that's coming.

I had another very significant and detailed dream from the Lord. In the first scene, we were all getting ready here (in this space) to start our church service, and there was a child and an adult in the space causing a lot of ruckus and distraction, which then hindered the move of the Spirit at our service. In the next scene, I found myself in a basement with a group of people - and I recognized them as people I know from a certain church in another country. This church was operating in a religious spirit - the spirit of religion and tradition. The people in that basement were very hostile towards me, even though they knew me, and there was a lot of animosity in the air. They were gathered there to have a huge choir practice, and I was concerned that it was going to disrupt our service upstairs, that the choir practice would be too loud. I tried to speak to the person in charge there about it, and they started arguing with me. Suddenly, a fire drill began, and everyone was asked to evacuate the building. Funnily enough, the fire drill didn’t apply to our space upstairs, so our church service could continue, but the people in the basement had to immediately evacuate, and I quietly left that space using the back door.

When I sat with the Lord concerning the interpretation of this dream, He showed me that in the first scene where the adult and child were out of order in their conduct, it will distract and hinder the move of the Spirit - this is why John’s preaching last week was so important (he, of course, didn’t know that I had this dream). If the house of God lacks order, if we do not treat it with respect - we will grieve the Holy Spirit. You see, when we come here each week, we’re not just coming to a house. We are coming to THE house of the Lord. Even David had an order of worship - the Davidic order of worship - John preached last week that David spent millions of dollars just to make sure that everything was positioned correctly in order to house the glory.

And in the second scene of my dream, I encountered a religious group of people who were argumentative, not wanting to cooperate and were again trying to disrupt and distract from our service upstairs. I knew that the Lord was speaking to me about a religious spirit. Religious spirits are hostile, argumentative, and disruptive, and very loud/noisy, among other things. Their sole purpose is to come against an authentic move of God. They will slander, disrupt, lie, put on a façade, and try to stop an authentic move of God and tarnish the reputation of even authentic leaders.

It is very deceptive as it looks and sounds very ‘godly’ but it’s actually demonic. Many people cannot see through this spirit, and this is why you need discernment and also the gift of the discerning of spirits. Apostle Paul mentions the gift of discerning of spirits in 1 Corinthians 12:10. I taught on this at our School of the Prophets. And why a choir? Concerning this, the Lord said to me, “you are not called to preach to the choir” - meaning what? If you say that someone is preaching to the choir, you mean that they are presenting an argument or opinion to people who already agree with it - but I am called to preach something that goes against the grain - not something that goes against the biblical grain but the things that go against the religious grain - and not everyone will easily agree with it, but I’m preaching the Bible, you see. Therefore, the religious-minded will despise what I preach. And then the next scene of my dream - the fire drill and evacuation - God Himself through that fire drill, so to speak, caused a divine disruption. They were trying to disrupt our service, but God caused a divine disruption that forced that bunch of people to leave - they had to instantly evacuate the building, and we could continue with our church service. If you notice - we were ‘upstairs’ and these people were in the basement - us being upstairs symbolizes the fact that we have been called by the Lord to go up higher - He is giving us a higher vantage point and greater revelation - but this doesn’t mean that we’re better than anyone else - we cannot develop spiritual pride - we just have to responsibly steward what God is giving us.

Moving Beyond the Typical Way

The Lord began to tell me how to start praying to come against this spirit and assured me that we would have victory - this thing will not be able to stop the move of God which The Ark Church has been called to carry. But we cannot be naive - we need to be vigilant, alert, and praying. In the dream, I walked out the backdoor - why the backdoor? The Lord said to me that this backdoor exit symbolizes bypassing red tape - the usual religious red tape, not doing things the typical or expected way 'by the book', but moving in humility (just quietly going out of the backdoor without causing a scene) - pride, including spiritual pride, has no place in this equation, moving behind the scenes (undercover), something not expected, breaking barriers, and that this will ruffle many feathers!

It was prophesied to me MANY TIMES over the years that I am called to come against and overthrow the spirit of religion and tradition, and as a result, many will not like me, many will oppose me, many will slander me. But for me to understand that Satan was actually trying to stop an authentic move of God which I was called to host. People will call you all sorts of things, BUT look at the fruit of this ministry. We need to understand these things, be vigilant, and know how to pray - we need to know how to handle the agents (demons and people) the enemy will use. There’s spiritual warfare in this, but we do not have to fear - the Bible gives us tools and strategies on how to battle these things. And this is what this church is called to do! And God has promised us victory - the spirit of religion and tradition will have to evacuate no matter how much it tries to hinder us - it will have to leave in the name of Jesus. What an awesome dream this was - all the prophetic symbols and the deep layers of meaning in it.

Although I did not tell a certain church member that I was going to teach on the spirit of religion and tradition, the very next day, he contacts me to tell me that he had a dream and to ask for the interpretation. It was a very symbolic prophetic dream, and the Lord showed him that he was coming against a spirit of religion and tradition in that dream. The outcome of his dream was very similar to mine - this spirit was overcome! Look at how much and how quickly God is speaking - but we have to take these things seriously. It’s not just the spirit of religion that we are contending with - the Lord has been showing me a few other nasty spirits that have been trying to creep into the church - but they have been exposed and will be dealt with accordingly.

I urge every one of you to do a self-check - a spiritual inventory if you like, on YOURSELF. It is also my intention that this teaching series will give you the necessary knowledge and understanding you’re going to need concerning these things so that you will be vigilant and always prepared. This is NOT to point the finger at anyone else and say so and so might be operating in such and such spirit - do not do that. If you have a GENUINE concern about anything, you can come and speak to me privately.

You need to understand what an Apostolic ministry is - what it means to be under an Apostle. I still provide you with pastoral and spiritual care, I still teach, I still evangelize - so I’m functioning essentially in all five offices of the five-fold ministry but my main DNA or mantle, if you like, is of an Apostle and Prophet - and you need to understand the makeup of Apostles and Prophets. We are called to bring order - and you need to understand the difference between godly order and religious order. We are called to expose and pull down principalities in high places, and we are called to build. We are very strict, but we’re also full of Christ’s love. I need a team who will be on the same page; who will back me up; who will carry my DNA; who will always be accountable and not get slack concerning the things of the Lord. These will be the TRUE spiritual sons and daughters.

I read this recently: Apostles are mantled to challenge and overthrow territorial principalities and powers because they carry grace to transform regions, cities, and nations through the gospel of Jesus Christ and establishing His kingdom. They are called to lead warships, not cruise ships - this is why you’ll find that this place is not a cruisy social club - we’re not about the coffee and the doughnuts; the tea and the curry puffs. They build military bases and not country clubs. This place may not be for everyone and that’s ok - but if you’re serious about the things of God, if you’re desiring to see a greater measure of His glory, if you want to see unprecedented miracles - you are in the right place. Apostles flow in a binding and loosing grace. They bind devils and loose the heavenly realms over geographic locations - this is why God has sent me on many assignments into the nations. I will be starting to travel again soon - it is part of my job description. I am very strict and guard this place as we cannot afford to have ungodly spirits and practices come in to tarnish an authentic move of God. Apostle Paul was very strict too and set order in the church.

Any other belief besides this unique faith is not allowed by the apostles (Gal. 1:7-9). Galatians 1:8 says, “If even we or an angel out of heaven should announce to you a gospel beyond that which we have announced to you, let him be accursed.” Paul teaches us in Romans 12:14 to bless and not curse those who persecute us, but here Paul tells us that some people are to be accursed. You can see how the apostles were very strict in their teaching, that is, in the New Testament teaching, the contents of the full gospel of God and the constitution of our Christian faith. It is for the protection of the church and the people. When it comes to principalities operating in and through people, although our heart towards these people should be redemptive and restorative, leaders also need to be strict about these matters and quickly deal with it. If it is left alone, it can cause disease in the church and bring destruction, such as ministries destroyed and churches split.

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.” (Ephesians 2:19-21)

This church too is built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. Unity and holiness are VERY important.

Stand Against the Rise of Spiritual Warfare

When Apostles plant churches and ministries, there will be serious regional spiritual warfare! The first thing I do when the Lord shows me something like this is to alert our intercessory team and also my personal prayer intercessors and ask them to PRAY! The Apostolic houses Apostles are called to establish will be seen as a threat rather than an asset to those operating in a religious spirit. Some churches and leaders will slander and even release “witchcraft” prayer against the new thing God is doing. Prayer can be witchcraft too - praying out of the soul realm - witchcraft is not just in the overt, for example, black magic - people can also release scripture to release witchcraft - releasing word curses, etc. The Apostolic people they are called to train and equip can also be attacked by Leviathan or other principalities as Satan seeks to divide and conquer. Satan’s tool is always division - for when we are divided, we are not strong. This is why Satan wants you to get hurt - to get offended, to be single-minded and not be in unity and agreement. Satan will want you to do your own thing and not abide by order and protocol - but I thank God here at The Ark - you will be a strong people. This is why worship, prayer, fasting, and unity are so necessary. We do not have to fear these things - we need to be equipped accordingly.

If I am called as an Apostle to plant and establish ministries and to also go out to the nations, or if you are a member of an apostolic house, we should not grow weary in well-doing by all the regional spiritual warfare that is stirring. You must recognize the “spirit” behind all the tension and strife. Keep praying! Keep standing! Keep building! Do not come off the wall! Understand what this is and also understand the strategies of the enemy and how to overcome! This ministry is called to expose the demonic and to also bring healing and deliverance. You can’t be in the presence of a true Apostle and Prophet and not have these things exposed - it’s just not possible - but with that also comes the opportunity for people to be delivered and set free IF they are willing.

Remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:18-20: “I will build My church; and the gates of Hell will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

This is what we carry. If we are living a consecrated life, the keys of the kingdom of heaven will be given to us and whatsoever we bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever we loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven - this is why we break, bind, and loose.

Biblical Definitions of Principalities

The book of Ephesians reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). This verse sheds light on the complex hierarchy of spiritual beings that exist beyond the physical world. Exploring the scriptural references to principalities can deepen our understanding of the cosmic battle between good and evil, and illuminate the importance of spiritual discernment and protection in our daily lives. Let us delve deeper into the biblical significance of principalities and uncover the hidden truths within God’s Word.

Principalities, in a biblical context, refer to powerful demonic entities that rule over specific territories or influence regions spiritually. They are part of the hierarchy of spiritual beings mentioned in the Scriptures and play a role in the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil. These are the things we are fighting against in the church. In the invisible realm. We, therefore, need spiritual understanding of spiritual warfare - not carnal understanding.

Ephesians 6 tells us how even demons have precise order. As believers, we wrestle against spiritual wickedness in high places. In Ephesians 6:12, they are spiritual rulers. These darkened dignitaries operate under divine permission, exercising transcendental authority over nations and earthly rulers. This verse is packed with information in the original Greek.

First, let's look at “principalities,” which is the Greek word “Archon,” one of the words for “highest rulers.” Satan has many Generals, we might say. Then there is a second group of leaders under Satan’s command, “powers.” The Greek word for powers is “exousias” (authorities). Third, we have a direct statement “rulers of darkness of this world.” This is the Greek word “kosmokrator,” which actually means “world rulers.” The word “darkness,” which comes later in the sentence, is the Greek word “skotos.”

In Ephesians 6:12, in our context, the word “principalities” conveys dignity, and “powers” conveys authority. These rulers are fallen angels. These fallen angels (Jude 1:6) are ruled by Satan, the “prince of the power of the air” (reference: Ephesians 2:2; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:7-9).

We need to understand from Scripture that Satan has organized one third of the angels (perhaps billions) who chose to follow him instead of God into various ranks. Satan, as the General (leader) of the army of demons, has organized his demon army by rank and file. They constantly interfere in the lives of believers. Their orders are to thwart the plan of God and keep believers from being lights in a darkened world.

Notice that at the top of this list, Paul mentions a group of evil spirits he calls “principalities.” This word is taken from the Greek word archai, an old word that is used symbolically to denote ancient times. It is also used to depict individuals who hold the highest and loftiest position of rank and authority. By using the word archai, Paul emphatically tells us that at the very top of Satan’s kingdom are powerful evil beings that have held their lofty positions of power and authority since ancient times — probably ever since the fall of Lucifer. Paul goes on to tell us that below principalities is a second group of evil beings he refers to as “powers.” This word “powers” is taken from the Greek word exousia, and it denotes delegated authority. This describes a lower, second-level group of evil beings — demon spirits — who have received delegated authority from Satan to carry out all manner of evil in whatever way they desire to do it. These evil forces are second in command in Satan’s dark kingdom.

Continuing in his description of Satan’s rank and file in descending order, Paul mentions “the rulers of the darkness of this world.” This amazing phrase is taken from the word kosmokrateros and is a compound of the words kosmos and kratos. The word kosmos denotes order or arrangement, whereas the word kratos has to do with raw power. Thus, the compounded word kosmokrateros depicts raw power that has been harnessed and put into some kind of order.

This word kosmokrateros was at times used to depict military training camps where young men were assembled, trained, and turned into a mighty army. These young men were like raw power when they first arrived at the training camp. However, as the military training progressed and the new recruits were taught discipline and order, all that raw manpower was converted into an organized, disciplined army. This is the word Paul now uses in his description of Satan’s kingdom.

This tells us that Satan is so serious about doing damage to the human race that he deals with demon spirits as though they are troops! He puts them in rank and file, gives them orders and assignments, and then sends them out like military soldiers who are committed to kill. Just as men in a human army are equipped and trained in their methods of destruction, so, too, are these demon spirits. And once these demons are trained and ready to start their assault, Satan sends them forth to do their devious work against human beings.

Paul makes reference to this dispatch of evil spirits when he writes next about “spiritual wickedness in high places.” The word “wickedness” is taken from the word poneros, and it is used to depict something that is bad, vile, malevolent, vicious, impious, and malignant. This tells us the ultimate aim of Satan’s dark domain: These evil spirits are sent forth to afflict humanity in bad, vile, malevolent, and vicious ways!

Our Power and Authority in Christ Jesus

Satan uses all these evil forces in his attacks against mankind. Nevertheless, we believers have far more authority and power than the devil and his forces. You and I have the Greater One living within us! As members of the Church of Jesus Christ, we are loaded with heaps and heaps of raw power, for the Church has no shortage of power, nor is it deficient in God-given authority. We have more power and more authority than all these evil forces combined!

What most people lack is order and discipline. If even the kingdom of darkness itself has rank and order - we are in trouble. We, the church, do not understand godly hierarchy and do not have order and discipline. If our personal lives lack order and discipline, how are we going to overcome Satan? We must learn to see ourselves as the army of God and to view the local church as the training center where we are taught to do God’s business - and training means YOU participating - you can’t just sit on the fringes - you will be stagnant and be overcome - not overcome but YOU will be overcome if you do this. We must heed the call of Jesus and be dispatched into the dark world to preach the Gospel and to drive these evil forces from people’s lives. We must buckle down and begin to view ourselves as the troops of Jesus Christ!

Spiritual Warfare is for the Disciplined

Being organized and disciplined includes living a holy and consecrated life. Now, there is a difference between godly and biblical order and religious order - you need to know the difference between the two. There is no room for slackness in the life of a real Christian soldier. To deal with these forces that are being dispatched to destroy us and the world around us, it is required that we walk with God and listen to the voice of His Spirit. We must gird up the loins of our minds and fill our thoughts with the Word of God. Satan’s troops are serious — and if we’re not serious about our contest with them, it will only be a matter of time until they discover our weakness and strike with all their force to bring us down. Spiritual warfare is not for the weak, the slack, the undiscerning, the unclean.

Understanding Demonic Oppression

Now, when it comes to demonic oppression, someone can either be possessed by a demon (where the demon/s overtake the person’s being and control them) or a person can be attacked, tormented, and influenced by demons, which in itself is bad enough. It will cause the person to think evil things and do evil things. Demon-inflicted people are usually very tormented people; many of them face mental and emotional issues, they are unstable in their ways (up and down). There’s a darkness and heaviness in their hearts, although their outer appearance may wear a mask or put on a façade. People who have repeatedly opened doors to the enemy and repeatedly moved in rebellion, defiance, and sin can end up having demons attached to them or will definitely at least be tormented and influenced by demons. Most definitely attached to their minds as well - continuous onslaught and torment on the mind, evil thoughts about people, negative thoughts, emotional instability… can lead to an unsound mind and even suicide, etc.

People who have opened doors to these spirits repeatedly over a period of time, and if it has not been addressed and dealt with for a long time, and if the person doesn’t repent and close those doors, the person will end up operating in this spirit or many spirits (more often than not it’s more than one as these spirits go hand-in-hand). If a person has been operating in rebellion for a long time, has unhealed wounds such as rejection…their space is then ripe and conducive for these demons to enter. Demonic spirits hide- this is why some church leaders can’t even spot people who have demons attached to them - they don’t even know that the demonic has crept into the church - it can be very deceiving and very convincing - it can look very godly on the outside and even prophesy. Demon-inflicted people also victimize themselves to gain membership and weaker vessels fall for it - on the flip side of this, they isolate themselves - it can never be in a healthy community without causing problems. It will guilt trip you. This is why you have to beware of demonic alignments. Sometimes what draws people together is the same demons - I’ve seen this - the friends people keep - all wounded and inflicted souls and they get together. There will be the voice of accusation. Make you question yourself. It’s very manipulative. Control. Brings discord and destruction and disease that will spread.

Can Sprit-filled Born-again Believers be Possessed by Demons?

Most people argue that a born-again believer cannot be possessed by demons - it is only the unbeliever that can be possessed. Now, let me present to you the answer to this question from this angle: Just think about it like this. If we, born-again Christians, cannot be demon-possessed, then what happens when a person is possessed by their own lust and can speak in tongues on Sunday and then molest a child on Tuesday? Someone came to me for a counseling session and said that they have been very troubled as they have been observing demonic manifestations in someone very close to them, but they were confused as they thought, “how can a child of God - a born-again believer, be manifesting in the demonic?” Maybe it is not so much whether a born-again Christian can be possessed, but a deeper question of HOW they can be possessed should be asked? Now, let me give you more on this from the Scripture.Acts 5:3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself.” So we can assume that Ananias and Sapphira have been filled with the Spirit/Born Again, but Peter says why have you let Satan fill your heart. Based on this, it would seem like a born-again believer could be possessed. I leave this with you to ponder on.

At the end of the day, we can pray and counsel until we turn blue, but if the person doesn’t want to let go of these things, if the person is unrelenting, there’s nothing we can do. How long are we going to say, “Oh, it’s because of the trauma I went through, the church hurt I went through, the childhood trauma I went through, the generational curses?” We are still accountable for how we responded, remember? The way we respond reflects on our character - some people already have internal issues like bad character, defiance, rebellion, and it manifests when faced with conflict. As adults, it’s now time for us to take accountability and responsibility for these things and change.

The Power of Humility

Principalities have to be countered with humility (remember my dream about exiting through the backdoor - yes, humility - there’s no need to announce ourselves - just silently exit). There’s power in humility - but that does not equate to being a doormat either, as stubborn principalities will require us to be very stern and exercise tough love - the church has to find balance and move in wisdom! Towards the end of this teaching series (in a few weeks), I will address how the church is to handle spiritual warfare and demon-possessed or inflicted people - this is a very important topic.

Today was just an introduction - I haven’t even begun to go into the different kinds of demonic spirits and principalities - next week I will start with the spirit of the world, the spirit of religion and tradition, and probably the spirit of Ahab and the orphan spirit, if we have time. The following week, I will probably look at the spirit of Jezebel and Leviathan.

Church, as followers of Christ, we are called to put on the full armor of God, as described in Ephesians 6:13-17, to stand against the attacks of principalities and other spiritual forces of darkness. Through prayer, faith, and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can resist the influence of principalities and advance the kingdom of God.

It is crucial to remember that victory over principalities and spiritual wickedness ultimately belongs to God, and through our relationship with Jesus Christ, we have authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). By staying rooted in prayer, studying the Word of God, and walking in obedience to His commands, we can overcome the influence of principalities in our lives and communities. Determine to see yourself as a soldier in the army of God. Don’t allow anything to remain in your life that would hinder your fight of faith. Be disciplined, committed, and organized - avail yourself to God and the church - don’t sit on the fringes anymore. Take advantage of all the weapons described in Ephesians 6:13-18. Then get ready to witness the awesome demonstration of God’s power in your life as you prevail against Satan’s rank and file!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, this day, I thank you for the wonder-working power of your blood. I praise you for the sweetness of your presence here. I’m asking now that you will give us a spirit of revelation and understanding in this house, and that your presence will engulf us. Keep your arms of love around us this morning, and help us, oh God, to be lifted in understanding and knowledge of the ways of the Lord. Help us to look introspectively inside our own hearts and lives. Help us to reach out with forgiveness and mercy, help us to be like you, help us to blindly trust in the name of Jesus, knowing that you would always do that which is right by us. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Anoint us now to hear and speak - we will not fail to give you the praise, the glory, and the honor. We ask these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.