Spiritual Territorial Oppression

When I was a teenager, I’ll never forget hearing on one of our local news channels of a violent storm that was forecasted to strike our area soon.  Mom and dad both prepared for the incoming storm by instructing my brother, sister and I to not go outside but stay indoors.  Not only were we instructed in that regard but were told that if the winds got so strong that we were to take cover either in a closet or in the basement.  After a short while as we sat in our living room when someone looked outside and saw the storm front moving violently toward us.  The cloudless sky was all of a sudden eclipsed by this massive dark figure.  In a moment of time, this black storm cloud completely engulfed the sky blocking out the beautiful blue sky and bright sun.  What had once been an area that had enjoyed a beautiful canopy of God’s handiwork had been overtaken by this depressing and ever-increasingly violent front. 

Darkness had fallen so quickly and pronounced that I thought the sun had gone down.  As the storm came over the roof of the house, hail began to fall.  The chunks of hail rained down on the roof so loudly that mom and dad were getting worried that we might have roof damage.  Sounds of thunder rumbled creating a concussion of vibration in the living room as we sat becoming more concerned each moment.  I remember dad commenting about how frequent the lightning flashes had become and that this was a sign of a very strong storm that could produce tornadoes.  My curiosity had gotten the best of me so I managed to sneak outside on the front porch to watch the lightning flash.  I was blown away that in the mid afternoon, the sky was a black canopy of clouds with very frequent lightning flashes accompanied by the sounds of hail, thunder, wind, rain and rustling treetops. 

That storm years ago came back to mind as I pondered the condition of our country’s spiritual landscape today.  As vivid as this storm was years ago, it carries such a likeness to things spiritually today.  Witnessing a storm violently approach, barge in uninvited, stay longer than anyone wanted, and leave behind the destruction, reveals to me the reality of what we face in the spirit.  Although this spiritual storm that I’ve talking about cannot be seen with the physical eyes, the effects are the same.  That physical storm brought forceful winds and left behind a path of shattered and broken things.  The spiritual storm I am no referring to is no different.  Though the eye cannot see it, the devastating effects can be seen.  Sadly, most of the world is not aware of what is taking place.  The only difference in this physical storm and the spiritual storm I am referring to is the duration.  This spiritual oppression obviously hovers over a city and remains there.  It’s almost as if it cannot be removed.  The truth is, it can be removed, but having the knowledge it is there is the first step to its removal.

There is so much confusion and many questions in the spiritual world.  Many people can’t see past their own natural eyesight when it comes to spiritual oppression.  What do we mean when we say spiritual oppression anyway?  Well for one, it means there is a force; a power that can control people including Christians.  What?  Wait a minute…you mean a christian can be controlled by demonic influences?  Yes we can and tragically, many are being controlled to the very moment I am typing these words.  A child of God cannot be possessed, but we can all be controlled; or oppressed by evil spirits.  Secondly, spiritual oppression a lot of times is territorial; meaning spiritual strongholds can grip cities, regions, and entire countries holding those under them in the same bondages.  Examples of these oppressions are things such as ideologies in our public schools, idolatrous teachings on our college campuses, sins that are popular in certain areas, etc.  Most of the mainstream Christian fellowships and assemblies will count articles such as these, as fanatic or extreme, but these things are true regardless of whether they are popularly accepted or not.  In a generation where the popular christian doctrines are accepted, they are also unbiblical and powerless.  We’ve got to get back to spirit-filled, spirit-led living, and spirit-led walking.  The only way we can do this is to be alive in the spirit!  Galatians 5:25,  1 Corinthians 2:14.

I wanted to share something very sobering that happened to me quite a few years ago that opened my eyes to very deep spiritual strongholds.  I have discussed this subject about demonic territorial dominion with a lot of preachers and other Christians who are Spirit-filled, about different areas we live in and have been told by others that had said words to the effect that it was very dark up there where they live.  Before  I continue with this article, I would like to explain a few things.  At the top of every governing body, barring none, there is a spiritual attachment, whether good or bad.  Egypt, who ruled the world at one time, was a hotbed of spiritual control and influence.  Ancient Babylon was the womb and mother of all harlots, the habitation of all demonic control and influence.  Babylon has enjoyed a wealth of world domination due to the attachment of demons who rule her cities.  Even in American cities like Washington DC, New Orleans, Las Vegas, New York City, etc., each of these cities, although hid from the spiritually lost, atheists, and unsaved, reside in an atmosphere that many of God’s people recognize as satanic spiritual strongholds.

Personal Testimonies

A few years ago, my mom and dad took a trip out west to see the typical western sites: the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, Old Faithful, Redwood Forest etc.  They went with another older couple who they were friends with.  The couple said they wanted to go see the lights of Las Vegas.  Mom and dad were not too thrilled but went along with their request.  My mom has always been close to the Lord.  She lived a wonderful example how a christian should live.  She walked it everyday.  She told me no one had to tell her when they started getting close to the city.  She described it as a dark, heavy, oppressive, depressing, evil, wicked feeling, etc.  She said the entire spiritual atmosphere had quickly changed.  There was a spiritual change in the air.  She said it was like driving into a pit of demons.  She said the holy spirit was so grieving inside of her and she could not wait to get out of there.  I was amazed at the words she said because I was so young in the Lord at the time and had never, to my knowledge, experienced that.  But I believed her nonetheless.

A few years later in 2004, I took a quick road trip up to Massachusetts from Tennessee.  Something strange happened while I was on my way up.  I was totally at peace in the spirit until I reached Harrisburg Pennsylvania.  When I got there and started heading up northeast bound on I-78 toward New York City, the spiritual atmosphere started changing.  I knew I was entering into a spiritual canopy where evil was brooding over the cities and regions.  I have even had long-haul truck drivers confirm this many times as I have preached on these truths.  When I finally got to Springfield Massachusetts, it was worse than ever.  I’m not sure if it was the fact that I had just been in it for enough time that it started wearing on me or if it was in fact a worse oppression.  Either way, I knew I had to get back home ASAP.  I stayed in a motel that night in Springfield and got up the next morning, got my business done and headed home.  Again, once I got to Harrisburg PA and started heading south from there, the atmosphere changed again.  I was so thankful to be out of that spiritual environment.  I was then reminded of what my mom had said to me.  Looking back on it many times since then, I have come to realize that I had travelled in and out of an area of demonic territorial dominion.  Once the Holy Spirit had opened my eyes to this truth, I started questioning how the kingdom of darkness is able to accomplish this, and more importantly, how to conquer it.

Since then I have noticed that we enter different spiritual environments all the time.  Some are community wide strongholds.  Some are neighborhood environments.  Some are single home spiritual atmospheres.  You may recall Jesus’ words to His disciples regarding this in Luke 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. 10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.  A careful consideration of this scripture reveals to us Jesus’ way of instructing His disciples to sample the spiritual atmosphere.  Since the disciples were commanded to go into a city and preach the gospel, Jesus knew they would have to lay their heads down and rest somewhere.  They would potentially be lured into places where the devil could harm them.  This spiritual wisdom and acid test was revealed to them by the Lord in how they could spiritually navigate through demonic places that could lead to their harm.  I have said many times, we may not be able to know exactly what goes on in people’s homes, but we can know what spiritual influence is over that home, whether it’s good or evil.  When you enter the house of God, you know if the Holy Ghost is in that place.  When you enter a bar, you know the difference of that atmosphere.  When you enter a club, you know the stronghold that exists there as well. 

We had a dear lady in our church who moved here from Maine years ago.  She left us to move back up to Maine for about a year.  She has recently said that she has put her house up for sale and is moving back here to stay and can’t wait to get back.   She told us a few months ago that Maine is a horrible place to live.  She said that we don’t know how good we’ve got it down here.  I asked her what she meant.  She said it was very dark up there.  I suddenly realized she was referring to the spiritual climate of the area.  I asked her what she thought was the reason.  She said there was no doubt why.  She asked me if I had hear of the Salem witch trials, and events in Bangor Maine.  There are even local stories of where she lives of continual demonic influence.  She said there are no churches to speak of that have the power of God in them like we do down here in TN.  She said people ask her why she smiles so much, she tells them because Jesus is her Lord and they laugh at her.  She said it is so dark.  I have noticed that certain communities have different feels to them.  Some are nothing more than spiritual strongholds.

The Principality of Philippi 

In Acts chapter 16, one of the most vivid accounts in scripture of how that the apostles wrestled principalities.  We read of how a territorial spirit inside a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us…  Paul was about to come face to face with the biggest problem in the entire city.  It was not the woman, but the spirit of divination that was inside her.  We know this was a territorial spirit because the city thrived on the continuance of her message through soothsaying.  Her masters had struck it rich by the demonic power flowing through this woman.  Isn’t it amazing to you that the principality that lorded over the city was all of a sudden attached to Paul and Silas when they first entered the city?  Make no mistake, this principality was controlling this city and was threatened when God’s men; Paul and Silas marched into this spiritual territory.  Once the devil takes over any territory, whether it be a small home, a church, a neighborhood or all the way up to a city or region, he will protect what is his and assault anyone who is a spiritual threat.  This is why so many spirit-filled, spirit-led preachers come under so much attack.  This is also why, as ministers of the gospel, we must  be aware of these things, and continually wear the whole armor of God.

Once Paul cast the demon out of the woman, the rulers all the way to the magistrates saw what had happened, they cast Paul and Silas in prison.  In the spirit, the territorial spirit of divination had been displaced from the city.  The only means of retaliation was to cast the apostles in prison to try and stop the advancement of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Years ago now, I went to work up in Cumberland City, TN for a few months.  While there, I reached out to a cousin I dearly love but was in extreme spiritual bondage at the time.  He was up there attending a local college.  He was gracious enough to invite me to stay with him.  I reluctantly agreed.  The entire night I was there, I wrestled in the spirit.  I could not seem to get any rest.  I could not sleep.  The Holy Spirit grieved inside me all night.  I discerned so much evil in his residence that I had determined that I would not stay there another night.  At the time, I had no understanding about how to deal with devils.  I also felt I had no authority to deal with them.  I felt powerless and as if I was only to tolerate anything and everything they desired to do to me.  Since that time, the Lord has revealed to me that every believer, young or old, big or small; all of us have been given authority to use the name of Jesus.  In addition, devils can not only be cast out of people, but they can also be cast out of homes.

So when I hear people speak of darkness, I know what they mean.  It will take a brand new moving of God to spearhead into the principalities who have taken back over the areas.  But to those areas who still have the light, we must hold fast what we have so that we lose not the things which we have wrought.  2 John 1:8 and also Be watchful, and strengthen the things that remain, that are ready to die.  Revelation 3:2

Changing the Spiritual Climate

The book of Acts is forever the attack strategy of the kingdom of God spearheading the kingdoms of darkness and how they are accomplished.  Not only are neighborhoods and communities being overrun by spiritual oppression, but sadly churches are no different. Churches are losing the power of God due to dwelling in a condition of sin; thus being out of fellowship with God.  The error of Balaam is the culprit.  Balaam represents a man of God who remains true to God until there’s profit in it, but then he sells God’s people out.  He has a price and can be bought when the price is right.  Balaam taught Balac how to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel so he could defeat them.  He taught Balac that the power of Israel was in maintaining their love and commitment to God.  Once he caused them to commit whoredom and run after other gods and idols, he had succeeded in defeating them.  Balaam must be removed from the pulpits.  Balaam does not what spirit-filled, spirit-led preachers in it.  The darkness would be removed, and God would take back control of the pulpit, thus taking back the pews, thus taking back the communities. 

The church today is doing a poor job of maintaining what has been wrought by previous generations.  If the pulpits lose the light, then the pews will.  If the pews lose light, then the communities they live in…so on and so forth.  It starts at the pulpit.  This is why preachers, bible teachers and others in spiritual leadership are fought tooth and nail.  This is why demonic oppression is so hard with genuinely anointed men of God.  You are the last thread of hope.  If satan can pound down another God called preacher, then he has successfully snuffed out another burning and shining light.

As Christians, we must beware of the spiritual climate where we reside.  We must also beware of the environments we pass through.  As we continue to walk with the Lord, He will reveal, not only the good or bad of a particular environment, but give you insight as to what spirit or condition is at work.  The gift of discerning of spirits is what this is called.  Once we understand the type of spirit behind it, then we will understand better how to pray and asks the Lord to give us the spiritual wisdom to overcome it. 

Now may I tell you the greatest cause to the growing black cloud over our communities?  Individual homes suffer due to the “evangelism” of Tv’s, Cellphones and the Internet.  What I mean by that is the home becomes a product of what is preached in it; whether that preaching be alcohol, drugs, the occult, witchcraft, or a thousand other spiritual strongholds.  We are all creatures who are a product of what we allow to evangelize us.  We’ve allowed TV “programming”, social media “influencing”, and the internet, which can be a gaping hole opening to the gates of Hell, into our home, that opens the door to the entering of every demon in Hell, and influencing and changing our home into a habitation of every evil in the process.  It’s due to the lack of visitation by the church in the community.  The church does not see the importance of evangelizing their neighborhoods and because of this, spiritual oppression looms over us all.  There must come a deliberate approach to neighborhood wide, county-wide evangelism.  In the end, we are a product of what we allow into our lives.  Our home can become an atmosphere of pure evil.  There’s no wonder why our children are so confused as to their gender identity, sexual attraction, etc.  We’ve opened the door to it and our children are not strong enough to resist it. 

However, we do not have end on that sour note.  There is hope.  If you will choose to shut out the evil from your home and open your heart and home to the ways of the Lord, then the “Son of Peace” will Lord over your home.  Your children can then dwell in the comfort of God’s pavilion and refuge of protection so that the devil has very little access to them.  Many people scorn many children today who’ve grown up in these types of homes.  They’ll say things like “Wow, you’ve lived a sheltered life.”  That should not be received in a negative way.  I had those very words said to me when I was in college years ago.  At the time, I was offended by those words, but now I rejoice in them.  I am personally thankful that my mom and dad loved me enough to keep our home safe from the depths of darkness that many children suffer from today.  Jesus can be our safe haven.  Keeping your home clean from the filthiness of the devil helps in so many ways that we can obviously see, but in many ways that we cannot see.  One of those ways I could not previously see then that is so clear to me now is this understanding of spiritual atmospheres.  Parent, your child doesn’t stand a chance if you create a home environment where Satan has access to them.  You are ultimately responsible and will be held accountable.  The way your child turns out is on you.  If you love your child, create a home where God is number one in your life, so that your child is raised in a healthy spiritual environment free of the putrid kyarn (carrion) of  sin.  Yes, I am completely aware of those words from parents who will say “well, you can’t shelter your child from everything.”  I agree what that.  However, I would rather my children be exposed to the depths of darkness with a mature mind that has been developed and taught right from wrong than with a 7 or 8 year old mind that cannot understand fantasy from reality.

The ultimate truth is that the devil takes more from us than we realize.  When you give in to sin, you trade your authority for that morsel of sin.  Most people don’t realize that Adam and Eve’s single act of giving in to sin caused Satan to gain lordship over their lives.  The singular reason why oppression is in our homes and communities is because we surrender it to the devil when we give in to temptation.  As much as mankind wants to reject this truth, we do not rule our lives.  We cannot rule our lives.  We were not created that way.  We are created to serve.  Now that we understand this, then we must realize that we are servants to either God or the devil.  There is no in between.  Paul said in Romans 6:16 Ye are servants to whom ye obey.  How would you feel if you knew that committing sin was the same as welcoming Satan to rule over your world?  It’s really that simple.  When you sin, you become a servant to Satan.  So we should not be shocked when Satan moves into our homes.  Ultimately we must look at sin as Satan’s invitation to be our master and our response to that sin is our deliberate surrender to his lordship over us.  John the apostle said something very revealing in 1 John 3:8 he that committeth sin is of the devil.  But when we surrender our lives to Jesus and make him the Lord of our lives by walking in simple obedience and separation from the world, then our spiritual climate changes for the good.  Jesus becomes the “Strong man of the House.”  Once Jesus is Lord over your house, you’ll love the atmosphere He brings and will fight everything to keep what joy He brings.