Paul stated in his letter to the Corinthian church that a great and effective door had been opened to him for ministry in the commercial city of Ephesus, but there were many adversaries.
The best strategy of an enemy is to make sure that you are unaware of what they are planning against you. The goal would be to deceive you, keep you trusting them until irreparable damage is done. An enemy could very well present themselves as friends. This is exactly what satan did in the Garden of Eden. The worst error you could ever make is to underestimate an enemy or to be too trusting of a potential enemy. As believers, we do have an archenemy with whom we will never make peace. He is satan, also called the accuser of the brethren. There are doors and windows to the supernatural realm, and the concept of open doors includes God opening the door a crack so we can see what the enemy is planning. Here are two examples in scripture.
In 2 Kings 6:8-22, we read how the Lord repeatedly revealed the king of Syria’s plans to Prophet Elisha, to the point that the king began to suspect members of his own inner circle. Instead of humbly submitting to the God who revealed his secret military plans, he sent to have Elisha arrested. The story ends with this prideful king being humbled before the Almighty King of kings.
“Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” 9 And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.” 10 Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice.
11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”
12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” 2 Kings 6:8-12 NKJV
In Ezekiel 8:6-18, the Spirit brought Ezekiel into the temple in a vision and revealed that the elders of Israel were worshipping false gods. They were in secret rebellion against the Lord and had incorporated the worship of the sun in the holy house of God. The women were found to be weeping for Tammuz, the Mesopotamian god of fertility.
“Furthermore He said to me, “Son of man, do you see what they are doing, the great abominations that the house of Israel commits here, to make Me go far away from My sanctuary? Now turn again, you will see greater abominations.” 7 So He brought me to the door of the court; and when I looked, there was a hole in the wall. 8 Then He said to me, “Son of man, dig into the wall”; and when I dug into the wall, there was a door. 9 And He said to me, “Go in, and see the wicked abominations which they are doing there.” 10 So I went in and saw, and there—every sort of creeping thing, abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed all around on the walls.” Eze. 8:6-10 NKJV
It is imperative that Christians (Jesus’ followers) understand that we are engaged in spiritual warfare wether we like it or not. It is even more humbling to understand that the enemies may be camouflagued within the church just as we see with the elders of Jerusalem. However the God we serve is greater than any enemy in whatever form, within or without the walls of the church. We are not to live in fear for the just shall live by faith. We must be prayerful and expect that the Lord will reveal things to us according to His will. One scripture that has been a source of comfort to me is in Genesis 31:21-24 where the Lord warned Laban the Syrian in a dream by night not to do harm to Jacob. I bet you that Jacob didn’t know that God was planning tonshow up in laban’s bedroom that night.
“And Laban was told on the third day that Jacob had fled. 23 Then he took his brethren with him and pursued him for seven days’ journey, and he overtook him in the mountains of Gilead. 24 But God had come to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night, and said to him, “Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.”
We are a covenant people, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood called by God to show forth His works in our generation. He teaches our hands to war and our fingers to fight. He fights for us and we shall hold our peace.
Prayer Time
Please use the scripture verses provided in your prayer.
- Give thanks and praise to God for a glorious Day 3 of our 7 days of fasting. Commit all remaining prayer sessions, evening, morning, and noon to the Lord.
- Pray for the success of our 3-day water/liquid fast (Thursday to Saturday). Ask for spiritual strength for those participating.
- Pray for deeper insight, as the Lord gave Ezekiel. Ezekiel 8:6-10
- Make a declaration that the Lord will visit our enemies as He so desires for the progress of our families and the church.
- Ask the Lord to bring healing to His church as a norm in 2026. Malachi 4:2
- What instruction has the Lord been impressing on your heart? Write it/them down. Ask the Lord to help you obey, and then begin the process. Go for it!
- Ask Him to give you the discernment to recognize when He is opening or closing any door.
- Give thanks for answered prayer
OPEN DOORS!!!!
