Discerning Opposition
Submitted by Clay Sikes
October 3rd, 2004

The purpose of this article is not to down play the importance of spiritual warfare: its importance to the Body of Christ is well established. What is offered here is an understanding of 'opposition,' and the spiritual knowledge to deal with it. One of the greatest attributes of a mature Christian is the ability to properly discern 'opposition.' Opposition in the context of this teaching is described as 'anything that opposes us,' to include but not limited to our plans, efforts, and activities, and occasionally our health. As Christians, we have long traveled the road of traditional thought, which states that all 'opposition' is demonically inspired. The Word of Faith movement taught us how to look for devils behind every bush, and assume that any hindrance to our well-laid plans must be of demonic origin. We gave little thought to the fact that God could be the originator of our 'opposition.'

Early on, we learned "our battle was not with flesh and blood, but with principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). Word of Faith folks made a doctrine of this scripture, and with it, the false doctrine that all opposition is demonically inspired. Additionally, in one fell swoop, this false doctrine also took away one of God's major sources of communication to His people - 'opposition!'

God 'opposing us,' is by tradition, a foreign thought yet scripture reveals that "God resist the proud," "chastens those He loves," and many more biblical instances of God's resistance. As we move into the essence of this teaching, which is properly discerning 'opposition' and hearing what God may be saying to us through it, we will break down old mindsets and move into a new dimension with God.

As the gift of discernment begins to operate on a higher more mature level, we come to recognize that God indeed closes doors. "For of Him, through Him, and to Him are ALL THINGS: To whom be glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:36). It is interesting to note that the word "all things" is the same "all things" in Strong's Concordance found in Romans 8:28 - "And we know that ALL THINGS work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." "All things" can and does include opposition in our lives, but are we (discerning enough) to understand God's communication to us through it? God permits in His wisdom what He could have prevented in His power. Perhaps we can begin to see that God allows opposition for our very own good. Romans 11:36 is worth meditating to grasp the fullness of the fact that "ALL THINGS" are "OF," "THROUGH," and "TO" God (including opposition in our lives).

Discernment is the God given gift (tool) that allows us the privilege of knowing if our opposition is demonic, and therefore something to be resisted, or if God is revealing direction and truth to us through His opposition. It is paramount for those "called" to know who is opposing in order to know what specific action to take. This revelation is the difference in a life of victory, or a life of defeat - TRUTH making the difference!

Satan's job is to keep God's people contained with the lie that all opposition is of satanic origin. Satan's job is CONTAINMENT, and CONTAINMENT operates in the mental arena. If we are busy blaming devils (OR PEOPLE) when God is opposing us, we are CONTAINED. We have not learned to hear God through an important circumstance, and consequently the lesson being revealed is not learned. Scripture tells us that lessons not learned WILL BE REPEATED!

A poignant scripture that opens our eyes is found in Hosea 4:6 - "My people perish for lack of knowledge." You will note that God says here "My people…" which is a reference to Christians. The "lack of knowledge" mentioned is spiritual knowledge. Our spiritual ignorance is often ALL the containment the devil ever needs to keep us bound and incapable of moving into the higher things of God. While on the subject of spiritual ignorance, let us identify one of the strongest and most deceitful lies out there - a 'victim mentality' will contain a child of God like no other mind-set. When we take on the role of 'victim,' we have placed ourselves under the foot of the devil - we now believe the lie! "Woe me!" are words of containment.

Those with a propensity to 'blame others' are particularly susceptible to this type containment. If we play the "blame game," we never accept responsibility for our own failures, and consequently stay in the rut of sameness without hope of escape. Unfortunately, aspects of our culture form an acceptance of this mindset: "Let me be the 'victim' and I will not have to accept responsibility for my failure."

To recognize God opposing us is to get a clearer interpretation of His direction. As an example, a major source of God's opposition to those called to the remnant Body of Christ is in the area of PRESUMPTION. Our acts of presumption, even when they are aligned with 'good works,' will invoke God's opposition. This is hard for many to understand. What is God really saying to us by opposing our presumptive acts? "Those that are led by the Spirit of God ARE THE SONS OF GOD" (Romans 8:14). Presumption is the lowest form of human knowledge; much less having a Godly origin! The presumption that we once routinely operated in is no longer being tolerated as God is bringing us into true "Sonship." What once worked will work no more! If we do not recognize the source of the opposition, and why, we could easily take on a "woe me" mind-set and lose our effectiveness for God.

I know exasperated Christian leaders and businessmen alike who do not understand why God is not blessing their works, much of which, they admit, originated presumptuously. They blame other Christians, the congregation, elders, bankers, customers, etc., Unfortunately, they have not recognized that God is resisting them to reveal that He is moving in the area of being led of His Spirit, and escaping dead works.

Check the arenas of opposition that you presently face, and ask God to reveal the source of the opposition. He will show you! You may be surprised when you begin to pray this way. Once you have been shown, you will know what direction to take (Psalm 32:8). To walk this way is to walk in victory, moving closer to becoming a powerful tool for God's use upon the earth.

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