Overcoming the Spirit of Poverty: Its Operations

17 Sep Overcoming the Spirit of Poverty: Its Operations

Let us now study these operations of evil beings and how we can overcome them.

Ephesians 6:10-18

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,

And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with thefirm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readinessproduced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.

Lift up over all the [covering] shield ofsaving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].

And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spiritwields, which is the Word of God.

Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).

There exists principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places. Here we are told that we are wrestling against these beings. Some demonic forces are dealt with by a word of command spoken with authority in the name of Jesus Christ. Some spiritual forces influence people’s lifestyles, their choices and generate control over regions by controlling thought-patterns and hence actions and attitudes of people in the area of influence. Such is the demonic force, called poverty. It is not bound just by commanding it to be bound alone. Changes are needed to overcome this principality called poverty.

In this study we can start by looking at the lifestyles of those who have poverty with them as a stronghold in their minds. Check out the similarities of thoughts, words and actions as they unconsciously allow poverty to bring their lifestyles into conformity with itself.

There are character traits like “not having enough”; pointing accusing fingers at others for their plight; feeling a sense of injustice for their state; no value for whatever they have; ingratitude; and loads of self pity. Eventually their minds come to terms with their lack and both their imaginations and words expect the situation not to improve but go worse! If they win any excess of cash, the forces operating in them will cause them to make decisions that will affect them so as to return to lack or even worsen their situation. Circumstances lord it over them and they are not able to take charge for their lives, make decisions and bring about massive turn-around in their lives. These people are not just poor but under the yoke of poverty.