In the news over this past summer, the city of Mosul, which is in Iraq was fighting not to fall under the rule of ISIS and it’s Islamic, militant control. This particular battle raged on for almost three years. However, in the end, ISIS lost and Mosul maintained its independence and victory.
During this time the word ‘Holdouts’ was recorded by the news reporters as being key to the city’s ability to withstand the onslaught of ISIS. These ‘Holdouts’ refused to leave the city and set up resistance against their enemy. They fought tooth and nail for three years until ISIS was defeated. These people refused to give in to the enemy. They were fighting to maintain their beliefs and their culture.
As Christians, our battle is the one in the same as we fight in the face of Satan. He wants us to succumb to his way of living, and his way of thinking. We have to have the same mentality that the above ‘Holdouts’ had. We must have the attitude: “I’m not giving in and I’m not giving up!”
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” – Phil 3:12 – Berean Bible
As Believers, we must have a mindset of pressing on to receive all that God has for us. We must be willing to follow after God because we love Him and want to please him by following the teaching of His Word.
Our walk must become one of a conscious and purposeful mode of resistance against the forces of darkness. These forces are constantly trying to invade and overtake our thoughts, actions, and deeds. Their continual attacks bombard us through our eye gates, (by the things we look at), and our ear gates (by the things we hear or open ourselves up to listen to). We can’t allow bad and evil things to come into our minds and eventually into our hearts. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” – 1 Cor 6:19
Through the spiritual discipline of prayer, study of the Word of God and fellowship with like believers, etc, we fortify and build our spiritual walls and ramparts. We protect ourselves from the enemy. After establishing this fortification, don’t be tempted to allow the enemy to creep in though a gateway which will cause subtle deterioration over time and eventually a breakdown within our spirits. We must be diligent to keep our walls up and our gates closed. Don’t be tempted by evil!
Never underestimate the power of ‘media’ in your life. We are not just referring to ‘The TV and News Media’, even though our conversation includes them. We are talking about all the types of media that we watch and listen to throughout the day and week. Music, television, magazines, newspapers, email, advertisements, gossip, and especially social media! Against the backdrop of the war of ‘Good vs Evil’, all of these things can be types of land mines if we are not careful. Things that we have allowed into our spirits can ‘blow up’ in our minds and derail us. They can lead us astray.
In our quiet times, our minds will process and walk through the things that we have allowed into our spirits. Reflecting back on the garbage that we may have received into our spirits is like a land mine that can blow up in our faces. How so? Well, for one thing a person can spend time thinking about something and it can eventually become a high thing that will take preeminence over what we know to be God’s way of thinking and doing.
When we reflect on the story of King David and Bathsheba, we are inclined to believe the king saw her long before she was on the rooftop bathing. The thought of her beauty crept into his heart and lust was conceived.
1 Chron. 20:1 tells us when it was a time for kings to go to war, David remained at home. King David released his position of being a ‘Holdout’ to the things of God to fulfill a hidden desire that he had allowed to take root within his heart. In the end he paid a great price for it.
Scripture tells us how to deal with these thoughts…
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; “.- 2 Co 10:3 -5
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”. – James 4:7 (KJV)
Be a ‘Holdout’ and resist the devil! The Bible says he will flee! Use your weapons of warfare and open your mouth and command the devil to… ‘Get To Steppin!’ or ‘Scram, Get Outta Here’! Command him to leave immediately in Jesus’ Mighty Name!
Remember, do your part because we are the ones who have the ability to do the ‘Binding and the Loosing’ here in the earth realm. When we do, God will do His part in Heaven.
“Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” – Mat 18:18
In closing, we want to remind you that the devil doesn’t sneak up on you unaware. The Holy Spirit will always warn us and we must take the appropriate actions and guard ourselves.
Let’s learn to follow after God. Make a decision to be a ‘Holdout’! And lastly, reflect on this scripture;
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”. – Phil 4:8
–Selah
–May God’s Grace Abundantly Reign In Your Life!
-Apostle Ric & Prophetess Kathy Steele
This Book Should Be In Your Reference Library!
An Apostolic and Prophetic View of God’s Process for Personal Growth and Ministry
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
According to the Scripture, Romans 8:28 says- “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.” The questions is, how do all these things work out to our benefit? God is a “God that declares “The End” from “The Beginning”. However, we must understand that He is also a God of process. There is a process that takes from the beginning unto the end.
By Dr. Ric Steele
Get your copy of Doors & Chambers by Apostle Ric Steele. Get your copy today!
Be sure to check out our other blogs!
- Ric Steele Ministries Blog
- LITES – (Leaders In Training of an Excellent Spirit) A Blog for the Youth!
If you haven’t already, download The Due Season App!
- Get it at Apple, Google Play, Windows & Amazon stores
The Prophetic Voice 