Take back controlwith the power of the Holy Spirit and the authority of Jesus Christ! Learn how to fight against the spiritual powers of darkness with spiritual discernment and the power of the Holy Spirit. This article outlines the power of spiritual warfare, understanding the spirit of Hiel, demonic possession, and the early church teachings on deliverance ministry.

Evil spirits try to rebuild what God destroys. Seasoned prophetic ministers, prayer warriors, and intercessors root out, pull down, destroy and throw down demonic opposition through prayer. There is, however, a spirit that rebuilds what God destroys. This spirit was identified in the days of Elijah.

DEMONIC STRONGHOLDS

Remnant prayer warriors understand the various spiritual climates and demonic strongholds in their territories. The Apostle Paul made it clear that opposition to the culture of the kingdom of God was not against people but against demonic spirits that influenced the people. He wrote, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

THE HIEL SPIRIT

The story of Elijah, Ahab, and Jezebel is well known. Today, I want to point out another spirit that was mentioned during Elijah’s launch into ministry, the Hiel spirit. Hiel is a spirit that rebuilds what God has torn down.

“In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.” (1 Kings 16:34)

Hiel was a Bethelite, who rebuilt the city of Jericho. You recall the testimony about Jericho during the leadership of Joshua. Jericho was the city that was “tightly shut up” but after following the instructions of the Lord the walls came down with only a shout.

DEMONIC POSSESSION

For many prayer warriors, Jericho represents the place of spiritual warfare after a Jordan experience. Jordan is known as the place of baptisms (Matthew 3:5-11). The river Jordan is where Jesus was baptized in the Holy Spirit. Afterward, Jesus went to church and cast demons or evil spirits out of a man. This deliverance event amazed those present. They said, “For with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee” (Mark 1:27-28).

We all want to see the honor of our Lord spread. This Scripture teaches that deliverance ministry with evil spirits in the unseen spirit world launched Christ’s fame throughout the region. Jesus didn’t waste any time flowing in Holy Ghost power after the Spirit of the Lord came upon him.

DUMANIS POWER

Once saved and filled with the Holy Spirit you are ready for training in the word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. Not only does Christ fill you with dumamis power (Acts 1:8), he equips and sends you to spoil the enemy’s camp (John 20:21).

After Jericho fell Joshua prophesied a curse on the man that would rebuild its walls. Here is what was prophesied.

“And Joshua commanded them at that time, saying, ‘Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.’” (Joshua 6:26)

This prophetic curse against anyone that would try to rebuild what God had destroyed was famous. Everyone knew about it. I strongly expect that Hiel knew but didn’t care. Hiel rebuilt the city anyway dedicating the foundation (structure) and the gates (government) to his two sons. This rebellious act has spiritual significance. Here is a man that knew rebuilding Jericho would bring a curse on him and his family but he didn’t care.

EFFECTIVE SPIRITUAL WARFARE

This is interesting for prophetic ministers, prayer warriors, and intercessors because they practice “rooting out, pulling down, destroying, throwing down, building, and planting” through prayer (Jeremiah 1:10). So we discover the spirit of Hiel is a demonic opponent that seeks to rebuild what intercessors accomplish through prayer.

What we learn from Hiel’s life is this. Those operating by the Hiel spirit:

•    Know the Word of God but refuse to honor it.
•    Are willing to bring a curse on their lives.
•    Will draw their family into rebellion against God.
•    Will try and rebuild what God has destroyed.
•    Forms a political alliance with Ahab and Jezebel.
•    Is an enemy of prophetic ministry and prayer warriors.

We see the trappings of the Hiel spirit at work today. There are those who hate God and will do everything they can to rebuild those things which God has decreed as wrong. Such things as sexual morality, abortion, and homosexuality come to mind. Nevertheless, Christ has anointed you for such a time as this. Just as he sent Elijah to deal with the spiritual opposition of his day so too does God anoint to deal with the spiritual opposition today.

DESTROY WORKS OF THE DEVIL

Christ did not ignore evil spirits. Christ never taught his followers to ignore demon powers. He modeled the way having confrontations with demon powers and healing the sick. Scripture declares, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).

When Holy Ghost anointing falls so do blessings, miracles, breakthroughs, demonic confrontations, healings and deliverance. Christ did not perform any miracles, heal any sick, raise any dead, or cast out any devils until the anointing of the Holy Ghost came on him. This is why He told his disciples after his resurrection to wait for the promise of the Father, the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:4). That gift would endue them with power, the same power that launched Christ into ministry, cast out devils, healed the sick, and performed mighty signs and miracles among the people. These waiting believers and later others were baptized with the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues (Acts 2:1-8; 8:14-18; 10:45-46; 19:5-6). They were ready to cast out devils, heal the sick and testify of the resurrection of Christ.

A HOUSE DIVIDED

A house divided cannot stand and demon spirits cannot cast out demon spirits. Another time Jesus cast a deaf spirit out of a person. Afterwards, he was accused of casting out devils through Beelzebub the chief among devils. “And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake and the people wondered. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils” (Luke 11:14-15). Instead of these religious rejoicing over the miracle of deliverance and healing they moved into a false accusation against the King of kings. They were treading on dangerous turf, blaspheming the Holy Ghost. Blaspheming the Holy Ghost happens when people “continually practice” calling the wonderful works of the Holy Spirit the works of Satan.

LORD OF UNCLEAN SPIRITS

Beelzebub was known as the chief of devils and lord of unclean spirits. This is like saying Jesus cast out devils by the power of Satan. Jesus responded by asking, “How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself and be divided he cannot stand but hath an end” (Mark 3:23-26). Notice how Jesus answered:

• Satan cannot cast out Satan. A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.A house divided against itself cannot stand.If Satan attacks himself he is divided and cannot stand.

A “house divided” can also mean a family divided or a family of devils divided. “And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore, they shall be your judges” (Matthew 12:27). The answer is these religious accusers were not casting out demons or healing the sick, therefore, the fruit of their own ministries would judge them.

The bottom line, Satan cannot cast out Satan. An unclean spirit cannot cast out an unclean spirit. A wicked spirit cannot cast out a wicked spirit. An evil spirit cannot cast out an evil spirit. Nor can a spirit of sickness cast out a spirit of sickness. Scripture confirms, “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth” (Philippians 2:10).

EARLY CHURCH AND DELIVERANCE

The apostles of Christ and the early Church fathers cast out devils and healed the sick. They taught that all believers were given spiritual authority by Christ and equipped by the power of the Holy Ghost to cast out spirits and heal all manners of sickness:

They knew demons and evils spirits existed.

They understood that demons possessed, influenced, and made people sick.

They taught that Christ gave His disciples authority over all devils.

They knew devils had no choice but obey the name of Jesus.

DELIVERANCE MINISTRY

Deliverance ministry and healing the sick was common and practiced by the followers of Christ throughout the world in the first and second century. When Christ called his disciples he “gave them authority over unclean spirits to cast them out and to preach the gospel” (Matthew 10:1), to “bind the strong man” (Mark 3:27), and then to take his goods. The goods were captive people harassed and made sick by demonic powers.

Jesus taught when unclean, vexing, harassing, tormenting or demonizing spirits are cast out of people the Kingdom of God is manifesting. “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you” (Luke 11:20). Deliverance is the children’s bread.

If we want what the early church had then we have to preach what the early church preached. You have been given spiritual authority to cast out demons and heal the sick in the mighty name of Jesus. Use your authority just as the early disciples and early church fathers.

SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

To get rid of demons and evil spirits, spiritual discernment is a must. Demons that are hard to see are masters in every form of deception. Apostle Paul mentions an experience with a demonic power that was a master in every form of deception. He was hard to see. You may come into contact with one too. This is one reason why you must sharpen your spiritual discernment. Apostolic and prophetic intercessors will face more of these evil spirits in the days ahead.The greatest enemy of the apostolic is the religious spirit. The religious spirit is full of pride, arrogance, legalism, hypocrisy, self-righteousness, need to be in control of everything, and have a form of godliness but deny the power of God.

DEMONIC GATEKEEPERS

These religious spirits, demonic gatekeepers, are all over the world. Jesus said, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in” (Matthew 23:13).

Religious form means these gatekeepers have some common characteristics or qualities. They can even put on a good show, but at the end of the day, polished showmanship is not the anointing that breaks the yoke and removes the burden. Paul wrote, “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).

JEZEBEL SPIRITS

It is well known that prophets come into contact often with Jezebel spirits, prophetic witchcraft, and python spirits. Jezebel spirits detest the voice of God. They will do everything possible to pervert, block, and even hijack prophetic circles, groups, churches, and networks. How many prophetic groups have been taken over by Jezebel spirits in the last few years?

Not every demonic power is easy to see. Apostle Paul and Barnabas were sent ones. This is one of the major signs of an apostle. When one is sent out of their local church, they enter the apostolic dimension. Many have heard the apostolic message of sent ones, spiritual fathers, sons and daughters (not sheep), all five ascension gifts, building, equipping disciples of Christ to invade, occupy, influence and take dominion. It is one thing, however, to sit in a church and be taught these things, it is another to be sent into the surrounding regions with an apostolic mandate. The apostolic anointing operates in the sent ones, not the seated ones.

DEMONIC GUARDS

When Paul and Barnabas were sent out of the Antioch church, they encountered a high-level demonic guard. We could say it was a territorial guard. There was a sorcerer named Elymas. Apparently, he was a chief political advisor to the local governor. This makes you wonder how many demonic advisors are in the public schools, financial institutions, state legislators, or Washington DC?

Sergius Paulus, the territorial proconsul for the Roman government, wanted to hear the Gospel from Paul and Barnabas, but Elymas continued to interfere. When Paul came into contact with this demon guard, his apostolic anointing kicked in. Here is the testimony.

"But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit, looked steadily at [Elymas] And said, You master in every form of deception and recklessness, unscrupulousness, and wickedness, you son of the devil, you enemy of everything that is upright and good, will you never stop perverting and making crooked the straight paths of the Lord and plotting against His saving purposes? [Hos. 14:9.] And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind, [so blind that you will be] unable to see the sun for a time. Instantly there fell upon him a mist and a darkness, and he groped about seeking persons who would lead him by the hand." (Acts 13:9-11)

TERRITORIAL SPIRITS

Again, notice this was a high-level territorial spirit. Apostle Paul said this spirit was "a master in every form of deception." The result of this demonic encounter was, “The proconsul believed (became a Christian) when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished and deeply touched at the teaching concerning the Lord and from Him” (Acts 13:12).

These demonic masters in every form of deception can only be discerned and overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit. You must be baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire (Luke 3:16).

When the Church stops drinking spiritual milk, starts eating meat and takes their Kingdom calling serious, then, and only then, can we turn our nation around. High-level demonic spirits have hijacked much in our country and go unchallenged. We can turn it around. Not by looking for political deliverance, but giving God’s Word first place in our lives and families.

POWER OVER THE ENEMY

Be of good courage. Scripture declares, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). That includes the spirit of Hiel and any other evil spirit that tries to rebuild what God has destroyed. Joshua’s words are just as true today, “Cursed be the man before the LORD that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho.” Don't get distracted. Use your spiritual authority. At the Name of Jesus!

Your partner,

(c) Apostle Jonas Clark

www.JonasClark.com