Confronting the spirit of intimidation

When we seek to build and establish the Kingdom of God, we can expect opposition. Sometimes that opposition appears as the spirit of intimidation. Many times the spirit of intimidation will pretend to walk in a prophetic office in order to challenge our authority to do the work of God.

Nehemiah was rallying God’s people to rebuild the ruins of God’s Kingdom. He encountered much opposition, including the spirit of intimidation and false prophets. He was however still succeeding despite the opposition. In the midst of success, the opposition escalated. “When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates— Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer. ” (Nehemiah 6:1–4, NIV84)

The spirit of intimidation and the false prophet may appear to be friendly. However, anything that distracts us from the purposes of God should be discerned. Nehemiah answered the false by stating that his eyes were on God and his focus on the work that God called him to. Staying focused is a crucial weapon of spiritual warfare.

The spirit of intimidation will use lies and deceit in order to gain control. “Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter in which was written: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us confer together.” ” (Nehemiah 6:5–7, NIV84)

To confront the lies, Nehemiah merely stated the truth. “I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.” They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” ” (Nehemiah 6:8–9, NIV84) He also pointed out the false in the spirit of intimidation. Nehemiah than consecrated himself once again to the work of God and prayed to God for strength.

If the spirit of intimidation and the false prophet cannot dissuade the leader, it will focus on those close to the leader. “One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.” ” (Nehemiah 6:10, NIV84)

This spiritual battle against the work of God requires strong leadership. Nehemiah did not condemn the person who was fearful. His answer merely focused on his trust in God. Nehemiah understood that the people around him would learn to trust God as he walked in faith and trust towards God. “But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should one like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!” ” (Nehemiah 6:11, NIV84)

Nehemiah also understood that there was a false prophetic spirit at work. The false is motivated by personal gain and thus speaks in a spirit of manipulation. “I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me. ” (Nehemiah 6:12–13, NIV84)

Nehemiah continued to believe that God would care for him. Nehemiah committed the battle to God. “Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me. ” (Nehemiah 6:14, NIV84)