SPIRITUAL ENTANGLEMENTS

One of the enemy’s most crafty and deadly strategies is that of entanglements. Spiritual entanglements are subtle, deceptive, marked by infiltration and pretense, while calculated to release destruction. 

Entanglements are designed to confuse, distract and divert those they impact. They keep the targets spinning their wheels on minor issues, diverted from the strategic and essentials, while advancing a preoccupation of crises and obsessions programmed in the pit of hell. In short, they are designed to refocus priorities with the intent of majoring in minor issues and minoring in what should be the major ones. They are part of the enemy’s game plan to keep those with leadership mantles on the defensive, while progressively penetrating and leveraging vulnerabilities in order to undermine their Kingdom assignments.

In his quest for power, the enemy has long given priority to embedding his minions in seats of power in government, business and religious institutions. Yet, hell recoils when Spirit-led believers, who operate in God’s authority, penetrate these same seats of power. The enemy’s aim is to deceive believers into diverting, re-directing or even bequeathing God-given power and anointing into serving his efforts. His intent is to continually downgrade what are designed as strategic Kingdom purposes.
“Look, I’m sending you out as sheep among wolves; so be wary and wise as serpents, but as innocent as doves, harmless and without pretense. Be wary of men who will betray you; but know, this will yield opportunity, so do not be anxious, for what you say will be given to you by the Holy Spirit.” Matt 10:16-20 NLT

Yet, there is now a shift underway. It is a new season. With the shift is greater clarity and strategic vision tied to the spiritual realities of the season. The Lord is bringing His Light into areas of darkness and exposing deceit, duplicity and intrigue. God is uncovering that which has been hidden and masked. Accompanying all this has been the release of prepared ones, those the Bible describes as mighty warriors.

The Release of Mighty Warriors
We have passed the time marked by pioneers penetrating territory the enemy once considered to be his own. A growing swath from the Body is being released from on high with unusual, strategic-level Kingdom assignments. They are ones the enemy is seeking to identify and target with his entanglement strategies. Yet, these mighty warriors operate in wisdom and in power to infiltrate enemy-held territory and take dominion. These are highly committed, prepared ones who until now have largely been hidden.
“Lift up the standard on the bare hill; raise your voice to them … enter the doors of the nobles; for the Lord has commanded His consecrated ones, He has even called His mighty warriors. The Lord is mustering His army for battle.”  Isaiah 13: 3-4

So, as the battle shifts from the defensive to the offensive, many of the enemy’s lairs will be penetrated. As this takes place, the Body needs to continually be alert to anticipating, unraveling and confronting the enemy’s entanglement strategies.

The Dynamics of Entanglement Strategies
Understanding the dynamics of entanglement strategies begins with insights drawn from the root word “tangle” from the American Heritage dictionary.

tan·gle (t²ng”g…l) v. tan·gled, tan·gling, tan·gles. –tr. 1. To mix together or intertwine in a confused mass; snarl. 2. To involve in hampering or awkward complications; entangle. 3. To catch and hold in or as if in a net; entrap. See Synonyms at catch. –intr. 1. To be or become entangled. 2. Informal. To enter into argument, dispute, or conflict: tangled with the law. –tan·gle n. 1. A confused, intertwined mass. 2. A jumbled or confused state or condition. 3. A state of bewilderment. 

en·tan·gle (µn-t²ng”g…l) tr.v. en·tan·gled, en·tan·gling, en·tan·gles. 1. To twist together or entwine into a confusing mass; snarl. 2. To complicate; confuse. 3. To involve in or as if in a tangle.

Unholy Alliances.  Entanglements may involve unholy alliances: alliances that appear on the surface as being of benefit to the Body or the one targeted, but which in reality reflect infiltrators or compromisers who are undermining the Lord’s initiatives. The alliance between King Xerxes (during the time of Queen Esther) and his Prime Minister Haman is an illustration. Likewise, the impact that the sons of Eli had on Israel (the sons of Eli were considered vile because they despised the offerings and worship of the Lord), resulted in the Lord’s purposes in that day being hindered, and Eli being severely judged by the Lord. 

The Appearance of Good.  Entanglements can frequently carry an enticement because they are entwined with the appearance of good. Yet, their impact will serve to undermine agendas pertinent to the purposes of God. By drawing attention to a tactical flaw, they obscure and create damage to key strategic purposes. The Word of God speaks of not calling evil good or good evil. Entanglements make mountains out of mole hills and are marked by perverse, deceptive masks that are designed to undermine strategies that truly advance the Kingdom. The appearance of good can often reflect uneven playing fields; situations in which the decks are stacked and reality distorted. They reek with perverted perceptions of reality and release confusion. These are “hidden agendas” based on misperceptions in need of being uncovered or brought to light.

Misguided Zeal.  Passions that fail to be tempered by the presence and wisdom of God hold the potential of inadvertently being used by the evil one. Zeal without knowledge results in a pattern of subtle compromise. Misguided zeal typically is strongly lacking in honor. Misguided zeal is doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. A zealous believer on the right track who demonstrates an overt pattern of compromise undermines the anointing and impact. Pursuing a good thing for unrighteous or frivolous gain gives entrance to zeal coupled to alliances with mammon and corruption. Misguided tongues that speak of what they don’t know or that promulgate deceit and lies become a quicksand of entanglements and other destructive venues.

Spiritual Hyperextensions.  Hyperextensions go beyond what the design calls for. Rather than a keen focus on the unique gift and calling of the individual, far too many are seduced to a realm outside the spheres of their callings by the aura of success. The result creates activities that creep progressively farther from the purpose of the unique anointing and calling from God, only to digress into arenas that are snares and entrapments. In a word, spiritual hyperextensions dilute the purpose of the calling, while creating unnecessary damage.

Dependency on Inadequate or Outdated Models.  Like spiritual hyperextensions, success can become as a snare, when the modus operandi replaces the process of seeking and hearing God. In the economy of God, the model is the gateway rather than being an end unto itself. It is the gateway into the interactive process with God whereby we discern God’s heart, purposes and revelation for the situation. Moses never stopped seeking God when difficult situations arose. Even when David made bad calls on decisions, he knew enough to humble himself before God, repent and inquire of the Lord.

In a word, entanglements typically are not what they appear to be. They are implanted threads of deceit that have the appearance of innocence and good, as they are activated with links that spread their vile impact to other situations and unsuspecting victims.

Where entanglement strategies have become embedded in ministry pursuits, high levels of seduction and manipulation will be in evidence. Those advancing entanglement strategies tend to digress into being masters of deceit. Seduction attracts those of a kindred spirit, for both the purpose of unholy alliances, as well as to extend the steps in the seductive process. Entanglements will typically be enmeshed with religious spirits: spirits designed to create smokescreens or masks to divert attention from the genuine issues at work. They reflect the underlying, hidden schemes of a much more pervasive principality.

Note: This is Part I of this message on Spiritual Entanglements. Part II will cover Solutions to Spiritual Entanglements.

The Prayer: Releasing God’s Power
Let’s pray. Father, in the mighty and incomparable Name of Jesus, we bring before You the mighty warriors of Your Body for this time. Father, we thank You for equipping them with every good thing to do Your will, working in them that which is pleasing in Your sight. Lord, grant today’s mighty warriors the eye of the eagle. Provide them with a discernment and spiritual alertness that transcends their human abilities.

Lord, thank You for releasing unto them a much deeper awareness of the mantle of authority you’ve placed upon them — and with that awareness, may there be a wisdom and boldness and a knowing of what to do. Father, we know that those who are moving past enemy-held gates are reclaiming that which is rightfully Yours. May there be restoration and fullness as You touch and set free the multitudes bound by the enemy’s schemes. Lord, grant these mighty warriors the Power and the strategies to break down the gates of iron; to cause the walls of the enemy’s fortresses to come down; and to plunder his camps. And Lord, we lay an axe to the root of the entanglements the enemy has used to entrap and enshroud members of Your Body. Lord, let Your light shine on these situations and unravel and disentangle the bondages that have resulted. Reveal the roots to these entanglements and may yokes be broken. Lord, thank You for preceding us with Your presence; preceding us with the Terror of the Lord. May the enemy be thrown into confusion.

God Almighty, Your Word says that although the wicked may draw their swords and bend their bows to bring down and slay those whose ways are upright, that their bows will be broken and their swords will pierce their own hearts. Lord, Your power and Your strategies are awesome. As we move forward, we praise You Lord, that You will foil the signs of false prophets and make fools of diviners; You will confirm the word of your servants and perform the counsel of your messengers. Lord God, give each of us called as mighty warriors the grace to speak truth in our own hearts as we proceed under Your direction. Give us clarity of vision and strategic insight at each juncture. Enable us to see through and stay above the smokescreens and diversions — and operate with Your wisdom as we keep our eyes on You and discern the revelation, then the illumination and then direction, release and strategies within our appointed spheres.

Precious Lord, grant us a level playing field as the anointing breaks the yokes. Expose the surreptitious, behind-the-scenes manipulations designed not only to entice and divert us, but to undermine our genuine callings. Let strongholds and networks of strongholds be exposed and torn down. Father God, may there be an uncovering of the hidden agendas. Grant us unusual spiritual vision into the situations we are facing. Lord, may You uncover what needs to be uncovered and may unadulterated truth overshadow the lies and assumptions sent to undermine Your agendas. Lord as Your Light and Truth is brought to bear in these entanglements, may the wicked see it and be vexed, turning from their wicked schemes and slinking away with their hopes being thwarted.

Lord, we thank You for closing the mouths of lions; those speaking and fostering intrigue, deceit and lies. Father, we thank You for ridding Yourself of this constant grumbling and scheming against us. Father, silence the misguided, loose tongues, we pray. And Father, we thank You for unraveling unholy alliances. Expose them Lord. Rout out the infiltrators, imposters, compromisers and the deceived. Bring cleansing to Your Body and sensitize, strengthen and give wisdom to the gatekeepers.

Father, the battle is Yours and we will be strong and courageous. Thank You O God, for what You are releasing in terms of our equipping and your initiatives. Thank You Lord, that Your purposes will be accomplished; fully and without delay. Adonai, You are awesome and we love You!! Thank You Lord, that the victory is Yours and You are with us as our Banner and Victory.

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Morris Ruddick has been a forerunner and spokesman for the higher dimensions of business leadership since the mid-90s. As founder of Global Initiatives Foundation and designer of the God’s Economy Entrepreneurial Equippers Program, Mr. Ruddick imparts hope and equips economic community builders to be blessed to be a blessing where God’s light is dim in diverse regions around the globe.

He is author of “The Joseph-Daniel Calling;” “Gods Economy, Israel and the Nations;” “The Heart of a King;” “Something More;” “Righteous Power in a Corrupt World;” “Leadership by Anointing;” and “Mantle of Fire,” which address the mobilization of business and governmental leaders with destinies to impact their communities. They are available in print and e-versions from www.Amazon.com, www.apple.com/ibooks and www.BarnesandNoble.com.

Global Initiatives Foundation (www.strategic-initiatives.org) is a tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 non-profit whose efforts are enabled by the generosity of a remnant of faithful friends and contributors whose vision aligns with God’s heart to mobilize economic community builders imparting influence and the blessings of God. Checks on US banks should be made out to Global Initiatives and mailed to PO Box 370291, Denver CO 80237 or by credit card at http://strategicintercession.org/support/

Likewise, email us to schedule a seminar for your group’s gathering on the Joseph-Daniel Calling or on anointing the creative in business.

2018 Copyright Morris Ruddick — info@strategic-initiatives.org

Reproduction is prohibited unless permission is given by a SIGN advisor. Since early 1996, the Strategic Intercession Global Network (SIGN) has mobilized prophetic intercessors and leaders committed to targeting strategic-level issues impacting the Body on a global basis. For previous posts or more information on SIGN, check: http://www.strategicintercession.org