Any discussion about returning attacks must begin with understanding Jesus and how He sets us free from sin. Paul describes this when writing to those in Rome:
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace. (Romans 6:12-14 AKJV)
When the Bible mentions that we are “free from sin” it is talking about sin not having control or dominion over us. We can be free of the overwhelming desire to sin. Under the Law, the Ten Commandments, a sacrifice had to be made so that we could be free from the consequences of sin. Jesus is our sacrifice, so we no longer have to butcher lambs and calves to pay for our sin, but we are expected to turn from sin.
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as you have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity to iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness to holiness. (Romans 6:15-19 AKJV)
When we continue to sin, we are submitting to Satan and are under his power. We must walk in God’s ways to be free of attacks from the enemy. Paul tells the Romans that they have “infirmity of the flesh” because they have “yielded” their bodies to “uncleanness.” In other words, Satan is allowed to attack our bodies if we continue in sin and to not turn to “righteousness” which means walking in God’s ways.
Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 AMP)
Our Lord paid the price for us to be free. However, we must learn His ways to appropriate all that He has done. If you have not yet studied the Word of God concerning His ways, you may do so at the free classes at this church.
What is Backlash?
Backlash is a direct result of our actions and may occur if we are not walking in God’s ways or if we will not submit to Jesus as Lord and going in the direction of our destiny. Jonah is a biblical example of this: It wasn’t a sin to board a ship, but he was running from what God told him to do. Jonah didn’t want to warn the city of Nineveh about God's wrath should they continue in sin because he wanted God to destroy them.
When the prophet went in the opposite direction of that city, a storm was sent to stop him. If we are refusing to do as God directs us, we are leaving God’s protection and the enemy may come against us. This is one form of backlash that most are aware of.
It was surprising to discover that backlash: attacks upon our health or emotions, could come after receiving intercession or prayer. There are many reasons that this may occur. I am aware of some, and I am sure there are more:
Abuse of Authority
Failure to Confess
Jezebel
Many people experience instant relief during or shortly after intercessory prayer. Unfortunately, others experience backlash or a quick relapse of the symptoms they were freed from. Information concerning “Abuse of Authority” is covered in “Traps when Praying” course and “Jezebel” is covered in the “Persistent Attacks” course. Let's look at what remains.
Failure to Confess
The word “confess” means much more than admitting that you did wrong. The Greek word homologeō translated “confess” has a specific definition: to come into complete agreement and see it the way God does; declaring what we know is wrong according to Him. A confession may be considered invalid or false if you:
don’t really feel that what you did was all that wrong
feel like you were justified in your actions because of something that happened to you
Your feelings are not in agreement with God when making excuses for your bad behavior, your sin.
There are no reasons, no excuses for your behavior when confessing your sins.
To confess your sin you must know that you made the decision to commit the act that was against God’s ways and be sorry for it. Excuses may make the application of the blood of Jesus invalid as you are trying to justify this action yourself.
We always have a choice. No one can make us sin. For the blood of Jesus to cover it, we must first own it and admit that it needs to be covered. The story of Job illustrates this point. Satan was granted the right to test Job and this was Job’s response:
Even today is my complaint rebellious and bitter; my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come even to His seat! I would lay my cause before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. (Job 23:2-4 AMPC)
Job wanted to argue his cause with God by presenting a case that he was being mistreated. Elihu, the one who spoke rightly about God, first showed what the proper response should have been from Job:
For has anyone said to God, I have borne my chastisement; I will not offend anymore; Teach me what I do not see [in regard to how I have sinned]; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more? (Job 34:31-32 AMPC)
When life goes horribly wrong, these are the steps we should take:
Admit you have been rightly punished (born the chastisement)
Confess that you are turning from sin (you will not offend anymore)
State you will learn God’s ways so that you understand where you have sinned (learn God’s ways)
Job didn’t do this, he kept insisting that he was righteous and being unfairly punished. God is the Just and Righteous Judge. Who are we to accuse Him of being unfair? As Elihu continues explaining we see what those actions look like to God:
For he adds rebellion [in his unsubmissive, defiant attitude toward God] to his unacknowledged sin; he claps his hands [in open mockery and contempt of God] among us, and he multiplies his words of accusation against God. (Job 34:37 AMPC)
We cannot “prepare” a case showing that God is wrong for allowing an attack upon us. In intercession prayer, we must be prepared to find out what sin is allowing the attack to happen and turn from that sin. Praise God that the blood of Jesus has paid the price for that sin when it is found and turned away from!
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. (Galatians 6:7-8 ESV)
God knows what is going on in your life. If you request prayer but there is known sin in your life, do not expect to get a breakthrough!
Backlash and Testing
The enemy was allowed in Job’s life for a season. Was this testing or backlash? The difference between the two is simple:
Backlash is because we have sinned allowing the enemy to create an open door for him to attack us.
It is often sudden and without warning.
We must find the sin and turn away from it.
Testing is an opportunity not to sin. We must hold on to what we know about God.
Testing will happen over and over again until we pass the test.
Job experienced loss and pain to test his love for God. Would he curse God? Would he still love God even when he was afflicted? Job didn’t totally pass the test, he accused God of being unjust. This was a sin and because of it the situation got worse.
Job did not completely fail because he didn’t curse God. But he didn’t pass either. Once Elihu spoke rightly, then Job realized where he had gone wrong. He repented and God showed up.
If you have been complaining about an attack of the enemy, then you are as guilty as Job. You will need to confess and repent for rebelling against God’s authority so that He will move back into your life. When addressing sin in our life, if we do any of the following, we will also be guilty of Job’s mistake:
Make excuses for our behavior
Attack the enemy who may have a right to attack us
Attack others whom God may be using to bring correction
If you have done any of these, you will need to confess that you have rebelled against God’s authority. Instead, you need to do as Elihu suggested:
Admit you have been rightly punished (born the chastisement)
Confess that you are turning from sin (you will not offend anymore)
State you will learn God’s ways so you know where you have sinned (learn God’s ways)
This is the way to remove both backlash or consequences for failing a test.
Keep Going
For this reason, many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. (1 Corinthians 11:30-31 NKJV)
This verse is in the New Testament after Jesus left. He came so that grace could be shown, but that doesn’t mean that God is not Judge. We still have an adversary:
...for the accuser of our brethren, he who keeps bringing before our God charges against them day and night, has been cast out! (Revelation 12:10 AMPC)
Satan isn’t upon this Earth yet, so right now he is in Heaven bringing charges against us day and night. We need to continually check ourselves against the Word of God. Are we walking according to God’s ways? Having fellowship with other Christians can be instrumental in remaining free. If you don’t have any Christian friends who are determined to walk the narrow path of righteousness, we hope you will consider fellowshipping with us online at OnlineChristianChurch.com
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