Pastor Larry continues preaching on the Theme of the Conference. In this message talks about, "SPIRITUAL HOSTAGES" and how the Corinthian church was held Hostage by the powers of darkness. Held Hostage How the Enemy Seeks to Limit God’s People
The world is watching the news of what is happening in Israel, as the Terrorist group Hamas is using the hostages they took when they attacked Israel in October 2023 as bargaining chips.
This strategy is nothing new. It is the same tactic Satan uses against God’s people. If the enemy cannot destroy you, he will seek to hold you hostage, keeping you from experiencing the complete victory God has for you.
The Apostle Paul saw this happening in the church at Corinth. Believers were being held hostage by division, sin, and personal preferences that were tearing apart the work God had called them to do.
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NKJV) says, "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
How Spiritual Warfare Works Against You and the Church
Paul understood that these issues weren’t just human problems; they were the result of spiritual warfare designed to derail the church's mission, calling, and destiny.
2 Corinthians 2:11 reminds us, "Lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices."
Many people think of spiritual warfare in terms of casting out demons, which is a part of spiritual warfare. Spiritual warfare is much more, it is battles fought in the daily struggles of Christian life in this complex world. Paul faced many conflicts:
Conflicts with external influences
Internal divisions within the church
Attacks on leaders
The struggle to live obediently in a sinful world
The need for unity and righteousness
Paul experienced real physical persecution—prisons, chains, riots, shipwrecks—but he also knew that spiritual warfare was just as much about the subtle battles in the mind and heart.
1 Peter 4:12 (NKJV) warns, "Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you."
Victory Comes Through Faith, Not Strength
The key to overcoming these battles is not in our strength but in faith.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 tells us, "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Consider David facing Goliath. The giant held Israel hostage for 40 days. He never lifted his sword, never fought anyone. He only fought with his voice. The Army of Israel was help hostage by their fear.
No one dared to fight him until David, armed only with faith, stepped forward. That one victory changed his life and the course of Israel.
Today, the enemy holds many Christians hostage, not with physical chains but with limiting beliefs. Psalm 78:41 says, "They turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel." We must recognize that we often limit God in our minds, allowing fear, doubt, and the enemy's lies to keep us from stepping into His promises.
Three Areas Where the Enemy Fights Us
1. Materially 3 John 2 says, "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers."
God desires His people to prosper, but many struggle to believe this truth. It is not about where you live, your background, or your abilities; prosperity is believing God’s promises. We teach that every church in any country, poor or rich, can be a self-supporting church. This is necessary for the church to survive and reproduce in any culture. However, many fail to walk in faith when it comes to finances. They cannot grow or reproduce through church planting because they lack faith in finances.
The enemy wants to hold you hostage in fear, but God’s plan is for you to trust Him for provision.
2. Physically The Bible even speaks about the role of physical health in spiritual warfare. Proverbs 23:2 says, "If you are a big eater, put a knife to your throat."
Satan seeks to destroy God’s people, and often, he uses food and unhealthy habits to do so. Many preachers have been taken out of ministry due to poor health. Recognizing the importance of caring for our bodies is part of spiritual warfare. We must not allow food, addiction, or neglect to hold us hostage.
3. Spiritually
The enemy wants to weaken your faith through discouragement, distractions, and sin. We must guard our minds, live righteously, and commit to prayer.
More Than Conquerors
God has not called us to live as hostages but as conquerors.
Romans 8:37 declares, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
David conquered Goliath, and through Christ, we can conquer the spiritual strongholds in our lives. Whatever is holding you hostage today, recognize the enemy’s strategy and step into the victory God has for you!
Larry Neville Email: LarryNeville.com
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