War Over the Word

One thing is sure regarding any word from God. If the enemy cannot cause you to abort or miscarry, he will do all within his power to kill it. The prophetic word is not like an app on the phone or computer that you disable or deactivate; every word of God is living, breathing, active. Paul compares it to a double-edged sword (Heb. 4:12). As such, it is a weapon and threat against the enemy. So, the enemy doesn't want God's word in you simply disabled; he wants to see it annihilated. Jesus told us, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." (John 10:10). The enemy isn't playing war games, so when a potential weapon that contains the life-giving breath of God is manifested, the enemy's scheming continues in earnest. We see this clearly in the events surrounding the birth of John and Christ.

Following John's birth, the enemy had to resort to another method when the Lord prevented Zacharias from aborting the word by sealing his mouth. His strategy: get Zacharias to walk in disobedience. Still mute on John's naming day, the well-intentioned people surrounding them encouraged Elizabeth to name John something other than God instructed. And herein lies a critical part of the enemy's tactic. He will surround you with godly people who want to call the word in your life something other than what it is – remember words are associated with the definition, and so the enemy wants you to step outside of God's plan and redefine the word according to your desires. DO NOT DO IT! God's word is alive in you to accomplish His plans and purposes, and for this to occur, it must be named according to God's instructions. Your definitions and that of others must die to the life of God held within the word.

Zacharias, having understood in the several months of silence God's plan, Zacharias agreed with God, who opened Zacharias's mouth to prophesy concerning John's destiny. We can only speculate that had Zacharias given in to the people and named him anything other than John, that Zacharias may have remained mute, never starting off the promise of John, the forerunner of Christ, with a parental prophetic declaration.

With Christ, the enemy's strategy wasn't so subtle. The enemy chose an all-out offensive by manipulating Herod's fear of another king rising to power and thwarting the redemptive plan of God for man in one fell swoop. Herod hears through the wise men about the birth of Christ, and when they fail to return with the information, Herod slaughters all male children, two and younger. God's strategy was to warn Joseph and have him flee, once more fulfilling prophecy, "Out of Egypt I called my Son." (Matt. 2:13-18).

In both instances, obedience was the crucial determining factor in preserving the prophetic word. No matter what the enemy throws at you, obeying the Lord is essential to victory. It matters not what even the godliest people around you tell you to do. When you've heard from God, His instructions take precedence, even when it doesn't make sense. Even when the road leads you to a proverbial Egypt. While you may not at the moment understand God's purposes, know that obedience always assures the survival of the word He has spoken over you.