Spirit Of Separation By Sylvia Gunter - Prayer Portions - Warfare Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and

every city or household divided against itself will not stand (Mat 12:25). How timely is this picture of separation: "There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them (2 Tim. 3:I-5)." Why the spirit of separation is so seriousSpiritual authority is present in proportion to the unity of relationships among believers moving toward a common God-given goal. Therefore, separation is Satan's foundational tool to divide and conquer. Separation is one of the enemy's main weapons. His first act toward man was to separate (alienate) man from God in the Garden of Eden. 1. Man's separation from God was so serious that it caused Jesus to have to give His life. Ephesians2:12-13, Isaiah 59:2 2. Oneness is the purpose for which Jesus came. Ephesians 2t14-22 3. Oneness is the mind of Christ. Philippians 2:l-8 4. Oneness is the great prayer of Jesus. John 17:20-22 5. Oneness glorifies God. Disunity glorifies Satan. Romans 15:5-6, John 17:24 6. Oneness must precede worship. Matthew 5:23-24 Where the spirit of separation worksIn marriages, friendships, families, churches, denominations, groups, between races, at the office, at school, between nations -wherever there are people! Practical remedy for separation- prayer application 1. Recognize how the spirit of separation operates. 2. Renounce its operation in you. Repent of your sins of separation one by one. Let the blood of Jesus cover them all. The power in this prayer application depends on your own repentance of separation at work in you (Mat. 7:l-5). 3. Don't try in your own flesh to dismantle the walls of separation of others (Gal. 5:15, 1 Tim. 4:16, 2 Cor. 13:5). This is a spiritual battle, not one against flesh and blood (2 Cor. 10:3-6, Eph. 6:12). 4. As you pray to uproot each of the manifestations of the spirit of separation, pray to establish the opposite spirit, which is the work or nature of Jesus. These opposites are printed in bold beside each of the 20 works of the spirit of separation. 5. Pray for God to send His Spirit to overcome and restore. Ask God to establish the rule of His Lordship in relationships. Sowr estoration by obedience, praise, prayer, repentance, restitution, confirming your love, affirmation, faith, rejoicing, endurance, etc., as God leads. Practical suggestion: This is an overwhelming amount of Scripture. On your first use of this powerful tool, allow the Holy Spirit to impart to you the highlights (the parts in bold and maybe the explanations of those basic issues in

parenthesis). For example, pray this way: "I repent of pride and renounce its control in my life. Father, work in me the spirit of humility, as you fill me with the fullness of the sweet Spirit of Christ Jesus." Then proceed to selfishness, deception, and so on. With subsequent uses as you pray for others, pray: "Father, I acknowledge that pride has ruled, and1 stand against its working in my family (or whatever situation). Jesus lived, died, and was resurrected to destroy all these workings of Satan. Work in the situation the humility ofJesus by the power of Your Holy Spirit" (etc.). For further understanding, let God teach you as you open up the Scriptures and study the verses noted. How the spirit of separation works The opposite spirit 1. Pride (vanity, arrogance) Humility Diagnosis: James 4:6, Proverbs 29.23, 13:10; Leviticus 26:19-20, Daniel 4:37, 5:20; Isaiah 25:11, 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4. Cure: 2 Chronicles 7:I4, Isaiah 6:3-5, Revelation 3:19-20, 1 Corinthians 4:7,Jeremiah 13:I7, 2 Chronicles 32:25-26. 2. Selfishness (I, me, my, mine, self-pity, egotism, jealousy, rivalry) Sacrifice Roots: flesh which profits nothing Isaiah 53.6, John 6:63; demonic James 3:13-18. Cure: gratitude for grace I Corinthians 15:IO, 4.7; self crucified with Christ, Galatians 2.20; giving your life Matthew I0:39, 16:25. 3. Deception (vain imaginations, idolatry, apostasy, scoffing) Truth Diagnosis: Isaiah 44:20, Jeremiah 10:14-16, Romans 1:21-25, I Timothy 6:3-5; 2 Peter 3:3-7,11-12, 16-18; Jeremiah 7:4, 8-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:4, 9, 10. Cure: 2 Thessalonians 2:8, 2 Timothy 3:9, Matthew 9:29-30a, 2 Peter 3.18; 2 Timothy 3:14-17. 4. No fear of God (rebellion, disobedience, dishonoring His holiness) Fear of the Lord Consequences: Psalm 112:1, Proverbs 14:16,26,27; Proverbs 31.30, Acts 9:26. Cure: fear God only Psalm 76.7; believe God's word Acts 27:22, Proverbs 9:10; Spirit of the fear of the Lord Isaiah 11.2; results in unified action I Samuel 11:7b. 5. Control (manipulation, occult, soulish prayers) Filling of the Spirit Control: Mark 10:35-45, esp 42-45, Luke 22.24-30, Jeremiah 45:5. Witchcraft: Deuteronomy 18:14, 2 Kings 9:22, I Chronicles 10:I3, Galatians 5:20. Soulish prayer: Mark 10:37, Note Jesus' response. Cure: Ephesians 5:18-21, Galatians 5tI6, 24-25; Be controlled by Christ's love 2 Corinthians 5:14; by the Holy Spirit Romans 8:9; by humility Matthew 23.12. 6. Rejection (insecurity) Acceptance Jesus Himself was rejected John 1: 11 . But He accepted us Romans 15:7, Deuteronomy 33.12, Ephesians 1:6 (KJV). His love through us loves others and receives His love through others I John 3:l-3. He commands us to love I John 4:19-21, Matthew 22:39, John 13:35, John l5:l2, 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 1 Peter 1:22. 7. Accusation (judging, criticism, mocking) Diagnosis of source: Revelation 12:10. Cure: Revelation 12:I1, Romans 8:1, 33-34. Grace

8. Unforgiveness (revenge, resentment, bitterness, woundedness) Forgiveness Bitterness has consequences Hebrews 13:15. Unforgiveness produces torment Matthew 18:21-35. Unforgiveness is cooperation of Satan's schemes 2 Corinthians 2:lO-11. Forgiveness is commanded Matthew I8t21-35, Luke I7t4. It is example of Jesus Luke 23t34. Measure of forgiveness is same forgiveness we received Luke 6:36, Ephesians 4t32. Vengeance is God's Romans 12:19, 21. 9. Sins of the fathers (may include curses) The Cross Exodus 20:4-6, Exodus 34:5-10, Numbers 14:11-24. Cure: Galatians 3:13-14 New fatherhood: Ephesians 3:14-15 New bloodline: 2 Corinthians 5:16-20 New love: Ephesians 3:16-19 New bloodline brings justification through the righteousness of Jesus by the work of grace in His Holy Spirit, resulting in the blessings of God. 10. Perversion of God-intended roles Romans I:26 men give leadership to mammon Luke 12:15-21 prayer Luke 12:22-34 women take control in the home I Kings 21:1-16 prayer Ephesians 5:22-24 Submission

11. Confusion (disorder) Godly wisdom James 3:13-18, 2 Corinthians 12:20, Psalm 46:7, Genesis 11:4-9, Deuteronomy 7:22-23, 28:20, 28; Exodus 23:27. Cure: I Corinthians 14:33, 2 Timothy 1:7, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, James 3:17-18. 12. Apathy (not caring, unfeeling, deadness, cold love) Revelation 3:15, Matthew 24:12, Psalm 17:10. Cure: Deuteronomy 6:4, I Peter 1:22, Love

13. Ignorance Mercy and true righteousness Goes along with hardening of the heart Ephesians 4:17-24. Causes bitterness Psalm 73:21-22. Can be overlooked for a season, but person must repent Acts 3:17-20, 17:29-31. Cuts off the work of the Holy Spirit Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22. Cure: Psalm 73:15-17, I Timothy 1:12-13, I Peter 2:I5, 1:14-16; Hebrews 5:2, Ephesians 4:24. 14. Busyness Luke 11:40-42, Psalm 27:4, 14; Isaiah 40:31. Waiting on God

15. Lust (coveting) - draws away from unity or union Holiness 1 John 2:16, 2 Corinthians 10:6-11, Ephesians 2:2-3, Galatians 5:17, 2 Timothy 3:6, 4:2. Cure: Romans 13:l4, Ephesians 4:22, Galatians 5:16, 24-25; 2 Peter l:4, I John 2:15, 17; I Thessalonians 4t3-8, 2 Timothy 2:22, Titus 2:11-14. 16. Mammon Extravagant generosity Luke 16:13-15, Luke 15:11-13, Matthew 13:22, 1 Timothy 6:10, Malachi 4:6.

17. Withdrawal Trinity unity Legal /emotional divorce in marriage, parting from fellowship with a person or group. Malachi 2:14-16, I Corinthians 12, Ephesians 2:20-22, Philippians 2:1-8. 18. Anger (hatred, violence) I John I:7, 2:9-11, 15-16; 4.19-21. Death-to-self Is work of the flesh Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 4:26-27, 31. Not consistent with prayer, maturity, or light I Timothy 2:8, 2 Corinthians 12:20. Commanded to put it away Ephesians 4:31, Colossians 2:8, 1 Peter 2:l. Cure: Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:6-14. 19. Racism Reconciliation and restoration Truth: Mat. 12:25, Eph. 2:10-22 Diagnosis of roots: injustice and wounds, prejudice, walking in the flesh, unguarded words, bondage, pride, deception Cures: God vindicates, godly wisdom of the fear of the Lord, walking in the spirit, speaking blessings and promises of God, tearing down idols and exalting Jesus only, humility and repentance, truth. Solution: 2 Cor. 9:8, Eph. 4:3, Ram. 12:18, 2 Cor. 5:16, 18; 3:17-18. 20. Death 2 Corinthians 2:15-16, I John 2:14-15 Life Physical death is ultimate expression of physical separation - Genesis 4.1-10. Spiritual death is ultimate separation from God - John 5:24, 3:18; Romans 5:12-21. There are many applications of this. They all result in social alienation, physical violation, and spiritual desolation. Abortion is a specific example. Abortion results from separation from the laws of God and from the natural affection of mother to child. Consequently, the baby is separated in a violent and untimely way from the mother's womb and thus separated from life. Murder and suicide also are ultimate outworkings of the spirit of separation. The ultimate cure for separationUnion in the Head Ephesians 4:1-16; Abiding in the Vine John 15:1-16; Oneness in the family John I7:11-12, 18, 20-26, I John 5:1; Fellowship