Spiritual Combat: Identifying and Defeating the 12 Strong Men

Your Arsenal for Warfare: Identifying the 12 Spirits and Ejecting the Enemy with the Blood and the Word

Introduction

The Christian life is not a passive journey; it is a battle. While Christ won the ultimate victory on the cross, we are called to enforce that victory daily, resisting the schemes of the enemy (Ephesians 6:12). To successfully engage in spiritual warfare, we must first understand the enemy’s strategy and be equipped with the right weapons. This article breaks down the essential dynamics of spiritual combat, revealing the specific “strong men” that bind lives and detailing the three powerful elements God has given us to eject the devil.

The 12 Strong Men: Identifying the Opponent

The enemy rarely attacks randomly; he establishes strongholds (referred to in your notes as “Strong Men”) that seek to control and manipulate thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Identifying these spirits is the first step toward casting them out:

Spiritual Stronghold	Area of Influence
1. Jealousy	Envy, comparison, bitterness towards others’ success.
2. Lying Spirit	Deception, false testimonies, confusion.
3. Familiar Spirit	False guidance, obsession with the past, spiritual counterfeits.
4. Perverse Spirit	Distortion of truth, moral corruption.
5. Whoredom	Sexual sin, lust, pornography.
6. Heaviness	Depression, discouragement, hopelessness.
7. Infirmity	Sickness, chronic illness, physical pain.
8. Deaf & Dumb Spirit	Hindering the ability to hear God and speak truth.
9. Spirit of Fear	Anxiety, panic attacks, dread, phobias.
10. Pride	Self-exaltation, arrogance, defiance of authority.
11. Bondage	Addiction, compulsion, enslavement to sin.
12. Anti-Christ	Denial of Christ, false doctrines, opposing the Holy Spirit.

Your Triple Arsenal: Three Ways to Eject the Devil

When confronted by any of these strongholds, God has provided simple yet powerful weapons for immediate deliverance and victory:

1. The Blood of Jesus of Nazareth: The blood is your ultimate legal standing. It silenced the accuser and broke the curse. Declaring the blood removes the devil’s access to your life and circumstances.
2. The Word: The $Rhema$ (revealed word) is the “Sword of the Spirit.” Speaking Scripture directly against the enemy’s lie and using the Word as your defense is how Jesus defeated temptation in the wilderness.
3. The Testimony: Your personal story of how God delivered you. When you testify to God’s faithfulness, you expose the enemy’s defeat and build faith in your own life and in others.

The Moses Model: Preparation for Power (Exodus 3:1-7)

To effectively wield this authority, you must maintain personal purity and spiritual readiness. Moses encountered God on holy ground, and so must we. The road to reverence involves a crucial command: “Take off your sandals.”

The “Sandals to Remove” represent the sins and worldly ties that hinder God’s presence and power: Filthy speech, Lustful thinking, Anger, Going to places/people, Ornaments, and worldly Entertainment (Music, Movies, E-mail).

By removing these “sandals,” you purify your walk and prepare your heart to receive the revelation and authority needed for warfare.

The Foundation of Authority (Matthew 16:16)

Your authority in battle flows directly from your relationship with Christ. You are Quickened (made alive) and empowered when you fulfill these requirements:

1. Face-to-face encounters with Jesus.
2. Revelation from the Holy Spirit.
3. Confessing that He is the Christ (your public confession).
4. Acknowledging Him as Lord and Christ.
5. Commitment to Strengthen the brethren.

This foundational relationship gives weight to your words when you command the strong men to leave.

Conclusion: Be a Warrior, Not a Victim

You are called to march like a soldier and walk in protest against the kingdom of darkness. Do not let the strong men define your life. Take up your arsenal, declare the Blood, speak the Word, and share your testimony. Seek the secret place, purify your life, and move forward in the authority granted to you by Jesus Christ.