The Rules of Engagement

The Rules of Engagement

L ack of S ubmission to A uthority Lack of submission to authority is caused by the spirits of pride and rebel lion. People who do not submit to authority are self-willed, stubborn, and uninformed about the dangers associated with this kind of recalcitrant behavior. Miriam and Aaron, although close kin to Moses, were driven by this spirit and failed to fully submit to their brother Moses’s leadership. This spirit led them to rebel against Moses’s authority, assuming that because of the similarity in calling, office, and anointing, submission was unnecessary. (See Numbers 12:1–2.) L aziness The enemy is aware that this powerful weapon often goes undetected because it does not appear demonic at first blush. Slothfulness and inactivity leads to poverty, a lack of fulfillment of purpose, and impotence. The old-timers used to say that idleness is the “devil’s workshop.” (See Proverbs 26:13–15.) L ies Lies are false declarations, distorted facts, and fabricated statements used to deceive or give an incorrect perception. The Greek word for lie is pseudologos , where pseudo means “false” and logos means “word or declaration.” (See 1 Timothy 4:1–2.) L usts Lust can be defined as a strong desire of the flesh and the desires, appetites, and cravings of the soul. To the believer, lust is the cancer of the soul. It produces leanness of the soul so that after it has completed its assignment, according to the apostle James, it brings sin and then death. (See Galatians 5:16, 19–21; James 1:14–15; 2 Peter 2:18; 1 John 2:16.) M anipulation Manipulation is the employment of shrewd or devious activities and tactics in an attempt to take advantage of another. It is not only used to dominate or control, but also to subtly, underhandedly, or deceptively hide true intentions. Even though manipulation involves a variety of maneuvers, tactics, and ploys,

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