Breaking Free from the Spirit of Saul

Scripture

2 Samuel 31:1-6  

Now the Philistines fought against Israel; the Israelites fled before them, and many fell dead on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua.  The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him critically. Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and run me through and abuse me.” But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him. So Saul and his three sons and his armor-bearer and all his men died together that same day. When the Israelites along the valley and those across the Jordan saw that the Israelite army had fled and that Saul and his sons had died, they abandoned their towns and fled. And the Philistines came and occupied them. The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. They cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and they sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temple of their idols and among their people. They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan. When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men marched through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

Message

In this particular scripture, Saul the King of Israel is in the midst of a heated battle with his enemy. One by one those closest to him began to fall as the battle increased. Cornered by the enemy, Saul is wounded by arrows designed to take him out. Wounded, but with life still flowing in his body, Saul allowed fear to enter his heart. With his faith now being challenged; he asked his armor bearer to help end his misery. When his armor bearer refused his request, Saul decided his fate and fell on his sword and died. 

While meditating upon this passage, revelation came forth which revealed that this is the same spirit which has been moving in some of the areas of leadership within the Body. In recent months there has been an increase in suicides among spiritual shepherds who seemed to have lost all hope. Many may have felt that the wounds inflicted in this season by the enemy were too deep and painful for God to heal. 

While all leaders who experience pain and hardships will not seek to take their lives, the purpose of this word is not to bring condemnation; but to revive hope and to illuminate the seriousness of suicide occurring among some of our dedicated spiritual shepherds. The best defense to stopping any type of assignment which seeks to kill, steal and destroy is to gain wisdom in order to implement preventive measures. Indeed the time has come to sound the alarm so that we as a body can stand together as a united front to break and destroy the works of the enemy from off the lives of those called to lead and shepherd us the people of God.

Encouragement

Spiritual shepherds don’t allow the spirit of Saul to push you into a place of fear as if there is no hope or way of escape.  There is a way of escape through Jesus Christ. He is your key. He is your source. Allow for the Spirit of God to be your light helping you to maneuver through all of the curves in the highway stretched before you. He already knows the way because He has guided others through this way before. Come out so you can go into and experience God’s promises for your life. Go in so you can share and release the Father’s heart to the people. Go in so many can become free to truly live again through a new hope in Christ Jesus. 12-18-2013 @ 8:30 AM (CST)

Deliverance Prayer

Father we enter into your gates with thanksgiving and into your courts with praise. We set ourselves in agreement and align our heart with your divine will. We decree and declare that you dear God in all of your Sovereignty reign and rule in our lives. 

We take every thought captive and command that our thoughts line up with your word and truth. We take up a hedge and stand in the gap for those called to shepherd and lead the people of God. We bind up, cut the cords and destroy the works of the spirit of Saul from taking root and loose your anointing which destroys every yoke of bondage. We bind up and reject all backlash of the enemy and stand united dressed in the full armor of God. We loose your love and send your peace forth to those who are wounded and without hope. 

We thank you for dispensing a greater measure of your grace and strength to each and every leader. We thank you for increasing and strengthening their faith where it is torn and weak. We thank you for granting peace where there is confusion. We thank you for your healing flowing down into the deep, deep recesses of their battle wounds. Father, we bless you and honor you for continuing to pour out your spirit afresh upon and in the lives of your vessels. We ask that you give us your people a heart of love, patience, and gratitude for those appointed to serve as our spiritual shepherds. In Jesus name, we do pray, amen and amen.

For more information on understanding the signs and symptoms of suicide please click on the following links of these great resources.

Resources

Helpguide: How to Help Someone who is Suicidal

Website: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/suicide_prevention.htm

Suicide Prevention Life Line: Call 24/7 1-800-273-8255

Website: http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

American Foundation Suicide Prevention: If you are in crisis, call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Website: http://www.afsp.org/