Blinding the Eyes of the Enemy Part I
Have you ever felt that the adversary was watching your every step? Sometimes, it seems that all our best efforts get foiled, because the eye of the enemy seems to bear down on our jobs, families, ministries, relationships or finances. Opposition from the devil can often be a sign that you are moving in the right direction. But there’s no need to let that opposition turn into oppression or continual defeat!
In this teaching, I will explain some principles that will enable you not only to stay hidden from the gaze of the evil one, but to overcome those powers of darkness in one fell swoop. We will discuss the concept of blinding the enemy.
The prophet Elisha, in 2 Kings 6, had been going into spiritual transport, receiving supernatural revelation about Israel’s enemy Syria and then warning the king of Israel about it. Elisha was so effective in seeing the enemy’s plans, that the king of Syria was growing paranoid:
“Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?” (2 Kings 6:11, emphasis mine).
The enemy has no creative power of his own, but he can only counterfeit the tactics of war that God gives us. Many of us have, at one point in our Christian walk, seen the enemy try to sow division into our homes, families, churches and friendships. The enemy knows that a kingdom divided against itself will fall. But here, in this passage of scripture, we see that the prophet Elisha is fighting fire with fire. Elijah is sowing division into the enemy’s camp. The first lesson we should note here is that prophetic insight enables us to divide and conquer. Spiritual vision supersedes and cuts off any carnal attack.
“And one of (the Syrian king’s) servants said, ‘None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.’ So he said, ‘Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.’ And it was told him, saying, ‘Surely he is in Dothan.’” (2 Kings 6:12-13, emphasis mine)
As the king set out in pursuit of Elisha, the prophet was staying in Dothan. Dothan literally means “the place of two wells.” Dothan is the place where, years earlier, Joseph had been thrown into a well by his jealous brothers. Because Joseph had favor and gifting on his life, he was persecuted by those who did not. In the same way, Elisha’s gift made a way for him, but it also brought on the heat of his foes! If you want favor, breakthrough and success from God, there will also be turbulence that comes with it. People will try to shoot you down, even those close to you.
Dothan is not the place of one well, but two wells. There are many layers of symbolism in this. Although Joseph saw this well as a path to prison, the well was actually a path to the palace. We must always keep in mind that the trials, persecutions and temporary afflictions we face can be blessings in disguise. Your well can be the back door to promotion. You may see one well, but God sees another. What satan means for evil, God intends for good. When you feel the enemy plunging you into a pit, ask God to give you prophetic vision to see the situation through His eyes.
Little did they know, as the Syrians came to capture Elisha, that they were actually being delivered into his hands for utter defeat.
“Therefore (the Syrian king) sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’
“So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, ‘Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.’ And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
“Now Elisha said to them, 'This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.' But he led them to Samaria. So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, 'Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.' And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!” (2 Kings 6:14-20, emphasis mine)
The Lord handed the entire Syrian army to Elisha on a silver platter. Elisha had faith to see that the Lord’s heavenly hosts were far mightier than those arrayed against him. As he prayed, Elisha also had authority to impart prophetic vision to his servant. And beyond that, he even had the ability to blind the entire enemy army, and then later restore their sight.
All believers are given a mandate to open the eyes of the spiritually blind. We are called to “open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house” (Isa. 42:7). But prophets also carry authority to close eyes.
Isaiah 6:10 reads:
“Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return and be healed.”
This is a harsh assignment for the Lord to give his prophet! This curse of spiritual blindness still lingers over the eyes of many today. But Jesus said of those who believe: but blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it (Matt. 13:16-17).
Our assignment is not to blind people, but to blind principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (see Eph. 6:12). Even Elisha re-opened the eyes of the Syrians, after he had surrendered them to the king of Israel. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but our spiritual enemies should definitely be blinded. As we saw in the case of Elisha, God will often send angels to administer this blindness. Consider a similar example in the case of two angels who visited Lot in Sodom. The depraved men of that city sought to have homosexual relations with them: so they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door. But the men (angels) reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door (Gen. 19:9-11).
The principle of blinding your enemies is no more than being hidden by God. The key to staying hidden by God is to stay in the place of intimacy with Him – to remain in the secret place.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’
“Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
“You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.
“Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways” (Ps. 91:1-11).
We love to consider these blessings of Psalm 91. Many people quote them and stand on these promises consistently. But it is one thing to quote the scriptures. It is another thing to do the scriptures! There is a major prerequisite to all this blessing, protection and favor promised here. Don’t waste your breath quoting the benefits of Psalm 91 if you are not doing your part: dwelling in the secret place of the Most High! God does not hide you from harm because you know these verses, but because you have made the Lord, who is you refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place.
The practice of the presence of God is the most imperative thing we could ever do. Not just popping our heads in the door of the secret place occasionally when it benefits us. We must make Him our dwelling.
In this teaching, I will explain some principles that will enable you not only to stay hidden from the gaze of the evil one, but to overcome those powers of darkness in one fell swoop. We will discuss the concept of blinding the enemy.
The prophet Elisha, in 2 Kings 6, had been going into spiritual transport, receiving supernatural revelation about Israel’s enemy Syria and then warning the king of Israel about it. Elisha was so effective in seeing the enemy’s plans, that the king of Syria was growing paranoid:
“Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?” (2 Kings 6:11, emphasis mine).
The enemy has no creative power of his own, but he can only counterfeit the tactics of war that God gives us. Many of us have, at one point in our Christian walk, seen the enemy try to sow division into our homes, families, churches and friendships. The enemy knows that a kingdom divided against itself will fall. But here, in this passage of scripture, we see that the prophet Elisha is fighting fire with fire. Elijah is sowing division into the enemy’s camp. The first lesson we should note here is that prophetic insight enables us to divide and conquer. Spiritual vision supersedes and cuts off any carnal attack.
“And one of (the Syrian king’s) servants said, ‘None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.’ So he said, ‘Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.’ And it was told him, saying, ‘Surely he is in Dothan.’” (2 Kings 6:12-13, emphasis mine)
As the king set out in pursuit of Elisha, the prophet was staying in Dothan. Dothan literally means “the place of two wells.” Dothan is the place where, years earlier, Joseph had been thrown into a well by his jealous brothers. Because Joseph had favor and gifting on his life, he was persecuted by those who did not. In the same way, Elisha’s gift made a way for him, but it also brought on the heat of his foes! If you want favor, breakthrough and success from God, there will also be turbulence that comes with it. People will try to shoot you down, even those close to you.
Dothan is not the place of one well, but two wells. There are many layers of symbolism in this. Although Joseph saw this well as a path to prison, the well was actually a path to the palace. We must always keep in mind that the trials, persecutions and temporary afflictions we face can be blessings in disguise. Your well can be the back door to promotion. You may see one well, but God sees another. What satan means for evil, God intends for good. When you feel the enemy plunging you into a pit, ask God to give you prophetic vision to see the situation through His eyes.
Little did they know, as the Syrians came to capture Elisha, that they were actually being delivered into his hands for utter defeat.
“Therefore (the Syrian king) sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’
“So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, ‘Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.’ And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
“Now Elisha said to them, 'This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.' But he led them to Samaria. So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, 'Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.' And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!” (2 Kings 6:14-20, emphasis mine)
The Lord handed the entire Syrian army to Elisha on a silver platter. Elisha had faith to see that the Lord’s heavenly hosts were far mightier than those arrayed against him. As he prayed, Elisha also had authority to impart prophetic vision to his servant. And beyond that, he even had the ability to blind the entire enemy army, and then later restore their sight.
All believers are given a mandate to open the eyes of the spiritually blind. We are called to “open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house” (Isa. 42:7). But prophets also carry authority to close eyes.
Isaiah 6:10 reads:
“Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return and be healed.”
This is a harsh assignment for the Lord to give his prophet! This curse of spiritual blindness still lingers over the eyes of many today. But Jesus said of those who believe: but blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it (Matt. 13:16-17).
Our assignment is not to blind people, but to blind principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age and spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (see Eph. 6:12). Even Elisha re-opened the eyes of the Syrians, after he had surrendered them to the king of Israel. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but our spiritual enemies should definitely be blinded. As we saw in the case of Elisha, God will often send angels to administer this blindness. Consider a similar example in the case of two angels who visited Lot in Sodom. The depraved men of that city sought to have homosexual relations with them: so they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door. But the men (angels) reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door (Gen. 19:9-11).
The principle of blinding your enemies is no more than being hidden by God. The key to staying hidden by God is to stay in the place of intimacy with Him – to remain in the secret place.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.’
“Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
“You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.
“Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; for He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways” (Ps. 91:1-11).
We love to consider these blessings of Psalm 91. Many people quote them and stand on these promises consistently. But it is one thing to quote the scriptures. It is another thing to do the scriptures! There is a major prerequisite to all this blessing, protection and favor promised here. Don’t waste your breath quoting the benefits of Psalm 91 if you are not doing your part: dwelling in the secret place of the Most High! God does not hide you from harm because you know these verses, but because you have made the Lord, who is you refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place.
The practice of the presence of God is the most imperative thing we could ever do. Not just popping our heads in the door of the secret place occasionally when it benefits us. We must make Him our dwelling.
posted by John Crowder at 1:27 AM
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