Contending for Conquest

Always contending. That is my reality. Always contending for something. People. Places. Things. Spiritual people, places, and things. It’s constant. It doesn’t end. Yes, I’ve gotten better at the fight, but it’s exhausting. I am exhausted. I am completely exhausted with contending with the kingdom of darkness over the territory (seen and unseen) Holy Spirit has placed in front of me to conquest.

About a month ago, I told my best friend, “I feel like I am going to have a meltdown." She said, “What’s going on?” I then sent a list of all the areas I was experiencing spiritual warfare. She responded back, “These are all areas you’ve already overcome. It definitely feels like you’re about to have major advancement and the kingdom of darkness is just pressing back very hard against you. I don’t know why you’re always having to contend for something, but just keep going. I’m praying.”

Guess what? The warfare hasn’t let up yet. If anything, it’s taken on form that I wasn’t really expecting. It feels like every corner I turn presents itself with an opportunity for me to open myself up to an offense with someone or something.

One instance occurred last week. I asked Holy Spirit, “How is this even happening?” He said, “You’ve seeded the atmosphere with your words about various things. Not all of those words have been life-giving. Some are curses that have opened the door to death. You understand the structure of the spirit realm. The kingdom of darkness looks for a legality through the words you've spoken. It doesn’t always immediately take advantage of the death you’ve spoken. though Sometimes it waits until the opportune moment and then rushes in and uses what you’ve spoken because you gave the authority for death to be permitted. You permitted the access. In this situation, you need to repent for what you’ve spoken and clean up the mess that’s been made in the spirit realm.”

Annoyed with myself, but understanding what he was saying, I repented and cleaned up the mess. The situation changed rapidly.

It’s wild. Dealing with constant contention. I keep going back to the words my friend said, “I don’t know why you are always having to contend for something.” I've come to know why… Because I keep telling Holy Spirit, “Yes. Yes, I’ll do it.” I keep agreeing with him to use the power he’s extended to me to take territory in the spirit realm. I keep pushing in areas that are heavily guarded and trafficked by the kingdom of darkness.

Why? Because I’m contending for conquest. I will take the territory. Whether it’s seen, unseen, or both, I will take it if he’s asked me to. I will ask him loads of questions (because it is wise to understand your enemy and the territory you’re taking) and then I will follow where he is leading me.

When I look back at past contention and conquest, I laugh and think to myself, “I’d love to be back there contending over that small pasture of land. What Holy Spirit has asked me to contend for over the past few years has been anything but small. It’s actually driven me to the ends of myself in ways I could not fathom. And, it’s shown me even more how real the dueling kingdoms are – the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of darkness.”

In this moment, I know deep down this current contention for conquest of territory isn’t over. How do I know? Well, the assignment he’s given me isn’t over yet. I haven’t finished producing the project my business is steadily working on. So, I know deep down, there is more contention afoot. I understand, I have to call my soul higher and truly rally it to keep going. Just this morning Holy Spirit said, “I need you to press from your spirit to pull your soul up higher. Your soul needs to join your spirit where we are going. You need to overcome the current contention in front of you with precision and poise. I know you are tired, but we can go a little bit further. We can distance to the end of this road together. I am with you in all things.”

As much as I would rather lie down and cry (I have done my fair share of crying), I’m going to keep moving forward. Why? Well because I believe continuing to go is life with Holy Spirit. I allowed Jesus to heal me and free me, but the healing and freedom wasn’t for nothing. After that, Holy Spirit taught me and equipped me so I would be prepared for the many battlefields I would (and will) eventually have to follow him out onto in great hopes of conquest.

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