Far too often Christians seem to lack success in the market place. Mediocre would not be an improper word to describe our current standing. However, there is a market place anointing coming which will challenge the way we view the world and its economic systems. This anointing is no less significant than what is being prepared for the Apostolic and Prophetic.
It will empower the Church to flourish, both socially and economically. This change will displace historical strongholds, particularly in areas of finance through a manifestation of the kingdom of God. It will require embracing a fresh commitment to kingdom principles right in the market place. Christians who do not believe the Lord enough to live out their Christianity in the fullest way, will continue to see financial prosperity and political influence slip from their grasp. Those who press on to greater faith will witness dramatic shifts not only for individual favor, but for an increase in financial and political power.
The Spiritual and the Natural One of the first steps toward this shift will require a change in our understanding of the natural and spiritual realms. As it is today, many believers tend to view their lives separate and different compartments. What we understand to be natural is viewed in one way, while spiritual things are for spiritual occasions. We will often approach them as though they had little relevance to each other. This leads to a duality wherein we believe one way but consider it impractical for real life. The work place is considered natural and somehow out of reach of spiritual realities! Therefore, we rarely consider the application of spiritual principles, other than in an indirect way. "Church is church but business is business", some would say. Few things could be further from the truth. In reality, whether we find ourselves in what is perceived to be a natural or a spiritual situation, the spiritual realm is the dominant arena. Nothing happens except by the exercise of dominion, via the kingdom of darkness or the kingdom of light. The natural domain, where we do "business", is always subject to spiritual realities. Unbelievers, who are ignorant of this fact, have actually been unknowingly trained into principles which pertain to this world. What they cannot know, is that the world is dominated by demonic wisdom, which is contrary to the knowledge of God. What is natural or common, is in fact in accordance to principles which empower the domain of darkness. While they may never be directly involved in what might be considered occultic activity, the whole world continues to lie under the sway of the devil(1 John 5:19). Consequently, without the power of the knowledge of God at work, men cannot help but walk by the natural course of this world, which is according to the Prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2).
What appears to be a exception of sorts, are those who despite not having experienced redemption, have a dimension of the law written in their hearts. In their case they may be touched by elements of the knowledge of God of which they are unaware. Even so, each and every day men consciously or unconsciously exercise a wisdom connected to a spiritual dominion. That is why Jesus said, "Whoever is not for me is against me" (Matthew 12:30). There is no requirement of conscious assent to be postured against the will of God and the expansion of His reign. This is evident in Peter's stand against Jesus' journey to the cross. Though he thought himself to be helping, he was in fact siding with Satan. The Lord did not consider this simply a misunderstanding but a very specific exercise of devilish wisdom, which he attributed to Satan himself. "Get behind me, Satan! You are an offense (snare) to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." (Matthew 16:23)
Jesus made a clear connection between the thinking patterns of men and the kingdom of darkness. He essentially suggested a synonymous relationship between the two. The things of men are in themselves postured against the rule of God. This means that thinking which is natural to men, is all that is necessary to advance the influence of the demonic. The idea of a neutral middle ground called "natural" simply does not exist. James makes a similar bridge in James 3:15, by describing a certain thinking (wisdom) as being both earthly and demonic. "This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic." The implications of this statement are far reaching.
What might be considered "normal business practice", accepted and practiced by multitudes, may in fact be the exercise of spiritual power for selfish ends. For example, what might be known in the world as the "art of persuasion" may actually be a form of "natural" witchcraft. I call it "natural", because it has become an integral part of one's personality and mannerism. But it is "witchcraft", in that it emerges from subtle manipulation. It is really an extention of man's desire to control others by using principles which are "of the earth" and natural. It may not involve the use of potions and incantations, but it still constitutes an illegitimate use of power.
For the unsaved this is common and ordinary, but it is essentially spiritual in nature. Though the bridge between the natural and the spiritual has been blurred, spiritual dynamics continue to be involved in day to day business life. The only question for the believer is "what principles will we invoke?". And will we wake up to realize that these principles continue to make up the invisible sub-structure of the world as we know it. Ignorance cannot negate reality. And the reality of our world is that it is made up of those things which are unseen (Hebrews 11:3). The Kingdom Dynamics By implication then, the only real way to obtain influence is by engaging the power of spiritual kingdoms. The struggle between them is not limited to the lost souls of men, but by extension reaches into every dimension of daily existence.
Consider these verses! "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them." (1 Corinthians 4:3) "...in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." (2 Timothy 2:25-26)
The suggestion is that mankind is unable to process information without the interference of spiritual forces. They are "taken captive by the will of the devil" and are unable to come to their "senses". Meaning, the potential exists to be manipulated in every conceivable way. In other words, the same factors which keeps people from being saved, influences their decisions on matters of economics, or opinions about who might best fill an opening in the foreign sales department. Unfortunately, this is not always obvious but happens as a normal part of life's routine. As a consequence, those who deserve recognition do not automatically receive it. Since hidden factors determine who is perceived as responsible for both success and failure, hard work becomes less important than being able to commandeer the perceptions of others. Those who rise to the top may have excellent work habits and skill, but will possess an additional dimension. Whether they are aware of it or not, it is spiritual in nature.
The authority of the spirit realm overshadows everything! For some, this may come as a revolutionary idea. Nevertheless, the reality stands that those decisions which affect the outcome of careers, appointments and promotions are less connected to merit than they are to the exercises of spiritual influences. Perhaps some of us were under the impression our work place was somehow immune to the life and death struggle which occupies the attention of heaven and hell. On the other hand it is more likely that we just had not thought about it. However as it reads in scripture, "Let God be true and every man a liar" (Romans 3:4). And regardless of our understanding the world is what it is. In that sense we live in a two dimensional world in which all outcomes have their roots in the exercise of kingdom principles, either for the purpose of God or not. If there is a middle ground of sorts, it is not in the neutrality of natural elements, like the lunch room or seniority system in the union. No, the only middle ground is a wilderness of mediocrity found in the lives of those who are making a transition into the kingdom of God. That is, they have tasted of the redeeming power of knowing Christ, but like Peter their mindset lends itself very intermittently to the Kingdom of God. Going Through the Wilderness This concept is depicted in the lives of the Hebrews who wandered in the wilderness; on the one hand sustained by the providence of God, while at the same time limited to the subsistence of manna. These have left the provisions of Egypt without having fully inherited the land of promise. In this way, the Egypt and Canaan depict the two kingdoms. Egypt had it's garlic, melons and fish (Numbers 11:5) while houses, lands and copious amounts of fruit waited in Canaan. Each offers a land of promise, though of course, bondage accompanied the dainties of Egypt.
The further you identify with one or the other, the more of its promises you receive. On the other hand, those who waffle in between, experience little of either. Hence, mediocrity becomes the staple of the day, until by faith there is an imposition of heavenly values on an otherwise demonically dominated world. We do not suggest that those who find themselves in the middle are any less committed to the kingdom of God. Yet, once we are born into it, we are now on a journey which will bring us to maturity. Maturity is the place where we are no longer subject to the laws and principles of the domain of darkness but, by faith, are walking in a continuous exercise of the power of God. We are on a journey in which we are being trained to bring the kingdom of God. That is, there is a favor which the Father longs to bestow upon us, but like the conquest of Canaan, we enter it by faith.
One of the first critical steps requires us to realize the nature of the combat. Initially, the Hebrews refused to enter, measuring only numbers and size. They looked only at the natural parameters and could not see themselves inheriting the land. However, it is not the natural factors which determine victory, but rather it is spiritual factors. The natural view of the world tells us that if we work hard and are diligent, we will be rewarded. The spiritual reality is, we face a world dominated by demonic forces. This demonic hierarchy will only yield to those who yoke themselves together with them (knowingly or in ignorance), or when forced by the imposition of spiritual force.
Today, the hierarchy of demonic power is firmly entrenched in the corridors of the corporate and political world. Besides the souls of lost individuals, the very structures which make for financial reward and career advancement , are also bound up. But as Canaan was promised to the Hebrews, these are treasures which make up the inheritance of the saints. The only way we will lay hold of our inheritance, is through the forceful imposition of the kingdom of God. This alone can displace the influence of darkness. Believers need to know that the treasures of darkness are carefully guarded and will not willingly yield themselves.
The plundering of Egyptian wealth did not take place until the there had been a thorough and complete exercise of the power of the kingdom of God. The Hebrews could not enjoy the fruit of Canaan until they, through obedient struggle, conquered the land. Likewise, there must be a deliberate exercise of divine power and wisdom for the end time Church. Those who truly understand this, will be given a sickle which will cause the wealth of the wicked to be inherited by the righteous.