Where are the Lionhearted

“The wicked flee when no one pursues them, but the uncompromisingly righteous are bold as a lion” [Proverbs 28:1 - AMP]. “The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” [NIV].

Here we see a clear picture of human attitudes in this present age. The unbeliever is in terrible fear [almost paranoid] because of the intense and unrelenting spiritual, moral and social conflict which rages around him. It's as if the very earth is convulsing under the extreme pressure of this awesome battle between the forces of light and the forces of darkness.

The prophet Isaiah saw such a time as this and said “…In that day they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, to flee from the terror of the Lord and the glory of His majesty” [Isaiah 3:19]. As we progress further and further into the 'end times', the world will go deeper and deeper into fear and apostasy, and like the scripture said – “They will be fleeing from something that isn't really there!”

However, in contrast… Numbers 23:24, “Look, a people rises like a lioness; they [confidently] lift themselves like a lion that does not rest until he devours his prey and drinks the blood of his victims.” This verse expresses a relentless, self-assured determination!

Isn't it incredible that Christians today would rather view themselves as little sheep, being carried safely under the arms of the Good Shepherd, rather than confident predators looking to devour the enemy with relentless, self-assured determination. Be honest, how do you see yourself? Are you a lamb or a lion?

Matthew 11:12 gives us another positive view… “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” [NIV] The NKJ says, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” The original Greek says, “The kingdom of heaven is taken by violence, and the violent seize it.”

Christ's own words clearly show us that the kingdom of God makes its penetration by a kind of violent [forceful] entry. Whenever the Holy Spirit's power is allowed to enter, through the confident and relentless determination of God's children, the kingdom radically opposes society's humanistic and immoral expectations and it shakes households, cities and nations. When the Kingdom of God expands, its God’s glory penetrates [and then saturates] the moral fibre of society. However, this process is still governed and controlled by the attitudes of believers.

The men and women who wilfully take the kingdom by force are people with great determination – people of zeal and enthusiasm; people with strong commitment, ready to spread [with radical abandonment] the message of salvation. God's forceful representatives are always antagonistic toward the enemies of the kingdom of heaven. Oh, how we need more believers with this spirit in the UK today! More lions and less sheep! Yes, we need to become more forceful in our approach to spiritual matters. We should be forcefully entering and plundering the devils domain - in spite of violent opposition.

God's call today, is to the lionhearted, not the faint-hearted! And as young lions, we should take our example from the Lion of Judah by boldly and positively revenging the misery that the devil has inflicted on mankind.

Romans 12:9 tells us to “hate what is evil”, and it is this very hatred of evil that should incite us to be more forceful and cause us to advance with relentless determination.

Lions are bold, undaunted and confident, and they are totally secure in their strength and authority. They are great predators with a non-compromising approach to their enemies. Micah 5:8 says, “And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the gentiles in the midst of many peoples, like a LION amongst the beasts of the forest, as a YOUNG LION among the flocks of sheep.” Notice, you are not called to be sheep among the beasts of the forest, but “bold young lions” – lions of God – confident, fearless predators with relentless determination.

This soul-stirring passage of scripture testifies to the church being victorious in battle. According to Micah's inspired words, you are called to be a terror to the host of hell – dealing fiercely with the satanic powers that rule over lives and nations. You are to pull down and tear to pieces [mauling and mutilating] the devilish doctrines and deceiving spirits that presently hold men captive.

A heaven sent change is now surging and cresting like a mighty wave over this nation. Seducing spirits which once had the upper hand and mercilessly dominated their helpless prey are instead becoming prey themselves. Demons are being scattered like defenceless, fear-stricken sheep before the slashing paws of God's predators [the church]. Accordingly, let the lionhearted awaken and take this nation by force!

Hell should begin to tremble as evangelistic voices roar in every street, town and city across the British Isles. The big question is this “Is one of these voices going to be yours?” “Are you going to be responsible for taking the glory of the Lord into your sphere of influence?”

Chris Demetriou, 31/08/2011