Whatever Todd has or hasn't done, this is a good article. Even Jesus told the people to LISTEN TO THE PHARISEES, but don't do as they do, because they don't do what they preach. SO, you can preach right, but do wrong/ make mistakes. I'm not always perfect at doing what I preach either! We are all in process of healing except for those people who already think they are perfect! Thinking you are better than Todd is likely a function of the spirit he is talking about right here.
ONLY GOD IS PERFECT ! Pris
Spirit of Leviathan
by Todd Bentley
I believe this prophetic article and teaching on the Spirit of Leviathan will be of great help in prayer for the intercessors, to alert and bring understanding to this latest onslaught against the church.
CONFRONTING THE SPIRIT OF LEVIATHAN
In the last few weeks in prayer, I have come up against a spirit called Leviathan. I have recently heard other ministries talk about this spirit. One pastor recently in a vision saw this serpent crawling into the church basement. I believe this demonic power works hand in hand with the spirit of Jezebel. Some have even had a vision of them both hand in hand. When we get victory over Jezebel we need to watch out for this Leviathan spirit. There are only a few direct references to this spirit in the scripture, but as I have studied out these passages I have received some revelation on how this spirit attacks. Who is Leviathan? How do you expose and counter attack his assaults?
We have in the book of Job 41 and the first 6 verses of Job 42 a large portion of scripture on this spirit. The first thing I want to establish in this article is, who is Leviathan? I believe that this spirit is a principality not just a demon and primarily attacks ministries.
DEFINITION OF LEVIATHAN
The transliterated Hebrew word for Leviathan (livyathan) means, "twisted," and "coiled." In Job 3:8, (Revised Version, and marg, of Authorized Version), it denotes the dragon which, according to Eastern tradition, is an enemy of light.
In Job 41:1 the crocodile is meant; in Psalms 104:26 it denotes "any large animal that moves by writhing or wriggling the body, the whale, the monsters of the deep." This word is also used figuratively for a cruel enemy, as some think "the Egyptian host, crushed by the divine power, and cast on the shores of the Red Sea" (Psalms 74:14) As used in Isaiah 27:1 "leviathan the piercing [RSV 'swift'] serpent, even leviathan that crooked [RSV marg, 'winding'] serpent."
LEVIATHAN IS NOT A DEMON BUT A PRINCIPALITY
When we read Job 41 and other passages that we will look at in this teaching, it will be clear that unlike popular belief, that maybe this Leviathan was a dinosaur, or as the scripture describes in Ps 74:14 and in Job 41:1: "as a large sea monster of unknown identity". I believe that this creature is more than Ogo Pogo or some Lock Ness monster.
Leviathan is a demon principality not just a demon spirit. Lets look at a few verses;
Job 41:1 "Can you draw Leviathan out with a hook?"
Job 41:10 "No one is so fierce that they would dare stir him up."
Job 41:26-32 "If one lay at him with the sword, it cannot avail; nor the spear, the dart, nor the pointed shaft. He counteth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. The arrow cannot make him flee; sling stones are turned with him to rubble. Clubs are counted as stubble; he laugheth at the rushing of the javelin. His under parts are like sharp potsherds; he spreadeth as it were a threshing wain upon the mire. He maketh the deep to boil like a pot; he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment. He maketh a path to shine after him.
It is clear that natural weapons cannot destroy him. Isaiah 27:1 "In that day the Lord with his severe sword, great and strong, will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisted serpent, and he will slay the reptile that is in the sea."
It will take the sword of the Lord to overcome this Leviathan; it is more than just a natural large sea mammal.
I believe that the primary purpose of the spirit it to attack ministries.
PS 104:25-26 "This great and wide sea, in which are innumerable teeming things, living things both small and great. There the ships sail about; there is the Leviathan which you have made to play there."
When the scripture speaks about the Leviathan, it is always in the sea or in the rivers. The Egyptians both feared and worshiped this creature. They feared him in ancient Greek mythology as the "God of Chaos" and also worshiped him as the great serpent in their rivers responsible for prosperity and good business. The Egyptians believed they had created the rivers just because they learned to use it. This pride was one of Egypt's greatest sins.
I asked God about this verse in Psalm 104 and He showed me the sea is a picture of the "Sea of humanity" the world. In Isaiah 27:1 it is clear that when God is speaking about Leviathan in the sea He is speaking about the enemy nations of Israel in the world. This serpent like creature or as some believe crocodile that lived in the Nile, is seen along side of the ships.
Psalm 104:26 "There the ships sail about; there is the Leviathan. Ships are prophetic of merchants and business."
I believe ships are ministries those who are at labor in the "sea of humanity". This spirit wants to destroy ministries, especially those at labor in the harvest. This spirit wants to destroy and bring down ministries and as we will see he will do it with his greatest weapon, his tongue.
WHO IS LEVIATHAN?
It is clear in the bible that Leviathan is a serpent snake like creature. Isaiah 27:1 "In that day the Lord with his severe sword, great and strong, will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan the twisted serpent, and he will slay the reptile that is in the sea."
Psalm 74:13-14 "You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters. You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces."
I also believe that Leviathan was like or even was a crocodile (Job 41:2) "because of his crashings they are beside themselves," (Job 41:14-15) "who can open the doors of his face, with his terrible teeth all around? His rows of scales are his pride."
It is interesting that not only did Egypt worship this Leviathan but also that Pharaohs crown had the emblem of a large serpent with a ruby in it. There is a connection in Ezekiel to this principality, Egypt and Pharaoh.
Ezekiel 29:3-5 "Thus saith the Lord Jehovah; behold, I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great monster that lieth in the midst of his rivers, that hath said, My river is mine own, and I have made it for myself. And I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales; and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, with all the fish of thy rivers which stick unto thy scales. And I will cast thee forth into the wilderness, thee and all the fish of thy rivers; thou shalt fall upon the open field; thou shalt not be brought together, nor gathered; I have given thee for food to the beasts of the earth and to the birds of the heavens."
In Job 41: 2 the scripture speaks about hooking the jaw of Leviathan. In Ps 74:14 it speaks about Leviathan being food for the people and the inhabitants of the wilderness. In Ps 104:26 it is clear that Leviathan is living in the sea and rivers.
I believe that this principality worked through Egypt and Pharaoh and even helped to make Egypt what it was. What is clear in Ezekiel 29: 3-5 is the connection between Pharaoh and Leviathan. We will look a little bit later at the connection between Egypt and Leviathan in helping us understand how the spirit gains access, attacks and what we can do to overcome him.
LEVIATHAN'S SEVEN HEADS
Ps 74:13-14 "You broke the heads of the sea serpents in the waters. You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces. You broke the heads of Leviathan in pieces."
It was recently pointed out to me in my studies on Leviathan that the seven heads of Leviathan are found in Proverbs 6:16-19 "There are six things which Jehovah hateth; Yea, seven which are an abomination unto him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood; a heart that deviseth wicked purposes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, a false witness that uttereth lies and he that soweth discord among brethren."
I have seen the way Leviathan attacks and how this spirit works, but I found the seven heads to be great revelation. As I studied this out further on my own I found the connection between Leviathan and the dragon in Rev 12:3 "A great red fiery dragon having seven heads and 10 horns."
Like Jezebel this spirit is anti-Christ and against the anointing on ministries. It is interesting to note in the Hebrew and Greek translations of the word Leviathan, we will see clearly as it is and will be established in this article that Leviathan is translated: serpent, crocodile and even more clear that the dragon, satan himself is all these in one. I believe that Leviathan is either or definitely carries the very nature and works of the accuser of the brethren.
CONFRONTING THE SPIRIT OF LEVIATHAN
1. The First Way That This Spirit Will Attack Is With His Tongue
Job 41:1 "Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook, or snare his tongue with a line?"
The lying tongue: This spirit attacks out of his mouth with lies, gossip, accusation, criticism, faultfinding and slander. Job 41:19 "Out of his mouth go burning lights, sparks of fire shoot out."
I asked the Lord about this and He showed me Rev 12:15 "So the serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away with the flood."
This Leviathan wants you to be destroyed and carried away with the lies, gossip, slander and accusations he will bring against you and if he can he will carry your friends and those who labor with you in the ministry away in the lie and deception. He wants people to believe the lie and accusation against you. Number one, he wants to slander your character and bring reproach on your name.
I believe that Leviathan is behind lies and deception. One time early in my marriage the devil was looking for a way to accuse me and stir up mistrust in my new marriage. Shonnah, my wife, knew that before I was saved that I had been involved in many immoral relationships and had many girlfriends. A young woman who had a crush on me before I was married, unknown to me, starting spreading a rumor that I asked her to have an immoral relationship, of course this never happened, but it stirred up a lot of mistrust and fears in a new marriage. It was my word against hers. My wife and I saw it as the worker of the accuser of the brethren and we had a great victory. In the future I wanted to be sure that every area of life was covered and accountable, so today years later and now in the ministry I rarely if ever travel alone, I will not find myself alone with another woman or in a compromising situation.
[ We know he failed in this again. To just set external boundaries, without healing the internal soul is foolish for any of us, but we do what we can till we are fully healed. Just keep praying for his complete healing as you would your own son.]
If the devil cannot get you in sin, he will accuse you or even make up a lie against you when you are innocent. Proverbs 6:19 "A false witness that uttereth lies." is one of his heads. We need to be sure to respond to these demonically inspired attacks that even can come from those closest to you, being used by the devils purpose, that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. We must also remember to respond in a right spirit. We cannot afford to allow Leviathan to operate in us, as we can become offended at the lie and accusations, criticisms or judgments spoken of us and strike back. To strike back or lash out is what Leviathan wants. It is with his tail in Rev 12:4 "that he withdrew a third of the angels in heaven."
Leviathan is working today through the body of Christ and we see many churches, ministers and organizations bringing accusation against one another. There is a critical, faultfinding spirit at work in church today judging and speaking against moves of God, ministries and denominations different from one another. We do not need faultfinders and those who feel to be the watchdogs of Christianity. We do need those who will restore the body of Christ. Galatians 6:1 "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."
Let us not forget how many have been quick to judge harshly and criticize the body of Christ, find fault and publicly publish Christian dirt. Lets not let Leviathan work through us but lets operate in the anointing of Galatians 6:1.
Another way we can counter attack this demonic assault of the tongue and lies, gossip and slander is by claiming Gods promise. "The mouth of the lies shall be stopped and...
Isaiah 54:17 "No weapon formed against you shall prosper and every tongue that rises against
you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord."
We need to start speaking this verse out and acting on it in prayer.
We also want to be sure this spirit has no truth in what it says. We don't want to give him a foothold by living in a lie in our lives. We can only effectively counter attack this spirit by living in truth in every area of our lives.
2. Miscommunication
Job 42:3 "Who is this that hideth counsel without knowledge?" Or in the amplified: "Who is this who darkens or obscures counsel without knowledge?" Or as in another translation; "Who is this who seals up counsel?"
In Job 42:3 Job also declares, "Therefore have I uttered that which I understood not, I had heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee."
Job is trying to understand why what is happening to him is happening? God has this lengthily discussion with Job in Job 41 and reveals this principality Leviathan. Job repents in Job 42 and confesses that counsel and true understanding were kept from him. This spirit wants to get between you and the revelation of God and distort the word of the Lord.
Leviathan will seek to hide from you true revelation and confuse the true meaning of things.
This Leviathan spirit will hide the meaning behind what is said and cause there to be miscommunication and misunderstanding. That's how this spirit can sow discord among brethren. Have you ever been at the office or maybe in your marriage and something you say is taken the wrong way, someone will say, "you said this" and you say no "I said this" and you both think your right, or you say one thing and they hear it as another i.e.: you said it is black and they hear blue. Leviathan wants to get in between your conversation and hearing and distort or mutter what one is really saying. This can happen between friends, ministry and even children and parents.
When you become aware of this attack on your ministry or in your relationships it is important to simply say "Leviathan I bind you in Jesus name".
Recently we had a small misunderstanding in our ministry. A woman had given a large donation to our ministry. We sent a thank you letter to the donor but we were unable to specifically mention the amount given. The enemy worked on this woman's mind and the accuser that he is, told this woman that maybe we could not be trusted as a ministry or that because we did not specifically mention the size of her donation in the thank you letter that maybe the church only gave me a honorarium and not the full amount which I said would be entirely used for missions.
This individual who was previously working in another church had seen the church hold back on offerings. Leviathan works in suspicion and mistrust. This woman contacted our ministry and inquired about the gift she gave. The woman also believed I said I would use the entire missions offering specifically for Sudan. The devil in his lie nearly had this woman convinced that maybe I was truly not up front with my word and cast doubt, mistrust and questions on our ministry.
I never said that I was using any money for Sudan and the tapes and transcript of that nights service also verified we had never said that. The seeds of mistrust, lies of the enemy, and misunderstanding nearly cost me a dear partner. I met with the lady later and we prayed together and cut the devil out of our business. I knew when I was in India and I received this bad report that this was the work of Leviathan and we began to pray immediately. There was opportunity for us and this lady to be offended and accuse one another and the devil nearly cost me money for souls and a crusade but the Lord showed me in the midst of this attack the spirit of Leviathan and his accusation.
Leviathan will attack a prophetic word
In Gen 3:1-5 the serpent (leviathan) is wanting to distort and hide the true word of the Lord from Eve. Leviathan wants to cast doubt, mistrust and suspicion on Gods word.
"Now the serpent was subtler than any beast of the field, which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, you shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, we may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die; for God does know that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."
The famous Has God said? Or is that really what he meant? Leviathan wants to twist God's truth and rob us of our promise. When this happens just simply bind this spirit from your prophetic promises.
I believe it was the spirit of Leviathan that was keeping Job from the true counsel of the Lord and hiding from Job his own small areas of pride and self-righteousness in is life.
When God brings Job to chapter 42 he is no longer the one who justifies himself but confesses that he had not really known God by revelation. Lets be sure to give all these areas of any pride or self-righteousness to the Lord and ask for the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in our life and ministry.
3. Sons of pride
Job 41: 34 "He beholds every high thing; He is king over all the children of pride."
This spirit carries an attitude of superiority, haughtiness, boasting and arrogance. He not only works in this kind of environment but also attacks ministries and individuals with the temptations of pride. Can you hear this spirit smooth and deceptive whispering in your ear? Who do they think they are? They do not move in the power like you do. Who gives them the right to speak into my life? The bible says not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought to. This spirit promotes self and self-serving agendas. We need to watch out for a false confidence, and keep a humble trust in the Lord.
When God is using you mightily there is a constant temptation to play the name game or measure yourself with another and feel like we are more successful because of how much money we raise or how many come to our church or how many miracles we see. How big are your meetings? Power, numbers and what looks like God's favor based on power, miracles or healing and success in casting out demons do not always mean we are always right with God. We need to guard ourselves from the " well I am to good for that attitude." "I will only do this or that." This spirit wants to set you up with a false confidence and getting your identity out of what you do, rather than who you are.
Egypt and Leviathan
Lets look at Egypt for some insight on how Leviathan operates and what he did in that nation. In Ezekiel chapter 29-32 we have a series of prophetic utterances against Egypt and pharaoh. One of the first sins of Egypt was its pride and boasting out of a false confidence in things rather than intimacy with God. Egypt puts its trust and confidence in its wealth, how many horses and chariots it had and the numbers of its people. This Leviathan spirit wants to promote you ahead of the Lords leading, and move you into a place, where you no longer totally depend on the Holy Spirit but on your gifting, charisma, finances, or denomination, traditions or programs.
There can come a place in ministry where we can get it done with out Him; email lists, mail outs, websites, who you know, or monthly partners, lets go to the investors. We can begin to lose sight of Jesus and hearing His voice and getting our inspirations, visions, initiative or new ideas from His presence. Sometimes the devil will give you a ministry machine if he knows it will move you out where it all started in the secret place, if he can distract you and keep you busy and feeling like all is well because the marketing tools and infrastructures are in place, God is blessing me, the machine is running well.
There is nothing wrong with all these things that God uses, our ministry is a large ministry with all the tools, many staff, partners, huge infrastructure and we are growing more every day. All these are vehicles to help fulfill the blessing of God, but I need to keep my eyes on Jesus and remain broken daily before Him. There can be a place where we put our trust in the wrong things and this spirit will be your best cheerleader. In
Rev 12:4 it was with his tail that he withdrew a third of the stars, the angelic hosts who cast their lot with the devil we need to watch for the tail of leviathan."
Pride attitudes
Here is a small list of attitudes we can ask the Lord to show us any of these in our lives.
Condescending Attitudes towards Others in the Body: We are to esteem others as higher than ourselves. If we catch ourselves thinking of another as less than ourselves in any way, especially in regards to spiritual gifting, understanding, etc. we must repent quickly.
Independent Attitude: We are to be united in heart as one, although we may all have different functions. If we ever feel "out there like we are just wanting to do our own thing" while maybe we are forgetting the fuller purpose of the Kingdom which is to embrace the whole body of Christ.
Self-Glory: Although it is good for one to enjoy the workings, dealings, gifting and blessings that the hand of the Lord brings to us, we must be careful not to think that it is because of our own greatness. All things are given to us as a gift of grace (undeserved, unmerited favor) and all the worship and delight in these blessings must be returned to Him who authored them. Remembering our helpless and humble estate without Him. We can never glory in our own righteousness; it is as filthy rags.
Self-Confidence:When we begin to feel a confidence in our own abilities to produce the anointing and the fruit of the Kingdom, we must be alert to the tempter.
Lack of Time in His Presence: Often times this is a sign that a temptation to pride has come. It indicates a possibility that we have become self sufficient and self ruled and no longer need all that we have and all that we are to flow from His Presence and Counsel. This is dangerous in that it can produce a mindset of "self rule" that subsequently asks God to bless and serve what man has initiated.
Critical and Condemning Attitudes and Thoughts: The heart of a "critic or accuser" is postured above others. The heart of a savior is postured in servant hood.
Boasting Over Achievements and Revelation: Often times this is not an outward action but an inward attitude. (Note: this is of the sin nature, not the "boasting in the Lord" as Scripture speaks of.)
Dishonor of Authority: We are to esteem and honor those in authority (even if they are NOT under Holy Spirit control, i.e. David's attitude towards Saul). Attitudes of dishonor towards leaders often indicate pride in the heart.
Desiring to be served: Jesus did not come to be served but to serve. This is the posture of humility.
Desire for Reputation: Jesus was a man of no reputation in heart. He emptied Himself. If we have inner desires to be esteemed by others, we need to be watchful. Pride could be lurking.
Desiring to Control Others: Use of a Position of Authority or Gift to Fulfill Selfish Ambition and Vision.
The only way we can effectively counter attack this assault is to live in humility.
Jam 4:10 "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and he will lift you up."
Do you notice it says, "humble yourselves", this is something we chose to do daily and in every moment we feel the attack of Leviathan in pride. Choose to go low, take the position of (Phil 4).
