The Testimony of The Lord is a Terror to the Enemy.

This article has been contributed by Pastor Paul Stephenson, Open Door Bible Church, Caboolture, Queensland

Joshua 2:9 -11  And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.  For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

What is a testimony? In a court of law it is “A statement of fact given by a witness to provide evidence & establish truth in a case.”

These testimonies can be provided in written form or orally. I love hearing testimonies in church given by Gods people, they testify of the goodness, providence and protection of God.

In Joshua Chapter 2, Rahab talks with the two spies sent by Joshua into Jericho. Notice carefully what Rahab says:

·        The people of Jericho had heard a testimony about God, His miracle at the Red Sea and His defeating the Kings of the Amorites.

·        It caused them to fear, faint and be discouraged.

·        It caused terror to fall upon them.

Wow!! The power of a testimony. What can we learn from this?

The Enemy is  Terrorized by a Christian with a Testimony.

John 12:10  But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death; 

John 12:11  Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus. 

Think about what is taking place here. This is the same Lazarus that was miraculously raised from the dead by Jesus after four days. His testimony of the miraculous power of Christ cause many to turn to Jesus for salvation, and yet the religious crowd wanted to put him to death, to silence his testimony.

Why so you think the devil fights you so hard? Your testimony of the ability of Christ in your life terrorizes him and he wants to silence you.

John 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 

Take a look at Revelation 12:10,11

Revelation 12:10  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 

Revelation 12:11  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. 

“The word of their testimony” your testimony must be spoken out, you cannot just think your testimony but speak your testimony. Your words give power to your testimony.

Out of all of Gods creation, man is the only creation who He gave the ability to speak just like Himself. Your words have power and meaning. When you lend your voice to the written Word you give meaning, life and power and this terrorizes the enemy.

The Testimony of the Lord Terrorizes the Enemy.

Do you know the Lord has a testimony?

Colossians 2:15  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 

Principalities and Powers are the highest ranking officials in Satan’s army, and Jesus spoiled them. No, not in the sense of what you would do to your grandchild, the word spoiled is a military term meaning the be stripped of rank. So through he work of the cross he demoted these high ranking officials and busted them down to privates in Satan’s army, and He rejoiced over them in His work. No wonder Satan is terrorized by The Lords Testimony.

 Hebrews 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 

Jesus Christ destroyed the devil at His death on the cross.  No wonder Satan is terrorized by The Lords Testimony.

1John 3:8  He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 

WOW! Jesus was manifest for the purpose of destroying the works of the devil. The word destroy also has the meaning of undoing or loosing, meaning the Lord came to set your free from the bondage of the devil. No wonder Satan is terrorized by The Lords Testimony.

The Testimony of The Lord Confirms.

1Corinthians 1:6  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 

1Corinthians 1:7  So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 

Notice the testimony of the Lord in conjunction with spiritual gifts. The Apostle Paul says to the church at Corinth that the testimony of the Lord strengthened them through the spiritual gifts that were given and expected to be used until the Lord returns. Read it carefully, the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift (had all the gifts) waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Noah Websters Dictionary defines confirmed as :

• Made more firm; strengthened; established.

• Admitted to the full privileges of the church.

So Jesus gave gifts to His church to make firm, strengthen, establish, to have full privileges. No wonder The Testimony of The Lord Terrorizes The Enemy.

I do wonder though if the church today terrorizes the enemy?