Shut Up Goliath!

Shut up Goliath!

1Sam. 17:45-46 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

How would you feel if you found out that you were doing something and you were manipulated into doing it? It is absolutely wrong, as we all hate being manipulated no matter who you are. Manipulation comes from someone that has no power or authority. If they have authority, then they can simply command and you will do it, but when they lack authority they have to manipulate. Jesus makes a great and true statement when He declares that all authority has been given unto Him. This simply means that no one has more authority than Him and that also means that it is impossible to manipulate God. I know some people try to do that with their prayers under the guise that they are speaking the “Word.” That has never and will never work.

There was someone in the bible that tried to do that as well. He actually succeeded for 40 days manipulating Israel into a place of fear. His name was Goliath. He was a giant and his stature made him look impressive. He was known as a man of war and his reputation was well established in the camp. He was coming out everyday while the armies was opposing each other, screaming at Israel. “Bring me a man that we can fight. If I win you will serve us, but if he wins we will serve you.” There was no response from Israel as they were all filled with fear. Goliath had no authority but he knew how to intimidate and how to manipulate. The very thing that Israel missed was that they allowed Goliath to set the terms of engagement. No one stood up and said “No.” The enemy is a master at manipulation and intimidation. He hates losing a fight but in order to win he knows that he has to set the terms as to how it is going to go down. People step right into the same spirit that he operates in and they never win.

In the story David’s father sends him to take food to his brothers on the battlefield. When he got there he heard Goliath screaming again. He immediately inquired about it and offered to face the giant. His brothers' first response was for David to go back and watch his father's sheep. Saul the king tried to discourage him from even trying because Goliath was so big and had experience. Nothing could deter David. People that are manipulated into fear will always see their enemy as stronger and more experienced like the Israelites did with Goliath. So David faced Goliath and as soon as Goliath saw him he was disgusted. Davis was a boy coming to fight a man that was too big in his own eyes. Goliath was so caught up with himself that he missed God standing on David’s side.

As soon as Goliath spoke up and started wanting to intimidate David, David interrupts him and instead of Goliath determining how the fight was going to go down, David laid down the new rules of the fight that he was about to engage. He tells Goliath that he is going to kill him and feed his flesh to the birds. You know the story well enough. David was not intimidated by Goliath's size or experience. The enemy wants you to believe he is big and strong. The truth is that he is a defeated enemy and has no authority. God is much bigger and God has all authority. The enemy only gains influence by intimidation and manipulation. Just like David exposed Goliath's weakness by facing him, the enemy knows that if you face him his weakness will show up every time. That is why he must keep manipulating and intimidating to keep looking like he is big. David refused to allow Goliath to call the shots. We need to stand up and oppose the enemy and determine what will happen according to the purpose of God for our lives.

The enemy never determines what the outcome of any battle that you face will be. Jesus already determined the outcome of all battles we will ever face. He will not allow us to be tempted above what we can bear, and when there is temptation, He will send the answer so that we will be able to stand during the trial. Apart from that, Jesus already won against the enemy and the enemy has no authority in your life. You either live by all authority that Jesus has or the enemy that has no authority to manipulate you. The first is wisdom, the second is ignorance. The first is empowering, the last is guaranteed failure. Jesus never fails.