Endurance against the Spirit of Judas Iscariot
- The Holy Spirit opened my eyes to one of the most dangerous hindrances to any ministry, friendship, marriage, or agreement between any two or more people. It is a spirit that has evolved over many years and was present in the Garden of Eden taking form of the snake, it was present in the King of Israel before David was anointed King, and it was present in the very nation that God called the apple of his eye. The same spirit became even present in the very twelve that the Lord Jesus Christ picked to walk with him and learn of a more excellent way, the New Covenant of God through his son. Judas was given the name traitor and betrayer as a result of his actions in the history of the account of Jesus. It is obvious that this type of person or spirit that operates through a person has no regard for the love of Christ but selfish intentions. It is what the bible defines as apostasy. Judas’s heart, filled with the love of money and disbelief, becomes the example to all believers of the deterioration and corruption that is an effect upon those who turn away from the love of Jesus Christ. The Lord himself identifies that these types of people and of spirit are doomed to destruction and destined to be lost (John 17:12). The nature of it can come upon people, marriages, businesses, houses, and most of all churches. Through the gospel accounts of Judas it is interesting that John, a prophet (One who loved Jesus the most), had more revelation on the dealings with Judas than any of the other three. So let’s dive into this story to unveil out if this character may be operating in your atmosphere.
Who was Judas:
Judas was one of the twelve apostles that were chosen by Jesus Christ. (Matthew 10:4; Mark 3:19; Luke 6:16; Acts 1:17) According to Nave’s Topical bible Judas was one of the physical half brothers of Jesus (Matt 13:55 and Mar 6:3.) The bible says in Acts 1:17 that Judas was numbered with the 12, and had obtained a part of the ministry to take to the entire world. One whom had seen the Lord himself and of his miracles and yet became the catalyst for the New Covenant to take place by his betrayal. Judas had a position amongst the disciples; not that it gave him greater authority but he was further identified as the Treasurer. However, it was through his position and the things that he did that unveiled more of his attitude unto the Lord and the disciples who he was becoming into.
In ch. 12 of the Book of John Mary, comes to anoint Jesus in Bethany with an expensive battle of ointment. As Judas comes to knowledge of the worth of the perfume, a fragrance being of pure liquid nard, that was very expensive. He makes a comment to all during supper saying “Why was this perfume not sold for 300 denarii (which the AMP bible says that it was the wages for an ordinary workman) and that the money be given to the poor (v.5).”
With discernment John, gives note that he (Judas) said that “not because he cared for the poor but because he was a thief; and he took for himself what was put into it.” (v:6) Yet the Lord commands Judas to let her alone, stating that it was intended that she should keep it for the time of his burial. Jesus also says “You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” (v: 8.) Teaching Judas and all of the disciples of the value to whom Jesus is in comparison to material things. Jesus admits to the entire world that materialism, wealth, and possession of things that we may think is valuable have no precedence over the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Having Jesus is our salvation and yet the weapon we war with in faith. We as a body, we as a church, and we as a home strip ourselves of every punch to fight in a war against the host of hell when we desire anything else more than his way, which is the bridge to life. The bible says, “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, A man reaps what he sows.” (Gal 6:7) When you sow more of the seeds of the flesh (self-gratification) more than the dying to self for Christ you reap the harvest of your decisions, goals, plans, and desires in the day that harvest comes into fullness. Judas goes on as the story unfolds into a full desire of betraying Jesus; inevitably his heart totally backslides from faith. He coincides with the people who hate Jesus and gives the whereabouts of him for thirty pieces of silver. He finds Jesus, where he knows he will be, and leads the chief priests and scribes to that place who so they can capture him. After realizing what he had done when Jesus was condemned, he remorsefully returns the money back to the chief priests. In his state of conviction and coming into his right mind he states, “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood” as he stands before the chief rulers (matt 27:4). Soon after leaving out of the temple (Church, House of God) to go and hang himself from a tree.
Notice now the reaction of the chief rulers of the House of God to him. They say to Judas “What do we care?” they retorted. “That’s your problem.” (Matt 27:4 NLT)
The chief priests in whom Judas betrayed Jesus to also say, “It is not LAWFUL for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.” (v: 6) It is like they totally ignore one part of the law and glorify another according to their deed. Have you seen those who make plateaus of justification and the twisting scripture for the cause at hand? Even in the Church? Besides Judas, the heart of the priest had no compassion for a man who had fallen into sin. A sin that was part of theirs in the desire to kill an innocent man, regardless the name they conspired the condemnation of an INNOCENT man. This is happening in so many churches now…people who have authority and leadership to pray for fallen people. People afflicted in mind and troubled from past sins that come to heads of prayer groups and churches; and have no compassion for them at all. Have no thought in the deliverance of their souls from damnation neither the open love of Jesus Christ to embrace the fallen and restore them. It utterly makes a mockery of those who represent holiness and gives glory to the retaining of position. Rather than the bearing each others burdens and lifting them up into the forgiveness and redemption of God. These are the same people that fulfill what Jesus says about the Pharisees, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” (Matt 23:13) Where the Kingdom of Heaven, the Kingdom of Heaven shall be in your heart. Oh the wicked of the ignorant and the suffering of the innocent; Stephen, a martyr for Christ, lifts their (Pharisees who condemned and stoned him) deeds before God stating. “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:60) So Judas dies and Jesus is handed over into the fulfillment of scripture, unto crucifixion and unto death. It further fulfills out a statement Jesus says “And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.” (Matthew 10:21).
Where can we identify Jesus and whom is Judas?
When we partake in the fellowship of his sufferings and maintain in the patience of Jesus Christ we are in fellowship with God. That is, living a Christian life of grace and seeking the will of God through the commandments of Jesus. To be around Jesus is to be accepted by unconditional love and mercy by God. To be filled with Jesus is the greatest gift any man can ever receive. The family and apostles had first hand experience being around Jesus, because they were around a man enduring the same temptations as them but who was the undoubted son of God. Then the world had him for 3 ½ years through a perfect ministry. They witnessed the grace spoken unto them when they were wrong. Not condemnation as the Pharisees gave. They were not judged by appearance or gender. They were loved and yet trained to become into the heritage of the Lord, the true sons and daughters of God. Most of all they were taught how to fellowship with God as he fills you with his spirit. The bible says “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there I AM in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) That means a fellowship with someone else in Jesus name. That means a marriage, which is a covenant between two people and something God desires between a man and woman. Within such he uses each party to show his love through in kindness, respect, mercy, and love. That means a friendship where two share a bond and agreement of like attitude and spirit. Jesus is the peace behind companionship, the vision that two people share together. So that means today whether people glorify Jesus as the result of their relationship success he is the reason any relationship of love under God flourishes.
With that said, anything not seeking after the love of Christ (God (1 John 4:7)) sows seeds in itself that soon reaps a harvest of an end to friendships, fellowships, marriages, division of churches, and most of all a relationship with God.
Judas portraying the love of money and disbelief gives the symptoms to all sorts of evil. I don’t specifically believe that Judas was born that way. There is no specific resource in the bible that accurately depicts he would be a man with a hand of violence as Esau or Ishmael. Judas was hand picked for the learning of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ. There is one key fact that gives light to the world how good people can do bad things and the effects of backsliding. That is Judas through his consistent disbelief and hardness opened the door for Satan to enter him and take possession. (Luke 12:3) He became reprobate. As a result the Lord himself regards him as a son of perdition being one who is doomed to destruction and destined to be lost (John 17:12.) So in life you can start with a great relationship, a great church, a great marriage, a great friendship but it is conditional. If you don’t continue to seek the Lord Jesus Christ for your edification and sanctification you will leave the door open for Satan to enter. He, the Father of lies, whom only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. So, if you are starting to see decay in your spiritual life, your marriage, friendship, fellowship or church this is what to look for.
Here are the symptoms and fruit of Judas:
- Betrayal, betrayal for money, Loves money (Matthew 26:14-16) (Mark 14:10) (Luke 22:3-6)
- Harlotry/Adultery (Nahum 3:4)
- Apostasy (John 17:12)
- Suicide (Matthew 27:5)
- Wickedness (Matt 26:45)
- Spiritual Adultery/Disbelief (John 6:64)
- Murder (John 8:44)
- Lie in Ambush (Matt 26:16)
- Idolatry/Stubbornness (Matt 19:8)
- Divorce (Matt 19:8)
- Lies (John 8:44)
- Gratify Desires (John 8:44)
- Offended (Matt 24:10) amp
- Backsliding (Matt 24:10) amp
- Hatred (Matt 24:10) amp
- Deserts the one they should trust (Matt 24:10) amp
- Distrust (Matt 24:10) amp
- Guilt (Matthew 27:4)
- Denial (Matthew 26:25)
- Theft (John 12:4-6)
- Traitors, Faithless (Luke 6:16)
- Recognizes Jesus but does not conform (John 18:12)
- Sneaky, Stealthy (Luke 22:47)
- Secret Plans (Occult) (Matthew 26:16)
- Guide for the blind (John 18:3)
- Deliverer of brother to death
- No compassion (John 12:4-6)
- Selfishness (John 12:4-6) (Matthew 27:3) (2 Tim 3:4)
- Disbelief (John 6:64)
- Violent (John 18:3)
- Division (John 18:3)
- Root worker of Satan
- Carries satanic assignments (Matthew 26:16)
- Makes demonic contracts (Agreements) (Matthew 26:14-16)
- Backsliding (Acts 1:25)
- Deception (Luke 22:47) (James 1:22)
- Cold (Matthew 19:8)
- Deserts people (Matthew 24:10)
- Knows the God but inwardly doesn’t love him (Matthew 26:48)
- Systematic thought (John 18:3)
- Lawlessness (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
- Destruction (1 Timothy 6:9)
- Will to be rich (1 Tim 6:9)
- Son of Perdition (John 17:12)
- Man of Sin (Anti-Christ) – (1 Tim 6:9)
- Unclean (John 13:11)
- Evil thoughts (John 13:2)
- Ungodly (Matthew 26:24) (2 Peter 3:7)
- Reasoning contrary to truth (James 1:22)
- Hearers and Not doers (James 1:22)
How to endure and survive the Spirit of Judas (Lawlessness)
How many people believe that they can win a war against Satan without Jesus? These are the same who live tremendously self-orientated lives with no care of their eternal position. Their lives are not filled with the Holy Spirit and the Love of God. It’s filled with justifications, broken proverbs, hurts, hang-ups, and death. When what they trust in falls under circumstances they lose all hope. Some trust in football teams, a spouse, a child, some trust in imperfect men. Jesus was perfect. So if a man being perfect at the end of his time here on earth in the same flesh we live in, who would know better how to live? Our advesary, Satan knows the word, has been to the throne of God (Job 1:6), and will be here to his Day of Judgment. Jesus set the example for all of us in means of not being discouraged nor giving fear to the enemy behind the person. Because, all things were given to Jesus, being the son of God. In as much, he tell us as well…in him we shall not have any fear. What did Jesus do when it came to all things he faced?
Submit to God, Resist the devil, and he should flee. (James 4:7)
[Submit to God, Resist the Devil] Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” (1 Peter 5:5)
Turning back to the story of Judas, Jesus sets one of the most impressive examples of courage, faith, and fearlessness in one small moment. Jesus says three things to Judas after Satan enters into him that gave me revelation not only to the fearlessness that God gave Jesus but the trust that he had in the deliverance from God (John 13:3). Before this ungodly man fulfills his violation to the Lord, Jesus knew then was the moment that he had come and was returning to God. In as much faith and assurance of his eternal position, Jesus rises up from supper to place on a servant’s towel around his waist, and begins to wash his disciple’s feet. (John 13:4-5) He submits.
After this Jesus has the last supper with his disciples and predicts Judas’s’ betrayal unto everyone by the dipping of the bread. Jesus then confronts Judas , for now the thought entered his heart and he was possessed by Satan. So now in a subtle and discreet manner Jesus confronts Satan in Judas. He then states three statements to the devil that are almost identical to Matthew ch. 4 when Jesus was first tempted.
Jesus says in John 13:27 to Satan:
1) “What you are going to do” (All the demonic plans and assignments)
2) “do more swiftly than you seem to intend” (For I am not afraid)
3) “And make quick work of it.” (That you may fulfill my destiny)
Even the disciples who were sitting at the table did not recognize why he was saying this or who he was speaking to after he had said these things.
John13:28 But nobody reclining at the table knew why He spoke to him or what He meant by telling him this.
When Jesus was confronted by evil in so many ways his attitude to opposition and terror was.
Whatever you are going to do…
Do more swiftly than you seem to intend…
And make quick work of it…
Interesting enough Jesus had nothing to fear knowing where he was going after all had been done. He had faith in the God he served, the same God who loved him. King David gives us the same word of encouragement in Psalms 18:
Psalms 18:2-27
2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies.
4 The pangs of death surrounded me,
And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.
5 The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me;
The snares of death confronted me.
6 In my distress I called upon the LORD,
And cried out to my God;
He heard my voice from His temple,
And my cry came before Him, even to His ears.
My friend when you are going through trials and tribulations. Remember, it is not always about you. If you are struggling with a wayward son, strife in the marriage, division, and financial storms, Jesus says, “Do not Fear.”When you are standing for Jesus and you are living for righteousness, you are going to be attacked. If Satan even perceives anything of God’s hand and blessings on he tries to deter and destroy it. God knows it. So why not submit as Jesus gives us an example so that we may win and not be touched. If he (Satan) is trying to plan divorce, if he is trying to set you up for failure, if he is trying to assassinate you, if he is trying to make you lose your job. Don’t give room for Satan in your marriage by speaking ill to your wife or husband. Don’t give room for Satan by cheating on your taxes and justifying your sin. When you initiate evil, You have manifested him in this earth.
This week challenge the devil in your faith with God and speak to his wiles.
Whatever you are going to do…
Do more swiftly than you seem to intend…
And make quick work of it…
For, What God put has together, let no man put asunder…
And The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength in whom I will trust.
Amen
R.Williams
www.realisticimaginations.com
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