The book, Conquering Controlling Powers was written by David O. Oyedepo. In this summary of Chapter 2, Controlling Spirits, the author shares with us that, in the book of Ephesians 6:12, there are forces called rulers of the darkness of this world, which are behind all the works of darkness. These are spirits or forces in the spiritual realm that are out to destroy or devastate the destinies of men.
He further explains that every person that reacts against the Word of righteousness is under the bondage of unclean spirits and that the purpose of the unclean spirits is to make men walk in all manner of uncleanliness (Mark 1:23).
Other controlling spirits he refers to follow below:
Spirit of the world (1 Corinthians 2:12)
The author explains that there is a spirit of the world, which commands the activities of the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17). He provides Peter as an example in Matthew 16:22; when Jesus was talking about his death, Peter got influenced by these negative spirits, and began to rebuke Jesus. The forces influence people to do things against God, so that they fall under His judgement.
Anything that reflects as spiritual arrogance, rebellion or makes the things of God not to matter to you, means that you are under the influence of the spirit of the world. Judas in Luke 22:3, was entered by Satan before he similarly betrayed Jesus.
Dr Oyedepo explains that, in Ephesians 2:1-3; it says ‘the prince of the power of the air’, meaning wherever air is, that’s where the devil operates, he moves a man into the lust of the flesh. No enemy of God has a future; Dr Oyedepo asks us to consider Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Herod and others. It is the love of God that guarantees glorious living.
There is also a lying Spirit (1 Kings 22:22)
The author explains that, lying is another one of the demonic influences over people lives, making them to come under God’s wrath. Many are under this influence of spirit of lying.
Spirit of Bondage (Romans 8:15)
The spirit of Bondage is responsible for all manner of afflictions that people suffer. For instance, the woman who was afflicted for eighteen years in Luke 13:16 was in bondage. The writer explains that it is the spirit that forces you to do what you do not want (Romans 8:20-21). It includes a bondage of corruption that gets many addicted to evil doing without any remorse. We need to know that every bondage is by the operation of the spirit of bondage.
Spirit of Whoredoms (Hosea 5:4)
There is a spirit of whoredoms which constantly craves filthiness, sexual immorality and making motions in the body. It is a spirit of adultery and fornication which is always craving evil; the author explains that Jesus has given us power over it (Matthew 10:1).
Spirit of Disobedience (Ephesians 2:1-2)
Finally, the author explains, there is the spirit of disobedience. The ministry of that spirit is fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind. It works disobedience in people going through the flesh and the mind to take people out of God’s presence, so that they can be tormented and afflicted, ultimately bringing the wrath of God upon one’s life.
To conclude, Dr Oyedepo closes the chapter by stating the hour of liberty from controlling spirits has arrived. In the rest of the book, he explains how we can break the control of such spirits.
For more information on the book:
David O. Oyedepo ISBN 978-2480-67-3
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