What is Spiritual Mapping and How Does It Make for Effective Spiritual Warfare?
Spiritual mapping is the process of collating and putting spiritual information concerning a region or people on a map. The accumulated data is used in spiritual warfare to seize that region or people group from the enemy. Spiritual mapping is like having a bright light focused on an otherwise dimly lit area. It allows us to see how the enemy is strategizing and exposes Satan's hidden agenda for that particular region or people group.
"For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad" Mark 4:22
As a mother, I have spent much time in the waiting rooms of pediatricians and dentists. One of my favorite things to do while waiting rooms was to work on the "hidden picture" in the children's magazine, Highlights. Spiritual mapping is similar to this activity. In spiritual mapping we are looking for things that are right in front of us, yet hidden. Spiritual mapping may only be accomplished by the Spirit of the Lord, and not by power or might. Unless we are called by God to do this work for the honor of His Name as well as the profit and the increase of His Kingdom, it will not prosper. We must always be quick to recognize our need for the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and be dependent on Him to accomplish the work.
We need to understand that spiritual mapping is NOT spiritual warfare. It is a precursory tactic to warfare. We can gather data, ascertain information, and pin it on a map all we want. However, that in and of itself, will not disperse the darkness. As we submit ourselves unto the Lord, allowing Him to wield us as His weapon, we wage war against the enemy. The only way to be in the perfect timing of the Lord is to wait upon Him - He is our Commander and Chief.
"The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is His Name." Exodus 15:3
"Thou art my battle ax and weapons of war; for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms." Jeremiah 51:20
A study of the history of the land and its peoples is crucial in spiritual mapping. We must be able to understand the mind set, habits, and customs of the "original" people. When studying the history of our county, the team recognized that its earliest people were a particular tribe of Indians. Later, a certain ethnic group predominated the area. So we concentrated our study on finding out the unrighteous practices and beliefs of these people. Generally, you will be dealing with whatever strongholds the original residents opened the door to through their sin.
Another mapping team discovered in their area that the original Indians of their community were fascinated with tattooing their whole bodies, and considered it to be their clothing. Today public nudity is a real problem in that community. Also, there are unusually large numbers of tattoo parlors there. These facts better equip them to target their warfare.
We especially sought to know what were God's redemptive purposes and gifts for the county. The goal of spiritual mapping and spiritual warfare is always the saving of souls. Jesus, in giving the Great Commission, did not say go into all the world and spiritually map. This mapping is but a tool to help us accomplish His desire.
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, 'All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.' Amen." Matthew 28:18-20
A nation goes to war to protect: itself, valuable principles or commodities. In part, our participation in Desert Storm was to protect a very valuable commodity - oil. As a nation, we don't produce sufficient oil for our needs and therefore are dependent on having access to purchase that of other nations. Our access to the supply of something we as a nation could not function without was at grave risk. We entered into war.
In World War II, the most precious of principles in free nations were at stake: freedom and liberty. We entered into war.
I am not entering into debate or justifying our nation's presence in these wars. However, as a holy nation, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must be alert and ready for spiritual war. We must be willing to fight for the most valuable of principles and commodities: the Gospel and the souls for whom Christ died. Had the Lord not intended for us to know spiritual war, He would not have made such statements as, "Fight the good fight of faith..." (I Timothy 6:12), "..the weapons of our warfare are..." (2 Corinthians 10:4), "Thou are my battle ax and weapons of war..." (Jeremiah 51:20) and the list could go on.
Why Should You Spiritually Map an Area?
In the following scripture we see that the Lord had Moses send spies into the land to find out specific details concerning the land. He wanted them to possess the land, not just move in and blend.
"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, ' Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel; of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them. ... And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, 'Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain; and see the land, what it is and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong [hard, bold, violent ] or weak [slack in mind and body ], few or many; and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good [bountiful, better, best ] or bad [in affliction, adversity, calamity ]; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents [a temporary inhabitant of the land, migrant transient ], or in strong holds [permanent residents ]; and what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage and bring of the fruit of the land.' Now the time was the time of the first ripe grapes." Numbers 13:1-2, 17-20
They also noted the people groupings and their locations within the land.
"The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south; and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. Numbers 13:29
The Apostle Paul did some spiritual reconnaissance while in Athens which revealed to him the city had been given over to idols. The result of his studying and surveying better equipped him for addressing the leaders of the city and later evangelizing the area.
"Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. ... Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' Hill, and said, ' Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you." Acts 17:16, 22-23
You need to be firm in your understanding of spiritual mapping and spiritual warfare. In almost anything you do, you will be challenged by someone at some time, as to the work you are doing.
Before you step into a mapping and/or warfare project, you need to know that you have been called by God to do so. Know where you stand scripturally, not as a means of defense, but as a confidence in what you are doing.
Today, when we scout out our land, what are we looking for? What is the spiritual land like? Do we have camps or strongholds of pornography? Does our city have camps of homosexuality, alcohol abuse, drugs? Is our city held by strongholds of poverty, debt, maybe greed? What camps have joined forces in order to accomplish a greater work? Don't be fooled by thinking that the camps of darkness don't strategize and even work together. They do!
Our mapping exposed a treaty, of sorts, between two camps. We noticed that everywhere there was the presence of Santeria [an ancient religion with African roots that includes animal sacrifices, prevalent among Cubans], there were a number of places that promoted pornography. One work enabled and strengthened another. To deal in warfare with one camp and not the other would be futile. Similarly ties were exposed between homosexuality and new age works.
We cannot merely go to church services on Sundays, and Bible studies during the week, and know what is going on in our communities. We need to invest the time and energy it takes to scout out the land.
Years ago when my husband and I were weighing renting a particular house, we strongly considered the neighborhood. We first visited to see the house about ten o'clock in the morning. Everything in the neighborhood looked quiet and well manicured. I decided, however, to pay a return visit in the early evening. I found a different picture. Older teenagers congregated in front yards playing loud music, smoking, and girls scantily dressed were hanging on boys. Younger children were playing ball in the street while cursing flowed out of their mouths with no hesitation. Well, we had four small children at that time and felt that this was not the place for us to rear them in their formative years. When we consider a house, don't we as well consider the school district involved? What stores are close to which our children could bicycle?
God wants us to learn to scout out the land. No neighborhood is perfect. We need to know how the enemy is operating in our area and seek the Lord for His strategy to bring in righteousness.
Where Do Territorial Spirits Operate?
One of the major differences that separate Christian beliefs from those of the pagan is our understanding and worship of one God. A religion of monotheism worships one God, versus the worship and the recognition of many gods.
"But the Lord is the true God, He is the living God, and an everlasting king....Thus shall ye say unto them, 'The gods that have not made the heavens, and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens'." Jeremiah 10:10-11
Many of these gods were recognized as deities that operated over cities or regions. For example:
"And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, 'Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we, but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they'." I Kings 20:23
"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I remained there with the kings of Persia." Daniel 10:13
We see gods and goddesses over people groupings.
"Because that they have forsaken Me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh, the god of the Moabites, and Milcom, the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in Mine eyes, and to keep My statutes and My judgments, as did David his father." I Kings 11:33
As we study further, we find gods that were associated with other things.
"The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger." Jeremiah 7:18
"Then He brought me to the door of the gate of the Lord's house which was toward the north, and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz." Ezekiel 8:14
We see the account of God sending Moses to call down plagues upon Egypt. Each plague demonstrated the power of the One true God, and the impotency of the gods of Egypt.
(1) When the Lord called upon Moses, the first sign He gave to him was his rod. His rod, which turned into a serpent, consumed the serpents that had rods of the magicians of Pharaoh. The serpent was the symbol of royal authority to the Egyptians and was even a part of Pharaoh's crown. (Exodus 7:9) (2) Hapi was the god of the Nile, and he was powerless as God turned the water into blood. (Exodus 7:17) (3) Think of the mocking of Heka, the female deity with a frog's head, when God brought forth frogs into the land. (Exodus 8:2) (4) Shu, the god of the air, was not able to stand against God's plague of flies. (Exodus 8:21) (5) The plague against the cattle was a direct assault also, as the Egyptians worshipped cattle. (Exodus 9:3) (6) In the plague where boils resulted as Moses and Aaron threw ashes from the furnace into the air, God blatantly mocked the gods Sutech and Typhon. Their usual offering was the ashes of sacrificial victims. (Exodus 9:18) (7) As hail fell from the sky, none of the gods of heaven could stop it. (Exodus 9:18) (8) Part of Egypt's beauty was the Sycamore trees. God sent the locust and they were all devoured. (Exodus 10:4) (9) The plague of darkness showed the impotency of Ra, the sun god. (Exodus 10:21) (10) Listen to the declaration of the Lord as He was about to destroy the first born. "For I will pass through the land of Egypt on this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment; I am the Lord." (Exodus 12:12)
Every time God had Moses speak to Pharaoh, He had him say, "let My people go, that they may serve Me and worship Me". Remember, the bottom-line for spiritual mapping and warfare is for the saving of souls, in order that all of God's creation would be able to "serve and worship Him."
I feel as if Scripture makes it clear that certain deities or evil spirits work over regions or people groups. I also see in Scripture that God uses His people to come against these deities.
"Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war; for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; and with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider, and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider." Jeremiah 51:20-21
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the dark- ness of this world, against wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
In the book of Judges, God gave clear instruction to Gideon to bring down the stronghold of Baal, his father's god, and to establish the area as the Lord's. The KJV uses the term "altar of Baal", which simply means the place from which that deity was operating.
"Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-shalom; unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that they father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it; and build an altar unto the Lord they God upon the top of this rock in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burn sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down." Judges 6:24-26
In this passage and those that precede it, we understand that Gideon was in awe of God and grateful for His working power. So much so that he built an altar to the Lord. However, as pleased as I imagine the Lord was with Gideon's devotion, God asked more of him. He wanted the altar of another god brought down.
We attend worship service and give testimony of God's love and faithfulness to us. We then drive home passing an abortion clinic and probably two or three places that sell pornography. Is God not requiring of us the same that He did of Gideon? Does He not want us to bring down the altars and groves of pornography, abortion, Masonic works, etc?
God does not intend for us to "serve and worship Him" as we live amiably in the midst of other gods. He is a jealous God and wants us actively working against that which is an abomination to His holiness and truth.
4. How Do You Form A Spiritual Mapping Team?
A spiritual mapping project for a city or a good size neighborhood would usually need to be comprised of about ten to twelve people. The work load would most likely be too heavy for any smaller size group. A mapping project will also be a long term project. Depending on the geographical size and population of a region, an average project will demand about a two year time investment. Team members should be ready for the duration. Know that God has called you!
Some of the work will be exciting and exhilarating, while yet other aspects will appear to be boring and laborious. As a team you will need to pray much for one another and encourage one another. Of the utmost importance is the need to be dependent upon the Lord. You will need to spend much time waiting upon Him for counsel and revelation on how to proceed.
There are various aspects to any mapping project. Prayer is an area that all members should be skilled in and willing to do. Your prayer closet time is invaluable. However, you must also have a consistent and disciplined plan for corporate prayer.
Your project will require many hours of research. There will be those that really enjoy doing library or historical society research. Although everyone may do some reading on the area, some will be more skilled in finding those "nuggets of gold" that will prosper the work. Others will have the patience and enjoyment of going carefully through the newspapers and keeping up on the current events of the area. It is necessary to keep organized files and to document all your work.
Still other members will be very good at interviewing. There will be people in the community that have the information you need. Perhaps they are "old-timers" and the treasure you seek is only to be found in the archives of their hearts and memories. Not everyone is skilled or comfortable in sitting down with someone and "picking his/her brain", or listening to that person "walk down memory lane". Remember to take good notes, with their permission, and to be a good listener.
Your project will require individuals that have the anointing and boldness to go into places that "good Christians" do not go. We have walked streets that "ladies" would not walk. I believe that the "Light" is greater than the darkness, and therefore my protection is provided for by my God. There are those on our team who do not feel comfortable or called to that aspect of the work, so they do not do it, someone else does.
I want to stress that there will be situations in your work when the Lord will say, "Do not pursue this any further" or "leave this alone". Despite what liberty you have known in operating at other times, when the Lord puts the reins on, STOP. I believe our safety and supply of grace is balanced on scales with our obedience to the Lord. I am in no way negating the mercies of the Lord, simply being mindful of our call to obedience. I am a person of great boldness. I have learned that this part of my nature can only be a blessing to the Lord and a profit to His work when I am obedient to His voice in each situation.
"And Samuel said, 'Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams'." I Samuel 15:22
A necessary qualification for every team member is knowing their authority and position in Jesus Christ. I want to communicate to you that the warfare in this work is intense. Often you will have to resist the enemy and stand your ground.
"I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust." Psalm 91:2
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
As with any team, you will need a leader. That leader must know how to operate in his or her gifts, while being part of a team. The team must be comprised of saints that know how to work in their gifts and callings under the direction of that leadership. Everyone on the team would operate as directed in God's Word.
"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." Ephesians 5:21
"Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:3-4
Remember that the purpose of Spiritual Mapping is to help in the work of harvesting souls. With that being the case, each person involved needs to share a burden for the saving of those souls. Each team member should bear the fruit of compassion and love towards the lost. We should always remember that love is what best represents Christ.
Before I close this section, I want to talk about spiritual accountability. Your team needs to have a number of pastors/elders, or leaders that back up your work. Remember, God ordained the shepherds to care for the sheep. He set the elders or leaders at the city gates for judging and counsel. You will be confronted with many decisions and many questions in your work. You and the work will prosper when proper counsel is in place. Make sure that those shepherds and elders that come along side of you have clear understanding, and are in agreement with what you are going to be doing.
"Without wise leadership, a nation is in trouble; but with good counselors there is safety." Proverbs 11:14
"Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice make war." Proverbs 20:18
"For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war; and in multitude of counselors there is safety." Proverbs 24:6
Recognize that embarking in this work will take you behind enemy lines. I found it beneficial to have wise and trusted counsel with someone not involved in the project. Saints who knew I was behind the enemy's line, prayed for me while I was there, and watched to be sure I came out safely.
5. With The Foundation In Place - Let's Begin To Work
I want to start by reiterating that the following is how the Lord led me in the Battle Axe Brigade. There are perhaps aspects in this work that the Lord will want you to duplicate. There may be other aspects that He will have you to do differently. The best counsel I can give you is to "wait upon the Lord," and then be obedient to how and what directives He gives you.
I always stress to mapping teams, that their work is not a secret work, but that they do need to be discreet about it. Remember, it is the Holy Spirit who is giving you everything you need, therefore, you want to be a wise steward of what He gives you. Also, you are actually plotting all the locations where Satan has his troops assigned. Reconnaissance work in any war is best kept private.
Equally important is the reason we are preparing for and ultimately going to war, the salvation of souls. Certainly we have to stay focused on the war, but at the same time we must never forget WHY we are at war, and what our goal for that war is.
Battle Axe Brigade Ministries
1
"For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad" Mark 4:22
As a mother, I have spent much time in the waiting rooms of pediatricians and dentists. One of my favorite things to do while waiting rooms was to work on the "hidden picture" in the children's magazine, Highlights. Spiritual mapping is similar to this activity. In spiritual mapping we are looking for things that are right in front of us, yet hidden. Spiritual mapping may only be accomplished by the Spirit of the Lord, and not by power or might. Unless we are called by God to do this work for the honor of His Name as well as the profit and the increase of His Kingdom, it will not prosper. We must always be quick to recognize our need for the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and be dependent on Him to accomplish the work.
We need to understand that spiritual mapping is NOT spiritual warfare. It is a precursory tactic to warfare. We can gather data, ascertain information, and pin it on a map all we want. However, that in and of itself, will not disperse the darkness. As we submit ourselves unto the Lord, allowing Him to wield us as His weapon, we wage war against the enemy. The only way to be in the perfect timing of the Lord is to wait upon Him - He is our Commander and Chief.
"The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is His Name." Exodus 15:3
"Thou art my battle ax and weapons of war; for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms." Jeremiah 51:20
A study of the history of the land and its peoples is crucial in spiritual mapping. We must be able to understand the mind set, habits, and customs of the "original" people. When studying the history of our county, the team recognized that its earliest people were a particular tribe of Indians. Later, a certain ethnic group predominated the area. So we concentrated our study on finding out the unrighteous practices and beliefs of these people. Generally, you will be dealing with whatever strongholds the original residents opened the door to through their sin.
Another mapping team discovered in their area that the original Indians of their community were fascinated with tattooing their whole bodies, and considered it to be their clothing. Today public nudity is a real problem in that community. Also, there are unusually large numbers of tattoo parlors there. These facts better equip them to target their warfare.
We especially sought to know what were God's redemptive purposes and gifts for the county. The goal of spiritual mapping and spiritual warfare is always the saving of souls. Jesus, in giving the Great Commission, did not say go into all the world and spiritually map. This mapping is but a tool to help us accomplish His desire.
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, 'All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.' Amen." Matthew 28:18-20
A nation goes to war to protect: itself, valuable principles or commodities. In part, our participation in Desert Storm was to protect a very valuable commodity - oil. As a nation, we don't produce sufficient oil for our needs and therefore are dependent on having access to purchase that of other nations. Our access to the supply of something we as a nation could not function without was at grave risk. We entered into war.
In World War II, the most precious of principles in free nations were at stake: freedom and liberty. We entered into war.
I am not entering into debate or justifying our nation's presence in these wars. However, as a holy nation, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must be alert and ready for spiritual war. We must be willing to fight for the most valuable of principles and commodities: the Gospel and the souls for whom Christ died. Had the Lord not intended for us to know spiritual war, He would not have made such statements as, "Fight the good fight of faith..." (I Timothy 6:12), "..the weapons of our warfare are..." (2 Corinthians 10:4), "Thou are my battle ax and weapons of war..." (Jeremiah 51:20) and the list could go on.
Why Should You Spiritually Map an Area?
In the following scripture we see that the Lord had Moses send spies into the land to find out specific details concerning the land. He wanted them to possess the land, not just move in and blend.
"And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, ' Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel; of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them. ... And Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said unto them, 'Get you up this way southward, and go up into the mountain; and see the land, what it is and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong [hard, bold, violent ] or weak [slack in mind and body ], few or many; and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good [bountiful, better, best ] or bad [in affliction, adversity, calamity ]; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents [a temporary inhabitant of the land, migrant transient ], or in strong holds [permanent residents ]; and what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage and bring of the fruit of the land.' Now the time was the time of the first ripe grapes." Numbers 13:1-2, 17-20
They also noted the people groupings and their locations within the land.
"The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south; and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. Numbers 13:29
The Apostle Paul did some spiritual reconnaissance while in Athens which revealed to him the city had been given over to idols. The result of his studying and surveying better equipped him for addressing the leaders of the city and later evangelizing the area.
"Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. ... Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' Hill, and said, ' Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, Him declare I unto you." Acts 17:16, 22-23
You need to be firm in your understanding of spiritual mapping and spiritual warfare. In almost anything you do, you will be challenged by someone at some time, as to the work you are doing.
Before you step into a mapping and/or warfare project, you need to know that you have been called by God to do so. Know where you stand scripturally, not as a means of defense, but as a confidence in what you are doing.
Today, when we scout out our land, what are we looking for? What is the spiritual land like? Do we have camps or strongholds of pornography? Does our city have camps of homosexuality, alcohol abuse, drugs? Is our city held by strongholds of poverty, debt, maybe greed? What camps have joined forces in order to accomplish a greater work? Don't be fooled by thinking that the camps of darkness don't strategize and even work together. They do!
Our mapping exposed a treaty, of sorts, between two camps. We noticed that everywhere there was the presence of Santeria [an ancient religion with African roots that includes animal sacrifices, prevalent among Cubans], there were a number of places that promoted pornography. One work enabled and strengthened another. To deal in warfare with one camp and not the other would be futile. Similarly ties were exposed between homosexuality and new age works.
We cannot merely go to church services on Sundays, and Bible studies during the week, and know what is going on in our communities. We need to invest the time and energy it takes to scout out the land.
Years ago when my husband and I were weighing renting a particular house, we strongly considered the neighborhood. We first visited to see the house about ten o'clock in the morning. Everything in the neighborhood looked quiet and well manicured. I decided, however, to pay a return visit in the early evening. I found a different picture. Older teenagers congregated in front yards playing loud music, smoking, and girls scantily dressed were hanging on boys. Younger children were playing ball in the street while cursing flowed out of their mouths with no hesitation. Well, we had four small children at that time and felt that this was not the place for us to rear them in their formative years. When we consider a house, don't we as well consider the school district involved? What stores are close to which our children could bicycle?
God wants us to learn to scout out the land. No neighborhood is perfect. We need to know how the enemy is operating in our area and seek the Lord for His strategy to bring in righteousness.
Where Do Territorial Spirits Operate?
One of the major differences that separate Christian beliefs from those of the pagan is our understanding and worship of one God. A religion of monotheism worships one God, versus the worship and the recognition of many gods.
"But the Lord is the true God, He is the living God, and an everlasting king....Thus shall ye say unto them, 'The gods that have not made the heavens, and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens'." Jeremiah 10:10-11
Many of these gods were recognized as deities that operated over cities or regions. For example:
"And the servants of the king of Syria said unto him, 'Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we, but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they'." I Kings 20:23
"But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, and I remained there with the kings of Persia." Daniel 10:13
We see gods and goddesses over people groupings.
"Because that they have forsaken Me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh, the god of the Moabites, and Milcom, the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in Mine eyes, and to keep My statutes and My judgments, as did David his father." I Kings 11:33
As we study further, we find gods that were associated with other things.
"The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke Me to anger." Jeremiah 7:18
"Then He brought me to the door of the gate of the Lord's house which was toward the north, and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz." Ezekiel 8:14
We see the account of God sending Moses to call down plagues upon Egypt. Each plague demonstrated the power of the One true God, and the impotency of the gods of Egypt.
(1) When the Lord called upon Moses, the first sign He gave to him was his rod. His rod, which turned into a serpent, consumed the serpents that had rods of the magicians of Pharaoh. The serpent was the symbol of royal authority to the Egyptians and was even a part of Pharaoh's crown. (Exodus 7:9) (2) Hapi was the god of the Nile, and he was powerless as God turned the water into blood. (Exodus 7:17) (3) Think of the mocking of Heka, the female deity with a frog's head, when God brought forth frogs into the land. (Exodus 8:2) (4) Shu, the god of the air, was not able to stand against God's plague of flies. (Exodus 8:21) (5) The plague against the cattle was a direct assault also, as the Egyptians worshipped cattle. (Exodus 9:3) (6) In the plague where boils resulted as Moses and Aaron threw ashes from the furnace into the air, God blatantly mocked the gods Sutech and Typhon. Their usual offering was the ashes of sacrificial victims. (Exodus 9:18) (7) As hail fell from the sky, none of the gods of heaven could stop it. (Exodus 9:18) (8) Part of Egypt's beauty was the Sycamore trees. God sent the locust and they were all devoured. (Exodus 10:4) (9) The plague of darkness showed the impotency of Ra, the sun god. (Exodus 10:21) (10) Listen to the declaration of the Lord as He was about to destroy the first born. "For I will pass through the land of Egypt on this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment; I am the Lord." (Exodus 12:12)
Every time God had Moses speak to Pharaoh, He had him say, "let My people go, that they may serve Me and worship Me". Remember, the bottom-line for spiritual mapping and warfare is for the saving of souls, in order that all of God's creation would be able to "serve and worship Him."
I feel as if Scripture makes it clear that certain deities or evil spirits work over regions or people groups. I also see in Scripture that God uses His people to come against these deities.
"Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war; for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms; and with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider, and with thee will I break in pieces the chariot and his rider." Jeremiah 51:20-21
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the dark- ness of this world, against wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
In the book of Judges, God gave clear instruction to Gideon to bring down the stronghold of Baal, his father's god, and to establish the area as the Lord's. The KJV uses the term "altar of Baal", which simply means the place from which that deity was operating.
"Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-shalom; unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. And it came to pass the same night, that the Lord said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that they father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it; and build an altar unto the Lord they God upon the top of this rock in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burn sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down." Judges 6:24-26
In this passage and those that precede it, we understand that Gideon was in awe of God and grateful for His working power. So much so that he built an altar to the Lord. However, as pleased as I imagine the Lord was with Gideon's devotion, God asked more of him. He wanted the altar of another god brought down.
We attend worship service and give testimony of God's love and faithfulness to us. We then drive home passing an abortion clinic and probably two or three places that sell pornography. Is God not requiring of us the same that He did of Gideon? Does He not want us to bring down the altars and groves of pornography, abortion, Masonic works, etc?
God does not intend for us to "serve and worship Him" as we live amiably in the midst of other gods. He is a jealous God and wants us actively working against that which is an abomination to His holiness and truth.
4. How Do You Form A Spiritual Mapping Team?
A spiritual mapping project for a city or a good size neighborhood would usually need to be comprised of about ten to twelve people. The work load would most likely be too heavy for any smaller size group. A mapping project will also be a long term project. Depending on the geographical size and population of a region, an average project will demand about a two year time investment. Team members should be ready for the duration. Know that God has called you!
Some of the work will be exciting and exhilarating, while yet other aspects will appear to be boring and laborious. As a team you will need to pray much for one another and encourage one another. Of the utmost importance is the need to be dependent upon the Lord. You will need to spend much time waiting upon Him for counsel and revelation on how to proceed.
There are various aspects to any mapping project. Prayer is an area that all members should be skilled in and willing to do. Your prayer closet time is invaluable. However, you must also have a consistent and disciplined plan for corporate prayer.
Your project will require many hours of research. There will be those that really enjoy doing library or historical society research. Although everyone may do some reading on the area, some will be more skilled in finding those "nuggets of gold" that will prosper the work. Others will have the patience and enjoyment of going carefully through the newspapers and keeping up on the current events of the area. It is necessary to keep organized files and to document all your work.
Still other members will be very good at interviewing. There will be people in the community that have the information you need. Perhaps they are "old-timers" and the treasure you seek is only to be found in the archives of their hearts and memories. Not everyone is skilled or comfortable in sitting down with someone and "picking his/her brain", or listening to that person "walk down memory lane". Remember to take good notes, with their permission, and to be a good listener.
Your project will require individuals that have the anointing and boldness to go into places that "good Christians" do not go. We have walked streets that "ladies" would not walk. I believe that the "Light" is greater than the darkness, and therefore my protection is provided for by my God. There are those on our team who do not feel comfortable or called to that aspect of the work, so they do not do it, someone else does.
I want to stress that there will be situations in your work when the Lord will say, "Do not pursue this any further" or "leave this alone". Despite what liberty you have known in operating at other times, when the Lord puts the reins on, STOP. I believe our safety and supply of grace is balanced on scales with our obedience to the Lord. I am in no way negating the mercies of the Lord, simply being mindful of our call to obedience. I am a person of great boldness. I have learned that this part of my nature can only be a blessing to the Lord and a profit to His work when I am obedient to His voice in each situation.
"And Samuel said, 'Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams'." I Samuel 15:22
A necessary qualification for every team member is knowing their authority and position in Jesus Christ. I want to communicate to you that the warfare in this work is intense. Often you will have to resist the enemy and stand your ground.
"I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust." Psalm 91:2
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7
As with any team, you will need a leader. That leader must know how to operate in his or her gifts, while being part of a team. The team must be comprised of saints that know how to work in their gifts and callings under the direction of that leadership. Everyone on the team would operate as directed in God's Word.
"Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." Ephesians 5:21
"Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:3-4
Remember that the purpose of Spiritual Mapping is to help in the work of harvesting souls. With that being the case, each person involved needs to share a burden for the saving of those souls. Each team member should bear the fruit of compassion and love towards the lost. We should always remember that love is what best represents Christ.
Before I close this section, I want to talk about spiritual accountability. Your team needs to have a number of pastors/elders, or leaders that back up your work. Remember, God ordained the shepherds to care for the sheep. He set the elders or leaders at the city gates for judging and counsel. You will be confronted with many decisions and many questions in your work. You and the work will prosper when proper counsel is in place. Make sure that those shepherds and elders that come along side of you have clear understanding, and are in agreement with what you are going to be doing.
"Without wise leadership, a nation is in trouble; but with good counselors there is safety." Proverbs 11:14
"Every purpose is established by counsel; and with good advice make war." Proverbs 20:18
"For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war; and in multitude of counselors there is safety." Proverbs 24:6
Recognize that embarking in this work will take you behind enemy lines. I found it beneficial to have wise and trusted counsel with someone not involved in the project. Saints who knew I was behind the enemy's line, prayed for me while I was there, and watched to be sure I came out safely.
5. With The Foundation In Place - Let's Begin To Work
I want to start by reiterating that the following is how the Lord led me in the Battle Axe Brigade. There are perhaps aspects in this work that the Lord will want you to duplicate. There may be other aspects that He will have you to do differently. The best counsel I can give you is to "wait upon the Lord," and then be obedient to how and what directives He gives you.
I always stress to mapping teams, that their work is not a secret work, but that they do need to be discreet about it. Remember, it is the Holy Spirit who is giving you everything you need, therefore, you want to be a wise steward of what He gives you. Also, you are actually plotting all the locations where Satan has his troops assigned. Reconnaissance work in any war is best kept private.
Equally important is the reason we are preparing for and ultimately going to war, the salvation of souls. Certainly we have to stay focused on the war, but at the same time we must never forget WHY we are at war, and what our goal for that war is.
Battle Axe Brigade Ministries
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