Seducing Spirits of Absalom & Delilah

1 Tim 4:1.  Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing, deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.

The purpose of the seductions

1 Kings 11:1-2

King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites, from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, "You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love.

The Seducing Spirits of Absalom and Delilah

The spirit of Absalom can hurt us worse than any other spirit:

He abuses his position as a “son”

Psalm 55:12-14.  For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance. We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng.

The spirit of Absalom is caused by unresolved offenses, un-forgiveness and bitterness.  It seeks revenge and control.

Because it is a spirit it can find others of like spirit, who in turn are drawn to him.

 

2 Samuel 15:1-12 

1. Absalom presents himself as important, spiritually wise and connected (15:1-2) 

He deliberately “stands at the gate” – the place of traffic and decisions.

The first move of this seductive spirit is to draw attention to himself by being in a visible place in ministry that gives him credibility with people, thus drawing people to him. 

2. He cunningly aligns himself with the people’s issues, causing people to align with him (15:3-4)
This spirit seduces and steals the hearts and loyalty of the people with caring and concern, and false humility.  He appears concerned with the hurts of the people.  He tells them “You’re right,” with the insinuation being that if they’re right, then leadership must be wrong or unconcerned – throwing doubt on leadership, which turns into seeds of discord. 

Since they obviously can’t rely on leadership, who can they trust?  It doesn’t take long before Absalom presents himself as the answer.

3. He presents himself as being closer to the hearts of the people than their leader, resulting in the people giving him the respect they should be giving to their God-appointed leader (15:5-6)
This seducing spirit tells people, “You are special to me and I love you more than the pastor does; I will spend the quality time with you he doesn’t”.

In gathering people to himself, initially he promotes it as fellowship times built around a Bible study, prayer or dinner, but his real purpose is to provide an opportunity where he can begin criticizing leadership.  At the outset of such gatherings Absalom makes sure that the attention isn't drawn to him – “God is our focus!”  This soon changes however, and gradually the gathering turns into a meeting of bruised souls expressing their sense of hurt.

This Absalom spirit will lead the group into demonic imaginations like, "I don't like the direction the church is going," or "I think he's in sin," or "He's probably stealing church money," etc.  He will begin to distort some of the teaching given by leadership, and

4. Absalom then uses spirituality to mask his rebellion (15:7-9)
To the leader (pastor), he presents what he’s doing as spiritual.  All the while this spirit begins to widen the seduction, inviting other individuals in the church into the circle of dissatisfaction; always making sure the hearer understands that this isn't gossip, but truth that needs airing. 

This spirit seduces by seemingly promoting God, the teachings of the Bible, etc, to validate the reason for speaking against leadership. 

5. The last phase is to have those who have been seduced, seduce others (15:10-12)
Circles of influence are used to seduce others, reaching as many in the church as possible.  Often, there is some formalized communication, with an accusation against the pastor, and encouragement to join them in this “greater” move of God.

Some people go along innocently. (15:11)  These are those who only wanted the best of church life, and to move into something greater. Sadly these ones don't see the truth until much later, and they become confused, and some ultimately leave fellowship altogether.

This spirit will even go after other leaders or those in training for leadership. For example, Absalom went after Ahithophel, who was David's Chief Military Officer and right-hand man. (15:12)

6. The final uprising against the legitimate God-appointed leadership is the setting up of a competitive seat of power (15:10b). 

Eventually, the rebellion becomes formalized, with a new church, or a new Bible study/prayer group, etc.

The reason why this spirit is so difficult to deal with:

People are emotionally attached to them through relationships.

Because Absalom was a part of the fellowship, and a “son or daughter of the ministry, everyone loved Absalom (even David).  Absalom is nice, lovable and popular.

If you deal with their seductions you have the appearance of being unloving or paranoid.  People have a hard time separating from this seducing spirit, because of the relationship.  Absalom tries to maintain a back door by using the spiritual reasoning, “We are still apart of the kingdom of God even if we are not in the same church.”

Warning:  Fellowship is not the true motive of this seducing spirit.  Remember we wrestle not against flesh and blood.

Deception of continuing in fellowship with Absalom takes the following form:

1.  I can handle it, I'm mature enough.

Even Superman had his kryptonite.

Charm is powerful and deceptive. Prov 31:30

2.  I am special to them

They prey upon our insecurities and our need for acceptance.

3.  They are my frends.  Your proble with them is not my problem.  Being their friends will not affect my relationship with my church.”

4.  They love God.  You should not judge them.

 2 Sam 15:11. 200 men went along innocently and did not know anything.

5.  I can help them.

We have false notion that we can love Absalom back into the kingdom. This gives him a greater inroad to influence, take advantage of, and shipwreck you. Their main purpose is advancing their agenda.

The only way to deal with the seductions of this spirit is to cut it off:

Titus 3:10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition.

                    Don’t stay there… it’s dangerous!

Spirit of Delilah

Judg 16:4-5

Afterward it happened that [Samson] loved a woman in the Valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah. 5 And the lords of the Philistines came up to her and said to her, "Entice him, and find out where his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him, that we may bind him to afflict him; and every one of us will give you eleven hundred pieces of silver."

Samson was dedicated to the Lord – he was a gifted man of God of purpose & destiny

God used Samson as a leader (Judge) and as a mighty deliverer of His people

          When the Spirit came upon him, he was supernaturally empowered

Samson was a major threat to the enemies of God

They tried, but couldn’t overcome him in fighting

So they hired Delilah

The Mission of Delilah  brought low
This spirit of Delilah is assigned to destroy all men and women of purpose and destiny – anointed, gifted leaders, who are effective in ministry.  This spirit seduces leaders in the lust of the flesh (emotional and physical adultery; and fornication), lust of the eyes and pride of life.  (1 John 2:16)  This spirit works to destroy their credibility – moral influence.

1. Entice him

This spirit is not aggressive, power-hungry or as blatant as Jezebel and Athaliah.  Delilah is seductive, appealing and gentle.  She uses the language of praise and creates an atmosphere of safety and peace.  Notice, Samson’s head was on her lap.

Delilah deceives you by being in church every Sunday, at every bible study and every all night prayer. She is on time and involved in many church activities as her way to get close to the leaders.

2. Find out where his great strength lies

Delilah is drawn to you because of your anointing and strength.  This spirit seduces to find out the source of your anointing and divine connection – your discipline and purpose.

3. Find out how he can be overpowered

Her assignment is to cause you to break your vow, and lose your power and anointing, resulting in losing your favor and removal from your place of leadership.  The outcome of her seduction is that you will be ordinary, like everyone else. 

4. How can he be bound

Lust of the flesh, lust of the eye, pride of life.  Sex, Money, Power, Position

5. How can he be afflicted – oppress

This seducing spirit wants to make sure you are separated from your destiny and purpose, and left bound in shame.

Ministry is draining – leaves you thirsty

Judg 15:18.  [When Samson finished killing 1000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey] Then he became very thirsty; so he cried out to the Lord and said, "You have given this great deliverance by the hand of Your servant; and now shall I die of thirst and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?"

Delilah offers to quench that thirst

Prov 5:15, 18-20

15 Drink water from your own cistern, and running water from your own well.

18 Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth.

19 As a loving deer and a graceful doe,

Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love.

20 For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman,

And be embraced in the arms of a seductress?

Samson thought he could handle Delilah; “I got this”

The enemy agitates when you’re worn down

Judg 16:16.  It came to pass, when she pestered him daily with her words and pressed him, so that his soul was vexed to death

You must intentionally set guards in your life

• Your spouse, if you’re married
• If you’re single, you need a father or a mother

          Who can you confess to and they won’t take advantage of you