The Spirit of Absalom is crafty, wicked and out to destroy churches.

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In the aftermath of a covert Absalom attack a few decades ago, I was left stunned, confused and without any real resolution. So, I prayed.

“God, how can I ensure an Absalom-type attack never impacts our church again?”

His answer? Impossible. The spirit of Absalom is the primary demonic strategy against churches. It has always been this way and it will always be this way.

Wonderful. How encouraging.

In truth, I was thankful for God’s straightforward honesty.

Since I couldn’t avoid the attack, I asked God for a strategy against the attack. In part, this is what he revealed:

Eight Marks of an Absalom Attack

1. Gossip
   Even the most seasoned Christians can fall into the trap of talking when they should not. Gossip is any discussion about a person or an entity (such as a church, group or business) that the person or leader of the entity would disapprove of. It’s witchcraft, self-serving and driven by pride. It is revenge at its worst.
   
   
2. Right vs. Wrong
   Are you living in the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil by attempting to prove yourself right and your leaders wrong? Or, are you living in the Tree of Life that results in honoring and serving them?
   
   
3. Contrary Visions
   Are you attempting to promote your own agenda instead of rallying around the vision of the house? People can get frustrated when their viewpoint, spiritual DNA and passion for a specific ministry isn’t affirmed by leadership. Handling this wrongly is an indication of being influenced by an Absalom spirit.
   
   
4. Gathering Others
   Are you seeking support for your viewpoint? Gathering people around you who have the same concerns as you is out of line. The same thing happened in the story of Absalom.
   
   
5. Stealing Hearts
   As you gather others, are you stealing their hearts, or are you affirming the pastor or leader God assigned them to? Absalom stole the hearts of people who were under the care of David by listening to their complaints. Always call people to be loyal to their leaders and to approach them, not you, with their complaints.
   
   
6. Disengaging
   Are you running strong with the leader or are you shrinking back into a smaller group of disgruntled people?
   
   
7. Matthew 18
   Are you applying Matthew 18 protocol to situations you are concerned about? Do you approach leadership alone with your concerns, or do you violate Matthew 18 by involving other people and seeking their counsel?
   
   
8. Division
   Have you considered aborting your assignment in the church God planted you in by dividing off into another church? A lot of churches are born out of rebellion in the spirit of Absalom. Is this a desire of your heart? Or, are you willing to grow through the challenge in your current church?

I’ve watched the Absalom spirit absolutely destroy people and churches. The human wisdom that fuels it feels extremely spiritual! The arguments seem scriptural! However, the spirit is deadly.

One possible indicator that you have been impacted by Absalom is how you move from one church to another. If your influence to move on came through arguments of others, and you didn’t involve your leader in the decision, you’ve been hit by Absalom!

You should be looking for counsel from the leader God gave you before you talk to others, and certainly before you actually make a decision to leave. Key partnerships of God have been dismantled through the Absalom strategy, and it has left the mission of Kingdom advance at risk.

FIGHTING THE SPIRIT OF ABSALOM

Identifying the marks of an Absalom attack is just the beginning. God revealed a specific, step-by-step strategy of dealing with this most challenging of assaults against the church.

I have an Ebook that I have made available at no cost at www.burton.tv/absalom.

It will help equip you and strengthen you and your church against this terribly wicked scheme of the enemy.