To intimidate means ‘to make timid or fearful: frighten; especially: to compel or deter by or as if by threats’. [1]

Those of us who are seeking to grow in our spiritual gifts and ministry will occasionally experience the pressure of intimidation.

As Paul wrote to Timothy:

‘For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.’ (2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV)

Like Timothy did, we will sometimes need to push through fear and intimidation, in order to reach the full potential our Father has for us.

5 Ways to Quickly Stop Intimidation (When it’s Based in Spiritual Warfare)

1. Know You Have the Overcomer Within You

When giants appeared in the Old Testament, the effect of their presence was to produce intimidation. The giant Goliath had the whole of the Israelite army quaking in fear (1 Sam 17:11).

What is the characteristic of a giant? A giant is physically large, appearing to loom over you.

Such size, whether through physical circumstances or in the realm of our imagination, is a lying message that says, ‘You cannot overcome me!’ [2]

The enemy wants us to overestimate his power and underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit within us.

Never forget, you have the Spirit of God—and the enemy is no match for Him. John writes, ‘You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.’ (1 John 4:4, NKJV)

2. Refuse to Respond to Threats

A threat is a message that projects a negative outcome. It is a declaration of intent to do harm.

Threats are a hallmark of intimidation that is based in spiritual warfare.

• When Jezebel threatened Elijah, the effect was intimidation. For a time, this affected Elijah, but we read of how God brought him rest and replenishment. (1 Kings 19)
• Nehemiah’s enemies tried to intimidate him through distraction and threats, in order to stop him and the Jews from rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall. Nehemiah refused steadfastly to take the enemies’ bait. [3]
• Religious intimidation tried to shut down Peter and John, but they would not allow it to affect them. Instead, they turned to prayer (Acts 4:17-20).

As soon as we identify any ungodly threat coming against us, we can step into a place of rest.

Declare, ‘This does not touch me, in Jesus’ Name’. Like Nehemiah did, refuse to respond to threats. Determine to only respond to God and His Word.

3. Counteract Intimidation with a Message of Faith

Understand that there is a message associated with fear and intimidation. It is a lying message about you, that seeks to undermine your confidence and diminish your capability.

During times of intimidation, a threat may be subtle, such as a feeling of oppression, or a battle in your mind (2 Cor 10:3-5).

• It may be telling you the opposite of what the Bible says about you; that you are inadequate or unworthy, or will fail in your gift, ministry or something else God has called you to do.

The Bible tells us the devil is a liar. Jesus said, ‘…When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies’ (John 8:44b, NIV). By contrast, the Holy Spirit is the ‘Spirit of truth’ (John 14:17).

You have the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God! You have everything you need to counter and defeat that message of fear.

When intimidation strikes, turn that message around. Confess, ‘God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self discipline! He has given me a sound mind!’ (2 Tim 1:7)

Know that you have protection through the blood of Jesus. You have a Kingdom mindset!
‘For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves’ (Col 1:13 NIV)

We can build our faith through study, meditation and confession of Scripture, along with a strong assertion of God’s personal promises to us.

4. Have Strong Church Relationships

We flourish in community, where others around us can encourage and lift us up, and vice versa. We are called and created to use our gifts in the church body (1 Cor 12).

In nature, we often see how a predator (such as a lion) will seek to devour animals in a herd who are weak, straggling or isolated.

We break the power of intimidation when we seek to serve, honor and make room for others, and value the input of our leaders.

‘Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.’ (1 Peter 5:8-9)

5. Move in the Opposite Spirit

We can turn immediately intimidation around, as we focus our attention and awareness upon the Person of the Holy Spirit in our life.

Today, receive a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit and His boldness, and remember:
‘The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”’ (Rom 8:15, NIV)

Recall your royal DNA! See yourself with the eye of faith, striding forward with faith and boldness.

The Holy Spirit is touching you now.

Notes

[1] See https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intimidate
[2]Some of this article is excerpted from the latest update (3rd Edition) of the eBook Unlocking the Gift of Discernment, which you can find in our eStore here.
[3] See the post 3 Signs Spiritual Warfare is a Distraction

I would love to hear from you! Leave a note in the comments section below, to share which of the above you are putting into practice this week.

Spiritual Warfare Course: How to Identify and Overcome Spiritual Attack

If you believe spiritual warfare may be at work, and would like to study further, consider joining me in the Spiritual Warfare Online Course.

This beginners’ course includes around 30 mini-lectures on video, and is full of Biblical wisdom and faith-filled strategies to help you overcome in times of battle. I give you clear guidelines and step by step points on how to recognize and combat spiritual attack.

You can find out more here: ‘Spiritual Warfare: How to Identify and Overcome Spiritual Attack’

© 2018 Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching
Enliven Ministries
A part of the David McCracken Ministries family

Helen Calder

Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.