AYAC 2025
21st August 2025
Day 3 Morning Session Word 3
Topic: Putting On The Armor of Light
Speaker: Pastor David O. Oyedepo
Yesterday, we established that there are two worlds in this world: there’s a physical world and a spiritual world.
2 Corinthians 4:18 – “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
We also established that this physical world is controlled by the spiritual.
Hebrews 11:3 – “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”
We established also that within the spiritual world, there are two kingdoms, The Kingdom of Light, and the Kingdom of Darkness.
Colossians 1:13 – “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.”
And one of the fundamental works of the Kingdom of Darkness is sin. It’s very important that we recognize that.
Ephesians 5:11-14 – “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”
It means to identify some of those manifestations of sin as simply works of darkness.
So it becomes important for us to understand that when it comes to darkness, one of its vital operations is sin. In fact, put it this way: one of the fiercest battles that the believer will fight is not the battle for prosperity, it’s not the battle for healing; it’s the battle for sanctification.
The Bible makes this clear to us in the Book of Hebrews chapter 12.
Hebrews 12:2-4 – “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.”
One of the fiercest battles that you’ll fight in the adventure of life is the battle against sin.
And that is because when it comes to sin, the Bible tells us that Satan himself is described as the man of sin.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 – “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.”
So Satan is described in scripture as the man of sin.
1 John 3:8 – “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning.”
So,he is the man of sin. He is the one behind the scenes. He’s the orchestrator of sinfulness. And that’s why it becomes important for us to understand that we are engaged and embroiled in a battle when it comes to the attainment of our sanctification.
And the question really is, what are the spiritual forces that we are contending against when it comes to our sanctification? There are quite a number of them, but I’d just enumerate a few of them this morning, and I’m trusting that the Holy Spirit would give us understanding.
Some of the spiritual forces we contend with:
1. Unclean Spirits You see,Satan is the one who orchestrates, but he operates through diverse forces and diverse spirits. One is what the Bible refers to as unclean spirits.
Matthew 10:1 – “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits”
An unclean spirit is one that manifests itself in uncleanness.
Zechariah 3:3-5 – Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.
It says that Joshua the high priest was seen with filthy garments, and Satan was there opposing him.
You see, we must come to recognize that the enemy’s intent is on trying to force upon believers a filthy garment. But I pray today that every force of uncleanness that may have held anyone captive, upon this mountain, that chain shall be broken. Someone who believes this, say a loud Amen! I pray that for you, that chain shall be broken in the name of Jesus Christ.
2. Seducing Spirits The major operation of a seducing spirit is to bring about what the Bible calls doctrines of devils.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 -: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”
We have come to a day and an age where there are many doctrines that are corrupting the saints. People are opening the Bible and confusing believers. That’s the day we live in today. And we should not be surprised. The Bible gives us a picture of the reality that this will take place in the last days.
2 Peter 2:1 – “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”
That’s the thing we live in today. That’s the day we live in today. All manner of teachings that are corrupting the hearts of men.
You will see why these teachings seem to be marketed well in this day and age
2 Timothy 4:3 –“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.”
That’s the reality of our day and our age. Today, people want a comfortable gospel. Whatever does not stretch you cannot grow you. Let’s come to the point of soundness. Whatever does not stretch you cannot grow you. You don’t grow in the place of comfort; you grow in the place of discomfort. It is stretching that brings about growing.
Let’s be cautious in this day and age.
Jude 1:3-4 -: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Please, let us come to a point where we recognize the necessity of responsibility so that you and I do not become victims in this world to all kinds of damnable heresies. Shout Hallelujah!
So, in the last days, there will be seducing spirits, and they will bring doctrines of devils. They will make people comfortable with what displeases God. They will make people accommodate what they should not tolerate. They will make people enter into the place of convenience in the place of sinfulness—doctrines of devils.
But I pray again today that for somebody hearing my voice, the hold of such shall be broken over your life. If you believe it, say a loud Amen! I said, if you believe it, say a loud Amen!
Now, make no mistake about it. The Bible is very clear:
Hebrews 12:14 -: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”
No matter his title, no matter his position. No man, no man, no man shall see God. So we must come to the point of seriousness in our walk with God, so we don’t become victims in the journey of life.
3. The Lust of the Eyes (Covetousness)
1 John 2:16 – “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
The lust of the eyes component there has to do with covetousness. We live in a world today that is full of covetousness. Yesterday, God’s servant told us in the teaching last night, he said many of the things people are confessing is covetousness.
You see something with somebody and you’re uncomfortable automatically. Please hear this: when you live by competition, you are living in covetousness. When whatever you see with somebody begins to push you to go and get it to prove a point, you are living in covetousness. We heard him say yesterday, he said, “I’ve not done one thing because somebody else did it.” Don’t put your life under pressure.
The spirit of covetousness is today ravaging our world. I pray today for somebody hearing my voice, that every order of such shall be broken upon your life in the name of Jesus Christ.
It was covetousness that gave unto Gehazi the leprosy of Naaman
2 Kings 5:22-2
That’s what gave him the leprosy of Naaman. That’s what put it in his life.
It was covetousness that killed the entire generation of Achan
Joshua 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
Joshua 19-21 – And Remeth, and Engannim, and Enhaddah, and Bethpazzez;
The entire generation was wiped out because of covetousness.
That’s why the Bible tells us, Jesus speaking:
Luke 12:15 -: “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
Beware of covetousness! Shout Hallelujah!
4. The Lust of the Flesh (Sexual Immorality and Perversion) The Bible calls it the spirit of whoredoms.
Hosea 5:4 -: “They will not frame their doings to turn unto their God: for the spirit of whoredoms is in the midst of them, and they have not known the LORD.”
That is one of the manifestations we see in these last days. There’s corruption everywhere. You find so many expressions of all kinds of sexual perversion taking place today, and particularly among believers.
Now, listen to this: Some years ago, a particular meeting was holding. It was a Christian meeting that was holding in a particular venue, and in that venue, all of the believers had come to that hotel to stay in order to have the Christian meeting. Now, listen to this: that week when the believers were there holding the meeting was one of the highest weeks when the hotel saw pornography on their TV portals. The TV recorded one of the highest levels. They came with Bibles, but they came for something else.
You see, we have come to a day and an age where there’s all kinds of corruption everywhere. The spirit of sexual perversion is ravaging this generation like never before. But I pray today that every hold upon anyone’s life shall be broken in the name of Jesus.
You heard what that brother said. He said he was sitting beside the lady inside the church. The one who would help him scatter his destiny was beside him. And he heard a word: “Run, run, run, run!” You think his testimony would be like this if he was still with her? No.
We must come to recognize that if you open yourself to perversion, you have opened yourself to destruction. May the Lord help our understanding.
5. The Spirit of Disobedience
Ephesians 2:1-2 – “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.”
It is that spirit that makes people continuously and consistently go contrary to what it is that God commands. But I pray that that force be broken off your life in the name of Jesus.
6. The Lying Spirit
1 Kings 22:22-23 -: “And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.”
A lying spirit in their mouth. So there is what the Bible calls the lying spirit. That is what makes people lie consistently. But today I pray that every force and operation of the lying spirit shall be broken off your life.
7. The Spirit of Pride It is the spirit of pride that makes a person not be teachable.It makes a person not take instruction, not take direction, and not take correction. When you find a person that cannot be corrected, you have found a person that is proud.
Proverbs 16:18 -: “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”
Humility is not in the disposition of the face, but it is in the disposition of the heart. When the person’s heart is open to be corrected, then that person is displaying humility.
Even as the word of God is going on, there are people who in their heart are getting angry with it. It is pride of heart. “So are you saying that because of this, that means I’m now demon-possessed?” they argue with me. Somebody’s getting free today! I said somebody’s getting free today!
Pride is a destroyer. If you look at Lucifer, his fall was a product of pride
Isaiah 14:12-16 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;
8. The Spirit of Bondage (Addiction) That’s the spirit of addiction.And we saw testimonies today of those who were set free from that bondage.
Now, listen to me: when you hear the brother say, “Look, I have these past two days or so, I have not had the urge,” you don’t understand the meaning of that. When a person is addicted and the spirit of addiction has come upon the person, there is nothing he will not do to get a fix. There is nothing he will not do.
How come you have people that are homeless, no place to stay, no food to eat, but there is drug to take? Because it’s a spirit of bondage that has kept them bound.
But I pray today that every spirit of bondage that has kept anybody bound in addiction, today that hold is broken over your life. If you believe it, say the loudest Amen! I said today, that hold is broken over your life in the name of Jesus Christ!
9. The Spirit of Idolatry That is the spirit of idol worship.It makes you worship things. Particularly in our day, the major god people worship is money. That’s the major god people worship. It’s money.
Exodus 32:31 – And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.
They have made gods out of money. They have made gods of gold.
You remember the Bible says:
Matthew 6:24 -: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
We must begin to check our hearts. What really are you serving? Hear this: God is not your channel to use to get what you want. No. You serve God, and He gives you what He has. You don’t use God to get what you want.
I say all the time that God is not a means to an end. God is the means and the end. He should be both the object of your pursuit and the pathway to that object. That’s who God is.
So, let us come to the place where we can settle our destiny. Don’t let money rob you of your destiny in Christ. Shout Hallelujah! Don’t let it rob you of your destiny in Christ.
You see, if you cannot tame this, then you cannot conquer in the adventure of life. I pray for somebody hearing my voice: every hold of the god of gold upon any life shall be broken in the name of Jesus. If you believe it, say a loud Amen! I said, if you believe it, say a loud Amen!
You see, we have to come to a point where we can conquer these things that have held us bound.
Years ago, when I was just about to leave the U.S. to come back to Nigeria, God gave me an instruction. Every money that I had at that time, He told me to sow it as a seed. And after sowing it as a seed—I sowed my car, sowed everything I had, and sowed every money I had as a seed—just before I was to return, the church here was to buy some buses from the US. So they had sent money for me to go and make the payment for the buses.
I’d sowed everything. I’d given everything that I had. And that day I was to go and make a transfer for the money to the people that were to get the buses. And there was no money to even take transport to the bank. I trekked to the bank with money in my account that could buy many buses, but I would not touch one dime to transport myself to get there.
And I got to the bank, made the transfer. You can imagine a fleet of buses that were to be bought; the money was with me. But I would not spend one out of it to carry myself to do the assignment that they sent me to do. Why? My future was too big to be sold for a morsel of bread.
I was in courtship with my wife that day, in that period. I came out of the bank and I called my wife and I told her, I said, “Can you imagine where I am?” She said, “Where?” I said, “I’m in the bank.” She said, “Wow! How did you get there?” I said, “I trekked to the bank.” And I said, “Listen, this simple action that I’ve taken today is a guarantee that I can never see poverty.”
You see, we must come to a point where we refuse to bow to the god of gold. I was crossing American highways on foot to get to the bank to transfer money that was with me to buy buses on behalf of the church. But I know that even though it is in my account, it is not my money.
Is somebody getting what God is saying? You must come to a point where you refuse to bow to the god of gold. I pray for somebody here today that every hold of the god of gold upon any one of our lives shall be broken in the name of Jesus.
So we can see here all of these manifestations of the diverse operations of the forces of hell that are militating against our sanctification.
But it’s important to note that since all of these are simply oppressions of the powers of darkness, it will take light to conquer them. It would take light to conquer them. In fact, the only authority that darkness respects is the authority
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