HOW TO OBTAIN VICTORY IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH

SERIES: DELIVERANCE

TEXT: PSALM 23:4.

Every believer goes through the valley of the shadow of death. Some christian families are almost always going through the valley of the shadow of death. Let us learn:-

THE VALLEY –WHAT IS A VALLEY?

• A valley is a deep hollow between mountains, a low land flanked on both sides by highlands.
• Valleys have deep waters, streams, lakes and wells flowing through.
• Shepherds love valleys because of the green grass growing there that can be good food for their flocks.
• If a valley is flanked by high mountains on both sides, shades would prevent sunlight from penetrating the valley causing darkness by day.
• Valleys are home to terrible animals and reptiles, wolves, bears, serpents are common in the valley. It was in the valleys David killed a bear and a lion.
• In the valleys are thunderstorms and floods, valleys can be dangerous places of the earth.
• David wrote “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy stuff, they comfort me.”
• A person could be passing through the valley of sickness, financial loss, frustration, marital turbulence and disgrace, dishonor but the worst is the valley of the shadow of death.

WHAT IS A SHADOW?

• A shadow is a figure produced from the blockage of light by another figure.
• A shadow is not a real thing but a representation of it.
• The shadow of a lion cannot bite, because it is not a real shadow.
• The shadow of a gun cannot kill no matter how dark the shadow could be, it only reminds us that there is presence of light.
• This is because it is when light is shielded that a shadow is produced.
• The Bible says we pass through the valley of the shadow of death.
• You passed through the valley of the shadow of death because God was with you.

VICTORY IN THE VALLEY.

The inhabitants of the valley of death.

There are different creatures in the valley.

1. Fear: People run away from dangerous animals, electricity, accidents etc. this is because of fear of death.

• People run to witchdoctors and diviners for charms because they fear death.
• People carry out sacrifices and join cults and lodges because of the fear of failure and death.
• When the fear of death grips you, you die many times before your death.
• Fear paralyses faith, but David says “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”
• Fear buries spiritual growth. It announces your location to destructive agents. It is a terrible thing and almost common demon in the world.
• Is there fear in your life? Some people fear marriage, the future, the past etc.
• If you want to obtain victory in the valley of the shadow of death, fear must get out of your life.

2. Sting of death-1^st 15:54

• Sin is the sting of death. The wages of sin is death. Sin pays salary and the currency in which it pays is death.
• Sin is the greatest instrument of death. Death was already in the Garden of Eden. It was tied on a tree and Adam and Eve were warned by God not to eat the fruit because the day they will eat it, they shall die.
• The devil is the author of sin. Sin brought death. Satan became the controller of death. Satan still controls the department of death when we go to sin, although God has the power to say yes or no.
• Man through sin has given the devil ample opportunity to kill me as he likes and casts them to hell fire.

3. Sickness (the spirit of infirmity) renders medical science powerless. Sickness is one of the animals in the valley of the shadow of death and manipulates all sorts of terrible things.
4. Drinkers of blood and eaters of flesh. They kill the careless and unprotected.

• They dig deep into the person’s background to see if they can move in and also look for seats and install themselves.

5. Spirit of family destruction.

• Some families die in horrible and mysterious ways.
• This spirit kills according to pattern or at random.
• Sometimes it is the male children that will die, other times it is a chosen age group.

6. Lack of knowledge. Through ignorance many christians have become a prey to satan.

• Some people collect demonic clinical prophesies and sanctions which lead to their death.
• If you don’t know anything about spiritual warfare or sending back evil arrows to their sender or you don’t know the activities of the amputaters, wasters, emptiers and you don’t know how to plead the blood of Jesus Christ upon yourself and your situations you may be heading for a premature death.
• Many christians die this way, they walk through the valley of the shadow of death in ignorance.
• As you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, you must have the spirit of a fighter.
• Death did not overcome Jesus Christ, Jesus conquered the devil and took the keys of hell and death from satan and Jesus was victorious over the devil, so believers should not fear the valley of the shadow of death because they are not alone.
• Do you have the spirit of fear tormenting you constantly?
• Do you sometimes feel lifeless and sick of living?
• How long do members of your family live before they die?
• Do you have a family altar or shrine?
• Have you ever participated in rituals and sacrifices before?
• Do you have an illness that defies medicine?
• Has anyone ever told you that you look like a dead relative?
• You could have been caged in that valley. If your answers to these questions are in affirmative.
• Have you ever been a member to unformed churches and have ever used charms, prayer soaps, perfumes, sponges, photos etc.
• Do you see strange things, hear voices that others don’t see or hear?
• Do you experience terrible menstrual pains?
• Do you have sleepless nights?
• Do you feel things moving all over your body?
• Do you feel pressed down or strangulated?
• Do you wake up in the morning and find scratches on your body? Then you need deliverance.

WAY OUT

• Fear must be defeated.
• Adopt the heart of the fighter.
• Live holy lives.

PRAYERS

• I command the spirit of fear to depart from my life in the name of Jesus Christ.
• I command the spirit of death, failure, rejection, to leave my life in the name of Jesus Christ.
• Every inherited fear from my mother’s side or father’s side is now broken in the name of Jesus Christ.
• Every spirit of sorrow, untimely death, backsliding, frustration, failure, disappointment, poverty, you are hereby defeated in the name of Jesus Christ.