Have you ever been in a situation where you are trying to communicate something to somebody, but it is as if you are both speaking in different languages? Where the harder you try to make yourself clear and understood, the more the misunderstandings and misinterpretations just seem to keep multiplying, and getting worse?

I have had a few of those times recently, and as someone who, as a former journalist and public relations consultant, should be an expert in communication, I have found it extremely frustrating. I have spent a lifetime telling other people how they should communicate, and made a good living doing it, and yet when it comes to my own ability to make myself understood, I sometimes find that the harder I try, the "behinder I get."

If you can identify with this, then welcome to the world of the wicked and wily leviathan spirit—a malevolent demonic principality that has as its core goal to corrupt, twist and manipulate communication among Christians. So when you find a relationship spiraling out of control, and your communications seem to be chaotic no matter what you do, you may well be a victim of this ancient and malignantly destructive demonic spirit.

Leviathan

It is interesting to note that some of the names of Satan include "deceiver" and "accuser," and Jesus Himself calls Satan the father of lies (John 8:44). Satan is also called a "serpent" at the beginning of the Bible in Genesis 3:1 and a "dragon" at the end of the Bible in Revelation 12:9.

In the Book of Job, Satan is revealed as Job's accuser and the real instigator of all his troubles, and I believe it is no coincidence that at the end of the Book (Job 41), God talks about a creature called "leviathan" which in the original Hebrew is identified as "one who twists and coils."

Indeed, "leviathan" occurs a number of times in Scripture, and is seen as a multiple-headed, serpent-like creature that lives in the water:

Why in the water? Traditionally, the seas or waters have been symbolic of nations and peoples, out of which come the seven-headed "beast" in Revelation 13:1, who is given power and great authority by the "great dragon, the ancient serpent who is called the Devil and Satan, the one who deceives the whole world ... the accuser of our brothers ... the one who accuses them before our God day and night" (Rev. 12:9 and 10).

We are in apocalyptic territory here (by a strange coincidence I am writing this on 6/6/06), and it is not my job to try to interpret the complex symbolism of the mysterious Book of Revelation, except to say that the parallels between the "twisting and coiling" leviathan, and the dragon/serpent who deceives and accuses, and twists and corrupts, are very compelling.

Confronting The Spirit Of Leviathan

In the midst of this study, I was fortuitously sent a fascinating article written in 2002 by Todd Bentley, entitled "Confronting the Spirit of Leviathan." This is how he begins the article:

"In the last few weeks in prayer, I have come up against a spirit called Leviathan. I have recently heard other ministries talk about this spirit. One pastor recently in a vision saw this serpent crawling into the church basement.

"I believe this demonic power works hand-in-hand with the spirit of Jezebel. Some have even had a vision of them both hand in hand.

"When we read Job 41 and other passages that we will look at in this teaching, it will be clear that unlike popular belief that this Leviathan was a dinosaur ... Ogo Pogo or some Loch Ness monster ... Leviathan is a demon principality.

"I believe that the primary purpose of the spirit is to attack ministries ... like Jezebel, this spirit is anti-Christ and against the anointing on ministries ... Leviathan definitely carried the very nature and works of the accuser of the brethren.

"It was recently pointed out to me in my studies on Leviathan that the seven heads of Leviathan are found in Proverbs 6:16-19: 'There are six things which Jehovah hateth; yea, seven which are an abomination unto Him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood; a heart that deviseth wicked purposes, feet that are swift in running to mischief; a false witness that uttereth lies and he that soweth discord among the brethren'."

It is interesting that in this article, the writer links Leviathan to the seven things which are an abomination to God in Proverbs 6, and most of these relate to lies and false accusations which cause discord among Christians, with pride and "hands that shed innocent blood" thrown in for good measure.

According to Todd Bentley, Leviathan is the spiritual power that underlies lies and deception—that is its key goal. He says: "If the devil cannot get you in sin, he will accuse you or even make up a lie against you when you are innocent. Proverbs 6:19, 'a false witness that uttereth lies' is one of his heads. We need to be sure to respond to these demonically inspired attacks that can even come from those closest to you, being used by the devil's purpose.

"We do not wrestle against flesh and blood. We must also remember to respond in a right spirit. We cannot afford to allow leviathan to operate in us, as we can become offended at the lie and accusations, criticisms or judgments spoken of us, and strike back. To strike back or lash out is what Leviathan wants. It is with his tail in Revelation 12:4 that he withdrew a third of the angels in heaven.

"Leviathan is working today through the Body of Christ, and we see many churches, ministers and organizations bringing accusations against one another. There is a critical, faultfinding spirit at work in the Church today, judging and speaking against moves of God, ministries and denominations.

"This Leviathan spirit will hide from you true revelation, and confuse the meaning of things ... (It) will hide the meaning behind what is said and cause there to be miscommunication and misunderstanding. That's how this spirit can sow discord among brethren ... Leviathan wants to get in between your conversation and hearing, and distort what one is really saying.

"This can happen between friends, ministries and even children and parents. When you become aware of this attack on your ministry or in your relationships, it is important to simply say: LEVIATHAN, I BIND YOU IN JESUS' NAME!"

In Part Two of this article, we will look at ways the Leviathan spirit can impact on personal, church and business relationships, and strategies to combat and defeat this demonic principality.