The Leviathan-Spirit

The description in Job 41 shows that this is a formidable opponent that the normal person would not want anything to do with such a spirit. Although hidden it can be very powerful in its effect on people, and even nations, bringing division for reasons that at the time can seem mystifying. There is no apparent reason for such division. "An enemy has done this!"

This spirit is called Leviathan, which means "twister", for reasons that will become obvious. The nature of this spirit is described in Isaiah 27:1 and more extensively in Job 41. The Lord uses an animal to describe the activities of this spirit, probably the Nile crocodile that steals up on its prey, snatches it, takes it into the water and literally twists the life out it until it can then be consumed. In Isaiah it is referred to as the "twisted serpent." Having consumed its prey it then flees.

This demonstrates the vile nature of this spirit. In Job 41:34 it is described as "king over all the children of pride," and it is pride that gives this spirit access into people's lives. Its influence is spread through those who are guilty of pride and self-righteousness. Like the crocodile this is a hidden spirit that can be lurking in the life of people, groups, political parties, ready to strike when given the opportunity."

Apart from being king of the proud, Job 41 mentions other characteristics of this spirit:

1. Leviathan twists the truth. It misrepresents what has been said, causing people to sometimes believe the very opposite of what was said. Those under its influence hear things in a twisted way, and then pass on this twisted version, often believing it to be the truth. So this is definitely a spirit of deception. It is this twisting of the truth that makes it a difficult spirit to deal with.

2. You cannot reason with this spirit because it blinds people to the truth. In fact those under its influence can be so deceived that they do not appreciate that they are deceived or are twisting the truth.

3. This spirit can only be overcome through the supernatural activity of God's Spirit, not by any human means.

4. "His breath kindles coals," meaning that their words have a destructive, negative effect. Those under its power become very critical, especially of those in authority. They become judgmental and their words have the effect of pulling down rather than building up.

5. This spirit produces a hardness of heart in people (v. 24) making it even more difficult to bring those being used by this spirit to accept different perceptions than their own.

6. Because of its pride, and because it has access into people's lives through their proud hearts, this spirit wants to be in control. So those under its influence want to control situations in which they are placed. They resist

7. This is a mocking spirit, and uses mockery as one way of attacking others. It will mock those who who disagree with them, so important to them are their own opinions.

8. Not only do people become hard-hearted under its influence, they become thick-skinned in the wrong sense. The truth bounces off them!

Typically, this spirit brings false allegations against people, especially those in leadership. Often outrageous things are said that are a complete distortion or twisting of the truth.

The promises of harvest and abundance shall be realised and this attack from the enemy cannot prevent this. As Job said to the Lord immediately after being told about this twisting spirit: "No plans of yours can be thwarted."