In the chaotic and uncertain times we live in, it can feel overwhelming to understand what is happening in the world. Confusion, fear, and division dominate headlines, while spiritual truth often feels distant or unclear. Yet, as Charles Capps and Lester Sumrall taught in their lifetimes, much of what we are experiencing is a manifestation of deeper, spiritual realities. By understanding the nature of the battle and applying biblical principles, we can navigate these times with confidence.
This is not just theory for me; these teachings have personally impacted my life and continue to guide me as I walk with God and seek His revelations.
A Life Without Awareness
Many people go about their daily lives consumed by their own concerns, living a reactionary existence, responding only to what comes their way. Others pour their passion into lifestyles, cultures, beliefs, or worldly pursuits that promise fulfillment but often lead them further away from God.
Few realize that there are unseen forces at work influencing their thoughts, decisions, and emotions. They unknowingly become victims of the oldest trick in the book—the subtle deception of the enemy. As the Bible says in Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Without an understanding of spiritual truths, especially the doctrine of devils, people fall prey to fear, doubt, and deception.
Fear and Doubt: The Devil’s Tools
Fear and doubt are two sides of the same coin. While fear can be healthy when directed toward respecting and revering God, misdirected fear captures the mind and emotions, leading to physical and spiritual defeat. It traps people in a reactionary lifestyle, making them victims of their circumstances rather than victors through faith.
Lester Sumrall often warned about the spiritual consequences of fear, saying:
“Fear is faith in reverse. It draws you toward what you dread, aligning you with the devil’s plans instead of God’s promises.”
Fear becomes the opposite of faith, placing you in direct opposition to God’s desire for your life, which is to live by faith and trust in Him.
Similarly, doubt, when misused, leads to mistrust and cynicism. While a healthy skepticism can help us discern truth, a life consumed by doubt creates a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure and betrayal. Charles Capps explained how this works:
“What you believe and speak becomes your reality. If you constantly doubt, you are sowing seeds of mistrust that will take root and grow into the very thing you fear.”
Defense: The Power of Faith and Confession (Capps)
The journey that led me to learn more about God began with Charles Capps’ teaching. In 1989, I read his book The Tongue: A Creative Force. At the time, I was facing what could have been a very fearful and uncertain period in my life. This book transformed my perspective, giving me the knowledge and tools to overcome fear and doubt.
Capps emphasized the power of words, faith, and alignment with God’s Word. He taught:
“Your words create your future. If you speak doubt, fear, and defeat, you empower the enemy. If you speak faith, hope, and truth, you align yourself with God’s promises.”
This teaching set me on a path to learn more about God. It was through Capps’ focus on faith and confession that I began to truly trust God—not only for my own life but also for the lives of my family. His practical approach to living by faith inspired me to seek deeper truths, leading me to explore teachings like those of Lester Sumrall and others.
Through Capps, I learned to:
1. Speak Scripture boldly and intentionally over every circumstance.
2. Replace fear and doubt with faith-filled declarations.
3. Trust God’s promises, even when the path ahead seemed unclear.
Capps’ teachings remain foundational for me. They are a powerful reminder that faith and confession are not just abstract concepts but tools we can use to live victoriously every day.
Awareness: The Battle Behind the Scenes (Sumrall)
While Capps taught me how to defend myself and live by faith, Lester Sumrall opened my eyes to the larger spiritual battle behind the events of the world. Sumrall often referred to 1 Timothy 4:1:
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.”
Sumrall emphasized that the turmoil we see in the world is not random; it is part of a larger spiritual battle. He taught that Satan operates through deception, introducing false doctrines and seducing spirits to lead people away from truth. These “doctrines of demons” are subtle, often masquerading as wisdom, cultural norms, or even compromised theology within the church.
One of the most well-documented and impactful events in Sumrall’s ministry occurred in the Philippines in the 1950s. He was called to help a 17-year-old girl named Clarabell, who was imprisoned and tormented by demonic forces after making a pact with the devil. Her story, witnessed by prison guards, doctors, and government officials, became a national sensation due to the supernatural phenomena surrounding her.
When Sumrall intervened, he spent hours in prayer and fasting, confronting the demons tormenting Clarabell in the name of Jesus. Through his unwavering reliance on God’s authority, the girl was delivered. Her transformation was so dramatic that it sparked a revival across the Philippines, leading thousands to Christ. This single event not only brought healing to one individual but also ignited a powerful movement of faith and salvation throughout the country.
While I was aware of the reality of the Devil, Sumrall’s teaching confirmed the reality of spiritual warfare and reminded me of the authority believers have in Christ to confront and overcome darkness.
What Can We Do About It?
1. Guard Your Words and Thoughts (Capps)
• Speak only what aligns with Scripture. Instead of saying, “I’m afraid,” declare, “God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
• Replace negative thoughts with faith-filled declarations.
2. Be Spiritually Aware (Sumrall)
• Study the Bible regularly to discern truth from error.
• Pray for spiritual discernment to recognize deception.
• Avoid compromise in your faith, even when it feels easier to go along with the crowd.
3. Take Authority
• Pray boldly against spiritual darkness, claiming victory in Jesus’ name.
• Refuse to give fear, doubt, or anxiety a foothold in your life.
A Call to Action
These two revelations will change your life. Charles Capps’ teaching will set you on a path of faith, trust, and reliance on God’s Word, while Lester Sumrall’s teaching will make your aware of the reality of spiritual warfare and the authority you have in Christ. In reality, the ability to live a victorious lifestyle does not come from the teachers themselves but through the revelation of who you are as Followers of Jesus Christ. Each of their teachings has the ability to set you on a journey to live a victorious life.
Remember this truth: The battle may be fierce, but the victory is already ours through Christ Jesus.
Credits
This blog draws heavily on the teachings of Charles Capps and Lester Sumrall, whose messages remain a powerful guide for believers today. Their faithfulness to the Gospel and commitment to equipping the body of Christ continue to inspire and empower generations.
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