A woman had been crying out to the Lord for a breakthrough in her life for many years. She prayed, fasted, and engaged in every spiritual warfare possible to break free from the curses and powers that were working against her. Finally, the oppressor who had tormented her died and was gone forever. She celebrated her newfound freedom and the victory that the Lord had granted her. One can only imagine how she felt—after being oppressed for so long, imprisoned by rulers of darkness and plagued by curses, she was finally free.However, a few weeks later, she realized that even after the oppressor’s death, things didn’t improve. She was still facing delays in achieving major breakthroughs in her life and found herself in the same situation as when her oppressor was alive. Doubt crept in; perhaps the oppressor wasn’t the only one working against her.
It’s vital to understand that even when your oppressor is long gone, you must stand up and speak against the words and decrees that were pronounced over your life. Haman had issued a decree that was written and sealed with the king’s signature; such documents remain valid even after the initiator has died.
Though the primary obstacle had been removed, her circumstances hadn’t changed for the better.I want to make an important point here. We know that both spiritual and physical forces want to hold us back in life or even destroy us. Spiritual forces may include generational curses, powers, and rulers of darkness plotting against us. Physical forces might come from individuals in our lives trying to sabotage our progress, such as a malicious coworker intent on bringing us down.This situation mirrors that of Mordecai in the book of Esther. We are familiar with the story of Haman, who sought to destroy the Jews, particularly Mordecai. Haman built a gallows, but through the prayers and courage of Queen Esther, he ended up being hanged on his own gallows. This led to great celebrations throughout the province. The people rejoiced because their oppressor was dead and gone.
However, something significant occurred afterward.While Haman’s demise was a triumph—his estate was even granted to Mordecai—it wasn’t the end of the struggle. A decree had been issued that on the 13th day of the twelfth month, all Jews would be killed. The death of Haman did not nullify that decree. The man who had instigated this terrible order was gone, yet the decree itself remained in effect.
Have you noticed that even after an enemy has been vanquished, your situation may remain unchanged? This happens because, even in their absence, the plans, documents, and agendas they had set in motion can still affect your life.Let’s take a look at Esther 8:3. “Now Esther spoke again to the king, fell at his feet, and implored him with tears to counteract the evil of Haman the Agagite and the scheme that he had devised against the Jews.” This plea came after Haman’s death, yet the decree he had established was still intact.
It’s vital to understand that even when your oppressor is long gone, you must stand up and speak against the words and decrees that were pronounced over your life. Haman had issued a decree that was written and sealed with the king’s signature; such documents remain valid even after the initiator has died. Changing the effects of such laws can be exceedingly difficult. These can take the form of words spoken against you, the enemy’s agendas, or decrees that have been established.Understand that the king’s decree carries significant authority, and nothing can simply change it. It was issued as law and must be honored, regardless of Haman’s demise.
The king couldn’t just annul this law; specific procedures had to be followed. In verse 8, the king instructed Esther: “Now write another decree in the king’s name on behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”Do you see the importance of this? Although the first decree was in place, the king allowed Esther to write another decree to override it. Thus, even though the oppressor is dead, there may still be documents and decrees they enacted before their death. Don’t assume it’s over simply because of their death—you must proactively nullify every decree the enemy has made concerning your life. Write your own decree, proclaim your life, and revoke every spoken or written word of the enemy.
Challenge every curse, enchantment, or incantation that has been placed over you. Write it down if necessary; speak it aloud, and assert it in the presence of God.Revoke it, speak against it, and rewrite your narrative. It’s crucial to grasp that the enemy may be dead, but the decrees they made are still in effect. Stop assuming that things will simply change; instead, take action. Return to God to rewrite your life and thwart every plan and agenda of the enemy. The king instructed Esther to write what seemed best to her. Now I ask you, what seems best for your life?
What do you want to declare and decree?
