The Power of Agreement

             Agreement is a powerful thing—it holds the key to profound and far-reaching actions, and often—consequences. It means “harmony or accordance in opinion or feeling; a position or result of agreeing; a negotiated and typically legally binding arrangement between parties as to a course of action; the absence of incompatibility between two things; consistency.”

Through agreement, countries have waged war against others—and treaties have been forged. Through agreement, marriages are entered into—and dissolved. Through agreement with designers who thought the deck would be too cluttered, the Titanic only allowed sixteen lifeboats on board—a third of the amount needed to rescue all passengers; and 1,157 people died in the icy waters of the Atlantic.

                Recently, I heard a new perspective on the story of Cain and Abel that brought home this profound truth about agreement. Something was at work in Cain’s heart. The enemy was most likely whispering to him, God loves Abel more than you. What have you done to deserve this? Seeds of jealousy and anger were being planted. God warned Cain not to come into agreement with the sin that was crouching at his door (Genesis 4); instead, he told him, “…you must master it.” Once Cain agreed with the spirits of anger and malice coming against him—whispering what he should do, the first murder was committed.

                In the spirit realm, there are voices. God has designed us to hear His voice. But often, it is the voice of our enemy that we tune in to. Yes, yes, we agree, she meant to hurt my feelings; she thinks she’s better than me; she’s judging me. These thoughts come from the Father of Lies, the Accuser of the Brethren. But often, we think they’re ours to keep. We simply accept them, and through our agreement with the enemy a whole host of problems result.

                But when we agree with what God is saying, lives are changed. He whispers, Tell that person how much I love him. Pray for that sick friend. Tell your child the story of Moses in the basket, so she’ll know I am her protector. Miracles can happen when we agree with the Holy Spirit. And not just in what He may call us to do, but also in what the Father thinks about us. If all you are hearing is guilt and accusation, that’s not the voice of the Lord speaking. He wants us to agree with the way He sees us so that we can live in a way that reflects Jesus powerfully. If you’ve accepted Christ, you are saved, healed, and delivered from all unrighteousness—your sins are under the blood, and He thinks about them no more! So why do we? Could it be that we’re agreeing with the wrong report about us?

                “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3, KJV). How can we truly walk with God unless we agree with Him—not the enemy? We’ll constantly be heading off in the wrong direction. When we believe the lies that say I’m incompetent; I’ll never get my life in order; I don’t measure up, we’re agreeing with the one who wants to keep us down—the one who comes only “to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). If a thief wanted to come in our house, would we open the door to him and say “Come in! Take whatever you want!”? Yet that is what we do when we agree with the things Satan has to say.

                I think of how powerful agreement in a marriage can be. Two people reach a place of like mind and heart—and they agree to start a family; they agree it’s time to buy their first home; they agree to go on a cruise together; they agree that this is the right school for their son or daughter; they agree that they will start the ministry God has laid on their hearts; they agree that their marriage is worth fighting for. Life-altering courses are taken when two are agreed.

                How much more should our hearts be ready then to agree with God? Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19). The Son agrees with the Father. He doesn’t say “Oh, I think that one’s not a good idea.” No! He and the Father are in one accord, completely aligned—in perfect agreement. And so should we be. “Remain in me,“ Jesus said, “as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (John 15:4). Apart from Him, we can do nothing, but in agreement and intimacy with Him, all things are possible.

                Purpose to be in agreement today with the one who gave it all for your freedom. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1).

Pray: "I agree with you, Jesus. Help me to recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice and to discern also when the enemy is coming against me, trying to get me to agree with him. I want to remain in you—close to you, on the same page with you, living out your plans and purposes for my life. I agree to listen to you, Lord, and declare your truth over my life—as it says in Job 22:28, “You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways” (NKJV). Let your light shine brightly and dispel any darkness. And as you light up my path, give me the grace to agree with you wholeheartedly. In your name, Jesus--Amen."