Dealing with the Stripping Spirit

Joel 2:25 declares: “And I will compensate you for the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the creeping locust, the stripping locust, and the gnawing locust—My great army which I sent among you” (Amplified).

The stripping spirit is a cunning and destructive force aimed at God’s people. Its primary goal is to render them exposed, vulnerable, and distracted, thereby incapacitating them from effectively standing against the enemy. By stripping away spiritual virtues and values, this spirit seeks to disarm believers, shifting their focus from advancing God’s kingdom to merely covering their own shame and recovering what has been lost.

Concerning our Lord Jesus Christ it was written that on the night of His betrayal and arrest, the first act of the enemy was to strip Him:

Matthew 27:27-28: "Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe."

The enemy stripped our Lord first, to humiliate, mock, and demobilize Him. It was a strategic move to shift the focus from His assignment of the cross to the shame imposed upon Him. Likewise, we see that when a person is stripped, no matter how strong they may be, their immediate attention shifts from battle to regaining their dignity and covering their exposure. 

Many of the battles you may have faced recently—the struggles, setbacks, and loss of confidence—could be the enemy's attempt to strip you of divine virtues and distract you from your purpose. He wants you to fight from a defensive position, concerned only with recovery, rather than taking bold steps of faith to advance against his kingdom. But this is not your portion in Christ.

Today, I declare that you are reclaiming your voice! In the name of Jesus, your voice will resound powerfully on the mountain of Israel. Every divine virtue and value stripped from you will be restored. Pray with fervor, declare God’s promises over your life, and claim absolute restoration in Jesus’ name.

The stripping spirit has no power to keep you down when God’s word has declared your restoration. Walk boldly in that truth, knowing that you are victorious in Christ!