Agreement—The Power of Life
The term “Agreement, the Power of Life” is something I first heard Ed Cole, the author of the book Maximized Manhood, mention in 1987. I bought his book Maximized Manhood, read it and applied the Christ principles within, Since then, I have strived to embody that concept throughout my life, particularly in my home life, ministry, and relationships.
When considering agreement, it’s essential to also recognize its opposite: disagreement. If agreement represents power, then disagreement relinquishes that power and authority in our lives.
Many marriages end because of disagreements over love, rights, money, and control. If I don’t get what I want out of this marriage, I might discard it and try again. Nowadays, it seems so easy to get a divorce. I’m from an era where covenant meant something. Husbands and wives work on your marriage. Sow into it. Walk through your disagreements, stay the course, and get help if needed.
The first two years of my marriage to Cheryl were marked by frequent arguments and outbursts, particularly on my part. We experienced a power struggle between us. Our conflicts were shaped by what we had learned from our parents. In 1976, we both came to the Lord and were filled with Holy Spirit and received the gift of tongues. This caused a hunger in me to be obedient to our Lord. We still did not know how to have a healthy marriage. There was still a ” my rights, what I want, and my expectations must be met attitude. However, I hungered for more of Yahweh and His ways and this began a journey of learning how to be a God kind of husband. I started to learn the important lesson of honor, forgiveness, loving as Christ loves, and submitting to each other. Most importantly, there was a dying to self. We’ve been together for 50+ years, and I can honestly say I would only want to do life with her.
Many people leave church due to unmet expectations or trauma. If I don’t get what I want out of church, I’ll find another apostle, pastor and church. It’s no different than a marriage divorce. I once had someone I thought was a spiritual son, who decided to leave our church. This was after he said he would never leave me. You guessed it. He left, but he left telling me, “It feels like a divorce.” I said if it felt like a divorce, don’t do it. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, the blame falls on the leader, never on the individual who decides to leave. Lessons that must be taught in the Ekklesia today are preferring another over yourself, discipleship, being crucified with Christ, being a warrior, and the list goes on.
Romans 12:10 NKJV, Be kindly affectionate to one another
Ephesians 4:31-32 TPT, ‘Lay aside bitter words, temper tantrums, revenge, profanity, and insults. But instead be kind and affectionate toward one another. Has God graciously forgiven you? Then graciously forgive one another in the depths of Christ’s love.’
James 4:1-3 TPT, ‘What is the cause of your conflicts and quarrels with each other? Doesn’t the battle begin inside of you as you fight to have your own way and fulfill your own desires? You jealously want what others have so you begin to see yourself as better than others. You scheme with envy and harm others to selfishly obtain what you crave—that’s why you quarrel and fight. And all the time you don’t obtain what you want because you won’t ask God for it! And if you ask, you won’t receive it for you’re asking with corrupt motives, seeking only to fulfill your own selfish desires.”
Disagreements often come from corrupt motives within you. Unmet expectations of how you thought things should be. What would happen if we submitted our motives to Yahweh? What would happen if we sought God over our motives? James 4:6-8 TPT, ‘But he continues to pour out more and more grace upon us. For it says, “God resists you when you are proud but continually pours out grace when you are humble.” So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will flee in agony. Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you. But make sure you cleanse your life, you sinners, and keep your heart pure and stop doubting.”
Agreement’s Authority
I dare say that nearly all of us never knew of the authority and weight that agreement carries. Agreement is the authority to unlock heaven’s resources over our lives.
Agreement Unlocks Heaven’s Resources
When Cheryl and I learned to come into agreement as a lifestyle, nothing seemed impossible. A root of wrong thinking and motive was plucked up, and seeds of right thinking, honor, love, and forgiveness began to abound. When it comes to major decisions, we don’t do anything except we are both in agreement. This type of living is honor and it carries great power.
Amos 3:3 TPT, asks a difficult question. ‘Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?’ When you marry, when you enter into a business contract, when you commit to a church you are coming into agreement with the other party. When you shake the hand, you do so as a gesture of trust, and honesty. It symbolizes agreement, partnership, and mutual respect.
Coming into Harmony
Yeshua taught us about the power of agreement. As stated in Matthew 18:19-20 (NKJV), “Again, I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” This highlights the power of agreement.
You might wonder, “What does that look like?” Great question! The Greek word for “agree” is *sumphoneo*, which is the origin of our English word “symphony.” Yeshua is conveying that if any two people live in harmony—like a symphony—whatever they ask will be granted by the Father in heaven.
Herein lies the power: strive to be a symphony with your brother or sister in the Lord.
Two Must Agree and Three is Stronger
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NASB shows us the power of two or three being in unity. “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. 10 For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. 11 Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.”
I’ve highlighted some key words in the scripture above so we can get a closer look at what Holy Spirit is saying.
- Good Return. When two or more people collaborate towards a common goal, they create synergy that can lead to remarkable rewards. I have certain colleagues with whom I work, and when we team up, our collective authority is profound. It’s important to learn how to work as a team rather than trying to do everything alone.
- Falls and Lifting Your Brother. We all face moments of stumbling, discouragement, or even sin. During these challenging times, having a covenant partner who remains by your side can be invaluable; they can help lift you up when you need it most. Remember, there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).
- Resist him (the devil). This is an important point to consider. Many people attempt to confront their adversary, the devil, on their own terms. Our Lord reminds us that two can withstand an enemy’s attack effectively. However, too often, individuals try to face their battles alone due to pride, preventing them from asking for help. It’s essential to recognize when you need additional support to overcome challenges. Don’t go it alone—partner with someone to defeat the tyrant, the devil.
- The 3-Fold Cord. Three is an important number to our Lord. He does so many things in three. If two can withstand the enemy, three can overpower him and send him packing. I have a friend who, when prayer is needed in a situation, builds what she calls a flight team. (i.e. One can put a thousand to flight two can send ten thousand fleeing.) When this happens, her prayers are answered quickly.
How can we shift our personal lives to walk in agreement with Yahweh and one another? I’m glad you asked.
- Submit to God
- James 4:7-8 TPT, ‘So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will flee in agony. Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you. But make sure you cleanse your life, you sinners, and keep your heart pure and stop doubting.’
- Submit to Others
- Ephesians 5:21 NLT, And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
- Resist the Devil
- James 4:7 TPT, ‘So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will flee in agony.
- Practice the fruit of Holy Spirit
- Galatians 5:22-24 TPT, ‘But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions : joy that overflows , peace that subdues , patience that endures kindness in action a life full of virtue, faith that prevails gentleness of heart , and strength of spirit . Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless. Keep in mind that we who belong to Jesus Christ have already experienced crucifixion. For everything connected with our self-life was put to death on the cross and crucified with Messiah.’
I encourage you to read the beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7, again. What you will find there is a way of life, Kingdom Life. Putting these words into your spirit will cause you to walk humbly with our God.
Micah 6:8 NKJV, He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly,
To love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
Ken's Domain 