DEALING WITH CHURCH GATES

DEALING WITH CHURCH GATES

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Matthew 16:18 – "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Supporting Texts: Acts 20:28-31; Ephesians 6:10-12; 2 Corinthians 2:11; Nehemiah 4:1-9; Revelation 3:8

INTRODUCTION:
The Church of Jesus Christ is not just a gathering of believers; it is a spiritual fortress designed to advance the Kingdom of God on earth. However, Scripture reveals that there are “gates” — spiritual barriers, demonic councils, and territorial powers — that seek to resist the growth, unity, and influence of the Church. These gates often operate through manipulation, false doctrine, persecution, and even internal division to hinder God’s work.

When Jesus said in Matthew 16:18 that “the gates of hell shall not prevail,” He was making a powerful declaration of victory for His Church. But this victory is not automatic; it must be enforced through prayer, spiritual warfare, and unwavering obedience to God’s Word. Church gates are not just physical obstructions — they represent spiritual control points that determine the extent of access, influence, and dominion the Church can have in a community or nation.

In our time, these gates can manifest as governmental restrictions against the gospel, financial limitations in ministry, moral compromise among leaders, or cultural resistance to biblical truth. To deal with such gates, we must be spiritually alert, united as believers, and equipped with the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to dismantle every satanic structure standing against the Church’s advancement.

1. UNDERSTANDING THE CONCEPT OF CHURCH GATES

a) Gates represent spiritual authority (Ruth 4:1-2)
In the ancient city, gates were places of judgement, decisions, and rulings. Spiritually, church gates can be demonic decisions against God’s work.

b) The gates of hell oppose kingdom advancement (Matthew 16:18)
Hell releases strategies to hinder revival, growth, and holiness in the church.

c) Church gates can be physical or spiritual (Nehemiah 2:17)
Opposition may come as governmental restrictions, internal conflicts, or invisible satanic attacks.

d) The enemy seeks to infiltrate through gates (2 Corinthians 2:11)
The devil often plants agents or uses offences to create openings.

Biblical Example: Sanballat and Tobiah opposing Nehemiah’s rebuilding of Jerusalem’s gates (Nehemiah 4:1-9).

2. TYPES OF CHURCH GATES THAT MUST BE DEALT WITH

a) Gate of false doctrine (2 Peter 2:1)
Satan tries to poison believers’ minds with error to weaken the church.

b) Gate of immorality and sin (1 Corinthians 5:1-2)
Sin in the camp hinders the flow of God’s power.

c) Gate of division and strife (1 Corinthians 1:10)
Disunity destroys the church’s testimony and power.

d) Gate of lukewarmness (Revelation 3:15-16)
A spiritually cold church becomes ineffective.

Biblical Example: The church in Pergamos tolerating compromise (Revelation 2:14-15).

3. STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH CHURCH GATES

a) Discernment in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14)
Leaders and members must be spiritually alert to identify the gates the enemy is using.

b) Teaching sound doctrine (Titus 1:9)
Proper teaching closes the gate of deception.

c) Prayer and intercession (Acts 12:5)
Persistent corporate prayer breaks demonic strongholds.

d) Holiness and discipline (1 Peter 1:15-16)
Purity in leadership and membership keeps the enemy out.

Biblical Example: The early church praying together to overcome persecution (Acts 4:23-31).

4. THE ROLE OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE IN DEALING WITH CHURCH GATES

a) Understanding the battle is spiritual (Ephesians 6:12)
We are not fighting men but demonic forces behind them.

b) Using the authority of Christ (Luke 10:19)
The church has authority to bind and loose.

c) Deploying the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12)
The Word is a spiritual weapon that dismantles lies.

d) Worship and prophetic declarations (2 Chronicles 20:22)
Praise confuses the enemy and opens heaven’s gates.

Biblical Example: Paul casting out the spirit of divination hindering the gospel in Philippi (Acts 16:16-18).

5. BLESSINGS OF DEALING WITH CHURCH GATES

a) Unhindered growth and expansion (Acts 2:47)
When gates are broken, souls are added daily.

b) Unity and power (Acts 4:32-33)
The church operates in one heart and great grace.

c) Increase in divine presence (Exodus 33:14)
God’s glory fills a church free from demonic gates.

d) Fulfilment of the great commission (Mark 16:15)
The church advances into new territories.

Biblical Example: The church in Acts growing despite opposition (Acts 6:7).

CONCLUSION:
The advancement of the Church is a direct threat to the kingdom of darkness. That is why gates — spiritual strongholds — are raised to resist it. But Jesus has given us authority to prevail over these gates. We must be vigilant, prayerful, and strategic in pulling down these spiritual barriers so that the Church can thrive in every territory.

The Church of Jesus is destined for victory. No matter the resistance, if believers rise in unity, purity, and faith, every gate will lift up its head for the King of glory to come in. We must take our stand in prayer, speaking God’s Word with boldness, and refusing to allow any satanic gate to determine the destiny of the Church in our generation.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, I thank You for building Your Church and ensuring the gates of hell will not prevail.
2. Every spiritual gate resisting the growth of the Church, be destroyed in Jesus’ name.
3. Father, release fresh fire upon Your Church to dismantle satanic gates.
4. Lord, raise watchmen to stand in prayer for the Church’s gates.
5. Let the gates of revival be opened in our churches in Jesus’ name.
6. We command the gates of false doctrine to collapse now in Jesus’ name.
7. Lord, release financial abundance into the Church to fulfil its mandate.
8. Every gate of persecution against the Church, be broken in Jesus’ name.
9. Father, let holiness prevail over every gate of immorality in the Church.
10. Lord, grant us territorial dominion to influence nations for Christ.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. I declare that no gate of hell shall prevail against the Church!
2. Every satanic gate blocking revival is lifted now in Jesus’ name!
3. The gates of financial abundance are opened to the Church!
4. The gates of revival and evangelism are opening wide in your ministry!
5. Every gate of false doctrine is collapsing under the truth of God’s Word!
6. You shall see territorial influence for the Kingdom in your generation!
7. The gates of persecution against the Church are turned into testimonies!
8. The King of glory is entering through every church gate in your territory!
9. You shall walk in victory over every demonic council at the gates!
10. The Church of Jesus will rise in power, unity, and influence in your time!