The term “intellectual” pertains to the ability to think, understand, reason, analyse and apply knowledge. In various cultures, particularly in ancient times, “gates” signify entry and exit points in a city, and they are often associated with strategic control or power as the gatekeeper determines who or what enters and exits.
So, “intellectual gates” could be a metaphorical term referring to the control or mastery of intellectual faculties or, on a broader level, it could signify key points of influence in intellectual or thought-driven realms such as education, media, arts, or policymaking. In a spiritual context, it might refer to the way our minds are the ‘gates’ through which information and ideas pass, and thus they are points that need to be guarded and directed in a way that aligns with our beliefs and values as Christians.
Whoever controls the intellectual gate controls the people. All you need to do is take a look at today’s education curriculum, and you can see that there is a deliberate plan to indoctrinate children as early as possible into doctrines of devils and demonic ideologies. To possess an intellectual gate is to influence or culture a community of people into a way of thinking. It is a mandate that we must take hold of and dominate our sphere of influence.
There are several avenues by which this can be achieved:
- Education Systems: Schools, universities, and other educational institutions shape the minds of the young and old alike, imparting knowledge and influencing worldviews. These are significant “intellectual gates” because they determine what is taught, how it’s taught, and what kind of knowledge is considered valuable.
A major opportunity has presented itself in the education sector. According to Luisa Zhou’s research, the revenue estimate of the global coaching industry was 2.849B as of 2019. This represents a 21% increase from 2015. Every day new coaches show up. They believe they have something to impart to people, and many people are looking for someone to teach or mentor them. The information that is being disseminated is transforming the participants for good or bad. You and I should engage this gate and influence world views.
Even from a spiritual perspective, discipleship is about transformation – it is helping people to transform into the nature of Christ. Teaching is one of the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 8:29. The Bible also warns us about being teachers because it is a great responsibility.
You possess a kingdom knowledge that needs to be released to your field of assignment. Arise and possess the gate of knowledge. Many years ago, I learnt that one of the best ways to keep knowledge is to teach what you have learnt.
- Media: News outlets, social media platforms, film, and television have a massive influence on public opinion and the dissemination of information. They shape narratives and can influence how people perceive and understand the world.
The interesting thing about this gate is that we all have the power to influence people through this gate. All you need to do is go on any social media platform; the conversations will be directed here and there. My question is, how are you influencing your community, even on WhatsApp? What conversations are you generating? How are these conversations shaping your audience’s thoughts, including your family? Gone are the days when we just broadcast messages to everyone. The question to ask is, how is this benefitting my audience? What transformation process is taking place.?
- Scientific Research Institutions: Scientific research and the institutions that conduct it are major contributors to the advancement of knowledge. They help shape our understanding of the world and the universe, from the smallest particles to the vast expanses of space.
Proverbs 8: 12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. KJV
Exodus 35: 30 And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah;
31 And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship;
- Government Policy and Legislation: The policies and laws that govern societies are developed and implemented by intellectuals such as lawmakers, advisors, and civil servants. These individuals and the ideas they implement can significantly influence the lives of citizens.
Isaiah 2: 3 Many people shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
To the house of the God of Jacob;
He will teach us His ways,
And we shall walk in His paths.”
For out of Zion shall go forth the law,
And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
Out of Zion shall go forth the law. Kingdom people should penetrate the political landscape with wisdom and understanding. We have an assignment to rule in righteousness. If you do not participate in the school board’s policies, how can you vote yea or nay? If you exempt yourself from boards where policies are made, do you or me have a moral right to complain? Entering these spaces, however, requires knowledge and capacity building, and it is not age dependent. God wants us to have intellectual capacity but allow His wisdom to guide us.
- Religious Institutions: Churches, ministries, kingdom based institutions are fundamental intellectual gates. They shape belief systems and often have a significant influence on personal and societal decisions.
Ephesians 4: 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
Every institution needs to have a vision for equipping the saints. Knowledge must be impacted. To possess this gate we must study according to the scriptures.
2 Timothy 2: 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
These “gates” represent areas where intellect is applied to make significant decisions and where ideas and knowledge hold sway. They are areas where intellectual influence can be exerted and where the control of information flow can significantly impact society.
PRAYER POINT 1
Proverbs 19: 2 Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge,
And he sins who hastens with his feet.
You must be determined never to get to the stage of life where you stop learning. Today pray for yourself that you will have a growth mindset and not a fixed mindset.
Reject any thought that says you are done with learning because knowledge is always increasing.
Take authority over every spirit of intimidation – “You are too old,” “too young,” or “The subject matter is complicated.”
There is nothing you cannot do if you put your mind to it. At 50 years, you can start again.
Bind the spirit of intimidation and declare I have a growth mindset. My understanding of concepts is anointed. The Lord has given me an understanding in all things.
Ask the Holy Spirit to direct you to your next growth learning.
PRAYER POINT 2
It is impossible to pray about intellectual gates without referencing some bible characters. This weekend, I will focus on Solomon and Joseph. Let’s start with Solomon.
1 Kings 10 23 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.
24 And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.
God blessed Solomon with the gift of wisdom, so much so that “all the earth sought Solomon. How many people are seeking you for the knowledge you have? Is your circle of influence growing?
1 Kings 10: 23 So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth. 24 People from every nation came to consult him and to hear the wisdom God had given him.
Solomon’s wisdom manifested in several ways. The end of it was “he became richer and wiser than any other king.” For you and me, can we aim at becoming richer and wiser than any other in our niche? Here are some ways Solomon dominated the intellectual gate.
- Intellectual Gate of Divine Wisdom
(1 Kings 3:5-14): Solomon’s wisdom was a direct gift from God. Solomon chose wisdom above all else when God appeared to him in a dream and offered him anything he desired. This wisdom allowed Solomon to make sound judgments and guide his people effectively.
- Intellectual Gate of Judgment and Discernment
(1 Kings 3:16-28): Again, Solomon’s wisdom is demonstrated in the story where two women claim to be the mother of the same child. Solomon discerned the truth by suggesting dividing the baby in two, knowing the real mother would give up her child rather than see him harmed.
- Intellectual Gate of Teaching and Knowledge Dissemination.
Solomon used his wisdom to teach others and wrote most of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.
- Intellectual Gate of Strategic Planning and Execution.
1 Kings 5:1-18 Solomon oversaw the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, a project that required significant planning, organization, and resources. Today, we can say he was an excellent project manager. You see, you can have all the ideas in the world, but executing them might be a challenge. With the intellectual gate of planning and execution, there is nothing you cannot accomplish.
- Intellectual Gate of Diplomacy and Alliance
1 Kings 5:6 1 Kings 5:12
Solomon was diplomatic in requesting an alliance with the King of Haram. He began by leveraging the love that the King of Hiram had for his father, David. 1 Kings 5:1-5. He then pushed for an alliance 1 Kings 5:6-7.
In today’s world, anyone who chooses to do it alone will take long. Everyone is leveraging alliances and collaborations. You need the wisdom of God to know who to collaborate with and how to approach them diplomatically.
Prayer declaration
The wisdom from above is above all.
I declare I possess the gates of divine wisdom. Divine wisdom opens to me. I declare the manifold wisdom of God is manifesting through me in all places.
By wisdom, I possess the intellectual gate of discernment and judgment. I consider a situation and make the right judgements. I make wise decisions in difficult situations.
I possess the intellectual gate of teaching and knowledge dissemination. I have the mental capacity to store information and disseminate information in a way that my hearers are transformed. I write transformational books. I am a sort-out transformational coach and speaker. I curate courses with ease. I have the tongue of the learned The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakes me morning by morning, he wakes my ear to hear as the learned.
I possess the intellectual gate to plan and execute projects with excellence. As ideas are given to me, I know what to do to get the work done.
God has given me the intellectual gate of diplomacy and alliances for those things I cannot do myself. God reveals strategic alliances to me and the wisdom to speak to power with diplomacy.
Above all, I am favoured in all that I do in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT 3
The second person to consider is Joseph. He operated a high intellectual dominion, for God granted him wisdom. He had access to several intellectual gates, some of which are:
Intellectual Gate of Divine Revelation and Interpretation.
Genesis 40:5-23, 41:1-36: Joseph had the unique ability to interpret dreams, a skill that was instrumental in his life and the lives of others. To possess your intellectual gate, you need access to divine revelation. However, revelation without interpretation is useless. Joseph had the gift of dream interpretation. As God gives you dreams may He bless your thoughts to rightly interpreter what you are seeing. Amen.
Intellectual gate of strategic foresight and governance
Genesis 41:37-57: After interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph was appointed as the governor of Egypt and was given the task of preparing for the upcoming famine.
Intelligence requires the ability to have strategic foresight. God added more to Joseph in that he also had the intelligence to govern people and resources. This is a powerful gift to pray for.
Intellectual Gate Of Emotional Intelligence And Reconciliation.
Genesis 45:1-15: Despite the wrongs committed against him by his brothers, Joseph demonstrated a great deal of wisdom and maturity in choosing to forgive them.
It would not have served the larger purpose of preserving the children of Israel if Joseph had been petty about his brothers and their wrong. Emotional intelligence is a gate we need to access when relating with people.
Intellectual Gate Of Resilience And Adaptability
Genesis 39:1-6: From being sold into slavery to becoming a prisoner in Egypt and then rising to become the Pharaoh’s second-in-command, Joseph displayed remarkable adaptability in the face of changing circumstances.
Many people would have found themselves distraught, sad and bitter if they had gone through all that Joseph did. However, he chose to trust God. He knew there was a greater plan. He could base and abound. Pray for the intellectual gate of resilience and adaptability because unpleasant circumstances are temporary.
Intellectual Gate Of Spiritual Wisdom And Faith.
Genesis 50:19-21: Joseph maintained an unwavering faith in God throughout all his trials. He recognized that even in his hardships, God was working out a larger plan.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, the omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God, I thank You for Your grace and the revelation of Your wisdom and understanding through Your word. Today, I affirm Your divine power at work within me, shaping me to be more like You, in knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and character.
Father, regarding the Intellectual Gate of Divine Revelation and Interpretation, as You gave Joseph the gift of interpreting dreams, I affirm that You also endow me with the same wisdom to discern and understand Your revelations in my life. I acknowledge that revelation without interpretation is futile. Holy Spirit, please guide my mind to discern and interpret Your divine revelations for my life, and for the lives of my loved ones.
Lord, I affirm that just as You elevated Joseph to the position of governor over Egypt, You are also equipping me with strategic foresight and the wisdom to govern my life and influence others positively. You are enhancing my ability to make wise decisions and create strategic plans that align with Your perfect will.
Father, I affirm that You are cultivating in me a spirit of understanding, forgiveness, and reconciliation, as displayed by Joseph toward his brothers. Help me to demonstrate emotional intelligence in my interactions with others, promoting peace, love, and unity as I reflect Your grace and mercy.
Father, I affirm that, like Joseph, I am being strengthened by You to adapt and persevere through every season of life. In the face of hardship, uncertainty, and change, I affirm that You are developing my resilience and adaptability to face and overcome any challenge.
Just as Joseph maintained his faith in You throughout his trials, I affirm that You are nurturing in me a steadfast faith and spiritual wisdom that recognizes Your hand at work in every circumstance. I affirm that, through faith, I can see Your larger plan unfolding, even amid trials and tribulations.
I proclaim these affirmations with faith and thanksgiving, trusting in Your divine transformation within me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank God for today’s Watch as you maintain these affirmations in Jesus’ name. I would love it if you could keep it on the front burner this week.
God bless you for manning your watch.
