Foundation Scriptures:
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.  2 Corinthians 2:11
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  1 Timothy 6:10

Dominion.

• Genesis 1:26-28
• Adam and Eve were created in the image of God and given dominion – authority – over the whole earth.
• Genesis 3:1-19
• Adam gave control of the earth to the devil.
• He lost his dominion.
• 2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV – “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
• The Bible calls the devil the god of this world – meaning this age, this period of time.
• Matthew 4:1-11
• The devil came to Jesus, in His weakest moment, to tempt Him.
• Jesus had to resist the temptation and pass the test that Adam failed.
• In his third attempt, the devil tried to tempt Jesus with idolatry and covetousness.
• He offered to give Jesus the kingdoms of the world and their wealth and power.
• The devil controlled these kingdoms.
• Jesus overcame each temptation with the Word of God – It is written!
• Through the Cross, Jesus defeated the devil and took back the power Adam lost.
• The devil is now a defeated foe.
• Matthew 28:18-20
• Jesus was given (by earning it) all power – exousia – the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege).

Works of the Flesh.

• Cain and Abel.
• Genesis 4:1-8
• The first murder in the Bible.
• Cain did not honor God by bringing an offering acceptable to Him. Abel did.
• Cain was jealous of the favor and blessing of God on Abel.
• Cain suffered from covetousness, greed, and jealousy.
• Instead of repenting, he blamed and attacked his brother.
• Also, the devil thought Abel was the woman’s seed that would bruise his head, and influenced Cain to kill him.
• Galatians 5:19-21

Do Not Be Ignorant.

• 2 Corinthians 2:9-11
• God does not want us to be ignorant of Satan’s devices – how he operates.
• If we know how he works, and if we know God’s strategy to defeat him, he can’t take advantage of us.
• The word “ignorant” means: not to know; not to understand; be mistaken; ignore.
• You can be ignorant, because you just don’t know – you don’t have the information you need.
• Or because you don’t understand the information.
• Or because you misunderstand the information.
• Or because you choose to ignore or not pay attention to the information.

Merchandising and Trafficking.

• Ezekiel 28:13-19
• Merchandising – trade.
• Traffic – politics.
• Luciferian structure of the globe.
• Church kept out of these realms.

Satanic strategies.

• John 10:10 KJV – “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
• Hosea 4:6a KJV – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…”
• John 8:44 KJV – “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
• Deception – to push his agenda.
• Propaganda – produces fear.
• Tactics – gas-lighting.

Lust of: Flesh, Eyes, Pride of Life.

• James 1:12-15
• Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and not forced, but enticed.
• 1 John 2:15-17 KJV – “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
• First sin – lust of the eye – Genesis 3:6.
• The lust of the flesh – craving for sensual gratification.
• The lust of the eyes – greedy longings of the mind.
• The pride of life – assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things.
• These do not come from the Father, but are from the world, itself.

Walking Free of the Enemy’s Plan.

• Psalm 1:1-3 KJV – “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
• Joshua 1:7-8 KJV – “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

Foundation Scriptures:

Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. Daniel 6:3 KJV

Daniel and his friends had ten times more wisdom and understanding than the others. Daniel interpreted dreams and had an excellent spirit. The king promoted him ruler over the whole province of Babylon. Daniel raised up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They would not bow to the golden image and were thrown into the fiery furnace. Daniel would not stop praying to the one true God and was thrown into the lion’s den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were delivered from the fire in the furnace. Daniel was delivered from the lions. God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths.

1. What Is a Spirit of Excellence?

• A spirit of excellence, one anchored to the things of God, is the key that will bring you through trials and tribulations. It will enable you to succeed, have favor, and fulfill all that God has ordained for you to accomplish in your lifetime. How would you like to have an excellent spirit?
• Definitions of Excellence: the quality of being outstanding or extremely good, distinction, quality, superiority, brilliance, greatness, merit, caliber, eminence, and mastery.

2. Having a Spirit of Excellence Will Always Produce Fruit.

• Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. John 15:16 KJV
• Father, we ask You, in the name of Jesus, to help us develop an excellent spirit, one that is anchored to the Word of God.
• Characteristics of an Excellent Spirit: great character, integrity, honesty, compassion, humble, teachable, ever learning, great work habits, dependable, meekness, consistent, confident, determination, diligence, adaptability, persistent, goal-oriented, enthusiastic, forgiving, self-disciplined, reliable, great stewardship, generous, grateful, bold, guard your heart, positive attitude, faithful, hopeful, surrendered to God, and Christ-like.
• God blesses excellence! Where you find excellence, you will find God’s favor.

3. We Must Pursue Excellence in All Areas of Our Lives.

• Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23 AMPC
• See Proverbs 22:29 AMPC and Ecclesiastes 9:10 AMPC.
• Enemies of Excellence: mediocre, average, procrastinator, low self-esteem, lazy, compromise, low motivation, poor communicator, prideful, complacent, arrogant, boastful, conceited, callous, inconsistent, mentality of grass is always greener on the other side, excuse-driven, unreliable, unforgiving, fearful, negative, doubtful, slothful, easily offended, faithless, rebellious towards God’s Word, ignoring the Holy Spirit, and spirit of religion and tradition.
• What Is Mediocre? Average, ordinary, of only moderate quality, not very good, middling, middle-of-the-road, uninspired, undistinguished, indifferent, unexceptional, unexciting, unremarkable, and run-of-the-mill.
• Mediocre or average is being the best of the worst and the worst of the best. Are you happy with being mediocre? Do you believe that this is God’s best for you? Don’t conform to average or mediocre just to fit in. God’s best never intended for you to be just average or ordinary.
• For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

4. Apply Excellence in Every Area of Life.

• Workplace: Show up ten minutes early. Don’t pack up to leave until you’re off the clock. Don’t surf the Internet and play games. Don’t take excessive breaks or long lunches. Do not steal office supplies. Do above what is expected. Work hard. Be a team player. Study to improve your skill set at your job. Keep your work area clean. Have a great attitude. Look people in the eye. Be polite. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
• Appearance: Whether you wear dress clothes or casual, make sure that your apparel is clean and neat. Take care of yourself. Have proper personal grooming habits, good hygiene, and a healthy diet. First impressions are lasting impressions. You are the temple of the living God.
• Vehicle & Home: Take care of your car even if it’s old. Detail it inside and out. Follow through with the regular maintenance of it. Keep your home clean. Make your bed. Wash your dishes. Take out the trash. Keep the yard mowed and maintained. Fix broken items immediately.  If you’re faithful in the little things, God will make you ruler over much.
• Stewardship of Borrowed Items: If you borrow something, return it in better condition. If you borrow a car, return it with more fuel. Never use offering envelopes to take notes on. Pay your bills and pledges. Excellence = Stewardship.

5. Enemy of Excellence: Offense.

• And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Philippians 1:9-10 KJV
• The Bible tells us that Joseph did not get offended at his brothers when they mocked his dreams and threw him in a pit. Joseph did not get offended when he was wrongly accused and put into prison. Joseph had a spirit of excellence and would not yield to a spirit of offense. Joseph was promoted to the palace and was overseer of all of Egypt. The entire world, including his family, came to him to receive food during a global famine.
• When you’re pressed and in a hard place, whatever is in your heart will come out. Having a spirit of excellence in the pit and in the prison took Joseph to the palace. This process took 13 years. Excellence is a journey; it’s not a one-time event.
• Having a spirit of excellence does not make you proud or better than anyone else; it makes you humble and thankful. It’s a “heart thing” – not a hard thing!

6. A Spirit of Excellence in Your Relationship with the Lord.

• Pray and study the Word. Talk to Him and praise Him! Don’t forsake the assembly of the brethren; come to church. If you hunger and thirst after righteousness, you shall be filled. There are nine fruit of the Spirit. A spirit of excellence is composed of the nine fruit of the Spirit.
• But earnestly desire and zealously cultivate the greatest and best gifts and graces (the higher gifts and the choicest graces). And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one that is better by far and the highest of them all—love]. 1 Corinthians 12:31 AMPC
• A spirit of excellence is always love motivated; God is love.
• Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39 KJV
• If you have Christ, you have it in you to have a spirit of excellence.