What Are the 7 Mountains of Influence?
The 7 mountains of influence are…
- Media
- Government
- Education
- Family
- Religion
- Arts and entertainment
- Business
These 7 mountains of influence shape the culture of every nation. Ephesians 6 tells us we do not battle against flesh and blood but against principalities and rulers of darkness. There is an ongoing battle over who will have power and influence in the nations. It is our call to seek the heart of God and have Christ’s mind when identifying a strategy to influence the 7 mountains.
When there are godly people established in these mountains of influence, godly principles are activated, and the culture and lands prosper.
As born-again Believers in Yeshua HaMashiach, we are given authority against the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19). Many are called to at least one of these mountains of influence, taking authority when and where God tells them.
We won’t all be leaders, but we can be influencers and position ourselves in Christ, and be committed to praying for these mountains to align with God’s purposes.
Below is a brief explanation of each of the 7 mountains of influence.
The 7 Mountains
- Media
This mountain of influence reports on current events. It can either speaks truth or deception and lies. The battle for this mountain is between the spirit of fear and the Spirit of truth.
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
—John 16:13
- Government
This mountain of influence establishes laws. It can either restrain evil or allow it to prosper based on the laws it establishes. The battle for this mountain is between the spirit of pride and control and the spirit of humility and order.
“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.”
—Romans 13:3-4
- Education
This mountain of influence teaches truth and godly principles or counterfeits and deception. This mountain greatly influences the youth and young people of a nation. The battle over this mountain is between the spirit of worldly wisdom and godly wisdom.
“Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness’; and again, ‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.’ Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours… And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.”
—1 Corinthians 3:18-21, 22
- Family
This mountain of influence fosters an environment of safety and blessings or enslaves us with curses. It is to be a picture of the triune God and a testament to His love, protection, and guidance. The family mountain is to be the place where we grow and mature spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Yet, over time, the definition of family has been distorted, and deceived parents have relinquished their responsibility to other mountains, namely media and education.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her…”
—Ephesians 5:25
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”
—Exodus 20:12
“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
—Colossians 3:21
5. Religion
This mountain influences worship. It can either promote worshiping God in spirit and truth or worshiping a false/counterfeit god such as the self. The counterfeit worship appears to “look and do good,” yet it leads people away from the One who is good. The battle for this mountain is between the spirit of religion (doctrines of man) and Holy Spirit, which testifies of the One True God (John 15:26).
“’Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”’”
—Matthew 15:7-9
6. Arts and entertainment
This mountain influences how and what we celebrate as a culture. It can either be in alignment with God’s virtues and values, celebrating the things of God, bringing unity and life, or seeksfleshly pleasures that result in depression, doubt, and death. The battle for this mountain is between the flesh and the spirit.
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all…”
—1 Corinthians 12:4-7
“Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
—Romans 8:7-8
7. Business
This mountain of influence produces and distributes resources. It impacts the economy and finances. It can either produce and distribute resources that honor God or man. The battle for this mountain is between the spirit of greed, and generosity (2 Corinthians 6-7) and stewardship (Matthew 25:14-30).
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
—1 Timothy 6:10
Praying for God’s Will to Be Done in the 7 Mountains of Influence
As we know, there is an ongoing heavenly battle for the nations and souls on earth. If you are called to pray for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven, you must pray for the 7 mountains of influence.
- Know the heart of God.
When you know the heart of God and have the mind of Christ, you will be able to see His plan and speak His Word over situations, mountains, and individuals. If you want to know the heart of God, you must know His Word.
- Ask for discernment and wisdom.
Ask the Spirit for discernment, wisdom, and a prayer strategy. The enemy has a strategy too. The only way to discern what is happening in the spiritual realm that manifests in these mountains of influence is to pursue the Kingdom of God first.
- Be prepared.
Be aware of the enemy, but don’t focus so much on what he is doing that you forget whose armor you have available. Armor up according to Ephesians 6:10-20. Remember, He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
In Conclusion
Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. We know God’s will is to rejoice and to give thanks. Though praying for the 7 mountains of influence takes a strategic prayer plan, that plan should always start with rejoicing and giving thanks for who God is and what He is doing.