Have you ever wondered why Jesus said, when told about a boy with a demon, "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you?" Luke 9:41 I used to think that He was rebuking His disciples for not being able to cast the unclean spirit out. But He was addressing a whole generation of the nation of Israel, not just a few guys. What do you think was bothering Him? I got an insight on that today from our Old Testament passage in the OYB.
When I was pondering what to write today, the Holy Spirit said "Start with Jesus and go back." So I did. This is a good principle - I highly recommend it!
I'm quite certain that Jesus was disturbed because this was God's chosen people and they had become completely victimized by Satan. If they had obeyed God's directions back when they were given the Promised Land, the ones we read today and have been reading, they would not have been in this predicament. They were as bad off as the rest of the world, at least in the demonic oppression arena, when they should have been free from the evil one's torment. But they did exactly what God had told them not to do: imitate the nations around them, especially when it came to spiritual practices.
“When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. For these nations which you will dispossess listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you." Deuteronomy 18: 9-14
When I was in college (long, long ago "in a faraway land"), I got caught up in the occult. I promise you, when you do this stuff, or even dabble in it, you open up doors to demonic influence. My salvation included a lot of necessary deliverance from evil spirits. Some people go way too far in condemning every little thing, and they become as tormenting as the demons they're afraid of! I'm not talking about witch-hunting or "finding a demon under every rock". I'm serious, though, about not grieving the Spirit and not giving place to the abominations that God clearly hates.
Unfortunately, our culture is full of evil practices, idol worship, and occult fascination and involvement. "Pagan" is big these days. I run into it a lot in the artistic circles I associate in (this is my mission field). The Lord reminds me often not to let it influence me. We are so surrounded by it that I think we (the Church in general) are becoming callous to it. Be open to the correction of the Holy Spirit, and also of those who watch over you spiritually, such as your pastor, when they warn you of these things. I'm not one of these, I am just a messenger (but if you hear His voice through me, listen). As such, I'll name a couple of things as examples of what I feel are infiltrating influences that I know for a fact that some Christians are allowing in: vampire stuff and Harry Potter. Sorry to meddle, but these images and ideas are from the devil; they should not be fun to a believer because they grieve the Holy Spirit. This stuff is contamination; I think at best it is lowering your spiritual immune system, but probably much worse. Please consider dealing with it!
When our spirit is no longer grieved by what grieves the Holy Spirit (or we continue to ignore the grief) we are in great spiritual danger. This troubles me because we are to be overcomers, and this means "conquerors". Should we be conquered by the evil that Jesus died and rose again to conquer? He delivered us from evil; we even pray "deliver us from evil". Why do we play with it then? We call it "entertainment"! Wouldn't Jesus call it "faithless and perverse?" This hurts, I know, but it needs to be said. Believe me, I've heard it from Him more than once myself.
It is prophetic types, like me, who are most attracted (when not yielding to the Holy Spirit) to darkness, evil practices and occult spiritual power. Even though they are called to be especially tuned-in to God's communications and purposes and to help train others this way, it is this type of person that is most likely to be influenced by satanic and occult things. [This is why God gave instructions as to how to know a prophetic word was from Him or not. Deut. 18: 21-22, and many others] This may seem strange and unbelievable to many, but if you are this type of person, or you are near someone who is, you will easily be able to observe what I am talking about. Sadly, I have known people who are amazingly gifted prophetically who have gotten far too interested in what the devil is doing, so much so that they ended up following him instead of Christ Jesus. Don't you be one of these! And if you are a parent, and you have a child who is generally drawn to these things, pay attention, because you probably have a prophetically motivated/gifted child, and you will need to understand these things and learn how to raise them up in the Lord according to their gifts.
I praise God because Jesus conquered! He completely trampled down the devil. Jesus is Lord!! It is up to each of us individually to allow Jesus to be Lord in our own life. When He is, He will increase His kingdom in us, and through us where He gives us authority. These are dark and perilous times, and deceptions are rampant. Since we are the Children of Light, let us all live in the Light and shine His Light into the world.
Showing posts with label demon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label demon. Show all posts
Friday, April 1, 2011
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
June 29, 2010 The Mighty, Prevailing Word of God
Sometimes it feels like we're in the middle of the riot in Ephesus, with everybody chanting "Great is Diana of the Ephesians!" When large numbers of people get together, all worshipping the same god, a lot of shouting happens if you say anything about Jesus Christ being Lord. Confusion and mindlessness are a symption of mass deception. It's hard to get it to listen.
In order to save our nation, we need revival-- meaning: we need a majority of people who are free from mind-control and who believe and follow the truth of the gospel. We need to pray for the Spirit of Truth to break through and open people's minds that have been captivated by lies, so that they can receive the truth. This prayer has already had great effect. However, just because we pray doesn't mean there isn't more to do. Everyone who is free has work to do to get others set free. The word of God still needs to be shared: taught, preached, written about, discussed, illustrated, etc. Now is not the time to be lazy or intimidated. We need to work harder than the devil is!
There are two strategies I see that would be useful in dealing with the problem of mass deception as we get the word of God out: 1) publicly demonstrate the power of God and His word in a way that is undeniable. 2) relate to individuals in a way that doesn't trigger the programmed response (in other words, have wisdom in how you approach people about the gospel, and other subjects--included is a discussion on what to do if you if you end up triggering people).
If you'll think about it, you'll see that Jesus, in His earthly ministry, did both these things. He was dealing with a nation of people who were captivated in a religious "stronghold." Even some of the Pharisees, who were controlled by it but were also using it to control the masses, were won by the prevailing Word of God. Jesus demonstrated God's power by healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out demons, as well as other miracles. Jesus also spoke in parables to the people, getting the truth into them, in part, by by-passing their mental triggers. He didn't talk to the people in the same religious way that the Pharisees did, and they listened. I think that Jesus may have deliberately triggered the Pharisees to show what spirit they were really of!
These strategies are going to take a lot of prayer, submission to God, and obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We know, without a doubt, that it is God's will to get people set free. Why else would Paul the Apostle have been casting demons out in the name of Christ? (possession by a prevailing mindset of lies is just as bad as demon possession, isn't it?) This was true demonstration of the power of God, and it couldn't be duplicated by those who were not obedient to Christ. (It wasn't the only way Paul showed God's power, however; he did many other miracles.)
When the power of God is demonstrated along with the preaching of the word, the fear of the Lord rises up in people. The result is that 1) people come to Christ (by their own choice), 2) people confess their sins, and 3) people lay down their idols and their idolotrous practices because of the conviction of the Holy Spirit. (you can see this is verses 17-19)
I am fascinated by this verse: "So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed." Acts 19:20 We need not be intimidated by the seeming power of a crowd of deceived people. When the word of God is spoken, it gets planted in people. I think when people see God's word in action, it sort of pokes a hole in them, and the seed of the word goes down deeper-- has a chance to take root. God's word grows in people, then bears fruit. This takes time. (Some of the hard times we've been going through are perhaps digging the "rocks" out of people-- softening the hardness of people's hearts and making them better "soil"). All the Christian mass media in the world won't suddenly change society by suddenly changing the crowds' mind. But the word of God spread en mass will touch many individuals. And God's word always prevails.
There is nothing mightier than the word of God. In the Psalm today, we are reminded how the word of God controls nature. He created nature in the first place-- with His word. He created mankind. He upholds the universe with His word. If He can do this, then He could control a crowd, easily, with His word. But I don't see that He has ever done this, even with His own people. He doesn't violate His own policies, and the individual's free will is one of the things He has set up. It is a key to His kingdom.
Satan, however, has no qualms about violating God's laws. Controlling a group is something he tries to do as much as possible. (In the incident in Ephesus, Demetrius was used by Satan to stir up a crowd against the gospel, using a group deception that was already in place and a strong economic incentive: and the devil always uses "fear, shame and the need to belong".) Even so, God sets people free individually. Otherwise, we would just be pawns in a duel between God and Satan, and we are not. God is not controlled by Satan's tactics. We don't have to be either.
God's people, when we become full of His Word and Spirit, will eventually act as one-- not because God is controlling us against our will, but because each of our wills are freely submitted to the Head, who is Christ. We will choose to do His will because we want to. It is pure worship. If we are submitted to the Head, we will be free of any other type of control. We will not fear or worship anything else. We will move as one-- His Body.
In the words of John, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." 1John 5:21 In order to free others, we must be free ourselves. Watch for how the enemy promotes controlling mindsets through the media. He does it by saturation, seduction and peer pressure (and other forms of intimidation). Don't become a cult-victim of the prevailing culture. Let God's culture and His powerful word prevail in your life. The choice is yours.
*******
The following is specific instructions about dealing with triggered behavior. I just wanted to let you know in advance, so you don't get mad at me for taking up so much of your time. It might be very useful for you, either now or in the future, especially if you are in ministry. It just seems that, since this is a very common problem, and the Scripture readings brought it up, it would be wrong of me to not share what I know, at least briefly (and this is very brief, really).
Satan believes that if he can get people, either in a mass or individually, so programmed that they will not be able to think or listen (or even get angry and attack) if they are triggered, that we will stop preaching the gospel to them. Since this is a widespread phenomenon, we either have to avoid the triggers (and they are often common and avoidable), or learn to deal with people when they are triggered, either by ourselves or others. What we must not do is become afraid of people and stop speaking the truth in love. I will share with you a little of what I have learned so far; some of it was revealed to me as I read the Scriptures today.
Sometimes God will lead us to do or say something that will trigger the programmed response, either in a crowd or in an individual. This is to show us what is controlling the crowd or person. It is possible to calm a crowd, as we saw by the speech the clerk gave in the theater. But all he did was cater to their belief system. It didn't set them free. I'm not saying we should do this. Sometimes Paul was barely able to talk sense into a frenzied crowd (such as when they tried to worship him as Zeus). In my limited experience, it is possible to speak (whatever the Holy Spirit tells you to) into the volitile situation. This can change a hostile atmosphere by the work of the Spirit, who speaks to individual hearts and allows His peace to overwhelm enemy activity. This is temporary, but it gives you the chance to share the word of God to the group of people. I believe angel ministers also help in this situation when we speak the word given us. You also can speak directly to an evil spirit who has tried to invade a meeting, and you can directly cast it out (if you've been given authority over the meeting). I can't share experience on what to do in situations like Paul was in, since I've never preached in venues like he did. Thankfully, if I ever have to, I know that God's grace is sufficient for all things.
In ministering to an individual who you see is being controlled by something, we have to have discernment and guidance of the Holy Spirit, moment by moment. I have had lots of experience with this in the counseling room, as well as everyday life, but there is no formula. Sometimes you can cast a demon out, but lots of times there is more to it, and you just have to calm the person down and go at the problem from a different angle. You may have to wait for another time. When I was counseling one time, a lady client was triggered into a tizzy because I wore the color pink! It seemed bad at the moment, but it led us to a place that needed healing. No, I didn't cast a demon out! Yes, I have cast demons out before. Just try casting a wound or a thought-process out though! Discipleship, and often deliverance, is a process.
If you trigger a controlled throught-process, evoking a programmed response (and then you're dealing with an unreasonable, and even dangerous, person at that moment), most likely your conversation is over for the time being. Make a note of what you learned. You will have to go around the "back door" and, in a different way, begin to share the word of God that will refute the lies that the person is believing. Once the person believes the truth, they will overthrow the demon themselves, if there is one. This is best and most permanent. (There isn't always an actual demon present, because the human psyche is capable of all sorts of strange defensive behaviors, which often look demonic to us, but aren't necessarily. The number of demons in the world is finite, and Satan won't use them if he doesn't have to. He has had thousands of years to study human psychology, and he knows more than you do. He is a master mind-twister. Good thing we have access to the infinite mind of Christ! God's wisdom and knowledge always trump the devil!) If there is a demonic guard everywhere you go in talking with a person, then you are going to have to get them delivered. Prayer over the situation is advised before you act. I'm sure Paul was praying over the girl with the spirit of divination, and he knew exactly what he was getting into. I have been led, in some instances, to immediately command a demon to leave, and it has left. But if you don't help the person close the door that let it in, it will be back, guaranteed. This is worse, and to be avoided. Jesus taught about that.
Christian deliverance is not exorcism! Never forget that the word of God is His will; it is powerful and it will prevail. If Christ lives in you, then His authority will speak through you when He gives you the word. You never have to exert human power; if fact, in dealing with demons, you are only giving them something to feed on when you do things in the flesh. It makes them stronger. The fruit of the Spirit is poisonous to them however, so make sure you're in the Vine and bearing lots of fruit! Doing something "in the name of Jesus" requires doing it in His nature. You can't use the name of Jesus as a magic potion.
When you are walking in the Spirit, then He will lead you only to places in which He will either work through you, or teach you with what you are experiencing.
In order to save our nation, we need revival-- meaning: we need a majority of people who are free from mind-control and who believe and follow the truth of the gospel. We need to pray for the Spirit of Truth to break through and open people's minds that have been captivated by lies, so that they can receive the truth. This prayer has already had great effect. However, just because we pray doesn't mean there isn't more to do. Everyone who is free has work to do to get others set free. The word of God still needs to be shared: taught, preached, written about, discussed, illustrated, etc. Now is not the time to be lazy or intimidated. We need to work harder than the devil is!
There are two strategies I see that would be useful in dealing with the problem of mass deception as we get the word of God out: 1) publicly demonstrate the power of God and His word in a way that is undeniable. 2) relate to individuals in a way that doesn't trigger the programmed response (in other words, have wisdom in how you approach people about the gospel, and other subjects--included is a discussion on what to do if you if you end up triggering people).
If you'll think about it, you'll see that Jesus, in His earthly ministry, did both these things. He was dealing with a nation of people who were captivated in a religious "stronghold." Even some of the Pharisees, who were controlled by it but were also using it to control the masses, were won by the prevailing Word of God. Jesus demonstrated God's power by healing the sick, raising the dead and casting out demons, as well as other miracles. Jesus also spoke in parables to the people, getting the truth into them, in part, by by-passing their mental triggers. He didn't talk to the people in the same religious way that the Pharisees did, and they listened. I think that Jesus may have deliberately triggered the Pharisees to show what spirit they were really of!
These strategies are going to take a lot of prayer, submission to God, and obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We know, without a doubt, that it is God's will to get people set free. Why else would Paul the Apostle have been casting demons out in the name of Christ? (possession by a prevailing mindset of lies is just as bad as demon possession, isn't it?) This was true demonstration of the power of God, and it couldn't be duplicated by those who were not obedient to Christ. (It wasn't the only way Paul showed God's power, however; he did many other miracles.)
When the power of God is demonstrated along with the preaching of the word, the fear of the Lord rises up in people. The result is that 1) people come to Christ (by their own choice), 2) people confess their sins, and 3) people lay down their idols and their idolotrous practices because of the conviction of the Holy Spirit. (you can see this is verses 17-19)
I am fascinated by this verse: "So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed." Acts 19:20 We need not be intimidated by the seeming power of a crowd of deceived people. When the word of God is spoken, it gets planted in people. I think when people see God's word in action, it sort of pokes a hole in them, and the seed of the word goes down deeper-- has a chance to take root. God's word grows in people, then bears fruit. This takes time. (Some of the hard times we've been going through are perhaps digging the "rocks" out of people-- softening the hardness of people's hearts and making them better "soil"). All the Christian mass media in the world won't suddenly change society by suddenly changing the crowds' mind. But the word of God spread en mass will touch many individuals. And God's word always prevails.
There is nothing mightier than the word of God. In the Psalm today, we are reminded how the word of God controls nature. He created nature in the first place-- with His word. He created mankind. He upholds the universe with His word. If He can do this, then He could control a crowd, easily, with His word. But I don't see that He has ever done this, even with His own people. He doesn't violate His own policies, and the individual's free will is one of the things He has set up. It is a key to His kingdom.
Satan, however, has no qualms about violating God's laws. Controlling a group is something he tries to do as much as possible. (In the incident in Ephesus, Demetrius was used by Satan to stir up a crowd against the gospel, using a group deception that was already in place and a strong economic incentive: and the devil always uses "fear, shame and the need to belong".) Even so, God sets people free individually. Otherwise, we would just be pawns in a duel between God and Satan, and we are not. God is not controlled by Satan's tactics. We don't have to be either.
God's people, when we become full of His Word and Spirit, will eventually act as one-- not because God is controlling us against our will, but because each of our wills are freely submitted to the Head, who is Christ. We will choose to do His will because we want to. It is pure worship. If we are submitted to the Head, we will be free of any other type of control. We will not fear or worship anything else. We will move as one-- His Body.
In the words of John, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." 1John 5:21 In order to free others, we must be free ourselves. Watch for how the enemy promotes controlling mindsets through the media. He does it by saturation, seduction and peer pressure (and other forms of intimidation). Don't become a cult-victim of the prevailing culture. Let God's culture and His powerful word prevail in your life. The choice is yours.
*******
The following is specific instructions about dealing with triggered behavior. I just wanted to let you know in advance, so you don't get mad at me for taking up so much of your time. It might be very useful for you, either now or in the future, especially if you are in ministry. It just seems that, since this is a very common problem, and the Scripture readings brought it up, it would be wrong of me to not share what I know, at least briefly (and this is very brief, really).
Satan believes that if he can get people, either in a mass or individually, so programmed that they will not be able to think or listen (or even get angry and attack) if they are triggered, that we will stop preaching the gospel to them. Since this is a widespread phenomenon, we either have to avoid the triggers (and they are often common and avoidable), or learn to deal with people when they are triggered, either by ourselves or others. What we must not do is become afraid of people and stop speaking the truth in love. I will share with you a little of what I have learned so far; some of it was revealed to me as I read the Scriptures today.
Sometimes God will lead us to do or say something that will trigger the programmed response, either in a crowd or in an individual. This is to show us what is controlling the crowd or person. It is possible to calm a crowd, as we saw by the speech the clerk gave in the theater. But all he did was cater to their belief system. It didn't set them free. I'm not saying we should do this. Sometimes Paul was barely able to talk sense into a frenzied crowd (such as when they tried to worship him as Zeus). In my limited experience, it is possible to speak (whatever the Holy Spirit tells you to) into the volitile situation. This can change a hostile atmosphere by the work of the Spirit, who speaks to individual hearts and allows His peace to overwhelm enemy activity. This is temporary, but it gives you the chance to share the word of God to the group of people. I believe angel ministers also help in this situation when we speak the word given us. You also can speak directly to an evil spirit who has tried to invade a meeting, and you can directly cast it out (if you've been given authority over the meeting). I can't share experience on what to do in situations like Paul was in, since I've never preached in venues like he did. Thankfully, if I ever have to, I know that God's grace is sufficient for all things.
In ministering to an individual who you see is being controlled by something, we have to have discernment and guidance of the Holy Spirit, moment by moment. I have had lots of experience with this in the counseling room, as well as everyday life, but there is no formula. Sometimes you can cast a demon out, but lots of times there is more to it, and you just have to calm the person down and go at the problem from a different angle. You may have to wait for another time. When I was counseling one time, a lady client was triggered into a tizzy because I wore the color pink! It seemed bad at the moment, but it led us to a place that needed healing. No, I didn't cast a demon out! Yes, I have cast demons out before. Just try casting a wound or a thought-process out though! Discipleship, and often deliverance, is a process.
If you trigger a controlled throught-process, evoking a programmed response (and then you're dealing with an unreasonable, and even dangerous, person at that moment), most likely your conversation is over for the time being. Make a note of what you learned. You will have to go around the "back door" and, in a different way, begin to share the word of God that will refute the lies that the person is believing. Once the person believes the truth, they will overthrow the demon themselves, if there is one. This is best and most permanent. (There isn't always an actual demon present, because the human psyche is capable of all sorts of strange defensive behaviors, which often look demonic to us, but aren't necessarily. The number of demons in the world is finite, and Satan won't use them if he doesn't have to. He has had thousands of years to study human psychology, and he knows more than you do. He is a master mind-twister. Good thing we have access to the infinite mind of Christ! God's wisdom and knowledge always trump the devil!) If there is a demonic guard everywhere you go in talking with a person, then you are going to have to get them delivered. Prayer over the situation is advised before you act. I'm sure Paul was praying over the girl with the spirit of divination, and he knew exactly what he was getting into. I have been led, in some instances, to immediately command a demon to leave, and it has left. But if you don't help the person close the door that let it in, it will be back, guaranteed. This is worse, and to be avoided. Jesus taught about that.
Christian deliverance is not exorcism! Never forget that the word of God is His will; it is powerful and it will prevail. If Christ lives in you, then His authority will speak through you when He gives you the word. You never have to exert human power; if fact, in dealing with demons, you are only giving them something to feed on when you do things in the flesh. It makes them stronger. The fruit of the Spirit is poisonous to them however, so make sure you're in the Vine and bearing lots of fruit! Doing something "in the name of Jesus" requires doing it in His nature. You can't use the name of Jesus as a magic potion.
When you are walking in the Spirit, then He will lead you only to places in which He will either work through you, or teach you with what you are experiencing.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
June 26, 2010 Rated R for Spiritual Warfare
I wouldn't want to see today's passages from Kings on the big screen! Rated R for violence!! Even with just a mental picture, it's hard to forget the gruesome end of Jezebel. If you think God hates evil any less than He did back then, you're wrong. We're still in a war against wickedness-- it just looks different right now, unless you're seeing with spiritual eyes. I'm reminded of one of Jesus' parables, and a line quoted from it: "But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them-- bring them here and kill them in front of me." Luke 19:27 By the time you get to the end of the Bible, your understanding of Jesus will have expanded.
Make no mistake: we still are to be grieved over evil! "Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols." Acts 17:16 And remember how he felt about the girl with the spirit of divination who was following them around? He was irritated. Did he kill the girl? Of course not! He cast the evil spirit out instead. He knew the demon's time was coming. God's purposes at present are to deliver all (who are willing to be delivered) from the grips of evil. We are in the Age of Grace, and we have a different approach: mercy.
Paul taught in one of his letters: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." 2 Timothy 4:2 He demonstrated this in his address to the Athenians. He talked with them, even though they had darkened minds and called him a babbler! "Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there." Acts 17:17 NKJV People were won to Christ through his discussions, but also he was persecuted. It really does take longsuffering (patience).
Sometimes we forget how merciful God's ways are with us. We get tired of hearing correction. I'm happy to take my Father's chastening over having His fire break out against me! I am thankful beyond words to Christ for taking my punishment-- my deserved gruesome death-- and extending God's heart of grace and mercy. That IS God's heart, you know! Why else did Christ die? God's still killing off evil in me though, and in all of His Church. The more we "reckon ourselves dead to sin" through the cross, the easier it is on us. (see Romans 6-- this is deep and important doctrine here, and if you need help with it, please go to your pastor.)
A lot of "hellfire and brimstone" preaching has turned us off, perhaps because it was done without love. We are to speak the truth in LOVE. Is it truly love not to warn people that evil will finally be destroyed? How can we truly preach the cross of salvation if we don't let people know that God hates evil! The "world" is trying to make tolerant wimps out of all of us, trying to make us afraid of telling the truth (politically correct "tolerance" is not the same thing as God's grace and mercy!).
We are becoming, as a culture, much too concerned with our safety! This alarms me! If we are not willing to share the true Gospel of the Kingdom-- of the coming Righteous King and of salvation from evil, sin and death through Jesus Christ alone--because we're afraid of the "consequences," (we should be much more afraid of what God thinks) then we have already come under the influence of a Jezebel spirit (which is an anti-christ spirit). And the future of that demonic spirit is parallel to the doom of said queen.
Today, the spiritual war is just as gruesome and bloody as it was in the Old Testament days. I've personally witnessed what happens when a human being, given over to a Jezebel spirit, gets into a Christian assembly (church) and tries to take over. It's ugly. You want to get the person free if you can, but you have to get rid of the demonic infiltration. You have to protect the sheep. The warfare is difficult, painful and dangerous. But Jesus Christ has already won! Victory is assured (if we'll actually fight)!
"The Kingdom of Christ" is the greatest epic ever! [speaking figuratively here] I dare you to watch the Special Features and see what's happening "behind the scenes"! I guarantee you'll take "wearing your armor" a lot more seriously. But you will begin to realize how great it is to serve the King-- and you will never be a wimpy Christian again.
I pray that the spiritual eyes of the whole Body of Christ will be opened, and that we will seek Him for His strength and courage to do His will. The eternal destiny of this generation is at stake. Are we willing to lay down our lives for them?
Make no mistake: we still are to be grieved over evil! "Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols." Acts 17:16 And remember how he felt about the girl with the spirit of divination who was following them around? He was irritated. Did he kill the girl? Of course not! He cast the evil spirit out instead. He knew the demon's time was coming. God's purposes at present are to deliver all (who are willing to be delivered) from the grips of evil. We are in the Age of Grace, and we have a different approach: mercy.
Paul taught in one of his letters: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching." 2 Timothy 4:2 He demonstrated this in his address to the Athenians. He talked with them, even though they had darkened minds and called him a babbler! "Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there." Acts 17:17 NKJV People were won to Christ through his discussions, but also he was persecuted. It really does take longsuffering (patience).
Sometimes we forget how merciful God's ways are with us. We get tired of hearing correction. I'm happy to take my Father's chastening over having His fire break out against me! I am thankful beyond words to Christ for taking my punishment-- my deserved gruesome death-- and extending God's heart of grace and mercy. That IS God's heart, you know! Why else did Christ die? God's still killing off evil in me though, and in all of His Church. The more we "reckon ourselves dead to sin" through the cross, the easier it is on us. (see Romans 6-- this is deep and important doctrine here, and if you need help with it, please go to your pastor.)
A lot of "hellfire and brimstone" preaching has turned us off, perhaps because it was done without love. We are to speak the truth in LOVE. Is it truly love not to warn people that evil will finally be destroyed? How can we truly preach the cross of salvation if we don't let people know that God hates evil! The "world" is trying to make tolerant wimps out of all of us, trying to make us afraid of telling the truth (politically correct "tolerance" is not the same thing as God's grace and mercy!).
We are becoming, as a culture, much too concerned with our safety! This alarms me! If we are not willing to share the true Gospel of the Kingdom-- of the coming Righteous King and of salvation from evil, sin and death through Jesus Christ alone--because we're afraid of the "consequences," (we should be much more afraid of what God thinks) then we have already come under the influence of a Jezebel spirit (which is an anti-christ spirit). And the future of that demonic spirit is parallel to the doom of said queen.
Today, the spiritual war is just as gruesome and bloody as it was in the Old Testament days. I've personally witnessed what happens when a human being, given over to a Jezebel spirit, gets into a Christian assembly (church) and tries to take over. It's ugly. You want to get the person free if you can, but you have to get rid of the demonic infiltration. You have to protect the sheep. The warfare is difficult, painful and dangerous. But Jesus Christ has already won! Victory is assured (if we'll actually fight)!
"The Kingdom of Christ" is the greatest epic ever! [speaking figuratively here] I dare you to watch the Special Features and see what's happening "behind the scenes"! I guarantee you'll take "wearing your armor" a lot more seriously. But you will begin to realize how great it is to serve the King-- and you will never be a wimpy Christian again.
I pray that the spiritual eyes of the whole Body of Christ will be opened, and that we will seek Him for His strength and courage to do His will. The eternal destiny of this generation is at stake. Are we willing to lay down our lives for them?
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