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E
Lauren,
You bring up another very important point about being demonized.
I ask the below question a lot and usually get blank stares from Pastors and teachers and then flamed by so called lone ranger "deliverance" ministers.
How much of what we call demonization of a believer is true demonization or a believer who is walking in the works of the flesh and has not been taught or refuses to renew their mind to the Word of God?
I know from my own ministry, the latter is the true answer. We do not teach people to renew their minds to the Word of God and be who God says they are. So they might truly be a believer, but are weighed down by works of the flesh, because they don't know any better.
Coming to Jesus by faith is the start, but then they must be taught and we don't disciple people much today.
You bring up another very important point about being demonized.
I ask the below question a lot and usually get blank stares from Pastors and teachers and then flamed by so called lone ranger "deliverance" ministers.
How much of what we call demonization of a believer is true demonization or a believer who is walking in the works of the flesh and has not been taught or refuses to renew their mind to the Word of God?
I know from my own ministry, the latter is the true answer. We do not teach people to renew their minds to the Word of God and be who God says they are. So they might truly be a believer, but are weighed down by works of the flesh, because they don't know any better.
Coming to Jesus by faith is the start, but then they must be taught and we don't disciple people much today.
L
that is how I see it also...why I began with the hope that people will see that scripture is NOT saying possessed where they think it is. demonized, is closer to what the original actually states
one thing to say a person is demonized...that is troubled, bothered, afflicted, etc, then to state so and so is demon possessed and see everything look for the Gadarene demoniac, complete with wild hair and glazed eyes
there are different schools of thought with regards to the origin of demons...but but I think people need to understand that fear is basically a hot air balloon the devil likes to use to cause folks to want nothing to do with the subject or, if they are afflicted, to keep the afficted.
However, this is what the Bible states:
13When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[SUP]d[/SUP] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2
not only is the devil already defeated, along with all of his kingdom, but they have been made a public spectacle...shamed in another word, by the cross and the victory over hell and death by Jesus
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6
Ephesians is prob the most often quoted scripture with regards to 'spiritual warfare', but as has been said, notice that all of it is bathed in prayer! Prayer, IMO, and the word, the sword and the Spirit of God, the most effective weapons.
There is also scripture dealing with strongholds, which I will find and post after this
A
Angels & Demons | SermonAudio.com
Listening to this sermon by Sproul, right now. If anyone wants to join me.
Listening to this sermon by Sproul, right now. If anyone wants to join me.
L
oh yes for sure!
[h=1]Galatians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)[/h][FONT="]19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,[/FONT]
[FONT="]20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,[/FONT]
[FONT="]21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians
I would have more to say about this later, but what you state is true[/FONT]
[h=1]Galatians 5:19-21King James Version (KJV)[/h][FONT="]19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,[/FONT]
[FONT="]20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,[/FONT]
[FONT="]21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians
I would have more to say about this later, but what you state is true[/FONT]
Listening to satan
There was a story about a pastor who wanted to prove whether astrology was real
or fake. So he went to an astologer for a chart to be setup for him.
Now the finished work was delivered and as time went by it actually proved true.
This was a big shock to him. How could it be true? He then realised he had sinned
and repented of it.
Now my view on this is simple. There are two kingdoms. The Kingdom of heaven and
the kingdom of the enemy. We are born in the enemy kingdom, those who rebel against
God. When we are born again our allegiance comes under the Lord and satan has no
authority over us.
The problem is we can come under the authority of the enemy by submitting to his
predictions. So this pastor had taken the astrology prediction of the future as his
future, not as he thought, the astrologer was seeing what the future held, but rather
he was giving him a future. And until he repented, that future was dictated as written.
So equally we as the people of God need to repent of our submission to the things of
the enemy so God becomes our future in the Holy Spirit. This is the spiritual divide,
and disowning the claims the enemy has on our lives.
Some have talked about lenses, but what you put your trust in, is our true lens.
Are you prepared to accept the way of the Lord and His intentions for your life,
or go to any other authority to find security?
So my experience is satan has little effect on us, if we stay close to the leading
of the Spirit and do not give authority other than to the Lord.
There was a story about a pastor who wanted to prove whether astrology was real
or fake. So he went to an astologer for a chart to be setup for him.
Now the finished work was delivered and as time went by it actually proved true.
This was a big shock to him. How could it be true? He then realised he had sinned
and repented of it.
Now my view on this is simple. There are two kingdoms. The Kingdom of heaven and
the kingdom of the enemy. We are born in the enemy kingdom, those who rebel against
God. When we are born again our allegiance comes under the Lord and satan has no
authority over us.
The problem is we can come under the authority of the enemy by submitting to his
predictions. So this pastor had taken the astrology prediction of the future as his
future, not as he thought, the astrologer was seeing what the future held, but rather
he was giving him a future. And until he repented, that future was dictated as written.
So equally we as the people of God need to repent of our submission to the things of
the enemy so God becomes our future in the Holy Spirit. This is the spiritual divide,
and disowning the claims the enemy has on our lives.
Some have talked about lenses, but what you put your trust in, is our true lens.
Are you prepared to accept the way of the Lord and His intentions for your life,
or go to any other authority to find security?
So my experience is satan has little effect on us, if we stay close to the leading
of the Spirit and do not give authority other than to the Lord.
L
about strongholds...I should make note, that passivity..that is a mind that is not being renewed in the word and just lets in alot of junk, or is stuck in neutral, not actively deflecting suggestions and condemnation, has to be addressed. a person must learn to be their own best defense by using the 'weapons' at hand. we need to teach people to stand on their own two feet in the name of the Lord...as per Ephesians 6
anyway, here is the scripture about strongholds (they are in the mind...the mind is the actual battlefield)
3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
II Corinthians 10
anyway, here is the scripture about strongholds (they are in the mind...the mind is the actual battlefield)
3For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
II Corinthians 10
A
Here is another I digged up...the guy looks old, lol.
Demon Possession (1 of 3) in Early America by Cotton Mather - Satan, Satanism, Occult | SermonAudio.com
Demon Possession (1 of 3) in Early America by Cotton Mather - Satan, Satanism, Occult | SermonAudio.com
L
listened to the Sproul audio and I think it's a good 'primer' for the subject
I for one, will admit I do not think of angels often...I certainly do not have anything to do with all the 'popular' angel things in magazines and what not...but it is encouraging to remember they are ministering spirits...and that some have actually been around them without even knowing it!
my firm belief in dealing with evil, is to stick to what are the facts...not go off the deep end, talking to them etc like some do...but keep to how scripture tells us to deal with them
I believe it is a truth encounter and not a power encounter
I for one, will admit I do not think of angels often...I certainly do not have anything to do with all the 'popular' angel things in magazines and what not...but it is encouraging to remember they are ministering spirits...and that some have actually been around them without even knowing it!
my firm belief in dealing with evil, is to stick to what are the facts...not go off the deep end, talking to them etc like some do...but keep to how scripture tells us to deal with them
I believe it is a truth encounter and not a power encounter
Jesus talking to satan in the temptation.
He quoted scripture, and it was all about authority and trust.
You are hungry, turn the rocks into food.
God will protect you, but will he really?
Worship me, and I will give you everything.
It was all about attitude and understanding the Lords ways and His calling.
What does concern me is when people exalt spiritual interactions into meaningful
authority. I saw a video of a "prophet" telling a congregation how a dead prophet
was pleased with what the church was doing and how encouraged they should be.
This was almost equivalent to a seance. But encouragement is from the living
body of Christ and the Lord alone.
As far as Jesus was concerned possession is a evil spirit taking over someones life.
As far as Peter was concerned we have no evidence satan said anything to him.
He quoted scripture, and it was all about authority and trust.
You are hungry, turn the rocks into food.
God will protect you, but will he really?
Worship me, and I will give you everything.
It was all about attitude and understanding the Lords ways and His calling.
What does concern me is when people exalt spiritual interactions into meaningful
authority. I saw a video of a "prophet" telling a congregation how a dead prophet
was pleased with what the church was doing and how encouraged they should be.
This was almost equivalent to a seance. But encouragement is from the living
body of Christ and the Lord alone.
As far as Jesus was concerned possession is a evil spirit taking over someones life.
As far as Peter was concerned we have no evidence satan said anything to him.
A
Yes those are the same lies Satan tries to lead people away from God with today....
1. Concern of the body ......but Jesus says we need feed ourselves on every word from God.
2. Does God really love you?...yes He does but you don't have anything to prove, you don't have to test Him.
3. Earthly power isn't worth selling your soul.
yeah, we not talking about that.
you know this because?
Except for Jesus words?
1. Concern of the body ......but Jesus says we need feed ourselves on every word from God.
2. Does God really love you?...yes He does but you don't have anything to prove, you don't have to test Him.
3. Earthly power isn't worth selling your soul.
yeah, we not talking about that.
you know this because?
Except for Jesus words?
A
Luke: 22. 3. Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. 4. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. 5. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 6. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.
31. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
Thought we should look at these scriptures.
31. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
Thought we should look at these scriptures.
Luke 11:24-26
When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.
This is Jesus's description of a possessed person. Seems quite simple.
Jesus saying to Peter get behind me satan, is simply saying the ultimate source
of the temptation to not go to the cross was satan, not Peter was satan or even
inspired by satan.
If you get too involved in this kind of theology, people go from being possessed,
to having the Holy Spirit to going back to being possessed etc.
It soon becomes a superstitous world of things to ward off evil, and you have to
be careful where you go.
It seems in your spirits you are very dismissive of the words of Jesus and the obvious
authority over satan and demons the followers of Jesus had and you should possess
yourself. Or are there experiences that deny this in your life?
When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.
This is Jesus's description of a possessed person. Seems quite simple.
Jesus saying to Peter get behind me satan, is simply saying the ultimate source
of the temptation to not go to the cross was satan, not Peter was satan or even
inspired by satan.
If you get too involved in this kind of theology, people go from being possessed,
to having the Holy Spirit to going back to being possessed etc.
It soon becomes a superstitous world of things to ward off evil, and you have to
be careful where you go.
It seems in your spirits you are very dismissive of the words of Jesus and the obvious
authority over satan and demons the followers of Jesus had and you should possess
yourself. Or are there experiences that deny this in your life?