One of the primary weapons believers have in warfare is the name of Jesus. The name of Jesus gives us power in our battle. On our own strength we are complete failures; however, when we go in the authority (exorisia) and power (dunamis) that we have received from God through His son Jesus we have victory in our Christian walk, struggles and warfare.
Believers are recipients of the benefits of God’s ultimate sacrifice of His Son. God’s plan of salvation, which required Jesus’ death on the cross resulted in our redemption and His conquest over sin, death, Satan, and his host. Knowing His pending absence from the earth realm, Jesus gave His followers the authority to be His agents on earth. With His stamp of approval, we are to use His name and carry on His ministry.
After completing His earthly assignment and prior to leaving His disciples Jesus instructed them as recorded in Mark 16: 17- 18, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Also, Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 28:18 He had been given all power in heaven and earth. In Philippians 2: 9-10 Paul reminds us that God highly exalted Jesus, gave him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven, earth, under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God. Thus, the use of Jesus’ name gives authority and power over demonic spirits not only on earth but in the heavens and under the earth.
If we suffer defeat, it is on us for not utilizing His name appropriately. The use of the name of Jesus should not be taken for granted, and its utilization is to be done by those that have a relationship with Him. To use His name without the legal rights can lead to defeat as seen with the seven sons of Sceva in Acts 19 who attempted to cast out an evil spirit out of a man using the name of Jesus. This one man leaped on the seven men, overpowered and attacked them violently causing them to run away naked and battered.
Finally, Paul in Colossians 3:17 states, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” All through our day, we can thank God for His provisions, our victories, strength, life, trials, family, foes, and the use of the name of Jesus. Warfare is serious, and since we will be engaged in it while we are living on this earth, let’s heed the Word and utilize the weaponry.
1 JOHN 2:15 – 17 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. 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. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
John, in his writing, has given three classifications under which sins or works of the flesh can be placed. Below are definitions of these classifications:
1. Works of the flesh = are, acts, or deeds that are not divinely sanctioned. They are ungodly, worldly acts that do not glorify God. They are called SINS.
2. Lust of the flesh = an unhealthy desire, craving, or appetite for things that gratify the flesh.
3. Lust of the eyes = is an unhealthy desire, craving, or appetite for things that look pleasing, satisfying, or delightful to the eyes.
4. Pride of life = the need for recognition and elevation due to grandiose desires or expectations for oneself. This usually results from who you think you are, what you think you have, what you think you look like, or what you think you know.
Throughout the Bible, we can see these three classifications at work. Some examples of the failures and consequences that resulted from these can be seen in the life of Eve, David, Samson, Absalom, and Simon, the sorcerer in Acts 8. When these individuals were confronted with situations that appeared gratifying and gave them what they wanted, they fell for the bait. A good example of how to handle these is found in Matthew 4 in Jesus’ encounter with the devil. When the devil tempted Jesus in these areas, Jesus’ responses were “IT IS WRITTEN…..” Jesus’ concern was not about elevation or flesh gratification but pleasing God. He is the example believers must strive to emulate.
Within these three classifications, all the sins that are found in the world can be categorized. I have found believers know and can name what I call “common sins” such as fornication, idolatry, stealing, murder, and adultery. However, works of the flesh such as slothfulness, inhospitableness, unruliness, murmuring, and lawlessness are overlooked and rarely mentioned. Years ago, I did a study on all the works of the flesh that were named in the New Testament from Acts to Revelation. Surprisingly, I found one hundred and ten. I recommend that you do this study and look up the definitions of the words you find. It will surprise you to know the things that we do that are not pleasing to God.
Also, as I further studied the works of the flesh, I found more categories within this classification. They were:
1. Sins of lust or sensuality
2. Sins of religion or unlawful things in the spiritual realm
3. Sins of brotherly love or forms of discord
4. Sins of intemperance or excesses
Commentators believe that the world that John is talking about in 1 John 2: 15-17 is the invisible demonic spiritual world system and all it represents. In this system, we will find all that is evil and opposes and displeases God. Believers must be sober, must be alert, must be knowledgeable of Satan’s devices and must be armed for continual warfare. No matter the classifications or the work of the flesh/sin, we may be warring against, our goal should be to please God. For one day, this world and all of its evil will pass away, but the true believer will reign with Jesus.
In my last blog, I shared information on demonic infiltration strategy and the ruling demonic spirits. In this blog, I will be sharing requirements for maintaining deliverance.
As I previously stated, deliverance is a process. It is a daily walk because you never know when the enemy is coming back to seek re-entry in your life. Maintaining your deliverance must be a conscious decision. Don’t permit yourself to become complacent because until we are raptured, we will be in warfare.
Below are some requirements for maintaining your deliverance, and if you utilize them, you will be successful. Also, I have given scripture references to support these requirements.
1. It’s all about Jesus and your relationship with Him. Make Him central in our life, yield every area of your life to Him and seek to obey Him in every area of your life. If you fail in any area, make your confession to Him for He is faithful to forgive. Matthew 22:37-38; 2 Chronicles 30:8; Romans 6:13,16; Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 59:2.
2. Adhere to and confess the Word of God over your life and situations. Matthew 4:4; Proverbs 4:20-22, 6:2, 12:14.
3. Don’t allow your spirit to become empty. Be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 4:31; Ephesians 5:18.
4. Pray in the Spirit to edify yourself. Romans 8:26;1 Corinthians 14:2, 4, 14-15; Jude 1:20.
5. Practice praising, thanking, singing, and making melody in your heart to God. Hebrews 13:15; Psalms 22:3, 34:1; Ephesians 5:19.
6. Put on the whole armor of God. Don’t recite the armor pieces but actually permit the function of the armor to be manifested in your life. Ephesians 6:11,13,17.
7. Utilize spiritual weapons. (Blood of Jesus. Name of Jesus, Binding and Loosing, Fasting.) Luke 10:17; Colossians 3:7; Ephesians 1:7; 1 John1:7; Matthew 16:19; Mark 3:27.
8. Cultivate and promote a renewed mind. Romans 12:1-2; Colossians 3:1-2.
9. Develop a tenacious dynamic faith. Romans 10:17, 2:20; Hebrews 10:38.
10. Learn to crucify the flesh and resist the devil. Matthew 16:24; 1 Corinthians 9:27; James 4:6-7.
11. Nurture beneficial relationships and shun people who may be a bad influence on your life. Romans 12:9; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; James 4;:4; Ephesians 5:11.
12. Keep gates closed to the enemy. (Refer to the previous blog titled “DID YOU LEAVE YOUR GATE OPEN”).
Finally, remember you can do this because God has given you authority and power.
Deliverance,which is defined as recovery or preservation from loss or danger is a process. Process is defined as a particular course of action intended to achieve a result. The result of deliverance is freedom from demonic forces which held you in captivity or bondage. As believers, our task is not only to receive deliverance but to maintain it.
In Mark 16:17, Jesus tells his followers that miraculous signs will accompany those who believe and one of those signs is the casting out of demons. Many people think someone else is supposed to cast out their demons. However, that person is not going home with you and truth be told; we do not want others to know the spirits that are besieging us. So, we need to utilize the authority and power God has given us and do it for ourselves. A confirmation of this can be seen in II Corinthians 7:1 when Apostle Paul tells us to cleanse ourselves from all things that defile our body and spirit.
In Matthew 12:43 – 45, Jesus used this text to share information with the scribes and Pharisees concerning how demons operate. He said, “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”
Here are some things that can be concluded from that text:
1. Spirits come and go. Demons can leave you; however, they will come back.
2. Spirits seek a place of habitation. Demons want a place in which they can manifest themselves.
3. Spirits think they are in ownership of the place in which they formerly resided. Your behavior helps them to come to that conclusion.
4. If found empty, spirits will seek re-entry and bring other spirits with them. You must fill yourself with the Holy Spirit and things that will edify your spirit.
Our enemies are relentless, and they do not accept defeat readily. When one tactic does not work, they strategize and come back with another. The Bible also confirms this practice of the enemy returning in the life of Jesus. It says that after Jesus was tempted three times by the devil in the wilderness, he left him planning to return to Jesus at a more opportune time.(Luke 4:1–13). Satan tempted Jesus with three different strategies which Jesus resisted. Now people, if Satan did that with Jesus, you can only imagine his plans for us. Satan sends his demons and angels to assault us, and they do not tire or abort their assignment. They will return with another plan if the first does not work, and they will bring other demons to assist in your downfall.
As believers, our responsibility is to be sensitive to demonic activity in our lives. We must be truthful and acknowledge demonic activity, cast out spirits that are attempting to gain control of our lives, and maintain that deliverance. Remember you cannot be delivered from that which you will not acknowledge or that which you deny existing in your life.
Throughout the Bible there are mentions of some ruling spirits. Often you may hear them called “strongman.” The Bible reveals these ruling spirits as:
Spirit of Jealousy (Numbers 5:14; Proverbs 6:34)
Spirit of Lying (2 Chronicles 18:22; Jeremiah 23:14)
Spirit of Familiarity (1 Samuel 28:7; Deuteronomy 18:10-12)
Spirit of Perversion (Isaiah 19:14; Proverbs 14:2; Proverbs 23:33; Acts 13:10)
Spirit of Heaviness (Isaiah 61:3)
Spirit of Whoredom (Hosea 4:12; Ezekiel 16:28-39)
Spirit of Infirmity (Luke 13:11)
Spirit of the Deaf and Dumb (Mark 9:17-25)
Spirit of Fear (2 Timothy 1:7; Job 4:14)
Spirit of Bondage (Romans 8:15; Exodus 6:9)
Spirit of Antichrist (1 John 4:3)
Spirit of Disobedience (Ephesians 2:2)
Spirit of Slumber (Romans 11:8)
Spirit of the World (1 Corinthians 2:12)
Spirit of Divination (Acts 16:16)
Spirit of Error (1 John 4:6)
Spirit of the Devil (Revelation 16:4)
Spirit of Seduction (1 Timothy 4:1)
Spirit of Sorrow (1 Samuel 1:15)
Evil Spirit (Judges 9:23)
Unclean Spirit (Zechariah 13:2)
Broken Spirit (Proverbs 17:2)
Blind Spirit (Matthew 12:22)
Spirit of Pride or Haughtiness (Proverbs 16:18; Proverbs 13:10)
Lesser demonic spirits are found to accompany the above ruling spirits, and they are probably the ones that are brought back by the returning evicted demon who is seeking to re-enter our lives. Thus, when seeking deliverance casting out the ruling spirit is essential to uprooting the underlings
Two old books published with great information on deliverance are “Pigs in the Parlor” by Frank Hammond and “Deliverance for Children and Teens” by Bill Banks. I highly recommend these books for anyone seeking deliverance.
In my next blog, I will present part two of this subject, and I will share information on those things that must be done to maintain our deliverance.
Since believers are filled with the Holy Spirit, they cannot be possessed with demons which are disembodied spirits that seek to inhabit a body and manifest themselves in misbehavior. Believers, however, are guilty of allowing demons to hoover in their atmosphere and giving them access thru open gates. We, believers, are also guilty of being carnal and not spiritual. We allow weights and sins to beset us EASILY. We prefer to be babies and not grow up. We think God accepts our faults. Therefore, we are negligent in warfare and in leaving gates available thru which demonic forces can enter.
The dictionary defines a gate as an opening permitting passage through an enclosure. To better understand this concept, let me share some gates and examples of access.
1. Gates of the senses: eye, ear, touch, taste, smell
Example: Unwholesome things you watch on television, ungodly music to which you
listen, human flesh that you should not touch, reefer smoke that you should not be
smelling, the food the doctor told you not to eat, and using foul language
2. Gate of the mind
Example: Allowing the mind to think thoughts that are not edifying.
3. Gate of hereditary
Example: Known family generational curses that we accept in our lives.
4. Gate of sibling rivalry
Example: Practicing favoritism among siblings which breeds ill- will.
5. Gate of childhood trauma
Example: Events in your childhood years that have negatively impacted and
stagnated you from which you have not been delivered.
6. Gates of abuse: physical, mental, sexual
Example: Beatings, bullying, harassment, rape, molestation, incest, and bestiality
7. Gate of rejection/abandonment
Example: Divorce, adoptions, and deaths.
8. Gate of marital discord
Example: Continual strife in the home without seeking peaceful godly resolution.
9. Gate of sin
Example: Practicing the works of the flesh without repentance
10. Occult Gates:
Example: Horoscopes, palm reading, Ouija boards, fortune telling,
witchcraft, séances, levitation, etc.
Gates are not limited to the ones I have above described. Each one of us knows the gates that are in our lives. What is important is the realization that when we engage in any of the example behaviors, I identified we are opening the gate thru which demons can infiltrate our lives.
How can we keep these gates close?
1. Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
2. Learn to be sensitive to the spirit. Know that though we live in this world, we are not
of this world. Ask God to make you aware of the spiritual realm.
3. Take authority over your atmosphere and resist demonic infiltration.
4. Seek deliverance if you are experiencing continual demonic activity in the same
areas of your life.
I pray this blog has given insight and motivation in your spiritual warfare. My next blog will continue in this vein as I discuss, “How to keep your deliverance.”
Luke 10:19 – 20 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
Many believers (me included) often forget God has given us authority through His son Jesus. We allow our consciousness to become dull. I like the dictionary meaning for the word conscious. It is knowing, and perceiving; having an awareness of surroundings and sensations and thoughts. It is this awareness of surroundings on which I will focus this blog.
In the above scripture, Jesus informed his disciples that He had given them power over Satan and his forces. The first power (exorisia) in the Greek means: authority, jurisdiction, capacity, mastery, power, and strength. The second power (dunamis) in the Greek means ability, violence, and miraculous power. According to the words of Jesus, we have received the authority and the ability to engage in warfare with our enemy who must yield to our commands. This is the heritage which belongs to every believer. The usage of these powers is a God-given responsibility.
Have you ever left a peaceful environment and went to a location where you experienced chaos, quarreling, and division? When you return to the peaceful environment, you realized the atmosphere has changed, and now it appears to be in turmoil. Well, the unruly spirits have followed you and are attempting to transfer to your peaceful location. To combat this, we must become spiritually aware of our surroundings (what is going on in the atmosphere), and as we are entering a place, we need to stop at the entrance, take authority over the atmosphere, and command any ungodly spirit to leave or not to enter. Spirits that we allow free reign will welcome themselves in to continue the ruckus they have been stirring all through the day.
Recently, I was at a gathering, and as people came, I could sense the various ungodly spirits entering. As I felt the tension, I said a prayer; however, I should have gone to the door and commanded these spirits to leave or to become inoperable. Can you imagine if all of us believers would do this wherever we go? In our homes, churches, cars, jobs, schools, etc. we need to take control of the atmosphere; either put ungodly spirits out or bind them up, making them inoperable.
PLEASE REMEMBER as this New Year starts, there is a reason why God has given these powers to us. They were not given to be a trophy on a shelf but to be used. Will you use your powers in 2014? My prayer for all believers is that we will not only use them in 2014 but for the rest of your life.
Jeremiah 51:20 Thou art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms.
Just as God told Jeremiah in days of old, He is saying the same to every believer today. We are His battle axe and weapons of war. A battle axe was explicitly designed for combat and was used to chop and slash. A weapon is an instrument used in fighting a war which is an active struggle between competing entities. The way God designed our bodies enables us to use our various members (mouth, hands, feet, eyes, ears) as a battle axe and weapon in warfare. Our task is to learn the proper utilization of these members and apply them.
All believers are part of God’s earthly military. Age does not matter, nor socio-economic status, gender, or race. We are in a battle that requires our participation to win. God has planned to use believers, but many believers are only spectators. We must realize attacks are forthcoming; how we handle the attacks is up to us.
I have often wondered about our apparent defeat at the hands of the enemy. As I mused over this sad occurrence and prepared to write this blog, a light bulb went on in my spirit. Growing-up we sang a song, “I am a soldier in the army of the Lord,” however, I was just singing the words. The reality that I am a soldier and need to act like one escaped me. For all of a believer’s life, we are required to be in active duty. Understand this today, to be victorious in God’s army, there is no discharge, retirement, missing in action, reserve, or inactivity; you are forever a soldier.
I looked up information on military training, which allowed me to understand better how I should be acting in God’s military. In America, there are five branches of service: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Individuals have the opportunity to decide which branch they will join, but all branches provided them with similar basic training, which is the induction and indoctrination process of the military forces. Ultimately basic training is to reprogram recruits into warriors; you enter a civilian and end as a soldier.
In basic training, you have a training instructor and drill sergeant who are continually instructing, yelling, and telling you what to do. Your diet, sleeping, and movement are determined by others. You are drilled physically, technically, and psychologically. You have no freedom or privacy. Within the first several days, they shave off your hair to make you lose your identity and create a uniformed appearance. You are taught: military skills, military language, weapon usage, self-discipline, sacrifice, loyalty, stress endurance, and obedience.
To apply this spiritually, these officers can be likened to demons who are relentlessly harassing, bullying, and belittling believers. Demons see what you are doing; you cannot hide from them. Attacks come against your body, emotions, and mind. However, all of this is permitted by God. It is our responsibility to learn warfare techniques, understand spiritual language, discipline our self to stay active and alert in warfare, be loyal to God, endure as a good soldier, sacrifice our time and energy in this battle and obey the Word.
I encourage you to go on the internet and look up information on basic training. Study it, and utilize it in your warfare. Finally, remember while living on this earth, we are in a battle, so we might as well win it.
Right thinking and doing is paramount in the life of a believer. People can say all kinds of things about you, but what matters are your personal thoughts about yourself. In warfare, if you perceive yourself as victorious and capable of doing what the scriptures instruct, you will be successful. Believers cannot just think; thinking must be coupled with doing. To prosper, we first must do. The following scriptures confirm these two things:
Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Psalms 1:3 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.
Another important concept to internalize is everyone is under attack. No one is exempt. Job 14:1 says, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble,” and Matthews 5:45 tells us God makes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust. Sometimes we look at others and have a pity party for ourselves because we think the grass looks better in their yard. However, if we were to do a close examination, we would find it is full of weeds just like ours. Know this; everyone living will have their own individual challenges.
The scripture also informs us of the outcome of our battles. Psalms 34:19 says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” There is nothing the enemy tries to put on you from which you cannot be delivered, and Isaiah 54:17 gives us more vital information. It says, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord.” In other words, unfortunate things will form, but these things do not have to defeat you, because your godly heritage changes the outcome.
I have found the enemy tries to intimidate me, tries to make me feel scared, and tries to make me think if I engage in warfare, I will experience additional problems. However, in II Timothy 1:7 I have learned God has not given me the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. On my own, I would fail, but with the help of God, I can endure the challenges in life. I can reject and resist the spirit of fear that the enemy attempts to send my way. Instead, I confess I have power, love, and right thinking.
Finally, I encourage you if you have not been thinking right and if you have been a lazy believer, from today make a change. YOU CAN IF YOU DO.
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Remember, Satan is a created being; thus, limited in his abilities. He needs help to carry out his mission for the world; therefore, he has kingdom workers. Satan’s kingdom is mainly comprised of fallen angels and demons. When Satan fell he was able to deceive one-third of the angel population who fell with him, and when needed they take on human form; unlike demons who are evil disembodied spirits that seek to inhabit bodies.
The above scripture Ephesians 6:12 describes the kingdom of Satan:
1. Principalities translated in Greek are “archas” meaning territories or jurisdictions over which chief rulers, princes or angels of the highest rank presides.
2. Powers translated in Greek is “exorisais” meaning authorities who derive their power to execute orders from the chief rulers.
3. Rulers of darkness translated in Greek are “kosmokratos,” meaning the evil spirits rulers who are controlling the world system.
4. Spiritual wickedness translated in Greek is “pneumatika ponerias,” meaning the wicked spirits of Satan. They have the lowest ranking in Satan’s kingdom.
Most of Satan’s kingdom followers are engaged in warfare tactics. In the life of believers, these tactics are enforced by ungodly angels, demons, and familiar spirits assigned to us by Satan. Your familiar spirit has been with you probably from birth; so, it knows what you like and dislikes and it along with other demonic spirits, uses this information against you. Dissimilar to believers they do not get tired; neither are they missing in battle. They are ready to fulfill their task to the best of their ability, and from the response of many believers, they have been successful.
Ultimately the primary mission of Satan is to separate mankind from God. His forces work in the political, religious, and socio-economic realms, and they seek to affect humans physically, emotionally, and mentally. Some of their tactics are to:
1. Repress = to keep down, restrain. Example: Your faults keep resurging, so you never feel good enough.
2. Depress = to cause to sink, fall, or assume a low position. Example: Ignorance of God’s word causes you to accept the lies of the devil.
3. Oppress = crush, burden, or trample down. Example: Experiencing one crisis after another.
4. Obsess = to occupy an undue or disproportionate place in mind. Example: Not able to control thoughts, and to allow the mind to be filled with negativity.
5. Possess = completely inhabited and controlled. Example: Actions are controlled by demons.
To counteract their attacks and tactics, we must remember our fight is not against flesh and blood. Human methods cannot be employed; they will fail. Believers must use the vast arsenal of weapons that God has provided (in future blogs, I will share them).
Finally, two critical scriptures are found in Luke 9:1a “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils” and in Mark 16:17a, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils.” These scriptures inform believers that we have power and authority to cast out demons that hoovers in our atmosphere or life. Remember, since Jesus said it, we can do it.
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