The Holy Spirit through Luke tells us, "The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach." (Acts 1:1) Notice closely, "all that Jesus began both to do and teach." When looking at the ministry of Jesus as revealed in the gospels and the ministry of the early church as revealed in the Book of Acts, there is not one account that either went into a town, village, city or any other geographic area to wage warfare against stronghold, ruling spirits, principalities, powers, might and or dominions by praying them down. In fact, there is no direct scriptural support of either Jesus or believers in the early church doing such. However, they did deal directly with specific demonic forces in which they came into direct contact with.
The reality is, and this is not to offend anyone, trying to battle with evil spirits in heavenly places is an effort of the flesh. Again, there is no scriptural evidence of such in either Jesus' ministry or the early churches ministry. However, we do see in Ephesians, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12) and these things do exist over geographic areas. Nevertheless, believers need to understand their position and the realms of their authority, as revealed in scripture, concerning these things or we can get over into the flesh.
So, how did Jesus and the early church prevail over these forces in heavenly places. Let's look at some examples from the scriptures, "And Jesus was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." (Luke 4:18-19) This was the ministry that Jesus lived out as we can clearly see throughout the gospels.
Again, there in not one reference in the gospels concerning His ministry of battling evil spirits in the heavenly places. The only time we see Jesus in a spiritual combat if we can use that term, was during his direct contact with Satan as revealed in Matthew 4 and Luke 4. The fact is, rather than spending time praying down demonic strongholds, He made direct contact with them by ministering to the people and as recorded in Hebrews 2:4 "God also bearing witness through Jesus Christ both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will." The ministry of Jesus was not focused on tearing down strongholds over cities or nations. It was preaching and teaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God accompanied by signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit that brought strongholds down in peoples lives.
Concerning the early church, in the middle of persecution, the early church did not gather to intercede in attempts to tear down strongholds over cities or nations as we will see. Upon the release of Peter and John from custody the Bible records, "And being let go, they went to their own companions and re rted all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord." (Acts 4:23-24) We see they raised their voices to God. They did not raise their voices against demonic stronghold over a geographic area in an effort to chase them away, bring them down or to have them stop working through people. Look at how they prayed, "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." (Acts 4:29-30) Again, they did not pray down demonic strongholds but prayed to the LORD and asked for boldness to preach the gospel and that signs and wonders confirm the Word. Here is God's response to their prayer, "And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31)
If we were to continue through the Book of Acts, we would see that they went through more persecution, but again they did not pray down demonic stronghold but went out and preached God’s Word and the LORD confirmed His Word with miracles, signs and wonders. The results, “The word of God grew and multiplied." (Acts 12:20) We see in Acts 19, the Apostle Paul goes to Ephesus and it tells us, "Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them." (Acts 19:11-12) We also see the event of the seven sons of Sceva trying to cast a demon out of a man, but they were overpowered by the evil spirit in the man. The conclusion of this event shows us, "This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed." (Acts 19:17-20)
Finally, the Apostle Paul speaks to us concerning his ministry. "For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient, in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel." (Romans 15:18-20) His aim was to preach the gospel in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient, in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God. Think about it, how many years have believers been hold up in the church building praying down spiritual strongholds over their towns, cities and even nations and still see no results after years of this type of praying? Not only are they not seeing improvements for good, but things seem to be worse.
So, let us take a lesson from Jesus and the believers in the early church and, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20) "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:17-18) And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen." (Mark 16:20) "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:18-20)
We have the authority, let’s simply use it correctly so that the Father is Glorified, the Name of Jesus is magnified, the Word of God grow mightily and prevails and the captives are saved, healed, delivered, made whole, completely set free in Jesus’ Name. This is how strongholds come tumbling down, simply by continuing the ministry that Jesus began releasing the power of His Name, through the Holy Spirit...
Monday, September 23, 2019
Monday, September 16, 2019
Waring or Ruling
Some may remember that during the period from about 1985 until about 1995 the idea of spiritual warfare had become the focus of teaching, preaching and music in many sectors of the church. However, in the same sectors of the church many have overemphasize it and have taught it from an extra biblical perspective resulting in one of two things. First, many believers become fearful and apprehensive if one mentions the devil, demons, and evil spirits and their activities, so this group of believers believe it would be better not to ever mention the devil or evil spirits. On the other hand other believers feel that the church should take a militant posture and wage warfare against principalities, powers, might and dominions over geographic areas. Now what I am about to say may shock some who have taken either of these positions, but is either of these positions biblically sound?
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2 Corinthians 2:11) "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7) Well if the church does not teach believers from the Word of God how to deal with the devil, the enemy will just run rampant in their lives because they won't know that they have authority over the devil and his forces. Therefore, being fearful and not talking about or dealing with the devil and demons is certainly not biblically sound. So, what about taking a militant posture and waging warfare against principalities, powers, might and dominions, especially over geographic areas?
Interestingly enough, studying the New Testament, especially the epistles, it is amazing how seldom the words war and warfare are mentioned and when they are mentioned the devil is not spoken of in connection with either of these words. For instance, "Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?" (1 Corinthians 9:7) Paul isn't referring to combating the devil. In context with what Paul is conveying to the church, he is simply making the point that ministers should be adequately paid. Next, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
This is one of the passages of scripture that has been widely used and applied in battling demons over cities and countries, that is, geographic areas. But it's clear, when taken in context, Paul is talking about something different. The casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God are not over geographic area but over believers own thoughts and imaginations. Paul is admonishing believers to take control of their thoughts so they can prevent the devil's lies from getting a stronghold in their minds. He is telling the church that the truth of God's Word is a spiritual force mighty enough to overcome the lies and deception Satan tries to bring against the believers mind to bring them into bondage.
Looking on, we see, "This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck." (1 Timothy 1:18-19) Here, Paul is simply telling Timothy to stay in the fight of faith and fulfill the call of God in his life. Again, the devil is not mentioned in these scriptures. Next, "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:3-4) Once again, this has nothing to do with the devil. Paul is simply instructing Timothy to stay committed to the call of God in his life regardless of the cost. To be a good soldier for Christ it takes discipline and dedication.
Finally, the other main text used and applied to battling demons over geographic areas is found in Ephesians. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…" (Ephesians 6:10-14a) (Note: the rest of verse 14 thru verse 17 talks about the various pieces of spiritual armor which I will not address at this time)
As we can clearly see, first and foremost believers are "to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" by putting on the whole armor of God. Here Paul uses the word “wrestle.” There is a vast difference between wrestling and fighting a war. First, the word wrestle not only describes a struggle, but it describes it in a figurative sense as to the spiritual conflict engaged by believers over evil. To take the thought of wrestling out further, according to Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, the word "wrestle" here is, "to sway." So, the inference here is, if we let him, the devil will try to sway us away from “Fighting the good fight of faith,” to falling prey to doubt, and unbelief concerning God’s Word. This was the very tactic that the devil used in the Garden. The serpent swayed the woman from the truth, that is, what God said, by asking her, "Has God indeed said..." This created an argument as she reasoned in her mind, "Has God indeed said." Her mind now created arguments against the knowledge, the truth, of God. Simply put, the devil swayed the woman from believing God.
Believers do not have to overpower and overcome the devil, that is, wrestle with him in their own strength, we simply wrestle demonic forces by our faith in God's Word from a position of victory and triumph, not fear or being militant. Why? Because we are seated with Christ and have authority over them in Christ. (Ephesians 1:18-23, 2:4-10) Therefore, the only wrestling we engage in, is what Paul told Timothy, "fight the good fight of faith." Finally, Paul tells us "to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…" This very posture is found throughout the Pauline Epistles. We see, "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13), “…for by faith you stand." (2 Corinthians 1:24) "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand." (Romans 5:1-2) "That you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27) "Stand fast in the Lord, beloved." (Philippians 4:1)
Simply put, the believers posture against the wiles of the devil is to stand firm in faith, in grace, in one spirit, in the power of God’s might, that is, His Word, as victors, putting a stop to all the devils schemes in every circumstance that we may encounter.
The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2 Corinthians 2:11) "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7) Well if the church does not teach believers from the Word of God how to deal with the devil, the enemy will just run rampant in their lives because they won't know that they have authority over the devil and his forces. Therefore, being fearful and not talking about or dealing with the devil and demons is certainly not biblically sound. So, what about taking a militant posture and waging warfare against principalities, powers, might and dominions, especially over geographic areas?
Interestingly enough, studying the New Testament, especially the epistles, it is amazing how seldom the words war and warfare are mentioned and when they are mentioned the devil is not spoken of in connection with either of these words. For instance, "Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?" (1 Corinthians 9:7) Paul isn't referring to combating the devil. In context with what Paul is conveying to the church, he is simply making the point that ministers should be adequately paid. Next, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10:3-6)
This is one of the passages of scripture that has been widely used and applied in battling demons over cities and countries, that is, geographic areas. But it's clear, when taken in context, Paul is talking about something different. The casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God are not over geographic area but over believers own thoughts and imaginations. Paul is admonishing believers to take control of their thoughts so they can prevent the devil's lies from getting a stronghold in their minds. He is telling the church that the truth of God's Word is a spiritual force mighty enough to overcome the lies and deception Satan tries to bring against the believers mind to bring them into bondage.
Looking on, we see, "This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck." (1 Timothy 1:18-19) Here, Paul is simply telling Timothy to stay in the fight of faith and fulfill the call of God in his life. Again, the devil is not mentioned in these scriptures. Next, "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." (2 Timothy 2:3-4) Once again, this has nothing to do with the devil. Paul is simply instructing Timothy to stay committed to the call of God in his life regardless of the cost. To be a good soldier for Christ it takes discipline and dedication.
Finally, the other main text used and applied to battling demons over geographic areas is found in Ephesians. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…" (Ephesians 6:10-14a) (Note: the rest of verse 14 thru verse 17 talks about the various pieces of spiritual armor which I will not address at this time)
As we can clearly see, first and foremost believers are "to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" by putting on the whole armor of God. Here Paul uses the word “wrestle.” There is a vast difference between wrestling and fighting a war. First, the word wrestle not only describes a struggle, but it describes it in a figurative sense as to the spiritual conflict engaged by believers over evil. To take the thought of wrestling out further, according to Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, the word "wrestle" here is, "to sway." So, the inference here is, if we let him, the devil will try to sway us away from “Fighting the good fight of faith,” to falling prey to doubt, and unbelief concerning God’s Word. This was the very tactic that the devil used in the Garden. The serpent swayed the woman from the truth, that is, what God said, by asking her, "Has God indeed said..." This created an argument as she reasoned in her mind, "Has God indeed said." Her mind now created arguments against the knowledge, the truth, of God. Simply put, the devil swayed the woman from believing God.
Believers do not have to overpower and overcome the devil, that is, wrestle with him in their own strength, we simply wrestle demonic forces by our faith in God's Word from a position of victory and triumph, not fear or being militant. Why? Because we are seated with Christ and have authority over them in Christ. (Ephesians 1:18-23, 2:4-10) Therefore, the only wrestling we engage in, is what Paul told Timothy, "fight the good fight of faith." Finally, Paul tells us "to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore…" This very posture is found throughout the Pauline Epistles. We see, "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." (1 Corinthians 16:13), “…for by faith you stand." (2 Corinthians 1:24) "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand." (Romans 5:1-2) "That you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." (Philippians 1:27) "Stand fast in the Lord, beloved." (Philippians 4:1)
Simply put, the believers posture against the wiles of the devil is to stand firm in faith, in grace, in one spirit, in the power of God’s might, that is, His Word, as victors, putting a stop to all the devils schemes in every circumstance that we may encounter.
Monday, September 9, 2019
Fishing Sometimes Means Casting
Although John the Baptist did not perform any miracles, his message of the Kingdom of Heaven (Kingdom of God), moved in the hearts of the people. Jesus tells us, "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." (Matthew 11:12) There was a pressing to see the manifestation of the Kingdom of God. We also see, that after the forty days of temptation of our Lord in the desert, Matthew records, "From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matthew 4:17) Both John and Jesus were the only ones of that time revealing the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul tells us, "For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power." (1 Corinthians 4:20) Although miracles, signs and wonders are the main manifestation of the kingdom of God, our focus will be on using the power or authority to deal with demons.
The scriptures reveal Jesus and the early church believers releasing God's power and authority as they preached and presented the Kingdom. An example of this is found in the ministry of Jesus, "Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned." (Luke 8:26-33)
Take notice, "When he (the man who had demons) saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me! (verse 28) and Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them." (Verse 32) Because the demons in the man recognized Jesus, and started the confrontation, Jesus was able to simply used His authority to defuse the situation which freed the man. We find a similar situation in the ministry of the Apostle Paul, "Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour." (Acts 16:16-18)
Notice, that Paul and Silas went to prayer and the demon possessed girl approached them and followed them around for many days. At first glance, you would think that this possessed girl was promoting Paul and Silas's ministry. However, this was not the case. We see that Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour." As we see, the demon in the girl started the confrontation against Paul, the believer. Like we saw with Jesus, Paul simply used his authority, spoke to the spirit and cast it out. In both instances, Jesus with the Gadarene demoniac and Paul with the girl who had a spirit of divination, the demons manifested and began the confrontation. Jesus and Paul had the authority to put an end to it. Think about it this way. If the demonized man had seen Jesus and the demonized girl had seen Paul and did not manifest or confront them, there may not have been a confrontation and the possibility exists that neither of them would had been delivered from demons.
Next, we will look at a situation where a demon was silent, non-confrontational. "Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him." (Luke 13:10-17)
Of course we see a typical response of religious leaders with their doctrines of man. Here they ridicule Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. Jesus responds, "So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, think of it, for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" We see that this woman had been bound by Satan, the source of all sickness and disease. However, the woman never asked Jesus to heal her, nor did the spirit of infirmity that held her say anything to Jesus or cause a commotion, yet Jesus saw her and released her from Satan’s grip. So, did Jesus over step His realm of authority? Absolutely not! She was in a house of God, a synagogue. Jesus had the authority and simply used it to free the woman. You better believe that if the gift of discerning of spirits is operating or a demon manifests in a church service of any kind, whether the church building, small group meeting in a house, or any place where two or more are gathered in Jesus’ name, the believe or believers have the authority and need to exercise it.
I am not trying to be critical or condescending in any way, but when was the last time, if ever, you received training in what to do if a demon manifests in a church gathering? What I am getting at, is, today, most believers, including church leaders would not know what to do if a demon manifested. Unfortunately, many church leaders and most believers have bought into modern psychiatry and all the intellectual reasoning, thereby labeling a person having a demon manifestation with some kind of phobia or mental breakdown. When reading the gospels, people would come to Jesus and say things like, "My son or daughter has a demon." I find this interesting because these people were not born again. They did not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. They were not given the various gifts of the Holy Spirit and yet they recognized what the problem really was. I say this not for believers to be demon conscience but to be God inside minded, knowing their identity, position, and authority in Christ and as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God.
So, sometimes when we are fishing for the souls of people, that is, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, we may need to cast out demons, but always remember, "For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power." (1 Corinthians 4:20) and also remember, if you are born again then "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4) Grace and peace be with you...
The scriptures reveal Jesus and the early church believers releasing God's power and authority as they preached and presented the Kingdom. An example of this is found in the ministry of Jesus, "Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned." (Luke 8:26-33)
Take notice, "When he (the man who had demons) saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me! (verse 28) and Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them." (Verse 32) Because the demons in the man recognized Jesus, and started the confrontation, Jesus was able to simply used His authority to defuse the situation which freed the man. We find a similar situation in the ministry of the Apostle Paul, "Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour." (Acts 16:16-18)
Notice, that Paul and Silas went to prayer and the demon possessed girl approached them and followed them around for many days. At first glance, you would think that this possessed girl was promoting Paul and Silas's ministry. However, this was not the case. We see that Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour." As we see, the demon in the girl started the confrontation against Paul, the believer. Like we saw with Jesus, Paul simply used his authority, spoke to the spirit and cast it out. In both instances, Jesus with the Gadarene demoniac and Paul with the girl who had a spirit of divination, the demons manifested and began the confrontation. Jesus and Paul had the authority to put an end to it. Think about it this way. If the demonized man had seen Jesus and the demonized girl had seen Paul and did not manifest or confront them, there may not have been a confrontation and the possibility exists that neither of them would had been delivered from demons.
Next, we will look at a situation where a demon was silent, non-confrontational. "Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him." (Luke 13:10-17)
Of course we see a typical response of religious leaders with their doctrines of man. Here they ridicule Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. Jesus responds, "So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound, think of it, for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?" We see that this woman had been bound by Satan, the source of all sickness and disease. However, the woman never asked Jesus to heal her, nor did the spirit of infirmity that held her say anything to Jesus or cause a commotion, yet Jesus saw her and released her from Satan’s grip. So, did Jesus over step His realm of authority? Absolutely not! She was in a house of God, a synagogue. Jesus had the authority and simply used it to free the woman. You better believe that if the gift of discerning of spirits is operating or a demon manifests in a church service of any kind, whether the church building, small group meeting in a house, or any place where two or more are gathered in Jesus’ name, the believe or believers have the authority and need to exercise it.
I am not trying to be critical or condescending in any way, but when was the last time, if ever, you received training in what to do if a demon manifests in a church gathering? What I am getting at, is, today, most believers, including church leaders would not know what to do if a demon manifested. Unfortunately, many church leaders and most believers have bought into modern psychiatry and all the intellectual reasoning, thereby labeling a person having a demon manifestation with some kind of phobia or mental breakdown. When reading the gospels, people would come to Jesus and say things like, "My son or daughter has a demon." I find this interesting because these people were not born again. They did not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them. They were not given the various gifts of the Holy Spirit and yet they recognized what the problem really was. I say this not for believers to be demon conscience but to be God inside minded, knowing their identity, position, and authority in Christ and as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God.
So, sometimes when we are fishing for the souls of people, that is, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, we may need to cast out demons, but always remember, "For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power." (1 Corinthians 4:20) and also remember, if you are born again then "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4) Grace and peace be with you...
Monday, September 2, 2019
Faith and Authority
I believe one of the greatest examples of faith, authority, the power of words, but, moreover the immense power of God's Word by an individual, in the New Testament, are seen in this passage of scripture. "Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" (Matthew 8:5-10)
Notice, the centurion says to Jesus, only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. Although not the main point, the centurion recognizes the power of words. He also recognizes that like himself, Jesus is also a man under authority but with authority. It’s clear the centurion was not struggling with his identity or his position as a Roman centurion, therefore he knew his authority. Listen to his understanding of authority, “I say to this one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it.” As far as we know, these words were coming from the mouth of a pagan. It goes on and says, that Jesus marveled, He was amazed at the centurions comprehension and understanding of authority and He equated his understanding and use of authority with having great faith. So in a sense, we can say of this centurion, he knew who he was to the Roman empire; he knew what the Roman empire was to him; and how his superiors truly saw him.
So, by releasing our faith by acting on God’s Word believers can stand with confidence in their authority through Christ. Smith Wigglesworth said, "I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe.” The Apostle Paul tells us, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11) First, believers must be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, not their own might. Second, believers must continually be arrayed with the spiritual armor of God as we stand against the wiles of the devil in our daily lives. We must understand that the devil will do everything in his power to keep believers from coming into the knowledge of their authority over him. I believe that the devil expends more effort working against believers trying to keep them from the revelation of their true and legal identification, position and authority in and through Christ than anything else.
Another important point is that believers need to understand that there are limits concerning their authority. For example, believers do have authority over Satan and his forces if these forces try to come against them in their own life or the lives of their immediate family, loved ones and where others have given them authority. They will be free from the enemy because they have the right to exercise their authority over him in these areas. However, that does not mean that they can go around casting devils out of everyone they meet. Look at what Jesus says to the 70 disciples, "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19) and what the Apostle James tells us, "Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7) Notice, these scriptures do not say that the devil will flee from everyone you come in contact with, it says he will flee from you or where you have authority.
When I am in public I know that I have authority. When I ask someone if I can pray for them and they give me their permission, then they have given me the authority, but if they do not give me permission, I can certainly pray for them, but I cannot exercise the authority against their will. The only exception to this is if a demonized person tries to come aggressively against me or those whom have given me authority, then I can use my God given authority to stop the aggression. We will look at this as revealed in the scriptures through the ministries of Jesus and the Apostle Paul another time. So, until then, let us stand in faith and the authority that we have been given over darkness, in Jesus Name.
Notice, the centurion says to Jesus, only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. Although not the main point, the centurion recognizes the power of words. He also recognizes that like himself, Jesus is also a man under authority but with authority. It’s clear the centurion was not struggling with his identity or his position as a Roman centurion, therefore he knew his authority. Listen to his understanding of authority, “I say to this one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he comes; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it.” As far as we know, these words were coming from the mouth of a pagan. It goes on and says, that Jesus marveled, He was amazed at the centurions comprehension and understanding of authority and He equated his understanding and use of authority with having great faith. So in a sense, we can say of this centurion, he knew who he was to the Roman empire; he knew what the Roman empire was to him; and how his superiors truly saw him.
So, by releasing our faith by acting on God’s Word believers can stand with confidence in their authority through Christ. Smith Wigglesworth said, "I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe.” The Apostle Paul tells us, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11) First, believers must be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, not their own might. Second, believers must continually be arrayed with the spiritual armor of God as we stand against the wiles of the devil in our daily lives. We must understand that the devil will do everything in his power to keep believers from coming into the knowledge of their authority over him. I believe that the devil expends more effort working against believers trying to keep them from the revelation of their true and legal identification, position and authority in and through Christ than anything else.
Another important point is that believers need to understand that there are limits concerning their authority. For example, believers do have authority over Satan and his forces if these forces try to come against them in their own life or the lives of their immediate family, loved ones and where others have given them authority. They will be free from the enemy because they have the right to exercise their authority over him in these areas. However, that does not mean that they can go around casting devils out of everyone they meet. Look at what Jesus says to the 70 disciples, "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19) and what the Apostle James tells us, "Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7) Notice, these scriptures do not say that the devil will flee from everyone you come in contact with, it says he will flee from you or where you have authority.
When I am in public I know that I have authority. When I ask someone if I can pray for them and they give me their permission, then they have given me the authority, but if they do not give me permission, I can certainly pray for them, but I cannot exercise the authority against their will. The only exception to this is if a demonized person tries to come aggressively against me or those whom have given me authority, then I can use my God given authority to stop the aggression. We will look at this as revealed in the scriptures through the ministries of Jesus and the Apostle Paul another time. So, until then, let us stand in faith and the authority that we have been given over darkness, in Jesus Name.
Monday, August 26, 2019
Demon Chasers
Based on the following scriptures we will see that after
Jesus ascended to heaven and sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High, He delegated
or transferred His authority to the church. "The Father has put all things under Christ’s feet and
has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship
exercised throughout the church], Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who
fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Christ Who makes
everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself]." (Ephesians 1:22-23 AMP) "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He
loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with
Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us
sit together in the heavenly places
in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:4-6) "For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones." (Ephesians 5:30) "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are
complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power." (Colossians 2:9-10)
Jesus is the supreme head of the church; we sit with Him on His throne of triumph; we are members of His body; the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him; we are complete in Him; all believers have received His abundance of grace and truth. If all authority has been given to Him in heaven and earth, which it has, and we are His body, which we are, then it stands to reason that everything He is, we are, which agrees with the Word, "…because as He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17) To take this a little further, Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) and, "But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him." (1 Corinthians 6: 17) We have oneness with Christ. I am not making light of the cross, yes, we need to come to the cross for salvation, but we are not to remain there. We need to preach and teach the cross to the unsaved but to the believer we need to preach and teach that the throne is where the believer is, not the cross. The throne is the seat of authority and triumph, not the cross.
Believers exercising their authority hangs on their revelation of knowing God's immense power, "and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 1: 19-20) and, "God raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:6) Notice that not only is Christ seated at the right hand of the Father, which is the highest place of authority, He sits there far above all the powers. Believers sit with Christ also far above all the powers in the same seat of authority. It is revelation of these truths, not intellectual knowledge that will give believers the assured confidence in their authority.
Before we go any further, think about this. Where God's knowledge and revelation is obscure, the devil will establish a stronghold. The strongholds could be fear, doubt, unbelief, disobedience, believing a lie and rejecting truth and so on. The devil does not want believers to know their authority. The very thing that Adam could have used to defeat the Satan in the garden, his authority over creation, was the very thing that Satan went after and unfortunately was able to have Adam relinquish.
Next, notice from the above scripture in Ephesians, "...the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe…" This does not simply refer to God’s power in regeneration, but as the entire series of His acts of power toward Christians from the moment they become born again until they are received in glory. Scripture reveals, "The demons cried out, Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are, the Holy One of God!" (Mark 1:24) and "Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits…And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? (Acts 19:13, 15) Notice, the demons recognize not only Jesus’ authority but also Paul’s and every believer who know without question, that all authority is in Jesus and we sit with Him on His throne of authority.
Believer have the authority to uphold and enforce the victory over Satan and all his forces that Jesus accomplished, because we have the authority as well as a mandate to do so, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18) The Church is not to pray to God the Father about what to do with the devil. The Church is to exercise the authority that belongs to it as we see here in Mark 16:17-18. Of course this must come by revelation of our authority and not by-way-of intellectual knowledge. It is obvious that the itinerant Jewish exorcists were not born again and therefore limited and could only use the intellectual knowledge they had in their attempt to cast out demons which failed.
To live and operate in the authority that is vested in every believer through Christ, has absolutely nothing to do with how long a person has been saved. The least member of the Body of Christ has just as much authority over the devil as anyone else. The reality is, unless believers stand on God’s Word and know without doubt, fear, unbelief, and without a sense of unworthiness, shame, guilt, condemnation and or inferiority and do something about the devil, nothing will be done in many areas of their life and the lives of others who seek deliverance. So, let us rise up in our generation, infiltrate the culture and bring the power of God down on the works of darkness, setting the captives free in the wonderful Name of Jesus. Amen?
Jesus is the supreme head of the church; we sit with Him on His throne of triumph; we are members of His body; the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him; we are complete in Him; all believers have received His abundance of grace and truth. If all authority has been given to Him in heaven and earth, which it has, and we are His body, which we are, then it stands to reason that everything He is, we are, which agrees with the Word, "…because as He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17) To take this a little further, Jesus says, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) and, "But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him." (1 Corinthians 6: 17) We have oneness with Christ. I am not making light of the cross, yes, we need to come to the cross for salvation, but we are not to remain there. We need to preach and teach the cross to the unsaved but to the believer we need to preach and teach that the throne is where the believer is, not the cross. The throne is the seat of authority and triumph, not the cross.
Believers exercising their authority hangs on their revelation of knowing God's immense power, "and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 1: 19-20) and, "God raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:6) Notice that not only is Christ seated at the right hand of the Father, which is the highest place of authority, He sits there far above all the powers. Believers sit with Christ also far above all the powers in the same seat of authority. It is revelation of these truths, not intellectual knowledge that will give believers the assured confidence in their authority.
Before we go any further, think about this. Where God's knowledge and revelation is obscure, the devil will establish a stronghold. The strongholds could be fear, doubt, unbelief, disobedience, believing a lie and rejecting truth and so on. The devil does not want believers to know their authority. The very thing that Adam could have used to defeat the Satan in the garden, his authority over creation, was the very thing that Satan went after and unfortunately was able to have Adam relinquish.
Next, notice from the above scripture in Ephesians, "...the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe…" This does not simply refer to God’s power in regeneration, but as the entire series of His acts of power toward Christians from the moment they become born again until they are received in glory. Scripture reveals, "The demons cried out, Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are, the Holy One of God!" (Mark 1:24) and "Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits…And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? (Acts 19:13, 15) Notice, the demons recognize not only Jesus’ authority but also Paul’s and every believer who know without question, that all authority is in Jesus and we sit with Him on His throne of authority.
Believer have the authority to uphold and enforce the victory over Satan and all his forces that Jesus accomplished, because we have the authority as well as a mandate to do so, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18) The Church is not to pray to God the Father about what to do with the devil. The Church is to exercise the authority that belongs to it as we see here in Mark 16:17-18. Of course this must come by revelation of our authority and not by-way-of intellectual knowledge. It is obvious that the itinerant Jewish exorcists were not born again and therefore limited and could only use the intellectual knowledge they had in their attempt to cast out demons which failed.
To live and operate in the authority that is vested in every believer through Christ, has absolutely nothing to do with how long a person has been saved. The least member of the Body of Christ has just as much authority over the devil as anyone else. The reality is, unless believers stand on God’s Word and know without doubt, fear, unbelief, and without a sense of unworthiness, shame, guilt, condemnation and or inferiority and do something about the devil, nothing will be done in many areas of their life and the lives of others who seek deliverance. So, let us rise up in our generation, infiltrate the culture and bring the power of God down on the works of darkness, setting the captives free in the wonderful Name of Jesus. Amen?
Monday, August 19, 2019
Delegated Authority
For believers to stand in the authority of God and use the delegated authority he or she has been freely given, they must first know and understand these highly important aspects. First, fully comprehend God’s authority and second, believers must know who they are Christ; who Christ is in them and how the Father truly sees them. Why are these so important? Knowing these things and operating in them will eliminate, doubt, fear, unbelief, shame, guilt, condemnation, inferiority and disobedience and in turn manifests in the believer the same attributes that we see in Abraham.
We see recorded in Romans, "Abraham did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." (Romans 4:20-21) Notice, Abraham was "fully convinced." Like Abraham, believers must come to know God’s will, which is His Word, and by it, exercise the kind of faith that prevents doubt, fear, unbelief, etc., to find place. The Apostle Paul tells us, "do not give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:27) and, "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2 Corinthians 2:11) Say this with me; "In the Name of Jesus, I will not give place to the devil, therefore, Satan will not take advantage of me, for I am not ignorant of his schemes."
Next, concerning believer’s authority; it is the delegated power and legal right vested in them by the Holy Spirit to uphold, enforce and further Jesus' ministry when He walked the earth as the Son of Man. Jesus tells us, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:17-18) We also see, "Then Jesus called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases." (Luke 9:1) "Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name. And He said to them, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:17-19) and, "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)
Believers need to realize that we have been given the authority over Satan, and all his evil forces. However, consider this. Do we honestly believe that the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has any less authority today than the disciples had during Jesus' ministry on earth as the Son of Man as revealed in the Gospels? Do we honestly believe that the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has any less authority today than the early church had? Do we honestly believe that although Jesus defeat Satan and all his evil forces that somehow they simply packed up and went away? Believers who think this way tend to describe the church and believers as everything other than victorious and triumphant. Simply put, the value of every believer’s authority rests on two things. One, knowing that God himself is the power behind the believer’s authority; Two, applying faith to number one. Believers will never understand their authority with the intellect; it only comes by revelation. You must believe and then act by faith.
In grasping this, believers then understand that the devil and his forces are obliged to recognize our authority. Now we see the truth in Romans 5:17 when it says, believers “reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ." Believer’s who thoroughly understand that it is the power of God backing them, can exercise their authority and face the enemy fearlessly on any and every front. "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20) Jesus is always with us through the Holy Spirit who was given to us to uphold, enforce and continue the ministry of Jesus. So, let us by faith take the authority that we have by the Holy Spirit through the Name of Jesus and go, setting the captives free.
We see recorded in Romans, "Abraham did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." (Romans 4:20-21) Notice, Abraham was "fully convinced." Like Abraham, believers must come to know God’s will, which is His Word, and by it, exercise the kind of faith that prevents doubt, fear, unbelief, etc., to find place. The Apostle Paul tells us, "do not give place to the devil." (Ephesians 4:27) and, "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices." (2 Corinthians 2:11) Say this with me; "In the Name of Jesus, I will not give place to the devil, therefore, Satan will not take advantage of me, for I am not ignorant of his schemes."
Next, concerning believer’s authority; it is the delegated power and legal right vested in them by the Holy Spirit to uphold, enforce and further Jesus' ministry when He walked the earth as the Son of Man. Jesus tells us, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:17-18) We also see, "Then Jesus called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases." (Luke 9:1) "Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name. And He said to them, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:17-19) and, "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high." (Luke 24:49)
Believers need to realize that we have been given the authority over Satan, and all his evil forces. However, consider this. Do we honestly believe that the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has any less authority today than the disciples had during Jesus' ministry on earth as the Son of Man as revealed in the Gospels? Do we honestly believe that the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ has any less authority today than the early church had? Do we honestly believe that although Jesus defeat Satan and all his evil forces that somehow they simply packed up and went away? Believers who think this way tend to describe the church and believers as everything other than victorious and triumphant. Simply put, the value of every believer’s authority rests on two things. One, knowing that God himself is the power behind the believer’s authority; Two, applying faith to number one. Believers will never understand their authority with the intellect; it only comes by revelation. You must believe and then act by faith.
In grasping this, believers then understand that the devil and his forces are obliged to recognize our authority. Now we see the truth in Romans 5:17 when it says, believers “reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ." Believer’s who thoroughly understand that it is the power of God backing them, can exercise their authority and face the enemy fearlessly on any and every front. "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20) Jesus is always with us through the Holy Spirit who was given to us to uphold, enforce and continue the ministry of Jesus. So, let us by faith take the authority that we have by the Holy Spirit through the Name of Jesus and go, setting the captives free.
Monday, August 12, 2019
The Controversy of the Universe
Looking again at the authority of God, we need to take a deeper look at what the Bible records concern it. So, let's begin in Isaiah 14:12-15, the fall of Lucifer and Ezekiel 28:13-17, the account of the king of Tyre. We start with Isaiah, “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High. Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit." (Isaiah 14:12-15) Next, we move to Ezekiel.
"You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you." (Ezekiel 28:13-17) (Note: in this account, the law of double reference is used for Lucifer. That is, scripture having a double meaning, using one thing but referring to another)
Now let us look closely at what has transpired. Isaiah 14:12-15 deals with, Lucifer, now Satan, violating God’s authority while Ezekiel 28:13-17 emphasizes his trespassing against God's holiness. To offend God's authority is a rebellion far more serious than that of offending God's holiness. Offending God’s holiness or sinning is a matter of conduct, whereas offending God’s authority is a matter of principle. Jesus tells us, "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come." (Matthew 12:31-32)
In context with this passage, Jesus cast out demons by the authority vested in Him through the Holy Spirit. The Pharisees rejected this and said that Jesus’ authority was through Beelzebub, that is Satan. The first part of this passage is sin against God’s Holiness, the latter is rebellion against God’s authority. So, Isaiah’s report is Satan's intent of setting his throne above the throne of God thereby violating God's authority. It was not the act of sinning that caused Satan's fall, it was his act of rebellion against God’s authority. It was rebellion which God condemned. Now we understand why Samuel says, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." (1 Samuel 15:23) Rebellion and Satan are synonymous.
The controversy of the universe is centered on who has the authority. Although believers have the authority over Satan and all of his forces, any conflict that we may have with Satan is the direct result of our attributing all authority to God; therefore Satan’s approach to believers is the same as it was in the Garden of Eden. He makes his appeal to the flesh, that is, the five senses, especially the mind, will and emotions, trying to turn believers from the truth, one being, that all authority has been given to Jesus in heaven and earth. Please remember this, Satan is not afraid of believers who preach God’s Word. His greatest fear is those who understand and are completely subject to God’s authority.
God has purposed to manifest His authority to the world through the church, through each and every believer. He uses His power to maintain His authority, therefore, His authority is the hardest thing to come up against. Notice how the crowd responded to Jesus as He taught, "Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." (Mark 1:27) Due to the believers oneness with Christ (John 15:5) we too must know and operate in the same authority as Jesus did during His earth walk as the Son of man. So, before a believer can understand and properly use God’s delegated authority, he or she must fully comprehend and be subject to God's authority. Grace and Peace be with you...
"You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. By the abundance of your trading you became filled with violence within, and you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; and I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; You corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground, I laid you before kings, that they might gaze at you." (Ezekiel 28:13-17) (Note: in this account, the law of double reference is used for Lucifer. That is, scripture having a double meaning, using one thing but referring to another)
Now let us look closely at what has transpired. Isaiah 14:12-15 deals with, Lucifer, now Satan, violating God’s authority while Ezekiel 28:13-17 emphasizes his trespassing against God's holiness. To offend God's authority is a rebellion far more serious than that of offending God's holiness. Offending God’s holiness or sinning is a matter of conduct, whereas offending God’s authority is a matter of principle. Jesus tells us, "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come." (Matthew 12:31-32)
In context with this passage, Jesus cast out demons by the authority vested in Him through the Holy Spirit. The Pharisees rejected this and said that Jesus’ authority was through Beelzebub, that is Satan. The first part of this passage is sin against God’s Holiness, the latter is rebellion against God’s authority. So, Isaiah’s report is Satan's intent of setting his throne above the throne of God thereby violating God's authority. It was not the act of sinning that caused Satan's fall, it was his act of rebellion against God’s authority. It was rebellion which God condemned. Now we understand why Samuel says, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." (1 Samuel 15:23) Rebellion and Satan are synonymous.
The controversy of the universe is centered on who has the authority. Although believers have the authority over Satan and all of his forces, any conflict that we may have with Satan is the direct result of our attributing all authority to God; therefore Satan’s approach to believers is the same as it was in the Garden of Eden. He makes his appeal to the flesh, that is, the five senses, especially the mind, will and emotions, trying to turn believers from the truth, one being, that all authority has been given to Jesus in heaven and earth. Please remember this, Satan is not afraid of believers who preach God’s Word. His greatest fear is those who understand and are completely subject to God’s authority.
God has purposed to manifest His authority to the world through the church, through each and every believer. He uses His power to maintain His authority, therefore, His authority is the hardest thing to come up against. Notice how the crowd responded to Jesus as He taught, "Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." (Mark 1:27) Due to the believers oneness with Christ (John 15:5) we too must know and operate in the same authority as Jesus did during His earth walk as the Son of man. So, before a believer can understand and properly use God’s delegated authority, he or she must fully comprehend and be subject to God's authority. Grace and Peace be with you...
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