Recently I have been doing a study of Satan and Demons in scripture. The reason I began this study was a growing awareness that the ministry we are engaged in is receiving hostile opposition from spiritual places. Simple things become hard, things that shouldn't go wrong, go wrong, attacks coming from many different directions that slow, or even stop effective ministry. I'm currently doing a study which will probably lead to a sermon, and/or an article.
Why did Jesus teach us to pray "deliver us from evil?" Why did Paul warn us "not to be ignorant of the schemes of the devil?" Why did Peter warn us that "the devil prowls about like a roaring lion...be on the alert." Be on the alert. That's what I'm seeking to finally do. I've always understood that demons were active somewhere, but never as clearly as I do today that they are active all around me. We don't have the conventional "demon possession" happening in America as we see in the New Testament. But that isn't surprising, since anyone exhibiting these kinds of symptoms would be so heavily medicated they could no longer function. Either way, the person is out of commission.
They have changed their operations so that we would not be aware of what they are doing in OUR lives. Friends, be on the alert. There is more than just "fate" and "circumstances" that we are battling against. Spiritual powers in the heavenly places are arrayed against us.
4 comments:
you wrote:
'the person is out of commission. '
This is a huge reality when we are praying to approach someone's "person" for Christ's sake.
We saw the ease with which Christ discerned, expelled,resisted demonic activity as part of almost everything He encountered in His interractions with man.
His preparation for ministry in the wilderness outlines an initiation struggle few pastors recognize as crucial to spiritual warfare. In that " seperation unto God" combined with "removal of earthly distractions" .... an ability was born.
Soldiers have R&R (rest and relaxation ) after the battling ...... not before.....
Maybe the "party mood" in the church should be revisited.
C.S.Lewis' accounting of the Tragedian in his book " The Great Divorce' is the best example I have ever read of watching " the person" disappear beyond reach.... :(
We don't have the conventional "demon possession" happening in America as we see in the New Testament.
Being in the healing ministry and praying with alot of folks, we do know that spiritual warfare is alive and well, and while demon 'possession' is rare, demon 'oppression' is very prevalent in the lives of many.
Dan. I don't know quite how to express this sadness. When I read the verse of the man in hades who wants to warn his brothers and requests a touch from one in heaven-- my heart aches for those who are lost (people I hope to meet but don't now if they were saved or not--others who are sooo kind but sooo lost--I know our focus in heaven is our Dear Lord but perfect joy seems (a mystery) as there are those in agony (some by clear choice but some just Lost)..how can we look upon them and be happy. Will I be odd man out in heaven for feeling sadness for those with no hope.
Dear Anonymous,
Regarding the sadness we have because others will not be in heaven. I understand this tender compassion. I have struggled with it myself, but I like what C.S. Lewis wrote in The Great Divorce (chapter 13, p. 120).
"What some people say on earth is that the final loss of one soul gives the lie to all the joy of those who are saved... "That sounds very merciful: but see what lurks behind it... ...The demand of the loveless and the self-imprisoned that they should be allowed to blackmail the universe: that till they consent to be happy (on their own terms) no one else shall taste joy: that theirs should be the final power: that Hell should be able to veto Heaven."
I believe that all sadness will be taken from us in a way we don't understand (Revelation 21:4). We must be careful to trust in God's compassion and righteousness, rather than our own. He loves at a level we can't begin to imagine, for all (even those in hell) were His creation, created by Him in love. I know it is a hard subject. May it motivate us to tell others about the grace and mercy to be had today.
Thanks,
Dan
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