All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
spiritual warfare and deliverance ministry
Have you ever wondered why it is that so few believers know more than just a little about how to stand against the devil and his demons? For one thing, most churches do not teach about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit or the gifts of the Spirit which is the power of God in our lives to handle spiritual warfare. So, that eliminates most believers right there. But even for those who are taught the Baptism in the HS and spiritual warfare, very few churches have in depth teaching on what spiritual warfare is and how to stand against the enemy. Most church goers in churches that do teach somewhat on this subject, look to the pastor to be the one to run the devil off. But where does it say anywhere in the Bible that only the pastor or the church leaders have the empowerment to fight spiritual forces? Doesn't it say that all believers are empowered to stand against the enemy?
I was once in a church and a man that came to a service was truly demon possessed and began to act-out right in the middle of the church service in front of everyone. Guess what happened? 99% of the church members ran out the back door of the church as fast as they could run lol! I'm laughing because I never forgot that as it made such an impression on me that day. But in seriousness, it's not funny. The question is, why does the average believer know so little about spiritual warfare?
I know some believe that we just need to focus on Jesus and not be concerned with what the devil is doing, that Jesus will take care of him. And I agree that we don't need to be looking for a demon under every bush. When ppl sin it is not the devil that made them do it although many like to joke that it was- no ppl sin when they are drawn away through their own lusts- they choose it.
But on the other hand, we are told in the Word not to be ignorant of the devil and his devises. In my opinion it seems like most believers are woefully under taught how to stand on the Word when it comes to spiritual warfare and I am sure that is just the way satan likes it. I mean most believers are afraid to even utter the name of the devil, it's like they pretend he doesn't even exist. It is one thing not to say his name in order to bring undue attention to him and to instead bring more attention to the Lord. But it is another thing to be afraid of him and not know how to stand in spiritual warfare against him and his demons.
So, I don't think there will be any great knowledge extended in answer to my post since most of us are pretty much in the same boat on this topic, but just wondering if anyone has anything to share as to personal experiences they've had when it comes to spiritual warfare or why they think we as the Church aren't more prepared to stand against the wiles of the enemy?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Amanda on
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Define normal. Lol. Just kidding. If the Holy Spirit has sealed us, we are God's possession. He possesses us. I've prayed and asked God this morning to deal with others on this matter as He deems appropriate. I can't imagine it pleases God for people to make others feel so alienated because of a mental or a physical illness. Love covers a multitude of sins. May no one ever have to suffer from depression or any illness...and yet in this world we know we will suffer. This world is not my home. I'm just passing through.
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DICTIONARY
normal
Definition
nor·mal[ náwrm'l ]ADJECTIVE
1. usual: conforming to the usual standard, type, or custom
2. healthy: physically, mentally, and emotionally healthy
3. occurring naturally: maintained or occurring in a natural stateOK, no one is normal because no one meets these definitions. You would have to be perfect. It's hard to find someone who occurs naturally--I mean really. We are told not be ourselves but to conform and be like everybody else and people make it really hard for me to be me. And if someone is well mentally, I bet they have some physical ailments going on and most people have emotional battles even though they won't admit it. Need I go on?
But then again, Char, I think you are the exception. You've been a perfect friend. So has Janet. The perfection is attributed to your standing in Christ Jesus. He loves us even when we are unloving and unlovable.
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Permalink Reply by Rita Cullimore on
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. found in Exodus 4:11, " And the Lord said to him,"Who has made man's mouth? Or Who makes him dumb, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord"?
The proper context of this verse is...the Lord is responding to Moses'worry of inadequacy over speaking out for the Israelites.
What God is saying here is *I created man's mouth. If it is created hesitant, without understanding, with understanding, not speaking at all...I have created him this way.* God is saying that He is able to put words in Moses' mouth to speak to the people.
What He is not saying is that He was responsible for the disabilities of man. In Job, the evil that occurred was brought on by Satan, with permission of God. I don't believe He is giving that permission now. Christ has defeated Satan at the cross. God has given us back the authority that we had in the beginning with Adam and Eve before Satan conned them into sinning. Satan is going to continue to deceive us as long as he can but not with God's permission. We are returned to where we once were and Christ's death, paying the sacrifice, has given us the authority to fight Satan. His resurrection was proof that God is in control, but...we need to assert our authority in using God's gifts to fight Satan.
Paul had his thorn, which he prayed for God to remove. The thorn was delivered to Paul by a messenger of Satan. God told Paul that His Grace was sufficient for him which means, I believe, that Paul was to ignore the thorn and to keep on keeping on because he was under the Grace of God.
Jesus mentions the illness a particular man was born with and He was asked who sinned. Jesus said that the illness was so that God's Grace could be made manifest.
Christians have written an entire book on a few verses. That should not be. We need to understand the context of what God is saying.
The disabilities of mental illness are brought on by Satan, yet God gets credit for it. Giving God credit for a sin (which God cannot commit) is so wrong. God actually will make the best out of a bad situation. Look at all Joni Erickson Tada has accomplished since she became crippled from a diving accident.
Richard, my question to you is, how many opportunities do you have to witness to these disable people that you care for? How much are you able to comfort them with the Word of God? Do you have the opportunity to help them in understanding about God, to give them comfort by teaching Who God is?
Are you able to help them at all in this area, or are you prohibited from doing that? I think I miscounted questions. :) )
Blessings....
Rita
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Christians have written an entire book on a few verses. That should not be. We need to understand the context of what God is saying.
I agree with this statement. I also believe that God is in control and that nothing happens to us without it being part of His will and His plan...otherwise we don't know how any of this is going to end...if satan and people have that much power and control. In the garden after Adam and Eve sinned, God told them the consequences. That is not giving God credit for what they did--the fact that there were consequences for sinning. God is just and fair. Sin has consequences. We live in a fallen world and fallen people rape, murder, and do all sorts of evils. God is in control and is permitting it. How else can we see it? He has a plan to end it. I have read the whole Bible. I know how it ends. In discernment we must be able to know the difference between what is God, what is satan, and what is simply human. Let us all pray for wisdom.
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Permalink Reply by Mary O on
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Just because someone has a disability doesn't mean they are possessed. It could happen, but it's a good idea to ask God. My niece has downs syndrome, and she's not possessed. I have held her and prayed for her. I asked God about it. No spirit there, but I didn't want to miss helping her if something was there. She needs lots of prayers. She's had a couple heart surgeries. Today she's one of the most joyful persons I know. She's taught me joy.
Love,
Mary
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Permalink Reply by Richard L. Broch, Sr. on
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Sister Rita,
Good questions......
There is a wide range of function levels in the ranks of our individuals.......from non-vocal......mobility.....acting out....to receiving and showing love.
Come to think of it.....that's kind of like the ranks of church members............
Some pray, attend church, some talk about Jesus. Staff are somewhat limited in testifying to large group settings, but sometimes one-on one dialogue is possible.
As I interact with various individuals who have all types of disabilities........I can't help thinking about seeing them in heaven.........running, dancing, singing, and worshiping our Lord and Savior. Amen.
Grace and Peace.
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Janie, what a horrible thing for someone to put you through. I can't imagine. We are to always as Christians speak the truth in love and never harm in such ways. God forgive us. This is what I mean when I say we harm our brothers and sisters in Christ when we have a wrong discernment. Let us all pray for wisdom and discernment. Let us focus on the Light.
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Permalink Reply by JB on
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James 3:13-18, gives us a clue for discernment
James 3:13-18 (KJV)
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
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Good morning bothers and sisters!
There is such peace for those who take to heart the passage in James that Joe shared when we left off. I had a blessed early morning. The Holy Spirit visited me in a way that was very special. He ministered to me richly regarding questions I've had for a long time. His timing is always perfect in our lives. The sweetness of His presence in my life this morning is something that will last for a long time as I am so fulfilled with what He shared and taught me. There is no greater experience on this earth then when the Spirit makes a visitation to us like what I just experienced. I wish I had the time to share what He showed me with descriptiveness, and maybe at some future time I will do so. My daughter who is one of my greatest gifts that God has ever given me ( my middle child Nancy :) ) is about to give birth at any time. the Spirit has also lead me to spend some time with a new sister in the Lord today. I pray when I return to this thread as my time permits and the Spirit leads it will not be in lockdown. I am confident in you, LT, that you will be listening to the Spirit re this matter and will decide when that time should come if at all. But I came here briefly to say that I have a direct message from the Lord that He wants those who care about the subject of this thread and who want truth with all their hearts, to be very prayerful as you go about your day, because God has more He wants to speak to our hearts. He has rich blessings for all concerned who love and adore Him and are open to receive all He has for them. It is not often that I am moved to speak in such an authoritative manner when it comes to something that God has lead me to share in this internet group setting, although in our Ecclesia meeting, we often receive a word from the Lord that we freely share with each other. So, I don't ask you to understand, but just ask that you will be prayerful, meditate on the words of James ( you know this means Christian meditation- In His Word do I meditate day and night) from the passage shared and come back to the thread refreshed to continue to share what G0d puts on your heart. Also I would like to say in closing, God's way is love, forgiveness and healing. Just like with salvation and the Baptism of His precious Holy Spirit, it is available to all who choose it.
Jesus loves you.....and I love you too :)
Jane
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Wow, the baby is here already and it's a boy:):):):) !!!!! She had a beautiful, blessed , easy home birth. What a blessed day this has been and I'm just getting started :)
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