NOTE FROM DEE: BESIDES THE DREAM I'M GOING TO TELL
YOU, TO HAVE IT BE ON PAGE 616 IS INTERESTING BECAUSE 616 IS THE ALTERNATIVE
NUMBER FOR 666, WHICH I DREAMT SOME TIME AGO:
Oct 19, 2005...sections
(late third / early fourth century).
The number that this papyrus assigns to the Beast:616,
rather than the usual 666. (665 is also found.) ...
HERE IS THE DREAM:
12-25-13 - DREAM - I really don't remember a dream at all, but it seemed I
was in a dual reality - when I looked out the window, I was looking out
the upper kitchen window in my New Berlin house, but when I turned around, I was
looking in the same window looking at the parlor scene at the black piano I used
to play in the 16th St. house I grew up in.
Again I turned and was looking out the window in New Berlin, turned around and
was looking in the window at the black piano.
I kept turning back and forth, out the window in New Berlin, in the window at
the black piano at 16th St.
I asked the question, "Why am I seeing this duality scene?"
I looked out the window in New Berlin, then when I turned again to look in the
window towards the black piano, I saw a big blue face of my Mother with a blue
bullet hole in the middle of her face with blue streaks in every direction
coming from the hole, and to the left was some text with the title 'BIND'.
Instantly then, knowing that a demon was causing this nightmare, I said, "I BIND
THE DEMON WHICH IS CAUSING THIS DREAM. I BIND THE DEMON WHICH IS CAUSING
THIS DREAM. I BIND THE DEMON WHICH IS CAUSING THIS DREAM."
********************************
Is the “binding and loosing” of demons biblical?
One of the most common expressions in contemporary Christianity is “I bind you,
Satan, in the name of Jesus.” Biblically however, the phrase “binding and
loosing” has nothing whatsoever to do with demons.
One of the most common expressions in contemporary Christianity is “I bind you,
Satan, in the name of Jesus.” Biblically however, the phrase “binding and
loosing” has nothing whatsoever to do with demons.
First, when Jesus told the disciples, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound
in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew
16:19), he was not talking about demons but discipline. In other words, in the
context of church discipline, those who repent are to be “loosed” (i.e.,
restored to fellowship). Those who persist in sin are to be “bound” (i.e.,
removed from fellowship). Demons are totally foreign to the context.
Furthermore, humans are not authorized anywhere in Scripture to “bind or loose”
Satan. Even the archangel Michael did not tackle Satan on his own. Despite his
wisdom and power, he called on God to rebuke Satan. Christians should never
suppose that they are smart enough to engage Satan on their own. Rather they,
like Michael, should pray, “The Lord rebuke you” (Jude 9).
Finally, while it makes sense to ask the Lord to “bind” the power of demons in
the sense of thwarting their plans to undo us, to “loose” Satan and his minions
makes no sense at all. Thus, common sense alone should be enough to convince us
that biblically “binding and loosing” has nothing whatsoever to do with demons.
For further study on biblical spiritual warfare, see Hank Hanegraaff,The
Covering: God’s Plan to Protect You from Evil(Nashville:W
Publishing, 2002).
“If your
brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of
you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will
not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be
established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to
listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to
the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. “I tell you
the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever
you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. “Again, I tell you that if two
of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by
my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there
am I with them.
Matthew 16:19, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and
whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever
thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
Jesus referred to binding and loosing as the keys to the kingdom, which means we
ought know and use these keys, don't you think?
Binding
Binding is like a temporary spiritual handcuffing. You can bind a demon spirit,
much like tying something up with rope or chains. You cannot bind a person's
free will, but you can bind the demons affecting or influencing that person.
Binding is NOT the same practice as casting out demons, casting out
demons brings fourth lasting results, whereas binding is only to tie them down
for a period of time. If you are trying to talk to or minister to somebody, and
they seem impossible to get through to it can be helpful to bind up the spirits
inside that person, which will handcuff the enemy so you can directly and
effectively minister to that person without having them continually held back by
the enemy's interference. Another good time to bind is when the person isn't
ready for a deliverance and you are not willing to put up with their demonic
personality. I have a friend who bound demon spirits which were in her teacher,
who was a lesbian, and she stopped giving her any troubles since then! Was the
teacher ready to be delivered? Highly unlikely. But that doesn't mean you must
live with her demonic personality, simply bind it whenever you are around that
person, and it handcuffs the enemy from doing his work around you. Another good
time to bind, is when you are half way into a deliverance (let's say you got 20
out of 40 demons out) and you need your rest, like say it's 2am and you have to
work the next day. You could simply bind the demons overnight, and finish the
deliverance the next day.
What does it mean to bind on earth?It
refers to your physical location; right now, you are here on earth. Jesus is
saying that the authority to bind and loose are provided for us to use right
here on earth.
What does it mean for something to be bound in
heaven?If
you look up the word 'heaven' in the Greek, you'll find another word called
'air', which is where the spirits dwell. The Bible also says that we are seated
with Christ in heavenly places. This isn't referring to heaven as in the place
we go after we die, but rather a realm. The Bible tells us that we are seated in
the heavenly realm with Christ (Ephesians 2:6). We, as humans, were below the
angels and demons, but as believers, we are now seated above the angelic realm
and seated with Christ! So the word 'heaven' here is referring to the spiritual
realm, the air, where the spirits dwell and operate. In Ephesians 2:2, Satan is
known as the 'prince of the power of the air'.
Therefore, when you bind something here on earth, it will be bound in the
spiritual realm as well. This gives us the ability to bind demons, because they
dwell within the spiritual realm.
Binding is a powerful witnessing tool:What
keeps a person from accepting Jesus? The god of this world, which is Satan
(working through his army of demons) has blinded their minds from the light of
the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4). Jesus taught us to bind the strong man, then we
can plunder his house (Mark 3:27). If you have been trying to witness to
somebody, and seem to be getting nowhere, try binding the spirits of darkness
that are preventing that person from seeing the light in the gospel. You cannot
bind a person's will or force them to accept the gospel, but you can do
something about the demons which are holding the person back. Once you take the
demons out of the picture, you will be able to talk directly to that person
without demons whispering in their ears and trying to combat what you are
telling them.
NOTE: HAVING AN ANGEL REMOVE A DEMON FROM YOU OR ANOTHER PERSON ONLY LASTS ABOUT
6 MONTHS UNLESS THE PARTICULAR PRACTICE THAT BROUGHT IT IS STOPPED!
Loosing
Loosing, like binding, can be done here on earth, and takes effect in the
spiritual realm. Loosing however, refers to the loosing of a captive or person
in bondage. You bind demons, and you loose the captives. When Jesus set free the
woman with the issue of blood, He said unto her, "Woman, thou art loosed from
thine infirmity." (Luke 13:12)
Other common theology on loosing:Many
people believe that loosing refers to the act of loosing good things into a
person's life, such as blessings or God's love. My opinion is that God's love is
not bound in the first place, therefore there is no reason to loose it. I have
never seen any Biblical backing for the concept of loosing good things into a
person's life. But if you look at Luke 13:12, it gives us an example of when
Jesus loosed a captive, "And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said
unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity."
One
of the strangest scriptures is Matthew 16: 19:Whatever
you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth
will be loosed in heaven. What
could Jesus have meant by these words? Is this statement only about the
affairs of the church? Catholics believe Christ was giving spiritual
supremacy to Peter as the first pope. Most traditional Protestant
commentators think Christ’s words were a commission to the apostles to
administrate the affairs of the early church. Binding and loosing were terms
describing how ecclesiastical activities were to be governed.
Anyone who has conducted a successful exorcism knows that the authority to
bind or loose a demon is much more. It is a practical and intended
consequence of Christ’s command to cast out demons, not some abstract
directive about corporate church doings. Binding and loosing must be taken
quite literally. In deliverance, when we bind a demon we:
Assert control over the evil spirit – we spiritually make it subject to
our commands through the authority Christ has given us.
Restrict its activities in some way – we may bind it from speaking
needlessly, bind it from physical violence, and bind it from activity in
the soul of the person to delay the deliverance.
Hold it hostage to our demands on behalf of the demonized person – it is
restrained from acting independent of our commands through Christ.
We may also loose both the person and the demon. We have the authority to:
Loose the person from the bondage of the devil – we declare by faith
their freedom and assert that through the process of the exorcism they
will be delivered.
Loose the demon from its right to invade the possessed soul – we cut off
the demon, loose it from its normal functioning so that it is hindered
from further deteriorating the situation.
Loose the evil spirit from its earthly mission to receive God’s judgment
in the Pit – we sever its instructions from the spirit world and make it
bound to what we demand through Christ.
Sadly, such practical instructions about binding and loosing are not taught
in any evangelical Bible colleges or seminaries. In fact this information is
deliberately avoided and negated. The result is that far too many Christians
suffer needlessly the attack of demons, evil spirits that could have been
restricted by binding them and loosing them to be sent to the Pit.
- Spiritual Warfare – The Biblical Way and the ERROR of “Binding satan”
“Spiritual warfare”means
different things to different people. The term itself is not found in the
scriptures, but the concept is taught. Spiritual Warfare is a very important
aspect of the Christian life because we engage in it every day. The Bible
makes that clear. But many teachings on spiritual warfare being circulated
these days is not rooted and grounded in the teaching of scripture. Any
practice or technique of spiritual warfare which has no scriptural warrant
is always suspect.
The key to successful spiritual warfare is finding Biblical balance. Some of
us are taught that if we“bind
satan” in the name of
Jesus, threaten him, or if we pull down spirits in the air (preventing their
activity), they will leave us alone forever – to no longer tempt us or try
to lure us away from our faith. This is simply not true.
Maybe some of you can identify, but I was taught long ago to use the phrase,”
I bind you satan in the name of Jesus” as
if it was a magical formula under the guise of it being a “spiritual
weapon.” I was taught that I had the authority to do so because I have
Jesus. I have learned by studying scripture and applying it to my life that
the success of overcoming satan and his demons
are more than just words. The truth of the matter is satan is already bound
by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and as believerswe
bind him with our righteous living (2Cor. 10:6). The more I studied
my Bible the more I realized that my view of demons and how to deal with
them was not based on Scripture, but on stories, tradition, and the
experiences of others. I have learned that error mixed with truth ensnares
the believer and I pray for all who are ensnared to receive the truth and
continue in God’s Word which has the power to make us free (John 8:31-32).
The purpose of this teaching is to teach that there is a warfare going on
and we fight it every day; that we have been given weapons and strategies by
the Father who is our Commander and to give the true meaning in context of
the terms“binding
and loosing”in the book of Matthew.
Biblical spiritual warfare
Scripture teaches us that true Biblical“spiritual
warfare”is
simply indirect confrontation with satan our principle enemy. According to
the whole of the Bible, we are not supposed to take it upon ourselves to
step into satan’s territory to pick a fight with him and we should not seek
to communicate with him to show him how big and bad we are in the Spirit.Spiritual
warfare must be done according to the rules of combat of our Commander,
Jesus Christ. Our source of authority should not be experience, tradition,
or stories. It should be the Word of God. We are admonished in Scripture
daily tostand
firm against(resist,
oppose, withstand) satan with the tools God gave us (obedience, prayer, His
Word, His Spirit and etc. – 2 Cor. 10:4&6; Eph. 6:10-18). These tools
are the weapons God has established for us. Scripture teaches that God has
provided everything that we need for life and godliness (2Tim. 3:16,17;
2Peter 1:3); therefore the Word of God should be our final authority.
Spiritual Warfare According to the New Covenant Scriptures What does the
Bible teach?
2 Tim. 2:15“Study
and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested
by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and
accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the word of
Truth.”
*Please note: I understand this is a sensitive topic and that it goes
against much of what we have been taught in the church. I am not here to
cause division, but I am examining commonly known practices in light of
Scripture so that Scripture can correct and instruct us (2 Tim. 3:16). I
understand that we must be on our guard, contending for the faith which was
once delivered to the saints because certain men have crept in. (Jude 3 and
4). We are warned in 1 Tim. 4:1 and 6 that in the latter times some
will turn away from the faith giving attention to deluding and seducing
spirits and we are admonished to be worthy stewards of Jesus Christ, ever
nourishing our own selves on the truths of the faith so that we can TRULY
live victorious in Jesus Christ.
As I said earlier,“Spiritual
warfare”means different
things to different people and many engage in spiritual warfare differently.
Some are Biblical and some are not.
2 Cor.10:3-5 –“For
though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons
of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of
strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth
itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ;
“Finally,
my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on
the whole amour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of
the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
I don’t know about you, but I have heard saints do the following and I was
taught to do so as well:
To bind the devil and spirits in the air during public and private
deliverance sessions.
To bind the devil in prayer before presenting the Gospel. The belief is
that this will improve the likelihood of that person trusting Christ as
his Savior.
To bind satan from upcoming events protecting it from the influence of
the demonic.
To bind satan and his demons from certain geographical locations, such
as a new house a person will be moving into, a new church building, or a
particular location in a city or neighborhood.
Binding unfavorable situations and circumstances in our lives (poverty
or a lack of something, persecution on our job or at school and the
struggles of life).
To bind the struggle of sin in a believer’s life (the “spirit of lust”,
“the spirit of envy, gossip, or disobedience”) .
What does the Bible tell us about satan being bound (as in being unable to
work or do anything to anyone)?
Revelation 20:1-3 (AMP)
“Then I saw an angel descending from heaven; he was holding the key of the
Abyss (the bottomless pit) and a great chain was in his hand and he gripped
and overpowered the dragon, that old serpent (of primeval times], who is the
devil and satan, and [securely]
bound him for a thousand years. Then he hurled him into the Abyss (the
bottomless pit) and closed it and sealed it above him, so thathe
should no longer lead astray and deceive and seduce the nationsuntil
the thousand years were at an
end. After that he must be liberated for a short time.”
Revelation 20: 10 (AMP)
“Then the devil who had led them astray [deceiving and seducing them] was
hurled into the fiery lake of burning brimstone, where the beast and false
prophet were; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”
What does this teach us?
It teaches us that satan will be bound for 1,000 years shortly after
Christ’s Second Coming. Following the Millennium, Satan will be deposited
into the lake of fire for all eternity.
In interpreting Revelation in light of the whole of Scripture what are we
taught?
1. We are taught that satan will bebound(him
and his activity) for 1,000 years shortly afterChrist’s
Second Coming. No other time before this will anyone be able to bind him or
prevent his work of leading astray, deceiving and seducing. Even though God
is sovereign, God cannot lie (Heb. 6:18) and God will permit the devil to
act until his time is up.
2. We are taught that Jesus has bound satan and his demons already with the
message of the Gospel in that he can’t stop the Gospel from going
forth(Matt. 16:18-19). Also satan no longer has dominion over us through the
persuasion of sin by Christ’s finished work on the cross (1 John 3:8).
3. We are taught even though satan is bound by the Gospel he is very much
active. 1 Peter 5:8 teaches us that satan is“like
a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”. Satan
will seek and continue to seek to destroy anyone who will let him (hence
“whom he may devour”). He has that authority in the earth because God gave
it to him, but only for a short time.
Therefore, the idea that believers can remove satan and his demon armies
permanently from spheres of influence, from tempting us, afflicting us,
harassing us, and from trying to distract us from serving and living unto
God is simply not true. In addition, the teaching that most of us have,
which is to “bind
him in the name of Jesus,” is
not found in the Bible. Take demons for example since binding and loosing is
primarily used in this instance. If we study the ministry of Jesus, the idea
of binding a demon should automatically raise some questions. Jesus never
tried to bind a demon (stop their activity), Hecast
the demon out(Matt 8:16;
8:39; 9:33; 10:38; 12:28). There was a time however that Jesus did bind or
forbid a demon to speak (Mark 1:34), but the end result was to cast him out.
How are we instructed to overcome satan?
1. Peter instructs us to“withstand
him; be firm in faith against his onset – rooted, established, strong,
immovable, and determined, knowing that the same sufferings are appointed to
our brotherhood (the whole body of Christ) throughout the world.”
2. Paul teaches us to put on the whole armor of God. Our weapons includetruth,
righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation and the word of God(Ephesians
6: 14-17).
3. 1Tim 1:18-19. It teaches us that we must wage a good warfareholding
fast to faith and having a clear conscience.And
we know that we must take control of our thought life by refuting arguments,
theories and reasoning’s and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up
against the true knowledge of God. We are to lead every thought and purpose
away captive into the obedience of Christ (2Cor. 10:5 Amp).
4. James 4:7. We are taught to be subject to God. Resist the devil – stand
firm against him and he will flee from us.
We are not taught anywhere in scripture to“bind”or“rebuke”him,
but we are constantly taught toSTAND
FIRMagainst him – the
same way Jesus stood firm against him while being tempted in the wilderness.
He stood against him with the Word of God and we must do the same.
What is the mandate for the practice of “Binding” satan? What does that
concept really mean? What does the Bible say about those “mandates”?
The“mandate”or
idea for“binding
satan”is based on the what I believe to be the misinterpretation of
three passages: Mt 12:29; 16:19; and 18:18. The context reveals that Matt.
12:29 was an illustration of Christ’s personal power over Satan. Jesus is
making the point that He is the stronger man. And the other scriptures Matt.
16:19; 18:18 are in the context of fulfilling God’s will on earth, including
church discipline. It has nothing to do with demons messing with us and our
stuff (things carnal believers are concerned about).
What does the binding and loosing concept really mean?
In the Jewish culture that phrase is an expression meaning to declare
forbidden, to declare allowed or to declare lawful – this idea of binding
and loosing has the force of the judicial notion of forbidding and
permitting. The power for binding and loosing is something that the Jews of
that day used. They bound or loosed an individual in the application of a
particular point of the Law and they did this to provide rules or to
discipline.
What are some applications of the Law that the Apostles (using the binding
and loosing concept) declared lawful or unlawful?
1. The use of circumcision. Circumcision was forbidden because it is now the
heart that is circumcised and not the flesh. (Romans 2:28-29
2. Thy declared forbidden the teaching that Christians (converted Jews)
should abide by certain Old Testament rites. (See the entire epistle of
Galatians)
3. The distinction of Jew and Gentile in Christ (Act 10:28 and Gal. 3:38)
What is the true definition of these “mandates”?
These two links are a great resource for explaining the definition:
While I am on the topic of discussing “spiritual warfare” tactics, I was
also taught to rebuke the devil. According to Scripture only God had that
authority.
Who is given the authority to rebuke?
Nowhere in Scripture are we taught to rebuke the devil or his demons, but we
are taught to cast them out and resist
"The Lord rebuke you"
The New Testament views rebuking as the sole prerogative of Jesus as an
expression of His Lordship and sovereignty over the spirit realm. The only
acceptable condition for a believer
to rebuke anyone is when we lovingly correct a someone who has fallen into
sin (Lk. 17:3; 1 Tim. 5:20). Throughout the New Testamtext indicates that these self-willed false prophets were engaged
in reviling fallen angelic majesties—demons. We are taught in 2 Peter 2:4-12
that this is something which is characteristic of false prophets, so it isa
warning for Christians not to engage in such practices.
We are warned twice in Scripture against reviling (uttering reproaches,
assailing with abusive language) and such practices.
If we are warned not to do these things then, why do so many professing
Christians regularly engage in such practices?
Both passages give us the answer.
“These, like unreasoning animals … reviling where they have no knowledge …”(2
Pe. 2:12).“But
these men revile the things
which they do not understand …”(Jude
10). This is an example of the ignorance of God’s Word which leads to wrong
practices. When these practices don’t bring about the our desired outcome it
discourages us in our faith and causes us to doubt God and some of us grow
weary and drop out of the battle. While practicing this method as well as
many others such as drawing invisible blood lines everywhere, I became
frustrated and I began to question it. I thought, “if I am constantly
binding satan and rebuking him, why is he still loose to bother me? All of
the binding and rebuking should cripple him. ” I knew then that I have to
dig in my bible and begin to study. I was tired of participating in the wild
goose chases of beliefs and practices that opened me up to attacks from the
enemy rather than the clearly taught instructions from God that protects me
from the enemy.
What are we taught in Scripture concerning dealing with demons?
Demons are Fallen Angels who willfully sided with Satan and became his
followers, to carry out his will instead of Gods. When confronted the darts,
wiles and persuasions of the devil we are taught to resist him. Now, if we
are dealing with a demon-possessed individual [the direct, inward control by
a demon(s)] we have the power and authority in the name of Jesus to cast out
the demon. As a matter of fact, we have power to overcome all of the power
of the enemy (Luke 110:19).
Conclusion
It is to our benefit to follow what is taught in Scripture and it it to our
detriment if we follow anything else.
“the practice of spiritual warfare believe it or not comes from movies such
as the Exorcist, books written by Frank Peretti, This Present Darkness. Many
Christian got a lot of concepts about spiritual warfare from that book. Also
Left Behind and the Believer’s Authority by Keneth Haggen
I did a search on these books and this is what I have found.
This Present Darkness, by Frank Peretti.
Released in 1986, he introduces an all-too-common phrase among Christians,
“I rebuke you, Satan,” which is invoked during prayer. The mystical approach
of throwing rebukes around has no basis in Scripture. Just the opposite is
true. Again we are not to rail against principalities and authorities in the
spirit realm (Jude 8-9. And we can see from His mention of Michael and the
devil that God does not look favorably upon those who rail against any
authorities including Satan’s. Yet the Church is filled today with teachers
who tell us how they’re going to “stomp on the devil.” They call him names
and rail against him as if to demonstrate that they have power over him.
The Believers Authority, by Kenneth E. Hagin.
He is the acknowledged “father” of the modern Word of Faith Movement and is
viewed by charismatic Christians globally as a true prophet of the Lord
Jesus Christ.
*Please note: I did not read these books. I am just giving you information
that can possibly shed some light on this practice as it relates to how it
originated.
Kenneth is said to have believed in the following beliefs:
1. Christians are little gods.
2. Jesus didn’t pay for our sins on the cross and he had to finish the job
of atonement in hell.
3. If Christians are not healthy and wealthy it is because of their lack of
faith or knowledge.
4. Christians have control over their lives by the words that they speak.
If they speak sickness and poverty they will be sick and broke.
Therefore, if a Christian speaks blessings and healing they will be healthy
and have wealth.”
Sadly, many believers are being lead astray by false deliverance teachings
which promise instantaneous victory over one’s problems by a timely rebuke
of the devil. This misleads people from the Biblical path of exercising
endurance or patience in overcoming their trials. As a result, many
believers are not developing the kind of proven character they need to
handle and overcome these trials to the glory of God. Everything we go
through is for our betterment, not our detriment.
Romans 5:3-5
“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that
tribulation worketh patience;And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our
hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
James 1:2-4
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing
this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have
her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
God wants to reproduce Himself in us. He wants to perfect our character so
that our lives will be a direct reflection of what is written His Word. This
character-building approach is illustrated by Paul’s thorn in the flesh (2
Cor. 12:7-10). The thorn is described as“a
messenger of Satan to buffet me—to keep me from exalting myself”(12:7).
It is quite possible this messenger was a demon. The Greek word for
messenger is “angelos,” the word for angel. Paul did not bind or rebuke the“messenger
of satan”, instead, he“entreated
the Lord three times that it might depart from me”[12:8]
Yet God did not grant Paul’s request, but said,“my
grace is sufficient for thee.”
Do we have power in the name of Jesus?Yes,
we do, but it is to be exercised within the will of God and what is
expressed in Scripture. The Lord was more interested in building Christ-like
character in Paul as a true display of His power (12:9) than in teaching him
how to fight the devil the way some of us have incorrectly been taught.
Let’s be sober and alert. It has become common to attribute a natural or
human explanation to most problems, but as believers we know that there is a
spirit world because satan is the prince and power of the air (Eph 2:2). We
have to have a spiritual warfare perspective so that we will be inclined to
test situations to ascertain whether or not there is something more than
natural influences at work. As spiritual warriors we must have an alertness
to the activity of the enemy so that we can actively resist him as scripture
teaches us.
As warriors we must bring discipline to our thought life, actions and the
fact that we have to continually build ourselves up on our most holy faith
and praying in the Holy Ghost (Jude 1:20). If we allow these areas to be
compromised, we will not be effective in resisting the enemy by standing
firm against him. We must also take sin very seriously, because sin always
gives the adversary an advantage and we know that we can do nothing that is
effective in our own strength. Our strength, authority, wisdom and
discernment are dependent upon our close walk with the Lord. We should
always remain focused and guard ourselves against distractions caused by
problems and troubles that appear. These distractions are designed to take
our eyes off the Lord.
In closing the concept of spiritual warfare is a pro-active approach to our
faith meaning it is our responsibility study the Word and do it. Scripture
teaches us thattrue
Biblical spiritual warfareis
simply indirect confrontation with satan our principle enemy. Indirect
confrontation implies that we do not fight with satan and his evil forces by
approaching them directly (I am not talking about casting out a demon). We
confront them by applying indirect means and the ways that God has
established for us.
The battle is the Lord’s!
We do our part in warfare by applying and fulfilling our required indirect
roles which secures our standing before God and allows Him to directly act
on our behalf. Jesus Christ has prayed that we be kept“from
the evil one”(John
17:15). Further, the Bible promises us that“God
keeps him and the evil one does not touch him”(1
John 5:18). Attacks from Satan against us becomes God’s battles as we obey
and fulfill the roles required of us, not by verbally threatening satan and
his demons which we are taught not to do (Jude 8,9; 2 Peter 2:4-12).
True Christian spiritual warfare is living a life of consecration, obedience
and fellowship with God in such a way that we enable God to effectively deal
with evil working against us by believing and doing what the Word says and
against other people by prayer and supplication. It is by our continued
abiding in Christ that makes us daily overcomers. This is seen in the
outline of our spiritual armor given in Ephesians 6:11-18. Now It’s true
that Satan and his demonic spirits (fallen angels) are the primary enemies
we wrestle against. It’s also true that God has given us certain strategies
in the Bible of confronting these evil beings whose full-time ministry is
scheming to ruin our lives. Working outside these biblical guidelines only
increases their effect in our lives.
Nowhere in the scripture do we see Jesus or the apostles address satan in
their pryers. When Satan sought to sift Peter and finish him off, Jesus
prayed to God. Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail.
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for
you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back,
strengthen your brothers,”Luke
22:31-32.
Jesus Christ prayed to the Father for Peter’s deliverance. His spiritual
warfare prayer or deliverance prayer was addressed to God not to Satan. How
much more should we follow His example of indirect confrontation?
Scripture teaches us how to have victory over the devil and it is by putting
on the whole armor of God (Truth, Righteousness, Gospel of Peace, Faith,
Salvation, and the Word of God). All these are aspects of consecration,
obedience to and fellowship with God. The Lord uses our consecration and
obedience to overturn Satan’s hold over matters in our lives and the lives
of those we’ve been assigned to minister to –spiritually, socially,
materially and physically. We will be ready to punish every act of
disobedience once (when) our obedience is complete -2 Corinthians 10:6
(emphasis added mine).
I know this is a hard pill to swallow but we must study saints of God. We
may do things with good intentions but if we are not careful we can be
walking in disobedience and error. May the Lord bless you and increase you
in His knowledge.
Sonia Kong, PDCM
Demon (26 Occurrences)
Matthew 9:32As
they went out, behold, a mute man who wasdemon possessed
was brought to him.(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Matthew 9:33When
thedemon was
cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, "Nothing like
this has ever been seen in Israel!"(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Matthew 11:18For
John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say,'He has ademon.'(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Matthew 12:22Then
one possessed by ademon,
blind and mute, was brought to him and he healed him, so that the blind and mute
man both spoke and saw.(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Matthew 15:22Behold,
a Canaanite woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, "Have mercy on
me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely demonized!"(Root
in WEB WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Matthew 17:18Jesus
rebuked him, thedemon went
out of him, and the boy was cured from that hour.(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Matthew 17:19Then
the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked Him, "Why could not we expel thedemon?"(WEY)
Mark 5:15They
came to Jesus, and saw him who had been possessed by demons sitting, clothed,
and in his right mind, even him who had the legion; and they were afraid.(Root
in WEB WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Mark 5:16Those
who saw it declared to them how it happened to him who was possessed by demons,
and about the pigs.(Root
in WEB WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Mark 5:18As
he was entering into the boat, he who had been possessed by demons begged him
that he might be with him.(Root
in WEB ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Mark 7:26Now
the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged him that he would
cast thedemon out
of her daughter.(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Mark 7:29He
said to her, "For this saying, go your way. Thedemon has
gone out of your daughter."(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Mark 7:30She
went away to her house, and found the child having been laid on the bed, with
thedemon gone
out.(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Luke 4:33In
the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an uncleandemon,
and he cried out with a loud voice,(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Luke 4:35Jesus
rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" When thedemon had
thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm.(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Luke 7:33For
John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say,'He
has ademon.'(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Luke 8:29For
Jesus was commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For the unclean
spirit had often seized the man. He was kept under guard, and bound with chains
and fetters. Breaking the bands apart, he was driven by thedemon into
the desert.(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Luke 9:42While
he was still coming, thedemon threw
him down and convulsed him violently. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and
healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.(WEB
ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Luke 11:14He
was casting out ademon,
and it was mute. It happened, when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke;
and the multitudes marveled.(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
John 7:20The
multitude answered, "You have ademon!
Who seeks to kill you?"(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
John 8:48Then
the Jews answered him, "Don't we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have ademon?"(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
John 8:49Jesus
answered, "I don't have ademon,
but I honor my Father, and you dishonor me.(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
John 8:52Then
the Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have ademon.
Abraham died, and the prophets; and you say,'If a man keeps my word, he will
never taste of death.'(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
John 10:20Many
of them said, "He has ademon,
and is insane! Why do you listen to him?"(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
John 10:21Others
said, "These are not the sayings of one possessed by ademon.
It isn't possible for a demon to open the eyes of the blind, is it?"(WEB
WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)
Acts 17:22And
Paul standing in the midst of Areopagus said, Athenians, in every way I see you
given up todemon worship;(DBY)
One
of the strangest scriptures is Matthew 16: 19: Whatever
you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth
will be loosed in heaven. What
could Jesus have meant by these words? Is this statement only about the
affairs of the church? Catholics believe Christ was giving spiritual
supremacy to Peter as the first pope. Most traditional Protestant
commentators think Christ’s words were a commission to the apostles to
administrate the affairs of the early church. Binding and loosing were terms
describing how ecclesiastical activities were to be governed.