Legal rights and Spiritual warfare

[philosopher]

I've been praying for spiritual discernment lately, and getting rid of anything I perceive as being a legal right for demons. However, the rest of my family is unsaved, and added to that, my mother is heavily involved with new-age beliefs, and all the paraphenalia that unfortunately comes with the territory. I have a feeling that my house is literally a demonic play pen because of this, and am looking for any advice to help with spiritual wafare? I've been quoting scripture which seems to help a great deal, but these filthy spirits have been attacking me ruthlessly today. The warfare is always in my mind, and if I entertain the thoughts at all, it seems to give demons a stronghold and they gain strength. This is the basic I know about how they operate.

Do I just need to rebuke and cast out these spirits with more authority in Jesus name? Perhaps I am not being bold enough or something. Ignoring their taunts and accusations does help but I'm afraid it is only a temporary fix until they find another way to try and infiltrate my thoughts. Also, the closer I get to Jesus, the more they attack me it seems.



Thanks in advance and God bless!

 

[Brother Mike]

Check what you believe.

Also, the closer I get to Jesus, the more they attack me it seems.

Wrong believe system brother. Light, means less darkness. Change your words.

spiritual warfare?

Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Read that about 15 times. Do you see any Warfare there?

The only power available is what you decide. Satan has no authority, no power, is defeated. He has no right to even be here, as the thief came in another way.

How much power in man made things? ZERO. Including all occult material.
Unless of course, those things produce fear in you.

Your house a demonic play pen?

Mat 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.


I had met a man that was heavy into the occult. Being a Christian he always picked on me, but I just kept sharing the word with him.

One day he told me I have no idea what power he has, and if I don't shut my mouth about Jesus, he was going to send some evil spirit to me in the night.

I looked at him and said. "Send your best!!"

Well, a day or so went by and I had just laid down in my bed, when wouldn't you know, there is this female shadowy thing with green bright eyes walking toward my bed. Pretty amazing the guy was actually able to pull that one off.
It came closer and it hissed at me. It then said some things, but I don't even remember it making sense, I just said "In the name of Jesus, You get out of here."

I was not frightened a bit.

That next day I went to find the guy to rub it in so to speak, and he ran from me telling me to stay away from him. I have no idea why, he was actually scared of me for some reason, no explanation.

till this day I don't know, and He left, I never saw him again. I would have liked to ask him though.

We can only ignore if we know who we are, and we are the righteousness of God, in Christ Jesus. Strong in the Lord, and power of his might. Greater, far greater is the one living in us, than any puny devil. (Greater is he that is in me, then he that is in the World)

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[T Man]

Jesus makes people of power

I feel the issue is a lack of faith, heaps of belief, but a simple lack of faith. i am not saying this in a bad way towards you, but just speaking as a matter of fact.

Truth, Jesus is greater than all things
Truth, we are brothers with Jesus, we share in His victory
Truth, There is nothing Jesus can't do, He can even make a donkey talk to you.
Truth, Spiritual Wisdom is Christ Wisdom, men wisdom is flesh wisdom
Truth, We trust in Him or we don't, no half messures
Truth, we are hot for Him or we are cold for Him, luke warm will kill you
Truth, take your crown and share in His reward, or spend your life passing the hat around
Truth, Become the person of power Jesus wants you to be, or just spend your life in wishful thinking.

I feel the problem is many lack faith, they have heaps of belief, but belief is just belief, it has no power. Faith on the other hand is alltogether another thing and its power is way beyond words, spoken or written. I am not saying put belief in a draw, I am saying a good balence of belief and faith is good, but more faith than belief is better.

Don't think "I am I saved" or "Is it true" Just live it, Christ will do the rest. Jesus got on His knees for a woman about to be stoned for doing bad things, guess what, Jesus would get on His knees for you too. Jesus said to the man on the cross next to Him, today you will be in heaven with me, no lessons, no training, no reading the bible, no major belief system, no idea. Yet saved because of faith, a simple trust factor in the one that sets men free.

Demons only come when you let them, if you open the door to them, well they will come and sit down and eat you out of house and home. Shut the door in their face and slam it shut. Jesus said "and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" this means, we do not walk around scared of demons, they run around scared of us. Because salvation is not something we do, its something Jesus did. We just live it.

Blessings T

 

[Brother Mike]

Praise the Lord.

Awesome T Man!!!

I was thinking this morning about this post, and the same exact thing.

this means, we do not walk around scared of demons, they run around scared of us. Because salvation is not something we do, its something Jesus did. We just live it.

Mar 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
Mar 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

This whole legion of demons are so afraid, they use God's name against Jesus!!!!! That takes some......... guts.

Using God's name at this moment shows they will choose any other options but to deal with the Holy Spirit of God in Jesus.

I want this reality in every believer today, that we have someone so far greater in us.

If we try to reason, and go on equal terms with the devil on our own, we will loose every time. Just as Paul had learned.

Paul going in with abundance of revelation and knowledge got the slats kicked out from under him by the messenger of Satan. Paul's Message would not be exalted. Paul said.......

2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ (Anointing) may rest upon me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

We should developing a knowing the Holy Spirit is in us, His power rest upon us. Satan is no match for this, has no recourse.

Eph 3:17 That Christ (Jesus the anointed, and his anointing) may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Jesus is Lord.

 

[John Zain]

I have a feeling that my house is literally a demonic play pen ...
and am looking for any advice to help with spiritual wafare?
Do I just need to rebuke and cast out these spirits with more authority in Jesus name?

Brother, you have ALL power and authority over ALL demons ... in Jesus' mighty name!

ALL demons hate the name "Jesus" (when they know Christ is being referred to).
and ...
ALL demons hate to hear about Jesus' blood.

MANY believers have cleared ALL demons out of a property, house, room, person, etc.
when they have prayed with faith, and with the authority given to them by Jesus Himself.

This type of spiritual warfare will get rid of ALL demonic presence:

"I plead the precious blood of Jesus Christ ALL over this entire property, inside and out.
This WHOLE property is covered in the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
This WHOLE property is soaked and drenched in the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Thank you, Jesus, for Your precious blood, which You shed for us on Calvary.
ALL demons, I command you to leave right now, in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Repeat this occasionally until you are sure that ALL demons have left.

 

[philosopher]

I have this disorder called pure OCD, which is obsessive compulsive disorder, that mainly manifests itself in intrusive thoughts that are persistent. I have suspected for some time now that this is some sort of demonic oppression, but no matter how strongly i rebuke it, it won't leave. Ignoring the voices eventually lessens their power, and they will leave temporarily. But than Satan finds another thought or subject to accuse/confuse me with; and the stronger reaction I have to it, the more anxiety and depression it causes. Also, reassurance only works for a period of time, because the brain likes to scan for any possible exception.

I remember reading that Jesus said the stronger demons would only leave with MUCH prayer and fasting. Perhaps I need to increase both. I feel close to the Lord in spirit right now, but I still have these annoying and constant intrusive thoughts. Sorry for the rant but I don't know where else to turn. Psychiatrists only prescribe useless medication, that drones out the problem, rather than actually addressing it. And they try to figure things out with mans wisdom which doesn't get you very far, when you don't even want to acknowledge the spiritual realm.

Maybe my faith isn't strong enough though, I am really not sure. Thanks for the responses everyone.

 

[eddieb]

I've been praying for spiritual discernment lately, and getting rid of anything I perceive as being a legal right for demons. However, the rest of my family is unsaved, and added to that, my mother is heavily involved with new-age beliefs, and all the paraphenalia that unfortunately comes with the territory. I have a feeling that my house is literally a demonic play pen because of this, and am looking for any advice to help with spiritual wafare? I've been quoting scripture which seems to help a great deal, but these filthy spirits have been attacking me ruthlessly today. The warfare is always in my mind, and if I entertain the thoughts at all, it seems to give demons a stronghold and they gain strength. This is the basic I know about how they operate.

Do I just need to rebuke and cast out these spirits with more authority in Jesus name? Perhaps I am not being bold enough or something. Ignoring their taunts and accusations does help but I'm afraid it is only a temporary fix until they find another way to try and infiltrate my thoughts. Also, the closer I get to Jesus, the more they attack me it seems.



Thanks in advance and God bless!

i dont know by your post if you are spirit filled and if so, if you can speak in tounges. the bible says the spirit prays for things we dont know about to ask. i used to live somewhere that was a "demonic playpen" praying in tounges and with my mind at the same time really helped. you can expect the closer you get to God the attacks to increase. devils are afraid of who we are in Christ and they will try anything to stop you from getting to the point where the annointing is strong. unfortunatly, the people in your family are inviting these spirits in. dont stop praying until you get a breakthru. by breakthru i mean you can discern the spirit of Jesus speaks thru you. when it happened for me i could speak freely. i told the enemy to shutup and i couldnt see that devil but his eyes got big and he backed up in fear. he then withdrew from the room. the best and only way i can describe it was the Holy Spirit "turned around" inside me and it was Jesus. same spirit just a little different. when i felt the "turn around" i just knew this devil would obey my command. after that the devils was still in this demonic play pen house i lived in but they left me alone. shortly after i moved out and into a house with a brother and his wife. thru Christ we are more than overcomers. He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. be strong. you can do this. continually ask for annointing.

 

[Brother Mike]

Thoughts.

eddieb

i dont know by your post if you are spirit filled and if so, if you can speak in tounges.

Speaking in tongues is a powerful weapon..............

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I guess it's time to get more faith.

Brother, we have all had thoughts, on going, constant. I use to think that people were trying to poison me. I even had other people taste my food first, just in case. It seemed real enough to me.

Now, I just speak the word over it, and eat it, if it's not crawled away yet.

Meds only block parts of the brain. My mom is in a mental home, I know that dulling your thinking and changing chemical balances does not make anyone free.

Did you know that you can't praise God and think something different? Do that all day if you have to. God designed us this way, so that when something happens, we have the ability to speak, we get to choose.

What is more powerful? The Word of God, or thoughts?

Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2Co 10:5 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;


The bible tells us what to do with thoughts, if it were not possible, then the scripture lied to us. The problem is we get weary in well doing, instead of taking our stand.

I remember reading that Jesus said the stronger demons would only leave with MUCH prayer and fasting.

Sadly, Jesus said it was lack of faith, the translators added the prayer and fasting part for whatever reason. Google it if you want to check it out.

Faith speaks...........

2Co 4:13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;

Faith agrees with God, what God said. Faith when tormented by thoughts will speak the word. You can't speak one thing, while thinking something else. How long this take? Until your free.

Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.

Something to say:

I am free from pure OCD, I have the mind of Christ, and word filled mind, not a mind filled with trash. I only think what the Word of God says, I only Count true what My father in Heaven counts true. I take my stand on the Word of God, which never returns void. I speak Good things, that God said about me. God only thinks peace toward me, He only speaks love toward me. I love God, and He loves me. My mind is sharp, it is clear. I only believe what the Word says, I cast down those things that are against the Word of God.

I have great victory in Christ Jesus. I call my mind free, I call my mind, the mind of Christ, I call my self free from all fears, Nothing by any means can Hurt me.

Devil, I resist you in the name of Jesus, your a liar, and father of lies. I do not believe a thing you put in my head. I believe the word of God. You have to flee, you have no choice. I am God's child, and Jesus my High priest will uphold the Fathers Word in my life.

Thank you lord for your love, strength and power to stand, thank you Holy Spirit for your comfort, and showing me things to come. I declare all these things true in my life, in Jesus Mighty Name.

Write some scriptures down, come up with some confessions and be ready when thoughts come again, don't just ignore them, use your sword.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[philosopher]

I was planning on replying to individual points, but kept getting sidetracked, so here goes:

The only power available is what you decide. Satan has no authority, no power, is defeated. He has no right to even be here, as the thief came in another way.

He will always be there lurking with temptations and accusatory thoughts, but you're right that it depends on my reaction to this which determines his power.

How much power in man made things? ZERO. Including all occult material.
Unless of course, those things produce fear in you.

Sometimes they do to be honest. My mother has this African voodoo mask from west Africa and I've just had a bad feeling about it ever since I became a Christian. She had no idea what it was until I told her, but still skeptical thinking it is a harmless piece of art.

I had met a man that was heavy into the occult. Being a Christian he always picked on me, but I just kept sharing the word with him.

One day he told me I have no idea what power he has, and if I don't shut my mouth about Jesus, he was going to send some evil spirit to me in the night.

I looked at him and said. "Send your best!!"

Well, a day or so went by and I had just laid down in my bed, when wouldn't you know, there is this female shadowy thing with green bright eyes walking toward my bed. Pretty amazing the guy was actually able to pull that one off.
It came closer and it hissed at me. It then said some things, but I don't even remember it making sense, I just said "In the name of Jesus, You get out of here."

I was not frightened a bit.

That next day I went to find the guy to rub it in so to speak, and he ran from me telling me to stay away from him. I have no idea why, he was actually scared of me for some reason, no explanation.

till this day I don't know, and He left, I never saw him again. I would have liked to ask him though.

We can only ignore if we know who we are, and we are the righteousness of God, in Christ Jesus. Strong in the Lord, and power of his might. Greater, far greater is the one living in us, than any puny devil. (Greater is he that is in me, then he that is in the World)

Jesus Is Lord.

That was an inspirational read and gives me hope, thanks!

I feel the problem is many lack faith, they have heaps of belief, but belief is just belief, it has no power. Faith on the other hand is alltogether another thing and its power is way beyond words, spoken or written. I am not saying put belief in a draw, I am saying a good balence of belief and faith is good, but more faith than belief is better.

I'm going to start praying more specifically for God to help increase my faith. A fresh and powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit is enough to get anyone's heart set and sure. God actually has been answering several of my prayers lately so I just have to trust him more I think.

Demons only come when you let them, if you open the door to them, well they will come and sit down and eat you out of house and home. Shut the door in their face and slam it shut. Jesus said "and the gates of hell will not prevail against it" this means, we do not walk around scared of demons, they run around scared of us. Because salvation is not something we do, its something Jesus did. We just live it.

This confirms what I was thinking as well, thanks! My problem sometimes is not rebuking and ignoring Satan's taunts and accusations as soon as they come. Sometimes he tries to condemn me with absurd things, that both my rational and spiritual self, know is false, but arguing with him is counter-productive. The devil is a proud being, the reason why he was cast out of Heaven, so not giving him the time of day and continuing to focus on Jesus should be more than enough to get him frustrated.

Mar 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
Mar 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

This whole legion of demons are so afraid, they use God's name against Jesus!!!!! That takes some......... guts.

Using God's name at this moment shows they will choose any other options but to deal with the Holy Spirit of God in Jesus.

Yeah bro, all good points here that I will be remembering. I've noticed sometimes that even saying the name of Jesus, when these evil thoughts arise, can be enough to deter and scare demonic messengers off.

If we try to reason, and go on equal terms with the devil on our own, we will loose every time. Just as Paul had learned.

I think this has been my error as well, I've been trying to argue with the devil with my own logic, which is pointless.

MANY believers have cleared ALL demons out of a property, house, room, person, etc.
when they have prayed with faith, and with the authority given to them by Jesus Himself.

This type of spiritual warfare will get rid of ALL demonic presence:

"I plead the precious blood of Jesus Christ ALL over this entire property, inside and out.
This WHOLE property is covered in the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
This WHOLE property is soaked and drenched in the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Thank you, Jesus, for Your precious blood, which You shed for us on Calvary.
ALL demons, I command you to leave right now, in the mighty name of the Lord Jesus Christ."

Repeat this occasionally until you are sure that ALL demons have left.
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Ok much appreciated, John. I'm going to likely write both yours and Mike's sample prayer down, and try to base future rebukes with a similar platform.

i dont know by your post if you are spirit filled and if so, if you can speak in tounges. the bible says the spirit prays for things we dont know about to ask.

Well, I've been born again for roughly a year now, but no I haven't received the gift of tongues yet. I have been seeking it lately and asking the Lord for it, so hopefully it will happen soon. I am longing for God's personal intercession because his prayer will always be perfect.

by breakthru i mean you can discern the spirit of Jesus speaks thru you. when it happened for me i could speak freely. i told the enemy to shutup and i couldnt see that devil but his eyes got big and he backed up in fear. he then withdrew from the room. the best and only way i can describe it was the Holy Spirit "turned around" inside me and it was Jesus. same spirit just a little different. when i felt the "turn around" i just knew this devil would obey my command. after that the devils was still in this demonic play pen house i lived in but they left me alone..

Aye, that was exciting just reading about that!

I guess it's time to get more faith.

Brother, we have all had thoughts, on going, constant. I use to think that people were trying to poison me. I even had other people taste my food first, just in case. It seemed real enough to me.

Yeah I'm familiar with this sort of paranoia as well. You see before I became a Christian, I hung out with friends that were heavily into the occult and paganism. Back than however, I was a staunch atheist, and never thought they actually were acquiring supernatural powers. I just thought they had an odd hobby, and we were all potheads so, meh. After I quit drugs, and left those friends, and came to Christ, I started to become paranoid that they were sending evil spirits after me.

Meds only block parts of the brain. My mom is in a mental home, I know that dulling your thinking and changing chemical balances does not make anyone free.

Yes; I read the story about your mother, and my deepest condolences, friend. I didn't reply in the thread because I couldn't quite find the right words. I once tried an anti-depressant to fight my anxiety before, and it only made things worse. Only two weeks and I became so agitated and mentally-dulled, that it wasn't worth it...

Did you know that you can't praise God and think something different? Do that all day if you have to. God designed us this way, so that when something happens, we have the ability to speak, we get to choose.

I'll have to get in the habit of even just praying in my head, whilst engaging in other activities. Interesting to know.

What is more powerful? The Word of God, or thoughts?

For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2Co 10:5 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;

I'll write down these verses to keep handy, too.


Also, I ran across this scripture today and it raised my confidence a bit:

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. - Luke 10:19

 

[Chad]

I just happened to be at the bookstore today and picked up one of those daily devotional Christian books. This one in particular was just about this topic actually, power over demons. The book is called "Prayers that Rout Demons" by John Eckhardt. I downloaded the Kindle e-book version for convenience. I can read it on my iPhone or iPad anytime, which is very handy just like those awesome Bible apps.

Consider reading that book. If you have an iPhone or Android phone, you can download the Amazon Kindle app for free and read a preview of the book.

 

[philosopher]

I just happened to be at the bookstore today and picked up one of those daily devotional Christian books. This one in particular was just about this topic actually, power over demons. The book is called "Prayers that Rout Demons" by John Eckhardt. I downloaded the Kindle e-book version for convenience. I can read it on my iPhone or iPad anytime, which is very handy just like those awesome Bible apps.

Consider reading that book. If you have an iPhone or Android phone, you can download the Amazon Kindle app for free and read a preview of the book.

Thanks for the suggestion, Chad. I'm going to write down the name and author to check out later.

 

[Brother Mike]

Chad's Advice.

Prayers the Route Demons........

Yes!! Any prayer based on the Word, the devil has no recourse against. Satan's main lie that you see is........

Surly God did not say. The first lie he told Eve, Surly God did not say you shall die.......

The Lie he told Jesus, Jump, it is written the angels shall bare thee up....

He attacks the integrity of God's Word in our lives, constantly. God don't care, God took my baby, God made me sick to teach me something, God could have did something, but did not.

Once we come to a place in our lives where the Word is more true than anything else, the devil knows he is done.

I wrote this in my bible years ago.

I am not moved by what I see, I am not moved by what I hear, I am only moved by what I believe, and I believe the Word of God.

If God said it, I believe it, and that settles it for me.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[Davy]

Have you considered that these intrusive thoughts are just a symptom of your OCD mental condition, and by worrying about it, you are just making the condition worse? The more you think about something the more your mind will focus and dwell on it. You could try distracting your thinking, then those intrusive thoughts that may not have anything to do with Demons will subside in intensity. Try listening to music, classical, modern, and religious, with ear phones, for much of the day. It may all be a storm in a tea cup, you are just over embellishing those intrusive thoughts that are a symptom of your OCD. If that is true, and you do not get a grip of it, it could develop into a more serious condition. Lots of Love, Davy.

 

[philosopher]

Have you considered that these intrusive thoughts are just a symptom of your OCD mental condition, and by worrying about it, you are just making the condition worse? The more you think about something the more your mind will focus and dwell on it. You could try distracting your thinking, then those intrusive thoughts that may not have anything to do with Demons will subside in intensity. Try listening to music, classical, modern, and religious, with ear phones, for much of the day. It may all be a storm in a tea cup, you are just over embellishing those intrusive thoughts that are a symptom of your OCD. If that is true, and you do not get a grip of it, it could develop into a more serious condition. Lots of Love, Davy.

Hi Mate, it could very well be because of my dysfunctional brain, that had previously taken a lot of beating from drug abuse in my past. Part of me, however, is convinced that a large majority of these mental illnesses is because of demonic oppression. Until this day, psychiatrists have no idea what causes schizophrenia, bipolar, ocd for example. I don't want to jump to conclusions and say demons but it is a possibility. These conditions, according to man, are uncureable. However, I've read plenty of testimonies already of Jesus performing miraculous healings that have left doctors stumped.

Also, you're correct in that the more attention and grieved my reactions are by the thoughts, it sends a message to the sub-conscious brain that ''THIS IS A BIG DEAL'' - thus, the thoughts will continue appearing. By accepting the thoughts when they come, and putting my attention on positive things such as God, they don't produce much anxiety over time and will eventually go away. This is the way to treat it without medication, but I truly believe only Jesus can fully deliver me from the condition. But, I realize that it must be on his time, and his will. Perhaps this is some sort of punishment for the type of person I was before I came to Christ. I was very wicked.

God bless you, and everyone else in the thread, whose advice has all been valuable.

 

[eddieb]

encouragment

Perhaps this is some sort of punishment for the type of person I was before I came to Christ. I was very wicked.

look at paul. he did a lot of bad stuff and God used him greatly. forgiven is forgiven. when God looks at us he sees the Jesus in us. not that wretch of days gone by. Gal_2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

[lawrenceb]

the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind

Philosopher, a voodoo mask is a power object of the occult. satan's devils are (legally) attracted to those who possess such objects so consecrated. Likewise with Big Pharma, when one turns to the God-less purported government's pharmaceutical "cures." Both instances offer open doors to the enemy to set up strongholds in your life.

Elisha, we read, smote the waters of Jordan with Elijah's mantle. If we consider Elijah here as a type of Christ translated and Elisha as a type of the Church left behind to carry on His ministry, then the mantle of Elijah must be a picture of the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ that He has committed to His Church. Jesus has given us the way, just as Elisha used the mantle to make a way through the River Jordan.

However, it is not just a matter of repenting the Name as though it were some sort of magic charm. Many use His Name in that way, but nothing happens. There is no manifestation of power and no removal of the mountains that block up the way.

Gehazi once took Elisha's staff and under instructions from Elisha, laid it on a dead child. He may also have at that time cried out in an authoritative manner, "In the Name of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, arise from the dead." But nothing happened.

God doesn't just listen to the words that a man says. He looks at his heart. The power of the words depends on the type of man that uses them. God knew that Gehazi's heart was not set on the glory of God but on the world and on personal gain.

Elisha's heart was different. He sought God's glory alone and so God could commit His authority to him. And so when Elisha prayed, the dead child arose immediately. When he smote the waters of Jordan with the mantle, they parted into two.

I have met people who use the Name of Jesus and keep on repeating it (sometimes at the top of their voices), but nothing happens. They have reminded me of the prophets of Baal who shouted and screamed on Mount Carmel. The kingdom of God is not manifested in mere words (no matter how loudly or how authoritatively spoken), but by power. If Elisha had not been an anointed man, he could have hit the waters as hard at he liked, with the mantle, but nothing would have happened. It would have been just a waste of time and energy! The anointing of the Spirit is indeed essential if we are to use the Name of Jesus with real power.

In Acts chapter 3, we find Peter using the Name of Jesus; and God's power was manifested. The lame man began to walk. It was so obvious a miracle that no one had to go around showing people the man's medical reports in order to convince them that he had been healed. There was nothing uncertain or shady about that miracle. There was no doubt left in anyone's mind as to whether or not a miracle had actually taken place -- as is so often the case with "miracles" wrought by some 20th-century healers!

We find right through the Book of Acts, the disciples using the Name of Jesus again and again to remove every obstacle that came in the way of their fulfilling God's purposes. They really knew the anointing. The gates of Hell could not stand against such a powerful Church.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Do I just need to rebuke and cast out these spirits with more authority in Jesus name? Perhaps I am not being bold enough or something. Ignoring their taunts and accusations does help but I'm afraid it is only a temporary fix until they find another way to try and infiltrate my thoughts. Also, the closer I get to Jesus, the more they attack me it seems.

Many believers disagree with me on this, but I dont know of anyplace in the New Testament where we are told to rebuke demons in Jesus' name. Acts 19:13-17 tells what happened to some fellows who tried that and it wasn't pretty.

The New Testament does tell us to take a stand against the enemy (Eph 6:10-18), but that's different than attacking him with a rebuke. Actually, I think Satan likes it when we try to rebuke him because while we're doing that, our focus is on him and not on God.

SLE

 

[John Zain]

Many believers disagree with me on this, but I dont know of anyplace in the New Testament where we are told to rebuke demons in Jesus' name. Acts 19:13-17 tells what happened to some fellows who tried that and it wasn't pretty.
The New Testament does tell us to take a stand against the enemy (Eph 6:10-18), but that's different than attacking him with a rebuke. Actually, I think Satan likes it when we try to rebuke him because while we're doing that, our focus is on him and not on God.

Greetings Ed ...

Remember, your fellows in Acts 19 were not born-again believers.

I'm sure you know this verse ...
"Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7).

But, does "resist" just mean to ignore the thoughts he has laid on you?
No, I'm sure it means to resist with the powerful words of a strong believer.

Yes, our focus is on our spiritual power and authority (which God has given to us).
"Behold, I give you the authority to ... and over all the power of the enemy." (Luke 10:19).
We must believe in these promises, and more faith we have the better.

But, the proof's in the puddin' ... why doubt it? ... it works.

 

[philosopher]

look at paul. he did a lot of bad stuff and God used him greatly. forgiven is forgiven. when God looks at us he sees the Jesus in us. not that wretch of days gone by. Gal_2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me .

Thanks for the encouragement eddie. Perhaps this is just my appointed time in the Christian wilderness, where the Lord is building me up.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28

Philosopher, a voodoo mask is a power object of the occult. satan's devils are (legally) attracted to those who possess such objects so consecrated. Likewise with Big Pharma, when one turns to the God-less purported government's pharmaceutical "cures." Both instances offer open doors to the enemy to set up strongholds in your life.

I've tried to explain this to my mother repeatedly, and even showed her pictures online of similar masks. But the seriousness of the message never seems to rub off unfortunately. It's just simple art unless you're aware of the spiritual realm and the adversary. Moving out is an option, but I am unemployed at the moment, and unable to get a decent paying job until construction season opens up. If they hire me that is.

As for big pharma, I'm not too aware of the warfare that can be associated with that. How does the enemy set up strongholds in a persons life? I, personally, just don't want to resort to drugs because of the complete dependency; and the fact that they mask the problem rather than actually fixing it. But I'm generally sympathetic to those who use the drugs because I know how agonizing mental illnesses can be.

God bless!

 

[SpiritLedEd]

COLOR="Black"]"Behold, I give you the authority to ... and over all the power of the enemy." (Luke 10:19).[/COLOR]
We must believe in these promises, and more faith we have the better.

I don't believe that the Lord's statement in Luke 10:19 was intended to be taken as a mantle for all believers. I think it was a targeted instruction that applied only to the disciples present with Him that day for the mission work they would be carrying out. The devil loves it when we go around rebuking him in Jesus' name because he knows that (a)Jesus hasn't authorized that usage and (b), as I said, such rebuking plays into his hands because it takes our attention away from God at least momentarily. To resist, in my opinion, means to stand firmly in place - to be immoveable - as opposed to going on the offensive.

SLE