Demons and the believer

[Apostolic1ness]

Originally Posted by Aquila

CONTINUED:

This brings us to another element of spiritual warfare... binding and loosing.

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.

As it relates to spiritual warfare, "Binding" restrains evil spirits and the powers of the enemy in preparation for being cast out or cast down. "Loosing" unleashes the power of God to bring answers to prayer involving deliverance, healing, blessing, miracles, and restoration. Loosing can also be used with regards to imprecatory prayer to bring a curse of judgment against spiritual enemies, schemes, and constructs.

We had a short discussion on imprecatory prayer on another thread. Imprecatory prayers are prayers of warfare. They are prayers of declaration that involve rebukes and curses upon our spiritual enemies. For example, when Paul cursed Elymas the sorcerer with blindness. Another rather intense imprecatory prayer can be found in Psalms 140:1-13. While these prayers use much strong language, and appear to be merciless, they must be put into proper context and perspective.

First, imprecatory prayers are only even considered after all efforts to show mercy, patience, kindness, and love have been exhausted.

Second, they are not prayers of revenge, they are prayers of justice that desire to see God's will and purposes defeat the enemy and end all oppression.

Thirdly, there is an underlying desire that through such judgment one's enemies might feel the pressure and repent that they might be made right with God.

Ever pray that God "rattle the cage" or "ring the bell" of a man who opposed you in the Spirit? God has a way of knocking the man square in the head and landing him on his back. Now, if the man is wise and spiritual, he might realize that God is trying to get his attention, and that it might be best if he make his peace with the Lord. Remember, the goal of any imprecatory prayer is the salvation and well being of one's enemies. Not their destruction. Although, if God moves forward and destroys one's enemies, one can be assured that said enemy had crossed the line with God and it was time to cash in the chips.

And so, prayer for the merciless destruction of one's enemies is a sin. Jesus illustrates this when the disciples offer to pray for fire to come down and consume those who rejected Christ:

Luke 9:54-56 King James Version (KJV)
54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

Another element of imprecatory prayer is apocalyptic language, or euphemistic language. Praying that one's enemies experience destruction, calamity, that their skulls be broken, teeth shattered, and throat slit by the sword of their own mouths isn't to be viewed as being literal. Such language can be seen in many of the imprecatory Psalms (Psalms 7, 35, 55, 58, 59, 69, 79, 109, 137 and 139). The answer to such prayers might simply be a significant set back for one's spiritual enemies. For example, the loss of a contract, a sickness, their car breaking down, the failure of their business, a work place accident, etc. We must realize that such imprecative language is symbolic and only expressing the spiritual severity of our warfare. For example, the OT prophets and Christ spoke with an imprecative prophesy of judgment against corrupt earthly nations that included the skies falling, the sun, moon, and stars being darkened, the earth being opened, and other seemingly apocalyptic language. However, these empires fell and these nations were laid waste through natural means in due time without these things literally manifesting. Such is the nature of imprecative prayer and prophecy. These prayers are simply to loose the power of God in one's defense against one's spiritual enemies, including the demonic forces that are aligned against us.

With binding and loosing prayer we will note several things:

First, the authority is granted to us here on earth.

Second, direction of action begins on earth, not in Heaven. Faith expressed through prayer begins on earth and moves Heaven (the spiritual kingdom's reality).

The battle begins with us being willing to pray and engage. We often wonder why we aren't seeing more miracles, healings, revivals, outpourings, etc. coming from God. What we fail to realize is that God is waiting for us to unleash His power through our faith and the authority given to us in Christ Jesus. Consider this... Peter didn't pray that God would heal the lame man at the gate of the temple. No. Peter prayed a declarative prayer saying, "Silver and gold have I none, but that which I do have, give I thee..." Peter understood that the power was his to unleash through the name and authority of Jesus. What Peter had was power and authority.

But sadly, we often worry about how we'll look if there aren't results. First, there will only be results if God wills it. The power is His very own Spirit. Second, this only reveals our lack of faith. Remember when I mentioned that the very fabric of the universe is designed to respond to what is expected of it? If you expect that you might fail, you invariably will. If you expect that your prayers might not be answered, they won't be. We need a new baptism of understanding that illuminates our understanding of true faith. Sometimes the failure of a prayer is in the very wording of the prayer. If I say,

"Lord, I really need a car, please bless me with a car."

What did I affirm??? I affirmed my lack. I didn't affirm God's power. But if I pray,

"Lord, I speak your blessing and power over my life. Father, I thank you for meeting my every need. I have need of wheels, oh Lord. I know you're able, and I give you all the glory, honor, thanksgiving, and praise for it. In Jesus name, Amen."

Now, what did I affirm??? God's power.

When casting out evil spirits, we must speak words of faith and power. We must bind the enemy, and loose the power of God.

I saw my whole work transformed. It was like something was in the water. Everyone was on my case. Everyone seemed to have a problem with me and/or my work. The harder I tried to please, the more unpleased people were. Here's how powerful this can be. God's power always works in accordance to His will. I wasn't sure what the problem was. So, knowing how the power of God works, I simply prayed, "Father, I don't know what is necessary here, but you do. I loose your power in this place and ask that you fix what is wrong here, for you alone are able." Guess what? Within a week, I think it was only two days, everything changed and I had favor with everyone. To this day, I don't know what happened specifically. But I know the power of God went to work on my behalf.

If uncertain as to what you're up against spiritually, sometimes just releasing the power of God into the situation will allow God to go to work on your behalf, uprooting or revealing strongholds you didn't realize were present.

I know many might disagree with me. But, this is what I believe. And please understand, sometimes things are just a matter of semantics. My "methods" or understanding of spiritual principles might be worded or informed differently from another's. I might see value in what is discovered on the quantum level, and another brother might not care one bit or see how it is remotely spiritually relevant. But that doesn't mean one is right and the other is wrong. Spiritual realities and principles are vast and multifaceted. Sometimes good men can see things from different angles. It doesn't mean that they are not looking at the very same thing. They just see it differently.

quantum?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Apostolic1ness

quantum?

Eh, it was just an interesting example regarding how one of the craziest science experiments of the 20th century indicates that consciousness can indeed effect the behavior of subatomic matter by mere observation. The universe as we know it is designed to respond to consciousness. I just call it, "having faith".

[Aquila]

Prayer and fasting are also significant practices when contemplating spiritual warfare. You fast to rid yourself of "self" and to put the flesh into subjection. And you pray to become filled with God's Spirit and power. Less of you... more of Him. This can uproot any stronghold that has proven difficult to remove.

Matthew 17:14-21 King James Version (KJV)
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

All this being said, the Bible is pretty plain about spiritual warfare, demonic possession, oppression, and casting out devils. I'm not sure where Esaias got the notion that...

Originally Posted by Esaias

Biblical spiritual warfare is not about demons or anything else star wars related, it is all about the conflict of worldviews between God's Word and Truth on the one hand, and the darkened imaginations of unregenerate, rebellious, sinful society on the other hand.

[Apostolic1ness]

Originally Posted by Aquila;1544924[B

]Prayer and fasting are also significant practices when contemplating spiritual warfare.[/B] You fast to rid yourself of "self" and to put the flesh into subjection. And you pray to become filled with God's Spirit and power. Less of you... more of Him. This can uproot any stronghold that has proven difficult to remove.

Matthew 17:14-21 King James Version (KJV)
14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.
18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

All this being said, the Bible is pretty plain about spiritual warfare, demonic possession, oppression, and casting out devils. I'm not sure where Esaias got the notion that...

Aquila, not trying to cross swords but prayer and fasting are staples to a successful relationship with God and its quite upsetting to hear that they seem to be just practices for someone contemplating spiritual warfare. The things you have mentioned on this subject are true in a since but they must be coupled with all other aspects of a christian life. Such as you make a point of speaking things and taking authority over spirits but people cant do this without some much more needed things other than voice and faith that a spirit will leave. What about being filled with the Spirit and a prayer life and submission to God? All these things must be coupled together. No offence but just because a person commands a spirit to flee means nothing without first having a relationship with God also if a spirit is subject to the name of Jesus that really doesn't say much about the person speaking the name other than they know the name of the one with the power.

[1ofthechosen]

Originally Posted by Apostolic1ness View Post
can you give an example of how one engages demonic spirits?

Originally Posted by Aquila

By command. We command them. When we issue a command and loose the power and authority of Jesus, they must go. The spoke word is powerful. More powerful than we realize.

.

Where is the scripture that says this?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Apostolic1ness

Aquila, not trying to cross swords but prayer and fasting are staples to a successful relationship with God and its quite upsetting to hear that they seem to be just practices for someone contemplating spiritual warfare. The things you have mentioned on this subject are true in a since but they must be coupled with all other aspects of a christian life. Such as you make a point of speaking things and taking authority over spirits but people cant do this without some much more needed things other than voice and faith that a spirit will leave. What about being filled with the Spirit and a prayer life and submission to God? All these things must be coupled together. No offence but just because a person commands a spirit to flee means nothing without first having a relationship with God also if a spirit is subject to the name of Jesus that really doesn't say much about the person speaking the name other than they know the name of the one with the power.

Oh, I don't think you're crossing swords. You're exactly right! I apologize for any misunderstanding. I'm only speaking within the context of spiritual warfare on this thread, with the assumption that the individual involved has been born of both water and of the Spirit, and is living a life pleasing in God's sight. Prayer and fasting are indeed instrumental in Christian spiritual development in a more broader context.

We're not in any serious disagreement that I can see.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by 1ofthechosen

Originally Posted by Apostolic1ness View Post
can you give an example of how one engages demonic spirits?



Where is the scripture that says this?

I touched on the power of the spoken word briefly in post #108.

http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...&postcount=108

The implication of possessing the power and authority to command is found in the following texts:

Mark 16:16-18 King James Version (KJV)
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Matthew 10:7-8 King James Version (KJV)
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Luke 10:19
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 10:17
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

[1ofthechosen]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I touched on the power of the spoken word briefly in post #108.

http://www.apostolicfriendsforum.com...&postcount=108

The implication of possessing the power and authority to command is found in the following texts:

Mark 16:16-18 King James Version (KJV)
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Matthew 10:7-8 King James Version (KJV)
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Luke 10:19
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 10:17
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

Mark 16:17-18
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

I believe in all that, I see that well in the scripture I'm talking about the comment you made specifically "loose the power" where's the scripture for that?

[Aquila]

Here's an interesting element to spiritual warfare. This can be an interesting discussion, and much can be gleaned from us all if we remain open minded, because salvation isn't predicated upon us understanding every detail of this topic or any dogma on the matter.

Here's an interesting text. Behold, I show you a mystery....

In the following text we read about an incident involving two demonized individuals who came into contact with Jesus. Let's take a look at something interesting:

Matthew 8:28-30 King James Version (KJV)
28 And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.
29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?
30 And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding.
31 So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine.
32 And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
33 And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils.
34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.

A very interesting spiritual teaching with regards to spiritual warfare can be gleaned from this text where most people just glide past it. Here, the demons are afraid that Jesus has come to bind them and place them in torments before "the time", meaning the time when Satan and all the fallen angels who still roam will be gathered together and bound in the lake of fire. Why would they fear this... if it wasn't a true possibility? So, clearly it is possible that Jesus could bind these evil spirits and cast them bound into eternal torments. Here's a question...

If Christ's power and authority is delegated to us through His name... do we have the very same power and authority to do the same? Can we bind and cast an evil spirit into the outer darkness "before the time"?

[n david]

I remember when, back in the 90s, we had an evangelist come through and at the end of his message, he instructed us to face the various directions (N, S, E, W), point and "bind" the enemy in that direction.

Fun times.