Urgent – Discernment For Our Times
INTRODUCTION
Please read I Corinthians 12:1-11
We are going to begin to move into THE REALM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GIFTS OF KNOWING that He desires to give to SPIRIT-FILLED BELIEVERS, so that they will operate in the ministry of the church inside and out. They are:
a. THE GIFT OF DISCERNMENT/DISTINGUISHING OF SPIRITS! (I Corinthians 12:10)
b. THE GIFT OF WORD OF KNOWLEDGE!
c. THE GIFT OF WORD OF WISDOM!
And we are going to begin in THE KNOWING GIFTS with THE DISCERNING OF SPIRITS. I honestly can’t think of a more important HOLY SPIRIT GIFT in the lives of believers all through the age of the HOLY SPIRIT, and above all today.
We are always emphasizing the importance of DOING, for the Bible tells us that faith without works is dead. But, and hear this now:
“IT IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO BE DOING WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT
WE ARE DOING, FOR THEN WE ARE GUILTY OF IGNORANCE,
AND WE COULD DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD.”
In the ministry of the SPIRIT WORLD, it goes without saying that IGNORANCE IS NOT BLISS. In fact, POWER without KNOWLEDGE can be a “DANGEROUS AND DEVASTATING THING.” And, we find ourselves LIMITED by our LACK OF KNOWLEDGE to be able to USE POWER EFFECTIVELY.
At the same time, KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT THE POWER OF THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT is also worthless. Fact:
“KNOWLEDGE DOES NOT CHANGE THE CONDITION OF THINGS,
BUT ONLY INFORMS.”
***
But I must say this, if in spiritual warfare Christians truly realized what they are up against, and who they are fighting, they would covet all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in I Corinthians 12:1-11, and especially the GIFT OF THE DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS. Christians do not need to make enemies, they come with the territory. Satan and his demons hate our guts, and are out to destroy us and the entire human race. Years ago there was a TV show entitled I LOVE LUCY. Lots of religious people treat the whole faith realm as a nicey-nice I LOVE LUCY SHOW. The fact of the matter is that Satan has his own ongoing show – I HATE BOBBY – put your own name in there.
Frankly, instead of only being the attacked ones, Christians should be on the attack. Yes, we are Christ’s witnesses, but that doesn’t mean we are in some sort of FEDERAL WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM. Satan knows who we are, and he knows our names and addresses. But, do we know him and the identities he takes on in our lives, and in the lives of those the Lord brings into contact with? For ourselves and them, WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW WILL HURT US ALL VERY BADLY.
***
Still Introductorily:
You see, PRAYING ACCORDING TO WILL OF GOD IS IMPORTANT, if we ARE GOING TO RECEIVE GOD’S BEST! I want you to read with me I John 5:13,14,15–
“THESE THINGS HAVE I WRITTEN UNTO YOU THAT BELIEVE
ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD THAT YE MAY KNOW
THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, AND THAT YE MAY
BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD.”
“AND THIS IS THE CONFIDENCE THAT WE HAVE IN HIM, THAT,
IF WE ASK ANYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, HE
HEARETH US.”
“AND IF WE KNOW THAT HE HEARS US, WHATSOEVER WE ASK,
WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE PETITIONS THAT WE
DESIRED OF HIM.”
-You see:
1. He is WRITING TO BELIEVERS, those “THAT BELIEVE ON THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD.”
2. And, HE TELLS THEM OF CERTAIN SECURITIES WE HAVE IN CHRIST:
a. That in HIM, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
b. And, that IF WE ASK ANYTHING ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, not only do we have the certainty THAT HE HEARS US, but, also, that WHATSOEVER WE ASK, WE KNOW WE HAVE WHAT WE ASK FOR!
c. WE KNOW HIM, WE KNOW HIS WILL, WE KNOW WE HAVE WHAT WE ASKED FOR!
-Listen now:
1. OFTEN WE FAIL IN OUR FUNCTION OF THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT because WE PRAY SHOT-GUN PRAYERS, and hope that somehow WE HIT THE RIGHT THING.
2. The HOLY SPIRIT’S GIFTS OF KNOWING, PENETRATE right down into THE REALM OF NEED/OF CAUSE!
a. So that then THERE IS A PROPER DIAGNOSIS, and WE CAN then PRAY ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD.
b. Then WE CAN BE ON TARGET, SPECIFIC, and PRAY ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD! Then I John 5:15 says,
“WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE WHAT WE DESIRED OF HIM.”
*******
I. WHY IS THE GIFT OF DISCERNING OF SPIRITS SO IMPORTANT TODAY?
FIRST:
-Today, and in the recent past, there is an UNPRECEDENTED OUTPOURING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON THIS EARTH!
-In Acts 2:17, God said,
“I WILL POUR OUT OF MY SPIRIT UPON ALL FLESH.”
-God today IS/HAS BEEN JUMPING ALL COMMUNICATION BARRIERS, ALL DENOMINATIONAL BARRIERS. The HOLY SPIRIT is too big/too powerful to be confined to one religious institution. Jesus is baptizing His disciples with the blessed Holy Spirit, and filling them with His power all over the world. It is not by our might, not by our power, but BY HIS SPIRIT SAITH THE LORD.
Hear it:
“IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE, WITHOUT THE BAPTISM AND GIFTS OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT, WE WILL BECOME RUNAWAY, AWOL, FIREY-
DART VICTIMS OF SATAN.”
And again:
“WITHOUT THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, SATAN WILL ALWAYS
BE OVERPOWERING.”
Nothing but the fullness of the Holy Spirit of God living, reigning, and conquering in us, can beat back the great adversary of our souls on the outside of us. Only the Holy Spirit can keep the serpent from sinking his teeth into us and prevailing over our souls.
The Apostle Paul is not being casual but compulsory when in he tells us in Ephesians 5:18,
“BE MAINTAINED FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.”
Why? Because:
“THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL NOT ENABLE US COMPLETELY WHERE HE DOES
NOT DWELL FULLY.”
***
SECONDLY:
-Today, along with THIS HOLY SPIRIT OUTPOURING, there is an unprecedented “OUTPOURING OF UNHOLY SPIRITS.” It is spiritually and morally pandemic.
-There is unparalled moral corruption and decay in the United States Government, the Educational System, the Judiciary, the Theater, the White House, in Corporate America, and in Society at large. The current President, Vice President, Congress, and the Judiciary are demonically controlled. America and much of the American church doesn’t know that, which is exactly what Satan desires.
-Americans in the main, and much of the modern church, have the spiritual and moral discernment of a corpse. When they go to the polls, it is now spiritual and moral blindness that pulls the lever. Oh how we must pray for the “Holy Spirit of Discerment” to come back into the church first, and then into the heart of America.
-We must take heed to what happened to rebellious and disobedient King Saul in I Samuel 16:14,
“Now the Spirit of God departed from Saul, and an evil spirit
from the Lord tererorized him.”
-America and much of the American Church has rebelled against God and His Word, and God has withdrawn His Spirit from both. When that happens, evil spirits take over and occupy the vacancy as judgment from God. Then it is that all holy discernment dies, and unholiness is enthroned. Hear it:
“WHEN GOD WITHDRAWS HIS ABUSED HOLY SPIRIT, HE WILL SEND
EVIL SPIRITS TO ABUSE THE ABUSERS.”
-And on top of all of this, the average American does not believe that Satan exists. Therefore, if anyone believes that a literal Satan does exist, he is viewed as uneducated. He is misinformed, out of it, not with it.
-Jesus believed that Satan exists. He tells us that the whole world can be divided between those who are children of Satan, and those who are children of God. The stated purpose for which Christ came is that He might destroy the works of the devil – in my life and in your life. In our lives, and not just in our society, for our society only reflects our lives.
***
-There is an unholy outpouring from HELL as has NEVER BEEN BEFORE, for WE ARE IN THE LAST DAYS! We are presently seeing the rotting of society as it was in the days of Noah. In II Timothy 3:1-5 we read of it,
“IN THE LAST DAYS PERILOUS TIMES SHALL COME, MEN SHALL BE
UNHOLY…BRUTAL…TREACHEROUS etc. etc.”
-And today, “IT TOO IS HAPPENING AMONG ALL FLESH.”
ILLUSTRATION
Unholy! Treacherous! In John Grisham’s novel “The Firm,” an exceptionally gifted young man fresh out of law school lands a ‘dream job’ with one of the most respected laws firms in the county. The partners in this firm greet him royally, wining and dining him, buying a house for him and his young wife, lavishing him with accolades and praise. It was a glorious start to his law career, so he thought.
But within months it becomes clear that most of these partners are criminals with connections to organized crime. The firm itself hired thugs to keep the partners in line, and the cozy house they had bought for the young couple turned out to be loaded with hidden microphones that had recorded all of their private conversations, even their love making, and everything else.
We are in the last days, and must not judge a book by its cover. Little did the young couple know what they had gotten themselves into! Oh how we need the Holy Spirit’s GIFT OF DISCERNING OF SPIRITS in the midst of this unholy and treacherous world. And sad to say, that is not only true in corporate America, but in ecclesiastical America. True, Satan takes on different forms, but his intent is to turn the holy into the unholy, the decent into the indecent, the moral into the immoral, and the givers into takers.
***
THIRDLY:
-Today, there is the EMERGENCE OF FALSE CHRISTS, FALSE TEACHERS, FALSE PROPHETS WHO ARE APPEARING UPON THIS EARTH AND IN THE APOSTATE CHURCH LIKE LOCUSTS. We read of this LAST DAY INCREASE of RELIGIOUS FALSEHOODS AND FALSIFIERS in Matthew 7:15, Matthew 24:5, Acts 17:11, II Peter 2:1 etc. etc.
-And the Lord tells us that they SHALL DECEIVE MANY. (Mathew 24:11) How? DECEIVED BY SATAN! II Corinthians 11:14 instructs us:
“AND DON’T MARVEL, FOR SATAN HIMSELF IS TRANSFORMED INTO
AN ANGEL OF LIGHT.”
-We are now over our eyeballs in the apostasy/falling away of the church (II Thessalonians 2:3).
ILLUSTRATION
The Bible tells us this about the Kingdom of God in Romans 14:17,
“For the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but
righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
In other words:
“THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT TEMPORAL AND MATERIAL,
BUT ETERNAL AND SPIRITUAL.”
-The deceived and deceptive APOSTATE CHURCH has, with its false PROSPERITY GOSPEL, completely corrupted the Kingdom of God by teaching:
“FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS MATERIAL RICHES AND PROSPERITY
AND JEWELRY IN THE INFINITELY WEALTHY CHRIST.”
People are therefore following Jesus Christ not as disciples but as gold diggers. It is no longer GET RIGHTEOUS but GET RICH.
To understand what has happened to the FLESHIZING and MAMMONIZING of the APOSTATE CHURCH, it will help you to remember that theme song from the old TV show “The Jeffersons.” The song was all about getting rich, making some money – “Well we’re moving on up—moving on up—to the East Side! To a deee-luxe apartment in the sky! We’re moving on up! We’ve finally got our piece of the pie.” That’s how it goes in life, and few know this better than the rich and the successful because they’ve spent their lives aiming at just this upward mobility, at arriving at the top of the rock, at the penthouse in the sky from which to look down on the sad masses below. The Jeffersons could well be the poster children of the modern prosperity/mammon church.
***
FOURTHLY:
-TODAY AS NEVER BEFORE, there is A MASSIVE INCREASE in the OCCULT, WITCHCRAFT, and SATAN WORSHIP!
-Oh PEOPLE, don’t LET ANYONE DECEIVE you THAT ALTAR CALLS, RECEIVING JESUS IS UNNECESSARY, OR OUT OF ORDER! Man oh man, people are standing up to ACCEPT AND ACCLAIM SATAN! LET US STAND TO ACCEPT AND AFFIRM THE CHRIST! ASHAMED OF JESUS in this CREEPY WORLD, ASHAMED OF THE KING OF KINGS and THE LORD OF LORDS!? When folks are not ASHAMED TO CONFESS SATAN AS THEIR GOD, HEAR IT, THIS IS THE TIME TO STAND AND BE COUNTED FOR JESUS CHRIST.
-Remember Mark 8:33 ,
“WHOSOEVER, THEREFORE, SHALL BE ASHAMED OF ME AND OF MY
WORDS IN THIS ADULTEROUS, SINFUL GENERATION, OF HIM
ALSO SHALL THE SON OF MAN BE ASHAMED, WHEN HE
COMETH IN THE GLORY OF HIS FATHER WITH THE
HOLY ANGELS.”
ILLUSTRATION
The success of the latest Harry Potter book series continues, as The Goblet of Fire immediately hit the New York Times bestseller list. A record-setting first printing: 3.8 million books, and now the series has sold well over 66 million copies and has already been translated into 200 languages, and there is no sign of decline. J.K. Rowling has become the second highest earner among woman in all of England with 32 million dollars a year. She is next under Madonna who earns 42 million. She is the first author to break the billion dollar barrier.
As Mike Oppenheimer of “Let Us Reason Ministries” points out, “In the book Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, there are descriptions of bad behavior, bad language, (a few damns which of course seems innocuous these days) violence against parents; violent battle scenes at the end of two of the books; rebellion against authority. Occult practices like translocation; speaking in a trance; casting of spells; fortune-telling; amulets; interpreting omens; witches and wizards; practicing witchcraft; white and black magic; putting curses on people; mind-control; engaging with spirits; casting spells; acting as a medium; contacting to the dead; spirits and ghosts; elves; astrology; horror; transfiguration. Hey, but it’s all in fun, as they sit with Harry through his classes on Potions, Spells, Divination, and learn terms about the ancient Craft. All of these are used in sorcery and occult arts.”
The Lord warns us in no uncertain terms about all HARRY POTTERISMS in any form in Deuteronomy 18:10-12,
“There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son
or daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination,
one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets
omens, or a sorcerer,”
“or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one
who calls up the dead.”
“For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and
because of these detestable things the Lord your God
will drive them out before you.”
Despite all of this, there is a very cavalier attitude in much of the church about Harry Potter and the likes of him. Today, there are segments of the modern charismania movement who teach the use of TUNING FORKS TO CONTACT THE SPIRIT OF PROPHECY, the LAYING ON GRAVES TO GET THE ANOINTING OF DEAD PROPHETS, and CONSTANT OUT-OF-BODY EXPERIENCES TO CONTACT THE DEAD/GLORIFIED SAINTS. And all of this and much more is happening in the church today. What goes around comes around, and the demons of witchcraft are up to it again, all in the name of Jesus of course. Remember:
“UNTRUTH IN THE CHURCH ALWAYS PIGGY-BACKS ON A
MEASURE OF TRUTH.”
***
FIFTHLY:
-And, with all of that, you should recognize THAT SATAN’S ATTACKS WILL BE PRIMARILY AGAINST CHRISTIANS! In fact, his attempt according to Matthew. 24:24 will be,
“TO DECEIVE THE VERY ELECT.”
-As a matter of fact:
THE MORE YOUR POTENTIAL GROWS, AND THE MORE OUR POTENTIAL COLLECTIVELY GROWS AS A CHURCH, FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD, THE MORE YOU AND I WILL BECOME THE TARGETS OF SATAN, AND THAT’S THE COLD HARD FACT OF BEING IN CHRIST’S ARMY.
-But, always remember, believe, and know the truth of the WORD OF GOD, that for Christians:
“GOD HAS MORE THAN BALANCED THE ODDS.”
-Remember the words of I John 4:4,
“GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN US, YOU, THAN HE THAT IS IN
THE WORLD.”
-The Christian NEED NEVER SHRINK IN FEAR LIKE the VOLKSWAGEN which said:
“I WAS ONCE A CADILLAC, UNTIL I GOT OUT IN THE RAIN.”
ILLUSTRATION
-I am told THAT CONCERNING OUR INNER EAR, AND THE EAR DRUM, THERE IS A BALANCE OF PRESSURE ON EACH SIDE OF THE EAR DRUM, ON THE INSIDE, AND ON THE OUTSIDE….EVER GONE UP IN AN AIRPLANE, AND YOU GO UP TO 10,000 FEET, AND YOUR EARS START POPPING? Well then THEY TELL YOU TO SWALLOW, SO THAT THE PRESSURE ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE EAR DRUM WILL BE EQUALIZED AGAIN…. THERE MUST BE AN EQUAL AN OPPOSITE PRESSURE ON THE EAR DRUM, OR ELSE IT WILL CAVE IN.”
NOW THEN:
1. We read of the PRESSURES AND FORCES TO BE EXERTED upon Christians as WE APPROACH THE END OF THE AGE!
2. We read in Matthew 24:12-13 of,
“INIQUITY ABOUNDING, LOVE GROWING COLD, AND ENDURING
UNTO THE END.”
3. But, the good NEWS IS THIS, THAT GOD HAS MORE THAN EQUALIZED THE PRESSURE. IT WILL ALWAYS BE GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN ME, THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD. NOT THAT WE WILL CAVE IN, but THE GATES OF HELL SHALL BE KNOCKED DOWN, AND THE DEVIL IS GOING TO HAVE TO SWALLOW HARD, BUT IT WON’T HELP.”
***
SIXTHLY:
-WITH ALL OF THIS SAID, IT IS SO OBVIOUS FROM THE BIBLE:
1. How WE DESPERATELY NEED THE GIFT OF DISCERNING OF SPIRITS!
2. How WE URGENTLY NEED ACCURATE PRAYING, based UPON PROPER DIAGNOSIS.
a. Whether WE ARE DEALING WITH GOD, THE FLESH, OR THE DEVIL.
b. Whether WE ARE DEALING WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, THE HUMAN SPIRIT, or the EVIL SPIRITS in real life situations in the church and outside the church.
3. And add to this, that the DEVIL, EVIL SPIRITS, SATAN, DEMONS can SEEM NICE, RELIGIOUS, AND THEOLOGICAL. THEY EVEN GO TO CHURCH REGULARLY AND SIT IN THE PEWS AND STAND BEHIND PULPITS!
ILLUSTRATION
Turn to Mark 1:23-26,
“AND THERE WAS IN THE SYNAGOGUE, A MAN WITH AN UNCLEAN
SPIRIT, AND, HE CRIED OUT,”
“SAYING, ‘LET US ALONE, WHAT HAVE WE TO DO WITH THEE, THOU
JESUS OF NAZARETH? ART THOU COME TO DESTROY US? I KNOW
THEE WHO THOU ART, THE HOLY ONE OF GOD.’”
“AND JESUS REBUKED HIM, SAYING, ‘HOLD THY PEACE, AND COME
OUT OF HIM.’”
“AND WHEN THE UNCLEAN SPIRIT HAD TORN HIM, IT CRIED WITH
A LOUD VOICE, AND CAME OUT OF HIM.”
An unclean spirit is a dirty, lustful, lewd spirit that can hide behind a theological and even spiritual veneer. It need not be sexually rotten, but it can be. It is unclean and impure because it hates and tries to disrupt the holy will and ways of God. It is a most tricky devil to uncover, for it has the trappings of holiness, when in fact it is foul and unholy. It is a spirit that has corrupted and even controlled preachers, and in fact flows right along with them in their “holy lingo” as his camouflage. An unclean spirit can appear and sound clean, even as “Satan the Dark Devil” can appear as an “Angel of Light.”
Now then:
1. THE DEVIL may well GO TO CHURCH, may well SOUND SPIRITUAL AT TIMES, very THEOLOGICAL!
2. You’re aware aren’t YOU, THAT SATAN CAN QUOTE SCRIPTURE WITH THE BEST OF SCRIPTURE QUOTERS?
3. And this was true here, this UNCLEAN SPIRIT SAID:
“I KNOW THAT THOU ART THE HOLY ONE OF GOD.”
4. EXCEPT:
a. Jesus did not allow THE DEMON TO GO BEYOND THAT, JESUS SILENCED HIM!
b. That UNCLEAN SPIRIT never GOT PAST A PHRASE OR TWO, and SOME OF IT SOUNDED GOOD.
5. Listen:
a. Jesus was IN THE SYNAGOGUE, HE WASN’T OUT ON THE SHORES OF GALILEE with the Gadarene Demoniac!
b. And right there in THE SYNAGOGUE, Jesus said,
“HOLD THY PEACE, SHUT UP, COME OUT OF HIM.”
c. And, we read, there was no more word,
“THE DEMON, WITH SOME MEASURE OF RESISTANCE, CAME
OUT OF HIM!”
d. You see, IT SAYS HE TORE AT HIM:
-That word TORE comes from the GREEK WORD MEANING TO BEAT, TO LACERATE, TO TEAR! Same word as found in Mark 9:20, Luke 9:39, Luke 9:42 etc. The demon sounded so “SPIRITUAL,” yet, it would NOT COME OUT WITHOUT SOME MEASURE OF HATE and VIOLENCE!
-Look, these are not religious parlor games. Satan and his devils are mean suckers who torment and protect their territory with a vengeance.
ILLUSTRATION
Suppose, someone comes to me and says:
a. Brother Klingenberg,
“YOU’VE GOT FAITH, YOUR GOD’S MAN OF FAITH, GOD’S MAN
FOR THE HOUR.”
b. I might well be tempted to say:
“YOU SURE DO HAVE THE GIFT OF DISCERNMENT.”
c. But you see, “EVEN THE DEVILS CONFESS JESUS AS LORD, AND TREMBLE.”
d. I mean, SATAN DOESN’T ALWAYS GO AROUND WITH A PITCHFORK AND HORNS, AND SAY, “HI, I’M THE DEVIL, AND I ENJOY BREAKING UP SYNAGOGUE SERVICES WHEREVER POSSIBLE.”
***
Turn with me to Acts 16:16-18 which is an AMAZING PASSAGE:
“AND IT CAME TO PASS, AS WE WENT TO PRAYER, A CERTAIN DAMSEL
POSSESSED WITH A SPIRIT OF DIVINATION MET US, WHICH
BROUGHT HER MASTERS MUCH GAIN BY SOOTHSAYING.”
“THE SAME FOLLOWED PAUL AND US, AND CRIED SAYING, ‘THESE MEN
ARE SERVANTS OF THE MOST HIGH GOD WHICH SHEW UNTO US,
THE WAY OF SALVATION'”.
“AND THIS DID SHE MANY DAYS. BUT PAUL, BEING GRIEVED, TURNED
AND SAID TO THE SPIRIT, I COMMAND THEE IN THE NAME OF JESUS
CHRIST TO COME OUT OF HER. AND HE CAME OUT THAT
SAME HOUR.”
-Notice this:
1. This girl according to VERSE 16 was “POSSESSED WITH AN EVIL SPIRIT – THOUGH IT SOUNDED LIKE GOD/DIVINE.”
2. More than that, she was EMPLOYED and made MUCH MONEY FOR HER EMPLOYEES BY HER “PREDICTIONS.”
3. And she cried out:
“THESE ARE THE MOST HIGH GOD’S SERVANTS, THEY SHEW US
THE WAY OF SALVATION.”
-Hey, you can’t get much better than that, THAT’S A REAL NICE THING TO SAY about Paul and Silas. Frankly, YOU CAN’T BE ANY MORE RIGHT THAN THAT, and she was going around and proclaiming this.
4. Also notice:
-It wasn’t immediately APPARENT, many days went by, “SHE DID THIS MANY DAYS.”
-And, after many days, perhaps SILAS SAID TO PAUL, “PAUL, DO YOU PERHAPS THINK?”
-In any event, Paul turned and said TO THE SPIRIT,
“I COMMAND THEE IN NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, COME
OUT OF HER.”
5. You see:
-SATAN CAN QUOTE SCRIPTURE, he can seem VERY NICE! Saying NICE THINGS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH! But I guarantee you, “HE IS NOT SOMEONE YOU WANT TO SPEND ETERNITY WITH.” THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A DAY, when we need SO BADLY THE GIFT OF DISCERNING OF SPIRITS.
*******
II. THE DEFINITION OF DISCERNING OF SPIRITS
Here it is:
“IT IS THE SUPERNATURAL INSIGHT INTO THE REALM OF THE SPIRITS
TO DISCERN THE ORIGINS AND TYPES OF THE SPIRITS.”
-There can basically be THREE ORIGINS – OF GOD/ OF MAN/ OF SATAN!
-There can basically be THREE TYPES – HOLY SPIRIT, HUMAN SPIRIT, DEMONIC SPIRIT.
-And, yes, you heard me, IT IS SUPERNATURAL INSIGHT INTO THE REALM OF SPIRITS!
1. It is not ESP – SPIRITUAL MIND READING – CLAIRVOYANCE!
2. It is not PSYCHOLOGICAL INSIGHT!
3. It is not THE GIFT OF SUSPICION!
4. It is:
“INSIGHT INTO THE SPIRIT REALM, TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN AND
TYPE OF THE SPIRITS INVOLVED.”
*FIRST:
SOMETIMES It WILL BE THE HUMAN SPIRIT set on fire by THE EVIL SPIRIT. We read this account in Matthew. 16:21-23 KJV,
“FROM THAT TIME FORTH, BEGAN JESUS TO SHEW UNTO HIS DISCIPLES,
HOW THAT HE MUST GO UNTO JERUSALEM, AND SUFFER MANY
THINGS OF THE ELDERS, AND CHIEF PRIESTS, AND SCRIBES,
AND BE KILLED, AND BE RAISED THE THIRD DAY.”
“THEN PETER TOOK HIM, AND BEGAN TO REBUKE HIM, SAYING, BE IT
FAR FROM THEE LORD. THIS SHALL NOT BE UNTO THEE.”
“BUT HE TURNED AND SAID UNTO PETER, ‘GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN,
THOU ART AN OFFENSE UNTO ME, FOR THOU SAVOREST NOT THE
THINGS THAT BE OF GOD, BUT THOSE THAT BE OF MEN.’”
Hear it:
1. EVEN GOD’S PEOPLE can be USED OF SATAN, even with THE BEST OF INTENTIONS.
2. It is NOT NECESSARILY ALWAYS DIRECT DEMONIC CONTROL:
-BALAAM’S DONKEY SPOKE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GOD’S SPIRIT, but not POSSESSED BY HIM!
-So too, WE CAN BE SPEAK UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF SATAN, become A JACKASS FOR HIM, THOUGH NOT POSSESSED BY HIM.
-It MAY BE A DEMONIC TEMPTING, LEADING, SUGGESTION, that APPEALS TO OUR FLESH!
-Because this WAS PETER’S FLESH THAT WAS CRYING OUT! BEHIND THAT FLESH WAS SATAN HIMSELF! AND SATAN WAS USING PETER’S FLESH!
3. FIRST OF ALL:
-Satan was TEMPTING JESUS THROUGH PETER, Satan was CONSTANTLY TEMPTING JESUS ALL THROUGH HIS MINISTRY!
-Jesus says, “I’M GOING TO DIE/RISE AGAIN! Peter says, “NO!” Jesus says, “GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN.”
4. AND PETER WAS A TARGET FOR SATAN:
-Peter most likely didn’t WANT TO LOSE THE POWER HE ENJOYED THROUGH CHRIST! After all, what good IS A DEAD MESSIAH! NOT MUCH POWER IN THAT! And, SATAN DIDN’T WANT TO LOSE HIS POWER EITHER, which CHRIST’S DEATH AND RESURRECTION WOULD DO! They AT THIS POINT WERE MEANT FOR EACH OTHER, to DETER JESUS FROM HIS HOLY PURPOSE. The Perfect Storm!
ILLUSTRATION
In his most recent volume on “The Years of Lyndon Johnson,” premiere biographer Robert Caro makes it clear that much of what drove and animated Lyndon B. Johnson was a deep-seated fear of never looking like a failure, of never being seen as a failure the way his own father had been.
So even though Johnson was determined to become President of the United States one day, in 1959 and early 1960 LBJ doggedly did not put himself forward as a candidate for the 1960 Democrat nomination. He wanted it desperately, but he dared not say it out loud for fear that then if he did not get the nomination, people would look down on him.
That was bad enough, but Caro tells us that when his fifth and final volume on Johnson comes out, it will become clear that this fear of failure—the fear of becoming his father all over again—is also why so many tens of thousands of young men would lose their lives in Vietnam. Johnson could not back down – not even when backing down was the most eminently sensible thing to do as most people could see clearly.
Oh how the flesh and the devil can work on us and in us as a DEADLY DUO. Fleshly Pride and Satanic Vengeance can team up into two of the most deadly forces that the world has ever seen.
***
QUESTION
HOW MANY HERE HAVE EVER BEEN USED OF SATAN?:
-To DISCOURAGE, TEAR DOWN, because THE DEVIL IS A DESTROYER, ACCUSER, CRITICIZER!
-To PUT DOWN AUTHORITY, because THE DEVIL HIMSELF CAN’T STAND TO BE UNDER AUTHORITY.
-TO HURT, CAUSE PAIN, because THE DEVIL HIMSELF IS A WALKING SORE, AND MISERY LOVES COMPANY!
-How MANY HAVE EVER BEEN USED OF THE DEVIL TO VENT YOUR SINFUL FLESH?
And note THE WORDS OF JESUS to Peter:
“GET BEHIND ME SATAN.”
-That simply means GET OUT OF MY SIGHT! SATAN means ADVERSARY!
-If THE ENEMY IS AROUND, HE USES RELIGIOUS PEOPLE TO STOP THE LORD’S PURPOSES!
-HE MUST BE DEALT WITH SWIFTLY, the PEOPLE MUST BE FREE FROM THE TROUBLING AND TEMPTING!
–Ephesians 4:27 tells us.
“TO NOT GIVE ANY PLACE TO THE DEVIL.”
-Jesus could NOT FELLOWSHIP WITH PETER, as long as PETER ALLOWED HIS FLESH TO BE PARTNERED WITH SATAN! You see, IT WAS NOT SATAN HIMSELF, it WAS PETER acting like, being used by SATAN TO STOP GOD’S PURPOSES! OH HOW WE NEED TO DISCERN/DEAL WITH THE MATTER IMMEDIATELY! Jesus said to Peter: “Get Behind me Satan!”
REMEMBER, sometimes:
1. We are dealing WITH PETER, not SATAN, but PETER WHOSE FLESH IS ACTING LIKE SATAN!
2. Or, we are dealing WITH SATAN, not PETER, but SATAN WHO IS ACTING LIKE HIMSELF!
***
*SECOND:
1. ALL THIS COUNSEL, ALL THE PRAYER FOR HEALING, ALL OF THE BOMBARDING OF THE GATES OF HEAVEN!
2. Will DO NO GOOD AT ALL, IF THERE IS A DEMONIC POWER IN THAT LIFE:
a. That NEEDS SPECIFIC DIAGNOSIS!
b. THAT NEEDS SPECIFIC DELIVERANCE! (Ousting)
3. LIKE THE MAN WITH THE DEAF/DUMB SPIRIT (Couldn’t hear or speak) in Mark 9:25-27,
“JESUS REBUKED THE FOUL SPIRIT, SAYING UNTO HIM, ‘THOU DUMB
AND DEAF SPIRIT, I CHARGE THEE, COME OUT OF HIM, AND
ENTER NO MORE.’”
“AND THE SPIRIT CRIED, AND RENT HIM SORE, AND CAME OUT OF
HIM, AND HE WAS AS ONE DEAD, INSOMUCH THAT MANY SAID,
HE IS DEAD.”
“BUT JESUS TOOK HIM BY THE HAND, AND LIFTED HIM UP,
AND HE AROSE.”
Listen:
1. There were times, when JESUS HEALED DEAF PEOPLE, and DID NOT CAST OUT A DEMON!
2. There were times, when JESUS DID HEAL DEAF/DUMB PEOPLE, and HE DID CAST OUT A DEMON!
3. But if:
-A MAN GOT HIS EAR BLOWN OUT AS A LITTLE CHILD, because SOMEONE WITH CUPPED HAND DID IT!
-So THAT HIS EAR DRUMS EXPLODED, so that HE HAS NO OPERATIVE EAR DRUMS!
-It is TRULY DUMB TO GO UP TO THE POOR GUY, AND SAY,
“OUT IN JESUS NAME, YOU FOUL SPIRIT.”
-That’s JUST AS OFF TARGET AS THE REVERSE – THE DEAF MAN WITH NO PHYSIOLOGICAL PROBLEM! Don’t PRAY FOR A NEW EAR DRUM, for THEN HE WOULD HAVE FOUR EAR DRUMS, not two. WE NEED TO LEARN TO BE ON TARGET, AND THE GIFT OF DISCERNMENT DOES JUST THAT! If it’s PHYSICAL, ORGANIC, OR INDEED DEMONIC IN ITS ORIGIN! SOME PEOPLE CAST DEMONS OUT OF EVERYTHING, from the “FIRE HYDRANT” to their mother-in-law!
***
REMEMBER Mark 7:31-37!
-Jesus HEALS A DEAF MAN WITH A SPEECH IMPEDIMENT, no MENTION OF DEMON!
-He PUT HIS FINGERS IN HIS EARS, SPIT, TOUCHED HIS TONGUE WITH SPITTLE ON FINGER.
-And SHOUTED, “EPHPHRATA – BE OPENED,” and the man both heard plainly, spoke clearly!
But, in Mark 9, two chapters later, HE DELIVERS A MAN OF A DEAF AND DUMB SPIRIT.
And don’t FORGET:
1. SOMETIMES, JESUS HEALS DEMONICALLY CAUSED EPILEPSY, as we read in Matthew 17:14-18!
2. SOMETIMES, JESUS HEALS ORGANICALLY CAUSED EPILEPSY.
STORY
EVANGELIST TOMMY TYSON WENT TO VISIT A COUPLE. HE HADN’T SEEN THEM IN SOMETIME. THEY HAD A SON, NOW GROWN TO A TEENAGER, BUT THE PASTOR DID NOT KNOW HE HAD EPILEPSY, SEIZURES. HE GOT THERE ON A HOT SATURDAY, SUMMER AFTERNOON…MOTHER AND SON WERE SITTING IN BACKYARD, UNDER A SHADE TREE, DRINKING LEMONADE!
AND AS HE SAT WITH THEM DRINKING LEMONADE, HE NOTICED UNDER THE SKIN OF THE BOY’S FACE, WHAT LOOKED LIKE A LONG, JAGGED WHITE WORM. THE PASTOR WIPED HIS EYES, THOUGHT THAT HE HAD TOO MUCH SUN, LOOKED AGAIN, AND THE FIGURE WAS THERE, CLEARER THAN EVER. HE SAID WITH AUTHORITY, “SATAN, YOU COME OUT OF HIM.”
THE BOY WENT DOWN ON THE GROUND, APPEARED TO GO INTO A SEIZURE, AND AFTER A TIME WENT MOTIONLESS AS THOUGH HE WERE DEAD.THE PASTOR QUICKLY GOT UP, WENT TO THE BOY, FOR HE THOUGHT HE HAD KILLED HIM.
THE MOTHER SAID, “REVEREND, DID YOU DO THIS IN THE NAME OF JESUS”. HE SAID,”YES I DID.” SHE SAID, “WELL THEN, GET AWAY, AND LET JESUS COMPLETE HIS WORK. I AS HIS MOTHER, HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR YEARS THAT THE LORD WOULD SEND SOMEONE WHO WOULD KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT MY SON’S FITS. AND THIS IS IT, AND THE BOY WAS HEALED FROM THAT HOUR.”
***
OH DON’T YOU SEE:
1. WE URGENTLY NEED THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GIFT OF THE DISCERNING OF SPIRITS, AND TO BE OPEN, AND TO BE IN PRAYER!
2. THERE ARE MORE DEMONS/DEMON ACTIVITY IN THE WORLD/AND IN CHURCH THAN EVER BEFORE!
3. Rev. 12:12 TELLS US THAT,
“…SATAN HAS GREAT WRATH, BECAUSE HE KNOWS HE ONLY HAS
A SHORT TIME LEFT.”
4. Satan must QUICKEN HIS PACE, DOUBLE HIS EFFORTS AS THE DAY GROWS NEAR!
5. HENCE THE BIBLE SAYS in that same text,
“WOE TO THE INHABITANTS OF THE EARTH AND SEA!”
*******
III. SOME SPECIFIC DEMON CLASSIFICATIONS (Evil Spirits)
WHEN JESUS ENTERED HIS EARTHLY MINISTRY, HE ENCOUNTERED SPIRITS OF EVERY KIND! And, we should expect no less than the following list:
1. UNCLEAN SPIRIT – Greek word AKATHARTAX, means LEWD, FOUL, LUSTFUL, DIRTY! (Mark 5:1-13)
-Of course, we must think above all of the deep foulness and dirtiness of SIN. We read in James 1:15 KJV,
“…and when sin is FINISHED, it brings forth death.”
FINISHED means COMPLETED. It is the frequency and continuance in sin that completes it. It is constantly yielding to the tempters lure that matures sin and brings it to ultimate PERFECTION AND DOMINATION. It is then that SIN HABITUATES, and under Satan’s persistence becomes possessive. A single act or commission of sin cannot do that. Hear it:
“WHEN A SINNER ACTS OUT HIS SIN AGAIN AND AGAIN, IT IS THEN
THAT HE IS ACTED UPON BY SATAN AND POSSESSED BY HIM.”
Listen:
“IT IS CONTINUED REPETITION OF SIN THAT TURNS SATAN’S COME-ONS
INTO COMMANDS WHICH THE NOW FOUL AND STAINED SINNER
MUST PROGRESSIVELY OBEY.”
Hence Romans 6:17 talks about being “THE SERVANTS OF SIN,” and Romans 7:23 talks about “BEING LED CAPTIVE BY SIN.”
2. SPIRIT OF INFIRMITY – Greek word ASTHENEIA, means WEAKNESS, A CRIPPLING SPIRIT. (Luke 13:10-13)
3. SPIRIT OF DEAFNESS – GREEK WORD KOPHOS, means PULL, BLUNTED. (Mark 9:17-26)
4. SPIRIT OF DUMBNESS – Greek word ALALOS means SPEECHLESS. (Mark 9:17-26 again.)
5. SPIRIT OF BLINDNESS – Greek word TUPALOS means SIGHTLESS, (Matthew 12:22-23)
6. SPIRIT OF FEAR – Greek word PHOBOS means FEAR, DREAD, TERROR. (II Timothy 1:7)
-We read in Luke 22:31-32,
“Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have thee, that he may sift
you as wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith fail not.”
And what Satan desired, he in part achieved. He sifted Peter and thereby discovered how much chaff and foul stuff (self and FEAR) were in Peter’s heart. Satan the Sifter knew it was there, even if ole Peter didn’t, and The Sifter stirred up fear until it choked Peter. He denied his Lord three times, and each denial had Satan’s DNA all over it. Yet for all of this, the wheat was only sifted but not destroyed, and the reason was that Christ prayed for Peter that his faith would not be in a complete failure mode. Hear it:
“IF CHRIST HAD NOT PRAYED FOR PETER IN THAT WRETCHED CONDITION,
IT IS ALMOST CERTAIN THAT PETER WOULD NEVER HAVE
PRAYED AGAIN.”
7. SPIRIT OF EPILEPSY – Greek word PASCHO means TO BE VEXED, TO SUFFER. (Matthew 17:14-18)
8. SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS (II Corinthians. 4:3-4)
-We read THAT SATAN, THE GOD OF THIS WORLD, HATH BLINDED MEN’S MINDS TO THE “GOSPEL OF SALVATION IN JESUS CHRIST.” Really IS A MIND-BLINDING SPIRIT, GREEK WORD “TUPALOS”, same as PHYSICAL/CAN’T SEE! That’s UNIVERSAL FOLKS. Evangelism IS SPIRITUAL WARFARE – TO BIND THE SPIRIT OF SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS.
ILLUSTRATION
It is amazing, and yet not amazing at all, that the Templeton Foundation some years ago funded a nationwide study on people’s attitudes toward forgiveness. Co-sponsored by the University of Michigan and the National Institute for Mental Health, the study found that 75% of Americans are very confident they have been forgiven by God for their past offenses. That is to say, three-quarters of the people interviewed had few doubts about God’s penchant to let bygones be bygones. Interesting however is the fact that the greatest majority of those same people never attend church or divine worship, and found it impossible to forgive others. Ah yes, but they were sure that GOD IS A WORLD-CLASS FORGIVER. (Not only is Satan a WORLD-CLASS BLINDER, he is a WORLD-CLASS DECEIVER TOO.)
ILLUSTRATION
Preacher George Buttrick was once flying on an airplane, and as he sat there, he had a legal pad out on which he was furioulsy scribbling some notes for his sermon the coming Sunday. The man next to Buttrick inquired, “Say, what are you working on there, sir?’ Said Buttrick, “My sermon for Sunday, I am a Christian preacher.” “Oh,” the other man replied, “Well, I don’t like to get caught up in the complexities of religion. I like to keep it simple. You know, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ The Golden Rule, that is my religion.” I see,” Rev. Buttrick replied, “and what do you do for a living?” He said to Buttrick, “I am an astronomer. I teach astrophysics at the university.” “Ah yes, astronomy,” Buttrick shot back, “Well I don’t like to get caught up in the complexities of science. ‘Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder where you are.’ That’s my astronomy. Who would ever need more than that?” (How Satan blinds people to their sinfulness by having them focus upon their humanitarian goodness.)
9. SPIRIT OF DIVINATION – Greek word – PYTHON – Acts 16:16,
“TO FORETELL, PREDICT.”
10. SEDUCING SPIRITS – Greek word “PLANOS,” – I Timothy 4:1,
“TO WANDER FROM THE WAY.”
-Refers to GOING AFTER FALSE DOCTRINES, being DECEIVED DOCTRINALLY! Departure from the PLAIN MEANING OF SCRIPTURE!
11. LEGION SPIRITS – Greek word LEGION, MANY, MULTITUDE – Mark 5:9-13,
-This is MULTI POSSESSION, with ONE OF THE EVIL SPIRITS IN CHARGE!
-Incredible THAT THE DEMON WAS SO IN UNISON,
“MY NAME IS LEGION.”
***
EIGHT OBSERVATIONS ABOUT DEMON SPIRITS:
1. They act just like their leader, Satan, John 10:10,
“HE MURDERS, STEALS, LIES!”
2. They are REALLY PHYSICALLY STRONG, AS THE LEGION FELLA in Mark 5:3 which says,
“HE LIVED AMONG THE TOMBS, NO MAN COULD BIND HIM
EVEN WITH CHAINS.”
3. They HAVE PRIDE-FILLED NATURES. Isaiah 14:13-14 tells us that SATAN WANTED RECOGNITION. NOTICE, that IS THE ESSENCE OF SATAN! He wanted TO BE AS GOD, LIKE THE MOST HIGH, SITTING ENTHRONED IN THE CONGREGATION OF HEAVEN! And because of THEIR PRIDE, THEY LIKE TO TALK, TO GAIN ATTENTION, DOMINATE, PRIDE-FILLED NATURES!
-This cannot be emphasized enough in terms of Satan’s involvement with men. Satan and his demons are PRIDE POSSESSED, and when they work on men, pride is one huge evidence of their activity. History tells us about Alexander the Great that he was so filled with pride, that he was terribly jealous of his own captains when they were successful in battle. Why? Because the praise that was given to them was taken from him.
-It was the same demomnic activity in King Saul that made him so jealous of the latest hit tune that exalted David above himself, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David has slain his ten thousands.” An evil spirit then took control of Saul, and he went stark raving mad. Pride always goes before the fall because:
“HE WHO WANTS TO BE THE FIRST IN EVERYTHING ALWAYS ENDS UP
BEING FIT FOR NOTHING.”
-And ultimately where it leads all pride and power-obsessed maniacs like Satan-possessed Adolph Hitler is this:
“THEY NOT ONLY CRAVE BEING THE PRIME ONE, BUT RATHER,
THE ONLY ONE.”
-For such demonized dictators, the whole world worshiping them would still be insufficient. This is why the innumerable thousands that they tramble under foot are still not enough, for they always need more dead under their feet to make them stand taller.
4. MANY CAN RESIDE IN ONE PERSON AT ONCE, as we have just SEEN IN THE LEGION EPISODE OF Mark 5:9-13! They work in groups.
5. THEY ARE FILTHY. Over and over again, THEY ARE CALLED FOUL SPIRITS, UNCLEAN SPIRITS. And it means JUST THAT – FILTHY, IMPURE, DIRTY, VILE, ROTTEN! It is NOT UNCOMMON FOR THEM TO SPIT, CURSE, SWEAR, SHOUT OBSENITIES!
6. THEY ARE FULL OF SELF PITY! They will TEAR, TORMENT, DEFILE, KILL OTHERS IF THEY CAN! But, when dealt with they will cry to let them alone, to not cause us pain! See Mark 1:23-26.
7. THEY LIE LIKE THEIR FATHER, SATAN, WHO IS THE FATHER OF LIES. John 8:44.
8. By Christians THEY ARE NOT TO BE FEARED. Luke 10:19-20 tells us,
“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.”
“NOTWITHSTANDING IN THIS REJOICE NOT, THAT THE SPIRITS ARE
SUBJECT UNTO YOU, BUT RATHER REJOICE THAT YOUR NAMES
ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN.”
The Lord finds NO JOY THAT THE FALLEN ANGELS ARE SUBJECT TO US! After all, in this regard HE SAYS CATEGORICALLY, REJOICE NOT! For one reason BECAUSE HE IS SAD THEY ARE FALLEN, SO SAD FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE.
*******
CONCLUSION:
-You understand don’t you, how powerless DEMONS ARE BEFORE JESUS CHRIST? There is that famous account in Luke 11:14ff:
1. Jesus was casting out A SPIRIT OF DUMBNESS FROM THIS SPEECHLESS MAN!
2. Certain of the Jews, who didn’t have the “POWER,” to do it were “JEALOUS” and accused JESUS OF HAVING A DEVIL!
3. To make a long story short, Jesus simply said in Luke 11:20,
“BUT IF I BY THE FINGER OF GOD CAST OUT DEVILS, NO DOUBT
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS COME UPON YOU.”
4. DO I HEAR CORRECTLY, JESUS CAST THEM OUT BY HIS FINGER?:
-Oh YES, JESUS HAS DOMINION OVER DEVILS, simply by reason of CREATION! The same FINGER THAT FLICKED THE UNIVERSE INTO BEING, Psalm. 8:3, CREATED THE FALLEN ANGELS IN THE FIRST PLACE. The FINGER OF DIVINE AUTHORITY SIMPLY POINTED AT EVIL SPIRITS AND MADE THEM FLEE. All GOD HAS TO DO IS TO STIR HIS FINGER OF AUTHORITY! THE DEMONS LITERALLY BREAK THEIR NECKS TO GET OUT OF THE WAY!
-That same FINGER OF GOD, that stirred UP ALL NATURE, COVERED EGYPT WITH LICE. Exodus 8:19 states,
“THIS IS THE FINGER OF GOD.”
a. Time after time, GOD POINTED AT NATURE, blew PHAROAH AND EGYPT INTO CHAOS!
b. All of the TEN PLAGUES WERE BUT THE FINGER OF GOD in operation!
c. The same FINGER OF GOD THAT WROTE TEN LAWS, not CHISELED/CARVED, but written BY HIS FINGER INTO SOLID GRANITE. (Exodus. 31:18)
d. Jesus just WIGGLED HIS FINGER AT DEVILS, AND THEY CRIED OUT IN HORROR AND LEFT!
5. And, now, ALL THE POWER AND AUTHORITY IN JESUS’ NAME IS GIVEN TO US:
-In the NAME OF JESUS, Christians HAVE BECOME THE VERY FINGER OF GOD! We should PUT OUR FINGER ON SATAN’S NOSE, AND SAY,
“IN JESUS NAME, GET OUT.”
-If the DEMONS give RESISTANCE, it may well BE WE ARE NOWHERE SPIRITUALLY AT THE TIME. So that, THE SPIRITUAL ENERGY WE EMIT IS NOTHING, because we are about as SPIRITUALLY IN TUNE AS A GOPHER! But THOSE IN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD shall FLOW WITH THE POWER OF GOD, and shall FINGER THE DEVIL AND BE IN CONTROL!
6. And then we SHALL TAKE BACK FROM THE DEVIL THAT WHICH rightfully belongs TO JESUS CHRIST!
-We shall then not ONLY BE ABLE TO HELP TORMENTED PEOPLE, BUT SET THEM FREE! Amen!
