spiritual warfare

[heartstrings]

I agree there's lots of evidence....however I do not think it is something that should be often spoken of; rather, prayed about. The devil loves it when we "glorify" him by talking to others about the things he and his angels do. People should be aware of the devil...the roaring lion...but we should not spend too much time discussing the gory details. At least I don't think so. I know if I talk about it much, I get an "icky" feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I agree,
The Bible does tell us to draw near to God and resist the devil; Read God's Word and pray. I wouldn't even practice "rebuking" the devil because, since you are attempting to communicate to him, I believe it is, in effect, praying to the devil. WARNING!!!! Folks better leave the devil alone.....Pray to God and let God take care of him.

[Yankee Candle]

The Bible does tell us to draw near to God and resist the devil; Read God's Word and pray. I wouldn't even practice "rebuking" the devil because, since you are attempting to communicate to him, I believe it is, in effect, praying to the devil. WARNING!!!! Folks better leave the devil alone.....Pray to God and let God take care of him.

No, that isn't so. You didn't quote scripture on that nor can you. Most of the people we have helped through the years were people who had their spiritual problems revealed to them in a sermon, a S.S. lesson, or a seminar message in which the works of the devil are exposed according to Ephesians 6:12-18, I Corinthians 10:3-5. I have people in my own congregation who were awakened to their need after being informed as to how the devil operates and deceives people. They are now free in Christ.

Not talking about it leads to ignorance of his devices, and ignorance permits people who are ensnared to remain ensnared. The position you espouse is based on fear, not on faith.

Nonetheless, have a nice day.

[Guest Guest]

No, that isn't so. You didn't quote scripture on that nor can you.

How about this one?

"Romans 16:19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil."

The devil is real, however, I do find that those that are most "interested" in publicly "rebuking" the devil often seem to have the most problems. We wrestle not against flesh and blood and we should understand that, but on the other hand many people over do it. Those who I have known who were most effective in Spiritual warfare didn't talk much about it. You usually only found out about it when you got to know them pretty well.

[Anon]

VERY

I have stories I could tell but they don't need to be told. Others on this board are, I think, similar. The Bible tells us everything we need to know about Satan. Anyway, the devil attacks us all differently. He is a lion, after all...and lions attack weaknesses.

[deafnva77]

This thread kinda remind me how to handle a dog. You focus too much fear of a barking dog, he'll come and chase you. But if you keep walking and ignore the dog, He more likely just bark at you. Many kids are told NOT to run when they see an aggressive dog. I know this is true, because when I was 11 or 12 years old, I used to walk to a friend's house all the time. Every time I go, I have to walk pass a neighbor's two dogs. They bark at me every time and I was afraid of them especially when they were not tied up, but I kept on walking and ignoring them. Then one day, I had a bad experience with a dog, and my fear of any dogs that bark has gotten worst. These dogs that I usually walk by must have sensed it and bark even worst. Then I began running..They started chasing me until their owner heard me screamed and called off their dogs (they tied their dogs since then). These dogs have never chased me before but I think it is because I was focusing too much on my fear of dogs. I think that's how the devil works, in my opinion. So I always focus God's goodness instead.

[Anon]

My dad told me roughly the same thing. If the devil knows you are bothered, or afraid, he will continue his tactics.

[John81]

All things need to be kept in balance.

In Christian circles there seems to tend to be those who lean to one extreme or the other. Either they are all out "demon chasers" as some Charismatics become. These folks see the devil in everything and believe their is a "demon of ______" for everything (demon of bellyaches, demon of burnt toast) and they specifically set out to learn demons names so they can rebuke them.

Then there are those who either deny the existence of the devil or take it so lightly that they are neither prepared for his attacks or have any idea how to deal with such biblically.

Very few there seem to be who take the balanced biblical approach in this.

[Yankee Candle]

Well, you are welcome to come talk to those whom we have helped in spiritual warfare. It is not a constant subject here but I don't hesitate to bring it up if the Lord so leads. In nearly 20 yrs of this ministry I have counseled hundreds and seen many delivered from their problems. You can't help them if you are timid about talking about the problems they have. The person who can't stop looking at porn needs to know the spiritual reasons behind his weakness. The cutter needs to know the source of his/her cutting. The one who has horrible nightmares might well need to be informed that it is because of watching horror movies, or occult activity of some kind. Christians must never hold back in identifying sin and the reasons how the devils managed to find ground in their lives. Jesus delivers all who come to him with a repentant heart.

[Anon]

I agree people need to know to an extent...I guess I was assuming when you said you got kicked off message boards that you were going to extremes.

[Guest Guest]

Are you saying that all those sins you mentioned are usually caused by demons? If you are, or if you came across as saying that, it might have something to do with why you were kicked off the other boards for "talking" about it. Those sins are not all due to demonic opression, many of the things you mention are far more likely to be a product of the fallen nature of man. Porn usually comes from the lust of the eye and flesh, cutting is usually caused by great misery without the grace of God(sometimes this misery is due to demonic activity yes), and bad dreams can come from any number of sources and demonic activity is only one possiblity.

You can't assume all these sins are caused by demonic activity any more than the disciples could rightly assume that the blind man was blind because he had either sinned himself or his parents had sinned. There are many possible reasons. Hopefully you agree with that. :wink

[Yankee Candle]

It would do well to look at every verse in the Bible that uses the word 'spirit' or 'evil spirit'. That will clear up a lot of the problem. Yes, when a man is tempted by liquor the devil is involved. It is no accident that liquor is referred to as 'spirits'. People that cut themselves compulsively have devils. I have seen them manifest in human personality and they are dreadful entities; servants of Satan. Pornography always involves devils of lust.

All devils operate on the principle: Lust - sin - death. That is, they lead a person into temptation (2) if they succeed they may enter the persons life to one degree or another (3) and then they seek to cause the person to commit that sin repeatedly until (4) they can control a persons will through their weakness, and finally (5) destroy that person.

A list of evil spirits (devils):
1. spirit of bondage
2. spirit of divination
3. dumb spirit (deafness)
4. spirit of error (heresy)
5. spirit of fear (panic, terror, worry)
6. foul spirit (cursing, ugly behavior)
7. spirit of jealousy
8. perverse spirit
9. spirit of slumber (complacency)
10. unclean spirit (immorality)
11. spirit of whoredoms
12. spirit of antichrist
13. familiar spirit

If one would take the time to look at just a Cruden's Concordance under the listing of 'spirit' it would be seen that each and every one of these devils are listed there. If one wants to see how a an evil spirit can influence a believer then Numbers 5:14 needs to be consulted. II Corinthians 10:3-5 is vital in understanding the true nature of this warfare.
Have a nice day.

[Anon]

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.


Using context to discern the Strong's meaning of "spirit" I see it means:


2) the spirit, i.e. the vital principal by which the body is animated
2a) the rational spirit, the power by which the human being feels, thinks, decides
2b) the soul


Especially in the fact that if God's Spirit is being referred to, it is capitalized. If in the verse above, "spirit" was a "demon", then the three latter "spirits" would have to be "angels" and they are not. Thus, according to context, it means "our rational spirit...the power by which the human being feels, thinks, and decides."

[heartstrings]

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.


(1) I believe devils are real
(2) I believe they possess/oppress people
(3) I do not believe devils or evil spirits can be and are cast out in our time just as they were in the gospels and Acts.

In the Apostolic age, people spoke with tongues( unlearned foreign languages), cast out devils, healed the sick, made the lame to walk, gave sight to the blind, and raised the dead. But the Apostolic miracles are not for our time.
I certainly believe God can cast out demons, heal the sick and work many miraculous things TODAY but I believe today's exorcists and faith healers are fakes and false teachers. Some may not like this either, but I believe today's "tongues" movement is of the devil too and it goes hand in hand with a works-based salvation.

[Yankee Candle]

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.


Using context to discern the Strong's meaning of "spirit" I see it means:


2) the spirit, i.e. the vital principal by which the body is animated
2a) the rational spirit, the power by which the human being feels, thinks, decides
2b) the soul


Especially in the fact that if God's Spirit is being referred to, it is capitalized. If in the verse above, "spirit" was a "demon", then the three latter "spirits" would have to be "angels" and they are not. Thus, according to context, it means "our rational spirit...the power by which the human being feels, thinks, and decides."

No, they are devils. I have seen them in operation, heard them change the human voice unbelievably, observed them throwing objects, levitating things, writing on mirrors, and causing general mayhem while we were attempting to help others be freed from their clutches. There is no way anyone could call the 'dumb and deaf spirit' in Mark 9:25 anything less than a devils. The same is true for the spirit of divination in Acts 16:16 and other such places.

We have video taped many of our sessions through the years and documented the presence of evil in the lives of many dozens of people who were ensnared by Satan's demons, freed by the power of Christ through confession and delivered by the Holy Spirit after repentance of sin. Victory in Jesus.

[Anon]

No, they are devils. I have seen them in operation, heard them change the human voice unbelievably, observed them throwing objects, levitating things, writing on mirrors, and causing general mayhem while we were attempting to help others be freed from their clutches. There is no way anyone could call the 'dumb and deaf spirit' in Mark 9:25 anything less than a devils. The same is true for the spirit of divination in Acts 16:16 and other such places.

We have video taped many of our sessions through the years and documented the presence of evil in the lives of many dozens of people who were ensnared by Satan's demons, freed by the power of Christ through confession and delivered by the Holy Spirit after repentance of sin. Victory in Jesus.

You've posted on FFF before haven't you....?