Christian Living

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Introduction
PART 1

MY STORY

Time and again, I hear from Christian people of all denominations, ministers included - men and women who love Jesus and are bearing much fruit as Believers - who express that they are totally uninformed or just plain fearful when it comes to dealing with demons.

Many years ago, I attended a very large church in Texas with several thousand people on the role. Quite often I prayed that all the things Jesus wanted me to have in order to be the most effective "Omega Warrior" I could be would be entrusted to me. From speaking in tongues to healing the sick to casting out demons, I wanted a double portion of it all!

Occasionally, I found myself in the vicinity whenever something "strange" would manifest itself in a church service or seminar setting. In one case, a man directly behind me stood shouting at the pastor and stormed out of the assembly. What caused this outburst? The pastor was preaching against homosexuality. A friend of mine who followed the man and ministered to him in an office off the foyer later told me the man had no idea what "possessed" him to shout like that.

In another instance, a woman who had quite a Haitian or Jamaican look about her, stood and began doing a strange, somewhat seductive dance in the aisle with no music playing. I ministered to her - along with another woman who knew something of these things - the best I knew how.


Another time, as I was praying for someone, I felt something down at my feet. Imagine my surprise when I looked down and saw an attractive woman in a blue suit, twisted like a pretzel, her eyes rolled back in her head, face contorted, while a mature Christian lady minister prayed with her. I was all ears. Afterward and from then on, that woman was joyful, productive, transformed.

From the woman who growled like a cat to the high schooler with bite marks on her body, the day came when I had to ask my pastor, "why is it I'm always around when these demonic manifestations take place?" This former missionary, a seasoned veteran of the South African mission field during the height of Apartheid, reached for his old, leather Bible that lay upon his desk and turned its well-worn pages to Mark 16:17. He read this part: "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons..." He looked up at me and smiled, knowingly, "I'd say the Lord sees in you a willing heart and that He's preparing you for the kind of ministry that He'd like us all to be part of."

Was I ever encouraged! I was ready to charge Hell with a squirt gun! As the years went by, the Lord allowed me to participate in other aspects of Spiritual Warfare (request my article, "The Battle of Caelum Moor"), showing me the right and wrong ways to engage the enemy at this level.

In time, a couple with a great deal of experience in Deliverance came and attended our non-denominational, Charismatic church. An ordained Baptist minister, they decided to trust Jesus to actually heal sicknesses and diseases and, as an extension of that ministry, found themselves involved in Deliverance. Quite often, this ministry included the casting out of demonic entities, better known as exorcisms.

After several weeks of training, we who were interested in pursuing this ministry were led through deliverance ourselves. In time, we were placed in teams and grew to love one another and minister really well together. Something unexpected began to take place: A clipboard was placed in our church office and people would actually make appointments for Deliverance ministry. Even people who were not part of our church would sign up. Our six well-trained teams of 5-6 ministers were kept busy with Deliverance whether at the church or at the afflicted people's personal homes. Many of those who were healed and set free from their demonic oppressions later joined teams themselves.

My own team had its share of very odd, demonic encounters. We learned early on to forbid any spiritual manifestations before we ever got started. Nevertheless, every so often, we'd catch a glimpse of an entity that simply did not want to go. There was trembling, vomiting, demons hanging on for dear life as the afflicted person fought and strained against the spirits they wanted to be free of as we commanded them to go in Jesus' Name.

THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO TEXAS

In 2001, I moved to another town some 2 hours away. My first Easter service here I attended a Baptist Church located over a bar. I was still new, walking with a cane and single, though my son was with me that day. As the service ended, the congregation milled about, talked, laughed and specialized. I noticed a young man who remained seated, head bowed, elbows on his knees, hands folded as if praying. I walked over and asked if I could pray with him. No answer. I asked, this time, if I could pray FOR him. When he did not answer, I placed my hand on his back. At that instant, he bolted upright, hands on his knees, elbows locked, and began swaying back and forth like a cobra. He then scooted his chair a good 15 feet backward and started growling, "I hate this church! I hate him! I hate her! I hate you!"

There were 30-some individuals remaining and they were stunned. Some whipped out their cell phones and asked, "Do we call 911?" Others asked him directly, "Do you take medication, brother?"

I realized that there was no faith in the room (You may recall that even Jesus had to clear the room to get anywhere with Jairus's dead daughter). Well, although I didn't clear the room, I did ask the man if Jesus was his Lord. When he tried but could not answer, I commanded the demon to release his tongue. I asked again, "Is Jesus your Lord?" He whispered, as if panting, "Yes." It was then that I leaned in closer and told him that I would help him but that I couldn't do it there. I reminded him that this experience was "it" for him as a Christian. "This IS your Christian life and it WILL happen again without help."

The young man never did seek my help. Instead, he disappeared from town. In the days ahead, I was sought out and asked questions about what happened that day. "Why did you do this?" and "Why did you do that?" I was invited to dinner and taken to lunch. When I saw the Pastor the next day, he responded, "Man, I'm glad you were there...they don't teach that stuff in seminary."

WHAT'S THE POINT?

My point in sharing these stories? There are three. First, simply put, Christians - even ministers of ALL denominations - aren't taught much more than how to perform rituals and ceremonies in a religious setting. This renders us virtually powerless and having no distinguishable influence upon the real needs of society. When it comes to people like the man that recently executed a bunch of Amish girls in Pennsylvania, as long as folks "seem nice" and even know the routine of church, we're fine with them. They are socially acceptable. Spiritually acceptable,too, as far as most Christians are concerned. We REALLY don't have time or training to assist people in truly becoming overcomers. As long as the outside behavior meets church approval, those demons you're dealing with are...well, YOUR demons.

My second point is that when we know that Jesus WANTS us to do things like casting out devils, etc., why is it we prefer manmade religion?

When Jesus said, I came as an example," why do we ignore what He did and choose rituals and routines instead?

When Jesus declared "I am the Way," why do we prefer manmade doctrine and dogmas?

When it is written that God no longer lives in building made of stone, why do we choose to hunker down in the friendly confines of our edifices, never looking to see that example portrayed anywhere in Scripture?

My final point is that anyone, yourself included, is suited for this ministry. How so? Because ALL believers have authority in Jesus' Name to cast out these tormenting demons and set the captives free. No human being, in themselves, is any match for the devil. So, we must NOT resist him in our own ability, manmade rituals or any other name. We can't do that. Remember, we are talking about authority over the devil, not power over him. We are not more powerful than the devil, but we do have more authority as believers in Jesus Christ.

Look at it this way: Just as a policeman has the backing of the government to stop oncoming traffic merely by lifting his hand, so Believers have the backing of God when we stand against the devil in Jesus' Name. Romans 8:11 reveals that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave dwells within you. God gave you all authority and expects you to use it.

Friends, this fight has been "fixed"!

The series you're about to receive is based upon my experiences and may or may not jive with what you've read or been taught. Regardless of the techniques, one thing I CAN promise is this: Demons will NOT leave for any other reason than that a child of God commanded them to do so in Jesus' Name.

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