Authority over demons
Christians have authority over demons, but very few understand it, let alone use it.
Some Christians never see demons, they don’t have spiritual eyes. Some Christians always see demons, they have no discernment. The truth lies between these two extremes.
True spiritual authority comes from staying in the Kingdom. We have authority “in his name”; we can use it if we are on his mission. He sent the 12, then the 70, with authority to heal and cast out demons…when we go out on his mission we stir up the evil one and we have to be prepared to deal with him.
We are commanded not to be ignorant of the devil and his machinations. We must KNOW and USE the authority we have over the powers of evil.
If we don’t know the enemy’s plans, we will be caught in his traps. We will be deceived by “angels of light” who are demons in disguise.
Germany was one of the most cultured and civilized nations in the world when it fell under the evil spell of the Nazis. If Hitler had died before 1938, he would have been remembered as one of the world’s greatest leaders for all he did to rebuild Germany. But his true nature was revealed, and many today still have trouble believing how such brilliant people as the Germans could have followed such a leader.
But this same thing could happen again to any nation that ignores how Satan works.
Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans… the word Katrina means “cleanup.” New Orleans was called “sin city”: drink, drugs, sexual perversion, devil worship (voodoo). The people of New Orleans were relocated to many other cities in the US Crime was increasing wherever they went, and demons attacked many churches and Christians.
Many people thought that Satan sent these people to attack their cities and churches, but GOD sent these people so they could be delivered and set free! You know, they are often the WORST sinners, the most perverted, whom God has chosen to become the strongest Christians!
When Jesus walked the earth, who did He choose to be the future leaders of His Church? Pablo! Who became the devoted follower? Mary Magdalene (delivered from 7 demons)!
God does not change, and continues to build His Church with the same type of people.
Christians who are truly wise and mature feel more comfortable with people trapped by demonic oppression than with those who have a self-righteous religious spirit. IT IS BETTER to have demon oppressed people in our church than people with religious spirits! The demon-possessed fell at Jesus’ feet to beg for mercy, but the religious crucified him! Those who forgive a lot, love a lot. Those who forgive little, love little.
Generally, we want to attract prosperous, conservative, and mature believers to our church; we put our greatest hope in them. But the people who come with the biggest problems, even demonic problems, can in time become the greatest blessings and the most obedient and fruitful disciples.
Mature believers will tend to become lukewarm, so they will be a bigger problem than those who are cold toward the Lord.
Someone in the US did a study: 98% of Christians who lead another person to Christ do so within two years of salvation. After that, they never led anyone to Christ again. After two years, they lose the FIRE of their passion for the Lord.
We are to lead mature believers to LOVE those in the dark, and not be repelled by them! (Jesper, Jn-Cld, Julio).
Investments… it’s better to buy low and sell high, right? This is how we should invest in people. If you give yourself to help someone who is low, you will have a friend for life, but if you give yourself to someone who has no needs, what reward do you expect for that?
The Church is upside down, we are looking for people to join us who already have something to give us (most importantly, well dressed with money)!
Look at David and his “brave men”. They were the ones who were angry at the government, in debt, and other “troublesome people”—they all joined him as he fled from Saul. But they became the Strong Men of Israel, who loved David so much that they risked their lives just to get him a drink of water!
God calls us to set captives free, not to look for people who can benefit our churches. Those in demonic captivity are treasures the Lord has sent us, and we ALL must be equipped and willing to participate in their deliverance. These are NOT problems sent to us by the devil! When released, they will be the MOST faithful and fruitful.
If we run from our call to set the captives free, we will never stop running, because you won’t be able to escape the confrontation with the demons for much longer.
The newest Christian who is filled with the Holy Spirit has more power and authority than ALL the powers of the enemy! We ALL have the armor and weapons of the Lord, and we must know how to use them.
First comes the TEACHING.
The second is TRAINING.
The third is TEAM.
Soldiers must be taught about weapons before they can use or even hold them.
The Church has been stuck in teaching mode for too long, usually because no one other than the pastor or a few leaders is expected to do the work of the ministry. So, the Church sits and watches, but it is not trained, equipped, and released for ministry as Jesus did.