Not a subject I would usually put here. This blog is all about God's touch on my life, the times He speaks His presence and love into my day. But my Mom's original intent when she penned this journal was for it to be shared with all---family, friends, strangers---and so I will include this excerpt here even if it's out of the norm for my blog. I know God has a plan and purpose for everything and we do need to know our enemy. God is always teaching, always loving and always sovereign.
From Mom:
Demon is a fallen angel. Lucifer was his name. Isaiah 14:12-15 How you are fallen from heaven O shining star son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, 'I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.' But instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths.
Demons are what are called "principalities and powers."
Angels are God's messengers, ambassadors, they are from God.
Demons torment people, possess them and lead them from God and His truth.
Mark 5:2-5 Just as Jesus was climbing from the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit ran out from a cemetery to meet Him. This man lived among the tombs and could not be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles--as he often was--he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to control him All day long and throughout the night, he would wander among the tombs and in the hills, screaming and hitting himself with stones.
Acts 13:6-12 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
There is conflict in the invisible world between God's loyal messengers (angels) and the demonic hosts.
Angels ascend to the height of spirituality. Demons reach the depths of hatred, bitterness, perversion, torment people, possess them, lead them from God and His truth. Christians have the Holy Spirit within them, thus they have the power over all demons.
1 John 4:4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.
Luke 10:19 And I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.
Note: snakes and scorpions are symbolic of spiritual enemies and demons, power over which Jesus has given His followers.
Demonized--to be possessed of a demon, act under the control of a demon. (I am going to list the verses you can reference here rather than type them all out)
*Matthew 4:24, 8:16, 28,33, 9:32, 12:22, 15:22
*Mark 1:32, 5:15-18, 5:2-5
*Luke 8:28,36
*John 10:21
Exorcisism--is the commanding "in the Name of Jesus Christ" (Lord Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth) to come out of an individual accomplished through he Holy Spirit by the spoken word.
All spiritual warfare waged is victorious only on the basis of appropriating the provision of the Cross and Christ's blood.
From me:
This is a heady subject and too extensive and intensive of a study for a small space. I will list the Scriptures Mom included in her journal if you would like to do more study on this topic. It is my opinion that while we need to be informed and learned in this area, our main focus should always be the victory we have through Jesus Christ. We are not to become fearful, and obsess over this topic or these beings. As we are told by Jesus, we have the power over them, and in 1 John we are told greater is He who is in us. Those thoughts should always come to mind when facing the enemy, in our lives or in the lives of others. Prayer and fasting are important weapons in this battle.
Ephesians 6:10-18 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Scriptures to check out for more info:
Unclean spirit: Revelation 16:13, 14 Mark 5:2, 7:25, 1:23 Luke 8:27-29
Possessed: see * references given above for Matthew, Mark, Luke and John
Exorcisism: Acts 19:13
Victory: Colossians 2:15
Demon: Matthew 17:18 Luke 7:33 John 8:48
Demonic: James 3:15
Demons: Deuteronomy 32:17 Psalm 106:37 Luke 9:1, 10:17 1 Corinthians 10:21
James 2:19 Revelation 18:2
Lie: Numbers 23:19 Psalm 89:35 Colossians 3:9 James 3:14 1 John 2:21
Revelation 21:27
Lied: Acts 5:3-4
No comments:
Post a Comment