Final thoughts on "ministries" that cast out demons.
The first thing someone needs to determine is where a LEGAL stronghold is. Any unconfessed or unrepentant sin gives access to demons; and a person is not ready for deliverance. It is possible when someone starts to manifest that such counsel can be given after a demon is cast out; as we don't always have time to evaluate these things such as with Jesus casting out the demons from the men in the tombs ( Matt. 8:28-34).
We also don't have the authority to cast a demon into hell. If the demons could plead to be elsewhere since even they knew it was "before the time". That is found in this same passage also. The same principle of course is in relation to Satan who can't be "sent to hell" and isn't RULING there now. ( Eph. 4:7-9 and other verses). We also don't have the authority to mess with powers and principalities that God has temporarily allowed under Satan's hierarchy. There are things in the angelic realms as the Book of Daniel suggests in that regard. We appeal to Christ in all prayers and work through His authority; therefore we must truly know Him and ourselves be prepared spiritually to be full of the Spirit in such encounters.
I won't take this post to debate if a believer can be truly possessed by a demon; or just oppressed. Oppression is a very real phenomenon; and no doubt affects many of us as we go through life's trials.
As to my earlier commentary; we also need to beware of deceptive doctrines; and having a proud "religious" spirit. The enemy has a plethora of methods to engage in battle; and we can only learn from experience to detect these things and rely on the Spirit to navigate things until the one battle truly subsides and hopefully we are better prepared for the next one. Naturally; if we are truly doing the work of God the struggle and trials become greater; both for the Lord to bring us to sanctification and edification; and because we are a threat to the enemy.
The first thing someone needs to determine is where a LEGAL stronghold is. Any unconfessed or unrepentant sin gives access to demons; and a person is not ready for deliverance. It is possible when someone starts to manifest that such counsel can be given after a demon is cast out; as we don't always have time to evaluate these things such as with Jesus casting out the demons from the men in the tombs ( Matt. 8:28-34).
We also don't have the authority to cast a demon into hell. If the demons could plead to be elsewhere since even they knew it was "before the time". That is found in this same passage also. The same principle of course is in relation to Satan who can't be "sent to hell" and isn't RULING there now. ( Eph. 4:7-9 and other verses). We also don't have the authority to mess with powers and principalities that God has temporarily allowed under Satan's hierarchy. There are things in the angelic realms as the Book of Daniel suggests in that regard. We appeal to Christ in all prayers and work through His authority; therefore we must truly know Him and ourselves be prepared spiritually to be full of the Spirit in such encounters.
I won't take this post to debate if a believer can be truly possessed by a demon; or just oppressed. Oppression is a very real phenomenon; and no doubt affects many of us as we go through life's trials.
As to my earlier commentary; we also need to beware of deceptive doctrines; and having a proud "religious" spirit. The enemy has a plethora of methods to engage in battle; and we can only learn from experience to detect these things and rely on the Spirit to navigate things until the one battle truly subsides and hopefully we are better prepared for the next one. Naturally; if we are truly doing the work of God the struggle and trials become greater; both for the Lord to bring us to sanctification and edification; and because we are a threat to the enemy.
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