Our Spiritual Battles - Concluded

THE RIGHT WAY TO DEAL WITH DEMONIC POWER - Ch 5
Biblical Discipline Against Demonic Activity
We cannot deliver anyone by ourselves. It is of God and of God alone. However, He uses his servants to accomplish His work. "There are diversities of gifts, administration and operations (ministries)...but the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal! (1 Corinthians 12:5, 7) The author does not believe that this ministry is a spiritual gift but rather one of the diverse operations. There are false "exorcists" as in Acts 19:13. Josephus, a Jewish historian of the 1st century wrote: "by the name of Solomon, he exorcised the demons!" Even today there are false "deliverers". Some jeer and scoff at Satan even though Michael the Archangel himself could not do it (Jude 9). It is God who equips some of his servants for this ministry. It is not for everyone even though it should be more evident in our churches today. "We wrestle…with principalities and powers!"

THE AGENT: As an instrument in God's hands for this ministry, these qualifications are needed:
Born Again...Acts 19:11-16
A pure Heart...Psalms 66:l8
Courageous...Acts 16:18
Totally Consecrated…Matthew 6:24
Perseverance in Prayer and Fasting…Mark 9:29
Knowledge and Practice of the Word of God
Free of all Occult Practices
Experienced or helped by some one with Experience
Nervously Well Balanced
Clothed in all of God's Armor
Gift of Discernment
Steadfast in Faith…Matthew 17:20
Free of Pride...Luke 10:20
All these qualifications are from God. Luke 10:17; Jude 9

THE AUTHORITY
The power does not come by our prayers, our knowledge, our gifts or our hands, but by God. His power gives authority over evil spirits. Here are the seven authorities:
1) The Name of Jesus Christ: The disciples of the 1st century attributed the authority over demons to His Name. (Mark 16:17; Luke 17:17-18; 1 John 4:2-3)
2) The Blood of Jesus Christ: Revelation 12:11 tells us that "they over- came the devil by the blood of the Lamb". Even though this verse applies to another period, the affirmation is real today. (1 John 3:8b; Colossians 2:1 5). The prophecy of Genesis 3:15 is fulfilled in John 1 2:31. Satan was defeated when Christ's blood was shed on the cross.
3) The Word of God: The mediums use the Bible in their rites. Satan used it when he tempted Jesus. The false prophets as angels of light use the Bible. But it is not a magical book. It is when the Word is in our souls and quoted with authority that puts the enemy on the run. Jesus did it in Luke 4. Satan certainly remembers with bitterness the event in Luke 10:18-19. Ephesians 6:17 calls the Word the sword of the Spirit.
4) Prayer to God: When the disciple were not able to exorcise the child, Jesus declared: "This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting!' Collective prayer is powerful (Matthew 18:19-20). When the conditions are accomplished, we can depend on Him by prayer. (Matthew 21:22; John 14:13-14; 15:7)
5) Fasting before God: Fasting is also included in Matthew 17:21. Some say that "fasting" is not included in the older manuscripts in this passage, but nonetheless, it is a Biblical principle. (Matthew 6:1 7-18). It is to spend time with God for our spiritual good instead of our body needs. Fasting doesn't move the hand of God. It is simply an act of obedience that moves our hearts. We wrestle with evil powers but it is God who gives the victory
6) Faith: One must have total confidence in the Lord. If not don't ever think of facing off Satan. We must hold high the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16). We must resist him with a steadfast faith (1 Peter 5:9) The victory is promised. We must take hold of it by faith. The just shall live by faith!
7) The Holy Spirit: "He that is in you is greater that he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). It is He who gives the power. Even Jesus cast out demons in the power of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 12:28). We can be filled with His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) or we can quench His power (1 Thessalonians 5:19) and grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30).

The servant of God called to this diverse ministry must employ these seven authorities from God, and the Lord will caste them out! But how does one go about it?
THE ACTION
For the believer, the battle is different. He must submit and resist, then God gives the victory. For a non-believer who is possessed, it is another case. Each victim is different as each demon has its own personality. Satan is crafty! No plan can be made as each case is so much different. But here are several principles to succinctly follow.
1) Prayer of Protection: (Psalms 44:5; Luke 10:9; Matthew 21:22; John 15:7) Before going into battle, one must pray for the Lord's protection for the counselor, his family, the victim, his family and all who are engaged in the combat. A call to the Almighty God for a wall of protection.. .the shield of faith...is the first necessary step.
2) Identification of the demon(s): Jesus insisted himself that the demon give his name and tell how many there were. (Mark 5:9) It is not spiritually healthy to dialogue with an evil spirit, but it is wise to know what we are up against.
3) Command: One of the Lord's servants said: "We have learned that it is insufficient to just pray and sing even if Satan hates these two things. We must resist the devil and demand that he leaves:' It was Paul's method (Acts 16:18). Jesus said one word: "Go!" (Matthew 8:32) Acts 19:12 may be an exception but in most Biblical cases the command to go must be executed. The laying on of hands to cast out demons is not Biblical and is even dangerous. In Luke 1 3:1 3 we find the only occasion that there was laying on of hands on a demoniac person. But the verse that proceeds this act reads: "Jesus called.. .and said unto her: Woman, thou art loosed!" She was delivered before He laid on His hands. The laying on of hands was to "make her straight" No text can be found in the New Testament that justifies laying on of hands to cast out evil spirits. When you command an evil spirit to leave, never accept a negative response. Sometimes the demon or the victim cries out: "We're too tired to go on" or "you can't do it. We won't go!" We must appropriate God's promises in Mark 6:7 when Jesus that He"gave them power over unclean spirits" It is important to continue until all have been cast out.
4) Confession: "Many of them that believed came, and confessed and showed deeds:' (Acts 19:18) Those who have practiced the occult must confess their act, destroy the objects, books, films, CDs, etc. that bond them. They then must confess Christ as their Savior and Lord.
5) Decision: Everyone who has been delivered is ready to repent of their sins and receive Christ as their Savior. If not, the teachings of Matthew 12:43-45 should be given.
6) Renouncement: A complete and sincere separation from Satan and from those who practice his evil ways must be made. One must cut all ties with them. "But have removed the hidden things (occult)" 2 Corinthians 4:2. It should be done out loud. Satan’s influence must be broken! (Luke 14:33)
7) Follow-Up: There can be counter-attacks by the evil ones. The delivered and saved one must be equipped. The whole armor of God must be taught (Ephesians 6:10-18). Teach them the need of prayer, Bible study, Christian fellowship in a good local church and how to witness their faith.
While awaiting Christ's return, we are called to wrestle with our enemy. This is OUR SPIRITUAL BATTLE. Christ admonishes us: "Behold, I give you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not. That the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice because you names are written in heaven:' Luke 10:19-20
We hope that this helps you to understand our enemy and how to do battle against them. ......Dr. Ivan (Pete) Peterson