THIS POSTING IS A DIGITAL ENTRY OF A DOCUMENT THAT MY DAD WAS PUTTING TOGETHER BEFORE HE WAS CALLED HOME. RECENT EVENTS HAVE CAUSED ME TO REVIEW IT AND I HAVE DECIDED TO POST IT HERE FOR ANYONE WHO MIGHT BENEFIT FROM IT.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN DEMON POWER
JOHN 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
I would like to say that this is not to magnify the works of the enemy, but to acquaint you with the more intricate and hidden works by which he keeps the church (or body) of Jesus Christ from joining together and working as one body.
There are many outward manifestations of demon power - and many Holy Ghost filled Christians can see these works. Whether or not they do anything about it is something else. As I said before this will deal with the deeper - hidden - hindrances. Many folks call these things by other names, but I will tell you a few things about some that I have come into contact with.
1st - SPIRIT / DEMON of SELF
This is an especially deceiving spirit, because it manifests itself in many different ways. It may show itself in the following manner. JEALOUSY - spiritual jealousy - of another's ministry. Also of others earthly possessions. It may also show up as Jealousy, perhaps between man and wife - spiritually - mostly but occasionally one will leave the other to go and have spiritual fellowship with someone else. Now, because the one partner is willing to give up all (I don't mean separation or divorce) the other might feel slighted or hurt. This can be a manifestation of this self spirit. There are many more illustrations or manifestations of this type of demon. The reason it is hard to discern is because it can appear to be a demon of jealousy - a demon of covetousness, pride - lying - deceiving, and so many others. You cannot cast out a demon of self by calling it jealousy - covetousness - lying - pride...etc. It will also display itself by calling attention to the party involved - Perhaps by a particular display of talent - rather an over display. Wearing of eye catching clothes - make up - or jewelry. I mean an over-dosage of these things. Some have called it pride - yes, it can be - but it is also one of the manifestations of a Self-Demon. Also, a person that is under control of this spirit may be very demanding on their mate or those closely associated with them, demanding attention or service from those near. We must be definitely led of God and using the Gift of Discernment when dealing with this type. The first reason being - the person involved very seldom realizes what is going on. I mean they don't see this thing hurting those around them, nor do they think they are doing these very works. Secondly - this spirit will cause the person to be unwilling to accept the Truth when confronted with it. Thirdly - the person must be dealt with in love. Fourthly, we must not be swayed by natural excuses or arguments. It is easy to fall under the sway and influence of this demon, when we deal with it, because of the natural desires to be helpful, we sometimes let our carnal mind figure it out. This is a great danger - that is why I emphasize that you be led of God and in fact it is better to be with another Christian that can see this thing. Really three is the best, but if for some reason there is no deliverance or you feel unable to do the necessary work - if you can talk to the person and tell them that many of their actions are hurting others, asking them to pray about it. Then try to get them to a man of God that can cast it out. Once can have the demon of pride and not the demon of self. I must emphasize this, all these manifestations that can be ascribed to different demons can be manifested by the self spirit. We cannot go just by our carnal understanding or our carnal eye. We must have the witness of the Holy Spirit. It is possible to have all of these in one person also - we must know what we are doing.
2nd - SPIRIT/DEMON of DECEIVING
This particular spirit is very much in use right now in the churches of Jesus Christ. And this is hard to discern because of its different manifestations. I say hard to discern - what I'm really saying is, it is hard when you have never seen it before. When we have never seen these different demons in operation it may cause us to jump to conclusions - we must be very careful. Now, this spirit will cause the average preacher or layman all kinds of trouble. As I said, because of it's very nature. It is deceiving - a deceiving spirit. I have seen two Christians talking to each other and wind up getting upset - huffy and finally either walk away from each other in disgust or get into a heated argument. This deceiving spirit was in operation - twisting the words of love in the understanding of the other. Here is an example: I say something to you about not being in church for mid-week service. You hear the words I have said - but your understanding tells you I have inferred that you are lazy or lax or unconcerned or some other thing that will make you a little rebellious. Then you answer me perhaps a little on the sharp side - something like "well some people have to work for a living and get tired...etc, etc."You see then I get a little perturbed because you have called me lazy or perhaps inferred that I don't have to work or my job is easy. This particular spirit will show up many times between two people or between the pastor and people. In fact this thing has raised up its ugly works to the extent of causing preachers to feel a block or hindrance when they try to minister. Also - many people feel a hindrance or a block when the pastor or evangelist is preaching. Many will be blessed in the meeting but the one involved will say "I didn't get a thing. Seems as though I can't get anything as long as he is preaching."
There are many hungry Christians that have this problem of not being satisfied with the preaching because it is not deep enough - that is a different problem.
Then there is also the case of a whole congregation being unhappy with their minister - perhaps because of his not wanting to go on with God - but that is also something else.
This demon will work in many different ways. He will change the real circumstances into something derogatory. For instance - you will hear someone say - I haven't got $0.50 in my pocket - perhaps they are living by faith. Then the next day you see them going into a store to buy groceries. A deceiving spirit will cause you to accept the fact that they were lying when they said they didn't have $0.50... you jump to a conclusion instead of searching out the matter, first in prayer and then in the natural - if necessary. You see if something is deceiving that means you really don't see the truth. Mostly you see a part and base a decision on the part instead of the whole. We must be careful - exceedingly careful, when dealing with this demon also. One reason begin - what we say can be twisted in this person's understanding by this spirit until we can do nothing for them. The Spirit of the Lord must lead us and give us wisdom and the right words to speak.
We can be easily put off or even cause us to think we are wrong if we are not prayed up and being led of God. We must bring this deliverance about in love. You cannot deal with any of these demons or, rather, the people in which the demon resides, or is oppressing, without love. Love is the main factor. Without love your words will be as tinkling cymbals and sounding brass. you see love breaks down the natural resistance in a person to "being wrong". It is hard for people to accept the fact that they can be wrong, or are wrong. Or that they have something wrong in their lives. This is the biggest problem in dealing with these folks. But the love of God through us - coupled with a sweet and humble spirit will break this hindrance.
I feel as though I must caution you again - DO NOT jump to conclusions. do not judge the situation without both sides - do not judge with out the prayer that is absolutely necessary. Don't go running around the church saying 'You got this demon, you got that demon...etc.' There must be a great deal of prayer about it. It really is a shame to find such a lack of prayer in the churches today. Also in individual lives.
We have to recognize these things in our churches and our lives. Satan has his workers in every church. Especially every church that is trying to do the work of the Lord. These dead churches - the ones that don't even believe the Bible Truths of Salvation by the Blood - Healing by the Stripes. These are overrun with different kinds of demons, but these subtle - hidden - hard to get at kind are at work in the live churches.
3rd - SPIRIT/DEMON of LYING
Now, don't jump ahead and say that there are no liers in your church. A lying demon does not necessarily cause you to tell lies. Although it has and is doing this type of work right now in many lives. The particular phase of this demon, as in the already discussed Spirit that I wish to bring out now, is the secretive unseen or unnoticed work. You see, when a person tells a lie - you can usually tell or at least sooner or later it comes out. But now we come to the place where the church has rid itself of most of these outward type demons and is trying to go on in God, and the people are wondering why there is no real harmony - working together or perhaps feel a 'holding back'. As I said before, we are dealing with the hidden - hard to get at - kind. (Hard because the person involved must recognize it or at least be willing to be delivered of anything that might be in their life that is hindering the work of God or others that are trying to work for God.) (It also hinders the person from ministering to others - possibly even hindering a whole church and the operation of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit in that persons life.)
A lying demon may come and tell you that you are not saved - especially right after you make your decision for Christ. But it has been known to work on well established Christians, during a time of testing, and many times turn them away from God. A lying demon may come to you and tell you that you did not receive the Holy Spirit with Speaking in Tongues, right after you had a glorious experience with God. He may even persist by asking you 'Well, were is the power - if you got filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues as the Spirit gave utterance - then lets see the power.' Folks, we must be careful not to jump to conclusions. If we are capable to handle the power right away - we will have it, but we must remember - that this power can only be used the way the Lord wants it used. We have to be obedient in the small things first, then when we are properly schooled (by the Holy Spirit) then we find different phases of God's power at our finger tips. But you see, then, we only use it according to the perfect will of God. We are able to handle it properly, we are not ruled by our desires.
The lying demon will talk to you as thoughts - not in an audible voice. He may tell you there is no such experience as the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, accompanied with the Speaking in Tongues. If he can keep you from going on in God, he will tell every lie there is. He will tell you there is no healing for today. After you hear about someone getting healed or even see someone get healed then he will say its not for you though. He goes on and on and on. As you go on in God you find he backs up every time, but he goes back fighting. Now there are other ways he lies - by telling you that Brother So and So doesn't like you because he didn't shake hands with you two weeks in a row. If we listen to this lie we are opening the doors for more and perhaps even to where this demon will have residence IN you. This demon will cause men to believe their wives are running around with other men - this demon will convince women that their husband doesn't love them anymore. He implants lies into our minds - to destroy the work of God in us and the work of the Lord in the church. To cause us to turn against one another - to cause division - strife. Another thing - don't have itching ears to listen to gossip or rumors - lies are the work of the enemy, if we stop the rumor as soon as it gets to us - it probably will go no further. Gossip goes from ear to ear, house to house. Truth goes from you to God - then to the person involved - lets be scriptural. Pray about it. Get one of the elders or the pastor or someone that is a spiritual pillar. Discuss it with them - pray about it together - then go to the one involved. If you can't deliver them - don't talk about them.
Even when you are dealing with a person that is involved - there is a possibility of this demon to lie to the person and get them to believe that you are picking on them, or that you don't really want to help them, that you're just nosy or a busy body. A lying spirit will tell you folks are laughing at you when they are not. It may tell you that you are sick when you are not. It may tell you that you are going the wrong direction when you are driving your car or as in one case, it happened to be snowing very hard - fact is...blizzard proportions. I was driving or trying to drive home. Cars were stuck and getting stuck all over the road. I finally got loose from the cars, and got to going on down the road. I could hardly see for the blowing snow, but we prayed as we drove and let God steer us. Every so often a lie would come into my mind - you are headed off the road - better get over to the left more - it would continue until I would almost be turning the wheel. Then I'd pray "Oh God - let me see where I am." If I had turned just a little to the left I would have been in the ditch for sure. Further on the lying demon tried to get me to go more to the right - he kept saying 'You're getting close to the edge of the road, better move over to the right further.' After a while of this - I'd pray again "Lord, let me see again where I'm at." If I had moved to the right I would have been into the drifts and where there were no drifts I would have been into the ditch again. If I had jumped to the conclusion that I should turn - well, I would have been in a rough situation.
A lying demon will tell us that certain folks don't like us - when actually they are praying for us. A lying demon will tell us not to testify to people because they don't want to hear it anyway. It will also tell us not to witness to others because their too far gone or they are staunch this or solid that. God moves on us to pass out tracts - the lying demon tells us they will only throw them away - no one wants to read about religion etc. etc. Another good one he uses is 'You're above that ministry now - you don't have to do that anymore, you don't need to give out tracts or testify to everyone anymore." Another very effective one is "WHY PRAY? You haven't seen any results, no one cares if you're there at the prayer meeting anyway, skip private prayer for a while, you need a rest - that's hard work - praying" or "You don't need to pray before services - your gift will operate just as well - you're an advanced Christian now - a real spiritual person"... Folks, you better watch out for this lying demon, he causes an opening for pride and the churches today have more than their share of pride. If you are too good to spend time in prayer and waiting on God - you're not much good to God. I am finding that, where the folks are anxious to go on with God, and get into the Spiritual Things, they are wide open to the for mentioned spirits. A lying demon and a deceiving demon are very close in their operation and a great many times both will be working in the same person or persons.
4th - DEMON/SPIRIT of JEALOUSY
This is indeed, another very predominant demon at work in the churches today. This spirit can manifest itself outwardly but its real work is inside. Like a cancer - sometimes you will see it on the outside but the real damage is on the inside, the part you can't see. I think most folds know what jealousy is, but do you realize there is such a thing as spiritual jealousy? Oh, yes - this is a real destroyer of the faith. Because Brother So and So has a great success in his church - we become jealous - because he is successful? It's possible - but rather that he has been Blessed of God. He is having revival and we are struggling. Another more evident case today is Brother So and So prays for the sick and has great miracles in his ministry and in his church.. now.. don't belittle this work because it is greater than yours. Because he has more of God in his ministry don't say "You don't need that - we are going for more spiritual things." Brother or Sister, you haven't got that kind of ministry and you're jealous of their ministry. You can have that ministry if you pay the price. The other fellow paid the price - the other fellow was called to build an independent organization to display the works of God to a lost and dying world. The churches have not been doing these works of God, so God has to raise up a man that will do as the Spirit of God leads him to. Don't be jealous of this man or that man because their ministry is reaching more folks than yours is, because more souls are saved in one meeting than in a whole year under your ministry. Don't belittle it and say "Well, we don't know how many are really saved." God raised them up - remember that.
Now a jealous spirit will cause us to feel resentment against our brethren - because they have the gift of tongues and interpretation, or perhaps the gift of prophecy. We ma not 'like' the way they minister their gifts, we may be caused to doubt the 'realness' of this operation of the Spirit of God. Oh, it's so easy to criticize someone else. A 'get even' criticism is of the devil. If you criticize to hurt - not help - if you tell someone something without love - you are performing the works of the enemy. Don't be jealous of a brother or sister's ministry, rather praise and thank God that He is using them to bring Glory to His Name. After all - the body has many members - you need your hands to wash your feet. Because God has chosen someone else to be a more prominent member of the body - it does not mean you are lesser in God's sight - BLESS GOD - He is no respecter of persons. He knows what you can do best. Spiritual Jealousy is a great deal more harmful than any of us realize, for today when God is drawing the body together (by love) we are becoming more concious of what God has done for others. This is where the devil has put in the spirit of jealousy to work - because God is doing a work now, that man has not been able to do - with all of his 'don't do this' and 'don't do that'. God is bringing his church to the place where it can function as God wants it to. This is the end of mans time, not its God's time to take over. Satan wants to destroy this work - hinder it by working on our weak spots. If God has called you to be an usher in His church - do it with all your heart. Be sure God has called you to do this. Be very sure, that if you are called to something higher - God will put you there when you are ready.
5th - SPIRIT/DEMON of PRIDE
The person that is domineered by this spirit will not only exhibit this outwardly, but as the others discussed, the real hurt is inside. Are you proud because God has used you this way or that? When you testify, do you find yourself buidling up yourself instead of Christ? Do you feel as though you are really the chosen of God? People have this trouble and so do churches - and organizations. Do you realize that when you say "what they're doing is good, but we are chosen to go on and do this or that, God has chosen us," as if you were the only church or person or organization that God is moving in. Folks, God is bigger than all these things rolled together. God is drawing His church together. This demon of pride will cause others around you or this person to possibly give over to the demon of jealousy. Folks - love overrules all these things. If we give ourselves over to love - and resist these other things as they come up against us - we shall be more than conquerors. The scriptures says "Submit yourself to God - resist the Devil and he will flee." We must face these problems and demoniacal workings - and we must face them squarely - meet them head on - and be more than conquerors. We can be proud of our humbleness - an inward - "I'm glad I'm not like him - he's proud." Don't be fooled by this spirit - it is a very subtle way of pride operating.
Many Holy Spirit filled Christians can see the works that I have brought forth in this book. Whether or not they do something about it is something else.
Many people call these spirits by other names - and because of it, deliverance is impossible. "Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." "When the Son sets free - is free indeed." Remember - if you refuse the truth - GOD - yes, God will cause you to believe a lie.
2 Thessalonians 2:10,11,12And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
I earnestly hope that everyone that has read this book will search themselves as never before. I pray that there will be a real desire to be delivered of any hindrance, that the body of Jesus Christ may be clean and without the hurtful, damaging, hidden hindrances, that are so predominant today.
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