Month: March 2024

Sadly, some Christians today teach that the Bible not only says a Christian cannot have a demon but that it is wrong for believers to practice deliverance. Yet the Bible contains dozens of scriptures about deliverance, throughout Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and deliverance made up one-third of Jesus’s ministry. Jesus even cast out demons for two days before the day he was crucified.

“And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.” (Luke 13:32)

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20)

With that one proviso of being careful who one listens to, Christians can easily and safely learn about spiritual warfare from the Bible and from sound teachers on Youtube or elsewhere on the internet. We can learn self-deliverance which can be the most effective of all as Jesus gave us power over all the Enemy and we just need to learn how which is not difficult.

“And I besought thy disciples to cast him out; and they could not. And Jesus answering said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son hither. And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. and they were all amazed at the mighty power of God.” (Luke 9:40-43)

“For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.” (Deuteronomy 30:11-14)

Today, there are Christian churches, and pastors teachers on the internet, on social media and elsewhere who teach that deliverance is not biblical. Sometimes they use the NAR as an example and some even call Derek Prince a heretic. Some say deliverance is dangerous. It is God who delivers through His Holy Spirit, and therefore deliverance is only dangerous if it is not carried out according to biblical principles. With that one proviso, deliverance is dangerous only to demons.

Christians are deceived into believing deliverance is not biblical wresting certain scriptures out of context while ignoring the many scriptures that refer to deliverance. There are cessationists who teach that all miracles have ceased, along with any miraculous gifts. such as prophecy, healing, and speaking in tongues ceased with the apostles. Some include deliverance with that even though it is not mentioned – which surely it would have been. Why should deliverance cease when demons did not cease to exist and they are still very much present and active – and will be increasingly so as we go further into the Last Days.

Some claim that Christians do not need deliverance and it is not meant for them. But we know from scripture where, for example, Jesus twice called deliverance ‘the children’s bread’. (Matt. 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30) that deliverance is indeed meant for Christians.

There are many other scriptures which make it clear that a Christian can have a demon and many of them are Jesus speaking to believers:

This is confirmed by the parable of the man who swept his house clean. One demon was swept out and seven more came in, which tells us that deliverance can make a situation worse for non-believers and perhaps for some believers under certain conditions. Also after he had healed someone, Jesus said this which can be applied:

“Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” (John 5:14)

So then that means according to the theory of Christians who believe deliverance is not scriptural, no one should have deliverance, which of course is exactly the situation the Enemy wants as they are so desperate not to be cast out.

Paul spoke of being harassed and tormented by a demon:

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan [i.e. demon] to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” (2 Corinthians 12:7)

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According to the Bible, it is only ‘living souls’, that is people and animals – ‘nephesh’ meaning any creature that breathes – who are not subject to that rule.

“The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the Lord thy God.” (Deuteronomy 7:25)

Some attempt to recycle or upcycle things – or for example a holiday like Halloween – to attempt to purify or sanctify it. They believe that if something is blessed or sprinkled with holy water or somehow repurposed or rededicated to God, that will remove the curse on it and of it, and in it. This is a deception.

“Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.” (Job 14:4)

“But they set their abominations in the house, which is called by my name, to defile it.” (Jeremiah 32:34)

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;” (Hebrews 10:10-12)

“But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.” ((1 Corinthians 10:20)

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Demons are involved in carrying out Satan’s evil plans (2 Cor.11:15).  What Satan is said to be doing (see above) is their work directly.

1. Demons promote idolatry (Lev.17:7; Deut.32:17; Ps.106:36-38).  This activity is blatant in primitive cultures.

2. Demons are active in hindering the spiritual progress of believers every way they can (see Satan’s activities).  They are deliberate and organized in these attempts (Eph.6:10-12).

3. Demons promote false teaching (1 Tim.4:1).

4. Demons can possess and afflict people (see article on Deliverance).

(a) They cause physical ailments (dumbness – Matt.9:32,33; blindness – Matt.12:22;  convulsions – Matt.17:15-18; Mark 9:20; self-injury – Mark 5:5; 9:22).

(b) They cause mental disorders (withdrawal, nudity, filth, irrational behavior – Luke 8:27-29; suicidal mania – Mark 9:22).

(c) They inflict problems upon believers as well, if allowed by God (Job’s troubles – Job 2:7-9; Paul’s “thorn in the flesh: – 2 Cor.17:7).

5. Demons promote selfishness and division in the church (James 3:13-16): “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.”

This article is written by: Sid Litke, Th.M., a 1984 graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, currently pastoring the Open Door Bible Church in Port Washington, Wisconsin:  http://www.odbcport.org/index.htm

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1. He is a created angelic being. He was created as part of the angelic realm (Eph.6:11,12; Ezek.24:18) and was the highest in rank of them all (Ezek.28:12-14).

2. He is an enemy of righteousness. He is a murderer (John 8:44), a liar (John 8:44), and accuser (Rev.12:10) and our adversary (1 Pet.5:8).

3. He is a limited creature. He is limited by God (Job.1:12).  He is not God’s equal (1 John 4:4).  He is not omniscient, omnipotent or infinite in any way.  Believers with God’s help can resist him (James 4:7).

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1. Personality: He has intellect (2 Cor.11:3), emotions (Rev.12:17) and will (2 Tim.2:26).

2. Names: He is called Satan, the Devil (slanderer), Lucifer (son of the morning), Beelzebub (Lord of the flies – Matt.12:24), and Belial (lawless – 2 Cor.6:15), the evil one (1 John 5:19), the tempter (1 Thess.3:5), the prince of this world (John 12:31), the god of this age (2 Cor.4:4), the prince of the power of the air (Eph.2:2), the accuser of the brethren (Rev.12:10), and angel of light (false light – 2 Cor.11:14), a serpent (Rev.12:9), and a dragon (Rev.12:3).

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1. They worship God. Angels are continually involved in praising God (Rev.4:6-11) through describing His attributes (Is.6:3) and singing praises (Rev.5:8,9).

2. They ministered to Christ. Angels announced His birth (Luke 1:26-33; 2:13), protected Him  (Matt.2:13), strengthened Him (Matt.4:11; Luke 22:43), and explained to men His resurrection (Matt.28:6) and ascension (Acts 1:10,11).

3. They carry out God’s government. Angels are God’s servants (Ps.103:20; Heb.1:7) and messengers (Luke 1:19; 2:8-14).  They can be involved in controlling nature (Rev.7:1; 16:3,8,9), nations (2 Kings 19:35), and Satan and demons (Dan.10:13,21; 12:1).  They will perform future judgment for God (Matt.13:3a; Rev.15:1; 16:1-21).

4. They protect God’s people. Angels are sent to serve believers (Heb.1:14).  They protect the godly (Ps.34:7; Dan.6:20,23), oppose our enemies (Ps.35:4,5) and are specifically assigned as guardians of individuals (Matt.18:10).  They are God’s agents in answering prayer (Acts 12:7) even bringing physical provisions (Gen.21:17-20; 1 Kings 19:5-7).

5. They assist believers at death (Luke 16:22; Jude 9).

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In running a web site with over 900+ articles, thousands of hits per month from all over the world, and hundreds of e-mails per week, I have come to realize, with time, that there is a terrible problem in Christendom today. The problem stems from an existential subjective view of the world that has filtered into the church from secular society, but also from the teachings of heretical wolves who have taught an entire generation of churchgoers completely unbiblical methods of discernment or to get rid of any discernment altogether.

Let me start out this chapter by telling you what methods are being used for “discernment” today that don’t have biblical support, then I will move on to the ways in which the Bible does tell us to test teaching, prophecy and actions.

The following criteria are what many people who call themselves Christians are using to test reality and truth today:

(1) Experiences, manifestations

(2) Feelings, emotions

(3) Numbers of followers

(4) Numbers of people who claim to be saved

(5) The size of a church or movement

(6) Signs and wonders, purported miracles (whether real or false)

(7) Subjective testimonies

(8) Hearsay and rumors

(9) How successful and rich a teacher is

(10) If a person speaks with authority

(11) The atmosphere of a meeting

None of the above criteria being used by many churchgoers today are cited in the Bible as ways we are to test, discern and judge rightly.

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1. Angels are personal beings:

(a) They have intellect (Matt.28:5; 1 Pet.1:12).

(b) They have emotions (Job 38:7; Luke 2:13; 15:10)

(c) They have will (Jude 6).

2. Angels are spirit beings:

(a) They exist as spirits – not with material bodies (Heb. 1:14).

(b) An angel can be in only one place at one time (Dan.9:21-23; 10:10-14)

(c) Although they are spirit beings, they can appear in the form of men (in dreams – Matt.1:20; in natural sight with human functions – Gen.18: 1-8; 22: 19:1; seen by some and not others – 2 Kings 6:15-17).

(d) They cannot reproduce (Mark 12:25).

(e) They do not die (Luke 20:36).

3. Angels have communicable attributes in a degree greater than man but less than God:

(a) Angels are more knowledge than man (Matt.24:31; Luke 1:13-16) but less than God (Matt.24:36).

(b) Angels have more power than man (2 Pet.2:11; acts 5:19) but less than God.

4. Angels are organized and ranked.  One “archangel,” Michael is named (Jude 1:9).   There are also “chief princes” (Dan.10:13), “seraphim” (Is.6:1-3) and “cherubim” (Gen.3:22-24).

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In good times it’s easy to talk about faith. It’s easy to see why we believe and encourage others to “keep the faith” when they’re feeling down. But what about periods of prolonged suffering or surprise attacks?

How do we keep the faith in tough times?

I pondered this question just yesterday. After a long stint of peace and tranquility, yesterday proved challenging with flaring emotions, less-than-graceful communication and the temptation to — yet again — go over details.

Even with all the reading, all the praying and all the practice of trying to stay peaceful, yesterday was overwhelming, and I found myself begging God to drop me a line.

Nothing happened.

I prayed over and over for Him to bring relief and change the scene. Nothing. I felt discouraged, depressed… and impatient. Why wasn’t He answering my prayers? Why wasn’t He showing Himself? And then I remembered something: We grow in our faith, and it takes time. The struggle strengthens us.

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