God's Word reveals that we are not wrestling against flesh and blood, but demonic powers. Our fight is not against people, but the spiritual forces influencing them. However, most of us simply don't recognize the role that the spiritual realm plays in what occurs in our daily life. We think it's just human--natural--but the devil is busy influencing people every day.
It is useless to debate whether or not an individual is possessed, oppressed, or just depressed. When the New Testament calls someone demon possessed, the Greek word there literally means demonized. They are under the influence--and therefore, control of the devil. The issue people make about whether someone is possessed,oppressed or just depressed is not in the Scriptures. The truth is that people all around the world today are being influenced, controlled, and used to whatever degree by the devil.
Many westerners believe that demons are everywhere but in our country. But anyone who is spiritually perceptive knows that there is an abundance of demonic activity anywhere you go in the world, including here. We tend to look at things as being normal and natural for this day and age. We miss the fact that the origin of many things that happen in our day, things that tick us off and come against us is spiritual.
If you were to adopt the biblical mindset, it would make a huge difference in the way you respond. You would recognize that it's not that person who sits next to you at work, it's not your neighbor, your spouse, or your circumstances that are really what's coming against you. They can be influenced, inspired, and used of Satan, but they themselves aren't really the source. When you understand that this isn't a physical battle, it changes the way you respond.
You need to recognize that Satan as well as God can speak through and use the people in your life. Like Jesus, you need to discern whose voice is coming through. We are in a spiritual battle; make no mistake about it. Unfortunately, most of the time people don't recognize it. They are just looking at things from a natural human perspective. They remove God, the devil, and all whole supernatural realm right out of the equation. The average person doesn't realize the spiritual dynamics taking place. God doesn't send bad things our way. It's not just fate. There is a real enemy out there that we must learn to deal with.
Like it or not there is a spiritual battle raging right now for your heart and mind. As you think in your heart is the way that you'll be. Your thoughts become what you say and do, with your actions being the greatest expression of your authority. Therefore, you'll be influenced, dominated, and ruled by whomever you yield yourself to; God or Satan.
When you yield yourself to sin, you are serving Satan, who is the author of that sin. But when you yield yourself to obedience, you serve God, who is the author of that righteousness. In this spiritual battle, your actions are very important.
Most people recognize that actions are important in the physical realm. You know that there are consequences for what you do. There's much more to life than just a physical, natural, surface level. Spiritual dynamics are constantly taking place.
Whether or not the person you're speaking evil about ever knows it, you will be affected. Venting anger, frustration, resentment, or unforegiveness affects you whether it affects anyone else or not. If you get angry or bitter, you've just yielded your self to Satan. Whether you recognize it or not, the devil is the one who influences us to respond in the wrong way. Giving place to anger and bitterness doesn't accomplish the righteousness of God. You aren't going to accomplish God's purposes by getting in the flesh, giving in to anger, and losing your temper. That's not the way God's kingdom works.
When you give place to anger and vent, Satan jumps on it. The enemy will take full advantage of an open door like that to come and steal, kill, and destroy. "Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." James 3:16 Notice how this didn't say, "some" evil works. It didn't say this could allow the devil to come against certain types of people. When you get into envy and strife, you are opening the door and saying, "come on in Satan and do your worst in my life."
We all fight the battle. It seems in my life that I have the greatest degree of envy and strife with the one I love the most----my wife. As I said earlier, this behavior is not of God. Who would be most happy to wreck my marriage? Well I can tell you for sure, it would not be God! It would be the evil one!
This all sounds pretty hopeless! However, Satan was defeated at the cross; and he is still defeated. However, he knocks us around like he owns us because we don't know our authority. We have to learn our rights in Jesus Christ and learn to exercise our authority over the enemy. Once we do that; we will become free from sin and sickness. As a believer in Jesus Christ, we are his brothers and sisters---and co heirs. As a co heir, we inherit everything He inherits. We have victory over Satan through Jesus Christ; yet many believers, churches, and most all unbelievers don't know about our wonderful victory which was obtained for us through Jesus.
It is amazing to me that most churches don't teach about "The Believer's Authority!" There is a wonderful book by the same name written by Kenneth E. Hagin. It is truly a life-changing work. Upon reading it, your life will be changed in a positive manner forever. Satan is a defeated foe; and you will understand your authority in Christ and keep him that way.
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