C. Peter Wagner continues with "One of the reasons we need to exercise caution at this point is that we have no biblical examples
of the 12 apostles or any other first-century
Christian leaders who challenged the devil to a direct power encounter as Jesus did.
I would surmise the best explanation for this may be that God did not direct them to do so. Apparently the Holy Spirit did not lead any of them to the literal wilderness or to an equivalent power encounter scenario as He did Jesus.
If the disciples followed Jesus' example and did only what they saw the Father doing, we can conclude that the Father quite obviously was not doing this.
What happens when Christians today shout, "I bind you, Satan!"?
Perhaps not as much as we would hope. Satan will eventually be bound for 1,000 years, but it will an angel who does it, not a human being (see Rev. 20:1-2).
On the other hand, saying "I bind you, Satan!" may serve the useful function of declaring to ourselves and to others in no uncertain terms that we do not like the devil at all, and that we want to see him neutralized to the degree possible.
Jesus helps us understand this. He cast a spirit of infirmity out of a woman who had been bound by the spirit for 18 years. Then later, when explaining what He had done, He said that Satan had kept her bound for 18 years (see Luke 13:10-16).
I don't think Jesus meant that Satan himself had spent 18 years demonizing that woman, but that he had been ultimately responsible, as commander-in-chief of the forces of evil, of delegating that task to a certain spirit of infirmity.
So while Jesus can say that Satan bound her, it is appropriate for us to say, "I bind you, Satan!" providing we understand the limitations of such an activity.
While therefore it may be doubtful God expects us to have a direct confrontation with Satan himself, at the same time there is little doubt that we do have a divine mandate to confront the demonic on levels lower than Satan.
New Testament examples are so numerous they need no be rehearsed. Jesus clearly connected preaching the kingdom of heaven with casting out demons (see Matt. 10:7, 8).
What Jesus did not specify, however, is whether our expected encounter with the demonic would be only on the Ground-level Spiritual Warfare which is quite obvious, or whether it would move upward to include #4 Occult-level Spiritual Warfare, or #5 Strategic Spiritual Warfare, as well.
(You might want to check out these posts I've given earlier, of his information on these subjects).
On this point there remains some disagreement among those who actively teach on and engage in spiritual warfare these days.
Our general agreement, so far as I can perceive it, is that we are to minister quite freely on the ground level casting out ordinary demons, and that we do well to stay away from direct encounters with the god of this age, Satan himself.
Some are more cautious about engaging demonic forces at the in-between levels, while others are more aggressive.
I myself feel that God may be calling, equipping and enabling a relatively small number of Christian leaders to move out in frontline, strategic-level spiritual warfare.
And I also believe He is raising up large numbers of Christians to back up these people with moral support, intercession, encouragement and material resources.
God, I think, is in the process of choosing an expanding corps of spiritual Green Berets such as Eduardo Lorenzo, Cindy Jacobs, Larry Lea, Carlos Annacondia, John Dawson, Edgardo Silvoso or Dick Bernal who will engage in the crucial high- level battles against the rulers of darkness and consequently see measurable in creases in the numbers of lost people who "turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God" (Acts 26:18
What Jesus did not specify, however, is whether our expected encounter with the demonic would be only on the Ground-level Spiritual Warfare which is quite obvious, or whether it would move upward to include #4 Occult-level Spiritual Warfare, or #5 Strategic Spiritual Warfare, as well.
(You might want to check out these posts I've given earlier, of his information on these subjects).
On this point there remains some disagreement among those who actively teach on and engage in spiritual warfare these days.
Our general agreement, so far as I can perceive it, is that we are to minister quite freely on the ground level casting out ordinary demons, and that we do well to stay away from direct encounters with the god of this age, Satan himself.
Some are more cautious about engaging demonic forces at the in-between levels, while others are more aggressive.
I myself feel that God may be calling, equipping and enabling a relatively small number of Christian leaders to move out in frontline, strategic-level spiritual warfare.
And I also believe He is raising up large numbers of Christians to back up these people with moral support, intercession, encouragement and material resources.
God, I think, is in the process of choosing an expanding corps of spiritual Green Berets such as Eduardo Lorenzo, Cindy Jacobs, Larry Lea, Carlos Annacondia, John Dawson, Edgardo Silvoso or Dick Bernal who will engage in the crucial high- level battles against the rulers of darkness and consequently see measurable in creases in the numbers of lost people who "turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God" (Acts 26:18
|
Father, thank You for giving us this
information that can help us understand
better our part in spiritual warfare.
May we pray for those who are leading
the way in confronting the powers which
cause so much havoc in our own area.
Help us not to find fault with those who are called by You to address the controlling evil spirits. May we hold them up in our prayers each time we know they're battling them.
I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
information that can help us understand
better our part in spiritual warfare.
May we pray for those who are leading
the way in confronting the powers which
cause so much havoc in our own area.
Help us not to find fault with those who are called by You to address the controlling evil spirits. May we hold them up in our prayers each time we know they're battling them.
I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Today’s Bible verse: Neh. 9:17b "Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsaketh (us) not."
Today’s quote: Dr. Charles F. Stanley - "A Life well lived is one in which our eyes are focused on the Lord, our ears are open to the quiet voice of the Holy spirit, and our hearts feast on Scripture. When we choose this existence, we guarantee ourselves the finest that God has to offer. There is no second best for the obedient child of the Father." (Taken from InTouch magazine, October 2014)
Some thoughts today: Phil. 1:6 tells us God has begun a good work in us. Our part is to surrender, which is our giving up something we think we should have or do other than God's plan for us.
- Are you self-centered and unhappy? Are you angry, selfish, etc? We can't change ourselves, but when God puts His finger on something, we need to agree, and allow Him to help.
- Every word in the Bible is full of power! Go to it to read God's instructions and comforts.
8th- Thursday’s post: #32 Conquering a City
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10th- Saturday's post: A Live-Saving Drop In
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11th- Sunday evening's post: Dancing Over Me
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13th- Tuesday's post: #33 Overcoming the Strongman
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