Jesus stops Demonic Invasions and rescues people from Demonic Oppression Meantime, did we forget that demons still try to possess people?
Lord of the Rings includes this comment in the Prelude: 'Things have been forgotten that should not have been forgotten.' What did we forget about? We 'forgot' about Jesus' victory over demons and curses. Europeans became 'enlightened.' Being 'enlightened meant:
Demons and curses could be classified with superstitions.
Then scientific age could ignore (forget about) demons and curses.
And any evidence of demonic activity or possession would be met with skepticism.
So while our understanding of mental disorders has improved since the days of extreme superstition, and there is more support for those in any kind of mental distress, any evidence of harassment by evil spirits is ignored and the reality of curses is not acknowledged. Can we find some balance?
There are practical implications if:
When you turn to your minister for help with a curse you will be dismissed with a pat answer.
When you are being actively harassed by a demon, you will likely be referred to a psychiatrist or end up on a mental health ward.
those who charge into 'spiritual warfare' (with the belief that Christians can 'bind' just about anything) find their health, finances, marriage, and children clearly end up suffering. (See, "Needless Casualties of War" by John Paul Jackson.)
There is also a problem if people seeking answers to these issues are turning to a psychics for answers. And yes they are. They pay big bucks for protection or to break a curse.
Due to the church 'forgetting' about deliverance from evil in Jesus' name, the kingdom of darkness is spreading its power over people. One lady, who just recently began consulting me, spent $250,000 on psychic guidance and protection over 10 years. Her life kept getting messed up and she kept going back to the psychic for the answers (when it is highly likely that the demon operating in the psychic caused the issues that it later solved.)
The church is recovering her power. The Holy Spirit has been acknowledged by the Pentecostals and charismatics and others. Some places have revived a deliverance ministry. However, there are still problems to work out.
The Problems with evil that remain People do not know how to deal with curses. Deliverance ministry is only partially successful. The most popular forms of 'spiritual warfare' end up attracting attack. So a lot of rethinking is needed if the church is to survive and thrive in the next few years.
My writing is one such rethink of Christian living, Christian prayer, inner healing, deliverance, spiritual warfare and breaking curses. What has prepared me for this writing is:
45 years in providing service in mental health, community Psychology and private practice in Mississauga Christian Counselling,
Reading and training in three generations of Christian Inner Healing, Agnes Sandford, John and Paula Sandford and Ed Smith's work,
Training lay people in the Sandford material covering: Restoring the Christian Family, Transformation of the Inner Man and Healing the Wounded Spirit,
Professional development in therapy and psychotherapy from the schools of Reality Therapy, Transactional Analysis, Psychodrama, Emotionally-focused individual and couple work and Coherence Therapy,
Studies and reading in the field of Psychology. and
Studies and reading in theology and Bible study.
Victory means Deliverance from evil spirits To achieve deliverance from demonic invasion the church needs to really understand:
The process of sanctification, wholeness, and holiness.
Our part in seeing fulfilled the promise of a 'New heart and a new spirit' in people.
How to use victorious prayer alternatives to petition.
Learn how listening to God is key to victory.
How to include the active imagination in prayer.
Learn safe methods of Spiritual warfare,
Learn to use inner healing to clear the way for permanent deliverance.
My book plan includes three books related to breaking curses, deliverance, and spiritual warfare. These are
Spiritual Warfare: How to escape what John Paul Jackson described as the 'needless casualties' of spiritual warfare.
Gentle Deliverance: How to use Inner Healing prayers to produce clean, permanent and effective deliverance.
Breaking Curses: Effective prayers to use to break curses and spells including 'Jesus in Between' to break soul ties and protect from curses.
Remembering Jesus' Authority over demonic power and evil spirits. In our enlightened mind-set, we have little genuine appreciation of Jesus authority over demonic power and evil spirits. We also are missing how significant it is that he was able to delegate his authority over demons to his disciples - first 12 and then 72. Our dismissal of authority over demons in Jesus ministry also leaves us vulnerable. If we or our household come under demonic attack we are confused. We are at a loss. We lack faith in our Jesus-given authority. Jesus was pure love, great compassion and operated with firm authority to 'destroy the works of the devil.' We need to remember this and we need to learn to operate in this.