Author: Dr. Rudy Rodriguez

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How Gates Get Opened

 

In this next section of this study we will focus on the ways that doors in our spirit are opened. We will study in depth the most common ways that gates are opened.

Closing Spiritual Gates

Now that we have an understanding of the importance of confession and repentance in the process of healing, the next step in is the process of closing our spiritual gates and reconciling our relationship with God. When we take responsibility and identify the sin(s) in our lives –which open the gates through which Satan influences us.

When we sin, we set in motion the irrevocable forces of spiritual laws and give the enemy the legal right to influence us. One of these is the spiritual law of sowing and reaping, of consequence and retribution. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). Remember sin is the cause of the iniquity. When we sow words and actions which into sin which produces iniquity; you reap darkness, torment, fear, guilt, shame, pain, illness, depression, irrational behavior, and feelings of worthlessness. With this law comes the certainty of blessings for the obedience and likewise, curses or punishment for disobedience.

Seeking repentance and forgiveness for sin is a lifelong process: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Remember we are only accountable to God for the sins we know about; in His merciful nature, during our lifelong walk with Him, He only convicts us of our sins a few at a time. If He were to reveal all of our sins at once, we would be overwhelmed and feel defeated, we would not even begin to reconcile. Therefore, He reveals our sins to us in layers—as in our attempt to peel individual layers from an onion. The closer we grow to God, the more we see the sin of our lives.

To make things even more difficult, the father of sin—Satan—blinds us, preventing us from seeing our impurities, so we either don’t see them or we rationalize them as not being a true problem. While the sins of our actions (such as lying, fornicating, stealing, cursing, hating, drunkenness, not tithing or involvement with pornography) should be so obvious to us that we should not need the conviction of the Holy Spirit to realize we are in disobedience, the sins of attitude (such as pride, rebellion, unbelief, envy, selfishness, ambition, control, self-independence, self-sufficiency etc.) are much more subtle and more difficult for us to see. These sins are a part of who we are; they are a part of our spiritual inheritance, our personal “culture.”

We are in need of God’s help (through His grace) to see and heal them. God can seldom deal with “the sins of attitude” until we have dealt with “the sins of behavior” (listed hereinafter).

Exactly when we are forgiven of our sins is sometimes not clear. There is absolutely no question that our Lord Jesus Christ’s death upon the cross provided the ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of all sin.

But when does that forgiveness actually occur in our life?

Is it at the moment of baptism or at the receiving of the Holy Spirit (being “born again,” John 3:3-6), or is it readily available, as is His grace which is always available to us but for which we must ask, and meet the conditions of confession and repentance in order to receive?

 Many individuals die without having first asked Jesus into their heart; the same may be true of their neglect in asking for forgiveness of sin. Many do not ask for forgiveness, therefore, they have not received it (Jas. 4:2, “… ye have not, because ye ask not”). When we confess, repent and ask for forgiveness, God immediately forgives us. (I John 1:9)

If we are unrepentant when we are baptized, will our sins be forgiven just because we “got wet?” I think not. Likewise, are we forgiven at baptism of the sins we don’t know about and for which we have not asked for forgiveness? I think not. But for these sins, neither are we held accountable until the Lord makes them known to us.

Christ died to cover the sins of the believer, as well as the sins of the heathen—who knows nothing of Jesus or His grace. As I have mentioned previously, we must remember that forgiveness of sin and the consequences of past sins are two different things, and will need to be addressed through two different processes.

There are those who know and trust that they have been forgiven, but yet feelings of condemnation, shame, and guilt continue to afflict them. These repented sins have been covered by the blood of Jesus and remembered by Him, “no more.” We therefore must depend upon the Holy Spirit to help us identify those sins that are currently (for whatever reason) uncovered and of which we are blinded.

As I read through the spiritual sin checklist lists, be open to the conviction of the Holy Spirit with regard to those sins in your spirit which may be “uncovered,” those of which you may yet be blind. There may be other sins not listed which may come to mind, as well. Those sins which are identified “today” are those the Lord wishes for you to deal with “today.” Other sins may additionally be identified for which you do not feel a conviction. Remember “Line upon line” and “precept upon precept” is the way of the Lord.

 Spiritual Sin Checklist

As we go through the list of 72 behavioral sins, pray that the Lord will convict you of any sins of which you yet need to confess and repent. Use this opportunity to identify and mark (perhaps with the date) those unrepentant sins as the Lord reveals them to you.

As you go through the list allow the Holy Spirt time to address the sin. When I feel convicted of a sin, I have a tendency to feel sad or grieved in my spirit. If you be uncertain of the meaning of any of the following words, I suggest you stop the recording and look them up in the dictionary.

Behavioral sins are identified in the following scriptural references:

      • Ex. 20:1-17,
      • Mark 7:21-22,
      • Rom. 1:29-31,
      • 1 Cor. 6:9-10,
      • Gal.5:19-21,
      • Eph. 4:25-31 and 5:3-5,
      • 1 Pet. 4:3,
      • Phil 2:3.

Ask God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to reveal to you if there are any other sins not on this list that you may have forgotten yet need to address. These sins remain in your subconscious for your entire life until you deal with them. As long as they are there, your spiritual gates remain open and give gives Satan the legal right to continue to use them against you.

Be open to the ways in which God chooses to reveal things to you. He may reveal a picture of something that happened in the past that draws up feelings and/or thoughts that need to be addressed or the name of someone may come to you to spark another memory. If anything is unclear, just ask the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, to enlighten your mind’s understanding.

On some occasions, however, there may be sins buried so deeply that you may need the assistance of an experienced intercessor to help in this process, in asking the Holy Spirit to identify them for you. Typically we are blind to our own baggage or “stuff;” without the Lord’s help and the help of another of His servants, we do not receive the healing we desperately need.

Let us pray,

Father, I ask for the grace necessary to confess my sins and the mercy necessary to receive my forgiveness and healing. I ask in Jesus name, amen.

Sins of Behavior (What we do)

 

Lord God, I confess and acknowledge and am guilty of…….

abortion                                                       evil concupiscence                                Lord’s name in vain

abuser of your body                                   evil thoughts                                           lover of money

abusers of themselves                              extortion                                                  lust

adulterers                                                     fearful                                                      lying

an evil eye                                                     filthy communications                         maliciousness

anger                                                             foolishness                                             malignity

backbiters                                                    fornicators                                               no graven images

bitterness                                                     gossip                                                       occult activity

blasphemy                                                    haters of God                                          other gods

boasters                                                        hatred                                                       pornography

clamor                                                           heresies                                                    reveling

covenant breakers                                       hypocrisy                                                  reviler

covetous                                                        idolaters                                                    sedition

debate                                                            idolatry                                                       slothful in finances

deceitful                                                         implacable                                                 strife

deceiving                                                       iniquity                                                         surfeiting

despiteful                                                      inordinate affection                                   thieves

disobedient to parents                               insecurity                                                      uncleanness

doubt/unbelief                                             inventors of evil things                               unforgiving

drunkenness                                                 jesting                                                            unmerciful

effeminate                                                     keep Sabbath holy                                       variance

emulation                                                       kill                                                                   whisperers

envy                                                                 lasciviousness                                              wickedness

without natural                                               affection                                                        witchcraft

not honoring father and mother

 Now let’s work on the Sins of Attitude (who we are)

prideful                                                             rebellious                                                      self-sufficient           

Independent                                                     seek to excel                                                slothful               

vain                                                                     controlling                                                    complacent

striving                                                               disbelieving                                                  self-righteous

…… as a sin in my life. I am sorry for my sin and I repent of it. I renounce this sin and give back the spiritual ground to my Lord Jesus. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

The process of confessing and repenting of the sins we’ve committed is the easiest step in the practice of closing open gates. Closing other gates may be more difficult. Although Jesus bore our sins, in some areas we have to appropriate the power of the cross in order to receive the desired freedom from sin (Acts 8:23 and 19:18, Eph. 4:28).

 Confession

I would encourage you to make a list of sins which the Holy Spirit shows and find a trustworthy friend, or a pastor, and share your list—for the purpose of confession. There is no need to go into specific details but you do need to verbally confess these sins. Ask your friend or pastor to pray for you, that the Lord might forgive and heal you of all your sins; pray that your spiritual gates in each of these areas may be closed and healed. Then give praise to Jesus.

 Prayer for Healing from the Sin of Lying

Lord God, I come now to confess and acknowledge the sin of lying. Father, only you know the many times I have lied. I know that lying is the language of hell. I am sorry for my sin and I repent of it. I renounce all the lies I have spoken. Release all those to whom I have lied from believing the lies I have spoken. I revoke all assignments of the lies I have spoken. I take back the spiritual authority I gave the darkness when I lied, and I give it to Jesus. I commit to you that I will not lie again. In Jesus name AMEN.

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Court of Mercy

Presenting a Case in the Mobile (Mercy) Court

I hear from lots of people that they don’t know how to present cases in the Court of Mercy, that they don’t know the right protocols, that they can’t see or hear well. Let me just assure that there is SO much grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. You don’t have to be a professional before presenting your first case. In fact, God prefers to teach you the ropes Himself so He gives us grace for that very reason. It pleases the Father’s heart so much to see you take that tiny step of faith towards Him, and He will meet you where you are at. If He’s asking you to present this case and laying it on your heart, then He will do everything possible to help you succeed.  Here are some things that have helped me along the way:

1. Use your spiritual strengths:

I often hear “I just can’t see and hear as well as so and so. I can’t do this by myself.” But Job 32:8 says

But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding. 

We are spirit beings; we have spiritual senses. We were MADE to see, hear, taste, touch, feel in the spirit. Many of us are beginners in learning to use these spiritual senses and that’s okay. A baby who is learning to look and see things doesn’t say to himself “I can’t see as well as my big brother. I just can’t do it, I’ll never be able to see.”  He just continues to look for the things that stand out to him. At first, he will see only things that are close to him, things that are black and white, and it may be blurry. But as his sense of sight develops and his brain continues to process the information he’s receiving, his depth perception will grow and change, along with his range of vision. So, it will be with you.

In the meantime, use what God gave you!  John 10:27 says

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me”.

God says that you know His voice; that is truth. So, think about how He speaks to you the most.

Through Scripture? In a still small voice? As a gentle thought in your mind? In pictures? Through a “sensing” of what might be there? Through your writing? 

However God talks to you, that is your strength. Use it to your advantage in the courtroom. Right now, I see better than I hear, so I ask to “see” the accusation list so I can read what’s there. My brother uses his bible. When presenting a case, he keeps his bible open and Holy Spirit highlights to him through scripture what the accusations are. Use this list as a point of reference. 

These are the Accusations against “The Church” for Repentance. When you enter into the Court of Mercy reference the list below, you will know if you are guilty of any of the accusations.

2.Repentance:

Don’t try to justify or hide. Agree and repent. Our power is in the blood of Jesus and nothing else. 

Matthew 5:25
Agree with your adversary (accuser) quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.

3.Trade: trade the sin for righteousness. 

God has repeatedly told me “Don’t leave a hole.” When you remove something, there is hole. If you don’t put something else in its place, there’s room for trouble. Matthew 12:43-45 says 43 

43“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. 

So, if you repent of hatred, ask that seeds of love be planted in your heart and for the love of God to be in your hearts and your minds. Ask that the doors of your first love gate be open to let the love of God through.  If you repent of idolatry, ask that God come take the throne in your life so that He is the only thing you worship.

Know that accusations often go with the type of case  you are presenting.

If you are petitioning for finances to be restored, you will most likely hear accusations of poor stewardship, greed, idolatry, robbing God, theft, dishonest scales, etc. 

Remember the enemy only has a legal right to block your finances, if the sins committed by you or your ancestors granted him that right. Knowing this, you can come armed with scripture related to your situation. Don’t get hung up on the accusation matching the case though, if you hear “murder” in a financial case, repent!. It may be that you or someone in your family line traded financially with anger in their heart (Jesus said anger in your heart is the same as murder.

Matthew 5:21-22

21You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER ‘ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell)

So, agree and repent no matter what, but look for there to be patterns that relate to the case. Let Holy Spirit, our Wonderful Counselor, guide you in this.

4.Scripture becomes an affidavit 

Holy Spirit will highlight to you important passages and scriptures as you present your case. These may even have been given to you as promises or words or even personal devotions that He has repeatedly sown into your spirit.  You take them to court and submit them as affidavits testifying on your behalf. The Righteous Judge loves nothing more than to hear “Lord, your word says….”  He loves to be reminded of His promises and covenants with us.

5.Your faith is evidence 

Hebrews 11:1 says Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  So ask that your faith be submitted as evidence for your case.  Even if your faith is small (the size of a mustard seed), it all counts to the Lord so use that in your favor.

6.Call for Witnesses 

Call for any witnesses to testify on your behalf. Hebrews 12:22-24 says

But you are come to Mount Zion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things that that of Abel. 

All these voices testify on our behalf, along with our giving (see the story of Cornelius in Acts 10).  So, call them forth and ask them to give a witness on your behalf.

The 9 Voices of the Courts of Heaven:

      • The Blood of Sprinkling
      • The Mediator (Jesus)
      • The Spirits of Just Men Made Perfect
      • God The Judge of All
      • The General Assembly
      • The Church of the First Born
      • A Company of Angels
      • Heavenly Jerusalem
      • Finances

If God puts someone special on your heart to call forward, then do so.  Or sometimes it just may be that the cloud of witnesses and men in white linen will come forward on their own. Either way, be open to the Spirit’s leading.

7.Call for a verdict 

When the accusations have been answered, call for a verdict. When I first began presenting cases, I would often feel Holy Spirit nudge me to ask for a verdict at the end, but I was unsure if it “was just my own thinking”. Holy Spirit would have to nudge me 5-6 times, before I finally understood that accusations were answered and to ask for the verdict.  You may hear or see a gavel fall. You may have scripture come to mind “well done, good and faithful servant.” “go in peace, your faith has healed him.” Etc. You may see the papers stamped with NOT GUILTY or CLEARED OF ALL CHARGES.  However you receive it, thank the Judge and put them in your belly. Ask for it to be recorded in the books and for angels to enforce it.

8. Submit to the Court of Scribes and the Court of Hell so the verdict can be recorded.

Yes, there is a court in hell. Just like in the natural court system, if you are not present in court the Judge has only one option, find you guilty of the accusation made against you. When this is done the accuser gets the legal right to  keep blessing from you.

That’s pretty much it! Let Holy Spirit lead you in the way that you two best communicate and as your obedience flows, verdicts will follow.

Enter the Court and go through this list, if you are guilty agree with your accuser.  So let’s get started:

BAAL/WITCHCRAFT

      • divination, sorcery
      • judgment unto death/to destroy
      • aligning with the accuser
      • trading into an ungodly system
      • rebellion & independence
      • idolatry/idol worship
      • deception & deceit
      • fortunetelling, soothsaying
      • coming into agreement with unclean/unloving spirits
      • rejecting/abandoning commitment to God
      • bringing on lies & confusion
      • animal/human/blood sacrifices, sex rituals
      • astral projection, soul hunter
      • whoredom
      • infirmity
      • Satanism; Terror
      • Stalking, peeping tom
      • Perverting God’s inheritance; stealing/hoarding inheritance
      • Bestiality, incest, sodomy, homosexuality, pornography, sadomasochism, fornication, masturbation, necrophilia, sex with demons/priests, sexual sin
      • Perversion & debauchery
      • worshiping false gods, including worship of the moon, sun, nature
      • worshiping Jehovah while still worshiping other gods
      • participating & making oaths in Freemasonry and other secret societies
      • drinking & eating blood
      • eating human flesh
      • making covenants/agreements with the devil
      • pagan trades for generations
      • human trafficking, sex slavery
      • satanic ritualistic abuse
      • making curses, hexes, spells, incantations
      • engaging with the spirit of fear & foreboding spirit

LEVIATHAN

      • Causing division
      • lack of faith/trust in God
      • breaches in ministry relationships
      • lack of alignment
      • break-down in family relationships
      • lack of unity, love & identity
      • double-mindedness
      • rejecting/abandoning commitment to God • twisting the truth
      • marital discord/destruction
      • throwing coins/trinkets in water (offering to water spirits)
      • superstitious acts
      • spiritual weakness/disinterest
      • lukewarm attitude towards our calling/destiny
      • pride & arrogance
      • physical & spiritual barrenness
      • depression/heaviness
      • addiction
      • provoking fear
      • Using or enabling persons as source of security
      • Adultery & betrayal
      • sowing discord and seditions
      • being ruled by logic/ego
      • causing weariness
      • hard-heartedness
      • hindering operation of Spiritual gifts
      • engaging with unclean/unloving spirits
      • engaging with Kundalini & Python
      • destruction
      • self-glory & self-serving
      • false protection
      • physical & sexual abuse
      • Condescending attitudes towards others
      • Encouraging the breaking of God-ordained covenants
      • Mockery
      • Lying & false witness
      • Shedding innocent blood
      • Devising wicked plans
      • Running to evil
      • Stubborn & unteachable
      • Word curses
      • unwilling to pay price for obedience
      • lack of honor & respect •

JEZEBEL/ABSALOM

      • Ulterior motives
      • dishonor leaders
      • using position/role for selfish purposes • criticism
      • haughtiness
      • sowing strife/division/discord
      • ignorance
      • being an island unto ourselves (independent) • pitting people against others
      • manipulating God-given visions
      • stealing hearts, pulling heartstrings
      • fear of getting hurt • unrepentant
      • revenge
      • self-pity
      • control & domination
      • being a “people pleaser” instead of a “God pleaser” • bitterness & unforgiveness
      • fear of loss of control
      • bringing on guilt/shame
      • fear of failure
      • harboring negative feelings
      • gossip
      • Backbiting & idle words
      • Offense on all levels
      • seduction
      • hypocritical
      • passive-aggressive
      • manipulative
      • eating at Jezebel’s table
      • spiritual whoredom
      • usurping authority
      • center of worship and attention
      • spiritual blindness
      • vengeance of the flesh
      • hatred for true prophets of God
      • giving Jezebel/Absalom power thru pain/wounds
      • refusing to confront Jezebel
      • intimidation
      • fear of the prophetic
      • lack of humility
      • opposing righteousness
      • paralyzing the prophetic flow of God
      • false loyalty & submission
      • trying to discredit & ruin others
      • letting personal gratification & “quick fixes” rule

RELIGIOUS SPIRIT

      • division
      • immorality in the church (physical and spiritual) • covenant breaking
      • dishonor leaders
      • using position/role for selfish purposes
      • pride & stubbornness
      • strife/division/discord in the Body of Christ
      • apathy/complacency
      • passivity
      • compromise
      • silence/not taking a stand
      • trading into an ungodly system • sanctimonious attitudes
      • fear of man
      • legalism & doctrinal error
      • twisting God’s Word
      • the church rejecting and abandoning people
      • lack of faith/trust in God
      • Holiness driven by duty rather than our love for the Father
      • Reducing God to a formula
      • Body of Christ using/ discarding others
      • tolerating jezebel
      • not offering the true gospel
      • not standing for a righteous plumb line
      • fighting to “be” right instead of fighting for what “is” right
      • manipulating God-given visions
      • abusing position/power/role
      • twisting the truth
      • participating in pagan-rooted rituals & traditions of man
      • coveting others & jealousy
      • vanity & lust
      • keeping congregations dependent on their leaders by feeding them only ‘milk’ instead of ‘meat’
      • Relying on ourselves when we should be relying on God
      • We forgive all those who wronged us & wronged those in our communities. We ask to be healed from the burden of our past.

ANTI-CHRIST SPIRIT

      • false gospel /teaching • anarchy
      • rebellion
      • counterfeiting God’s blueprint & gifts • “anything goes” / liberal stance
      • deaf & dumb spirit
      • smoke & mirrors
      • prejudice
      • hatred
      • evil heart of unbelief
      • retaliation
      • fault-finding
      • murder / suicide
      • false prophecy
      • political/government corruption
      • participating in cults & false religions
      • new world order agenda
      • voting ‘shebnas’ into office
      • lawlessness
      • denying or omitting the blood atonement of Yeshua
      • blasphemy
      • shape-shifting into animals
      • worshiping God and false gods simultaneously
      • prayerlessness
      • cruelty
      • seared conscience
      • gluttony
      • love of mammon
      • greed
      • power-hungry
      • bribery
      • black-mail /threats
      • mating or engaging with Nephilim
      • trading with seed
      • turning our family lines over to the enemy
      • giving authority for the removal of righteous elders and permission for establishing unrighteous elders over us.
      • moving out of God’s time sequence into other time sequences
      • puppeteering
      • agreements of man superseding God
      • perversion of “first fruits” offerings & other God-ordained principles
      • pollution of seed
      • robbing God

LAND/BLOODSHED

      • Pagan altars
      • Shedding innocent blood
      • making demonic contracts
      • where we voted evil governments in place
      • where we wanted those economic privileges
      • trying to conquer other tribes
      • cannibalism
      • torture
      • slavery
      • when we took people’s resources and got rich by their misery • defiling ley lines, land, & water
      • blood oaths/covenants
      • dedicating land/water to the devil
      • Tribal & “turf” wars
      • Human Sacrifice
      • Massacres
      • Murders
      • Breaking righteous agreements/contracts
      • idolatry
      • immorality
      • moving/blocking rivers out of their God-intended design
      • not properly stewarding the land, including overt exploitation as well as neglect • all other violence and abuse
      • polluting water, altering & blocking waterways
      • abortions/ offerings /sacrifices to Molec
      • debauchery
      • ungodly rituals
      • ungodly contracts/ agreements
      • racism
      • putting ungodly & unrighteous laws into place • what ‘giants’ brought to the land
      • Failure to love and steward the land

INDIAN SETTLER INIQUITY

      • Worshiped false gods, animals, the land, Mother Earth, nature, the elements, planets, stars, ancestors, Satan, the dead, evil spirits, or any other spirit beings
      • Believed a mythical animal or mythical spirit guarded us
      • Dancing for false gods
      • Committed rituals with the dead, ritual cannibalism
      • Engaged with evil spirits for guidance, advice, war strategies, gaining power, strength, knowledge, and wisdom
      • witchcraft, divination, eating & drinking of blood
      • Dedicated the unborn to Satan in return for desired gender
      • unrighteous spirit journeys; used unrighteous beings as ‘spirit guides’
      • eating human flesh or body parts to steal that person’s ‘essence’ & for gaining power
      • believed we descended from mystical wolves
      • Believe we descended from a mythical wolf
      • Participated in unrighteous ceremonies, who cut/burnt themselves or others in unrighteous rituals, & who performed rituals of unrighteous chanting or praying to evil spirits
      • Joined in union with evil spirits through blood rites, unrighteous covenants, rituals, contracts, or trades
      • generational massacre, torture & torment, mutilation, scalping, head hunting, burning, rape, kidnapping, slavery, unrighteous shedding of blood
      • ceremonial fasting for the unrighteous purpose of gaining power
      • unrighteous use of any of our God-given gifting
      • generational addiction and alcoholism
      • On behalf of Indians, we forgive all those who victimized, hurt, killed, wronged & stole from us

SPANISH/MEXICAN/ANGLO SETTLER INIQUITY

      • Practicing Santeria
      • Worshipping Mary, Queen of heaven, saints
      • Being superstitious
      • Astrology
      • Sun God Worship
      • Engaging Psychic Powers
      • Forcing out first nations people • Forcing religion on people
      • Rape
      • Theft
      • Trafficking, black market
      • inhumane treatment of others
      • destruction of land and homes
      • slavery, slave trade, indentured servitude
      • robbing children of their childhood
      • suppressing & oppressing others
      • stripping those of their culture and heritage
      • misrepresented Yeshua to people
      • murder
      • Forced others to reject those things God ordained from the foundation of the world • Kidnapping
      • Abandoning and rejecting others
      • Displacing people’s identity
      • Breaking promises/agreements
      • forced women into marriages
      • swindling
      • bribery
      • worshiping Mammon
      • self-made ruler
      • lusting after our own glory, wealth and position
      • not helping those in need
      • Misogyny (hatred of women)
      • Condemning & word cursing others from different nationalities
      • Engaging in a caste systemCourt
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Inner Healing and Deliverance

Over the years as a Christian, I have pondered Romans 7:15,

15 For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity].

What I failed to understand was that I was in bondage which allowed the enemy of my soul to influence me. I had to deal with anger, pride and much more. There are many Christians who do not recognize nor know they are in bondage and that they have strongholds and open “gates” or “doors” which allow darkness to influence them. The scriptural admonition stated in Hosea 4:6 is still applicable today: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

Isa 5:13 says “my people are gone into captivity because they have no knowledge”.

One of Jesus’ purposes in coming to earth was to destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:9-10). He came first to “preach the gospel to the poor” (those spiritually oppressed, Luke 4:18) and to “proclaim liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:18; Is. 42:7, 49:9 and 61:1), then, second, “to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:19, Is. 61:2). The order is very important.

Scripture also tells us that Jesus came to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:4, Matt 12:28). Several other scriptures help us understand what the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is; it  “not in word, but in power” (I Cor 4:20), “But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you” (Luke 11:20), “the Kingdome of God is within you”(Luke 17:21) and “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom 14:17).

These suggest the Gospel of the Kingdom of God is reclaiming that which belongs to God, but has been temporarily occupied by the kingdom of darkness. Being in bondage to sin separates us from God. Bondage blinds us and keeps us from seeing and hearing the Word of God (Is. 6:9-10, 42:7-9, 42:18-20, Mat. 13:15, 2 Cor. 4:4). Bondage causes us to lose what good news we hear (see Mat. 13:13-17). In ministering to others, we first loose them from darkness so they can spiritually see and hear, then we preach the Good News to them and then they bear fruit even 30, 60 and 100-fold (Matt 13:23).

Other reasons why we should preach, teach, and minister include:

      1. Casting out demons was the first sign mentioned for those who believe (Mark 16:17).
      2. We should follow Christ’s example, wherein an estimated one-third of Christ’s ministry was demonstrated through casting out demons.
      3. Jesus cast out demons to bring the Kingdom of God to seekers (those seeking out Jesus; refer to Jesus’ declaration in Mat. 12:28).
      4. Jesus cast out demons to show that the Kingdom of God is not in word only but in power (see Mat. 6:13, 28:18, 10:1 and 12:28).
      5. We preach, teach, and minister to bring release to seekers, giving “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Is. 61:3).

 Two Kingdoms

Scripture teaches us that before we were formed in our mother’s womb, God knew us (Jer. 1:5, Eph. 1:4-5). God even knows the number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7). He created us in love. From the very beginning of time, God desired for us to be healthy: spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Again, the order is important, as hereinafter revealed.

God created Adam and Eve in perfect health, in His own likeness and image (Gen. 1:26); He gave them dominion over all the earth (Gen. 1:28). Sickness and disease did not exist in the Garden of Eden. From the very beginning of his creation, man was not created to be sick or to die. Therefore, we know that God’s perfect will is for us to be in spiritual and physical health. In addition, from scripture, the attributes of the Kingdom of God versus those of the Kingdom of Darkness are made evident.

The Kingdom of God:

God’s kingdom is one of love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

      • He offers us mercy and grace.
      • He is the God of all hope.
      • He is our peace.
      • He will never leave us nor forsake us.
      • He is our deliverer (Rom. 11:26, Mat. 6:13), who has destroyed the “works of darkness” (ungodliness).

The Kingdom of Darkness (Corrupted Light):

Satan came, bringing disobedience, rebellion, sin, sickness, separation, pain, and torment. He is known as “the prince of this world” (John 12:31,14:30, 16:11). He is called the “God of this age” (2 Cor 4:4). ”and the whole world lieth in wickedness”. (1 John 5:19).

We know that Satan’s kingdom is one where there is no love, no joy, no peace, no acceptance, and no forgiveness; his purposes are to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).

In the Kingdom of Corrupted Light, there is only rejection, disillusionment, destruction, deceit, division, and despair.

We know that before man inhabited the earth Lucifer was expelled from heaven to the earth. On earth Satan continued his rebellion against God by tempting man to disobey God. Man sinned and became alienated from his Creator. Man then became vulnerable to Satan and the supernatural beings under Satan’s control, known as fallen angels, demons or evil spirits. Satan has a plan for your life, which is to steal, to kill, and to destroy. (John 10:10)

He first wants to keep us from believing in God and Jesus, if he fails in this, then he wants to keep us from knowing Jesus Christ personally, and if that fails, he wants to keep us from serving Jesus Christ effectively.

The Kingdom of God and the kingdom of corrupted light are engaged in a fierce conflict one against the other for the souls, spirits and bodies of men and women on earth. But God, not willing to allow His creation to come under the influence of darkness, prepared a way of escape (salvation) for mankind and sent His own Son, Jesus to earth to show us the way. It is through the message of Jesus and His works on the cross giving us power over the darkness that we are redeemed and set free.

Authority Given Us by God

You must be totally convinced of the absolute victory of the completed work of Jesus, of His absolute victory over darkness. (Rom 8:38-39). God gave Adam a measure of authority over the earth (Gen 1:26) Eve, through deception and Adam, through rebellion gave Satan their authority and subjected all mankind to demonic control (Luke 4:6, Romans 5:12-14, Eph 2:1,2, 2 Cor 4:3,4,1 John 5:19).

Satan offered his authority to Jesus in exchange for worship of Satan. Jesus declined (Luke 4:7) When Jesus die, rose and ascended, He totally and completely stripped Satan’s authority over any child of God (Col 2:13-15, Heb 2:14, 1 John 3:8).

The Scriptures tell us that Jesus has absolute authority in heaven and in earth.

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matt 28:18)

“Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come, and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church”. (Eph 1:21-22)

“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it”. (Col 2:15)

Jesus gave this power and authority to the 12 apostles, (Matt 10:1) then to the 70 (Luke 10:9,19) and finally to us. (Mark 16:17-18) Those who belong to Jesus come out from under Satan’s authority, influence and control and move into God’s domain and are given the authority over Satan and his demons. (Rom 8:37-39, Col 1:13, 1 John 4:4, 5:18) The only authority the darkness has is what you or someone else gives them. Whatever you come into agreement with, you empower.

We are one In Christ. He is with us and in us. This principle of unification with Christ took place when you received salvation (asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life). You and Christ are one. (see Rom 6, 8, Eph 2, 4, Gal 2:20). We need to be assured of who we are, and who’s we are In Christ, and that we have absolute authority over darkness given us by Jesus Christ.

Remember that demons aren’t being made anymore. There’s the same number wandering around the planet today as there were in Jesus’ day, yet the population of people has increased into the billions. On top of that we all know from Scripture that there are two angels for every demon.

And since Jesus has ALL authority, (Matt 28:18) that leaves none for the devil. The “All” has been handed over to us. The devil only has the power and authority we give him.

Some authors have observed that not all believers can cast out demons (Mark 16:17); therefore, they make the case that while all believers have authority from Jesus Christ to do so, most believers do not yet have the power to do so.

The example given is the policemen standing at the corner under a speed limit sign. The policemen’s authority comes from the governmental jurisdiction, but the “power” comes from the court system. We know he has authority, but we probably would not slow down unless we knew he also had the “power” from the courts to uphold the law. Spiritual power comes from a closeness to Jesus, an anointing by the Holy Spirit, faith, education and experience.

Prayer For Authority

So let us take our places in the heavens, repeat this prayer with me….

I am a child of the King, I am a co-heir with Jesus the Christ. All that Jesus bought and paid for is my inheritance.

I am united with Jesus; I have been crucified with Christ. I died with Him, I am buried with Him, I was raised with Him, I am seated with Him in the heavenlies far above all rule, all power, all authority, and above every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. Therefore, I carry the authority of Christ.

I have authority over sickness, over sin, over demons, and over the world. I am the salt of the earth. I am the light of the world. I will displace the darkness. I have the full armor of God. I put on the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the helmet of salvation, the sandals of peace, I take up the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, for the weapons of my warfare are not carnal.

They are divinely powerful to tear down the strongholds of darkness. I can do all things through Christ, because greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. (credit to Rodney Hogue) Amen

How Darkness Gets In

Adam and Eve listened to Satan’s lies and allowed sin to enter God’s beautiful world, thus causing all mankind to inherit the effects of sin, including sickness and death. Because God knew we would be born into a world whose prince (Satan) is evil, He created a spiritual “hedge” (as illustrated in Job 1:10) around us to shield us from the influences of the evil one (Job 1:10 and 2:4-6).

Even so, God provides spiritual armor for our protection (Eph. 6:13-18). Also,

God’s angels camp round about us to preserve and to protect us (Ps. 34:7 and 91:10-12).

All of us are born with a spiritual hedge like Job’s, but because of the original sin of Adam and Eve (and subsequent sins), we have doors or gates open in our hedge that allow Satan to inflict us, as Satan inflicted Job. Eccl: 10:8 says “. . . .whoso breaketh a hedge, a serpent shall bite him.”

These open doors have many causes; here are the most common causes:

      • Our own sins (lying, stealing, cheating, pride, etc.)
      • Unforgiveness (bitterness)
      • Participation in or exposure to the occult,
      • Sexual sins (adultery)
      • Abortion (deliberate termination of a human)
      • Divorce (separate or dissociate (something) from something else.)
      • Curses (utter offensive words in anger or annoyance)
      • Inherited or Generational Sin: See Exodus 20:5 regarding the iniquities of the fathers being passed on to the children of the third and fourth generations.
      • Objects & Places
      • Secret societies (Free Mansions, Bones & Skulls)
      • Involuntary exposure to darkness
      • Trauma (Car Accidents, near death experiences)
      • Words, Lies
      • Vows and death wishes (dedicate to someone or something, especially a deity-desire for someone’s death / especially an unconscious desire for one’s own death)
      • Hurts, Emotions and Memories, Wounds and hurts deep within our spirit
      • Sins of others against us (physical, verbal, or sexual abuse, rejection, etc.)
      • Verbal Abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse
      • Rejection (the dismissing or refusing of a proposal, idea, etc)
      • Our Image of God (God is punishing God)

How It All Works

Sin opens doors or gates in our spiritual hedge of protection, thus allowing spiritual pollution to enter, which causes spiritual as well as physical problems. Sin can actually make us sick—spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. There is no “safe dabbling” or “demon free zone” when it comes to associations with the powers of darkness.

The Good News is that God loves us and wants to restore us to His Kingdom, so much so that he sent His Son Jesus to earth that we may be forgiven, saved, healed, and delivered (Is. 53:5 and 61:1-3) from the works of darkness. The Good News is that God wants to restore us to Himself that we might walk in the peace and protection of His will.

Sins, wounds, and hurts are always barriers which separate us from approaching God or from feeling connected to Him. These dark influences in our lives (at times resulting in bondage) hinder or prevent us from being restored to our rightful relationship with the Lord, from hearing His voice and knowing His will for our lives.

Dark influences severely restrict our ministry; they keep us in bondage and prevent God’s healing power from working in us. Nonetheless, know that God wants whatever is separating us from Him to be healed. He wants to close the open gates in our spiritual hedge and to set us free from the influences of darkness.

He wants to remove all the chains (or ropes) binding people in the different areas of their lives. The Good News is that God’s love can heal us, can rebuild our hedge and restore our spirit, our emotions and our body to wholeness, and can transform us to allow us to experience and live the abundant life promised through Christ. Again, God wants us to be restored to Him in the purity and innocence that Adam first had in the beginning.

But most Christians don’t believe they can have these open gates and dark or binding influences—because they have experienced baptism. Even though baptism provides forgiveness for our sins if we repent, it does not necessarily take away the consequences of our sins or of those of our ancestors. These consequences (passed on through the generations as spoken of in Exodus 20:5, as well as in other scriptures) are called “iniquities.” Plainly stated, sin is the cause and iniquity is the result, consequences, or effect of the sin.

For example, if you are driving drunk, hit a pedestrian and put him in the hospital, and this person then has a permanent disability; will the Lord forgive your sin? Yes, if you repent.

Yes He provided for our forgiveness on the Cross; but will He immediately remove the consequences of that sin? No. The sin (the cause) is on the head of the driver but the result or consequences (iniquities) of that sin is borne by the pedestrian.

Christians can be totally repentant and still unknowingly be under the influence of darkness in parts of their spirit as a result of the consequences of previous sin. The problem is one of awareness. Again, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). “Where there is no counsel, the people fall” (Prov 11:14). “My people are gone into captivity because they have no knowledge” (Isa 5:13-14).

A person who is sick and doesn’t know they are sick will never go to a doctor. A Christian who is crippled on the inside, but who thinks his life is normal, will never ask God for healing; and “we have not because we ask not” (Jas. 4:2).

Many Christians struggle with major issues in their lives but are ignorant of the fact that the victory Jesus won for them on the cross not only assures them of eternal salvation but also provides the keys to healing (Is. 53:5, Mal. 4:2). Unfortunately many Christians believe that because they have been saved and born again they are protected from darkness. Satan loves such spiritual blindness and false beliefs. To think that salvation and baptism shields us from darkness is one of Satan’s biggest deceptions.

As an example, look at the Apostle Peter. Peter was obedient, he followed Jesus (Matt 4:19), he had power to cast out demons and heal the sick (Matt 10:1), he had faith to walk on water (Matt 14:29), he was a part of the miracles of feeding the 5000 (Matt 14:21), and the 4000 (Matt 15:38), and he was prophetic when he knew who Jesus was (Matt 16:16).

But when he was rebuking Jesus about going to Jerusalem, Jesus said unto Peter, “Get thee behind me, Satan” (Matt 16:23). Many believe Peter had a demon; else Jesus would have spoken to Peter, not Satan.

Look at the struggle Apostle Paul had. In Romans chapter 6 & 7 Paul talks about his fight against sin, “I do what I hate” (Rom 7:15), “evil is present in me” (Rom 7:21) and says “Oh wretched Man I Am” (Rom 7:24-25). He mentions the word “I” over 40 times. But in chapter 8 he admits he can do nothing and needs the Holy Spirit. He mentions the Holy Spirit 16 times.

Healing of the Spirit involves the applications of the cross, the blood of our Lord Jesus, and the resurrection life and light of Jesus—to whatever is in the person’s spirit that has not yet been redeemed.

            With the help of the Holy Spirit, the Lord is asked to walk through our spiritual house, to cleanse it of all defilements and of every deposit of evil and sin. Many times physical healing comes, as well as inner spirit healings. God’s promises of healing, and the inherited rights of the believer given to us by Jesus’ death on the cross, are for those who have accepted Jesus into their hearts, have been baptized, and have a desire to follow Him. Before we address a number of the more common open gates in our spirits, and how to close them, we need to review four types of healing, and the scriptures relating to them.

Scriptures Concerning Healing

Let’s read Luke 4:18-19 to review the six aspects for which Jesus was anointed: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me (you), because he hath anointed me (you) to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me (you). So let’s brake it down:

      1. to heal the brokenhearted,
      2. to proclaim liberty to the captives,
      3. and recovery of sight to the blind,
      4. to set at liberty them that are bruised,
      5. to proclaim the acceptable year of Lord

Healing Journey

Close your eyes and see yourself going into the cross. On the other side of the cross see yourself on an ancient path. As you begin going down this path, see yourself walking with Jesus…. invite Jesus to go with you into your spiritual house. Ask Jesus to cleanse your house of all defilements, of every deposit of evil and sin. Ask Him to cleanse and close every gate and door which has been opened to the world and the enemy. Ask Him to help you remove any obstacles which are prohibiting the Father from entering through your first love gate………

Dealing With Repentance and Forgiveness

In Isaiah 61:1-2: we see 6 things which a born-again Christian can do while In Christ.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and qualified me (you) to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me (you) to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound,2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn,

      1. “preach the gospel to the poor” [in spirit]) (Also see Matt 5:3 It is the first Beatitude)

Healing, forgiveness, and repentance are interconnected.

      • Mat. 9:2                                         
      • Mark 2:5
      • Luke 5:20 and 7:47                 
      • Jas. 5:15
      1. Forgiveness and repentance are required to complete the healing process.
        • Mat. 3:2 and 4:17
        • Mat. 6:15,12                  
        • Mat. 18:35
        • Mark 11:26
        • Luke 13:3, 5
        • Jas. 5:9

Healing the Wounded Spirit

      1. “heal the brokenhearted” – Deals with inner healing of emotions, wounds, and hurts.
        • Prov. 20:27
        • Is. 61:1-3                          
        • John 13:21
        • Ps. 30:5, 11 and 45:7 
        • Ezek. 11:19 and 18:31 
        • 1 Cor. 6:20
        • Ps. 51:10 and 92:10   
        • Ezek. 36:26-27
        • 2 Cor. 4:16
        • Ps. 35:18 and 41:4     
        • Mat. 6:22-23

Healing from the Powers of Darkness

 

      1. “to proclaim liberty to the captives” – Dealing with release from bondages)

Matthew                                                       Mark                                       Luke                            Acts

8:16                                                              1:23-26                                   4:33-35                        5:16

8:28-33                                                         1:32, 34                                  4:41                             8:7

10:1, 8                                                           3:10-12                                   6:18                            16:16-18

12:22                                                             3:14-15                                    7:21                           19:12

12:27-28                                                       3:22                                         8:2                              19:13-16

15:22, 28                                                      3:30                                         8:27-37

17:15                                                             5:1-14                                      9:1

                                                                        6:13                                         9:28-42

                                                                        7:25                                         13:11-13

                                                                        9:17-26

 

Healing of the Body:

      4. “recovering of sight to the blind”

Matthew                                                     Mark                                       Luke                            Acts

4:23                                                              1:31-32, 41-42                    4:39-40                         3:1-7

8:13, 15-16                                                   2:5-9                                    5:12-13, 17-18             5:16

9:6, 28-29, 36                                                5:23, 29, 41-42                  6:8, 19                          9:33-34, 40

10:1                                                              6:5, 13, 56                             7:14-15                       14:10

11:5                                                              7:34, 37                                  8:47, 55                     19:12

12:11                                                            8:25                                         9:1                             28:8

14:14                                                           10:46-52                                  14:4

15:28                                                                                                             18:42-43

20:34                                                                                                             22:51

John                                                              1 Pet. 2:24

4:50                                                              Is. 53:5

5:5-8

9:6-7

    1. “set at liberty them that are bruised”)
    2. only then did he “proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord”

It is interesting that most people who come for prayer come for # the 4 healing of their bodies. This is their # 1 priority. However, God’s highest priority is healing of the spirit (thru repentance). We the church seem to have the priorities backwards.

Peter Wagner and others have classified “spiritual warfare” into three separate levels:

    1. Ground or Personal Level:

This is where the casting out of demons from an individual (commonly called deliverance) is practiced. This procedure is more thoroughly covered in a separate section entitled “Healing from Influences of Darkness.”

    1. Occult Level:

This deals with demonic activity occurring in objects, such as is practiced in Satanism, witchcraft, shamanism, curandero, and freemasonry (as discussed in several other sections within this material).

    1. Territorial Level:

This level deals with powerful principalities and powers over houses, neighborhoods, city, territories, regions, and nations (and is likewise discussed in the section on “Setting Your Church Free”).

 What Unclean Spirits Do

There are countless demons, one that corresponds to every sin. In the book entitled “Pigs in The Parlor” it lists over 250 demons. Characteristics of unclean spirits mentioned in the scriptures include:

    1. Continues to tempt people to sin (Gen. 3:1-6)
    2. Afflicts and destroys (Job 2:3-6)
    3. Opposes God’s angels (Zech. 3:1)
    4. Speaks, cries out (Mat. 8:29-31, Luke 4:41)
    5. Indwells humans and animals (Mat. 8:28-32)
    6. Steals truth from our minds (Mat. 13:19)
    7. Tries to express their nature (Mat. 17:15)
    8. Throws people (Luke 4:35)
    9. Torments people (Luke 6:18)
    10. Steals the Word of God from the hearts of the people (Luke 8:12)
    11. Breaks chains (Luke 8:29)
    12. Drives people into the wilderness (Luke 8:29)
    13. Recognized Jesus and Paul (Luke 9:38)
    14. Causes people to foam at the mouth (Luke 9:39)
    15. Bruises people (Luke 9:39)
    16. Binds physically (Luke 13:16)
    17. Opposes, harasses, and hinders the work of God’s servants (Luke 22:31, 2 Cor. 12:7)
    18. Tempts God’s people to sin (Luke 22:31)
    19. Steals, kills & destroys (John 10:10)
    20. Places wicked thoughts and plans into the minds of people (John 13:2, Acts 5:3)
    21. Enters and controls a person—as when Satan entered Judas (John 13:27)
    22. Lies (Acts 5:3)
    23. Counterfeits the genuine (Acts 8:9-11)
    24. Causes sickness and suffering (Luke 13:11)
    25. Attacks physically (Acts 19:16)
    26. Tempts believers to engage in immorality (1 Cor. 7:5)
    27. Blinds people’s minds to the truth of the gospel (2 Cor. 4:4)
    28. Transforms himself into an angle of light (2 Cor 10:4)
    29. Takes advantage of weaknesses (2 Cor. 2:11)
    30. Orchestrates the work of demons (Eph. 6:11-12)
    31. Hinders the spread of the gospel (2 Thes. 2:1-10)
    32. Sets traps and snares to cause believers to fall into sin (1 Tim. 3:7)
    33. Encourages false religions and spirituality by doctrines of demons (1 Tim. 4:1-3)
    34. Attacks viciously (1 Pet. 5:8)
    35. Incites persecution against believers (Rev. 2:10)
    36. Deceives all men (Rev. 12:9)
    37. Accuses and slanders believers (Rev. 12:10)

Symptoms of the Possible Demonic Habitation

Note: A true believer can only be influenced by a demon, but not possessed. Why, because it is the Holy Spirit resides within the true believer. Through the revelation concerning the Court of Mercy, we know deal with these demons in the Courts of Mercy. 

Here they are in Ascending Order according to the Degree of Influence

      1. Restlessness exhibited during worship services
      2. Tried everything else
      3. Sleep disturbances
      4. Feels compulsions for little or no reason
      5. Extreme behavior
      6. Commands to do something unrealistic
      7. Chronic fear, anxiety, or hatred—for no apparent reason
      8. Heaviness in the chest
      9. Feels conditional forgiveness
      10. Unrealistic suggestions
      11. Dislike revealed for anything associated with religion and/or Christianity
      12. Not reading the Scriptures or praying (at all)
      13. Not going to church
      14. Can’t read the Scriptures for any length of time
      15. Withdraws from church people
      16. Can’t pray
      17. Can’t say the name of Jesus
      18. Feels something is inside of them, controlling their actions and/or their speech
      19. Hearing voices in their mind speaking to them
      20. Exhibiting counterfeit spiritual gifts
      21. Having suicidal thoughts
      22. Attempting suicide
      23. Cutting themselves
      24. Having glazed eyes or a vacant stare
      25. When their speech is not their own; there’s evidence of a change of voice (or multiple voices or animal sounds
      26. Sudden appearance of marks on the body
      27. Having conversation with unseen beings
      28. Unusual behavior: animal-like movements, the inability to sit still, unusual postures or gestures, including nearly-impossible contortions of the body 
      29. Their eyes becoming white, unearthly, and vile; a stench or bad odor exists
      30. Object begin to come out of the nose or mouth
      31. An unseen force throws the person
      32. Uncontrollable fits and foaming at the mouth

Definitions

Much has been written about words to define or classify the degree to which a person is influenced by demons, such as demonized, influenced, oppressed, or possessed. Jesus did not use any of these words. Nor does the Bible define them, and uses “possessed” or “had” most often.

Because there is no agreement on the definitions of these terms, and because we believe that rather than levels of influence it is a matter of degree of influence, a continuum, from being mildly to severely influenced, with no distinct categories, we will not use these terms here. Some may feel the words describing demonic activity such as oppressed, demonized, possessed, devils, evil spirits are important, we don’t.

Even the different versions of the Bible don’t agree. It truly does a disservice to the seeker to describe them either within their hearing, or elsewhere using one or more of these inconsistent terms.

Why do we have to use definitions at all?

In this series, we have chosen to use terms such as “Healing of the Spirit”, and “influenced by darkness”, which are much more kind to seekers, and much more acceptable in many congregations. When some hear the word “deliverance”, or “demonized”, they think of “The Exorcist” movie. They become anxious and fearful. It is possible to provide ministry to those influenced by darkness without using any of the more common terms. We need to put the seeker first in our considerations.

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Introduction- Inner Healing

My intention in offering this series is to educate the believer with regard to the total process of spiritual inner healing. Scripture offers many truths which are hidden to the untrained eye, scriptural truths which are designed to “set us free” (John 8:31-32). And, as King David confirmed, God desires “truth in the inward parts” (Ps. 51:7).

For those who believe and who are familiar with God’s Word, bringing these truths to greater light and understanding allows us to see more clearly how to utilize God’s design in the process of inner healing. As Christ read from, and in fulfillment of, Isaiah 61, He announced that God sent him “to proclaim liberty to the captives.”

This series entitled “Healing of the Inner Man” with excerpts from Dr. Arlin Epperson,   practical manual for deliverance and inner heals attempts to reveal God’s truth with regard to many of the areas of bondage in which an individual finds himself in, and that he might be “made free.”

For truly, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36).

After accepting Jesus Christ with all their heart, a person must be ready to remove from their life all that prevents the absolute working of the Holy Spirit. An inquiry should be made about areas in the person’s life that may still be in bondage; we cannot set something free which has not first been surrendered.

Deliverance is not about shouting! It is about focusing on discovering what it is that is giving the enemy the legal right to remain in a person’s life. God’s motive is to restore human beings to His image and likeness as it was in the beginning. The Hebrew and Greek words for “salvation” imply the ideas of deliverance, safety, preservation, healing and soundness.

Finding oneself in spiritual bondage is like finding yourself bound with many chains or ropes. Every chain or rope represents a different area of one’s life where bondage has occurred.

Once the cause of these bondages is discovered (there are always more than one), then the individual can renounces these ties, and cuts the ropes one at a time. Once these ropes or ties are all cut, the demon(s) then has nothing on which to continue their hold, and with much joy it must go when it is commanded to leave. And the person is free to the glory of God.

Many believers have not been taught, and are unaware, that before they knew the Lord Jesus Christ; that they had submitted their life—or areas of their life—to a different lordship. These believers have never been led to take back or renounce the legal authority given over to the enemy, thus who may still be maintaining their position—if only partially—and who will assert his right whenever possible, thereby oppressing the believer.

Whatever authority hasn’t been given to Jesus is claimed by Satan. Evil spirits can only inhabit where they have a legal authority. Satan always stands at our right hand ready to bind us, if we allow it. If we open our hedge, a serpent shall bite us (Eccl. 10:8).

So let’s get started…..