Spiritual Aggressiveness
PART ONE - DISCIPLES MUST RELY ON THE HOLY SPIRIT, NOT THE WEAK AMERICAN CHURCH SYSTEM
The American church system looks to save people, which makes Christians. This is good, but incomplete. Jesus tells us in the great commission that the church should be striving to make disciples. Matthew 28:19 (NKJV) says "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..."
Most American Christians agree that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. They think if they believe this, they are saved. Once saved they think they just need to act like a Christian and be a good person. That pretty much wraps up their Christianity. This is what we see in most churches. Christians are made by this process, not disciples. Christians don't walk in power. This has led to a spiritually weak and powerless church system. It's kind of like a form of godliness, but without any power. Hmm, sound familiar? 2 Timothy 3:5 (NKJV) says in the end times people will be "having a form of godliness but denying its power...." This will lead to a falling away from Christianity. This is because in the end times Christians will be living in such turmoil they will be desperate for help. Christians will see their church having no power and at the same time see the anti-christ demonstrating his power. This will cause some Christians to turn their back on God and go running to the anti-christ. Matthew 24:24 (NKJV) says "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Because the American church system makes Christians, not disciples, disciples can't rely on the church to teach them deeper spiritual things. The deeper spiritual things that disciples know are revealed only by the Holy Spirit, not by our own intellect. John 14:26 (NKJV) says "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things..." For this reason, disciples must trust in the Holy Spirit over our own intellectual ability.
PART TWO - SPIRITUAL TRAINING
Jesus gave the disciples power. Matthew 10:1 (NKJV) says "And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease." Jesus then sent the disciples out to put their power to use. Matthew 10:7-8 says "And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons..."
Afterwards, just prior to ascending to heaven, Jesus gave the disciples the great commission. The great commission is the on-going goal for the disciples, which is to make more disciples. There were three main parts of the great commission. One was to spread the Word. The second was to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The third is to make disciples by "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you..." (Matthew 28:20) (NKJV). As mentioned, this includes healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons.
There are several good reasons to do such things. First of all, Jesus told us to. A disciple shouldn't need any other reason. Second, such things are good by themselves. Third, it proves the Word is true. Mark 16:20 (NKJV) says "And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen." But there is a fourth reason that isn't realized by most pastors that are led by their intellect, rather than the Holy Spirit. This fourth reason is IT'S SPIRITUAL TRAINING THAT TEACHES US HOW TO BE LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT.
The power of God is demonstrated through the moving of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 (NKJV) says "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you...” Every miracle, sign, wonder, healing, raising of the dead, and demon cast out is done by the Holy Spirit moving through us. Christians MUST realize the importance of letting the Holy Spirit lead us. When we are striving to have Him lead us, we are in the process of being spiritually forged from a weak Christian into a powerful disciple.
NOTE TO THE AMERICAN CHURCH: Our very salvation depends on being led by the Holy Spirit. When do we switch from works/law/death to grace/life? Galatians 5:18 (NKJV) says "But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." Even if the American church is content at focusing on salvation only, rather than discipleship, being led by the Spirit should be the priority!
PART THREE - JESUS EXPECTS US TO DO IT!
Jesus ascended to the third heaven to be with God the Father. Jesus is not here on earth any longer, not until He returns after the tribulation. We do have have the Holy Spirit with us though! The Holy Spirit does what Jesus wants Him to do, nothing more and nothing less. Jesus is looking for spiritually powerful disciples here on earth who will carry out His will. This means WALKING IN POWER TO ENFORCE HIS WILL!
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PART FOUR - RENEWING OUR MIND
Disciples must know God's will. We learn this through the bible and listening to the Holy Spirit. If we don't carefully pay attention to what God likes and doesn't like, we won't know what is sin and what isn't. We can't make these decisions based on our own ideas of what is righteous. That would be the very definition of self-righteousness.
Disciples should strive to be in a continuous pattern of renewing their mind. This means focusing on God. This could mean reading the bible, listening to the bible, listening to podcasts about Christianity, watching YouTube videos about Christianity, reading books about Christianity, talking to others about Christianity, etc. A disciple should always be desiring to learn more.
God is eager to give us revelation, but almost always we have to seek it first. There must be an EFFORT put forth. When God sees the effort, He'll give revelation in a matching dose. Through continuous effort, downright dogged tenacity, a Christian is forged into a disciple. ​
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PART FIVE - CASTING OUT DEMONS (DELIVERANCE)
Casting out demons (deliverance) isn't a figure of speech. It literally means making a demon leave someone's body. When a demon is in someone it has quite a bit of persuasion to make that person act sinfully. When demons are cast out, they have much less persuasion over the person.
Jesus tells us to cast out demons, but He doesn't specifically tell us how to do it. This is probably in large part because He wants us to learn to listen for the Holy Spirit's guidance on such things. He does say to do it in His name though. Mark 16:17 (NKJV) says "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons..." We don't ask Jesus to cast demons out of people. We do it in His name!
Let's say we want to cast out the demon of anger from someone. What we don't do is ask God to remove it and expect Him to. He has already said He has given us power over demons and wants US to do it in His name. So what we should do is say something similar to "I'm speaking to you spirits of anger, rage, hatred, resentment, frustration, animosity, unforgiveness, bitterness, grudge-holding, criticalness, impatience, short tempter, revenge, and ill will. In the name of Jesus, leave now." Say it with authority and expectation. This often needs to be done for a time until deliverance is achieved.
Deliverance is closely tied to healing. I once commanded pain to leave someone in Jesus' name. The pain immediately left, but that wasn't all... At the same time, anger manifested momentarily and also left. An anger spirit had been causing the pain. When I commanded the pain to leave, both the pain and anger spirit were cast out! Since then I've found that anger spirits are often tied with various pain and diseases.
Disciples are always looking through spiritual eyes. We know our fight isn't against people, but rather the demons that influence people. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) says "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." We are always ready and eager to cast out demons from any repentant Christian. We are always ready to educate people about deliverance.
To be a good disciple, a good soldier for God's army, it is necessary to go through deliverance. Deliverance should be a continual part of a disciple's life, both receiving it and giving it.
NOTE TO THE AMERICAN CHURCH: There are going to be a lot of pastors who are going to owe the Lord an apology some day. When Jesus asks them why they didn't carry out the great commission as he ordered, they will only be able to look down in shame. Deliverance should be a regular part of church. It shouldn't be weird or awkward. Pastors shouldn't be more concerned with the church board or losing church members than not carrying out the Lord's orders.
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PART SIX - HEALING
Jesus accomplished many things when He died for us on the cross. Among them was the ability to heal and be healed. Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV) says "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." Let's be clear here. We were healed. It has already been done in the spirit world, we just need to have the faith to enforce it in this world. We should pray accordingly. We shouldn't ask God to heal someone. This may sound like blasphemy, but it isn't. Why would we ask God to heal someone who He already healed in the spirit world. Instead of asking Him to do something He has already done, WE should command the healing to be done in His name. Think praying this way doesn't make a difference? Give it a try and compare your success rates. Always remember Jesus is actually doing the healing through the Holy Spirit, we aren't.
Sometimes a sickness or pain is related to demons. Sometimes when the demon causing the sickness or pain is cast out, the sickness or pain immediately leaves with it. Sometimes the sickness or pain doesn't immediately leave, but now that the source is gone a gradual healing starts.
Sometimes a sickness or pain isn't associated with demons. In these situations we pray directly against the sickness or pain. We command it to leave and the body to heal in Jesus' name.
Let's say someone has a painful back. We'll ask what was happening prior to the injury. We find that the back was hurt when the person slipped on some ice and fell onto the pavement. We might start by having the person repent to God for any unforgiveness or obvious sin in their life. Then we'll say "I'm speaking to all the spirits that caused the fall and injury. You spirits of anger, rage, hatred, unforgiveness, bitterness, trauma, accident, and injury, I command you to leave in Jesus's name." We'll keep working this until all spiritual stirring has stopped. If there is still pain we'll start talking to the pain and injury. We'll say, "I'm speaking to you bones, ligaments, muscles, tendons, nerves, and all other parts of the body associated with the pain and injury. In the name of Jesus leave now. All swelling, inflammation, soreness, tenderness, pain, and discomfort, in Jesus' name, leave now." We'll stay at for a while to see if the healing occurs.
When I first started praying for people to be healed, I had a very high success rate. As I continued, the success rate seemed to decrease even though my faith was stronger than before. I couldn't understand this, but what I believe was happening is I was learning to dig for the root cause. When I finally found and removed the spiritual root causing the sickness or pain, healing would occur. My belief is that Jesus wants to heal everyone. We just need to find the spiritual problem that is blocking the healing from occurring and remove it. This takes spiritual discernment, tenacity, and a belief that God DOES want to heal everyone.
Many people may have prayed for people and have never witnessed a healing. They've prayed for God to heal someone they love and the loved one still dies. This can be a faith crusher. Don't give up. Keep learning. Keep asking for Jesus and the Holy Spirit to give you revelation regarding healing. Even Jesus had a problem healing people at times. Mark 6:4-6 (NKJV) says "But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief." Sometimes it seems as though the faith of only the person praying is enough for a healing to occur. At other times it might take the faith of both the prayer and the sick person combined for a healing to occur.
I know this sounds like hocus pocus talk to a lot of Christians, but I'm here to tell you that I've seen so many immediate miraculous healings occur that there is absolutely no doubt that the Word is true!
PART SEVEN - CONCLUSION
Disciples are spiritually aggressive! This doesn't mean disciples should be forcibly pushing spiritual warfare one everyone they come across. Discernment is necessary. It may be appropriate to only introduce some scripture related to the Holy Spirit to one person. The next person may be much more spiritually mature and is ready to learn more advanced matters about casting out demons and healing. Regardless of someone's spiritual maturity and knowledge, a disciple is ready to gently guide them to the next level...always looking to make another disciple. A disciple is a recruiter and trainer for God's army.
Remember, a disciple doesn't look at politicians, government policy, social media, or other worldly dramas as the source of problems. The source is always the devil, his fallen angels, and his demons. Don't get caught up in worldly affairs that we can't control. Stay focused on spiritual issues. Instead of getting your news from worldly news agencies, get it from the Christian Post, CBN News, Christian Headlines, and Christian News Network.
The state of this physical world is a direct result of the state of the spiritual world around it. Disciples understand this so they focus their warfare against the demons in the spiritual world. "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled." (2 Corinthians 10:3-6) (NKJV).
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