Discernment of spirits........
......A topic that many shy away from.
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. 1John 4:1-6 You see, it is not that difficult to know which spirit is communicating with us. Where there is manipulation, confusion, corruption, self exhortation as well as the absence of peace etc. there is not the Spirit of God. Because He, God is not the author of confusion nor of any of the attributes which take us away from HIM.
The problem is not so much with recognizing spirits but more with a prideful attitude. What do I mean by this?
Well, we are unfortunately so sure that we know all, can do all. Therefore, pride and deception will make it impossible to discern. But if we worship God for who He is and how great He is, we become humble and see with His eyes. And are able to discern correctly.
In this electronic age, we have the world available on our fingertips. Seeing and receiving many messages per day. Being bombarded by voices who desire our attention. Without stopping and/or coming to a complete halt sometimes, rejecting those overwhelming influences, we are unable to judge which is what.
There is no need to be afraid of spirits. After all the scripture tell us clearly that we have OVERCOME them! Because of who is in us is greater than he who is in this world. Meaning God is greater in us than satan in this world, even with all his many helpers called demonic beings.
We have the authority, given by Jesus Himself before descending into heaven, to cast out demonic spirits amongst other things.
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:12
If Jesus casted out demons, therefore we also are expected to cast out demons. But to do so we need to be equipped with the Holy Spirit. Which is the third part of the Godhead. He, the Holy Spirit gives us power to do just that. By being grounded in God's word and teachings of Jesus, we can do anything He did while walking on this earth. And even greater!!
This new age philosophy of old and new in these times CANNOT stand against the Word and nor theWill of God. Nothing can stand against the Creator of this universe!! And if He is for us, than who can be against us??
Be confident that casting out demons is just as an important practice as praying for healing, provision etc. But it has to be done with GREAT discernment.
How do we cast out demons you may ask? By declaring who Jesus is in us and by His authority given to us. By the blood of Jesus Christ, casting out a demon telling him where he belongs. Into the dark, dry place of hell.
One may have to be more persistent and repeat.
In any case, it is more important what we believe to be true when casting out a demon rather than how loud we say the words.
...and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. Mark 1:34
The demons know who Jesus is! And they certainly will know if we know and believe who Jesus is, especially who we are IN HIM and who He is in us. It is by the truth, power, death and resurrection of Christ that we can do this. There is no power in our flesh.
I have found at least 25 verses that deal with casting out demons in the New Testament. Therefore, we cannot pick and choose which subjects we want to leave out of the Bible. It is all prevalent today as it was then. God does not change, He is, was and will be the same!
Father, today my prayer is: Revive Your gift of discernment in us, to know the spirits before us. Help us not to shy away but rather take the bull by its horns, so to speak. Help us to walk without fear, fully engulfed in Your power, Jesus.
Once again. Let's part with blessings until next time.
