POSSESION OF LAND

Taking Possession of the Land
[2nd Edition – August 2008]
Page
Lesson 1 Possessing the land & facing the enemy 1
Lesson 2 Our spiritual weapons 4
Lesson 3 Our spiritual armour 6
Lesson 4 The land of the mind 9
Lesson 5 The land of the will 13
Lesson 6 Bruised 16
Lesson 7 Roots in the land 23
Lesson 8 Deliverance 29
Approved by Erling Rasmussen, SBCI
Copyright © 1998 All Africa Bible College
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Possessing the land & facing the enemy
Lesson 1
A. Possessing the land
Read Numbers 33:53
God gave the land of Canaan to the Israelites. The giving was God's part; the taking was
Israel's part. The land was theirs but they had to go in to possess it.
Deuteronomy 1:8, “See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land
that the Lord swore He would give”.
The land will not be possessed without a battle.
a) Example of Sihon. Deuteronomy 2:24.
b) Example of Canaan: type of the victorious Christian life. Numbers 33:51-53, 55-
56.
What is given is not automatically yours unless you get up and take it. Salvation is for
everyone, yet not everyone takes salvation unto himself or herself. John 3:19-21.
1. The challenge before the church today is to receive our inheritance and
possession (Psalm 2:8) and to do this in the authority of Christ (Matthew
28:18-20).
a) Jesus is our spiritual Joshua.
i) Joshua broke the power of the authorities. Joshua 12:24, Colossians
2:15.
ii) Joshua divided the land. Joshua 11:23.
iii) Jesus' power brings everything under control. Colossians 3:20-21.
b) The church must deal with the presence of the enemy.
i) Israel did not possess all their land. Judges 1:19, 21, 27-28; 2:12.
ii) Jesus destroyed the devil’s work. Colossians 2:15; 1 John 3:8.
c) What has been given must be possessed by the Church.
i) A word to the Church. Matthew 28:18-20.
ii) An armour for the Church. Ephesians 6.
iii) A battle for the Church. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4.
2. The challenge before us Christians today is to possess the land within
ourselves.
a) Our Joshua has broken the authority of evil over us. Colossians 1:13.
b) The works of the enemy must be dealt with in the land of:
i) The mind.
ii) The will.
iii) The emotions.
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iv) The body.
c) What has been given must be possessed.
i) Salvation given on a principle of faith must operate on the same
principle.
ii) Faith extends God's authority in every area of our living.
d) The works of the enemy must be torn down and his presence driven out.
Numbers 33:52.
3. The challenge of Satan is to rob the Christian of God’s provision – Numbers
33:55-56.
a) He will challenge the believer.
b) His works must be met with superior force.
c) The Cross is the focal point of his defeat.
d) He is a defeated foe who has left his forces scattered in the land.
B. Facing the enemy
An aggressive church will confront a kingdom that is spiritual. The word to the church is
to arise and rule with Christ in the midst of His enemies. Psalm 110:2.
1. The kingdom of darkness is a hierarchy of wickedness.
Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the
rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms".
a) Principalities (the first ones, pre-eminent ones).
"The person or thing that commences; the first person or thing in a series; the
leader". (Thayer)
Romans 8:38; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 1:21; 3:10; 6:12; Colossians
1:16; 2:10; 2:15; Titus 3:1.
b) Authorities (the power of rule or government).
Power exercised by rulers or others in high positions by virtue of their office.
1 Corinthians 15:24; Ephesians 1:21; 2:2; 3:10; 6:12; Colossians 1:13; 1:16;
2:10; 2:15; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 3:22.
c) World forces of this darkness.
Master spirits who are the world rulers of this present darkness. Ephesians
6:12.
d) Spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
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Spiritual forces that are wicked and inhabit the sphere above the earth.
Ephesians 6:12; 3:10.
2. The church is to rule with Christ in the midst of its enemies.
Psalm 110:2, “The Lord will extend your mighty sceptre from Zion; you will rule in
the midst of your enemies”.
a) The position of Christ today.
Read Ephesians 1:20-23; 1 Peter 3:22; Colossians 2:15
b) The position of the Church today.
i) His body – Read Colossians 2:9-10; Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:6 – vitally
joined to the Head – Read 1 Corinthians 6:17; Romans 7:4.
ii) His inheritance – Read Ephesians 1:18 – a “pearl of great price” and to
“sit with Him in heavenly places” – Read Ephesians 2:5-6.
c) The church must extend the sceptre of His kingdom. Read Psalm 45:6; 44:5.
3. The church must enter to deliver.
(First submit to God)
a) Resisting. Read James 4:7.
i) Deliverance from frontal assaults, attacks and retreats.
ii) Sustained pressure could be called oppression.
b) Loosing. Read Matthew 18:18.
i) Deliverance from bondage (a siege and blockade where the enemy
breaks through and surrounds an area of our life) – resistance is not
enough.
ii) Other helps to “relieve the blockage”.
c) Casting out. Read Mark 16:16; Matthew 10:8.
i) Deliverance from an invasion and occupation.
Enemy actually occupies an area of a life. An area no longer under
control.
ii) Deliverance is done by believers who take authority and cast out.
As kingdom confronts kingdom, the church must rise up in the power and authority
of her Head. The Jerichos of wickedness must fall, together with all their rulers.
Satan has had time to establish his kingdom throughout the earth. The Church
must challenge these authorities and pull down the strongholds of wickedness.
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Our spiritual weapons
Lesson 2
Having crossed over into the land, the Israelites were faced with the impenetrable Jericho.
Their resources and weapons were not sufficient to take the city. The angel of the Lord's host
introduced himself and gave them spiritual weapons.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4, "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine
power to demolish strongholds".
Joshua 1:3, "I will give you every place where you set your foot".
A. The name of Jesus Christ – our authority
Philippians 2:9-10, "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the
name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in
heaven and on earth and under the earth".
1. We take Jesus' place and use Jesus' name just as though Jesus Himself were here.
2. God has delegated this authority to us. Read Mark 16:17; Luke 9:1, 10:19.
3. Degree of authority:
a) "The authority of Christ as Conqueror over the evil hosts of Satan is not
inherent in the believer, but is laid hold of by him through the power of the
Holy Spirit in response to faith". (Jess Penn-Lewis)
b) The degree of authority is determined by the degree of personal victory.
c) The degree of authority is determined by knowledge and discernment as to
what the Spirit of God would have the believer do.
B. His Word – our standing
1. Our authority over Satan from the Word: Read Luke 10:19; James 4:7; 1 Peter
5:8-9; Colossians 2:15; 1 John 3:8, 4:4; Revelation 12:11; Matthew 18:18.
2. Withstand Satan by the Word: Read Numbers 23:19; Revelation 12:11;
Ephesians 6:17.
"There is no more powerful compound than that of the Spirit and the Word of God.
When mixed in the right proportions the enemy is sure to be exposed and overthrown".
Michael Harper.
C. His faith – our victory
1 Peter 5:9, “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers
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throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings”.
1. Faith in the power of the Name of Jesus.
2. Faith based on knowledge of the work of Christ.
3. Faith is spoken. Acts 16:32.
D. His blood – our covering
Revelation 12:11, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of
their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto death".
1. Blood speaks of a New Covenant that breaks the power of sin.
2. Blood is the perfect covering from the accuser.
3. Blood gives perfect standing before God.
E. His Spirit – our strength
1 Corinthians 6:17, "But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit".
1. Strengthened with power by His Spirit. Ephesians 3:16.
2. The power of the Spirit gives ability and power.
Example: The badge and club of a policeman is the difference between authority
and power.
F. Testimony
The testimony of Jesus and of what Jesus has done for us.
Revelation 12:11, “By the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony”.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5. Verse 2, “For I resolved to know nothing … except Jesus Christ
and Him crucified”.
These spiritual weapons are released by the mouth through
prayer, confession, command, etc.
Example: Israel shouted and the walls of Jericho fell.
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Our spiritual armour
Lesson 3
An aggressive church needs protection. God has given her spiritual armour. The command is to
"put on the full armour of God". We shall look at the strategy of the enemy and God's
protection.
Read Ephesians 6:10-18
“… put on the full armour of God”
“… with the belt of truth buckled around your waist”
“… the breastplate of righteousness in place”
“… with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace”
“… take up the shield of faith”
“… take the helmet of salvation”
“… and the sword of the Spirit”
A. God’s truth – a belt
1. Form of attack from the enemy:
a) Lies against the character of God. John 8:44.
b) Deception about who we are.
c) Error as to the way we are going.
2. Counter attack: God’s truth enables us to move in battle.
a) “Gird up your loins” means to prepare for activity. Exodus 12:11.
b) “Gird up your loins” means “be dressed in readiness”. Luke 12:35.
c) “Gird up your mind”. 1 Peter 1:13.
B. God’s righteousness – a breastplate
1. Form of attack from the enemy:
a) Accusation. Revelations 12:10.
b) Condemnation. Romans 8:1.
c) Spiritual pride.
2. Protection: a heart that is covered with God's righteousness.
a) Pure motives: love and compassion – God's glory.
b) You must stand in God’s righteousness. Romans 3:22-26.
c) Satan cannot penetrate the armour of God's righteousness.
C. God’s Gospel of peace – shoes
1. Form of attack from the enemy:
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a) Persecution. John 16:32.
b) Lies.
c) Compromise.
d) Passivity.
2. Counter attack:
a) Feet that always follow the way of peace.
i) Jesus the example. Matthew 12:18-20.
ii) Feet indicate one is ready to move with a message.
b) The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. Romans 1:16.
D. God’s shield of faith
1. Form of attack from the enemy: "flaming missiles".
a) Unbelief. Hebrews 4:2, 3:19.
b) Doubt.
c) Fear (the antithesis of faith).
2. Protection: Faith protects the whole man.
a) Faith is a shield that covers from head to foot.
b) Faith extinguishes the flaming missiles.
c) Faith actively resists the enemy. 1 Peter 5:9.
E. God’s salvation – a helmet
1 Form of attack from the enemy:
a) The mind – a battleground of thoughts.
b) The carnal mind – operates in the flesh. Romans 8:6.
c) The un-renewed mind – remains in darkness. Ephesians 4:18.
2. Protection: God's salvation includes the mind – a helmet.
a) Be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Ephesians 4:23.
b) Memory set free from things of the past.
c) Bondages of occult and cults broken in the mind.
F. God’s Word – a sword
1 Form of attack from the enemy:
a) Twists and distorts the Word. "Hath God said"?
b) Takes the Word out of the heart of the hearer. Matthew 13:19.
c) Doctrines of demons. 1 Timothy 4:1.
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2. Counter attack: an offensive weapon that comes from the mouth – Revelation
19:15.
a) Do not be afraid to rebuke Satan.
b) State the ground upon which you stand.
c) Speak the truth.
This weapon is energised by the Spirit. The "Sword of the Spirit".
God has prepared the church for the attacks of the enemy.
We do not need to fear his attacks as we stand
in the whole armour of God.
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The land of the mind
Lesson 4
The command from the Lord is to “possess the land within!” The mind is a great battlefield.
Until every thought is brought under the obedience of Christ, there can be no peace.
Mark 12:30, “Love your God with all your mind”.
A. Area of battle: thoughts
1. Ways in which ground is given to the enemy.
a) An un-renewed mind (2 Corinthians 4:4; 3:14; Ephesians 2:3; Colossians
1:21) dwells in darkness.
b) A carnal mind (Romans 8:6) dwells upon the flesh.
c) Lies and deception admitted to the mind. 2 Corinthians 10:5.
d) Passivity of the mind.
i) “He permits his reasoning powers to settle into inertia and welcomes
any thought which issues from that inert state”. Watchman Nee.
ii) “If a man will not use his intelligence neither will God, but evil spirits
will do so. They require a blank brain and a passive will”. Watchman
Nee.
2. Three characteristics of evil spirits:
a) Their thoughts always invade from the outside, entering primarily via the
mind.
b) Their thoughts force, push and coerce man to take action immediately.
c) Their thoughts confuse and paralyse man's mind so that it can no longer think
clearly”. Watchman Nee.
B. Strategy of Satan: deception and passivity
1. Signs of deception.
a) A fanatical spirit is a sure sign of deception. James 3:15-17.
"A fanatical spirit, which comes from the enemy, is full of enthusiasm and
energy, but the character of those who have such a spirit is closed to reason,
harsh, dogmatic, and cock-sure. Such people are unwilling to listen to others,
for they would say they are hearing the voice of God". Michael Harper.
b) Revelation or direction coming through a passive mind is subject to
deception.
c) Misconceptions of truth:
i) "I have the mind of Christ". 1 Corinthians 2:16.
Deception: I must not have any mind of my own.
Truth: I do not automatically have the mind of Christ until:
(a) My mind is renewed; (b) I am led by the Spirit; (c) His Word dwells
in me.
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ii) "God speaks to me".
Deception: “I am led by the Spirit, so I do not need my mind”.
Truth: God speaks “I am led by the Spirit, I do need my mind”.
d) Truth not put in proper balance with other truths becomes error.
A system of teaching built around one facet of truth can lead into error.
e) A mind closed to light and truth is a sure sign of deception.
Deception: attitude "I have / know it all!"
Truth: the mind remains darkened up to the extent that the light of truth
penetrates it. Ignorance brings deception about God and about us.
2. Symptoms of the work of passivity.
a) Sudden flashes of thought.
b) Sudden stoppage of thought.
c) Thoughts captivated by certain patterns of rejection, worry or fear.
d) Nonsensical notions:
i) "You are much more spiritual than the rest".
ii) "Your work will shake the whole world".
iii) "You should step out to live by faith".
e) Uncontrolled imagination.
f) Dreams.
g) Insomnia.
h) Forgetfulness.
i) Lack of concentration.
j) Loss of ability to communicate.
k) Inability to reason.
C. God’s solution
1. Put on the armour of God. Read Ephesians 6.
a) Helmet of salvation.
b) Girdle of truth.
c) Sword of Spirit.
2. Expel deception with truth.
Principle: The truth will set you free! Read James 4:7-10.
a) Discern source of suffering and trouble.
b) Wait to be illuminated by God's light.
c) Resist every lie.
d) Overthrow, one by one, every lie and its work.
e) Let truth penetrate every area of life.
3. Renew the mind.
a) Examine the source of your thoughts.
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b) Bring every thought into obedience. 2 Corinthians 10:5.
c) Mind set free from the flesh. Romans 8:7.
d) Be responsible to renew your mind. Romans 12:2.
e) Let repentance have its perfect work.
4. Passivity is overturned by activating the mind.
a) Make a decision: "My mind belongs to me and I will use it. I will not permit
any outside force to employ or control my mind".
b) Exercise the mind by taking the initiative.
Take the initiative in each action and do not depend on anyone else.
c) Exercise the mind by thinking.
Begin thinking, reasoning, remembering, and understanding.
d) Determine the state of normality and fight through to the end.
D. Characteristics of a free mind
1. Thoughts are brought under subjection to Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5.
2. Mind is in tune with your spirit. Romans 8:6.
3. Mind is free to concentrate, perceive, remember, reason and comprehend.
To have your mind renewed is the highest goal that God has ordained for your mind.
E. Three principles of the spirit
1. The Holy Spirit reveals God's Will in our spirit that we may know what it is.
2. Through our mind we comprehend the meaning of this revelation.
3. With our volition we engage our spiritual strength. Watchman Nee.
It requires the co-operation of both spirit and mind to fully comprehend the Will of God.
F. Laws of the mind
1. Whatever one’s mind sets itself on is what one walks after. Man's head is able to
mind the flesh as well as the spirit. To walk after the spirit means to have one’s
mind set on the things of the spirit.
2. The spirit produces life and peace. The flesh produces death.
3. All the leadings of God are transmitted through the spirit. The leadings afford us an
opportunity to make a choice.
4. A disturbed mind is harmful to spiritual life. Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:6-8.
5. The mind is not to be ruled by the emotions. 2 Timothy 1:7.
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6. The head needs to be kept in a humble state. Acts 20:19.
7. The Word of God is to be put into the mind. Hebrews 8:10.
8. The mind must not operate independently of the spirit's rule.
Spiritual growth and the renewing of the mind are definitely connected.
You are responsible to renew your mind. The Scripture says: “be made new in
the attitude of your minds”. Ephesians 4:23.
This is a command. The renewing comes as you let God's truth permeate
every part of your thinking. Break up your "fallow ground". Hosea 10:12.
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The land of the will
Lesson 5
God gave man a free will and never moves to force, coerce or control. The will is that which
stands between good and evil; that part of man which, when joined to God's Will, creates a
union that brings a harmony between creature and Creator and releases the power of God in
full salvation. But a man can say “no” to God and God will always respect his choice.
Luke 22:42, “Not my will, but yours be done”.
A. The potential of the will
1. The will.
a) “Our emotions express how we feel, our mind tells us what we think, our will
communicates what we want”. Watchman Nee.
b) Man's will is his organ for decision-making. God created man with the
capacity to make decisions and gave him freedom of choice.
c) Man's will is his real self. The choices of man reveal the character of man and
determine his daily life and his eternal destiny.
2. Spiritual life begins with a choice.
a) The spiritual life is more than emotions and intellect. God aims at the
salvation of our will.
b) Man can choose to make the will of God his own will and pleasure. The will
of God, rather than self, becomes the goal of living.
i) Repentance is turning from self-life.
ii) “Salvation, then, is to deliver man from his created, natural, animal,
fleshly, self-emanating will”. Watchman Nee.
3. Spiritual union comes when man's will is joined to God's.
a) Out of this union comes obedience.
Disobedience means to follow our own will. Man must cease from his own
works.
b) Out of this union comes one heart.
“One heart” comes about when there is harmony between the will of man and
the will of God. Failure to become “one heart” with God brings failure such
as Lot's wife and Balaam experienced.
c) Principle: Make no provision for self. Matthew 10:38.
4. The will becomes a censor for all thoughts coming from the subconscious
mind.
a) Our subconscious mind is a reservoir of all past experiences.
b) The enemy uses the subconscious mind to project thoughts to our conscious
mind. The will receives or rejects these thoughts. When the will ceases to
resist Satan in that area, he gets control.
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c) Renewing of the mind brings strength to the will and a release from bondage.
Through the renewing of the mind, the source of temptation is eliminated.
Jesus said, "He has no hold on Me". John 14:30.
B. The bondage of the will
1. Man's will is brought into bondage by deception.
a) "Christ lives in me". Galatians 2:20.
Wrong concept: I now do not live at all.
Right concept: I live by the faith of the Son of God.
Principle: God does not require self-effacement for His life to be
manifested.
b) "I have been crucified with Christ". Galatians 2:20.
Wrong concept: I am dead and must practice death.
Right concept: I died with Christ and am raised by His life to live.
Principle: God's purpose for the believer is not death but life.
c) "God works in you". Philippians 2:13
Wrong concept: I do not work. I only surrender and God performs both the
willing and the working.
Right concept: Since I have His power in me, I can do all things through
Christ.
Principle: God never sets aside man's will. God never requires man to
cease his activities before He can work.
d) "Your will be done".
Wrong concept: God wills for me, I do not have to choose.
Right concept: I choose to do His will.
Principle: God never substitutes His will for that of man.
2. Steps of passivity.
a) The believer himself ceases to be active.
b) God cannot use him because his will is no longer functioning.
c) Evil spirits take advantage of passivity.
3. Symptoms of passivity.
a) Unable to cope.
b) Innumerable unfinished jobs.
c) Unable to concentrate.
d) Physical inertia, mechanical actions.
e) Unable to make decisions or initiate.
C. Freedom of the will
1. Exposure of deception by receiving truth.
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"The knowledge of truth is absolutely necessary for deliverance from passivity,
without which freedom is impossible". Watchman Nee.
a) Be willing to know the truth about yourself. Admit that you are susceptible to
deception and admit areas of deception.
b) Discover what ground has been given to the enemy.
c) The enemy's penetration is determined by the degree of passivity.
2. Breaking passivity by activating the will.
a) The will is activated by responding to God's Will.
b) The will is energised by faith. (Faith is always active)
c) The will is strengthened by truth. (Truth calls us to freedom)
3. Exercise the will by making decisions.
a) A passive person is unable to act on his own volition.
b) Stand by your decision and break double-mindedness.
c) Be willing to make wrong decisions.
d) Accept responsibility for making decisions.
e) Stop accepting circumstances to guide you. Passivity assumes God is
deciding everything for you.
4. A battle of the will. ("resist the devil")
a) Oppose the rule of the enemy.
b) Recover all lost ground.
c) Work actively with God for the use of every part of your person.
5. The will in control of the spirit, mind and body guarantees freedom.
a) The spirit needs the control of the will. Read Proverbs 25:28.
b) The mind needs to be subjected to the will. Read 2 Corinthians 10:5.
c) The body must be the instrument of man. Read 1 Corinthians 9:27.
6. An active will is necessary to maintain deliverance in any area of life.
The strategy of the enemy against the will is passivity. When this happens, one
becomes complacent and helpless.
"The fighting-through period is a very painful time.
There are bad moments of acute suffering and intense struggle,
arising out of the consciousness of the resistance of the powers of darkness
in their contest for what the believer endeavours to reclaim". Jesse Penn-Lewis.
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Bruised
Lesson 6
A. The bruises of Satan
We are a product of our total life experience. Our reactions to present situations are
determined by past experiences. Our perception of the present time can be distorted by
past hurts. To the extent that we react violently to a simple problem; we must conclude
that we are bound to the past and cannot respond normally to present situations.
Luke 4:18, “... to set at liberty them that are bruised”.
1. It is the purpose of Satan to bruise.
a) It was prophesied from the beginning.
Genesis 3:15, “I will put enmity between ... your offspring and hers; he will
crush your head, and you will strike his heel”.
b) Job experienced the bruising of Satan.
Thrown down. Misunderstood by friends. Mistreated by God?
c) Jesus was bruised.
Isaiah 53:5, “The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by
His wounds we are healed”.
Isaiah 53:5, “He was crushed for our iniquities”.
Isaiah 53:10, “It was the Lord’s will to crush him”.
Betrayed by a close friend. Rejected (Isaiah 53:2-3). Accused (Matthew
12:24). Hated. Forsaken.
2. Satan knows how to cripple a person by bruising.
a) Innocent children are prime targets of Satan.
Even before birth, fear and rejection can come into a child. A rejected child
will grow up unable to love and receive love. A child that has been abused
will withdraw in fear or else be destructive through rebellion.
b) God's children are prime targets of Satan.
i) New Spirit-filled believers are objects of attack through suspicion and
rejection.
ii) Ministries are damaged by lies and divisions. The goal of hurting is to
bring retreat.
Satan cripples through misunderstanding, false accusation, rejection and fear.
3. The bondage of hurts.
Hebrews 12:1, “Let us throw off everything that hinders ...”
a) Bruises bind.
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i) Bruises bind us to the one who hurt us.
ii) Bruises bind us to bitterness from the hurt.
iii) Bruises bind us from loving and receiving love.
b) Jesus came to set free those who are bruised.
i) Jesus came to set free those bound within. The Head of the Body
desires to be the healer of His Body.
ii) Spiritual bondage is broken by spiritual principles. Spiritual principles
concerning release and inner healing will be discussed later.
Christian growth and ministry are bound by the weights and bondage of hurts.
B. Bruised and bitter
It was a great tragedy when the northern tribes of Israel separated from the southern
tribes and a war between brothers resulted. Our enemy is using the same strategy today:
separate and destroy. Bitterness is the greatest tool at his disposal and it has left a path of
destruction in the Church, all because Christian brothers left the principle of love and
forgiveness.
Many Christians are like the apple that is dropped and bruised – there is no sign of
damage for several days. Then a dark spot appears that turns the apple rotten and the
whole apple is spoilt. This is the way bitterness works after a hurt is received.
Hebrews 12:15 (NAS), “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no
root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled”.
1. Bitterness – the poison of the soul.
a) Bitterness comes from hurts.
i) Hurts from child-parent relationships.
ii) Hurts from husband-wife relationships.
iii) Hurts from other inter-personal relationships.
b) Bitterness pollutes our whole system.
i) Comes out in our speech.
ii) Is seen in our actions.
iii) Is revealed in our attitudes.
iv) Causes breakdown of physical health.
c) Bitterness pollutes others.
d) Bitterness builds walls of isolation.
i) Fear of further hurt.
ii) Fear and distrust of people.
iii) Fear of inner hurts and weakness being exposed.
iv) Loneliness.
e) Bitterness always results in broken relationships.
i) Cut people out of life.
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ii) Very critical attitude towards others.
2. The damage of broken relationships.
a) Broken relationships cause blind spots (1 John 2:9-11) which stop us from
acting wisely, seeing ourselves as we are and seeing others as they really are.
b) Broken relationships cause insensitivity.
Life becomes self-centred. No proper regard for the needs of others.
c) Broken relationships cause immaturity.
The emotional growth stops at the time of injury. Personality does not mature
with the body. But emotional growth resumes when healing and release
come.
3. The destructiveness of unforgiveness.
a) Bitterness and unforgiveness start in our emotions.
b) It spreads to the mind.
c) It causes the will to come into action.
d) It manifests in the body.
C. Releasing hurts
The enemy, because of unforgiveness, is tormenting many Christians. Unforgiveness
gives the enemy a legal claim and he moves in to oppress and torment. Bitterness, the
result of unforgiveness, is the seedbed of every evil work.
1. A definition of forgiveness.
Matthew 18:27, “... cancelled the debt and let him go”.
a) “Apoluo” – released.
i) To set free, to liberate one from a thing.
Example: “Woman, thou art set free from your infirmity”. Luke 13:12.
ii) To let go, to release as if it were a captive.
Example: “The servant’s master… let him go”. Matthew 18:27.
iii) Used of divorce.
Example: “He had in mind to divorce her quietly”. Matthew 1:19.
b) “Aphiami” – forgave.
i) To let go, send away.
Example: “Then He left the crowd …”. Matthew 13:36.
ii) To cancel, remit, pardon.
Example: “The servant’s master…cancelled the debt”. Matthew 18:27.
2. Forgiveness releases the hurt of the past.
a) The one who carries hurt is bound to the past.
Some Arthritic cases are said to be caused by a root of unforgiveness.
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b) The one who carries hurt is bound to people in his past.
i) By retaining another's sin you become like him.
Principle: Forgive and “become like God”; retain and become like the
one who hurt you.
ii) Unforgiveness is not changed by time.
c) The one who carries hurt is tormented.
Example: A servant who refused to forgive (Matthew 18:21-35) and was
called a wicked servant. Matthew 18:32.
3. Forgiveness releases God’s forgiveness.
a) Forgiveness releases God's forgiveness for you. Matthew 6:14-15; Mark
11:23-26. Unforgiven sin gives Satan a foothold.
b) Forgiveness releases God's forgiveness for others.
Matthew 18:18, "Whatever you loose on earth ....."
c) Matthew 18:19-20, "If two of you agree ..."
d) Forgiveness releases God’s healing in you.
Some may need to forgive themselves. Others may need to release God’s
forgiveness in their lives.
Forgiveness is an act of the will: you choose to forgive. The feeling will come later. As
you release the person, God releases the hurt and healing takes place.
D. The bruise of rejection
Man is created in the image of God. His basic needs are met through love and
communication. When rejection enters, the person is denied love, security, acceptance,
identity and recognition. He is no longer capable of loving or receiving love. The result is
crippling and destructive to one's total person.
Note: There are degrees of rejection whose effect is proportionate.
Isaiah 53:2-3, “He has no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in His
appearance that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of
sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces. He was
despised, and we esteemed Him not”.
1. The source from which rejection could arise.
a) Parent-child relationship.
i) Before birth.
ii) Adopted children.
iii) Parents who cannot communicate love:
· parents who suffer from rejection.
· alcoholic parent.
· substitute love by the giving of things.
· preoccupied.
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· critical (requiring perfection).
· parental goals for child (compensation).
iv) A child unloved by his/her father will have difficulty in building a
stable relationship with God as Father.
v) A child who grows up under rejection will expect rejection rather than
love from God.
vi) The parent image is the model upon which the child builds his
relationship to God.
b) Peer relationships.
i) Cruel remarks.
ii) Cliques and exclusion.
iii) Lack of achievement.
c) Society.
Failure to accept certain social values brings rejection.
d) God relationship.
i) Man is susceptible to rejection because of sin.
ii) The guilt of sin brings self-rejection.
Example: Adam and Eve in the garden made fig leaf aprons.
F ear L oneliness
I nferiority E xile
G uilt A nxiety
F rustration
iii) Because of guilt, man is more capable of receiving rejection than love.
2. Results of rejection.
a) Emotional immaturity.
(Love, acceptance and approval are necessary for emotional maturity)
b) A love vacuum.
i) No person can fill this vacuum (friends, family, etc.).
Example: Love vacuum in marriage (Proverbs 30:23).
ii) Goals and possessions cannot fill this vacuum.
iii) Person is totally self-centred.
c) Loneliness and fear.
Walls built to protect from hurts.
d) Self-rejection.
e) Loss of self-identity.
Man was made in the image of God and only in Him can he find his identity.
God can give a new self-image.
f) Unstable relationship with God.
An unstable relationship with God could well indicate a problem of rejection.
g) A sure sign of rejection is being unable to love or receive love.
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3. Steps out of rejection.
a) Forgive those who have rejected you.
b) Release to Christ all hurt from rejection. Read Isaiah 53:4.
c) Accept the fact that you are accepted in the Beloved. Read Ephesians 1:6.
d) Find your identity in Christ.
i) His "image". Read 2 Corinthians 3:18.
ii) His "workmanship". Read Ephesians 2:10.
iii) "New creation". Read 2 Corinthians 5:17.
e) Accept yourself.
i) By forgiving yourself with regards to the past.
ii) By receiving the Father's love.
The ministry of deliverance will cut the roots of rejection. The bondage and
oppression must be broken as well as the lies of deception. Demonic powers
definitely work in this area. Remember:With God there is no rejection.
E. Bruised and healed
The Holy Spirit is preparing the Bride (Church) for the Bridegroom (Christ). The
ministry of inner healing is the beautification of the Bride. The Spirit desires to take
away the "spots and wrinkles" and bring the Church together united as one body. The
ministry of inner healing enables joint to be joined to joint in the body and every joint
covered with the band of love and peace. The Church must receive this beautifying and
unifying work.
Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God ... and see if there be any way of pain in me".
Isaiah 61:1-3, “He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted ... to comfort all who
mourn …, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness
instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair”.
1. The purpose of healing.
a) The beautification of the Bride.
Ephesians 5:27, “… to present her to Himself as a radiant church, without
stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless”.
b) The unification of the Church.
Ephesians 4:16, “From Him the whole body, joined and held together by
every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part
does its work”.
2. The key to healing.
a) Forgiveness releases the past.
i) Hurts are released.
ii) People are released.
iii) We are released.
b) Allow Jesus to heal the hurts of the past.
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i) Jesus Christ transcends all time. Hebrews 13:8.
ii) His presence coming into certain events of the past heals the pain.
iii) Receiving His love takes away all the rejection and loneliness of the
hurt.
c) Healing does not blot out the memory of the past; it takes out the pain of that
memory.
3. The goal of healing is peace.
a) Peace with others.
b) Peace with yourself.
c) Peace with God.
4. The steps of healing.
a) Listen and localise the problems.
b) Release the past.
i) Through forgiveness.
ii) Through walking with Jesus through the past.
Become as a little child. Matthew 18:3.
Have someone pray with you. Matthew 18:19.
Remember He suffered for your wounds. 1 Peter 2:24.
c) Break the bondage of Satan.
i) His works are attached to roots.
ii) His presence and power must go.
Caution!
1. Healing is not digging up all the garbage of the past.
2. Do not get involved in introspection.
3. The ministry of healing is the Lord's ministry; we must stay sensitive to
what He is doing.
4. Do not systematise the work of the Spirit.
5. The person's faith must be strong to face the reality of a painful
memory, do not push.
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Roots in the land
Lesson 7
A. Root of rebellion
God created man in His image. A divine relationship was intended for man. Through
transgression, rebellion entered the nature of man and the divine fellowship was broken.
Man without this divine relationship became a fractured, lost individual who lives in
solitude and selfishness. The purpose of life was lost – he was lost. Salvation begins at
the point of man’s rebellion yielding to God and accepting the Lordship of His Son.
1 Samuel 15:23, "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of
idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He has rejected you as king".
1. Sources of rebellion.
a) Pride – deception.
Example: Lucifer rose up in pride and consequently rebelled against God.
Isaiah 14:13-14.
b) Bitterness.
Steps to rebellion:
Hurt to resentment; resentment to bitterness; bitterness to hatred; hatred to
rebellion.
2. Rebellion refuses authority.
a) Rebellion refuses the authority of God.
i) Godlessness is living as if God did not exist.
ii) Man, through rebellion, becomes his own authority.
Question: Will you submit to God's Word?
b) Rebellion refuses the authority of parents and government.
i) Child discipline is necessary for maturity and security.
ii) Governmental authority is necessary for social justice and order.
Ephesians 6:1-3; Romans 13:1-7.
These areas must be treated to get to the root of rebellion. Humanism is the refusal
of man to submit to the authority of God.
3. Rebellion against authority results in the body ruling over the person.
a) One who rebels against authority will become a slave to his own body. In
certain sexual problems, the root of rebellion generally goes back to parental
authority.
b) Being turned over to the flesh is the judgement of God upon rebellion.
i) The flesh is always hostile towards God. Romans 8:7-8.
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ii) The works of the flesh are the fruits of rebellion. Galatians 5:19-21.
4. Rebellion leads to witchcraft.
Example: Saul's reasoning became superior to God's Word. 1 Samuel 15:23.
a) Witchcraft is assuming the role of God.
i) Desire to manipulate and control people.
ii) Desire to revenge ourselves by doing evil.
iii) Desire to obtain power.
b) Witchcraft is insubordination.
i) Man becomes his own authority.
ii) Man’s ambition becomes his governing power.
5. Note the different results of rejection and rebellion.
a) Rejection turns a person inward.
i) Loneliness, timidity, shyness.
ii) Self-Pity.
iii) Fantasy.
iv) Lust.
v) Insecurity.
vi) Negative self-image, self-rejection, self-hatred.
vii) Fear of rejection.
viii) Jealousy, envy.
ix) Depression and suicide.
b) Rebellion turns a person outward.
i) Hatred, violence, murder.
ii) Bitterness and unforgiveness.
iii) Control, possessiveness, witchcraft.
iv) Self-willed, unteachable, proud.
v) Self-delusion, self-deception.
vi) Perversion.
B. Root of pride
Pride speaks of the very attitude of a man's heart, which determines the direction of his
life. At the heart of wickedness and deception is pride. Of the fall of Lucifer the Scripture
says: “Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your
wisdom because of your splendour”, Ezekiel 28:17.
Note the five "I wills" of pride:
"You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars
of God, and I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the
sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the
Most High", Isaiah 14:13-14.
1. Pride has its root and strength in a spiritual power.
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a) The god of this world fell because of pride. Isaiah 14:13-14.
b) The world operates on the principle of pride. 1 John 2:15-16.
c) The root of every sin and evil is pride.
Whereas pride has its roots within the spirit of this age, humility is the essence of
Jesus Christ. Pride must be changed into humility.
2. A fruit of pride is perfectionism.
a) Definition: A person who sets up standards for himself beyond the normal
requirements. Through achieving these, he places himself above others and
becomes critical of those who do not live by the same standards. This brings
about a lack of love, indifference to the needs of others, insensitivity,
becoming hasty in judgement, sharp with words, critical, etc.
b) Relates to God on the basis of his achievements.
i) Sets high standards for himself.
ii) God's acceptance is received on the basis of works.
iii) Pride makes him think he can please God.
iv) Has a life filled with works, but actually no proper relationship with
God.
Our relationship with God is never established on the basis of our works, but
always on the basis of His grace. He accepts us as we are.
3. A fruit of pride is competitiveness.
a) Definition: Constant striving to excel above another, to be first, to be better,
to be recognised. Becoming selfish, self-willed, self-exalted, ambitious,
envious, etc.
b) The results of competitiveness are:
i) Enmity between men. Galatians 5:26; 6:3.
ii) Constantly comparing one's self to another. 2 Corinthians 10:12.
iii) Discontentment with life and any past achievement.
iv) Jealousy and envy.
Pride is a root that can never be satisfied. Constant striving with God and man
brings a spirit of competitiveness that will absorb life and keep him from
functioning in his calling and role in life.
4. A fruit of pride is unforgiveness.
a) Unforgiving, bitter, estranged, touchy, angry.
b) The results of unforgiveness are:
i) Guilt and condemnation.
· He cannot release others, nor can he accept God's release
(forgiveness).
· He cannot forgive himself for the past. He cannot receive God's
forgiveness.
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Note: Pride will keep him from forgiving himself because he has
broken the image self-pride has built.
ii) Blindness and deception.
· He fails to see himself as he really is.
· He fails to see others as they really are.
c) Bitterness and hatred.
Pride holds forth a false sense of justice when self must be vindicated. Pride calls
for retribution rather than forgiveness.
5. A fruit of pride is unbelief.
a) The nature of pride is to be independent and self-sufficient. To believe we
must not acknowledge a need, a deficiency or a limitation. So unbelief seeks
to establish its independence and sufficiency so that no one else is needed.
Pride is the root of unbelief.
b) One cannot follow God and seek the glory of men. John 5:44.
Pride desires the glory of men – Faith desires the glory of God.
c) Pride seeks to gain God's blessings by:
i) Striving with God. (But read Psalm 46:10)
ii) Working faith principles for personal goals rather than seeking God's
will.
d) Faith and humility do not grow from the root of pride.
i) Humility prepares the soul for trust.
ii) Examples of faith and humility: Centurion, "I am not worthy!” Gentile
woman, "The dogs eat the crumbs".
6. How to cut off the root of pride.
a) Ask God to show you the deception of pride.
b) Repent and release the deceptions of pride.
c) Change the motivation of life from pride to love.
d) Humble yourself before God.
The root of every sin and evil is pride. The root of all virtue is humility. Pride will
push us up. Rejection will push us down. We must be free from both and let God
exalt us.
C. Root of the occult
There are things which people become involved in, that not only affect them, but also the
generations after them. The occult is a root that can extend to the third and fourth
generation and its consequences are severe. In dealing with problems one must always be
on the alert for its symptoms – even innocent children can suffer from them.
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Deuteronomy 18:9-12, "When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not
learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no-one be found among you
who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practises divination or sorcery,
interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist
or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord: and
because of these detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations
before you".
Occult involvement gives Satan legal claims over an individual. Spiritual gifts of the
occult are passed on from generation to generation, as are curses.
1. Idolatry and the occult are from the same root.
a) Idolatry is the worship of demons.
i) “They worshipped their idols ... they sacrificed their sons and their
daughters to demons”. Psalm 106:36-37; Psalm 115:4-8.
ii) “The sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God”. 1
Corinthians 10:20; Leviticus 20:6; Deuteronomy 18:10-12.
b) The occult is the manipulation of demonic powers for selfish goals.
i) By establishing common ground, demons enter into agreement with
people.
ii) The benefits offered through the supernatural always become a curse to
the benefactor.
iii) The supernatural gifts are passed from one generation to another.
c) The curse that comes from bowing before other gods passes to the third and
fourth generations.
Exodus 20:5, "You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the
Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the
fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me”.
2. There are certain dire results that can come from an occult root.
a) Spiritual blockage.
i) Supernatural control that keeps a person from confessing faith in Jesus.
ii) An attitude of rebellion against all authority.
iii) Blockage that keeps a person from receiving the spiritual benefits of the
Holy Spirit.
iv) An inability to read the Bible, pray or worship without being attacked.
b) Physical Symptoms. (These symptoms are not always due to an occult root)
i) Symptoms of paralysis, epilepsy, nervous disorders, etc.
ii) Children born deformed. Also learning problems, agitation, inability to
function in social structure, fears, bad dreams, etc.
c) Emotional instability.
i) Violent temper.
ii) Hatred and cursing.
iii) Nervous disturbances.
iv) Unsociable behaviour.
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v) Depression.
d) Fear.
i) Insecurity.
ii) Tormented constantly.
iii) Bad dreams.
e) Mental bondage.
i) Confusion in thought pattern.
ii) Learning problems.
iii) Mental illness.
f) The symptoms mentioned under (b), (c), (d) and (e) can come as a result of
occult involvement but there can, of course, be other reasons for these
problems.
3. Two questions that most often trouble people with regard to the occult are:
a) How is it possible for a Christian to continue suffering oppression or
subjection because of this earlier pre-conversion experience?
Answer: The door opened to the powers of darkness will remain open until it
is closed by an act of the person's will. An open door is an invitation
to oppression.
b) Can a Christian who has never participated in any form of occultism be
subjected or oppressed?
Answer: i) Occult oppression can be passed on by parents to children.
ii) Children can be infected by certain occult “blessings” sought
by parents.
iii) There is a curse for entering into an unholy alliance with
another god.
4. The root of the occult can be cut by:
a) Confession of faith in Jesus Christ and acceptance of His authority over you.
b) Confession and repentance of occult sins.
c) Renunciation of Satan and the command for him to depart.
d) Prayer of deliverance.
An alliance made with another god is not easily broken. Active faith in Christ
and direct renunciation of occult powers are necessary for complete severance.
Many need to be cut loose from ancestors who made unholy alliances. The blood
covenant of Jesus breaks the curse of the occult. By faith the believer confesses
with his mouth and breaks every alliance of the past.
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Deliverance
Lesson 8
A. Introduction
Because of unbalanced teaching which gives all credit for a man’s problems to the devil
and to demons, the deliverance ministry has been discredited. Some people see a demon
in everything and look upon man as being the victim. Balanced teaching makes man
responsible for what he is. Satan may be involved, but only because man gave place to
him. The following principles attempt to bring a balance.
1. There is no substitute for repentance.
a) Man is responsible for his choices and responses.
b) The Christian life is maintained by an attitude of repentance.
2. There is no substitute for self-discipline.
a) Deliverance will not give a person discipline. Discipline must be learned.
b) The devil does his work through disorder. Discipline brings order to one's
life.
3. There is no substitute for crucifixion of the flesh.
One cannot crucify demons or cast out the flesh.
4. There is no substitute for forgiveness and confession of sins.
The ground for deliverance must be prepared by forgiveness and confession.
Bitterness can only be released by forgiveness.
5. Demons enter a person when a place is given to them.
Ephesians 4:27, "Do not give the devil a foothold".
a) There are things that give place to the devil.
b) The devil does not respect a Christian who opens the door to him.
6. The demon may be cast out, but the land that gave a place to it cannot be cast
out.
Pull down the stronghold and the enemy must flee. Proverbs 21:22.
7. There are degrees of deliverance.
a) God's Spirit will bring deliverance to the degree that truth has been received.
b) One can effectively resist the enemy to the degree of understanding
concerning him and the ground given to him.
8. The scriptural ground for obtaining deliverance is truth.
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a) Receive the truth of Christ's full redemption.
b) Receive the truth concerning the works of Satan.
c) Receive the truth concerning one's self.
9. Accepting one’s own responsibility in the matter is receiving truth.
Man is responsible for what he is and needs to accept this responsibility before
deliverance can take place.
10. What is ours in doctrine is not automatically ours in experience.
a) Areas can remain untouched until Christ's redemption for it is accepted by
faith.
b) The blood covenant breaks the power of Satan, but faith must be joined to the
covenant for its benefits to be received.
11. Force must be used against force.
a) The devil only respects somebody more powerful than himself.
b) Man must be the aggressor against the enemy.
c) The strong man must be bound. Matthew 12:29.
The Spirit of God coming into a life will not allow the works of the enemy to remain
hidden. As the Spirit reveals these works, the believer must arise and gird himself with
faith and come against his enemy in every area until he is free to be all God wants him to
be.
B. Deliverance for children
As a person looks at his life, he will notice certain cycles being repeated – cycles of
depression, fears and defeat. Satan has a way of causing a person's life to constantly fall
into these cycles and thereby keep him from being free to achieve certain goals in life.
1. Children suffer from the bruises of rejection.
a) Satan can bruise a child before birth.
i) A mother can communicate rejection to an unborn child.
ii) Many adopted children suffer from rejection.
b) Children need to be cut loose from the spirit of the mother.
i) A mother can communicate her own rejections and will unconsciously
smother her child.
ii) Barriers of rejection must be melted and the child reconciled to his
parents.
iii) A girl who never had her father's acceptance will find it difficult to
fulfil her role as a woman.
iv) A boy without his father's acceptance will find it difficult to fulfil his
role as a man.
Ministry to both parent and child is necessary to break the cycle of rejection.
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2. Children suffer from occult oppression.
Symptoms can include: Learning problems, nervousness and agitation, fears and
bad dreams.
Get the parent to confess his involvement in the occult and after renouncing the
works of darkness, pray the prayer of deliverance for the child. The cycle of occult
oppression can be broken.
3. Children suffer from fear and insecurity.
a) The atmosphere of the home can affect the child.
i) The fears of his parents are communicated.
ii) The atmosphere of the home is absorbed into the child.
b) A traumatic experience can leave a memory of fear.
Ask the Lord to take away all fear from the child’s memory. Rebuke the powers of
darkness that would use this memory to torment.
4. Children suffer from the loss of a parent to death.
a) Death can be a shattering experience for a child.
i) The life of the child is built around the parents.
ii) Scars of insecurity, sorrow, fear, etc., can develop.
b) A child taught the Christian concept of death can escape these scars.
Minister to the child the truth of life after death. Pray that the Lord will fill the
emptiness left in his life.
5. Children suffer from divorce.
a) Divorce is worse than death.
i) Death leaves emptiness but divorce leaves rejection.
ii) Death leaves sorrow but divorce leaves hurt and bitterness.
b) The dissolving of a relationship tears the child apart.
i) The hurt of a broken relationship is carried by the child.
ii) Symptoms of withdrawal, living in an imaginary world, hostility and
rebellion often result from a broken parent relationship.
Forgiveness is the key. Generally a child will carry the hurts of one parent.
Acceptance of both parents and their love is very important.
6. Children suffer from abuse.
a) There are two results of being molested sexually (applies mainly to girls):
i) Promiscuity as a way of life.
ii) Fear and guilt, which brings rejection of sex role.
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b) Demonic influences can come in at a time of abuse.
Hatred for men/women must be released through forgiveness. Ask the Lord to go
back to the experience and heal the memory of all the hurts. Ask God to give
her/him a vision of man as he was first created.
C. Homosexuality
The ultimate of losing all self-identity is to become confused with regard to the sex roles.
In this state, the flesh becomes god and the passions are twisted to a promiscuous life in
which there is no real love. Rebellion and insecurity drive the person until he is totally
absorbed in his sin.
1. Scriptural view of homosexuality.
a) God did not create anyone a homosexual.
i) In the beginning God made man, male and female. Genesis 1:27.
ii) Man and woman were to be one flesh. Genesis 1:28; 2:24.
b) Homosexuality is the result of rebellion against God. Romans 1:24-27.
i) Man exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for the corruptible
and lost his own glory.
ii) Instead of living in truth, man chose to live a lie and God gave him up
to degrading passions.
c) The following Scriptures express God's viewpoint on homosexuality:
Leviticus 18:22, 20:13; Deuteronomy 22:5, 23:17-18; Romans 1:24-27; 1
Corinthians 6:9-10.
d) Homosexuality is definitely a spirit of perversion.
Examples: Men of Sodom – Genesis 19; Men of Benjamin – Judges 19.
e) Homosexuality has its own god.
i) Flesh and self-gratification.
ii) Phallus cults of other generations with male prostitutes.
2. Homosexuality is a choice.
A choice influenced by parents, relatives, circumstances, etc., such as the following
examples.
i) Jack:
- Hatred and rejection toward father
- Loss of personal identity
- Mother ran the family
- Life dominated by rejection
ii) Gregory:
- Knew his father loved him, but was afraid of his father
- Brothers would not accept him, continually put down
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- Found acceptance in sexual experience with an older boy
- Sexually raped at age 14
- Very lonely all his life
iii) Mary:
- Life of rejection, adopted
- Father rarely around, could never please him
- Bitter against parents
- Insecurity
- Always disliked herself
iv) Sue:
- Rejected by parents
- Suffered cruelty as a child
- Self-hatred and total self-rejection
- Hatred toward women; took male image
1. All had poor relationships with their father.
2. All had problems of sexual identity at an early age.
3. Rebellion was the element that turned them towards homosexuality.
4. Rejection became a driving force to find acceptance in the same sex.
3. The homosexual opposes himself.
a) His fears are destructive.
i) Fears normal relationships.
ii) Fears rejection.
iii) Fears failure.
b) Form of self-rejection.
i) Hatred for own sex.
ii) Hatred toward self.
iii) No self-identity.
c) Form of rejection of others.
i) Bitterness seeks its victims.
ii) Fear of rejection becomes a way of life.
Note: Homosexuality is both aggressive and reticent.
d) Excuses:
i) “I cannot help the way I am made”.
ii) “I have a right to fulfil my sex needs like everybody else”.
iii) “I will change my sex by an operation and then society will accept me”.
iv) “I can serve God and be homosexual – God accepts me as I am”.
4. Ministry to the homosexual.
a) Find roots of rebellion.
b) Restore broken relationships in the home.
c) Seek total acceptance of self in sex role – new image.
d) Deal with rejection and fear of rejection.
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e) Renew the mind – deal with sin.
f) Change life style.
Note: Some people are brought into homosexuality by circumstances later in life,
such as prison, military service, bisexual experiences, etc. These will not
have the deep roots of an early childhood problem.
There is help and deliverance for homosexuals (1 Corinthians 6:11). Receive them
with the love of Christ and lead them to the truth. Take your stand firmly without
rejecting them. Deal with the roots. Minister deliverance.
D. How to maintain deliverance
The enemy has come into the land through deception and force. The key is to break the
work of deception and resist every work of the enemy. Maintaining deliverance means
walking in the truth and resisting the enemy.
Galatians 5:1, "It was for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let
yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery".
1. Stand on the Word daily.
a) Take your place in Christ as dead to sin. Read Romans 6:11.
b) Hide within the Word. Read Psalm 91.
c) Stand upon the promises. Read Ephesians 6:17.
i) Fear:
- in circumstances. Isaiah 43:1-2.
- of man or enemy. Isaiah 51:12-16.
- of failure. 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Corinthians 3:4-6.
ii) Healing of hurts:
- Jeremiah 30:17.
- Isaiah 43:18-19.
- Isaiah 61:3.
iii) Rejection:
- Isaiah 53:3.
- Isaiah 54:4.
- Jeremiah 30:17.
- Ephesians 1:5-8.
iv) Accusation and condemnation:
- Romans 8:1, 33-35.
- Revelation 12:10-11.
v) Passivity:
- Luke 4:18.
- 1 Peter 1:13.
- Mark 11:23.
d) Allow truth to drive out all deception: “The truth shall set you free”, John
8:32.
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i) Deception about yourself.
ii) Deception about God.
iii) Deception about others.
2. Resist the enemy.
James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you”.
a) Resist him on the ground of the blood of Jesus. Read Revelation 12:11.
Confess your victory and deliverance through Jesus' blood.
b) Claim your authority over Satan by virtue of your position in Christ. Read
Ephesians 1:20-21, 2:6; Colossians 2:13-15; Luke 10:17; Matthew 28:18.
Command Satan to depart in Jesus' Name.
c) Use the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit in the hour of temptation.
Read Ephesians 6:16; 1 Peter 5:9; Matthew 4:4,7,10. Speak the Word with
your mouth.
d) Put on the whole armour of God. Read Ephesians 6:10-18.
i) The girdle of God's truth enables us to move into battle.
ii) The breastplate of God's righteousness protects us from the accusations
of the enemy.
iii) The shoes of God's peace releases all conflict within.
iv) The helmet of God's salvation renews our mind.
e) Bring every thought into subjection. Read 2 Corinthians 10:5.
3. Walk in fellowship with the Lord.
a) Submit yourself to God. Read the other side of James 4:7.
i) The fellowship of obedience.
ii) The fellowship of waiting. Read 1 Peter 5:6.
b) Walk in the Spirit.
i) The desires of the flesh will not be carried out. Read Galatians 5:16.
ii) The desires of the flesh are put to death. Read Romans 8:13.
c) Keep your mind on things above. Read Colossians 3:1-3.
d) Walk in His Light. Read 1 John 1:7.
i) There is fellowship in the Light.
ii) There is cleansing in the Light.
The full redemption of the Cross is ours. Active faith appropriates this in every part
of our lives. You have a part in God’s work in you. Respond with faith and resist
the enemy.
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E. Minister of deliverance
The ministry of deliverance is given to the Body of Christ to be incorporated with the
five principal ministries of the Church. There is an anointing given to individuals who
operate in the gift of discernment and minister to those who are oppressed by the devil.
This ministry demands much of the person as he enters into battle against spiritual forces
to bring deliverance. He certainly needs the support of the whole Body.
1. His personal life.
a) A disciplined life:
i) Prayer
ii) Fasting
iii) Word
b) A balanced life:
i) Rest and recreation
ii) Family
iii) Ministry
c) A purity in personal life:
"The one who is free to move unmolested into enemy territory is the one who
has a passion for righteousness and a hatred of evil". Michael Harper.
i) Clean of all defilement of flesh and spirit. 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1
Corinthians 9:27.
ii) Perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1.
2. His ministry.
a) Be in control as to:
i) Time to be given to ministry:
- Do not allow the devil to push you into ministry. You call the
terms; you must be in control.
- Limit the hours and days to be given to ministry.
ii) People who receive ministry:
- Is the person ready or just wanting temporary relief?
- Does the person only want ministry and not permanent
deliverance?
- Does the person have enough truth to maintain deliverance?
b) Pray for discernment.
Discernment is a gift (1 Corinthians 12) and is developed by experience and
alertness.
c) Minister with authority and power.
i) Degree of authority according to:
- Degree of power of the Holy Spirit in response to faith.
- Our own submission to the authority of Christ over us.
Principle: Submission to authority gives authority.
- The degree of victory in the person's individual life.
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ii) The fullness of the Spirit gives power.
d) Must have knowledge of the Word.
i) Satan is the father of lies and deception. His lies must be met with the
Word.
ii) The Word gives power and authority.
iii) The Word becomes the two-edged sword.
e) Minister with the compassion of the Lord.
Unconditional love and acceptance, and speaking the truth in love.
f) Keep the ministry strictly confidential.
g) Minister alongside another mature Christian.
3. His anointing.
The anointing of David – Psalm 18:50.
a) God becomes our strength. Psalm 18:1-3.
b) Extended to the oppressed. Psalm 18:16-19.
c) Given to the one with clean hands. Psalm 18:20-24.
d) Supernatural strength. Psalm 18:26-36.
e) Victory over enemies. Psalm 18:37-45.
f) Protection. Psalm 18:46-49.
Isaiah 41:10-13, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am
your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my
righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and
disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you
search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against
you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of
your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you’”.