KEY SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 4:27 KJV” Neither give place to the devil”.

Our key scripture instructs us not to give place to the devil. This suggests that demons can have a place in a Christian. A Christian cannot be possessed by a demon, in the sense of taking over his spirit which has been born again, yet if he keeps yielding to the devil then he can be possessed, meaning he has lost his salvation.  A Christian can have a demon that can oppress him or her. Demons keep suggesting thoughts into a believer’s mind. If the Christian accepts those thoughts and allows them to stay in his life over a long time, a demon will take a place in him.

2nd Corinth 10:5, says, every thought or imagination that exalts itself above the knowledge of Christ becomes a strong hold if allowed to stay.  As we explained in the previous study a stronghold can become a protective fortress for a demon. Any thought that is a lie or unscriptural that a child of God accepts or believes is a stronghold in his life. If a Christian entertains thoughts of lust and gives excuses when confronted about it, then he is only giving grounds to a demon of lust to occupy his mind. It would spring onslaughts of various forms against him.

Another area that becomes a safe abode to devils, is fear. The brother or sister who gives in to fearful thoughts is creating a protective house for the spirit of fear. (2 Tim 1:7). If fear stays long enough, it will give way to other worse devils. The spirit of infirmity may join. Other worse ones may join if you do not correct the error. Let the word of God correct the lie that created the fear. If the lie is exposed and taken out, the spirit of fear would follow up, and will leave its host without much resistance.

CONFESSION

I give no place to the devil by making sure whatever I believe in, is in line with the word of God. The devil has no place in me

FURTHER STUDIES

2Timothy 1:7 KJV “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”.

Ephesians 4:26, 27 KJV Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.

KEY SCRIPTURE :2 Corinthians 10:4 KJV “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”

The devil has another way of attacking the minds of men. This is what the Bible calls a strong hold. A stronghold is like a cave in a mountain that becomes a secured place for a person or group of persons. In this instant it is a lie that the enemy introduces into the mind. This lie may come as a result of an event that took place in the individual’s life. It may also be an event or experience of another person, whereby a demon misinterprets it by a lie. The individual believes that lie and it becomes a concept firmly established in the mind.

Another way of building such strongholds in the minds of certain individuals is wrong teachings that one may receive over a period, or just at one moment that he or she might have heard that teaching. Mark 4:24 KJV “And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given”. Satan’s main target idea of lies is mainly about God. If he succeeds in making a person to believe a wrong thing about God, then he has destroyed the strongest foundation in that person’s life.

The serious aspect of these wrong believes is that, a demon would easily hide in the mind of that individual. That wrong believe or lie which has been accepted become darkness in the person’s life. Demons will quickly access any place of darkness in this world. It is a legal ground for them to take advantage of according to Jude 1:6. This wrong believe or lie becomes a strong hold for the demon and he causes a great havoc to the individual’s life. In such a case no amount of casting away of the demon would succeed, until the lie or wrong believe is rejected.   The demon will naturally vacate his residence and the individual would be freed.

CONFESSION

It is only the truth of God’s word that liberates. I diligently hold on to the truth of the word, which enlightens my mind. I give no place to any devil. Indeed, the devil has nothing in me and therefore cannot control my life in any way.

FURTHER STUDIES

John 8:31-32. KJV” Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”.

 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV” Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”

KEY SCRIPTURE:2 Corinth 4:4 KJV “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them”.

The mind of man is one of the major parts of a man that devils will like to control. The state of your mind is the state of your being. It is the direction of your life. If a devil succeeds in having one’s mind, then it is in control of that person’s life. Anyone who blatantly opposes the word of God and the salvation of our Lord has been blinded by the devil.

One of the onslaughts of the devil against some people is to obsess their minds. An obsession is a recurring thought urges or images that are experienced as intrusive and unwanted and for most people causes anxiety and distress. The individual may try to ignore them, suppress them with a different thought or action. The demons are most happy when they find humans under torments of varying degrees.

Some of these unwanted thoughts may be immoral pictures or impressions. To others, it is fearful scenes. Others are assailed with doubtful suggestions against God’s word. They keep running through the mind as a flowing current.

HOW does one overcome these evil shots into the mind? The Bible says you must cast them down.

2Corinth 10:5 KJV “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” You would have to say to that devil and your mind that, I refuse this thought and cast it down. You may just say no, and add the truth of scripture concerning that issue.

Tell yourself you, belief what God says and that is what will happen to you. Your command to yourself would bridle your body and mind to stay with what God says.

CONFESSION

My mind is an instrument for God and not any devil. I am in control of my mind. I choose what to think and what to say. My life is at peace with myself.

FURTHER STUDIES

Romans 12:2 KJV” And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”.

Philips 4:8 KJV Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Luke 10:19 KJV “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you”.

What is the power of the devil or demons? Some Christians claim Satan and the devils don’t have power. This is a very wrong assertion. The Lord Jesus Himself admitted the enemy has some power. He has power to make people sick, cause calamities and even kill certain individuals. The following scripture talks about our deliverance from the dominion of darkness. Col 1:13 KJV” Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” Once again the Bible makes mention of the power of the devil. He adds that the Christian has been delivered from the power of the devil.

In relation to the Christian what is this power of the devil.? The power of the devil is his ability to mess up men’s lives but in the absence of God’s power Please note: Satan or demonic power is spiritual darkness, whiles God power is spiritual light. Darkness will never stand in the presence of light. Satan or the demons are very strong only when God’s power is not present. John 1:5 KJV” And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not”. What brings God’s power into operation? Our faith in God’s word releases God’s power (we express our faith by acting on the word and through aggressive prevailing prayer). In the moment of demonic attack just turn on your faith, by acknowledging what God has said, and rest peacefully on it.

The demons know very well that in the presence of the power of God they are absolutely helpless. They would do everything to cause the Christian to mistrust the word of God. The spirit or demons of the air(Eph 2:2) communicate to the mind that God would not honor His word. Be alert to refuse such a word. . An acceptance of any such suggestions would keep God’s power away. This would make God’s word ineffective. Decide that you would trust God’s word, no matter how much that everything seems physically impossible.

CONFESSION

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your word. Through my faith in your word, satanic or demonic power is made useless. I am at peace with myself and reign in life by your power as I speak and act on God’s word in faith.

FURTHER STUDIES

Luke 5:22 KJV” But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?”

Acts 14:9 KJV” The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed) “,

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 10:10 KJV” The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”.

We learnt in our earlier discussions that Satan’s name means an adversary, whose main aim is to oppose humanity with all the hatred. Every act of devils or demons against mankind is motivated by this hatred. Our key scripture states it clearly: the thief, devils come with only one motive. They come to steal, kill and to destroy. These actions of devils are purely illegal and must be stopped.  Our Lord Jesus is the only one who holds the key to call a person out of this life. Rev 1:18 KJV. “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death”. Satan and his demons do not have the key of death.  A key is the authority or right to act. Many people do not know this and so the devil and his demons easily destroy their lives.

DEMONS can cause accidents and calamities. (Job 1:11–13) They possess people and make them act negatively to destroy themselves.

Luke 8:27 KJV “And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs” :They also afflict people with diseases (Acts 10:38).They can influence people to cause murder or  crime. (Gen 4:7). Everything negative that happens to man, could created by them.

The following are a general list of some of their activities

1.Serve and worship Satan.

2.Rejoice in Satan’s works.

3.Execute Satan’s wishes

4.Negatively affect the affairs of nations.

5.Undermine the work of the church.

6.Specifically oppose and attack believers.

7.Punish Satan’s enemies

8.Perform extraordinary acts to advance Satan’s cause

9.Attack each and every human being.

This is an open war against all men, and every Christian must be aware to resist them, in Jesus name. One of their strongest means to achieve the above is through deceit. Europe is presently under their sway because they succeeded in deceiving them.

CONFESSION

In the name of Jesus every devil bow. I do not subject myself to any of their lies. I live solely by the word of God, and always win over them to the glory of God.

FURTHER STUDIES

Acts 10:38 KJV “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him”.

Job 1:16 KJV “While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.”

KEY SCRIPTURE: March 5:8 KJV” For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit”.

Demons are spirits. That means they are invisible to the natural eye. They are intelligent beings. That is why they are likened to serpents. (Luke 10:19). Despite their intelligence they do not know all things. They have knowledge of certain things, even about you. I was once casting a demon from a lady who mentioned the names of my mother, my grandmother and even my great grandfather (this was a person who was never privy to any of these people). A lady whose pregnancy was long overdue. came to me for prayers. Just as I started praying a voice spoke through her. ‘We know you Somuah’, I rebuked it to shut up and come out. By the next morning she delivered her baby girl.

DEMONS have the ability to speak. In Luke 4:34 the demons shouted ‘what do we have to do with you’. These devils use the vocal abilities of their host to speak. They may say things to either discourage you or frighten you. You should know the scriptures and function solely on what the word says. Demons have fearful tendencies James 2:19 KJV “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble”.

DEMONS express themselves through men in their nature and form. A blind demon would make it host blind. A deaf demon would make the host deaf. Mark 9:25 KJV” When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him”.

Some demons have the form of certain animals like snakes, tigers, dogs, snails and many more. They express themselves with this animal traits primarily to distort God’s image in man. A person with a dog spirit will be promiscuous This is the reason any kind of deviation from any normal behaviour must be prevented or stopped. An example is homosexuality. It is a distortion of the original. It is demonic

PRAYER

Lord I pray your power to destroy the influence of these lying spirits over the minds of men. Thank you, father, that your children are walking in victory because they live by the truth.

FURTHER STUDIES

Luke 11:18 KJV” If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub”.

Luke 7:21 KJV “And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: John 10:10 ISV “The thief comes only to steal, slaughter, and destroy. I’ve come that they may have life, and have it abundantly”.

The Lord Jesus spent a great deal of His time casting out these demons or devils from people. On a number of occasions, He was interrupted by these demons as He spoke to people

Luke 4:34 KJV” Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.” At this instant it was not the man who was speaking. It was the spirit in him, using his vocal qualities to speak. The spirit knew more about Jesus, than the man himself. 

A lady was once brought to my house, one evening. I came out to see her lying on the floor, almost motionless. I asked of what happened and was told by the husband that she had a stomach attack and within some moments   she fainted. I got closer to her and started commanding whatever spirit it was to leave her.  A voice spoke through her, saying “‘I am not going anywhere”. She instantly got up, and became very violent. I stood and said to myself. This woman in a few moments ago appeared like a dead person, but at the command of these devils to leave she jerks into action. She was delivered of that devil and became very normal.

Demons are very active in our day to day lives. Ephesians 2:2 KJV Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Demons influence the level of wickedness and crime. The spate of divorce is a sign of demonic prevalence. I prayed for a married lady with marital problems. The spirits in her started begging me to allow them to stay. Apparently, they were pleading not to be ejected, so they could destroy the marriage. Demons are real and active. Most people whose lives are filled with misery and uncontrollably negative happenings are caused by them.

PRAYER

I pray for all men, that the power of deception over their lives would be broken. May they know their real enemies and turn to Jesus for perfect solution.

FURTHER STUDIES

Matthew 8:16 KJV” When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick”:

Matthew 12:43 KJV. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Revelation 12:12. ISV “So be glad, heavens, and those who live in them!   How terrible it is for the earth and the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, filled with rage, knowing that his time is short!”

The activities of devils are primarily motivated by their hatred for humanity. Our key scripture says they come to the earth with rage, and the king James Bible version says, with great wrath against all mankind. Sadly, a great number of humanities are very ignorant of them and their activities. Most people just walk into their traps and are messed up.

Before we travel more into their activities may we consider the meanings of their titles or   names. The first is the word devil. This is in the Greek called ‘diabolos’. It means prone to slander, slanderous and accusing falsely. This word devil refers to Satan himself. The other word devil which applies to every other evil spirit is the word, in the Greek ‘daimonion’, and it is defined as evil spirits, messengers and ministers of the devil or Satan. Unclean spirits also mean defiling, impure, immoral, filthy spiritual entities. (Every person with a wrong sexual orientation, like homosexuals, bisexuals, lesbians, fornicators etc are all under the influence of unclean spirits).

The next name to look at is Satan. This means an adversary. This word means an opponent, or an opposer. He is the number one opposer of man in every endeavor. Satan is also called the dragon, that is a great serpent. He is also known as the serpent, a symbol of wisdom, craftiness and deception. (Rev 12:9)

No man without Christ can stand up to the devil and his cohorts. The sad truth is that a great number of humanity reject Jesus, only to live at the mercy of this great enemy of men. Well he is a master deceiver and has deceived the whole world. The man in Christ, who lives with the awareness that Jesus has taken over his being is a master of the devil and his angels.

CONFESSION

I am crucified with Christ. It is Christ at home in me. Through Him, I am a master of the devil and his angels or demons. I exercise authority over them in the name of my master Jesus and they obey me.

FURTHER STUDIES

Revelation 12:9 ISV “The huge dragon was hurled down. That ancient serpent, called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, was hurled down to the earth, along with its angels”.

Ecclesiastes 9:3 ISV “There is a tragedy that infects everything that happens on earth: a common event happens to everyone. In fact, the hearts of human beings are full of evil. Madness remains in their hearts while they live, and afterwards they join the dead”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 25:41 KJV “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:”

Some school of thought also hold the view that, between Genesis 1, verse one to verse two is a very big time period. They teach that between this period, there were certain humans who were destroyed by God’s judgment after Satan had caused them to sin against God.  The spirits of these people became the demons. There are certain fundamental questions to ask such people with this kind of interpretation. If these humans sinned because the devil made them to sin and so were killed, becoming demons as a result: My question is, why didn’t Adam and his race also become demon spirits after they also sinned and were judged?

Some even teach that fallen angels, would not enter a man to possess him as demons do, because an angel has a body. This analyzes can’t be true because Satan as a fallen angel entered into Judas and made him betray the Lord Jesus. John 13:27 KJV “And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly”. Fallen angels from this scripture, can enter into people and control them

The King James version of the bible, does not use the term demon   at all, throughout the bible. It uses words like devils(daimonion), evil spirits, Unclean spirits

Satan’s angels. The Bible teaches that Satan, after rebelling against God, was cast out of heaven to the earth with a third of the angels which he managed to deceive (these are his messengers or devils called daimonion in Greek) (Rev12:1–9)

 The Bible shows us that idols or fetishes are devils (Deut 32:17, Ps 106::37) In Matt 4:24, 7:22) The Lord cast out devils from these people who were oppressed in various forms. In Matt 10:1, Mark 3:11, Mark 5:13 and many more scriptures, the Lord calls these spirits he cast out of people as unclean spirits. They are all evil spirits.

According to Matt 25:41, and Rev 12:9, there are just two divisions of these evil spirits. The devil(diabolos) and his angels. (daimonion or messengers). All his angels are devils like himself. They have an organized hierarchy with different levels of power and authority, yet they are all evil spirits which we have been given the authority to tread on, and cast them out. (Luke 10:19, Mark 16:17)

CONFESSION

I thank you, heavenly father for the truth of your word. I have received authority from you to tread on the devil and all his power, that includes all his cohorts in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ. I live daily above every principality and power in Jesus name.

FURTHER STUDIES

Luke 10:19 KJV ” Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Ephesians 6:12. KJV” For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Matthew 25:41 KJV “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels”:

The topic of demons, is a very important one for every Christian as well as the non-Christian to know. Demons are spirit beings subjected to the will of Satan their master. Their activities are primarily to influence humans in every negative way, and ultimately send them to hell. Hell, according to our key scripture was prepared for the devil and his angels, and not for mankind. (Human spirits who refuse Christ to be Lord of their lives, would ultimately end up there)

The Bible uses a number of names or titles for them. They are called evil spirits (Luke 7:21). This description of them show what they do. They are spirits who do only evil things. There is no occasion of goodness in them. Luke 8:2 KJV” And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,”. They are also called devils as seen in the preceding scripture. They are described as the angels of the devil. The term angels simply mean” messengers” They run errands for the devil, and do his bidding. They are also called unclean spirits (Matt 10:1)

 Where do they come from? This question has brought about a lot of divergent views. I think this should not be so. We must be very objective with the scriptures and not try to imagine any strange phenomenon. Some have defined them as disembodied spirits (that is not having a physical form) seeking for expression in human beings or other living forms, like animals. This definition also makes certain schools of thought to say that they are the product of the relationship between the sons of God in Genesis chapter 6, who became giants. They claim it was their spirit after their death that became these evil spirits. The problem with this teaching is that, how many giants came out of this union. Note that, demons far outnumber men in every generation now or future.  (To be continued)

PRAYER

I pray heavenly Father that you open up our understanding, not to become speculative in interpreting the word of God. I pray also that under no circumstances would we allow demons to manipulate our lives in any way, but always acting in line with your word, we would be able to deal with them.

FURTHER STUDIES

Matthew 12:24. KJV” But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, this fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils”.

Matthew 10:1. KJV “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease”.