Revelation of Authority and Discernment

PART VI - REALMS OF SATANIC INFLUENCE

A. INTRODUCTION

1 BODIES – Our bodies will always manifest the symptoms of the type of control that is prevalent. In other words, the body is the

“showroom” while the soulish or spirit control by demons constitutes the “factory” or “production center.”

2 SOUL – The soul of man is the area of his thoughts, emotions and will.

3 SPIRIT – The spirit of man is his conscience – it relates to God directly (Proverbs 20:27; John 4:23-24)

INTRODUCTION

The realms of satanic influence are mainly in the spirit and/or soulish realms. The Lord Jesus confirms this in Matthew 15:18-20.

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man…”

B. CONSCIENCE

Conscience (suneidesis in the Greek. Verb = suneideo). Sun = “together with”; eideo (verb) = “to know intuitively.” Therefore, the word conscience means “intuitively knowing together with God, being conscious of God’s demands upon a person, i.e. consciously knowing what God expects.”

CONSCIENCE

How can a person whose conscience is not born again (John 3:3-5) or transformed by the nature of godliness in Christ Jesus, walk in the knowledge of God’s expectations? You can’t give what you don’t have.

Or else, if that conscience is controlled, influenced or manipulated by evil forces of satanism or demons, how can it produce and live in the ways of God’s expectations?

The Bible declares that in the last days, because of the influence of seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, some people’s consciences will be seared with a hot iron (Read I Timothy 4:1-2).

CONSCIENCE

Again, the scriptures declare in Romans 1:21, 24, 28

“Because that, when they knew God they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.”

1. The first deliverance therefore is the salvation of our consciences –being born again. Demonic influences will resist departure when a person has not been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb.

2. Demons therefore gain control in the conscience area and can then possess the non believer.

C. SOULISH

SATAN'S THOUGHTS:

In II Corinthians 2:11, the Bible says,

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (Greek: Noema=thoughts)

Satan, therefore, can take advantage of our ignorance and oppress or influence us in the area of our thoughts. This area of oppression affects unbelievers as well as some believers.

D. THE BODY

Whether it is the conscience or the thought realm that is being influenced, primarily, the flesh is the “showroom.” The following scriptures will explain this statement Galatians 5:19-21:

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these, adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of which I tell you before, as I have also told in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

There will be uncontrollable and persistent manifestations of the symptoms listed above, in an individual controlled by demonic influences.

THE BODY

In I John 2:15-17, the Word of God says:

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof. But he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”

The Bible summarizes the works of the flesh in this world as resulting from three actions:

 The lust of the flesh

 The lust of the eyes

 The pride of life

THE BODY

Lust itself arises from the heart or soulish realm. In Matthew 12:34b, 35, it is written:

“…for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth evil things.”

The word heart (Greek: kardia), is used figuratively here for thoughts or feelings (mind) – Refer: Strong’s Concordance. Jesus alluded to the same manifestations of the heart in Matthew 15:8, before He went on to explain what it does in Matthew 15:18-20.

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man…” Matthew 15:18-20

E. SUMMARY

In summary, deliverance must focus on the following realms:

1. Conscience (Spirit man, belly, innerman, new man)

2. Soul

 Thoughts and imaginations

 Emotions

 Will

3. Body (As in Galatians 5:19-21)

 Habits and sin

 Five (5) senses: sight, smell, taste, hearing, touch

In real life, the distinctions aren’t always marked.

PART VII - POWER OVER GENERATIONAL CURSES

I. INTRODUCTION

“Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Romans 5:18-19

II. DEFINITIONS

A. GENERATION

According to Nelson’s Dictionary A body of people who live at the same time in a given period of history. Examples: Deuteronomy 32:5; Matthew 11:16; Luke 9:41 77

GENERATION

Here it is synonymous with age. A single succession, made up of a set of individuals who share a common ancestor, in the line of their descent. Examples: Genesis 17:7; Exodus 1:6; Matthew 1:17

The word “generation” is usually used in the Bible to refer to a specific (Genesis 15:16) or more frequently an indefinite period of time.

However, in the English language, it is used to refer to the “…average period of time between the birth of a parent and the birth of his first born child, about 25-30 years”. (Nelson’s Dictionary) Vine’s definition of “generation” has to do with “an origin”, “a lineage” or

“birth.”

GENERATION

By Nelson’s definition, there is always a common ancestor when referring to a genealogy. This common ancestor produces good or evil along the family line.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Romans 5:12

B. GENEALOGY

Nelson defines this as “a list of a person's ancestors that normally contains the members of each generation in succession. This may be expressed in the form of a ‘family tree’, ‘family history’ or ‘family record’.”

C. SEED

Originally the word was used of plants as seed. Used figuratively of posterity or descendants.

SEED “The descendants collectively traced back to one ancestor.’ (Spiros Zodhiates. New Testament Word Study Dictionary).

D. CURSE

According to Spiros Zodhiates’ New Testament Word Study Dictionary, it means” …the rejection and curse proceeding from God, the destruction resulting from judgment. It is equivalent to judgment without mercy in James 2:13. The word involves both the sentence of the divine judgment and the ruin therein inflicted, the manifested curse.”

It also means:

 A Reviling

 A Reproach

 A Lowering to a lesser state

 A prayer for injury, harm, or misfortune to befall someone (Nelson’s Dictionary).

 The opposite of being blessed (blessed: favored, happy, fully satisfied, lucky, successful, prosperous, equipped with good genius).

CURSE

“In Bible times, a curse was considered to be more than a mere wish that evil would befall one’s enemies; it was believed to possess the power to bring about the evil the curser spoke”

(Nelson’s Dictionary).

E. GENERATIONAL CURSE

From the sections above, a generational curse may be defined as

“a curse that runs through a generation starting with unrepented sin (disobedience to God) in the life of a common ancestor.”

Let’s read the following scriptures together:

GENERATIONAL CURSE

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.” Exodus 20:3-5

“But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statues which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee.”

Deuteronomy 28:15

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed shall live:” Deuteronomy 30:19 (Italics added)

GENERATIONAL CURSE

Well, in case someone says all that is Old Testament, listen to what Jesus says in Matthew 5:17, 18:

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”

But the greatest generational curse is that arising from the original sin. The Bible records that:

“…all have sinned and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

So by the one man (generic: Adam) sin entered into the world (Romans 5:12) and the consequence of sin or God’s judgment – the curse of the law came upon all men (Romans 5:18,19; Genesis 3:14-21).

A. SOME OTHER BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF GENERATIONAL CURSES:

1. II Samuel 3:29,30 – David cursed Joab’s lineage with:

 Generational discharges (sores)

 Generational leprosy

 Generational crippling diseases

 Generational violent deaths

 Generational poverty because Joab and Abishai, his brother, committed murder by killing Abner.

SOME OTHER BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF GENERATIONAL CURSES

2. II Samuel 12:9-12,14 – David is cursed by the Lord for adultery with Bathsheba as well as conspiracy and the murder of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband.

 The sword will not depart from David’s house

 David’s wives will be taken before his eyes and given to his neighbor

 His neighbor will lie with David’s wives in the sight of the sun

 David will be openly cursed before all Israel

 The resultant child, because David gave God’s enemies occasion to blaspheme Him, will die (II Samuel 12:14)

3. I Kings 21:21-24, 29 – King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, are cursed of God for covetousness, conspiracy and the murder of Naboth.

SOME OTHER BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF GENERATIONAL CURSES

 Evil will be brought on Ahab

 His posterity will be taken away from him

 Every male, bond and free, will be utterly cut off from Ahab

 His household will be cursed like that of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, and Baasha, the son of Ahijah.

 The dogs will eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.

4. Numbers 35:33-34 – Bloodshed defiles the land of habitation

5. Joshua cursed the land of Jericho after his conquest. Joshua 6:26; I Kings 16:34

6. I Kings 11:1-3 – Solomon’s posterity is cursed because he went after the gods that his wives worshipped and forsook Jehovah God.

 His kingdom will be torn from him and given to his servant

7. Jeremiah 22:24-30; (refer to David’s promise in II Samuel 7:11-13; I Kings 2:46; I Kings 8:25; I Kings 9:5; II Chronicles 6:16; 7:18)

SOME OTHER BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF GENERATIONAL CURSES

 Jeconiah does not sit upon this throne, neither his children (listed in I Chronicles 3:17,18). “Written childless” does not mean that he had no children, but that none of his children would sit upon the throne.

8. Genesis 9:20-26 – Noah cursed Canaan who most probably fiddled sexually with his drunken father.

 A servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren. Genesis 9:25-26

 Ham, his father on the other hand, is not cursed

III. CONCLUSION

In concluding, the Bible says in Proverbs 26:2:

“… so the curse causeless shall not come.”

Every curse has a cause. The cause for a generational curse is a curse arising from the consequences of an unrepentant disobedience (sin) to the law of God, traceable to a common ancestor.

PART VIII - THE CHOICE IS YOURS

I. BLESSING OR CURSE

“Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; a blessing if ye obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day: and a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.” Deuteronomy 11:26-28

II. THE CHOICE: YOUR GOD-GIVEN RIGHT

From our Introduction it is very obvious that:

THE CHOICE: YOUR GOD-GIVEN RIGHT

1. Every blessing is transmittable along generation lines. So also,

2. Every curse is transmittable along generation lines. From our reference scripture above, we find the matter of choice of a blessing or curse presented to use from God’s word. We may not have had a choice as to the inherited sin and its consequence, but we certainly have a choice as to the continuation or progression of the curse. We will see the details of this in latter sections. It is important to note that:

1. God has placed every law of His word to be ‘self operative’. The devil does not need to be invited as an agent of destruction the moment God’s law is violated. He knows when it has been violated and he just follows along naturally until there is a reversal by righteousness.

THE CHOICE: YOUR GOD-GIVEN RIGHT

2. When once a violation of God’s word is effected and not repented of, the law of sin and it’s accompanying curse(s) enter into immediate and automatic operation. At this point, God is not judging you in any direct sense, but He allows the fulfillment of His word. Your sin, therefore, directly judges you since as part of its operative life cycle, it carries the penalty, the consequence, the judgment or the curse resulting from that sin. Of course, in its direct sense, God is the author of His word. But His word is meant to bless when obeyed. But the choice of obedience to inherit those blessings is still ours. A very good example of this is that every citizen of the United States is protected by the law and the constitution of the country. But once there is a violation of that same protective law, the law enforcement agencies immediately go into operation to enforce the penalty(ies) for violating the law.

THE CHOICE: YOUR GOD-GIVEN RIGHT

The law does not hate you. The President of the United States does not hate you, neither is he ordering a new law just to have you arrested. The law pays you an automatic price for obeying and keeping it: protection. Violation of the law also pays you an automatic price: maybe prison custody.

You will be totally wrong to blame the President of the United States for your arrest. He does not hate you. You violated the law and you had to pay the price. Praise God. God does not hate you, nor your family, nor your generation. It is not His will that any man should perish.

You need to make a choice to stop that vicious cycle running through your family today, in the Name of Jesus.

THE CHOICE: YOUR GOD-GIVEN RIGHT

In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus says,

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

A further proof that you can and need to make that choice today is found in God’s Holy Word in Ezekiel 18:18-20 (Compare Exodus 20:5)

“As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, so even he shall die in his iniquity. Yet say ye, why? Doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.” Ezekiel 18:18-20

THE CHOICE: YOUR GOD-GIVEN RIGHT

What an encouraging scripture! Is God contradicting Himself? No, forever no. All He is saying here is that the law of righteousness or right-standing with God will reverse the law of sin and generational curses!

THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

III. CONCLUSION

In concluding Part VIII, I would like to say to you,

“We have a responsibility in everything that concerns our lives, yet we are not responsible for everything in our lives.”

But just where did all this headache start from?

PART IX - REALMS TO FOCUS ON

A. UNBELIEVERS

1. Conscience (Spirit)

2. Soul

3. Body The word “demonic possession” will more appropriately relate to the influence of demons in a non believer. They can influence spirit, soul and body. Spirit, because their spirits (consciences) being unregenerated are vulnerable to the influence of powers of darkness.

MIND BLINDING

“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not…” (II Corinthians 4:4a)

UNBELIEVERS

So, in ministering to the unsaved, the first procedure is to lead them to the saving knowledge and power of the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 3:3-5; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:5-11).

IT MUST BE MADE VERY CLEAR THAT NOT ALL NON

BELIEVERS ARE DEMON POSSESSED!

B. BELIEVERS

1. Soul

2. Body

BELIEVERS

The word “demonic oppression or suppression” (which is a lesser degree than possession) can be more appropriately used for a believer who is demonically afflicted. The believer’s conscience is regenerated. He is born again. His conscience cannot therefore be under demonic torment; but his mind is unregenerated.

The mind needs to be renewed by the Word (Ephesians 4:23; Romans 12:1; II Corinthians 10:3-5). He can be oppressed in his mind or soulish realm. The first procedure in ministering to believers oppressed of demons is to teach them their sonship rights and then deliver them from the soulish oppression in the Name of Jesus.

This can be done by the believer himself or by a minister anointed to minister deliverance. It must be stated categorically here that it is very erroneous to claim that all believers are oppressed of demons, or that all believers need deliverance. The next logical question is, can a believer be oppressed of demons?

PART X - DEMONIC OPPRESSION IN THE BELIEVER

This age-old debate and question should be settled by the following New Testament scriptures:

A. Luke 13:10-18 – We have the story of the woman with the spirit of infirmity

for 18 years. In verse 16 of this story, Jesus calls this woman, “A daughter of Abraham,” whom Satan has bound for 18 years. Church, that’s a believer! For the Bible, referring to our faith in Christ Jesus, in Romans 4:16c calls Abraham, “The Father of us all.”

B. Luke 22:31-34 – This scripture gives the prophecy of Peter’s denial of the

Christ, where Jesus states the following:

FAITH FOR DELIVERANCE

“…Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)

DEMONIC OPPRESSION IN THE BELIEVER

This was near the close of Jesus’ ministry. Peter was a believer at the time. Satan demanded permission to oppress Peter. Praise God that Jesus’ prayer for Peter was answered. He showed this in His life and ministry during and after Pentecost.

C. Matthew 16:22-23 – Here Peter rebuked Jesus concerning His death.

The Bible declares that Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get thee behind me, Satan…” Peter was not Satan by any means, but at this time, he was taken over by a foul spirit. Jesus cast the devil out.

D. EPHESIANS 6:10-18 – Believers are asked to stand against the wiles or

schemes of the devil. We wrestle against principalities and powers.

E. II CORINTHIANS 10:3-5 – The Bible teaches that the weapons of our

warfare are not carnal (not human!)

DEMONIC OPPRESSION IN THE BELIEVER

F. LUKE 6:12 – We are told the Lord Jesus Christ spent the whole night in

prayer to God and chose twelve (12) apostles including Judas Iscariot (Luke 6:16). The Word of God says that Judas Iscariot later abandoned his primary calling and became a thief (John 12:6), stealing from the financial purse of Jesus’ ministry. That habit opened the door for Satan to enter in.

In John’s gospel 13:27, we are told that the inevitable happened because of his lack of repentance. “And after the sop, Satan entered into him…”

G. JAMES 3:14-16 – The Bible makes it clear that yielding ourselves to jealousy

and selfish ambitions may open us to be controlled by wisdom which is

“earthly, natural and demonic.”

H. I TIMOTHY 4:1-3 – We are told that yielding to seducing spirits and doctrines

of devils will bring our consciences under such demonic control equal to searing them with a hot iron.

DEMONIC OPPRESSION IN THE BELIEVER

I. EPHESIANS 4:26-27 – The Bible commands that we do not sin in our

anger no “give the devil a foothold.” (NIV)

J. II Corinthians 2:11 – The Bible says Satan can take advantage of our

ignorance by oppressing us in the thought realm.

K. I PETER 5:6-9 – We are told the devil roars around like a lion seeking

whom he may “devour” – consume or swallow up. The same word is used in I Corinthians 15:54, “Death is swallowed up in victory.” To be swallowed up means to be controlled.

L. ACTS 5:1-11 – We have the story of Ananias and his wife. They were

both believers in the early church. Peter asked him this question, “Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?”

The same word for filled in Acts 5:3, pleroo is used in Ephesians 5:18, “Be filled with the Spirit.” It is possible for the believer to be filled with satanic deception or filled with the Holy Spirit.

DEMONIC OPPRESSION IN THE BELIEVER

M. JAMES 4:7 – The Bible tells us that after submitting ourselves to God, we

should resist the devil and he will flee from us.

N. ACTS 8:9-25 – The Word of God says that Simon, who practiced sorcery

earlier in his life, got saved. After his salvation (Acts 8:13), Peter and John came down from Jerusalem to minister the baptism of the Holy Spirit to the saints in Samaria (including Simon, the ex-sorcerer). Simon hadn’t been delivered from his previous powers and so he advanced money for power, having been used to the demonic work of power (Acts 8:19).

Peter rebuked him in Acts 8:20 for thinking that the Power of God could be purchased with money.

There are therefore more than enough proofs in the New Testament, as well as the Old, to show that a believer may be oppressed or influenced by demonic forces. What then are some of the roots of these oppressions?

PART XI - ROOTS OF DEMONIC INFLUENCE

CURSE CAUSELESS

"As the bird by wandering, as the swallow by flying, so the curse causeless shall not come.” Proverbs 26:2

1. Ancestral spirits and covenants/generational curses. Genesis 3:14-21; Galatians 3:13-14; Romans 3:23; 5:12-21;I Kings 21:21-24,29; Number 35:33-34; II Samuel 12:10; I Kings 11:1-13; Jeremiah 23:34 Generational curses might be also come because of vengeance. An example is when David cursed Joab’s lineage (II Samuel 3:29,30) with: a. Generational discharges (sores) b. Generational leprosy c. Generational crippling diseases d. Generational violent death e. Generational poverty

ROOTS OF DEMONIC INFLUENCE

A second example is Jeconiah. Jeremiah 22:30,24-30; 24:1. Also, consider the story of Abraham/Hagar/Ishmael. Genesis 16:7-12

2. Habits and sin (including occultic/mystic habits). Luke 11:24,25; 6:12; II Corinthians 6:14-18; Isaiah 47:9; 48:22; Proverbs 13:21; 13:2: Romans 1:21-24, 26-32; Deuteronomy 28:61; John 12:6; 13:27; Luke 6:12. I Corinthians 5:1-5; I Timothy 1:19-20 – You must have spiritual or physical jurisdiction in order to pray this type of prayer.

3. Associations. I Corinthians 15:33; II Corinthians 6:14-18; I Kings 22:29-40; Proverbs 13:20; Psalm 14:1; Isaiah 47:12-15; Leviticus 20:6-7; I Kings 11:1-13

4. Curses through leadership or headship. Isaiah 9:16; II Samuel 24:10-16; Jeremiah 23:1-4

5. General attacks from the demonic world. II Corinthians 12:7-10; Matthew 4:1-11; I Thessalonians 2:18

ROOTS OF DEMONIC INFLUENCE

6. Curses from a cursed land – Joshua 6:26; I Kings 16:34; Leviticus 18:27-28 – A defiled land spies out its inhabitants.

7 Blessings/ Curses from Names

 Abram (Exalted father) – Abraham (Father of many nations) Genesis 17:5

 Jacob (Supplanter) – Israel (Prince with God) – Genesis 35:10 Hosea 1:1-2;5

 Jezreel – God scatters

 Lo-Ruhammah – No mercy

 Lo-Ammi – Not my people

8 Defilement of land by bloodshed and murders: Numbers 35:33; Genesis 9:6

9 Curses from disobedience/violation of God’s commandments: Deuteronomy 28:15f.

ROOTS OF DEMONIC INFLUENCE

10. Water Spirits Getting oppressed or possessed by water spirits (even generationally) as a result of mystic or occult use or both in water. Origin of water spirits: The dragon (Isaiah 27:1; Revelation 12:9f). The dragon is described as:

 A huge fish. Genesis 1:21; Job 7:12; Isaiah 27:1

 A marine or land monster, a dragon. Jeremiah 51:34

 A sea serpent, a whale, a shark, a crocodile. Ezekiel 29:3

 A snake. Exodus 7:9ff; Deuteronomy 32:33; Psalm 91:13; Job 26:13

OVERCOMING CURSES

1. Bind the strongman of the house – Matthew 12:29; Luke 11:21-23

2. By Prayer and Fasting – Matthew 17:19-21

3. Spiritual Warfare – Ephesians 6:12-18

4. Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony – Revelation 12:11

5. Destroy all connections with demonic/occult world – Acts 19:19; Deuteronomy 7:26; Joshua 7:1-5; 11:26; Luke 11:24-26