This next part is a little confusing to me. I have been hesitant to write notes on it because I was at a loss, but the best way to figure something out is to dive right into it and to see what the Word of God has to say. So here we go...
Stormie writes that her counselor spoke to her about being delivered from demon-oppression, not demon-possession. I understand what possession is, but I don't understand what oppression is in regards to us being demon-oppressed.As born again Christians we can not be demon possessed. When we have Christ dwelling in us Satan can not touch our spirit.
4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4, King James Version)
Now, even though Satan can not dwell in our spirit he can however, dwell in our souls. Which is what demon oppression is referring to.
We are of body, soul and spirit. Your spirit is the core of your being. You body is of course your outer layer. You soul is in between the two being made up of the mind, emotions and your will. Satan can get a hold of your body and your soul. He can attack both but if you are born again he can never touch you spirit, for that is the Lords.
So when Stormie and her counselor talk about demon-oppression it is referring to the attacks that Satan has on our body and soul. It is a very real thing but our Lord wants to deliver us from it.
Now that we understand the difference between oppression and possession and we know that we can not be demon-possessed as born again Christians lets look closer at being demon-oppressed.
The dictionary definition of oppression is-
Verb: come down on or cause to suffer
Adjective: burdened psychologically or mentally
How many of us can say that Satan many times has caused us to suffer or burdened us mentally and emotionally?
Here's some passages in the bible showing oppression.
7And when we cried unto the LORD God of our fathers, the LORD heard our voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression: (Deuteronomy 26:7, King James Version)
39Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow. (Psalm 107:39, King James Version)
9I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? (Psalm 42:9, King James Version)
So we begin to understand that it is a real thing. How do we get deliverance from it? Before we can get to being delivered from it we need to understand how it can happen.
Demon-oppression can happen...
1. Whenever there is direct disobedience to God's laws.
2. Where there are long-term negative emotions.
3. During times of involvement in any occult practice.
4. During times of tragedy or trauma.
5. During times of great disappointment.
6. By hardening the heart against God.
7. By inheriting spiritual bondage.
1. Whenever there is direct disobedience to God's laws.
2. Where there are long-term negative emotions.
3. During times of involvement in any occult practice.
4. During times of tragedy or trauma.
5. During times of great disappointment.
6. By hardening the heart against God.
7. By inheriting spiritual bondage.
Satanic bondage begins with flesh bondage. Flesh bondage is about your wants, your way, your desire. If you continue to give into your fleshly desires then you give entry to the devil to establish a stronghold. We are what allows the devil to rule in our lives. We need to ask God for deliverance.
Some clear signs that you need deliverance are:
You have memories of past hurts and failures that never go away.
You have a hard time forgiving certain people even though you have tried.
You are addicted to drugs, alcohol and/or food.
You have a hard time controlling your emotions and/or anger.
You had adulterous affair or sex outside marriage.
You can not frogive your parents enough to feel love and compassion for them.
You are doing everything in the Lord you know to do yet are still depressed.
You can not sense God in your prayers or worship.
You feel empty, distant from God and don't feel as though you are growing in His path.
Small task and decision making are hard for you.
You have a hard time keeping and making friends.
You have memories of past hurts and failures that never go away.
You have a hard time forgiving certain people even though you have tried.
You are addicted to drugs, alcohol and/or food.
You have a hard time controlling your emotions and/or anger.
You had adulterous affair or sex outside marriage.
You can not frogive your parents enough to feel love and compassion for them.
You are doing everything in the Lord you know to do yet are still depressed.
You can not sense God in your prayers or worship.
You feel empty, distant from God and don't feel as though you are growing in His path.
Small task and decision making are hard for you.
You have a hard time keeping and making friends.
If any of this sounds like you then you need deliverance. Ask the Lord to show you what it is in your life that is keeping Satans hold on you. Deliverance wont change you but it will let the real you come through. The you that the Lord wants you to be.
Now onto the Seven steps to deliverance that Stormie takes us through.
1.Confessing-The devil will continue to have a hold of you wherever there is unconfessed sin. If God shows you the work of an evil spirit in your life you must repent of anything you may have done to give that spirit control.
2. Renouncing-Confessing is to speak the truth about your sin but to renounce it is to take a firm stand against it and removing its right to stay. Know what it is and cast out that evil spirit. Pick a verse that applies to your situation and say it every time you are tempted. Make it clear that you will no longer entertain that spirit and it is to be removed from you in Jesus' name.
3. Forgiving-Any unforgiveness will hinder your deliverance. Ask God to reveal to you anything that needs forgiving and as it its brought forth in your mind give it to the Lord and forgive, no matter how long ago or how painful the memory was.
4. Speaking-Proclaiming your deliverance cements in our minds what God has done for us. Say it "The Lord has delivered me from _____ and I refuse to give way to it anymore. Amen!"
2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; (Psalm 107:2, King James Version)
5. Praying-Deliverance happens by praying from the depth of your heart.
17The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17, King James Version)
Your prayers are more effective when you fill your mind with the Word of God. The knowledge and truth of His Word can liberate you.
32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32, King James Version)
6. Praising-Worship invites God's presence and in the presence of God deliverance happens.
7. Walking-The devil will always be there trying to kill the work the Lord has done and destroy you hope for a life different. Combat that by walking in the Lords way. Refuse to go back to your old habits, instead create new ones. Stay far away from the things that tempt you and say to Satan when he tempts you "Away, I will not be tempted by you, for I have been delivered by Jesus Christ."
The Lord never gives up on us and praise Him for that. He will continue to deliver us when we fail to walk in His ways but we will suffer because our wholeness is delayed.
43Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. 44Nevertheless he regarded their affliction, when he heard their cry: 45And he remembered for them his covenant, and repented according to the multitude of his mercies. (Psalm 106:43-45, King James Version)
If we continue to reach out to the Lord and gave place for Jesus in us then He will restore us and deliver us. We will find that eventually we will
be rid of the negative emotions and habits that keeps us from being all that God desires us to be. It wont happen overnight or even in a week, a month, a years time. It is a continual work in progress. You can't just read these notes or a few books and verses then be all better. It takes steps and time. Don't let Satan oppress you by telling you things like "it will never happen, you will never change, your not good enough or worthy, God has forgotten you." These are lies! Lies that we too often believe. Meditate on the Truth of the Word of God.7Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (1 Peter 5:7, King James Version)
Remember Always,
He Cares for You.
Lord, I pray that I may take the necessary steps to be delivered by you. I admit I am a sinner and I need your help. Help me, Lord, not to be discouraged. Not to loose hope as I go through this journey of being delivered. Help me to be all that you desire for me to be and help me Lord to always remember that You, the creator of all, cares for me. Give me the ability to stand strong against the evil one. Set me free from anything that keeps me from being all that you made me to be. I love you, Lord.
Amen.
May Jesus, the living God be with you and continue to use you. thank you for sharing your wisdom. Be encouraged.
ReplyDeleteYour sister in Christ,
Lianne.