DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT WEDNESDAY - Demonic Actions in This Hour. Part 2.

Satan is neither omnipotent nor free to do everything he pleases. Prince of the world he may be, but the Prince of Peace has come and dealt him a death blow. - Harold Lindsell.

And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. - Mark 1:23-26.

Christians must not fear or ignore the devil. Both positions are dangerous. The hog nosed snake is an evil looking reptile which responds to the threat of danger with two ruses. First, it impersonates a pit viper, coiling and striking and hissing viciously.

If this fails to intimidate the attacker the snake turns belly up, opens its mouth and lolls its tongue out, playing dead. If it is picked up and placed right side up it simply turns over and resumes the death ruse again. It seems to realize that if it cannot bluff, it has to mimic death. - Richard Lovelace.

Yesterday in Part 1, we discussed ‘The Reality Of Demons,’ and emphasised in Ephesians 6:12… For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Today, we are looking at how…

DEMONIC MANIFESTATION OCCURS IN THREE DIFFERENT WAYS

By Oppression
The idea of oppression means to rule over or to take authority over someone, to put someone down, or implement dominion over them... How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. - Acts 10:38.

Today, nothing has changed, Jesus in the same way has anointed His followers to do the same work. He has given us the power of healing the sick, raising the dead, etc;

And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." - Mar 16:15-18.

Many people will argue against this, saying that these words were not in the original manuscripts. My answer to that is, many Christians use that as an excuse, to do nothing! Out of the 4,200 original Greek Manuscripts in existence, 618 contain the gospels, and 616 contain Mark 16:9-20, 2 of them it did not contain Mark 16:9-20, and 3,582 did not contain the gospels.

I believe that Jesus wanted these verses in the Bible, and wants us to carry out His commands. no matter what men say, these ministries occur on a regular basis today. Space and time do not allow me to detail the miracles of healings, deliverances, and other mighty miracles I have seen, as I have travelled this world, ministering the Word of God, and the signs that accompanied me.

The devil is a better theologian than any of us and is a devil still. - A. W. Tozer.

By Obsession
This is also known as ‘Tormenting’ spirits, and this is when the mind is afflicted... who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. - Luke 6:18. And in Acts 5:16 The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

We see many people today who are obsessed with the things of this world. In addition, it is through the obsessive attacks from evil forces, that people wander into having bizarre ideas. They think on money, sex, drugs, or alcohol continuously. The Bible constantly speaks of obsessions with unclean spirits.

By Possession
As in Mark 1:32-34 That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. The people there were literally possessed with demons, and He cast them out.

What is a possessed person? Well, this is dealing with an area where a demon is not oppressing from without, or obsessing from within the mind, but has actually taken up residency in the heart and soul of an individual. The place reserved for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit has been invaded and occupied by an evil presence.

In Mark 1- 23, the man is expressing the life of Satan because of his possession. My friends what is in our hearts will eventually manifest itself, in our life and actions. Can a Child of God be possessed? I believe that it is very, very, difficult, for a Christian to be possessed, but it is possible if they turn their back on God, and refuse to acknowledge Him.

John Paton was a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands. One night hostile natives surrounded the mission station, intent on burning out the Patons and killing them. Paton and his wife prayed during that terror-filled night that God would deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see their attackers leave. A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ.

Remembering what had happened, Paton asked the chief what had kept him from burning down the house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, "Who were all those men with you there?" Paton knew no men were present--but the chief said he was afraid to attack because he had seen hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords circling the mission station. - Today in the Word.

I believe every committed, Spirit-filled Christian, should be involved in spiritual warfare, in obedience to Him and His commands, and for His glory! Tomorrow we study THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS in our conclusion.

Loving Father, I thank you that we have been given authority to trample over the enemy! By the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to realise that the weapons of my warfare are not of this world, but are mighty to pulling down demonic strongholds. Help me Lord to step up my prayer life, in Jesus powerful name, I pray, amen!

GBYAY