Avalon Chronicles #197: Spiritual Healing-Part Three Door Openers (Cont)

 Reference: Cox, Everett. Doing the Supernatural Works of Jesus. 2010. Available on Amazon.

     A critical element of this teaching related to understanding why evil spirits can torment Christians is contained in Chapter 4. In #196 we discussed the need to close off all the doors, that, when opened, authorize demonic spirits to invade and work us over. As a reminder we discussed the need to be "born again," to confess all sins and to harbor no bitterness nor unforgiveness throughout our lives.

     Continuing along, there are other doors that must be closed or never to be opened for an invasion by the evil spirits. 

     A long life may be ensured when children honor their parents, even though we may believe they do not deserve our honoring them. God's Word: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth." (Ephesians 6:1-3)

     Works of the Flesh: Not surprisingly this is a major door opener. What follows is from (NIV) Galatians 5:19-21. These sins must be recognized, admitted and repented of to be able to close off their impact from evil spirits. "The acts of the sinful nature (works of the flesh) are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissentions (divisions), factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." These hit home for so very many, perhaps most prevalent and evident. 

     Pride: As we examine ourselves and recognize that non-humility and pridefulness are present, we must repent and ask forgiveness. "Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil." (I Timothy 3:6)

     Witchcraft: "Any involvement with withcraft will open a door to demonic oppression. Messing with a ouija board, tarot cards, going to a fortune teller, having your palm read, reading horoscopes, astrology, etc....Anything that gives importance to any form of withcraft is a potential open door to demonic oppression. This gives demons 'rights' to torment others in the household and cause weird things to happen in the house."(30). See Deuteronomy 18: 10-12. 

      Drugs, Alcohol and Other Addictions: "The enemy will use addictions as an open door to give evil spirits permission to harass."(31) These addictions can be so debilitating and harmful to one's health. Addictions put self before God. This is an area that proper choices and self-control are most needed. 

       Traumas of the Past: Most harbor some emotional wounds of our past. "There are wounds from bad relationships, rejection (perceived or real), abandonment, physical, verbal, psychological or sexual abuse, severe frightening experiences, experiences with miscarriages, abortions, or having bad childhood memories...these traumas need inner healing."(31). "...He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted...to set at liberty them that are bruised..." (Luke 4:18) As a soldier severely wounded in Vietnam I endured suffering emotionally from my past traumas, as do many in the military, who were in warzones and came under fire or bombardments. At no time in years of secular counseling was I introduced to the aspect of a need for Jesus to help heal me from my wartime experiences. The world just talks to you and refills your prescription.    

      

     

Avalon Chronicles #196: Spiritual Healing Part Two "Open Doors"

 Reference: Cox, Everett. Doing the Supernatural Works of Jesus. Xulon Elite. 2010. Available on Amazon.

 Wimber, John. Power Evangelism. Minneapolis, MN: Chosen Books, 1986, 2009. 

     If you do not believe that Satan exists, then the devil has succeeded in keeping you uninformed! Ever since he took one third of the angels with him in his rebellion from Heaven, there has been an ongoing conflict on Mother Earth with all its inhabitants. But, the most important belief for our lives is that God DOES exist. Jesus died on the Cross so that by believing in Him we could live with God in eternity with our sins forgiven. "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work" (I John 3:8). John Wimber in Power Evangelism wrote "Satan's captivity of men and women has many facets, but denying them final salvation is his primary goal. However, there are other types of dominion: bondage to sin, physical and emotional problems, social disruption and demonic affliction." (41). Cox's book focuses on demonic affliction.

     In the previous message, spirits were discussed. A major factor to grasp as Christians is that demonic spirits are allowed to invade us because we allow "open doors." "An open door is a "root" or "legal right" that the spirit has to harass, torment or oppress an individual. We must deal with these before engaging evil spirits to cast them out" (19). Get ready: "I have seen unforgiveness as a major door" (19). Take heed now that a major open door to allow tormenting is our refusal to forgive others.  "How do we come under the influence of demons? The common entry: Christians open doors if we do not obey the word of God." (25). Believe it or not to your peril not to understand that, "We can also be affected by doors opened by our ancestors; their sins and iniquities." (25). Demons can bother us in the flesh and our soul.

     We can be "born again Christians," but can be tormented in body and in soul (mind, emotions and will). Remember we are powerless to this enemy unless we truly are "born again." This is how that occurs.

     Romans 10:9-11 tells us: 'That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto reighteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation..."(27).  Alright, we got that down, but then what about our sins? That is where it is challenging. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness." That is the beginning "door" that must be closed. Start with confessing sins, repenting and asking in the Name of Jesus for forgiveness. The most prevalent next is unforgiveness. This is the hardest. We cannot harbor unforgiveness or resentment against anyone.  Also, forgive oneself and God. 'Spirits of sickness, weakness, or infirmity use the unforgiveness door as a primary entry door in most cases." (28). 

    My wife Linda had experienced a sore left leg for years. In her mid-40s she had attended a really wonderful Bible Study at a private home. At the end she sat on a sofa and the leader asked another attendee  to come over to meet Linda to pray for healing of her leg. The other attendee did not introduce herself, but simply said to Linda, "I sense unforgiveness with you." Linda said she knew immediately and exactly to what that referred in her past history and chose to forgive the person. Linda says the leg healed immediately! The woman did not even have to pray over Linda! Linda definitely believes in the connection between illness and unforgiveness!!!! 

     I was severely wounded in 1967 in a mortar attack in a Special Forces camp in Vietnam. I had a challenge for several years and had the audacity for blaming God for allowing me to be wounded so severely that I lost both legs. Eventually, I realized I had chosen to go to war as a proud West Point graduate so, when I came to grips with reality therapy, I only had myself to blame. 

    Stay tuned for what comes next: Opening doors.

Avalon Chronicles # 195: Spiritual Healing-Part One

Resource: Doing the Supernatural Works of Jesus. Everett Cox. 2010. Available on Amazon or at Deliverance Ministry directly. www.delmin.org.

     The author of this book is a personal friend of mine. He has been a guest in my home twice. Former naval officer and pilot. He is now 91 and as sharp as if he were 71. His Deliverance Ministry is based in Edmund, OK (Oklahoma City area). The ministry is www.delmin.org. Take my word for it, the book and the website are power-packed with information. "There are many Christians who have certain problem areas in their lives. They have never received their victory in areas that torment them, including fear, anger or rage, chronic depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, perversions, wounds of the past, and many physical infirmities." (13). I can assure your obtaining this book, studying it and applying the areas in which you need emotional or physical healing will be like taking a post-graduate course in healing of your body, soul and spirit. 

     A reader will encounter, for many, a first time introduction to faith concepts that are beyond one's current dimension or level of spiritual maturity. Have an open mind and decide I do need a makeover and give this ministry a try. Cox has been at this for several decades. I believe a good place to begin exploring the healing process is to open the website www.delmin.org. Go to Ministry Tools on top bar. There is a lengthy list of topics. Go to "Problem List" and check off your issues that are your challenges. His ministry is a starting place to begin to heal and finally to cease letting the dark side of our lives dictate our spiritual state. A major cause of our spiritual, emotional and physical challenges becomes related to evil spirits. If that is too far out for you, then stop reading this message now. If you are ready to become more spiritually and physically whole, then keep reading. Cox writes, "Nor did I hear about His commands for believers to do the same works Jesus did; i.e. set the captives free, commanding evil spirits to leave an individual's soul (mind, will or emotions) or physical body. (Mark 16:17)"

     For most of our issues and problems the real root is a spirit; i.e. an anger problem is related to a spirit of anger. You will be introduced to the "open doors" concept, wherein your actions (obviously and typically sinful or wrong) and attitudes, which are not Godly, have set you up for our "enemy" to have the "legal right" for a representative of Satan's legions to take over and begin the torment, harassment and oppression of us. It is critical at this point to emphasize that we all reflect back on Sunday School class number one. Eve was deceived by the serpent to grab fruit off the wrong tree. Blame Adam and Eve for this disobedience that gave Satan his foothold on earth and over all of us. He is the God of earth and his army consists of the angels who rebelled and left Heaven in the great schism. These spirits became the demonic spirits, who work us over. In this book we will learn to shut the "open doors" so that these evil spirits lose their rights to attack us. Our God is in charge of the spirit world and is all-powerful. God has allowed Satan to work his evil until the end of time, before which the evil sides of our lives are allowed to prevail, rather than God in our lives and then God says, "Check Mate."