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.
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