CBN TEACHING SHEETS
Freedom from Demon Bondage
By CBN.com
CBN.com
– Demon
bondage can be brought about when an individual is possessed, oppressed, or is
in rebellion towards God (sins of the flesh). It takes God's discernment to determine
which of these is producing the bondage in an individual's life.
The Bible
makes it clear that there are demons, or evil spirits, in the world that interfere
in people's lives (Ephesians 6:11-19). Evil forces, or powers, influence
and control the minds of individuals, bring sickness and cause undesirable behavior,
inability to function normally, and even suicide. As a result of these forces,
people can become a danger to themselves as well as others.
What Scripture
Says "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or
his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer
of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar
spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination
unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them
out from before thee" (Deuteronomy 18:10-13). "For we wrestle not against
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of
the darkness of this world, against wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12).
"... there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs,
exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.... And he said unto them,
Go. And when they were come out,t hey went into the herd of swine: and, behold,
the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished
in the waters" (Matthew 8:28b, 32). "There came also a multitude
out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them with
which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one" (Acts
5:16). "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,
revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told
you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom
of God" (Galatians 5:19-21). Indications of Demon Activity The
following areas may help you to recognize your need for being released from demonic
oppression, possession or bondages of the flesh (sin): - Compulsion to
abuse animals or people;
- Sexual perversion and immorality (homosexuality,
molestation,etc.);
- A compulsion to abuse your body (drugs, alcohol, gluttony,
abuse or misuse of other substances, etc.);
- Seeking spiritual knowledge through
Eastern religions and other counterfeit religious groups (TM, Yoga, humanism,
etc.);
- Involvement in occult practices (fortune-telling, Satanism, etc.);
- Mental distress or oppression (anxiety, fear, anger, disorientation, etc.);
- Psychological disorders (split and multiple personalities, paranoia, etc.);
- Physical disorders may be demon caused (Matthew 9:32, 33);
- Lack
of freedom or joy in the Lord (spiritual bondage);
- Inability or constant refusal
to repent of sin, though you know you are sinning (rebellion).
See
Bible passages under References/Homework and in a Bible dictionary and concordance
for examples of the above. If you are having difficulty in discerning your problem,
please seek help from a local pastor, elder or Christian counselors who will help
you to discern your need and can counsel and pray with you. What Is God's
Answer? "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me
to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted,
to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to
set at liberty them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord"
(Luke 4:18, 19). This prophecy concerning the Messiah was fulfilled
in Christ, and the authority noted herein has been passed on to Christians (Mark
16:17). Jesus came to free those under demon bondage. "For whosoever shall
call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13). The term
"saved" or "salvation" includes your spiritual, physical and mental health. You
need to pray sincerely to the Lord that He will forgive your sin, cleanse you,
be your Saviour and Lord and baptize (fill) you with the Holy Spirit (I John
1:8, 9; John 1:12; Luke 11:13; Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit
will give you the power to overcome demon bondage, activity and influence. You
will be free. You can experience an abundant, full, meaningful life with the joy
and purpose God desires for you (John 10:10). If You Can't Pray In
Victory First, you need to be sure your problem is not a fleshly, willful
one on your part. Take a bold, fearless inventory of yourself. You must choose
whom you will serve; self and fleshly desire, Satan or God? Repent of all sinful
desires. Renounce sin and sinfulness and its ingrained habits. Commit yourself
to Christ with determination and resolve. After you have repented and asked for
forgiveness, accept God's assurance that you are a child of God and have been
forgiven. If you need further help, the elders of the church can pray and minister
to you (James 5:14,15). Also, counselors at CBN 700 Club can pray with
you by telephone. How You Can Stay Free You cannot reckon an evil
spirit dead nor crucify an evil spirit. Neither can you cast out the flesh. You
must crucify the flesh (Galatians 2:20) and its desires and cast out evil
spirits (James 4:7). When demons or evil spirits are cast out, you need
something to replace them, lest they return (Matthew 12:43-48). You
can be assured of victory over demons if you have received Jesus as Saviour and
Lord (John 1:12), and have received the baptism with the Holy Spirit (Acts
1:8). The Holy Spirit guides you into truth, empowers you, and intercedes
for you. He also gives you spiritual gifts, such as discerning of spirits, for
your welfare and that of others (I Corinthians 12; Mark 16:9-20).
As you receive God's nature, the traits of your fleshly nature (such as irresponsible
behavior, pride, and lack of love) will be replaced by the fruit of the Spirit
(Galatians 5:22,23). Your greatest need is to continually study God's
Word. Meditate upon the Bible day and night (Joshua 1:8) to put on the
whole armor of God that you might be able to effectively overcome the forces of
evil (Ephesians 6:10-18). Jesus answered Satan with the Word of God (Luke
4:1-13). You can do the same. Pray withoutc easing (I Thessalonians 5:17)
and get into a local church fellowship for further ministry (Hebrews 10:25).
As You Pray Consistently honor God with thanksgiving and praise.
As you give Him first place in your thoughts and actions, Satan and his demons
will have no place in your life. References/Homework Read "Defeated
Enemies" by Corrie Ten Boom; "Demons in the World Today" by Merrill
Unger; and "The Devil's Alphabet" by Kurt Koch. Bible References to demonic activity:
- I Samuel 28
- Matthew 8:28-32; 9:32, 33; 12:43-45; 15:22-28; 17:15-18
- Mark 1:23-27
- Luke 8:2; 10:17
- Acts 5:16; 8:7; 19:12
- Revelation
16:13, 14
Related article: Free Indeed! Are you searching for peace with God? Find it here!
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us an e-mail using our online form so that we can pray with you. Scripture references are taken form the New American Standard
translation of the Bible.
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