“The Theology of Spiritual Warfare” Chapter 7 of an ebook by Dave Bessey

Chapter Seven: Pause to Reflect

The initial goal was not just to write another dissertation on spiritual warfare. The vision is to break real spiritual chains in each person or nation. Truly, only Jesus can do this for He alone has the power. No spiritual warrior can do anything without the will of God, and the blood and name of Jesus proclaimed. Each spiritual warrior must be well trained in the ministry of deliverance. There is great danger of entering into this type of ministry without the calling and faith. During a time of evangelism (The Last days Harvest) there is the great possibility of demonic manifestation. We need to know what to do. Each situation is different. As we read in the new testament, the demons always appeared when Jesus began to speak the truth or just before. There is at least two reasons for this. They are afraid of what He will do and secondly they want to prevent or hinder Him from ministering (religious spirits). The true anointing of the Holy Spirit will make demons reveal themselves. The disruption will occur and we need to be prepared.

Remember this, the anointing and grace on the apostolic, prophetic and evangelistic minister is different than the pastor and teacher. (Ephesians 4:11-12) The discernment gift is quite strong with these ministers and the demons will manifest. If you have ever watched the television series “Grimm”, the demons will appear when the spiritual warrior, Grimm shows up to do battle or just walk in the room. Fiction only reflects or resembles reality, and reality is much more real, really, NO joke for real.

My point today is that as we dig deeper, we do not joke around with the spirit realm and demons. As stated early on we are not demon hunters, we are seekers of Christ Jesus. In following our Lord into battle, these demons will try to hinder us or even attack us. Their purpose is to neutralize us in the battle through personal attack or even confusion. I pray that today the confusion in your life and ministry will be lifted and you will know that we are victors in Christ and no demon has power over you unless you give it to him by lack of faith or by your words. They are limited in power, but you are only limited by your faith in Jesus. Jesus is the mighty warrior. The size of your God is directly proportional to the size of your faith. The size of God in power never changes, but our doubts and fears or lack of understanding affects our faith. Do you want to be more than a conqueror in Christ, than believe you are. The Word of God has already told you that you are. “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Let's read the whole text written by the Apostle John while he was battling many anti-christ like spirits in the church such as the gnostics and other religious spirits (doctrines of demons):

1 John Chapter 4 World English Bible

1 Beloved, don't believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit who doesn't confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes. Now it is in the world already. 4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world. 5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them. 6 We are of God. He who knows God listens to us. He who is not of God doesn't listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God. 8 He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love. 9 By this was God's love revealed in us, that God has sent his only born Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God loved us so, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we remain in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever will confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God. 16 We know and have believed the love which God has in us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. 17 In this love has been made perfect with us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love Him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn't love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 This commandment have we from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother. WEB

is the 1 John Chapter 5 World English Bible

1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God. Whoever loves the Father also loves the child who is born of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. His commandments are not grievous. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 6 This is he who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and the blood. It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7 For there are three who testify*Only a few recent manuscripts add “in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that testify on earth”: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and the three agree as one. 9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is God’s testimony which he has testified concerning his Son. 10 He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. He who doesn’t believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given concerning his Son. 11 The testimony is this, that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has the life. He who doesn’t have God’s Son doesn’t have the life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

14 This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. 15 And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.

16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death. I don’t say that he should make a request concerning this. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. 18 We know that whoever is born of God doesn’t sin, but he who was born of God keeps himself, and the evil one doesn’t touch him. 19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 20 We know that the Son of God has come, and has given us an understanding, that we know him who is true, and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. WEB

I shared these two chapters because the Word is not just about a sentence. God speaks in full thoughts. Let us build this idea even higher. The voice of God is continuous and He speaks fully. Jesus is the Word (Logos), but His voice is (Rhema). The power of His spoken word is way more than the sum of the individual letters on a page(s). Jesus is the embodiment of God and His written word in the flesh, which was made to be read...out loud. The power of this Word becomes a sword of the Spirit of God:

Hebrews Chapter 4 World English Bible

1 Let us fear therefore, lest perhaps a promise being left of entering into his rest, anyone of you should seem to have come short of it. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as also they, but the word of hearing did not profit them, because it was not mixed with faith by those who heard. 3 For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, "As I swore in my wrath, They will not enter into my rest;" although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has said somewhere about the seventh day like this, "God rested on the seventh day from all his works;" 5 and in this place again, "They will not enter into my rest." 6 Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter therein, and they to whom the good news were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience, 7 he again defines a certain day, today, saying through David so long a time afterward (just as has been said), "Today if you will hear his voice, Don't harden your hearts." 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. 9 There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, that no man fall after the same example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him with whom we have to do. 14 Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. 15 For we don't have a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for timely help. WEB

To be more than a conqueror you must be walking by faith in Jesus. We are not prideful Rambos. We are humble servants of Jesus who reach out in gentle love and mercy to the lost. Let me share an example that I believe God allowed for us to learn this message more clearly:

The other night my wife and I had just arrived at our Church center, about a half hour early before our mid-week service. Portia went to buy some water and snacks for later and I went up stairs to our center to fellowship and pray before the service. Pastor Jerry has been teaching a series on the attributes of God.

As I walked into the front area there was a few people gathering and it seemed they were getting ready to pray with someone. I just listened and stood back. Much of what was said was in the native tongue of Ilonggo. They were leading someone to Jesus. I began to pray, but my heart was not at peace, something was wrong. The look of the person who was there did not seem to be in a position of humility. He seemed agitated or better said, nervous. The Holy Spirit alerted me to this. After they had prayed and led him in a sinners prayer, I was asked to pray for him and then this is when I sensed the spirits that were in this young man. There was legend there. The Holy Spirit told me he was a drug user and addicted to shabu (metamphetimine) and also sleeping pills. He was full of the demons of anxiety/worry and very paranoid and much more. The demon of divination was strong in him. I rebuked the spirit of worry in the name of Jesus and then left the room to pray inside the center. I returned and the demon was speaking verses of scripture to me. I rebuked the demon again and said that we are to serve Jesus only that we are his servant and we walk by faith only in Him, and not be double minded. I spoke of real faith as resting only in Jesus. I left again after that and waited for Pastor Jerry since the service was now about to start and the person wanted a pastor. Pastor Jerry went outside and sent the young man home to sleep and said as he returned the young man was a drug addict and out of his mind.

There are certain things that need to be said about this story. Firstly, the demons picked the night of a gathering to show up. Secondly, the demon manifested after I arrived, the divination spirit is a strong demon and prophetic. The anointing on my life is apostolic, prophetic and evangelistic. An evangelist was sharing with him, but they did not discern what was happening until after my arrival. This was God's timing in the battle. There were some younger believers there also who did not know what to do. Sometimes we must pick the when and where of our battles. That moment was not the right time or place, but the enemy was pushing its agenda. We fight by God's agenda and not by the enemy. We must discern though when the enemy is showing off or speaking and bring rebuke to give God the glory always. We have the authority in Christ to command it to be quiet in the name of Jesus. We have the authority to also cast all these spirits out as they can be identified. We must do as the Holy Spirit commands, all at the right time, God's time. We are servants. What would you have done here? May I suggest these things:

1. Never touch someone who comes for prayer until they have been delivered.

2. Never close you eyes while praying for them, this can bring great bodily harm to you and possible the person if the demon throws them down.

3. Immediately have a prayer team form up and begin intercession.

4. Plead the blood of Jesus and use the name of Jesus frequently as a reminder to the enemy and you of who you serve.

5. Do not bind a spirit to a person, loose the spirit and bind the spirit in outer darkness.

6. Command the spirit to never come back in the name of Jesus.

7. Asks for the infilling of the Holy Spirit and anointing of the Holy Spirit over the person as a cover or mantle of protection.

8. If possible never be alone in the same room or place with a person. Two people or more is a congregation and Jesus will be there in power through the Holy Spirit. This will include plenty of angelic support too.

9.After each deliverance situation go as soon as possible to your senior pastor, evangelist, prophetic or apostolic leaders or elders and do an after action assessment. We learn from these situations and this way we are more likely to have swifter victory and set many more captives free in the name of Jesus.

10. There are times you will not fight at that moment, but will tell the demon to shut up in the name of Jesus and remove the person from the place. The spirit may be there to disrupt the work of God. We must pray for the Lord's leading and discernment.

Make sure you sit down and evaluate yourself and if you are not sure how to do something like deliverance ministry be careful to not get involved or over your head without some help. It can be quite dangerous otherwise and your could seriously be attacked and hurt. Remember the enemy likes to counterattack after a deliverance ministry. This is why we don't touch someone until after they have been delivered, set free. Ensure they are infilled so the enemy does not return and find an empty pure place to dwell. The heart needs to be occupied by the Holy Spirit through an act of humility on the person's part. They must receive Him into their heart by submission. Religious people can be infested with religious spirits and they will come to test us just like they tested Jesus, they want signs and not Jesus:

Matthew Chapter 12 World English Bible

38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you." 39 But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will no sign be given it but the sign of Jonah, the prophet. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, someone greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here. 43 But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passes through waterless places, seeking rest, and doesn't find it. 44 Then he says, 'I will return into my house whence I came out,' and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then he goes, and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation." WEB

The purpose of deliverance of a person, a nation or a generation to set them free permanently in Christ. This comes only through conversion, then the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Otherwise the person can become much worse than before. Even a nation who comes to their knees, like Ninevah after repenting from Jonah's preaching, yet later rebelled and was destroyed.

These last days there is great distress as never been seen before. At no time before has man been capable of fully destroying himself like today. We have the power to humble ourselves or commit generational suicide. What will it be folks?

Next in Part two, Chapter Eight where we begin to establish the plan of victory after the breaking of chains. The apostolic and prophetic ministry is the foundation in the Kingdom of God and Jesus the chief cornerstone and capstone at the entrance of the gate. Jesus is using this foundation to restore His church and build up His spiritual Kingdom before He returns. We are not sitting and waiting for the return of Christ we are occupying ourselves with advancing His Kingdom through the harvest and building His Church worldwide and in the local areas. The Bride of Christ will be ready for her Bridegroom spiritually speaking.