SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2023
AUTHORITY OVER DEMONS – Pastor Chris
…Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
A distressed lady, tormented by evil spirits and trapped in a seemingly hopeless situation was once brought to me. During this encounter, the demons identified themselves by revealing their names, reminiscent of the account in the Bible where Jesus encountered a legion of demons.
I commanded the devils to come out of her in the Name of Jesus, and they did. But just about twenty-four hours later, I received news that this same lady, who was free from this demonic influence, was in trouble again. I immediately called for her to be brought back to me. As soon as I saw her, I discerned that the demons had returned.
Again, I addressed the demons to come out of her. And they did! Praise God! Here’s something to understand: although we have authority over demons, we do not have dominion over human beings. People have the will to decide whether to invite these devils back into their lives through their choices and behaviours.
There are instances when, being led by the Spirit, we issue injunctions to restrain specific demons from returning; the demons know they’re under orders not to return. Jesus exemplified this when He commanded the unclean spirit to come out of a boy and enter him no more ( Mark 9:25). Obviously, the little boy couldn’t make decisions for himself, hence Jesus barred the demon.
In the realm of the spirit, you sit with Christ; you occupy His place of authority with the power of attorney to use His Name. All the powers of darkness respond to, and recognize your authority in Christ. Therefore, be bold to exercise this dominion today over demons and circumstances.
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CONFESSION: Dear Father, thank you for the authority you’ve given to me over all demonic forces. I exercise authority over demons and establish your Kingdom in every place and in the hearts of men, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Mark 5:2-13 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. 6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, 7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. 8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. 9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. 10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. 11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. 12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. 13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
Mark 16:17-18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Hebrews 4:1-13 & Jeremiah 41-43
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: John 9:28-41 & 1 Chronicles 4