It dawned on me the other day that when Ann and I put up verses on the walls of our Oregon home in the 80s, we were putting Jesus up on our walls. His Word is Who He is. When we look at the Word of God, we’re looking at Jesus face to face. Wow. He’s so beautiful, powerful and liberating. There is nothing like His face.
The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
John 10:10
Wow, the spirit of religion is so dangerous and deadly…
I cannot possibly be free if I’m not “doing” His Word. I know it’s true because I’ve lived deceived thinking I didn’t really need to “do” the Word.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 1:22-25
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away…Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 3:5,7
How do I know when I’m dealing with a spirit of religion? When the person refuses to “do” the Word. Satan has them so tied up in religion (it’s a form of Godliness that’s actively denying the power thereof) and they don’t or won’t acknowledge it. How do I know this? Because it was true in my own life.
About the best way for me to describe what occurs at these times is that I experience spiritual confusion and whimpiness, I begin to lean on my own understanding more, I take on fear and a fear of man, a trapping of and spiritually suffocating cloud of sentimentality, a questioning of God’s Word and doubting its power, a reluctance to believe it’s a spiritual matter I’m dealing with and a hesitation to do spiritual warfare to defeat the lies that are suddenly dominating my behavior and thought life, somehow a form of tradition is trying to replace my liberty in Jesus, etc.
This morning (3-30-20), I knew something was wrong and had been for several days. So, I did the only thing I know to do at these times. I asked Jesus to show me what was really going on. And, like always, He began to speak and show us what we were dealing with.
Through my precious wife, the Lord told me I had to take authority over some evil spirits that have been coming against Ann and me the last several days. They were so well camouflaged that I hadn’t recognized them until Ann and I started talking some things out this morning. Suddenly, we saw what was happening in our home. I love it when the Holy Spirit reveals the enemy’s deception and fiery darts to us.
So, I took action against the lies of darkness coming at us…I rebuked them out loud, bound them, told them they have no authority in our home and lives, and sent them back to hell all in Jesus’ Almighty Name.
When I decide to take authority, it’s amazing how it clears the spiritual atmosphere and air in our lives. It restores our discerning abilities, puts you back in God’s wonderful Presence, etc. Amazing.
There is so much fear out there today. Fear can confuse us if we let it. Don’t fall prey to the darkness. Don’t do it. If you need to, ask Jesus to show you how you might be deceived. Live free!
We belong to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Let’s act like it, and see the victory Jesus died for so we could live free.
Don’t take anything off the devil, people. Don’t let him into any area of your thoughts and lives. If you’re feeling like things are closing in on you, attack those spirits with the Word and tell them to get out of your life and home in Jesus’ Name.
For, at just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.
1 Timothy 6:15-16
We live in such exciting times. The true people of God are rising up and becoming more bold than ever. What joy and fun times in the Lord await those who do His Word no matter what. They will see great things.
Oh praise You, Jesus, Lion of Judah, Lover of my soul. I’m SO grateful for You, Lord and for Your strong hand that will always work all things together for our good.
Now to him (Jesus) who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
God bless,
Mark
Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.