Phillip wrote:
. . . Be saved and SECOND: Ask God for Help because in the name of Jesus the demons can be commanded. Actually, that is the bottom line and all that is necessary. Thank you, this is good advice and will suffice.
MalkyEL: It won't "suffice" - the whole point of the Word of God and doing anything in Jesus Name is to understand [knowledge] and to be armed. Too many people expect a "quick fix" for problems, including demonic infestation and influence, that they are faced with. This is why the sons of Sceva were chased by demons when they tried to use Jesus' Name to cast out those demons. [they were not believers - Acts 19].
For example, if you spend 20 years overeating and become overweight the pounds just don't fall away because we say Jesus' Name. You need to change your lifestyle, change your eating habits and trust in Him to enable you. It takes time and hard work.
The demons that have been attacking mlg have been doing this for a very long time. Fear and a continual barrage of attacks on her have become a wall around her making the Word of God of no account because it is continually stolen. The second one tries to move towards God, the enemy moves in with more intensity. My point of sharing was to show her and others that in order to stand effectively, one needs to submit fully to God, be armed and equipped with the Word of God, and have a foundational faith and trust that God can and will be a shield against those attacks. [Psalms 3:2 Many are saying of my soul, There is no deliverance for him in God. Selah.
3 But You, O LORD, are a shield for me; my glory, the One who lifts up my head.]
[Mark 4:14 The sower sows the Word.
15 And these are those by the wayside, where the Word is sown. And when they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the Word that was sown in their hearts.]
With an attitude of "just say Jesus' Name" - you are promoting the faith movement preoccupation of running around like little gods evoking and rebuking demons at will. This is not Scriptural or effective. The reason demons do not stay at bay is because there is no foundation in God's Word and *His* ability to destroy.
When Jesus was on earth, His Divine nature was more than enough for healing and casting out demons. His disciples were also given, at one point, the ability to do the same as they were commissioned and anointed to do so.
Their work in this area continued because of God's grace and continued anointing/empowerment on and in them - AND because they were grounded in faith and in the Word of God [Jesus is the Word made flesh - John 1].
Paul teaches that we must be grounded, must be disciplined, must be armed with that Word in order for it to be affective. [Eph 6]
Our faith and trust in God must be a prerequiste for an effective stand against the enemy. This teaching is woven all through the NT. The gift of faith is increased as we continue in His Word and in His presence - it is His enabling power that faith remains as a strong foundation in who God is - that His power, His grace will overcome all evil. [Heb 12:6][1 Peter 5 - see below for text].
Yes, God does do miracles and the enemy will flee at the Name of Jesus and have immediate miraculous results. That is the ministry and calling of the Holy Spirit that is given by God for His purpose, as He wills, when He wills, and by whom He choses to endow with this ability.[1 Corinthians 12] An example of this is when S&T walked around the cemetery and the demonic attacks against his/her friend ceased.
However, in general, the Gospel message [the process of salvation] must be foundational in order for us to stand against the enemy. This is the armour spoken of in Eph 6 [see below for full text]. Unless you spend time in the Word, in God's Presence - that renewing and transforming cannot be done and the Word will be of no account. It takes committment and study, running the race, casting off hinderances, with our eyes set on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. [Hebrews 12]
As mlg shared with us her attacks by the enemy, I knew that she would need a grounded committed life in God and in His Word. As faith and trust increase, the armour becomes standard equipment enabling one to stand against the enemy's ploys and wiles. In the spiritual realm, when one is armed fully, that is recognized and respected, but hated.
The enemy will continue to find ways to "get to us". We live in the flesh - it is an ongoing battle for all of this life. The armour must stay in place continually - for satan [his army]goes about roaring as a lion seeking whom he may devour. These words were spoken to believers.
1 Peter 5
5 . . . Put on humility. For God resists proud ones, but He gives grace to the humble.
6 Therefore be humbled under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your anxiety onto Him, for He cares for you.
8 ¶ Be sensible and vigilant, because your adversary the Devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone he may devour;
9 whom firmly resist in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions in the world are being completed in your brotherhood.
10 ¶ But the God of all grace, He calling us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, He will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you .
11 To Him be the glory and the might forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 6
10 ¶ Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world's rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places .
13 Therefore take to yourselves the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Therefore stand, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness
15 and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
16 Above all, take the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God,
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching to this very thing with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
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