July 28, 2024— You can feel a heavy spiritual weight if you have been in the church for a while. Before a soul is saved through the confession of Jesus Christ, there is a spiritual warfare of that soul. God wants to save the soul, but Satan wants to snatch it from God. To save the soul, the church works together through prayer and preaching aligned with the Holy Bible. Yet, something feels different. Over the past few years, Christians have noticed a shift in the spiritual world with a stronger hold from principalities. What is causing this stronghold, and how can we fight it?
Weapons of Spiritual Warfare
In 2 Corinthians 10:4-6, Paul explains this warfare:
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
False doctrines enter the church through false spirits, taking people away from Christ and the gospel's truth. Jesus Christ said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32). Any person taking you from the truth is under witchcraft or demonic oppression. As a born-again Christian who is truly saved, a demon cannot possess you, but you can be influenced by one (or many). Through witchcraft, demons can influence Christians within your church; this includes members sitting in the pews and even church elders. In the book of 2 Kings 22:21-23, the Lord gave a lying spirit to the prophets of Ahab. So, too, can a deceitful spirit be in your midst among the church.
While it may not be the intent of the person to bring down the church, it certainly is the plan of the demon or a witch. How do you fight demons or evil spirits, as some may call them? Reading the Holy Bible, knowing the Word of God, and praying. To an extent, fasting is necessary for a particular demon causing epilepsy, “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:14-21). You also need to align with the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual Warfare vs Carnal Warfare
Galatians 5:16 teaches us to align with the Holy Spirit, so we will not succumb to the desires of our flesh. Moreover, it compares the evidence of the works of the flesh versus that of the Spirit. To name a few, adultery and fornication are examples of the flesh. Meanwhile, love and joy are the fruits of the Spirit. (See Galatians 5:19-26 for a complete listing of flesh-based desires versus that of the Spirit). If you fulfill your flesh, you will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:21). Alternatively, the fruits of the Spirit are holy and of such things that no law or rule has ever been written against (Galatians 5:23).
Finding Spiritual Warfare in the Church
Pay attention when you open the church doors for the services. Who attends regularly? Determine which members are consistently at church services and events. Now, determine which of them display the fruits of the Spirit versus those that perform the works of the flesh. For the latter, are they gossiping or talking badly about church elders or other members? When you pray, is there a spiritual oppression that feels heavier when they are present versus when they are gone? If so, you have found a witch in the church.
There are only two options for dealing with them: confronting them or casting them out of the church. In Matthew 18, Jesus taught us to confront a sinning brother in a few steps. When someone sins against you, confront them one-on-one (Matthew 18:16). At this point, you must explain his sin and how it goes against the Holy Bible. Tell him to repent. If he does not listen to you, take another witness, as described in Matthew 18:16 and Deuteronomy 19:15, and confront him again. If he still refuses to listen, then bring it to the Church. This does not mean announcing it within the church at the pulpit. Simply put, bring it to the church elders.
If he again will not listen, know that you have done all you could. At this point, you should steer clear of him. Jesus said, “And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector” (Matthew 18:17). I suggest giving them the option to repent or leave the church.
Accepting Jesus
Jesus Christ was and is the Word of God in the flesh, who was born of a virgin birth, fulfilling biblical prophecy (Isaiah 7:14). By the age of 30, Jesus Christ was baptized, and witnesses said they saw the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) descend on Him like a dove (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, John 1:32). Jesus began His ministry throughout the area of Galilee and Judah. Three years later, He was crucified on the cross. Three days later, He was resurrected. Jesus Christ remained in His resurrected body for 40 Days and was seen by hundreds of witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Afterward, Jesus ascended to heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of God and advocates for us.
Why did Jesus Christ do all these things? Jesus paid your wages on the cross when He said, “It is finished.” (John 19:30). Jesus meant that He paid your debt for your sin. “For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23). Anyone who confesses Jesus with their mouth is saved (Romans 10:9) from the wrath of God and is promised eternal life. Without Jesus, everyone would go to hell when we die because no one is free of sins (1 Kings 8:46 and Romans 3:23) except Jesus Christ.
Maybe no one has asked you to accept Jesus as your savior. Perhaps you never understood why Jesus was necessary for your salvation. But today is your chance to accept Him as your savior by saying this prayer aloud:
God, I confess that Jesus came in the flesh and blood, paid the price for my sins, died on the cross, rose on the third day, ascended to the heavens, and sent the Holy Spirit to help me understand Your ways. For that, I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord, and I welcome the Holy Spirit in my life. In Jesus’s name I pray, amen!
Welcome to the Christian family!
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