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SPIRITUAL OPPRESSION

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In the following class, I am going to attempt to present the reality of the demonic realm, describing some of its effect among ordinary Christians and establishing a common need for Personal Spiritual Warfare.

In the nation of Israel, everyone has to serve a tour of duty in the military. Similarly, if you're a Christian believer, you've already been drafted into the army of God, because - you are already in a war. And as far as your personal transformation is concerned, the front line is located uncomfortably close to your home.


SPIRITUAL WARFARE – BIBLICAL BASIS

Derek Prince describes Spiritual warfare in the context of 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (including the terminology of various translations) as follows:

• "(v3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, (v4) for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh…" (NASB).

Notice, Paul says we are living in the flesh, engaged in a war, but our war is not in the fleshly realm. Therefore, the weapons we use must correspond to the nature of the war. If the nature of the war were fleshly or physical, then we could use fleshly or physical weapons, such as tanks, bombs, or bullets. Because the war is in a spiritual realm, the weapons also must be spiritual.

• (v4) "…for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. (v5) We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…" (NASB).

Notice, our weapons are appropriate to the war, and we are dealing with fortresses or strong holds. The King James version reads:

• "(3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal [fleshly or physical], but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ…" (KJV).

It is tremendously important that we understand where the battle is taking place. Speaking of the battleground and our objectives, Paul uses various words: imaginations, reasonings, speculations, arguments, knowledge and thought. Notice that every one of those words refers to the realm of the mind. We absolutely must understand the battleground is in the realm of the mind. Satan is waging an all-out war to captivate the minds of the human race. He is building strongholds and fortresses in their minds and it is our responsibility, as God's representatives, to use our spiritual weapons to break down these strongholds, to liberate the minds of men and women, and then to bring them into captivity to the obedience of Christ; what a staggering assignment! Satan deliberately and systematically builds strongholds in people's minds. These strongholds and fortresses resist the truth of the gospel and the Word of God and prevent people from being able to receive the message of the gospel."

Whether you want to admit it or not, you have a very personal enemy who is invisible, utilizes germ warfare; and has access to your subconscious at the beta brain wave level, over which he broadcasts messages of deceit and false propaganda targeted directly at your spirit. Your unseen enemy fights dirty, with unrelenting campaigns of personal disinformation and harassment. Taken From Prince, Derek: “Spiritual Warfare.” Whitaker House. New Kensington PA, 1987. 29-31.


DEMONIC REALITIES IN A MODERN WORLD-VIEW

The subject of demonology is a very polarizing realm of theology. Many Christians choose to ignore or deny it while others consider it the all-encompassing explanation for any and every contingency in the Christian life. Willful ignorance of this realm can have far-reaching effects on your emotional, spiritual and physical health. The Bible teaches that we give Satan an advantage when we ignore him: “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2 Corinthians 2:11 — KJV. You have definite need for specific spiritual intelligence regarding your unseen enemy and the tactics he has targeted against you.

The rationalistic/scientific western worldview strongly emphasizes the five physical senses of sight, sound, taste, smell and touch. These five realms fall far short of explaining effects, causes, and manifestations of the unseen realm, which is actually more powerful and has definite and determinative effects in our outcomes. A great number of moderns and "post-Christians" have not had first-hand exposure or teaching as to the reality of this unseen or spirit realm.

Melody Green, whose late husband Keith established Last Days Ministries in Lindale Texas, tells of in incident that got their attention regarding the reality of the spirit realm. Meeting a friend as they were headed into a musical performance, Keith declared that he was “Checking out Jesus”. Their big, burly friend responded with a guttural growl, and then suddenly roared "I AM Jesus Christ!" This unsettling incident served as a wakeup call to Keith and Melody as to the reality of the demonic realm in their present day experience. What followed in their spiritual journey lead them to their Christian conversion.

I believe the Bible makes it clear that Blood-bought believers are not exempt from the effects of demonization or demonic oppression. The apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians about a realm of struggle that goes way beyond a purely materialistic paradigm: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" Ephesians 6:12 — KJV. Paul spoke to the Corinthian church about not being ignorant regarding the schemes of Satan: "…if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes" 2Co 2:10b-11 —NASB.


SPIRIT OF DEATH – TESTIMONY

Dr. Derek Prince gave this example of a Christian woman who was living in an entrenched state of demonic oppression in his study titled From Rejection to Acceptance:

"I remember the case of one lady in particular who lived in Florida. While I was visiting one evening in this lady’s home, I did something I rarely do. I just said point blank to her, “Sister, if I’m correct, you have the spirit of death in you.” I rarely make that kind of statement because it can lead to complications. But I took the risk of telling her because it was obvious she was in need of help. This woman had every reason to be happy, but was never happy. She had a good husband and children, but never had any joy. So I said to her, “I’m conducting a deliverance service on Friday night, and if you’ll come, I’ll pray for you.” On the appointed night, this lady came, and when I began the deliverance part of the service she was sitting in the front row. Again, I did something I don’t usually do. At a certain point in the service I walked up to her, and I said, “You spirit of death, in the name of Jesus, I command you to answer me. When did you enter this woman?” Then the spirit, not the woman, answered very clearly, “Oh, when she was two years old.” “How did you get in?” I asked. It said, “Oh, she felt rejected. She felt unwanted. She felt lonely.” I thought to myself: Isn’t that something... the presence of rejection even at the age of two? This incident really opened my understanding to an area of people’s problems because I discovered that rejection can begin even before a child is born…" —Prince, Derek. “From Rejection to Acceptance, part 1&2.”


ACCESS POINTS

This underscores the concept of access points that facilitate the entrance of demonic influence that later becomes chronic and entrenched. The pervasiveness, invasiveness and intimacy of offensive spirit war tactics are illustrated by the fact that this woman was accessed demonically at the age of two. With many, once the oppressive entity is present, a pattern of embedded falsehood, anxiety and nervous short-circuiting begins to be chronically manifested.


THE DEMONIC PHYSIOLOGICAL CONNECTION

It is correct and natural to respond with adrenalin, elevated heart rate, and endorphins when someone with a knife begins to chase you down a dark alley. But to have a continual fight or flight prompting because of a spirit of fear, hundreds if not thousands of times a day, will eventually wear down the glandular and nervous response systems. In the same way an electrical wire that is shorting out continually will, through the burning and unrestricted voltage, weaken and cease to conduct energy at its intended capacity. This can be compared to pulling the fire alarm continually at school. After awhile, the fire department stops responding.

As an example of a syndrome or disorder that can wear a person down, consider the following descriptions of obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD has worked its way into common nomenclature and is the brunt of many jokes but it is no laughing matter to the person who genuinely suffers from its effects.

• "Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry; by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the associated anxiety… These symptoms can be alienating and time-consuming, and often cause severe emotional and financial distress… Within and among individuals, the initial obsessions, or intrusive thoughts, vary in their clarity and vividness… People with OCD understand that their notions do not correspond with reality; however, they feel that they must act as though their notions are correct… Some OCD sufferers exhibit what is known as overvalued ideas. In such cases, the person with OCD will truly be uncertain whether the fears that cause them to perform their compulsions are irrational or not. When viewed through a spiritual paradigm many aspects of OCD’s affects and symptoms could be described as fear-based strongholds.” —“Obsessive–compulsive disorder.” OCD. Wikipedia

Dr. Henry Wright, Director and Founder of Be In Health Ministries, has written and taught extensively on the physiological ramifications of the demonic oppression upon the human body. This chronic wearing down of human immune systems, as well as glandular and nervous systems can manifest in illnesses such as lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. A repeating impulse that has no real basis in a genuine physical triggering mechanism creates a constant irritating stimulating of nerve endings. For many, the anecdote is increased dosages of painkilling medications that are often addictive and present many negative side effects as well. Following is a teaching of Dr. Wright's concerning dealing with stress and fear:

"The Bible says, in the last days, men's hearts shall fail them because of fear (Luke 21:26). Stress and fear directly affect the hypothalamus (gland), both immediately and long-term… We are designed with the ability for 'fight or flight'. The fight or flight ability is the alarm stage our body responds to when subjected to fear or stress. If the stress is not resolved, our body moves into the resistance stage. Physical symptoms begin to develop in this stage due to the long-term affects of fear, anxiety and stress. The symptoms can include pain. The hypothalamus responds to the continual influence of the fear or anxiety in the mind, which overloads the body's resources. Eventually, the body is depleted of its ability to repair and restore itself from the stress. If not resolved, this depletion develops into the exhaustion stage. The body is exhausted from attempting to repair itself and the mind is not sending thoughts to promote healing and restoration. God has created your body to heal itself. Your body is able to repair and renew itself on a regular basis, but it does not think for itself. It is designed to respond to the mind. Your body responds to your thoughts."


INNER HONESTY AND THE MIRROR OF THE WORD

We must come to the point where we are willing to face the challenges involved in dealing with these hindrances and blockages to victory and freedom in our Christian life. When we’re ready to do that the first step is the diagnosis or self-assessment required, both for the ministry of emotional healing as well as personal spiritual warfare.

In the physical realm we are sometimes required to submit ourselves to procedures that are uncomfortable and even invasive in order to examine what is going on inside our bodies. The healthcare system invests billions of dollars in sophisticated diagnostic imaging systems just to see what's under our skin. Similarly, we may have to endure some emotional pain in order to really understanding what is inside our hearts. Many will avoid anything that looks like a process of self-examination for fear of the pain that will be involved in the revealing and extraction of genuine internal honesty. But this process must be gone through to get past old struggles and bring forth the new things that God desires to do in your lives.

What if all potential mothers elected not to have children because of the pain of the birthing process? God wants to birth new things in you and the birthing process will include things that you perhaps would not choose to endure. When you’re holding the child of promise in your arms, you will forget what you went through in the birthing process.

In order to dissect and diagnose your own personal problems you will have to look at yourself. This can often be painful but there's no getting past it if you want to move on in your transformation process.

• "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his *natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” — James 1:23-25 NASB

The church has multiple ways to approach this ministry but you won't get past the next stumbling block in your road without two things: a desire to change and inner honesty. There must be willingness to self-evaluate in order to identify and eradicate personal stumbling blocks. Being willing to take a close look at yourself, your motives, your relationships, your past offenses and your fears is the major key to unlocking the freedom that God means for you to walk in and experience. We should be willing to allow the ministry of the Holy Spirit to uncover areas that need ministry - one at a time if necessary.

 

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