In the chains of demons?

Is a person freed from all bondage immediately after being saved, or can he still be under the influence of demons?

Is a born-again Christian free from demonic influence?

Is it worth fearing demons?

How can one be freed from demonic bondage?

Flesh or demons?

Have you accepted Jesus as Lord of your life?

Prayer of renunciation or resignation

Gates; are your own sins the cause?

Gates: Bitterness, unforgiveness, judging others

Honor your father and mother, the king, everyone!

Gates: self-hatred, self-pity, self-cursing, suicidal thoughts, Anforgiveness towards oneself

Accusations against God

Idolatry

Various forms of occultism and non-Christian movements

The spiritual heritage of the family

Gates: distorted sexuality                              

Harmful soul ties

Other ports

The importance of basic teachings, correct guidance, and focus on God

Truth matters.

Transformation and liberation is a process

Is a born-again Christian free from demonic influence ? This article will discuss the influence of demons in Christians, that is, in those who have received Jesus Christ into their lives and are born again. The biggest debate in this area is whether a born-again believer can be bound by demons and whether a demon can live in a believer. Another trend suggests that at the moment of salvation and upon receiving Jesus into their lives, a person is immediately freed from all false powers in their life. It has also been explained that the Holy Spirit and demons cannot live or work in the same person. Instead, another view is that a believer can continue to be bound or oppressed by demons even after coming to faith, especially in those areas that have not yet been brought to the light and where the powers of the enemy have not been renounced. Which view is true? I personally understand that the latter view is closer to the truth and the teaching of the Bible. I see it as being due to the following reasons:

• Experience has shown that many saved people often have more problems with their emotions and mind after becoming believers than before they turned to Jesus. This is especially true for those who have a family history of occultism or who have themselves been involved in the same thing. While they were unbelievers, they may have been able to be at peace, but as soon as they turned to Jesus, the battles began. This shows that the enemy of the soul does not want to let go of the person who previously belonged to him.

   The following example from the Indonesian revival illustrates the point (Kurt E. Koch: Indonesian herätys). There was a powerful revival in Indonesia in the 1960s, but it was discovered that although people were saved, they were not immediately free. Special prayer and spiritual care were needed to free them from demonic bonds that had come from family witchcraft:

During those weeks the Lord made us see clearly how real sin is, original sin, the curse of God to the third and fourth generation, the occult curse and the oppression caused by demons. What endless darkness and distress, what a terrible and disgusting enemy! But on the other hand: what a powerful defender we have in Jesus! His name destroys the strongholds of the enemy, his blood washes away all sins and nullifies the schemes of the devil… Some ask: for example, does not the curse of God resulting from ancestral witchcraft automatically cease when a person is born again in Christ? Are we not underestimating the importance of salvation when we try to free the saved person from the chains of witchcraft afterwards? The story of Lazarus provides the answer to these questions. Although Lazarus received the gift of life from Jesus, he was unable to move properly until he was released from the shroud… We experienced the same in a very tangible way with some of our students. Many who experienced the new birth did not feel the real joy of their salvation and were unable to compete victoriously in the spiritual struggle. But when they were released from the 'swaddling', they became joyful and powerful witnesses for God. The mission and authority given to the disciples by Jesus to set people free dawned on us in a completely new way. Perhaps this is the answer to many of the questions that churches and Christians throughout the world are struggling with. (1)

• Some life stories tell how a person surrenders to Jesus Christ and allows himself to be saved, but then needs deliverance from demons. One such case is Doreen Irvine's life story called From Witchcraft to Christ. Doreen tells in her book how she gave her life to Jesus at an evangelistic meeting, but after that she had great difficulties in her life. If in churches, for example, the blood of Jesus was spoken about, she would snatch the Bibles, tear them up and fall to the floor screaming. She herself did not remember anything about the events. However, Doreen was later freed when demons were cast out of her. This process took several months, but in the end she was completely free.

    What can be concluded from this and similar cases? If one does not believe in the idea that even a believer can be bound by demons, one would have to deny that Doreen Irvine was saved at an evangelistic event. However, that would nullify the promises of the Bible that by turning to Jesus and receiving him a person will be saved (John 1:12, John 5:40). Yes, salvation should be the same for everyone and it happens by turning to Jesus.

    Examples of how saved people have needed deliverance from the powers of the enemy are also found in the book Listen to me, satan by Carlos Annacondia, a well-known preacher in Argentina. Even though people were saved, they were not immediately free from all bondage, but needed deliverance work for their lives. In Annacondia's book, a pastor talks about this and the reasons that prevented people from entering a more abundant life:

The Word says that both Jesus and His disciples casted out demons. But now we do, and as a result, the sick are healed. The deaf, the lame, the mentally ill, and others are healed as soon as they are delivered from the demons that are oppressing them. Even Christians have demons in them and they have to be taken to the tent of deliverance. Even though they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, there are still unconfessed sins in their hearts. So they suffer from curses, occultism, anger, resentment, unforgiveness, satanic pacts, and other spirits because they have not yet broken free from them. After being set free from the oppression of the devil, these people received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and God raised them up to be spiritual giants. (2)

• When it comes to Jesus’ death on the cross, it brought with it at least three important things: the opportunity for everyone to have their sins forgiven, the opportunity for healing, and the opportunity for freedom from the powers of evil. The reason we can experience the above is because Jesus took our sins to the cross (Isaiah 53:6: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all), carried our sicknesses to the cross (Isaiah 53:4: Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted), and defeated the devil. His victory over the devil and demons is told, among other things, in the following verses:

- (Col 2:15) And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

- (1 John 3:8) 8 He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

- (Hebr 2:14,15) For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

After Jesus bore our sins on the cross, are we then completely free from committing sin? This is not the case, but every saved person still commits sin.

    The same is true of sickness. Even though Jesus has borne our sickness, that does not prevent us from getting sick. Anyone can get sick, but of course, based on Jesus' atoning work, we can pray for health and receive it, as many have experienced in prayer services. God still heals today.

    What about the influence of demons? If we are not completely free from sin and sickness, demons can still influence us to some extent. They have not disappeared, but they are present today as they were in Jesus' time. However, if we turn to Jesus, we have the opportunity to be free from these powers of darkness.

   Demonic influence comes in different degrees. Sometimes it is difficult to notice their influence because the symptoms are so mild. However, if a person experiences the following things repeatedly in their life, it is likely that they are under demonic influence: feelings of restlessness, torment, intense fear of death, compulsions to curse and do things that they hate deep down, inner voices, dizziness, headaches, heaviness, stiffness, severe depression, excessive sleepiness, confusion, suicidal thoughts, nightmares, difficulty reading the Bible and praying. In these cases, it is not always a matter of just personality disorders but of the influence of the enemy. If you suffer from these things, Jesus is powerful to help you if you turn to him with all your heart.

    From here it is good to move on to Jesus' command to the disciples. When he gave the mission command, it included preaching the gospel, praying for the sick, and casting out demons. Often the church has only followed the first two things, but liberation from evil forces is part of the same package. The following are Jesus' teachings on the subject and practical actions:

- (Matt 10:1,7,8) And when he had called to him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

7 And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely you have received, freely give.

- (Mark 1:32-34) And at even, when the sun did set, they brought to him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.

33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.

34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

- (Mark 3:13-15) And he goes up into a mountain, and calls to him whom he would: and they came to him.

14 And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,

15 And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

- (Mark 6:12,13) And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

- (Luke 9:1) Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

- (Luke 10:17-20) And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject to us through your name.

18 And he said to them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

19 Behold, I give to you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

- (Mark 16:15-18) And he said to them, Go you into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.

17 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.

- (Acts 8:6,7) And the people with one accord gave heed to those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

- (Acts 19:11,12) And God worked special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12 So that from his body were brought to the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

• At what stage does the work of deliverance take place? As noted, there is some debate about when the deliverance should take place. Some think that this area only applies to unbelievers, while others think it applies primarily to believers. There is not a very clear example of this in the Bible, but it is more likely that the apostles first preached the gospel and only then did the deliverance of those who had accepted the gospel follow. So they were already saved people. This was the most likely order.

    This latter view is also supported by the tradition that baptism was the first step in a Christian's life, usually preceded by the exorcism of demons. This practice is referred to in several historical sources. It has been reported by, among others, Justin Martyr, Polycarp, Clement, and Irenaeus.

   The practice of trying to drive out the forces of the enemy from unrepentant unbelievers is questionable on the one hand. How can this be done, since demons have the right to reside in them because of their sin and unrepentance? On the other hand, if they can be released, what prevents seven other spirits from coming into them, as Jesus taught? (Matt 12:43-45: When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he said, I will return into my house from where I came out; and when he is come, he finds it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goes he, and takes with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also to this wicked generation.) It is understandable that we should never even begin such a process of liberation if there are no genuine signs of change of heart, repentance, and a desire to do God's will in the person. One should make sure of this every time, otherwise it is only possible to cause great harm.

• As noted, the experience of many believers is that after receiving Jesus and being saved, they are still bound. Salvation does not automatically bring freedom from all bonds. This has even been the case in the lives of individuals who may have been in spiritual work for years and others have been saved through them. For example, the well-known teacher Derek Prince was such a person. In his book They Shall Expel Demons, he tells how he was in the grip of constant depression until he discovered that the cause was the spirit of depression. He was freed from this spirit, and it changed his life. Yes, he still had to fight depression, but the fight was easier when the demon was not inside. This is true for all other freed people. We may still be tempted in the same areas as before we were freed, but then self-discipline is needed and we train our thoughts in the right direction.

   Derek Prince is certainly not the only well-known worker for the Kingdom of God who has been bound while a believer. The same thing, that is, his own liberation from the powers of the enemy, has been told in their books by, among others, Graham Powell (Graham & Shirley Powell: Christian Set Yourself Free), John Loren Sandford (John Loren Sandford & Paula Sandford: Jumalan muuttava voima, s. 247 / God’s Power to Change), Kristian Sand (Jumalan soturi nouse) and Sten Nilsson (Vapauta minun kansani / Befria mitt folk). For example, Graham Powell stated in his book that he was both a Christian and demonized. It was only when he recognized the sources of his problems as demonic and dealt with them according to the Scriptures that victory followed in his life.

    In addition, the following are Kristian Sand and Sten Nilsson's own experiences:

Kristian Sand: First I decided to fast for three days and asked God to cleanse my insides of all filth. One evening, they taught about the effects of rejection on our lives. I knew God was speaking to me. At the end of the teaching, the speaker asked the Holy Spirit to come and do what He wanted. I fell to the floor in the power of the Spirit and at the same time I felt something moving in my chest trying to come out of my throat. I was fighting a great battle inside me; all the students were young and I had been serving the Lord full-time for 10 years. It would be quite humbling to admit that I still needed deliverance from evil spirits after 10 years of spiritual work!

   However, my suffering had become so unbearable over the past year that I no longer cared how I could get help. I asked one of the staff to pray for me. She prayed for me, no manifestation occurred, but I felt much better. For the first time in a year, I felt solid and safe ground under my feet. No more constant sinking feeling! ... Finally, I had learned what was bothering me and I had also found a way out. The New Testament prayers of deliverance would set me free. After all, Jesus taught us to pray: “Deliver us from evil!” (3)

Sten Nilsson: Opening up to unknown forces always has consequences. I was allowed to confess my sins in this regard and renounce them in the name of Jesus. They laid their hands on me and commanded specific spirits to come out of me. I had a coughing fit – which I asked for forgiveness for! I didn’t know anything about coughing being associated with exorcism. Then I cried miserably when they commanded the spirits of depression to leave. But in the end I was so free and happy that I was overjoyed… The depressions have not returned, other difficult things have not bothered me anymore, my life has had a wonderful new beginning.

   Thus my own experiences with evil spirits opened my eyes to what the New Testament taught about them and the authority Jesus gave us, Luke 10:19. This also significantly changed my ministry. I was no longer so helpless when talking to people whom I had previously not understood or could not help. I began to see New Testament miracles. (4)

Should we be afraid of demons? Some people may be terrified by the idea that they are being influenced or oppressed by demonic forces. On the other hand, the same thing can give hope to others. They realize that this is the cause of their ongoing problems, such as disturbing voices, suicidal thoughts, mental health issues, and other problems that may not have been helped by secular methods.

    However, it is worth remembering that most unbelievers are constantly under the influence of evil forces, deceiving them (Eph 2:2 Wherein in time past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience). Most of them are not even aware of this, because the enemy of souls usually leaves them alone, considering them to be sure cases. For example, Randall N. Baer , who himself was deeply involved in the activities of the New Age movement and one of its leaders, wrote about the subject in his book Inside the New Age . He stated that most New Age people lead fairly normal lives despite the fact that they are certainly influenced by demonic forces:

Radical shifts in higher consciousness are not uncommon in New Age circles. Nevertheless, New Age people are generally able to live their lives quite normally. Good examples include Shirley MacLaine and John Denver, who have publicized their life-changing shifts in higher consciousness. Despite this, both are still profitable and successful in their careers. I myself wrote two popular New Age books in the space of three years, which were published by the well-known publisher Harper and Row. A person can be deeply immersed in the lies of the New Age and still lead a meaningful and successful life. That is what makes the New Age movement dangerous. (5)

The previous example shows that demons themselves are not worth fearing. They are not scary in themselves, but their greatest power lies in lies. Corrie ten Boom is reported to have said: “The fear of demons comes from the demons themselves.”

   It is also worth remembering that Satan and demons are defeated enemies. Jesus defeated them on the cross (Col 2:15, 1 John 3:8, Heb 2:14), and they will one day go to hell. They themselves are afraid of being exposed and know their future fate. Many servants of God working in this area have noticed that reading aloud verses that deal with their future fate weakens their influence. They cannot bear to listen to, for example, the last chapters of the Book of Revelation, which tell of their fate. Another thing they are terrified of is the appeal to the blood of Jesus. It is good to remind the forces of the enemy of these things and verses:

- (Matt 25:41) Then shall he say also to them on the left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

- (Rev 12:10,11) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brothers is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives to the death.

- (Rev 20:1-10) And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark on their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

It is also worth remembering that in the name of Jesus every believer has the authority to cast out the forces of the enemy. Demons and devils are subject to the name of Jesus and must flee before His name. They do not fear men, but they must submit to the name of Jesus:

- (Luke 10:17-20) And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject to us through your name.

18 And he said to them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

19 Behold, I give to you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

- (Mark 16:17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

- (Acts 16:18) And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.  And he came out the same hour.

- (Col 3:17) And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

- (Phil 2:9-11) Why God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

However, the influence of demons cannot be underestimated or completely ignored, because their power has not been completely defeated. They are not harmless because they mislead people, cause some illnesses (the Gospels tell how some illnesses were caused by the influence of spirits. There was a spirit of weakness, a deaf spirit, and a mute spirit. In those cases, Jesus commanded the spirits of illness to leave, as every believer can rebuke illnesses and the forces behind them. However, not all illnesses are caused by spirits of illness. They can also have natural causes or that some organ of the person is physically damaged. In these cases, the ordinary laying on of hands can be the right way to act, as Jesus taught: ”… they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover, Mark 16:18), or are the cause of many mental health problems. Usually, these forces of the enemy are activated at the very moment a person turns to Jesus Christ. They try to prevent a person from turning, and that is why many have more internal struggles immediately after becoming believers than they did before when they were still unbelievers.

   When a person has turned to Jesus Christ, however, he is completely God's own. Jesus Christ has redeemed him, and the person belongs to Him. A person may have bonds in some areas of life, and in other areas he may experience freedom, but all the time he is God's own if he has turned to Jesus Christ:

- (Gal 3:13) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:

- (Gal 4:4,5) But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

- (Tit 2:14) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

- (Rev 5:9) And they sung a new song, saying, You are worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

- (Rom 8:31-39) What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifies.

34 Who is he that comdemns? It is Christ that died, yes rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36 As it is written, For your sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

How can one be freed from demonic bondage? The final part of the article discusses how one can be freed from demonic bondage. It is a kind of overview of the areas through which the bonds may have come and how to get rid of them.

   It is usually thought that one must go to some well-known and great man of God through whom freedom can be realized. This can of course happen, especially if these people have the gifts of grace (especially words of knowledge and discerning of spirits), through which one can quickly get to the heart and causes of the problems.

   However, everyone can take steps in the right direction based on their own relationship with God. Liberation does not always require the help of others. A person's own activity, the desire to repent of all conscious sins, and the understanding of their own new identity through Jesus Christ are key issues. If a person themselves are not active in this area and willing to align themselves with God's will, then others cannot help either. It all starts with the person themselves striving for freedom and wanting to follow God's will in everything. Often, simply the fact that a person repents of their sins and wants to give them up removes the ground from the enemy's forces. This alone can be enough for liberation. 

    I personally understand that the following four things are essential to liberation. We will cover these areas later:

• Finding the gates. In liberation, it is important to find the reasons why a person has become bound. Is it the person's own actions or is it because of what others have done to them? Or is it a matter of genetic strain, an accident, or what is the issue?

• Repentance from all conscious sins and confession of sins. For example, unforgiveness is something that binds many people.

• Understanding the truth. A person must understand what his position is after he has welcomed Jesus Christ into his life.

• Resisting the forces of the enemy. James and Peter wrote that we must first submit to God and then resist Satan. The first of these, or submitting to God's will, is the foundation upon which Satan can be resisted:

- (James 4:7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

- (1 Peter 5:8) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brothers that are in the world.

Flesh or Demons? Sometimes the question arises about the role of the works of the flesh and demons. It is easy to emphasize only one area. However, the works of the flesh and demons are connected. Most believers certainly understand that when witchcraft is one of the works of the flesh, its practice leads to bondage to witchcraft spirits. Or if someone practices fornication, he becomes subject to the spirits of fornication (Hos 4:12 ja 5:4: My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declares to them: for the spirit of prostitutions has caused them to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God. … They will not frame their doings to turn to their God: for the spirit of prostitutions is in the middle of them, and they have not known the LORD.) or anger can lead to subjection to the spirits of anger. The works of the flesh are discussed in Galatians:

- (Gal 5:19-21) Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, jealousies, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Contentions, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

What about unforgiveness, which is perhaps the biggest problem that arises in spiritual care? People find it difficult to forgive, which is understandable if they have traumatic experiences behind them or if their loved ones have been wronged. However, unforgiveness always opens the door to the forces of the enemy. A wrong attitude arising from within a person will eventually lead to bondage. It is remarkable that when Paul mentions a couple of times that one should not give place to the devil, he writes about forgiveness in the same context. If a person does not want to forgive, he keeps the gate open to the forces of the devil:

- (Eph 4:26,27) Be you angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down on your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

- (2 Cor 2:10,11) To whom you forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;

11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

What about fear and depression? For example, Derek Prince mentioned in his book They Shall Expel Demons how he was freed from the spirit of depression. Does this mean that all depression and fear in people’s lives are caused by the forces of the enemy? It doesn’t mean that, but depression and fear can be our own way of reacting to circumstances. Every person is prone to certain weaknesses or they may have positive character traits that were given to them at birth. Even Paul was prone to fear and depression at times, as he himself wrote:

- (2 Cor 7:5,6) For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fights, within were fears.

6 Nevertheless God, that comforts those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus;

What about addictions and besetting sins? Many people have addictions in a wide variety of areas: porn, alcohol, drugs, nicotine, overeating, eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia), sugar, sweets and other addictions. Sexual addictions are especially common. In addition, many addictions can be rooted in experiences of rejection, loneliness, feelings of inadequacy, sexual abuse, broken relationships or other emotional reasons.

   Addictions are works of the flesh, but over time, the continued practice of sin opens the door to the powers of the enemy. It is then that liberation becomes even more difficult if the demon is within the person.

    However, no one is in a hopeless situation. When a person turns to God with all his heart, confesses his sins and wants to get rid of them, that is the first step. The second step is to understand God's love for him, especially if there are emotional reasons behind the addiction that maintain the addiction. A person must understand that God is on his side and wants to touch the unpleasant memories of the past so that they do not harm a person's life. Jesus has come to heal broken hearts:

- (Isaiah 61:1-3, vrt. Luke 4:17-21) The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on me; because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

3 To appoint to them that mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

- (Ps 147:3) He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.

- (1 Peter 5:7) Casting all your care on him; for he cares for you.

- (Matt 11:28) 28 Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

- (John 14:27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

- (Hebr 2:18) For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.

The third step is to resist the enemy's forces, for example in the following way, not just once but several times over several days (a person should remain steadfast in their resistance so that Satan will eventually have to give up. Of course, he may still tempt a person from the outside to commit the same sin): "Satan and all evil spirits who are trying to bind me to this sin; I resist you because I want to be obedient to God in this area. Therefore, I command you to depart from me and around me in the name of Jesus and on the basis of his blood, and you must not return!"

    If the enemy forces have been ordered to leave, the person is still vulnerable in the same area. He may be tempted to do the same things, and Satan may still tempt him from the outside. In that case, he needs self-discipline and to try to keep the sources of temptation as far away as possible (for example, if there is a temptation to alcohol, alcohol should not be kept at home. Similarly, someone who is inclined to porn should not have a television or the Internet in their home). However, it is easier to resist sin if it is only a question of the human flesh and there are no demonic influences involved.

Have you accepted Jesus as Lord of your life? When we begin to deal with this area, it is good to first determine whether a person is truly saved. Many may believe in the existence of God, that Jesus died on the cross for them and rose again, but such faith alone will not bring anyone into the kingdom of God. Even the devil knows these things.

    Instead, salvation involves not only believing in the historicity of Jesus and what He did for us, but also turning to Jesus Christ, trusting Him for salvation, and surrendering one's entire life to God and Jesus. The question is not about the goodness and works of any person, but about the relationship with Jesus. Has the person truly received Him into their life and then wanted to follow Jesus with all their heart, because Jesus is the only way to God (John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.). It is possible that Jesus stands outside all human religiosity, but man is constantly separated from Him. Therefore, Jesus must be welcomed as Lord and Savior of all life. Jesus himself taught how we must turn to Him and welcome Him into our lives:

- (John 5:39,40) Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life.

- (John 1:12) 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

The prayer of salvation. Lord, Jesus, I turn to You. I confess that I have sinned against You and have not lived according to Your will. However, I want to turn from my sins and follow You with all my heart. I also believe that my sins have been forgiven by Your atonement and I have received eternal life through You. I thank You for the salvation that You have given me. Amen.

Prayer of of renunciation or resignation. If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, a prayer of renunciation or renunciation of all the works of the devil is important thereafter. It is especially important for those who have been involved in the occult and witchcraft, because such people have always made a voluntary covenant with the powers of darkness. When they say the prayer of renunciation, they are then breaking this covenant and the devil's ownership of them.

   So when it comes to a prayer of renunciation, you can also recite it yourself, for example, according to the following model. If reciting it causes difficulty and you are close to losing consciousness, you can then command the devil to leave the situation and remain bound in the name of Jesus Christ. If necessary, you can also repeat the prayer until you can recite it without difficulty:

"In the name of Jesus Christ, I renounce your power as Satan and all the works of darkness that I have been involved in and practiced. At the same time, I renounce the witchcraft and other injustices practiced by my ancestors and parents, and I surrender my life to Jesus Christ, who is now my Lord and Savior!"

Gates; are your own sins the cause? As stated, there are various gates that open the door to the enemy's forces. The most common reason is your own sins, which were committed before the life of faith or a person may have been bound even during the life of faith, if he has again fallen into the path of sin. Someone can even justify his sin by stating that it is God's will for him, which is a dangerous attitude. That is why the Bible repeatedly warns us against falling into sin. If a person keeps the door open to the world of sin all the time, he inevitably opens the door to demons as well (Compare Moses' words to his own people, Deut 31:27: For I know your rebellion, and your stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, you have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?)

   Of course, none of us are sinless, but continued deliberate sin, disobedience, postponing repentance (“I can give up sin later, not today”) and hardening one’s mind is dangerous. It is difficult to return from that path once one has set out on that path. Among other things, the following passages in the Bible warn against such an attitude and the importance of a change of mind in relation to sin. Both Jesus and the apostles emphasized the importance of repentance:

- (Mark 1:14) Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent you, and believe the gospel.

- (Matt 16:25,26) For whoever will save his life shall lose it: and whoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

- (Acts 17:30) And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commands all men every where to repent:

- (Gal 6:7,8) Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

- (Hebr 12:1) Why seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

- (James 1:22-25) But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like to a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was.

25 But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

- (2 Peter 2:20-22) For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.

22 But it is happened to them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

If a person has sinned, there is only one reasonable solution: a person must turn to God, confess his sin and stop doing wrong. None of us earn eternal life through repentance, but that happens only through the atoning work of Jesus. However, confession of sins is part of the process by which a person enters into a right relationship with God. Godly sorrow for sins (2 Cor 7:9,10: Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance: for you were made sorry after a godly manner, that you might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death.) i.e. genuine repentance that comes from within a person can alone free a person from the powers of the enemy so that nothing else is needed.

   Demons thrive in darkness, but when sins are brought to the light, i.e. confessed to God, their right to influence a person is removed (John 3:20,21: For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that does truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are worked in God.). Often, an obstacle to confessing sins, e.g. in a spiritual care situation, can be the shame a person experiences for their failures while they were believers or for the sins they committed before becoming believers. The following verses tell us about the confession of sins.

- (Neh 9:3 And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.

- (Mark 1:5) And there went out to him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.

- (Prov 28:13) He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoever confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.

- (1 John 1:9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

- (James 5:14-16) Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

What if we start to drive the enemy's forces out of people and perhaps explain to our neighbor that "you have spirits"? (Usually, it is not even worth talking about spirits. Sometimes they are not even there. There may only be human shortcomings and character traits. They cannot be driven out.) Such an action can be harmful. The most important thing is always that a person first comes into a right relationship with God. This means surrendering their life to God and dealing with those areas where there may be open gates for the enemy's forces. Perhaps there have been occult sins in the past or perhaps in the present there is unforgiveness towards others, self-hatred, suicidal thoughts and self-pity. Or perhaps a person has a wrong understanding of salvation and God so that a person is "under the law" and sees God as the same as his violent father was. These wrong attitudes about God and salvation should be dealt with first. Likewise, sins should be brought to light, that is, confessed to God. This is how the demons are deprived of their right to be in a person. They are legalistic and hold on to their rights, but if a person truly repents and confesses their sins, they are powerless. It is much easier to expel them after it. Liberation and deliverance are easier and faster the more thoroughly the confession of sins has taken place.

   It is also worth remembering the following teachings. Jesus spoke of the act of repentance and faith in the gospel (faith in the promises of the gospel through Jesus means such things as salvation as a gift, being under grace all the time, and being accepted by God), which two things are the starting point for all freedom. In addition, James mentioned submission to God, which in practice also means repentance, that is, putting God first in one’s life, changing one’s mind about sin, and confessing one’s sins. This is a good basis for resisting the enemy:

- (Mark 1:14,15) Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,

15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent you, and believe the gospel.

- (James 4:7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Sven Reichmann uses an example to explain how it is important to address different areas of life in a spiritual care situation and that the person himself experiences godly sorrow for his sins (2 Cor 7:9,10 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you sorrowed to repentance: for you were made sorry after a godly manner, that you might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death.). When a person is ready to free themselves from wrong attitudes and confess them to God as sins, liberation and deliverance are easier. In this way, the enemy's right to act in a person is removed. Authority is not the most important factor, but that the person comes into a right relationship with God. On the other hand, if a person is not ready for repentance, for example, ready to forgive, it is not worth proceeding with the process. Liberation and deliverance will not succeed if there is unrepentance:

I think that the work of liberation has also been discredited because we have tried to replace brokenness with authority – which is not God’s intention at all. In my own experience, there is no drama involved in freeing a broken person. Brokenness of the client reduces the risks for both the releaser and the released. When a person has been able to break completely before God, they experience a great sense of relief within themselves. Then there is no breaking of furniture, fighting, coughing or vomiting. The problems simply disappear.

   I remember a person who came to me. He had many bondage -related symptoms, many harmful relationships in his life. He felt anger and resentment towards many and lived in a chronic state of anxiety and depression. We went through his life led by the Spirit and progressed all the way to breaking. He himself prayed for forgiveness and release from his anger and bitterness. It was quite evident that his prayer flowed from a deep sense of guilt.

    Afterwards I laid my hands on him and commanded the spirits of darkness to depart. Without any drama, the man's face brightened and his entire being exuded immense relief.

    I suddenly remembered him saying that he had been harboring suicidal thoughts for a long time. I laid my hands on him again and commanded the spirit of suicide to leave him. But this was something we hadn't covered during our conversation and hadn't acknowledged to God. The spirit of suicide still had rights over the man. The man jumped up from his chair and was obviously going to attack me. But during the conversation and prayer, so much breaking and purification had already taken place that the new command made the spirit leave. However, it caused a coughing fit when he left.

    Half a year later I met the man again. He assured me that after that moment he had never once contemplated suicide. At that time, he was also completely freed from all other bondage and slavery. The spiritual deliverance had truly worked. The fact that the spirit of suicide had been able to resist at that moment was due to the fact that the suicide had not been dealt with sufficiently before God before the spirit was spoken to. (6)

Gates: Bitterness, unforgiveness, judging others. Many people have experienced truly traumatic things: sexual abuse, parental abandonment, bullying at school, being abandoned by a spouse, or their loved ones have been hurt. The natural reaction for everyone is bitterness, accusations, a desire for revenge, and unforgiveness toward those who have wronged them. It is difficult for a person to let go of the past that holds them in its grip. They harbor anger as memories resurface over and over again. If you point out to them that they should forgive, they may say, “You don’t know what has been done to me. I have a right to these feelings because I have been wronged.”

    How do secular therapies deal with these problems? They deal with the person’s past and try to get them to accept it. This can be of some help, but the problem is that people are only seen as victims, not perpetrators. If everything in the present is due to the past and how people have been treated, then even criminals are not responsible for their actions. Furthermore, a person will not change much if we just console them about the past, but they do not take responsibility for their own bitterness, anger, or self-pity. The person being treated may be left with the delusion that they have the right to be bitter, and this keeps them bound.

    What is the Bible’s advice on this matter? It says that none of us are simply victims, but that we are responsible for our own reactions. Bitterness and accusations are always a product of our own minds, of having reacted in the wrong way to parents or other people. Therefore, we should repent of our accusing, judging, and bitter thoughts and forgive everyone. It is a decision of the will, not of the feeling. Feelings usually follow afterwards and change more slowly.

   Forgiveness practically means that we no longer remember people's mistakes, but we stop blaming them. Our attitude should be as if our neighbors had never done anything wrong; just as God does not remember our past sins and bring them to judgment anymore. We receive forgiveness for all the past at once when we turn to Jesus.

   This is an area where most of us fail, but it is the only way to freedom. We must let go of the past so that we can embrace the future (Phil 3:13,14: Brothers, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.). Furthermore, if we do not forgive others, stop judging and accusing them in our minds, we cannot be forgiven by God. These two things are linked:

- (Matt 6:12,14,15) And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

15 But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

- (Hebr 12:14,15) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

- (1 John 3:15) Whoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

- (Matt 18:32-35) Then his lord, after that he had called him, said to him, O you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt, because you desired me:

33 Should not you also have had compassion on your fellow servant, even as I had pity on you?

34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due to him.

35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also to you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

- (1 Cor 13:4,5) Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity braggs not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil;.

The following quote gives a good picture of what bitterness can do. The woman was in chains because of her unforgiveness , but when she finally agreed to forgive her father (people who suffer from bitterness are most often bitter toward their parents. Father and mother are at the top of the list), it led to freedom. She followed the Bible’s teaching that ”If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (John 1:9).

A woman in her forties was sitting at the front of the meeting room, and began to act strangely. The prayer ministers tried to take her to another room to pray for her, but when they got to the hallway, she started behaving like an animal. She started biting and clawing and banging her head against the wall while snarling at people. The prayer ministers gathered around her and began to call out to the spirits and tell them to leave her alone, but nothing happened.

    …I joined the others and put my arm around the woman to stop her from banging her head on the wall. Whispering, I asked her if there was anyone she should forgive.

    “No,” she shouted. Then the Lord showed me a picture of her father raping her, so I asked if she should forgive her father. She started screaming, “I hate him! I can't stand him! Rot in hell!”

    I said, “Unless you want to forgive him, I can't help you. Demons have a permission to torment you.” I got up and started walking away.

    When I got to the door, she yelled as the hallway echoed (and was still raging around): “Okay, I forgive him! I'll do anything! Help me!" Moments later I led her in prayer to forgive his father and a few other people she could think of. Then we commanded the demons to leave. They went away and she got up laughing! (7)

The following comments from well-known servants of God further demonstrate how dangerous unforgiveness is. In addition to closing the door to the kingdom of God, it opens the door to the enemy, Satan. It is the most common gateway through which Satan can influence people's lives. At times, it can be an obstacle to physical healing:

Neil T. Anderson: I have found in my pastoral work that unforgiveness is the main avenue that Satan uses to enter the lives of believers. (8)

Nicky Cruz: Wherever I go, people continually ask me to pray that they would be healed, would get over an economic crisis or would be freed from continuous attacks of the devil. Instead of immediately praying, I now first ask whether they have forgiven.

   It is amazing how ugly issues come up to the surface when I test them a little.

   Is it useless to pray on their behalf if there is an unforgiving mind in the background. An unforgivable mind lets the devil in our life and will threaten everything we love – our family relationships, career, work, physical and mental health. (9)

Carlos Annacondia: Seventy percent of the people who suffer with spiritual problems and end up in our deliverance tent have hatred, anger, and bitter roots in their hearts. These are the main causes for illnesses and distress in people’s lives. The majority of them will heal physically, once they find inner reform through forgiveness.

Inspect your own heart. You might find anger towards your spouse, cousin, relative, neighbor, brother or sister. Anger and grudge bring about punishment. Many times, they are the reason for illnesses, which seem to not come out of nowhere. Whatever your anger might be, Jesus forgave and told us to do the same. If we refuse to do so, we are disobedient towards His word and we will be condemned. Forgiveness is not a feeling; it is a decision. If you want to forgive, the Lord will help you do so.

I have prayed for people broken down by illnesses, and they have become healthy the moment they stopped praying and decided to forgive. It is tremendous how the power of God works through forgiveness. Do not let the devil use your feelings to bring sickness into your life. (10)

"Lord, Father, forgive my bitterness and accusations against ....! From now on, I want to bless, not curse, these people. Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing me from all unrighteousness through the blood of your Son, Jesus."

"Satan and you demons, I have confessed to God that I have been bitter towards.... I renounce my bitterness and anger and do not accept this sin. Now you no longer have any legal right in this area, because through the blood of Jesus I have received forgiveness from God for these things. Therefore, I now command you in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from me and around me, and you shall never return!"

Honor your father and mother, the king, everyone!

- (Matt 7:1,2) Judge not, that you be not judged.

2 For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.

- (James 4:11,12 Speak not evil one of another, brothers. He that speaks evil of his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law, and judges the law: but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.

12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who are you that judge another?

We talked about unforgiveness earlier. Its close ally is judging and disapproving of our neighbors. We can easily be guilty of it: disapproving of the character of our parents, disapproving of our spouse, disapproving of our adult children for their lifestyle, judging our coworkers, judging politicians, or not loving people who hold different views. For example, a believer's sin may be that he does not love supporters of homosexuality, unbelieving priests, liberal politicians, or those who advocate for the Palestinian cause. We can have a completely wrong and unloving attitude toward these people. However, James, for example, warned about this. If a person has a bitter and angry attitude, which we can easily be guilty of, we are not under the influence of the Spirit of God, but of demons. Therefore, we need the love of God in our hearts so that we can encounter people who think differently and not let the devil influence us. (On the other hand, if we have been guilty of speaking in the wrong way due to our thoughtlessness, this matter can be corrected by an apology. People often forgive our failures. However, the most serious thing is if a person constantly commits this sin, and does not even see it as a sin. Then such a person should worry about his attitude and get back into a right relationship with God).

- (James 3:6-18) And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not so to be.

11 Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brothers, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

14 But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

But what happens if a person has a judgmental and harsh attitude towards those around them, especially their parents? Their own life does not go well in those areas where they judge their parents. Those who choose to resent and condemn their parents usually do not succeed in life, as it is written. So one of the Ten Commandments commands us to honor our parents. Does this honor apply only to good and successful parents, or also to those who have done wrong? There is no ambiguity about this. The commandment to honor our parents applies to all parents, regardless of what they are or have been like. If a person judges or resents their parents, he is not obeying this commandment:

- (Eph 6:2,3) Honor your father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

3 That it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.

- (Prov 20:20) Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

What about other people? Often the church is guilty of judging all those who do not know the Lord and do not walk in his ways. However, if people sense our rejection and harsh attitude, it is increasingly difficult for them to accept the gospel. They reject it. Yes, they often know that they have messed up their lives. If they see that we do not value or love them, they will be suspicious of all our evangelistic work. Judging people and their disapproval will not help them change, but will keep them far from the kingdom of God. That is why we need a respectful attitude towards the King and all people, especially towards those who reject the values ​​that are important to us.

- (Matt 19:19) Honor your father and your mother: and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

- (Rom 12:10) Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;

- (Eph 5:33) Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

- (1 Peter 2:17) Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

- (1 Peter 3:7) Likewise, you husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

- (Acts 23:5) Then said Paul, I knew not, brothers, that he was the high priest: for it is written, You shall not speak evil of the ruler of your people.

- (Rom 13:1-7) Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whoever therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will you then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and you shall have praise of the same:

4 For he is the minister of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath on him that does evil.

5 Why you must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6 For for this cause pay you tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually on this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

Gates: self-hatred, self-pity, self-cursing, suicidal thoughts, unforgiveness towards oneself. As noted, many have experienced truly traumatic things. Some have been born unwanted or or attempts were made to abort the child (such a person may experience feelings that they have no right to live. However, Revelation 4:11 says: "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and were created"), others have experienced severe domestic violence and abandonment by their parents. Others have grown up in an alcoholic family, others have experienced parental fighting or divorce, and others have been sexually abused. Many have been bullied at school or have experienced name-calling, comparisons and belittling: stupid, ugly, you know nothing...

    What are the effects of these experiences? The effect manifests itself in at least three ways: 1) People become bitter toward those who have hurt them. 2) People begin to hate themselves and develop a negative self-image. They may try to win the approval of others through achievements and being pleasant. On the other hand, because of their traumas, they may see criticism and rejection where there is none. They find it difficult to believe that others could like them. 3) Their perception of God becomes distorted; if a person turns to God, they may see God as harsh and merciless toward them. People find it difficult to believe the Bible's words about God's love for them.

   When it comes to a person's relationship with themselves, the result can be self-hatred and self-pity. A person is unable to love themselves or think anything good about themselves. He may say that he is "the most miserable person in the world", but in reality there are millions of such "the most miserable people in the world" in the world. They may also live in the same cloud of self-pity. Many of them use alcohol, drugs or escape into dreams in order to forget their traumatic experiences. Comfort eating, bedwetting, like many other things, can also be a symptom of traumatic experiences and abandonment.

    Self-cursing (“You disgusting scumbag, you have no right to live…”) or suicidal thoughts are also consequences of self-hatred and not liking oneself. Suicide may be seen as a last resort from a world where one feels rejected and hated.

    What is God's solution to this issue? We must first understand God's love for us (we will discuss this area later, i.e. how understanding the truth can help people to be free). When we see that we are lovable and accepted in God's eyes, our perspective on things begins to change. However, in general, the repair of a person's self-image is a long process, in which positive reactions and friendships from others can accelerate healing and wholeness. For example, John Loren and Paula Sandford have emphasized in their books how people's wholeness occurs much faster if they are surrounded by caring people. This is where the church has room for improvement.

   However, what is important is a person's right attitude towards self-hatred, self-pity, self-cursing and suicidal thoughts; they are sins that must be confessed to God and renounced. In other words, if hating and cursing one's neighbor is wrong, it is equally wrong if it is directed at the person himself. Therefore, confess to God your self-hatred, self-pity, self-cursing and suicidal thoughts as sins. That is the first step to freedom.

"Lord, Father, forgive my self-hatred, self-pity, self-blame, and suicidal thoughts! Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing me from all unrighteousness through the blood of your Son Jesus. I also thank you for allowing me to be loved and accepted through your Son Jesus Christ."

"Satan and you demons, I have confessed to God my self-hatred, self-pity, self-blame, and suicidal thoughts. I oppose these sins and do not accept them. Now you no longer have any legal right in these areas, because through the blood of Jesus I have received forgiveness from God for these things. Therefore, I now command you in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from me and around me, and you must never return!"

What about forgiving yourself? Many people can forgive others, but not themselves. They may make an internal vow: “I will never forgive myself.” They feel guilty about their actions and are unable to forgive themselves. Perhaps it is an act that has led to death, an accident, or a great financial loss. They brood over these things all day long, blaming themselves.

    What is the problem here? If a person has turned to Jesus, he has received forgiveness from God for his entire burden of sin, and therefore a person should also forgive himself (of course, everyone can try to compensate for the damage he has caused to others. That is another matter). If we deny ourselves forgiveness, we are actually putting ourselves in God's place. We become judges in God's place, which is of course not right. It is the same unforgiveness as unforgiveness towards other people. In other words, unforgiveness is always wrong, whether it is directed at others or at ourselves. Therefore, ask God for forgiveness for your own wrong attitude towards yourself! Confess it to Him. Also consider the following verses related to the topic. They show how God has forgiven; therefore, we should also forgive others and ourselves:

- (Col 2:13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, has he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

- (Col 3:13) 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do you.

- (Eph 4:32) And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

- (Hebr 10:16-18) This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, said the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Accusations against God. Often a person may be disappointed in God. If a person does not receive a quick answer to their prayer, if they are not immediately freed from sin, or if someone close to them dies or bad things happen to them, this can lead to accusations against God. Then the person must also forgive God. God himself has not sinned, but a person can accuse God of various things if the person's own will is not immediately fulfilled.

    Therefore, give up blaming God! Also understand that many things belong to this imperfect world! That includes the death of every person sooner or later. That includes evil because people do not want to repent and turn to God. God did not make people robots. On the other hand, if He were to repeat evil from the world, He would have to remove all people from the world.

    It is also important to be patient. If you have not yet received an answer to your prayer or have not been set free from sin, keep seeking and knocking! Some things take time, and we may have to wait a long time before a breakthrough comes. It is not worth giving up.

   Jesus’ teaching is very relevant to this matter, where he stated (Matt 5:6): ”Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”  What does this mean? I personally understand that a person may have struggled with their shortcomings or addictions and therefore long for a change in their life. Paul also once sighed (Romans 7:24): ”O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” However, Jesus’ promise is that if a person thirsts for more righteousness in their life, they will experience it.

- (Hebr: 10:35,36) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which has great recompense of reward.

36 For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.

- (Hebr 6:15) And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

- (Col 4:2) Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving

- (Rom 12:12) Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Lord, Father! Forgive me for my accusations against you and for being impatient. I confess this as sin and thank you for the forgiveness that comes through your Son, Jesus Christ.

Idolatry

- (1 Cor 10:14,19,20) Why, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that you should have fellowship with devils.

- (Rev 22:12-15) And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and whoever loves and makes a lie.

One of the gates through which the enemy can influence people’s lives is idolatry. Paul warned in the previous verses that people become partakers of demons through idolatry. This practice was common in the ancient world, but it still occurs in many countries around the world. People make idols, which they then worship. For example, Hinduism is a religion in which millions of Hindus take refuge in self-made idols that cannot speak, see, smell, or hear. These people do not think that objects made of wood, stone, or metal are powerless to help them in their lives. The writer of the Psalms has pointed out the inconsistency and absurdity of such actions.

- (Ps 115:3-8) But our God is in the heavens: he has done whatever he has pleased.

4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.

5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:

6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:

7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.

8 They that make them are like to them; so is every one that trusts in them.

There are many types of objects associated with idolatry. In addition, there are objects that are not directly related to idolatry, but have been used in occultism. These include idol images and statues (souvenirs may include such objects) , fetishes, magic drums, devil masks, talismans, amulets, magic tools, occult jewelry, heavy rock and punk records, ankh crosses, lucky charms, objects related to Freemasonry, horoscope jewelry, ouija boards or letter boards. Similar objects that are associated with human superstition are images, statues and relics of saints. In addition, astrological, spiritualistic and magical literature is one major avenue for the devil. The most famous magical book is probably the Black Bible, which contains a wide variety of spells, teachings on communicating with spirits, and which actually has nothing to do with the right Bible.

    Objects placed under the skin, such as metal needles, used in Satanic worship or indigenous religious practices, can be one gateway. Such objects should be removed by a doctor or asked by the Lord to remove them, as they are a pathway for spirit powers.

    What is the Bible's advice in this area? We should destroy all objects that have been used in idolatry and occultism, otherwise it is impossible to expect deliverance. It is also worth reciting a prayer of renunciation of idolatry and these objects. This will break the bond with the demons who work through the objects.

   An example of this is Derek Prince’s book “They Shall Expel Demons.” In his book, Prince recounted how he repeatedly saw people making a connection between occult activity and depression. He also recounted how he himself had removed antique dragons and other idolatrous artifacts from his own home that he had inherited from his parents. He stated, “My action dramatically changed the spiritual atmosphere around me. It was as if I had come out of darkness into bright light.”

- (Deut 7:25,26) The graven images of their gods shall you burn with fire: you shall not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it to you, lest you be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD your God.

26 Neither shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be a cursed thing like it: but you shall utterly detest it, and you shall utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.

- (Acts 19:17-19) And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds.

19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

"Lord, Father, forgive me for participating in idolatry and not honoring you as the only true God! Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing me from all unrighteousness through the blood of your Son, Jesus."

"Satan and you demons, I have confessed to God that I have participated in idolatry and kept idolatry-related items in my home. I forsake this sin and renounce it. I also renounce all objects and demons that have been associated with idolatry. Now you no longer have any legal right in this area, because through the blood of Jesus I have received forgiveness from God for these things. Therefore, I now command you in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from me and around me, and you must never return!"

Various forms of occultism and non-Christian movements. The various activities of the occult are one of the greatest open gates for demons. Many may have visited a fortune teller, energy healer or channeling session only once. They may have considered these visits as mere play, but the forces of darkness take these visits seriously. A person becomes spiritually bound through them. When a person seeks knowledge or power from various forms of occultism, he inevitably makes an alliance with the forces of darkness. The worst effects of demons in people's lives are related to this area.

   In addition, there are demonic “gifts,” such as speaking in tongues, which resemble the gifts of grace mentioned in the Bible. If a person turns to Jesus, he does not automatically get rid of these demonic gifts. Some of these false gifts may have come through family inheritance (God's gifts are not inherited) or also through the laying on of hands. Therefore, people should always make sure that they do not let anyone untrustworthy lay hands on them. (On the other hand, if the person being prayed for is not himself ready to repent, forgive, and forsake all wrongdoing, one should not pray for such a person. Praying for, for example, the baptism of the Holy Spirit before repentance can have unfortunate consequences. Such people should first come into a right relationship with God and be taught about the Christian walk and what Jesus has done for them.)

   Common occult and related activities include witchcraft, spiritualism, channeling, Satanism, various forms of divination (palm reading, crystal ball, tea leaf reading, etc.), astrology and horoscopes, Tarot cards, pendulums, a magic rod and well gazing, occult visualization such as Silva Mind Control, spirit guides, angel worship, New Age activities, Ouija boards, out-of-body experiences, parapsychology, martial arts, hypnosis, making one's mind passive through TM and Eastern meditation, mindfulness, telepathy, clairvoyance, automatic writing, levitation, crystal balls, iris analysis, acupuncture, astral projection, black and white magic (the same forces are at work in white magic as in black magic), spells and curses, spiritual and energy healing (there is no neutral energy in this area), laying on of hands by a demonic person. (congregations should operate in such a way that only the elders and trusted people in the congregation pray for others), acupuncture, yoga (in traditional Hinduism, the purpose of yoga is to connect a person with the Hindu god Brahman), some areas of alternative medicine, UFO experiences, blood oaths, voodoo...

- (Lev 19:26,31) You shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall you use enchantment, nor observe times.

31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

- (Deut 18:10-12) There shall not be found among you any one that makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch.

11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.

12 For all that do these things are an abomination to the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD your God does drive them out from before you.

- (2 King 21:6) And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he worked much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

- (1 Chron 10:13) So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it;

- (Isaiah 8:19) And when they shall say to you, Seek to them that have familiar spirits, and to wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek to their God? for the living to the dead?

- (Rev 21:6-8) And he said to me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to him that is thirsty of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

False religions and cults are also common gateways. In some of them is recited oaths, as in Freemasonry and the Mormon religion. These oaths can bind descendants. Other religious groups include Moonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Baha'i, Children of God, Anthroposophy, Unity, New Age, Scientology, Rosicrucianism, Theosophy, Hare Krishna, Divine Light Mission, gurus, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Shinto, Unitarianism, Christian Science, Kabbalah, Odd Fellows, Knights Templar...

"Lord, Father, forgive me for participating in spiritualism, spirit healing, false religions and cults... Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing me from all unrighteousness through the blood of your Son, Jesus."

"Satan and you demons, I have confessed to God that I have participated in spiritualism, spirit healing, false religions and cults.... I oppose and do not accept these sins. I break all agreements I have made with the powers of darkness. Now you no longer have any legal right in these areas, because through the blood of Jesus I have received forgiveness from God for these things. Therefore, I now command you in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from me and around me, and you shall never return!"

"Lord, Father, forgive my wrong connections with the spirit world! I ask that you take away from me now those supernatural gifts and abilities that are not of you and that you also take away from me all connections with the spirit world that are not of you. Thank you for cleansing my body, soul, and spirit from all wrong through the blood of Jesus. In Jesus' name, amen."

"Satan and you demons! I do not accept any false connection to the spirit world or supernatural abilities given by evil spirits. Now in the name of Jesus Christ, I command all evil spirits that give me the ability to communicate with the spirit world to leave my life immediately, and you must never return!"

Spiritual inheritance of the family . As stated, the main reason why a person becomes susceptible to the influence of demons is the practice of sin. Especially witchcraft, idolatry, Satanism, spiritism and other practices of the occult lead to a person's demonic ties. The worst cases of possession are from this area. However, other sins, such as unforgiveness, also give demons the right to influence a person's life. Only when a person repents of his sins, the demons lose their right to operate in a person.

    One important gateway for demons to influence people's lives is also genetic inheritance. We can inherit blessings and curses, good and bad things. If parents or ancestors have practiced the occult, been immoral, recited spells (e.g. Mormon and Masonic oaths can affect descendants) or have allowed themselves to be healed magically, the descendants can still be subject to the effects of these actions, even after conversion. Such inheritance can also come through someone being assigned a spiritual protector or "parent" in Satanism, so it is not always a matter of hereditary ties.

    When it comes to hereditary diseases, doctors may often ask about family history of diseases, as many diseases have been found to be hereditary. They may also ask about the person's diet or the balance between rest and exercise.

   The same applies to spiritual heritage. Often, in spiritual care and therapy, it may be found out what the health status of ancestors or parents and their siblings was, their lifespan, whether there were recurring negative behavioral patterns such as divorce, occultism, addictions, or what the relationship between parents was like, the atmosphere at home and their attitude towards moral or spiritual matters. Based on these, some conclusions can be drawn.

   Often the influence of demons manifests itself when a parent or grandparent dies. In that situation, a person may receive a spirit of weakness or another spirit that has been at work in the parents or grandparents. People die, but demons do not die. They only change their place of residence, and because of the sin of the parents or grandparents, they have the right to influence children and grandchildren.

   The influence of inheritance is most clearly evident in the area of ​​occultism. Many have inherited occult abilities such as telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, spirit healing, and general spiritualistic strain. There is also talk of families of seers in which the same things are passed down as an inheritance. Even if a person himself has never had anything to do with the things in question, the spiritualistic strain often becomes apparent at the latest when he tries to turn to God. He may feel as if there is a wall in front of him and he may have to fight hard. Spiritualistic strain and spiritualistic gifts do not automatically disappear in connection with conversion.

   The following quote ( from Kurt Koch: The Indonesian Revival ) shows how spiritual gifts and burdens can be passed down through families. These spiritual abilities, which do not always disappear even with conversion, should not be confused with the gifts of grace given by God.

It is strange that many Christians have no idea of occult slavery, even though they themselves live in it. It was terrible to realize one day that the words of Exodus 20 applied to me. My own grandfather had actually been a medicine man. Although my father was a Christian, our whole family was susceptible to the influence of magical powers. This was especially evident in my own life. Even as a child I could perceive spiritistic phenomena. Sometimes I would hear whispers and singing, and at other times I would feel invisible spirits moving around me. When I met a stranger, I knew immediately what kind of person he was and what he was thinking. Moreover, I saw dreams that came true, so that I began to be afraid to dream.

   … Both of my daughters have also inherited these spiritualistic abilities. Our older daughter is hypersensitive and has clear telepathic tendencies…

   Through these trials, the Lord taught me many lessons. First, I had not realized that I had inherited such a burden from my grandfather, even though my father was a Christian. So occult attachment can bypass a believing generation and reappear in subsequent, unbelieving generations.

    Secondly, I learned that despite my repentance and conversion, I had not been freed from the shackles of occultism. Special spiritual care is necessary in this area.

   Third, I came to understand that our own daughters had inherited the same spiritistic tendencies. This was the fact that worried me the most.

   But that was not all. Our house had fallen under the influence of our powerful spiritist nature. So witchcraft can in a way be transmitted from people living in the bonds of occultism to the matter around them.

   These were four very clear lessons about the consequences of witchcraft, which can affect up to the third or fourth generation. (11)

The same patterns of behavior, attitudes, and illnesses in a family are evidence of the influence of heredity. Recurring patterns may include adultery, family breakdown, alcoholism, mental and physical illnesses (including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, which are often hereditary and run in families), suicide, violence, lying, child abuse, unbelief, poverty, premature death, accident-proneness, and a tendency toward anger, rage, depression, and fear are very common. Many who grew up in alcoholic families, who may swear when they were younger that they would never drink alcohol or marry an alcoholic, often break their promises. The reason may be the influence of the spirit world that guides their lives and that has gained a place because of sin in the family. Similarly, many victims of violence either marry someone who abuses them as adults, or they themselves abuse their spouse and children.

- (Lev 26:38,39) And you shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up.

39 And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies’ lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them.

- (Lam 5:7) Our fathers have sinned, and are not; and we have borne their iniquities.

- (Deut 30:19) I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both you and your seed may live:

- (1 King 15:3) And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.

- (1 Peter 1:18,19) For as much as you know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:  

Can one be freed from demons inherited through the family? Yes, one can, because Christ came to redeem people from the way of life inherited from their fathers (see the previous verses!) and to undo the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). When a person turns to God, confesses the sins of the family, and renounces them, the demons lose their right to influence a person. The following example shows how liberation from inherited demonic bonds can be achieved:

Then I accepted Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. I grew spiritually over the next few years, but I never experienced complete peace. I always had a little doubt in my relationship with God, who I thought was distant and harsh. I found it difficult to pray, read the Bible, and focus on the pastor’s sermons. I seriously questioned the purpose of life. I had terrible nightmares that would wake me up screaming.

   As I prayed with you, I finally found freedom in Christ. I realized that God is not a harsh, distant disciplinarian, but a loving Father who rejoices in my achievements. I also experienced immense relief when, in prayer, I was able to undo all the demonic influences that had been passed down to me from my ancestors. (12)

"Lord, Father, I confess to you all the sins of my ancestors and parents such as witchcraft, spiritualism, spirit healing, immorality, false oaths... and I renounce them. Thank you that I can be free from the influence of these sins and all evil spirits through the atonement of Jesus. Thank you that my spiritual inheritance comes from Christ and not from the sins of my ancestors, amen."

"Satan and you evil spirits, I have confessed to God the sins and false oaths of my ancestors and parents and renounced them. Now you no longer have any legal right in this area, because through the blood of Jesus these things have been forgiven and their effect has been broken. Therefore, I now command you in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from me and around me, and you may never return."

Gates: distorted sexuality . When it comes to demonic gifts, there are three ways a person may have become a part of them: they are passed on by inheritance, through the practice of occult teachings, or a person falls under the hands of a magician. This last option is the demonic equivalent of the laying on of hands mentioned in the Bible. It can also be realized by a person falling under the hands of a spiritual healer, a Reiki healer, or a so-called energy healer. Then he falls under the control of these forces.

   The same is true in the area of ​​sexuality. Sexuality involves physical contact similar to the laying on of hands, and demons can move freely in sexual relationships that are against God's will. The following news item tells more about this topic. It is likely that as a result of abuse, children have been exposed to the same evil forces that controlled their abusers. They have to struggle with similar desires, and some may continue to abuse others. However, Jesus can free every person from the evil forces that tempt them:

Even a hardened criminal cannot be forced into treatment

… On the bench of the accused in court sat on Thursday… a man who first pulled over the prison shirt to hide from the cameras.

    Fifty year old man is accused of exploiting nearly thirty children, and this is not the first time. He has been convicted of exploiting dozens of boys at least three times before. Last in 2012.

… Lauerma does not comment on individual cases, nor on this. He says in general that one of the factors that predisposes to sexual offenses against children is becoming a victim of a sexual offense in childhood.

- Quite a large part have been victims of sexual crime in childhood. Estimates range from 30 percent to 80 percent, meaning it’s highly contagious behaviour. Therefore, influencing it would be important because the multiplier effects are intergenerational. (ESS, 12 October 2018)

As for sexuality, it must be stated that it is in itself a good thing created by God if it is realized within the limits for which it was intended: in the marriage of a man and a woman. On the other hand, all distortions of sexuality, such as extramarital sex, the practice of homosexuality, pornography, incest, sex with children, sex with animals or demons, open the door to the powers of darkness, the spirits of fornication.

   Often these issues have their roots in childhood. For example, a man's homosexuality may be due to a difficult father relationship (often a harsh, absent or passive father) and the boy's inability to identify with a parent of the same sex. Sometimes the background may be sexual abuse by a man. Similarly, women may have a difficult mother relationship or that the mother was absent in childhood. In addition, for some men and women, the background to homosexuality and the background to the fact that they have difficulty accepting their own gender may be that their parents have wished for a representative of the other sex. This has directed their thoughts in the wrong direction.

   In any case, we must take seriously the following teachings of the Bible. They show where the line between right and wrong is drawn. If we go into the wrong areas, we will inevitably become partakers of the forces of darkness:

- (1 Cor 7:1-5) Now concerning the things whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.

2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

3 Let the husband render to the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife to the husband.

4 The wife has not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband has not power of his own body, but the wife.

5 Defraud you not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

- (Hebr 13:4) Marriage is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled: but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.

- (1 Cor 6:9,10) 9 Know you not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortionists, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

- (Rev 2:21) And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.

- (Matt 5:28) But I say to you, That whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.

- (1 Cor 6:16-20) What? know you not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body?  for two, said he, shall be one flesh.

17 But he that is joined to the Lord is one spirit.

18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body.

19 What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?

20 For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

There were verses about the limits of sexuality. There were verses about the limits of sexuality. Jesus even taught that mere coveting is already committing adultery. No one is perfect in this area, but we should strive for that. Especially a porn addict should give up using the internet and TV (like anyone who is too dependent on smart devices and television).

    What does sexual abuse lead to? At its worst, it can traumatize a person who has experienced sexual abuse, rape, or ongoing incest. It causes self-hatred, self-rejection, feelings of impurity, escape into a fantasy world, inability to receive love, distrust of others, eating disorders, identity problems, and difficulties with sexual intercourse in marriage. It has also been found that the majority of prostitutes have been victims of incest. Healing from sexual abuse is usually a long process.

    What should a person do who has drifted into the wrong areas of sexuality? He should of course stop sinning and confess his sin to God. (Only a person can be freed who no longer justifies his sin, but hates it and really wants to get rid of it. As long as a person keeps the gate open to sin all the time, he cannot experience freedom.) After that, he can command all the demons in the area where he has committed sins to leave. Prayer and command to the forces of the enemy can happen, for example, in the following way:

"Lord, Father, forgive me for my involvement in extramarital sex, pornography, lust, homosexuality… and other sins in this area! Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing me from all unrighteousness through the blood of your Son, Jesus."

"Satan and you demons, I have confessed to God that I have been involved in extramarital sex, pornography, lust, homosexuality… and other sins in this area that are not God's will. I oppose these sins and do not accept them. I want to be obedient to God. Now you no longer have any legal right in this area, because through the blood of Jesus I have received forgiveness from God for these things. Therefore, I now command you in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from me and around me, and never return!"

As a result of sexual relations, some have also had abortions. This is a wrongdoing comparable to the Canaanites sacrificing their children to their idols (Deut 12:31 You shall not do so to the LORD your God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hates, have they done to their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.). This matter must be confessed to God so that the blood of Jesus can cleanse a person from sin. God does forgive a person. (1 John 1:7,9: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleans us from all sin. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.)

   The following example, told by the well-known evangelist, Carlos Annacondia from Argentina, shows the importance of confession and repentance. Every person should first enter into a right relationship with God. This is connected to liberation. If a person does not confess his sins to God, perhaps because of shame, he may not be liberated.

One evening during one of our series of meetings, whenever I rebuked the devil from the platform, the demon would come out in a woman in the audience and she would start shaking violently. But even though we went to the freedom tent to pray several times, she left unchanged. The ministers told me that she had received the Lord some time ago and was attending a church.

   The next night the same thing happened again; as I rebuked the devil, he began to shake and scream. The Holy Spirit brought the word “abortion” to my heart. He told me something about the woman’s life. I finally went to her and asked, “Have you had an abortion that you have never confessed or repented of?”

   That night, the woman confessed with tears of repentance that she had had five abortions. She cried out to God for forgiveness and was set free. God not only set her free, but that night she also received the gift of speaking in tongues. (13)

When a person has had extramarital sex or experienced sexual abuse, they may also be spiritually bound to the person or persons with whom they have had sexual intercourse. Such soul ties can be broken through prayer. It is worth breaking the soul ties formed with each different person in turn. In addition, the forces of evil can be commanded to leave in the name of Jesus Christ.

“Lord, Father, I ask you to forgive me for my wrong sexual relationship with ………. I ask you to break all wrong ties of spirit, soul and body that have been formed between me and ………. I break this evil bond in the name of Jesus Christ and I believe that through the work of Jesus on the cross I can be free from all wrong ties. Thank you for forgiving me and allowing me to be clean and free through the blood of your Son Jesus.”

"Satan and you demons who have operated through this harmful soul bond between me and ………. I have confessed this sin to God, therefore you no longer have any legal right in this area, because through the blood of Jesus I have received forgiveness from God for these things. Therefore, I now command you in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from me and around me, and you shall never return!"

Harmful soul ties. Relationships between people can have both good and bad sides. Good relationships include friendship and respect for others. On the other hand, negative relationships can involve manipulation, control, blaming, threatening, and fear. Negative relationships can create false soul ties that burden people. A person's own will may be different, but because of false codependency, they don't dare to do anything new.

   Perhaps the most common problem is that one parent still controls their adult children. The situation where a mother interferes in the marriage of her daughter or son is especially common. Mother-in-law jokes are a reality for many. What makes it difficult is that one should respect one's parents, but one should also join to one's own spouse (Mark 10:7 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and join to his wife). Parents can still provide help if needed, if asked, but demands, blaming, and attempts to control a child's marriage are close to witchcraft. A wise parent knows how to loosen their grip on their children's lives in time.

    Harmful soul ties can also arise through other means. They can be in sexual relationships, in the work community, in gangs (Peer pressure on young people can be strong. Many are driven to crime, drugs and other harmful things because they do not dare to oppose the opinion of the group), between siblings, between spouses, even in the church (That is why, for example, Peter wrote that being a shepherd of the church is not lording over people. False shepherds and those with bad character can be guilty of that, 1 Peter 5:1-3: The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.). The essential elements are false control, manipulation, intimidation and dependence on the opinions of others. On the other hand, some may still have a false soul connection to a person who has already died. This is especially the case in cultures where ancestor worship is practiced or if spiritism has been practiced. Such false activities must be stopped and false ties must be severed.

    The following two examples show what this is all about. False codependency and soul ties can be a burdensome thing, but Jesus is powerful to help in this area too:

David Cross: It is equally difficult to explain the spiritual reality of soul ties, how we connect to others through relationships. The existence of a harmful soul tie becomes easier to understand when we see the effects of the harmful actions of other people on our emotions and our spiritual lives. When we forgive those who have controlled our lives and ask Jesus to release us from harmful ties, the breaking of them can often be experienced very clearly. In a prayer service, for example, a person might say, “For the first time in my life, I now feel free from X.” Such simple statements clearly describe liberation. It is often easier to describe the feeling of being bound and being freed from it than the harmful soul tie itself.

   Rose had been subjected to terrible verbal abuse and control by an older colleague at the school where she taught. When Rose took the situation to the Lord in a prayer service, forgave her colleague, and was freed from the shackles she was wearing, the results were miraculous. At first, she felt a heavy weight on her body, causing her head to sink to her knees. Almost immediately, she felt the weight loosen and experienced a wonderful sense of relief and freedom. Rose could not have explained what a harmful soul bondage looked like, but she certainly knew what it felt like! (14)

Leanne Payne: Then I think the important step is: I ask them to describe their mother. Because the Holy Spirit is guiding us and the healing is already underway, they are almost always able to paint a very real picture of their mother, one that allows them to see her objectively for the first time and makes it easier for them to forgive their mother. Then I ask them to check if there are still chains between them. They see these chains and are able to name them. Then I ask them to cut these ties, as if they had scissors in their hands. The release that comes through that is often quite immense, and sometimes women react to their release with strong emotions and even physicality. Sometimes we have seen these chains as thick, sickly umbilical cords, sometimes as strings that tie the souls of these two together.

   … When we have recognized the need to separate one’s self from another’s self and have prayed for it, the healing can be almost incredible. Through the power of the Lord’s presence, one is made whole and liberated; the joy it brings is sometimes overwhelming. It gives one an objective perspective with which to deal with the difficulties of such a relationship. (15)

“Lord Father, you see the difficult relationship I have had with …….. I want to confess my own wrong attitudes towards this person. Furthermore, I forgive him for all his wrong actions towards me and I do not want to blame him. I want to bless him, not curse him.

    I now break all false dependencies and false ties that exist between me and this person. I choose to separate myself from all the wrong influences that this relationship has had on me. Thank you for forgiving me and cleansing me from all unrighteousness through the blood of your Son, Jesus.”

"Satan and you demons who have operated through this harmful soul bond between me and ………. I have confessed to God my own wrong attitudes such as my bitterness towards this person, therefore you no longer have any legal right in this area, because through the blood of Jesus I have received forgiveness from God for these things. Therefore, I now command you in the name of Jesus Christ to depart from me and around me, and you shall never return!"

Other gates. When a person is bound, it is not always about the person's own sins. It may be because the person has been in an accident, experienced a serious illness, or what others have done to them. Or something bad may have happened to someone close to them. Satan can take advantage of these situations. They can result in fears such as fear of death, fear of people, fear of dogs, fear of the dark, fear of driving, and many other fears.

    On the other hand, rejection by others can open the door to the spirits of jealousy (Num 5:14 And the spirit of jealousy come on him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or if the spirit of jealousy come on him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be not defiled), anger, fear of rejection, self-rejection and suicide. A person can influence whether he allows these enemy forces to operate within him.

    In addition, it is often difficult to know what has been the gateway to a person's bonds. For some people, the cause of the problems may already be events in the womb or a difficult birth. If the child was unwanted, conceived outside of marriage, the mother's health is poor, the mother has strong fears about childbirth, there is alcohol use during pregnancy or there is fighting at home, all of these can affect the child negatively. The enemy can take advantage of these situations, and so the child develops bonds and false beliefs at an early stage. However, Jesus is powerful to help every person who turns to him. A person's past is no obstacle to Jesus. He healed the physically ill, the mentally burdened and other people on earth. The situation has not changed at all, because Jesus is still the same:

- (Hebr 13:8) Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

- (Matt 11:28) Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Lord, Father, I bring to you the fears and wrong feelings that have come as a result of difficult experiences, such as … I forgive everyone who has wronged me. Thank you for loving me and touching my memories so that I can be free from these fears and negative feelings through the atonement of Jesus.

Satan and you demons, I now command all spirits of fear, as well as the spirits of doubt, abandonment, fear of abandonment, self-abandonment, and death… to depart from me and around me in the name of Jesus Christ, and you shall never return!

The importance of basic teachings, proper guidance and focus on God. There is often a debate about the level at which demons can affect believers. Are they inside people or where are they? I personally understand that they most often disturb from the outside, just like Jesus was tempted in the wilderness.

   The more important question, however, is whether or not demons can influence believers. The Bible teaches that they can. For example, a newly converted person can become proud and fall into the devil's trap if he is given responsibility too soon. Some may abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons. Other cases, such as the cases of Judas and Ananias and Sapphira, show how a saved person can be deceived by Satan (Of course, one can only guess whether Judas was ever saved. At least in the beginning he was chosen by Jesus and did the same things as the other disciples, i.e. healed the sick and cast out demons.) In the following verses, among others, Paul and others warn how the powers of darkness try to turn people away from God.

- (1 Tim 3:6,7) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

- (1 Tim 4:1-3) Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

- (1 Tim 5:14,15) I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

15 For some are already turned aside after Satan.

- (Luke 22:3) Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

- (Acts 5:3,4) But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power? why have you conceived this thing in your heart?  you have not lied to men, but to God.

- (Luke 22:31,32)  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brothers.

If demons can influence believers, how can their activities be avoided? In principle, it is not complicated. The important factors are the teaching of the Bible, avoiding sins, the sufficiency of Jesus' atonement, understanding the main principles of guidance, and that the focus is on God:

• The importance of basic teachings. When Jesus began his ministry, he spoke a lot about repentance and believing in the gospel. His Sermon on the Mount was mainly a teaching on the right relationship with God and people. Similarly, Paul and the other apostles in their letters emphasized the basic teachings of the gospel and the right relationship with God and people. This includes, among other things, loving one's neighbor, forgiving, being humble, and avoiding greed and other sins.

    This is still God's plan of action. When we follow the basic teachings of Jesus and the apostles, such as forgiving and believing in the sufficiency of Jesus' atonement, that alone can free people from the powers of darkness. If the church repeatedly teaches about these areas and about man's right relationship with God, it will lead people to freedom. Many revivals have not focused much on the powers of the enemy, but have focused on teaching the basic things of the gospels. Perhaps nothing more has been needed.

   For example, Peter Horrobin, who is known for his deliverance work, states in his book “Healing Through Deliverance” that he did not initially understand how important it is in the ministry of healing to patiently wade through the basic teachings. By this he meant forgiveness and other basic teachings of Jesus and the apostles. When these are repeatedly taught to people, they come into a right relationship with God and are free from the powers of the enemy.

• Avoiding sin is a continuation of the previous one. When a person repents, truly regretting their sins and confessing them to God, it is the first step to freedom. Bitterness towards others, self-hatred, suicidal thoughts and other sins must be confessed to God in order to experience freedom. Godly sorrow for sins can alone lead to freedom from the powers of the enemy. Sven Reichmann has highlighted how important a person's right relationship with God and repentance are. If a person has been bound, then liberation is most easily achieved:

When I talk to people who are mentally ill, I can sense many reasons for their situation. The Holy Spirit often illuminates things about people’s lives to me, just as He did to Nathan and Samuel. When I bring these things up in conversation, people react much like Saul and David. “Yes, it is as you say, but..” I have learned that that little word “but” is always an obstacle to liberation. Those who give in do not get liberated, only those who are ready for comprehensive repentance.

… So instead of focusing on spirits, let us focus on helping people towards a fuller connection with God. Let us help them see their sin and break before God. When in this way the relationship with God is renewed and deepened, one can simply calmly address the spirits that one knows are in the person. Then one does not need to resort to dramatic exorcisms with coughing and vomiting. The spirits leave in this way without unpleasant consequences. One can lay hands on the suffering person and command anxiety, depression, anger and bitterness to leave in the name of Jesus. There is no need to actually talk about the spirits. Usually the person then experiences immediate relief and begins to praise the Lord who has set him free.

    The less signs of brokenness there are in a person, the more certain one should be of the Lord’s express command to use authority in releasing. However, in my experience, such situations are extremely rare. (16)

• The sufficiency of Jesus’ atonement and the teaching of it is the key to freedom. When a person sees and understands that salvation does not depend on their own goodness or badness, but that they can look to Jesus as a substitute sacrifice, it brings freedom. Many struggle with the issue of assurance of salvation because they look too much to their own failures and falls and not to Jesus, who is their mediator before God (Hebr 9:15; And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance). Therefore, they must turn their gaze and faith to Jesus and not to themselves. Then they will be freed from Satan's lies ("I am not good enough, God does not accept me, etc.) and the truth will set them free, as Jesus stated (John 8:32: And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free). We will look at this area later.

- (John 1:29) The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.

- (Gal 3:1) O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

• The right principles of guidance. What about the area of guidance? A person can be led astray in guidance and fall under the power of the enemy if he does not understand the principles of God’s guidance. One misconception is that a person must be like a passive machine in order for God to work through him. This is a misconception because God always wants our faculties to be active and alert, not for us to suppress ourselves. Passivity of the human mind and body is a condition for the activity of evil spirits, but God does not work that way.

    Another misconception is that God constantly guides a person through an angel or spirit guide (sometimes a spirit can also appear as Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or the Father). New Age talks a lot about these forces, but their constant presence and relying on them is not part of true guidance. Of course, God can sometimes send angels in emergencies, but the constant presence of a spirit near a person always suggests evil spirits. One of the clearest signs of deception is precisely that a person constantly sees the spirit world and has a spirit guide or angel constantly near them.

    Third, in leadership, voices and messages must be tested. God does not lead anyone to act contrary to His word, such as to extramarital affairs, divorce, homosexual relations, greed, wrongdoing, or other sins. Such guidance always comes from the forces of the enemy. The same is true of prophecy. False prophets can come into the church, or even true prophets can err. Therefore, all prophecy must be tested, and prophecy should not be made the main tool of guidance. The overemphasis on the gift of prophecy or its imitation has led many churches and groups astray.

   Every person should also be receptive to the teachings and warnings of others. If a person has a rigid infallible attitude and thinks that he is in "direct, special guidance and connection," he is in great danger of going astray.

   Smith Wigglesworth has given an example in this area. He tells of a woman who received messages containing contradictory information and who did not test them. She also strongly rejected help from others because she believed she was being led directly and specifically:

On this, the information was incorrect. There was no bank open at 7.30 a.m., and research showed that the bank in question wasn’t even in this town.

   How did this message affect her? The young woman listened to it. She paid so much attention to it that she did not listen to anyone else.

   I tell you the danger in this: If you cannot discuss it, you are wrong. If you are right and everyone else is wrong, but you do not tolerate any examination, or if your truth does not bear to be studied under daylight, you are wrong, no matter who you are! You will be saved from many troubles if you listen to what others say. Do not say, "Naturally I know. I KNOW that I am right.” (17)

Pride is also a danger in spiritual life. Paul mentioned that a church elder should not be a newly converted person, because he may become proud and fall into the devil's trap. However, everyone is in the same danger. Especially during times of great blessings and success, and in the intoxication of victory, a person can become careless. Then Satan can deceive such a person. Therefore, we should never exalt any person. Everything is based on God's grace, not on the goodness of people.

- (1 Peter 5:5,6) Likewise, you younger, submit yourselves to the elder. Yes, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.

6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

• Divine service or demon service? Sometimes there may be undue attention paid to the forces of the enemy. Churches may include laughter services against Satan, binding Satan's powers at the beginning of each meeting, warfare against Satan, or other strange activities.

    However, the focus on satanic forces in the churches only exalts Satan, not God. It attracts the forces of the enemy, who find themselves receiving attention and worship. Furthermore, people get the feeling that the enemy is constantly stalking them as a result of such teaching.

    In this matter, it is the same as in every person's relationship with God: we must pay primary attention to God, not to the forces of the enemy. In the church, this can happen by teaching about the works of God through Jesus or by praising God. The forces of the enemy do not stay long in an atmosphere that praises God and Jesus, but quickly disappear. For example, when King Jehoshaphat of Judah was in great danger when attacked by enemy forces, he did not pay attention to the enemy, but to God. He appointed singers to sing hymns of praise to God. That was enough to resolve the situation:

- (2 Chron 20:20-22) And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the LORD your God, so shall you be established; believe his prophets, so shall you prosper.

21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers to the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endures for ever.

22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

Truth matters. We have discussed liberation from the chains of the enemy above. In principle, it is simple. It involves identifying the gates through which the enemy has been able to influence a person (one's own sins, family history, traumatic experiences, etc.). In addition, confessing sins and resisting the forces of the enemy is the path to freedom (James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8,9). Demons are legalistic and consider it their right to influence a person, but when sins are repented of and confessed to God, their right to act in a person is removed. Often they leave on their own when a person repents, but they can also be commanded to leave in the name of Jesus Christ.

   Sicknesses and the forces behind them can also be commanded to leave in the name of Jesus Christ. Not all sicknesses are caused by spirits of sickness or weakness, but sometimes they are the cause of sickness (e.g. Luke 13:11, Mark 9:25). In addition, sicknesses can be caused by a person’s own wrong choices and emotions, such as bitterness. These should be repented of. According to some estimates, negative emotions are a contributing factor to as many as 80-90 percent of physical illnesses.

    In any case, every believer has the opportunity for health and freedom based on the work of Jesus on the cross. A believer can declare the victory of Jesus on the cross over sickness and all the powers of the enemy, because Jesus has already defeated these powers. It is a question of facts, not feelings. A person may not immediately feel freedom, but if sins have been confessed and the powers of the enemy (spirits of weakness or sickness, if they are the case. Not all illnesses are caused by them) have been commanded to leave, they no longer have the right to influence a person. They may indeed try to influence similar symptoms from the outside, but that is another matter.

    What about truth? It is one of the key elements in freedom. Satan's power lies precisely in lies, but the truth helps to free us from bondage. Jesus himself taught that the truth sets us free.

- (John 8:32) And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

The following verses teach more about how the power of Satan and evil spirits is precisely in lies. Satan works in darkness and through lies. He is a liar, an accuser and tempter of the brethren, but if the lie is exposed, his power is defeated:

- (John 8:44-46) You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth, you believe me not.

46 Which of you convinces me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do you not believe me?

- (Rev 12:10) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brothers is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

- (Zec 3:1) And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

- (1 Tim 4:1) Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

- (Matt 4:3) And when the tempter came to him, he said, If you be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

- (1 Thess 3:5) For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain.

How can a lie bind a person? In many ways. False beliefs about God, oneself, and other people are common. These false beliefs and lies may have come about, for example, because of lies prevalent in the culture or through people's own negative experiences in the past. They are strongholds in the human mind, thought structures that are against the knowledge of God and that are not based on the truth. Paul wrote in Second Corinthians:

- (2 Cor 10:3-5) 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, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

The following are some examples of lies that exist in society. Many of them are specifically related to that people would not believe in God, would not turn to Him, would not repent of their sins, and would not understand Jesus' position as savior:

• The theory of evolution, with its millions of years, is a lie. It supersedes God as creator and replaces it with slow development. However, there is no evidence that life arose spontaneously, and there are no examples in natural history museums of the gradual development of organisms from a primitive cell. In addition, radiocarbon dating has been found in coal deposits and dinosaurs, which shows that it is only a matter of thousands, not millions, of years.

• The religious teaching that man can achieve salvation and God's approval through his works is a lie. Our own works are not enough because of our shortcomings. ”For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23).

• Reincarnation is a lie. A person is born only once into this world and after death comes judgment, not a new reincarnation (Hebr 9:27 And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment).

   Another lie in the same area is that there is nothing after this life. Yet Jesus repeatedly spoke of heaven and hell. When a person's body dies, their life continues in one of these two places.

• Displacing Jesus in the matter of salvation is the biggest lie. One can talk about many ways of salvation, but it is not taken into account that Jesus is the only way to communion with God and forgiveness of sins, because he carried our sins on the cross (John 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.). For example, Buddha and Muhammad and other representatives of religions did not die for our sins, but only the son of God, Jesus, did so.

    False paths of salvation within the churches, such as trusting in the merits of saints, especially Mary, are also false paths of salvation. They do not lead anyone to heaven.

• The teaching that an unrepentant person will enter eternal life and heaven is a lie. Each of us can fall in life, but a person's unrepentance and unwillingness to repent of their sins keeps them outside the gates of heaven. Jesus himself taught: "except you repent, you shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).

• Teaching about Jesus that is different from what the Bible says is common. For example, the New Age movement has a Jesus who resembles ordinary Eastern gurus. Islam has a Jesus who is just one of the prophets, but it is not God who became man and the Son of God. In addition, there are many other Jesuses who differ from the Jesus of the Bible. Paul referred to them already 2000 years ago:  For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well bear with him (2 Cor 11:4).

• If we go into the area of human identity, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa are a good example of the lies planted by Satan. This eating disorder may have started when a young person was told that they were too fat. As a result, even if the person has lost weight to the point of being completely thin, they may still consider themselves too fat. Their self-image is based on a lie.

    A similar identity disorder, which results from lies planted by Satan, is the experience of being the wrong gender. A person would like to be a representative of the other gender, and does not accept the gender they were assigned at birth. Often, the background can be the words of parents that they wished for a girl instead of a boy, or vice versa.

    There are still many other strongholds in people's minds, strongholds that are not based on truth, but are lies planted by Satan. Behind them may be words and curses spoken by others: "You are worthless, you will never succeed, no one will marry you, you are unhappy, disgusting, ugly, no one loves you..."

When it comes to the previous lies, Satan and the evil spirit world are behind them, which keep people in chains. However, this does not mean that one should engage in a self-imposed battle against Satan and evil spirits, but that people are set free by teaching them the truth, especially the importance of Jesus for salvation, that one should turn to God and repent of their sins, and what a new identity through Jesus Christ means. When people accept the truth, accept Jesus as their Savior, and repent of their sins, they inevitably begin to be freed from the chains of evil.

    What about the lies that a believer is under? It is important to understand that a person is not automatically freed from all the lies planted by Satan as soon as he turns to God. Past experiences and negative words can still guide his life. A person may have spiritual problems, he may hear voices and accusations in his mind, or he may have a false understanding of God and his own position through Christ. Therefore, teaching is needed about how a person's position changes when he turns to Jesus. When Satan's lies are exposed, liberation automatically occurs.

    Neil. T. Anderson has taken a stand on the subject. He has worked with bound people for years. In the past, he focused on demons and tried to control them, but he discovered that what is more important is what the person himself believes, what he gives up and what he wants to repent of. Many bonds and accusing thoughts by the devil disappear simply by understanding the truth and believing it.

It took me years to realize that people are not bound because of their past experiences – they are bound because they have believed lies as a result of their traumatic experiences. (18)

Believe the truth of God's word, proclaim it and act on it, and you will defeat Satan's strategy.

    This instruction has had a revolutionary effect on my soul care work. When a demonic influence was revealed earlier in the pastoral care situation, the situation turned into a clash of forces. During this process, my patient became catatonic (a form of schizophrenia), ran out of the room and was suddenly confused, and I tried to control the demon. I approached the demon first, trying to get it to reveal itself, and then commanded it to leave. This dialogue often caused a lot of injuries to my patient. Although progress was made, the same process usually had to be repeated.

    But I have learned from the Bible that the truth is a liberating factor, which has proven true in every successful pastoral ministry. Jesus is the truth, and He sets the captive free. The believer gains strength by knowing and choosing the truth. We must pursue the truth because we already have all the power we need in Christ (see Eph. 1:18,19). Also, people in the chains of slavery are not freed by what I do as a pastor/soul carer, but by what they choose to believe, confess, what they decide to let go of, and what they choose to forgive. (19)

The problem in the lives of many believers is precisely that we do not see ourselves as God sees us. We can focus too much on our own failures and listen to Satan’s accusations: “Look, what a failure you are, God does not love you, you are not saved because you are not capable of better, you pray too little, you witness too little, what kind of Christian do you think you are…”

   However, the truth is that if a person has received Jesus Christ into his life, he will always be equally pardoned, loved, and accepted in Christ. Successes or failures in overcoming sin do not change the situation. We have been put in Christ (1 Cor 1:30 But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made to us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption), which means that God looks upon us all the time through Jesus Christ. We have received his righteousness as a gift, and we are before God as perfect, holy, beloved, and righteous as Jesus himself is. God said of Jesus: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matt 3:17), but that also applies to us who have accepted Jesus into our lives. We are loved, accepted, and pardoned through Jesus.

    Therefore, stop listening to Satan's accusations or blaming yourself and look to Jesus, who died for you on the cross. You will not become sinless in this life, and there will always be something missing from what we could be. We should focus on the facts, the sufficiency of Jesus' atoning work before God, and not on ourselves. Feelings of inadequacy or other negative emotions should not prevent us from seeing this truth. Lies must be replaced with truth. Then we will find peace within ourselves.

- (John 1:29) The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.

- (Gal 3:1) O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been evidently set forth, crucified among you?

- (Rom 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

- (2 Thess 2:13) But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brothers beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Many may also have a false image of God as a result of past experiences. They see God as harsh, distant, and uncaring, perhaps similar to what their earthly father was like.

    The fact is, however, that “God is love” (1 John 4:8), and that does not change even if a person does not believe it. However, it is better to believe this because it is the truth. Furthermore, Jesus himself, who was certainly more loving than anyone else while on earth, taught that whoever has seen him has actually seen the Father. Jesus meant that when he was on earth, he was a perfect reflection of the Father and his character. Here too, we should trust Jesus’ words, and not view God through our own past negative experiences in relationships:

- (John 14:7-11) If you had known me, you should have known my Father also: and from now on you know him, and have seen him.

8 Philip said to him, Lord, show us the Father, and it suffises us.

9 Jesus said to him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he that has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father?

10 Believe you not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?  the words that I speak to you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwells in me, he does the works.

11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.

The following two examples from Neil T. Anderson’s book show how the truth sets people free. If a person understands the truth about their own position through Jesus Christ, it brings peace to their innermost being. The problem in the lives of many is precisely that they look to themselves and their transformation, and not to Jesus Christ. They have not understood that when they receive Jesus, they are forgiven, loved, and accepted. God accepts them through Jesus, and not through how well they have succeeded. This problem also occurred with the famous reformer Martin Luther, until he understood from the word that he is always righteous through faith in Jesus, and not through his own works and transformation.

Looking back on the material covered in the course this academic year, I have realized that I have been liberated and enlightened in many ways. I would say that the most significant thing for me was the fact that in Christ I am important, accepted, and safe. As I meditated on this material, I found that I was able to overcome many of the problems I had struggled with for years: fear of failure, feelings of worthlessness, and a general sense of inadequacy… (20)

Then last Saturday I was at your conference. I have never heard before that the Father fully accepts me because I am in Christ. I have always tried in every way to please God in what I do, just as I have struggled to please my natural father. I have not realized that I am already pleasing to God because of who I am in Christ. Now I know that I do not have to be a missionary to please God… Now I am going on a mission because I love God and want to serve Him. (21)

Let us take some more examples from the lives of well-known servants of God from this area. The first example is the life of Mauri Viksten. He was a well-known Finnish preacher who was also a missionary. In one of his books, he tells of a believing man who thought he had been abandoned by God and ended up in the hospital because of it. The same problem exists with thousands of other believers who have thought they had committed the unforgivable sin. This is not the case at all, because no one who has accepted Jesus into their life and wants to follow him can commit this sin. A believer can indeed fall deeply and doubt their salvation, but a person who trusts in Jesus is always safe and saved, even if their feelings and Satan's accusations claim otherwise. The truth about God's sufficient grace is what helps people to freedom:

About a quarter of a century ago, a brother I knew well, who was an active member of the church, suddenly fell into a state of darkness and rage, becoming very violent. The man was taken to the psychiatric ward of a nursing home… During our conversation of about an hour and a half, it became apparent that he had lost the sense of the grace of Christ and had fallen into a great inner conflict, even a state of rage, thinking that he had been abandoned by God. Without making any comments about the man’s violence, I suggested a joint prayer, which, however, was quite short. I returned home and two days later took with me the doctrine of grace from the New Testament. As I read the Bible to him and occasionally talked with him, a noticeable change took place in the man. He became completely normal… The man lived fifteen free years of a peaceful life of faith until his death. It is still unknown to me today what other factors were behind that fearful state of mind, but in any case it mainly represented legalism in its worst form. The remedy was the gospel of grace, Ps 107:20. (22)

Let’s look at another quote about how truth sets a person free. The famous 19th century preacher, Charles G. Finney, tells how a woman had fallen into mental illness and despair in her relationship with God. She believed Satan’s lies that there was no forgiveness for her. However, when Finney presented the truth of the matter in his sermon, the woman was set free.

   There are too many people who think they have no hope, even though they have every reason to be content with their situation through Jesus Christ. The truth about the sufficiency of his atonement and its understanding frees a person from unnecessary fears and lies in this area. Therefore, we should always shift our gaze from our own imperfection to what Jesus did on the cross. Only then can a person find peace within:

There were quite a few interesting conversions and a couple of those where the mental illness was cured in the blink of an eye. Once, when I went to a meeting one Sunday afternoon, I saw a couple of ladies sitting in a church pew with a black-clad woman by her side who looked very restless. Others held her and prevented her from leaving. As I entered, one of the ladies came to me to tell me that the woman was mentally ill. She thought she had fallen from grace; it had led to despair and then mental illness.

  ... For a moment I heard her trying to get away, but before I finished, she calmed down and the whole audience was silent. The Lord gave me a spirit of prayer and a text, for I had not chosen it beforehand. My text was from Hebrews: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

    My purpose was to encourage our faith, both ours and hers, and our faith for her. When I started to pray, she first tried to get away. But the ladies made a friendly resistance, and at last she sat quietly, but with her head well bowed, and seemed determined not to heed my words. But as I continued, her head gradually lifted and she peered at me through the brim of her black hat. More and more her gaze was directed at me until she sat up straight and looked me in the eye earnestly. I urged the people to remain courageous in their faith, throw themselves on God and give themselves with complete trust to Him based on the atoning sacrifice of our great High Priest. Then she suddenly startled the congregation by letting out a loud cry. She almost threw herself off the bench, put her head very low, and I could see that she was shaking. The women who were with her in the pew half supported her and seemed to follow her with a pleading heart and compassion. As I continued my speech, she began to look up again. Soon, she was sitting straight again, her face miraculously changed with a triumphant Joy and peace on her face. I have rarely seen such a glow on a human face. Her joy was so great that she could hardly contain herself until the meeting was over. Then she announced her liberation to everyone. She praised God and rejoiced in a most wonderful way. About two years later I met her, and her heart was still filled with the same joy and peace. (23)

Let us take another example from the life of Smith Wigglesworth. He was a well-known preacher from the beginning of the last century and in one of his books he tells of a man who had fallen into the trap of Satan's lies when he imagined that he had committed the unpardonable sin. Wigglesworth saw that the forces of the enemy were behind the lies and commanded them to leave. The man was immediately freed. Usually, just teaching is enough to free a person from these lies. In this case, Wigglesworth acted differently.

   However, the example shows how Satan and the forces of the enemy deceive people. Every unbeliever is under their lies, but even a believer is not completely free from these lies. Satan and his hordes always seek to deceive people, whether they are believers or not. Freedom is found by turning to God and Jesus, repenting of our sins, believing the truth, and resisting the forces of the enemy in the name of Jesus Christ (James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8,9). Each person can act in this way based on their own relationship with God.

One day when I came home, my wife said, “Did you come in through the front door?”

   I said, “No, I came through the back door.”

   "At the front door you would have seen a crowd," he said, "and a man with only a few clothes on. He cries out, 'I have committed an unforgivable sin.'"

   On the way to the front door, God whispered to me, “For this reason I have baptized you with the Holy Spirit.”

   The man came in shouting, “I have committed an unforgivable sin.”

   I said, “Lying evil spirit, come out in the name of Jesus!”

   The man said, “What is this? I am free. Thank God I have never committed such a sin!”

   No living person has committed a sin that will not be forgiven, for good and evil will remain until the Holy Spirit is taken from the earth. Grace is due to us all, and the power of God will protect us. (24)

Transformation and liberation is a process . When a person turns to God, it can take longer periods of time before he is completely free. In this process, understanding the truth, changing his mind about sin, perseverance and speaking to the spirits causing oppression are key factors in achieving freedom. Of course, God can work with some people faster, and this happens especially in times of revival. However, often these things happen through processes. For example, Graham Powell has told of his own long struggle in this area (Graham & Shirley Powell: Christian Set Yourself Free). In any case, everyone should keep their eyes on Jesus Christ and resist all the works of the devil in the name of Jesus. If it is pressure from the forces of the enemy, they will have to give up before long when they notice that the person wants to be submissive to God and repeatedly resist these forces in the name of Jesus Christ.

REFERENCES:

1. Kurt E. Koch: Indonesian herätys,

2. Carlos Annacondia: Kuuntele minua saatana (Listen to me, satan), p. 248

3. Kristian Sand: Jumalan soturi nouse, p. 39,40

4. Sten Nilsson: Vapauta minun kansani (Befria mitt folk), p. 50,51

5. Randall N. Baer: Päättymätön painajainen (Inside the New Age), p. 57,58

6. Sven Reichmann: Vapauteen kutsutut (Kallad till frihet), p. 150,151

7. Kris Vallotton & Bill Johnson: Elämä kuninkaan perheessä (Supernatural Ways of Royalty), p. 42,43

8. Neil T. Anderson: Vapauttava totuus (Realizing the Power of Your Identity in Christ), p. 207

9. Nicky Cruz, Juoksu jatkuu, p.88 (WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I WAS HURTING?)

10. Carlos Annacondia: Kuuntele minua saatana! (Listen to me, satan!), p. 100,101

11. Kurt Koch: Indonesian herätys, p. 180-182

12. Neil T. Anderson: Enemmän kuin voittaja (The Bondage Breaker), p. 10

13. Carlos Annacondia: Kuuntele minua saatana! (Listen to me, satan!), p. 114

14. David Cross: Sielun siteet / Soul Ties – The Unseen Bond in Relationship, p. 88

15. Leanne Payne: Särkynyt minäkuva /The Broken Image, p. 116,117

16. Sven Reichmann: Vapauteen kutsutut (Kallad till frihet), p. 140, 152,153

17. Smith Wigglesworth: Hengen huuto, p. 55

18. Neil T. Anderson: Enemmän kuin voittaja (The Bondage Breaker), p. 280

19. Neil T. Anderson: Enemmän kuin voittaja (The Bondage Breaker), p. 26,27

20. Neil T. Anderson: Vapauttava totuus (”Victory over the Darkness” Realizing the Power of Your Identity in Christ), p. 49

21. Neil T. Anderson: Vapauttava totuus (”Victory over the Darkness” Realizing the Power of Your Identity in Christ), p. 55

22. Mauri Viksten: Ahdistuksesta avaralle, p. 54,55

23. Charles G. Finney: Ihmeellisiä herätyksiä, p. 89-91

24. Smith Wigglesworth: Hengen huuto (Cry of the Spirit), p. 64,65

More on this topic:

There is a battle going on in the realm of the mind. What part do lies and truth and the flesh and the devil play in this battle?

Deliverance from bondage. When a person is saved, he is not always released from all bonds. Satan may still disturb him, and he may lack the peace promised by Jesus

The Truth shall make you you free. Understanding the truth is a key factor in a relationship with God. When a person understands the truth about his position in Christ, it brings freedom into his life

Find the assurance of salvation! Assurance of salvation; why is it missing and how to get it? If someone stares at himself and his own deeds, and not at Jesus, he never gets assurance

Mental health and belief. Christian faith, when one understands God’s love and grace for oneself, has a positive effect on mental health

Sin, temptation, and sanctification. What is their relationship to each other? Everyone can fall, but the great danger is hardness and acceptance of sin

Be freed from your past! Heavy experiences and memories of the past guide people’s lives and self-image. Read how you can get rid of the burdens of the past

Will there be any change? There is or there should be a constant change in a Christian after his salvation. This writing addresses this topic

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life

Grap to eternal life!

More on this topic:

There is a battle going on in the realm of the mind. What part do lies and truth and the flesh and the devil play in this battle?

Deliverance from bondage. When a person is saved, he is not always released from all bonds. Satan may still disturb him, and he may lack the peace promised by Jesus

The Truth shall make you you free. Understanding the truth is a key factor in a relationship with God. When a person understands the truth about his position in Christ, it brings freedom into his life

Find the assurance of salvation! Assurance of salvation; why is it missing and how to get it? If someone stares at himself and his own deeds, and not at Jesus, he never gets assurance

Mental health and belief. Christian faith, when one understands God’s love and grace for oneself, has a positive effect on mental health

Sin, temptation, and sanctification. What is their relationship to each other? Everyone can fall, but the great danger is hardness and acceptance of sin

Be freed from your past! Heavy experiences and memories of the past guide people’s lives and self-image. Read how you can get rid of the burdens of the past

Will there be any change? There is or there should be a constant change in a Christian after his salvation. This writing addresses this topic