Spiritual Warfare and Territorial Spirits

[Esther]

Originally Posted by philjones

Sherri,

It is unfortunate that we do not teach more on this critical topic. As a result of a lack of teaching there is a lack of awareness and our people become comfortable cohabiting with spiritual wickedness. Of course there is a responsibility that accompanies bringing awareness to your church. The responsibility is the proper equipping of the people to defeat these spirits!

I think some of the fear among is caused by a failure to understand that we have been given dominion over these spirits by the cross. All that was stolen in Eden was returned to us at Calvary and the empty tomb! We simply have to begin to walk according to the power that we have been given and take control in the spiritual realm.

For those who may think I am promoting dominion theology, please take a rest. I am a proponent of spiritual dominion not secular dominion. WE are citizens of another Kingdom not this one. One of the reasons I think folks are weak in the area of spiritual dominion is that as a result of pre-trib teaching we have been waiting for the 2nd coming of Christ to conquer our enemy and put him in chains, thus becoming like the man at the pool of Bethesda, impotent!

I have never heard this term. What is that teaching?

[Malvaro]

Originally Posted by Esther

I have never heard this term. What is that teaching?

cool topic, but not much material out there on it....

[Ron]

Originally Posted by ILG

I've done a ton of spiritual warfare with territorial spirits. Nothing I read out of a book. Just real life stuff. It is very, very hard work. You can't just pray one prayer of casting out some spirit and have it over. It will suck the life out of you but for the grace of God. It's not about singing warrior songs in church. It's about being at the feet of Jesus and giving up your whole self to God and sticking it out no matter what it takes. Then, at that point you pretty much find out Who is in charge and it isn't you.

Amen!
Spoken as one who has been there and bought the T-shirt.

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by Sherri

I never really learned much about any of this while we were in UPC, but started researching it after reading Peretti's books back in the early 80's. It opened my eyes to so much that I had never seen before about spiritual warfare. I was amazed that I had never been taught any of this stuff in my life! I definitely believe there are territorial spirits that reign in certain areas (towns; states; countries). I know what some of the prevailing things in our area are, and we fight them all the time. I believe that God can give us an open heaven though, but it takes much prayer!

Like Sis. Sherri, I have read the Frank Perretti books and think he has some background, would have to, in spiritual warfare. Unlike Sis. Sherri, I had grown up with the knowledge and seen demons cast out of people in the early 70's. I also heard a sermon by Bro. Billie Cole about spirits over cities, countries, and communities.

It is obvious that the spirit of homosexuality is prevalent in San Francisco, and mulitplying itself over many US cities.

The spirit of pornography has roots in New York, and the spirit of child molestation and pedophilia in many Ohio and Indiana cities. These spirits can be identified through prayer and awareness of what to look for.

Communities, churches, and individual families struggle with certain types of demons.

My experience with them: I have seen people with the spirit of homosexuality on them, seen those with the spirit of lust on them, seen others with the spirit of pride and arrogance.

When assisting in a UPCI church in the early 80's a young man came to the church door wanting help. He could not enter the church...he grabbed the door facing and tensed up and appeared to fight an inner battle. He could not say the name of Jesus but wanted help. We prayed, cast the demons out of him and peace came on him, he walked through the church door and was able to praise the name of Jesus.

While attending another UPCI church, a demon continually made this woman flail about on the floor and scream hideously. I spoke to this demon and told it that this house belonged to God and he was not welcome here and to shut up. It did.

I have fought off spirits that tried to attach themselves to me..not possess me but oppress me. When I realized what was happening I was able to command it to leave me alone. I dare say many others have had similar experiences, but people don't like to talk about these spiritual things. It has always amazed me that people fear the devil more than they fear God and God has all the power over life, death, and the devil.

Just thougth I'd like to comment on this thread that has gotten lost.

Blessings, Rhoni

[Trouvere]

There is alot of material out there.You just have to know where to look for it.
Sister Deborah Randall has several books at PPH, Brother Blumes Uncle has a book at PPH called Killers In Hiding,the late T.W.Barnes has a book that he wrote on Spiritual Warfare, Brother Jonathan Suber did a series when he pastored in La on it, Brother Verbal Beans books on prayer and the works of the Holy Ghost are a good read.There are numerous other apostolic writers out there with books and materials and teachings on this.Sometimes we miss them as we by pass them when we by pass the books on prayer.Brother Billy
Cole taught on territorial spirits years ago at La Camp.Read some of the missionary books they are very helpful in understanding warfare.

[Malvaro]

Originally Posted by Trouvere

There is alot of material out there.You just have to know where to look for it.
Sister Deborah Randall has several books at PPH, Brother Blumes Uncle has a book at PPH called Killers In Hiding,the late T.W.Barnes has a book that he wrote on Spiritual Warfare, Brother Jonathan Suber did a series when he pastored in La on it, Brother Verbal Beans books on prayer and the works of the Holy Ghost are a good read.There are numerous other apostolic writers out there with books and materials and teachings on this.Sometimes we miss them as we by pass them when we by pass the books on prayer.Brother Billy
Cole taught on territorial spirits years ago at La Camp.Read some of the missionary books they are very helpful in understanding warfare.

anyone happen to have a copy of Bro Cole's LA message about spiritual warfare???

Originally Posted by sis. jill

Can any of you share your experiences in Spiritual Warfare or dealing with territorial spirits?

Hello,

Frankly, I don't beleive that 'territorial spirits' even exist today, yet alone that we ought to pray against them or engage in some Christanese Harry Potter type of 'Charismatic' spell casting against them! Now whilst it's possible that territorial spirits might have existed prior to the incarnation, it's certain that after the cross Christ completely defeated satan and thereby wrecked his powers (Colossians 2:14-15). This verse is emphatic that Satan was bound by Christ himself at the cross, and so we don't need to re-bind him with Harry Potter like charismatic prayers, though I'm not suggesting that Jill is saying that, this is a general response to her question.

Satan doesn't own this world - God does; Psalm 24:1 'The earth is the Lords and the FULLNESS thereof' and so there is nothing that we have to bind or pray against, for Satan being bopund at the cross by Christ himself doesn't own anything and so have no legal right to any nation, country or territory.

Finally, Christians are to grow and mature by submission and surrender to Christ. There is no command in the Bible where mounted upon our nimbus 2000 we are told to then our on utter magical charismatic incantations in tongues which magically bind Satan as if a scene from the latest Harry Potter film. Christ has bound Satan for us at the cross (Colossians 2:14-15) for us and our command is only to personally be obedient to him, to proclaim his law to the lost so that they might be saved.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by Malvaro

Daniel 10:20-21 (Amplified Bible)

Originally Posted by Malvaro

20 Then he said, Do you know why I have come to you? And now I will return to fight with the [hostile] prince of Persia; and when I have gone, behold, the [hostile] prince of Greecewill come.

21 But I will tell you what is inscribed in the writing of truth or the Book of Truth. There is no one who holds with me and strengthens himself against these [hostile spirit forces] except Michael, your prince [national guardian angel].

the scriptures show us that regional princes can also occasionally "move" out of their territory for greater purposes.... has anyone noticed this either???

That's a great observation. I think there's a couple of ways to approach this issue. One way, like ILG mentioned (and perhaps is the most important way) is to first approach The Throne of the One Who rules every "territory." The repentance, rebirth and renewal discovered there conquers all foes.

What I think the original question involves is what Malvaro and others discuss. This approach looks at the enemy "in place" on the battlefield and attempts to knock him down where he has control (Mark 3:27).

To frame the abstract nature of spiritual warfare, Christians have traditionally gone to Daniel 10:20-21. This is the approach Peretti and so many others have taken, and in my view is overly simplistic. There really is no strong scriptual support for the naming of "rulers" over various cities and such.

I have heard the names of alleged spirits called out in various assemblies within the same city- and each "revelation" names a different name. It's like tongues and interpretation, in the way it's presented, but there's nothing solid that you can hold onto or use.

It just doesn't seem like there's a map of the enemy's heirarchy that's only waiting on the right spiritually talented prayer warrior to reveal. The whole exercise is too subjective.

I think Rhoni was on to something better when she describes the different manifestations of wickedness (homosexuality in S.F. and etc) as opposed to the idea of there being a particular "evil ruler" over a particular geographic hotspot.

In the traditional "Territorial" model you have "spirits" or "powers" (Greek=archon, or "rulers") over specific geographic territory. As Malvaro points out, these "powers" can expand their holdings, seemingly at the cost of other "powers." Where a strict application of this model breaks down, however, is in the continuing context of the Scripture.

The "archons" that Daniel, Paul and Peter discuss are clearly identified in the book of Enoch - which Paul, Peter and Jude all quote from. These were the "Bene Elohim" or "Sons of God" (not to be confused with angels- angels are a different kind of being in this model). The "Bene Elohim" were 70 in number and were given territory analogous to the Table of Nations described in Genesis 10. According to "Enoch" (the writer of the book, not necessarily the Enoch of Genesis, though Jude seems to identify the two as being the same, Jude 1:14) it was these 70 "Bene Elohim" that "fell" and took human wives in Genesis 6 and not "the angels in general" that Jesus refers to in Matthew 22:30.

These "Bene Elohim", or the "Divine Council" as some scholars refer to them, are noted for their lusts and depraved nature. The only problem in doing spiritual warfare with these beings is that they have already been conquered and are currently chained in "darkness." Unless of course they have already been, or are going to be released for a time. Or if we understand that the "chains" do not isolate these beings from ourselves.

Now FWIW, I personally have some difficulty accepting the whole Territorial Rulers from a literal standpoint. It all makes for a good metaphor, but not even Rosemary's Baby seems capable of destroying lives the way I've seen some "spirits" in the real world do.

But on the battlefront, consider:

"For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment..." 2 Peter 2:4, along with the almost identical statement in Jude 1:6.

Next:

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12

Assuming that these apostles are speaking of the same "spirits" (whoever, and whatever else they may be) I find it striking that we are battling an enemy that is already "chained." Being “angels” or “spirits” they are not bound to a specific geographic location- not even “hell” but can be multi-present (something far short of omnipresent).

The "chains" are manifested in our eyes as being the spiritual darkness that plagues our world. And so, like malevolent Jacob Marleys, these beings drag their chains around and ensare those who are unaware of their own peril.

So, taking our cue from Mark 3:27 can we then conclude that the "strong man" has been bound (with the chains of darkness) and that Christ is "plundering" the house of the devil even as we speak? Perhaps this is what "spiritual warfare" is all about - Jesus Christ won the war, now we are to "plunder" the enemy and release his prisoners by shining our light into that darkness.

Of course, we should not neglect to also recognize the toll that the “darkness” can take upon a person’s soul, especially the soul of the warrior. Those "chains" represent Hell and Death, and as the prophet said, "Hell hath enlarged herself..." That is, Hell has open its mouth wide and is engorged with the lives of those we love; but it is encouraging to think that we are at war with a defeated and chained enemy. Even in my own weakness, perhaps I have a chance to prevail.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by pelathais

Of course, we should not neglect to also recognize the toll that the “darkness” can take upon a person’s soul, especially the soul of the warrior. Those "chains" represent Hell and Death, and as the prophet said, "Hell hath enlarged herself..." That is, Hell has open its mouth wide and is engorged with the lives of those we love; but it is encouraging to think that we are at war with a defeated and chained enemy. Even in my own weakness, perhaps I have a chance to prevail.

I've always envisioned the chains of darkness to be that the fallen angels can never come to the light again. They can never know purity of heart, the fellowship with One who is holy, or any of the fruit of the Spirit. They are forever destined to eternal damnation without hope and without God. Sort of like our enslavement to sin before Jesus Christ came to redeem us and set us free from our bondage.

We do fight a defeated enemy for Christ came to destroy the works of the devil and spoiled them through His cross. He gave us power over all the power of the enemy.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by philjones

It is unfortunate that we do not teach more on this critical topic.

Just a question here....

What scripture would one use to teach on this subject?

There is Daniel... who only continued to pray (as we all should) and did not specific warfare against any of these spirits. He didn't even know that there was a spirit fighting his answer until it arrived.

Beyond that... what scriptures would one use to teach on this subject?