Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquila
Those are fair questions.
There are a number of reasons involved. In deliverance ministry, the casing out of devils is a part of a witness and testimony to Christ's power, just as it was in the NT. This actually builds faith in Christ, offers believers victory, joy, and confirms the Bible.
Also, the deliverance minister seeks to confirm that he or she isn't being lied to, that the individual in question isn't simply having emotional problems, or isn't just of a fearful disposition. Also the deliverance minister desires to permanently resolve the issue without a doubt.
So, confirmation is seen as a valuable factor. Of course confirmation isn't always possible, leaving only discernment, or good old fashioned faith. All of us have seen the dab of oil, a prayer, and some assurance. Many times that works. But many times individuals continue to struggle under demonic oppression. Deliverance ministry seeks to permanently resolve the problem and bring sure deliverance. True deliverance ministry is not all about spirits, it's about setting captives free and changing lives through the demonstrated power and authority of Jesus.
The time it takes to confirm a spirits presence doesn't mean that Jesus isn't present. Nor does it mean that the deliverance minister isn't filled with the Holy Spirit. It simply means that the atmosphere isn't ripe to strike a chord with the demon. Jesus never had this problem, He was God Himself in flesh. We are human. Once the atmosphere is filled with faith, expectancy, and worship, the presence of God is at the level necessary to provoke the evil spirit. Even our church services can be bogged down, and need pushed by the worship leader to the place wherein the atmosphere is ripe to manifest the anointing. So, the notion is nothing new. The proper level of faith, focus, and worship is what must be attained. Pray through until the power and anointing is released by the move of the Holy Spirit.
The same question can be asked regarding healing. Jesus healed with 100% success. Why aren't those called to pray for the sick experiencing the same success?
Jesus was God. We are not.
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When Jesus sent out the disciples two by two, He gave them power to do just as He was doing. They cast out evil spirits and were rejoicing over it, until Jesus set them straight. They weren't God, so how did they do exactly as Jesus did, but today, Christ's disciples have to do something different?
Strike the right chord with an evil spirit? What does that mean? The devil is going to hunker down until we can drive it crazy enough to get off the couch and come shake his fist at us?
And what is all this talk about atmosphere? Does the natural environment which surrounds us have to be spiritualized before God is either able or willing to do something?
Atmosphere is not faith. Faith says "and the train of His robe filled the temple". Faith says "we are the temple of the Holy Spirit of God", therefore, the train of God's robe fills us, and therefore the "atmosphere", whatever that means, is meaningless, because it's already filled to the max with an omnipresent God, who is jealous for us, and dances and sings over us as His special treasure and peculiar people.
Prophets of Baal and other pagans who consort with demons need to work themselves into a convulsed state to make their gods dance. Our God commands and we speak, and IT IS DONE.
This idea that the presence of God is in some far off intangible place when we are one spirit with the Lord and God the Father is in us all, is plainly not the revealed reality of the Holy Scriptures. Remember Elijah's mocking, that Baal was on some distant voyage or laying down for a nap? That's how too many believers treat our Lord God, like He needs to be wrested from a siesta in some far off heavenly hacienda.
The Hope of Glory is in us, literally! So, where is the presence of the LORD God of Elijah dwelling? Inside of you, in your heart, by faith and Holy Spirit immersion. Trying to summon It from some other place like It isn't already present is an insult to the Lord.
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