WHEN DELIVERANCE DOESN’T COME…
One of the hardest lessons to learn in spiritual warfare is patient perseverance. As in everything in life, we want instant results. God’s forgiveness is immediate, but victory in spiritual warfare isn’t. It’s warfare and means battles, often many of them. Our descent into bondage is often gradual over a long period of time. Fighting to take land back can also be slow and gradual. God allows it to be that way so we can learn to fight and win battles. God said the Jews wouldn’t conquer the Promised Land right away because He wanted them to develop their fighting skills (Exodus 23:29-30).
Yet more often than not those who come to me for deliverance want someone who can say some prayers over them and then they walk away free forever. If it doesn’t happen, they keep looking for someone who can quickly and easily deliver them. That’s not how battles are one, nor is it how we grow spiritually.
Jesus Himself said the goal is not to remove demons, but to be filled with God’s Spirit and grow spiritually. If not, more and worse demons return (Luke 11:25; Matthew 12:44). A person must find out what opened the doors to the demons in the first place and make the necessary changes in their lives to close those doors and keep them closed. This takes time and work. God’s purpose is not to give us a pleasant, easy life free from troubles or battles. It is to make us like Jesus (Romans 8:28-29) – and that often takes pain and struggle.
Spiritual victory is like peeling the layers off an onion – one at a time. It can be a slow, even tearful process. But God promises victory if we follow Him, and He will use the process to help us grow in faith (Philippians 1:6). So patiently persevere by spending time reading the Bible, praying and worshipping God. Don’t focus on the oppression – demons love that, it gives them ‘worship’ and that is what they crave. Focus on Jesus alone.
Even when you do this, there may be some times when deliverance doesn’t come. It could be God wants to teach you His grace is sufficient, as with Paul. Paul prayed 3 times to have the demon attacking him removed but God said no, He wanted Paul to learn to lean on God’s grace and realize it was sufficient. Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. So, rely on God’s grace even if you don’t see progress.
The other reason deliverance is delayed is He wants you to seek Him more deeply to find what is allowing these demons to continue working. There must be something they are holding on to as an opening. If there is something in your life, your thoughts, your focus, your attitude to this, etc., it needs to change. If not, God will allow them to remain in order for you to seek Him and get free from sin in your life. Humble yourself before Him. Let Him search your life, actions, thoughts, etc., and show you whatever is sin (Psalm 139:23-24). Pray often about this, sit quietly listening to Him speak. Fasting is good as well.
Whatever the case, patient perseverance is the key to full, lasting victory. There ae no shortcuts.
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Hebrews 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
Romans 5:3-4 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
Is there a difficulty in your life which takes patience perseverance? Are you able to persist, trusting God’s timing and faithfully living for Him during your difficulties?
SATAN & COVID-19 Blog by Jerry Schmoyer is available by writing me jerry@schmoyer.net or subscribing to India blogs at https://www.christiantrainingonline.org/our-ministries/india/ On the right as you scroll down the page.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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