In the previous blog we looked at anger, idolatry and immorality as sins which make a person especially vulnerable for demonizing. We’ll look at others in this blog.
WRONG SELF IMAGE BASED SINS While there is often too much focus on self today under the guise of “developing a good self image,” it is true we are to accept ourselves as God made us (Psalm 139). We are to accept ourselves as we accept others (Luke 10:27) – accepting both strengths and weaknesses without over-emphasizing one or the other. Overemphasizing our strengths is pride, and that is the sin that caused Satan’s downfall. He tries to use it today as much as possible. The other extreme (under-emphasizing our strengths) is to dislike or not accept ourselves as God made us. Self-love and self-hate are both from pride. Both focus on self and are preoccupation with self. In one we see ourselves as better than others in the other you see yourself as worse. Both are definite cracks to demonizing, sins which must be confessed.
King Saul is a fine example of someone with a poor self image, someone who was insecure and thought he was inferior to others (I Samuel 10:22). This was a crack that opened him to demonizing (I Samuel 16:14, 23). Its as important to forgive yourself as it is to forgive others! Satan tries to bring up past sins to have us feel defeated, unworthy, etc. Don’t let this tactic work! The next time the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.
In addition to these we will look other sins in future blogs. These include occult activity, secret societies and Masonic organizations, Satanism, New Age and marital arts. Now lets talk about how to remove access given by these sins.
PATCHING THE CRACKS The only cure for sin is the blood of Jesus. Any sin you recognize in your life must be confessed (admit it is sin – I John 1:9 ). There is no other way of deliverance from demonizing caused by sin. Demons are like rats that feed on garbage. Remove the garbage and the rats will be gone!
When these are confessed and renounced, claim back for God the ground that Satan may have claimed for his through these sins. Then make sure you ask and invite God’s Holy Spirit to fill those areas. If they aren’t replaced with the Holy Spirit, Satan will re-enter in stronger fashion (Mt. 12:43-45; Lk. 11:24-26). If there is a particular fruit of the Holy Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control, Gal. 5:22-23), that you need to counteract what you have confessed, ask God for His Spirit to produce that in you., Be specific when you pray.
PRAYER FOR FORGIVENESS FOR SIN AND DELIVERANCE “Dear heavenly Father, You have told us to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts (Romans 13:14). I acknowledge that I have given in to sinful acts and thoughts. I have also sinned by not doing things I should have done and by doing good things for selfish motives. I know that in Christ my sins are forgiven, but I have transgressed Your holy law and given the enemy an opportunity to work against me (Ephesians 4:27; James 4:1; I Peter 5:8). I come before Your presence to acknowledge these sins and to seek Your cleansing (I John 1:9) that I may be freed from the bondage of sin (Galatians 5:1). I ask You to reveal to my mind the ways that I sinned and grieved the Holy Spirit. (Confess each sin that comes to mind one by one.) In Jesus’ name I take back any ground that evil spirits have gained through my sin. Please fill me instead with your Spirit and use me for Your glory. I ask this in the wonderful name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.”
Do you have a poor self image? Do you feel insecure, inferior, not worth the love and acceptance of others? That is a sin because You made us perfect, in Your image. Sin has driven us from You, but we are worthy of your love. You proved this by Jesus’ death for us on the cross. Thank you for loving me as I am. Help me to accept myself as Your creation and to love me as You love me. Convict me every time every time I look down on your creation – me!
(If I can answer questions or offer personal counsel, or if you would like a free copy of my Spiritual Warfare Handbook, email me at Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org or download it from http://sw.christiantrainingonline.org/. My next book, Spiritual Warfare in the Bible, which is a more advanced treatment of spiritual warfare, is also available there for free.)