Truth Encounter

In the classic “power encounter,” the pastor is the deliverer, and they seek information from demons. I believe there is something inherently wrong with that approach in the Church age. First, why would we believe anything a demon says? They all speak from their own nature, and Satan is the father of lies. Second, the person I’m trying to help is being totally bypassed. The inquirer has no participation and no memory of what transpires if a demon manifests, and speaks through the person. Third, God is glorified when His presence is being manifested, not when Satan’s presence is being manifested. Fourth, all the decision-making and responsibility rest upon the encourager instead of the inquirer. The inquirer is not believing or repenting, and therefore the garbage remains. Fifth, Scripture presents a completely different approach in methodology from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant.

Under the New Covenant of Grace, the deliverer is Christ. The encourager is being led by the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth. The inquirer is never bypassed and is encouraged to submit to God and resist the devil. The garbage is taken out when they repent and choose to believe in God. There are no instructions in the Epistles to cast a demon out of anyone. There is, however, a very definitive passage in the Pastoral Epistles that defines the role of the encourager, and that passage is 2 Timothy 2: 24-26. “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil having been held captive by him to do his will.”

That is not a power model. That is a kind, gentle, patient and able-to-teach-the-truth model. Being the Lord’s bond-servant is the primary pre-requisite. You don’t need a seminary degree, or any ecclesiastical position of leadership in the church. You just need to be dependent upon God, know the truth, and exhibit Godly character. As I explain the process in the days ahead, keep one critical issue in mind. Trying to chase off demons is a one-dimensional concept. Repentance requires a wholistic approach. This is a battle for the mind, which the passage clearly reveals. The inquirer has believed a lot of lies that leaves them feeling angry, anxious, depressed, and suicidal.

Dr. Neil

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