God changes useless into useful!

 The Book of Philemon

The Book of Philemon is one of the letters that Paul wrote to an individual, the individual of course being Philemon who lived in the city of Colossae in Asia Minor which is modern day Turkey.

The main theme of the letter in a nutshell is about a runaway slave, Onesimus, who was the ‘property’ of Philemon who leads the Church at Colossae. Paul is telling Philemon that he is sending Onesimus back to him and is asking Philemon to receive Onesimus back in love.

Now to set the scene in which Paul wrote this letter let’s have a look at both the physical and relational environment in which the letter was written.

Paul was in prison in Rome when he crossed paths with Onesimus, but the Bible does not say how they met. We are told that Paul had come to regard Onesimus as a son and held him in high esteem. Although the Bible does not say so, there is a distinct probability the Paul had led him to the Lord and that a great change had taken place in Onesimus as a result of his conversion and the personal fathering and mentoring that Paul gave him.

I say this because Paul says in the letter that he knows that Philemon considered Onesimus to be useless but now he (Paul) considers him to be now very useful to him and will now also be useful to Philemon!

Philemon verse 11 (NIV)

Onesimus hasn’t been of much use to you in the past, but now he is very useful to both of us.

This letter gives us a wonderful example of how God knows each and everyone’s circumstances personally. Here we have a runaway slave from Turkey going to Rome, meeting a man of God (I have no doubt that this was by divine appointment), getting saved and having his life radically changed from being useless to useful! It also shows us how important it is for the Church to have Father figures who are strong in the Lord to mentor younger men in the way and walk of sanctification in Christ Jesus – the work and way of the cross!

When a person comes to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour, God turns the bad things we have done to His good purpose!

Now, coming back to how God knows everything that is going on (the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end), we see that Paul and Philemon are personal friends and obviously met when Paul was in Ephesus for about three years. Philemon was a leader in the Church at Colossae not far from Ephesus and the Church in Colossae met at his and his wife’s home.

Now looking at Paul’s letter to Philemon I would like to split it into four sections, just for the purpose of explanation, to highlight what I believe are very important values Paul shows us today in our dealings with each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. I personally believe these values were part of the reason that God included this letter as part of His Holy Bible.

Section 1 – verses 1-3: Greeting each other in a Godly manner and with sincere hearts.

Philemon verses 1-3 (NIV)

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:

3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The three verses above also contain a general greeting to the Church at Colossae from both Paul and Timothy. And of great importance here us today as well, especially in our dealings with our brothers and sisters in Christ, is the fact that Paul speaks a blessing of grace and peace to them in the name of the Father and the Lord Jesus. In our dealings with each other we should always remember to bless each other with our speech in this way as well! No unwholesome talk or gossip, just letting our tongues bless each other to the glory of Jesus!

Section 2 – verses 4-7: Giving thanks to God in everything and imitating the Lord’s character.

In the next four verses, 4 – 7, Paul gives thanks to God for Philemon and encourages Philemon by telling him that he is always praying for him because he has heard about Philemon’s great love for the people and his great faith in Jesus the has refreshed the hearts of the Church in Colossae.

Philemon verses 4-7 (NIV)

4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Let’s imitate Paul in this way and always give thanks to the Lord for our brothers and sisters in Christ! In this way we will build ourselves up in our love for each other and refresh each other’s hearts and bring glory to the name of Jesus!

And always remember to pray for each other and to build up and edify each other not breaking each other down with negative and disparaging talk - gossiping!

1 Corinthians 4:15-16 (NIV)

15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

The above verses highlight the importance of the local Church body having godly fathers in the house!

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV)

1 Follow my example (some versions say, “imitate me”), as I follow the example of Christ.

Section 3 – verses 8-21: Building open, solid, and honest relationships with each other and speaking the truth in love.

In verses 8-21 Paul makes a personal plea to Philemon to receive his slave Onesimus back into his service without prejudice and punishment on the basis of their mutual love for the Lord and their personal love for each other in Christ Jesus.

3.1
Paul’s appeal verses 8-11: 8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

In these three verses Paul makes a personal appeal to Philemon and says that because of the authority he holds within the Church he could order Philemon to do the right thing but that he would rather not do that as he prefers to follow the way of love and make his appeal from a heart of love. Love never fails!

1 Corinthians 13:8a (NIV)

Love never fails.

The Greek word for appeal in verses 8-11 is parakaleó – Strong’s 3870 (par-ak-al-eh'-o) and its full Biblical meaning is, to plead, entreat and encourage someone to do something from a personal basis of mutual love. So here we see that Paul is practicing what he preaches.

1 Corinthians 16:14 (NIV)

Do everything in love.

And in verse 10 Paul let’s Philemon know that he has personally ‘fathered’ Onesimus, and this statement is made to assure Philemon that Onesimus is a different man now that he belongs to Jesus than what he was before he ran away – he is walking out his salvation and is a doer of the Word and has this become very useful to Paul and will become the same to Philemon and the Church at Colossae!

Dear readers, let us show the world that now we are born-again we are different people, we are new creations, God has transformed us by the power of the Holy Spirit and to the Glory of Jesus. Let us emulate Paul as he emulates Christ. Let’s act and talk in a manner that is worthy of our salvation in Christ Jesus! Let us live life, walk and talk in the Spirit just like Jesus and Paul!

Let us show the unsaved people of the world that we are not the same as them – we have been called out and separated from them to serve God!

1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

3.2
Verses 12-14: 12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.

In these verses Paul exposes his heart to Philemon as his words clearly demonstrate his love for Onesimus as a son in Christ Jesus and how he would love to keep Onesimus with him, but he knows that the right thing to do is to send him back to Philemon so that forgiveness and reconciliation between the two can be achieved. Paul also states that he wouldn’t keep Onesimus anyway without Philemon’s consent so that he would not feel forced to do any favours for Paul.

Here again Paul demonstrates his desire to see that this matter is handled in a loving and Godly way that does not bring offense! Let us remember this, dear readers and let us to the same in our relationships with others, particularly with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

3.3
Verses 15-16: 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

In these two verses we see Paul gently reminding Philemon that as Onesimus is now born-again and belongs to Jesus he is free and is no longer a slave to sin nor to man. He also encourages Philemon saying that now that Onesimus is a child of God and no longer a slave but a brother he will stay and serve Philemon out of love and will be become as dear to him as he is to Paul.

The saving grace of Jesus sets us free from the law of sin and death and from the slavery of sin and transforms us to become more and more like Christ!

John 8:36 (NIV)

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

3.4
Verses 17-21: 17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

In verse 17 the Greek word for partner is koinónos – Strong’s 2844 (koy-no-nos') and means ‘two brothers in Christ who mutually share fellowship with each other.’ So, in this verse Paul is asking Philemon to welcome Onesimus back because of the mutual fellowship that he (Philemon) shares with him (Paul).

Paul goes on to say in verses 19 and 20 that he will personally pay back anything that Onesimus owes Philemon, but he is also to remember how much Paul has put into him (Philemon) too and when Philemon does this, Paul’s own heart will be refreshed too. When we all behave in this manner, God pours out a blessing on all of us, the is the unity that the Holy Spirit brings to the Church when we are obedient to the Lord and His Word!

Paul ends his personal appeal by saying that because he knows Philemon as a true brother in the Lord, he knows he will do what he asks and even more.

Dear readers, let all of us in Christ Jesus be prepared to go the extra mile!

In these four verses what stands out to me is the mutual love and trust that Paul and Philemon have because of their relationship with each other in Christ Jesus and their mutual desire to be God pleasers and doers of the Word.

Readers let’s be the same as these two heroes of the past and love and trust one another as we serve the Lord and eagerly desire to do the right thing in all things to the glory of Jesus so that our lights may shine out to the world who are watching us and who are perishing!

Section 4 – Ending by pronouncing a blessing upon other in Jesus’ name.

Verses 22-25: 22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Paul ends his letter to Philemon in a personal way that shows of their mutual love and friendship with each other. He asks Philemon with complete freedom to prepare a room for him as he hopes to visit him and answer to his (Philemon’s) prayers. Sadly, I don’t think this visit happened before he was put to death! Reminiscent of our Lord in the garden at Gethsemane! Lord, not my will but yours be done!

Paul also passes on greeting from Epaphras who was in prison with him and who was also from Colossae. And from his fellow workers who were attending him whist he was in prison.

And lastly and most importantly he closes by pronouncing a blessing over Philemon, his household and over the Church at Colossae!

Readers, lets never forget to proclaim a blessing over each other in the name of Jesus whenever we are together and when we depart to go our different ways!

What lessons do we learn from this letter that we need to apply to ourselves as the Church of today?

1. God knows each one of us by name and knows exactly where we are both physically and spiritually.

2. God changes us from useless to useful in Christ Jesus, if we obediently allow the Word to fill our lives and actions.

3. We need always be obedient to the Word and doers of the Word.

4. We need to always live life in the Spirit – only by doing this can we bring glory to Jesus.

5. We need to do everything in love.

6. We need to put the needs of others before our own.

7. We need to be a blessing to each other.

8. We need to pray for each other and speak blessings over each other’s lives whenever we ar together.

9. As men and women, and as we grow to spiritual maturity, we need to become Father’s, Mother’s and mentors to the other men and women in the body who are less mature in their spiritual walk.

10. We need to ensure that in all we do we bring glory and honour to Jesus!

Prayer:
Heavenly Father
I pray in Jesus name that you would help me to be a blessing to others and to put the needs of others before my own. Help me Lord to be obedient to your Word and be a doer of the Word and not just a reader. Help me, Lord, to love others as you love me! Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus, the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!

Do you conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ?

 Let the Word of God renew your mind and conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

My Dear Readers

In this article, and indeed in all my articles, the person that I am addressing first and foremost is the man that stares back at me when I look in the mirror. I sincerely strive to ensure that the man I see when I look in the mirror reflects Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. If you are like me, which I suspect you are, I have to work hard at it every day. As the Apostle Pauls says in Phillipians 2:12, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Is your behaviour and manner of life worthy of your salvation in Christ Jesus?

Does your lifestyle, your speech, your behaviour towards God and your fellow man reflect Jesus at all times?

Colossians 1:9-10

9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

Titus 3:1-2 (NLT)

Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.

As a born again Christian, are you an imitator of Christ in all things?

Ephesians 5:1 (NLT)

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.

Are you obedient to the Word of God, the Bible?

John 14:15 (NIV)

If you love me, keep my commands.

Are you a doer of the Word and not just a reader?

Luke 11:28 (NIV)

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Are you doing the things that the Lord predestined you to do long ago?

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

We are not saved by works only by the blood of Jesus, but God created us to do good works, but only the predestined works we do in Christ Jesus are valid in the eyes of God.

Are you doing God things and not just good things?

Are you living life in the Spirit?

Let’s take time to reflect on the above questions and sincerely, honestly and wholeheartedly examine ourselves against the Christian’s lifestyle manual given to us by God himself – the pure and unadulterated Word of God, your Holy Bible! The Word that became flesh and walked among us, the Word that was with God before the creation of the world! The Word that is the bread of life. The Word that brings out from us rivers of living water. The Word that conforms us to Christ’s image!

John 1:1-3 (NIV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:14 (NIV)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 6:35 (NIV)

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 4:13-14 (NIV)

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Are you being led by the Holy Spirit who teaches us the truth of all things? If you truly love Jesus, you must keep His commands and the Holy Spirit will lead you in all things!

John 14:15-18 (NIV)

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

I ask you again: “Are you living a life that is worthy of the Gospel of Christ Jesus?”

Are you living a life in the flesh (still willfully sinful) or are you living life in the Spirit as Jesus did? Do you still do whatever you want or are you totally in submission to God and His Word? Because if you do still live in the flesh, you cannot please God!

Romans 5:5-8 (NIV)

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

Galatians 5:16-18 (NIV)

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Do you still swear and use foul language as part of your everyday speech, and do you still willfully act in other evil ways that are contrary to the Bible? Do you still tell lies? Are you still a friend of the world? A friend of the world is an enemy of God!

James 4:4 (AMP)

You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Do not leave yourselves open to the wrath of God! Do not become an idolater! Once you give your life to Jesus make sure that you allow God’s s sanctification process to work in you as you walk to spiritual maturity – in this way you will become more and more Christlike.

Colossians 3:5-10 (NIV)

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Are you bearing plenty of good fruit and bringing glory to the Lord? Does your life reflect and manifest the fruit of the Spirit? Are you living at peace with others or are your actions self-serving, giving no thought towards others? Do you consider others before yourself?

John 15:8 (NIV)

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Galations 5:22-26 (NIV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

A true believer will, from the heart, act in a manner that is worthy of the Gospel – the good news of salvation in Christ Jesus. When each believer conducts himself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ then we are standing firmly in the one Spirit – it is the unity of the Holy Spirit that brings all glory, honour and praise to Jesus our Lord and Saviour!

Philippians 1:27-30 (NIV)

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

John 16:33 (AMP)

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

The love of God + Jesus as Lord and Saviour (being born again) + Knowledge of the Bible + Living life in the Spirit = an effective Christian that loves Jesus and keeps His commands – a doer of the Word – a true man of faith! A person that lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ Jesus.

1 John 4:19-21 (NIV)

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

John 3:3-7 (NIV)

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again”

4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV)

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Matthew 4:4 (AMP)

But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’” (Dt 8:3)

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

James 1:22 (AMP)

But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].

Hebrews 11:6 (AMP)

But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.

Dear readers, I do hope these verses have convinced you to realise that a thoroughly good knowledge and understanding of the Bible is of paramount importance to every born-again Christian! Without this knowledge and understanding your walk to maturity in Christ Jesus will be fraught with doubt, unbelief, backsliding, and not forgetting to mention disappointment and ineffectiveness in completing your God given purpose on earth!

Without a good knowledge of the Bible, without the leading of the Holy Spirit and without being a doer of the Word and without the love of God in you, you will be unable to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ Jesus and you will not be truly born-again, you will not truly belong to Jesus.

Beware of the devil's trap of being a lukewarm Christian that becomes so sour in the Lord's mouth that He will spew you out!

Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV)

True and False Disciples

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Revelation 3:16 (NIV)

 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 

Prayer
Dear Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would help me to live my life in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Help me to know your Word and to do what it instructs in complete obedience. Help me to love as you love. Amen!

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!

What is holiness?

 "Be holy because I am holy," says the Lord.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

In Hebrews 12:1-3 the writer starts off the chapter by encouraging us to throw off those things that hinder our Christian walk, to fix our eyes on Jesus and to run the race that God has marked out for each of His children – those of us that are born-again! He also exhorts us to consider the magnitude of what Jesus did for us on the cross and to not grow weary and lose heart in our walk of faith.

In Hebrews 12:4-11 we are told that we can overcome our sinful nature by heeding his discipline. God disciplines us because we are His sons and daughters and as such, He loves us. Discipline in love is an integral part of God’s character.

Hebrews 12:4-11 (NIV)

4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,

    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

We are also told to endure hardship as discipline and if we don’t heed His discipline then we are not His legitimate children and we are not truly born-again!

In verse 10 we are told that God disciplines us for our own good so that we can share in His holiness – for it is written “Be holy, because I am holy.” See Leviticus 11:44 and 1 Peter 1:15-16 below.

And being holy is the subject of this article, so let’s examine from the scripture what it means for us to be holy.

What is holiness?
In the verses below we can see that it has always been God’s intention for His people to be holy because He is holy. The Lord tells us to consecrate ourselves and be holy.

To consecrate oneself means to dedicate oneself to a higher purpose, for a Christian today this means our purpose is to dedicate ourselves to God through His Son Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Peter quoted "be holy for I am holy* from Leviticus 11:44 in 1 Peter 1:15-16 and thus we know without a shadow of doubt that this instruction still applies to Christians today! And God adds to the verse from Leviticus by telling us to be holy in all we do!

Lev 11:44 (NIV)

I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.

1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

And the Apostle Paul reminds us that we have been called to live a holy life, not because of who we are or because of what we do, but solely because of who God is and because of His purpose and His grace upon us as sinners and what He does in our lives. We get what we don’t deserve, eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour! It is not about us it is all about Jesus who is our righteousness.

1 Timothy 1:9

He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.

Holiness is a characteristic of who God is, and as such holiness and being at peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ should be of paramount importance to us as believers, because without holiness we will never see (or truly know in the Spirit) God!

Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

To get a better picture or understanding of the above verse let’s examine the verb ‘will see’ from its original Greek meaning. ‘Will see’ is translated from the Greek word horaó (hor-ah-o, Strong’s 3708) and in its broad definition means: to see, perceive, attend to, look upon, experience, discern, beware of. In Biblical spiritual terms it is to see properly metaphorically, meaning: "to see with the mind" (i.e. to spiritually see), and to perceive with inward spiritual perception. In other words, by being led and guided by the Holy Spirit and, as the Apostle Paul says, living life in the Spirit (Romans 8).

And now, whilst we are in Greek mode and before we can look at what the Bible teaches on being holy, let’s first understand what the word holy means from the original Greek text of the New Testament.

Holiness is from the Greek word ‘hagiotes’ meaning holiness or sanctity – holiness is God’s sanctification work in us once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, in other words once we are born again. Sanctification is a process that we go through on our walk to Christian maturity, and it is achieved by being obedient to His Word and by being led by His Holy Spirit – living life in the Spirit (Romans 8). Hagiotes is derived from the Greek adjective ‘hagios’ which means set apart (for God) for the specific purpose of being holy and sacred.

From this we can safely conclude that God expects us, as Christians, to set ourselves apart to be holy because He is holy. In fact, Hebrews 12:14 above states quite emphatically that we won’t see the Lord unless we pursue holiness.

Also, as we endeavour to pursue holiness, we will experience a measure of pain as He chastises us for our own good, through the process of dying to self – discipline is part and parcel of God’s sanctification (a bringing to holiness) process.

Nevertheless, this chastising process (sanctification) will yield within us the peaceable fruit of holiness and righteousness in Christ Jesus. 

Hebrew 12:9-11 (NLT)

9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

In other words, that which is holy belongs to God, and conversely whatever belongs to God is holy. We are sanctified and made holy and "set apart for a holy use or purpose" by God, and to find out what our use and purpose is in Christ Jesus we need to live life in the Spirit. We need to always be led by the Holy Spirit.

God has selected us to be His servants and has called us to come out of this world, to be different and separate from the rest of the world. Jesus said in His prayer to the Father for the Apostles,

John 17:14-16 (NIV)

14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

The Christian must live in this present evil world, but his life must be different from the lives of the other people that are in the world – who are not born-again, who do not know Jesus as Lord and Saviour. In other words, our lives and the way and manner in which we live, must reflect God’s holiness. We must be imitators of Christ and reflect His nature in all we do and say.

We, as born again believers in Christ Jesus, must come out from any of this world's ways that are sinful and evil, out from the religious and spiritual "Babylon" that is this whole world. The world is Satan’s domain and so we must set ourselves apart from it.

2 Corinthians 4:4-6 (NIV)

4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

Revelation 18:4 (NIV)

4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say:

“‘Come out of her (the world), my people,’[Jer 51:45)

so that you will not share in her sins,

so that you will not receive any of her plagues;

Making such a distinction and living by it is one of the many ways that God's true servants are different from the rest of the world.

Instead of being immersed in the lawless and sinful ways of the world, we should put our thoughts on better and higher things, things that are worthy of our salvation in Christ Jesus, thoughts and actions that lead to eternal life and not on worldly things that are in opposition to God and that lead to eternal death – eternal separation from God in a fiery hell!

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

This scripture makes is very clear that we should avoid filling our minds with entertainment that is sinful: void of (God’s) love, lustful, sexually illicit or that is filled with murder, hatred, evil, violence, abuse and all other such evil things. In this way we will be able to be at peace with others because the God of peace will be with us.

We often justify our sinful actions by saying things like: "It’s only a song — it's only make-believe, it's only a movie or that’s who I am."

On the contrary that is not who you are in Christ Jesus, you are a new creation, the Bible says this:

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

We cannot call ourselves Christians and continue to walk in the ways of the world – we must walk in the way of the Spirit (be holy)! Christians need to be different from the rest of this world — to say no to sin, to evil and to wrong things as it is written:

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NLT)

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.

We will continue to be holy if we live a life of holiness in the reverent fear of God. That is the way of obedience and conformity with God's ways and His Word. That is living life in the Spirit. In this way we will bring glory, honour and praise to Jesus!

God wants a glorious Church without spot or blemish. Jesus gave his life for the Church in order to make her holy through the process of sanctification.

God calls us to be holy as he is holy, and we can’t do this if we are clinging on to the pleasures that the world throws at us, for friendship with the world is enmity with God. In fact, God is so opposed to those that call themselves Christians yet live in disobedience to the Bible and continually live a life in willful sin that he calls them adulterers, vow breakers and his enemies.

If you reject God’s process of holiness and sanctification, then you are not born-again and you will be going to hell if you do not become truly repentant of your sin! Without holiness no one can see God! I do not say this to be horrible, I say this because it is God’s truth and I care about your salvation!

James 4:4-8 (AMP)

4 You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose that the [human] spirit which He has made to dwell in us lusts with envy? 6 But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].” 7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].

Prayer
Dear Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to overcome the desires of my flesh and help me to be holy just as you are holy so that my life will bring glory to Jesus and be a true witness to the unsaved. Amen!

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!

Last update: 18 August 2023.

Cast Out Demons!

 

Casting out demons! This is a topic that is rarely preached in today’s Church which, in my opinion, is such a pity as it formed a large part of the Lord’s ministry when He walked among us! Today’s modern Church has not done itself any favours by choosing to ignore such teachings as these, the ones that Jesus himself placed such great emphasis on!

Let’s examine why I make this statement by looking at what Jesus tells us in the scriptures, using at Mark 6 as a starting point.

Mark 6:7 & 12-13 (NIV)

7 Calling the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over impure spirits.

12 They went out and preached that people should repent. 13 They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

In Mark 16, Mark tells of the resurrection of Jesus and how “Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body.” But when they arrived at the tomb, they found that the stone had been rolled away and Jesus was gone. A ‘young man’ who was sitting in the tomb told the women to go and tell the disciples that Jesus had risen. This they did but Peter and some of the other the disciples didn’t believe them!

In verse nine Mark tells us that Jesus, after He had risen, first appeared to Mary Magdalene and for some reason he says of Mary, “out of whom he had driven seven demons (also related in Luke 8:2).” This was the first case of multiple demon possession recorded in the Bible. A significant event that both Mark and Luke felt, under the power of the Holy Spirit, that it should be recorded in the Gospels for the benefit of the Church.

To me the fact that demons being driven out of Mary Magdalen was so important that it is mentioned at the tomb of resurrection, right at the start of the Lord’s forty day ministry before His ascension to heaven!

In verse 14 Mark tells us that, “Later (he doesn’t say how much later) Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.”

So, in this verse Jesus tells the disciples off for their unbelief! He then tells them to “go” and gives them what we call the great commission and included in His commission to those of us that believe is, “In my (Jesus’) name they will drive out demons.”

Mark 16:15-18 (NIV)

15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”

Looking at the above verses and focusing on today’s topic let’s note in particular verse 17 where Jesus tells us that those of us who believe will be accompanied by signs and wonders and one of these signs will be driving out demons! We have to believe in order to be effective in our obedience to the Lord!

The Lord’s instruction to those that believe to cast out demons is confirmed by the Apostle Matthew:

Matthew 10:1 (AMP)

Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority and power over unclean spirits (demons), to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

And by the Apostle Luke:

Luke 10:49-50 (NIV)

49 “Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”

50 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

Verse 50 above confirms that ‘driving out demons’ was not only for the twelve disciples but for all those that believe in Jesus, including today’s believers.

Confirmation of this is also shown in the Book of Acts where we read of Phillip, a believer in Jesus, driving our demons and performing other such miracles. Although he was not an Apostle, he really was a true believer and was obedient to the Lord’s commands!

Acts 8:5-8 (NIV)

5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.

In many cases “driving out demons” is synonymous with healing! When we truly believe we can do, in the power of the Holy Spirit, the great things that Jesus did and He himself says we can even do greater things.

John 14:12 (NIV)

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Is casting out demons relevant in today’s Church for today’s believer?

Let’s have a look at what the Bible says and who Jesus is and what He did in this regard, starting briefly with some basic fundamentals and progressing from there. Let’s follow Jesus and become imitators of Christ!

Jesus is the Word that became flesh – human!

John 1:1-5 (NIV)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

In the above verses we are told that the Word was with God right from the beginning and that He (Jesus) was with God at the beginning as well – thus unifying Jesus and the Word as one! Everything was made through Jesus and that He is the light and life of the world. Darkness (sin) will never overcome Him!

In John 1:14 we are told that the Word (Jesus) became flesh and walked among us.

John 1:14 (NIV)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Now, wherever Jesus went His ministry was followed be miracles, signs and wonders. Many of these manifestations of the Spirit working through Jesus involved casting out demons. In fact, casting out demons was such an important part of His ministry, that He gave those that believe in Him the authority to do the same. We have read this in many of the scriptures above.

Now the question I have asked in this section is, “Is casting out demons relevant in today’s Church for today’s believer?”

My answer is, “Yes it most certainly is!”

Why? Because the world has become a lot more populated than it was 2000 years ago and as such has also become a lot more evil. We are already in such times as it was in the days of Noah – deeply disturbing and evil times – men chose not to believe in God – The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit – The Holy Trinity!

Matthew 24:37-39 (NIV)

37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Genesis 6:5-8 (NIV)

5 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Today it is the born-again believer in Christ Jesus that has found favour with the Lord – His Church.

Now, if demonic activity and influence over humans was so prevalent when our Lord walked the earth, it stands to reason that it is even more so today. Just take note of the evil that is all around today’s world and how few of the world’s population are truly saved and are thus children of the devil – most of them without even realising it!

Is everybody demon possessed? No! Is every Christian under the attack of the enemy? Yes, especially in our thought life – the devil’s favourite battleground is the mind of man! Can man be influenced to do evil by the devil and his demons? Yes, he certainly can! Anyone who is not truly born-again from the heart belongs to the devil!

1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

John 8:44 (NIV)

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Take every thought captive!

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (AMP)

5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when your own obedience [as a church] is complete.

Because of these factors the Church today needs to stand up and ‘drive out demons’ as Jesus expects us to. He has given us this authority as His Church, we need to realise that as the Apostle Paul says, our fight is not against flesh and blood!

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Jesus has not changed He expects us to do the things He did and even greater things! God does not want a passive Church that rolls over and shows its belly whenever the devil reveals his ugly face! He wants a Church that agressively engages the enemy in spiritual warfare and casts out demons! It is part of the ‘Great Commission!’

Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

John 14:12 (NIV)

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Ephesians 5:1 (AMP)

Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father];

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT)

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

How do we cast out demons?

The only answer to this is to say, in the Name of Jesus, the same way the Apostles and other believers of the time did!

Demon possession is a topic that many Christians avoid like the plague and many others go ‘over the top’. For many it is a tricky and very scary subject. Many Christians avoid the topic by saying things like, “You can’t look for a demon behind every bush.” And because of their fear and apprehension of the topic they do nothing at all. But there is Biblical proof that Jesus and His disciples did cast out demons and He definitely gave His authority to the Church to do so as well and thus we should be doing so right now! The times are still evil! Jesus didn’t give His Church His authority for nothing!

When I look at the sinful state of the world today, I personally conclude that there could very well be a demon behind every bush influencing man, and possessing many, to become more and more evil by the day just as in the days of Noah. Let’s be warned by the scriptures, Church! Let’s be aware! Let’s be ready to fight the good fight!

I see mass murders, wars whereby men slaughter thousands upon thousands of other men and innocents, people stealing and robbing, gang wars and drug dealing, human trafficking, and every other despicable acts of man’s inhumanity to man. Then I firmly believe that the evil in man’s heart, the acts of warped minds and suchlike, is brought about by man’s sinful nature, the evil that lies in our hearts in our disobedience to God’s Word – the Bible - and made worse under the influence of the devil and his demonic spirits and forces that gain footholds in our lives through our wilful sin and disobedience to God and His Word! The Church is full of people who call themselves born-again but still wilfully sin!

Let’s have a look at a Biblical example of Jesus casting out demons!

Mark 5:1-11 (NIV)

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”

9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Now, in the above verses we see that Jesus was approached by a man with and impure spirit. The characteristics of this man’s demonic possession were:

• He was inhumanly strong.

• His mind was tortured.

• He self-harmed.

• He lived amongst the dead and roamed about night and day – he had trouble sleeping and finding rest for his tortured soul!

• He recognised that Jesus was the Son of God – Satan and his cohorts know who Jesus is and that they are under His authority!

James 1:19 (AMP)

You believe that God is one; you do well [to believe that]. The demons also believe [that], and shudder and bristle [in awe-filled terror—they have seen His wrath]!

When Jesus asks the demoniac his name, we discover that the impure spirit was accompanied by many other demons – multiple demon possession, the impure spirit being the spokesperson or leader of the pack! The impure spirit tells Jesus that, “We are many.” For when Jesus gives them permission to go into the pigs, we see that the whole herd of about 2000 pigs runs into the sea and are drowned. So, there could very well have been 2000 demons in one person!

After this the demon possessed man was healed and in his right mind.

Luke 8:34-36 (NIV)

34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured.

There are many other examples of Jesus, the Apostles and other believers casting out demons as well. Why don’t you do a little Bible study for yourself?

Luke 10:17 (NIV)

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

John 20:30-31 (AMP)

30 There are also many other signs (attesting miracles) that Jesus performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe [with a deep, abiding trust] that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of God; and that by believing [and trusting in and relying on Him] you may have life in His name.

So, now that we have examined scripture it is plain to see that there is only one way in which we, as born-again Christians, can cast out demons and that is in the Name of Jesus. “Demon come out in the name of Jesus!”

A single command, “Come out!” from Jesus brought instant results, and on one occasion, a whole legion of demons fled at His command.

We don’t have need to shout and scream, chop the air with our hands or shake the person wildly, just simply look the person in the eye and commanding with all the authority that Jesus has given us, “Demon come out in the name of Jesus!” Prayer and fasting are also a part of our spiritual warfare manifesto as born again believers – we should make prayer and fasting a part of our Christian lifestyle – be ready for spiritual warfare at all times!

Matthew 17:21 (AMP)

[But this kind of demon does not go out except by prayer and fasting.]”

A lifestyle of prayer and fasting keeps a born-again believer spiritually trained and constantly ready for battle!

How do we know if someone is demon possessed?

When you are filled with the Holy Spirit and living life in the Spirit, your spirit will discern what is an evil spirit in another and what isn’t, that is why the Apostle Paul tells us to follow the way of love and eagerly desire the spiritual gifts – the gift of the discerning of spirits is one of them. The key to anything we do as a born-again Christian is having the agapé love of God for others!

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (AMP)

13 Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong. 14 Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us].

The bible tells us that demon possessed people show certain symptomatic and unnatural tendencies in behaviour and actions. Let’s take a look at these.

1. At times they are unable to control themselves.
The evil spirit will sometimes speak through the person in a voice that is not their own or often they will prevent a person from talking at all. Nervous actions such as eye ticks, lack of eye contact with other people, body twitches and even excessive burping – I am speaking from my own experiences in casting out demons. Demons can come out with cries and screams!

Matthew 9:33 (NIV)

And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

Mark 1:23-26 (NIV)

23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

2. A demon possessed person can often manifest different personalities.
Demons have evil and destructive, even self-destructive, personalities and these personalities can be made manifest in their victims.

Mark 5:7 (NIV)

He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!”

3. A demon can speak through a possessed person in a voice or voices that are not the person’s own. Like the demoniac in Mark 5.

4. A demon possessed person will often have unusual strength.

Acts 19:15-16 (NIV)

15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.

5. A demon possessed person, under the demon’s influence, will often show suicidal and self-harm tendencies.

Mark 9:21-22 (NIV)

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

A word of caution:

Not every illness, especially mental illness, is caused by demonic possession, the Bible in the Book of Matthew is very clear about this. There are those that are demon possessed and those that have mental illness (lunatic). As I have mentioned before, not everybody will be demon possessed but many, even those that know Jesus, can be influenced and tempted to do evils things – those things that are contrary to the Word of God!

Matthew 4:24 (KJV)

And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic (mental illness), and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

This is why it is so important for born-again Christians to be continually Holy Spirit filled, living life in the Spirit and operating in the Gifts of the Spirit in the agapé love of God (doing everything in love) so that the divine leading of the Holy Spirit can show us the difference.

Having said this, the Church has to be actively aware that demonic possession is just as prevalent today (and probably more so) as it was in the time of Jesus’ ministry on earth. We cannot just sit back and ignore the Lord’s teaching on this subject just because we find it unpleasant or scary or we don’t believe it is for today – it is for today! Jesus instructs us to heal the sick and cast out demons!

The key to a born-again Christians protection from the devil lies in their submission to God and their humility in serving God, in serving our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and being Jesus to an unbelieving world!

James 4:7 (AMP)

7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].

1 Peter 5:6 (AMP)

6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time,

In Christ Jesus we have the victory!

Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven
I pray that you would continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to minister the full Gospel to others at all times and without compromise. I ask that you help me overcome my unbelief and my timidity and to act in boldness of the Spirit at all times and to be obedient to your all your commands including driving out demons and healing the sick. I ask this in the name of Jesus, my King, my Lord, my Saviour. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!

The Devoted Church

 

The Church of Jesus Christ began at Pentecost and is the only model today’s Church should follow!

The New Testament Church was started just after Pentecost with the first mass outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We can read about Pentecost and the Apostle Peter’s bold address to the crowd of his very first gospel message in the Book of Acts chapter 2. 

Acts 2:41 (NIV)

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

This was the birth of the Church of Jesus Christ. It was established in the power of the Holy Spirit. It was Spirit filled and, unlike today’s Church, without sect or denomination and the preaching man’s doctrines– just preaching Jesus Christ and him crucified!

This is the model Church that today’s Church should be imitating in every way, but sadly does not!

It was the Church that God himself wanted, conformed to the image of His Son, our Lord and Saviour – the King of kings who never changes!

Hebrews 13:7-8 (NIV)

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Let’s examine how the Church was structured (the way today’s Church should be structured) and were ministering in faith and in accordance with the Word of God brought by the Apostles in the power of the Holy Spirit and let’s not forget the below words spoken to the Apostles by Jesus himself:

John 14:26 (NIV)

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

The apostles’ teaching was directly from Jesus who is the Word – taught to them by the Holy Spirit!

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

1 Peter 1:21 (NIV)

For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The Fellowship of the Believers
What were these new believers doing? What did their lifestyle look like? How was the Holy Spirit binding them together in unity to bring glory to the name of Jesus? How did they respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading and to the apostles’ teaching?

Acts 2:42-47 (NIV)

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

What does ‘devoted to’ mean?

Verse 42 in Acts 2 starts off like this: “They (the Church) devoted themselves to……….”

Let’s examine what they were devoted to and how they were devoted.

Today’s dictionary meaning of ‘devoted to’ is:

"Being devoted to something means being focused on that particular thing almost exclusively. When you are devoted to a cause, you work to achieve its goals. When you are devoted to a person, you place their needs above your own. Being devoted doesn't have to refer only to personal relationships."

So that’s how today’s modern dictionaries define ‘devoted to’, but in order to have a clearer picture of what the early Church would have understood by this we will need to examine the original Greek meaning of being ‘devoted’ to.

The original Greek meaning of ‘devoted’ in Acts 2:42 is:

Proskartereo (pronounced: pros-kär-te-ray-o) and its expanded meaning:

• To join together with

• To adhere to

• To be ready

• To give attention to

• To be fully committed to

• To spend much time together

• To be faithful

This is what the early church would have understood by the ‘devoted to’ and what today's Church needs to be like as well, so let’s look at each term’s meaning on an individual basis.

To join together with:

• What were they joined together with?

• With each other as the family of Christ.

• The Apostles and their teaching - The Word.

• And through this they were being unified as one Church in the power of the Holy Spirit.

To adhere to:

The early church stuck together and did not deviate from the apostles’ teaching – the Word of God, the Bible.

To be ready:

They were being made ready to put into practice what they were being taught and to walk the Christian path as Jesus intended. A path of love, unity of the Spirit and self-sacrifice.

To give attention to:

They were focused on the Word, prayer, breaking of bread, fellowship with each other and with God in the fulness of the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

To be fully committed to:

They were fully committed to God, to each other and to the teachings of The Word and in putting them into practice.

To spend much time together:

They spend a lot of time together – devoted to each other in the love of Christ. They didn’t shrink back from fellowshipping together as often as they could. They helped each other and encouraged each other on the path to maturity.

To be faithful:

In all these things they were faithful as Christ is faithful to his Church! The unity of living life in the Spirit as Paul was later to describe in Romans 8!

What was the early Church devoted to – Acts 2:42?

1. The apostles teaching – The Word of God via the Apostles who were led and taught by Jesus, and by the Holy Spirit after the Lord’s ascension:

• Jesus – The Word – God

• Love for all mankind and especially for the family of believers – agapé

• Salvation in Christ Jesus

• The New Covenant by the blood of Jesus (set apart from the Law)

• Freedom in Christ

• The Holy Spirit

2. Fellowship – from the Greek word Koinónia, meaning:

• In partnership with.

• Being a contributory help.

• Participation in.

• Sharing in.

• Communion with.

• Spiritual fellowship with the Holy Spirit and with each other.

3. The breaking of bread

Luke 22:19

And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.“

1 Cor 11:26

For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

In the verse above, Paul tells us exactly what we are doing, apart from remembering the work of Jesus on the cross, when we break bread together. We are proclaiming his death until he returns.

Now here it will be good for us to have a look at the meaning of the word ‘proclaim’ from the original Greek translation. It comes from the Greek word ‘kataggello’.

Proclaim – Kataggello

• To proclaim.

• To declare openly.

• To preach.

• To laud (praise).

• To celebrate.

• To announce a message in a definite way.

So, here we see that when we break bread together, at least two significant things happen that only the Church, the true born-again believer, can do.

• We remember the significance of the pain and suffering the Lord suffered on our behalf that we may become born-again and thus reconciled to the Father.

• We announce to each other and to the world in an evangelical way that there is only one way to the Father and that is through Jesus Christ His son and that we are committed to Him and to each other.

4. Prayer

Personal and corporate, relationship building prayer with God in the name of Jesus.

Acts 1:14

They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

Corporate prayer by the Church in unity, ushers in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit and brings revival both individually and corporately!

Pentecost is our prime example!

When the Church is devoted to God and to each other in prayer, love, action and devotion, supernatural things happen:

• People get saved, people get healed, people are delivered from demons!

Acts 2:47

praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

• We receive favour with the people.

• Miracles signs and wonders follow us.

Are you a devoted Christian and is your Church a devoted Church?

Today’s Church should look like the Acts Church, for Jesus is the same yesterday, today and always! Amen!

Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Prayer
Dear Father in Heaven
In the name of Jesus, I ask that you continually fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to become a devoted servant that I may bring glory to Jesus and be a blessing to others in Christ. Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!