GOD ’ S GIFT – DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN SPIRITS Penge Baptist Church 8th July 2012

Distinguishing between spirits “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

Meaning what? “a special ability to recognise the influence of the Holy Spirit or of demonic spirits in a person [or place]” (Wayne Grudem) “You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.” (1 Corinthians 12:2) “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1)

What spirits? Modern materialist dismissal of spirits and spirituality We believe in the Holy Spirit Scriptural witness to demonic – “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.” (Ephesians 6:12) Personal experience Evil advertises!

A figure of fun?

Or evil incarnate?

Why are they powerful? “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1) Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.” (Luke 10:18) “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule” (Genesis 1:26) “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” (Genesis 3:6) “the prince of this world is coming.” (John 14:30)

What are their aims? Prevent non-believers from becoming Christians Disrupt the lives of Christians Reduce the effectiveness of the church Tempt, accuse, condemn

Jesus ’ victory and authority … When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” (Luke 4:40-41) “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (Colossians 2:15) “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” (1 John 3:8) “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14)

… gives believers authority “As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:7-8) “The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” (Luke 10:17) “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:19)

Including in the Great Commission …. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

… and in the Epistles “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6) “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)

Our attack - deliverance “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” (Mark 1:25) “if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Matthew 12:28) “Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.” (Acts 16:18)

The power of the Gospel “Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there….with shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed.” (Acts 8:5, 7)

Notes of caution “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:26- 27) “When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.” (Matthew 12:43-45)

“do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20) “There are two equal and opposite errors into which we can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence; the other is to believe and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors.” (C S Lewis) Most evil and sin identified in the New Testament is not from demons – “the world and the flesh” not “the devil”

Our defence – the armour of God “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:14-17) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18)