The work of casting out demons and healing the sick claimed twenty-five percent of the Lord’s earthly ministry. He gained victory over all of the enemy’s work and made it possible for man to return to a full intimate relationship with the Father.
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8
The Bible proclaims that God does not change. His work is still the same today.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
Confusion
Why then is the subject of demons so controversial in the body of Christ during the twenty-first century?
Unbelief and confusion play a key role in this controversy. Individuals must personally search the scriptures to come out of religious confusion (Acts 17:11). The word Babylon means confusion. God is calling His people to come out of Babylon (Revelation 18:1-5)
“…the devil has sought to deceive the church into one of two extreme doctrinal camps: one extreme teaches that Christians don’t have to worry about demons or casting them out because Christians can’t be affected by them once they are ‘born again’; and the other extreme teaches that every time a Christian sins there is a demon that needs to be dealt with and cast out.” Dealing with Demons, page 6
Believe
The first step to coming out of confusion on the subject of demons is to resolve to believe God’s Word is truth. When we resolve that the Bible teaches us truth and not myth about demons, the adversary’s strongholds against us are broken.
“Just as God is looking for men to preach His Gospel, so is the devil looking for those through whom he can express his nature and works into the earth.” Dealing with Demons, page 9
Battlefield in the mind
A stronghold is a military term. Our mind is a battlefield where a war is being waged between two kingdoms - the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of the devil. A stronghold is a strongly held belief that is contrary to God’s truth. To break the strongholds of the enemy erected in our mind, we must embrace and believe God’s truth.
Companion to the Bible on the subject of demons
Pastor David C, Hairabdien’s book, Dealing with Demons, is a great companion to the Bible for every serious student on the issue of demons. Dealing with Demons equips the reader with the necessary tools to get a grip on the reality of demons, and the much needed knowledge on how to overcome demonic influences.
7 stages of demonic influence
Hairabedian takes the reader through the seven stages of demonic influences:
- Regression
- Repression
- Suppression
- Depression
- Oppression
- Obsession
- Possession
“There are varying degrees (or stages) of demonic influence. The devil never possessed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, but he clearly influenced them, resulting in their poor decisions.” Dealing with Demons, page 11
Understanding the seven stages of demonic influence is an essential key in identifying those influences in our individual life. Every serious disciple of Jesus must seek inner cleansing before he is equipped to release another from bondage (Matthew 7:3).
Dealing with Demons guides the reader on a scriptural supported journey through biblical truth about demons.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12
Table of content
Hairabedian’s excellent contribution is thoroughly thought out and presented. Each of the following chapters is presented without sensationalism and in a spirit of wisdom:
- Dealing With Demons
- General Facts About Demons
- The Nature of Demons
- The Works of Demons
- Ten Facts About Demons
- What Is Demonic Possession?
- Can A Christian Be Possessed By A Demon?
- Demons or Works of the Flesh
- Cain and Abel
- Jesus Begins His Ministry of Deliverance
- Seven Stages of Demonic Influence
- Three Examples From Scripture
- Entry Ways For Demons
- The Five Entry Gates of Man
- The Trojan Horse
- We Are Not Ignorant of the Enemy’s Devices
- How to be Set Free
- Prayer for Deliverance
- An Unseen War
- Biblical Fasting, by Pastor Darin L. Shorey
How to receive abundant life through Christ
In order to receive the abundant life Jesus promised, we must first tear down all the strongholds of the enemy (John 10:1-18). It takes knowledge of the truth to tear down the lies of the enemy (Hosea 4:6). If we seek God’s truth He is faithful to reward us (Hebrews 11:6; John 14:26).
The good news is that Jesus won the battle over Satan 2,000 years ago. Jesus’ focus was not on demons, rather He focused on an abiding intimate relationship with the Father. We must live as Jesus did. The same power in Him is in us through Him.
“General Facts About Demons. They are called devils (Mk. 16:17); familiar spirits (Lev. 20:6); unclean spirits (Mk. 1:27); evil spirits (Lk. 7:21); and seducing or deceitful spirits (1 Tim. 4:1). They are subject to (must obey) Christ and subject to (must obey) blood-washed Believers in Christ.” Dealing with Demons, page 3
The disciples of Jesus must rise up as a Joshua generation, focused on God, not demons. But we must be prepared to cast demons out if they get in our way as we take possession of the Promised Land.
To purchase a copy of "Dealing with Demons" click here.
"Dealing With Demons" is a highly recommended resource for the hungry soul in search of spiritual meat on the subject of demons. It is available as a free virtual book by clicking here.
For more information about Pastor David C. Hairabedian click here.
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