Where do I start? This month was incredible and of much spiritual growth. We were able to help an orphanage of 24 children and 4 house moms in their compound. It’s a sustainable farm that had us work in many projects. They have apple orchards, a well that provides water for the community, gardens of veggies and a brick making area. We would either be working on the farm, taking care of the children, teaching English, helping the women with chores or praying through out the property. The first week we did bricks, cut some grass by hand, sifted dirt, washed clothes for the children by hand, picked out grain for the women and prayer walked. Our team was divided in the evenings. I was able to be part of the Party Planning Committee aka The PPC! We helped put on movie nights for the children on Fridays and a Christmas play. The month was incredible to say the least. It was hard to leave because we fell in love with the children. We felt the love from the children too as they barricaded us with hose and trees to not leave the property on our way out. Our host treated us like family and they poured into us so much. The growth that I received from them this month came spiritually.
Spiritual warfare was a REAL thing! I want to say maybe it was about 3 days in when I started feeling spiritually attacked at night. Everyday we were there I had a “good” or “bad” dream. Some were prophetic or about people at home that I love. Others were about me fighting demons or something of that sort. We prayed every night and put scripture on the walls through out our bedroom. It didn’t scare me but it bothered me that I wasn’t the only one with these dreams. We started to notice patterns. The people sleeping next to the windows were the ones with the heaviest dreams or nightmares. Sometimes I would wake up and see demons in the room. Another night I was uncontrollably bleeding from my nose for about 2 to 3 hours. It was not until our host called and prayed for me with her best friend. She said “it’s done” but I didn’t believe her. She asked me to take the tissue out of my nose. I wanted to be obedient and have faith so I did it. I felt as my nose was sealed from the blood that was once flowing. I knew it wasn’t just a bloody nose but it was spiritual warfare. Don’t get me wrong! We didn’t go out without a fight. We had two all night prayers, prayed every night before bed and a night my team fasted together. However, things kept happening. It’s not until now, in debrief, that I realized there is more to spiritual warfare that isn’t always talked about.
We have Spiritual Authority under Jesus Christ to cast out demons (Luke 10:17). We get permission to use His power and the authority flows out of intimacy. It’s not out of our knowledge, gifts or abilities that we have the power Christ gives us. We get permission to use His authority but we need to have intimacy; intimacy grows out of obedience. When we are lacking authority it is because we may not be living out in obedience. Intimacy takes sacrifice; it takes work to be in a relationship. Demons can have impact on believers and there are mysteries we can’t understand. However, the Bible does give us some information that helps us on spiritual warfare. Some Christians are spiritually aware because we are “the eyes” of the body of Christ. We don’t all have the same gift in discerning the spiritual realm (1 Corinthians 12). We all have different gifts that equip us for the Kingdom work we are meant to be doing. Gifts are different from authority given to us all in Jesus.
Authority comes in different areas: we have authority over our own lives, we have authority over our own homes and we have authority over our own cities. But, we do not have authority over other people or other territories. You can’t help someone that doesn’t want to get helped. There are some fights that are not yours and you can only assist if people are willing. The enemy tries to attack us based on footholds we give him. If there is sin, then he tries to hold onto that. When he has territory, then he tries to claim his authority based on that. Unforgiveness can sometimes be the most common ground to have a foothold. We are not supposed to be afraid, however, we are not supposed to be arrogant or foolish. When we are casting out demons we need to know what started it all, if there is territory for the demon to be there and if the person dealing with this problem wants the help they need. We are just bringing the authority of Jesus Christ and making people free through Him. I can’t explain the bloody nose, I don’t know all the details on why spirits wouldn’t leave our compound and I’m not really caught up in that. I do know we have authority. Also, I understand I am willing to exercise that when it’s necessary. I am learning so I don’t know all the answers to questions but I want to keep sharing what I learn. I have listed scripture below that you can reference on what I have learned. Lots of love, hugs and kisses sent your way. God bless!
Scripture to Reference:
When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to Him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!” Luke 10:17
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18
“For God did not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind”
2 Timothy 1:7
1 Corinthians 12
“Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 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.” 2 Cor. 10:3-5
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.” 1 Pet. 5:8-9
No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.” Is. 54:17
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 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.” Eph. 6:11-17
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:57
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” Luke 10:19
“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Matt. 18:18-19
“Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you.” Deut. 3:22
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” Rom. 8:31
