THE IMPORTANCE OF SPIRITUAL POWER -
Casting Out Demons, Healing the Sick, Etc.
Derek Prince refers to the “full gospel” as not only teaching the Word, but also casting out demons, healing the sick, etc. The “full gospel” is what Jesus wants His disciples to spread throughout the world.
WHAT MAKES A DISCIPLE?
Everyone probably has their own idea of what makes a “disciple.” This is because people go to different sources to find out what the definition is. A pastor may give a definition that he had learned in seminary. The typical Christian who goes to church and doesn’t steal cars may consider themself a disciple. People often say they are “discipling” someone, meaning they are helping someone with their Christian development…whatever that may be. In other words, there are many different molds that are used to make a disciple, but there should only be one. JESUS’ MOLD IS THE ONLY MOLD THAT WE SHOULD USE. Now let’s find out what His mold is.
Mark tells about the time when Jesus declared His twelve “disciples” and what they were to do. And He went up into the mountain, and He called near whom He desired. And they went to Him. And He made disciples of twelve, that they might be with Him; and that He might send them to proclaim, and to have authority to heal diseases, and to cast out the demons. (Mark 3:13-15, KJ3). Declared from the very beginning, a disciple is someone who proclaims the Word, heals the sick, and casts out demons.
Luke tells us about the time Jesus sent seventy disciples to cities where He was about to go, to tell the people He was coming. He told the disciples how to do it. …the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them each by two before His face into every city and place, even to where He was about to come…And heal the sick in it, and say to them, the kingdom of God has drawn near to you…And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us through Your Name. (Luke 10:1,9,17, KJ3)
By now we know that proclaiming the Word, healing the sick, and casting out demons are what Jesus wants His disciples to do. John tells us about the time when Jesus told His disciples that He had to leave them. Jesus comforted them by telling them that they will actually be better off after He leaves. This is because they will then receive the Holy Spirit. When they do, they SHALL do the works that He did. This is Jesus’ will. Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me: but if not, believe Me because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you the one believing into Me, the works which I do, that one shall do also, and greater than these he will do, because I am going to My Father…I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, that He may remain with you to the age…the Holy Spirit (John 14:11-12,16,26, KJ3)
WHAT’S LIFE’S PURPOSE FOR A DISCIPLE?
Matthew tells us about a conversation Jesus had with His disciples regarding His on-going expectations for them. These expectations are to continue until the “completion of the age.” These expectations are better known as the “great commission.” Therefore going, disciple all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things, as many things as I commanded you. And, behold, I am with you all the days until the completion of the age. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20, KJ3). Because Jesus taught and then ordered His disciples to proclaim the Word, heal the sick, and cast out demons, such things are included in “teaching them to observe all things, as many things as I commanded you.”
How does a disciple know if they are being successful in making more disciples? Mark tells us what Jesus told His disciples. And He said to them, going into all the world, proclaim the gospel to all the creation. The one believing and being baptized will be saved; but the one not believing will be condemned. And miraculous signs will follow to those believing these things: they will cast out demons in My name; they will speak new languages; they will take up snakes and if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them, not any; they will lay hands on ones being infirm, and they will be well. Then indeed, after speaking to them, the Lord was taken up into Heaven, and sat at the right of God. And going out, they preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the Word through the miraculous signs following after. Amen (Mark 16:15-20, KJ3)
REASONS TO WALK IN POWER
There are many reasons to walk in spiritual power, which include the following five.
Walking in power teaches us an additional way to pray. Praying to God like all Christians do is the backbone of prayer. All Christians should pray in this way. But there is also another way to pray, a way disciples often pray. A way to pray that unleashes the moving of the Holy Spirit, setting Christians free who have been taken captive by demons and physical problems. What kind of praying unleashes the Holy Spirit in this way you ask? The answer is DIRECTLY COMMANDING THE DEMONS AND/OR PHYSICAL PROBLEM TO LEAVE IN JESUS’ NAME. An example would be “In the name of Jesus, pain leave now!” This is when God’s power will be routinely revealed. Here are a few examples found in scripture… And He said to them, going into all the world, proclaim the gospel to all the creation. The one believing and being baptized will be saved; but the one not believing will be condemned. And miraculous signs will follow to those believing these things: they will cast out demons in My name (Mark 16:15-17, KJ3) And the seventy returned with joy, saying, Lord, even the demons are subject to us through Your Name. (Luke 10:17, KJ3) …a certain slave girl having a Pythonic spirit met us, whose divining brought much profit to her masters. Following after Paul and us, she cried out, saying, These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to us a way of salvation! And she did this over many days. But becoming distressed, and turning around to the demonic spirit, Paul said, In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her! And it came out in the very hour.(Acts 16:16-18, KJ3) …Peter and John were going up into the temple..a certain man, being lame from his mother’s womb, was being carried, whom they put day by day at the door of the temple…to ask merciful gifts from the ones going into the temple; who seeing Peter and John…asked merciful gifts… But Peter said, There is no silver and gold to me, but what I have, this I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise up and walk about! And laying hold of the right hand of him, he raised him up. And immediately his feet and ankle-bones were made firm. And leaping up, he stood and walked about… (Acts 3:1-3,6-7, KJ3)
Another reason to walk in power is that it blesses people. When someone is physically healed, they are blessed. Likewise, when someone’s demonic strong-hold is torn down, they are blessed. Demonic strong-holds cannot be permanently resolved through worldly counseling or drugs, only through the power of God. For walking about in flesh, we do not war according to flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly ones, but powerful ones to God to the demolition of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10-:3-4, KJ3) There is a lot of fraud in the world. There are plenty of people who pretend to heal people or cast out demons for personal benefit. But just remember…we can’t toss out the baby with the bath water. We can’t let “bad press” prevent us from doing our job.
Walking in power proves the Word is true. When someone is set free from an illness or a demon, the Word is proven true. When miracles occur, Christianity moves from a theory or a religion into simple truth. Jesus drew crowds to Him through miracles. Once He had their ear, He proclaimed the Word. Paul did the same thing. Here’s what Paul wrote to the church in Corinth...And when I came to you, brothers, I did not come with excellency of word or wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God… And my word and my preaching was not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in proof of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:1,4-5, KJ3) Remember In Mark 16 when Jesus told the disciples they would know they were being successful in carrying out the great commission when they saw new disciples casting out demons, healing the sick, etc? Well, these are the last words in that chapter...And going out, they preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the Word through the miraculous signs following after. Amen (Mark 16:15-20, KJ3)
When Jesus was here on earth, He connected closely with his Father through the Holy Spirit. He knew His Father’s will through the Holy Spirit. He performed miracles through the Holy Spirit. Every part of His ministry was led by the Holy Spirit. He was able to remain sinless through the leading of the Holy Spirit, which made Him a worthy sacrifice on our behalf (thank goodness!). Jesus was a great leader, He led from the front. Jesus is currently in heaven with the Father, but we have the Holy Spirit in us. Through the Holy Spirit, we connect with Jesus just like Jesus had connected with the Father. We need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. This is a skill that needs to be learned and developed. Like any skill, it’s developed through practice. Casting out demons and healing the sick are spiritual practice in developing sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. There is a reason the specifics of how to cast out a demon or how to heal a sick person aren’t mentioned in the bible. It’s because the deeper things of God are only revealed through the Holy Spirit. When we become sensitive to Him and let Him lead us, He will reveal such things.
We shouldn’t walk step-n-step with the Holy Spirit. We need to walk behind Him. It’s confusing to many Christians as to when exactly we move from under the law to under grace, but the answer is clear. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. (Galatians 5:18, KJ3) If we want to end up in heaven, this is the bottom line. It’s the crux of Christianity.
The most important reason we need to walk in power is because Jesus told us to. Therefore, If we don’t…it’s a sin of omission. Our job isn’t to mentally figure out the necessity of it first and then be obedient. There are many reasons to intellectualize the gospel like this and none of them are good. It often involves doubt, unbelief, distrust, pride, ego, fear, and cowardice. Our job is to be obedient and let the cards fall where they fall.
Yes, Jesus is the Healer. Yes, Jesus is the Deliverer. But remember, He wants His disciples to demonstrate His power.
“SPIRITUAL WARFARE” AS ONLY A CATEGORY OF CHRISTIANITY
Saying “spiritual warfare” is a category of Christianity isn’t a mature look at it. It’s a false paradigm to think some people have a “calling” for spiritual warfare and others don’t. In fact, it’s part of the full, rich gospel.
As mentioned earlier, learning to be led by the Holy Spirit is the crux of Christianity. We can only reach Jesus by being drawn to Him by the Holy Spirit (the Father). When we radically submit our own thoughts, will, and emotions to the will of the Holy Spirit, He starts moving through us. He will give us the desire to intercede for others through prophecy, casting out demons, healing the sick, etc. When we step-out in faith and go for it, miracles will happen.
With this in mind, a mature look at “spiritual warfare” is revealed. It isn’t an option. It’s woven into the very fabric of Christianity. If we are being led by the Holy Spirit, He WILL give us the desire to intercede for others in spiritually powerful ways. When we are obedient and go for it…miracles happen. The learning process starts. A weak Christian starts being forged into a mighty disciple.
Disciples don’t chase miracles. They chase the Holy Spirit. When they do…miracles simply happen in His wake.
WHAT IF WE DON’T WALK IN POWER?
It’s clear that Jesus wants all Christians to be disciples. It’s also clear Jesus wants disciples to walk in power. Therefore, whether we have achieved power yet or not…if we aren’t seeking it, we are sinning. It’s a sin of omission.
As we approach the last days, it is ever more important that we walk in power to prove the Word is true. We know false prophets and false christs will be walking in power. If Christians see these false prophets/false christs walking in power and the church NOT walking in power, there may be a turning away from Christianity. This may include even those with the Holy Spirit in them. Matthew tells us what Jesus says about it...For false christs and false prophets will rise up. And they will give great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24:24, KJ3) Even those having the Holy Spirit, God doesn’t take away our free will.
What should we do if we are being hindered from seeking spiritual power from those around us? Paul tells Timothy what to do… But know this, that in the last days grievous times will be upon us. For men will be self loving ones, money-loving ones, boasters…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying the power of it; even turn away from these. For these are the ones…always learning, but never being able to come to the full knowledge of the truth. (2 Timothy 3:1-2,4-7, KJ3)
DON’T BE DISHEARTENED!
All Christians are in a war, whether they want to believe it or not. Many of them get taken captive by the enemy. Some Christians are willing to ride on the battleship to the shores of where those captives are being held, but very few dare to tread inland for the rescue.
Among the many Christians onboard the battleship are a team of a few disciples. The disciples are the group tasked to perform the most dangerous missions. Each disciple on the team has a nickname. They call their team leader Advocate. This is because He seems to always be helping them through bad situations. While the battleship is off the shore of where the captives are being held, the disciples quietly jump off the side on a secret rescue mission. This mission was initiated by the Commander and was authorized by the President Himself. Advocate was chosen to lead the mission. Advocate and the disciples make a grueling swim to shore, fighting the cold, the current, and jellyfish. By the time they make shore, most Christians would have stopped due to their fatigue and stings. Such thoughts don’t enter any of the disciple’s minds.
They start moving inland, following Advocate. They navigate over rough terrain and have to fight their way through various enemy strong-holds. The disciples are cold, dirty, tired, and injured. They are in
hostile territory, all alone. But they don’t quit, they never quit. This is why they were chosen for missions such as this…they never quit. Through the trials and tribulations they were put through by their Commander, they have been forged into the tenacious warriors they are.
When they finally reach the imprisoned captives, they find the captives surrounded by a formidable enemy. The disciples know the enemy must be taken-out by force, there is no negotiating with them. They attack with their specialized weapons and overwhelming violence, winning the battle. They then break the captives free.
Some of the captives can walk, but some are too wounded or sick. Refusing to leave any behind, the stronger disciples lay the wounded and sick over their shoulders and they start heading back towards shore. Things aren’t easy. The terrain is still rough and the enemy has regrouped. More enemy strong-holds are encountered, so more battles are fought. At times, the outlook is very grim. But the disciples trust Advocate, following His orders carefully and executing them swiftly. They eventually make it back to shore with all the captives they freed. Amazingly and sadly, three of the now freed captives refuse to go back to the battleship. They said they prefer to live with the enemy. With a heavy heart, the disciples leave the three on the beach, knowing they will soon be overtaken and killed by the enemy. The fatigued and injured disciples swim the freed Christians back to the battleship, successfully freeing them from the enemy’s grasp.
Some of the freed Christians cry with appreciation and thank the disciples. Some of the other freed Christians don’t show any gratitude at all. This confuses the disciples. Also, some of the officers aboard the battleship downplay the disciple’s actions. They berate the disciples for allowing the three freed captives to stay with the enemy. They tell the disciples how they should’ve done things differently (nevermind the fact that those officers have never been on such a mission or followed Advocate into battle). Some of the disciples get discouraged. Then the Commander, the legend Himself, arrives and addresses His disciples. He tells them of some of the crazy missions He had successfully completed. He also tells them that sometimes the captives He had freed showed no gratitude and how some of the officers also hated Him. At the end of the Commander’s talk, He says, “I made our President aware of your actions. We both want to relay one thing…We are well pleased with you.” As the Commander left, the disciples knew they were in good company. They heard all they needed to hear. There was hardly a dry eye in the room.
Later, the disciples assemble together to do a mission debrief. The conversation starts with the mystery of why all Christians don’t want to do what they did. While the disciples see such missions as a duty, they know most Christians consider such missions radical and a little crazy. The disciples know if Advocate ever became their team leader, they will also start rescuing captives. He has such influence on His men. They realize just how special their leader is and how much they can trust Him. They know they would follow Him to hell and back.
They start talking about the mission itself. They recall the close calls, failures, and successes. They think about the tactics and weapons they used and how they might change things up a little next time. They critique each other. Each learned long ago that this is a time to humble themself, keep their mouth shut, and listen. They can’t get offended. They know most elite teams around the world do the same thing. By hearing the good and bad of their actions, each disciple improves. Each finds their limitations and gifts. Each leaves the debriefing thinking about ways they can be more useful for the team.
As time goes on, they continue to train, perform more missions, and learn. They find that while each disciple is formidable in their own right, as a team they are elite. They know when they assemble together and utilize each other’s gifts, the team itself becomes better than the sum of each disciple.