Ephesians 1:20-22 (NKJV) which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Jesus has defeated our enemies after His resurrection, and at the final victory, the devil and his cohorts will be thrown into the lake of fire for eternity. Because we are vested with Jesus’ authority and seated with Him in the heavenly places far above all principalities, power, dominion and might, we are ministering from a position of victory since the church is Jesus’ body, and the devil is under His feet.
Because demons are fallen spirits which cannot be seen with naked eyes, they desire to inhabit bodies in order to have earthly manifestations. The demonic realm uses different platforms to influence unbelievers with the intent to possess and control them, such as the new-age movement, worship of idols, hard rock music, satanic chants, religious rituals, keeping talisman, transcended meditation, dabbling with spirits, habitual drunkenness, substance abuse, crystal ball gazing, Ouija board, tarots card, witchcraft (some innocently packaged in children books and games), occult practices, hypnotism, practices that releases the control of one’s will, martial arts that exhibit supernatural abilities, the practice of magic, and excessive violence in computer games.
People who dabble in the demonic realm will have varying degrees of demonic influence in their lives. Usually, they progress from being subjected to the demonic control and manipulated through fear, to being held in bondage and ultimately demon possessed. Typical signs include being blinded in their eyes and clouded in their thoughts, miserable and fearful under the bondage and oppression.
While it is possible for the demon possessed to manifest when we share the Gospel with them, we need not fear, but be alert and discerning. First, we must understand that only the people we are ministering to have authority over their own lives and bodies, so they themselves must have the desire to be set free. Otherwise by refusing to accept Jesus, a greater and stronger presence will come to fill the void that is unoccupied by the Holy Spirit. Also, we should only converse with them when they are in their normal state, and not speak to them if they attempt to engage us in a conversation during a manifestation because the devil is a liar. Therefore, we should bind them in Jesus’ name and cast them out of the person, then share the Gospel with them and lay hands to fill them with the Holy Spirit. Once the Holy Spirit takes residence in their hearts, the demonic spirit will never be able to return.
Sermon Series: Arise and Build (Part 4)
彰显祂的得胜
以弗所书 1:20-22 就是照他在基督身上所运行的大能大力，使他从死里复活，叫他在天上坐在自己的右边， 远超过一切执政的、掌权的、有能的、主治的，和一切有名的；不但是今世的，连来世的也都超过了。 又将万有服在他的脚下，使他为教会作万有之首。
耶稣从死里复活后，打败了我们的敌人，到了终局的得胜，是魔鬼和牠的同伙将被永远扔进火湖。因为我们被赋予了耶稣的权柄，并与祂同坐在天上，远远高于一切执政的、掌权的、有能的、主治的，因为教会是耶稣的肢体，魔鬼又伏在祂的脚下，所以我们是站在得胜的位置上去服事的。
魔鬼是堕落的灵，是不能用肉眼看到的，所以牠们渴望有一个身体，好有尘世的显现。魔界使用不同的平台来影响非信徒，意图占有和控制他们，例如通过新时代运动、偶像崇拜、硬摇滚音乐、撒旦圣歌、宗教仪式，护身符，超越冥想，接触鬼魂，酗酒成瘾，滥用药物，凝视水晶球、占卜板、塔罗牌、巫术（其中一些被巧妙地包装进了儿童书籍和游戏）、邪教、催眠术、释放一个人的意志控制的做法、一些展现超自然能力的武术、练习魔法、电脑游戏中的过度暴力等等。
这些涉足魔界的人在他们的生活中会受到不同程度的魔性影响。通常情况下，他们会渐渐受到恶魔的控制，并被恐惧所操纵、被束缚，最终被魔鬼附身。典型的迹象包括视若无睹、思想被蒙蔽、在束缚和压迫下感受到痛苦和恐惧。
虽然当我们与人分享福音时，那被鬼附之人可能会发作，我们不需要害怕，但要保持警醒和明辨。首先，我们必须明白，唯有我们正在服侍的那人自己才有权处置他的生命和身体，所以他们必须自身愿意要获得释放。否则，拒绝接受耶稣，圣灵就不会内住在他们的生命中，那个没有被圣灵填满的虚空将被一个更大更强的同在所填满。此外，我们应该只在对方处于正常状态时与之交谈，如果他们在发作期间试图将我们诱入一场交谈，我们不要开口，因为魔鬼是说谎的。因此，我们要奉耶稣的名把魔鬼捆绑起来，把牠们从人的身上赶出去，与之分享福音并按手让圣灵充满他们。一旦圣灵内住在他们的心里，那么恶灵就再也回不来了。
讲章系列：兴起和建造 (第四部分)
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