Prepare-for-War

not dealt with the issues raised in those chapters you are not qualified to work in the area of deliverance with other people. You must first tend to your own life and relationship with the Lord. However, every Christian can and must deal with demons and/or demonic influence in his or her own life. This brings me to the first area I want to address which is what I call, for lack of a better term, self-deliverance. SELF-DELIVERANCE

"[Jesus said] And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils ... " Mark 16:17 "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselvea from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear ofGod." II Corinthians 7:1

These scriptures point out two things. First, the basic re quirement for casting out demons is being a true believer in Jesus Christ. However, never forget that you cannot be a believer without also being an obeyer.

"If ye love me, keep my commandments ... He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." John 14:15 & 21 "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21

There is no substitute for obedience. If you think you be lieve in and are serving Jesus, but are not also obeying His commands as given in the Bible, then you are lying to yourself. You are not a believer unless you are also an obeyer. Second, we are to "cleanse ourselves" from all filthiness. I cannot think of a better description of demons than "filth." We are responsible to take up the power and authority given to us through Jesus and cast the demons out of our

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