In the previous post, I wrote about what spiritual warfare is NOT (rebuking/binding demonic forces, "pleading the blood" of Jesus over objects/ground/people). Now for some reasons as what makes this particular brand of "spiritual warfare" teaching "BAD."
BAD SPIRITUAL WARFARE TEACHINGS MAKES US PICKY ABOUT GOD'S WORD
In various discussions with those who currently practice such forms of "warfare," I keep getting the same proof-texts over and over again used by those who would attempt to justify this practice.
To the question "where are the specific instructions to bind/rebuke demons given in Scripture"...the answer--which is really no answer at all to the actual question--is...
"Jesus commanded his disciples to drive out demons."
There are many problems that arise from such an answer. The first and most obvious response to that answer is that Jesus told his disciples they would not only have authority to cast demons out of people, but they would also have the same authority to heal various diseases, to handle poisonous snakes, and to be miraculously delivered from the effects of poison. Even if one is determined to believe that Mark 16:9-20 is the inspired word of God (which I am not inclined to believe, but that's another topic for another discussion), then exactly on what grounds do we "pick and choose" what apostolic signs we can show forth? Jesus did indeed grant His authority to His apostles to drive demons out of people (again...PEOPLE, not real or imagined spirits on property or inanimate objects), that much is evident from Matthew 10:1, Mark 9:38, and Acts 5:16 to name a few references.
If one is to claim that he/she can bind/rebuke demons based upon a reading of Mark 16:17, I would ask them if they stop there, or if they also pick up rattlesnakes in order to show forth an apostolic sign, or if they drink poison in order to show forth an apostolic sign. What about miraculous healing? If a person claims to me that are able to bind/rebuke demons based upon Mark 16:17, I would advise them to start making regular, daily hospital visits and begin laying hands of children who have terminal diseases with the intent of healing them.
So the real question here is....was Jesus speaking directly to his apostles and giving them that charge? Or was he also giving ALL BELIEVERS that same exact charge? If the answer is "yes" to the latter question, then why stop at binding/rebuking demons?
BAD SPIRITUAL WARFARE TEACHING BEGETS EVEN WORSE TEACHINGS
There is also a common belief among those who practice "warfare praying," which is that born-again Christians can be "demonized"...i.e., under the control of a demon. A "deliverance" is a ritual in which the born-again Christian has an exorcism performed upon him/her and the demon(s) expelled from their body.
"So are you saying that people actually believe that Christians can be demon-possessed?"
"Of course not," the warfare-praying Christian would respond. "Christians cannot be demon-possessed, but they CAN be "demonized," which is to mean "demon-OPPRESSED."
The New Testament contains NO such distinction between "demon-possessed" and "demonized" or "demon-OPPRESSED." This person would be drawing a distinction where NO DISTINCTION exists in the word of God. That is a dangerous thing to do.
"Demonized" and "demon-possessed" mean the same thing. When Scripture speaks of a person being possessed by a demon, Scripture means that person is being possessed by a demon. Period. And NOWHERE in Scripture is it specifically stated as a matter of practice or a matter of example that ANY born-again follower of Jesus Christ can be indwelt or controlled by a demon.
NO. WHERE.
Scripture DOES teach that believers are indwelt with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19, 1 John 4:4). If "he who is in you in greater than he who is in the world" (the latter "he" being Satan) then how exactly can a Christian have BOTH a demon and the Holy Spirit battling WITHIN the his body?
Colossians 1:13 tells us "he has delivered us from the domain of darkness." To what degree of effectiveness is this deliverance if more "deliverings" must be performed over and over again in the life of Christian?
Another bit of rotten fruit from these foul "warfare" teachings is the nonsensical, occultic teachings on "deliverance."
BAD SPIRITUAL WARFARE TEACHINGS EXALT EXPERIENCE OVER SCRIPTURE
Whenever these bad "spiritual warfare" teachings come up, there is SURE to be at least one good story to accompany it. In fact, in one book I read on these "spiritual warfare" teachings (wrongly titled "Spiritual Warfare") I read, the author actually BEGINS the book not with a sound exegesis of Scripture, but with a PERSONAL STORY from his background in the pastorate. He tells the story of how God supposedly opened his eyes to the "reality" of what he considered "spiritual warfare." It wasn't through Scripture, though...which is God's ONLY means of direct communication with His elect. It was through the dangerous deception of PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
Now, please don't think I am downplaying the importance of EXPERIENCE. After all, I could read all about the Gospel of Jesus Christ as contained in God's word until I was blue in the face, but it wouldn't be until I PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED it that the Gospel would have any value for me. However, the Gospel is the Gospel whether I personally experience it or not. I have confessed Jesus as Lord, but His Lordship isn't dependent upon my confession of it; He is Lord because HIS WORD TELLS US HE IS LORD (Philippians 2:11-12).
So, when we're referring to matters of Biblical doctrine; we should understand that doctrine is not made true by our EXPERIENCE of it...but it is true because God has revealed it as true in his word.
Experience is a horrible guide because experience is WIDELY varied. If one person claims that their "binding/rebuking" prayer caused his infant son to stop crying at night and another person claims that their "binding/rebuking" prayer to have NO effect on his crying infant son...exactly who am I to believe?
If it is your contention that "binding/rebuking demons works because I have personally seen it and felt it work," then might I respectfully suggest that you find a new source of truth.
God's word.
If you cannot find a command contained in God's word in which He specifically commands all believers to bind/rebuke demons, then do not do it.
"But it works," you might say. If "whatever works" is the idol to which we bow down to, then should we also affirm the claim of that person who says "every time I rub the belly of my Buddha statue, my infant baby stops crying!" After all, if we're guided by the principle of "it works," then we should tell the Buddha-belly-rubber to keep on rubbing, no?
No.
Personal experience can never trump Holy Scripture.
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