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Spiritual Warfare Ministries Online 
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by Don Rogers
It would be nice if we could minister to the oppressed
without any resistance or setbacks. Anyone with experience in this type of ministry
is aware of the obstacles that can be encountered in these situations. I would like
to examine some of the most common reasons for resistance.
1. The Lack of Repentance in a Particular Area -
- Self-justification of a particular sin - We live in
an age when people do not want to take responsibility for their actions or they trivialize
their actions because others practice them. Even Christians have not pursued the
sanctified life in order to "be holy as He is holy."
2. Hidden Sins That Have Not Been Addressed -
Some have not been recognized and some are hidden because
the person is in denial.
- Believing the lies of the enemy - Fear,
self-hatred, unworthiness and a host of other problems are the result of an individual
listening to the enemy through their thoughts and feelings. This is the reason that
we are told in scripture, (2 Cor. 10:5), "to take every thought captive to the
obedience of Christ." If the truth sets us free, (John 8:32), then believing
the lies of the enemy will keep us in bondage.
- Anger and unforgiveness - So many people are
practicing anger and unforgiveness in their lives. Much of this issues out of an
unhappy or even abusive childhood. Others are just plain spoiled and they get upset
easily when their personal expectations are not met. Ephesians 4:26-31 shows us that
the sins that issue out of anger can both "give the devil a foothold" and
"grieve the Holy Spirit of God."
- Self-centeredness - It is the nature of mankind to
be self-centered, but there are some that maintain a self-centered focus constantly.
Most of this issues out of either insecurity or pride. It is an open
invitation for the enemy to exploit.
- Self-indulgence - There are many types of lust that
entice people to give ground to the enemy. Overeating, pornography, sexual
perversions, drugs and alcohol abuse are some of the most common indulgences that hook
people. Each have a sensual appeal that brings a satisfaction and exhilaration that
lasts for only a brief time before it lures a person back into greater depths of
degradation.
3. Influences Beyond The Person With Whom You Are
Working -
- Generational influences - Exodus 34:6-7 tells us
about the temporal punishment that can be passed down generations in a family because of
sin. There are many other verses in scripture that say the same thing. When
dealing with an oppressed person, generational sins should be addressed along with the
personal sin.
- An individual or group which the person shared sin with
in the past - Where there has been shared sin, (fornication, adultery, satanism,
witchraft etc.), spirits will claim the parties involved and move back and forth between
them. Even in cases of victimization, such as different forms of abuse or rape, the
spirits will make their claims on all involved. When confession of sin on behalf of
the other parties, cords of sin can be broken through the exercise of authority in the
name of Jesus Christ.
4. Inexperience and/or Lack of Faith On The Part of
the Minister
- Inexperience - The inexperienced person has not
encountered the tactics and tricks of the enemy. Often there is a lack of
discernment or the faith to rely upon what is discerned. We do not believe in
interrogating demons, so the issue of discernment is very important. Interrogating
demons only gives the demons more power over the person's mind in order to comply with
your command to them to answer your questions. Even when they are commanded to speak
the truth, they speak in half-truths that are often more deceptive than lies.
- Lack of faith - No one starts a ministry of
deliverance or healing with all the faith they need. Faith grows as we are obedient
to the Lord. Even the disciples of Christ struggled in the beginning. As we
face obstacle after obstacle and gradually begin to overcome them by the grace of God, our
faith is refined (1 Pet 1:7). We will discover the truth in what the Lord said to
his disciples, "Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting"
(KJV). - Matthew 17:21
Copyright 1999 Spiritual Warfare
Ministries, Inc.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.5 License.
