Can we ‘pull the curtain back’ here today and have an honest discussion? Let’s talk about some of those ongoing ‘struggles’ that so easily beset or ensnare many professing 'believers’ today (Heb. 12:1). I mean don’t most if not all ‘Christians’ admit to still struggling with ‘sin’ on a daily basis? Why is that?

Maybe it’s jealousy that you have never been able to overcome, despite your many tearful prayers of confession to God. For some, it’s been a pride issue that you know resides in you, but being set free of it has eluded you for unknown reasons . No doubt many would admit to being entangled with sexual compulsions and desires that have worn you down to an empty shell of defeat and self-loathing. And do we even want to talk about the variety of ‘addictions’ that control us? If you would like a more exhaustive list of areas that have bound many people, please jot down Rom. 1:29-31; Gal. 5:19-21; Mark 7:21-23, 1 Tim. 1:9-10; 2 Tim. 3:1-4, and Eph. 5:3-4. You’ll find everything from gossip and backbiting to foolish talk, murdering and witchcraft listed there.

Oh, one more area I should mention that is the source of great torment and bondage for many people today, and it has to do with the root of bitterness, or unforgiveness that can literally have you ‘handed over to the torturers’ (Matt. 18:32-35; Heb. 12:15). And no one should be surprised if reading through those passages that they identify multiple areas of struggle. But this is not a contest to see who has the most, or the least. I’m simply wanting you to hear the good news that you can be free of Every Single One of those ‘sins’. And when I say ‘free’, I mean ‘free indeed’ (John 8:32-36) And the sooner, the better, right?!

But first...we have to talk about an uncomfortable subject, as it deals with ‘unclean spirits’. Yep...we’re ‘back here’ again to see what God’s word has to say. It’s important to remind us all again, that there are usually two ditches we have to watch out for; as one is on each side of this ‘narrow path’ we are walking down. Ignoring or dismissing the idea of ‘unclean spirits’ is one ditch, and becoming overly obsessed with them is the other ditch.

Now has it ever occurred to you that the reason you've been unable to overcome any number of areas in your life, despite the years of praying, fasting, therapy, counseling, and yes...maybe even attending a ‘deliverance service...is due to a little bit of ‘ignorance’? And I don’t use that word in a condescending way, either. But why did God say ‘His people are being destroyed’ (Hosea 4:6)? It was due to a ‘lack of knowledge’ (which is what ‘ignorance’ means)

So what if...your ‘lust issues’ are more than just ‘hormones and high levels of testosterone’? And those ‘anger issues’ you have, could there be more to it than deep rooted 'emotional' conflicts that arose when one of your parents abandoned you? Or how about your struggles with greed and covetousness...maybe there is more to it than having been raised in a home where poverty was prevalent. And just maybe those who struggle with severe depression and/or anxiety are needing just something a bit more powerful than 'pep pills' to boost your endorphins or to calm your nerves.

What if there really are...’demons/spirits’ of pride...anger...lust...greed....depression, etc.? (Num.5:14)  Are we not told that our struggles are not related to ‘flesh and blood’ but with ‘spiritual forces of wickedness and darkness’ in Eph. 6:12? Now please don’t let your imagination run away with you here and think that I’m suggesting every time you honk your car horn in anger at some slow driver that you have a ‘horn-honking-demon’ in you.

But there is very good reason to believe that the reason you have failed to overcome this ‘enemy’ (1 Pet. 5:8; 2 Cor. 2:11; John 10:10) is because just as those Canaanite nations were much greater and stronger than the Israelites were (Deut. 7:1), so these ‘spirits’ who have genuine power...are too strong for us to contend with...on our own. Those seven brothers of Sceva might have a few cautionary tales to share with us regarding that fact (Acts 19:14-17).

What if...the OT story of God’s people going in to take possession of the land they were inheriting, which I often refer to as ‘spiritual blueprints’, was actually a foreshadowing of what God was going to do with us in this dispensation when He sent Jesus (via the Holy Spirit’ to lead us into all ‘truth’, truth I should mention that was designed do ‘set us free’. (John 8:32-36; 16:13). When Jesus made it known that ‘whoever commits sin is a slave to sin’ (John 8:34)...but that the truth would ‘set us free’...who or what...are we being ‘set free...from’? This might be a good time to read 2 Tim. 2:24-26...and let’s see if the Holy Spirit doesn’t give you a ‘light bulb moment’ there.

Oh...But you were taught that after you got baptized in water, that you received the Holy Spirit and there could not be any possibility of you having ‘unclean spirits’ in you now, right? I see; and I’m sure that was very comforting for you. So tell me...IF...the Spirit of God is truly In you...why do you still remain captive to those sins? (Rom. 8:9-11; 6:1-7)

And once again, I am not suggesting that every single little ‘sin issue’ you may stumble in is ‘demon related’; although we do know who comes to tempt us to sin, and it sure isn’t God! (James 1:13-16) And don't be too quick to 'blame flesh' either since 'flesh' is supposed to be 'put to death'. (Rom. 8:13; Gal. 5:24)

I’ve provided plenty of scripture with you here once again, for you to take some time and look over (Acts 17:11). There is no need to feel anxious or uptight or fearful. On the contrary, if you do begin to feel a bit of anxiety or nervous, I would suggest it might be some unwanted ‘spirits’ nearby... that hear the ‘keys of truth’ walking down the prison corridor and they don’t want you to experience the freedom...that Jesus already paid for. Join me tomorrow?