Picking up from where we left off yesterday and the discussion regarding what really is happening in the ‘spirit world’ where we have an ‘enemy’ who goes about like a ‘roaring lion seeking to devour’....I had a few other points to bring out but thought waiting another day to share, would be better.

The story found in Matt. 12:43-45 really took on new life and revelation for me a few years ago when I was looking it over. And it occurred to me that the reason prayers of many desperate believers go unanswered, I suspect...is more of an act of mercy on God’s part because He loves us and doesn’t want any to perish (2 Pet. 3:9; John 3:16). Allow me to explain...

I don’t think we truly realize how serious the situation is that we find ourselves in today, given the diluted, misguided, and yes, even ‘deceptive’ teachings that takes place in many of our churches. So let’s just take the words of Jesus at face value in that illustration He gave as to what happens when an ‘unclean spirit goes out of a man’.

I would submit that many sincere people fail to even recognize that the source/root of their suffering could very well be ‘spiritual’ in nature; but if we are not taught this, or encouraged to dismiss this idea...then if what Jesus had to say is for real... what is bound to happen to those folks if/when that ‘spirit’ returns...after they’ve been healed or ‘delivered’ from it? (Matt. 12:45)

What if God is saying: “I really want to set you free and change your 'undesirable circumstances....but if I do, and you don’t even recognize how you ended up in the place or why you are there to begin with, then how will you know to stand and resist this enemy when he returns?” And why...are God’s people ‘destroyed’....(Hosea 4:6)? Friends, it’s not like this was ‘breaking news’ when He cited how that man ended up in a worse condition than at the start, with ‘seven other spirits more wicked than the first’ joined in returning to his ‘house’. I believe God was explaining this to His people back in Leviticus 26:21,24.

And on a side note, I don’t know who needs to hear this, but I think it will help some of you who may recognize this particular scenario taking place in their own lives, currently. And I’m speaking more from ‘learned experience’, but I am confident the word of God will support this. While all of us have various ‘sin issues’ within us that we are led to deal with ‘one by one’ (1 John 1:8), and have been with us for years, controlling us and such (as explained in Eph. 2:1-3), there can be some particular areas that were more ‘dominant’ and controlling. And please note 'what'... it said there in Eph. 2:2 was at work ‘in’ us.

Perhaps it was anger issues or struggles with lust or greed, you battled with and succumbed to regularly. The Bible would call these ‘strongholds’ which Paul mentions in 2 Cor. 10:4-5. Let’s use for example, someone who has had, and struggled with, a ‘spirit of bitterness’ or ‘unforgiveness’ against someone for years. They've heard the sermons and quoted the verses and ‘prayed to forgive’...and yet...they still seem ‘unfree’ of this thing. It is my understanding and belief...that when we truly repent of a sin, that the blood of Jesus brings immediate forgiveness, cleansing, and freedom in that particular area in our life (1 John 1:7-9). But that doesn’t mean the enemy won't’ try to come back and find an ‘opening’, which Jesus teaches there in Matt. 12:43-45.

There are some areas in my own life where I know I battled with for a long time. And I know God has brought true, lasting freedom to me (John 8:36), but some of those areas that the enemy had ‘made himself home at’...are areas that I am more conscious of today. It’s almost like I can ‘smell him just outside the door’...waiting for me to ‘give him place’ (Eph. 4:27). This does not mean that I already ‘let him back in’...he just knows it was a ‘vulnerable area’ and probably thinks it’s only a matter of time before I crack that door open...and then he will ‘come in like a flood’ (Isa. 59:19). But I know better now how to 'resist' ...thanks be to God for the power of His truth that I am walking in today.

No wonder Peter admonishes us to remain vigilant, alert, and sober minded (1 Pet. 5:8) When you are in a real ‘war’, you do not have the luxury of ‘clocking out at 5:00’ and ‘taking it easy’. You stay in the battle and resist...’or else...something worse will come upon you’ (John 5:14). Eventually...he (whatever that spirit that was a stronghold in your life was)...will get the message and will ‘depart’, perhaps for a season or longer. But he has to go away when we successfully ‘resist him’ (James 4:7). And let’s not forget that first reminder there before we ‘resist the devil’...is to ‘submit to God’, which is where ‘abiding in Him’ comes in to play. God certainly does not expect you to fight this battle on your own; in fact, apart from Him, you can do nothing (John 15:4-5; 2 Chron. 20:15).

If you had a wasp nest outside your door, then sprayed and removed the nest, but still saw those pesky wasps swarming around your door...don’t you think it would be wise to not open that door as long as they are there? File that under #SpiritualWarfare101.

I think we all know what it is to find ourselves going through various 'cycles'...where maybe you do well in one particular area...for awhile.  Then...'stuff happens' and you fall back into old patterns.  Friends...this is not supposed to be 'normal' for any 'believers',nor is it looked upon favorably by God.  He came to set us free once and for all (John 8:32-36).