Allow me to once again to refer to a quote by C.S. Lewis, where he writes: "There are two equal and opposite errors into which our (human) race can fall into when it comes to devils/demons. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them.”

I do not go about from day to day with my mind affixed on ‘unclean spirits’. Nor is my day consumed with trying to keep a list of rules and commands in order to ‘not sin’. Abiding in Jesus is not like walking down a sidewalk as you try to avoid stepping on a crack (not wanting to break your mother’s back-IYKY).

Children of God have been called to ‘abide in Him’, and to walk in His peace, not to mention 'as He walked' (1 John 2:6). Can I tell you how much easier it is to just have your mind set on Him, and things above? (John 15:1-5; Col. 3:2; Luke 1:79; Col. 4:7; Isa. 26:3; Matt. 11:28-30). And ‘if’ you sin…He’ll let you know about it; trust me - You lose that peace.

To become overly preoccupied with ‘demon spirits’ is just another trick of the enemy to get your mind off Jesus. But on the other hand…ignoring ‘them’ can be just as problematic. Remember, we are not called to ‘ignore the devil’, but to ‘resist him’ (James 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:9)…since we are ‘not ignorant of his schemes’ (2 Cor. 2:11).

So as we walk ‘according to the Spirit and not the flesh’, we are being led to ‘put to death’ all the deeds, and works, or ‘evident fruits’ of the flesh nature. (Rom. 8:13-14; Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:5). Failure to do so is not some small issue with God, by any stretch of the imagination. Did you read that last part of that verse in Gal. 5:21? Or Luke 13:3,5?

If you are trying to keep roaches and mice out of your house, it is imperative that you removed their food source, completely. Do you know what unclean spirits thrive on? Our carnal flesh nature. How do you think the whole world is influenced or controlled by the ‘wicked one’ (1 John 5:19; 2:15-17)? We are told explicitly in Eph. 2:2-3…who is ‘in’ us and what he works through, or ‘how’ he manipulates us. Let’s not forget what our condition was prior to coming to Jesus with ‘all our hearts’ (John 3:36; Eph. 2:1). God’s ‘wrath was on us’, and that is what Jesus came to ‘save’ us from (Rom. 5:9).

So does it not make sense that God wants our 'old man' completely dead, once and for all? What sinful attributes do you think are okay with God to remain alive in you? The story of King Saul as relayed in 1 Samuel 15 is a tremendous lesson as to what happens when we fail to ‘follow through’ with what God is trying to do in our lives. Oh, and may I ask… when was the last time you heard an in-depth lesson on Galatians 5:24?  (yep...go look that one up...one more time)

All that to say… as I wrap up this 3-day lesson on what it means to ‘put to death the deeds of the flesh’…is it helps to be aware of what is happening during this process that the Holy Spirit leads us in as we follow Him and ‘walk in the Spirit’ (Gal. 5:16). Humor me if you would for this final illustration, then go to God in prayer and ask Him to confirm to you personally if what I am sharing here is ‘truth’ or not (Acts 17:11)...

Let’s assume that after you turned to Jesus and were ‘converted’ (Acts 3:19), you most likely found yourself shedding any number of ‘sinful actions’ that had been a part of your life. Many of those, you may have not even recognized were ‘sinful’ in the eyes of God, but the Holy Spirit showed you otherwise. But what about some of those ‘other areas’ that have proven to be more difficult and challenging to overcome, that you can’t seem to rid yourself of. What if…there was/is a ‘spirit’ attached to that particular sin, or area of ‘fleshly weakness’?

Let’s be honest here, even folks in the unbelieving ‘world’ refer to others as ‘having their own demons to fight’. Ever heard someone in your small prayer/bible study group mention some church member having a ‘critical spirit’? Figure of speech…or maybe something more to that? Why be so quick to dismiss the idea that maybe that ‘lust’ or ‘bitterness’ or ‘pride’ that ‘always besets you’ (Heb. 12:1) is indeed an ‘unclean spirit’, maybe even a ‘stronghold’ that is operating in your life (2 Cor. 10:4-5)?

If that is the case…the remedy is pretty simple – confess it to God (and one another (James 5:16). Then, when you truly repent from your heart, calling out that ‘spirit of racism’ (or whatever)…just know that in that very moment, not only are you forgiven…but the blood of Jesus is applied to that area in your heart, and that ‘spirit’ has to go, immediately. He/it has no choice in the matter. (1 John 1:6-9). You may even ‘sense something leave’ and a lightness or peace will wash over you. How great is that?

But before you get overly confident…please go read Matt. 12:43-45 once again, so you are familiar with what may transpire in the days/weeks following. This…is where we need to be standing our ground, making use of God’s armor (Eph. 6:10-18) and prepared to ‘bring every thought into captivity’ (2 Cor. 10:5). This is what we call ‘tests’ or ‘trials’ that James speaks to in 1:2-4. God is ‘testing’ your heart to see if you truly will love Him more…than whatever He has removed from you. And when that ‘test comes’, (and it will)…don’t be surprised by it; hence…’counting it all joy’, because now you get to show God how much you love Him. (Titus 1:16; Matt. 15:8)

This might be a good time to go review those passages I left you with yesterday in the last half of that lesson, beginning with Hebrews 4:15.

Friends…this is how we are ‘conformed’ to the nature and likeness of the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29). This is the ‘work’ He came to do in us. It’s part of this ‘walk of obedience’ that leads to eternal life (Heb. 5:9). My concern is that many of us were just led to believe this all just ‘sort of happens’…the longer we ‘go to church and read our Bibles’, as if it takes place by ‘osmosis’ or something. No wonder God’s people are ‘destroyed for a lack of knowledge’ (Hosea 4:6).  Why 'call Him Lord if...? (Luke 6:46)

Oh...one last helpful hint that I have learned personally.  Let the Holy Spirit lead you into what 'Canaanite nations' need to 'come off the land first.  It's not like the Israelites made a 'list' and then decided on their own which nation to go take on first.  That might save you some time and frustration, which is what we usually experience when we try to be 'Lord', and not following His leading.

Who is ready to walk in more victory and freedom today?  Just make sure your 'whole heart' is in this.