Hey, I think I might be sanc·ti·mo·ni·ous…

I have been accused, in the nicest way of course, by “Golf by the Cupful” in my last blog post as being sanc·ti·mo·ni·ous: ADJECTIVE: #1. Hypocritically pious or devout; and let’s not forget the other definition that goes along with it…#2. Obsolete.

Most famous ‘sanctimonious’ quote:"a solemn, unsmiling, sanctimonious old iceberg that looked like he was waiting for a vacancy in the Trinity" - Mark Twain.

My favorite ‘sanctimonious’ joke….There was a sanctimonious Rabbi who went to see the sanctimonious Catholic Priest at his church and asked "How do you get the money to make your church so beautiful?". The Father said "We hear confessions; observe while I demonstrate". So the Priest gets in the center compartment, the Rabbi on one side and in walks the first penitent. "It's been one week since my last confession and I have committed adultery three times". The Father says "For your penance say one Hail Mary and put five dollars in the collection box and your sins will be forgiven". The next penitent walks in and says "It's been one week since my last confession and I've committed adultery three times". Father says "For your penance say one Hail Mary and put five dollars in the collection box and your sins will be forgiven". The Rabbi says, "Ooh, can I try?" So the priest and the Rabbi switch booths. In walks the next penitent. "Can I help you" says the Rabbi. The penitent says "It's been one week since my last confession and I've committed adultery two times". The Rabbi says "Go out and do it a third time; we have a special - Three for five dollars!".

Notice I didn’t crack any jokes about a Protestant Preacher…man, that is ‘sanctimonious’ of me!

Yeah, it’s true…I really don’t have much of a defense for that word. I thought I might try to defend myself a little by examining each word in the “definition” and letting everyone know how it does or does not fit me, but in the end I came to the sad conclusion…I AM sanctimonious! (PS: I had to run spell check on the word because I got it wrong 9 times out of 10. So it would seem I’m not real bright either)

‘Hypocritically’ – or a hypocrite. I have been known on many occasions to eat cookies for breakfast and tell my kids; ‘no you have to wait until after lunch’…my thought is, who came up with that stupid rule? No cookies before lunch, and worse yet, I enforce it so people won’t think I’m a bad parent. One of my favorite TV shows is MTV’s “Jack-xxx” ; I especially love Steve-O who is always stapling things to his body and throwing up…yeah, I know he has now changed his ways and has gone through rehab…guess I’ll just have to find something else to watch, but it just won’t be the same without him. I would never let my kids watch it - EVER!! That IS the definition of hypocrite, right?

‘Pious or Devout’; I’ll take those two as one word since they are essentially the same. Yeah, I am pretty dedicated to my love for Jesus and I know that makes me a religious fanatic. I can be obnoxious about it at times; even ‘sanctimonious’….oh, dear, there is that word again. I do think the world revolves around biblical truths and that makes me completely intolerant. On bad days I am moody, cranky, obnoxious, opinionated, ornery and a prankster. I sometimes laugh at my husband and my mother even when they are not trying to be funny. My mother recently asked me if her breath was bad and if I had a tic-tac-toe? She didn’t think it was nearly as funny as I did. On good days I am kind to kids, animals and old people; considerate to strangers; give food and clothes to the needy; and pray for the unborn.

“Obsolete’: this is my favorite word in the list of definitions…I AM old-fashioned and archaic. I still wear underpants that cover my entire back-side. I don’t offend people behind me by wearing low riders and showing them the crack in my decency. I have to get a lot of my clothes at the thrift-store because I am so obsolete no one sells clothes in my unique ‘style’. I don’t have a belly button ring because…well at this point, I couldn’t see it anyway. I don’t have a tongue ring because I have enough trouble pronouncing words correctly. I used to be a little edgy when I was in my twenties, but now that I am in my forties, I’m more on the edge, than actually edgy. I still think men should pay when they take you out on dates. I think a man should open the door for a woman and a woman should be polite by not giving away all her assets; at least until after she is married. I think a man and woman should be the only ones permitted to marry; why would men/men and women/women want to ruin a perfectly good friendship?

This list I am about to present, will explain a great deal of my personal short comings and ‘sanctimonious’ self-absorption. My Top 5 Favorite Sanctimonious People are….

Dwight Schrute: He is my favorite character on the ‘Office’ and yes, I know it is only a character and he isn’t real….but I still like him…it’s my blog, I can write what I want. These are my favorite Dwight Schrute ‘sanctimonious’ moments…

And like me, Dwight has his forays into religion too…

Martin Luther: the Father of the Christian Reformation…

“Human reason is like a drunken man on horseback; set it up on one side, and it tumbles over on the other.”

 “Our Lord commonly giveth Riches to such gross asses, to whom he affordeth nothing else that is good.”

 “Who loves not women, wine and song, Remains a fool his whole life long.”

Mark Twain: I love to read and although he is not my favorite author, his humor and disdain for almost everything fits my personality and ‘sanctimonious’ spirit…

“Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed.”

 “Get your facts first, and then you can distort 'em as much as you please.”

He also had his opinion on God AND Satan too…

“The Creator made Italy with designs by Michelangelo.”

 “We may not pay Satan reverence, for that would be indiscreet, but we can at least respect his talents.”

Ann Coulter: Best-selling author and extremely obnoxious conservative…

"I'm more of a man than any liberal."

"If John Kerry had a dollar for every time he bragged about serving in Vietnam -- oh wait, he does."

 "Liberals love America like O.J. loved Nicole."

 Rush Limbaugh: best selling author, radio talk show host and most hated among the extremely obnoxious conservative extremists….

"Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society."

 "You know why there's a Second Amendment? In case the government fails to follow the first one."

“Talent on loan from God.”

 You know, I think the term ‘sanctimonious’ has gotten a bad rep. but what I’ve discovered as I have written this blog….I AM ‘sanctimonious’ and I seem to be in very good company!

My Favorite Headlines:

 As always, email me YOUR spiritual questions, top favorite headline picks or your “off the record” comments to NoShoes@charter.net. I will include your name and city, and if the headline pick is interesting, appropriate and not offensive, I will post them!

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

Not Everyone Wants a Beer!

Today is Election Day; anyone want a beer? The brewmaster himself came to Virginia to campaign for our homegrown Democrat, Creigh Deeds but did it hurt more than it helped? It is my decided opinion that the best thing to ever happen to the conservatives is liberals. Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have done more to raise money for the Republican party than a thousand Sarah Palin’s. “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45)…

"My staff tells me not to say this, but I'm going to say it anyway," said Harry Reid. "In the summer because of the heat and high humidity, you could literally smell the tourists coming into the Capitol. It may be descriptive but it's true." Senator Harry Reid, D-NV.

Love stinks, yah, yah….everyone grab a beer and sing with me…love stinks, yah, yah…

On Meet the Press, Nancy Pelosi showed her own parties recent hypocrisy while criticizing the Republicans when it comes to scaring the public just to pander for a vote…

“[Republicans will] take food out of the mouths of children in order to give tax cuts to the wealthiest.” ( 5/7/06) - Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-CA

On the Stimulus Package…oh wait, this wasn’t about the Stimulus…oooops, my bad…

“The President [George W. Bush] seems to think the best way to revive the economy is to give more tax breaks to those who don’t need them and dole out lucrative incentives that do not stimulate economic growth.” ( 1/30/02) – Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-CA

Nancy Pelosi is a Catholic and her stand on the unborn is no secret. She supports the termination of human life at any point until the child is born. But as a Catholic she does not support the tenants of the church, stating for the record in an interview with Tom Brokaw….

“This isn’t about abortion on demand, it’s about a careful, careful consideration of all factors and–to–that a woman has to make with her doctor and her god.  And so I don’t think anybody can tell you when life begins, human life begins.” ( 8/24/08) – Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-CA

A quote from USA Today…

"I fully intend to receive Communion, one way or another. That's very important to me," ( 4/29/04) – Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-CA

I know I’ve been picking on Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid; and that there are a lot of THANKS to go around; but I would just like to say this very SPECIAL THANK YOU to them both. If it weren’t for those two; even more Republicans would get their hats handed to them!

Some of their recent flip-flops on Health Care Reform has made headlines all over the country; but for me, what is telling is how they feel about God, us and children. Their opinions on those issues seem to make up a sum total of their character. Sadly this has turned out to be the true character of the Democrat party….

Happy Election Day and don’t drink and drive! Stay at home like the rest of us poor folks and have your beers in front of the boob-tube (unless of course, you are one of those liberal elitists, then you can simply call your limo driver)!

My Favorite Headlines:

As always, email me YOUR spiritual questions, top favorite headline picks or your “off the record” comments to NoShoes@charter.net. I will include your name and city, and if the headline pick is interesting, appropriate and not offensive, I will post them!

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

Are You Drinking from the Toilet?

More of the best little Demonologist Test ever devised to predict if YOU (most likely it will be someone else) could have a demon continues….

This is my final installment for this year’s series on ‘Demonic Awareness’. I sincerely hope that you learned a little something about the History of Demonic Deliverance, as well as the techniques used today to conduct deliverance on the unsuspecting public. In this last article, I would like to address how demonic spirits get inside a person in the first place and why so many Christians are still walking around in bondage.

The number one way a demonic spirit can gain entrance into a person is through their own sinful behavior. I could sit here and list all the sins in our lives that we have become slaves to and/or can become habitual but I’m afraid their just isn’t enough space for that here. Maybe I’ll write a series on that one next year, but for now, take a look at this link http://www.ukapologetics.net/sin.htm.

Simply sinning does not allow a demon in, habitual, unrepentant sin however not only gives a demonic spirit the right to enter, but it also gives it a foothold. For some, truly repenting is enough to get it out, especially if we have spent most of our lives as Christians in the service and submission to Jesus.

But for the rest of us that is not always the case. Many of us have lived lives outside of God’s protective grace and mercy in rebellion. We have spent a great deal of our adult lives in sin, often enjoying our life doing whatever we want, reaping the benefits of our selfish behaviors and not caring a great deal if others get too terribly hurt in the process. We can even justify it as ‘life’ and ‘circumstances’ if we get creative enough or listen to our so called friends who are living the same kind of rebellious life style.

God said to Cain: “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:7

Giving your life to Christ later in life, after you have lived an extensive amount of time in sin is not enough to get yourself completely free from demonic parasites. In fact, many Christians will tell you that even though so many things in their lives have changed for the better, they still struggle in certain areas. Areas that pastors and bible teachers will tell you, you just need to submit more or crucify your flesh better or overcome it by your own will-power. For some that seems reasonable enough, but for others it just doesn’t seem to help. Their lives are one miserable attempt after another to overcome “something”…for so many, they just don’t know what that “something” is and others seem to have a sneaky suspicion that it may in fact be a demonic spirit tormenting them, but no one seems to believe them or even able to help. They continue to pray and fast without a great deal of success in that area. Sadly so many Christians remain tormented until the day they go home to be with the Lord.

Another way in which a demonic spirit can gain entrance into the body of a person is through the “sin of the fathers”. This is not a very popular or even accepted theological approach to demonic inhabitation in today’s current church philosophy; however it does have a very solid biblical basis.

"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand {generations} of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6, emphasis mine.

This comes directly from the Ten Commandments given to Moses on Mount Sinai. These commandments hold true today, just as they did all those thousands of years ago. The punishment of the wicked unfortunately means being turned over to Satan and his demonic tormentors. Jesus disciples knew this to be so and asked Jesus a direct question concerning who was it that sinned in the case of the blind man; in this man’s case, Jesus had a whole new and surprising answer for them….

As He [Jesus] went along, He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” John 9:1-3

Today’s culture in which we live gives rise to every form of sin and depravity known to man. Jesus said that we can even sin in our hearts by thinking about it. That doesn’t leave a lot of wiggle room for us to squeeze out from under the responsibility of our thoughts and actions. Our culture not only looks the other way when it comes to sin, it often encourages us to sin in the ‘if it feels good, do it’ culture that is backed up by our church with their ‘grace and mercy covers all’ philosophy. In fact, we are no different than the world when it comes to the divorce rate, abortion, addictions to pornography, getting drunk, drug abuse, watching offensive entertainment, participating in the occult, getting tattoos and piercings, lying, cheating, stealing, sex out of wedlock, adultery, gossiping about our friends and neighbors and all other forms of sinful practices.

My friends grace and mercy only covers you when you truly repent. If you live in rebellion, you are on your own…okay, not completely on your own, you are drinking from the cup of demons. How does it make you feel to know that if you have sex out of wedlock, YOU WILL GET A DEMON. How does it make you feel that if you commit adultery, YOU WILL GET A DEMON. How does it make you feel that if you get your palm read, attend a séance, put your faith in feng shui and habitually get drunk, take drugs, lie, cheat, steal, and watch porno, YOU WILL GET A DEMON?

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord's table and the table of demons. Are we trying to arouse the Lord's jealousy? Are we stronger than he? 1 Corinthians 10:21-22

Do you live with one foot in the world and one foot on a banana peel? Are you trying to serve the Lord but still living in some form of habitual sin? Are you still drinking out of the toilet bowl when Jesus laid down His life so you could be free to drink from the Living Well? Really, what’s up with that?

We, as Christians, are told to be “holy as I am holy”; we just don’t take it seriously. If you don’t take that seriously…..you could have a demon!

My Favorite Headlines:

As always, email me YOUR spiritual questions, top favorite headline picks or your “off the record” comments to NoShoes@charter.net. I will include your name and city, and if the headline pick is interesting, appropriate and not offensive, I will post them!

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

History of Demonic Deliverance Part IV

More of the best little Demonologist test ever devised to predict if YOU (most likely it will be someone else) could have a demon continues….

Now to conclude the history of demonic deliverance….

What does our Future Hold?

Deliverance as a ministry and the work of the Holy Spirit never completely died out. Just like everything else there have always been pockets of faithful believers who continued to live according to Scripture long after it fell out of fashion to do so. While the right of exorcism within the Catholic Church has waxed and waned throughout the ages they have still continued to perform them under the direct supervision of a highly trained priest. Those things were never to be attempted by anyone other than the priest.

Following the Reformation, the right of exorcism, or as we call it in more evangelical circles - demonic deliverance – began to gain a new appreciation and as it continues its restoration and takes it’s rightful place within the body of Christ as a whole we will continue to see great and wonderful changes.

During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s the Pentecostal offshoot of the Protestant Reformation began to take shape. It has been marked traditionally by it’s adherence to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, it’s insistence on being “born again”, having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and according to this movement is evidenced mainly by speaking in tongues.

One of the most influential of the many branches of the Pentecostal movement has been the Charismatic movement. This movement considers itself to be the non-denominationalist faction of Christianity and they part company with the Pentecostals in the fact that they embrace all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and believe that simply speaking in tongues is just one part of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Charismatic movement makes up a very large portion of today’s churches, characterized by their more modern worship services, very little formal liturgy and they openly encourage the movements of the gifts of the Holy Spirit throughout their entire congregation. Demonic deliverance within the Charismatic movement today is still not openly encouraged and is often discouraged as being divisive and theologically reprehensible to the teachings within their particular circles. If demonic deliverance is an accepted practice at all it is usually relegated to the Pastors office or some after hours, special service held at some other time so not to offend the regular congregants sensibilities. Quite honestly, most pastors, including the Charismatic pastors don’t know what to do with or what to make of demonic deliverance as a whole. They generally refer those in their congregations who seem to be “troubled” to Christian counselors or psychotherapists; while those who know their bibles and recognize that their problems could be demonic, will seek out on their own someone with the knowledge and experience in demonic deliverance.

As the Charismatic movement has picked up steam throughout the years, infiltrated much of modern day Christianity and the gifts of the Holy Spirit has become more main stream; deliverance has also become less and less a freak show, and is now becoming a true and reasonable gift available to all believers.

Final Analysis

As long as the need for demonic deliverance exists the Holy Spirit will provide a remnant of true believers who will fill the void. But like everything else in life, not just Christianity, you will always have your crack-pots, heretics, false teachers, false prophets and all forms of degenerates who would attempt to lead us astray and charge large sums of money for their so called services.

I am NOT referring here to those who simply do not understand deliverance as a ministry. They are traditionally denominationalists who simply need to do their biblical homework and become exposed to the real workings of the Holy Spirit. It is a very accurate statement to say that there is currently so much false teachings, false prophecy and the like that it takes a great deal of discernment and true biblical application to sort through all the junk that calls itself anointed these days.

For many, demonic deliverance has been relegated to the crack-pots and cranks of the Charismatic movement, but that won’t always be the case. There is a movement afoot that is making the gifts of the Holy Spirit far more acceptable than in times past. As the wind of this unstoppable force blows through Christendom, so too will those who will be set free and the bride of Christ restored to the pure and spotless form in which He intends to return.

Jesus said: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12

My Favorite Headlines:

As always, email me YOUR spiritual questions, top favorite headline picks or your “off the record” comments to NoShoes@charter.net. I will include your name and city, and if the headline pick is interesting, appropriate and not offensive, I will post them!

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

History of Demonic Deliverance Part II

More of the best little Demonologist test ever devised to predict if YOU (most likely it will be someone else) could have a demon continues….

The Early Church History

There really is not a great deal written about the deliverance activities of the early church except to say that it was practiced by the faithful and under the direction of the Holy Spirit. Of course, we all seem to quote the same early church fathers when we begin this discussion, or any other discussion of early church history. Just as Judaism has their extra Rabbinical books, Talmud et al, to help explain Scripture, we also have our own list of early leaders, such as Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian to name a few, who gave us their own interpretations to the pressing theological questions influencing their day. It is quite true the official Christian Bible with its NT books was not canonized until the First Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D., therefore many of the leaders within the body of Christ, not unlike today, needed to address fully the heresies and false teachings that were being circulated among the believers.

I will limit the references to several of our Early Church Fathers to just their positions on demonic deliverance, however I would encourage you to research and read for yourself what it is that they had to say about other areas of the growing Christian church during their time period. It will surprise and bless you.

Justin Martyr had several things to say about this subject when he addressed the Roman Senate, in what has become known as the Second Apology. “For He [Jesus] was made man also, as we before said, having been conceived according to the will of God the Father, for the sake of believing men, and for the destruction of the demons. And now you can learn this from what is under your own observation. For numberless demoniacs throughout the whole world, and in your city, many of our Christian men exorcising them in the name of Jesus Christ, who was crucified under Pontius Pilate, have healed and do heal, rendering helpless and driving the possessing devils out of the men, though they could not be cured by all the other exorcists, and those who used incantations and drugs”. - Justin Martyr, Second Apology, Ch. 6 (153 A.D.) (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.viii.iii.vi.html)

He continues in Chapter 8… “And they (demons), having been shut up in eternal fire, shall suffer their just punishment and penalty. For if they are even now overthrown by men through the Name of Jesus Christ, this is an intimation of the punishment in eternal fire which is to be inflicted on themselves and those who serve them.” - Justin Martyr, Second Apology, Ch. 8 (153 A.D.) (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.viii.iii.viii.html)

Irenaeus addressing certain heresies of his time had this to say: “For some [Christians] do certainly and truly drive out devils, so that those who have thus been cleansed from evil spirits frequently both believe [in Christ], and join themselves to the Church. Others have foreknowledge of things to come: they see visions, and utter prophetic expressions. Others still, heal the sick by laying their hands upon them, and they are made whole.” - Irenaeus Against Heresies, Book II, 32:4 (190 A.D.) (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.ix.iii.xxxiii.html)

Tertullian in his Apology to the Roman Empire also had several very interesting things to say about demonic deliverance: “Let any one be brought before your tribunals, who it is agreed is possessed by a demon. That spirit, when commanded to speak by any Christian you like to select, will as truly confess that he is a demon, as elsewhere he will falsely claim to be a god. In exactly the same way let any one of those be produced who are deemed to be under the influence of a god…

 [If] these deities of yours do not confess themselves demons, not daring to lie to a Christian, you may there and then shed the blood of that most insolent Christian. What could be plainer than a fact like this? What could be more trustworthy than a proof of this nature? The simplicity of truth is before your eyes; its own virtue attends it there; suspicion is altogether out of the question…

 And all this dominion of ours and power over them derives its force from the Naming of Christ, and from the enumeration of those judgments which they apprehend are threatening them from God through Christ the Judge. Dreading Christ in God and God in Christ, they [demons] render obedience to the servants of God and Christ. So at our touch and at our breath, seized with the idea and representation of that fire, they [demons] depart unwillingly and reluctantly at our command out of the bodies of men, and blush with shame in your presence.” Tertullian, Apology to the Roman Empire, Ch. 23 (197 A.D.) (http://www.tertullian.org/articles/bindley_apol/bindley_apol.htm)

That may not lay bare the question of whether a believer could have a demon, it does however lay bare the fact that the believers, following the days of the Apostolic Age were in fact, laying on hands, healing and delivering those in need of demonic entities. So what changed?

Stay tuned ‘til next time, we are going to tell ya…

My Favorite Headlines:

As always, email me YOUR spiritual questions, top favorite headline picks or your “off the record” comments to NoShoes@charter.net. I will include your name and city, and if the headline pick is interesting, appropriate and not offensive, I will post them!

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

History of Demonic Deliverance

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30

If Jesus said “it is finished” what more is there to be said? What else could be said about a subject that He finished completely by the work on the cross? What else could we possibly offer? What else needs to be done?

But when this priest [Jesus] had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool… Hebrews 10: 12:13

The precious work of the cross is finished. There is no more sacrifices needed for the forgiveness of sins. It is to this end that Jesus refers… “it is finished”. There is no denying however, there still is much work to be done in the spreading of the gospel, the salvation of souls and the continued teaching of true biblical theology that leads to maturity, wisdom and understanding. This includes the work of helping others who have become ensnared in the trappings of Satan to free them, permanently and forever for the glory of our risen Lord.

He [Jesus] told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Luke 10:10

As I have mentioned previously, there are many who disagree that a true believer could possibly have a demon residing in their flesh and still have the Holy Spirit joined with their spirit, leading and guiding them also. I hope I have laid that “demon” so to speak, to rest, but if you are still grappling with this issue, I would refer you again back to our beloved St. Paul’s “thorn in his flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). As you read it, I would encourage you to forget about what man’s theology has suggested that it means, and read what it actually means. Get a concordance if you need help but do not rely on the exegesis of other biblical scholars and don’t take my word for it; use your own intellect and the guidance of the Holy Spirit who leads in all truth.

New Testament History

It goes without saying really that our New Testament (NT) has widespread examples of the deliverance of demons from those who clearly needed Jesus and His disciples help. Jesus spent approximately 30% of His ministry delivering people from the demons that oppressed them. Jesus sent His disciples and those He anointed to do His Fathers work out two-by-two into area’s that Jesus was planning to visit at some later date and to those that needed to be set free. Remarkably those that were sent out were pleasantly surprised at their ability to fulfill the work Jesus had anointed them to do.

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." Luke 10:17

I too am often surprised in my own ministry that they are obedient to me, but I am reminded quite often that it has absolutely NOTHING at all to do with me, but the work that Jesus did on the cross and the work of the Holy Spirit. My only responsibility is to be obedient and to work together with the Holy Spirit. I am just a vessel in which the Holy Spirit can work through, that is it! And without the name of Jesus I AM nothing and can DO nothing.

Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

This is a significant biblical principle that the NT disciples learned very quickly and seemed to be amazed by the reaction of the enemy that would flee in His Name. Because Jesus spent a great deal of time delivering those with demons, we have to assume that this was important to Jesus and if it was important to Him we too should take it just as seriously.

Jesus gave them and us very clear instructions on what we should do after He ascended into Heaven. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

What exactly did Jesus command his disciples to do? He taught the truth of God’s Word; in Jesus lifetime that was the Old Testament and the Scriptures that had been fulfilled in Him. After His death and resurrection this was clearly made known through the New Testament writers and their explanations on how Jesus fulfilled His destiny. The NT writers also go on to clarify that we now live by the spirit, the Holy Spirit, and we are not bound by legalism or antiquated rituals meant to free us from our sin. Jesus did that for us, but what does God still require of us?

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

He also took it a step further and gave them and us the power and authority (Matthew 28:18) to do what He did, which was to cast out demons, heal the sick and speak in new tongues. Not that I would recommend testing God by picking up snakes or drinking deadly poison, He does indeed ask us to use our common sense, but when faced with such an overt attack by the enemy, He says His protection is available to us within His will and the commission of our duty as believers.

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my [Jesus] name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mark 16:17-18

There is not enough room here to list all the NT verses that give a reference to evil, unclean or demonic spirit(s) but please take some time to study on your own by doing a BibleGateway Search. To make my point however I will tell you how many there are; there are 61 NT Scripture verses that mention the word ‘demon(s)’; 18 NT Scripture verses that mention the word ‘unclean spirit(s)’; 1 NT Scripture verse that mentions the word ‘foul spirit’; 3 NT Scripture verses that mention ‘evil spirit(s)’; and 3 NT Scripture verses that mention the words ‘wicked’ and ‘spirits’ together.

Doing a more in depth study on your own will only give you a greater understanding of the ministry of Jesus and the call to which has been placed on every believers life.

Next time we will discuss the Early Church History of Demonic Deliverance…

My Favorite Headlines:

As always, email me YOUR spiritual questions, top favorite headline picks or your “off the record” comments to NoShoes@charter.net. I will include your name and city, and if the headline pick is interesting, appropriate and not offensive, I will post them!

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

We Are in Final Approach!

The best little Demonologist test ever devised to predict if YOU (most likely it will be someone else) could have a demon continues….

Okay…let’s move into our two final approaches to demonic deliverance….

The Counseling Approach

This approach seems to be the most popular approach by those who do deliverance ministry as well as those who receive it. This method is taught widely throughout the church and quite often, the actual process of “casting” anything out is never truly done. A great deal of secular psychotherapy is utilized in this approach, forms to fill out, lots of questions about your past and how all these things made you feel. A real trip through the wounded parts of your life; dredging up and sometimes reopening wounds that are better healed by the One who came to bind up the broken hearted, not someone who just wants to let you vent. If you are fortunate enough to find a gifted counselor who really “casts” anything out, it can be a very thorough approach to ministry. However, this is very rarely ever the case.

Not everyone actually needs deliverance. For some they just need a little guidance back onto the “narrow path” or help with an issue that the pastor has found he or she is ill-equipped to address.

Jesus’ Approach

As many do, we sometimes leave the best for last. Jesus ministry was a multifaceted ministry and THE one in which we should emulate. We should never try to improve upon what the Master has already done. He went about the countryside of Judea and surrounding areas teaching, preaching, prophesying, casting out demons and healing all kinds of sicknesses and diseases. Most ministries try and usually fail, when there is an attempt to compartmentalize Jesus’ ministry and divvy it up within the body of Christ into each segregated area. You have the one who teaches, another who preaches, yet another who may have a gift of healing and another who feels called to be a deliverance minister. You have some who feel they have been called to the hospitality table, another to children’s ministry, others to choir, band or worship leader. Some feel they are best fitted to manage small groups, bible studies and others who feel their gifts are more simple and less defined; serving in whatever capacity the church may ask as long as it doesn’t involve any of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. All trying to work together without stepping on each others toes while at the same time attempting to do it under the direction of a human administrator, usually set up by that particular denomination or church organization.

But how did Jesus really do it? His most notable work was dying on the cross for the sins of all man-kind. But while still here on this earth he taught others about sin and walking in and maintaining an upright and sinless lifestyle. The key to Jesus’ approach wasn’t about maintaining some organizational hierarchy, it was more about helping and serving people in the area that actually involved their spiritual life, the biggest area being that of teaching about sin; He delivered them from their demonic oppressors and healed many of their infirmities. He did on occasion the extra curricular activities of turning water into wine, fish into many and loaves of bread into thousands. He did all this while in complete obedience and under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit. He came only to do what the father had shown Him to do.

I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. John 5:19

He did NOTHING more, but what He did, He did it perfectly!

We have to keep in mind that when Jesus was doing deliverance, He was doing a lot of it in the Synagogue, in a Jewish community that was accustomed to the teachings of Moses and the Prophets. Jesus when He used scripture or expanded His teachings on sin, He used the Old Testament. I know, we think of the New Testament as the only thing that counts these days, but in each documented encounter with Satan, Jesus quoted from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy. I find that interesting that to repel Satan He would use scripture and His knowledge of the Old Testament Laws of Moses and the Prophets. Those that Jesus ministered to were very familiar with what sin is, with the laws of Moses and they had intimate knowledge of what the Prophets had to say, albeit burdened by extra philosophical teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees, the religious rulers of that time period. They were read to from the scrolls of the Prophets, Moses and Old Testament scripture in the synagogue at least once a week from the time they were children. These men and women were familiar with sin. Jesus would begin much of his ministry by teaching and preaching about sin, followed by healing and deliverance. Of course, most of those throngs of people that came to hear Jesus came mostly for the healing and deliverance that they had heard accompanied Him wherever he went. It was often followed by “stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” (John 5:14)

In our day and culture, there is a lack of knowledge when it comes to the simple concept of sin. In ministry, prior to any deliverance taking place the one in which being minister to should have a very firm foundation of what sin is because in most cases this is the way in which many of these spirits have gained entry and continue to maintain a foothold. This can be the single most important point in doing it the way Jesus did it.

Seems simple and actually it is. It has only been complicated by man’s theology and our attempt to label it, put it in some neat category and then administer it by the works of our own hands which essentially chokes the life right out of any good intentions we may have once started out having. Having to rely solely on the Holy Spirit can seem like a very tricky process since we don’t hear from Him unless He has been instructed to communicate and it is at God’s will and is not at all subject to our own will or desire to hear from Him. However I must add here that when you move out in obedience to God to conduct deliverance, you WILL hear from Him, it is just a good idea to understand the language in which the Holy Spirit speaks. This takes a great deal of time actually hearing from Him in your day to day walk with the Lord.

Stay tuned, next time we are going to discuss Demonic Deliverance in Early Church History…

My Favorite Headlines:  

As always, email me YOUR spiritual questions, top favorite headline picks or your “off the record” comments to NoShoes@charter.net. I will include your name and city, and if the headline pick is interesting, appropriate and not offensive, I will post them!

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

The Blanket Approach

The best Demonologist test ever devised to predict if YOU (most likely it will be someone else) could have a demon continues….

Okay…moving along into our next approach to deliverance….

The Blanket Approach

Another very interesting approach that is used widely throughout deliverance circles is the “blanket approach”. This is usually an out of town evangelist who visits your little town, puts up lots of posters to “attend this one time only in our area Deliverance & Healing Service”; he/she advertises in the local paper and gets their flyer in as many church bulletins as they can. Most often, he is a self proclaimed deliverance minister who has written a few books on the subject and therefore we feel he probably is an expert in the area of deliverance; I mean really, we know virtually nothing about it and for most of us our church has taught very little, if anything at all, on the topic. This person also speaks with authority and we attend with a great deal of hope in our hearts that the problem that we have searched out assistance to get rid of or healed from will leave. The service is usually in an auditorium, church sanctuary or large group meeting room. It is most often filled to capacity with expectant believers who begin with introductions and promotions of the guests latest books, they get ringing endorsements by personal friend(s) or acquaintances who have read his/her books, may have had personal one-on-on time with this minister and experienced relief from their problem. The next order of business is usually a little praise and worship, followed by a very enthusiastic and rousing sermon on the need in our Christian communities for demonic deliverance. Who could argue with that? This part may also include some very valuable information on the tactics used by Satan and what his minions are up to because we should never be ignorant of his schemes; all true and all very important. At this point, you are bubbling over with anticipation and excitement that you too could be one of those finally set free from your oppression. This is the point where the collection plate is usually passed and we are encouraged to sow a seed for your own deliverance/healing.

Then the much anticipated ministry finally begins. Some are selected from the audience to come forward for one-on-one ministry, it usually is not you. After several other people who have been selected for ministry, the minister goes on to say, that in the constraints of time he will stand up and pray for everyone in the room. It’s a let down for you of course, but you are still hopeful. The minister stretches out his hands and begins to command spirits to leave the people in the room, some appear to be experiencing something; you still have hope. Some may have several other ministers with him/her that you can go to at the alter for prayer. You might even go up, wait in line, simply to have someone pray for your needs or command something to leave you, and then you return to your seat, still hopeful, but really no different. A few in the room seemed to be overwhelmed with joy and you think, why not me?

In one of the mass services I personally attended, I watched with great concern as a woman several rows ahead of me sobbed loudly throughout the entire service. No one, and I mean no one, attempted to minister to her in anyway, well other than to give her companions a form to fill out so she could meet for one-on-one time with the minister; of course it was for a very pricey charge, if he was able to raise enough money to return to the area at a later date. Sadly, this minister did not have a list of individuals that he could even refer her to. I was in the midst of my own learning curve about deliverance and was too inexperienced and not yet knowledgeable enough on the topic to have been any help to her at all. All I could do really is sit helplessly by and watch it all take place; and of course pray!

For most of us we leave these services more convinced than ever that we are alone in our trials, it is and always will be our problem, God has abandoned us and if God really wanted to heal/deliver me, wouldn’t He have done so under the direction of such an anointed and gifted minister?

Stay tuned next week for our next approach...

My Favorite Headlines:

As always, email me YOUR spiritual questions, top favorite headline picks or your “off the record” comments to NoShoes@charter.net. I will include your name and city, and if the headline pick is interesting, appropriate and not offensive, I will post them!

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

Poking a Stick in the Hornets Nest!

Before we get started with our next deliverance approach, I’d like to share another bit of wisdom to help you know if YOU could have a demon….

Moving along…our next deliverance approach is….drum roll please…

Poking a Stick into the Hornets Nest 

Karen is just one example in many that deliverance needs to be done in a way that would help them, not harm them. That the future of our spiritual health rests on learning not just how to get them out, but how to KEEP them out!

As many within the body of Christ have discovered that one of the missing puzzle pieces is indeed the “deliverance” aspect of Jesus ministry, they set about to make it happen. In an honorable attempt at being obedient we step out in faith, quite often without the leading of the Holy Spirit or any fundamental understanding or mature mentoring in the gift we have received by the Holy Spirit, we begin by laying on of hands and commanding the demons to leave, in Jesus name, of course. We are told that if they don’t leave it is because of the other person’s inability to believe and we simply dismiss them as flawed and lacking in faith; a very tragic, tragic mistake. Sometimes we get a little “training” by someone else that has had “training” and take another shot at it, in our obedience to the Word of God.

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; Mark 16:17, partial.

Most of these ministry gatherings can be one or two sessions, feeling confident we have removed the “demonic” spirits we send the person home, happy with ourselves that we have done our due diligence and exhausted because it was such a spiritual battle. The person feels better and isn’t that all Jesus expects from us.

In the coming days however, the person begins to experience frightening, if not traumatic revelations into the kingdom of darkness. Satan and his demonic hoards have no intention on giving up that easily. Removing the person from that situation is their main initial objective and in the days following their initial deliverance experience “they” will follow up with intimidation and control on the level rivaling the most organized terror organizations in the world. The poor person doesn’t know what hit them. Lost and alone because many of these ministers show up for only a very short time in a “conference” type setting or the “minister(s)” are unsure what other help they can administer to the person. Many of these ministers just move on to the next town while others who remain don’t return phone calls or answer the person’s plea for help, shrugging it off as a simple issue of unbelief on the persons part. The church Pastor who may have hosted the initial event is left holding the bag and without any clue as to what to do or say, simply tells the tormented individual to “go home, read your Word, pray about it” while others still will send them to a professional, often times secular, pshychotherapist.

This incomplete approach to deliverance has unintentionally “poked a stick into the hornets nest” and now the demons are mad and they, as the bible tells us will happen,

When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. Luke 11:24-26

My Favorite Headlines:

As always, email me YOUR spiritual questions, top favorite headline picks or your “off the record” comments to NoShoes@charter.net. I will include your name and city, and if the headline pick is interesting, appropriate and not offensive, I will post them!

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.

October Begins “Demonic Awareness” Month

I have been told a few times that when I celebrate “Demonic Awareness” Month that I am “taking this stuff way to seriously”. So in an attempt to please everyone, I will begin many of these articles with something I think is funny about demonic spirits and/or deliverance in general. But you might find it very sad, because generally, I think I’m a whole lot funnier than I really am! That is sad, isn’t it? Okay, to kick off this year’s “Demonic Awareness” series I have a list of things that could help YOU determine if you have a demon. I call it the demonologists version of “you could be a red neck”…anyway, here it goes…

If you can’t wait to get spam and junk mail in your email box….you could have a demon.

If you watch horror movies to cheer yourself up…you could have a demon.

If you email yourself porno to show to your imaginary friend later…you could have demon.

If you put tin-foil in your hat to keep your wife from being able to find you….you could have a demon.

If you find that you want to buy a new pair of tennis shoes and go dance after you listen to a Kanye West song…you could have a demon…okay, let’s face it, if you are listening to Kanye West at all you are questionable in my book. (That one is my favorite)

I would like to begin this years series, not with “do demons exist” as we do almost every year, because if you are a bible believing Christian you have to admit, they are mentioned quite frequently and Jesus believed in them, so if Jesus believed in them, then you do too; simple as that. For the rest of you, well I hope you can figure out what it is that I am talking about….and good luck with that!

The Modern Day Methods of Demonic Deliverance

Many, many, many tormented people throughout our nation seek solace from church pastors, Christian counselors, secular psychotherapists, Catholic Priests who practice exorcisms and some even chase down one of those fundamentalist minister’s who still perform those old-time deliverance services. Some may even get lucky enough to have one of those ministers arrive in town, promising healing and freedom from the things that trouble and ail you, but fail to follow-up or even teach the basic tenants of continued self-deliverance and how to keep them out once they are out. This approach I call the Poking a Stick in the Hornets Nest!

There are more deliverance methods out there than can be explored in one simple series. In fact, an entire collection of books could be written on this subject alone; however, I wouldn’t recommend reading them all. A lot can be gleaned from the experiences of those who have walked in the path of Jesus, casting out demons and giving instruction on having and maintaining a Holy lifestyle but wading through the misinformation can be harrowing, let alone extremely time consuming. I recommend limiting your investigations to those who actually cast demons out and follow-up by helping them retain their deliverance. As you investigate for yourself what methods are most appropriate for you, you may discover some very interesting and unique approaches that will shock and disturb you. However, you should always keep this in mind: one should never attempt to improve upon perfection…that of our Teacher and Rabbi…Jesus.

Like most things in ministry today, the Apostolic Gifts and the way in which they should be administered seem to be somewhat of a mystery to most of us. Some opt for the “gifts ended with the last apostle”; this is coined the Apostolic Age in which all great miracles along the lines of Jesus ministry ceased to exist. This is a complete cop-out because no one wants to take responsibility for the reason in which we can’t or don’t move in these gifts any longer. “Can’t possibly have anything to do with me!” we tell ourselves. While others aggressively seek after the gifts of the Holy Spirit, some even receive some very powerful and legitimate gifts while those who have received these gifts of the Holy Spirit, are often left without mentors or someone knowledgeable and mature enough to lead us in the direction that would keep us out of trouble. This is also very true in deliverance ministry.

In an age in which more and more are opting out of a more formal religious setting with all the administrative checks and balances that can sometimes keep us out of trouble but can quite often quench the workings of the Holy Spirit, many have rightly recognized the need for an alternative. Some have opted for home churches, others supplement their spiritual walk by joining small groups, bible studies and support groups, and still others hop from one ministry conference to another hoping to find that meaningful place within the body of Christ.

With all this said, there are many out there that have rightly discerned something is missing. Some have inadvertently stumbled onto the deliverance scene with the expectation that finally the missing piece of the puzzle has been found. However, like all puzzles, there are many pieces and they ALL need to be working together adequately in order to make a completely functioning, unified ministry within the “whole” body of Christ.

The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12:21-26

 I will continue in the next article with the approach to deliverance I mentioned earlier… “Poking a Stick in the Hornets Nest”. Stay tuned, you will learn a lot in this series!

My Favorite Headlines:

As always, email me YOUR spiritual questions, top favorite headline picks or your “off the record” comments to NoShoes@charter.net. I will include your name and city, and if the headline pick is interesting, appropriate and not offensive, I will post them!

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its Web sites. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Report Violation" link below the comment.