Kingdom principle: Healing removes the damage but not the devil

The enemy offers comfort and control, that’s why we invite him in….

I believe that one of the greatest responsibilities in this life is that of raising up children. This is not to say that if you don’t have children, you are less responsible or contributing less, but it is to say that raising a child to know the Lord and to walk in the Kingdom may have the greatest reward matched by its great responsibility. Unfortunately the standard practice of parenting in this western culture is more often governed by the control of the parents or the comfort of the child. Either of these will lead to damage in the family for they are rooted in the lies of the enemy. As God raised up his children, he guided them in faith, but they were drawn to control or comfort. Control nullifies faith, Comfort numbs faith. Abraham walked with God and through his example we are to become heirs of the promise. (Gal. 3:29) Abraham leads a life of neither comfort nor control, yet walked in righteousness not from the Law, but by faith and become the Father of us all. (Romans 4:13-17, Hebrews 11:8-19) The Law was given 430 years after Abraham to reveal humanity’s desire for comfort & control.  (Gal 3:17)

The Law was given to reveal the sin, not to free us from the sin. The Law is not the enemy, rather it is a tool by which God reveals the damage done when we violate his faith initiated ways. Yet, following the law does not remove your sin, the devil or his desire to devour you. Unless we are perfect under the law, damage will continue, and that is the reason why faith in Christ is the only way to truth and freedom. When we agree with the lies of the enemy we invite his damage into our lives… sometimes that damage is masked to look like comfort and control. While being comforted or in control do not seem like “sin” both are mere illusions of this world to deceive you into missing the Kingdom of God. In fact, anything that does not come by faith is sin. (Romans 14:23) Further it is not “sin” that sends you to hell, rather it is the absence of a life giving relationship with Jesus that precludes you from heaven. So if we are simply looking to be without sin as a means to get into heaven, we remain bound by the Law and we have misunderstood heaven and hell.

In 1 Kings 18, Elijah has confronted the enemy and defeated “him”, but he can not destroy him, in fact – Jesus does not destroy the devil, only his work. (1 John 3:8) It is not until the Final Judgment the devil will be destroyed. (Matt 25:41, Rev. 20:10)  Therefore, as Elijah commands one of the most spectacular victories of the Old Testament, it is followed by one of the greatest depressions and valleys of all the prophets…. (1 Kings 19) This is rooted in a lie that is agreed to be truth. Lie #1- Elijah believes that he is about to die by the sword of Jezebel.  Lie # 2- Elijah believes that he is the only prophet of the LORD left alive. God must un-root these lies if Elijah is to fully live into his anointing and finish his appointing.   Have you every believed a lie, only later to discover the truth? How was the truth revealed to you?

But be not mistaken, the devil is not passively waiting for you to invite or agree with him; he seeks to thwart the will of God and will intrude into your life. (John 10:10, 1 Peter 5:8) However, with this intrusion a great price is paid. First and foremost this price was paid by Christ on the cross, further; it is paid out to you as retribution in the form of Justice.

The Psalms this week – highlights what it looks like to live at peace while life is out of control and there is a lack of comfort. There is much depth in the cry, “Why, my soul, are you downcast” & “Put your hope in God” it is more than simple self-talk, there is a battle being waged between the soul and the spirit within David. The soul longs for control and comfort, while the spirit is only a live when the Spirit of God is directing it in faith through prayer.  It is this life lived in the Spirit let sets us free from the power of the enemy. When we crucify the flesh, (Gal. 5:24) God removes the damage this life, leading us in the way of everlasting life.

Okay – Let’s get practical:

Are there areas of your life where you are in “control”…? What is the role of faith there? Did “control” come by way of anointing or appointing?  If you cannot point to anointing as the bases of “control” then it may be rooted in sin. (that came across really harsh… it may be just for me!)

Are there areas of your life you would describe as “comfort”…  In those areas, are you seeing your faith grow? If someone was to disrupt the comfort, what would be your response?

Finally, where are you “guilty” of seeking control over an issue, or to find comfort? What my God’s will for you be in this season of testing?

God has the authority & power to remove (heal) the damage done by the devil, but if people desire comfort and control more than freedom in Christ, they will simply return to their old ways. The people in Luke 8 saw the power of healing, but chose their old way of life as opposed to freedom. Jesus’ transformation and healing brought up to many new “issues”.  Most people would rather medicate to control, and numb to comfort rather than facing the reality of healing in their lives. This does not need to look like deliverance from demons, it can simply be freedom from lies. Losing your job will take you out of control and increase your discomfort on many levels, but it also may be the first step to discovering the vocation for which God has designed you. It is when you are in agreement with lies which serve as the invitation to the enemy to bring damage, even though it looks like control or comfort. It is this reason that God’s children are called to put on the righteousness of Christ.  In Christ’s righteousness there is no invitation of sin.

1. Invitation – When we invite destruction through sinful actions or agreement of the body & soul.

God has the authority & power to remove (heal) the damage done by the devil, but the devil wants nothing more than to steal, destroy and kill those who are children of God. When the devil, devours and preys on God’s children, justice will be served. This Justice is both the retribution given to God’s children, as well as vengeance served against the enemy. This is not just future state, this is now and in the present.

2. Intrusion – When Satan breaks the Spiritual laws violating the rule & reign of the King.

Conclusion – Seek for the kingdom of God and His righteousness – and all things will be added unto you. (Matt 6:33)