Do you remember the week-long evangelistic healing services? Many people were healed of diseases and demon oppression. Most of the healers were treated skeptically and ridiculed by the religious leaders, and were falsely accused just like Jesus and the Apostles were. It is rare to hear about healing and deliverance services today, but we still need them. When people heard that Jesus was in the area, they flocked to Him for healing and deliverance (Luke 6:17-19). Luke 7:21 states, “In that hour he healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight.”
Demons oppress us in many ways: sickness, poverty, addiction, mental illnesses, and so on. In my last post, I explained what oppression is, what to look for, and how demons cause illnesses. I pointed out how oppressive spirits have names, and Jesus called the spirit by name. The Bible talks about demon oppression a lot, so I felt I needed to make a second post to do this topic justice.
The more you are aware of how demons oppress you, the sooner you will recognize them and send them away. Remember, oppression is a physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing condition that seems impossible to resolve. For example, people suffer for years with depression and anxiety, which could be an affliction from oppressive spirits.
Jesus is Ridiculed and Falsely Accused by the Religious Leaders.
Matthew 9:32-34 states, “As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33) And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, ‘Never was anything like this seen in Israel.’ 34) But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the prince of demons.”
Jesus responds to that accusation in Matthew 12:22-28. “Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23) And all the people were amazed, and said, ‘Can this be the Son of David?’ 24) But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.’ 25) Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26) And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27) And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. 28) But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.’” (Also read Mark 3:22-30; and Luke 11:15-23). Luke 11:20 states, “But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Observation:
- When people were delivered from demon oppression, they were healed.
- The religious leaders accuse Him of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, who is Satan.
- Jesus knows their thoughts and explains that Satan can’t be divided against himself.
- Jesus says that the power of God is how He casts out demons.
- Jesus is the kingdom of God.
Interpretation-Application:
- Ministers who are anointed by the Holy Spirit to heal and deliver people of unclean spirits will be ridiculed and misunderstood by religious people.
- Stand strong in the Lord and obey God in the anointing He gives you. Know that there will be religious people who will be critical of you.
Apostles Continued Healing and Deliverance.
Acts 5:12-16 tells us, “Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico. 13) None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem. 14) And more than ever, believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. 16) The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.”
Philip’s Ministry in Samaria.
Acts 8:4-7 tells us, “Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5) Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6) And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7) For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.”
Observation:
- Signs and wonders were regularly done among the people, and many were saved.
- People listened to Philip when they saw the signs.
- The sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits (demons) were healed.
Interpretation-Application:
- Not only did Jesus give the Apostles the power and authority to go out and heal the sick and those afflicted by unclean spirits, but when they were anointed by the Holy Spirit, they had the power.
- We, too, can be anointed by the Holy Spirit and have the power to heal the sick and demon oppressed.
- Believers must also want to serve God through healing and deliverance to be effective as God’s ministers.
Conclusion
People are healed or set free from addictions when the oppressive spirit is cast out. Don’t be afraid to take a stand against afflicting demons and command them to be gone and never come back. If you had a spirit of affliction, then it would go. If God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power, He would anoint you as well. Acts 10:38 states, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” And Luke 11:13 states, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
The Apostle Paul knew He needed the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish what God had called Him to do. 1Corinthians 2:3-5 states, “And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” When people experience the power of God, that is when their faith grows.
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