How demons get into religious institutions
Feeling confused?
The book Factory Reset points out that the first record we find of Jesus casting out a demon was “in church” (the Jewish synagogue).
This begs the question of how demons enter places dedicated to the knowledge of God and filled with people devoted to Him.
Like, could the devil get in your church? Your home?
Yes and yes, and here’s how he gets there…
Envy opens the door to demons.
Self-seeking pulls out a chair and makes them comfy.
“But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.” (James 3:14-15, NKJV)
So, whenever a church, a home, or you as a person become jealous or contentious, every evil thing can enter.
How do demons get into church? When people start caring about themselves more than others.
In my next book, Live Above, we will be looking at gateways to the supernatural.
Your actions and attitudes are like a spiritual check valve or like forward and reverse on a transmission. The things I have learned in this area are shocking—and inspiring when we get it right.
Not knowing you are drowning
Some people are so conditioned to fighting that they don’t even realize they swim in a cesspool of demons.
What creates contention? Asserting self over others.
Selfish ambition says, “I want my way.”
It may not intentional destroy others, but it really doesn’t care about the needs of others or put them first.
The ambition Jesus modeled is, “Not my will, but Yours be done.”
When we put ourselves first, we create a climate of conflict.
Think about the last argument you enjoyed.
What would have ended it? Someone humbling his or herself.
Pride creates conflict; humility diffuses it.
I recently built a dining table for my family to gather around. After hours and hours of painstaking effort to make it smooth and sealed, I would be horrified if someone came in and began chopping into it with an ax.
That blade would open gaps in the wood that would absorb liquids and junk. Not only would it look bad, things could start to grow in those cracks. Soon, mold, rot, and other grossness would set in. Suddenly, my beautiful maple table would be disgusting and no one would want to sit at it.
That’s what happens in a church when you insist on criticizing others or arguing about why they should do things your way.
The thing I cannot get over is the Bible phrase “every evil thing.”
There have been times in my home where I wondered, “Why are we having problems with that?” Misbehavior from our children puzzled me because these were things my wife and I had not modeled for our children and I could not figure out where they had learned such things.
The explanation of aberrant behavior comes from this verse:
“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” (James 3:16, NKJV)
“Every evil thing” will come into an environment where self-seeking, favoritism, or bitter envy are at work.
The solution? This…
“But the wisdom from above is firstly truly pure, then peaceable, forbearing, yielding, full of mercy and of good fruits, not partial and not pretended. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for the ones making peace.” (James 3:17-18, Lit Version)
To keep my family, church, and workplace from becoming demonic, I need to be “for real” and make peace wherever I can.
Forcing my desires and interests creates disunity where the enemy loves to work.
How have you experienced this? What have you done to heal or see groups recover after damage was done?
8 Comments
Powerful!
It is!
What a huge difference between “every good thing” and “every evil thing”. Very pretty waterfall background!
Yes! I want every good thing in me and none of the other.
I lived for 34 years with a man who was controlled by jealousy. I am now desperately trying to achieve peace.
Many times we are so immersed in our environment we don’t see ourselves. Does the fish know it is wet?
Jesus paid for our peace with the beating and crucifixion. It’s yours!
Good thought and so true…”immersed in our own environment we don’t see ourselves.” Lord anoint our eyes with eye salve and let your word reign in us.
Truth!