Tag Archives: God

The Demon Doctrine

“… some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and [doctrines of demons].
These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.
They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. Since everything God created is good..”
(1 Timothy 4:1-4 NLT)

It is interesting that Paul uses such harsh rebukes on a category that many would reserve charity and patience in their arguments. Paul considers this a category of demon doctrines, but many are kind and gentle with such people. Thus, they are kind and gentle with people controlled by demons, teach doctrines from demons and who has no more conscience left. We have never thought such a stance is biblical or intelligent. We agree with Paul those who teach such are to be rebuked sharply.

Most would understand if Paul said a person who rejects the resurrection or embrace wife swapping has a dead conscience and teaches a “doctrine of demons.” People tend to think such harsh rebukes are for those who deny major gospel doctrines, or who affirm we should embrace bigger type sins.

However, this is not what the bible teaches. These are not the rules Paul is following in his instruction to Timothy. The category Paul is using is about receiving material good things for this present life. Things that involve giving us pleasure to sight, taste, touch, and smell. Paul mentions doctrines as in plural. However, Paul does not give a comprehensive list, but does mention two things in the category of God giving good material things. The doctrine of demons is about telling people to abstain from good material blessings. Thus there more things that can be classified as a doctrine of demons, but not less than the specific category he addresses.

As just said, the category is about God giving us material things for this life that involve things giving pleasure to our 5 senses. Paul did not say God is giving us spiritual things like eternal life, forgiveness and relationship. We assume the food is good tasting food, otherwise it makes no sense. There is no temptation to say, “don’t eat rotten eggs.” Good food gives pleasure to many sensations and by this brightens the heart of man, as Ecclesiastes says in more than a few ways. Paul mentions if you lack self-control for sex, then get married. Sex is obviously about pleasure. Having a good relationship with your spouse and children is a full on joy to all your sensations and soul. The point is that the category Paul is referring to, has much to do with the material blessings of pleasure, joy and sensations.

When it comes to our relationship with God, it is not a religion of shadows, based on man’s sensations; rather, it is spiritual and intellectual. However, we are not talking about this, but God’s own good pleasure to give us good material pleasure and material things in this life. I will not harp on the fact these material blessings are included in the blessing of Abraham and secured for us by Jesus’ blood. Thus, health, wealth, good sex in marriage, good tasting food have Jesus’ precious blood sprinkled on them. To dismiss them is to dismiss the blood of Jesus.

Some might make the mistake to make this passage all about works verses grace. Or make it about a warning against Gnosticism. These could very well be involved; however, we would have to speculate since the passage does not directly state it; rather, what Paul refers to is more basic and rudimentary. The issue Paul brings is about the very nature of demons. This is like the difference between appealing to a specific promise of God versus appealing to God’s loving nature, to argue why we should pray and receive. Paul is appealing to the nature of demons. Paul does not give a specific appeal to people being led away by Gnosticism or “works vs grace.” No. The appeal is to demons. Now, demons might use specific errors, like the above, but this is not Paul’s main point. Paul says these people are lead by demons and teach doctrines of demons.

It is about the vile nature of demons. They want to you to suffer. The “nature of Satan” is to steal, kill, lie and destroy. Demons not only want you to suffer the torments of hell, but they want you to suffer in this present life. Acts 10:38 informs us that sickness is a major aspect for how demons what us to suffer in this life. Being sick destroys our ability to experience physical sensations of pleasure; it steals time; it steals our relationships; it steals our money and ultimately our very lives

Jesus says His nature is to bring us life, joy and abundance. In John 14-16 Jesus says similar things a few times over. One is that the same love that God put on Jesus is now placed on us. In the context of how much Jesus loves us (His nature) He says for us to ask for anything and receive it, and by this our “joy” will be full. Jesus healed over and over. He gave good tasting wine to a group of people who already empty the wine vats. It is obvious the miracles we ask often deal with the material world, and thus by them increase our pleasure in physical sensations in this present life. Jesus says He wants our joy to be full. In the gospels we know that being full of joy is more than just having our sins forgiven, but being healed of our sickness, raised from the dead, delivered from demons, delivered from storms, having extra good wine for a feast and having so much extra bread you have 12 large baskets left over. This is the nature of Jesus, and Jesus says if you have seen Him, then you have seen the Father.

The nature of demons is to make us suffer. Sometimes this is deceptive because it might be hidden under a layer of something that looks good at first look. Sin can be deceptive at times. It promises a pleasure, but in the end it leads to suffering and then death. The point is that the goal was always to cause us to suffer. This is the nature of demons. They want us to suffer now, and suffer later.

Therefore, a doctrine of demons is a doctrine that limits any good thing God has given us, either for this present life, or the next. The demon doctrine is to remove and restrict these material pleasures and eternal blessings and replace them with suffering, limitations and pain. Those who have teachings that limit or deny God’s health, wealth, favor, increase, miracles and heavenly powers, have aligned themselves with demons. They are liars and their souls are dead.

If a person’s soul is dead, are led by demons and teach doctrines from demons by merely suggesting we limit some pleasurable sensations for our bodies that come from food and sex, then how much more is it a doctrine of demons to deny and resist healing, miracles and the powers of the Spirit, which empower us to experience these good things 100 times more? How much more! And we haven’t even mentioned the horror of denying things like the resurrection.

If the people Paul mentioned were rebuked so harshly, then how much more should things like cessationism be rebuked. If they were led by demons, then cessationism is the very language of demons. If their doctrines were demonic, then cessationism is the very DNA of demons.

——–

Also, as a side note. Let no one rebuke you for harshly condemning people who limit faith and healing. They deserve the title of “demon doctrines” more than the people Paul was referring to. How can you say you are God’s friend and still hold the hands of people connected to demons? Harsh rebukes is the very least they deserve.

The Goal of the Gospel is Happiness?

You Bet It Is!

Someone spotted a church called “The Love Church” and pegged it as a seeker-friendly joint. I quipped it beats “Sad Church.” They fired back with conviction: happiness isn’t the gospel’s goal. Their evidence? An emotional roll call of extended family members—churchgoers all—wrestling with sickness, poverty, and troubles. “Sad Church sounds about right,” they smirked, implying it’s a fitting name for real life.

I could write a theological tome on this, but I’ll keep it short.

First, let’s zoom to the cosmic blueprints—God’s decrees (supralapsarian style). God’s intentions are pure positivity, not a divine Debbie Downer vibe. His original plan? Our joy, happiness, glory, and blessedness in Him. Justice comes first, then injustice. You can’t have a villain without something good for it to attack. God’s intentions are positive. They are positive for us first in the decrees. God’s heart is for our happiness. The gospel was predestined for our glory and happiness. Before we dive into specifics, happiness was already the gospel’s goal. All sunshine, no storm clouds.

Second, the “gospel” (even being declared righteous by God) is about our favor, glory, fame, prosperity, healing, miracles, empowerment by the Spirit, and inheriting the world through Abraham’s blessing. Sin didn’t even get a cameo in Abraham’s story. It was all positive, overflowing like a divine jackpot. Paul calls Abraham’s blessing—where he inherits the world, receives the Spirit, and sees miracles—the “gospel.” Not just for Abe, but for us too. This positivity would make health-and-wealth preachers blush for playing it too safe, shaming every church tradition for underselling the gospel’s joy.

We sinned against God. He brought the law 400 years after Abraham’s blessing-fest to expose our sinfulness. But Jesus arrived to seal both sides of the deal. He crushed sin by grace and ensured Abraham’s blessing flows to Jews and non-Jews alike, all by grace.

Happiness isn’t the gospel’s only goal, but it’s no sidekick either. In fact, forgiveness isn’t even the main event. Peter says forgiveness is the starting line, a springboard to the gospel’s true aim: being baptized in the Spirit for power.

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins, turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. THEN you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:39)

This Spirit-baptism for miracle power is what Paul calls the “gospel” in Galatians 3. Receiving Abraham’s blessing—healing miracles, financial windfalls, relational breakthroughs, and a whole miracle smorgasbord—fills us with happiness and joy. The gospel’s goal is absolutely happiness. Paul says Jesus became a curse for us (Galatians 3:13) to secure this miracle-soaked joy. That means these blessings have Jesus’ blood sprinkled on them, nailed to that cursed tree. To say happiness isn’t the gospel’s goal is to spit on Jesus’ blood like it’s cheap wine, disrespecting the cross where His hands and feet were pierced. Those who scoff at the gospel of happiness can’t dodge their spit landing on Jesus’ nailed feet.

Let’s skip Isaiah 53 for now, where Jesus, our scapegoat, carries away sickness and heals us by His stripes. Healing in this life is as much the gospel as forgiveness. I’m not saying healing trumps forgiveness in importance, but both flow from the same atonement and resurrection. Slap one, and you slap the blood that bought them both. You can’t curse part of the gospel without torching the whole thing. If Jesus’ blood fails to spark our happiness, what hope does it have to forgive us? Zilch.

Healing alone, a gospel cornerstone, brings joy in spades. Jesus and Acts show people leaping with happiness, entire towns buzzing with “great joy” (Acts 8:8). Jesus Himself says His love brings abundant joy (John 14-17), tying answered prayers to overflowing happiness. We pray and receive whatever we want because of the gospel and Jesus’ blood. The gospel’s goal? Happiness, served piping hot.

David’s Psalms are a happiness playlist, praising God for constant healing, deliverance, and joy in the morning. God is David’s salvation and blessing, sparking loud, happy shouts of praise.

Those who reject the gospel of happiness reject the gospel itself. They’ve got itching ears for a different seeker-friendly church—one that whispers, “God won’t heal you,” or “It’s up to His will, so stay in the dark.” They hand out spiritual comfort blankets to keep you cozy in sickness, defeat, and depression. They make you feel excited when Satan is cockblocking you. A huge crowd seeks this message, craving comfort in their suffering. But they suffer like Israel in the wilderness—not for God’s glory, but for their unbelief and stupidity (we are too small and they are too big). They don’t suffer for the gospel under persecution; they suffer because they reject it.

They claim the gospel is for God’s glory. Duh, even demons nod at that. The real question is how God glorifies Himself through the gospel. He does it by making it a fountain of blessings and miracles, crowning us with glory (1 Corinthians 2:7).

As Gabriel Arauto quips, “If God doesn’t serve you with healing, miracles, prosperity, and happiness, He’ll become your executioner” (John 13:8, paraphrased).

The gospel of happiness isn’t just feel-good fluff—it’s got eternal stakes. Reject it, and you’re dancing on thin ice.

What God Ordains Is always Good

A woman was suffering with cancer asking for prayer on twitter, and a person responded with the Hymn called, “What God ordains is always Good.”

Satan’s little helpers are all over the place.

God ordained all things. True enough. Let us remember that God ordained for me to be born a sinner with a sinful nature (Rom 5). Thus, this is good. No, really, it is good by definition because God did it. God does tell us why He did it, (Rom.9), but this is logically irrelevant. Whatever God does and ordains is good. However, good “relative” to whom or what? If we are asking what is good on the ultimate level, relative to God, then anything God does is good by definition, because God did it. However, if meant relative to me, then good is defined as God’s commandments and promises. Relative to me it is about my obedience to God’s commands and acquiring God’s promises in my life. This is the only definition for biblical ethics. For me, good is defined by me understanding what is happening (what God ordains) and then find a command and promise that relates to it and obey it and make the promise manifest by my faith. Anything less than this is disobedience and rebellion against God. Disobedience is bad; it is not good.

In regard to being born a sinner, I cannot say, “What God ordains is always good,” and so,” because God ordained me to be born a sinner, thus it is good that I remain a sinner who hates God and loves sin.” We know if someone does this, they are making excuses for their rebellion. This is stating something God does and then irrationally concluding an ethic from it. No. God has both commanded me to repent and promised to save me if I call on His name. God ordained me to be born a sinner, but also told me what to do about it, by making His promise of forgiveness a reality in my life by my faith in Him. Jesus told me to save myself by faith in His promise of mercy.

The same with everything else. So, what if God ordained me to have a sickness? God ordains all things; tell me something I don’t already know. However, God has commanded (James 5:15) and promised (Isaiah 53:4-5) me to use faith and I will be healed. I cannot say, “What God ordains is always good,” and so,” because God ordained me to have this sickness, thus it is good that I remain in my sickness.” We know if someone does this, they are making excuses. God’s promise for healing is “good” and His command to be healed is “good.” Those who reject this are bad. You cannot use what God has ordained to invalidate God’s commandments and promises. Those who teach such, teach a doctrine of demons.

Don’t Speak to God, Speak to Your Problem About God

When Peter, (even after baptized with the Spirit), commanded the man’s sickness to leave (stand up), Peter did not speak to God about the problem; rather it was more like Peter spoke to the problem about God.

In the broad sense, a word of faith command like this, is just a shorthand way to pray without hedging. And because it is a prayer, you are aware God is listening to you and that you are using His authority and that you are standing on His promise.

However, in the most direct sense, these types of prayers are spoken to the problem, and not to God. Jesus did not say to “speak” directly to him about your mountain, “oh God, I am nothing and I need your help.” No, Jesus told us to “speak” to the mountain directly and tell it to get out of our way. Jesus teaches us that we already have His authority and His approval to pray like this and get powerful results. To command and get what we want. The fact many Christians do not pray like this, means they do not obey and do not understand their identity in Christ. They do not understand prayer.

So the lesson to learn here is this, when you have a problem you speak directly to it. It is not wrong to go to God in prayer about your problem, but Jesus has officially instructed us how to pray in such situations. It is like the sermon on the Mountain. Jesus is raising the bar for His expectations and command about how we pray and get results. Who am I to alter Jesus’ instructions?

Therefore, speak to your problems about God, telling them to throw themselves into the sea.

Sit At My Right Hand

Peter in Acts 2, during his Pentecost sermon mentions a few time this idea of “Jesus sitting at the right hand of the Father.” Many people saw them speaking in tongues and wanted to know what is going on. And so, Peter’s main point is about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Thus, the doctrine of Jesus sitting on His eternal throne at the Father’s right hand is being connected with the baptism of the Spirit.

Peter mentions Psalm 16 and 110, which both speak of Jesus sitting at God’s right hand, as connected to Him pouring out the Spirit. Acts 2:33 “Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this which you both see and hear.”

The Father promised Jesus a reward for completing the work He assigned Him on earth. This reward was Jesus ruling in authority from the Father’s right hand. Jesus would sit on the throne that He will be ruling from forever. From this position, Jesus was promised He could pour out the baptism of the Spirit on all those who call on the name of the Lord to be saved (Joel, 2:28-32). Peter quotes Joel teaching us that this is the age designated for anyone to call on the name of God to be saved and that He Spirit will be poured out for power. This happened because Jesus is now sitting on His eternal throne of power at the right hand of Power. From here Jesus pours out Power on all who ask.

The interesting point is Peter’s quote of Psalm 110. Peter directly connects this Psalm to Jesus pouring out the Spirit, as Jesus sits at God’s right hand.

“Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “”The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet,”” (Acts 2:33-35).

Peter quotes from this Psalm Jesus sitting at God’s right hand and Jesus’ enemies being made a footstool under Him. And this is in direct context with Jesus pouring the baptism of the Spirit, from God’s right hand. The Psalm goes on to say Jesus will rule over His enemies, crush them and pile up their corpses. Peter says this is connected to Jesus pouring out the baptism of the Spirit.

How is Jesus enemies going to be a footstool? Peter says it is directly connected to Jesus pouring out the Spirit on His people to empower them over sickness, demons, mountains and even other men (Paul and the Proconsul).

It is foolish to have any talk of eschatology and the advancement of the church over the gates of hell and human governments without this most basic teaching from Peter. Without this all talks of eschatology and governments is anti-Christian; it is anti-Jesus sitting at the right hand of His Father.

Memeing Yourself To Hell

How do people come up with this level of dumb?

Job was with wealthiest guy in the whole east area. He had all the family and money a guy could want. God orchestrated it, but then Satan destroyed Job for a short time. In the whole of Job’s life this trial was a small blip on the radar. After this trial, God gave Job double the wealth and double the health. He saw his kids to the 4th generation. Very long happy life. He was so filthy rich that He was able to give large inheritances to his many beautiful daughters. He was already the richest guy in the whole east area, now God made him double the richest guy. In the New Testament James categorizes all this “health and wealth” as God’s “mercy and compassion.”

Why is this a surprise? Under Jesus we have a contractual right to this health and wealth. If we have seen Jesus we have seen the Father. Jesus healed all who came to Him with faith. And remember all the extra left over from the feeding of the four and five thousand. So much extra. God answers our prayer exceedingly, abundantly and beyond what we ask.
Have you meet this Jesus and His Father?

The only way to make sense of this meme with Job, is if it said, “if God brings you into a trail and you come out victoriously by faith, then be prepared to experience double health and wealth for the rest of your long happy life.”

Extra Baskets Left Over #1

*1 But seriously, how Wonderful was Jesus to heal all those people, insuring so many did not die before their time. Hezekiah without faith would have died 15 years before his time.

Satan wants God’s elect to be in pain, and time constraint with sickness and then an early death. The goal is to have all that effort and time, which could have been spent in ministry, family, faith and miracles, to be choked and stopped. Medicine is often expensive, time consuming and painful, and often does not work. Satan loves this. But Mr. Wonderful has saved us, bore our sickness and defeated Satan. Faith in Him brings life, health and extra time to spend on ministry, with family and expanding His kingdom.

Jesus, the true Mr. Wonderful, has commanded us to be like Him, through faith and the baptism of the same Spirit He ministered under. Therefore, all who follow Him will also be Mr. and Mrs. Wonderful.

*2 When one first becomes a Christian a frequent experience can be a focus on what not to do in our obedience, or negative. We came from the world and need to change directions for many behaviors. This is a natural focus based on the circumstances. And yet, we still focus on faith and power to receive the full gospel promises, such as healing and miracles. If taught correctly we learned all the basics of faith and began to work on all of it.

However, Paul says a doctrine for mature people is about receiving all the free good things that God has given us (1 Corinth. 2).

Therefore, as one matures, the focus is on more positive behaviors. It is about taking off all limitations for what God is able to do in us through faith. We do not want God to accuse us for making His arm short. Also, we take off all limitations for what we can do with faith. We realize that moving mountains is the starting point of our ability and not the end. We focus on wielding God’s power as our own. We focus on more power, more healing, more miracles, more purity, and more fruitfulness in all that we touch. We focus on binding and unlocking things on earth, as we see fit. We focus on casting out devils and expanding the kingdom of God. We focus on asking for the biggest types of prayers we can think and receive them.

*3 “Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news,

and blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me.”
Matthew 11:4-6 CSB

Let us not be offended by Jesus healing people, and causing them to have great joy. Let us not be offended by Jesus healing all who came to Him. Let us not be offended by Jesus healing every single person who asked. Let us not be offended by Jesus raising the dead back to life, and causing their mothers to have great joy. Let us not be offended by Jesus preaching good news to the lowly.

Let us not be offended that Jesus healed, healed, healed and healed some more, rather than preaching the gospel more, or talking about sin or hell.

Jesus would not have said this, if there was not an issue of people being offended by Him healing so much.

He is not warning about being offended at His doctrine of sin or hell, but offended at Him freely giving so much good things to people with faith. This lines up with Paul’s definition in 1 Corinthians 2 that a message of wisdom for mature people is a message about freely receiving all the good things from God, and not a message about us sacrificing or giving. Immature and unspiritual people are offended at God freely giving good things. They are offended because they lack the intellectual aptitude and spiritual strength to freely receive healing, forgiveness, wealth and blessings for themselves. They then spend their time hindering God’s true children from receiving God good things out of spite and rebellion.

*4 The Bible would not condemn a pastor who heals the sick and casts out demons for not emptying out a hospital, any more than condemning Jesus for not healing all the sick in His hometown.

*5 The context of Paul saying a person is cursed if they reject the gospel he preaches (Galatians 1), is Paul defining the gospel (Galatians 3) as Jesus becoming our curse so that we inherit the blessing of Abraham. This blessing means the baptism of the Spirit and regular miracles. If someone rejects the baptism of the Spirit and miracles for us to experience now and regularly, then Galatians 1 would condemn them as cursed for preaching a different gospel.

It is traditionalist who use Paul’s doctrine of “preach another gospel and you are cursed,” to make it about justification by faith alone in grace, or to bash the health and wealth gospel. You cannot make this passage mean whatever you want it to mean. The context is not narrowly about forgiveness, nor is it about bashing miracles and speaking in tongues. Abraham was justified because He believed God would do miracles of healing, prosperity, fame, favor and excessive fruitfulness for him. Paul boils this down to “the Spirit and miracles,” and calls this the gospel that brought justification. Likewise, we are true children of Abraham and partakers of the same gospel (declared righteous by God) if we believe Jesus substituted our curses for the blessing of the Spirit (in context, Paul means the gospel of the baptism of the Spirit and miracles (Gala 3:5)).

*6 If demons do not scream with terror and the saints shout in joy for being healed, then your pastor’s righteousness does not exceed that of the Jewish leaders. If your church does not have regular miracles and healing, then it is not a biblical church; rather than a gathering of saints, its likely a gathering of demons. As Benny Hinn once said, “A pastor who does not cast out demons, is likely influenced by one.”

*7 If you look at yourself and don’t see a righteous soul, with the very righteousness of God, then you are without God and without hope.

If you look at your soul and don’t see God’s power and authority to cast out sickness and move mountains then you are without God and are still a mere human.

Update: Had people remind me that “our righteousness is like filthy rags.” The only way for this to be true, for you in the present, is if you are still unsaved. Our unrighteousness or filthy rags were already credited to Christ, buried with Him and in God’s mind they are no more listed on our record sheet. If your record still has unrighteousness on it, you are still destined for hell. Either Jesus already removed your unrighteousness and exchanged it with His righteousness, or you are still unsaved. When Jesus helped widows and orphans and honored God above all, these righteous acts are now listed on my data sheet (God’s mind) as if I did them. They were credited to my account, by grace, apart from the law.

I have the righteousness of God. When I look inward, this is what I see. When I look inward I see a perfect record and it is perfect; it is perfection; it is blameless; I see a perfect soul. Indeed, when I look inward, I see God’s righteousness blazing like the midday sun. I see light, light and more light shining. How can this be some might ask? I see what God’s sees and decrees. God has made my soul perfect. Who am I to disagree with my Creator?

God did not credit Jesus’ righteousness to Himself, but to me. The bible denies pantheism. Thus, they are now part of “my” righteousness. We do not lose sight they are freely given from God as a gift, but the fact remains they are now seen as “my righteousness.” This is how God sees me, and so this is how I see me. Faith is a mental assent to the truths that God has revealed. If you do not see yourself as 100% pure and with God’s righteousness as your own, you do not agree with God’s word and are still an unbeliever.

However, imputed righteousness makes us (according to Romans 5) reign and rule in life as kings. Jesus is not merely a substitute for unrighteousness for righteousness, but also the curse of the law for the blessings of Abraham. This blessing means constant miracles and healing now. If you cannot believe God will do these good things for you, then you are not a child of Abraham, and neither has God declared you righteous in His sight. God declared Abraham righteous in His sight, when Abraham believed God would do all the great favors, blessings, healing, prosperity and blessings God promised. What if Abraham said, “I believe you can make me famous, but I do not believe I will have a child.” God would not have declared him righteous if he did that. The promises were a whole packaged deal. Abraham had to assent to all of it as true, or none of it. The same with the substitutionary atonement of Jesus. You cannot have confidence God has declared you righteous if you only assent to some of Jesus’ substitution, but reject parts like healing, prosperity and fruitfulness. You cannot assent I am Oshea Davis, while denying I have a head. If you confirm this, I can say that you do not know me. It is a packaged deal.

*8 “Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened?”
-Mark 8:17 NIV

Think about it. Jesus is rebuking them because they do not think in terms of the multiplication of material substance by faith. They feared a lack of food. And Jesus reminded them of the feeding of thousands by multiplying food in faith. When you have faith you don’t fear the lack of material substance because you should have faith to multiply it. This was Jesus’ rebuke. Jesus would rebuke us today for the same. We need to think in terms of faith and power.

*9 We have only 2 options. Either we blame God or we can blame our unbelief. Most choose to blame God and throw Him under the bus; they often disguise their disrespect under phrases such as “the will of God.” However for those who act like Christians and repent and correct their short comings in faith will find what they are looking for; they will see God single them out and praise them for their faith. He will say ” your faith saved you,” and “the mountain obeyed you,” and “I will give you more than you asked.”

God is not a liar. He says He will heal and give miracles if we believe. If there is a liar and unfaithfulness it is a man, not God. You cannot respect God without respecting His Word as true and by extension, His promises as the same. If He said it, He will do it.

*10 The friends of the paralyzed man brought him to Jesus for a miracle healing. It wasn’t his family but his friends who cared so much for him. Behold their zeal and love.

They did not bring him to a doctor but to God for a healing. They had to carry a heavy body through crowds and then up a house and lower him through a roof. This was not easy. Jesus publicly praised and admired them. God approved of their zeal and hard effort to bring their friend to get a miracle from God.

People demonstrate much time and hard work to get to the doctors, but only show 0.4% of the same time and hard work to get a miracle from God. God approves of faith that is not lazy but seeks Him until they get healed. He likes this.

Going to church is not working hard with faith. Corporate spirituality is not a necessary connection to faith. Hearing God’s word day and night, meditating on these and speaking these promises in faith does have a necessary connection to faith. There was a crowd but only the touch of faith received and others who were pressed up against Jesus did not. The work of faith is to believe you are healed with no fear that you will not get healed.

*11 When you must explain why certain actions to women and children are bad, it means you live in a society that does not even have a small Christian knowledge left in it.

When this is the case, you must address ethics from the presuppositional level, or you run the risk of talking over each other’s heads with irrelevance.

Christian ethics, or ethics that apply to reality, is God’s commandments. These are only known through God’s revelation, which is the scripture. They are only imparted to the mind by God, and not empiricism. There is no other foundation for ethics.

If we go by observation, we are only talking about descriptive premises (of metaphysics) of transient moments. To take this and conclude with “ethics” is always a category error, and would thrust such knowledge into skepticism. It is always a fallacy to make an “is” into an “ought.” But skepticism denies the law of contradiction and so it is false. Thus, it is false to say we get ethics from empiricism and observations. Blue is fast and 5 is a tree. This is no less a category error than saying we can observe ethics.

Christianity is the only place that the things needed for intelligence converge. Christianity is the only place that allows one to understand what an ethic is.

*12 God is the foundation of learning, not the limitations of man. Man-centered people judge reality by its limitations. As wicked as it may seem, they even judge God by their limitations.

Faith, however, judges what they are capable of doing by the ability of God.

*13 “And Abraham’s faith did not weaken,
even though, at about 100 years of age,
he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.”
Romans 4:19.

What weakens faith according to this passage? Doubt. Where does the doubt come from? The scripture tells us from considering the 5 senses and our observation is the source of doubt. When we are dumb enough to think like atheists and presuppose knowledge comes from what we see, feel, and tough, then doubt comes in, and doubt weakens faith.

*14 Jesus didn’t say preaching is the Logical proof of God’s kingdom breaking in, but demons being cast out by the power of the Spirit is proof of His kingdom.

God’s Kingdom is Power.

If you want to testify about kingdom power, you will need kingdom power to do so.

See Luke 11:20

*15 I Have the Power of God

6 But Peter said, “I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—walk!” 7 And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up; and immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. 8 And leaping up, he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.
Acts 3:6-8 LSB

It was God’s power that healed the man, but Peter does not play today’s religious games. Peter did not use flowery “Christ-centered” this and “God’s glory” that. “I am nothing, and so I beg you God that you might heal this man if it is your will. Not what I have, but Your power.” (LOL. How are people so blind as to think such a prayer honors God and is a sign of humility, is wall punching hilarious.)

God’s power healed the man, but Peter says, “what I do have, I give you.” He commanded the man to walk, then grabbed him and help the lame man up. And so, Peter had no issue claiming to have the power and authority of God; claiming to use it as he wants. Because the bible denies pantheism, then on the relative level, Peter is correct. He owned the power and authority of God to use at his disposal.

Yes, Peter did say “in Jesus’ name,” and this is part of our authority as believers. That is, we can use it when “we” want to. God gave this power and authority to us, not Himself. Peter possessed this power, and he was free to use it how he wanted. We are the same who are part of Jesus today. We have the same power, Spirit and authority. But it will take faith to use it.

*16 I Cast Down Troubles

Troubles will be formed against you, but they will not prosper against you, because you have defeated the world. Your faith in Jesus gives you participation in His victory.

Jesus did not command Himself to command the mountain to move; no, He commanded me to command the mountain to move. Jesus gave me His authority and righteousness. Jesus did not command me to pray and ask Him to move the mountain; no, He told me to command the mountain to move.. Most do the opposite and beg Jesus.

This is my inheritance and accountability to command troubles to get out of my way. How are weapons formed against me put down? By my command and words.

“But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!”
Isaiah 54:17 NLT

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”
John 16:33 (AMP)

“Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.””
Matthew 21:21-22 NIV

*17 In my experience, no matter how farfetched a heresy may seem, it almost always limits God. The only exception is if the doctrine directly takes glory that belongs to God and assigns it to man. Because God’s infinity, is well, infinite, and His sovereignty is direct and absolute, there is no bigger way to describe God and His ability than what the bible teaches. Take for example the Mormons teaching on us becoming a god and owning a planet. Despite what it might look like, this is a slap in the face of God by limiting Him. Only one planet? You got to be kidding me! Make it at least 100,000 planets, and then maybe the insult won’t be so bad.

God will not give up His praise, and we will never be worshiped as God, but God has highly exalted and glorified man in the gospel (1 Corinth 2:7, 3:22). In the next life there is no limit for good things God will give us. No man has seen or even considered how big it is. One planet. You might as well slap God in the face and be direct with your insults rather than play games like that. Reality, and even time itself has been given to me in Christ, and you want to limit it to one small planet. Only a brain the size of a pea could think so small.

The lesson here is that all liberal theology, whether it is cessationism, free will, one planet, evolution, directly attacks God by limiting Him and by limiting who we are in Christ and limiting what we are able to accomplish in Him.

The Power of the Lord was with Jesus

“The power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.” (Luke 5:17 NIV)

It was not Jesus’ power, but the power came from God, or more precisely the Father in the anointing of the Spirit. Jesus was baptized in the Spirit to begin His ministry. We know the Spirit’s baptism on Jesus was for “power” because Jesus said He drove out demons by the Spirit of God, not His. He did not drive them out by His name, but by the power of Spirit. We see again in our original verse that the “power of God” was with Jesus to heal. It was not Jesus’ power, but the Spirit’s power. Jesus came as a man, born under the law, and even ministered God’s power as a saint does, by the power of the Spirit. Jesus says in John 14:10 that “it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.” Jesus did not use “Jesus” power and authority, but ministered the works of the Father through power of the Spirit.

Thus, after His resurrection Jesus commanded the disciples, not to minister or spread the news, but to wait in Jerusalem until they were baptized in the Spirit for “power.” It was the same baptism of power He had. It is like that of Elijah and Elisha and the passing of the mantle of power. Elisha received a double portion and Jesus in a similar way said anyone who believes in Him will do greater miracles (double portion). As a human, Jesus received the mantel of power by the baptism of the Spirit; He did the Father’s works by the Spirit. He was the forerunner. He showed us how to do it. He then ascended to heaven and handed the mantle of power to us, for us to complete the works of the Father. We are baptized in the same Spirit to do the same works of the Father, except for the work redemption. We are baptized in the same power of the Spirit to do even greater works, not because we are greater in ourselves, but because Jesus now sits on His throne and in authority directs us to expand His kingdom.

This is why it is dumb to say, “Well, that was Jesus, and this is us and so we can’t do what He did.”

Consider how generous He is with His power! He likes it when we ask for more of His Spirit and power. Ask!

Once a Prince of Heaven, Always a Prince of Heaven

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things like we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:-5-16

The immediate context of approaching God’s throne of grace for help is that Jesus can sympathize with our weakness and struggle against sin. This verse should be used to approach God boldly for all types of asking and help, but it is important to remember the immediate context. In our struggle to fight sin we are told Jesus sympathizes with us and commands us to boldly approach God’s throne for help.

This is important because when we do sin, or if we are still fighting a besetting sin, one major battle Satan will fight us on is boldly approaching God for help. When we fight sin, approaching God boldly is the #1 thing we need to do. Why. Only God can help. And Satan wants to hinder you from going to the only one who wants and can help you.

The temptation is from shame. You feel ashamed and so you do not want to approach God’s majestic throne with boldness, and yet, this is the most important thing for you to do. We must remember that our faith is based on God’s revelation not “feelings.” We must repent and by faith know we are forgiven.

We do not fix a sin by sinning more. The command is for us to approach God with confidence, with our heads held high, and ask for help. Because we are asking for help in a sin, some see God is angry and does not want to help. They think a correct application of “the fear of God” is keeping them from boldly approaching. Yet, our passage says Jesus sympathizes with us and will help us if we ask Him. Because it is a command, then to not boldly approach God for help is “not fearing him.” Any sin qualifies for “not fearing God,” because it is a violation of God’s command. God has intelligently thought of everything, and His command is simple. If you are struggling with sin, repent, but do not stop there; you must also boldly approach God asking for help and you will receive help.

You do not have permission to sit in the corner of your room in self-pity and whine and then approach God like a beggar for help. It is good to have godly sorrow for one’s own sin, but that does not excuse you from disregarding your identity in Christ when you approach God. A beggar is the definition of an outsider, but you have been redefined as an insider. You are always a prince of heaven, therefore, when you enter God’s throne room you always enter in as a prince, with your head held high. It is similar to the line from the popular book Narnia, “once a king or queen of Narnia, always a king or queen of Narnia.” You have a new definition, given by God himself. It is final and permanent. Therefore, when you approach God, you always approach Him as a child of God, a royal prince of heaven, especially if you need help fighting sin. Let nothing hinder you from approaching God in confidence to receive His help.

You Already GOT It.

I publicly proclaim bold promises.
I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner.
I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me
if I could not be found.
I, the Lord, speak only what is true and declare only what is right.
Isaiah 45:19 (NLT)

We start this section with a presupposition that the Father and Jesus have when engaging men. The presupposition is if God talks about good things, no matter how awesome and wonderful, it is attainable by anyone who has faith. God is no respecter of persons. Small or great, it does not matter. If God promised to make Abraham’s name great, give him supernatural health, and excessive fruitfulness, then Abraham can get these by faith, and it is very doable. It is like God commanding a plant, “if you gather sunlight and water, you will have food.” In the context of a plant this is more than doable. God’s precious promises and definitions for man, is in context, that we more than able to walk in these excessive blessings.

When Jesus rebuked the disciples for not casting out a demon because of their lack of faith, the presupposition from Jesus is that the disciples are able to do this. When Jesus rebuked the disciple in multiple applications for their lack of faith, His presupposition is that they can have faith to do these things. When Jesus said, “if you seek, you will find, if you knock the door will be open,” and to pray and never give up because you will get what you pray for, the presupposition is that you are able to do this. Jesus would not said that if you bind something on earth it will be bound in heaven, if you could not do it. This is an encouragement. Jesus’ presupposition means casting out sickness or mountains, in His Name, is some as attainable as a plant getting food from soaking up water and sunlight. When you read the New Testament you realize doing miracles is an easy thing; it is only Satan and false tradition that teach the opposite. It is obvious why the devil is afraid of such a doctrine, but why do men conspire with him?

This presupposition might seem obvious, but some seem to miss this due to false teachings or the emotional hurt from being attacked by the devil. Be encouraged, God would not have promised these good things if you could not do them. He is cheering for you more than you are for yourself. He promised these good things because He likes you, because He loved you with and everlasting love.

The sword of the Spirit is already yours. You wield it, not God. You have been baptized in the Spirit with “power.” You wield this power, not God. It’s yours. You have authority in Jesus’ name to command demons and sickness to flee. You have the status of a child to ask for whatever you want and to get it. You do this, not God.

You already have these benefits, power, authority and blessings, you simply receive them freely by faith. God has already defined you with these things, and so you do not beg for them. I remember Andrew Wommack saying in a sermon “What if I gave you my bible, and then while holding my bible you look at me and say, “Andrew will you give me your bible?” I would think such a person is missing a few screws and wouldn’t know what to say to them. I would likely stay silent, which is exactly how God treats many of your prayers for the same reason.”[1] Andrew’s point is an important one. Many Christians do not know the fullness of their new definition in Christ; they do not understand they already possess God’s blessings, power and authority. And so, they end up begging God for things they think they do not have, but in fact already do. They walk in constant lack and defeat. This is why Christianity for many things is a Word of Faith Confession (“I am the father of many nation”), rather than asking God for things. This is why Christianity for many things is a command: “demon, sickness, mountain, trouble, Get out of my way.” You cannot confess something as true, when reality is a contradiction to it, if you do not have the power to make it happen. You cannot command something to leave if you do not already have the authority to do it. Jesus is an extreme faith teacher; He tells us to confess and command things because we already have His power and authority to do it.

Think about Christmas gifts, with your name on them, under the Christmas tree. They have already been given to you. Imagine picking up a present with your name on it and then begging your mom if you can have this on Christmas day. Your mom says “it is yours, your name is on it, open it!!” But then you continue to hold it and begin to beg even more if you can have it. Yet this is how many Christians treat God in prayer. This is why they do not see victory in their lives.

Faith is assenting to what God says is true. When you beg and hedge your prayers, it means you are not assenting to God’s definition of your new identity in Christ. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2 that the Spirit of God, who alone knows God, has been given to us to help us know all things that God has “freely given” us. You do not beg for a Christmas gift with your name on it, you simply receive it. You do not beg God for gospel benefits that have been freely given to you; you simply receive them by faith. They are already yours. You do not beg the bank teller to give you your money when it is already in your account; and likewise you do not beg God to give you gospel blessings that have been deposited into your account by grace. They are already yours. Faith is your access or admission to retrieve them and use them.

Jesus did not say, “God will feed them” rather He said, “You feed them.” Jesus did not instruct us to tell God about our mountain in prayer; rather, the most God centered man told us to speak to the mountain and make it disappear. Jesus did to say God will cast out these demons and heal the sick; rather, He gave us the power and commanded us to do it (Acts 1:8).

The bibles tells us that it is not God who resists the devil and makes him flee, but that we resist the devil and he will flee from us (James 4:7).

Again, many things that people leave for God to do, God has already given us the grace, supply and authority to do it ourselves. They beg God to give them things that God has already given them. This is why God is silent for much of their prayers. It is hard to respond to insane requests.

They come to God saying, “we are nothing, we have nothing, and so we ask you to help us.” They approach God like beggars and outsiders to His Contract. The relate to God like reprobates. A person who is part of God’s Contract has the contractual right to boldly approach God as a prince of heaven, and by this same contract they have the authority to command demons, sickness and mountains to flee.

Because they said “they are nothing and have nothing,” then like God said in Exodus 14 to the Israelites by giving them what they said, He will say “ok, you are nothing, and you have nothing.”

Their faith in God’s Contract, by the blood of His only Son, is no greater than a brick wall. It seems unrealistic they can command mountains and sickness to flee, because they view the Contract by the blood of Jesus as insufficient to produce such great results. They reject God’s power and His love.

He clothes them in the full amor of God. He gives them His shield and even His sword of the Spirit. But these same people will leave God’s armor hanging on the wall, the shied of faith in their closet and the sword under their beds. Then they cry out for God to be a mighty warrior and come down to save them. It is not funny. It was not a suggestion for Christians to adorn God’s armor, use His weapons and be empowered with His power; It was a command. “Be strong in the Lord and in His might power.” They cry out for God to be a mighty warrior but God has given them the authority, power and weapons to be a mighty warrior. God has given all Christians the power to be like David facing Goliath, no, He has given greater power. David said God made him strong enough to leap over a wall (Psalm 18), but by the power of God’s Spirit Phillip was transported to different cities.

Imagine having to be in God’s place. He gives us power and authority, and people ask God to use authority to make Satan flee. He not only has given us this authority but commands us to make Satan flee by resisting him. “Lord, please make the devil flee.” How would you answer such a contradictive request? Imagine they keep asking over and over? Yet many Christians pray to God like this. The keep asking for things God has already given them.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.”
Matthew 18: 18-19.

Christian: “how much authority do I have?”

God: “Whatever you bind, I will bind;
Whatever you lose, I will lose;
Whatever you allow, I will allow.”

This is another example of what God has already given us. He has already given us the authority to gather, ask for anything and then God will do it. This is not something we do not have and then ask God to have the privilege to gather, agree and then receive whatever we ask for. It is already our identity and definition in Jesus. This is already our royal privilege and right. The ablity to lock and unlock something on earth and then have this to be the same in Heaven is something God has already given us. You do not need to be a Christian for 10 years, working to achieve 100 acts of charity and a 1000 years of soul cultivation to be able to do this. Because we already have this, we simple do it and walk in it. If things need to be locked and unlock on earth and in heaven, we do it in Jesus’ Name rather than begging God about it. If we want anything, then we come together, agree, and receive our miracles.

Take for example depression. If the reports are true, this is a rampant issue in the church. Yet, does not the scripture address this problem? Paul faced many hardships and overwhelming difficulties. How did he deal with this, so that he did not succumb to depression? He tells us how in 1 Corinthians 14. He says that praying in tongues “edifies” the person. This is referring to the inner man. The soul of a Christian is strengthened to edification and peace by praying in tongues. Why else do you suppose Paul brags about praying in tongues more than the Corinthians. He needed inner edification and so he used the power God has already given him. He suffered continually and so he prayed in tongues continually. It’s so simply a child can do it. When you read the book of Acts, praying it tongues is a gift for all. Not the gift of “tongues” spoken in a congregation to be interpreted, but the gift of tongues for personal edification appears to be given to all (or super vast majority) in the book of Acts for those baptized in the Spirit.

And so, God has given us the power to be strengthened in the inner man for peace and joy. Beyond this, those who are experienced in Spiritual operations know praying in tongues for personal edification is a gateway into other spiritual powers and operations to manifest. This is such a powerful tool and many under use and under value it. I can personally testify in my own struggle with depression that it was overcome by praying in tongues and power. More than once when praying in tongues in my fight over sadness, fear and depression it led to interpretation and powerful words from God. It led to God being my personal counselor.

I will give this quick testimony and example. The important point to remember is the you need the foundation of God’s word and to continually study God’s word. Sometimes you might need your pastor for advice and counsel, but the thing that will deliver you is POWER. God’s unadulterated power is what will deliver you. Praying in tongues is gateway to God’s power. It is like a game cheat that can bypass all sorts of things and suddenly load you with God-mod power.

The other day I awoke feeling off and with a headache. Halfway through the day I saw a reminder to seek God in devotion for spiritual strength, and I felt the Spirit prod me to do this. As the day went on the headache got worse and I felt an irrational oppressive pressure on my mind. I even had a difficult time remembering things. Finally it got to a point where it was irrational fears and accusative thoughts coming out of nowhere.

I have been seeking personal inner strength as a priority for a few years. God has been delivering me from many of my old fears and even sins and etc. I remember as a young man I experienced a direct demonic attack regarding temptation. It frightened me. I lacked the knowledge and power to know how to deal with such a thing. It caused me years of terrible fear in my heart. Vincent’s materials were helping me, and his essay on Demonic Attacks was a moment when I began to experience real breakthrough.

However, I suddenly felt all those old fears suddenly being pressed upon me, like they once did. So, I did the easy thing and just began to pray in tongues and declares God’s promises over me. When I began this, the oppressive mental attacks ratcheted up strength. After about 15 minutes I felt a sudden power in speaking in tongues. This happens sometimes. You will be praying in tongues and suddenly, the power will increase. The bible says both the woman and Jesus “felt” power regarding the healing. There is such as thing as spiritual force and you can feel it. The bible is always true and men are liars. The moment this happened I heard the Spirit say to me, “You are a child of God, these things are to be afraid of you, not the other way around!” At this exact moment, all the oppressive thoughts and pressure vanished. Wonderfully, even my headache was instantly healed.

In a perfect world of mature faith, a simple word would have stopped this attack earlier on the day. And we are all to seek this level of faith. So, while you work on a strong faith, have compassion on yourself and those around you needing help, by praying in tongues and bringing down the power of God to expand His kingdom.

Vincent Cheung in the essay, “Cure for Psychological Trauma,” says, “Power is what will finally deliver you.” The foundation is first correct theology and promises. But the thing that will deliver from all your troubles is power. Unadulterated power of God. Mature faith will always do this. However, praying in tongues is one of the easiest ways to move the power of God directly into your soul, body and life. You should eagerly seek this gift. We need less talk and more power! God’s power can deliver you, your family, your church and even entire nations.

The point is God has already given you the power to be edified. And yet people will be depressed and cry out to God, “oh lord please help me overcome this depression.” Yet God has already answered their prayer by given the baptism of the Spirit and gift to pray in tongues. They keep asking for something Jesus has already purchased by His blood and given them free access to use. Jesus said the Father has given Him the Spirt, just as the Father promised, to freely pour out on His chosen ones. All you need to have the Power and tongues is faith and you receive it, just like you receive forgiveness of sins.

This is not to say we do not cry out to God for help in our troubles and emotional upheavals. Elijah was deeply saddened, and so God came down. He rebuked him and encouraged him. God gave him food that supernaturally sustained him. Elijah’s sadness was replaced with purpose and joy. We see God’s willingness to help. Because we see God in scripture wanting to help us in our sadness, and commands us to keep praying, we gladly obey Him. We pray continually until we get what we ask for. We seek and find. We knock and the door opens. The promise is that the door will open. The promise is that we will find it. The promise is if we do not give up praying that we will be given what we ask for.

The point is simple. Why cry out for God to help with depression if you are not willing to obey Him and do the things you are able to do, which is to pray in tongues. Being edified by praying in tongues does not mean this is all there is to fighting depression, but it means we are delusional if we seek God for help and are too lazy to do the things that are in our means to use. We see God’s love in both aspects. We see power that God has already given us, and recognize when there are closed doors that they will open, if we only keep knocking. God has predestined us to win. We win in both aspects. In preinstalled power and in opening shut doors, we are made to only win.

Think about God’s generosity. He has given us divine power from heaven to beat back depression. He gave us supernatural power to fight. He gave us His personal lightning bolt. And yet, Christians will turn to human counselors and drugs and then act like beggars before God, hoping He might help them. Wait. What? This is not Christianity. It is literally a different worldview than the viewing the world through the Spirit and power. Christianity is about believing. It is believing your identity in Christ. They don’t see themselves as new creations in Christ. They have an anti-Christian view of the world.

Again, how would you respond to someone who keeps asking for something you already gave them?

“Wherever you set foot, that land will be yours, (Deuteronomy 11:24 NLT).

God delivered Israel from Egypt by Himself. They did not lift one sword to fight. God did all the fighting Himself. Yet, after they were baptized in the Jordon river (as we are baptized in the Spirit), God said He will empower them. He commanded them to use shields and swords. God will be the supernatural power in obvious miracles and in guiding their hands as they swing their weapons. It was not God’s footsteps that determined how much land they took, but their footsteps. They had to put their own feet on the ground and move forward.

Imagin Joshua sitting at the foot of Cannan crying and begging God to give them Cannan? “Lord, please give this land to us?” How would God answer that? What if Josh kept doing this over and over? At one point God had to tell Mose to stop monologuing, shut up and cross over the Red Sea. People pray to God as if they are still in Egypt. But Egypt is an illustration of Jesus’ atonement. If you see yourself still in Egypt you still view Jesus as if He did not die and resurrect. Likewise, after God saved the people from Egypt, He then baptized them in supernatural power and they, not God, marched into Cannan. This is how we advance His kingdom today. With every footstep of faith in God’s promises, we march into the devil’s territory and take ground for our inheritance and our Father’s value.

We do not “wait” for God to move, we do not beg God to give, we do not sit around for a revival, because we already have God’s mighty power, rich supply, armor, weapons and authority to march forward. If you are a Christian you already have these things. And if we find closed doors, we are persistent at knocking and our God opens.

An illustration that Andrew Wommack uses on this same topic is to equate God as the powerplant pushing the power to our house, but if we want a light turn on in our house, we must flip the light switch. It would be unreasonable to call the power company and ask if a utility worker can come over to the house and turn on the lights, the stove, the fan and computer, because that is our job. This is a good analogy. We are not saying the that we inherently have the power, but that God richly supplies the power to us. We do not force God, rather, we enforce the power, privileges, blessings and authority freely given to us in Christ.

We pay to have the electricity directed to our house; however, in the gospel Jesus pays the tab for all the power and blessings of Abrham, faith and the Spirit to be directed to us. Not even an insane person would call the utility company to send over a worker to their house every time a light or appliance needs to be turn on, and yet people treat God this way. God has already provided us with blessings and power to do so much, and God expect us to turn on the lights, heat the stove and power up the computer. He asks so little.

Unbelief is so disgusting that it makes people excessively lazy. Proverbs says a lazy man will not even lift his hand out of the bowl to feed himself. Many Christians are the same with faith and power. God has already supplied them with all the power and authority they could ever hope to use. And like the lazy man who will not even lift his hand out of the dish, the so-called Christian will not even lift bread from God’s table to their face. Jesus referred to healing as bread that belongs to Abraham’s children. But so-called Christians are so lazy they will not even lift it to their face? Jesus says if in faith you “say” to this mountain to move, then it will happen. Jesus showed us over and over to “tell” sickness to leave and it leaves. But Christians are too lazy to even open their mouth to “tell” sickness, demons, poverty and demons to leave. Do they expect God to come down from heaven a second time and spoon feed them and shove the bread down their throats? Do they expect God to force open their jaws and speak?

If there is sickness, the power is already yours to heal. Because of Jesus finished work and because you are already born-from-above, the power of God is already directed to you. It is already yours. It is your responsibility and accountability to turn on the lights. It is your responsibility to speak to sickness and command it to leave in Jesus’ name (John 14:13). Jesus went to heaven to sit on His throne and commanded us to be filled with faith and power, so that millions of His followers will turn on lights all over the world. The power is already yours. Oh, sleeper, when will you wake up. The bread is on the table. Eat.

This doctrine about “you already got it,” is simply the application of knowing your identity in Christ. Our identity in Christ is a foundational doctrine from metaphysis. The way you “apply” this doctrine shows if you have understood it correctly. When we know what we already have, through our identity Christ, we apply this by using it, rather than begging God for something we already have.

God has given you so much power, authority and supply in your new identity in Christ. You should be so filled power and faith that when you see sickness your first impulse is to say “get out,” and it leaves; that when you see a demon, you say “leave,” and it leaves; that when you see a physical lack of a material substance you command it to multiply, and after it finishes multiplying, there are 14 baskets left over; that when you feel stressed you pray in tongues and joy feels your heart and God gives you a tailored word to help you; that when you need to make a house payment you go to your backyard and grab a random toad and pull out a gold ounce; that when you see a mountain in your way, you speak to it and it vanishes in a black hole. If this is not your first impulse, but rather to “ask or beg God for help,” then you are immature in knowing and walking in your identity in Christ. You still do not know who you are. You still do not know God’s power and generosity. You still approach God as if you are an outsider to Him and His Contract.

This is not to say we never pray to God by saying, “I need help for this or that,” because we are commanded to pray all the time and to boldly approach God for help. What we are saying is that when you understand your position in Christ this maturity will lead to you correctly use what God as already given you. You will correctly use your authority and faith in speaking to sickness, troubles, and demons rather than giving long winded prayers hoping God might help you. If God’s sword is in your right hand, is it a correct application to beg God to give you heavenly power?

“It makes no sense to knock on an open door, or ask for something you already have, or to look for something that has never been lost. Prayer makes sense when doors close, when there is need and loss. Prayer reverses tragedy, meets necessity, removes hindrance. Prayer is God solution to man’s problems.”[3]

Gabriel is correct. The fact the Jesus commands us to knock and the door will open, to seek and find, and to always pray for what we want and never give up, presupposes there are closed doors and hindrance blocking our progress in life, our desires and godliness. The way we face closed doors is to keep praying (knocking) until it opens. When we are lost and can’t find our way, we seek (pray, pray in the Spirit, read more scripture etc.) until we find. We are to be like Daneil and pray to God 3 times a day, if not more. When Jesus said “will the son of man really find faith,”(Luke 18:1-8) it was in the context of commanding us to pray and never give up. When you are mature and you know your identity and power as a Christian, it is easy to see a sickness and just command it to leave and it leaves. But to face a closed door is more difficult because it takes patience, diligence and constantly applying faith at all the fiery arrows telling you to give up. It is when we face closed doors that even the faith of a mature Christian can be tested. Mature Christians do better with this knocking because they understand how much God has given them and how much God loves them, (Ephesians 3:14-21, 1 Corinthians 2:6-16) But God’s chosen ones do not shrink back. They keep knocking and the door opens.

As a summary this is a worldview issue. Knowing, believing and walking in your identity in Christ makes you view the world in a completely different way. It can be a lack of knowledge, but it can also be that many so-called Christian are not born-again, and this is why their worldview is so limited, powerless, blessing-less. They see themselves as limited, because they only see themselves. Jesus is just a slogan, but their true view of the world is only though their human limitations. God’s elect see themselves in and through Christ. Because the see Christ as limitless they see themselves as limitless. Because they see Jesus as righteous without measure, they see themselves as righteous. Because the see how great God’s love is for Jesus, the see how great the Father loves them. They see themselves in the world filled with God’s power, blessings, privileges and authority. The difference couldn’t be more glaring.

If I were writing for the sake of importance, I would write pages and pages on this, because it is so important. However, I will only say that if you want to walk in the type of victory and power you read in the bible the above doctrine is foundational.

[1] This is paraphrases from memory.

[2] Ephesians 6:18 NIV. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

[3] Gabriel Arauto. Google translate from Portuguese to English.

From my forthcoming Systematic Theology book.