There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. Acts 5:16 KJV
“Vexed” spirit
- Troubled
- Distressed
- Agitated
- Afflicted
- Harassed
- Disruptive
- Oppressed
Demons are disembodied spirits that seek expressions in our world through voice, vote, and value.
These evil spirits seduces anyone into agreement in order to be unchallenged and normalized.
Why is the ministry of deliverance from vexed spirits so important?
1. Demonic dominion is all around us.
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
Matthew 12:43
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
I John 5:19
2. We can only deal with symptoms (lifestyle changes) without the authority and power of the Holy Spirit.
Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
Matthew 12:44-45
3. Nothing formed against you can hinder the ministry of deliverance because of the anointing of the power of the Holy Spirit.
At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him; “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”And he said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.
Luke 13:31-33
INTENSIFYING DECEPTION
while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
II Timothy 3:13
Preparedness: It is a Biblical Principle
A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.
Proverbs 22:3 NLT
Intensify Deception
- Lies, lies, and more lies
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
II Corinthians 4:4 ESV
- Things are getting worse and worse.
While evil people and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
II Timothy 3:13
“How easy it is to make people believe a lie and how hard it is to undo that work.
-Mark Twain
The scoffers are wrong- The Remnant Principle
knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.”
II Peter 3:3-4
The remnant principle reminds us that at any given time, no matter how bad things are, there is always a remnant of God-fearing believers on planet earth!
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
I Timothy 4:1 ESV
And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
II Corinthians 11:14 ESV
Let no one deceive you in any way.
II Thessalonians 2:3a
How can we avoid deception?
1. Test every spirit.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
I John 4:1-3
2. Don’t be ignorant about Satan’s craftiness.
so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
II Corinthians 2:11
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
Genesis 3:1
Satan’s blueprint of deception:
#1 Question truth
“Did God really say…”
#2 Manipulate truth
“… you must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
#3 Contradict truth
“You will not certainly die…”
#4 Ignore or reject truth
“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened…”
#5 Create a “new” truth
“…and you will be like God…”
I believe we are living in the final stage of Satan’s blueprint of deception, creating a “new” truth.
in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-
Ephesians 2:2
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Ephesians 5:6
Operation Mockingbird
Fake News
Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity to restore your fortunes, but have seen for you oracles that are false and misleading.
Lamentations 2:14
Censorship
If you don’t like them, censor them!
If you can’t beat them, ban them!
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
II Peter 2:1
Breaking free from “vexed” spirits:
1). Affirm your faith & submission to Christ.
2). Humble yourself.
3). Repent from all sins.
- • Repentance takes away any legal right of demon spirits.
4). Obey God alone.