Subject: satan and his power?!?!?!?!?!?hmmmmmm... |
Bible Note: DL5, Jesus defeated the enemy, not us. Jesus can bind him. Scripture written to Christians by the very Peter whom you say had the power to bind demons warns us not to be overconfident in dealing with the devil ourselves but rather to rely on God while resisting, without reference to us binding: 1 Pet 5:7-11 "casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen." I say this as one who believes in exorcism. But even for an Exorcist the first intruction is not to match wits or strength with the demon, but to rely conmpletely on the power of God with and through "prayer and fasting" as Jesus told his disciples. It may seem a fine distinction, but I believe an important one. Not every Christian is an exorcist, nor would most want to be, I suspect. It is spiritual warfare at a high level and there are sometimes real casualties. Emmaus |