Servias Ministries Blog

I believe FATHER by HIS SPIRIT provides each topic I write so that we may be filled with the knowledge of HIS will in all wisdom and Spiritual understanding.  It appears that many believers lose some of the “freshness” of revelation and so FATHER has us revisit passages now that we have attained a level or greater understanding.  FATHER’S Word is multi-faceted so a passage will provide additional Spiritual enlightenment depending on where we are in our individual walks.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Colossians chapter 1:

13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed (transferred) us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

There is no question that there is power in the kingdom of darkness which will keep mankind in its grasp.  However, the power of the Kingdom of The Son Whom FATHER Loves is much greater and can deliver anyone out of the power of darkness.  The precious Blood of Christ must never be discounted or set aside as being secondary in our walk.  Our Transfer from darkness to light was enabled by His Blood allowing us to be redeemed completely from darkness.  As we acknowledge the brevity and power of the Blood, we will be able to overcome the enemy in every area of our life.  We will no longer be moved by the lawlessness confronting each of us on a daily basis.

Since we have been transferred to a new life and able to be filled with light, we should focus on producing good fruit and being a light in the darkness.  Paul emphasized this in the following verses:

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy

When we walk in faith, we please Our Heavenly Father and as we exercise our faith we become fruitful in every good work.  This process causes us to ascend to a higher spiritual state and we can and will be filled with knowledge in a proper fashion.  The key to applicable knowledge is to have wisdom and spiritual understanding when applying it.  Otherwise, we are subjected to walking in error.

When FATHER’S glorious power is flowing through us we are strengthened with all might so that we are able to minister to those in darkness just as Jesus ministered according to the needs.  As we patiently increase in this power, we will develop great endurance and walk in joy.  Today’s society expects instantaneous results in all areas thus there is little teaching of patience.  We must let patience have its perfect work and allow the seed sown in those we encounter to grow and produce good fruit.

This transfer of power was intended from the beginning thus FATHER is not surprised by any situation we encounter.  HE has sufficient power and authority ready for our use when we have matured to the point of being faithful stewards of such power and authority.  The following was revealed to Paul and given to us for our benefit:

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.

18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

The word “all” means that there are no exceptions in all of creation.  Let us embrace this revelation as we mature so that our expectations align with the reality of what FATHER revealed in this passage.  Blood is designed to promote life and to provide nutrients to the body.  No blood, no life.  The Blood of Christ functions in the same manner but at the highest level.  The blood in each of us is a testimony of The Blood of Christ.  His Blood was powerful enough to redeem and transfer to a totally different, superior kingdom so let us be mindful of this in our daily study and walk.  We should truly walk as overcomers because that is exactly what Jesus accomplished at the cross on our behalf.

Let each of us daily declare in Love by faith:  “I walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, in all patience and longsuffering with joy.”

The Beloved Disciple wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 John chapter 4:

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

5 They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.

6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

Little children (immature believers) must be reminded who they are in Christ.  Jesus Christ is in us, and He is greater than any person, demon, or evil spirit in the world.  As we embrace this Truth, we are no longer intimidated by the enemy of Christ who is guided by the spirit of error.  We also know that people who of FATHER can and will hear us as we speak HIS Word.  Those who ridicule believers do so out of fear that their doctrine is wrong thus they try to discount the Truth by conflict.  However, it does not change the Truth.

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 2 Corinthians chapter 5:

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

We must set the past behind us and live for today.  FATHER has forgiven us of our past, and we must do the same lest we make the Blood of Jesus Christ of no effect.  The world and the enemy would try to bring up our past and have us denounce our current state of being a new creation, but we must proclaim The Word in response.  Past facts do not make a current Truth in our lives.  I was once lost, but now I am found thus I am no longer is a state of being lost.

I find it interesting how people judge others’ past as though the accusers lived a perfect, flawless, and totally lawful life.  Only Jesus was able to satisfy the requirement of purity and innocence after spending 33 1/2 years walking among those in the world and all of its temptations.  Everyone else has a problematic past which disqualifies them from casting the first stone of judgment.  As HIS new creation, we are no longer interested in casting stones of judgment, but now we can understand the motives of people who practice lawlessness.  The immature believer is subject to the emotions generated by the lawlessness of others, but the maturing believer is no longer moved by such lawlessness.

Jesus spoke in John chapter 7:

14 Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.

15 And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”

16 Jesus answered them and said, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.

17 If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.

18 He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.

When we are of GOD, we do not have our own doctrine, teachings, or belief system but we walk solely according to FATHER’S teachings.  By hearing and speaking from the Word, we do not have to concern ourselves with searching out the validity of those beliefs.  Our Heavenly Father has openly provided the path we walk through HIS Most Holy Son, and we have countless testimonies of its validity.  I have been spared five times of certain death and FATHER has shown HIS Mighty Hand each time and delivered me thus no one can challenge what I know to be true.

The Beloved Disciple wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 John chapter 5:

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

Let us hold on to this confidence we have in FATHER and not allow the world to shake this confidence in any manner.  We know Our FATHER, HIS Son, and HIS Most Holy Spirit thus we have a firm foundation of who we are in Christ.  The enemies of Christ are temporary by nature, and they will ultimately bow their knee to Our Lord.  It is only a matter of time until they see what we see and begin to believe what we already know because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

It is written by THE SPIRIT in Hebrews chapter 11:

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony (a good report).

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Before the worlds were manifested in the physical, did they exist?  Yes for they resided in the invisible state, not yet observable except in THE SPIRIT.  FATHER’S Divine Intent is reality even before the manifestation occurs in the lower state of the natural.  Jesus made it abundantly clear in the Gospels.  FATHER spoke to Jeremiah in chapter 1:

​5 ​​“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you;

​​Before you were born I sanctified you;

​​I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”

Did Jeremiah exist before his body began to form in the womb?  Absolutely.  FATHER knew all of us in the same manner.  As we proclaim HIS Word in our lives, we are effecting change not only in our physical state but also in circumstances around us.  This is what faith does.  Abram was childless and Sarah was barren when FATHER changed his name to Abraham (the father of many nations).  Every time Abraham’s name was spoken, faith expressed itself in his life and The Word grew in Abraham and changed his circumstances as well as that of Sarah.  It all began when FATHER spoke in Genesis chapter 17:

4 “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations.

5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.

6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you.

7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.

8 Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

Had FATHER’S Words already manifested in the natural when HE spoke them to Abraham?  No, it was a number of years before the manifestation came forth but nevertheless it did.  Once FATHER’S Word was spoken and received by Abraham, it was simply a matter of time.  This is true for you and me as well.  Once we hear FATHER’S Word directed to us and receive it in our hearts, it is only a matter of time before it is manifested in the natural.  However, we have a responsibility to guard that Word in our hearts and not allow the enemy to plant unbelief in us and choke the Word.  Jesus explained the parable of the sower to His disciples in Matthew chapter 13:

18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower:

19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.

20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy;

21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.

22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.

23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

What is good ground?  Jesus tells us who has “good ground” by telling us who doesn’t.  A person with no understanding or one who allows the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches to be the focus of his or her life.  As we focus on the Truths found in Scripture and seek FATHER’S wisdom and understanding to enlighten us, our faith will properly produce results and bear good fruit in notable quantities.  We must fix our eyes on Jesus Christ Who is the first begotten Son of FATHER and embrace His teachings.  Above all, we must embrace and walk in the commandment of Love.  Without Love, our faith will not be pure nor will the ground be deemed totally “good.”  In the 70’s and 80’s, faith was taught without any emphasis on Love.  In many cases, Love was never mentioned.  How do I know?  I was there at the meetings, watched the TV shows, read the books, and listened to the audio tapes.

We must not worry about what others think when we are proclaiming The Word in our lives.  The world would try to pressure us into staying in the muck and mire of their state, but FATHER intends for us to flourish and walk in faith perfected by Love.  How can I proclaim The Word in some areas and be “faithless” in other areas FATHER addresses in HIS Word?  Let us study to show ourselves approved and know that FATHER will supply all our needs relating to our individual callings.  If I get sick, I expect to recover.  If I need resources for my calling, I expect to acquire them.

Paul wrote to the Philippians in chapter 4:

16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.

17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul’s necessities for his calling were supplied by the Philippians out of Love, and he knew FATHER would bless them in response.  He gave FATHER all the glory as we should.

Until we are perfected, all of us have to deal with error in our beliefs.  I look back at my early years and see that even though I was sincere in my beliefs, I was sincerely wrong.  My actions reflected my error as well.  The apostle Paul admitted his past error as well and his actions had a substantial negative impact on many believers while he was known as Saul.  In Galatians chapter 1, Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT:

1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),

2 and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:

​3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

We often skim through the salutations at the beginning of each epistle but here we see Who selected Paul to be an apostle.  He was not selected by the casting of lots but by Our Lord Jesus Christ AND GOD the FATHER.  Paul knew that Jesus only spoke those Words FATHER directed Him to speak to Paul at his conversion.  Paul knew THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY as FATHER thus he had the revelation of Love and wrote to the church at Corinth about this revelation.  Paul had firsthand experience of being taught the error of another gospel.  He was in error before his conversion, and his zeal was very destructive toward believers, yet FATHER forgave him, and he became a vessel of honor.  He was then able to see problems arising in the churches:

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel,

7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.

8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

We must be vigilant to protect ourselves when we study or hear teachers preaching what appears to be the Gospel.  When the Gospel is perverted in some manner, we will get a “check” in our spirit, and we must not disregard that check but search the Scripture to see where the problem lies.  We must not let the high regard we hold for people to cause us to overlook errors in their teaching.  Even a reported supernatural encounter must be validated even though we all long for such an encounter.  Paul knew his writings might not be popular and would go against those who were attempting to defend their gospel and associated actions:

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

I only answer to My Lord Jesus and FATHER and am willing to expose teaching in error to protect the flock from taking the wrong path.  I do it out of Love for the brethren just as Paul found it necessary to correct those in Galatia.  If I was taught in error and suffered judgment associated with that error, then it is incumbent upon me to share this with the brethren.  Paul shares this reality in his writings:

13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.

14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

It is up to each of us to seek out the Truth and not allow man’s teaching to be the final word in our lives.  We were given The Holy Spirit to help us when we are exposed to teaching in order to determine its validity.  As we seek to be sensitive to The Holy Spirit, our ability to quickly discern Truth will improve.  If our ego gets stroked by the teacher, our sensitivity decreases because our ego begins to overpower that still small voice.  As we mature, we will not allow men’s accolades affect our discerning of their spirituality and as a result we will not be moved away from the Truth.

Once we correct the error of what we have been taught, we must let FATHER deal with those who taught us in error rather than take it upon ourselves to evoke some sort of judgment.  HE will deal with them in the appropriate manner while we go about doing FATHER’S business.  It is up to each of us to guard hearts so that we can receive greater revelation from Above.

Prior to receiving the impartation of The Holy Spirit recorded in Acts 2:4, Peter had determined that Judas Iscariot needed to be replace.  In Acts chapter 1 it is written by THE SPIRIT:

1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,

3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;

5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

Jesus spent forty days with the disciples and did not select a replacement for Judas yet Peter determined to replace him after Jesus’ departure.  Wouldn’t Jesus have made the selection before He departed if it was FATHER’S perfect plan, Will, and purpose?  I am sure Peter’s intent was good but yet Jesus made no mention of it during the forty days of instruction.  Peter took charge:

15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said,

16 “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus;

17 for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”

…

21 “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

23 And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen

25 to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.”

26 And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

After that day we hear no more mention of Matthias.  Why didn’t Peter wait until the Day of Pentecost or wait upon FATHER to instruct him?  Instead, he said a prayer requesting FATHER to endorse the casting of lots.  It all sounded good but there is no observable fruit of Matthias after being designated as the twelfth apostle.  Men continue to use physical means in order to get spiritual direction and answers.  Gideon did so and FATHER answered him because of HIS great grace and mercy.  However Gideon had already received the directive and simply wanted confirmation.  Peter initiated the plan to replace Judas without any directive from Jesus.

A physical sign or use of physical means to discern FATHER’S Will was used in the Old Testament but since we have The Holy Spirit, any use today can lead one into the area of divination and witchcraft.  False prophets used divination to foretell the future and FATHER expressly forbid its use (Lev. 19:26) as well as witchcraft (Deut 18:10).  Any alternative to access the spiritual versus hearing FATHER places a person at risk of judgment.  FATHER’S grace and mercy will prevail for those who are immature but at some point we must refer to Scripture to determine the validity of any teaching, prophecy, or method of receiving answers.

The Beloved Disciple John was totally silent in Peter’s decision to replace Judas and we hear of no mention of Peter’s decision later.  There was simply no fruit produced.  Could it be that Paul was meant to be counted as the twelfth disciple?  After all, he did pen two-thirds of the New Testament after his conversion from Saul to Paul.  In Acts chapter 9 Jesus spoke to Ananias:

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.

16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

Jesus clearly chose Paul to be an apostle and I suspect Peter may have repented once he heard Paul’s testimony and saw the fruit of his ministry.  It appears that Peter missed the mark but it did not prevent him from fulfilling his calling.  I too have missed the mark countless times in the past but FATHER has continued to deliver me from death and destruction because of HIS Son’s perfect sacrifice and HIS great grace and mercy.  We have all missed the mark from time to time and it is comforting to know that even the disciples were not yet perfected even though they spent 3 1/2 years with Our Lord Jesus Christ.  There is hope for us all!

We thank each of you who have given to Servias Ministries this year.  We are truly grateful for your financial support as we purpose to spread the truly Good News to all who follow the writings on our site.  May FATHER bless all that you set your hand to in the coming year!  The following is a list of countries representing the people who have read our posts in 2017:

We are spreading The Good News throughout the earth and you are a part of it!

A diversion is an instance of turning something aside from its course; a deviation; a distraction.  Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Galatians chapter 4:

8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods.

9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?

10 You observe days and months and seasons and years.

11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all.

…

16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them.

Verse 17 is also translated “Those heretical teachers go to great lengths to flatter you, but their motives are rotten. They want to shut you out of the free world of God’s grace so that you will always depend on them for approval and direction, making them feel important.”

Paul warned the Galatians of teachings that focus on events associated with the calendar which by definition includes the Feast days.  Those whose teachings focus on calendar events often divert our attention from the “now” which is where you and I live each day.  When great emphasis is placed on a dramatic future event to take place on a specific day, there is a tendency to spend our time and focus on that event rather than going about doing FATHER’S business today.  I have personally seen this happen where so-called experts in Biblical prophecy predicted the “Return of Christ” in 1988, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2005, etc.  I have read of earlier predictions as well.

Each time a prediction is missed the expert finds some hidden verse that justifies the postponement.  In some cases, people have sold their houses and possessions awaiting the event only to cry in their pillows when nothing happened.  The expert simply continued predicting another year based on the latest revelation.  Clearly, the expert did not hear FATHER.  People who continue to support and follow these experts are referred to in Paul’s warning mentioned in the above passage.

People who are seeking FATHER want to believe in a major event where FATHER shows HIMSELF mighty to the world because their focus is on the external.  Paul himself once focused on the times and seasons but has been freed from the Law.  Paul knew that the change must occur on the inside rather than the outside.

Paul warns us of the bondage we subject ourselves to when we focus on certain days and months and seasons and years.  I saw myself become of no value in days and weeks leading up to a supposed major event.  I asked myself “Why start anything new when everything is getting ready to change on earth?”  Of course, I missed it as everyone else who was following the teaching of the expert missed it as well.  Jesus summed it up in Matthew chapter 6:

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Let us focus on today’s events and challenges where we can make a difference in other people’s lives.  When FATHER decides to bring forth a major event let us be found in the midst of doing HIS business rather than sitting around waiting and producing no fruit whatsoever.  In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) the servant found doing nothing was cast into the outer darkness which is the farthest point from the presence of FATHER.  Let us not join him but instead let us hear the words ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

One last point.  In Acts chapter 1 the disciples asked Jesus:

6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Jesus’ response:

7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.”

There are times when the most mature believer should get back to the basics.  There is so much deception in this world that even those who have walked according to The Word are subject to being deceived in some subtle manner.  Our ego will attempt to usurp The Holy Spirit’s leading.  Gaining knowledge without the fullness of wisdom and understanding can alter our course by one degree.  This alteration can grow over time and then one day we find ourselves in unintended consequences of being in error.  It has happened to me and I suspect I am not alone.  That “still small voice” must not be muffled at any time.

In John chapter 14, Jesus spoke:

6 Jesus said to him (Thomas), “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Let us consider this progressive statement of fact.  First, Jesus is The Way thus no can come to FATHER except through Him.  We should consider this as a directive and any other path to FATHER would be deemed as lawlessness.  Given this directive, we should pay close attention to the Words and acts of Jesus for our foundation should be built on the Rock.  His Disciples clearly wrote the Epistles based on this foundation and this is why we must filter and assess all teachings based on this very foundation.  Any teaching that conflicts with the Words and acts of Jesus should be rejected.

By focusing on the Words and acts of Jesus and the Epistles we will arrive at The Truth and Its intended revelation.  I am personally convinced that a Truth without Love is actually a partial Truth because you cannot fully know Truth without knowing the intent of FATHER behind it.  I believe it is imperative to read and study Scripture from the perspective of Love.  Even FATHER’S correction is based on HIS long term Intent of Love.  The Truth is meant to set us free from bondage which includes but is not limited to sickness, disease, demons, and death.  Aren’t these things we are to overcome in order to be overcomers?

Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in Galatians chapter 5:

6  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

And in Ephesians chapter 3:

17  That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love

Jesus gave us one commandment and it is centered around Love.  The Way, Truth, and Life will only be obtained by one who follows Jesus’ one commandment of Love.  Those who teach without this central focus place themselves at risk.  Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Timothy chapter 1:

3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.

5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,

6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk,

7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully,

9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,

10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.

Without Love, those who teach us will ultimately attempt to develop and perpetuate followers for themselves in order to sustain “their way”.  They might start a church based on their own foundation of belief however there is truly only one church and it is of Jesus Christ.  All other churches are missing some aspect of Truth.  When we walk in The Way it leads us to all Truth and when we walk in all Truth it leads us to eternal life.  This progression is attainable to all who seek it, not just a few.  Rather than focus on every word that some Vicar, Monsignor, Priest, Reverend, Clerk, Curate, Parson, Father, Doctor of Divinity, Superintendent, Overseer, President, or Bishop speaks, why don’t we focus on every Word Jesus spoke for He is The Way, the Truth, and the Life!

Jesus spoke in John chapter 8:

23 And He said to them (the Jews), “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.

24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

25 Then they said to Him, “Who are You?”

And Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.

26 I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I heard from Him.”

27 They did not understand that He spoke to them of the Father.

28 Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.

29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”

30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.

32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Jesus differentiates Himself from the Jews by telling them “I am from above.”  He also disclosed to the Jews that He only speaks and acts according to what FATHER has instructed.  Though Jesus had performed many miracles and also had established as being well versed in the Law, the Jews were blinded to who He is.  He even disclosed the fact He was going to die for their sins thus becoming the sacrificial lamb for them.  Finally, He revealed that His walk is well pleasing to FATHER and as He spoke these Words many believed in Him.

To the believers, Jesus defined who would be known as true disciples.  His disciples are those who truly abide in His Word.  The word “abide” means to remain, not to depart, to remain as one, not to become another or different, to continue in, to last, to endure, and to act upon.  We would say in today’s slang- we are “all in.”  Those who are truly Jesus’ disciples shall know the Truth and will be made free from bondage of any type.

What happens to those who do not “remain” in the Words of Jesus?  What they once knew as Truth becomes diluted with the world’s logic and reasoning, especially toward Scripture.  Revelation becomes tradition and formulas.  FATHER’S power is sought in the use of worldly means and methods.  Idols are lifted up and attempt to replace the power and authority Jesus gave to His disciples.  Signs become more important than hearing HIS Voice.

Jesus stated, “I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.“  When we become as He is, we will be able to genuinely state the same reality and know that we are truly walking as His Disciples.  At that point, we will also manifest power and authority in like manner.  Let us not become discouraged in this maturing process for the world will actively attempt to dissuade us from this high calling.  We must simply walk in Love and the revelation we have as we mature.  The works produced by faith will encourage us as we increase in our fruitfulness.  Let us continue knowing that FATHER’S desire is for us to come into full maturity as HIS Sons and Daughters who are also known as the Disciples of Jesus.

There is no instance where Jesus ever agreed with or allowed an evil spirit, demon, or the enemy to take up residence in a man or woman.  On the contrary, in every case He took action and expected the demons and evil spirits to depart from the person because He always acted out of Love for His “neighbor”.  A neighbor is defined as any other man or woman irrespective of nation or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet.

In Matthew chapter 10 it is written by THE SPIRIT:

1 And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.

And in Mark 16:

17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons

And in Luke 10  Jesus addressed the seventy sent out by Jesus:

19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

As we pursue a deeper revelation of being led by THE SPIRIT like the walk of our Elder Brother Our Lord Jesus Christ, we too will walk in the same power and authority He gave to all His disciples throughout the centuries.  We will be required to walk in greater accountability than those who are still little children and are susceptible to being misled.  This is why Jesus emphasized the commandment to walk in Love thus doing no harm to His sheep.

In Mark chapter 1 it is written by THE SPIRIT:

32 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed.

33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door.

34 Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

Those who are mature Sons will be able to discern which demons are possessing a person and will not allow them to speak.  Jesus was not interested promoting fear by allowing the demons to express themselves.  His authority was clearly greater than theirs and they had to submit to this Spiritual authority.  In Luke chapter 4:

33 Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice,

34 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him.

And…

40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.

41 And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!”

And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.

However, Jesus did ask the demon’s name when He was approached by the man of the Gadarenes in Luke chapter 8.  In this case there was a legion of demons and Jesus addressed one who was in charge. It was not to engage in a lengthy deliverance.  Jesus commanded them all to depart (He said to them, “Go.”) and they entered into herd of swine.  Jesus did not tolerate demons remaining in those whom they possessed nor did He encourage them to inhabit them at all.

In the Gospel of John we find no mention of Jesus dealing with demons.  In the Epistles we find no emphasis of instructing us to cast out demons but we do find in Acts chapter 19:

11 Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul,

12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them.

13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.”

14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”

16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds.

19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.

20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed.

Only by personally knowing Jesus Christ and having the revelation of His power and authority will the demons be cast out.  Otherwise, one is subjected to them in some manner to the point of being overpowered by them.  Paul focused on healing and restoration just as Jesus did.  Paul did not spend time conversing with demons but focused his efforts on teaching and healing.  Shouldn’t we do the same?  Paul then wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Timothy chapter 4:

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,

2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving;

5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Deceiving spirits by nature will deceive those who are without revelation and will promote their own doctrines.  Our focus should be on the revelation of Our Lord Jesus Christ and not elsewhere.  Jesus was not deceived by them nor did He allow them to deceive those around Him when He cast them out.  We have power and authority over the enemy but we must not allow any deception to enter in.  I find it interesting that John the Beloved Disciple focused no time on evil spirits and FATHER gave him the pen to write (by THE SPIRIT) the last book of the Bible.  That should tell us something about the revelation of Love and the power over the enemy.