Posting a Notice of Eviction!

Saturday we got to spend a little time with some good friends. Part of our purpose in getting together was to pray through their corps building to "oust" some evil spirits that had lodged themselves in places they were not welcome. We've done this kind of thing before, but the reason I write about this particular situation was a very interesting thing that happened while in the process.

First we walked through every room in the building listening to things God wanted to tell us about those rooms (this gives us the "road map" of where we're to go and what we're to do when we get to the actual praying part). Sometimes he tells us these things through our spiritual senses, but other times he tells us these things through our physical senses. It just takes some discernment to know what God is saying- especially when it could be the burrito you ate for dinner speaking instead of God!

The pertinent gift mix of those present included 2 prophetic gifts, 2 different types of discernment and 1 gift of deliverance. This is important to understand as you go into such a mission, because you need to know how each person will sense things and contribute to the task at hand. And each person plays a part in reaching the final outcome (sounds vaguely like a body, huh?).

The officers appointed to this particular corps were present- and this is vitally important, because they have the legal authority to extricate such unwanted squatters. They have this authority because of their official appointment by The Salvation Army, the entity that owns and resides (operates) in the property. They are the ones who must ultimately tell them to leave (demons are so legalistic! [which, by the way ought to tell you something about where legalism comes from]). Without that authority present and participating, it is near impossible to deal with such situations- demons just won't leave, because not just anyone has the right to make them. The corps officers do have that right, just as owners or renters of a house would have the right to deal with their property.

At one point we opened a door and immediately, 2 of us (with discernment) felt sick to our stomachs. I was also "afraid" to venture in the room. I put afraid in quotes, because I wasn't really afraid, I just felt like something was trying to make me feel that way. I sensed the fear in that room, even though I wasn't really afraid (I know my place in God's created order of things and my standing as a child of God, so there is no need to fear demons). In effect, it didn't want us in that room, so it was emanating fear, in the hope that we wouldn't go in and deal with it. I have found that demons know when their time is short and when backed into a corner, they fight fiercly. I knew this was such a situation and knew we had found the source of our infestation.

Later as we moved through the building praying and pushing the evil ahead of us (and finally out the back door), we reached that central room. Interestingly enough, it was central to the building and also central to the issue that had been plaguing this corps for many years. This was the room where it had all begun- who knows how many years ago.

Here's the part that I have never experienced before: All of a sudden we could smell a terribly foul odor in that room. All of us knew it was not there before that particular moment. THAT was a confirmation that what we were doing was right on target. And the fact that the odor left just as quickly as it had come after we finished praying in that room, had no small effect on our sense of victory!

And victory it was! When we were through, there was no more atmosphere of fear and lying (the ultimate root of the problems) hanging around that place. It was like a fresh rain had washed through the whole building and left behind a fragrant smell of flowers. I'm counting on the fact that there will be a lot of people almost confused at the different atmosphere from here on out!

Demons should have no right to influence our lives, but unfortunatly we often give them the right- usually without realizing it. And then for years we wonder what's going on! However, I am so glad God has provided for our freedom from such demonic guerillas.

If you're curious, check out how many times Jesus dealt with demons in the New Testament. He gives us a great example and we know his blood is all powerful!

PTL!