5.32 Testimony – Confronted by a Bible-quoting demon
I heard this powerful testimony shared by Pastor Peter Youngren, a leading Bible teacher in the world today, as he was teaching about the mystery of Christ in us. This testimony may cause some of us to rethink our theology and to have a higher revelation.
He was sharing about a pastor friend from South Africa who was ministering before a few thousand people. Suddenly, a man who was demon possessed had a manifestation. As he was about to cast the demon out, the demon told him, “I don’t come out except by prayer and fasting,” quoting Jesus in Matthew 17:21.
The pastor was taken aback wondering what he should do. The demon did quote a valid Scripture. And among charismatic circles, they know this Scripture well and they do believe strongly in the need for fasting in order to have the anointing to cast out demons.
But he had not fasted and he had not expected to be in this situation. If he has to fast first, it means that he wouldn’t be able to cast the demon out as yet. What would he do in front of a few thousand people who are looking with anticipation? Should he just dismiss the service? He was in a dilemma, being taunted by the demon, and yet was unable to cast out the demon as he had not fasted. What would you do if you were in his shoes?
At that very moment, the Holy Spirit gave him a word of wisdom. He told the demon, “I haven’t fasted for a while, but there is a person who fasted 40 days and forty nights who live in me. In His name, the name of Jesus I command you to come out,” and the demon left immediately.
Isn’t it amazing? Praise God for that powerful revelation of Christ living in him. Today, it’s not about us. We don’t put confidence in ourselves or what we do. We put our confidence in Christ based on what He has done.
The Epistles tell us that we have Christ living is us. Whenever we feel lack or unable, we know that we lack no good thing with Christ, and He makes us able. When we pray or fast, it is simply to spend time with Jesus, to be conscious of Him in us, so that we can depend on Him.
The Epistles say that we are complete in Him. Whenever we feel incomplete, we must remember that we are complete because we are in Him and He lives in us.
(Colosions 2:9-10, NKJV)
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and YOU ARE COMPLETE IN HIM, who is the head of all principality and power.
He was sharing about a pastor friend from South Africa who was ministering before a few thousand people. Suddenly, a man who was demon possessed had a manifestation. As he was about to cast the demon out, the demon told him, “I don’t come out except by prayer and fasting,” quoting Jesus in Matthew 17:21.
The pastor was taken aback wondering what he should do. The demon did quote a valid Scripture. And among charismatic circles, they know this Scripture well and they do believe strongly in the need for fasting in order to have the anointing to cast out demons.
But he had not fasted and he had not expected to be in this situation. If he has to fast first, it means that he wouldn’t be able to cast the demon out as yet. What would he do in front of a few thousand people who are looking with anticipation? Should he just dismiss the service? He was in a dilemma, being taunted by the demon, and yet was unable to cast out the demon as he had not fasted. What would you do if you were in his shoes?
At that very moment, the Holy Spirit gave him a word of wisdom. He told the demon, “I haven’t fasted for a while, but there is a person who fasted 40 days and forty nights who live in me. In His name, the name of Jesus I command you to come out,” and the demon left immediately.
Isn’t it amazing? Praise God for that powerful revelation of Christ living in him. Today, it’s not about us. We don’t put confidence in ourselves or what we do. We put our confidence in Christ based on what He has done.
The Epistles tell us that we have Christ living is us. Whenever we feel lack or unable, we know that we lack no good thing with Christ, and He makes us able. When we pray or fast, it is simply to spend time with Jesus, to be conscious of Him in us, so that we can depend on Him.
The Epistles say that we are complete in Him. Whenever we feel incomplete, we must remember that we are complete because we are in Him and He lives in us.
(Colosions 2:9-10, NKJV)
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and YOU ARE COMPLETE IN HIM, who is the head of all principality and power.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 12:47 PM
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