Legal Rights….is it Right?

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

Anyone even vaguely aware of the discussions regarding spiritual warfare in general, and demonic oppression in particular, has heard the phrase “legal rights.” My question is: is it right? That is, is it a biblical notion?

I don’t intend this to be an extensive analysis but merely a cursory glance, so I’m sure some questions will go unanswered. Frankly, I don’t have the time tonight….

First, we must define our terms. The phrase is not found in the bible, but the general idea is that for a demon to get a foothold (which IS a biblical term!) in a person’s life, they must think, do, or say something wrong. If they persist in their sin, it gives the devil the right to attack, attach, or oppress—legal rights. For example, in Ephesians 4:26-27, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity (foothold) to the devil.” (ESV) So, here we have at least one sin (letting anger seethe overnight), which gives the devil some ‘opportunity’ for accelerated activity in that person’s life. That seems to give credence to the notion. Nobody is saying that one can sin without any consequences. The question is: when people are being oppressed is it ALWAYS  traceable to some serious sin?

When exorcists/deliverance minsters/Christian demonologists/whatever… are exploring how to cleanse a person of demonic oppression, they most often seek to find how and where the demon/s got a legal right to oppress their client. In all fairness, usually there is/was some area that ‘opened a door’. But not always.

What if they are being oppressed, BUT there is no legal right to do so? Job, Paul with his thorn from Satan are just two examples of godly folks who were demonically oppressed but had not given the devil any legal right to do so. The term “man of lawlessness” does not seem to indicate that they are the least bit interested in any kinds of law or legalities, of any sort.

There are folks who move into an already infested home, and come under oppression, but not due to legal rights—at least not how I’ve defined it. (someone else may have sinned before them). Children or the elderly, especially if either are in weakened condition or, say, autistic children are known to become targets of demonic oppression through no fault of their own, or anybody else’s. It is simply an expression of the cruelty of demons preying on the weak.

There are many people today who are under demonic oppression, but they have not given the devil any legal rights to do so.

The flip-side of this is that just because a believer is going through a string of tough circumstances does not mean they are being oppressed. It simply means they live in a Fallen world, where godly people get sick…have rebellious children….get discouraged…have flat tires, etc, etc.

My point is this: the notion of legal rights can become unwittingly cruel if we apply it ‘across the board’. If we’re not careful, we’ll start looking for sin/s which are not there… we’re determined they must be if the person is oppressed. Every case of oppression must be analyzed carefully on its own terms.

I have not even mentioned curses of various kinds that OTHERS  may have placed on someone, but we don’t have the time to look at this.

Suffice it to say that, though the term is not in the bible, the substance of the notion is there…GENERALLY SPEAKING.  However, we must be careful to not be Job’s counselors…knowing that this dear person under severe demonic oppression may have done NOTHING to bring it on. It takes wisdom, discernment and compassion to deal with this issue on a case by case basis.

Especially since this was brief, I very much welcome questions/feedback.

"Seeing Ghosts through God's Eyes" (also in a Kindle edition)...please consider purchasing my book which uses science, logic, and the bible to analyze the true source of power behind paranormal activity. 

After Your Deliverance

By Stephen Piersall
God’s Preservation Ministry http://sfprs.org/   

Staying free after a Deliverance session is not the end but in fact, the beginning. This is when you get your life on the straight and narrow path with God and do your daily reading of the Bible, praying, tithing, and attending your local church regularly and be baptized. However, sometimes people cannot seem to get out of their past behaviors, and they slip back into their old ways. Ever notice on all these TV shows/movies, etc. that when people think they have a haunting they immediately call “Ghost (demon) Investigators" instead of going to a church for help where they live?

 

Unfortunately, in our ministry people who have become free from evil, stay focused on the past and will look at everything and anything and try to make things into the wicked doings. Sort of like leading a horse to water, just cannot get them to drink when you want them too. As parent’s it is no different. We only want the best for them and will do most anything to keep them safe and secure, even after they become adults. Once you get your life right with God you still will go through trials, tests, temptations, and attacks. Satan tempted Jesus three times and the evil one left in defeat. God has a plan for us too, and we must stay in vigilante against temptation. When we are under attack just remember stick to your belief in God, use the Bible as your sword, and pray like you have never prayed before, as this too shall pass, as everything here is worldly. Make sure you clean out ungodly books, videos, pictures, photos, knickknacks, etc. Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide them—when in doubt get rid of it.

 

When you become a Christian, it is like getting a new citizenship. We are no longer of this world. Our citizenship is in heaven, and we are just travelers passing through our time here on earth. This alone should help us to stay focused on the goal of a life as a Christian. Matthew 12:43-45, “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.” We want to make sure, if the evil spirit returns, it will find your house full of the Holy Spirit and the power of Almighty God.

 

John 5:1-15, “After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir; I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.” Most coercion comes in through sin as Legal Rights, and most demonic strongholds are nurtured by sin. To walk out through Deliverance and to stay free we too should go and sin no more! We need to change bad habits that turn to sin and ask God to show us through the Holy Spirit what we must still correct in our daily lives. Praying first thing in the morning and before bedtime is the best way to staying in tuned with God. Do not walk your life with feelings that go up and down but choose to walk the truth from the word of God.

 

Make sure to get water submersion baptizing. Statistically, most new Christians who back slide were not baptized. Baptism is a command and not an option. Get involved with your local church; it is okay to “shop” around to find one that makes you feel most at home. Then get involved, join in, volunteer, be accountable for your Pastor. Do not wait until evil attacks; the best defense is a good offense. Open your Bible and read it, pray, and put on the full armor of God (see Ephesians chapter six). Advance the kingdom of God, witness, testify, walk the talk/walk of Jesus and above all guard your thoughts. You are what you think. Know that the combat zone is your mind and take authority over it, walk in freedom, and stay free!

 

May God Bless you, and it’s well overdue for America to Bless God!