From the standpoint of the sanctification issue, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 7:1 (this is a tough scripture on this subject) "Having therefore these promises dearly beloved," (obviously addressed to believers) "let us cleanse ourselves therefore from all filthiness of the flesh and the spirit."
Our battle isn't directly with Satan. He's not omnipresent. He's not omniscient. However, he administers over an invisible kingdom that speaks to us. It is a spirit kingdom that speaks to us at the level of its existence. Spirit speaks to spirit. Physical speaks to physical.
Paul calls for the sanctification of three dimensions in 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
Many times in medicine, whether allopathic or even alternative, people are chasing the physiological symptoms. Occasionally the connection is seen between a thought and disease in the psychological part, but not many have really seen the spiritual part of disease.
The fear of evil is common in Christians. They are afraid if they talk about what the enemy is doing, it will give him power. Christianity also thinks that if we ever speak of anything that's evil, we are giving it power in our lives. We don't want to talk about anything negative. So we have another type of fear. It's time to talk about it and not be afraid anymore of talking about the enemy.
As Christians, we have been set free from the penalty of sin because Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for us. He made it possible for us to become a new creation, a new creature. As a new creature, we do not have to be entangled in sin again.
Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:24-26 that Satan and his kingdom can bind a believer at the devil's will because of ignorance. It also says that in Isaiah 5:13. God said, Isaiah 5:13 My people have gone into captivity because they have no knowledge, and hell hast enlarged herself.
Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.
When you anoint with oil, you are "doing" the Word. But even in those churches that believe God heals today, healing doesn't happen because those who are applying this as a spiritual application don't quote the rest of that verse. "And if they have committed any sins, they shall be forgiven."
Sometimes when we get around people who are serving sin as believers, I say to them, "You can change." They look at me and in a huff say, "Henry, that's just the way I am. My Daddy was that way; my Granddaddy was that way. You have to accept me just the way I am."
Make sure you check out the New For My Life™ Online, details found just to the right of this teaching.
Many people believe that when they are born again, they are fully converted. Being born again does not mean we have been sanctified. Being born again gives us the power to BECOME the Sons of God, by faith.
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