Learning to deal with people who are being used in some way by the enemy to disrupt or spoil the life and work of the fellowship.
1. It is right for us not to treat everyone with the same openness.
John 2v23,24 …many believed in him…but Jesus did not trust himself to them, because he knew them all. There was no need for anyone to tell him about them, because he himself knew what was in their hearts.
If we know what is in a person and it is bad, we should guard our spirits.
If we do not know what is in a person’s heart there is all the more reason to guard our spirits.
2. Where lies are being spoken, we should speak out and re-emphasise the truth to counteract what is being said – not remain silent.
Matt 12v24,25 the Pharisees replied…
Jesus knew what they were thinking so he said to them…
3. When things that are true are being said in a wrong way, we should speak God’s perspective into the situation.
Luke 19v7,9 All the people who saw it started grumbling, “This man has gone as a guest to the home of a sinner!”
Jesus said, “Salvation has come – this man is a son of Abraham – the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.”
4. Though what a person says to us may be poison, it need not harm us. Let the
Holy Spirit keep us safe; we need not feel threatened.
Mark 6v18 Believers will be given… if they drink any poison, they will not be harmed.
5. Just as we expect to learn to minister in growing confidence in the area of healing, so we should exercise our faith in the area of dealing with evil spirits.
Luke 9v1 Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases.
6. The Devil has invested a lot in our area. We should invest even more to see his sphere of influence taken over – this involves us in attacking.
Luke 11 v21,22 When a strong man, with all his weapons ready, guards his own house, all his belongings are safe. But when a stronger man attacks him and defeats him, he carries away all the weapons the owner was depending on and divides up what he stole.
7. Whatever the pressure, we must not withdraw from the fight or we will be giving more ground to the enemy.
Luke 11v23 Anyone who does not help me gather is really scattering.
8. We should be careful that we ourselves do not become the one who is being used to disrupt or spoil – and if we do make that mistake, we should gladly receive correction.
Mark 8v33 Jesus said to Peter, “Get behind me Satan.”
Mark 10v14 Jesus was angry and said, “Let the children come to me and do not stop them.”
Galatians 2v11 “When Peter came to Antioch I opposed him in public because he was clearly wrong.”