How to cast away demons (4)

Resist The Devil And He Will Flee From You

** Opening words

<1 Ti 4:8> says [Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding
promise for both the present life and the life to come]. Training results in infinite benefits! From the windows of the author, he
saw that the students from [James Madison High school] were training daily for sports like football, baseball, and rugby. As they
trained and enjoyed the games, their skills improved as the days passed; their movements became faster and more accurate; they
were more motivated and their fighting spirits became stronger; their team coordination was also more and more perfect. When
we are willing to train our spiritual life, we will also see a lot of benefits and results in matters of [relying on the Holy Spirit,
casting out demons and enjoying the heavenly kingdom]; we will enjoy a life that is [blissful, complete, abundant, strengthened
and fruitful]. We will no longer be bounded by a spirit of fear and worry. Not only so, we will be triumphant over a lot of
temptations and trials, we will not be greedy over things that are of little value but will receive what is more valuable; our
thoughts will become sharper and more accurate, which in turn save us lots of precious time; people around me will be blessed
because of my life; we will know how to differentiate people and thus meet important people and we will be able to train a lot of
people… When I saw the students training for their games, I also received a lot of insights for my spiritual life: (1) regardless of
the games we are training for, the most important factor is the training of the fundamental physical strength (the
importance of the fundamental gospel message and faith); (2) train in accordance to rules (train in accordance to the laws
of the spiritual and physical worlds); (3) know the theories in the classroom first (understand the spiritual principles,
establish life ideology and living operating system); (4) the real practice on the field (in spiritual laboratory, realistically
test, confirm and experience) ; (5) start with simpler movements and gradually learn the complex ones (according to the
level of our spiritual growth, the Lord will prepare suitable problems); (6) come out with lots of different scenarios and
carry out simulated training; (7) train as a team on team cooperation after training up the skills of each individual (in a
spiritual group, learn, intercede and co-work with one another). The purpose of the blessed saints on earth is to get trained in
glorifying God, benefiting others, building God’s kingdom, receiving eternal inheritance and leaving behind spiritual inheritance
to bless the future generations (children, disciples and saints to come). In our lives on earth, our heavenly Father has prepared for
every saint, [problems that we can handle] <1Cor 10:13> so that we can experience all sorts of training in order to have more
beautiful life and testimonies. The attitude of [wanting to train ourselves up by treating everything as teaching material and facing
all problems positively] is the fundamental element that ensures us complete victory in the spiritual battles on earth against the
devil!

** Scripture Reading: 1Pe 5:7-9; Ja 1:2-8, 4:1-10, 5:13-20; Ep 6:10-18; 1Ti 4:7-10

1. Saints are living in spiritual battles

1) There are a lot of spiritual battles in our hearts and spirits everyday
- In fact, God’s love, righteousness, almightiness and abundance are always with me and the heavenly kingdom has never
left me; however, very often my eyes are blinded such that I cannot see, and my heart and spirit are heavy, downcast and
fearful
- In fact, eternal and dignified things are currently taking place in my time on earth; however, I am often tempted by the
temporary and worthless things…
- In fact, I have a dearly loved, dignified, and free life, not under law but under grace; however, I am often bothered by the
spirit that causes me to feel inferior and guilty…
- In fact, the family members whom I love, and the people around me, are all important people that God has arranged for
me; however, many a times, I do not value their lives and conditions or treasure the [interpersonal relationships and our
meetings]…

2) These are the works of attacks by the [unseen personality] devil

- These are the [hoodwinking, hints, accusations, deception, flaming arrows from the devil…] that the Bible openly
describes
- We must distinguish his doings; face him [personality to personality] and resist him

3) A saint’s true timetable of [receiving power and thus be sanctified, being triumphant and thus receive inheritance]
starts from the moment he truly feels that [he is in a spiritual battle everyday] and is formally determined to [resist the
devil]
- Before that, all are just knowledge that are unable to strengthen people; all are simply words that see no results; only has
a holy appearance but unable to display the power of holiness; thus, one will be deceived, accused, bounded even more
# Rev Lee’s personal experiences…

2. Spiritual battles are the wrestling between [power and power]; fighting the battle after gaining authority will ensure
definite victories

1) The devil has vast power

1
 - The enormous red dragon who dared to challenge God had led one third of the heavenly hosts and angels… <Re 12:1-
12> / the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms <Ep
6:12>
- In this world filled with darkness, we can see the serious extent to which everyone is bounded by greed, lies, quarrels,
hatred, adultery, etc / when we realize that we are also being tempted, accused and bounded by the forces of darkness,
and realize that it is very difficult to escape from that spiritual state, we will know how enormous the forces of the devil
are / when we evangelize and see that the people who listen to our sharing are deceived in their hearts and spirits, and
always cannot understand nor are willing to change, we realize the power of the devil…

2) The devil is (1) 24 hours, (2) using unseen ways, (3) looking for saints whom he [can devour]
- <1Pe 5:7-8; Re 12:10> everyone who does not live in accordance to the spiritual principles and those who have sinned
will not be able to escape his attacks…

3) The degree of enjoying life and power is different for every saint
# [each one is tempted, when by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed] <James 1:14>
- All these will not become temptations, trials or problems for the spiritual person; but for some, these are huge
temptations, trials and problems
# Peter who [denied the Lord thrice] and Peter who [could still sleep when he knew that he would be killed the next day]
- Every saint has different degree of and reason for thanksgiving and loving one another: (1) give thanks because one has
gotten some benefits; (2) give thanks because one is safe and sound; (3) give thanks because of the tribulations one faces
when evangelizing / (1) love those who are kind to oneself; (2) love all people; (3) love the enemies
- There is a difference in the degree of answers that each saint receives with regard to finance, health, spouse, children,
ministries

The difference does not lie in other things, but in the difference in the extent of [knowing Christ and receiving
Christ’s power]…

4) Since saints cannot escape battles, they must first restore the infinite power and authority before they fight <Mt 12:28-
29, Mt 28:18-20; Re 12:10>
* Through Paul’s letters, we will discover: The secret to Paul’s victory in any situations is that he has already gotten the
answers and perspective, which have infinite power and authority
# The author discovers: Every time during prayer, easiest and fastest way to restore the faith on [Christ’s infinite power and
authority]; every time when he holds on to this faith and perspective, he will also realize that [all the temptations and
accusations] are removed rapidly and he will be filled with the spirit of freedom and peace from above
(1) Every time when we ponder upon [the eternal perfect things have already started] <Ep 1:15-20; 1Pe 2:9; Ro 8:1-
39>
- [great hope, glorious inheritance, incomparably great power] / [chosen people, royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people
belonging to God] / [He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him,
graciously give us all things] = already gotten the most successful identity / already received the greatest love / already
gotten the eternal blessings of heaven and earth…
as long as we sustain the heart that love God and obey God,
everything that we encounter will [work together for our good]
(2) Every time when I proclaim that [in my entire lifetime, I will be joyful solely because of God’s perfection] <Hk
3:17; Ga 2:20; Ph 1:20-21>
- [Though the fig-tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce
no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in
God my Savior…] / [I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the
body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.] / [now as always Christ will be exalted
in my body, whether by life or by death]
- Although my conditions, environment and people around me change continuously but God’s glory, love, righteousness,
almightiness and abundance will not change forever. Thus, no matter what situation I am in, if only I am joyful solely
because of God, I will be able to enjoy all of God’s glory and love…
(3) Every time when I remember that [I live to love people] <Mt 22:34-40; 1Jn 4:7-21>
- The summary of the law is to love God, love man / God is love. Love is complete in us. There is no fear in love…
- No matter who or what situation we meet, if our goal is placed upon [loving man], God’s perfect will is already fulfilled
there and then
- The purpose of our life is not to gain things that have no eternal value. We can triumph over any situation as long as we
live to love God, love man and love the Lord’s church
(4) In our lives on earth, receive the absolute answers (fixed perspective) on a few essential matters <Ja 1:4-8; Mt
6:33>
- Absolute perspectives on health, finance, life, spouse, children, interpersonal relationship, ministries, …
- No matter what we face, our judgment will be correct, we will know God’s perfect will quickly, every time when we
firmly believe that [our judgment is God’s perfect will], we can receive infinite power and authority…
(5) In our lifetime, must live a life [centered on learning and training] <Ph 3:7-14, 1Ti 4:8> = centered upon [test,
approve and obey]

2
 - Do not go after a life that is [safe and sound] but pursue a life that will [learn more to be like Christ, in this ever changing
world]
- For such a person, no hardship or irony will sadden him but he will [get adjusted] to these and enjoy the [joy of learning]
* <1Ti 4:8> [For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both
the present life and the life to come]

5) Must also sustain [the authority that we have already received] <Ep 6:10-18> because the devil is continuously looking
for opportunities or channels to attack
- This is what <Ep 6:10-18> emphasizes [put on the full armor of God, pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of
prayers and requests]
(1) Put on the full armor of God = salvation (helmet), righteousness (breastplate), truth (belt), the direction and method of
the gospel of peace (shoes), faith (shield), God’s word (sword of the Spirit) = truth, fixed perspective
(2) Rely on the Holy Spirit = [put on the full armor of God] is the objective truth that will not change (fixed perspective).
[Rely on the Holy Spirit] means to apply and judge subjectively in all kinds of situations
(3) Pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests = the purpose of prayer is to follow the Lord always (24
hours). In order to always [put on the full armor of God] and to [rely on the Holy Spirit], one must definitely have [fixed
time prayers or the occasional concentrated prayers] (only those who are successful in their continuous prayers will know
when to have concentrated prayers)
# Daniel’s resolution in the land where he was captured <Da 1:8>. Fixed time prayers 3 times a day <Da 6:10>.
Continuous prayers <Da 6:16>
# God commanded Abraham to be circumcised so as to remember daily / God commanded Israel to give offerings in the
tabernacle day and night

3. Treat everything as teaching material, use our lifetime to train

1) In every situation, train continuously in [relying on Holy Spirit, casting out demons and restoring heavenly kingdom]
= enjoy prayers that [are answered in the midst of prayer]
- The author realized that in the [training to be godly], nothing is better than [using the Lord’s prayer to train]
- Because when we are able to make prayers [centered upon the confirming of the contents of the Lord’s prayer], we will
see the fastest and best result in (1) developing the relationship with our heavenly father; (2) discovering the love of
our heavenly father; (3) grasping our lifetime goals; (4) restoring heavenly kingdom to test and approve the
Lord’s perfect will; (5) receive [the talents and gifts from above]; (6) cleansing ourselves; (7) blessing people; (8)
victory

2) The Lord’s Prayer has revealed [the framework for our lifetime training contents] <Mt 6:9-13>
(1) Our Father in heaven: All devil’s schemes are to [destroy our relationship with our Heavenly Father] → when we pray,
we put in effort to confirm [the development of our relationship], [development of our love (discover God’s loving
guidance; proclaim my love for Father)], definitely must sustain a bold heart without fear before Father God (the most
critical element when praying; only then will we receive answers <1Jn 3:21>). We did not receive a spirit that makes us a
slave, but we received the Spirit of sonship <Ro 8:15>; but the devil always tries very hard to place [the spirit of slavery]
in our hearts. Thus, we need to be alert. Do not serve the Lord as slaves, but as sons, just like how we behave at home.
Do everything with the Spirit of [heir and master]
(2) Hallowed be your name: The devil’s attacks are concentrated on [making us lose our lives’ goal] → we will only
understand our Heavenly Father’s perfect will when we test and approve with our lifetime goal. Our daily goal is to
display God’s glory, authority, power, and love, as well as to bless people. As we continue to train, we will understand
more and more
(3) Your kingdom come: The devil strives hard to blind our eyes and minds, making us unable to live by relying on [the
talents and gifts from above] → no matter what we do, we need to restore heavenly kingdom first (spiritual environment,
spiritual atmosphere), then think, speak and act…
(4) Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven: The devil attacks us to make us foolish, muddled, and waste our time →
no matter what we do, always test and approve God’s perfect will first and also confirm [my judgment, words and actions
are God’s perfect will] so as to display the Lord’s authority
(5) Give us today our daily bread: The devil manipulates our greed or our doubts in God’s provision → God’s provision is
sufficient forever. We should be giving thanks daily for His provision. We ought to enjoy God’s daily provision, not only
for our food and drinks but more so for [the authority, wisdom and gifts in Jesus Christ]
(6) Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors: The devil accuses us day and night, and he also causes the
[contradictions between people] → cleanse ourselves with the precious blood of Jesus Christ twice daily (confess our sins,
repent and restore submission); sustain a heart of boldness without fear; have mercy on others and forgive others; love
people more; bless others; intercede for others (love can cover all sins)
(7) Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one: The devil always tempts us and causes us to sin so as to
accuse and bind us thereafter → stay alert always; continue to serve the Lord by sustaining a heart that loves and praises
the Lord; resist all the evil schemes of the devil. Always diagnose our lives to see if there are [channels for the devil’s
attacks] or [footholds for the devil]; always wash ourselves with the precious blood of Jesus Christ

3
 (8) For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory for ever. Amen!: The devil’s attacks also concentrate on
making us forget our eternal success and victory → Therefore, every time before we end our prayers, confirm and
announce that we are living in eternal victory

3) In every age, condition, situation and matter, are hidden different kinds of training
- We must continue to learn and serve even as we age. Nothing can make us sad, receive new grace and new insights daily

4) In the process of continuous training, we will gradually understand clearer, the evil schemes of the devil and how we
can resist him, as well as an easier, simpler, faster and more effective [method to resist] him. Therefore, the devil will
know us and fear us…

** Closing words

Prayer topics for this week:

1) Saints live in spiritual battles: Has this become my daily awareness? Am I living in spiritual battles now? What is the
percentage of my victory? What are the things that the devil is deceiving, accusing and opposing me in my life and conditions?
Have I already received the perfect answer?

2) First receive infinite power and authority before fighting, to ensure a sure victory every time: Ponder: If a person can
really use the [5 contents listed in main point 2, sub-point 4] as their lifetime faith proclamation, he will be victorious over all
things. Do I want to make these 5 contents my lifetime proclamation of life? Examine: In my current problems that are
binding me, am I able to be more than conquerors using that kind of faith?

3) Treat everything as teaching material, use our lifetime to train: What level of training have I achieved in my life? Am I
living a life that is centered upon training my spiritual life? In the training on [rely on Holy Spirit, cast out demons, enjoy the
heavenly kingdom], the contents of the [Lord’s Prayer] have given us very important insights; using the contents of this notes,
try to cast out demons! Am I able to apply that secret to all my encounters and get trained in the process?