The concept I am about to share is often overlooked by Christians: the open door of past sins can result in future demonic bondage. Christian theology teaches that sin is forgiven by the mercy of God and the blood of Jesus, upon confession and repentance. The individual who enters this state of grace is redeemed, a child of God. So far so good. But is it possible that demons may still hide within a confessing Christian because the sin that once separated them from God previously opened the door for a spiritual stronghold? To some that is a scary thought. Even heretical. But as an exorcist, I see empirical evidence for this truth almost every day, especially with those who, before Christian conversion, were involved in the occult, witchcraft, and New Age practices.
Consider an individual to whom I recently ministered deliverance. This person has a close walk with the Lord and is active in Christian work. But privately she has lived a tormented life. Soon after we began praying, a demonic manifestation occurred. The evil spirit declared that, even though the woman’s sins had been forgiven, her pre-conversion witchcraft sins allowed him in.
There is a distinction between being saved and being sanctified. Being born again and having one’s soul cleansed of all satanic attachments from past moral turpitude. Simply put, you can be destined for heaven but still suffer spiritual oppression. This revelation shouldn’t be cause for spiritual paranoia or fear about some lingering past transgression. But every believer should examine themselves to be certain that all evil attachments of the past, all unresolved emotions of unforgiveness and hurt, all sins of the mind and flesh are truly surrendered to the Lord.
Some may argue that the Bible doesn’t have a systematic theology concerning this matter. True, but there are many facts of life about which the Bible is silent. Drug abuse existed during the time of Christ in faraway places such as China and India. But the Old Testament was written to people of the Holy Lands and the New Testament was primarily directed to those living in Greco-Roman societies. In today’s world, addictions are a crushing fact of life, consequently many churches (especially in Russia and Ukraine) offer rehab programs. Yet, the Bible contains no specific directive regarding drug problems encountered before conversion.
All Christians need to ask the Holy Spirit to close every open door to evil from the past, not as a matter of salvation, but to effectively shed the temporal influence of past transgressions. If necessary, seek deliverance for past demonic attachments, so that you may “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
An encouraging word: GRATEFULNESS
It happens all the time. Not to just me but to anyone in ministry. People come in great need, pour out their hearts, see God intervene miraculously, then walk away never to be seen again — at least not until another crisis arises. Then, once again, they plead with God for deliverance. Such is human nature, but it shouldn’t be that way. I’m not so concerned that people are grateful to me (though it would be nice to have more thank-yous and follow up support); my deepest concern is whether they are truly thankful to the Lord for what he has done. Take a moment today and be grateful for all God has accomplished in your life and tell Him how much you love Him for his protection and provisions. (“In every thing give thanks” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18)
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