Deliverance Training (Special Topics)
驱邪术培训（具体事宜）
驅邪術培訓（具體事宜）

Mike Connell

Freedom from Generational Iniquity & Curses (1 of 3)  

Thu 3rd Oct 2013 « Back to Top

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Understand Generational Iniquity and Curses, recognize when it is operating in a person's life, and learn how to minister to help a person be set free.

When we have understanding of this whole area, then we can more easily administer to more people. So we want to understand what Generational Iniquity and Curses are. We want to learn how to recognise them - what we look for, and then we want to learn how to minister to people to set them free. So we’re going to focus around those things today.

So first of all, we’ll start in Mark 9. I believe that all of you, when you’re ministering to people, will need to become aware of this root problem of generational curses. I’ll just explain what we mean by these terms shortly. So first we want to take a look at a story in the gospel. We’re going to read from Mark 9:20 – “Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.”

So here is a young man, who has got a demonic spirit, and the spirit is manifesting. Many times you find, that when Jesus went to different places, spirits actually manifested. They did this as a reaction to the high level of anointing and presence of God He carried. As the level of anointing in our life rises, we often experience more of these things happening. Particularly you’ll find when you go to third world cultures, you’ll see very often spirits manifesting quite quickly. So the disciples had tried to cast the demon out, but were unable to.

I want you to notice here in verse 21 – Jesus asked the child’s father: how long has this been happening? And he said, “From childhood” - and the word literally means from being a little infant. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out, and said with tears: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but by prayer and fasting.”

So we’re going to go through the story, and gain some insights. The first thing we see is: a child is being tormented by an evil spirit. This means demonic spirits can be in people from childhood. There’s more than one example, of demonic spirits being in children, in the Bible. We need to distinguish between what is just bad behaviour, and lack of discipline, and a demonic spirit. Some children behave badly because they’ve never been disciplined. This example is not just bad behaviour and lack of discipline - the demon is actually throwing him into the fire - its destructive behaviour. So we see in this child, destructive behaviour, caused by the demonic spirit.

It’s interesting the question Jesus asks: How long has this been in him? Or how long has this been happening. That’s an important question to ask, when you are working with people. One of the things to look for, when you are tracking the presence of generational curses; ask this kind of question: when did this problem begin? Or as Jesus said: how long has this been happening? Now when you ask the question: how long has this been happening; if the person responds: well, since I was very young; then it’s either a trauma that happened when they were young that caused it; or it’s a generational curse of some kind.

So when you are working with people, you would ask: what is the problem you have; how does it affect you; and this question – how long have you had it”. When you ask the question “how long have you had this problem”, you get pointed to: possibly, this has been a generational thing. If you’re in some of the meetings, you’ll know I asked more than one person: how long has this spirit been tormenting you? Oh, since I was very, very young. In one or two cases, I said: this has been since very young, hasn’t it?

So, there’re two questions that will give clues to the presence of a generational curse. The first one is how long has this been happening? Or in other words, when did this start? The second one is: has anyone in your family had a problem like this? Those are the two questions to remember: 1) when did this first start; and 2) did anyone else in your family have this problem?

So, in trying to locate the root of this problem, you have to ask questions. Notice how Jesus started, by asking the father questions. The word “child” is literally the word

“infant”, one that’s just born, or very young; and the father describes the way the child behaves. So it’s almost certain that the child was suffering from some generational spirit.

Evil spirits need some legal ground to enter a person’s life. They need some door to get in. So unless the child had a trauma of some kind, its most likely this was a generational spirit. One thing we need to understand is that generational curses can be the cause of many problems that people have. A little later, we’ll ask: how we’ll recognise a generational curse - we’ll talk about how you would identify it.

Notice that Jesus said that faith is required for deliverance. If you can believe, all things are possible. So, faith is essential. I must believe that God will move - that I have power to cast these demons out. Notice that Jesus, later on the disciples asked Him: why could we not cast this demon out? They had done a lot of deliverance, they had seen results; but this time, it failed - and they were quite puzzled why they failed.

Jesus did not blame the father or the child. Jesus said to the disciples: it requires faith. Then he said an interesting statement – this kind comes out by nothing but by prayer and by fasting. In other words, Jesus is saying two things: 1) there are different levels of authority or power that evil spirits have; 2) we require faith that we’ll move them; 3) that prayer and fasting helps establish faith in our life.

You noticed Jesus did not stop and pray and fast - He just immediately delivered the demon out of the child; but when we read of His life, we find that He prayed, and He fasted. So moving in deliverance, we need to recognise the place prayer and fasting has, and we’ll talk a little bit about some aspects of prayer later on. I’ll just perhaps get a chance to share with you some things I pray around my life; but there has to be faith in the heart - so without faith, nothing happens.

So we see then, an example of a child who needed deliverance; and the single requirement: that there be faith - we have to believe God for the breakthrough; and that sometimes, there can be resistance. Notice that when the demon came out, Jesus identified what it was – a deaf and dumb spirit. It’s very helpful if you can name the spirit you’re commanding out. Naming it weakens its power in the person’s life. You notice also, that Jesus spoke directly, he commanded: “I command you come out”.

The last thing I noticed there is quite different - it’s the only place I’ve seen it. He commanded the spirit not to enter the child again. That’s the only time that’s actually mentioned, as far as I’m aware: “Don’t go back into this child”. So, when we do deliverance, the only example we have for forbidding the demon to return, is this particular one. I think that Jesus said this, because it’s a child. In the other cases, Jesus taught (Matthew 12) that if the demons do try and re-enter, the person has to be responsible, to build a good life with God. So, here is an example then, of what appears to be a generational, demonic spirit in the family.

Let me share with you a couple of stories of people we’ve prayed for, where there was clearly a generational spirit. The first one concerns a young child. Two people came to me, and they said: "we’re having a major problem with our child”. I said: “What is the problem?” They said “when the child wakes up, he immediately starts to destroy things in his room - he’s extremely destructive, and we have no idea why”. The child was around about the age of two and three. When it woke up, it would just go in a rage, and begin to be destructive. The parents had no understanding of why the behaviour would be like that.

So, I began to enquire about both of their backgrounds, and I looked for a spiritual root for what was a really unusual behaviour. It turns out that the husband had been involved equally in drug addiction, and had major anger problems; and the mother’s family had been involved deeply in the occult. So it would appear to me that the spirits that were there, came as a result of what the family, or the parents, had opened their lives to.

So in this particular case, praying for such a young child - we prayed when the child was asleep. It just was an easier way of doing it. You can pray when they’re awake, but you’ll find that often the demon will manifest, and the child will scream and shout and fight, and it becomes a very difficult process - can be quite unnerving. So, we prayed - I had the parents there with me, I didn’t want the child to wake and find a strange person in their room. So even if the child would maybe have recognised me, I didn’t want them to be awake and be frightened, so I had the parents with me, and the parents agreed that we would pray for this child. So I didn’t put my hand on him, I just put my hand just slightly above his head, so as not to wake him.

Then I spoke and prayed, and we broke the curses operating down through the father’s side of the family, and the mother’s side of the family – commanded the spirits to go. When we commanded the spirits to go, the child just began to yawn and sigh. He was asleep all the time, and several times as I prayed, he kind of gave a big sigh - it was quite evident that something was happening. We then just prayed that the spirit would not enter the child anymore; we released peace over the child; and he never woke up through the process.

The next day, the parents called me, and they said: “The child woke up today with absolutely no destructive behaviour - the problem has just completely gone! It’s just not there anymore.” So that was a great learning experience for me, of the reality of these generational spirits. This is what we’re going to look at – to identify these things, and discover how they occur, and primarily, what to do about it.

So that’s an example of a young person. I’ll give you an example of an older person. I had a woman come to me, and she must have been in her 50s I suppose. She said “I’m a Christian worker, I’ve been working for the Lord for many years of my life”. She said “I have a problem that greatly disturbs me, can you help me with it?” So, you notice the thread of questions: what is the problem; how does it affect you; how long have you had this problem?

She said: “Here’s the problem. I have these tormenting, unclean, sexual images coming into my mind - it disturbs me during times of worship.” So I said: “How long have you had this”. She said: “Since I was very young”. So then I asked the next couple of questions: “Did you have any traumatic experience, or were you exposed to any sexual abuse of any kind?” She said: “No”. So that left the only possibility open – that it was a generational spirit of some kind. The fruit was torment by an unclean spirit. She was experiencing these horrendous, unclean images in her mind - often as she worshipped.

So I asked her and enquired about her family background, and she began to tell her story to me. Her grandparents were missionaries in China, and they had two children – a daughter (which was her mother), and a son. They served the Lord in one province, and sent their children to another province. They sent them to a boarding school, but that province was overrun by the Japanese, and the school was taken over - and these were white, Western children. The girl was sexually abused by Japanese soldiers, over quite a long period of time. Eventually, the children were restored to their parents, and eventually they left China, and came and re-settled. The child grew up, got married, had a child, and the marriage broke up. So, we asked: “Are you willing to act on behalf of your family, and forgive these Japanese soldiers?” She said: “Yes, she would”.

So I led her in a very simple prayer, acknowledging her faith in Christ, and renouncing all of the sexual abuse that has come into the family life, and releasing forgiveness to the soldiers. When I commanded, unclean spirits just came out, with strong manifestation. Because we were aware of the nature of what had been done, I knew what to pray against. From that point on, her mind became clear, and she did not have the torment in her mind. She did not have these unclean sexual images - they were the product of a spirit of perversion, which had entered years before, into the family line.

So we’ve seen many other people, over the years, set free of spirits that were generational in nature. So, that’s why we want to have a look at this area and understand it. The first thing we see is a Bible example of a demonised child, and then we’ve seen a couple of personal stories. Now we want to have a look at this whole area.

First, I’m going to look at Galatians 3 - I want us to see what Christ has done. Galatians 3:13-14 says: “13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

So we notice very clearly in the scripture, that one work that Christ did on the cross, was to redeem us from cursing. The purpose of redeeming us from cursing is to bring us in to blessing. So God wants to move us from being in a place of cursing, into a place of blessing. Specifically, he wants to remove all curses from our breaking of the law of God. Notice in verse 14, God’s purpose is that blessing would come upon us, that we might receive the promise of the spirit.

So the Holy Spirit working in our life is the source of blessing. Blessing means favour. Blessing means fruitfulness. Blessing means the flow of the life of God. So God’s plan is to bring us, or position us, so we live a blessed life. So we need to understand - there’s absolutely no doubt here - God’s desire is for a blessed life, and our cooperating with the Holy Spirit is the cause of that blessed life. It is the life of faith in the spirit, that is a blessed life. Notice as the blessing of Abraham come upon the Gentiles in Christ; so God’s blessing on Abraham is fulfilled in Jesus. So when we identify with Jesus, and live with Him and identify with Him - that is the way blessing is released.

So blessing comes out of identifying with Jesus Christ, and aligning with his life. It comes out of living as a new-creation person in Christ. God’s blessing came upon His son Jesus Christ, and when I identify with Him, I am blessed. So when you become a Christian, you identify with Jesus Christ and His death, burial and resurrection - you are already positioned for blessing. You are blessed because of your relationship with Christ; and not because of all the things you do.

One danger is that, having come to Christ, we go back under the law. I am blessed because I identify with Christ; it’s not because of what I do. Otherwise, you come back under the law: if you do this you’re blessed; if you don’t’ do it, you’re cursed. Jesus has redeemed us from the curse of the law. In other words, He has paid the full price. His work on Calvary was enough to break the power of all cursing.

When Jesus died on the cross, He fully satisfied the demands of God. When Jesus died on the cross, we died with Him - and a dead man can’t be affected by curses. So notice He says: He redeemed us from the curse of the law; having become a curse for us. So on the cross, Jesus represented us. The nature of His death, hanging on a tree - in the Bible God said a person hanging on a tree is cursed.

So hundreds of years before the Romans invented crucifixion, God planned how we would be set free from cursing. He set a law in motion: if the person is hung on a tree, that person is cursed. So when Jesus was hung on a tree - He became a curse for us; and redeemed us from the curse of the law.

The power behind curses is demonic spirits. The power behind the curse is a demonic spirit. A curse is a spiritual force that works against us. A curse is an unseen spiritual force, that’s powered by an evil spirit; and it continues until the curse is broken. A curse is an unseen, or invisible, destructive force; that is empowered by evil spirits; and it continues until the curse is broken. Hence, we find many people struggling with the consequences of curses, in spite of the fact that Jesus has already redeemed them. It’s like the devil is making an illegal claim against them, so we have to enforce on the evil spirits what Jesus has done.

So we see here a couple of things then. Firstly, that the power behind a blessing is the Holy Spirit. And your life is blessed when you identify with Christ. Ephesians 1:6 says “We are blessed with every blessing in heavenly places in Christ”. I don’t have to work for blessing, I just need to receive blessing.

The power behind a curse is a demonic spirit. Curses are the result of the law of God being broken in some way. Jesus has redeemed us from all curses that come about as a result of breaking God’s law. To redeem means to pay the full ransom price - to pay the full price to set someone free. So if Jesus paid the full price, how much price do I have to pay? None! If Jesus has provided for me to be blessed, how much do I have to do to earn His blessing? Nothing - I need to just believe. So we’ll see as we get to how a person remains free, that the key for our victory is faith - not trying harder. The harder I try, the more I come under the curse of the law. I’m called to live differently. I’m called to live as a blessed person. So I am a blessed person, regardless of what is going on around me - I am blessed. I am blessed through faith in Christ. It’s not an external thing, it’s an internal thing. You are blessed. You are blessed in every way. You are blessed by God in every dimension of your life. You don’t have to earn the blessings; they’re something that comes when we identify with Christ. They are released through faith. We’ll talk a little bit about that later on. So we know what a blessing is and what a cursing is.

I’m going to go a little bit further now and look at Generational curses and Iniquity. I want to show you a couple of scriptures. We’ll look at the first few verses of Exodus 20, these are what we call the 10 commandments. We’ll read from verse 2 to verse 6:

2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 “You shall have no other gods before Me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

So you notice here, a very clear warning against idolatry. So as we look at this verse, we begin to see that God sees people as families, interconnected families. Notice that, when we look at people, we see them as individuals. When God sees people, He sees them as part of a family line. So God views people generationally, and His plan is for His blessing to be generational. God desires blessing to flow from one generation to another. So remember, blessing is God’s favour. Blessing is the flow of the life of the Spirit around us. God’s plan is that blessing flow from one generation to another. That as you walk with God, your children benefit from your godly life.

In other words, without doing anything, they can receive great favour from God, because they are the children of someone living rightly for God. God’s intention is that each generation should build on what the previous generation established, or accomplished. So in God’s original design, blessing would flow from one generation to another. Each generation would have the advantage of what their parents had done, and they could go further. In other words, God’s desire and plan is that parents would leave a Godly legacy. This isn’t always seen at the beginning of a person’s life but it does show up in the latter part of their life. We often don’t notice that the little choices that we make each day are leading us on a certain course.

I’ll just give you an example. My wife’s parents have both died now. But I remember very vividly going to her father’s 80th birthday. It was a family celebration, and present at the celebration were all the family, and also friends. There were five children who had all grown up and all got married, and all had grandchildren - there were many grandchildren there of different ages. At a certain point in the evening, we began to celebrate and honour Joy’s father. Each of the 20 grandchildren stood up and shared briefly why they loved their grandfather.

He had intentionally over the years, walked with God, sacrificially given to the work of the Lord, and had made a decision to invest in each of his grandchildren. So when they were from the age of about 5 through the age of 11, he would take them on holidays. Two, three, or five of them together, and they would have a grandfather holiday. He would take them, and they would have a morning devotional, and pray together, and read the Bible together. They would go out and have fun together. Everyone had an opportunity to choose an activity and plan the day. He did all kinds of things over many years. In other words, he believed in generational legacy. So rather than spending money wildly on all kinds of things, he invested in his family. So at the age of 80, all of the grandchildren were able to testify how they loved him, and what they learned from him.

His brother was also present at the celebration. His brother had taken a different course in his life. He had rejected Christ, and he was now on his second marriage. He had committed adultery and been unfaithful, and now he was with another person. He had two daughters, neither of whom was married, and they were unusual people - and he had no grandchildren. I looked, and of course when his brother was growing up, he’d laughed at his faith in Christ. But here at the age of 80, you could look and you could see the life’s course, and the result of the decisions.

One had invested in family and walked with God and there was a Godly legacy – the legacy of a stable family, a good marriage, a legacy of grandchildren who loved their grandfather. The other one had an unstable marriage, unstable family, and no legacy to grandchildren.

So we understand God’s plan is that a legacy flow from one generation to another. We can align with Christ and leave an intentional legacy, or we can live a destructive life and other things come on our family. So if we walk with God, blessings begin to flow into our family, without us even realising it. They are blessed because we have walked with God - and this is what the scripture tells us.

I can remember when I was in Indonesia some years ago, and I was taking a meeting, and there were about 2000 people there. I had my son David with me, and he had come with me on more than one mission’s trip. Normally when I plan them, we do all the training of the leaders, and after we’ve trained the leaders, then we do the ministry. So we got to the first day, and I’d asked them: train leaders, then ministry - but it was a holiday, so they had meetings - and we had no one trained. So no one knows what to do, and they’ve all come wanting deliverance. It was only David and me, and more than 1000 came up in the altar call - it was a monstrous altar call - rows and rows and rows of people.

So I remember looking at my son saying: well Dave, you can do half of them, and I’ll do the other half, and so we got going. I got praying and things were happening, people who were slain in the spirit, demons coming out everywhere. Suddenly I thought: I need to have a look and see how Dave’s getting on. All around him, people are on the ground and demons have been coming out. He’s just had a major move of God around him. I spoke to him a little later about it. I said: “What happened?”

He said: “Well, about 3 months ago, I decided that what was on your life from God was an inheritance for me.” So I began in prayer to take hold of what belonged to me. Isn’t that something? He said: “...and this is what happened today”. So, there’s an example of Godly legacy. He stood up and said: what is on your life is mine to have. What he’s saying is: I don’t have to pay the price you paid, to get that. I can have that, because I’m connected to you, we’re family. Interesting thinking isn’t it?

So we can have what is upon Christ, because we are connected to Him - He is our elder brother. We just have to arise and take hold of what Christ has provided for us. He is the elder brother, who broke through and became blessed. We are blessed because we’re in Him - we just need to take hold of the blessing.

Now, notice the two sides of this. We see then that families are interconnected. Now He says this: The Lord your God is a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me; but showing mercy to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. So God is saying in this scripture here, that there are generational consequences of sin. Of course the most obvious one is Adam. Adam sinned, and we’ve all been born in sin. In this particular scripture, God says: certain kinds of sin will have generational consequences; and this is echoed in other scriptures.

Let me read another one for you. Lamentations 5:7. In this chapter 5, the prayer is for God to bring restoration. It starts of in verse 2 - Our inheritance has been turned over to aliens, and our houses to foreigners. 3 We have become orphans and waifs, our mothers are like widows. 4 We pay for the water we drink, and our wood comes at a price. 5 They pursue at our heels; we labor and have no rest.

Now look at what he’s saying. He’s saying: we are in reproach. That means we’re incredibly ashamed and embarrassed of our condition. He said: the Godly inheritance has been taken away from us by other people. He’s saying that the blessing have been stripped away. He said: we’ve become orphans, or no one to father us, we’ve lost parents. He said: the water that we drink, which should be free, we have to pay for. The trees which we should be able to cut down for wood, we have to pay for them as well. He said: we are labouring, or working, and there’s absolutely no rest; and we’re in bondage to the Syrians and Egyptians. So that’s a very unhappy condition isn’t it? So what’s he saying, we’re in bondage, we’re in slavery.

Notice now what he says in verse 7, he actually says what the cause of the problem is. 7 Our fathers sinned and are now no more, or have died, but we bear their iniquities. What he’s saying is: our parents did something wrong, and we’ve experienced the consequences. What they did has brought problems to us. Or in other words, their sin has had a generational impact. That’s exactly what he said in Exodus chapter 20. So there are many scriptures that are like this.

Let’s go back to Exodus 20. God is speaking specifically about idolatry and iniquity. Let’s first of all, talk about idolatry. Verse 5 says: I the Lord your God, am a jealous God. We need to understand what that means. When it says: God is jealous; He’s talking about having a passionate love for us. It says: I’m passionately in love with you. So when I see someone else be your lover, I am extremely upset by this. It’s not saying that God has got some evil nature to Him. It’s saying that I love you so immensely; it hurts Me deeply to see you follow some other person. He’s using a marriage language here. He’s saying: I’m like a jealous husband.

It would help you to understand this a little more, if I just tell you a little bit about the context here. The context in which something is said, is very important for what it all means. What is going on that causes God to give these 10 commandments? So we’re going to answer that one. If you don’t know anything about the Hebrew culture, this is a bit of a mystery. It’s like God has just written down laws: you keep the law. Do the law – good! Don’t do law – punish! Most people think of it like that.

You need to understand that there is a much bigger picture here. You remember that the Lord drew the people of Israel out into the wilderness, then God came down to encounter them. God began to talk to them about wanting to meet with them; and there was a covering that came down over them. The words God spoke are quite meaningful to the Hebrews. He said: you are a special treasure to me.

In the Hebrew culture, when someone wanted to marry someone, there were steps that they took. The first step was to say: you are a special treasure to me. There were a number of steps that would take place. Finally they would come to the place of engagement, or betrothal to marry. They would come under a canopy, and in preparation for marriage, the groom would bring out what was called the marriage arrangement.

Their marriage arrangement consisted of the requirements of this marriage covenant. So this Exodus 20 is what’s called the ketubah, it was called the marriage covenant. So what they would do is that they would exchange vows, and there would be an agreement. This is what we agree to, so we can maintain our marriage relationship. They had lived in slavery for years, so this ketubah was absolutely wonderful to them.

But notice what God is saying: rethink this! Rethink it as a marriage relationship. I’m the Lord your God, you have no other gods before Me. I want to be number 1 in your life, don’t have any other boyfriends. Don’t make images of other gods. Don’t keep the pictures of your old boyfriends. Honour the Lord your God. Don’t take My name in vain. In other words, when we get married, I want you to live a life that honours me, so I’m proud of you and not ashamed of you. So it goes through, and all of those steps – don’t steal - I’ll provide for you.

It’s all about a marriage relationship. It’s all about the terms of living as a husband and wife betrothed to God. I encourage you to look up and search on the internet a Hebrew wedding, and the engagement process; and you will see here in Exodus 19 and 20, this is the whole process of coming into covenant agreement with God.

So now God says: there are consequences if you are unfaithful in marriage. We tend to think of relationship with God being casual - but it isn’t, it’s called covenant - a binding agreement. So this is what God is saying: if you’re unfaithful to Me, there are consequences. So this is what He says: if you follow after idols, the impact of that idolatry, will last for generations. Let’s go and have a look at that. Have a look at what He’s saying here.

So in Exodus 20: I the Lord am a jealous God. In other words, I’m a passionate lover - I don’t want you to have other boyfriends. That’s what that means - it’s true! In James He puts it this way: if you follow the world with all its values - you’re an adulteress. You’re unfaithful to God! God loves us – and He wants to have an intimate relationship.

Notice God talks about specifically idolatry. There are many sources of cursing, but idolatry is a significant one. He said: you’ll have no other gods before Me. Don’t make any images, don’t bow down to them. Now, to “bow down” means to worship, or pay respect, to an idol. It means to give that idol a place of honour and value in your life. When a person bows down to an idol, they are actually acknowledging the demon that’s in the idol. The power behind an idol is an evil spirit; but the idol itself is just a piece of wood - it’s actually nothing, it’s meaningless, it’s a carving of hand; but behind it and within it is an evil spirit. So when people bow down to the idol, they are actually honouring and yielding to the demonic presence that inhabits it. So you understand God being very upset with that.

Now, when a person makes an offering to an idol, they are trading with an evil spirit. They are trading. That means, they are offering in exchange. To trade, I give you something; you give me something - it’s an agreement. So if you make an offering to an idol, you are intentionally entering in an agreement with an evil spirit - that’s why there’s a problem with this. You give the offering to the idol, and implicitly you are looking for protection, or provision, or power.

These are all things God wants to provide, so when you bow down to an idol, you are rejecting God as the source of provision, power and protection, and you are trading with an idol; trading with an evil spirit. So this is the problem with idolatry – that when we bow down and offer sacrifices to them, we are trading with an evil spirit, entering into an agreement with an evil spirit, and the evil spirit now has a legal right of access. A legal right of access!

In Psalm 115 verse 8, we’ll read from verse 3. Notice what it talks about idols. “3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. 5 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 6 They have ears, but they do not hear; Noses they have, but they do not smell; 7 They have hands, but they do not handle; Feet they have, but they do not walk; Nor do they mutter through their throat.” Now notice this: “8 Those who make them are like them; and so is everyone who trusts in them.”

Those who make them are like them - so you become like what you worship. So if you worship the idols, then what will happen is, you will end up becoming like them – cold and hard. So I have observed: that people who are involved in idolatry, usually have deep roots of bitterness in their lives, and emotional coldness and hardness. Literally, a spirit of death gets hold of them. So when there’s family idolatry, usually the people are very hard emotionally.

Let’s go back into Exodus 20. So God says: if you bow down to them, I the Lord am a jealous God, and I will visit the iniquity of your fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who do these things. Notice God says: He visits the iniquity.

The consequence of sin is death. God set that law in place – you sin, you die - and a number of sins in the Bible had death penalties. The problem is, if God kills you when you do that sin, it cuts of all the generations. So rather than kill you, the judgement on that sin is just spread generationally. So no one dies; but everyone’s affected.

The word iniquity then, means to be crooked. The Greek word ‘avon’ and the Hebrew language means: what you look at with your eye, will hook you in. So iniquity then, is to be crooked - to be twisted or bent. It’s to have a leaning towards a certain kind of problem. So iniquity is the driving power that turns people towards sin. Iniquity is the root, out of which the sinful acts turn up. Iniquity is a problem!

I want to show you a verse in Exodus 34:6-7 – 6 “And the LORD passed before Moses and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, 7 keeping mercy for thousands.” I want you to notice this very carefully – “forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin; by no means clearing the guilty, but visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”

We see here that God is proclaiming His name or nature. The first thing we see is God says: I’m a God of mercy. 1) Mercy. I give mercy - merciful, gracious, long-suffering, kind; also, He’s a God of justice. Mercy is greater than justice. God’s mercy means He forgives; is long-suffering, goodness. God’s justice - He requires us to come account for sin.

Notice what He says here – that God forgives 3 things: Iniquity; Transgression; Sin - those are 3 different things. We just tend to think of sin - I did something wrong, but the Bible distinguishes between them. Iniquity is one thing; transgression is something else; sin is something else - these terms all turn up in the New Testament as well. We tend to just use one broad word – sin. Jesus died for my sins. Actually, we need to understand iniquity, transgression, sin. All of them, the blood of Jesus has the remedy for it, but each of them is completely different.

Iniquity means to be crooked or twisted - it’s the bending in your life towards sin. That’s what we’re going to be dealing with, when we’re dealing with generational curses and iniquities.

Transgression – that’s something different. It means to deliberately break the law of God. You knew it was wrong, you knew in your conscience it was wrong, but you did it anyway - you broke the law of God.

Sin means to fall short of the mark; to cause an offense. It pertains mostly to things we have done but we didn’t realise ot. We did something wrong, but we didn’t realise we were doing something wrong - we did it ignorantly.

For example, you may not realise there’s a 50 km/h speed zone outside, and you went 80 km/h; and you were stopped, and they said: “You did 80, this is only a 50 km/h zone.” You say “Well, I didn’t know”. The policeman doesn’t say to you, “Oh, I’m so sorry you didn’t know - it’s ok then - move on”. He doesn’t say that, instead He says: “Whether you knew it or not, you still broke the law. You have to pay the fine”.

Notice now, three categories of issues that need to be addressed. 1) Iniquity – the twist in the person’s life. So even if they say they’re sorry, they still keep moving towards that. 2) the transgression – deliberate violating of the law of the Lord; 3) I made a mistake I didn’t know I was doing wrong, I’m so sorry.

There was an offering for sins of ignorance, and there was an offering for transgressions, so they were quite different. You notice in the Old Testament that when Moses required the people to apply the blood, notice what he did: apply it to the lintel, the post, the post. Iniquity; transgression; sin - Basic crookedness; willingly breaking the law; sins of ignorance – apply the blood. Why did he not say: just put it on the top one? Because the blood of Jesus Christ totally deals with every aspect of our sin and failure - iniquity, transgressions, sins. Notice that in applying it, they literally make a cross. So right back there in Exodus 12, God points out the cross and blood that will deal with iniquity, transgression, and sin.

Notice this – the transgressions that’s doing something wrong, the sins that’s doing something wrong - everyone’s responsible for their own. Everyone is called to look to account for their own sin. You are not blamed for the sins your parents committed. You are not blamed or responsible for their transgressions - but the iniquity you carry. We need to deal with the issue of iniquity – the cursing in our flesh, that seems to produce these troubles.

We’ll just finish with one more scripture. You notice that what is visited upon the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation is iniquity. In Deuteronomy 23, I just want to read you one other kind of cursing that passes from one generation to another. In verse 2 - 3: “One of illegitimate birth shall not enter the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation, none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the LORD. An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation, none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the LORD forever”.

I want you to just be aware as we finish this session of just these two particular curses. The first one referred there, refers to illegitimacy – conceived, born out of wedlock. What it is saying is that there is a curse of rejection upon that person. In other words, when a child is conceived or born out of wedlock, then there is access of a particular type of spirit – the spirit of rejection - to their life.

Let me give you an example. I had a man come up in an altar call, we had a lot of people in an altar call, and we didn’t have time to counsel him, so I just ask a few simple questions. What is your problem? I want you to notice the questioning that gets to the root. Each day I pray that God will give me the ability to ask questions that go right to the root of problems. This is what I asked him – what is your problem? He said: “I’m angry, a lot of anger”. I said: “Who are you angry at?” “Everyone”. Now that means, he has a root of anger, he was angry at someone, but he never dealt with it. So I said, “how do you get on with your parents?” We’ll go right back and start there. He was very angry with both of his parents. I said: “Did they do something wrong against you?” He said: “I don’t know. I’m just angry at them”. I said: “Are you the eldest in the family.” He said: “Yes, I am”. I said: “Were you conceived out of wedlock”. He said: “Yes, I was”.

I said: “Here’s where the anger is. You are carrying a deep root of rejection and shame in your life, and you put the blame on the people who stepped in to help you. Being angry with them, you’ve continued now to project that anger on everyone. I said: “You need to forgive the parents who gave you out (for adoption). The father who rejected you, the mother who rejected you. You need to forgive the parents for projecting on to them all your anger. You need to go to them and put it right and apologise; because they stepped in to help and you’ve rejected them - you’ve greatly dishonoured them. That’s all it took!

Notice that the cause of it was the illegitimacy; and the deep root of rejection and anger that was in his life - and the way he carried it constantly. Anger is a demand - you took something from me, you must pay back. It’s a reaction to what’s felt or believed to be an injustice. You owe me - is the message of anger. Letting your rights go, and forgiving, is the release of it.

Just think about this – you go into a family line through four generations.... Assume that everyone had just two children. Your parents have two children, next family line there’s another 4 people there, next family line now we go back there’s more people. So gradually we begin to start to realise there’s up to 30 people involved. With 10 generations, there’s a lot more people.

Notice what we finish up with. God loves us passionately, but certain types of sins open the door for a generational curse, and an iniquity. We saw then, a cursing is a negative destructive force, empowered by an evil spirit. Notice that iniquity is a crookedness in the family line that causes people to sin. So iniquity and curses go together - they are quite different, but they go together, and they transfer from one generation to another. Next we’ll look a little bit more about those areas. We’ll look at some Bible examples and we want to come to a point of showing you how you’ll minister to people to get them free. Next we’ll show you some more things about it, then the path to freedom.

We’re looking at the topic of Generational Iniquity & Curses. Generational refers to something passing down from one family member to another. So, generational iniquity is a tendency in a family to a certain kind of sin, for example: patterns of adultery or alcoholism. There can be patterns of sin running in a family line. Generational curses are negative forces running through the family, one generation to another, that’s powered by evil spirits. Firstly, I want to look at how iniquity is transferred. How it shifts from one family member to another. Then we’ll look at curses in themselves, and how to identify them.

First of all, iniquity - how is it transferred? We’re going to list some possible ways they’re transferred. The first is: it’s generational, it’s inherited. Just as you carry physical features of your parents, you also carry some of the iniquity. Secondly, they can be empowered by spirits; there may be familiar spirits operating in the family. Thirdly, they may pass in a family line, because of bitter judgements against the parents.

Bitter Judgements - if you judge your parents for a particular sin or failure, you set in motion a cycle of sowing and reaping in your life. The thing you have judged will turn up in your own life. You hear someone say: “I’ll never be like my father”. That means they have been hurt, there is a judgement against their father, and now an inner vow. The result is, they’ll probably become exactly like him. When we judge our parents, we set in motion a cycle of iniquity continuing in our family. The thing we judge, we reap.

It seems likely then, that causes of this iniquity moving from one family generation to another are: familiar spirits; bitter judgements; and possibly genetic code. It’s quite possible that some of these areas of sin corrupt the genetic code, and create issues that pass through the genetic line. Another cause or source of the iniquity transferring is just patterns of learned behaviour. In other words, people tend to copy what their parents do.

In looking at iniquity continuing in the family line: 1) there’s a spiritual power, and a curse operating. We’re bearing the consequences spiritually of their sin. 2) Bitter judgements. 3) Patterns of behaviour; and possibly familiar spirits; and maybe genetic code.

You understand then, if you’re going to deal with something, you need to know what it is you’re dealing with. For example, if the person has judged their parent, they need to repent of the judgement and forgive. If the person has learned or copied their behaviour, they need to learn new ways of behaving and living.

Now, let’s have a look at the issue of curses, generational curses. I want you to understand what a curse is, and how we can recognise them. Usually curses are spoken words, which set in motion spiritual powers. Curse – you speak words, and they’re spoken with force, and they release spiritual powers. Generally they continue from generation to generation until they’re broken. The power behind the curse is an evil spirit or a demon. To curse someone, means to bring evil, or calamity, or destruction on them. Curse – bring evil or calamity upon them.

When a curse is operating, there’s a spiritual pressure on the person, to continually bring destructive results in their life. This presses the person who presses their relationship, presses their circumstances. Another way of putting it would be: recurring cycles of defeat.

Where does the curse come from? Proverbs 26:2 said “the curse, without a cause, shall not come”. Or to put it another way: if there’s a curse, there’s always a reason. There’s always a reason. One possible cause of the curse is God – He set laws in place, you violate the laws, there are consequences. Breaking God’s laws, gives demons room to move in a person’s life.

A second cause of curses is people - people speaking out, cursing our family, cursing us, or people practising witchcraft. Witchcraft – words are spoken that release spiritual power against someone. For example, a person dedicating a child to an idol or a temple - that initiates a cursing. If a person opens their life to an evil spirit, or dedicates themselves to an evil spirit - that would initiate a cursing.

Sometimes, authority figures can speak words of cursing. “You’ll never do any good. You’re stupid”. People in authority, speaking in destructive words, can cause cursings to take place.

People can curse themselves. “I’m a failure. I’ll never do any good. I’ll probably fail.”

Another potential source of cursing on a person’s life is occult objects. Deuteronomy 7:25-26. This is what the word of God says: “You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the LORD your God. Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing.” So, objects such as idols or occult objects can bring spiritual forces into the home, and you have undue influences.

If a curse is operating, there will always be fruit. If you want to discover if a curse is operating, you just look for repeated patterns of failure. When we’re looking for generational iniquity and curses, we’re looking for repeated patterns of failure - particularly the ones that pass from one generation to another.

So what kinds of patterns of failure? The book of Deuteronomy lists many. Deuteronomy 28:15 says: “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you”.

It begins to talk about these and gives a whole list of them. What we’ll do is, we’ll just summarise them so you’ve got a list to look for. These are evidences it could be operating. There may however be other factors as well. At least it’ll give you a start place to look for.:

1) Recurring mental and emotional problems in the family.

2) Recurring chronic sickness and allergies.

3) Difficulties with pregnancy. That means difficulties conceiving; miscarriages; childlessness. Interestingly enough, this is particularly associated with idolatry. In the book of Hosea 9, it says that idolatry - one of the consequences is: the womb will cast forth its fruit.

4) Recurring patterns of family breakdown and divorce. So, repeated cycles of divorce and family breakdown. Also conflicts in the family – everyone’s against everyone.

5) Recurring patterns of financial lack. Everything should be going right, we should get blessed, and suddenly there’s a setback; recurring patterns of family lack or financial lack. 6) Another symptom is that a person’s got patterns of accident-proneness. Tend to constantly get accidents; or it seems the family has patterns of accident in it.

7) Another thing to look for is recurring patterns of suicide, or premature death. You look in a family, and there’s a history of suicides or people dying unexpectedly early - that could be evidence of a curse.

8) I’ve also come to the conclusion that patterns of abuse and traumas or mistreatment is also evidence of a curse.

9) Another one that I have observed is inability to settle - no rest, no ability to be stable. Remember that Cain was cursed with this - he was a vagabond; he couldn’t rest or settle anywhere.

Now, all of these problems can have a variety of causes, but if they are repetitive problems, they tend to be generational. For example, if someone came to me and they’re suffering from tormenting nightmares, I would ask: “Tell me what is the problem. How is it affecting you. When did it first start?” “I’ve had it all my life” - that would suggest it is family or generational. Or they could answer – they’ve got another problem, “I’ve got these allergies”. “How long have you had them?” “All of my life” “Did anyone else in your family have them?” “My mother had them, and her mother had them.” So you see a repeated kind of pattern, and you realise there’s something operating down the family line.

So you’re looking for repeated patterns - something that’s crooked and twisted. There’s a power operating behind it. I’ll give you a few examples in the Bible, where clearly either iniquity or curses are operating. You can quite easily see that actually, the two are connected, but you can usually easily see which is which. We’ll have a look at a few of them now.

Let’s look at King David. 2 Samuel 12:10 – these are the words of Samuel: “Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.” So what does that sound like? Sounds like a curse - the sword shall never depart from your house. So what did David do that caused this problem in his family? He committed adultery and murder. Here’s the first question – did David get forgiven by God? Yes he was forgiven. However, the consequence, or iniquity, went down his family line. So, if you follow David’s family, you realise there was adultery, there was rape, there was bitterness, there was betrayal, and one of the brothers killed the other brother. So looking at David’s family line, you see many problems, which had a generational root.

I’ll give you another example from 2 Kings 5:27. You remember Gehazi and Elisha. Remember how Gehazi coveted the money and goods that came from Naaman the Syrian. This is what Elisha spoke to him (2 Kings 5:26 - 27): “Did not my heart go with you, when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants? Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever”; and he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.

You notice that his sin was that there was coveting, or greed in his heart. He lied - he deceived, in order to manipulate someone to get some possessions in gold. In doing so, he ruined the strategic alliance between Elisha and Naaman, who was a high military person in Syria. Elisha did not want anything from Naaman the Syrian, even though he was an extremely wealthy man. He wanted to leave this man in debt to him, and to operate free of any requirement of him - this would give him power to speak into his life. If he took money from him, if he charged for his services, it would undermine his authority and the strategic relationship.

Just to give an example of that, there are times when I minister to some very highly important people in Taiwan. It’s always important that when I go to them, I never ask or want anything from them. That I go, what I give is free. That keeps then, the ability to keep my heart clear, and to have influence in these people’s lives. This is because the moment I was to show any signs of greed, they would pick it straight away.

Authority in their life depends on being totally free from a hidden agenda; so this greed in Gehazi’s heart was very serious - it undermined Elisha’s reputation. You notice that the result was leprosy - physical sickness. Notice that it was ‘cling to you and your descendents’. His sin opened the door for a generational leprosy in the family line.

Think of some other ones. In Genesis 12:10-13, remember how Abraham lied about his wife Sarah? In Genesis 26:7, Isaac his son lied also, about his wife. In Genesis 27:19, Jacob lied - pretended to be Esau - lied and deceived his poor blind dad. Then in Genesis 37:33, the whole family lied, when they covered up the death of Joseph. This is an example of an iniquity - a tendency towards dishonesty – lying in the family line. Notice the sins get worse and worse.

Another example would be Eli – 1 Samuel 3:12-14 and 1 Samuel 2:30-33 Remember he was unfaithful in his priesthood, and the curse came upon him and his family. Let’s just have a look at what the curse was - 1 Samuel 3:13 – “I will judge his house forever, for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them.” So notice there, verse 14 says – “Therefore, I have sworn to the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.”

Now we find out exactly what it was - go back to chapter 2, verse 31: “Behold, the days are coming that I will cut off your arm, and the arm of your father’s house, so that there will not be an old man in your house.” Verse 33: “But any of your men, whom I do not cut off from My altar, shall consume your eyes and grieve your heart; and all the descendants of your house shall die in the flower of their age.”

Basically what he’s saying is: the generational legacy of worshipping God will be removed from you, and there’ll be premature deaths in your family. He said – there’ll be constant grief. What he’s saying is that there is a generational curse coming, and it can’t be removed.

So there are other examples: Genesis 9:23 – Noah’s grandson Canaan was cursed. Genesis 4:11 – Cain was cursed with his descendents.

So we see then, the activity of generational iniquity and curses. How are we going to get the person free? What are the steps to freeing a person up?

The first thing is to know and understand fully what Jesus did, and then how to apply it. So we’ll just give you the scriptures for this, without taking too much time to develop them.

First, in Galatians 3:14 - Jesus positioned us to be blessed by breaking the curse. So in Galatians 3:13-14 - He redeemed us from the curse of the law. In other words: paid full price, to rescue us from all of these curses. If He paid the full price, there’s no price we have to pay. He did it so that the blessing of Abraham might come upon us through faith in Christ, and we receive the promise of the Spirit. So Jesus broke the power of curses, and positioned us to be blessed.

He also carried our iniquities. In Isaiah 53:5, it says: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. We all like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Notice there that Jesus took our transgressions - that’s breaking the law of God. He was bruised for our iniquities - that’s the core twist in our nature against God. So when Jesus died at the cross, He took all our iniquities, so that the power of iniquity could be broken completely. He took our transgressions and our sins. Colossians 2:14-15 – he removed them out of the way. Broke the power of curses, and positioned us to be blessed.

So therefore, what is required of us? How do we get a person free of these cursings? When you are working with someone, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to show us what the real problem is, and what its root is. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us. It’s always challenging to find the problem and its root. The problem may be obvious, or not obvious; but the root is what is empowering this thing. So we need to find: what is the root; and remove it, so that the person gets free from the power.

How would we get to the root of the problem? You have to ask the Holy Spirit to help you. You have to ask questions. So ask the Holy Spirit to help you, and of course, listen to what He has to say. He might just drop a thought in your mind to enquire about something.

Do you remember I’ve told you about the young man who was angry - and the Lord just dropped a thought in my mind. Obviously I asked the first question – “When did it start?”; “Are you the elder son? Were you conceived out of wedlock?” He said: “Where did you get these questions from?” “I just felt them inside - I was just listening to the Holy Spirit, and immediately nailed the problem”. From there we could work out a solution.

So the first thing is to ask the Holy Spirit to help you, and learn to listen to what He shows you. It may be that you just get a thought that comes to mind, a picture comes to mind, or you just feel the need to ask something. Stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

So when we’re looking at the person’s problem, you can ask these questions. What is the problem? When did it start? The question ‘when did it start?’ tends to open up whether this is a generational problem or not.

Did any member in your family have this problem? So you could draw a simple family tree, and you begin to look and see where these things have come from. When I’m working, I always have a piece of paper with me, and I ask questions about the person, then about their father, about their mother. I begin to look and see if there’re any issues coming down from either side of the family. Asking questions can help establish where this thing had begun; or the Holy Spirit will show you.

So you get it by listening - listen to the Holy Spirit; listen to the person. So listening is very important in trying to diagnose. Don’t jump to conclusions quickly. Listen and ask and follow what God is saying to your heart. The first steps of getting a person free are what you call ‘diagnose’. I would sit with a piece of paper, and I write down the things which are apparently the problems.

Now, how do we deal with a generational curse, and generational iniquity? Let me give you just a couple scriptures on that. In Leviticus 26:40, there’s a clue to how the person can get set free. Notice what God says in His word in verse 39 – 40: “They’re in their fathers’ iniquities, and are wasting away; but if they confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, and their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, and walked contrary to Me.”

So you notice: confession of iniquity is important. There are a number of examples of people confessing iniquity. For example, Nehemiah 1:6 - he confessed his own iniquities, and the iniquities of his fathers. Nehemiah 9:37 – Nehemiah confessed the iniquities of himself, and his fathers. Daniel 9:3 – who also confessed his iniquities. So, there has to be acknowledgment of the sin. The sin, the iniquity, must be brought to the cross.

So, what is the generational iniquity; and have you been doing this yourself? You have to find that out. For example, if the issue was idolatry - the parents were involved in idolatry; but did you do this as well? Your own sins you need to acknowledge, and the sins of your parents that opened the door for the sin.

1) We diagnose the problem - by asking the Holy Spirit; and asking the person questions.

2) We talk to the person and we show them how to get free. We explain to them what Christ has done for them. They are redeemed from the curse. God desires to position them for blessing. Galatians 3:13-14. But for this to happen, they need to do some things. So we explain to them what they must do.

These are quite logical steps: the diagnosis of what the problem is; help them understand what Christ has done; help them understand what they need to do; then we tell them what we will do to help them. I will lead you in a prayer, and this is what you will need to do in the prayer.

1) You will need to acknowledge Christ, because it is by identifying with Christ that we are free.

2) You will need to acknowledge the iniquity - for family iniquity, and your own iniquity.

3) You will need to renounce the generational curse. To renounce means to cancel its power. You need to speak words, to break the power of this iniquity and cursing. You need to ask Jesus to forgive you, to cleanse you from this iniquity. You’ll need to release forgiveness – to forgive family members who opened the door for this iniquity; and you’ll need to make a stand of faith, calling on the Lord to deliver you, and holding on to His words.

We’ll go through that again, so we’ve got the pattern of what must happen. It begins with diagnosis – asking the questions and listening to the person and the Holy Spirit. Identifying where this came from, father or mother - through which line? So we’ve done the diagnosis.

Then we need to explain to them what Jesus has done, because it’s faith in Christ that brings freedom. Galatians 3:13-14 are very good verses for this - very clear. So help them understand, that it is by faith in Christ that the remedy comes. Then we explain to them their part in the process; and what our part will be. We will lead them through a prayer to acknowledge Christ. We will lead them through a prayer to acknowledge the generational iniquity, and their own iniquity. To renounce and cancel the cursing, ask forgiveness and cleansing; release forgiveness to family members who open the door; to resist this curse, and reach out to Jesus in faith. So that’s the process.

Then of course, the last thing I found which is helpful, is to teach them to hold the cross of Christ between them and the family line. You are a new person in Christ.

What would the prayer look like? What would a prayer for generational idolatry look like? I’ll go through now, and I’ll put words to what I’ve just said. I’ll go slowly, because you may decide you’d like to write it down. Here’s the thing: don’t be preoccupied trying to get exact wording. Some people get fussed over getting the wording right - which is just the externals. I’d rather get the heart right, and stay in the flow of the Spirit, than be worried about getting every detail right.

Let me just break the prayer down for you, following exactly the steps we said.

1) The confession of faith. It would sound something like this. “Father I come to You in Jesus’ name. I confess Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord. I am redeemed by the blood of Jesus. From every curse, every evil spirit, all iniquity, all sin, I am redeemed. I belong to Jesus.” That’s just a confession of faith. It is extremely powerful. It’s really good for you to lead the person in that. You notice it’s just confessing my connection with Christ, and belief in what he’s done - this is the basis of freedom. What sets you free is faith in the blood, not faith in the prayer. What sets a person free is faith in Christ, not faith in the person praying - so you’re directing them towards Christ. Now we’ll go to the next part.

2) “Lord I stand as a representative of my family, and acknowledge our iniquity. I bring our family generational iniquity of idolatry to the cross. I confess I have also been involved in idolatry, so I bring my iniquity to the cross.”

You notice quite clearly that we brought family iniquity or sin to the cross; we brought personal sin to the cross. It may well be that the person has not actually been involved in that iniquity themselves, but most likely they have. You can see that it is important to confess the sin. “I ask you Lord to forgive me, and cleanse me of this iniquity and from all iniquity and sin”. So sin is confessed.

3.) Now speak words to renounce. “In Jesus’ name, I renounce, I cancel, all generational curses, all agreements with evil spirits. I renounce them, and cancel them. I renounce all iniquity in our family line, in Jesus’ name.

Lord I forgive my family; I forgive my parents; and those in my family who opened the door for this iniquity, who opened the door for this curse - I forgive them and bless them.”

It may be helpful at that point to renounce any judgements - “I renounce all judgements I made against my father and mother. I cancel them now.”

Now can you see that just by words - we’re dismantling things. If you can remember just the key things that are involved, it’s quite easy to remember how to pray a prayer to dismantle it - “I renounce all agreements my family members have entered into with evil spirits. I renounce all generational curses - I renounce and cancel their power. I renounce all agreements with evil spirits. I renounce this iniquity in my family line, and I cancel its power.”

Now, here’s where you would put in the cross - “Father I forgive my family, forgive my father and mother; renounce all judgements I’ve made against them. I hold the cross of Christ between me and my family line, and declare this iniquity and curse broken.” You see that the person, by confession, is dismantling this problem. “Now Lord I ask You to set me free”.

I tried to break that down into its elements. Now, what would you do at that point? At that point, you need to minister to them; so, this is what you would do. You need to speak into two things” 1) into the iniquity and curses, to break them; and 2) to the demonic spirits that are in the person. So one: you need to confront and break bondages, break the generational curses and iniquity, and two: you need to command the spirits to come out of them. Let the Holy Spirit to guide and direct.

You would do it something like this. Remember when you’re speaking now into the spirit realm - speak differently to when you are leading them in a prayer. Rise up in your spirit – “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I break the generational curses. I break all agreements made with evil spirits. I break them in Jesus’ name. I break all generational iniquity. I break it in Jesus’ name. I cut off this hold from your life.”

It’s like you’re speaking, as God’s representative, to cancel things. “In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command the spirits of idolatry - I command you to go”. Of course, the spirits you will command depend on the nature of the thing you’ve been dealing with - the unclean spirits. As the Holy Spirit leads you, you’ll command different spirits.

There’s one more part. This is what the person must fulfil. Let’s go back to Galatians 3:14-15. Here’s the last thing the person needs to do: they need to meditate, and renew in the word of God, and renew their thinking. They need to meditate in the word of God; and renew their thinking - this would lead to a change in how they behave or respond. There should be a shift in thinking, and a shift in behaving - both are needed. That will need to be specific, depending on what the person has been involved in.

In Galatians 3:14-15 – “He has redeemed us from the curse of the law”. So that is actually broken, but it’s important I don’t live anymore like a man under law. It’s important I live as a blessed person. That the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles through faith in Christ, and I receive the promise of the Spirit.

So what I need to do is to take the word of God, and begin to meditate in it. To meditate in God’s word, and relate it to the specific area I’ve been defeated in. I need to begin to picture this word as real in my life. I’m not earning blessing - Jesus earned the blessing. What I need to do, is believe that I am blessed; and think like I am blessed; and hold on to ‘I am blessed’; and then begin to live it out. So I need to renew how I think. This is where a lot of people get into difficulties - they’ve gone through ministry, but in their thinking, they still think like a cursed person; rather than think like a blessed person.

For example, suppose the issue was repeated cycles of financial failure. So when a person fails financially, they tend to believe in their heart: I’m no good with money; I’m a failure; there’s always a lack; something will always go wrong. They begin to think: failure; their heart becomes set on failure, expecting failure. They live and behave in ways that produce failure.

The person has come into a place now where they are free from that - they can change their believing. That means to meditate – Today I am blessed as I come in, I am blessed as I go out. God’s favour is on all that I do. Thank you that my finances are blessed. I now need to shift the way I behave, to live that out.

Before when I was cursed, living under bondage, I was afraid and fearful to give; or if I did give, it’s giving out of fear. You do this and you’ll be blessed; don’t do this and you’ll be cursed. I’m going to shift my thinking now - I am living in blessing. I have all I need. God supplies everything. I have no lack. Now, externally, I may not have changed, but internally I have to change. I’ve got to start to align with what God says is true. If I align internally, with faith, in what God says - eventually, externally everything will change as well.

In other words, I need to begin to meditate on God being an abundant God, and agree that I’ve got no lack. I need to be established in what God’s word says is true. I don’t want to go back into some old thing, where I’m thinking: if I tithe I’m blessed; if I don’t tithe, I’m cursed - then I’m living under the law again. A lot of Christians go back to the law. I need to stay in this place: I am blessed; and a blessed person is a generous person - who gives. I give because I’m blessed. I’m not giving because if I don’t, I’m afraid I’ll be cursed! I need to adjust my thinking to live how a blessed person lives.

What I have noticed with people is that they want you to come fix their problems with a prayer; but they often don’t want to follow on to know the Lord in the area of blessing, because this requires work and effort and responsibility. It requires that I begin to meditate in the word, and begin to align my life to agree with the word of God.

In other words, I need to follow on to know the Lord - I need to become a disciple of Christ. So there is no neutral ground: I’m either dropping back into the old way of living; or I’m turning to the new way of living - I need to hold that constantly.

So what do I do when I still feel the pressure on me leading me back to the old way? I need to declare strongly: the blood of Jesus has broken iniquity, I refuse to yield to it - I am blessed. I need to identify: I am a new person now.

So I begin to picture what that looks like. Thank you Lord I’m blessed in all that I do. Begin to see it, imagine it, and allow truth to be established. Then look at my life - am I living it out like a blessed person. What would that look like? You notice that it’s not passive. It’s not – I have these problems, please pray for me. No, I am a new creation in Christ - I am a blessed person. I have the Spirit of God, and I live in blessing as I set my mind on the Spirit, and not on the old ways of the flesh.

So the life of blessing is something given to me freely; but I need to believe and walk out of my life. That is where a lot of people don’t move on. They don’t realise that I have to tear down old thinking patterns as they come back into my mind. If any thoughts of poverty come, I have to pull them down quick; or I’ll start to feel lack, and I’ll start to respond in fear, and go back to how I used to live. Living in blessing, means living in faith - confident in what God says is true. It may take time to educate my heart to believe, that I have really changed.

So what happens in something like this: I’m living in this path of iniquity and cursing and bondage; then I come to Christ, and He says: now you are a blessed person. So I cut off all of those things; but I still at times keep thinking like the old way used to think. It’s like this pull towards the old way, all the time.

I need to speak: iniquity is broken, I am a blessed person. I’ve got to speak to this thing: that it’s broken by the blood of Jesus, and I live as a blessed person; and you meditate on that blessed life – God is with me, my needs are met, I have abundance, the Lord is my Sheppard and I shall not want. People know ‘the Lord is my Sheppard and I shall not want’; but what they don’t know in their heart is that: God Almighty is my friend, and there’s no area that I lack. It’s a heart place of confidence in God. So I’ve been shifted into blessing by Christ. Now I have to think and live like a blessed person.

When maybe there’s some pressure that comes financially - old thinking starts to return. I’ve got to constantly push against it, and redirect my attention: I have abundance in Christ - I am blessed. I look out, and it doesn’t look like I’m blessed; but don’t go back to old thinking, stay in the new. It’s an internal shift from iniquity, crookedness, demonic power, cursing Me and resisting Me; to now: confident in God, and living like a blessed person.

So if I live like a blessed person, then a blessed person is generous, confident. So the battle is now not a battle to make God bless me; it’s a battle to believe I’m blessed, and to be at rest - it’s an internal battle, and that’s the battle all believers have to face. When your heart becomes at rest, actually, God is blessing you. Each time your heart comes to rest, you’ve won the fight. This is an ongoing thing all your life.

People all love to just get ministry to get free; and there’s a place in the power that release can come; but they have to then change and live like a free person. Very soon they go back, and instead of living from the spirit and heart, they live out of the mind, and all its old opinions and thinking.

Question & Answer

Can you share any secrets to how to keep your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit?

I also mentioned that I would talk about praying. To maintain sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, it’s a daily life with Him. So that requires prayer; and it also requires that you act on the little impressions the Holy Spirit gives. The more you act on the little impressions, the more sensitive you become, and the more you seem to receive.

In Mark 4:24 Jesus said: “If you have ears to hear, and you respond, then more will be given.” Listening and responding to the Holy Spirit helps develop sensitivity. In my prayer time daily, I pray a number of things. One of the things I pray, is that I spend time in worshipping and just loving God for who He is. I try to keep extending that time out. I’m just meditating in His presence, speaking in tongues, and just loving on Him. I’ve learned that you can speak in tongues, sing with your mind, and picture Jesus - all at the same time. You actually have the power to give yourself to Him in worship.

Then I also take a time in my praying, probably about 20 minutes or so, I consciously yield differently parts of my life to Him, and begin to speak over my life, what I’m believing for God to do. I’ll just give you an example - I’ll just show you how I pray.

“Lord today I yield to You my hearing. I yield the ears of my inner man and outer man to You. Thank you Lord I hear Your voice clearly today. My heart is sensitive to Your voice. Lord I hear what You are saying to me, and I respond immediately. I thank you Lord that You’re giving me a hearing heart, to hear people, to ask questions that probe right to the root of the problems. Thank you Lord that You’re giving me an ability to see what the problem is - eyes to see, ears to hear, ability to discern exactly what is happening.”

What I’m doing is, I’m picturing and declaring the life I intend to live. Now there’s a basis for this. I’ll give you a scripture - 1 John 4:17 - “As He is, so are we in the world.” As He is now, we are in the world. I want you to think about that one. I don’t have to make myself become something; the Bible says – as He is, so am I.

So what is He like? Jesus hears the voice of the Father all the time. Jesus looks right into people’s hearts and knows what is going on. Lord as You are, so am I in this world. I hear the voice of my Father clearly. I instantly respond. I hear the voice of people’s hearts. I see right into their lives.

You say, well, but actually you’re not living that way. No, I am building the future I intend to have. I’m beginning to declare the operation of His life through me. As I meditate in who I am in Christ, and what I can do in Christ, and believe that, it shows up in my life. This is the blessed life.

People try to work hard, to be able to get God to help them to do stuff. What if you already have all, you are complete in Christ? Everything you need, you have? How about this one: “We have an anointing, and we know all things”. I don’t know all things. No, but I have an anointing that knows all things - I need to be more conscious of the anointing within.

So, reflective prayer, prayer of meditation and affirming the truth is crucial to building your life with God. So you don’t wait until you’re in a ministry situation to become sensitive; you develop it day by day. It’s something you build into your life, and it manifests through your life.

I wish I’d know those things years ago. It would’ve made my life a lot easier! I just didn’t know what to do to see the reality of God moving - it’s taken me years to find it, because people who do - don’t tell. They just do - and everyone thinks they’re wonderful. You know there’s a magician and he shows off the magician’s tricks? That’s what I want to be! Show what the tricks are; but it’s actually a lot easier than you realise, when you understand the dynamics of the spirit man, and you begin to understand: I already am that new creation man. I’m already complete in Christ. As He is, so am I in the world.

So what is He like? So I meditate on Him - that’s what I’m like. Oh, I see. I begin to see Him, and say: that’s who I am, that’s what I’m like. Doesn’t the Bible say: we’ve been conformed into the image of Jesus? Trouble is, you look in the mirror, and you see what you think you’re like. We should look in the spiritual mirror, and see Christ, and say: “Ah - that’s who I am, everyday I’m more and more like that”. So this is not like working hard to make something happen; it’s like training the heart to believe the truth, through meditation and confession: I’m in the presence of God.

The last thing on that, in Hebrews 5:14 it says: “Having our senses exercised to discern”. So, you develop sensitivity by practice; not by reading about it - you just have to try. So ask God to send you plenty of people to practise on. Just practise, until you get the feel of the flow of His anointing on you.

There’s a lady with a question. There is this particular person in authority, in the office, like a manager. When this person deals with her, he has this huge rage inside. He gets really mad, and there’s a lot of anger. She can sense there’s a power behind it. He has no problem with anyone else, just her! Every time she prays, or speaks in tongue, or tries to control the situation. Now, she’s asking: besides prayer, is there anything she can do to deal with this situation?

It’s most likely that there’s a spiritual reaction going on. That sometimes happens. If he’s nice to everyone, and to you he’s very angry- either there’s something in him reacting to you, or there’s ways you’re operating that are irritating him very much. We’ve always got to be open that perhaps God wants us to grow in the situation.

So Lord, help me to overcome evil with good. Romans 12: 21 I think, overcome evil with good, don’t be overcome by evil. I would, in prayer, hold him up before the Lord. Get a picture, see his face, and begin to speak and take authority over the spirits that are operating behind him. I presume this is an unsaved person - this is why it’s such a big reaction. So speak to the spirits. Picture a demonic spirit got a hold of him and is manipulating him. Speak to that spirit. Command it to release him.

In other words, in prayer, assert your authority spiritually over the driving power behind it. Decree that you already have authority over it. Don’t fight to get the authority. Speak from the place of authority: I tread on serpents and scorpions, over all power over the enemy. Nothing shall harm me. No weapon formed against me shall prosper.

In Jesus’ name, I bind that controlling spirit. It’s controlling through anger, and it’s very intimidating and frightening - it’s a spirit of witchcraft. Take authority. Bind the spirit. Forbid its operation against you. Decree its power broken. Hold a place of strength over the spirit, in your prayer time.

Then you ask God for grace. To be able to love this person, and to be able to relate and connect with them well. You have to, first of all, get your heart right; address the spiritual power; and then you can deal with the person.

When the person gets angry, there are some things you can do. Here’s one thing. The Bible says – a soft answer turns away anger. One thing I felt has helped me, is when someone is very angry with me - I would just, in a quiet voice, ask questions to clarify what they’re saying. In other words, I just act a little bit thick (stupid), and juts ask questions to understand what they’re saying. When you speak quietly, and just enquire what they’re saying - they have to calm down in order to answer the questions. That is just one strategy I found has helped.

Another strategy is to be a little bit more direct; one of trying to manage it. In other words, to say: excuse me, I notice you seem to be very upset or angry with me. In other words, you bring to the open what is hidden there. I notice you seem to be quite angry and upset; is there something I’ve done that has upset you that I can put right? I really want to help you and serve you; I don’t want to be doing things that upset you. Sometimes you get: ‘I’m not angry!’ So, there’s a variety of ways to manage someone who is difficult in the workplace, but you have to work with God to find the best way through it.

First you have to manage yourself; then deal with the Spirit world; then learn some skills in handling someone who is angry with you. Use a soft voice, enquiring, clarifying, get the expectations clear; and if need be, say: I’ve noticed this, is there something I’ve done that’s upset you so deeply? Sometimes, just that quiet voice enquiring after the person, just can have a good calming effect.

Another thing is acts of kindness towards that person - acts of kindness can soften that person’s heart as well - a gift or card at an appropriate time. There are many strategies you’ve got to find. In some places in the west, they would actually take a more confrontational line; and actually stand up and say: you have no right to speak to me in that tone. That kind of response tends to cause a huge conflict, and employment laws in New Zealand favour employees, so bosses have to be more careful. I don’t think it’s the case here! So, therefore you have to carefully work out how to handle it.

The last thing in your situation, is that after such an encounter, realise you’ve probably been quite knocked. As you turn away from the encounter, “Lord, I just forgive this man, release him right now. Lord I ask for love to come back to my heard. Amen”. So it becomes an opportunity for you to grow.

You notice it’s a mixture of spiritual and practical - both are needed to solve the problem. In military, first you win the battle in the air; then you can win it on the ground. There’s always a spiritual pressure.

The spirit of idolatry is very strong in their family, both on the father’s side and mother’s side. For quite a few of them, they are full time temple workers, and some of them are even in the committee of the Taoist association in Taiwan - so they are a very high level in Taiwan. Even when she prays very hard, she tries all kinds of anointing in the house; still she is troubled by those spirits. So what can she do to break the power of those evil spirits in the household?

The first thing to realise is that Christ has defeated them. So here’s what I’ve noticed happens in Taiwan: people become very impressed with the devil, very impressed with the idols, and very impressed with demons; in spite of the fact that Jesus has defeated them! So, this is an issue of what you believe in your heart.

Now, I’m not minimising the reality of demonic oppression, and the high level this would be around family members involved in the temple. What you must realise, is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the blood He shed, the blood of a spotless King, is more powerful than any of their offerings, or any of their gods.

For example, I want to Taichung, and there’s the big temple there. I noticed that before I went, everyone was like: ‘Oh Taichung!’ I was thinking: Jesus conquered the demon! But in the belief system, there was an ascribing of power to these things, which they did not have. I said: ‘Let me get to Taichung quickly’! Then I said when I got there: take me to this temple, let me see what’s going on. I refused to be intimidated, because I recognised that everyone was intimidated. When I got into the meeting of church workers, they were some of the most depressed people I’d ever seen. Many were sick, and many people had died! So you either look at it and say: “Woah, big devil”. Or, you say: “Wow! Guys, rise up - you need to believe Jesus!”

So I decided the first night I was there, I will preach on idolatry. I will be highly confrontational. Not only that, it was the feast of Matsu. So Matsu’s coming through the streets with thousands of people - so, I will preach against Matsu as well, and I did! It was a very difficult heavy atmosphere, very oppressed. I spoke and preached, not to the people, but beyond the people into the spirit world - declaring the authority of Jesus Christ, the power of the blood.

We had a great deliverance meeting that night, lots of people got set free - wonderful. Then I read the news the next morning. That night in the temple, the temple committee had voting - and a fight broke out, which became so violent that the police were called, and everyone was dispersed. I realised then, how important it is, never to be intimidated. Arise in who you are in Christ - the demons are terrified of you; don’t be intimidated by them.

I’ll give you a couple of stories. I had a girl who had been dedicated to Sai Baba; and in the home, there’s a huge alter to Sai Baba. So she got massive deliverance. “But I got home and my father has this huge alter to Sai Baba, right in the house!” I said, “Don’t worry about Sai Baba.” I said: “Your room, that’s where you belong. Dedicate your room, make an anointment with oil. Decree no spiritual oppression in this room. Invite the Holy Spirit in. This room is my sanctuary. Play worship music. The rest of the house belongs to your father. So this is what you do: you don’t criticise, you don’t say all kinds of things against what they do, you honour your parents. Every time you go past Sai Baba, then you pray in tongues; and you make a declaration – Sai Baba shall decrease, Jesus shall increase. Every time you walk past that idol, every time you walk past that alter: “Sai Baba decrease, Jesus increase”. Not a big prayer, very easy prayer.

I come back one year later, I said how are you getting on? “I’m a cell leader now, doing very well.” I remembered her, so I said, “How’s Sai Baba doing?” “Not so good.” She said, “We had some financial difficulty. We had to move out of our apartment to a smaller apartment where there’s no alter - only a picture.” “Ah, very good - Sai Baba is decreasing! Keep praying.” So next time I went back, I asked how are you doing? “Oh, I have 3 groups now.” “How’s Sai Baba doing?” “He’s not doing good at all. The picture fell off the wall and got broken. Now we have a smaller picture. Sai Baba is definitely decreasing; Jesus is increasing”.

The point is this: you must not be intimidated. You are in spiritual places in Christ, seated with Him. What does it mean to be seated with Him? He’s done all the work! If I’m in heavenly places, far above every principalities and power, there’s no devil up here, the devil’s down there. It’s all in my believing. I encourage you to meditate in scriptures, and establish clearly faith in your hearts, that these are nothing – nothing! That doesn’t happen straight away. It takes time to build in your heart, that you are joined to Christ, the demon conqueror. You have authority over these things. As you speak to those things, each one will be subdued and go.

So in your prayer, firstly you arise in spirit in a place of worship near God. Put on the armour of God. Speak in Jesus’ name. Stand as a representative of this family. Counsel this wickedness and idolatry. Bind each and every spirit power. In Jesus’ name, I forbid your operation against me, against my family. Jesus of Nazareth has conquered you already. You are defeated.

So don’t fight against them; stand and declare your victory against them - it’s a big difference. The wrestling is to establish what is true. What seems to be true is that they have all the power; but what is true, is that Jesus has all the power, and you have also - but you do not believe that yet, and that’s why this thing affects you. The struggle is not outside you, it’s within you, to come to a place of total confidence over these things.

Obviously it’s brought grief to you; obviously you’re distressed about this. It’s a great chance for you to become stronger. The Roman Caesar, his house was full of idols, but they had a worship meeting in his house. I’ve learned you must never be intimidated; intimidation is the big weapon the devil uses against us. So it says, beware, the devil prowls as a roaring lion - big idols, big temples, little Christian - seeking to devour you.

It says: resist, steadfast in faith. When you start to resist like that, there might be all kinds of upheaval take place. Just let that happen, it’s part of walking with Christ. In City Harvest Singapore, when the young people came to Christ, their idol-worshipping parents often beat them! I can remember when Pastor Yi Ping Tsang was 18, when many of them were very young in high school, they’d come back and they’d been beaten up by their parents - but almost all that generation have seen their parents saved.

Pastor Kong, I took the meeting where his parents got saved. You have to believe that what we have is stronger; even if temporarily it doesn’t appear to be so. So you have what appears to be true; you have what is true. This one seeks to intimidate you and capture your heart; you have to come back into the place with confidence in God.

Part of that will be that you will bring your grief and pain to Him, bring your fear to Him, and undoubtedly there’d be some anger in all of this. You need to bring that to Him too and forgive your parents. Ask God to give you great love for them. Choose to be the great representative. I understand this is not easy. But that’s the journey we have in Christ. We have our challenges.

Freedom from the Occult (2 of 3)  

Thu 3rd Oct 2013 « Back to Top

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People trade with evil spirits for knowledge, power or protection and end up in bondage.Learn how to recognize occult bondage and how to set people free,

We’re going to carry on today on a topic – Freedom from the Occult. The pastor’s asked me to share on three specific topics over three days, so we’re able to develop it a bit more. Yesterday we looked at Generational Issues, Iniquity, and Curses – recognising their impact, and how to deal with them.

Today we want to talk about the occult. We want you to understand what it is, and what it’s doing to young people today. I want you to understand what divination and sorcery are, and to understand how you set people free from these things. I’m not claiming to be an expert at it, but I have some understanding because we’ve dealt with a lot of people in this area. So, we’re going to share today about this whole area, and give you an understanding of it.

The first thing to realise is that God has created us to be bonded. God’s design has created us to be bonded - to be attached. We are a spirit being, with a soul living in the body; and we have the capacity, by God, to attach. We have yearnings inside our heart that only really God can meet. So God’s design is that we become attached to Him; and that out of that attachment to Him, His nature, His life, flows.

For example, in 1 Corinthians 6:17, the Bible says: “He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit.” So, God has designed us to become attached to Him, bonded spirit to spirit; and from that bonding, a life would flow into the world. In other words, we’re designed to bring His kingdom into the world. So God’s design includes: 1) Relationship – intimate connection and bonding to Him; and 2) to Exercise Authority as His Representative - to advance His kingdom.

His original mandate to Adam and Eve, one part of the assignment He gave them was, He gave them a garden and He said: “I want you to guard and keep the garden”. So He gave them a Territory to rule over. He gave them Authority in that territory. So Adam was given Spiritual Authority to represent God.

He was given two commands related to the Garden of Eden. 1) Cultivate it; develop it, so it produces fruit. So God has called us to cultivate our territory - make it fruit-bearing for the kingdom. 2) Also to guard the territory - to protect it from an invader with destructive intent. So right at the very beginning, God designed us for relationship, for bonding with Him; and gave man authority to represent Him, and advance His kingdom in the earth. He gave a mandate to cultivate the garden, and protect it from invaders. We know what happened – Adam broke his relationship with God, and then lost his authority.

When he broke his relationship with God, he became vulnerable to living differently. We won’t track all of this, but we’ll just say this: that over the course of the first century or so of human history, demonic spirits began to invade the Earth and corrupt the culture. I won’t go into how this has happened, and how it affected the nations of the Earth. We’ll just focus on the occult, and what that’s about.

You need to understand that Jesus came to restore intimacy with God, and to give us back our authority; and give us a mandate again – be fruitful and go advance in the Earth. So becoming a Christian is actually about the connection to Christ and following Him; and it’s about being able to bring kingdom influence back into the Earth again. To act as God’s ambassador, and have authority over demonic spirits, and over the creation. We see that when we look at Jesus’ ministry, that He trained His disciples for authority over the demonic. Let me give you a couple of scriptures on that, and then we’ll start teaching about the occult.

First of all, we see in Mark 3:14-15 – “Then He appointed the twelve, that they might be with Him, and that He might send them out to: preach; and to have power to heal sicknesses; and to cast out demons.” So the great commission includes preaching the gospel, healing the sick, and authority over the evil spirits.

Have a look in Luke 10:17 - Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” Verse 19, notice this: “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” So, that word ‘Authority’, is the word ‘Exusia’ in Greek. It means: a legal delegated right to speak and act on behalf of God. Notice that Jesus is saying: I give you authority. He has the authority; we just act as His representative. The authority is not yours; it’s yours as a delegated authority. So we have an authority to represent Christ. Our authority comes out of connection with Christ.

Notice what He gives authority: He says: authority to trample, or literally crush under your feet, serpents and scorpions, and all the power of the enemy. So He uses two pictures to describe demonic spirits: the serpent; and the scorpion. They both inhabit the wilderness. The serpent bites, it releases toxins into the body to poison it. The scorpion has a sting that causes tremendous torment. It’s not clear, but it’s possible that He’s referring to two specific types of demonic entity. The serpent - demonic spirits; and the scorpions – angels, or angelic beings.

He says He gives you authority over all the power – that’s the word ‘Dunamis’. So, ‘Dunamis’ is the same word that’s used when it says “you shall receive power”. That word means ‘supernatural ability’. I think it’s important to realise this: that you have legal right over the supernatural ability and demonstrations of the devil; and nothing shall by any means hurt you. That’s a very good scripture to memorise - if you ever get into a deliverance situation which is a little bit intimidating, always remember – nothing shall in any way harm me.

We’re going to look now at the Occult. We’re going to refer to Deuteronomy 18. The Bible is not exactly clear where demonic spirits come from. So, it’s a little bit open to ideas or opinions about this. Some people think that they may be angels who fell. I’m not so sure about that, there’s nothing quite clear on it. The Bible’s not clear where they originate. They’re called ‘evil spirits’. So they’re definitely spirit beings, and they’re definitely evil in their intention.

As an aside, the Bible does tell us, it refers that in Genesis 6, that a certain group of angels abandoned the positioning God gave them, took on a human form, had sexual relationships with women, and that there were offspring off that called Nephilim. The Nephilim were extremely wild and fierce beings. It would seem that they corrupted the Earth. You may wish to search on the internet and find more information about these. Eventually, the destruction was so great that God destroyed the Earth with the flood. If these beings were part angel and part human, it’s quite possible these are the evil spirits that are actually in the Earth now, continuing to attack humans. So, I won’t go down that, it’s a very interesting area to explore. It helps you understand the whole number of things that remain otherwise hidden. So, we won’t worry about that, we’ll just say: there are evil spirits called demons.

What happens is that people in every culture are aware of the spirit world. It appears when you read books apart from the Bible, for example the book of Enoch, that there were a group of angels called watcher-angels who were assigned to instruct men. But the whole group of them abandoned their positions, corrupted the role God gave them, had sexual relationships with women, and began to teach people about the whole occult spirit dimension.

These angels God has held in judgment until the last days. It seems that it’s from the influence of these angels, that all of this teaching around the occult came into the nations, and spread through the Earth. One particular nation that had been filled with all this Occult activity was the land of Canaan. The nations that were in the land of Canaan were deeply involved in the occult; and with it, a whole range of perverse practices.

So in Deuteronomy 18:9, it says: “When you come into the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominations of those nations.” So God is warning the people that the nation they’re about to go into, the nation of Canaan, was full of activities God calls ‘an abomination’. He’s referring to occult activities. The word occult means this: secret, covered, hidden.

So occult activity is: seeking knowledge or information from the spirit world; or seeking power from the spirit world; or protection from the spirit world. The two main streams of the occult are what’s called divination – seeking information from the spirit world; and sorcery – seeking power from the spirit world. Connected to this, of course, is idolatry. They are all integrated together, although each one is quite distinct.

The problem that people of God had was: the whole of the nations they came into were perverted by this demonic activity. In those days, there was no deliverance. So they needed to destroy the nations, because the people were demonically filled. So the word occult means to be covered or hidden; because usually, the power is secret. The source of the information or power is hidden.

People involved in the occult may be aware that they’re connecting with evil spirits. But they are deceived – they think they have power over the spirit, but the spirit has power over them. When people engage in the occult, they think the spirits are helping them; but in fact, now they’re gaining power over them. Eventually, they extract a price - all magic exacts a price - there is a price to be paid!

In the kingdom of God, the price is always upfront: pay first, benefits later. In the kingdom of darkness, it’s the other way round: benefit now, pay later - and you pay more than you think! That’s how the system works.

We see here that God lists a whole number of practices. These are associated either with idolatry or with the occult. One of the problems with the occult is that it is progressive, and it is addictive; and once people are in it, they find it extremely difficult to get out of it. It’s progressive; and it’s addictive.

Let’s have a look at some of the things that are in here. When the people of God went into the nations, they found them involved in idolatry and Spiritism. Let’s have a look at what it says (Deuteronomy 18:10 - 14): “There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, nor one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations, the LORD your God drives them out from before you. You shall be blameless before the LORD your God. For these nations, which you will dispossess, listened to soothsayers and diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has not appointed such for you.”

This list here is not comprehensive; it’s just a list of some of the things they were doing. Every culture has their own variations of this, and every one of them has a spirit power behind it. As we look at these, we see a number of things. The first one they talk about was offering their children to idols. There was a particular god called Molech. He was a big brass god with arms reaching out. They would ignite fire on it, and heat it up until it was very hot. Then there would be drums playing and people shouting, and they would throw their children into Molech, where they’d be burned up. You’d understand this is a horrendous thing in God’s eyes. It indicates the nature of the demonic spirit that operates behind it. The desire is to steal the children. The activity today most like that is abortion - the same spirit operates behind it.

Notice there’ll not be anyone who practises witchcraft, soothsayer, interprets omens, or a sorcerer. So people were involved in a number or range of activities. For example, many of them were into astrology – looking at star signs. Let me give you just a brief explanation of that. There’s a book that explains the background to this: The Witness of the Stars by E. W. Bullinger. Let me just explain the whole issue of astrology.

The Bible says: the heavens declare his glory. So in Psalm 19 it talks about the heavens, and it talks about the word of God. Before the word of God was written, God revealed or spoke to... maybe it was Enoch, and He showed him a pattern for recording God’s history by looking at the stars. So they divided the stars into 12 different constellations or groups. And they ascribed to various star groups, a particular picture so it’s easier to remember. The stars were all given names, and each section of this described a part of God’s redemptive plan.

Starting with the woman; and the serpent; and then the fall of man, going right through to the coming of Jesus Christ overcoming the serpent, and establishing a rule. So each of the constellations, and even the names of the stars in it, were given as a message of encouragement; and a way of understanding the bigger picture - from creation to the return of Christ. The question is, where do you start? You notice the Sphinx has a picture of the woman’s head, and lion’s body. The story starts with the woman, starts with Virgo, and goes right through to Leo. It describes in the stars, God’s story of history, and the coming of the Son of man to redeem His death on the cross - everything is in that story.

So the stars have no power over people. It’s just God gave a way for people to pass on to their generations, the hope of the coming redeemer. Of course, over time, it became corrupted; and people began to believe that stars influenced the course of our lives - it’s a corruption of the truth. The truth is: God laid out some patterns, so people could know His plan for redemption. The message of the stars is the most amazing message! Many of the names of the stars have been forgotten. But those that have remained, all in them have a message - the heavens declare.

So, the whole area of astrology opens the door for people into the occult realm. It becomes addictive, because people are looking to some spiritual source in order to direct their lives. They are attaching to the wrong thing. God directs our lives. It’s God who has a plan for our lives, not the stars. I encourage you to read up on that and become equipped, because it will quite stun you how the message of the gospel is in the stars. At Psalm 19, it starts off ‘the heavens’, now we have the Bible, ‘the Word’. So the Word now gives us the plan of salvation.

You notice here that it talks about the whole realm of all of these areas. Notice divination or fortune telling, and magic - various kinds of magic. Overall, you can summarise the occult activity into two groups. The first one is divination.

Let’s have a look in Acts 16:16-18. We read here an example of a woman involved in divination. “Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” - and he came out that very hour.”

So here is a woman who has a spirit of divination. Today you would call her a psychic – a person who tells things about your life, and foretells your future. Psychics are extremely popular today, but they operate in way counterfeit to the word of knowledge. The second thing you realise, is that this woman extracted money, in order for doing the fortune-telling; meaning that people paid to get their fortune told. When people paid to get their fortune told, they were entering into an agreement to trade with a demon - they were prostituting themselves.

The Bible tells us in Leviticus 20:2-6, God warns his people not to prostitute themselves with these demonic spirits. Let me read it for you, Leviticus 20:5-6, He said: “I will set My face against that man and against his family; and I will cut him off from his people, and all who prostitute themselves with him to commit harlotry with Molech. ‘And the person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute themselves with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.”

Notice what God says in this verse: that anyone who’s involved with a medium or familiar spirits is prostituting themselves with them. What does that mean? They are paying money; and they are becoming bonded or attached. He uses the imagery of a prostitute, just as Paul did in 1 Corinthian 6. What it means is that you are selling yourself. You think you’re buying information; but actually you’re selling yourself! You’re being sold into bondage to the demonic spirit. So you need to understand then, that all involvement with the occult realm is a form of prostitution; and the person becomes joined to the demonic spirit. It has a right to access their lives.

A medium is someone who is a channel for a spirit. They usually go into a trance, and then spirit speaks through them, and gives information. In Leviticus 20:27, the Bible is very clear that a person who is involved with these demonic powers, there’s a death penalty for them.

Let’s go back to Acts 16 and now there’s a woman who has a spirit of divination. The region was a place known for divination and fortune-telling. It was a region where people came to get their fortune told – the whole area was filled with this. It was in a place in Greece, where what was called an oracle, was situated at Delphi. An oracle is a psychic. People would go and consult her to get information, and they would pay money. So the whole area was filled with psychic activity – divination.

It said this woman, a slave girl, was possessed with a spirit of divination. Again, the word possessed is a very bad translation. If you look up the original meaning, it means “to wear like a garment”. She was wearing the spirit like a garment. In other words, instead of being filled or clothed with the Holy Spirit, she’s clothed with the demonic spirit. The word there – spirit of divination - the word divination means literally ‘python’. That was the name of the area where the people worked – Putho I think it was called. So there was a spirit of a python wrapped around her, whispering in her ear. That spirit is called a familiar spirit. So a person operating as a medium or in fortune-telling or divination has a familiar spirit - a spirit that communicates with the person, speaks into their ear.

So what do these spirits know? Do they know your future? Again, the Bible’s not clear, but my conclusion is that they do not know your future - your future is hidden in God’s hands. I do believe they see what God is bringing to you - because they operate in the spirit world, they can see things. For example, when Daniel in Daniel 10 prayed, the angel was sent to him, but demonic spirits resisted it.

So demonic spirits are aware of you; they observe you and watch you. I believe it’s like a demonic internet, where everything is all connected. A familiar spirit can communicate information about you, because spirits have been watching you, and watching your family. It’s hard for us to get a hold of that, but we are under observation all the time. The spirits observe your behaviour and notice how predictable you are; and a demonic spirit can pass on information to the psychic, which may be quite correct, and counterfeit of the word of knowledge.

Many of these psychics operate in quite a strong and accurate word of knowledge, but the source of the information is a demonic spirit. I believe they give you information so you start to believe in them; and then when they begin to ascribe a future to you, if you agree with it, they are now empowered to bring or manipulate your life for that to happen. So involvement with the demonic realm will open the doorway for spirits to enter you. You literally give a legal right for the demon to control your life.

Notice there that the girl had a spirit of divination. Notice in verse 17, she cried out saying: these men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaimed to us the way of salvation. Was this correct? Yes it was. Did most people realise that? No they didn’t.

So she’s calling this out, and the effect of it was that Paul felt quite grieved, or irritated, or there was a struggle in his ministry because of her. So this spirit was actually creating difficulties for him. It said: she did this for many days, until finally he confronted the spirit. Once he confronted the spirit, it triggered off a riot in the area, and he was thrown in jail!

So divination means: consulting evil spirits for hidden knowledge. There are a whole range of practices of divination. It seems that Chinese people are addicted to it - just want to know about the future; and rather than walk by faith with God and trust him, they try to find out information from evil spirits. Now I know there are heaps of different activities, so I’ll just give a few of them: Consulting the fortune-telling or a psychic; Consulting an Ouija board, where they have letters around and they put a glass in the centre and they ask questions - that’s consulting a familiar spirit. Going to a medium – that’s a person who goes into a trance, and the spirit begins to speak through them. Astrology; Tarot cards; Numerology; Horoscopes; some people go into pendulum-swinging. Every culture has their own forms of these things - the water divination.

The key question to ask is: what is the source of the power. If a spiritual power is operating, there’s a spiritual source. What is the source of the power? Another type of divination is séances – calling up spirits. I’m sure that in your culture, you’ve got all manner of different kinds of ways this is done; but in the end, the key question is this – what is the source of the information?

If the source is evil, the influence will be evil also, and God forbids us to be involved in these things. So sometimes people reach out into this realm of divination - just curious, but then that opens up a whole realm. Unfortunately, many of the movies recently, have been filled with all kinds of things of divination. The Harry Potter movies, for example, are full of divination – all kinds of different forms of it. I think you’ll find, when you look, that many of these are drawn from some things which actually exist; and they can be very seductive, because you have the thought of getting secret information- find out about your future – will I be blessed, will I prosper? People want to know those things; but if we consult with the demon, he has a legal right to access our lives.

The Bible says: when you’re involved in divination, you prostitute yourself with an evil spirit, and you defile yourself. So any person involved in fortune-telling has become defiled; and they would need to renounce the words spoken over them, and the evil spirits behind them. You can’t walk with God, and hold on to what the demons have been saying.

So core foundations to being set free from divination would be: Repentance – turning away from it; Confession of sin – because it’s a sin, an abomination to God. It would also involved renouncing attachment to the spirit, and any words they had been given from these demonic spirits. You can’t serve two masters. There’s no ground for holding on. We’re either going to put our life in the Lord’s hands, and respond to His leadership, and His promise of guiding us; or we consult these others. If we consult the demonic realm, we’re slowly drawn into darkness. People get quite addicted, and they can’t make decisions, or begin a day, without consulting their horoscope, or reaching out to these diviners.

The last thing you notice is that, when the demon came out, the girl had no power to do this again - the source of the information was an evil spirit. I remember someone coming up to me after church one day, and they said: can you pray for my friend? I said: “Why’s that?” She said “Well, he’s in a bit of a mess, and he’s going to see a fortune-teller”. I said, “Yes, bring him to me”. I said, “I understand you’re going to see a fortune-teller”. He said: “Yes”. I said: “Well, God knows your future. You should learn to look to Him.” I said, “Let me pray for you”, and I asked God to give me a clear, sharp, accurate prophetic word, and I delivered this to him. And he left, saying thank you. I knew he was going to go to the fortune-teller, so I prayed a simple prayer: “Lord I know he’s going to the fortune-teller - turn her counsel to confusion.” So he comes back a week later, came up, and gave his heart to Christ. He said, “Oh you know, I went to that fortune-teller”. I said: “Yeah, how did it go?” He said: “That was a waste of money”. I said: “How much did you pay?” He said: “I paid 50 dollars! What she told me was a lot of nonsense - very confusing.” And he came to Christ.

So, you must learn to lean into the flow of revelation yourself. We cannot abandon the supernatural realm, and leave it for the psychics. We need to press in, and develop the flow of revelation in our own life - words of knowledge and prophetic flow. These are gifts God has given the church. The psychics are substitutes. The real thing, is the gift of the Holy Spirit. It’s a reproach to the church that some of these psychics have become so good, and so influential; but the church struggles to just embrace simple things of the spirit world.

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The next area we want to look into is the area of Sorcery. Sorcery is a major aspect of the whole occult dimension. Let’s have a look in the Old Testament – Exodus 7:11. Sorcery is the pursuit of power - power obtained from evil spirits. Sorcery is the pursuit of power from evil spirits - power over people or circumstances. So it’s a pursuit of power; and sorcery involves engaging evil spirits, and drawing supernatural power into the Earth. We’re going to look at an example in the Old Testament, then in the New Testament.

Exodus 7:10: “So Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh; and did just as the LORD commanded. Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and his servants, and it became a serpent.”

Now that is pretty spectacular! Imagine if I brought a stick in here, threw it on the ground, and it turned into a snake - you’d all be screaming and yelling and jumping for that door. That is really scary! But look at what these sorcerers did - Exodus 7:11 – “But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the Sorcerers, the magicians of Egypt, and they also did the same with their rods.” It says: they did in the same manner with their enchantments, or their secret arts. Notice that term for the occult: Secret Arts.

Exodus 7:12 – “For every man threw down his rod and they became serpents.” So, you notice now, Aaron has thrown down Moses’ rod, and now there’s a serpent. The Pharaoh isn’t fazed, he says: “Hey”, brings in his own sorcerers, and they threw down their rods, which turned into serpents. Now that is really scary stuff. Now we’ve got God’s serpent, and the other serpents. I think at this stage, we’d all be running out the door, but Moses’ serpent ate up the other serpents. Then he picked it up, and it became a stick again.

Now this is a display of supernatural power. Notice that God’s power in this area was copied - the Sorcerers were also able to do this. They did it because of the connection they had to the occult realm. So when we’re talking about sorcerers, we’re talking about real power, demonic power. People connected to evil spirits, who have a range of powers. When you go to many cultures, you will experience and see those things. Especially if you go to primitive areas, because you’ll see in a moment, sorcerers want power; not only over people, but also control over areas.

So there are three times when the magicians of Egypt copied the miracles of God. Verse 22: The magicians of Egypt did the same with their enchantments or secret arts; they caused the water to become blood. Verse 7 of chapter 8, the magicians did so with their secret arts, and brought up frogs on the lands of Egypt.

I want you to get the picture here, what they did. God’s battle was with the gods of Egypt. The real conflict was between who the real God is; and who are the false gods. All of these plagues were to confront the gods the Egyptians worshipped. These sorcerers were able to copy the first three miracles. Notice what they were able to do – change a stick into a snake - that’s quite scary. They were able to change water into blood - that’s scary. They were able to call frogs up onto the land. So they had power over objects; and over animals - they could transform them.

So when you begin to look at what goes on in the occult realm in many parts of the world, you find in cultures, people are terrified of the sorcerers, because of the power that they have; which is not their power, it is demonic power. So in some cultures, they can make themselves invisible. They can change their shape – turn into an animal.

Now you start to look at some of these movies that are coming out – this is all putting into a Hollywood-form, what actually is just sorcery. So many of the things that come out of those movies find their origins in the realms of sorcery - people able to transport themselves from one place to another – just vanish and turn up somewhere else - or change and become an animal. The forms that these people have are quite significant. So when you are looking in some of the movies, they’re drawn from some real things. They just put them in a Hollywood form that makes it attractive to people. The powers are very real, and people get seduced by them, controlled by them, and then destroyed by them.

Have a look in Acts 13. Sorcerers like to get near people who have power. So in Acts 13:6 it says: “when they had gone through the island of Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, or son of Jesus.” He’s literally an open gate into hell. Acts 13:7 – 8: “He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul, and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.”

So this sorcerer is like an open gate of hell. He is exercising demonic power, trying to influence the roman proconsul. He’s operating in magic, operating in sorcery, and he was trying to resist the gospel spreading. Paul’s way of dealing with it, was to bring the power of God around the mind, and put him into darkness. Notice in verse 11: “the hand of the Lord will be on you, you shall be blind not seeing the sun. Immediately a mist fell of him and he could not see”. It was the demonstration of the power of God that broke the hold of that sorcerer, and opened up the proconsul to believe. Paul demonstrated as Moses did, the power of God is superior to all of these powers.

Let’s have another look at another scripture in Acts 8:9-11 – “But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city, and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying: “This man is the great power of God.” And they heeded him, because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.”

You notice here, that here is a man who is practicing sorcery, and he has a huge influence over people. Literally, people have come under his spell. They’ve come under his influence, and his influence is demonic.

Notice an interesting thing that the Bible uses the language like this: ‘he projected that he was a very important person’. So you’ll find people involved in sorcery are very self-oriented, and they project out their own importance - there’s a huge issue of self-importance.

Of course, when Paul came, he was converted and baptised, and then he saw the power the apostles had, and he wanted that power. So he offered them money to get the power, because that’s how he thought: you use money to get power. See, verse 19: “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” So he had a passion for power, most likely driven by bitterness inside him. You notice there, he’s seeking power.

Peter said: “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God may forgive the thought of your heart; for I see that you are poisoned by bitterness, and bound by iniquity.”

You see that Simon is still thinking in the old way. He understood spiritual trading – you pay a price to get the power. You always pay a price to get the power. So he thought: I can pay a price, and you’ll give me the power. Peter refuses to be bought, and confronts the root issue, which is this: bitterness in his heart. He was a very rejected and bitter person - that’s why he sought the power. Not only that, there was a selfish ambition – he said: “you’re full or bound by iniquity”, which means there’s crookedness in your life that you’re twisted up in.

So, sorcery is very real, the power behind it is demonic. People who are involved in that prostitute themselves with evil spirits. We notice it’s addictive and it’s progressive.

So what are some of the ways that people are involved in sorcery today? One of them is the practicing of magic – casting spells. Anyone who enters into any kind of arrangement with evil spirits, in order to gain power, is opening themselves up to evil spirits. Now, inevitably, in the occult, spiritual trading takes place. In other words, there is a sacrifice of something.

When people get involved in this area, they always make agreements with evil spirits. There’s an invitation to the spirit to come into their life; there is an exchange of some kind, and sometimes blood is shed. We need to just be aware of this, when we’re working with people; because if blood is shed, this is another level of connection to the demonic spirit. There’s a reason for that, I’ll come back to later.

Let’s have a look – magic, practicing magic. Now, I’m not talking about the magician slight-of-hand, card-trick kind of thing. That’s just all a trick to make you think one thing, when something else is happening. We’re talking about real spiritual power that causes influence in the world, and on people. So, one doorway to the occult in this area is practicing magic.

A second common one is fantasy computer games. Many of the computer games represent sorcery as entertainment. Some computer games involve role-playing, where you take on a new identity - you become a different person online. In some games, people take on the identity of a sorcerer. Then they begin to cast spells, and battle various people to gain more power - and it can become addictive.

In Matthew 5, Jesus said: “If you look on a woman to lust after her, you have committed adultery”. Notice that adultery, as a sin, begins in the heart. So a person can have the sin of adultery, but no physical act has taken place. Matthew 5 makes that very clear, in Matthew 5:28 – “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” That means that sin begins in the heart, with your imagination and desire.

I felt the Lord show me, that when people are involved in computer games like this, for extended periods of time - the imagination, coupled with desire for power, can open the door for sorcery to enter. So what was initially a little bit of entertainment, becomes an open door for sorcery spirits - this creates a problem. Now, can you turn on and play the game and get demonised? I think that: not initially, but over time, you will become demonised. I think probably the best way to recognise that, is if you become addicted to the game.

I had word of knowledge of a young man in City Harvest, that he was addicted to the game - couldn’t get it out of his mind, kept being drawn back to the game. So the guy came up, and we found the game was World of Warcraft, and he indicated the name of the character he played. When I asked him to renounce the game, and renounce the identity of this sorcerer; as we prayed, the spirit of sorcery manifested on his face, and he fell, yelling on the ground. He had opened his life to a spirit of sorcery while he was playing these games! We had an alter call, and nearly 200 people came up, and there was massive deliverance.

This is amazing! People at Bible school learning about God, but privately practicing sorcery. What it alerts us to, is the way it is disguising itself, and become acceptable. You understand now, that this is still a problem. It’s an old problem in a new form.

Another doorway to the Occult is the area of addictive drugs. The word sorcerer in the New Testament is the word ‘Pharmakeia’ from which we get the word ‘pharmacy’. So certain drugs put people in an altered state, and people can become addicted to drugs because of pain in their lives. Rather than resolve the root cause of the pain, they medicate it. So, Pharmakeia – taking drugs, can be an addictive substitute for relationship with God, and proper resolution of issues.

It’s quite interesting that when people get onto some of these drugs, the hallucinations they have can be quite similar. I went to pray for one man, and he was hallucinating under prescription medicine, but he had a history of alcohol and drug addiction. Although he’d given it up, when he got on those pain-killers, he started to hallucinate. He was seeing spiders literally coming out of the walls at him. When we came against the spirit of sorcery and cast it out, the hallucination stopped, and all the pain in his body left as well. So, addictive drugs can open the doorway to sorcery.

Related to that, there’s another form of this. What’s happening in many places in the Western world, and possibly here too, is the use of drugs to render a woman unconscious; so a man can have sex with her, without her realising it. They were called ‘date-rape’ drugs. When the person comes under the influence of the drug, they are literally unable to respond, or unable to control their life, and I believe a spirit of sorcery is involved behind that.

I had a person come to me who said: “I think this is what’s happened to me”. What happened was that I prayed for this girl, and when I prayed for her, I commanded the spirit of sorcery to leave her. In other words, the power the man had bought over her life, by using the drugs - and there was a massive manifestation.

Another example of that, I found in Malaysia. I prayed for a woman, and she was bleeding from her womb. Her belly was very swollen; and it turns out, they told me, she had been charmed. I said: “What do you mean, charmed?” And she said: “Well, there was this man, and he consulted with a evil spirit; and made up this powder, which he dedicated to the evil spirit.

He took the powder, and went knocking on this lady’s door. When she opened the door, he blew the powder in her face. Immediately, she went under the influence of the spirit, and then he sexually violated her, and then left her. When she came out of the trance, or out of the spell, she had this problem that her belly began to swell, and she was bleeding. There was no way to stop it. So we prayed for her, broke the attachment to this man, and commanded the spirit of sorcery to go - and she was healed.

No doubt there are other forms of sorcery. For example, martial arts can open the door to spirits of sorcery. In Mark 5:4, the man had unusual strength – he could break chains, and there was demonic power behind it. So, martial arts - now, you get into trouble the moment you start to talk about some of these areas. I had a son who wanted to get into martial arts, so I talked to him about the doorway to the demonic. I said, “It will start as physical exercises, and it will move to where you have to meditate, in order to open your life for greater power. At that point, if you do that, you’ll be demonised. The power you receive will be a demonic power.” I said: “You’ll notice that at some point, the instructor will give away this aspect of it.” So, he went on for a while, and got involved in doing this martial arts training. Eventually it came to the point where this was exactly what was the issue. At that point, he left and gave it up. So, martial arts can lead towards meditation, which opens the door for spirits.

We have to be aware and alert to various doorways for these spirits to come in. Some forms of music can open up the doorway for demonic spirits. Quite interesting, in the mass murders at the school in USA in Columbine, Columbine massacre, that there were two things that were involved there, that were part of what happened. 1) The guys were on the drug Prozac. 2) They were into heavy music, with these horrendous lyrics and driving beat that shifted them, and opened them up to spirits. That’s not the only reason, but we need to be aware that some forms of heavy music can open the door to demonic spirits.

Idolatry can open the door to demonic spirits. In 1 Corinthians 10:12-21, things the gentiles sacrificed, they sacrificed to demons and not to God. So idolatry opens the door for demons; as does dedication to a temple or an idol.

I want to look just briefly at the issue of blood. Sometimes you’ll find that when you’re dealing with people involved in the occult, then there is blood involved. You need to be alert for this one. In Leviticus 17:14, the Bible says: the life is in the blood. Demonic spirits seek to bring people into agreements, and they seek to engage in trading. One way they do it is by blood covenants. Blood covenants originated with God, and the devil realises the power of this – the powers of alters and sacrifice – so he tries to encourage people to build alters, or to make sacrifices.

In 2 Kings 3:27, Israel was in a place of great victory, pursuing an enemy army, and then suddenly the battle totally turned. The king that they were facing, offered his son as a sacrifice on the wall of the city. The Bible says: there was great indignation against Israel. In other words, he invoked spiritual powers, because of the shedding of the blood of his own son. So, when you are dealing with people involved in the Occult, enquire whether they’ve made any blood covenants, shed any blood, invited demons and cut themselves. Just enquire whether there’s any bloodshed, because that needs to be clearly broken.

The Bible tells us in Colossians 1:14 “We are redeemed by the blood of Jesus”. In other words, the blood of Jesus has more power than any other offering. In 1 Peter 1:18 “we are redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus”. But we need to apply the blood of Jesus, and what it has done. So, putting it in a very simple basis - life is in the blood. When blood is shed, covenants are formed. God’s plan is we’re in covenant with Him through the blood of Jesus. Demons want us to covenant with them, through our own blood.

We prayed for someone just recently, and her blood was taken by her parents, and then taken to the temple, and dedicated to the idol. She didn’t go there, but her blood went there. So, we need to just be aware of these kinds of things, and understand the great power released by blood. The blood of Jesus releases great power. So in various parts of the world, those involved in sorcery will make offerings, and they will shed blood - the blood of animals, or the blood of human beings - in order to draw supernatural power around their life.

Just be aware when you’re dealing with the occult, to enquire how the connection was formed. Whether there was blood involved, or sacrifice involved. You’d be surprised how many young people have made blood covenants with demons; and they need to renounce the agreement and the shedding of their blood.

I want to move on a bit now. I want to give you a number of symptoms of people who are under occult oppression. In other words, what would we look for? What are some of the evidence? It helps if you can recognise that. Usually, they’re reasonably self-evident. For example: 1) Unexplained noises at night; unexplained noises in the house - that’s usually an occult activity. 2) Hearing voices – the person’s hearing voices talking to them - that’s usually evidence of demonic activity. 3) Objects moving unexpectedly - that’s scary. 4) Doors opening and shutting. 5) Lights going on and off. It’s quite scary stuff really. 6) The appearance of spirit beings. When spirit beings appear, that can be a major source of problem. 7) Physical sensations of being sexually molested, but there’s no one there.

Now this one’s more common than you think as well. There are particular spirits that sexually molest women and men. The sexual demon that molests women is called the Incubus spirit; the one that molests men is the Succubus spirit. These are sexual demons, occultic demons, and they will molest people at night - possibly even pinning them on the bed, and the person may go through all the feelings and sensations of being molested or raped - but there’s no one there to see. That is a demonic spirit. Of course, people are ashamed to tell about it, because they feel they won’t be believed. So you need to be alert, if you hear anything like that, or sense anything like that - just enquire of what has been happening, and be willing to believe the person if they tell you: this is what is happening to me.

A person having tormenting sexual thoughts - that can be an occultic demon e.g. extreme heaviness and oppression; or agitation in meetings where anointing is flowing; inability to focus on spiritual things; literally confusion. These are some symptoms that show occultic activities are taking place, so we need to be able to look and ask: what’s happening in your life. There may be a whole number of doorways that people have gone in. We’re going to have to then look at how we’re going to minister to people. What are the steps in setting people free?

First thing is: we need to ask the Holy Spirit to help us. We need Him to expose the roots. We need power from Him. 1) Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the roots - this is totally dependent on the Holy Spirit. 2) Diagnosis – we need to find out what the problem is.

You have to ask questions. What is your problem? How does it affect you? When did it start? That tells us whether it could be a generational problem. What happened at that time when it started? Was it something you did, or was it something that happened in your family? Those are sorts of the ways I would look and ask. I’m looking – did you do something that opened the door; did someone do something to you that opened the door; or did this come from the family. The person must be open and honest. So we have to find out what the real problem is. Have you opened the door to evil spirits; and has it been opened in your family by someone else?

I’ll just give you an example. I had a woman call me, whose house was haunted. “Please come and fix the haunted house”. So I went there, and the woman and her boyfriend, and her daughter and boyfriend, were all in the house. They were all very afraid - they said: “Our house is haunted. There are noises and things. We can’t sleep and we’re frightened”. As I began to talk with them, I could hear the noises. “Wow. Can you hear this?” I said: “Yeah I know there’re things there - they’ll go soon. I want to know how they got here.”

So I started to ask questions. In finding the root of problems, you have to ask questions - and listen - then ask more questions. Develop a listening attitude. Listening to the people, and listening to the Holy Spirit - because He’ll show you where to ask. You’ll have a thought come, to ask something.

So this is how I did it, because I knew what the problem was – there were ghosts in the house, I said: “How long has it been like this?” “A while, it was two weeks”. “What happened two weeks ago?” “I don’t know”. Then they tell me “Oh yes, my daughter and her boyfriend came to live here”. So I get this clear: “Before they came, no problems at all?” “That’s correct”. “After they came, now the problem’s here?” “Correct”. “Therefore the boy and the girl have brought the problem to the house”. Quite simple - not hard to ask these questions.

So I said to the two of them: “Tell me this, before you came here and had this problem here, did you have this problem in your house?” Yes they did. So you brought it with you then. “Yes we must have”. “So it came with one of you - we can find out who it came with”. I said: “Was it in the house where you previously lived?” “No it wasn’t”.

Let’s have a look again. So I asked them: “Has either of you been involved in the occult?” “No.” “No.” I said: “Has either of you slept with someone involved in the occult?” The girl said: “That was me - it was my last boyfriend.” I said: “Did that relationship end badly?” She said: “Yes.” “Did he curse you?” She said: “Yes.”

I said: “Well, by sexual relationship with that man, you become one with him, so the demon had every right to enter your life. As a result of sexual relationship, and him cursing you, the demon has come to you, has come into your house - and you brought it to this house. So when you leave, it will go - it’s with you.” This was a shock! She said: “All they could think of was there’s a ghost in this house. They didn’t think of finding: if there’s a ghost there, how did he get to be there.” I said: “Your sin has opened the door for the spirit.”

So we led them all to the Lord, renounced the relationship and agreement with the spirit, commanded them to leave, and the house came to rest - and they came to rest, and they moved back to their own place again. It was easier to blame the house of being haunted, than to take ownership of the problem. Do houses get haunted? Yes they do, and usually someone has invited the spirit in- either they were involved in the occult, or some form of Spiritism; or there was a tragedy in the house - otherwise it wouldn’t be there.

So, you see then you’ve got to actually diagnose the root of the problem. If you find the person has been involved in some form of sorcery or occultic activity - and there’s just so many of them - you’ve got to enquire, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you locate the root. So asking questions like: when did it first start; and what happened about that time; can draw out this issue.

So I begin to identify: is this generational; or is this personal – they did something themselves. You got to really get this clear: we’re diagnosing what the cause of the demon being there is.

Then, step 3: you need to explain to them what Christ has done. Briefly explain what Christ has done. They need to understand the power of the blood of Jesus, the power of God - He has authority over all these demons. It doesn’t need to be long, but you need to present Jesus to them. Jesus is the deliverer; Jesus is the conqueror of demons - share a little bit like I just did with you about the scripture.

Then you need to explain their part in getting free - explain to them what they must do. Explain their part, and their part involves: you need to repent, and confess the sin. Go through the foundations - you have to deal with your sin. You’ve invited the spirits in, and you must confess, and ask Jesus to forgive you.

Secondly, you must receive forgiveness; and release forgiveness to others. Often, the reason people are in the occult, is because of deep bitterness - broken family relationships, painful relationships, bitterness and anger and rejection in the heart. Often, this is the root, which caused them to go into the occult - you need to pull all of that stuff up. Receive forgiveness, and release forgiveness.

Thirdly, they must renounce all agreements with evil spirits. To renounce means to cancel - speak words that cancel the agreement. They invited the spirit in, now they need to tell it to go. They came into agreement with the spirit - break the agreement. Words are important. Not just lip the words – saying words, but they must actually mean the words.

We tell them: this is your part - if you hold on to the sin, you cannot be free. You hold on to unforgiveness - you’ll stay in bondage. If you won’t stand against the devil, he will hold on to you. You can share with them James 4:7 – “Therefore submit to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Submitting to God is repenting, and releasing forgiveness. It’s choosing to reach out to God as the source of your power, not the devil. So we need to explain their part; and that when we pray for them, they must actively resist the spirits. So that’s the preparing the person.

Explain to them your part, explain what you will do, help them understand what ministry will be like. I will lead you in a prayer, you will follow me. When we get to the end of the prayer, I will break the bondages, and command the spirits. I won’t be speaking to you; I’ll be speaking to the demons. I don’t want you to be praying. I want you just to resist, and when I command the spirits, maybe cough or breathe heavily.

So, we’ve got now the steps involved in this - they’re quite simple and quite logical. Now, you need to lead them through a prayer. So the prayer would be quite a simple prayer. Here’s what it would be made up with - here are the parts of the prayer. 1) Confession of faith in Christ. 2) Renouncing all agreements with the evil spirits. 3) Asking God to forgive them. Confessing the sin, and asking for forgiveness, receiving the forgiveness. 4) They need to release forgiveness to others; as often, their journey into the occult came out of bitterness and hurt. 5) They must reach out to Jesus, and actively resist the devil.

When you are doing these prayers and renouncing, just remember whether there are covenants or agreements that need to be broken - they would’ve told you by this point. Second thing to look at too, is to make sure they’re not wearing objects associated with the occult around their wrist or around their neck - it can just be a hindrance to being set free. We’ve had some people, the moment they took off the object; they could be delivered straight away.

Now, the exact words, and the exact order, are not important. Stay listening to the Holy Spirit as you pray. Now I’ll lead you through a prayer, just to show what it might look like. It’s just basically made up of those various parts. I get in the Spirit, and follow the flow of the Spirit, when I pray. So, you may change the wording a little bit, or change the order.

This is how I might lead them. Remember the first phase? The confession of faith. This is important, because basically they’re saying: “I’m standing on the Lord’s side, and I’m holding on and believing in Him, and what He’s done.” It’s really important to speak those words.

It goes something like this: “Father in Heaven, I come to you in Jesus’ name. I confess Jesus Christ is my Saviour and Lord. I’m redeemed by the blood of Jesus, from every curse, every evil spirit, all occult powers. I am redeemed, I belong to Jesus.” Does it make sense to you what I’ve just prayed? It’s identifying with Jesus.

Second thing then, maybe we’ll say something like this: “Lord I confess I’ve been involved in these activities. I confess my family have been involved in these activities. I ask you to forgive them. I receive your forgiveness. From my heart, I forgive those who’ve hurt me. Especially, forgive my father and my mother.

I renounce now, all agreements I have made with evil spirits. I renounce all invitations. I renounce them and cancel them. I renounce any agreement I made with blood. I renounce it and cancel it. I renounce all words spoken over me by psychics. I renounce them, and cancel them. I renounce all generational curses, and agreements with evil spirits, that my family have made.”

Can you see, I’ve tried to incorporate into that prayer, any agreements that were made to just cancel them. So how do you know what to pray? When you did the diagnosis, you should’ve been able to establish that. Just jot down these things; and when you’re praying, you follow those things.

“Now Lord, I reach out to You, I ask You to set me free. Satan, go from my life. In Jesus’ name” Ok? Then you’ve done it. Now, they may manifest while you’re leading them in the prayer. Stay in charge, don’t be intimidated - just command the spirit to be still and quiet, and continue with the process.

Now, the next phase of it is to exercise your authority, and begin the deliverance. You have to exercise your authority. Remember what we realised, that God has given us authority to tread on serpents and scorpions. So, this is what you need to do: first of all, break the agreements. Imagine it like this: words spoken; and you’re cancelling the words. Or imagine it as a demonic cord; and you are cutting the cords.

“In Jesus’ name, I break the generational agreements with evil spirits. I break them. I break agreements that have brought bondage into this family. I break the blood covenant you made, inviting that demon into your life. I break the words spoken over you, giving a false destiny. I break all attachments to these evil spirits.”

I haven’t gotten the wording exact every time, but I’ve got the flow of what needs to happen. You may find that the Holy Spirit gives you things to break as you pray. Just be willing to give it a go - just try it. Don’t lean on a method! Get the picture of how it takes place, the principles and the process; but lean into the Holy Spirit to help you with the language of it. If it helps you, have a little list written out. It if helps you, write a prayer out. Then, in “Jesus’ name, I break this bondage etc…”

Number 2, then begin to command the spirits. Speak directly into the person, and command the spirits to come out. Just keep pressure on. Speak from inside your spirit. Rise up inside; speak and command it to go. That’s why you develop your spirit-man, so you carry strength inside you for this work.

Now, it’s not how loud you pray; it’s praying with faith. So, picture yourself and you’re speaking like you’re speaking into a cave, to an animal in there. “I command you to come out.” Your attention focus – you’re commanding the spirit to come out.

Just notice any changes that take place. Sometimes, nothing happens, but as you keep the pressure up, next thing you see, it starts to come up. I have found sometimes it helps if I name the spirits. So when I’m praying, I have observed: if nothing’s happened, and I start to name spirits, something starts to happen. What would you be praying for? You might be praying: spirit of divination, spirit of sorcery, spirit of witchcraft, spirit of bitterness, spirit of death, spirits of hatred - all of those things could be there. Speak into those things, command them to go. Push against them from within your spirit, all the time leaning on the Holy Spirit to help you.

Now, sometimes they will manifest, and there are many forms that can take place - it can be wild, screaming. Now, if the person just keeps screaming, it’s almost certain no deliverance will happen. It’s like a show, so, don’t keep it up. You’ve actually got to get the person to stop screaming, and start resisting. Again, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit in this. If the person keeps screaming, I just, in the end, say: “Listen, stop. Stop. Cooperate with me. Resist the spirit.”

So, they may start screaming, they may start to shake. They may get built up rage, and get very violent. Don’t be afraid. Their eyes may flare and glare at you - in that case, rise up and look them in the eye - stare them down. Let them see your eyes are more fierce!

You have to see that you are representing Jesus - how would He stare at the enemy? How would he look at those demons? Blazing eyes! So, rise up, eyes blaze, and look into them. You’ll find an interesting thing, sometimes they’ll be full of fear, and they’ll try and look away. Then, if I notice it starts to lose eye-contact and look away, or look down - I move in very strongly then, and often it just comes straight out. The moment it backs up from defiance, it’s starting to lose ground. How many have had something like that happen?

So, those are manifestations. Sometimes people will want to throw up. So it’s helpful to have bags and tissues around; but this is an assistant to you, it’s not something automatic - you pull the bag over their head – don’t do that. They’re suffocating! Be sensitive and aware of what’s going on. Just keep commanding.

Now, if they wrestle and fight, you only need to restrain them if it’s likely they’ll be a danger to them, or someone else. I just sometimes step back, and they’ll wriggle and do this and that, and just keep commanding.

So, you need to constantly be listening to the Holy Spirit while you’re doing that. Listen to His guidance; and have a look and see: is this demonic; or is this just emotions? It can move from demonic to emotions very quickly; because when you start to confront the spirit, sometimes deep-seated pain and grief come up as well. If it’s demonic, it tends to look ugly and feel yuck. If it’s emotional, it looks a bit like that, but it’s kind of unresponsive - just yells and screams. You think, that’s actually just emotions, or sometimes a lot of tears.

Try to distinguish between emotions and spirits. Spirits you cast out; emotions - you stop, because now the person needs to let go, forgiveness – there’s some area that was unresolved in your preparation. Ask them what’s happening. Interact with the person. Just interact with them. Show them how to cooperate in the ministry.

It’s not always easy to tell what is from demons, and what is emotions - experience will give it to you. If you’re getting nowhere with a deliverance, just stop it altogether. Just interact with the person and gain their cooperation, and see if the Holy Spirit has issues He wants them to resolve, before further deliverance.

What if the demon argues with you, or threatens you? They do that sometimes. “He belongs to me. I will not leave. Who are you? Nothing! You have no power.” Well, the truth is: we have no power; but Jesus does, and we’re coming in His name. So, you have to speak to them. “I come against you in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.” Then sock it to them. “He defeated you in Calvary. He stripped you of your power. He humiliated you in Calvary. One day we’ll put you in hell forever.” Just use scripture, push on them. “No. No. No. It’s a lie”. As soon as they say “it’s a lie”, then you keep going. Sometimes I’ve had them say: “Don’t say that to me!”

So the demons don’t like the word of God. Sometimes I’ll just make statements. “The blood of Jesus has broken your power.” If the demon is pushing against me, I’ll sometimes look at it and say: “Look at the cross you demon. Look at the blood. Your power is broken. Your hold is broken.”

It would seem to me, that the natural world is subject to time, so for us today - I can’t look at the cross of Jesus, because it was 2000 years ago, I can only see it in my imagination. But it seems from the spirit world - it’s like the thing’s alive now, it’s real now - it’s a spirit reality now. I’ve noticed when I told them to look at the cross, and look at the blood, that often seems to precipitate the deliverance taking place.

Otherwise, if there’s excessive resistance, go back to seeing if there’s something you’ve missed that needs to be resolved. Dismantle the house the demons are in, and you should get the demons out quickly. So, all the time you’re ministering, lean on the Holy Spirit to help you.

When you finished the deliverance, then you comfort the person, and pray for the love of God and the peace of God to come into their heart. Don’t start comforting before the person’s delivered - I saw that last night. I see it all the time. The person’s put their arm around someone to comfort them; I put my hand on their head, and they start screaming again - the demon has not come out! So stay in that place, alert, in case the demon just tries to deceive you.

How do you know it has come out? You can literally feel the release; or the person tells you. Or the Holy Spirit tells you - that’s the only way you can really know.

If people have been involved in the occult, one additional thing - they need to remove out of their home, all objects associated with the occult. In Acts 19, it says in verse 18 and 19, “Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together, and burned them in the sight of everyone. They counted up the value of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.”

You notice a number of things happened there. People were convicted of their sin, verse 18; they confessed their sin openly; they resolved they would not return to these things. So, they gave up the books, and everything involved with the occult, and they destroyed them. Obviously there’s a lot of money here - fifty thousand pieces of silver is a lot of money - but basically what they did was, they refused to be attracted to the value of those objects - they just got rid of them.

It’s the same in the Old Testament in Deuteronomy 7:35. So, the person does need to cleanse their house of objects which are involved in the occult. You just ask them to do that, maybe bring the objects to you and burn them. You cannot be compromised on this issue. When people are involved in the occult, they need to get free of it completely.

So what spirits would you pray? Well, there’s the whole heap of them that we’ve suggested - let the Holy Spirit guide you - as names come to mind, just confront them. Amen? Amen!

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Question & Answer

She has this question: She went to see a Chinese medicine doctor. In Chinese culture, we believe there is air moving in our bodies - and her qi is quite weak. So, the doctor suggested that she should try meditation (sitting) to enrich the qi. But she was afraid that will get into the spiritual phase, so she refused to do that. Instead she tried to do some exercises to increase her stamina. She’s wondering whether it’s possible that tai chi, or yoga, or all kinds of different exercises - may cause us to fall into the trap of evil spirits?

Very good question! The whole ‘qi’ is your life force - for a believer we would understand that’s the life from your spirit. So, a broken spirit dries the bones. There’s a connection between your spiritual energy, and your physical vibrancy. Spirit, soul and body are all very closely connected. What happens in our spirit, and in our heart, affects the flow of life and energy in our body.

The dilemma you have in getting into meditation is that you would open yourself up to the demonic realm. Biblical meditation is very proactive - it pictures the word of God; it imagines the word of God; it sees the reality of the word of God - so it’s focused on some thing. Other kinds of Eastern meditation involve emptying of your life - and that opens the door then, for something else to come in. So I don’t consider that to be a good thing to do. The exercises in yoga - each yoga position are representative of the worship of some god. I always think that the root of something always indicates where it has come from. Some people do some exercises – tai chi and yoga exercises, and they seem to benefit from these things; but the roots and origins lie deeply in the worship of false gods.

So the question is: how close to the edge can you get before you fall off? I think that’s something you have to ask the Holy Spirit about.

What I would suggest, is that you do these sorts of things: that you walk, because walking is good for you; or you swim, because swimming is good for your body. I would encourage you to take time to pray in tongues, and begin to develop the energy and life within the spirit. The Bible says: the same spirit that raised Christ from the dead is within us. It just needs releasing, and the path of releasing is by opening our heart, and our inner man, to allow God to move in us.

What I do, that really is helpful, is that I walk everyday; I pray in tongues; and I pray intentionally to rouse my spirit man. While I’m praying in tongues, I meditate that God is near me; that I am joined to Him; and I spend that time praying and worshipping Him, intentionally allowing His life to flow up and through me.

When I’m here, I do it around the hotel and my floor - I tend to do it really early, so I avoid meeting people. Otherwise, I’m the foreigner who’s crazy. I kind of sing it too, and they think “Oh, he’s the happy, crazy foreigner” I have found that my energy and flow of life has improved through physical exercise; through praying in tongues, and worshipping; and through meditating on God’s presence with me.

As I made it a habit, I have become greatly energised because of this. So, blocks in energy flow through you, tend to be in the soul area, or in the heart area. If we consciously yield those parts of our life to the Lord, and allow His life to flow in us - I would expect significant increase in energy. So, I have a lot of energy - it’s surprising when you consider my age. I can minister for hours, and pray for lots of people - but I need to have my time with God.

I need to be meditating in His presence, filling me up on the inside. I need to constantly be returning to the source, and the basics of building your life with God. In Isaiah 40, it says: “Those who wait on the Lord will exchange their strength.” I believe that the life we live is an exchanged life. It’s not me trying to make something happen - it’s actually letting go of that, and beginning to realise and become aware that: Christ is in me; that the power is already in me! Meditation helps train your heart to believe that, and that’s what begins to energise you. I felt strong praying in tongues, exercising, and meditating have been powerful keys to shift my energy level.

I think you also need to eat properly and rest properly. Sometimes, low energy levels can be: imbalance in your body; or something going on in your soul. For example, anxiety will greatly strip away your energy. Fear will greatly strip away your energy. The systems of our body are so designed to work with the heart that’s in harmony with God. So when our heart is flowing with God, other parts of the body come into alignment as well. I hope that helps.

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This person had an encounter with a Malaysian girl, who studies overseas here in Taiwan. The girl was with them late at night, and all of a sudden she started to manifest. She changed her actions, and everything - girl to a boy. Later on, she shared with them she had very severe depression, but she stopped the medicine by herself without consulting the doctor. The person wants to ask: how can we distinguish whether it’s a medical situation. or spiritual situation?

Very good question - I think you always need to be open to the possibility that people’s problems are physical and not spiritual; or it’s a mixture of these things because everything’s interconnected. Now, we give advice on spiritual matters - we’re not doctors, we’re not trained in medicine, so we should not make decision about these things where we have no expertise. So I think that if there is an issue where it’s possibly an issue of medication needed, or even in many situations - encourage the person to get a medical check. Sometimes a medical check will pick up physical problems in the body, and they need to get the balance back, they need to change their diet, or something to set them right.

It concerns me when people are on medication and they go off it, and they don’t tell the doctor. I find usually, a little while later, they have massive problems; because there’s usually a process of withdrawal from the drug, and their body and everything reacts. So any issues relating to medication or health issues, the doctor should be involved, and you work with them, not as someone who’s more knowledgeable than them.

For example, we had one lady, and it appeared that the more she got prayed for, the crazier she got. In the end, we said: “No more prayer”. I said, “There’re two things I want you to do. 1) No one will pray for you. There’s just this one person you can go to talk to, and they’ll pray for you. 2) Go to the doctor and get a medical check, because something’s not right. 3) Do practical things - stop being spiritual - get practical and just flow in your gift of kindness to people. Initially, she really reacted to all of that.

Eventually, we boundaried her, and kept her with one person, and it was so difficult getting her to the doctor. But once we got her to the doctor, and got her family involved, and got her accountable for what she was doing - the last I saw her, she’d totally settled down, and she was totally calm. It wasn’t a deliverance issue - it was just an emotional, and physical, and chemical instability in her life. Everything is linked to one another; so, emotional, spiritual problems can trigger physical problems.

People have the tendency to want to blame demons for their problem, and take no ownership for their life. So, it’s a normal thing to go to a doctor and get them to check you – take a blood test and so on. If you suspect that it could be a mental problem - don’t go beyond what you’re competent to do; and do refer them to go on to a doctor – there’s nothing to be lost, and everything to be gained.

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Many times, she would hear sounds in the house. The rattling of the house - in the bricks or the structure, just some sounds that she can’t really explain, but she can hear it. It’s quite noisy, causing her to be unable to fall asleep, so how can she handle a situation like this? The second question - just now you mentioned that some spirits may harass or sexually invade someone’s body - when you are in that position, what would you suggest people to do?

The two may be connected. If a person is being molested by a sexual spirit at night, there are strong occultic links; there is a door open for that spirit to invade. It is claiming a right into the person’s life, that it has no right at all. Spirits like that are always from the occultic realm, and they can come from spirits of perversion in the family line. Secondly, if there are spirits like that, it would be not unusual for this to be accompanied by noises or other disturbing kinds of things happening.

I think, in all of these things, bringing it to the light is the first step. Then it needs the Holy Spirit to show: what is the root of this; when did it start; what caused it to start? Is it generational, is it something the person has done - and then it requires deliverance. You can deliver yourself over most things, through just following the steps - and rise in your spirit and tongues and command it to go. However, sometimes people just need ministry - it may help go deeper, or touch things they couldn’t get hold of themselves.

So I suspect the two are connected, and that noises in the building are part of an overall oppression created from the spirit world, over this person. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to show you potential doors of entry; then, either: renounce them, close them, and stand against the demons; or get ministry to help.

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She has this problem for kids. There’s a kid about 7 or 8 years old, and this kid will scream and wail in the middle of the night. During daytime, she tried to pray for the kid, and the kid manifested very violently. So how can we help and deliver a kid like that?

So, with children, there is a way of ministering to them; and, there are two possible approaches you can use to this. One would be to pray for the child while they’re asleep, with a parent there, so if the child woke up during the ministry, that they don’t get frightened. I have prayed for usually younger children like that.

It would help before doing this, to look into the family background, and find if there are sources for where the spirit has come from. Are there any generational doors; are there any kind of spirits likely to have come through the family line? Talking with the mother and father could help establish that. You could minister to them first, so that you remove the legal grounds for demons in the family line.

If you’re going to pray for the child while they were asleep, you want probably the mother there; or someone there with you. Don’t touch the child, just pray quietly, pray in the spirit quietly; invite the Holy Spirit to come. Keep listening to what He has to say, and then based on what you already should know, you begin to break the curses in the family line, the holds and the agreements with spirits, and command the spirits to go. That does not involve the child participating strongly.

An alternative approach would be to sit with the child and talk with them. When you talk with them, ask them about the dreams they have at night. Get talking, and let the child talk about what they feel about this stuff. Engage the child in their language, at their level. So, you’ve got to talk, and present truth, at a child’s level. You could say something like this – after the child’s talked to you - you say: “Do you know what’s causing these dreams?” “I don’t know why I have these dreams.” “I think it’s a bad spirit. You know there are bad spirits, and they come and trouble us. It’s not your fault, you haven’t done anything wrong, it’s just that’s what bad spirits do. Jesus dealt with bad spirits. Jesus had a good spirit with Him.”

You notice I’m putting the language at a level a child could understand. “...and sometimes bad spirits get into people, trouble them and make life very sad - or very frightening. But Jesus came to release us from these bad spirits. You know, in the Bible, wherever He found them, He got rid of them. Did you know that the bad spirits are afraid of Jesus? In fact, they’re so afraid of Him - they want to get away as quick as they can. So, we could ask Jesus to come; and He’s stronger than the bad spirits - and He could help you get rid of these bad spirits. Would you like that to happen?”

You see, it’s kind of like talking at their level. Then they say now: “Yeah yeah ok.” “Alright then. This is what we’re going to do. In a moment, what I’m going to do is I’m going to pray for you, and I’ll speak to the bad spirits. I won’t be speaking to you - you’ll know I’ve changed - I’m speaking to the bad spirit. We’re going to command the bad spirit to go. You may feel something inside your body. The bad spirit might become frightened. It’s not you that’s being frightened - it’s the bad spirit being frightened. All you need to do is breathe out – make him go, push him out.” A child can understand all that sort of language. “...or you could cough. So when I speak to it - you cough. Let’s work together, make the bad spirit go. Jesus would be very happy.” See, we’re using a language a child could easily get a hold of.

Now, you could sit down beside the child, or you could sit the child on your knee. The problem is that about 8 years old, if they got manifesting, they could be a real difficulty – quite strong. So we would hope that the spirit would go quite easily, now you’ve engaged cooperation.

You want a parent there when you’re doing it, so that this is kept totally transparent. You say and do nothing that will frighten the child. You should constantly build confidence – “This is going to be straightforward. This is going to be good. If you feel something happening inside you, you just cough that thing out. We’re going to get rid of this thing.” Then, go through that process. If a child manifests, you can hold on to them to restrain them, but it can be difficult. It would be better to engage the child’s cooperation, because in doing that, they work with you to resist the spirit.

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A lady’s been helping this person. This person has family inherited problems – sickness - insomnia, can’t sleep well for a long period of time, and it caused all kinds of sickness in the body. Many of them in the family, in the end, they even committed suicide. This person came to church and also attended many deliverance conferences or meetings, but every time, they didn’t really react much - no response at all. So, after yesterday and today’s teachings, because the person has started to hear things, causing them more suicidal thinking; and because it seems to be both generation and occult related, she’s wondering: how we can identify it, recognise it, and how can we help this person.

“Was the person involved in the occult themselves?” “He never mentioned it.” “Was it asked?” “Before this teaching, they never had the idea to ask.”

“Generational?” “Idolatry is all the way in the family.”

There are a number of reasons for insomnia - some of them may be medical, related just to the body - some people just don’t sleep well. Some of them may be related to anxiety, or spiritual issues. So, sometimes you have to apply both medical and spiritual remedies.

You can see the way I have approached this, is to be systematically asking questions. Try and discover the root system. If you don’t deal with the root system, you can never get the person free. The person needs to take ownership of their things. Sometimes people just want you to fix them up, but they don’t want to actually recognise: “It’s my problem, and my responsibility to apply, and reach out in faith to Christ.”

There’re various ways to look at it. See, immediately you tell me that there’re suicides – plural – there’s something in the family line - spirits of suicide; oppressing spirits; occult powers; idolatry. So we have to identify what the feeding causes are. The person takes a stand to resist those things, and bring them to the cross. Sometimes I find that people don’t have faith for their freedom. Deliverance isn’t some passive thing - we have to arise in faith, to take hold of what Jesus said. Sometimes, instruction is needed prior to ministry.

In looking at an alter call for example, you’ll notice different responses of people coming up. Now, they’ve all come up – so that means they all want something, but what happens is completely different; ranging from the dramatic, to: “Did anything happen at all?” We can’t always tell, but it seems that the person’s attitude of heart, and preparation of heart, is quite a factor in what they receive from God. Someone might come: “I’ve really got this problem, I want to be free, I’m believing God, I’ve come, I fasted - and they get a massive deliverance.”

Or another one will be just thinking “Oh, I’ll just go up to see what happens.” - or someone says: “You need to go up.” - nothing happens. In other words, there was a passivity, and no preparation of heart for an encounter with God. So the preparation for encounters with God is very important.

I would think 1) Look at the roots. There’re things that need to be asked. You have to find out what are the roots feeding this. Then work through the steps and the process. See if you can get some response that way. 2) Perhaps encourage the person to fast. Get them scriptures to meditate on – the promises of God. Don’t just let them turn up, passive, waiting for you to do something, because they put all the responsibility on you – “Fix me up” rather than - “this is my pursuit of wholeness.”

Where the responsibility lies is a big issue in these cases. So often we don’t recognise a person who’s nowhere near desperate enough for freedom. It’s a good idea, but alignment with Jesus - no I don’t want that. So, when we’re talking about an issue like insomnia, and the suicidal things, you’ve got to bring some instruction.

I’ll give you a scripture related to that. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 – “A servant of the Lord must not strive, but in gentleness, instructing those who oppose themselves, and perhaps God will give them repentance to acknowledge truth. Then they come to their senses, and they escape out of the snare of the devil, who holds them captive whenever he wants.”

You notice the process is one of instruction that leads the person to understanding, and then holding on to the truth. I don’t have all the answers for insomnia. For some, it’s a demonic spirit, some it has to do with body chemistry. A friend and pastor of mine - he doesn’t’ sleep much at all. He just studies, and reads the word of God, and uses the time to be productive. But there is a promise – he gives his beloved sleep. So the remedy may be partly spiritual, and partly physical. Taking some kinds of things that help rest the body and prepare it for sleep; not taking other things like coffee and things that would keep the body awake; leaning how to relax before going to sleep. The solution’s not obvious – there can be several aspects to it - at least you’ve got some places to look.

“The person is taking more and more sleeping pills, more and more dosage, and still they can’t sleep”

“Yeah, something’s not right.” I’d start looking at some of these roots that are in them, see if there’s anything in that.

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Father we just thank You for this time together. We pray Lord that we’ll be able to apply what we’ve learnt. Pray for release of increased anointing, and increased fruit people’s lives, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Freedom from Sexual Sin (3 of 3)  

Fri 4th Oct 2013 « Back to Top

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Understand God's design for a blessed life, and about the deep impact on our spirit and soul of sexual sin. Learn how to break bondages, minister deliverance, and rebuild damaged lives.

3 – Freedom from sexual sin

We’re always learning. There are always things to learn. I encourage you to keep on a learning journey. The last couple of mornings we shared with you on generational iniquity and curses, and we shared on the area of the occult. Today we want to look at the whole area of freedom from sexual sin.

This is quite a big topic, that can’t really be handled simply. I want to just approach it on this particular day, from the point of view of just understanding, in ministering to people, what you’re going to be ministering to. We’ll just share some things I’ve learnt on the way that help.

This is becoming an increasingly significant issue that we have to deal with now. We’ve got to continue to be willing to learn and understand the problems people are facing. We’ll just start with a story out of the Bible, of a man tormented by unclean spirits; then I want to look at God’s design for us; and then I want to look at the impact of sexual sin; and then we’ll look at some ways of ministering to people.

Let’s read first of all, in Luke 4:33-34 – “Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, saying: “Leave us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying: “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him.”

So the Bible says the man was in bondage to an unclean demon. All demons are unclean; but it’s quite possible that this man was in bondage to sexual sin. So, the story begins in the synagogue – a place where believers meet; and a believer has an issue with sexual sin. In some way he’d opened his life, and he was being tormented by spirits. So, he was tormented by spirits of lust and perversion. There was a torment going on in his life, day-by-day. So, what form would that torment be like?

1.) There would be constant memories and pictures in his mind of past sexual experiences. The demons would be keeping the memories alive, just keeping them in the front of his mind constantly.

2.) He would be having fantasies of future sexual experiences. His mind would constantly be thinking about possible future experiences; and there would be driving feelings or passions, lust, longing; and there would be repeated cycles of failure in his life.

So those would be some of the things that would be happening in him: memories of past sexual experiences; and fantasies of possible future experiences - driving feelings and longings of lust, and then cycles of failure. We would sin and ask for forgiveness, and then be alright for a while, and then back into the same problem.

So, this man, the driving force underneath it was demonic. We need to understand that demonic spirits cause energy inside people. For example, Ephesians 2:2 refers to demonic spirits, and it says that they ‘work in us’ – “You once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience”. So, demonic spirits work in people.

The word ‘work’ is the word where we get ‘energise’. Demonic spirits create energy, pressure inside people. Sin also creates energy in people. So, sin energises people. I think in Romans 5:7, it says: sin works in you. When a person has these kinds of problems, there is a strong energy, and pressure, and drive within the person. The presence of demonic spirits, and the presence of unresolved sin, tends to increase that pressure.

Our sexual drive is an appetite we must learn to manage. It’s something God gave to us. For example, you want to eat everyday. You want to have food. It’s an appetite inside the person’s life. So, sexual desire is an appetite, a longing that God has put within people; and it has to be managed. However, the presence of sin and demonic spirits creates a massive energy that drives this particular appetite, so we need to learn how to manage ourselves.

Have a look in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8, and it says: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual sit; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honour, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of, and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but to holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.”

You notice, you never have to pray about sexual sin. The Bible says: this is the will of God – purity. In case we didn’t understand it, He says: “abstain from sexual sin”. Notice that He makes it very clear. It’s God’s will that we avoid, or restrain, or hold back from sexual sin; and two, we learn how to manage this appetite in our life; in contrast to unsaved people, who just look for opportunities to express it.

The third thing he tells us to do, is not to sexually manipulate a brother or sister; and in doing so, defraud them in the relationship. This is a major area of teaching itself – How to conduct relationships, without sexually manipulating someone.

The last thing He says is that: this call to holiness is something God has ordained, not man. So, if we resist this teaching of holiness and purity, we’re resisting God. We’ll look at some insights as we go on this journey. The man we’re looking at, in the story in Luke 4, was in bondage to sexual sin, and needed to be set free; and for that man, deliverance was the key to freedom. After he’d been set free, he still needed to walk in holiness, and he still needed to manage his appetite, and he still needed to conduct his relationships differently.

Now, let’s have a look at God’s design. We need to see how God designed us. Genesis 2:18 – “And the LORD God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” Then, going down a bit further to verse 24, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

You notice that the only thing God said was not good was loneliness. In other words, man is created for relationships. We are created with the ability to be intimate; and a need for intimacy - intimacy with God; and intimacy with another person. God has given us the ability to be able to express intimacy in a physical way. Not only that, he has given us the ability to bond.

In other words, when two people are involved sexually, they bond together. In the act of sexual intimacy, there is a chemical released in the brain that causes a bonding, or connecting between one person and the other. As well as that, there’s also an attachment, or a soul-tie formed. Remember, it’s the issue of loneliness that’s resolved by intimacy - intimacy with God; and intimacy with another person. So, God has made us to be able to bond; and sexual intercourse is a key to that bonding taking place. “The two shall be joined, and become one flesh.” So, when people are sexually intimate, there is a bonding together, and the two become one.

Now, let’s have a look in Matthew 19. So, God has given us several abilities – the ability to be intimate, to express that intimacy, to bond with someone else, and the ability to create. We can create things with our mind; we can create things with our body. Two of the great aspects of our sexuality are: the ability to be intimate and bond; and the ability to create another life. Clearly, that requires responsibility. The world tends to exploit all of this, of course.

Let’s have a look in Matthew 19:4 – “And He answered and said to them: Have you not read, that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female’”? So you notice God’s design - male and female. Not male and male; not female and female; but male and female. Verse 5-6: “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh” So then, they are no longer two, but one flesh.”

You notice that God is talking about His original design. When two people become intimate with one another, intimacy means you become vulnerable. You open a part of your life to others, that’s not normally seen. You can’t be intimate with everyone, it’s not appropriate; it’s damaging to you. So intimacy is developed, it’s a process of building trust, and disclosing ourselves. Intimacy is very important to God. He made us for intimacy. He designed us for very close connections. So, the ability to be intimate makes us vulnerable.

If you open your heart to someone, you reveal something of yourself to them, and now you’ve become vulnerable; they can hurt you. They could reject you, they could betray you. There’s the dilemma: I want to be close; but if I get close, you might hurt me. So, that’s the dilemma. If you hurt me, it’ll make an impact on my life, and make it difficult for me to be intimate again. You see the dilemma of intimacy - all intimacy makes you vulnerable.

Therefore, God’s design is for there to be some protection around being intimate. When two people are sexually intimate, it involves body, soul, and spirit. God’s design is that we live from our spirit; and that the life of our spirit flows from soul and body, and touches other people - that’s God’s design. Now, the world reduces sexual relationship to something quite physical. From God’s point of view, it starts from the inside and goes out - heart to heart connection, sharing your life; and then physical. The world turns it around, and places the emphasis on the physical; and neglects to tell you of the potential damage that could be caused to your soul and your spirit.

For a person to have a physical sexual relationship, but no intimacy, no opening their heart in love to another person, just totally reduces that physical act to something no more than a physical act. So, intimacy without a commitment opens the door for injury - intimacy without commitment and trust. It makes sense: you just don’t get intimate with every person, because you become vulnerable to that person.

So, God has designed us, so that when two people become sexually intimate, you have sexual intercourse, firstly, something happens in their body. With the act of sexual intercourse, chemicals are released in the brain that bring immense pleasure, and cause a feel of bonding. When people are intimate with one another, they see and hear and experience things and their soul bonds together.

When people are intimate with one another, their spirit can flow and touch the other person. Just think about God’s design. It’s for a flow from your spirit to touch the spirit, soul, and body of the other person. So if you ignore all of that, you reduce intimacy to something little more than a physical act; and this actually, totally perverts God’s design, which is for intimacy – spirit, soul, and body.

That’s why the Bible uses this word: it uses the word ‘know’. Adam ‘knew’ his wife. They translate the word ‘know’, so it’s the word ‘yada’ – to be intimate. There was a flow from one person to the other. When a person has a relationship with someone, and they’re not married, they use the word: ‘he lay with her’. If it’s between a husband and wife: ‘he knew his wife’; but for something else: ‘he lay with her’, for example, when Dinah got raped: ‘he lay with her’. The Bible uses totally different language. Sexual intercourse is about intimacy, and the flow from the spirit and the heart of a person to another.

You can see then, why, to protect our intimacy, our capacity to be intimate, God put in place covenant. God is a covenant God. When God enters relationship with you, it is covenantal - He makes a covenant with you. A covenant is a binding agreement. In a covenant there are agreements: I will not hurt you. So God enters into a relationship called ‘covenant’.

In marriage, God designed marriage to be a covenant relationship. One person committed to the other, not to harm them, but to be faithful to them. God’s plan for marriage, man and woman, husband and wife, is that it be a covenant relationship; and it reflect what the relationship between Christ and the church is like. Covenant is a commitment of lifelong faithfulness, to protect intimacy.

Whenever in the Bible a covenant was made, there were always: words spoken; and there was blood shed; and promises made. God has designed the woman, so that in the first act of sexual intercourse, blood is shed. There’s no real reason for this, except its God’s design; and it’s God revealing again to us, that sexual intimacy is a covenantal issue. When a husband and wife have intercourse, it should be for the first time, and there’s a shedding of blood.

So it’s normal for example, for a wedding service, the couple may speak words to one another and form covenant. They exchange rings as a sign of covenant; people witness the covenant being made; there’s a celebration of covenant; but the marriage is not complete until the first act of sexual intercourse, and in that, the shedding of blood. What the parents used to do, was they would keep the sheets where the blood was shed - these were the tokens of the woman’s virginity. This was very highly valued in the Hebrew culture – that the woman kept herself for the husband, and the man entered into covenant with her.

So, when a man has sexual intimacy with a woman, and does not make a covenant with her, he is taking advantage of her. He is using her to meet his needs, but he is not offering her covenant, commitment, and security. This is devastating to women. God has set this in place - it’s His divine design. So God has also wired into us, that the man would conquer or pursue to conquer; and that women would desire security and commitment - that was the design.

So Jesus pursues us, offers us covenant, and we are secure in our relationship with Him. In the marriage, the man pursues the woman, offers her covenant, and then is faithful to her in the whole season of their relationship.

You understand then, that the whole act of sexual intercourse is in the context of marriage covenant. Everything about the whole wedding service, and the area of sexual intimacy, is to do with God’s design for marriage covenant. You can understand why we’ve just read in 1 Thessalonians 4 not to defraud the other person. That means to manipulate someone, and get something from them. When you defraud someone, you take something they wouldn’t have given you, except you put one over them. So men defraud women – leading them on, and drawing them into sexual intimacy, and then abandoning them. Women seeking to be secure, or have a relationship, can give in to this, and then feel defrauded.

You can see by what I’ve shared already, how far everyone’s moved away from God’s design; how we need to return to God’s design. If you create something, you know how it works. A designer who makes a microwave, they have a manual on how to make it work right. They say: don’t put any metal into this thing. “I don’t care; I don’t follow the manual you know. I do this my own way”. So you put a cup in with some metal stuff on it, and all sorts of things go off inside the microwave. “Whoa! What’s wrong with that?” We just didn’t follow the makers design.

We need to come back to God’s design, and embrace how God intended sexual intimacy to work. However, understand that man, opposed to God, will have his own ideas. Remember, the definition of sin means: to fall short of what God intended for our good. So, sexual sin – people fall short of what God intended. Do they enjoy it? Of course they do - God made it to be enjoyable; but there is a hidden destruction, because the wages of sin is always death.

We’ll find that the Bible warns about sexual sin; and we want to understand the damage caused by sexual sin. You understand, if God’s purpose is intimacy; and if we’re intimate we become vulnerable; it’s not surprising that damage takes place if we have sexual relationships outside marriage.

Let’s have a look at some warnings on this area. You have to remember this: that God is not against sex. God thought it up. We recognise God as the creator; He’s given us the ability to create a life; and He thought up exactly how it would work. He designed us for this; and He built in that this is going to be good. You’ll feel good, and you’ll like it. He built this into us - and then just in case we just don’t want to go that way, He puts a desire for this in us. Don’t go praying that God would take it all away - He gave it to you for a purpose.

We’ll just have a read in 1 Corinthians 6:13-20 – “Now the body is not for sexual sit, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.” What it’s basically saying, is that God does not want you to be involved in sexual sin; He wants you to honour Him. So, clearly, right at the beginning - keeping ourselves pure, honours God.

Just think again about His design. He’s designed us to reveal what He’s like; and He doesn’t go around having sex with people with no commitment. His relationships are covenantal - they are permanent.

Remember we saw how blood was shed for covenant between a husband and a wife? God forms covenant with us in the blood of Jesus Christ. We have communion - we celebrate we’re in covenant with God. When you have communion, this is what you’re celebrating.

You’re celebrating many things of course, but here’s the key of it – that I’m in a committed relationship with God. God has made covenant with me. I am His wife, and as evidence of that covenant, I will take this bread and take this cup, to remind me that in this covenant, it was Jesus’ own blood that purchased me. I am valuable to God. I am loved by Him. I belong to Him. I don’t belong to anyone else. I belong primarily to Him. That’s the core of communion. I am forgiven, because a Husband forgives me. I am loved, because my Husband loves me. See, it’s a marriage covenant.

We don’t tend to think about our relationship with God like that, but everything about His relationship is covenant; because He says: I am a covenant-keeping God. So breaking covenant, being unfaithful - is a terrible crime. From God’s eyes, if relationship means life, then breaking relationship is death. If covenant means: this is how God relates to us, then betraying covenant is a wicked sin – it violates the core of who God is. Let’s go on a little further...

It says in 1 Corinthians 6 verse 15: “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them members of a prostitute? Certainly not! Or do you not know, that he who is joined to a prostitute, is one body with her? For the two shall become one flesh.”

Notice what He’s saying here. He’s saying that, as a believer, the Spirit of God lives in me. I’m a part of Jesus’ representation in the Earth. I’m a part of the body of Christ – meaning I represent Him - He lives within me. So He said: why would I get involved with a prostitute, and be joined to a prostitute? Notice that when you’re involved sexually, it affirms again, that you become joined. He says: I’m joined to the Spirit of God; I don’t want to get involved in sexual sin - it’ll grieve the Spirit of God. Think about it, if you get involved in sexual sin, you’re taking the Holy Spirit where He doesn’t want to go.

Notice what it says in verse 18: “Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body; but he who commits sexual immorality, sins against his own body.” The word they use there for sexual sin is the word ‘Porneia’, which means: unlawful sexual relationships, or idolatry.

Now, look at this. It says: “...every sin you do, is just outside you”. If you lie, it’s outside you; you steal, it’s outside you; you break the laws, it’s outside you. Every sin is outside you; but there’s something about sexual sin that makes it different. This is why God warns about it. He says: he that commits sexual sin, sins against, or into, his own body.

When you sin sexually, there is something that enters into your body; because the two become joined, there is an entrance into you, of another person. There is a part of them that enters your life. This is why it’s saying that sin is so difficult - why it’s such a problem; because in every other sin, it’s just outside you; but in sexual sin, something happens inside you - you change on the inside.

For example, your brain chemistry will begin to respond, and there’ll be memory tracts put inside you. Sexual sin can build neuron pathways that become quite addictive - you build tracts in your mind. So, in a whole number of ways, sexual sin brings something into you. You need to be aware of this when you’re ministering to people.

It’s not just a sin outside to say “I’m sorry” for; it’s a change within them that’s taking place; and it will have ongoing effects on the person. You can’t walk away from it, because you’re carrying the impact of your sin inside you. So sexual sin is quite unique in its impact - something comes into us.

There’s a verse in Romans 1:27, it says “Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another; men with men, committing what is shameful; and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.” Notice something ‘inside’ the person changes. So, what He’s saying in both of these verses is simply that: sexual sin has an impact on you that no other sin has. Something changes inside you. The more you follow the path of sexual sin, the deeper the impact and changes on you.

Let’s have a look at some of the damage sexual sin causes. Many people won’t acknowledge it, but the more you become sensitive to your spirit, and what is happening in your life, the more you become aware of the presence and impact of sexual sin. Firstly, there is spiritual damage. The first thing is, it affects your relationship with God. You grieve the Holy Spirit.

In Ephesians 4:30, it talks about grieving the Holy Spirit; to cause Him pain and sorrow. Because God is a covenant God, if you are involved in sexual sin, then you grieve the Spirit of God, and it affects your relationship. Ephesians 4 and 5 are both connected, and it lists the things that grieve the Holy Spirit. So sexual sin grieves and dishonours what God has called us to be.

If we continue in the sin, we become desensitised in our conscience. One of the things that seem to happen, when you’re involved in sexual sin, is that there’s a guilt, and a shame, that comes around your life. Guilt – I’ve done something wrong. Shame – something’s wrong with me. For all the emphasis the world makes on sexual sin being okay, if anyone in a significant role is caught in sexual sin, they immediately experience shame and dishonour.

So the first spiritual impact is that our relationship with God is affected or wounded. God wants us to be confident and bold towards Him. You’ll find that when people are wrestling with sexual sin, they feel condemned, and unworthy to enter into the presence of God. We’ll come back to that later, in how to step back up again after you’ve sinned.

However, I’ve noticed in the area of sexual sin: 1) the devil will push on you to do it; and 2) he’ll follow it up with an accusation of shame. So God has made provision for cleansing, we just need to know how to apply it.

Second thing, demonic defilement can occur. In other words, demonic spirits can transfer from one person to another, if the two have had sexual relationships. This is why: if two people have sexual intercourse, what does God say about it? The two become one. If two people have become one, then if I have demons in me, and I become joined to a person, then we’re one, so the demon has a right to go there too. Just as sexual disease can be transmitted, demonic spirits have a legal right to come into that person.

Now you understand how, in the Old Testament, one of the things that caused men of God to go off track was sexual sin; because it enabled demonic spirits to come into the person, and bring them into captivity.

For example, in Numbers 25, Balaam had tried to curse Israel; and God said: “No, they’re blessed”. He said: “What can I do? I know what to do: send in the women who’d been worshipping idols; get them to sleep with the men - and then it’s all over”. That’s exactly what they did. They sent women, who were worshipping idols, to come and sleep with the men and compromise their life.

You think about what happened to Samson. Judges 16 – It says: “there were people lying in wait for him to fall into sexual sin”; and then they took away his strength, then they brought him into bondage and captivity. In other words, sexual sin was the doorway for him to become spiritually captive. You think about King David - sexual sin led to other things like deception and murder.

So, when people are involved in sexual sin, in the Old Testament, there was a law that said: they had to be put to death; or in other words: a spirit of death can legally enter them.

So, you find demonic defilement can easily occur when people have been involved sexually. I had one girl, as I shared with you, who was struggling with occult oppression; and the doorway the spirit used was: she was involved sexually with someone involved in the occult.

Another aspect of spiritual damage is that ungodly soul ties are connected. They give demons the right to enter in. A soul tie is a bonding. So when two people become one, they’re bonded together. If they’re married, it’s a lawful tie; if they’re unmarried, it’s an ungodly tie - ungodly soul ties. So this bonding enables demonic spirits to enter the person’s life. You will find, when you start to break ungodly soul ties of sexual partners, that many times, the demons will manifest immediately.

So you can see the spiritual impact – relationship with God damaged, demonic spirits can enter, conscience is damaged, becomes vulnerable to condemnation, and demonic soul ties are formed. It’s quite a load of stuff isn’t it? But that’s not all.

Remember what I said, something comes into you. So, when God says: you be careful about this sin, because something would change inside you. Something would change, that’s not easy to change back again. So He said: that’s why you keep yourself pure. You will change. Something will happen inside you, and it’ll take some effort to get this damage fixed up.

Now let’s have a look at what happens in the soul. We’re talking about the soul of man. Proverbs 5, 6, and 7 talks quite a bit about sexual sin. Let’s have a look in Proverbs 5:3-5 for example. “For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, her steps lay hold of hell.”

Notice what it’s saying there – it’s talking about sexual sin. It says: it’s smoother than oil, lips dripping honey, sweet. What it’s saying is that it’s very sweet. When you start down the path of sexual sin - it’s very sweet; but you see, the end is bitter. Starts sweet; ends bitter. You’ll find that bitterness becomes a problem when people have been involved in sexual sin. Bitter men, bitter women; feeling used in the sexual relationship - expecting intimacy and love; and instead, being rejected and abandoned; so the end – bitterness. When you’re ministering to people, be aware there’ll be bitterness there.

Proverbs 5:5 – “Her feet go down to death, her steps lay hold of hell.” Notice death and hell are spiritual powers. Death causes people to be isolated. Hell torments people. So the two spirits are found very commonly connected to sexual sin: Death – which isolates and numbs; and Hell – which torments. Proverbs 5:22 – “His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, and he is caught in the cords of his sin.”

So that’s Proverbs 5. Let’s have a look at Proverbs 6:32-33 – “Whoever commits adultery with a woman lacks understanding (or heart); for he who does it, destroys his own soul. Wounds and dishonour he will get, and his reproach will not be wiped away.” Isn’t that amazing? The impact in the Bible is very clear. Talking specifically about adultery, and He said: you will get wounds and shame come into your life.

You think about now, public exposure of adultery, anywhere you’ve seen it in the media - it brings tremendous dishonour, and it brings tremendous pain. Everyone despises it. Even if no-one talks about it, when it comes out to the open, people are dishonoured and shamed and wounded.

Let’s have a look in Proverbs 7:25-27 – “Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths; for she has cast down many wounded, and all who were slain by her were strong men. Her house is the way to hell, descending to the chambers of death.”

So, this passage again says of the issue of wounds; and refers again to death and hell. If you want to look at the whole process of temptation, you can see it outlined in Proverbs 6. What I want you to pick up from here is that: there is damage caused in the soul. Wounds, or blows, or cuts to the soul. So exactly what happens? Your soul, we think, is your mind and emotions and your imagination and your will. Let’s have a look at some of the things in the soul.

Firstly, defiling pictures - pictures and memories of sexual experiences. See, your memory works like this – whatever you see, or have experience of, your mind retains a picture of that. If there’s intense pleasure associated with it, or intense pain, it’s more deeply imprinted; and if it’s repeated, it imprints even more. The nature of sexual sin is that whenever people are involved in sexual intimacy, chemicals are released; and thought trees form in the mind; and they are very strong because of the immense amount of chemicals released.

There are pictures in your mind, and you can’t get rid of them - they will come back when you’re praying, come back when you’re having intimacy with your spouse. They just keep coming back - because they’re in you. They’re in your brain. Now, you can do something about them. I’ll show you a little bit later what you can do about the pictures.

Demonic spirits get on them, and use them to manipulate you. You could be having time of worship, and whoosh the picture comes back, then condemn you; because the area of your brain that’s involved in worship, and with God, is the same area involved in sexual intimacy. That’s why when you’re trying to worship God, the part of your mind that gets involved, is the part involved with intimacy - that’s why those pictures come up. If there’s a healthy relationship in marriage, the pictures don’t come up. If you’ve got unhealthy or ungodly sexual relationships, up come the pictures to block your intimacy with God.

The second aspect is: painful emotions. What kind of emotions? As you remember the relationship, and the relationship broke up, there’s usually grief – because there was high expectation in that relationship; there’s feelings of being rejected; there’s often bitterness; and sometimes people begin to hate men or women, or they’ll hate themselves. There’s often anger, and there’s often shame. Now isn’t that an amazing bunch of things inside you? People were looking for love, and got hurt.

So, what happens is: their soul is left with the damage. Grief – I feel angry; I feel rejected; and then the person begins to feel bitter and hateful against men, or against women, or often against themselves. A woman, who was seduced by a man, afterwards will walk away feeling: I just hate myself - how could I have let that happen. Of course, it’s all in secrecy from family, so there’s an immense shame that sits over the person’s life.

When you come to talk to a person, they’ll barely tell you what they did. They won’t tell you about all this mess that’s going on in their life. You just need to know: that’s the turmoil. There’s more - there’s confusion inside, because the person who’s had several relationships: they gave a part of their soul here, and it was hurt; now they give a part here, and that’s hurt; leave a part here, and that’s hurt. Now they’re scattered.

So when they finally get married, it’s hard to give themselves anymore - too much brokenness, too much pain; and because the person’s scattered, it’s hard to give themselves intentionally to one person. Sometimes they feel they’re still attached to the other person. Sometimes, if a spouse is spiritually sensitive, they can feel it. It’s like you’re not with me.

Remember we said that sexual intercourse is about intimacy, it’s about connection from within. When I’ve been teaching you about flowing in the spirit, remember I talked to you about the need for focus; that if your mind goes somewhere else, you disconnect, and there’s no flow from your spirit. So in sexual intimacy with your spouse, it’s important your mind does not disconnect; does not go remembering other relationships; does not go fantasising; but you connect with your spouse. So if you’ve got lots of images in there, your mind disconnects, goes all over. You understand why God warned about this? This is a problem for people; they don’t talk about it though.

So wounds and dishonour is caused; and not only that, but you find if a man for example, is involved in pornography, his whole brain chemistry changes. In other words, each time he’s involved in a pornographic experience, which means: fantasy, desire, and sometimes sexual masturbation. Every time that happens, there’s a tract formed in his mind.

There’s a thing about pornography – when people are involved with pornography, they’re not dealing with a real person and a real relationship; they’re looking at an image. In that image, they objectify the woman. The woman’s treated like an object for the man’s pleasure and control. When a man watches pornography, his whole brain begins to be trained, so if he sees a woman, he does not see the image of God, he does not see the person. He sees the body; he sees an object; and his mind is trained by the constant exposure to pornography. He sees her as an object, to be used to feel good.

So when a man is involved in watching pornography, images are formed in the soul, in the mind, brain chemistry begins to develop ruts, mental ruts. This deeply affects his ability to be intimate, because every time he sees a woman, he’s looking at her body, to scan her body parts, and treat her as an object of pleasure. This totally perverts the image of God, and turns this person into an object for him.

So he has all these fantasies about what a woman would be like and do, and this totally defiles his ability to enter into intimacy in marriage; makes him self-centred rather than loving. Spirits of perversion and prostitution enter his life and defile him. So, if a man has been involved in pornography, his wife would never feel loved by him. How could she? He won’t flow from his spirit to her, because his mind is defiled by a different kind of thinking. That whole process of the mind needs to be cleansed.

“Flee sexual sin”. There’s a good reason for it! It’s not because God says: “Oh, I hate sex. It’s so bad.” He said: “I love you, be careful. I’ve given you a gift that could destroy you.” See the difference? Church often won’t talk about it. Just: sex is bad. Even if people don’t say it, you get that message: “Don’t do it. You’ll be a bad person.” So all the shame is all over it; rather than God’s perspective – “I’ve given you this amazing, fantastic gift. It’s just unbelievable. It creates so much pleasure; and possibly creating a life. It’s a great gift. Please be careful. You’ll do a lot of harm if you misuse this gift.”

It’s almost certain in Genesis 5:6 that the group of watcher angels fell from their place God appointed them, because they wanted to be involved sexually with women. “Wow. Look at this gift God’s given to people. Man, this looks so good. We want a piece.” So they left what God appointed them to, and got involved with women. The Bible says: that’s when the nephilim and giants were born into the Earth. We won’t go into that, but you would understand there’s more to this whole issue than you’ve realised.

Now the last one we’ll put down is: people form destructive reactions in their soul. When people are hurt, they usually try to defend or protect themselves in some way - they don’t want to be hurt again. So it’s quite common when people have been involved in sexual sin, that there’s a reaction or a wall built in the heart, to stop themselves being hurt again.

Typical issues in people to be aware of are these:

1) Inner vows; or inward vows. I’ll give an example in a moment. It’s a vow the person makes in themselves, out of hurt and anger. For example, “I’ll never trust a man again.” “I’ll never trust a woman again.” If you make an inward vow in your heart – “I’ll never trust a man again”, your heart will believe that. You know what your heart will say? I agree, let’s not trust a man. You may forget you said it, but years later, you get married and he’s a wonderful man. What if just a great man came into your life? But you know what your heart is saying? Don’t trust him. You can never trust a man.

So, no matter how good he is, you’ll still never trust him; and the relationship will begin to fail, because a stronghold of distrust is in there. The inner vow - I have prayed for people who’ve made inner vows never to carry a male child, and then miscarried every male child. When people get hurt, and they make inner vows to protect themselves, these are like strongholds in the heart, that stop their lives being productive.

2) Bitter judgement. You’ve been hurt by a couple of men, or hurt by a couple of women, and you’ll never trust a man again. You’ll never trust men - they’ll always let you down. Never trust women - they’ll always control you. These kinds of bitter judgements then defile all future relationships. A very common one is a death wish - I just wish I was dead. People covered in shame about what they’ve done, and what they’ve allowed to happen to them, just say: “I wish I was dead”. These are reactions in the soul that you have to address when you’re ministering to people.

So, you start to notice now, every sin you commit is outside your body; but sexual sin is inside the body. Now we see there’s: issues of sin; there’s the issue of demons; ungodly soul ties; the pictures imprinted in the mind and the body; the hurts in the heart; and the reactions in the heart. What a mess! No wonder God says, or warns us about it. It’s not because it’s evil, it’s a good gift. It’s just it needs to be kept in God’s guidelines, for it to be a wonderful gift.

In the next session, we’ll look at some of the examples of sexual sin, particularly pornography, and then what I’ll do is how to get people free – what to do.

[Second Session]

We see in the last session how God has given us an amazing gift, and He wants us to learn how to steward and manage that gift, so it’s a blessing and not a cause of pain.

One of the big things related to sexual sin, is that it thrives in darkness and secrecy. Because of the shame that seems to come with it, it remains covered and concealed; and whatever’s concealed, is a place of darkness thriving.

I believe in today’s culture, this is becoming an increasing problem. Particularly the internet has opened up all kinds of ways of people accessing sexual perversion. People can be connected into a whole realm of perversion and you wouldn’t know. Even simple exposures can have a huge issue in the person’s life.

We prayed for one young pastor’s son, and he’d been involved in internet pornography for about two years. The pastor was really upset, because he said: we’ve got a computer in the open, and we’ve done everything we can to keep them from it, but we cannot understand how this happened. He kept all the boundaries up in the home over this issue of pornography. His son went to a friend’s place, and they were open about it - the father let the kids watch stuff on the computer; and that one exposure - he became addicted. He’s just a teenage boy, who’s got drawn into this thing.

The word pornography comes from two words put together - the word “porno” - “prostitute”; and the word “graphic”, or “to write”. So the writings of prostitutes were the original form of pornography - that’s where it originally came from. You’ll find behind pornography is a spirit of prostitution, a spirit of perversion, and usually idolatry, self-idolatry. Prostitution – because many of those are involved are selling themselves, or receiving money in order to do these things. That’s one aspect of it. Spirit of perversion – it totally perverts the image of God.

A woman is also created in the image of God, but Pornography totally destroys that image - treats the person as an object or a thing, rather than as a person. Men particularly, are vulnerable to pornography: 1) because they’re very stirred or stimulated by what they see; and 2) often because of rejection, and fears of real relationship. It’s often driven by a desire for comfort, or a desire for control.

Pornography alters the chemistry in the brain - it releases serotonin and dopamine, and that creates pathways in the brain. Pornography is progressively addictive. It’s like a drug in the person’s life – they need more and more and more, in order to get the same feelings. It results in soul-ties being formed to images. A person in pornography is actually locked in to the images, locked in on the websites, like attached to them.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:28 “If you look after a woman with lust in your heart, you’ve already committed adultery. So pornography opens the door for: spirits of lust to enter; spirits of perversion; spirits of prostitution; and spirits of idolatry. In the Old Testament, the idolater’s practices in the cultures that Israel went into - you know one thing they mostly had in common? Temple prostitutes! So being involved with prostitutes, male and female, was a part of the whole worship ceremony. Again, what God intends for good and blessing, becomes a destructive doorway into people’s life for demons.

I was reading recently about a survey done on pornography. They did a test on the areas of the brain that were affected, when a person was exposed to pornography. This is what they found: if a person had little or no exposure, when they saw some pornographic images, there was not a very big response in their brain; however, if they were watching a lot of pornography, whole areas of the brain started to become alive and stimulated - and these are exactly the same areas that become stimulated by someone who’s involved in drugs, or some kind of chemical dependency.

The conclusion they came to, was that the response of the brain to pornography is chemically identical to that of any other kind of addictive material, or addictive substance. Of course, you can understand there’s a lot of resistance to agreeing with that point of view. Essentially they’re saying that it is addictive, in the same way a drug is addictive. It alters your brain chemistry; creates a false reality; and progressively requires more to produce the same result. This is a major area now, and we need to be straight upfront and talk about these things - help people in their journey to get free of it.

So that’s only one of a whole range of sexual sins. I’ll give you a number of things that the Bible talks about; you can search them out yourself. The Bible talks about, first of all, fornication – sexual sin outside marriage; adultery; homosexuality; rape; sexual intimacy with demons; child abuse; bestiality – sexual relationship with animals; prostitution; cross-dressing. In other words, anything that perverts God’s pattern for man is a problem - incest; rape and abuse. So the list goes on and on. We need to have some strategies on how to set people free. We need to know what we would do to help people.

I wanted to just talk about some of the pathways to freedom. Here’s the first scripture, Proverbs 28:13, “He who covers his sins will not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

Let me just go through perhaps the journey of ministry to set people free. I think there’s the actual ministry itself, and there’s the follow-up afterwards. Let’s first of all, have a look at the ministry side.

1) Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to reveal the roots. We must learn to depend on the Holy Spirit’s help, in dealing with any person. Learn to listen with your heart, to any impressions He gives you. It could be simply a question to ask: “Have you been involved in this?”, and watch to look at the person’s response. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you. Be open all the time to listen to His promptings.

2) Diagnose the problem. That means you have to ask questions; and keep asking questions until you feel that you have got to the root of the problem. The root of the problem may be generational; that could be a factor in it. This is not just this person’s problem, there’s a contribution that comes from the generational line. Perhaps there’s some trauma the person’s been through. Were they sexually abused? Where they exposed to any sexual situations when they were very young?

Abuse ranges from just being exposed to something you shouldn’t have seen, right through to very serious and prolonged abuse. Is there a pattern of sinning in this area? Take your time to find out the truth, because sexual sin carries with it a huge deception around it. People will try and conceal from you what’s really happening. Commitment to the truth is the only way the person will get free. There can be no shadow of darkness, the person’s got to come clean.

So diagnose the problem. That means asking questions; looking for any contributing roots - are there generational issues; are there trauma, abuse issues; is it a habitual pattern; when did it start; how did it start? It just helps to search, because sometimes, for example, a young man may have experienced a family breakup, and in the midst of the pain, he’s gone looking for comfort.

So sexual sin is the comfort; but the root is the pain of the breakup. So look for anything that contributes to this problem. Don’t just look at the sin, and get disgusted by the sin -diagnose what the problem is. When you think you’ve got it summed up, just talk back. Just share with them what you see is the problem - interact with the person over this. If you don’t understand the extent of the problem, your solution will only be a patch over the top. The person needs to be honest with you.

In being honest with you, if there’s any crime involved, you can’t cover it. You can’t cover crime. If there’s a sexual abuse situation, you can’t be committed to be secret about that. You know, the person says to you: “I tell you what’s happening, but you must promise you’ll never tell anyone!” “Whoa, you say - wait a minute. I want to help you, but I won’t agree to that. I will keep confidence, but if there’s something really serious, I will remain free to talk to someone over me - to get their advice and help.”

If you don’t do that, you could be drawn to something terrible. Person might say: “I’ve been sexually molesting my younger sister.” Woah! Or it could be: “I’ve been involved sexually with a leader in the church.” Wow! You just can’t have a secrecy thing sit over your counsel in this area. Confidential? Yes, I’m not going to talk about you in any kind of way to anyone. Secrecy – I won’t promise I won’t tell someone. You have to keep open the option, that what you’re going to encounter, you need to talk to someone above you.

You’re not an expert, and you may need someone else to advise you. If someone tells you a terrible secret, you’ll be left in a very condemned state if you don’t talk to someone about it. In other words, when they say: ‘You must keep this secret’, they’re about to bring you into the secrecy and darkness that they’ve already had for years. Don’t be tricked into making that kind of commitment, because you may need to tell someone else.

I had one person who came to me, and they had married this woman who had two boys. He began sexually abusing the boys. It came out to me - the man came and confessed his sin. He confessed his sin because he’s in turmoil, absolute turmoil. So I said: “Well, it’s good you’ve become honest. It’s good you brought this to the light; but what you’ve done is wrong. There are many consequences of it.

The first is your relationship with God; we’ll talk with you about returning to the Lord again.” I said: “You’ve betrayed your wife’s trust, and breached your marriage by abusing her children. Secondly, you’ve committed a crime. This is against the law, you’ve broken the law. This kind of crime cannot be hidden - I cannot hide it, neither will I attempt to.” So I said: “There are a couple of options. You need to report to the woman what you’ve been doing. Separate yourself. Inevitably, she will make a complaint to the police. You may choose to go to the police first, and make a confession.”

I said: “I will not be party to anything being covered up. So I’ll give you a season to decide how you’re going to respond. This is a crime. It’s a crime against children; and by law, we have to report this. So I’ll give you an opportunity to take initiative to put the thing right. You will face the consequences. However, the Bible’s very clear – if you confess and forsake, you’ll find mercy. By coming upfront about what you’ve done, will mean there will be leniency in the outcomes. I’ll give you a week, and I’ll ask you at the end of the week what’s happened - I’ll check up.”

Of course, it all came out into the open. Just understand: I refused to be kept in a place of covering a crime. These things come out in the open anyway. I don’t want to be party to concealing something that should be dealt with by proper process.

Can you imagine the reproach on your ministry, if someone was abusing a child, they told you, and you took no action? Your ministry will be discredited - totally discredited! You would be seen to be agreeing with a child molester. This is where churches get confused - they feel sorry for the criminal, they feel compassion for him. That’s okay to feel those things; but you must follow due process, or you become party to this whole issue. You have to be really clear about this.

You need to do it like this: tell them they need to confess their sin to the Lord, and ask for His forgiveness. Assure them their forgiveness will come, but they must turn away from the sin. Repentance is not just saying ‘sorry’. Repentance is: realising I’ve hurt people, and turning away from it because I’ve hurt them.

You need to explain the area of forgiveness – that the person must forgive the people who’ve hurt them. There may be some anger and grief in this area. So, you may take a little bit of time, helping the person face and admit their grief and anger, and being willing to forgive. Forgiveness must come from the heart. From the heart, forgive.

You may say: “Look, you’re still very angry at these people. Why don’t you just do an exercise, and over the next week, you write an anger letter. Write a letter to the person, you’ll never send it to them. It’s to put your anger out of your heart and on paper, where you can see it and resolve it before the Lord. So the person needs to let go of anger about the things that have happened and forgive the person.

Forgiveness is twofold: first of all, forgiving the people who’ve hurt you; second, receiving forgiveness and forgiving yourself. Some people have trouble forgiving themselves. It’s important. Particularly girls often feel great shame - they find it hard to forgive themselves. So you’ve got to talk about that and encourage them: “You need to release yourself from this demand, because God’s already forgiven you.”

Another thing we need to help people do is to understand their need to renounce, or cancel, bondages. What sorts of things would you need to cancel? Well, ungodly sexual soul ties. Inevitably, there’d be soul ties – cut them. Soul ties to pornographic images – cut them. Soul ties to websites – cut those ties.

There may be defensive reactions that need to be renounced, such as: inner vows; judgements; death wishes; and the person may need to renounce each of those. “I must renounce each inner vow I made, that I’d never let a man come near me again. I renounce all bitter judgements I formed against women. I renounce every death wish; I choose life.” So renounce the bondages. Finally, the person needs to then come near to the Lord - ask the Lord to forgive them and set them free.

Let’s do that again. Confession and repentance of sin - the person must turn away from their sin, and then speak words confessing it: “Lord I ask You to forgive me, for the sin of pornography. I ask You to cleanse me, and set me free from all its defilement in my life.” Lead the person in a good confession. Forgiveness; receive forgiveness; and forgive others; and forgive themselves. Renounce bondages – ungodly soul ties, any kinds of defensive reactions, walls in the heart.

So, when we’ve got there, we then need to get involved in ministry. Ministry to the person - you must again, follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. One of the first things I tend to do, is to break the bondages: “In Jesus’ name, I break...” The things you break are of course: the generational curses or iniquity; any soul ties; any bondages like inner vows, or death wishes and so on. “In Jesus’ name, I break them.”

Then, begin to command the spirits. Speak into the person, command spirits to come out. So what kinds of spirits might you come up against? Well, there are all kinds. Let me just give you a few: spirits of lust; spirits of perversion; spirits of idolatry; could be generational spirits. So those are the kinds of spirit things - spirit of pornography; spirit of adultery. Those are some of the obvious ones.

First of all, think about the spirits that have come into the person. Then, begin to think about the reactions the person has made – spirits of hatred, spirits of bitterness, spirits of grief, and spirits of shame. Makes sense? Spirit of self-hate; spirit of death; spirit of torment or hell. I’ve just given you ideas of what you could be looking for; the kinds of spirits that are there.

I tend to think of it in just three layers: spirits that have come in because of the activity itself; spirits that have come in because of the person’s reaction to the offender; then spirits that come in because of the reaction to themselves. The sin itself; reaction to the offender; reaction to themselves. So reactions to yourselves, such as: self hate; shame; bitterness - those kinds of things. Reactions against the offender: hatred of men, or hatred of women; bitterness; anger; rage - those kinds of things; then actually coming in from the sin itself.

I think logically about these things. When it comes to the ministry, the bondage – what are the bondages? 1, 2, 3, 4, break them. What are the sins? What spirits have come in? Go for those. Reaction for the offender – go for those. Reaction to themselves – go for those. Just speak. You find sometimes, if you just mentioned the name, the things come up to the surface.

For example, we were doing ministry in the alter calls, some of you were just laying hands on people; and that’s good – releases the power of God. However, with many of them, there’s no response until I began to name spirits. Always keep in mind that God will give you the names of spirits. It’s just sort of knowing where to look, rather than: woah - not knowing where to look. So, I know where to look: the sin; the offender; and then themselves. When you know where to look, it’s quite simple. So, those are some things we would do.

There are a couple of other things I do, two other things: 1) I ask the Holy Spirit to remove out of the person’s body, soul, and spirit, everything imparted through the relationships. Ask the Holy Spirit to remove out of the person, out of their body, soul, and spirit, everything imparted through the relationships. That makes sense? If something comes into you, ask the Holy Spirit to take it out. “I speak into the spirit, soul, and body. Holy Spirit, I ask that You would remove everything that’s been imparted into them.” I also ask the Holy Spirit to restore every part of them that was scattered. Make sense?

In other words, God does the restoration part. I don’t understand all of that, but I have found that really helpful in bringing a peace and wholeness in the person. I’ve found often, people weep when you pray, because they feel something’s in them. There’s a sort of shame and uncleanness, and you can’t seem to get rid of it - especially women have this difficulty.

“Father I just ask You to remove out of their spirit, soul, and body, everything that was imparted in that relationship. Take it out. Father, every part of their soul and spirit that went out to those relationships, Lord, restore it to them now.” So there’s a kind of that pulling their person back together again. Then, I just ask the Lord to release cleansing holiness back into their life. Release cleansing. “Lord, release Your love, and Your cleansing, into their heart.”

Sometimes people pray that the spirit of virginity would be released into their life. They can’t get back their physical virginity, but they can be restored by God to feel completely clean inside, as though nothing has happened.

So that’s kind of the process of ministry. You can see that you can’t do all of that in an alter call, but you can do that when you’re praying with people. Does that make sense to you? Everything I’ve done in the ministry is to undo something that happened in the whole situation in being involved in sexual sin.

Now, let’s look at the next area which would be after ministry: follow-up. We look at follow-up. Clearly, sexual sin has an impact, which is quite major on a person’s life. First sexual experiences can be particularly impacting on people. Here are a few things you could follow-up with.

1) House cleansing. Are there things they need to get rid of? House cleansing. Are there any items they need to get rid of? It could be magazines, computer files, old love letters, sometimes gifts that were given. Is there anything the person needs to get rid of? Remember: you want them to separate from sin, and to walk with God. So don’t hold on to things - it’s over; if it’s over - it’s over. Let it go.

It may be you need to get rid of letters, or items, or pictures, or anything that’s likely to lead to sin again. Don’t be controlling in this matter. It’s their life - they must be responsible for this journey. So, you can just ask the Holy Spirit: “Are there any items I need to get rid of”. Let the Holy Spirit tell them - you can throw out a few suggestions – computer files, images, videos, books, pictures. Are there things you need to get rid of? Do it quickly. Get the momentum going, of shift - don’t delay it.

2) Are there any relationships the person needs to distance themselves from? To distance means to create a space, so they can repair their life. So, are there any relationships where the person needs to create some space and distance? In other words, if they were sexually involved with someone, are they still in the relationship? If they stay in the relationship, as it is, it’ll just go back to where it was. Once a relationship has turned sexual, the person stops developing intimacy, and it becomes physical. So they need to cut off and separate for awhile, while they begin to walk right with God. You just got to ask the question, and talk about it; but it’s still their decision.

3) Are there any apologies they need to make? Is there anything to be put right? Again, don’t be harsh on this, and demand them. Let the Holy Spirit show you. Is there anyone they need to apologise to? If they’re going to apologise to someone, then you need to instruct them how to do the apology. Otherwise it becomes worse. Sometimes it’s better to just leave it. Sometimes the person needs to actually put at least one right. With the issue of apologies, or restitution, God sometimes doesn’t require it; sometimes He’ll just use one as a sample. The key is to listen to the Holy Spirit.

If a person is to make an apology, there are some things about their apology.

1) There can be no blaming the other person whatsoever - no blame at all. If you’re apologising, you’re owning your own stuff - even if they cooperated. It’s not about that, it’s about you owning your own stuff. So, no blaming whatsoever. All blame must go.

2) You must be clear what you’re apologising for.

3) The person must resolve their own grief and anger. You can’t go to someone, and you’ve got blame in your heart and anger in your heart. It will be a mess. Just won’t work. So the person needs to be free of all anger, free of all blame, and decide what it is they need to apologise for.

It’s probably better to do it personally than with a letter. A letter is incriminating evidence. However, sometimes a letter or brief note can do. If you’re going to make an apology personally, contact the person and say: you’d like to speak to them very briefly, when it’s convenient. It has to be convenient to them. You may need to say “I want to put something right.”

Then, when you’re making the apology, it needs to be very brief. “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk with you. God has been speaking to me, and I realised that I have deeply hurt you with my actions.” You identify the pain you’ve caused the other person. So very briefly, don’t go into lots of detail: “I’m so sorry for the distress I’ve caused you. Please forgive me.” Very brief! It takes courage to do that, but it’s amazing what it does in your heart and conscience.

Now, the person may not forgive you, but it’s not important - that’s their issue. The person may not want to see you, so you may be able to speak briefly over the phone, or do it in just a brief note - but keep it short. Quite easily: “Look, you know I’m a Christian, and God has been speaking to me recently. I realised what I did, when I did this, was very hurtful to you. I’m so sorry for the distress I’ve caused. Please forgive me.” That’s it. Sometimes people need to apologise.

4) Here’s the next thing. This is the harder part; and that is – rebuilding your life. If a person’s going to walk clean, they have to do some things differently. I guess there are lots of things you could do. I don’t want to give you a list of all these things: don’t do this, don’t do this - it just won’t work.

I think the beginning is: you must want to be clean, and see that it’s a good thing to be clean. You actually have to want to do this, by having a vision of a life serving God. I need to have a vision before me, of serving God, and having His life flowing through me. So I need to build my life. Pray in tongues everyday - spiritual life gets energised. Meditate in the word of God – begin to meditate in God’s love. Begin to allow God’s love to come round my life. These are very important things to do: meditate in God’s love; confessing His word over your life; daily bringing your life into alignment.

I have found it helpful to speak into my heart, and to speak into my mind. So what are you going to say? Speak into my heart – to command my heart to turn from all fantasies of sexual things. I want to arise in my spirit, and insist my heart align with God; because out of the heart flows the issues of life. If your heart has had fantasies of sexual things, your heart needs to turn from them. So as I speak to my heart, I might be picturing something very destructive, and I’m turning from it, and turning towards the Lord, who’s my friend.

Another thing I’ve found helpful, is to speak into your mind. The reason is, I believe your body will respond to your words. So what are you going to say? Well, Jesus cursed the tree; remember He cursed the tree? What did He say to the tree? No more fruit. So what I’ve found helpful, is to speak into my mind. I curse all the memory trees associated with sexual sin. No more fruit. Wither and die.

Here’s an interesting thing that they’ve discovered. There’s a great book by Caroline Leaf, and they’ve done research that indicate that thoughts actually occupy space in your brain - Neuron Trees. Every time you think about that thought, the tree starts to come alive. If they are destructive thoughts, it’s a thorny tree; if it’s positive thoughts, quite a healthy looking tree - they discovered this by research on the brain.

Here’s the interesting side of it - that the moment you think about those thoughts, they come alive, and subject to change. What if you were to actually picture that tree, just see the tree, and “I curse those thoughts In Jesus’ name”. No more fruit. Literally reject them. See the blood of Jesus; reject them. This is all before anything happens. It’s just a part of building a life with God; setting a life course, before you ever come into the place of temptation, you’ve daily set your course. I have found that helpful.

The next thing you need to do is to capture thoughts when they come. Capture temptations when they come. Capture the thoughts. There’s two ways of capturing the thoughts. In other words, we’ll just give an example - a male example. So, you’re walking down the street, and this woman comes towards you; and she’s dressed quite provocatively. Now, males are designed, immediately, the image and picture will come into the mind, it will start the man down the thinking pattern against her, to begin to look on her as an object. You have to catch the thought. We’ve got to capture it straight away. Capture it. “I refuse to treat a woman like an object. I reject that thought now.” Just capturing it, just like that. The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 - capture your thoughts. It’s like it’s a living thing; and instead of letting it come in and fill your mind - capture it and stop it.

The second is, redirect your attention. Focus on something else. The moment you move your thinking somewhere, you start then, to start a different track going in your mind. Once the mind starts down the thoughts of sexual sin, the body chemistry starts to move. You’ve got a dynamic happening inside you that’s creating energy. So redirect your attention for the next 15 minutes, and all of that brain chemistry will subside. It’s like everything just goes away. You understand? It’s no use saying to yourself - this is the one thing that won’t work - “I shouldn’t think that.” I shouldn’t think: “ooh, that was a bad thought, I shouldn’t think that thought.” That won’t work, because it’s the law. It won’t work. Saying I shouldn’t do it.

I’ll give you an example. Suppose, I put a box up the front here, and it had a button on the top of it. A bit red button, and a sign – ‘Do not press’. Then, I leave it in the front, and I leave you in the room with the box. You know what you’re going to want to do! What happens if I push that? In the end, it’ll become an obsessive thought. No one’s looking? Push the button. In other words, the law – ‘Don’t press’, stimulated sin. The law never saves us, it’s got no power. Telling someone “you shouldn’t do that”, increases the desire to do it.

Suppose we put a little sign up there: ‘Wet paint, don’t touch’. You know what a lot of people will do? They want to touch. The sign is clear; but you see, something is stirred up inside - that’s what the law does. The moment someone says: “You mustn’t do that.” “Why not? I think I’d like to...” The law never helps you in this area.

You are better to treat it like this – instead of saying: ‘I shouldn’t have thought that, I’m such a bad Christian’, that strategy will lead you to failure. Say: “Lord, I’m thinking about this in this way, Lord it’s destructive. I don’t want to think that way, I bring that thought to death, I redirect my attention. Thank you Jesus for Your holiness rising up inside me. You have to deal with it with a spiritual and a practical approach. Trying to condemn yourself is not going to work.

Here’s another thing that’ll help – accountability. Being open with someone about your life, particularly so if someone’s been involved in pornography. You have to remember, accountability is just a way of you being responsible for change; because if you want to, you can always hide what you’re doing. It’s helpful to have some form of accountability. You have to realise that, if I’m asking someone to hold me accountable, it doesn’t mean that now they’ve got the problem - it’s still my problem.

So I frame it up like this: “Look, I’ve been wrestling with this problem. I’m really doing these things to try and break free. I really want to walk in freedom. I want to, each week when we go into the small group meeting, I want to meet up with you. I wonder if you can just ask me how I’m doing; ask me if I’m telling the truth. I just need you to help me keep my commitment to go forward.”

So it’s actually me owning the journey, but someone else helping me in the journey. Otherwise I’ll avoid her, and think: ‘oh, if I go talk to her, she’ll ask me the question, I don’t want her to ask questions. So accountability – I own, it’s my journey, someone is going to help me on my journey.

Get this - that being open, is the way I walk into freedom; because in the past, it was in secrecy. So, for this to happen, it’s important the person doesn’t condemn me. “Oh, why do you do that?! Why do you look at those things?! I told you not to look at those things!” I’m never going to tell her anything after that. So there’s a need for a relationship of openness. It’s the actual openness, free of condemnation, that allows the person’s grace to come free.

So the last thing perhaps we’ll share, in relationship to that, is there needs to be a simple strategy to handle failure - if the person fails, what to do? Inevitably in this journey, failures happen. Just saying, “I’ll never do it again!” – don’t make those promises. You’re probably going to fall. The Bible says: “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, though he falls - though he falls - he won’t be cast down, God will lift him up.

So listen, if you fall, whether it be pornography, or masturbation, or something in the relationship - quickly acknowledge it; almost immediately acknowledge it. Quickly repent of it; and then stand up again inside, and hold the blood of Jesus Christ over your life. Because the longer you stay condemned, the more that thing will work in your life.

So if a person fails, as they are often likely to do, I’ll tell them: very quickly, do this immediately after the sin. Quickly turn to the Lord – “Lord I’m so sorry, I confess my sin to you. I’m just so sorry. Lord, I receive Your forgiveness; I receive Your cleansing; and I rise into Your presence again.” Because, the disconnection from God will keep the problem running.

The person must be helped to believe: “Listen, God will forgive you.” Begin to speak the word of God: “I thank You Lord, if we confess our sins, You’re faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us. I thank you Lord I am forgiven; I’m cleansed; I stand up like it’s never happened.” In other words, there’s a faith stand to stay connected to God - very important. And then it’s helpful to just be open with someone – “Hey, listen, I’m not doing so good.”

So, those are key strategies in this process. One last thing, perhaps - it’s helpful to become aware of what I call “sin cycles”. So you could draw a big circle. Outside the circle at the top, you could put ‘event’, ‘trigger event’. What happens, is that many times, the sin we’re struggling with follows a predictable cycle. It’s like it’s acted out, almost like it’s following a script. So it becomes a cycle.

A cycle is something that keeps repeating, almost the same way. It helps if you understand about a sin cycle. Usually there’s a trigger event – something happened. First thing, something happened. Second thing, you have a negative feeling. Hurt, I’ll put the word hurt – rejected or hurt, hurt feelings. Next thing, number three, is sadness or heaviness. Heaviness is often a sign that sexual sin is about to come – there’s a bit of a depression or heaviness.

At that point, you must redirect your attention; or the next stage in the cycle – pictures of sin, memories of sin, start to come back. When you get to the bottom of the circle, and the person sins. Then, the next part, they feel sad, or guilty. About the next part, 9 o’clock, they start to say I’m sorry. Next part, they’re trying to pray and read the Bible again. Then they’re back to the top again. It follows the same cycle all the time.

I’ve found that with many men who are in sexual sin, they just are there without seeing that there was a process to getting there. It’s like it was acted out. It’s almost like a script. They felt hurt, and negative feelings; began to feel bad about themselves, wanted to feel better; started to remember things that made them feel better, fall into sin; and then say I’m sorry, feel guilty, start to come back out of it again. So that’s what’s called the “sin cycle”; and it’s often fuelled by the rejection that’s in the heart.

The only way to deal with it is to recognise it, and become aware of things as they affect you; and change your behaviour. So, when you feel a bit down, don’t go back to where you were going, change what you do. Do something different, so you break this pattern that’s been formed in your brain chemistry.

Now I notice you’ve got someone coming who’s going to be speaking on addictions, and I have no doubt she will speak on this area – sexual addiction - and give you a lot more information on this topic. It will be helpful for you. What I’ve tried to do is give you just the basics of how you would minister to people. We’ll stop there and give room for questions.

Question and Answer

Can you tell us clearly how to break the sin cycle?

1) You need to be aware of it and recognise it – that I’m following a pattern that’s predictable. In fact, the way the person sins is often predictable. They come into fantasy, they start to dream and think about things. Next step, open the computer. Next step, start to look at certain sites; then they’re into sexual sins. So it’s a predictable pattern. If a person’s got a pattern of failure, recognise the pattern; and the process of acting out. That’s the first step – awareness.

2) They need to then start to ask the Holy Spirit to help them become aware of what their feelings are; and become alert to the first phase, when they start to feel down, just before the draw to sexual sin comes. At that point, when they realise they’re down, they should say: “Actually, I feel like I’m down. I feel quite low in my emotions. I wonder what has triggered this off. Sometimes you just: “Oh yeah, it’s after I spoke with them that I felt quite heavy.” Then they can just resolve it quite quickly.

Even if you don’t get to that stage, one thing you can do is then recognise: if I don’t redirect my attention, I’m going to go down the old track. Instead of going around to the bottom into sin, and back up the other side to the top again. When the person reaches to about 3 o’clock, when they’re feeling a bit down, make the decision to redirect the attention somewhere else; because by redirecting your focus into something that occupies your attention, after about 15 minutes, all your feelings will change as well. Then, you can move out of it. You don’t go down the old sin cycle. After about 15 minutes, if you take a different path, your feelings will shift, because it’s something programmed in you.

We don’t realise that when we sin, and we keep sinning, it often follows a completely predictable pattern, and it becomes programmed in the mind. So, I’ve suggested some prayer strategies for dealing with some of that; but ultimately, you’ve got to form different patterns. Sometimes it’s as simple as get up, go somewhere, and do something else that takes a lot of focus. Put your attention elsewhere - that totally redirects your mind, and the feelings you have will shift as well; then, the temptation subsides.

Divert your attention. Capture the thought, become aware of what you’re feeling, and aware of where this leads; or capture thoughts as they come and stop them, and redirect your attention. The refocusing of your attention changes what you open yourself up to. If you stand trying to fight the thing, it just gets bigger, because you’re focusing on it. What you focus on, you open your life to.

For example, in prayer ministry, if I focus on the other person’s needs too much, it can overwhelm. If I focus on myself, I shut down. If I focus on the Lord, it just opens up the way for God to move. So a simple prayer, and then change your direction. You’ve got to develop a new pattern; and eventually, it becomes the norm. Something happens – capture it, and then redirect your attention, and just change. For some who’d been in sexual sin for a long time, this can take some help, and some work with them.

Here’s one thing to realise: that all sins - the price has already been paid for; the worst thing you can do is live in condemnation, believing: I’m a failure, or something’s wrong with me; when God says: “you’re my son, I love you, you’re forgiven.”

Religious condemnation is a thriving ground for sexual sin. The overall feeling there’s something wrong with me, or I’m bad, or I’m not good enough. If people don’t feel good enough, they want to feel better. How can I feel better quickly? I know, I’ll have a drink. I’ll have a smoke. I’ll turn on the computer - just a little look. Then you’re gone. You go down a path.

It just helps if you understand that your brain gets programmed to follow that path; and that it can just take a little while to reprogram the path. Like we said - sexual sin does something inside you, but God is greater than all of that.

How can we help or minster to a homosexual person?

I’m learning that one! I think, number one, love and accept them - they’re people, and they’re valuable. I think the hardest thing is to get over the belief: this is evil; and the judgement that comes with it. Homosexuals are people too, and they’ve got their own pain, and their own journey. God loves them, and died for them. There are particular problems around homosexuality that create great internal difficulties.

The number one thing, I think, for all people, no matter what they’ve done, is that they feel that you accept them, and are not judging of them as a person. However, for many homosexuals, their identity is so attached to the behaviour, that if you point out things about the behaviour, they consider it an attack on themselves. So this is quite a difficulty; but I think in all helping people, it starts with accepting them. I don’t doubt that there are a number of homosexuals that came to Jesus. He accepted them, He received sinners, and ate with them, but never condoned the behaviour.

The first thing people read is your attitude; and the first thing to get right is attitude. “God, give me a love for every person.” One of the things I do, when I’m introduced or someone I know is a homosexual - I’ll hug them like I’d hug everyone else. Now, I had to work a few things out of my mind over that one; but I’d just hug them as people - they’re people too.

Often, they’re very creative. Often, they’ve been deeply damaged in their relationships, in their family. Often, because of their creativity, they’ve suffered, by not fitting in with the male culture or female culture, so often there are deep roots of rejection in their life. For many of them, they were taken advantage of or abused in some way; and this has opened the door. For some, there was just loneliness, and they were drawn into relationship; looking for the same thing everyone else is looking for – to be loved.

If you can understand that part of a person’s make up, they’re just looking for love in the wrong place, and in the wrong way, and it’s producing a problem in their life. Remember what we said - sexual sin produces problems inside you. Homosexuality produces many problems inside people.

So, the first thing is acceptance; recognition they’re a person of value; and I think to draw them to Christ, who accepts them; rather than trying to fix up the problem. Sometimes as Christians, we sort of want to get people to fix up their life before they can come to God. Whereas God says: I just take you like you are; and then once I’m in your life, I’ll help you on the journey. So, let the power of God get in their life first.

I found Christians often become highly confrontational of the people, because of this thing about the sin, rather than saying: actually, this person’s of great value to God; and only the Holy Spirit has the power to really change them. My job is not to change them. My job is to love them, and to point them to Christ. If you can just stop trying to make them change, and leave God to do the changing; and do what Jesus says to do – love them, pray for them, and bring Christ to them, and help them on their journey with Christ, and let the Lord sort the thing out.

See we have problems of people coming into church, and they’re living together. The way we have chosen to address it, is not to be confrontational about them living together; but to start them on the journey of walking with God, believing that if we connect them to Jesus, and His love for them and His kingdom, and start them walking with God, the Holy Spirit and their own conscience will convict them deeply that this is wrong, and they need to do something about it. So, we give this great window of grace, and don’t worry about some of the things that are happening, believing if I keep them walking with God, that He will speak into their heart and they’ll know it’s wrong.

Having said that, we have a point, when it comes to membership of the church, where we ask the question directly. In order to be a member of the church, we need to ask you some questions, and here’s one question - and go straight for this issue. Now, for almost nearly 99% of people, it’s come up in conversation before we ask that. But we do have a point, we ask it; and they say: “Well, you know, I’m living with this person… blah blah blah”. You say – “Well, let’s talk about that. To be part of this family of God, you actually need to face the situation now.”

It’s sometimes very complicated. So, we have to take each one individually, and help them on their journey. Some of them such a bad deal, and it was a bad thing they got into. To get them out of it is the big deal. Some we need to get them married. It’s not one answer to it all; but it’s: loving them as Christ would love them; and yet telling them the truth, and letting them make the choices how they’ll move forward.

So in terms of healing homosexuals, and getting them totally set free - I haven’t got all the answers, but I know Jesus has the power to heal them. Our focus should stay on doing the things we’re called to do; not things we’re not supposed to do. It’s to love people, and bring Christ to them, and encourage them on the journey with Christ. There’ll always come a point where the issue gets talked about. So it helps if you have some understanding, like what I’ve done today, of God’s design for people - and have some answers prepared to be able to talk and engage around this issue.

It’s becoming a highly political and emotional issue now, and the church is going to have to wrestle its way through it. In New Zealand, they’ve already altered the law, so two same-sex people can marry. Next thing they’ll be trying to change the education system.

So it’s a challenge for us, advancing the kingdom, to present God’s pattern for life; and the benefits of the kingdom come with repentance. The consequences of sin always come if we don’t follow God’s way.

Just now, you said sex is a blessing in God’s legal way in a marriage; but you also said that when two become one, the evil spirit in one person has the right to come into the other. So what if they’re a married couple, and one party has the evil spirit. Then, how does it go? Do I keep having the evil spirit as well?

I think that a relationship which is ungodly is an empowerment of demons to come into the person. In other words, because you’ve become one in an ungodly way, now there’s a right to become tormented. I always think the power of good is greater than the power of evil. If two people are married, I would not expect the married partner to become demonised, because the marriage is sanctified by their faith. I don’t believe that the person will experience demonization at all, because the relationship is in God’s order.

I’ve never seen, I’ve not had one experience, of a person who is married being demonised through their spouse - not one. So it would seem as though, when the relationship is godly, there is no ground for the demon to get in. I can’t give much more than that - I’ll think a bit more about that question too.

It says for example, in 1 Corinthians 7, that if a believer is married to an unbeliever, that the unbeliever is sanctified, or blessed, by the faith of the believer - otherwise the children would be ungodly. So I think one person, believing in faith, has greater influence than we realise.

[Closing prayer]

Father we just thank You for this time together, thank You for Your presence. Thank You for helping us with very difficult situations, to find solutions for people lives.

Father, I pray great grace upon every person here, to flow with the Holy Spirit; to be gentle and loving with people; to be very firm and clear with the truth.

I pray that those who struggled today with some of these issues will experience great victory because of the things we’ve shared today.

I pray for the coming meetings, and ask for Your power to flow, to set people free. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

从世代遗传的罪恶和咒诅中得自由  

Thu 3rd Oct 2013 « 返回页首

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什么是历代的罪孽和咒诅？怎样辨别它们？有哪些现象是我们可以看到的？如何服侍他人，释放他们得自由。

我相信在服侍人的时候，我们需要留意历代咒诅的根源在哪里？马可福音第九章20节说：“他们就带了他来。他一见耶稣，鬼便叫他重重地抽疯。倒地上翻来覆去，口中流沫。”这里这个少年人被邪灵所附，邪灵开始发作出来。你会发现，经常耶稣一到某个地方，那里邪灵就发作了。这是因为耶稣身上带着上帝极重的恩膏和同在，这些邪灵一定会有所反映。我们生命中的恩膏越强，就越容易经历到这些事情。特别是当你到第三世界的文化中时，一去就会发现邪灵很容易发作出来。耶稣的门徒想要把鬼赶出去，却赶不出去。在21节，“ 耶稣问他父亲说，他得这病，有多少日子呢。回答说，从小的时后。鬼屡次把他扔在火里，水里，要灭他。你若能作什么，求你怜悯我们，帮助我们。耶稣对他说，你若能信，在信的人，凡事都能。孩子的父亲立时喊着说，我信。但我信不足，求主帮助。耶稣看见众人都跑上来，就斥责那污鬼，说，你们聋哑的鬼，我吩咐你从他里头出来，再不要进去。那鬼喊叫，使孩子大大的抽了一阵疯，就出来了。孩子好像死了一班，以致众人多半说，他是死了。但耶稣拉他的手，扶他起来，他就站起来了。耶稣进了屋子，门徒就暗暗的问他说，我们为什么不能赶出他去呢。耶稣说，非用祷告，这一类的鬼，总不能出来。”

我们来仔细看这个故事，理解其中更深的含义。首先，你看到一个孩子受邪灵的折磨，邪灵可能在一个人的童年就进入到他的身上。在圣经里，邪灵在孩子身上的例子不止一个。当然，我们要把顽皮捣蛋，缺乏管教的孩子与受邪灵折磨的孩子区分开。邪灵把这个孩子丢到水里，火里，是要毁灭他的生命。在这个故事里，耶稣问了一个很重要的问题，这个病有多少日子了。如果你要帮助人，服侍人，你要追溯这个人身上是否有历代的咒诅，你需要问这个问题。如果这个人回忆说这个问题很小就有了，就有两种情况。第一，可能是在很小的时候就面对的创伤；第二就是历代家族的咒诅。从这两个问题可以找到一些线索，以确定是否是历代的咒诅，遗传了下来。第一个问题，这个事情多久了，就是什么时候开始的；第二个问题，你家中别的人有没有类似的情况。从前面的经文中我们看到，耶稣一开始也是问孩子的爸爸这个问题，他回答说，小的时候就开始了，按照这个父亲描述的经历，几乎可以确定这个孩子身上就是这种历代咒诅的邪灵。这种历代的咒诅，就是很多人问题的根源。重要的一点是，耶稣说，要释放就一定要有信心。

你若能信，凡事都能，信是最关键的。我要是相信上帝会运行，我就有能力把这个鬼赶出去。门徒问耶稣，为什么这个鬼我们赶不出去呢？他们做过很多释放，为什么这一次却失败了呢？“耶稣说，非用祷告，这一类的鬼，总不能出来。”耶稣的话有几层含义；首先，邪灵有不同的位阶和能力；第二，我们需要有信心；没有信心，什么都不会发生，虽然有时候可能会有抵挡，相信上帝会赐下这样的突破；第三，需要禁食祷告帮我们建立信心。我们注意到，耶稣常常禁食祷告。在上面的经文中我们看到，当这个邪灵出来的时候，耶稣马上认出它是什么鬼，原来它是聋哑鬼。如果你能够认出邪灵，讲出它的名字，它在这个人身上的势力马上就减弱了。耶稣直接命令邪灵出来，并且命令邪灵不可以再进去。在我查考圣经中，这是耶稣唯一一次命令邪灵不可以再进去。我觉得耶稣之所以这样说，是因为这是个孩子，而其它的例子，特别是在马太福音十二章，耶稣说邪灵是有机会再回来的。因此，我们需要与上帝建立良好的关系。

我跟大家分享一些曾经服侍过的一些人，可以很清楚的看到他们身上历代遗传下来的邪灵。第一个是一个很小的孩子。两个人找到我说，“我们的孩子有一个很严重的问题，只要他一醒过来，就开始砸毁房间里的东西。我们都不知道为什么这样，他才大概两三岁。”我就开始了解他们的背景，以确定这一特别行为背后的根源。原来这个爸爸有很严重的毒品问题，易怒问题；而这个妈妈的家族在邪教巫术上有研究。这两个家族向邪灵敞开，影响到了这个孩子。孩子醒着时很难祷告，邪灵常常发作，孩子开始大喊，又踢又打，很难释放。我就在孩子睡着时请父母跟我一起跪下来，我的手没有碰到他，离开他的头一点点，开始祷告，吩咐从父亲家族，母亲家族来的邪灵的咒诅全部离开，命令邪灵离开。那个孩子就像打了个哈欠，哈出一口气，我祷告好几次，他都会大哈一口气，很明显看到不一样，我祷告让邪灵不再进入这个孩子，也释放平安进入孩子身上。整个过程孩子都没有醒来。第二天孩子的父母打电话给我说，孩子醒过来后，完全没有了以前那种摧毁性的行为了，完全消失了。这件事对于我来说，也是一个学习的机会。看到这些历代邪灵的真实性，认清它是怎样发生的，最重要的是怎样处理它。

我再举一个大人的例子，一个五十多岁的妇人找到我，说她在教会为主工作很多年了，有一个问题一直困扰她，希望得到帮助。首先我需要问的三个问题：问题是什么？对你的影响是什么？这个问题什么时候开始的？她说长期以来，性不洁，污秽的画面一直在她脑中出现，特别是在敬拜的时候搅扰她。我问这种状况多久了，她说从很小的时候就开始了。我再问“你过去有没有遭受过性虐待或接触过类似的画面？”她说没有。现在剩下唯一的可能就是历代的邪灵了。我又问了一些关于她家庭背景的问题。她的祖父是到中国去的宣教士，有两个孩子，其中一个女儿就是这位妇人的妈妈，还有一个儿子。他们在中国的一个省服事，把孩子送到另一个省的寄宿学校学习，而该省当时被日本人统管。学校被日本人接管后，该女孩长期受到日本人的性虐待。后来，这孩子终于回到父母身边，再后来他们离开了中国，女孩结婚生子，夫妻之间的关系又破裂了。我问这个女孩，你愿不愿意代表你的家人，饶恕日本士兵？她说愿意。 我跟她一起做了一个简单的祷告，承认她的基督的信心，弃绝她家族中传下来的性虐待的过去，饶恕那些士兵，当我命令的时候，那个污鬼就大发作跑出去了。从那一刻开始，她的头脑就开始清晰了，再也没有以前的折磨了。

现在我们以加拉太书三章13节做总结，看看耶稣的作为。“ 基督既为我们受了咒诅、就赎出我们脱离律法的咒诅．因为经上记着、『凡挂在木头上都是被咒诅的。』”经文讲得很清楚，耶稣在十字架上的成就，就是救赎我们脱离咒诅，带我们进入祝福。这里特别强调挪走以前因为违背神的律法而受到的咒诅。上帝的目的是让福分临到我们，圣灵在我们生命中的运行，就是我们福分的源头。祝福代表恩惠，代表有果效，代表神的生命流入。

“叫亚伯拉罕的福临到外邦人”。上帝赐福亚伯拉罕，在耶稣身上成就了。当我们认同耶稣，与他同活，就有福分释放下来，临到我们。认同耶稣，并调整我们的生命与他配合，我们就是在耶稣里面新造的人。上帝的福分临到他的儿子耶稣基督，当我认同他，我就蒙福。当你做了基督徒，认同基督的死亡，埋葬与复活，你就已经享受蒙福的地位了。

蒙福是因为你跟基督的关系，不是因为你做的事情。有一个危险是，我们进入基督后，又重新回到律法中去。我蒙福是因为认同基督，而不是我做了什么，不然你就又回到律法了。耶稣救赎我们脱离律法的咒诅，所有代价他都付清了，他在各各他山上的工作已经打破了所有的咒诅，耶稣死在十字架上，圣经说“凡挂在十字架上的，都是受诅咒的”。他救我们脱离咒诅，自己被咒诅，他完全满足了上帝的要求。

咒诅背后的权势救赎邪灵。咒诅是属灵敌对我们的力量，是邪灵赐下的能力，它会一直运行直到被打破为止。很多人因为受到咒诅不断的挣扎，我们要将耶稣所成就的，直接逼迫这个邪灵。我们必须了解：第一，祝福背后的势力是圣灵，当你认同耶稣，你的生命就蒙福。以弗所书第一章告诉我们，在基督里，受到将天上所有的福分都赐给了我们，我不需要努力得着福分，我只需要领受福分。第二，咒诅的背后是邪灵的势力。咒诅是因为违背了上帝的律法。耶稣救赎我们脱离一切因为过去违背上帝律法而受到的咒诅，救赎代表完全付清赎金，释放一个人自由。耶稣付了全部的代价，我还要付多少呢？不用付了。耶稣已经供应我，让我得福，我还要做什么才能赢得福分呢？什么都不用，我只要相信。

一个人怎样保持自由，得胜的关键就是信心。不是更努力。我越努力，就越陷入律法的诅咒之下。神召我活出蒙福的生命，我已经是得福的人了，不管发生什么，因为信耶稣，我已经蒙福。在各样事上蒙福，在每个领域蒙福。不用赚取这福分，而是因信心释放的。

我们看一看关于历代的罪孽和咒诅的几处经文。出埃及记二十章2至6节，十诫，“我是耶和华你的　神、曾将你从埃及地为奴之家领出来。除了我以外、你不可有别的神。不可为自己雕刻偶像、也不可作甚么形像、彷彿上天、下地、和地底下、水中的百物． 不可跪拜那些像、也不可事奉他、因为我耶和华你的　神是忌邪的　神、恨我的、我必追讨他的罪、自父及子、直到三四代．爱我守我诫命的、我必向他们发慈爱、直到千代。”这里上帝很清楚的警告我们不准拜偶像。上帝看人是把你当作家人看待。而我们看人，只是看到每个个体。上帝可以看到几代人，他的计划是让福分几代的传下去。福分是上帝的恩惠，是圣灵在我们周遭的流露。当我们与上帝同行，过敬虔的生活，我们的子女就蒙福。他们什么都不用做，就可以领受上帝极大的恩惠。因为他们是爱神的子民的儿女。上帝的设想是每一代能够建立在前一代跟上帝的关系之上，继续的进行。我们每天做的小小的选择，会将我们引向特定的方向。我的岳父母现都已过世，我清楚记得岳父八十岁的生日，全家和朋友们一起庆祝。他们有五个儿女，全部长大结婚，有很多不同年龄的孙子。晚上，当大家一起为他祝寿时，二十个孙子都站起来表达他们对爷爷的爱。这些年来，他一直刻意与上帝同行，为主工作。他也决定在每个孙子身上投资，在他们五至十一岁的年纪时，带他们去度假，有时两三个，有时四五个孩子，一起跟爷爷去度假。他们一起灵修，祷告，一起玩，每个人都可以选择这一天怎样过。这么多年来，他做了各式各样的活动，他相信这种家族历代的产业可以一直传承。在庆祝时，我岳父的兄弟也在场，可他完全走的是另一条路。他拒绝耶稣，现在是第二次婚姻，因为各样的外遇和不忠实，现在又跟别人在一起了。两个女儿都没有结婚，很特别的一家人，也没有孙子女。当他们两兄弟一起长大时，他嘲笑哥哥相信耶稣，可是等到他八十岁时，就可以看出来他当时的决定带出的一生的果效如何。一个与上帝同行，投资在家庭中，有敬虔的产业留下来，有美好的婚姻，稳定的家庭，有爱祖父的孙子女们。而另一个，没有稳定的婚姻，没有稳定的家庭，也没有产业留给孙子女。

我们了解上帝的计划是让敬虔的产业代代相传，如果我们选择活在悖逆的生活中，留下的就是毁灭。只要与上帝同行，福分就会不知不觉中进入我们的家庭。我记得多年前到印尼去带一场约两千人的聚会。我的儿子David跟我一起。他跟我去过很多次的宣教。通常我的计划是先训练领袖，然后再进行大型聚会。但那天是假日，一开始就进行大型聚会，没有人受过训练，不知该怎么做，每一个人都需要释放，只有David和我两个人。呼召时，上千人走出来，成排成排的人站在那里，我跟David说，一半都是你的，另外一半给我。我在释放时，看到各式各样的事情，有人叫喊，邪灵出来。突然，我想看看David在干什么，他身边都是人，有些人倒在地上，有些人大声叫喊。圣灵在他身上大大的运行。后来他告诉我说，大概三个月前，我决定上帝做在你身上的都是要留给我的产业，我就开始祷告，希望得着属于我的，真了不起，今天发生的，就是祷告的结果。这就是继承敬虔的产业。他能够站起来说，在你身上所有的，都是属于我的。代表我不用像你那样付代价才能得着，我得着是因为我是你的家人。同样我们得着基督的一切，是因为他是我们的长兄，我们是与他连结的，我们只需要起来去得着这一切，突破了，就得福分。

同时，罪也是有历代延续的后果的。“不可为自己雕刻偶像、也不可作甚么形像、彷彿上天、下地、和地底下、水中的百物.”（出埃及记二十章4节）。第一个最大的例子就是亚当。他犯罪，我们每一个人生下来都有罪。上帝讲明，有些罪有历代延续的后果。在耶利米哀歌五章2至6节，“我们的产业、归与外邦人．我们的房屋、归与外路人。 我们是无父的孤儿．我们的母亲、好像寡妇。 我们出钱才得水喝．我们的柴是人卖给我们的。 追赶我们的、到了我们的颈项上．我们疲乏不得歇息。 我们投降埃及人、和亚述人、为要得粮吃饱。”。请留意，我们是受人逼迫的，我们的景象是尴尬和羞辱的，上帝给我们的产业已经被别人拿走了，所有的福分都没了，我们像孤儿一样，没有父亲。原来免费喝的水，现在要给钱了，柴也要买了，我们这样劳苦努力，完全不得歇息。还被埃及亚述人捆绑奴役。接着第7节就讲出了问题的源头。“我们列祖犯罪、而今不在了．我们担当他们的罪孽。”。就是说，父母做得不对，子女承担后果。

我们再回到出埃及记二十章，上帝很特定的讲到拜偶像的罪孽。“我耶和华你的神，是嫉妒的神。”（出埃及记二十章5节）。神说他对我们有热烈的爱，当他看到你有别的情人的时候，他非常不高兴。我们讲的不是邪恶的上帝，他说“我对你的爱是这样的深，如果看到你跟别人走，对我造成很深的伤害。”这里用的是婚姻上的用语。我想多解释一下前后文的背景，让大家有更多的了解，上帝在什么情况下把十诫颁给他们的。希伯来文化中，大部分人认为，上帝把律法写下来，行的好就好，行的不好就受惩罚。记得当时上帝带这些人到旷野里来，上帝跟百姓说想见他们。上帝的话对希伯来人是有意义的。“你们是我特别的宝贝”。希伯来文化中，两个人要结婚会有几个步骤。第一步就是要说“你是我特别的宝贝”。然后才下聘礼，订婚，结婚。他们会在帐幕中预备婚礼。新郎拿出他们的婚约。婚约列出婚姻中所提出的条件《出埃及记》二十章中的Katuba指的就是婚约。他们交换誓言，彼此同意一起维系婚姻。他们做奴役许多年了，这个婚约对他们来说是很美的。好像夫妻之间许配给了上帝。大家可以在网络上搜索一下希伯来人的婚姻，他们整个订婚的过程，就会在《出埃及记》看到，整个过程就是与上帝立约的过程。上帝说，在婚姻中不忠诚就会有后果。我们常常觉得与上帝的关系很随便。不是的，这是盟约，是彼此联合的同意书。上帝说，如果你拜偶像，会影响好几代。《出埃及记》二十章说：我耶和华是忌邪的神。换句话说，我最不能忍受的就是你心里有别的男人。《雅各书》说，如果你跟随世上的价值，你就是一个淫妇。你对上帝就是不忠心的。上帝爱我们，他要我们进入这个关系里。上帝特别讲到拜偶像，虽然有不同的源头，但拜偶像是最严重的。上帝说，除我以外，不可有别的神，不可为自己雕刻偶像，不可向他们跪拜。跪下代表你拜这个偶像，代表这个偶像在你生命中受尊重，有重要地位。一个人向偶像屈膝，实际上是承认偶像里的邪灵。偶像背后的权势就是邪灵，偶像本身不过是块木头。其实它什么都不是，是没有意义的，不过是手刻出来的，但是在它里面，在它后面的是邪灵。

你必须明白上帝不喜欢这样的事，但一个人向偶像献祭时，就是与邪灵做交易。刻意与邪灵达成协议，才是问题的所在，邪灵有了合法进入的权利。你把这个献给偶像，期待它来保护你，或是供应你，或给你能力。这些都是上帝想要给我们的，当你向偶像屈膝，你就拒绝了上帝，不承认他是你保护，供应和能力的来源。《诗篇》115篇第3至第8节说：“然而，我们的神在天上。都随自己的意旨行事。他们的偶像，是金的，银的，是人手所造的。有口却不能言，有眼却不能看。有耳却不能听。有鼻却不能闻。有手却不能摸。有脚却不能走。有喉咙也不能出声。造他的要和他一样。凡靠他的也要如此。”请注意，“造他的要和他一样”。你拜什么就会像什么。如果你拜偶像，你就会变得跟它们一样，又冷又硬。我观察那些拜偶像的，通常生命中有苦毒的根；情绪上也是冷漠刚硬，死亡的灵完全掌控他们。

再回到《出埃及记》二十章，上帝说，由父及子，三四代。上帝追讨他们的罪孽。罪的后果就是死亡。上帝很清楚的设定规则，犯罪就是死亡。圣经中有些罪是死刑。问题是当你犯了这样的罪，上帝杀了你，就砍断了后面的世代。而若没杀你，罪的审判会传下去好几代。虽然没有死亡，但会影响好几代。罪孽的原文是“弯曲”的意思，希伯来文的意思是看到一个东西就把你勾上了。罪孽就是弯曲的，扭曲的，就好像会朝向一个特定的问题过去，罪孽是一种驱动的能力，把一个人逼往罪上，是造成犯罪的根源。请大家看《出埃及记》三十四章6，7节“耶和华在他面前宣告说，耶和华，耶和华，是有怜悯有恩典的神，不轻易发怒，并有丰盛的慈爱和诚实。为千万人存留慈爱，赦免罪孽，过犯，和罪恶，万不以有罪的为无罪，必追讨他的罪，自父及子，直到三，四代”。在这里，上帝亲自宣告他的名，上帝说我是有怜悯有恩典的神。我赐怜悯，恩典，我不轻易发怒，长久忍耐，也有公义，但更多怜悯。上帝的怜悯代表他的饶恕，恩典；上帝的公义则要求我们为罪付出代价。

上帝饶恕三件事，罪孽，过犯，罪恶。这三件是不同的。我们认为都是罪，做错事。但圣经把这三件事区分开来。这些词在新约中再次出现，把他们全部归为罪。我们需要明白，罪孽，过犯，罪恶这三者虽然每一个都是不同的，但耶稣的宝血都已经完全赎清。

罪孽，代表弯曲，转折，你的生命转折向罪了。当我们讲到历代的咒诅，罪孽就是我们要处理的。

过犯，代表刻意违背神的律法，心里清楚的知道不对，但还要去做，这就是违背神的律了。

罪恶，代表没有达中目标，造成得罪的事。重要的是，我们做了一些我们都没有察觉的事，是无意中做错了。如你开车没有留意限速50公里，你开了80公里，被警察拦了下来。你说你不知道限速是50公里，警察不会对你说，没事，对不起，你走吧。他会说，不管你知不知道，你违法了，就要付罚金。

无知的犯罪和过犯不同。旧约中，当摩西要求百姓涂血在门框和门楣上，有罪孽，过犯和罪恶，都要涂血。耶稣基督的血包含了我们所有的罪孽，过犯和罪恶。所以涂血就如同划了一个十字架。出埃及记二十章中，上帝指明十字架和耶稣的宝血就是解决罪孽，过犯和罪恶的问题。每个人要为自己的行为负责，父母犯的罪不会怪你，你不用为他们的过犯负责。可是他们身上带的罪孽，因为血气的原因，就会影响到你。上帝追讨罪孽直到三四代。（ 申命记二十三章第2，3节）

另外一种会代代相传的诅咒是私生子。即婚姻以外私生的孩子。在这人身上有拒绝的诅咒，有拒绝的邪灵进入他们。曾经有一个人上前接受呼召，因为当时有太多人接受呼召，没办法进行辅导。我只问简单的问题，通过询问才能找到问题的根源。“你的问题是什么？”我问。他说“我很生气。很多愤怒。”“那你对谁愤怒呢？”“每个人。”这代表他对某人愤怒而没有处理。为找到问题的根源，我又问:“你跟父母的关系如何？”他回答说“我对父母双方都很生气。”“那他们做了什么得罪了你呢？”他说“不知道，我就是对他们生气。”我说“你是家中的长子吗？”“是的，我是。”“你是婚姻之外出生的吗？”“是的。”他承认。愤怒的根源就在这里了。他的生命中包含了很深的拒绝和羞辱，总想怪罪那些想要帮助他的人，把愤怒投向每个人。他需要饶恕父母，不可拒绝他们，要向他们道歉。因为他拒绝他们的帮助，是对他们的不尊敬。私生子的生命中一直承带着愤怒和拒绝。愤怒是一种要求，是对不公义事情的反应。欠了别人的就是愤怒，放弃权力去饶恕对方才是解决的方法。如果在家族中历数四代，每人生两个孩子，最后家族中至少会有三十人。如果历数十代，人数就更多了。上帝这样爱我们，但有些罪打开门，让历代咒语进来，也让罪孽进来。诅咒是负面的摧毁的势力，是邪灵的能力造成的。罪孽是家族扭曲造成人不断犯罪，罪孽诅咒并行，一代代传下去。

历代的罪孽是家族中持续犯某一种罪， 如，奸淫，醉酒，同样的罪不断发生。历代的诅咒是一种负面的势力一代代传下来，是邪灵造成的。我们先探讨罪孽如何从一个人传递到另一人，然后，学习如何认清诅咒。

首先， 罪孽的传递方式是历代遗传。就如你身上带有父母遗传的体征，有些罪孽你也会继承下来。

罪孽的源头有几点。

第一，可能是邪灵的能力。家族中有熟悉的邪灵在运行。

第二，毒根的论断。如果你因为特定的罪或失败论断父母，你的生命中就会产生杀种和收割的循环。你论断的东西就会在自己的生命中出现。有些人讲我绝不要像我爸爸，代表他们受过伤，对父亲有论断，现在又誓言，结果他就会跟爸爸一模一样。所以当我们论断父母，反而让家庭中有了罪孽的循环，我们论断的，我们自己收割。 这是家族罪孽的一个源头。

第三，行为的模式，基因的原因。有可能这些罪孽破坏了基因的密码，造成问题借着基因传递下去。

第四，学习的行为。人们会模仿他们父母的行为，使同样的罪孽在家族中一直延续，他们要学习新的生活方式。

那么如何认清家族历代的诅咒？什么是诅咒？

诅咒是人说的话让属灵的势力运行。这些话释放了属灵的势力，可以一代代传下去，直到被打破为止。诅咒背后的势力就是邪灵污鬼，诅咒一个人就是把邪恶，摧毁，灾难带到他身上。当诅咒临到一个人，就像有属灵的势力压制他不断重复毁灭性的行为。压制他的环境和情绪，不断重复失败。

诅咒从哪里来？箴言二十六章2节说“无故的诅咒必不临到”，即诅咒必是有原因的。第一个可能的原因是上帝。因为上帝设定了律法，违背律法就会让邪灵在生命中运行，就会受到诅咒。第二个原因来自人。人说出的话诅咒家族，诅咒人。人所行的巫术，当他施咒时就会敌对人。例如，有人将孩子在庙中献给偶像，就会造成诅咒的发生。当人对邪灵敞开，把自己的生命献给邪灵，就会开启邪灵运行的机会。另外有时权威的角色会说诅咒的话，如“你不会做成什么大事”“你这么笨”等等。有权柄的人讲出毁灭性的话，就造成诅咒的发生。人也可以诅咒自己，“我是个失败者，什么都做不好”。第三个造成诅咒的原因，就是邪教的误见。申命记七章25，26节，上帝说“他们雕刻的神像，你们要用火焚烧；其上的金银，你不可贪图，也不可收取，免得你因此陷入网罗；这原是耶和华－你 神所憎恶的。可憎的物，你不可带进家去；不然，你就成了当毁灭的，与那物一样。你要十分厌恶，十分憎嫌，因为这是当毁灭的物。”有些物件，如偶像或邪像，如果带进家中，就会把邪灵的势力带进来，造成后果。如果有诅咒在运行，一定会有后果。有没有诅咒在运行，就看有没有发生不断重复失败的模式，特别是一代代传下来的情况。

失败的模式有哪些呢？申命记二十八章15节中列出了很多，“你若不听从耶和华－你的 神的话，不谨守遵行他的一切诫命律例，就是我今日吩咐你的，这以下的诅咒都必追随你，临到你身上。”总结起来有以下的情况，

• 重复发生的心理或精神问题

• 重复发生的慢性病或过敏的情况

• 难怀孕或流产。这特别跟拜偶像有关。何西阿书九章讲到，拜偶像会造成所有的果子被剪除

• 家族破裂，离婚，常常发生，家族中冲突不断

• 重复发生财务缺乏的问题

• 常常发生意外。家族中很多人都经历过意外

• 自杀，英年早逝在家族中不断发生

• 家族中常有虐待发生

• 无法安顿。不稳定，无法安静下来。该隐就受到这样的诅咒，四处漂流。

所有这些问题都有不同的原因，如果不断重复发生，就很可能是历代诅咒造成的。有人曾对我说，他常有恶梦搅扰。我会问三个问题，“什么问题？”“怎样影响他？”“什么时候开始的？”他说这一生都有。显示出可能是历代家族中传下来的。另外过敏，“有多久了？”“一生如此。”“还有别人有此情况吗？”“我妈妈也有，她妈妈也是。”这些重复发生的模式，就会说明家族中有东西运行。有些东西被扭曲了，后面有势力在运行。

圣经中有几个例子，很明显可以看出是有罪孽和诅咒在运行。撒母耳记下十二章10节，撒母耳对大卫王说，“因为你娶了别人的妻为妻，因此刀剑必永不离开你的家。”这就是诅咒。大卫做了什么造成他们家这样的问题呢？他犯了奸淫和谋杀的罪。上帝饶恕他了，可罪孽的后果还在家族中运行。大卫的家族中奸淫，强暴，苦毒，背叛，兄弟间互相残杀等等问题，都有历代的根源。

另一个例子，列王记下五章26，27节，基哈西和以利沙的故事。基哈西贪恋亚兰人乃缦的金银， “ 以利沙对他说、那人下车转回迎你的时候、我的心岂没有去呢。这岂是受银子、衣裳、买橄榄园、葡萄园、牛羊、仆婢的时候呢。 因此乃缦的大麻风必沾染你、和你的后裔、直到永远。基哈西从以利沙面前退出去、就长了大麻风、像雪那样白。”

他的罪是心中的贪婪，说谎，欺骗，这就破坏了以利沙和乃缦的关系。以利沙不要乃缦的任何东西，即使他是非常富有的人。他希望乃缦欠他一个人情。这样以利沙就有权力对乃缦的生命说话。如果拿了钱，就毁了以利沙的身份和他们之间的特殊关系。

有几次，我在台湾服事过几位非常高位的人，我去到他们那里，从不向他们索要任何东西，我给的全是免费的。这保持了我的心是正直清洁的，这样才能影响这个人的生命，如果我有任何贪婪的表现，马上就让人反胃离开了。所以，生命中是否有权柄，就看私下是否有贪婪的意图。基哈西的贪婪是很严重的事情，会毁掉以利沙的名声，结果他长大麻风，身体的疾病，他和他的后裔，因为罪，让麻风病在他家族历代传下去。

创世纪十二章10至13节，亚伯拉罕说谎，不让别人知道撒拉的身份；创世纪二十六章，以撒也对自己妻子的身份说谎；创世纪二十七章，雅各也说谎，骗了他爸爸以扫，因为以扫看不见了；而到了创世纪三十七章，全家人都说谎，掩盖约瑟的死。这就是罪孽的例子，在家族中都有不诚实，说谎的现象，罪越来越严重。

另外一个例子是以利。撒母耳记上三章13至14节，以利做祭司不衷心，诅咒临到他家。“我曾告诉他必永远降罚与他的家、因他知道儿子作孽、自招咒诅、却不禁止他们。 所以我向以利家起誓说、以利家的罪孽、虽献祭奉礼物、永不能得赎去。” 第二章31节“ 日子必到，我要折断你的膀臂和你父家的膀臂，使你家中没有一个老年人。”33节“我必不从我坛前灭尽你家中的人。那未灭的必使你眼目干瘪，心中忧伤。你家中所生的人都必死在中年。”这里说到以利家历代家族在上帝的坛前做祭司的职位，会被拿走，家中的人会英年早逝，时常忧伤。这个历代的诅咒是拿不掉的。 创世纪中诺亚的儿子迦南受到诅咒，创世纪四章11节该隐和他的后裔也受到了诅咒。

那么如何帮助这些受历代罪孽和诅咒的人得自由呢？

首先，要了解耶稣成就了什么，如何应用在我们身上。加拉太书三章13，14节讲到，耶稣打破咒诅，使我们可以领受祝福。耶稣救赎我们脱离律法的咒诅，付清了所有的代价，拯救我们离开咒诅，我们不用负任何代价了。 因为他的作为，我们因信耶稣基督，得着亚伯拉罕的福，也得着圣灵。

耶稣打破咒诅的权势，让我们有资格领受福分，他也承担了我们的罪孽。以赛亚书五十三章5，6节“那知他为我们的过犯受害、为我们的罪孽压伤．因他受的刑罚我们得平安．因他受的鞭伤我们得医治。我们都如羊走迷、各人偏行己路．耶和华使我们众人的罪孽都归在他身上。”

耶稣承担了我们违背上帝律法的过犯，为我们的罪孽压伤，我们里面扭曲的，敌对神的本性，由他承担了。耶稣死在十字架上，承担了我们一切的罪孽，让罪孽的权势完全被打破。“他完全挪去这一切，打破咒诅的权势，让我们能够领受福分。”（歌罗西书四章13，14节）

我们怎样帮助人脱离咒诅呢？

我们需要求圣灵告诉我们真正的问题和根源在哪里，求圣灵帮助我们挪去根源，释放自由。留意倾听人的问题。圣灵可能会给你一个意念让你如何询问。记得我讲过的很生气的年青人，主把这个念头放进我心中。我的问题一开始就是，“什么时候开始的？他是不是长子？是否是非婚生子？”他对我的问题很吃惊，这些都是圣灵告诉我的。保持对圣灵的敏锐，听到圣灵对你说话。不要立即下结论。我工作时一定会准备一张纸，写下他的问题，他父母双方的问题，是否有历代的问题，等等。

如何处理历代罪孽和咒诅呢？

圣经有几处经文提到，利末记二十六章39，40节给我们一个如何帮助人得自由的线索。 上帝说“你们剩下的人、必因自己的罪孽、和祖宗的罪孽、在仇敌之地消灭。他们要承认自己的罪、和他们祖宗的罪、就是干犯我的那罪、并且承认自己行事与我反对 。” 所以，承认自己的罪孽很重要。承认自己的罪，也承认列祖的罪。（尼希米记一章6节及九章37节）（但以理书九章3节）

历代罪孽是什么？你自己也要省察有没有这样做。如拜偶像，父母拜偶像，你有没有做？你的罪要承认，父母的罪也要承认。首先诊断问题，然后跟他们谈，让他们看到如何得自由。

第一步，诊断问题。问圣灵，也问这个人。

第二步，解释基督为他们所成就的。他们已经得赎，脱离了咒诅，上帝希望他们蒙福。信耶稣，救赎就会临到。（加拉太书三章13，14节）

第三步，我们如何帮他们。一同祷告，承认耶稣基督。只有认同基督，才能得自由。其次，承认个人和家族中的罪孽，弃绝诅咒的权势，说出打破罪孽和诅咒能力的话来，求耶稣赦免，洗净你的罪孽，饶恕打开罪孽之门的家人。凭信心呼求主释放你，紧紧抓住他的话语。

最后，我觉得非常有帮助的是，教导他们将基督和十字架放在自己和家族中，在基督中你是新造的人。

如何为历代拜偶像的人做祷告呢？我会这样祷告，

第一个祷告，信心的宣告

“天父，我奉耶稣的名到你面前，我承认耶稣基督是我的救主，他的宝血赎回了我，远离一切咒诅，一切邪灵，所有的罪孽，罪恶得赎回，我属于耶稣。”

这个信心的宣告是非常有能力的。宣告我和耶稣的关系，是自由的根基。是对耶稣的信心，不是对祷告者的信心，使人得自由。

第二个祷告，认罪祷告

“主啊，我再次成为家族的代表，承认我们的罪孽，将我们家拜偶像的罪孽带到十字架前，我承认自己也参与过拜偶像。主啊，求你赦免我，洗净我的罪孽。”

第三，弃绝祷告

“奉耶稣的名，我弃绝，撤销所有历代的咒诅，所有跟邪灵的协议，我弃绝家族中所有的罪孽。

第四，饶恕祷告

“主啊，我饶恕我的家人，饶恕我的父母和所有为罪孽打开门的家人，我饶恕并祝福他们。”

这也是放弃对父母和家人的论断。

祷告之后，你就有开始服事他们。必须要对三种势力说话，

第一，对罪孽，咒诅说话，打破他们的权势

第二，对在这人身上的邪灵说话，命令吩咐邪灵出来，求圣灵指引带领。请记住，跟灵说话与刚才的祷告完全不一样。

“奉耶稣基督的名，我打破历代的咒诅，打破跟邪灵达成的协议，从生命中砍断这一切。”

“奉耶稣基督的名，我吩咐拜偶像的灵离开。”

圣灵会带领你知道有哪些灵在里面存在。

这个人需要做些什么呢？

他需要默想上帝的话，更新自己的想法，改变他的行为和反应。思想和行为必须同时改变。默想上帝的话是真实的，不是我赚得的福分，我只要相信耶稣基督，就能活出蒙福的生命。“ 基督既为我们受了咒诅、就赎出我们脱离律法的咒诅．因为经上记着、『凡挂在木头上都是被咒诅的。』 ”（加拉太书三章13节），所以，罪已经被打破了，我已经不是活在律法之下，我有蒙福的人生。“上帝叫亚伯拉罕的福、因基督耶稣可以临到外邦人、使我们因信得着所应许的圣灵。 ”（加拉太书三章14节）

有些人经历了服事，可是思想上还像受咒诅的人一样，而不是一个蒙福的人的想法。例如，一个人持续经历财务失败的咒诅，他心里就会相信，我是个失败者，不会管理金钱，开始思想失败，期待失败。他既然已经释放解脱了，他应该改变想法，默想我是个蒙福的人，上帝的恩惠已经临到我所做的一切事情上，感谢上帝我的金钱是蒙福的，我一切所需的，上帝都供给了。我要改变我的行为，活出蒙福的生命。外在不见得有很大的改变，重要的是内在的改变。开始将自己跟上帝说的相合，心里相信上帝所说的，外面就开始改变，相信上帝是丰盛的神，我要同意我所相信的，上帝的话是真实的。

如果按照以前的想法，十一奉献就蒙福，不十一奉献就受咒诅，就是仍然活在律法之下。很多基督徒活在律法下。他们需要思想，蒙福的人就是慷慨的人，给予是因为蒙福，而不是害怕受咒诅。有些人想用祷告改变问题，却不想继续在蒙福的路上更认识主，因为这需要付出更多努力和责任，跟从主的道，成为主的门徒，没有中间地带可行，要么就是回到过去的生活方式，要么就是转向新的生活方式，我们常常需要坚持。

当我们感到有把我们往回拉的压力时，该怎么办呢？我们需要强烈宣告，耶稣的宝血已经使我们脱离罪孽，我拒绝再回去，我是蒙福的人，新造的人。把想像真实的建立起来。

活出蒙福的生命是怎样的生命呢？不是被动的，不是有问题请人祷告，而是在基督里新造的人，蒙福的人，有神的灵，开始体贴圣灵而不像过去体贴肉体。蒙福的生命是白白赐给我的，我只需要相信并在生命中活出来。必须摈除旧有想法，上帝是真实的，我们要学会相信我真的改变了。

过去一个人活在罪孽，咒诅和捆绑里，现在在基督里成为了蒙福的人，把所有的咒诅砍断了。我要改变我的思维方式，我需要宣告：罪孽已经被打破，我是蒙福的。说出来并默想上帝与我同在，我的需要得满足，我有丰盛的生命，主是我的牧者，我必不致缺乏。心里对上帝的肯定，靠基督成为蒙福的人，所思所行就要像一个蒙福的人。即使有时在财务上有些压力，过去的想法又要回头，这时就要很刻意地把它们压下去，重新注目基督。不用怀疑上帝是否祝福我，而是要相信蒙福，得到安息。这是所有信徒内心的争战，每一次心灵得安息，就是胜利，这是一生需要经历的。人们都喜欢接受服事，得自由，可是如何改变，活得像自由的人，不是单单凭头脑，而是要凭心灵和信心。

听众提问一：请分享你如何长期保持对圣灵的敏锐？

回答：秘诀就是祷告。也需要在小事情上回应圣灵。圣灵给你的一点点感动，就要行出来。对任何小小的指引，就会变得越来越敏锐，越多领受。马可福音四章24节，耶稣说“你若有耳可听，回应的话，就越多的给你。”聆听圣灵，回应圣灵，使你更敏锐。

我每天的祷告中，会有一段完全敬拜，爱神的时间。我不断使其延长，默想上帝的同在，用方言祷告，单单爱神。我学会说方言，用意念唱歌，想见耶稣，在敬拜中将自己全人献上。我的祷告大约持续二十分钟。我刻意将生命中的不同领域降伏于他，对我生命说话，我相信上帝所做的。

我的祷告是这样的：

“主啊，今天我将我的听力，我的耳朵降伏于你，感谢主我今天能清楚听到你的声音。我的心对你的声音敏锐，主啊，我听到你对我说话，我立刻回应，感谢主给我倾听的心，听人的声音，能问问题，找出问题的根源。感谢主给我看见问题的能力，有眼可见，有耳可听，能分辨真情。”

我在宣告我将来想过的生活，根基就是圣经约翰一书“他如何，我们在世上也如何。”他现在如何，我们在世上也如何。耶稣听父的声音，他看见人的心，懂得人心。主如何，我们也如何。我清楚听见父的声音，我立刻回应，我听见人心中的声音，看见他们 的生命。即使你现在可能没有这样活，但这是你想要的生活。当我开始宣告我生命的运行，默想在基督里我是谁，相信我能做什么，就会在我生命里显现出来。

这是蒙福的生命，那些很努力要上帝帮助他们的人，如果完全在基督里，他一切所需的都有了。我们已经有恩膏，凡事都能明白，如果你认为你不知道所有的事，你需要更敏锐的察觉。

反省式的祷告，常常省察自己，认清真理。不是到了要服事时才开始做，而是要每天培养，在生命中慢慢建立彰显。我花了很多年的时间，看到上帝的真实运行，才了解到如何服事人。以前做的人都没有告诉我如何做，他们只是在做，我们觉得很震惊。我想做一位就像电视上表演的解密魔术师，把所有的秘诀都告诉你。你明白后，就觉得简单了。当你明白灵界的活力，明白你是新造的人，在基督里完全，他如何我也如何。圣经说效法耶稣的样式，不是在镜子中看到自己，而是在属灵上每天越来越像他。这不是努力得到的，而是要教导我们的心，相信真理，凭着默想和宣告，上帝与我同在。最后一点，“要习练的通达。” (希伯来书五章14节) 。要借着练习，才能通达你的敏锐。

听众提问二：公司的经理经常对她发怒，她能感觉到背后的势力。这个经理对别人都很好，只是针对她，除了祷告，还能如何应对这种情况。

回答：这可能是 灵里的反应。可能是对你，也可能是对你做事的方式。我们需要敞开，上帝可能希望我们更成熟。请求上帝帮助我们以善胜恶。罗马书告诉我们以善胜恶，不要为恶所胜。每次祷告，把这个人带到主前，看见这个人的脸，夺去他背后邪灵的势力。对邪灵说话，命令他放开这个人。操练你属灵的权柄，能够胜过他背后的邪灵。宣告奉耶稣的名你已有的权柄，以权柄的地位来说话。可以踩在蝎子，蛇的头上，没有什么可以伤害到我，攻击我，捆绑被愤怒控制的灵，巫术的灵。在祷告中保持灵里的能力。最后，求神的恩典，有能力爱这个人，可以与他好好相处。圣经说温柔的回答使怒气消散。用轻柔的声音向他澄清一些事情，他会平静下来回答你。

另一个策略就是直接敞开的跟对方讲明。

“我注意到你对我特别的生气，能告诉我原因吗？是我做错了什么吗？我希望能帮助你，不希望让你生气。”

找到最好的方式与难相处的人沟通，需要我们与上帝同工，处理好自己的灵命，学习与人沟通的技巧，讲轻柔的言语，用恩慈的心。

最后，经历过这种情况，你可能受到打击，如果想离开，你要说，主啊，我饶恕这个人，释放他，求你让爱回到我心中。阿门！

听众提问三：父母双方有非常强的拜偶像的灵，家人中有在庙宇中工作的，地位非常高。即使通过祷告，洁净房屋，仍深受困扰。要如何处理家中的这些邪灵的势力？

答：第一，首先要明白，耶稣打败了邪灵。在台湾，我发现大家觉得魔鬼，偶像，邪灵都很厉害。但耶稣已经胜过了他们！我并没有轻视邪灵压制的现状。耶稣基督献上的祭，比任何邪灵的势力更强大。

台中有一个很大的妈祖庙，我去之前，大家都很担心。我想“耶稣战胜了魔鬼！”在我们的信念中，总在描述邪灵的能力，实际上他们没有。我说赶快带我去台中，到庙里去看看怎么回事。我不受他们的恐吓。我与教会的同工开会，觉得他们是世界上最压抑的一群人。很多人得抑郁症，甚至死了。所以，在那里的第一个晚上，我的题目就是拜偶像。我直接对峙。当时，妈祖在街上游行，几千人跟在后面，我就特别讲到妈祖。整个气氛很紧张，我一直讲下去，不是对人说，而是对人背后的灵，宣告耶稣的权柄，宝血的能力。当晚有很多人得释放。第二天看新闻得知，前晚的庙中委员们投票打了起来，警察来到，赶走了所有人。所以，千万不要被他们威胁，要在基督里兴起，邪灵怕你。

有一个女孩从小就献给了一个印度的神，赛巴巴。她们家有一个很大的赛巴巴的坛。她经历了很大的释放后，我对她说，不用担心赛巴巴，你的卧室是你的地方，在你的房间抹油，宣告邪灵不准进入，这里是圣灵的地方，是我的圣所。播放敬拜音乐。其它房间属于你爸爸，你不要批评，不要反对他们。要孝敬父母。每天经过赛巴巴时，就方言祷告，宣告赛巴巴衰微，耶稣兴旺。一年后，她告诉我做了小组长，而赛巴巴就不太好。他们家因为财务的危机，从原来的公寓搬到了一个较小的公寓，没有坛了，只有一张照片。赛巴巴真的衰微了。 再后来，她带了三个小组，而赛巴巴呢？照片从墙上掉下来，摔坏了，现在换成了一个小小的照片。

重点是，你不要被邪灵吓倒。在灵里，你与基督一同坐在宝座上，他胜过一切执政掌权的，魔鬼在下面。这就是信念。

我鼓励你默想经文，建立信心。你跟基督联合，胜过魔鬼，你有权柄胜过这一切。当你对邪灵说话，他们就降伏离开。你要祷告，你的灵要兴起敬拜神，穿上上帝的军装，奉耶稣的名宣告，成为全家的代表，弃绝一切邪恶的偶像，捆绑所有邪灵的势力，不准他敌对你和你的家人。拿撒勒的耶稣已经胜过了魔鬼。不要敌对邪灵，要宣告耶稣的得胜。这两者是不一样的。真实的情况是：邪灵看起来很有势力，但耶稣拥有所有的权力，你也有这样的权力，你对自己的信心还不够，所有邪灵才会影响到你。

争战不在你以外，是在你里面。你要完全肯定自信，这是你强壮的时候。在罗马凯撒君王的殿中有很多的偶像，家中有拜偶像的聚会。千万不要被他吓倒，恐吓是他最大的武器。要抵挡，凭信心站立。这时可能有各式各样的事发生，这是与耶稣同行的路。

在新加坡城市丰收教会，年青人信主时，他们拜偶像的父母会打他们。陈义平牧师当时18岁，他们都是读中学的年青人，都受过父母的打。但是，最后他们的父母都得救了。康牧师也是，他父母是由我带领信主得救的。

把你们的痛苦和忧伤，恐惧和愤怒带给主，饶恕你的父母，求主给你更大的爱，成为最好的家族代表。虽然不容易，这就是我们在基督里要走的路，我们的挑战。阿门！

从邪术/秘术中得自由  

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今天的主题是邪教的问题。什么是邪教？邪教对今天的年青人有什么影响？还有什么是巫术？如何帮助人, 释放他们得自由。我们曾经处理过很多这方面的问题，有一些经验，今天与大家一起分享，使大家能够更明白。

首先，上帝创造我们是要我们互相关联，这是神的设计。 让我们互相联接，互相依附。我们是灵，有魂住在我们身体里面。上帝创造我们让我们有能力与别人依附在一起，我们心里的渴慕，只有上帝才能满足。上帝设计我们跟他依附在一起，因为跟他的依附，他的性情，他的生命就在我们身上流露。哥林多前书六章17节说“但与主联合的，便是与主成为一灵。”

上帝设计我们跟他连结，是灵跟灵的结合，这样他的生命通过我们进入这个世界。上帝的设计包含了，第一，关系，跟他有亲密的连结。第二，扩展他的国。他造我们成为他的代表，使用他的权柄。

对亚当夏娃最开始的指令，神交给他们的任务的一部分就是管理看守花园。给他们一个治理的领域，在这个领域中他们有权柄。亚当得着属灵的权柄来代表神，上帝给他关于伊甸园的两条命令，第一，培育，发展，结果子。上帝栽培我们，就是要我们在我们的领域结果子。第二，看守这个领域，保护它不让人入侵或摧毁。

上帝一开始就设计我们跟他有关系连结，也赐给人权柄在地上代表他并扩展他的国。亚当接受的指令是栽培园子，保护它不受入侵，后来他打破了与神的这个关系，失去了他的权柄。当他打破了跟神的关系后，他就完全不设防，不在神的保护下了。在人类历史的第一个世纪时，邪灵就开始入侵人的世界，败坏人的文化。耶稣来，就是要恢复我们跟上帝的亲密，将权柄再次赐给我们。再就是给我们指令要生养众多，遍满这地。

做基督徒，就是要跟基督连结，跟随他。把他国度的影响带进世界，做他的大使，有权柄胜过任何的邪灵和受造物。我们看到耶稣的服事，他训练门徒，给他们权柄胜过邪灵。相关的经文有，马可福音三章14，15节，“他就设立十二个人，要他们常和自己同在，也要差他们去传道，并给他们权柄赶鬼。”大使命包括传福音，医治病人和有权柄胜过邪灵。路加福音十章17节中又讲“那七十个人欢欢喜喜的回来说，主阿，因你的名，就是鬼也服了我们。”19节又说，“我已经给你们权柄，可以践踏蛇和蝎子，又胜过仇敌一切的能力，断没有甚么能害你们。”

权柄这个词的意思是有合法授予的权力代表神说话，作为。耶稣说，“我给你权柄”，权柄在他手上，我们只是做他的代表。权柄不是我们的，是他授予我们的。我们有权柄代表基督，这权柄来自于我们跟基督的连结。这个权柄是有践踏蛇和蝎子，就是一切的仇敌的能力。

他用两个图画来描述邪灵，蛇和蝎子。蛇在旷野中咬人，把毒放入人的身体里面。蝎子有针。这两个都是折磨人的东西。虽然不是很清楚，但可以揣测，他指出这是两个不同的邪灵实体。蛇代表邪灵，蝎子代表恶魔般的灵，灵体等。神说给你权柄，有胜过一切的能力。这个能力也是使徒前传里面讲的能力，是一种超自然的能力。你有合法的权力，胜过所有邪灵的超自然能力，没有什么能伤害你。这是一句很好的需要记住的经文。当你帮人释放，如有一点胆怯，记住，没有什么能伤害你的。

我们现在来看邪教。申命记十八章中有提到邪教。圣经中没有很清楚的提到这些邪灵从哪里来，有很多不同的看法。有些人认为他们是堕落的天使，我对此也不是很确定。他们被称为邪灵，一定是灵体，他们的意图也一定是邪恶的。在创世纪第六章中，有一些天使放弃上帝给他们的地位，开始以人的形态与女子发生关系，他们生下的后裔就称为伟人，他们都是非常狂野，凶残的一群，他们来败坏这地。他们的败坏如此严重，最后上帝就用洪水来毁灭全地。他们一半是天使，一半是人，可能成为邪灵后，继续留在地上骚扰人类。

各个文化背景的人都知道灵的世界。圣经以外其它的一些书中对此也有涉及，如以诺书，描述一群天使叫做守望天使，他们被指定专门指令人，可是有一群放弃自己的地位，败坏了上帝给他们的角色，与女人发生关系，并教导人邪教的东西。上帝抓住他们直到最后审批的日子。从那时起，邪教的内容就进入了人类的文化中。迦南就有一个充满了邪教的文化。迦南地的国家参与邪教很深，有各式各样变态的作为。申命记十八章9节，“你到了耶和华你神所赐之地，那些国民所行可憎恶的事，你不可学着行。”上帝警告这些人，他们要进入的迦南地，那里的人行各样上帝憎恶的行为，指的都是邪教的作为。

邪教的意思是隐密的，遮盖的，隐藏的。因此邪教的活动是在灵界寻求知识和资讯，或从灵界寻求能力，寻求保护。邪教的两个主流，一个是占卜，就是从灵界寻求资讯的。另一个是巫术，从灵界寻求能力。他们一定与拜偶像相连。

上帝的百姓所要面对的是，要进入的国家里的人都被这些邪恶的行为败坏了，那里没有释放，因此他们要摧毁这些国家，因为那里的人都被邪灵充满了。邪教的能力是隐秘的，能力的源头是隐藏的。参与邪教的人可能感到自己跟邪灵有连接，他们被欺骗了，他们以为自己得着灵的能力，实际上是邪灵在他们身上才有能力。当人参与邪教，他以为灵在帮他，实际上邪灵是靠他们得着能力的。最终，邪灵会向你讨价钱，所有的魔法都是要付代价的。在神的国里，所有的代价先跟你讲明了，在黑暗的世界则是反过来的，先享受再付代价，而代价远远超过你想像的。

上帝列出很多他们的做法，都跟拜偶像和邪教有关。邪教的问题是它会渐进式的让你上瘾。一旦进去，就很难脱身了。当上帝的百姓进入迦南地，发现当地的人拜偶像，还有各样交鬼的行为。申命记十八章10至14节说“你们中间不可有人使儿女经火，也不可有占卜的，观兆的，用法术的，行邪术的； 用迷术的，交鬼的，行巫术的，过阴的。凡行这些事的，都为耶和华所憎恶。因那些国民行这可憎恶的事，所以耶和华你的神将他们从你面前赶出。你要在耶和华你的神面前作完全人。因你所要赶出的那些国民，都听信观兆的，和占卜的；至于你，耶和华你的神从来不许你这样行。”

这里列出的行为不容易理解。各个文化有不同的变化方式。每一个行为都有属灵的能力在后面。第一个讲到的就是把儿女献给偶像，有一个特定的偶像叫摩洛，他是一个很大的铜偶像，手臂伸出来可以在上面点火，烧到很烫后，人在旁边打鼓叫喊，然后把孩子扔到偶像身上烧掉。对上帝来讲这太可怕了。可以看出那后面邪灵的性情，就是偷你的孩子。而今天最像这种行为的就是堕胎，有同样的灵在后面运行。

还有占星，观看天上的星宿。我简短的为大家解释一下。圣经告诉我们“诸天诉说他的荣耀”（诗篇十九篇）。讲到天，讲到神的话。在神的道写下来之前，上帝可能是对以诺说话，借着看天上的星宿，看到记载的上帝的荣耀。他就把星星分成十二个星座，用不同的图画连起来便于记忆。每一个星座都有一个名字，他们代表上帝救赎计划的一部分，有女人，蛇，人的堕落，然后一直到基督的降临，胜过蛇，建立了他的国度。每一个星座的名字都是鼓励的信息，帮助人们理解更大的图画，从创世到基督再来。问题是你从哪里开始，如人面狮身，从处女座的女人开始，到狮子座。

在描述这些星星时，上帝记载了人类的历史，人子来，救赎计划等等，全部记录在这个故事中。星星是没有能力的，只是上帝给人一个代代相传的信息，让他们有对将来得救赎的盼望。可是经过时间，被扭曲了，人们开始相信星星对我们的命运有影响，完全扭曲了真相。有关星座的这本书的作者叫做Bullinger。大家可以查看一下。

整个占星术打开了门，让人进入邪教里面，使人上瘾。人寻找属灵的源头，来指引他们生命的方向。他们依附在错误的事情上，是上帝指引我们的生命，是上帝对我们的生命有计划，不是星星。我鼓励大家读这本书，会非常惊讶上帝借由天上的星空传递救恩的信息。诗篇十九章说诸天传讲神的道，然后借着神的道给我们救恩的信息。

整个系列有占卜的，魔术的，行秘术的等。邪教可以分成两组，第一组，占卜。使徒行传第十六章16至18节中讲到的一个占卜的女子。“后来、我们往那祷告的地方去．有一个使女迎着面来、他被巫鬼所附、用法术、叫他主人们大得财利。他跟随保罗和我们、喊着说、这些人是至高　神的仆人、对你们传说救人的道。他一连多日这样喊叫、保罗就心中厌烦、转身对那鬼说、我奉耶稣基督的名、吩咐你从他身上出来．那鬼当时就出来了。”这个女子身上就有占卜的灵，今天就称她为灵媒。灵媒现今很受欢迎，他们可以讲到你生命中的一些事情，还有未来，他们就是在模仿我们的知识和言行。这里的这个女子算命后可以得到财力，即别人付钱给她算命，这样他们就是与邪灵交易，等于行淫。

利未记二十章2至6节中上帝警告百姓不要跟邪灵打交道，行淫。5，6节中写道“我就要向这人和他的家变脸、把他和一切随他与摩洛行邪淫的人、都从民中剪除。人偏向交鬼的、和行巫术的、随他们行邪淫、我要向那人变脸、把他从民中剪除。”上帝说任何交鬼或与家族熟悉的灵打交道的人，就是跟他们行邪淫。意思就是有付钱，有与邪灵连结依附，就像妓女的行为。保罗在哥林多前书讲“你出卖了自己。”你以为在买资讯，而实际上是出卖了自己，把自己卖给邪灵，与他连结在一起了。所有参与邪教的东西都跟邪灵有关，人与邪灵结合在一起，邪灵就有权力进入你的生命。

灵媒就是邪灵的管道，他们失了魂，邪灵附在他们身上，给他们一些资讯。在圣经中很明确的说参与邪灵是要判死刑的。我们回到使徒行传十六章，这个女子是有占卜的灵，那里整个地区都因占卜出名，有人从各地专门来这里算命，这里现在是希腊的一个地方。人们专门在那里等候传达神谕的人。传达神谕的人是灵媒。大家付钱给他得到一些资讯。这个使女被污鬼所附，英文中说“拥有”不是说“所附”，原文讲好像穿上了一件衣服，邪灵像衣服一样穿在了身上，她披上的不是圣灵，而是邪灵。占卜，巫术的原文意思是蟒蛇，就是当时他们工作的那个地区。这个蟒蛇的灵绕着她，对她说话，这种灵叫做家族熟悉的灵，就是说那些占卜算命的灵媒都是借着熟悉的灵运作，这个灵跟她沟通，对她的耳朵说话。

这个灵知道什么呢？他们知道你的未来吗？圣经没有明说，我的结论是他们不知道你的未来，你的未来隐藏在上帝的手中。可是他们能看见上帝能带给你什么。例如但以理书十章中，但以理祷告时，上帝派天使把信息带给他，但邪灵抵挡他。邪灵知道你是谁，一直在观察你，好像有邪恶的网络到处可以连结。这种熟悉的灵，可以跟你沟通与你有关的讯息，因为他一直在观察你和你的家庭，这个很难理解，我们一直是受到监视的。那些灵一直监视着你的行为，注意到你是多么可预测的。邪灵就把这些资讯传给灵媒，很可能很真实，模仿上帝知识的言语，很多灵媒有很强很真确的知识的言语，可是资讯的源头却是邪灵。因为邪灵给你这些资料，让你开始相信他，而当他跟你讲到你的未来时，你就完全同意他的话，他就有能力操纵你的未来了。有灵界的参与，一定会打开门，让邪灵进来。是自己给邪灵合法的权力让他进入你的生命中。

这个女孩有占卜的灵，使徒行传十六章17节这里讲，“他跟随保罗和我们、喊着说、这些人是至高神的仆人、对你们传说救人的道。” 他说的是正确的。但是带来的影响是，保罗心里面感觉厌恶，厌烦，搅扰，甚至拦阻他服事，这个灵制造了保罗服事的困难。一连多日，直到保罗直接面对她。一旦与邪灵对峙，就造成很大的骚动，最后被丢到牢里了。

占卜是寻求邪灵以得着隐藏的知识，有各式各样的做法；华人特别对占卜上瘾，都想知道未来。不是跟上帝同行，信靠上帝，而是去找邪灵了解这些资料。这些活动包括：找灵媒算命；找巫术板，上面有些字母的板子，大家就问它问题；找熟悉的灵；找交鬼的，那人被鬼附，灵通过他说话；或者占星的；或者塔罗牌；算数字的；看星象的等等。每一个文化有他们自己的模式，最关键的是能力的源泉来自哪里？既有属灵的力量就有属灵的源头。如果源头是邪恶的，他的影响也是邪恶的，上帝禁止我们参与其中。有些人只是好奇进入了占卜的领域，却打开了整个区域。很不幸，最近很多电影都是各式各样占卜的东西，就像哈利波特，都是占卜的。他们很多的灵感来自真实在做的行为，是很引诱人的。“得到一些秘密”，“知道未来”，“我会发财”，“我会幸福”，大家都想知道这些事，如果找邪灵，他就有合法的权力进入我们的生命。圣经说参与占卜，就是跟邪灵行淫，玷污了自己。任何参与算命的人都被污秽了，他们需要弃绝灵媒跟他讲的话以及后面的邪灵。

不可以既与上帝同行，又带着魔鬼跟你讲的话。从占卜中得释放的根基是悔改离开，承认你的罪，神憎恶的就是罪，也需要弃绝与邪灵的依附，也要弃绝所有邪灵给的话。不能服事两个主，不能一脚踏两船。我们的生命是放在主的手上，回应他的带领，让他的应许指引我们。如果我们去邪灵的领域寻找，就会慢慢的被吸进黑暗中。有些人非常上瘾，如果没有看一下占星或算一下命，一整天都不用做事了。

最后，你看到这个鬼从女孩身上出来后，她就没有这个能力了，资讯的源头是邪灵。有一次教会结束后，有一个人来找我，请我为他的朋友祷告，他的朋友现在的生活非常糟糕，想去找一个算命的人，我就让他来找我。我对他说，“听说你想找一个算命的？”他说，“是的。”我对他说，“上帝知道你的未来，你应该学习仰望他，让我为你祷告吧。”我求主给我一个清楚，明确，正确的话语，跟他讲。他谢过我之后就走了。我知道他还会去找算命的，就做了一个简短的祷告，“主啊，我知道他要去算命，求你让算命的话困惑。”一个星期之后，他又来找我，决志信主了。他说，“我去找了算命的，根本就是浪费钱，我付了五十块。她跟我讲的乱七八糟，根本听不懂。”他就这样信了耶稣。

我们需要学会依靠上帝的启示，不能把这些属灵的领域抛弃给灵媒，我们要努力在生命中得着上帝的启示。这些先知性的话语，都是上帝给教会的恩赐，灵媒只是替代品，真正的宝贝是圣灵的恩赐。这对教会是一种羞辱。让人觉得这些灵媒这么行，很有影响力，而教会很难接受这些灵里简单的东西。

现在我们来看巫术。在整个邪教中，巫术是非常重要的部分。巫术是从邪灵得着能力，这个能力胜过人，或者胜过环境。巫术就是追求能力，是参与到邪灵中，从灵界将超自然的能力带进世界来。旧约出埃及记第七章10节说，“摩西亚伦进去见法老，就照耶和华所吩咐的行，亚伦把杖丢在法老和臣仆面前，杖就变作蛇。” ，这很壮观的。想像我拿一个木杖一丢，变成了蛇，大家一定尖叫逃出去了。这是很吓人的。可是术士做了什么呢？11节说“ 于是法老召了博士和术士来，他们是埃及行法术的，也用邪术照样而行。 ”英文经文的意思是他们按他们念的咒或秘密的邪术而行，注意这是秘密的法术。现在有两条蛇了，可是摩西的蛇把另一条蛇吞了，他拿起来又变成了杖，这就展现超自然的能力了。

上帝的能力被行巫术的术士模仿抄袭。之所以能做到是因为他们参与连结了邪教的领域。当我们讲到巫术，讲到的是真实的能力，邪灵的能力，那些跟邪灵接触的人真的是有能力。任何文化都有经历，看到这些事，特别是在土著的地方，那些巫师有能力控制人和整个地区。埃及的这个巫师有三次模仿上帝的能力，22节“埃及行法术的、也用邪术照样而行．”就是把水变成了血。八章7节中“行法术的也用他们的邪术照样而行，叫青蛙上了埃及地。”上帝打的仗是针对埃及的这些神，真正的冲突是谁是真神，谁是假神。所有十灾都是要面对埃及人拜的神，前面三个神迹，这些巫师都可以模仿，把木杖变为蛇，很吓人；把水变成血，也很吓人；把青蛙叫到地上来；他们在物件和动物上有能力，改变这些东西。

你观察世界各地的邪教，会发现有些文化中非常害怕巫师，因为他们身上带着能力，不是他们自己的能力，而是邪灵的能力。有些文化，会让自己隐形，他们可以改变形状样貌，可以变成动物。我们最近的一些电影，好莱坞拍的电影很多就是巫术做的事，很多电影来源于巫术。人可以从一个地方变到另一个地方；突然消失又从另一个地方冒出来；或变成一种动物；这些人能做的事情非常了不起。这些电影其实是有真实来源的，通过好莱坞的包装来吸引人，这些能力都是很真实的。人们受到他们的引诱，被他们控制，最后被他们毁灭。

行巫术的喜欢跟有能力的人在一起，使徒行传十三章6节中讲，“经过全岛，直到帕弗，在那里遇见一个有法术假充先知的犹太人，名叫巴耶稣，或耶稣的儿子。”他就是进入地狱之门。7节8节中说“这人常和方伯士求保罗同在，士求保罗是个通达人。他请了巴拿巴和扫罗来，要听神的道。 只是那行法术的以吕马，（这名翻出来就是行法术的意思)敌挡使徒，要叫方伯不信真道。”这个法师就像一个地狱之门，他运用邪灵的能力，想要影响罗马的这个官，他使用魔术和巫术，抵挡真道的传播。保罗处理的方式是，让上帝的能力降临在他们当中，让这人马上瞎了眼。11节“现在主的手加在你身上．你要瞎眼、暂且不见日光。他的眼睛立刻昏蒙黑暗、”这就显明了上帝的能力，摆脱巫师的控制，让这些人都相信上帝的能力。保罗就跟当时摩西一样，他显明神的能力胜过一切行法术的。

使徒行传第八章9至11节，“有一个人名叫西门，向来在那城里行邪术，妄自尊大，使撒玛利亚的百姓惊奇．。无论大小都听从他，说这人就是那称为神的大能者。 他们听从他，因他久用邪术，使他们惊奇。”这个人在行邪术，对人有很大的影响力，人们都在他的咒底下，在他的影响之下，他的影响是邪恶的。 圣经里形容他自己妄自尊大。巫术中的人，非常自我为中心，不断展现自己的重要性。当腓利来了之后，他受洗信主了。他看到了使徒身上的能力，他就给他钱想得到这样的能力。19节“把这权柄也给我，叫我手按着谁，谁就可以受圣灵。”他渴望有能力，可能是他里面的苦毒在驱动他。“彼得说，你的银子和你一同灭亡吧。因你想神的恩赐是可以用钱买的。 你在这道上无分无关，因为在神面前，你的心不正。 你当懊悔你这罪恶，祈求主，或者你心里的意念可得赦免。 我看出你正在苦胆之中，被罪恶捆绑。”（使徒行传第八章20至23节）西门还是用旧有的方式思想，他明白灵里的交易，付代价得能力。他想我付了代价就应该有能力了。彼得不肯被钱收买，直接找到了问题的根源，“苦毒”。他是被人拒绝和苦毒的一个人，所以他才要能力；他还被罪恶捆绑，里面有自我为中心的自私，生命被扭曲了。

巫术是非常真实的，它后面的能力是邪恶的，人参与其中就是与邪灵行邪淫了。这是渐进的，上瘾的。当今人们参与的巫术法术有哪些呢？其中一种是魔术师咒语。任何人为得到能力跟邪灵达成的任何协议，就是将生命向邪灵打开了。不可避免的是，在邪教里一定有灵里的交易，即一定要牺牲一些东西。当人参与其中时，一定先跟邪灵达成协议，邀请邪灵进入他的生命，他们要进行交换，有时会流血。当我们帮助人时要留意，他们既然流了血，跟邪灵的连结就到了另一个层面了。

另一个常见的就是幻想的电脑线上游戏。很多线上游戏都有巫师作为娱乐消遣；有些游戏是角色扮演，你选一个角色扮演，你在线上就有了另一个完全不一样的身份。有些人就扮演巫师的角色在里面玩，对人施咒，跟不同的人打仗，让自己能力越来越强。这很容易让人上瘾。

马太福音第五章28节，“凡看见妇女就动淫念的、这人心里已经与他犯奸淫了。” 耶稣说你若带着淫念的眼光看一个女人，你就是跟她行淫了。行淫这个罪是从心里开始的，一个人可以犯了淫乱罪却没有身体上的接触。主在这里让我看见一个人长期沉浸在电脑游戏中，想像在其中得着能力，就打开门让邪术进来。刚开始可能只是为了娱乐消遣，一打开门，就让巫术进来了，这就造成问题了。可不可能打开电脑被鬼附呢？随便看一看就不可能，但花很长时间的话，就有可能了。最容易分辨的就是看上不上瘾。

在城市丰收教会，我有一次讲到一个年青人，他对游戏上瘾，无法抛开，不断被吸引回到游戏中。这个人出来了，后来我们发现他玩的是叫魔兽的游戏，他讲出他玩的角色，我叫他弃绝这个游戏和他在里面的身份时，当他祷告时，巫术的灵在他脸上发作，他整个人就倒在了地上。他在玩这种游戏的时候，打开生命接触到这些巫术。我们呼召时，有两百人走出来接受辅导，有很大的释放。这个很神奇。这些人白天在神学院读神学，晚上回家在电脑前玩巫术。让我们警觉的是，他们用伪装的方式，让人们以为它是无害的。它是旧问题有了新包装。

另外一个巫术的入口就是吸毒。新约中讲到“邪术”跟“药师”是同一个词。有些药会让人失去自我，有人因为生命中的一些痛苦，就对药物上了瘾。不是解决问题的根源，而是用药物压抑它。对药物上瘾就拦阻了你跟上帝建立关系，同时也没有很好的解决问题。人因药物上瘾而产生的幻觉都很类似。我曾为一个人祷告，他因医生开的处方药上瘾，他过去一直有醉酒和吸毒的历史，放弃这些后，医生给他开的止痛药又让他产生了幻觉，看到很多蜘蛛从墙上往他身上跳。当我们针对这个巫术把它赶出去后，他的幻觉和身上的疼痛都不见了。因此这种让人上瘾的药也会打开门让邪术的灵进来。

与这个相关的另一种模式是使用迷奸药，让女孩昏迷后与其发生性行为。任何人受到这种药物的影响，都没法反应，也没法挣扎逃脱，这种药物的背后是有巫术的能力的。有一个人来找我说，“我好像碰到这种情况。”我为这个女孩祷告，命令巫术的灵离开她。换句话说，另一个人用药物把这个能力加在她身上。她有很大的释放。

另一个我在马来西亚碰到的例子。这个女子子宫一直出血，整个腹部都肿了起来，后来我才知道，她被下了咒。什么是下咒？她说，有一个人养了小鬼，与小鬼交换能力，他拿了一种药粉去敲这位女生的门，当她一打开门，就将药粉吹在她的脸上，她立刻就进入灵的影响，他性侵这位女子后就离开了。当这位女孩清醒后，就开始了内部出血，腹部肿胀的情况出现了，无法停止。我们就为这个人祷告，砍断她跟那个人的所有连结，赶走邪灵，她就得医治了。

有各式各样的巫术，如武术有时也会打开门让邪灵进来。马可福音五章4节，那人有超级的能力，能把铁链弄断，这背后是有邪灵的力量。我有个儿子那时想去学武术，我跟他讲了这些进入邪灵的入口，一开始只是为了锻炼身体，慢慢的进行打坐，让生命进入灵界获取更大的能力，这样就被鬼附上了，你得着的能力是邪灵的能力。你的教练到时就会要求你这样做了。他接受武术课程一段时间后，这个就真的发生了，那时他就不学了。所以武术慢慢引你进入打坐的境界，然后进入灵里了。

对于这些能让邪灵进来的入口我们一定要很小心。有些音乐也可能打开门让邪灵进来。从美国的一个校园枪击案中，发现有两个关键因素。第一，枪手在服用抗忧郁的药。第二，他很喜欢重金属的音乐。里面很强烈的节奏和很恶心的歌词让人进入一种疯狂的境界。这不是唯一的理由。有一些音乐背后是有邪灵在，可能打开门，当然拜偶像一定会让邪灵进来。哥林多前书十章12至21节，那些人向偶像献祭而不是献给神，拜偶像为邪灵开门，在庙里向偶像献上自己做干儿子，干女儿的也一样。

我们有时看到参与邪教的人，在过程中一定会有血的因素，我们一定要非常警觉。利未记十七章14节中，圣经说生命在血中。邪灵要让人跟他达成协议，要跟你做交易，其中的一种方式叫歃血为盟。歃血为盟本是由上帝开始的，后来魔鬼了解了它的能力，就是祭坛献祭的能力，他就鼓励人筑坛献祭。列王记下三章27节，以色列正取得极大的胜利，乘胜追赶他们的仇敌，突然战争急转直下，他们敌对的王把自己的儿子献上为祭了，那个国家就极力地抵抗以色列。换句话说，那个王用自己儿子的血，祈求邪灵的能力。当你面对参与邪教的人，一定要问他有没有歃血为盟的行为，邀请邪灵或砍伤自己。这一定要打破才行。

歌罗西书一章14节说是耶稣的宝血赎回我们，耶稣的血比任何献祭更有能力。彼得前书一章18节，我们是耶稣的宝血赎回的。我们要用耶稣的宝血和宝血所成就的。简单的说，生命在血中，流了血，就形成了盟约。上帝的计划是借着耶稣的宝血让我们跟他立约，而邪灵让我们用我们的血跟邪灵立约。我们最近为一个人祷告，他的父母取了他的血带到庙里献给偶像，他自己没去但他的血被拿去了，我们需要留意到这样的事情。借着血可以释放很大的能力，耶稣的宝血释放很大的能力。世界各地行巫术时，会有流血献祭，动物的血或人的血，他们身上才得着超自然的能力。

面对邪教时一定要留意，先询问他们怎么结合在一起的，有没有流血的事情，或者献祭的事。我很惊讶，有很多年青人跟邪灵歃血为盟。他们需要弃绝这样的协议和跟他流血的事。

一个人在邪教的压抑下，会有哪些症状？我们应看什么？有哪些迹象可以帮助我们认清问题？例如，晚上会有不寻常的声音，通常会是邪教的行动；幻听，这个人听到不同的声音，有声音对他说话，通常是邪灵在活动的证据；或是物件自己在移动，门会自动开关，灯会一暗一明，很吓人；或是有灵显现出来，这是很严重的问题；或是身体上感觉受到性侵害，却没有人在现场，这个比你想象的更常发生，有一种灵，特别喜欢性侵男人或女人，性侵男人和女人的灵分别有不同的名字，叫succubus 和incubus，他们都是性方面的邪灵，他们会在半夜骚扰人，甚至把人钉在床上，这个人的感觉就是被人强暴或性骚扰一样，但是却看不到任何人，这都是邪灵的作为。很多人不敢讲，觉得很丢脸，而且别人也不相信他。所以你听到有人这样说或自己感觉到这样，要先问清楚情况。如果他说出来，要愿意相信。

如果一个人常有性念头的折磨，也可能是邪灵的侵扰，很沉重压抑的感觉。当有恩膏的聚会时，非常焦躁不安，没有办法专注在属灵的事上，非常困惑。这些的症状可能都显示有巫术参与其中。我们要看清楚还要问他你生命中经历了什么，人可能有各式各样的入口。

我们接下来来看如何服事人，哪些步骤可以释放人自由。

第一，求圣灵帮助我们。我们需要他揭露根源，我们需要来自于圣灵的能力。

第二，诊断，找到问题到底在哪里。你需要问问题，“你有什么样的情况”，“它如何影响你？”“什么时候开始的？”这告诉你是否是历代的问题。“开始时有发生什么事情吗？”“是你做了什么还是你家中发生了什么事情？”“还是有人对你做了什么？”这个人必须要敞开，诚实。我们一定要找到问题的源头，“你有没有向邪灵打开门？还是你们家其他人打开这个门的？”

给大家讲一个例子。有一个女生家里闹鬼，她打电话来给我，让我帮她清理鬼屋。我去到那里，这个女人和她的男朋友，她的女儿和女儿的男朋友都在那里，非常害怕，他们听到奇怪的声响，根本不敢睡觉，吓死了。我跟他们讲话也都听到那种声音，我知道有这种声音了，可是我要知道它们是怎么来的，我就开始问问题。要找到问题的根源，需要发问也需要聆听，然后再发问。要有聆听的态度，听这个人，也要听圣灵，他会告诉你要问 什么。我就问他们，“这样有多久了？”他们说“两个星期。”“两个星期前发生什么事？”“不知道，啊，我女儿和她的男朋友搬进来了。”我弄清楚了，他们来之前没有问题，他们搬进来后问题就出现了，所以是这男女两人把问题带进这个房子。我就问这两个男女“你们搬进来这个房子以前，在你们原来的房子有没有这样的问题？”他们回答“有。”“所以是你们把他带进来的。”“应该是吧。”所以就是跟着你们其中之一来的了，要知道是男的还是女的把他带进来的。“你原来住的房子就有这个问题吗？”“没有。”我又问“你们两个人有没有参与过邪教的事？”“没有。”“你们两个人之前，有没有哪一个跟参与过邪教的人上过床的？”那个女孩说“我前一个男朋友。”“你们的关系是不欢而散吗？”“是的。”“他有没有诅咒你？”“有的。”“因为你跟那个男的发生性关系，你们成为一体，邪灵就有权力进入你的生命。因为性关系和他的诅咒，邪灵就临到你和你家里，你又把它带进这个房子，你离开它就会走了，它是跟在你身上的。”她说“我很震惊，我想着只是房子闹鬼，从来没有问过这鬼是怎么来的。”我说“你的罪让邪灵有门进来。我带领这些人信主，弃绝他们跟邪灵的关系和协议，吩咐邪灵离开，这房子就安静下来了，他们也安静了，一对男女又搬回去了。

你比较容易怪罪这个闹鬼的房子，而不肯为问题负责。房子会不会闹鬼？会的。但通常是有人邀请邪灵进来，可能是交鬼或邪术的事情，或家中发生灾难，不然邪灵不会进来的。所以要注意诊断问题的根源。如果你发现这个人在邪教邪术上有参与，会有很多问题，你需要发问找到问题的根在哪里。你问“问题什么时候开始的？”“当时发生什么事情？”就可以帮助你找到这些线索。认清这是历代的问题还是个人的问题。他们自己做的吗？一定要诊断，到底是什么原因让邪灵进来。

第三，需要跟他们解释基督的作为，简短的解释。他们需要明白耶稣宝血的大能，神的能力，他的权柄胜过所有邪灵。不用很长，但一定要跟他们介绍耶稣。耶稣才释放我们，耶稣才胜过邪灵。就像我跟你讲的一样，简单分享圣经，之后跟他们解释，得释放他们该做些什么，该怎么做。解释他们的部分，他们应该做的包括：认罪悔改。这是根基的部分，你邀请邪灵进来了，就要承认，请耶稣饶恕你；其次，领受饶恕并饶恕别人。参与邪教的人，常常是心里有很深的苦毒的，家庭关系的破碎，痛苦的感情，心里的苦毒，愤怒和怀恨。这些根源造成他们参与邪教，全都要挖出来。第三，他们需要弃绝所有跟邪灵的协议。弃绝就是撤销，说出话来撤销跟邪灵的协议。因为你邀请了他进来，现在你就要命令他离开。你跟他达成的协议，现在就要打破它了。话语很重要，不是嘴巴随便说说，而是要真心说出来。

我们告诉他们这就是你要做的部分，你抓住这个罪是无法得自由的，你仍然不饶恕就在捆绑里了，如果你不抵挡魔鬼，他就紧紧抓住你。你可以跟他们一起看雅各书四章7节，“故此你们要顺服神，务要抵挡魔鬼，魔鬼就必离开你们逃跑了。”顺服神就是悔改饶恕，选择上帝做你能力的源头，不要找魔鬼。当我们为他们祷告，他们要主动抵挡邪灵。这就是预备好这个人。

然后，跟他解释你要做什么，让他明白服事是怎么样的。我会带你做一个祷告，你跟着我说，祷告最后的时候，我会打破捆绑，吩咐邪灵出来，我不是对你说话，而是对邪灵说话。我不要你再祷告了，单单抵挡，命令这个邪灵出来的时候，你可能会咳嗽或吐气出来。

现在所有的步骤都讲完了，很简单很有逻辑。现在就带他们做这个祷告。祷告很简单，通常是有这样的部分：

第一，承认对基督的信。宣告对基督的信心。

第二，弃绝一切跟邪灵的协议。

第三，求上帝饶恕他。认罪，求上帝饶恕，领受上帝的饶恕。或者他们需要饶恕别人。他们进入邪教，常常是因为他们自己的苦毒。他们要触摸耶稣，主动的抵挡魔鬼。

当你做这个弃绝和祷告时，要记得是否有盟约需要打破，这时候他们会告诉你了。另外一个要注意他的身上有没有佩戴一些与邪教有关的东西，手腕上或脖子上，这可能成为一个释放的拦阻，有时那些物件一解除，马上就得释放了。每一个字句和顺序并不重要，祷告时要一直聆听圣灵的声音。我带大家一起做这个祷告，让你们看到祷告是怎样做的，就是我们刚刚讲到的部分组合的，当我祷告，我会在灵里面跟着圣灵的水流来做，因此这个字眼和顺序你可以改变。

我会这样带他们，

第一宣告信心，这个很重要，就是宣告我站在主这边。我坚持相信他所做的一切。这些话很重要。

“亲爱的天父，我奉耶稣的名到你面前，承认耶稣是我的救主，耶稣宝血赎回了我，离开一切咒诅，一切邪灵，所有邪教的势力。我得赎回，我属于耶稣。”

这就是认同耶稣。

第二，我们可能会说

“主啊，我承认有参与这样的活动，我承认我的家人有参与这样的活动，求你饶恕我，我领受你的饶恕。从我心中饶恕那些伤害我的人，特别饶恕我的父母，现在我弃绝所有与邪灵达成的协议，我弃绝所有的邀请，完全弃绝撤销它们；我弃绝所有用血达成的协议，我弃绝撤销它们；我弃绝所有灵媒对我说的话，弃绝它们；我弃绝所有历代的咒诅，所有我的家人跟邪灵的协议。”

整个祷告中，任何可能的协议，全部撤销。当你诊断时，就知道该怎么祷告了。

“主啊，我现在触摸你，求你释放我自由，撒旦离开我的生命，奉耶稣的名。”

这个祷告做完了，你才带他祷告，他可能就发作了，你仍然要掌控，不要受到惊吓，命令这个灵安静下来。

接下来，第三，你就要操练你的权柄了，开始释放了。记得上帝赐我们权柄可以践踏蛇和蝎子。你需要这样做，首先，打破这些协议。好像他们之前讲过的话，现在你要撤销这些话。或者想像邪灵的绳索，现在你要把它砍断。

“奉耶稣的名，我打破与历代邪灵达成的协议，我打破它们，我打破捆绑家庭的协议，我打破你跟邪灵达成的血约，打破跟你所说的话语和虚假的命定，打破所有跟邪灵的依附。”

不是每次讲的字都一样，可是你可以看到这个水流是按照发生的情况，你祷告时，圣灵就会给你该打破的部分，你只要试试看就可以了。不要依靠方法，你要了解怎样做，了解原则和过程，依靠圣灵告诉你该讲的话。如果有帮助，就把祷告列出来。

首先，奉基督的名，打破这个捆绑。之后，命令邪灵，直接对这个人里面说话，命令邪灵出来，不断的 施压，从你灵里面开始说话，开始兴起，吩咐他离开。所以，你要培养灵里的人，让你的话语带着灵里的力量。不是看说话有多大声，而是要带着信心祷告。想像你好像站在洞穴的门口，对着里面的动物说，“我命令你出来。”你的焦点就是要命令邪灵出来。注意改变的发生，有时一点反应都没有，你就要继续施压，慢慢的就要孵出来了。我发现讲出邪灵的名字会有帮助。当我祷告没有反应发生时，我就讲出邪灵的名字，他就反应出来了。

你要为什么祷告呢？可能有占卜的灵，污鬼的灵，魔法的灵，苦毒的灵，死亡的灵，仇恨的灵，这些都可能包含在里面。你要对这些东西说话，命令它们离开，从灵里不断的对它们施压，要一直依靠圣灵的帮助。

有时它们会发作，有各式各样的发作方法，很多人会尖叫。如果一直尖叫，说明他没有得释放。就像在表演一样，所以不要让他一直这样做。让这人停下来不要尖叫，开始抵挡。还是要对圣灵敏锐，如果这人一直尖叫，我会跟他说停下来，停下来，你要跟我合作，抵挡这个灵。他们可能会尖叫，会抖动，也可能会很暴力，不要害怕，他们的眼睛好像冒着火光一样看着你，你就从里面看回他们去，把他们瞪回去，让他看到你的眼光更锐利。你要知道你代表耶稣，他会怎样瞪着仇敌，他会怎么看这些邪灵的，发光的眼，里面要兴起，带着电光看着这个人。很有意思，他们有些很害怕就开始躲避，我注意他的眼神开始漂移或往下看时，就很强的逼迫他，他很快就出去了。一旦他开始不抗拒，很快他就消失了。

有时有些人会想吐，所以准备一些纸巾和袋子等，这些都是协助你的，不是拿袋子往上一套就得释放。对发生的事情敏锐，继续命令。如果他们持续的争斗，踢斗，就要约束他们，以免伤到他们或伤到别人。有时我会退后一步，继续命令。你需要一直听圣灵教你怎么做，聆听他的指引。要分辨到底是邪灵还是他的情绪，有时会从邪灵很快的转变为情绪，有时面对邪灵，他里面的忧伤痛苦全都冒出来了。如果是邪灵，他里面的感觉是很丑陋，很恶心的；如果是情绪，看起来很像，但是里面是没有反应的，只是在叫，实际上是这人的情绪；有时会有很多眼泪。灵是要赶的，情绪就需要停下来，他可能需要饶恕，放开什么。问他到底发生了什么，跟他互动，教他跟你一起配合服事。不是那么容易分辨什么是邪灵什么是情绪的，经验会帮助你，如果根本没有释放，你就停下来算了。跟这人互动，得到他的协助，圣灵会告诉你，要先处理什么，才能更进一步的释放。

如果邪灵跟你争吵，威胁你，你怎么办？邪灵说“这人属于我，我不要离开，你是谁，你什么都不是，你没有能力。”没错，我们没有能力，但耶稣有，我们是奉他的名来的。你要对他说话，“奉拿撒勒人基督耶稣的名来敌对你，他在各各他打败你，撤销了你所有的能力，他在各各他羞辱了你，有一天会把你丢到火湖里。”用经文把它压下去。有时他会说，“谎言”“不要跟我这样讲”，你就继续压迫他。魔鬼不喜欢听上帝的话，有时我会说这样话，“耶稣的宝血打破了你的势力”。

如果这个魔鬼抵挡我，我会看着他说，“魔鬼，你看到十字架，你看见宝血，你的能力被打破了，你的掌控被打破了。”我感觉是从灵界，不是从自然界。自然界是按照时间来看的，我们今天的人，是看不见十字架的，因为是两千多年前的事，我只能在想像里看见。可是在灵界里，好像就在现场，真实发生的，是现在灵里的真实。每次我叫他们看十字架，看耶稣宝血，马上就出现整个释放。

如果他持续抵挡，你可能需要回应一步，看看有什么需要先解决的。你需要先拆下邪灵所住的房子，很快就可以把邪灵赶出去了。服事时，一直依靠圣灵的帮助；服事完了以后，安慰这个人，祷告神的爱和平安进入他的心中。不要在这人得释放前就开始安慰。昨天晚上我就看到了，我常常看到。有人抱着他，安慰他，我手一放在他头上，他就开始尖叫，因为邪灵没有出来。你要留在那里警觉，免得魔鬼骗你。你怎么知道他出来了？你会感觉那个魔鬼出去了，或者那个人会告诉你，或者圣灵会告诉你。你要用不同的方式观察。

如果这人参与邪教的话，还有额外的东西，所有跟邪教有关的物件都要从他们家清除。使徒行传十九章19节，“平素行邪术的，也有许多人把书拿来，堆积在众人面前焚烧。他们算计书价，便知道共合五万块钱。”这里人们对他们的罪知罪了，公开承认自己的罪，确定再也不回到这里面去了。五万块，很多钱了，他们的意思是这些钱不再吸引我了，我完全摆脱这些东西了。

同样，旧约申命记七章25，26节中也说，这个人需要清除家中所有与邪教有关的物件，你要要求这人把这个东西拿来给你烧掉，在这方面绝不能妥协，参与邪教的人，需要完全得释放。

你要为什么样的灵祷告？我们已经讲了很多的灵，让圣灵引导你，当有任何的名字冒出来，你就命令他。阿门？阿门！

听众提问之一：这一位女士去看中医，在中华文化中，我们相信体内有一种气，而她体内的气很弱，于是她的中医就建议她打坐以增强她的气，但她担心走火入魔，拒绝这么做，改用锻炼身体的方式。她想知道练太极，瑜伽等，是否会落入邪灵的圈套？

答： 气就是你生命的力量，对基督徒来讲，这就是你灵里面的生命。我们讲忧伤的灵使骨枯干，你灵里的状况会直接影响你身体的状态。灵，魂，体，都是彼此攸关的，我们灵和心里的情况都会影响身体的能量。

你怕打坐让自己打开接触到邪灵的问题，圣经中讲的默想是非常积极的，是去想神的话语，是理解神的话语，看见神话语的真实，他的焦点专注在一个事情上。而东方的这种静坐冥想，是要倒空自己，这就打开门让别的东西进来了。我不觉得这是好事。其实瑜伽的每一种动作都是他们对某一种神的膜拜方式，它的根源就显明了它是从哪里来的了。有些人做运动，好像打太极，做瑜伽等，好像是有获得利益，可是他们的根源却来自于对假神的崇拜。

问题是，你要离那个悬崖多近才不会掉进去呢？这就是你要问圣灵的了。我的建议是，锻炼的最好方式是走路，游泳，鼓励你方言祷告，培养你灵里的活力和能量。圣经说叫耶稣死里复活的灵住在我们里面，需要释放他出来，释放的方式就是让我们灵里面的能力接触神，让神进来。

我每天做的事情非常有帮助，就是每天走路，方言祷告，很刻意的祷告，让我的灵兴起。我方言祷告时，默想上帝亲近我，我跟他结合，花时间祷告敬拜他，容许他的生命在我的生命中流露出来。我住在台北时，就在酒店的那一层走路，很早就开始走路，这样就不会碰到人，不然大家想这个外国人疯了。如果我唱歌，可能会想这个外国疯子还很开心的。我发现自己的体力和能量借着运动，方言祷告敬拜，还有默想上帝的话语，真的得到提升。

让这成为习惯，我在这方面就得到很大的帮助。有一些借着你流出来的能量，感觉是魂的部分，或者是心的部分，如果我们刻意把这些降伏在主的面前，让他在我们生命中流露，你就会期待你的能量有很大的增加。我就很有活力，想到我的年纪，这是很让人惊讶的，我可以花几个小时为很多人祷告，可是我需要有跟上帝独处的时间。

我需要默想他的同在，在我里面充满我。我要常常回到根源，建立属神生命的最基本的生活。以赛亚书四十章说，等候耶和华的，必重新得力。我觉得我们活的生命是交换来的生命。不是我要让事情发生，而是要放掉这一切，我开始明白察觉，基督在我里面。能力已经在我里面了，默想训练你的心相信这个，这才让你越来越有活力。

刚强的方言祷告，运动和默想，对我的活力非常有帮助。同时也需要好的饮食和休息。有时活力低，可能是身体不平衡，或者魂有问题。例如，焦虑会滤光你的能量，恐惧会吸走你的能量。我们身体系统的运作就是要我们的心跟上帝和谐为一，我们的心跟上帝和谐为一了，其它的东西就自然的调对了。希望这能帮助到你。

听众提问之二：这个人遇到一位马来西亚来的女留学生，这个女孩半夜跟他们在一起时，突然邪灵发作，整个行为完全改变了，甚至声音，眼神都变成了男孩。后来，她说她有很严重的抑郁症，没有咨询过医生就擅自停止服药了。这个人想知道，如何分辨药物的情况还是灵里的情况，该如何处理。

答：这是一个非常好的问题。你必须要敞开，有些人的问题是生理不是属灵的，或者两者都有的，因为它们是有连结的。我们提供的建议都是属灵的，我们不是医生，也没有受过医药的训练，这些事情就不要擅自做主，这不是我们的专长。

如果在这种情况下需要用药的话，或者你应该鼓励这人去做一个检查，做了检查就可以发现这是否是生理的问题，就可以调整饮食或用药帮助他身体恢复平衡。有些人用药，不告诉医生就自己停下来了，很让人担心。没过多久，问题就变得更严重了。因为当他没有用药，身体就有反应，整个发作出来了。如果跟健康医药有关，需要有医生的帮助和建议，我们不是专家，不能知道全部东西。

我们曾经碰过一个女生，我们越为她祷告，她疯狂的越严重。我说不祷告了，有几件事你需要做的。首先，我们不再为你祷告了，你要先找一个人谈话，他会跟你祷告。第二，马上去找医生，做检查，一定有东西不对了。第三，做些实际的东西。不要太属灵，要实际一点。有时候，运用恩慈这个恩赐。一开始，她反应很强烈，我们真的限制她只能跟这个人联络；很难叫她去看医生，一旦去看了，叫她的家人也一起去帮忙，让她自己对自己的行为负责。我上次看到她时，她是很稳定，很安静的一个人。这不再是释放的问题，而是她身体内的荷尔蒙或生理上的不平衡。这一切都是相关的，所以她的情绪，生理都会造成这些反应。

人们常喜欢把所有的错都怪罪在魔鬼身上，自己就不用负责了。所以做一些正常的事情，找医生检查一下，验一下血等等。如果你认为可能是心理上的问题，不要超过自己的能力，把他转介给医生就好了。这不会有什么损失，会有很大的帮助。

听众提问之三：这位女士经常听到房屋的结构或钢筋在嘎嘎作响，非常吵，无法入睡，应该怎么办？第二个问题是，你刚才提到的邪灵性骚扰的问题，如果在床上被压制，被侵犯，当时应该怎么做？

答：这两者可能是相关的。如果一个人晚上有邪灵性侵犯她，通常有很强的邪教的连结，就打开门让邪灵进来，它宣称在这人生命中有权力了，而实际上它没有。通常这种灵都是从邪界来的。可能是家族中有变态的事情发生过。第二，如果有这样的灵，家中发生各样的声响或搅扰人的事情也是常见的。

第一步就是要把它带到光中。你需要圣灵帮助你看到根源是什么，什么时候开始的，造成的原因是什么，是否有历代的原因还是这人做了什么。之后就是释放了。大部分事情你可以自己照着这几个步骤释放了，灵里面方言祷告，命令他出去。有的时候，你需要别人来服事你。这可以帮助你做的更深，或碰触到你自己碰不到的东西。

我猜测这两者是有关联的。你听见房子里面的声音，一般来讲就是邪灵在里面

压制造成的情况。祷告让圣灵让你看见有哪些入口。要弃绝，完全关上门，抵挡魔鬼，或找人帮你，服事你。

听众提问之四：一位女士提出关于小朋友的问题。一个七，八岁的孩子，晚上半夜经常狂哭尖叫，白天为他祷告时，又反应的很激烈。对于灵里有问题的小孩，应如何医治释放，如何帮助他。

答：儿童有服事他们的方法。通常有两种接触的方式。

第一，孩子睡觉的时候帮他们祷告。让父母也在场，所以服事当中如果孩子醒过来的时候，不至于被吓倒。我有为比这更小的孩子祷告的情况。做之前，要先了解孩子的家庭背景，找到这个灵是由哪个源头来的，是历代开的门吗？可能借由家族的邪灵进来的。所以跟父母谈话，会帮你找到源头。先服事他们，要挪去邪灵进入他们家中合法的权力。

不要碰这个孩子，轻柔的祷告，安静的在灵里祷告，邀请圣灵来，聆听圣灵说什么。基于你之前知道的资料，打破家族中邪灵的咒诅，和跟邪灵的协议，吩咐邪灵出去。这不需要孩子参与。

另一种方式是，坐下来跟孩子聊，问他晚上做什么梦，让孩子自己说他感受到什么。用他们懂的语言来表达。要用孩子的方式跟他们讲真理。当孩子跟你讲完之后，你可以这样跟他说，“你知道是什么让你有这种梦吗？”“我觉得是一个不好的灵。”“你知道有不好的灵，它会来烦我们的。”“不是你的错，你没有做错事情，是那些坏灵做的。”“耶稣可以搞定他们的，耶稣身上有好灵的。”我用他们的语言，让孩子能够明白。

“有时候这些坏灵会进到人里面，让他们很难过，让他们很害怕。但耶稣来把这些坏灵赶走。圣经中，耶稣就把那些坏灵赶走了。坏灵很怕耶稣的，他们怕到等不及逃走。我们邀请耶稣来，他比坏灵更厉害，他可以帮助你不要这个坏灵.”

“等一下我会帮你祷告，我会对坏灵说话，我不是对你说话，当我一换，你就知道我在跟坏灵说话。我们就命令他离开，你里面可能会有些感觉，因为坏灵会害怕。不是你害怕，是坏灵在害怕。你只需要呼气，吐气让他离开，把他推出去。”

这些孩子都懂的，呼气或咳嗽，“我们一起咳嗽，一起工作，把坏灵赶出去。耶稣就会很开心。”

我们用的语言是孩子都能听懂的。你可以坐在孩子身边，或让孩子坐在你膝上。如果7，8岁，发作起来会有些困难，他力气已经很大了。现在你已经有他合作，我们期待这个邪灵可以很容易离开。做的时候最好父母都在场，可以是很透明的做法。不要说什么做什么吓到孩子。

你会让孩子很有信心，感觉很棒，很好。“如果你里面有什么感觉，你就把它咳出来，我们要抛开这个东西。”你就帮他走过这个过程。

如果孩子发作，你就紧紧抱住他，限制他，可是有时候很难。最好让孩子跟你合作，这样他跟你一起同工抵挡邪灵。

听众提问之五：这位女士帮助的一个人，他有家族病史，家族中有很多人因这个病自杀。这个病就是身体虚弱，睡不着觉，吃不下，身体机能丧失。这个人会有幻听，让他有自杀和自残的想法。曾经积极参与医治和释放的聚会，可都没有很大的释放和改变。好像历代的问题和幻听都有。我们应该如何开始服事，如果没有太大的经历，要怎样帮助他。以前从不知道他有否参与过邪教的行为，但家族中一直有拜偶像的现象。

答：像这种失眠，无法睡觉，有很多理由。有些是生理上的，有些是焦虑症，有些是灵里的问题。有时同时给他医疗和属灵方面的治疗。我的处理方式就是系统性的问问题，试着找出根源。不处理根，不能得自由的。

这个人要为这件事负起责任来。有些人总希望别人帮他修好，自己不想负起责任来。他自己要面对耶稣，跟耶稣建立起关系。在家族中有很多人自杀，家族中就有问题了。有自杀的灵，压抑的灵，拜偶像的灵，还有邪术的灵，你要找到有哪些源头。这个人要站稳自己的立场，抵挡邪灵，来到十字架前。

有些人没有信心他们可以得自由。释放不是消极的东西，我们要主动进去得着耶稣给我们的。有时服事之前你要先教导他。举例来说，呼召时，你会发现出来的人有不同的反应。都出来了，代表他们都希望看到一些结果，可是后面却完全不一样了。有的很戏剧化，有的什么反应都没有，我们之前都看不出来的。这个人心里的预备和态度，会影响到他从上帝那里能领受多少。有些人来是觉得，我真的有这个问题，我需要上帝释放，我预备好，禁食，到领受的时候，就有很大的释放。有些人只是抱着试试看的态度，人家叫他去了，什么反应都没有。他里面的消极被动心，根本没有预备跟神相遇。

预备好跟神相遇很重要。我会说，第一，看他的根源，先问他，找到问题的根源在哪里。之后，按照这些步骤一步步，看有没有反应。鼓励这个人可以禁食，让他先默想一些经文，上帝的应许。不要让他被动的等你做就好了。他就把所有责任放在你身上，要你帮他修好。而不是我自己要追求全人的健全。

责任在谁身上很关键。常常我们看到人没有迫切想要得到自由。 “这个想法不错，可是要跟耶稣调整对，我又不太想了。”我们讲到失眠这个问题，自杀的问题，你必须要给他一些指示。

给你一段相关的经文，提摩太后书二章24至26节，“主的仆人不可争竞、只要温温和和的待众人、善于教导、存心忍耐、用温柔劝戒那抵挡的人．或者　神给他们悔改的心、可以明白真道．叫他们这已经被魔鬼任意掳去的、可以醒悟、脱离他的网罗。”

前面要有教导，让这个人明白，他才能抓的到真道。我没有失眠的所有答案，有些是邪灵造成的，有些是身体的化学反应问题。我有一个牧师朋友，他自己根本没办法睡，他就用那些时间看书，读经，让自己有生产力。可是圣经应许，“让他亲爱的安然入睡。”有些解答可能是属灵的，有些可能是生理上的。可能吃一些东西，帮助他身体睡觉。千万不要喝咖啡，让自己清醒。学习入睡前放松。

这个解答不是那么明显，可能要从不同的层面看。起码，你知道了方向了。

亲爱的天父，我们感谢你有这样相聚的时间。主啊，教我们怎么应用我们所学到的，能够释放恩膏，在人的生命中结果子。奉基督的名，阿门！

从性犯罪中得自由  

Fri 4th Oct 2013 « 返回页首

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性犯罪是一个当前我们所面对的一个越来越严重的问题。当服事人时，应从什么角度开始帮助人从性犯罪中得自由？我们应保持愿意学习的心，了解别人的情况。

我们从圣经中一个人被污鬼搅扰的故事开始。了解上帝是如何创造人的，再看性犯罪的影响，最后是服事人的方法。

路加福音第四章33节讲，“在会堂里有一个人，被污鬼的精气附着，大声喊叫说， 唉，拿撒勒的耶稣，我们与你有甚么相干，你来灭我们么，我知道你是谁，乃是　神的圣者。 耶稣责备他说，不要作声，从这人身上出来吧。鬼把那人摔倒在众人中间，就出来了，却也没有害他。”这个人被不洁的污鬼所捆绑，所有的污鬼都是不洁的，很可能这个人就是在性方面犯罪而被捆绑。这里是信徒聚集的会堂，所以应该是一个信徒在性方面犯罪的问题，不知他是如何打开自己的生命，让邪灵进来折磨他的。他被情欲，变态的灵折磨。那么，这是怎样的一种折磨呢？

第一，他的头脑中常常出现过去性行为的画面，邪灵确保这些图画一直出现在他眼前。

第二，幻想将来性行为的情形，意念中常常幻想将来可能的情况，他里面就会有被催逼，情欲的欲望。

第三，生命中会有不断失败的循环。求神赦免，好一点后，不久又回到了从前。

这种不断催逼的势力是从邪灵来的。邪灵会在人里面产生能量。以弗所书二章2节讲到，“那时、你们在其中行事为人随从今世的风俗、顺服空中掌权者的首领、就是现今在悖逆之子心中运行的邪灵．”邪灵在心中运行，运行就是得活力的意思。邪灵在人里面产生能量和压力，罪也会在人里面产生能量。罪会让人得着能量。罗马书五章27节说，是罪在你们心中发动。当人有这样的问题时，他里面会有强烈的能力和压力在逼促他，里面的邪灵和罪会不断增加压力。

性冲动是我们要学会管理的胃口，它是上帝赐给我们的。就像每天都要吃东西，也是一种自然的胃口。性欲望也是上帝放在人里面的一种自然渴望的胃口。是人需要好好管理的。可是邪灵的存在和罪，会在里面产生极大的能量，不断的压迫你，造成更大的胃口。我们要学习管理好自己。

帖撒罗尼迦前书第四章3至8节，“神的旨意就是要你们成为圣洁，远避淫行。要你们各人晓得怎样圣洁尊贵，守着自己的身体。 不放纵私欲的邪情，像那不认识神的外邦人。不要一个人在这事上越分，欺负他的弟兄。因为这一类的事，主必报应，正如我预先对你们说过，又切切嘱咐你们的。 神召我们，本不是要我们沾染污秽，乃是要我们成为圣洁。 所以那弃绝的，不是弃绝人，乃是弃绝那赐圣灵给你们的神。”

关于处理性犯罪的问题不是用祷告，上帝的要求就是要我们保持清洁，远避淫行，就是远避性犯罪。

第一，神的旨意是要我们远避，要有节制，要懂得保护自己。

第二，学习如何管理自己生命中的这种胃口。我们看到没有得救的人，总是找机会满足自己在这方面的欲望，这种行为正与我们相反。

第三，不要在性方面操纵弟兄姐妹，如果你这样做，就是欺负他了。这是一个很重大的教导。如何建立美好的关系，又不在性方面操纵人。

最后，圣洁是神所召，不是人所确定的。如果我们抵挡圣洁，清洁的教导，就是抵挡上帝。

人为什么要走这条路？我们刚刚在路加福音第四章看到的这个人，他在淫行，性犯罪的捆绑中，需要得释放。释放是他得自由的关键。释放之后，他仍需行在圣洁里。还要管理自己的胃口，也要用全新的方式建立他的关系感情。

要了解上帝的计划安排，先要了解上帝是如何创造我们的。创世纪第二章18节，“耶和华神说，那人独居不好，我要为他造一个配偶帮助他。”24节中“因此，人要离开父母，与妻子连合，二人成为一体。”所以在上帝的创造中，他说不好的只有人的孤单。上帝造人，是要有关系的。我们受造就是有能力跟人亲密，也需要这样的亲密。跟上帝亲密，也跟其他人亲密。上帝赐给我们这样的能力，用很实际的方式来表达这样的亲密，有连结的能力。两个人在性方面发生关系，就结合在一起。性的亲密会使头脑中产生化学反应，让两个人产生连结，他们同时会有依附的感觉产生。

孤单需要亲密来解决，跟上帝的亲密，跟另一个人的亲密，上帝造我们是有能力跟别人结合的，性交是产生这种结合的关键。二人要合为一起，两人发生性亲密，就使两人结合在一起，就连结了。上帝赐我们很多不同的能力，有能力跟别人亲密，表达这样的亲密，跟别人结合，有能力创造，可以用意念，也可以用身体创造东西。

在我们性能力方面有两个很重要的东西。第一，有能力跟别人亲密结合。第二，有能力创造新生命。这当然是要负责任的，可世界却一直在扭曲这些。马太福音十九章4至6节中“耶稣回答，那起初造人的，是造男造女。”上帝的设计是一男一女，不是男跟男，也不是女跟女。“并且说、『因此，人要离开父母，与妻子连合，二人成为一体。』这经你们没有念过么。 既然如此，夫妻不再是两个人，乃是一体的了。所以神配合的，人不可分开。”所以，神最初的设计是两人彼此亲密。亲密代表不设防，向对方打开平常不给人看到的地方，人不可能跟每个人都亲密，这是不恰当，会造成伤害的。

亲密需要慢慢培养建立关系和信任，亲密对上帝很重要。他造我们，就是希望我们能够亲密， 他设计我们有紧密的关系。有亲密的能力也让我们不设防。如果你向一个人打开心，把自己的一部分让他知道，这样不设防你就很容易受到伤害。他可以拒绝你，背叛你，这是两难的情况。你伤害我，就会影响我的生命，让我很难跟别人亲密了。所有亲密都让你不设防，所以上帝的设计是，在亲密中一定要有保护。两人在性方面的亲密，是他们的灵，魂，体都参与的。上帝的设计是我们从灵里开始活，我们灵的生命借着魂和体表达出来，触摸别人。

世界把性经历贬低为纯粹只有肉体。在上帝的眼中，认为这是从里面出来的，心跟心的连结，分享生命，之后才是身体。但世界反过来了。世界只强调是肉体的，完全不在乎可能对灵和魂造成的伤害。当两人有身体上性的关系，而没有亲密关系，没有打开心爱另一个人，就把这行为贬低为只有肉体的反应了。亲密而没有委身信任，就打开门让伤害进来。上帝设计我们，是让两人因性亲密。发生性行为，身体上会有变化发生，在性交过程中，头脑会发生化学反应，因人的喜乐造成结合。

当两人亲密结合时，他们听见，看见，经历都像魂结合在一起，人彼此结合时，两人的灵彼此触摸接触。上帝的设计就是从一个人的灵的流露， 与另一个人的灵，魂，体接触。如果你忽略这些，就是把亲密贬低为仅有肉体的反应，就完全扭曲了上帝的原意了。

圣经中讲到亚当和夏娃的亲密时说，亚当“认识”夏娃，之后才跟她同房。夫妻之间由认识，再到亲密。如果不是夫妻，就只称为同房。例如他玛被强暴时，她的兄弟与她同房。圣经中用完全不同的词汇来表达。

性交除了身体的接触，还有彼此心跟灵的结合，所以要保护这样的亲密。上帝用立约跟我们接触。约是结合的协议，在协议中，不会有伤害。上帝建立的关系，是盟约的关系。上帝设计的婚姻，也是立约的关系。两人彼此委身，不要伤害对方，而要忠心到底。上帝设计的婚姻是男与女结为夫妻。在盟约的关系里，也反应了耶稣与教会的关系。盟约是一生的承诺和委身，彼此衷心和保护。

圣经中有盟约时，先是说话，然后流血，这样就是彼此承诺了。上帝设计女子第一次性行为时，会有流血的情况，上帝就是向我们显明这是立约，盟约的关系。在婚礼上，夫妻双方先交换言辞，就是立约；然后交换戒指，成为立约的保证。大家一起见证这个约，一起庆祝这个约。可是婚姻只有在圆房之后才算完成，因为当中会有流血。父母会把沾了血渍的床单留着，代表女子贞洁的证明。这是希伯来文化中非常重要的一件事。女子要为男子保存自己，与男人建立盟约。而当男人与女人亲密，却没有跟她立约，就是占她的便宜了，利用她满足自己的需要，没有给她盟约的保证和安全感，对她造成伤害。

上帝设计建造男人去追求和征服，女人是寻求保障和委身。耶稣追求我们，给我们这个约，我们跟他的关系就有了保障。婚姻中，男子追求女子，给她一个约，对她衷心到底。性行为是整个婚姻中的一部分，所有婚礼的程序，以及两人的性亲密都是上帝设计的盟约的关系。这就是帖撒罗尼迦书中讲的“你不要欺负对方”的原因。操纵人使自己得好处，男人欺负女人，操纵她，引诱她，有了性行为之后又抛弃她。女人需要的是安全感和亲密，被抛弃后，就觉得被欺负了。

可以看出来，我们离上帝的设计有多么的远，我们需要回到上帝的心意里。你创造了一个东西，就了解他如何运用。造出微波炉的人，就会写出应用手册。如果你不理会应用手册，随意将金属放进去，肯定会有问题。同样，我们要回到上帝的设计里，按照上帝希望的性亲密的行为守则行事。但是人就是敌对神，总想按照自己的想法做。罪就是亏缺上帝原来给我们安排的美意。性犯罪就是亏缺了上帝的原意。他们享受吗？当然享受，这原本就是上帝的设计，但是里面隐藏了毁灭，因为罪的代价就是死。

圣经中也警告我们避免性犯罪，避免性犯罪造成的损害。神的目的是要我们有亲密，在亲密中不设防，婚姻之外发生的性亲密很明显就会造成伤害。在这方面神有些什么警告？

首先，神不反对性。人是他创造的，他给我们能力创造新生命，他也教我们如何做，我们就是被这样设计的，神觉得这样很好，他把这个欲望放在我们里面，我们也很喜欢。所以，不要祷告让神把它拿走，神是有目的的。

哥林多前书第六章13 节，“身子不是为淫乱，乃是为主。主也是为身子。”表明神不希望有性犯罪，保持自己的贞洁就是尊荣神。神设计我们来显明他，他不希望我们没有委身就与人发生性行为，他与人是立约的关系，是永恒的。夫妻之间是流血立约的。上帝借耶稣的血跟我们立约，我们领圣餐的主要目的之一，就是庆祝这样的关系，是约的保证。我们吃饼，喝杯，就是提醒我们耶稣的血赎净了我们。我对上帝是很尊贵的，他爱我，我属于他，不属于其它任何人。我得赦免，被爱。我们与神的关系就像婚约，神是守约的，我们如果违约，不忠实，就是很严重的罪。在上帝的眼中，关系代表生命，违背关系就是死亡。盟约代表上帝与我们相交，违背盟约就是很可怕的罪，违背了上帝最核心的精神。

接着看哥林多前书第六章15 ，16节，“岂不知你们的身子是基督的肢体么。我可以将基督的肢体作为娼妓的肢体么。断乎不可。 岂不知与娼妓联合的，便是与他成为一体么。因为主说，『二人要成为一体。』 ”身为信徒，上帝的灵住在我里面，我们是耶稣在世上的代表之一，是基督身体的一部分。参与性犯罪，身上带着的圣灵不想参与。与娼妓结合，就让上帝的灵担忧。

18 节，“你们要逃避淫行。人所犯的，无论甚么罪，都在身子以外。惟有行淫的，是得罪自己的身子。”说谎，偷窃，违背律法等等的犯罪都是在你外面。只有性犯罪不同，上帝警告我们，行淫是得罪自己的身体。当两人结合，一人的部分生命会进入另一人里面，改变发生在里面。大脑的化学反应，开始回应，还有记忆留在里面。这种淫行会建立神经的管道让人上瘾，头脑好像被卡住。当服事人时，这不是外面的罪，表示道歉就行了，而是里面要开始改变，因为罪一直带在身上，没法走开。

性犯罪的影响非常独特，有东西会进入身体里面。罗马书第一章27节，“男人也是如此，弃了女人顺性的用处，欲火攻心，彼此贪恋，男和男行可羞耻的事，就在自己身上受这妄为当得的报应。”这里讲到性犯罪对人的影响远大于其它的罪。人里面发生改变，越走入性犯罪这条路，这影响和改变就越深。

性犯罪造成的伤害有很多，虽然很多人不肯承认。一个人越对自己的灵敏锐，就会越察觉性犯罪造成的影响有多大。

首先，是灵里的损伤。影响你跟上帝的关系，让圣灵担忧。以弗所书四章30节就讲到让圣灵担忧，造成他的痛苦和难过。因为上帝是守约的，你如果行淫，就让圣灵担忧，破坏了这个关系。以弗所书四章，五章是有联系的，列出了让圣灵担忧的事。淫行就让上帝担忧，对上帝造成伤害。继续犯罪，就会使我们的良知越来越麻木。参与淫行，会产生罪咎，羞愧的心理。

这世界一直强调性犯罪不是大问题。可是任何高官在犯了淫行后，都会感到羞愧和罪咎。上帝希望我们坦然面对他，可是在性犯罪中挣扎的人，就会觉得自己被定罪了，不配来到上帝面前。性犯罪中，魔鬼会不断的逼促你，做了之后，就马上定你的罪，让你羞愧。上帝供应我们，洗净我们，只要我们按照他的方法做。

同时，邪灵的污秽可能跟着发生了。邪灵会经由性行为由一个人身上传到另一个人身上。两人发生性交，就是二人成为一体。邪灵就有机会进入了。就像性病互相传递一样，邪灵也有了合法的权力从一人身上进入另一人身上。旧约中，能够让上帝的子民犯罪的方法之一就是性犯罪，人让邪灵进入就会被掳走。

民数记二十五章巴兰想要咒诅以色列，上帝说不行，他们是蒙福的。于是他就差那些拜偶像的女人到他们中间，引诱他们，与他们同房，他们就因此跌倒了。士师记十六章的参孙，那些人就是在等他掉进淫行里，夺走他的力量，把他掳走了。是淫行让他先在灵里被捆绑了。大卫王也是因为性犯罪，引起了后面的欺骗和谋杀。旧约中发生的性犯罪，是会被律法治死的，死亡的灵就合法进入了。性犯罪让邪灵的污秽很容易发生。我以前分享过的一个女孩，有过被污鬼压制的情况，因她曾跟一位参与邪教的人发生性行为。

另一个灵里的损伤是，不敬虔的魂结产生了，让邪灵有权力进来。魂结是一种结合，二人成为一体时，他们结合在一起了。如果他们结婚了，是合法的结合；如果没有结婚，就是不敬虔的魂结。这样的结合，就让邪灵进入生命。如果性伴侣之间的魂结被打破，邪灵通常会马上发作。

灵里的影响是我们跟上帝的关系受损。邪灵进来，良心受损，人被定罪，邪灵的魂结就产生了。

上帝让我们留意性犯罪，因为我们里面会有改变，要转回来是很不容易的。保持自己的清洁，就会有改变，修复损伤需要很大的努力。

我们再看魂的部分。箴言五，六，七章都有讲到性犯罪。第五章3至6节，“因为淫妇的嘴滴下蜂蜜，他的口比油更滑。 至终却苦似茵蔯，快如两刃的刀。他的脚，下入死地。他脚步，踏住阴间。以致他找不着生命平坦的道。他的路变迁不定，自己还不知道。”这里讲的就是淫行。当人开始行淫，就变得苦毒。苦毒的男女，感觉在性关系中被人利用。原来期待亲密和爱，却被拒绝，被抛弃，最终变得苦毒。当你服事人时，要留意这里面的苦毒。另外，死地和阴间都是属灵的势力，死亡让人孤立麻木，阴间折磨人。这两种灵在性犯罪中很常见。

箴言五章22节，“恶人必被自己的罪孽捉住。他必被自己的罪恶如绳索缠绕。” 第六章32，33节，“与妇人行淫的，便是无知，行这事的，必丧掉生命。他必受伤损，必被凌辱。他的羞耻不得涂抹。” 我们看到媒体上曝光的任何淫行的事件，都会给当事人带来极大的羞耻和痛苦。第七章24至27节，“众子阿，现在要听从我，留心听我口中的话。你的心，不可偏向淫妇的道。不要入他的迷途。因为被他伤害仆倒的不少。被他杀戮的而且甚多。他的家是在阴间之路，下到死亡之宫。”这里再次提到伤害，死亡，阴间。如要了解整个引诱和试探，可以参考箴言第六章。

魂里会受到伤害。魂到底发生了什么？魂包括了意念，情绪，想像，意志力等方面。

在魂的方面，首先就是污秽的画面和记忆。记忆是这样运作的，把你所经历， 看见的图像，保留在头脑中。如果连结欢乐的感觉，或激烈的痛苦，铭记就深。如果重复发生，铭记就会更深。性犯罪的本性，每一次参与性行为，会有化学成分产生，头脑中的图像无法抹掉。祷告时会出现，与配偶亲密时也会出现。因为它在你里面，在你的头脑中。邪灵就是用它来操纵你，定你的罪。

头脑中敬拜，亲密上帝的领域，与性亲密是同一地方。当敬拜神时，头脑使用的部分，与性亲密时使用的部分相同，所以那些图画都出现了。如果在健康的婚姻关系中，就不会有这种情况，但如果是不健康，不敬虔的性关系，画面就出来了。要拦阻你跟上帝亲密。

第二层是情绪的痛苦。是什么样的情绪呢？当你想起这段感情，这段关系破裂了，通常会有忧伤，因为你对这段关系期待很高。感觉被拒绝；常常苦毒；常常会恨，恨男人，恨女人，恨自己；常常愤怒，羞愧。

为了寻找爱而被伤害，魂受到了伤害，产生了忧伤和愤怒；感觉被拒绝，这人就开始变得苦毒。如果女人被男人引诱，又被抛弃，就会恨自己，怎么让这种事发生，这都是秘密，不让家人知道，就造成了很大的羞耻感。

当你跟人讲话，他很少会跟你说他做了什么，他的生命有多糟，你只需了解有这样的折磨就够了。人的里面还有困惑，因为他不单只有一段关系，多个部分的魂都有受伤，魂都四散了；等到结婚时，已经很难把自己给人了，太多破碎，太多痛苦。人已经被分散了，很难把自己完整的献给对方。有时会觉得还依附在别的人身上。有时，配偶会在灵里感觉到，你没有跟我在一起。

性交是亲密，是从里面连结。当我教导你在灵里流露时，我要你专注，如果你心不在焉，就没有办法接触，灵里就不能接触。跟配偶性亲密，两人的魂不可能不连结，不要去幻想别的关系，这样头脑就没法专注，伤害和羞愧因此就进来了。

如果男人从事色情的东西，他整个大脑中的化学反应都改变了，每经历一次色情的东西，包括幻想，欲望，或手淫的行为，他的头脑就被捆绑了。当人观看色情的东西时，他们面对的不是真正的人，而只是一个形象。在这形象中，把女人物件化，把女人当成一件物品供他享乐。当男人看色情时，他的大脑被训练成为，看见女人时，无法看见上帝的 形象，因为他看不见人，只看见身体。这种污秽的想像，无法让他进入婚姻的亲密，变得自我为中心，不能去爱，因此变态的娼妓的灵就进入他里面。他的配偶也感觉不到他的爱了，因为他没法跟她在灵里流露，他的意念被不同的思想污秽了，整个意念都需要洁净。

创世纪五章6节讲到有一群天使从天上堕落下来，就是因为他们想跟女人行淫。他们看到上帝给人的能力，他们也想要做男人，就离开了上帝给他们的岗位，与女人行淫。可以看出，问题比你想像的更多。

最后要讲的是，人的魂中有摧毁的反应。当人受伤时，通常会防卫保护自己，因此人发生淫行时，很常见的反应，就是在心里筑起墙以免继续受伤。需要留意的典型问题是：

第一，内在誓言。内心里面自己立誓，这是出于愤怒和伤害。如“我再也不要相信男人”或“再也不要相信女人”。如果你内心做了这样的誓言，你的内心就会相信它，你自己可能已经忘记了这个誓言。多年后你结婚了，遇见了一位很棒的男人，可是你的心会说“不要相信他”，不管他有多好，你还是不相信他。关系开始失败， 是因为你内在不信任的引领，你内在的誓言。我有碰见过有人内在誓言不要怀男孩，她每次怀男孩都会流产。当人为保护自己做了内在誓言，就在心里筑起了坚固营垒， 没有了生育能力。

第二，毒根的论断。由于过往的经历，觉得男人一定让人失望，或女人就想掌控你，他们是不可信的。这类的苦毒论断会污秽你将来所有的关系。很常见的是死亡之怨。“我死了算了。”因为做过的事情产生极大的羞愧和怨恨，这样的想法就出现了。服事人时，我们需要看到他魂里的反应。所有的罪都在人身体之外，只有性犯罪是在人里面，这里有罪的问题，邪灵的问题，不敬虔的魂结，图像就印记在头脑里，造成内心的伤害和反应，所以上帝警告我们，不是性不好，而是我们需要按照上帝的指示做，他才成为美好。

性犯罪另一个问题是制造了很多的黑暗和秘密。因为被它带来的羞愧遮盖，埋在里面让黑暗蔓延。当今，这个问题越来越严重，特别在网络上，让人有很多机会接触到性变态，即使简单的接触，都会对生命造成很大伤害。我们曾为一位年青牧师的儿子祷告，他接触网络色情约有两年的时间。牧师很难过，家里已经做了所有的保护措施，但他的儿子又去到他的朋友家，那家的父亲不管孩子，所以两个男孩一起在电脑上看色情的东西。青少年只要看过一次，马上就上瘾了。

色情的英文来自两个词，“妓女”和“书写”。对于娼妓的描述就是色情的源头。色情的背后就是召妓的行为，变态的灵，拜偶像的灵。娼妓是为了赚钱才做这样的事。 变态的灵，就扭曲了上帝的形象。女人也是按上帝的形象造的，色情就毁掉了这样的形象，把人当成了物件。男人对色情是最没有抵抗力的，因为他们容易受到视觉的影响，他们也害怕在感情上受拒绝。他们里面想得安慰，控制这样的欲望驱动。色情会改变我们大脑的化学成分，在脑内释放胺多酚和脑内酚等。色情是上瘾的，就像滥用药物一样，越看就想越多，最后就会产生魂结，将人锁在了色情的图像和网络上，依附在上面了。

耶稣在马太福音五章28节说，“看见妇女动了淫念就是犯了奸淫了。”色情打开门让情欲的灵，变态的灵，娼妓的灵，拜偶像的灵进来。旧约中，当以色列人进入拜偶像的文化中时，常有庙妓出现。他们拜偶像的过程中，跟男妓和女妓发生性行为很常见。上帝原来想祝福我们的心意，变成了邪灵的入口。最近，我读到一份有关色情的调查报告，他们研究的项目是，当人接触色情时，脑部会发生什么反应。他们的发现是：完全没有接触过色情的人，脑部的反应不会很大。而看过很多色情东西的人，大脑中很大的区域都被启动了，与吸毒的人的大脑被驱动的区域一样。结论是，脑部对色情的化学反应，与其它让人上瘾的东西发生的反应是一样的。这样的研究有很多人抗拒，色情与毒品一样让人上瘾，会改变大脑的结构，形成虚幻，而且有耐受性，要越用越重。

圣经中提到很多淫行，大家可以自己查考。例如：苟合，奸淫，同性恋，强奸，与邪灵的性亲密，虐童，兽交，娼妓，乱伦，强暴，虐待等等，任何扭曲上帝造人的模式都会造成问题。

我们需要有策略释放人自由，得自由的道路包括，箴言二十八章13节“遮掩自己罪过的，必不亨通。承认离弃罪过的，必蒙怜恤。”

如何服事人得自由？第一，求圣灵的帮助，显明问题的根源。处理任何问题都需要依靠圣灵的帮助，学习用心聆听，他给你的感动，可能是一个小小的需要问的问题，观察对方的反应。第二，诊断问题。一直发问，直到找到问题的根源。有可能是历代遗传下来的；也可能是这人经历过的创伤，如小时候的性虐待，接触过性虐待的画面或直接被性虐待；是否有犯罪的情形。性犯罪有很大的欺骗性，人们想隐藏所发生的一切，但只有面对真相，不留黑暗，才能完全洗清。

例如一位年青人经历了家庭的破裂，在痛苦中寻找安慰，性犯罪是他的安慰，但根源是他家庭的破碎。要找到根源，不要只看到表面的罪。跟他分享你看到的问题，与他互动。如果不明白问题的广度，只能治标不治本。这人要对你诚实，他跟你说的事情，如果有犯罪的因素，你不可以掩盖，不可以掩盖虐待的事情。严重的事情，我保留寻求协助的自由，否则可能被吸到可怕的境地。如有人说我性侵犯我的妹妹，或与教会的领袖发生性关系等。

在服事中，不能先签订保密条款。当然，隐私需要被尊重，不向任何人揭露隐私，可是不能担保保守秘密，要向上面的人报告，需要专家的建议。如果有人告诉你一个重大的秘密，你不与人谈，反而会对你造成很大的定罪感，他就把你拉进了他自己多年的黑暗和秘密中，千万不要被拐进这样的委身中。

有一个人来找我，他与一位女子结婚，生了两个男孩，他性虐待这两个男孩。他来认罪，因为他陷入极大的折磨中。我对他说，你的诚实是好的， 让事情曝光。这件事情是错的，有很多后果。第一，你跟上帝的关系。你背叛了妻子的信任，违背了你的婚约，因为你虐待孩子。第二，你这是犯罪违法的行为。这种行为是不能隐藏的，我不能隐藏，我也不想隐藏。你的选择是：告诉这位女子你做了什么，不可避免她应该向警察报案；或者，你可以自首。我不会帮你遮掩，我会给你一点时间让你决定如何回应，这是犯罪，你需要面对后果。圣经讲得很清楚，如果认罪悔改，你会得怜恤。直接面对，代表以后会有比较正面的结果。我给他一个星期，之后整个事情被揭露了。注意这里，我没有陷入帮他保守秘密的陷阱里，我不希望成为掩盖他犯罪的帮凶。如果你帮他保密，你整个的事工都会被瓦解，别人看你是协助侵犯孩童的一份子。教会的人也会被迷惑，他们怜悯罪犯，所以我们必须按正常的管道处理，不然就成为了共犯。

求主赦免，神保证会赦免，他们要转离罪行，悔改不是只道歉，而是要转离这一切。你需要跟他解释需要饶恕的部分，这些人要饶恕伤害过他们的人。这部分会有愤怒和忧伤，可能需要花一点时间，帮助这个人承认自己的愤怒和忧伤，然后从心里饶恕。我们可以练习写一封信给你生气的人，但不要寄出去。将你心中的愤怒写下来，让自己看见，然后在主的面前解决他。饶恕是两重的，首先饶恕伤害你的人，然后领受饶恕，原谅自己。有些人，特别是女士，很难饶恕自己，觉得很羞愧。你需要跟她谈，不要再要求自己，上帝已经饶恕你了。

另外一个需要做的是，帮助他弃绝，砍断这些捆绑。需要撤销的捆绑包括：不敬虔的性的魂结，如砍断色情的魂结，砍断网路的魂结；或者防卫式的反应，如内在誓言，论断，死亡之愿等等，都要弃绝。最后，到主面前，求主释放他们自由。先悔改认罪，转离罪恶，说出认罪的话。“主啊，赦免我，因我犯了色情的罪，求你洗净释放我自由，远离生命里的污秽。”宣告饶恕他人，也要领受饶恕，原谅自己。

那么如何服事人呢？首先，还是要跟从圣灵的引导。奉基督的名，打破所有的捆绑。打破历代的罪孽和咒诅，魂结，内在誓言等；然后命令邪灵离开。会有各种各样的邪灵，如情欲的灵，变态的灵，拜偶像的灵，历代家族中的灵，色情的灵，奸淫的灵，仇恨的灵，苦毒的灵，忧伤的灵，羞愧的灵，自我仇恨的灵，死亡的灵，折磨的灵，阴间的灵等等。

大家要从三方面来看，因行为本身而进来的灵；也有因这个人对加害他的人的反应而进来的灵；还有因他对自己的反应而进来的灵。对自己的反应有：自我仇恨，羞愧，苦毒。对加害人的反应有：恨男人或女人，苦毒，愤怒，暴怒。 这些都是有逻辑联系的。有时，只要一讲到这个灵的名字，他就会发作跑出来了，要一一把他们打破。

例如，呼召的时候，有时为人按手，就能释放神的能力；但有些人没有反应，就要叫出这些灵的名字，上帝会把灵的名字给你，让你往哪里找。是罪？还是对加害人的？还是对自己的？

我求圣灵帮助我从这个人的灵，魂，体中挪走一切因过去关系带来的伤害。他进入你里面了，就求圣灵把他赶出去。也求圣灵恢复他以前四散的部分。为人这样祷告时，他们会流泪，他们里面的羞愧无法摆脱，特别是女士。

我的祷告是这样的，“主啊，求你将他因过去的关系对他的身，心，灵造成的伤害挪走，他所有在感情上的付出，求你为他恢复，让他能振作起来。求主释放洁净，圣洁的灵进入他的生命。主啊，求你的爱和洁净的能力进入他的身体。” 他的身体已经没法再清洁，但上帝会给他灵里的清洁，就如同这件事没有发生一样。呼召时，没办法做完全部这些事，可以在单独祷告时这样做。服事中所做的就是要弥补过去性犯罪所造成的伤害。

如何做服事之后的跟进？性犯罪在人生命中造成的影响是非常严重的，第一次的性行为对人有极大的影响。跟进的方面有：

1. 家中的洁净，有没有任何的物件需要清除？可能有杂志，电脑档案，以前的书，照片，礼物等等。记得与罪隔绝，与上帝同行。过去任何有可能控制你，让你犯罪的东西，统统扔掉，这是他们要负的责任。求圣灵告诉他们需要清理的东西。你也可以给他们一些建议。

2. 有没有任何关系需要保持距离的？保持距离就留下了空间，能够回转过来。如果跟人有性关系，现在还保持这样的关系吗？如果有，他就很容易又回到这个关系中。一旦这个关系变成性的，就成为了单纯的身体关系，他们需要分开一段时间，正确的与上帝同行。

3. 有没有需要道歉的地方？不要严厉命令他如何做，要求圣灵让他看见。有时道歉会让事情变得更糟，有时不理他更好。有时上帝不要求道歉和恢复，有时要求做一个象征性的例子。你必须要听圣灵的。

如果需要道歉，首先，必须正确的道歉，绝对不能怪罪别人。道歉自己的部分，即使别人有合作。其次，必须清楚讲明为什么道歉。第三，先处理自己的忧伤和愤怒。如果跟人道歉，心里却很埋怨，怨恨就没用了。自己要没有怒气，没有怪罪，清楚知道需要道歉的地方。当面道歉比写信更好，写信像犯行的罪证，当然有时简单便条也可以接受。在对方方便的时候，当面道歉，道歉必须要简短，“谢谢你让我有机会与你谈话，上帝跟我说话，我明白我的行为对你造成很深的伤害，请你原谅我。”这样做是需要勇气的，可是它在你的心里，良知上会有很大的改变。别人可能不原谅你，但这不重要，那是他们的问题。别人可能不想见你，你也许可以通过电话简短的说，或写一封短信，一定要简短。

最后，也是最难的一点，就是重建生命。要保持清洁，就要做不一样的事情。想洁净，知道洁净是好的，知道你的生命要服事上帝。我需要的意象是服事上帝的生命，生命借我流露，建立自己的生命，每天方言祷告，让属灵的生命得到能量，默想上帝的话，默想上帝的爱，让上帝的爱进入我的生命，在生命中宣告神的话语，每一天将你的生命带到他的话语中。每天对我的心说，吩咐我的心转离一切幻想和性犯罪。我在灵里兴起，协助我的心转向神，因为一生的果效是由心发出的。同时，对意念说话，你的身体会回应你的话语。

记得耶稣曾对一棵树说，不再结果子。对意念说，我咒诅跟性犯罪相关的记忆，完全不结果子，枯干。Caroline Leaf写过一部书，她的研究表明，你的思想意念会占大脑的部分空间，这些神经像树一样。你想到一个念头，这棵树就会亮起来，如果是正面的想法，这棵树就会很健康。一旦你有性犯罪的念头，它们就被激活开始改变了，你就要想这棵树，奉耶稣的名，咒诅它不再结果子，拒绝它。重建自己在神里面的生命，设定生命的方向，在没有受到引诱之前，每天设定自己的方向。

接下来，就是有意念进来时就把它掳住。当试探来，就掳掠它，掳掠你的思想。例如，一位男士在路上看到一位穿着非常暴露的女士走过来，立刻这种形象开始出现，他思想的路径开始看她是一个物件，这时就需要立刻夺走这样的想法。开始拦阻，拒绝把女人当物件的想法。“要夺去你的想法。”（哥林多后书十章5节。）就好像有活的东西冲向你的脑部，马上抓住他，把他扔出去。转移焦点，注意别的东西，你的头脑就开始了新的念头。只是认为这样想不对，不可以这样想，一点用都没有，因为那是律法。

如果我在前面放一个盒子，上面有一个红色的大大的按钮，旁边写上“不准按”，只有你和盒子在房间中，你最想要做的事就是按按钮。好像着迷了一样。换句话说，律法让你不要按，反而自己越想犯罪。律法没有能力救我们。你告诉一个人不可以这样做，他反而更想做。就像有牌子写着“油漆未干”，很多人最想做的就是摸一摸。因为心里面有东西被挑起来，所以律法没法帮到你。最好的做法是，不要去想这样想是不对的，我不是好的基督徒，这样的策略只会让你感觉失败。而是要想“主啊，这是毁灭的想法，我不想这样想，我要转向其它的方向，耶稣，感谢你的圣洁在我里面起来。”你要用属灵但实际的方式来处理。定自己的罪是没有帮助的。

还有一个帮助就是负责任，对别人坦诚。坦白承认是自己负责任的改变。如果请别人监督我的生命，不代表问题变成他的了，还是自己的问题。平常我们可以这样跟人讲，“我在这方面有挣扎，不断想释放自己，我想要得自由，我不知在小组中怎样做，我跟你见面时，希望你能帮助我，问我做的怎么样，问我是不是说真话，希望你帮助我继续保持承诺。”坦白负责，承认这是我要走的路，请别人帮助。敞开是走向自由的道路，当然要确保帮助你的人不会定你的罪。

要有简单的策略面对失败。在这条路上一定会有失败，圣经说，“义人的脚步为上帝所立定，即使跌倒，上帝都会搀扶他，不致他全身扑倒。”如果你跌倒，不管是色情，手淫自慰，立刻承认，很快的悔改，里面重新站起来，让耶稣的宝血在你身上。你越留在定罪里面，罪就越掌控你的生命。一个人如果失败，赶快转向主，“主啊，对不起，我向你认罪，我真的很抱歉。主啊，我接受你的饶恕，接受你的洗净，我再次站在你面前。”因为你跟上帝断绝了关系，就让问题延续，要相信上帝会饶恕，要说出话，悔改认罪，信实的上帝一定会赦免你，洗净你。

最后，要留意罪的循环。画一个大圈，最上面是引发事件，我们犯的罪有很多是预期可以循环的，好像照剧本演出一样。如果你了解罪的循环，通常有引发的事件；跟着有负面的感觉出现，如受伤；接下来就是忧伤沉重，沉重是性犯罪的一个征兆，有特别的压力和沉重。这时就马上要转移焦点，不然，罪的循环的第二步，罪的图像记忆就会回来了，这人就开始犯罪了。他们感到难过，罪咎，跟着就要道歉了，借着祷告读经，回到上面来了。一直循环。

很多男人性犯罪，就像一出排演好的剧本。他们感觉受伤，有负面的感觉；想要感觉好一点，就掉进罪里；觉得抱歉，罪咎，又走出来了。这就是一个罪的循环。解决的方法是，认清罪是如何影响你的，改变你的行为，当你感觉失落时，不要又回到原来的路上，要打破头脑中的既定模式。这些都是如何服事人的方法。

观众提问之一，怎样打破罪的循环？

答：第一，留意并认出这个循环。每个人犯罪的模式是可预期的，他们开始幻想预期这个东西，跟着上电脑寻找，我们要帮助他们认出这个模式，和行出来的过程。

第二，求圣灵帮助他们了解自己的感受。在吸引他性犯罪之前，当他们失落，沉重时就感觉到了，就可以很快的解决问题。要认清如果我不转移焦点，就会重新掉进循环里。不要等到犯罪了，再爬起来。有时只要十五分钟，转移焦点，做不一样的事，你的感觉就改变了，就可以出来不用掉进旧的循环里了。你要形成新的路径，简单的起来，到其他地方，做别的事情，将焦点转移，引诱试探就消退了。

不要刻意抵挡，因为这样你就专注在这上面了，他就越来越大，你向他敞开生命。例如，在我们祷告服事中，如果太专注别人的需要，会让我受不了，专注于自己，我也会关闭。当我专注于主，就打开门让上帝运行。简单的祷告，改变自己的方向，发展新的模式，最后就变成常态了。

如果在性犯罪方面有很长的时间，就需要有人陪他，帮助他做到。所有的罪的代价，上帝都付清了。最糟的是活在定罪里，相信自己不对，很糟糕。上帝说“我爱你，你是我的儿女。”

宗教的定罪是性犯罪的温床，你的头脑被设计好要走上这条路，重新设计路程需要花时间。性犯罪在你里面发生改变，但上帝胜过这一切。

观众问题之二：如何帮助释放同性恋者？

答： 首先就是要爱他，接受他，他们是有价值的人。最难的是克服对这种行为的罪恶感和论断。同性恋也是人，他们有自己的痛苦和过程。上帝爱他们，为他们而死。同性恋周围有很多问题造成他们更大的困难，你要让他感到你接纳他，看重他这个人。

可是对很多同性恋者，他们的认同太依附在他们的行为上。当你指出他的行为，他就会觉得你在人身攻击。耶稣接触的人中也有同性恋，可是耶稣与他们一同吃饭，从来没有认同他们的行为。别人首先接触到的就是你的态度，你最先要调整的也是你的态度，上帝帮助我们爱每一个人。

有些人我知道是同性恋者，我会拥抱他，跟拥抱其他人一样。他就是一个人，常常他们还很有创造力，他们通常在感情和家庭中受到很大的伤害。因为他们的创意，就很难让他们融入男性或女性的文化中。他们生命中有很深的拒绝的根。他们很多人可能是被人占过便宜或虐待，这就打开了门；有些只是孤单，需要感情。他们寻找的跟其他人一样，就是爱。当你了解他们，就知道他们在错误的地方找爱，错误的人身上找爱。他们的生命产生这样的问题，性犯罪在里面造成问题，同性恋的身上产生更大的问题。

吸引他们来到基督面前，而不是要先解决他们的问题。有时身为基督徒，我们希望他们先把生命调整对了，才接近神；可是上帝说我爱你的原样，接纳你，一旦我进入你的生命，陪你走这条路，让上帝的能力进入他生命。

基督徒面对这些人时，常常喜欢当面对峙，认为罪就是罪，而没有想到这人对上帝是很珍贵的，只有圣灵才有能力改变他们。我的工作不是改变他们，而是爱他们，将他们带向耶稣。你不逼他们改变，而是让上帝改变他们；你只需要照耶稣说的去做，爱他们，为他们祷告，把基督带给他们，帮助他们走与基督同行的路，主会处理好这些事情。

有些来到教会的人是同居的关系，我们不会当面与他们对峙，指责他们，而是带他们跟上帝同行，相信当他接触到上帝的爱，神国度的原则，开始与上帝同行，圣灵和他们的良知会让他们知道这是错误的，不应该做的。他有了这个很大的恩典，不用担心将来的事情，相信我带他们继续与上帝同行，上帝会对他们的心说话，让他们知道这样做不对。

可是，我们对教会会友，会直接问这个问题。大部分的人在我们还没有开始问他们时，就已经谈过了。不过我们还是需要澄清他们是否住在一起。让我们谈谈好吗？你现在进入上帝的家中，需要面对这样的情况。有时情况会很复杂，帮助每一个个人走上这条路程。有些人的情况确实很糟糕，出来才是重点；有些人需要结婚；没有统一的答案。就像基督爱他们一样，我们也爱他们，告诉他们真理，让他们自己决定如何往前走。

医治同性恋，帮助他们得释放，我没有所有的答案，但我知道耶稣爱他们。焦点是做上帝召我们该做的事，而不做不该做的，就是爱他们，把基督带给他们，鼓励他们与耶稣同行。他们一定会走到需要谈论这个的时候。就像今天这样教导，帮助大家明白上帝如何造人，预备好答案，交谈时应如何讲。

现在它变成了一个很政治化，情绪化的问题了，教会也是一路挣扎过来。现在纽西兰的法律已经改了，同性的人可以结婚了，接下来他们就要开始改我们的教育系统了。这是我们的一个挑战，扩展神的国，让他们看见上帝设计生命的方式如何，而神国的益处只有悔改才能得着，不按照神的方式，罪的后果一定会临到你的。

观众提问之三：合法结婚的夫妻，如果一方带有邪灵，是否代表另一方在性亲密过程中只能长期接受邪灵的进入？

答：这是个很好的问题。不敬虔的关系，就让邪灵有能力进到这人里面。因为你们是用不敬虔的方式结合为一，让他有机会进来折磨你。我觉得善的能力胜过恶，当两人结了婚，是不会想到对方是被鬼附的，婚姻因他们的信仰成圣。我不认为一方会被邪灵附着，他们现在的关系是在上帝的秩序下。我从来没有碰到过因为婚姻从配偶身上得到邪灵的经验。这个关系是按神的方式，邪灵是没有地方进来的。我会多思考一下。

哥林多前书第七章讲到如果信徒跟非信徒结婚，不信之人会因信的人的信心成圣得益，不然他的儿女就不敬虔了。一个有信仰的人的影响力远远大于我们能想像的。

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天父，感谢你我们有这样相聚的时间，感谢你与我们同在，帮助我们，面对困难的情况，找到人生命的解答。主啊，求你的恩典降临到每个人身上，在圣灵里，温柔待人，爱他们，在真理上坚定。祷告在今天的问题上有挣扎的人，能经历极大的得胜。也祷告接下来的聚会，求你的大能释放人得自由，奉耶稣基督的名，阿门！

從世代遺傳的罪惡和咒詛中得自由  

Thu 3rd Oct 2013 « 返回頁首

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什麽是曆代的罪孽和咒詛？怎樣辨別它們？有哪些現象是我們可以看到的？如何服侍他人，釋放他們得自由。

我相信在服侍人的時候，我們需要留意曆代咒詛的根源在哪裡？馬可福音第九章20節説：“他們就帶了他來。他一見耶穌，鬼便叫他重重地抽瘋。倒地上翻來覆去，口中流沫。”這裡這個少年人被邪靈所附，邪靈開始發作出來。你會發現，經常耶穌一到某個地方，那裡邪靈就發作了。這是因爲耶穌身上帶著上帝極重的恩膏和衕在，這些邪靈一定會有所反映。我們生命中的恩膏越強，就越容易經曆到這些事情。特別是當你到第三世界的文化中時，一去就會發現邪靈很容易發作出來。耶穌的門徒想要把鬼趕出去，卻趕不出去。在21節,“ 耶穌問他父親説，他得這病，有多少日子呢。回答説，從小的時後。鬼屢次把他扔在火裏，水裏，要滅他。你若能作什麽，求你憐憫我們，幫助我們。耶穌對他説，你若能信，在信的人，凡事都能。孩子的父親立時喊著説，我信。但我信不足，求主幫助。耶穌看見衆人都跑上來，就斥責那污鬼，説，你們聾啞的鬼，我吩咐你從他裏頭出來，再不要進去。那鬼喊叫，使孩子大大的抽了一陣瘋，就出來了。孩子好像死了一班，以緻衆人多半説，他是死了。但耶穌拉他的手，扶他起來，他就站起來了。耶穌進了屋子，門徒就暗暗的問他[說説]，我們爲什麽不能趕出他去呢。耶穌説，非用禱告，這一類的鬼，總不能出來。”

我們來仔細看這個故事，理解其中更深的含義。首先，你看到一個孩子受邪靈的折磨，邪靈可能在一個人的童年就進入到他的身上。在聖經裏，邪靈在孩子身上的例子不止一個。當然，我們要把頑皮搗蛋，缺乏管教的孩子與受邪靈折磨的孩子區分開。邪靈把這個孩子丟到水裏，火裏，是要毀滅他的生命。在這個故事裡，耶穌問了一個很重要的問題，這個病有多少日子了。如果你要幫助人，服侍人，你要追溯這個人身上是否有曆代的咒詛，你需要問這個問題。如果這個人回憶説這個問題很小就有了，就有兩種情況。第一，可能是在很小的時候就麵對的創傷；第二就是曆代家族的咒詛。從這兩個問題可以找到一些線索，以確定是否是曆代的咒詛，遺傳了下來。第一個問題，這個事情多久了，就是什麽時候開始的；第二個問題，你家中別的人有沒有類似的情況。從前麵的經文中我們看到，耶穌一開始也是問孩子的爸爸這個問題，他回答説，小的時候就開始了，按照這個父親描述的經歷，幾乎可以確定這個孩子身上就是這種曆代咒詛的邪靈。這種曆代的咒詛，就是很多人問題的根源。重要的一點是，耶穌説，要釋放就一定要有信心。

你若能信，凡事都能，信是最關鍵的。我要是相信上帝會運行，我就有能力把這個鬼趕出去。門徒問耶穌，爲什麽這個鬼我們趕不出去呢？他們做過很多釋放，為什麽這一次卻失敗了呢？“耶穌説，非用禱告，這一類的鬼，總不能出來。”耶穌的話有幾層含義；首先，邪靈有不衕的位階和能力；第二，我們需要有信心；沒有信心，什麽都不會發生，雖然有時候可能會有抵擋，相信上帝會賜下這樣的突破；第三，需要禁食禱告幫我們建立信心。我們註意到，耶穌常常禁食禱告。在上麵的經文中我們看到，當這個邪靈出來的時候，耶穌馬上認出它是什麽鬼，原來它是聾啞鬼。如果你能夠認出邪靈，講出它的名字，它在這個人身上的勢力馬上就減弱了。耶穌直接命令邪靈出來，並且命令邪靈不可以再進去。在我查考聖經中，這是耶穌唯一一次命令邪靈不可以再進去。我覺得耶穌之所以這樣説，是因爲這是個孩子，而其它的例子，特別是在馬太福音十二章，耶穌[說説]邪靈是有機會再回來的。因此，我們需要與上帝建立良好的關係。

我跟大家分享一些曾經服侍過的一些人，可以很清楚的看到他們身上曆代遺傳下來的邪靈。第一個是一個很小的孩子。兩個人找到我説，“我們的孩子有一個很嚴重的問題，衹要他一醒過來，就開始砸毀房間裡的東西。我們都不知道爲什麽這樣，他才大概兩三歲。”我就開始了解他們的背景，以確定這一特別行為背後的根源。原來這個爸爸有很嚴重的毒品問題，易怒問題；而這個媽媽的家族在邪教巫術上有研究。這兩個家族曏邪靈敞開，影響到了這個孩子。孩子醒著時很難禱告，邪靈常常發作，孩子開始大喊，又踢又打，很難釋放。我就在孩子睡著時請父母跟我一起跪下來，我的手沒有碰到他，離開他的頭一點點，開始禱告，吩咐從父親家族，母親家族來的邪靈的咒詛全部離開，命令邪靈離開。那個孩子就像打了個哈欠，哈出一口氣，我禱告好幾次，他都會大哈一口氣，很明顯看到不一樣，我禱告讓邪靈不再進入這個孩子，也釋放平安進入孩子身上。整個過程孩子都沒有醒來。第二天孩子的父母打電話給我[說説]，孩子醒過來後，完全沒有了以前那種摧毀性的行為了，完全消失了。這件事對於我來説，也是一個學習的機會。看到這些曆代邪靈的真實性，認清它是怎樣發生的，最重要的是怎樣處理它。

我再舉一個大人的例子，一個五十多歲的婦人找到我，説她在教會爲主工作很多年了，有一個問題一直睏擾她，希望得到幫助。首先我需要問的三個問題：問題是什麽？對你的影響是什麽？這個問題什麽時候開始的？她説長期以來，性不潔，污穢的畫麵一直在她腦中出現，特別是在敬拜的時候攪擾她。我問這種狀況多久了，她説從很小的時候就開始了。我再問“你過去有沒有遭受過性虐待或接觸過類似的畫麵？”她説沒有。現在剩下唯一的可能就是曆代的邪靈了。我又問了一些關於她家庭背景的問題。她的祖父是到中國去的宣教士，有兩個孩子，其中一個女兒就是這位婦人的媽媽，還有一個兒子。他們在中國的一個省服事，把孩子送到另一個省的寄宿學校學習，而該省當時被日本人統管。學校被日本人接管後，該女孩長期受到日本人的性虐待。後來，這孩子終於回到父母身邊，再後來他們離開了中國，女孩結婚生子，夫妻之間的關係又破裂了。我問這個女孩，你願不願意代錶你的家人，饒恕日本士兵？她説願意。 我跟她一起做了一個簡單的禱告，承認她的基督的信心，棄絶她家族中傳下來的性虐待的過去，饒恕那些士兵，當我命令的時候，那個污鬼就大發作跑出去了。從那一刻開始，她的頭腦就開始清晰了，再也沒有以前的折磨了。

現在我們以加拉太書三章13節做總結，看看耶穌的作為。“ 基督既爲我們受了咒詛、就贖出我們脫離律法的咒詛．因[為爲]經上記著、『凡掛在木頭上都是被咒詛的。』”經文講得很清楚，耶穌在十字架上的成就，就是救贖我們脫離咒詛，帶我們進入祝福。這裡特別強調挪走以前因爲違背神的律法而受到的咒詛。上帝的目的是讓福分臨到我們，聖靈在我們生命中的運行，就是我們福分的源頭。祝福代錶恩惠，代錶有果效，代錶神的生命流入。

“叫亞伯拉罕的福臨到外邦人”。上帝賜福亞伯拉罕，在耶穌身上成就了。當我們認衕耶穌，與他衕活，就有福分釋放下來，臨到我們。認衕耶穌，[並併]調整我們的生命與他配合，我們就是在耶穌裏麵新造的人。上帝的福分臨到他的兒子耶穌基督，當我認衕他，我就蒙福。當你做了基督徒，認衕基督的死亡，埋葬與復活，你就已經享受蒙福的地位了。

蒙福是因為你跟基督的關係，不是因為你做的事情。有一個危險是，我們進入基督後，又重新回到律法中去。我蒙福是因為認衕基督，而不是我做了什麽，不然你就又回到律法了。耶穌救贖我們脫離律法的咒詛，所有代價他都付清了，他在各各他山上的工作已經打破了所有的咒詛，耶穌死在十字架上，聖經説“凡掛在十字架上的，都是受詛咒的”。他救我們脫離咒詛，自己被咒詛，他完全滿足了上帝的要求。

咒詛背後的權勢救贖邪靈。咒詛是屬靈敵對我們的力量，是邪靈賜下的能力，它會一直運行直到被打破爲止。很多人因為受到咒詛不斷的掙扎，我們要將耶穌所成就的，直接逼迫這個邪靈。我們必須了解：第一，祝福背後的勢力是聖靈，當你認衕耶穌，你的生命就蒙福。以弗所書第一章告訴我們，在基督裏，受到將天上所有的福分都賜給了我們，我不需要努力得著福分，我衹需要領受福分。第二，咒詛的背後是邪靈的勢力。咒詛是因為違背了上帝的律法。耶穌救贖我們脫離一切因[為爲]過去違背上帝律法而受到的咒詛，救贖代錶完全付清贖金，釋放一個人自由。耶穌付了全部的代價，我還要付多少呢？不用付了。耶穌已經供應我，讓我得福，我還要做什麽才能贏得福分呢？什麽都不用，我衹要相信。

一個人怎樣保持自由，得勝的關鍵就是信心。不是更努力。我越努力，就越陷入律法的詛咒之下。神召我活出蒙福的生命，我已經是得福的人了，不管發生什[幺麼麽]，因為信耶穌，我已經蒙福。在各樣事上蒙福，在每個領域蒙福。不用賺取這福分，而是因信心釋放的。

我們看一看關於曆代的罪孽和咒詛的幾處經文。出埃及記二十章2至6節，十誡，“我是耶和華你的　神、曾將你從埃及地[為爲]奴之家領出來。除了我以外、你不可有別的神。不可爲自己雕刻偶像、也不可作甚麽形像、彷彿上天、下地、和地底下、水中的百物． 不可跪拜那些像、也不可事奉他、因為我耶和華你的　神是忌邪的　神、恨我的、我必追討他的罪、自父及子、直到三四代．愛我守我誡命的、我必曏他們發慈愛、直到千代。”這裡上帝很清楚的警告我們不準拜偶像。上帝看人是把你當作家人看待。而我們看人，衹是看到每個個體。上帝可以看到幾代人，他的計劃是讓福分幾代的傳下去。福分是上帝的恩惠，是聖靈在我們周遭的流露。當我們與上帝衕行，過敬虔的生活，我們的子女就蒙福。他們什麽都不用做，就可以領受上帝極大的恩惠。因為他們是愛神的子民的兒女。上帝的設想是每一代能夠建立在前一代跟上帝的關係之上，繼續的進行。我們每天做的小小的選擇，會將我們引曏特定的方曏。我的岳父母現都已過世，我清楚記得岳父八十歲的生日，全家和朋友們一起慶祝。他們有五個兒女，全部長大結婚，有很多不衕年齡的孫子。晚上，當大家一起爲他祝壽時，二十個孫子都站起來錶達他們對爺爺的愛。這些年來，他一直刻意與上帝衕行，爲主工作。他也決定在每個孫子身上投資，在他們五至十一歲的年紀時，帶他們去度假，有時兩三個，有時四五個孩子，一起跟爺爺去度假。他們一起靈修，禱告，一起玩，每個人都可以選擇這一天怎樣過。這麽多年來，他做了各式各樣的活動，他相信這種家族曆代的産業可以一直傳承。在慶祝時，我岳父的兄弟也在場，可他完全走的是另一條路。他拒絶耶穌，現在是第二次婚姻，因為各樣的外遇和不忠實，現在又跟別人在一起了。兩個女兒都沒有結婚，很特別的一家人，也沒有孫子女。當他們兩兄弟一起長大時，他嘲笑哥哥相信耶穌，可是等到他八十歲時，就可以看出來他當時的決定帶出的一生的果效如何。一個與上帝衕行，投資在家庭中，有敬虔的産業留下來，有美好的婚姻，穩定的家庭，有愛祖父的孫子女們。而另一個，沒有穩定的婚姻，沒有穩定的家庭，也沒有産業留給孫子女。

我們了解上帝的計劃是讓敬虔的産業代代相傳，如果我們選擇活在悖逆的生活中，留下的就是毀滅。衹要與上帝衕行，福分就會不知不覺中進入我們的家庭。我記得多年前到印尼去帶一場約兩千人的聚會。我的兒子David跟我一起。他跟我去過很多次的宣教。通常我的計劃是先訓練領袖，然後再進行大型聚會。但那天是假日，一開始就進行大型聚會，沒有人受過訓練，不知該怎麽做，每一個人都需要釋放，衹有David和我兩個人。呼召時，上千人走出來，成排成排的人站在那裡，我跟David説，一半都是你的，另外一半給我。我在釋放時，看到各式各樣的事情，有人叫喊，邪靈出來。突然，我想看看David在幹什麽，他身邊都是人，有些人倒在地上，有些人大聲叫喊。聖靈在他身上大大的運行。後來他告訴我説，大概三個月前，我決定上帝做在你身上的都是要留給我的産業，我就開始禱告，希望得著屬於我的，真了不起，今天發生的，就是禱告的結果。這就是繼承敬虔的産業。他能夠站起來説，在你身上所有的，都是屬於我的。代錶我不用像你那樣付代價才能得著，我得著是因為我是你的家人。衕樣我們得著基督的一切，是因為他是我們的長兄，我們是與他連結的，我們衹需要起來去得著這一切，突破了，就得福分。

衕時，罪也是有曆代延續的後果的。“不可爲自己雕刻偶像、也不可作甚麽形像、彷彿上天、下地、和地底下、水中的百物.”（出埃及記二十章4節）。第一個最大的例子就是亞當。他犯罪，我們每一個人生下來都有罪。上帝講明，有些罪有曆代延續的後果。在耶利米哀歌五章2至6節，“我們的産業、歸與外邦人．我們的房屋、歸與外路人。 我們是無父的孤兒．我們的母親、好像寡婦。 我們出錢才得水喝．我們的柴是人賣給我們的。 追趕我們的、到了我們的頸項上．我們疲乏不得歇息。 我們投降埃及人、和亞述人、[為爲]要得糧吃飽。”。請留意，我們是受人逼迫的，我們的景象是尷尬和羞辱的，上帝給我們的産業已經被別人拿走了，所有的福分都沒了，我們像孤兒一樣，沒有父親。原來免費喝的水，現在要給錢了，柴也要買了，我們這樣勞苦努力，完全不得歇息。還被埃及亞述人捆綁奴役。接著第7節就講出了問題的源頭。“我們列祖犯罪、而今不在了．我們擔[噹當]他們的罪孽。”。就是説，父母做得不對，子女承擔[后後]果。

我們再回到出埃及記二十章，上帝很特定的講到拜偶像的罪孽。“我耶和華你的神，是嫉妒的神。”（出埃及記二十章5節）。神説他對我們有熱烈的愛，當他看到你有別的情人的時候，他非常不高興。我們講的不是邪惡的上帝，他説“我對你的愛是這樣的深，如果看到你跟別人走，對我造成很深的傷害。”這[裏裡]用的是婚姻上的用語。我想多解釋一下前後文的背景，讓大家有更多的了解，上帝在什麽情況下把十誡頒給他們的。希伯來文化中，大部分人認為，上帝把律法寫下來，行的好就好，行的不好就受懲罰。記得當時上帝帶這些人到曠野裡來，上帝跟百姓説想見他們。上帝的話對希伯來人是有意義的。“你們是我特別的寶貝”。希伯來文化中，兩個人要結婚會有幾個步驟。第一步就是要説“你是我特別的寶貝”。然後才下聘禮，訂婚，結婚。他們會在帳幕中預備婚禮。新郎拿出他們的婚約。婚約列出婚姻中所提出的條件《出埃及記》二十章中的Katuba指的就是婚約。他們交換誓言，彼此衕意一起維繫婚姻。他們做奴役許多年了，這個婚約對他們來[說説]是很美的。好像夫妻之間許配給了上帝。大家可以在網絡上搜索一下希伯來人的婚姻，他們整個訂婚的過程，就會在《出埃及記》看到，整個過程就是與上帝立約的過程。上帝説，在婚姻中不忠誠就會有[后後]果。我們常常覺得與上帝的關繫很隨便。不是的，這是盟約，是彼此聯合的衕意書。上帝説，如果你拜偶像，會影響好幾代。《出埃及記》二十章[說説]：我耶和華是忌邪的神。換句話説，我最不能忍受的就是你心裏有別的男人。《雅各書》説，如果你跟隨世上的價值，你就是一個淫婦。你對上帝就是不忠心的。上帝愛我們，他要我們進入這個關繫裏。上帝特別講到拜偶像，雖然有不衕的源頭，但拜偶像是最嚴重的。上帝説，除我以外，不可有別的神，不可爲自己雕刻偶像，不可曏他們跪拜。跪下代錶你拜這個偶像，代錶這個偶像在你生命中受尊重，有重要地位。一個人曏偶像屈膝，實際上是承認偶像裡的邪靈。偶像背後的權勢就是邪靈，偶像本身不過是塊木頭。其實它什麽都不是，是沒有意義的，不過是手刻出來的，但是在它裏麵，在它後麵的是邪靈。

你必須明白上帝不喜歡這樣的事，但一個人曏偶像獻祭時，就是與邪靈做交易。刻意與邪靈達成協議，才是問題的所在，邪靈有了合法進入的權利。你把這個獻給偶像，期待它來保護你，或是供應你，或給你能力。這些都是上帝想要給我們的，當你曏偶像屈膝，你就拒絕了上帝，不承認他是你保護，供應和能力的來源。《詩篇》115篇第3至第8節[說説]：“然而，我們的神在天上。都隨自己的意旨行事。他們的偶像，是金的，銀的，是人手所造的。有口卻不能言，有眼卻不能看。有耳卻不能聽。有鼻卻不能聞。有手卻不能摸。有腳卻不能走。有喉嚨也不能出聲。造他的要和他一樣。凡靠他的也要如此。”請註意，“造他的要和他一樣”。你拜什麽就會像什麽。如果你拜偶像，你就會變得跟它們一樣，又冷又硬。我觀察那些拜偶像的，通常生命中有苦毒的根；情緒上也是冷漠剛硬，死亡的靈完全掌控他們。

再回到《出埃及記》二十章，上帝[說説]，由父及子，三四代。上帝追討他們的罪孽。罪的後果就是死亡。上帝很清楚的設定規則，犯罪就是死亡。聖經中有些罪是死刑。問題是當你犯了這樣的罪，上帝殺了你，就砍斷了後麵的世代。而若沒殺你，罪的審判會傳下去好幾代。雖然沒有死亡，但會影響好幾代。罪孽的原文是“彎曲”的意思，希伯來文的意思是看到一個東西就把你勾上了。罪孽就是彎曲的，扭曲的，就好像會朝曏一個特定的問題過去，罪孽是一種驅動的能力，把一個人逼往罪上，是造成犯罪的根源。請大家看《出埃及記》三十四章6，7節“耶和華在他麵前宣告説，耶和華，耶和華，是有憐憫有恩典的神，不輕易發怒，並有豐盛的慈愛和誠實。爲千萬人存留慈愛，赦免罪孽，過犯，和罪惡，萬不以有罪的為無罪，必追討他的罪，自父及子，直到三，四代”。在這裡，上帝親自宣告他的名，上帝説我是有憐憫有恩典的神。我賜憐憫，恩典，我不輕易[發髮]怒，長久忍耐，也有公義，但更多憐憫。上帝的憐憫代錶他的饒恕，恩典；上帝的公義則要求我們爲罪付出代價。

上帝饒恕三件事，罪孽，過犯，罪惡。這三件是不衕的。我們認為都是罪，做錯事。但聖經把這三件事區分開來。這些詞在新約中再次出現，把他們全部歸為罪。我們需要明白，罪孽，過犯，罪惡這三者雖然每一個都是不衕的，但耶穌的寶血都已經完全贖清。

罪孽，代錶彎曲，轉折，你的生命轉折曏罪了。當我們講到曆代的咒詛，罪孽就是我們要處理的。

過犯，代錶刻意違背神的律法，心裏清楚的知道不對，但還要去做，這就是違背神的律了。

罪惡，代錶沒有達中目標，造成得罪的事。重要的是，我們做了一些我們都沒有察覺的事，是無意中做錯了。如你開車沒有留意限速50公裡，你開了80公裡，被警察攔了下來。你[說説]你不知道限速是50公裡，警察不會對你説，沒事，對不起，你走吧。他會説，不管你知不知道，你違法了，就要付罰金。

無知的犯罪和過犯不衕。舊約中，當摩西要求百姓塗血在門框和門楣上，有罪孽，過犯和罪惡，都要塗血。耶穌基督的血包含了我們所有的罪孽，過犯和罪惡。所以塗血就如衕劃了一個十字架。出埃及記二十章中，上帝指明十字架和耶穌的寶血就是解決罪孽，過犯和罪惡的問題。每個人要爲自己的行為負責，父母犯的罪不會怪你，你不用爲他們的過犯負責。可是他們身上帶的罪孽，因為血氣的原因，就會影響到你。上帝追討罪孽直到三四代。（ 申命記二十三章第2，3節）

另外一種會代代相傳的詛咒是私生子。即婚姻以外私生的孩子。在這人身上有拒[絕絶]的詛咒，有拒絕的邪靈進入他們。曾經有一個人上前接受呼召，因為當時有太多人接受呼召，沒辦法進行輔導。我衹問簡單的問題，通過詢問才能找到問題的根源。“你的問題是什麽？”我問。他説“我很生氣。很多憤怒。”“那你對誰憤怒呢？”“每個人。”這代錶他對某人憤怒而沒有處理。爲找到問題的根源，我又問:“你跟父母的關係如何？”他回答説“我對父母雙方都很生氣。”“那他們做了什麽得罪了你呢？”他[說説]“不知道，我就是對他們生氣。”我説“你是家中的長子嗎？”“是的，我是。”“你是婚姻之外出生的嗎？”“是的。”他承認。憤怒的根源就在這裡了。他的生命中包含了很深的拒絕和羞辱，總想怪罪那些想要幫助他的人，把憤怒投曏每個人。他需要饒恕父母，不可拒絕他們，要曏他們道歉。因為他拒絕他們的幫助，是對他們的不尊敬。私生子的生命中一直承帶著憤怒和拒絕。憤怒是一種要求，是對不公義事情的反應。欠了別人的就是憤怒，放棄權力去饒恕對方才是解決的方法。如果在家族中歷數四代，每人生兩個孩子，最後家族中至少會有三十人。如果歷數十代，人數就更多了。上帝這樣愛我們，但有些罪打開門，讓曆代咒語進來，也讓罪孽進來。詛咒是負麵的摧毀的勢力，是邪靈的能力造成的。罪孽是家族扭曲造成人不斷犯罪，罪孽詛咒[並併]行，一代代傳下去。

曆代的罪孽是家族中持續犯某一種罪， 如，姦淫，醉酒，衕樣的罪不斷發生。曆代的詛咒是一種負麵的勢力一代代傳下來，是邪靈造成的。我們先探討罪孽如何從一個人傳遞到另一人，然後，學習如何認清詛咒。

首先， 罪孽的傳遞方式是曆代遺傳。就如你身上帶有父母遺傳的體徵，有些罪孽你也會繼承下來。

罪孽的源頭有幾點。

第一，可能是邪靈的能力。家族中有熟悉的邪靈在運行。

第二，毒根的論斷。如果你因為特定的罪或失敗論斷父母，你的生命中就會産生殺種和收割的循環。你論斷的東西就會在自己的生命中出現。有些人講我絕不要像我爸爸，代錶他們受過傷，對父親有論斷，現在又誓言，結果他就會跟爸爸一模一樣。所以當我們論斷父母，反而讓家庭中有了罪孽的循環，我們論斷的，我們自己收割。 這是家族罪孽的一個源頭。

第三，行為的模式，基因的原因。有可能這些罪孽破壞了基因的密碼，造成問題借著基因傳遞下去。

第四，學習的行為。人們會模仿他們父母的行為，使衕樣的罪孽在家族中一直延續，他們要學習新的生活方式。

那[麽如何認清家族曆代的詛咒？什麽是詛咒？

詛咒是人説的話讓屬靈的勢力運行。這些話釋放了屬靈的勢力，可以一代代傳下去，直到被打破爲止。詛咒背後的勢力就是邪靈污鬼，詛咒一個人就是把邪惡，摧毀，災難帶到他身上。當詛咒臨到一個人，就像有屬靈的勢力壓製他不斷重復毀滅性的行爲。壓製他的環境和情緒，不斷重復失敗。

詛咒從哪裡來？箴言二十六章2節説“無故的詛咒必不臨到”，即詛咒必是有原因的。第一個可能的原因是上帝。因為上帝設定了律法，違背律法就會讓邪靈在生命中運行，就會受到詛咒。第二個原因來自人。人説出的話詛咒家族，詛咒人。人所行的巫術，當他施咒時就會敵對人。例如，有人將孩子在廟中獻給偶像，就會造成詛咒的發生。當人對邪靈敞開，把自己的生命獻給邪靈，就會開啓邪靈運行的機會。另外有時權威的角色會説詛咒的話，如“你不會做成什麽大事”“你這麽笨”等等。有權柄的人講出毀滅性的話，就造成詛咒的發生。人也可以詛咒自己，“我是個失敗者，什麽都做不好”。第三個造成詛咒的原因，就是邪教的誤見。申命記七章25，26節，上帝説“他們雕刻的神像，你們要用火焚燒；其上的金銀，你不可貪圖，也不可收取，免得你因此陷入網羅；這原是耶和華－你 神所憎惡的。可憎的物，你不可帶進家去；不然，你就成了當毀滅的，與那物一樣。你要十分厭惡，十分憎嫌，因為這是當毀滅的物。”有些物件，如偶像或邪像，如果帶進家中，就會把邪靈的勢力帶進來，造成後果。如果有詛咒在運行，一定會有後果。有沒有詛咒在運行，就看有沒有發生不斷重復失敗的模式，特別是一代代傳下來的情況。

失敗的模式有哪些呢？申命記二十八章15節中列出了很多，“你若不聽從耶和華－你的 神的話，不謹守遵行他的一切誡命律例，就是我今日吩咐你的，這以下的詛咒都必追隨你，臨到你身上。”總結起來有以下的情況，

• 重復發生的心理或精神問題

• 重復發生的慢性病或過敏的情況

• 難懷孕或流產。這特別跟拜偶像有關。何西阿書九章講到，拜偶像會造成所有的果子被剪除

• 家族破裂，離婚，常常[發髮]生，家族中沖突不斷

• 重復發生財務缺乏的問題

• 常常發生意外。家族中很多人都經歷過意外

• 自殺，英年早逝在家族中不斷發生

• 家族中常有虐待[發髮]生

• 無法安頓。不穩定，無法安靜下來。該隱就受到這樣的詛咒，四處漂流。

所有這些問題都有不衕的原因，如果不斷重復發生，就很可能是曆代詛咒造成的。有人曾對我説，他常有惡夢攪擾。我會問三個問題，“什麽問題？”“怎樣影響他？”“什麽時候開始的？”他説這一生都有。顯示出可能是歷代家族中傳下來的。另外過敏，“有多久了？”“一生如此。”“還有別人有此情況嗎？”“我媽媽也有，她媽媽也是。”這些重復發生的模式，就會説明家族中有東西運行。有些東西被扭曲了，後麵有勢力在運行。

聖經中有幾個例子，很明顯可以看出是有罪孽和詛咒在運行。撒母耳記下十二章10節，撒母耳對大衛王説，“因為你娶了別人的妻為妻，因此刀劍必永不離開你的家。”這就是詛咒。大衛做了什麽造成他們家這樣的問題呢？他犯了姦淫和謀殺的罪。上帝饒恕他了，可罪孽的後果還在家族中運行。大衛的家族中姦淫，強暴，苦毒，背叛，兄弟間互相殘殺等等問題，都有歷代的根源。

另一個例子，列王記下五章26，27節，基哈西和以利沙的故事。基哈西貪戀亞蘭人乃縵的金銀， “ 以利沙對他説、那人下車轉回迎你的時候、我的心豈沒有去呢。這豈是受銀子、衣裳、買橄欖園、葡萄園、牛羊、僕婢的時候呢。 因此乃縵的大麻風必沾染你、和你的[后後]裔、直到永遠。基哈西從以利沙麵前退出去、就長了大麻風、像雪那樣白。”

他的罪是心中的貪婪，説謊，欺騙，這就破壞了以利沙和乃縵的關係。以利沙不要乃縵的任何東西，即使他是非常富有的人。他希望乃縵欠他一個人情。這樣以利沙就有權力對乃縵的生命説話。如果拿了錢，就毀了以利沙的身份和他們之間的特殊關係。

有幾次，我在[臺灣服事過幾位非常高位的人，我去到他們那裡，從不曏他們索要任何東西，我給的全是免費的。這保持了我的心是正直清潔的，這樣才能影響這個人的生命，如果我有任何貪婪的錶現，馬上就讓人反胃離開了。所以，生命中是否有權柄，就看私下是否有貪婪的意圖。基哈西的貪婪是很嚴重的事情，會毀掉以利沙的名聲，結果他長大麻風，身體的疾病，他和他的[后後]裔，因為罪，讓麻風病在他家族歷代傳下去。

創世紀十二章10至13節，亞伯拉罕説謊，不讓別人知道撒拉的身份；創世紀二十六章，以撒也對自己妻子的身份[說説]謊；創世紀二十七章，雅各也説謊，騙了他爸爸以掃，因為以掃看不見了；而到了創世紀三十七章，全家人都説謊，掩蓋約瑟的死。這就是罪孽的例子，在家族中都有不誠實，説謊的現象，罪越來越嚴重。

另外一個例子是以利。撒母耳記上三章13至14節，以利做祭司不衷心，詛咒臨到他家。“我曾告訴他必永遠降罰與他的家、因他知道兒子作孽、自招咒詛、卻不禁止他們。 所以我曏以利家起誓説、以利家的罪孽、雖獻祭奉禮物、永不能得贖去。” 第二章31節“ 日子必到，我要折斷你的膀臂和你父家的膀臂，使你家中沒有一個老年人。”33節“我必不從我[壇罈]前滅盡你家中的人。那未滅的必使你眼目幹癟，心中憂傷。你家中所生的人都必死在中年。”這裡説到以利家歷代家族在上帝的壇前做祭司的職位，會被拿走，家中的人會英年早逝，時常憂傷。這個歷代的詛咒是拿不掉的。 創世紀中諾亞的兒子迦南受到詛咒，創世紀四章11節該隱和他的後裔也受到了詛咒。

那麽如何幫助這些受歷代罪孽和詛咒的人得自由呢？

首先，要了解耶穌成就了什麽，如何應用在我們身上。加拉太書三章13，14節講到，耶穌打破咒詛，使我們可以領受祝福。耶穌救贖我們脫離律法的咒詛，付清了所有的代價，拯救我們離開咒詛，我們不用負任何代價了。 因為他的作為，我們因信耶穌基督，得著亞伯拉罕的福，也得著聖靈。

耶穌打破咒詛的權勢，讓我們有資格領受福分，他也承擔了我們的罪孽。以賽亞書五十三章5，6節“那知他爲我們的過犯受害、爲我們的罪孽壓傷．因他受的刑罰我們得平安．因他受的鞭傷我們得醫治。我們都如羊走迷、各人偏行己路．耶和華使我們衆人的罪孽都歸在他身上。”

耶穌承擔了我們違背上帝律法的過犯，爲我們的罪孽壓傷，我們裏麵扭曲的，敵對神的本性，由他承擔了。耶穌死在十字架上，承擔了我們一切的罪孽，讓罪孽的權勢完全被打破。“他完全挪去這一切，打破咒詛的權勢，讓我們能夠領受福分。”（歌羅西書四章13，14節）

我們怎樣幫助人脫離咒詛呢？

我們需要求聖靈告訴我們真正的問題和根源在哪裡，求聖靈幫助我們挪去根源，釋放自由。留意傾聽人的問題。聖靈可能會給你一個意念讓你如何詢問。記得我講過的很生氣的年青人，主把這個念頭放進我心中。我的問題一開始就是，“什麽時候開始的？他是不是長子？是否是非婚生子？”他對我的問題很吃驚，這些都是聖靈告訴我的。保持對聖靈的敏鋭，聽到聖靈對你説話。不要立即下結論。我工作時一定會準備一張紙，寫下他的問題，他父母雙方的問題，是否有歷代的問題，等等。

如何處理歷代罪孽和咒詛呢？

聖經有幾處經文提到，利末記二十六章39，40節給我們一個如何幫助人得自由的[綫線]索。 上帝説“你們剩下的人、必因自己的罪孽、和祖宗的罪孽、在仇敵之地消滅。他們要承認自己的罪、和他們祖宗的罪、就是幹犯我的那罪、並且承認自己行事與我反對 。” 所以，承認自己的罪孽很重要。承認自己的罪，也承認列祖的罪。（尼希米記一章6節及九章37節）（但以理書九章3節）

歷代罪孽是什麽？你自己也要省察有沒有這樣做。如拜偶像，父母拜偶像，你有沒有做？你的罪要承認，父母的罪也要承認。首先診斷問題，然後跟他們談，讓他們看到如何得自由。

第一步，診斷問題。問聖靈，也問這個人。

第二步，解釋基督爲他們所成就的。他們已經得贖，脫離了咒詛，上帝希望他們蒙福。信耶穌，救贖就會臨到。（加拉太書三章13，14節）

第三步，我們如何幫他們。一衕禱告，承認耶穌基督。衹有認衕基督，才能得自由。其次，承認個人和家族中的罪孽，棄[絕絶]詛咒的權勢，説出打破罪孽和詛咒能力的話來，求耶穌赦免，洗凈你的罪孽，饒恕打開罪孽之門的家人。憑信心呼求主釋放你，緊緊抓住他的話語。

最後，我覺得非常有幫助的是，教導他們將基督和十字架放在自己和家族中，在基督中你是新造的人。

如何爲歷代拜偶像的人做禱告呢？我會這樣禱告，

第一個禱告，信心的宣告

“天父，我奉耶穌的名到你麵前，我承認耶穌基督是我的救主，他的寶血贖回了我，遠離一切咒詛，一切邪靈，所有的罪孽，罪惡得贖回，我屬於耶穌。”

這個信心的宣告是非常有能力的。宣告我和耶穌的關繫，是自由的根基。是對耶穌的信心，不是對禱告者的信心，使人得自由。

第二個禱告，認罪禱告

“主啊，我再次成[為爲]家族的代錶，承認我們的罪孽，將我們家拜偶像的罪孽帶到十字架前，我承認自己也參與過拜偶像。主啊，求你赦免我，洗凈我的罪孽。”

第三，棄[絕絶]禱告

“奉耶穌的名，我棄絕，撤銷所有歷代的咒詛，所有跟邪靈的協議，我棄絕家族中所有的罪孽。

第四，饒恕禱告

“主啊，我饒恕我的家人，饒恕我的父母和所有[為爲]罪孽打開門的家人，我饒恕並祝福他們。”

這也是放棄對父母和家人的論斷。

禱告之後，你就有開始服事他們。必須要對三種勢力説話，

第一，對罪孽，咒詛[說説]話，打破他們的權勢

第二，對在這人身上的邪靈説話，命令吩咐邪靈出來，求聖靈指引帶領。請記住，跟靈説話與剛才的禱告完全不一樣。

“奉耶穌基督的名，我打破歷代的咒詛，打破跟邪靈達成的協議，從生命中砍斷這一切。”

“奉耶穌基督的名，我吩咐拜偶像的靈離開。”

聖靈會帶領你知道有哪些靈在裏麵存在。

這個人需要做些什麽呢？

他需要默想上帝的話，更新自己的想法，改變他的行為和反應。思想和行為必須衕時改變。默想上帝的話是真實的，不是我賺得的福分，我衹要相信耶穌基督，就能活出蒙福的生命。“ 基督既爲我們受了咒詛、就贖出我們脫離律法的咒詛．因為經上記著、『凡掛在木頭上都是被咒詛的。』 ”（加拉太書三章13節），所以，罪已經被打破了，我已經不是活在律法之下，我有蒙福的人生。“上帝叫亞伯拉罕的福、因基督耶穌可以臨到外邦人、使我們因信得著所應許的聖靈。 ”（加拉太書三章14節）

有些人經歷了服事，可是思想上還像受咒詛的人一樣，而不是一個蒙福的人的想法。例如，一個人持續經歷財務失敗的咒詛，他心裏就會相信，我是個失敗者，不會管理金錢，開始思想失敗，期待失敗。他既然已經釋放解脫了，他應該改變想法，默想我是個蒙福的人，上帝的恩惠已經臨到我所做的一切事情上，感謝上帝我的金錢是蒙福的，我一切所需的，上帝都供給了。我要改變我的行為，活出蒙福的生命。外在不見得有很大的改變，重要的是內在的改變。開始將自己跟上帝説的相合，心裏相信上帝所説的，外麵就開始改變，相信上帝是豐盛的神，我要衕意我所相信的，上帝的話是真實的。

如果按照以前的想法，十一奉獻就蒙福，不十一奉獻就受咒詛，就是仍然活在律法之下。很多基督徒活在律法下。他們需要思想，蒙福的人就是慷慨的人，給予是因為蒙福，而不是害怕受咒詛。有些人想用禱告改變問題，卻不想繼續在蒙福的路上更認識主，因為這需要付出更多努力和責任，跟從主的道，成為主的門徒，沒有中間地帶可行，要麽就是回到過去的生活方式，要麽就是轉曏新的生活方式，我們常常需要堅持。

當我們感到有把我們往回拉的壓力時，該怎麽辦呢？我們需要強烈宣告，耶穌的寶血已經使我們脫離罪孽，我拒絕再回去，我是蒙福的人，新造的人。把想像真實的建立起來。

活出蒙福的生命是怎樣的生命呢？不是被動的，不是有問題請人禱告，而是在基督[裏裡]新造的人，蒙福的人，有神的靈，開始體貼聖靈而不像過去體貼肉體。蒙福的生命是白白賜給我的，我衹需要相信[並併]在生命中活出來。必須擯除舊有想法，上帝是真實的，我們要學會相信我真的改變了。

過去一個人活在罪孽，咒詛和捆綁裏，現在在基督裏成為了蒙福的人，把所有的咒詛砍斷了。我要改變我的思維方式，我需要宣告：罪孽已經被打破，我是蒙福的。説出來並默想上帝與我衕在，我的需要得滿足，我有豐盛的生命，主是我的牧者，我必不緻缺乏。心裏對上帝的肯定，靠基督成為蒙福的人，所思所行就要像一個蒙福的人。即使有時在財務上有些壓力，過去的想法又要回頭，這時就要很刻意地把它們壓下去，重新註目基督。不用懷疑上帝是否祝福我，而是要相信蒙福，得到安息。這是所有信徒內心的爭戰，每一次心靈得安息，就是勝利，這是一生需要經歷的。人們都喜歡接受服事，得自由，可是如何改變，活得像自由的人，不是單單憑頭腦，而是要憑心靈和信心。

聽衆提問一：請分享你如何長期保持對聖靈的敏鋭？

回答：秘訣就是禱告。也需要在小事情上回應聖靈。聖靈給你的一點點感動，就要行出來。對任何小小的指引，就會變得越來越敏鋭，越多領受。馬可福音四章24節，耶穌説“你若有耳可聽，回應的話，就越多的給你。”聆聽聖靈，回應聖靈，使你更敏鋭。

我每天的禱告中，會有一段完全敬拜，愛神的時間。我不斷使其延長，默想上帝的衕在，用方言禱告，單單愛神。我學會説方言，用意念唱歌，想見耶穌，在敬拜中將自己全人獻上。我的禱告大約持續二十分鐘。我刻意將生命中的不衕領域降伏於他，對我生命[說説]話，我相信上帝所做的。

我的禱告是這樣的：

“主啊，今天我將我的聽力，我的耳朵降伏於你，感謝主我今天能清楚聽到你的聲音。我的心對你的聲音敏鋭，主啊，我聽到你對我説話，我立刻回應，感謝主給我傾聽的心，聽人的聲音，能問問題，找出問題的根源。感謝主給我看見問題的能力，有眼可見，有耳可聽，能分辨真情。”

我在宣告我將來想過的生活，根基就是聖經約翰一書“他如何，我們在世上也如何。”他現在如何，我們在世上也如何。耶穌聽父的聲音，他看見人的心，懂得人心。主如何，我們也如何。我清楚聽見父的聲音，我立刻回應，我聽見人心中的聲音，看見他們 的生命。即使你現在可能沒有這樣活，但這是你想要的生活。當我開始宣告我生命的運行，默想在基督裏我是誰，相信我能做什麽，就會在我生命裏顯現出來。

這是蒙福的生命，那些很努力要上帝幫助他們的人，如果完全在基督裏，他一切所需的都有了。我們已經有恩膏，凡事都能明白，如果你認為你不知道所有的事，你需要更敏鋭的察覺。

反省式的禱告，常常省察自己，認清真理。不是到了要服事時才開始做，而是要每天培養，在生命中慢慢建立彰顯。我花了很多年的時間，看到上帝的真實運行，才了解到如何服事人。以前做的人都沒有告訴我如何做，他們衹是在做，我們覺得很震驚。我想做一位就像電視上錶演的解密魔術師，把所有的秘訣都告訴你。你明白後，就覺得簡單了。當你明白靈界的活力，明白你是新造的人，在基督裏完全，他如何我也如何。聖經説效法耶穌的樣式，不是在鏡子中看到自己，而是在屬靈上每天越來越像他。這不是努力得到的，而是要教導我們的心，相信真理，憑著默想和宣告，上帝與我衕在。最[后後]一點，“要習練的通達。” (希伯來書五章14節) 。要借著練習，才能通達你的敏鋭。

聽[眾衆]提問二：公司的經理經常對她發怒，她能感覺到背後的勢力。這個經理對別人都很好，衹是針對她，除了禱告，還能如何應對這種情況。

回答：這可能是 靈裏的反應。可能是對你，也可能是對你做事的方式。我們需要敞開，上帝可能希望我們更成熟。請求上帝幫助我們以善勝惡。羅馬書告訴我們以善勝惡，不要爲惡所勝。每次禱告，把這個人帶到主前，看見這個人的臉，奪去他背後邪靈的勢力。對邪靈説話，命令他放開這個人。操練你屬靈的權柄，能夠勝過他背後的邪靈。宣告奉耶穌的名你已有的權柄，以權柄的地位來説話。可以踩在蝎子，蛇的頭上，沒有什麽可以傷害到我，攻擊我，捆綁被憤怒控製的靈，巫術的靈。在禱告中保持靈裏的能力。最後，求神的恩典，有能力愛這個人，可以與他好好相處。聖經説溫柔的回答使怒氣消散。用輕柔的聲音曏他澄清一些事情，他會平靜下來回答你。

另一個策略就是直接敞開的跟對方講明。

“我註意到你對我特別的生氣，能告訴我原因嗎？是我做錯了什[幺麼麽]嗎？我希望能幫助你，不希望讓你生氣。”

找到最好的方式與難相處的人溝通，需要我們與上帝衕工，處理好自己的靈命，學習與人溝通的技巧，講輕柔的言語，用恩慈的心。

最後，經歷過這種情況，你可能受到打擊，如果想離開，你要説，主啊，我饒恕這個人，釋放他，求你讓愛回到我心中。阿門！

聽衆提問三：父母雙方有非常強的拜偶像的靈，家人中有在廟宇中工作的，地位非常高。即使通過禱告，潔凈房屋，仍深受睏擾。要如何處理家中的這些邪靈的勢力？

答：第一，首先要明白，耶穌打敗了邪靈。在臺灣，我發現大家覺得魔鬼，偶像，邪靈都很厲害。但耶穌已經勝過了他們！我並沒有輕視邪靈壓製的現狀。耶穌基督獻上的祭，比任何邪靈的勢力更強大。

[臺中有一個很大的媽祖廟，我去之前，大家都很擔心。我想“耶穌戰勝了魔鬼！”在我們的信念中，總在描述邪靈的能力，實際上他們沒有。我説趕快帶我去臺中，到廟裏去看看怎麽回事。我不受他們的恐嚇。我與教會的衕工開會，覺得他們是世界上最壓抑的一群人。很多人得抑鬱癥，甚至死了。所以，在那裡的第一個晚上，我的題目就是拜偶像。我直接對峙。當時，媽祖在街上游行，幾千人跟在後麵，我就特別講到媽祖。整個氣氛很緊張，我一直講下去，不是對人説，而是對人背後的靈，宣告耶穌的權柄，寶血的能力。當晚有很多人得釋放。第二天看新聞得知，前晚的廟中委員們投票打了起來，警察來到，趕走了所有人。所以，千萬不要被他們威脅，要在基督裏興起，邪靈怕你。

有一個女孩從小就獻給了一個印度的神，賽巴巴。她們家有一個很大的賽巴巴的壇。她經歷了很大的釋放後，我對她説，不用擔心賽巴巴，你的卧室是你的地方，在你的房間抹油，宣告邪靈不準進入，這裏是聖靈的地方，是我的聖所。播放敬拜音樂。其它房間屬於你爸爸，你不要批評，不要反對他們。要孝敬父母。每天經過賽巴巴時，就方言禱告，宣告賽巴巴衰微，耶穌興旺。一年後，她告訴我做了小組長，而賽巴巴就不太好。他們家因為財務的危機，從原來的公寓搬到了一個較小的公寓，沒有壇了，衹有一張照片。賽巴巴真的衰微了。 再後來，她帶了三個小組，而賽巴巴呢？照片從墻上掉下來，摔壞了，現在換成了一個小小的照片。

重點是，你不要被邪靈嚇倒。在靈裏，你與基督一衕坐在寶座上，他勝過一切執政掌權的，魔鬼在下麵。這就是信念。

我鼓勵你默想經文，建立信心。你跟基督聯合，勝過魔鬼，你有權柄勝過這一切。當你對邪靈説話，他們就降伏離開。你要禱告，你的靈要興起敬拜神，穿上上帝的軍裝，奉耶穌的名宣告，成為全家的代錶，棄絕一切邪惡的偶像，捆綁所有邪靈的勢力，不準他敵對你和你的家人。拿撒勒的耶穌已經勝過了魔鬼。不要敵對邪靈，要宣告耶穌的得勝。這兩者是不一樣的。真實的情況是：邪靈看起來很有勢力，但耶穌擁有所有的權力，你也有這樣的權力，你對自己的信心還不夠，所有邪靈才會影響到你。

爭戰不在你以外，是在你裏麵。你要完全肯定自信，這是你強壯的時候。在羅馬凱撒君王的殿中有很多的偶像，家中有拜偶像的聚會。千萬不要被他嚇倒，恐嚇是他最大的武器。要抵擋，憑信心站立。這時可能有各式各樣的事發生，這是與耶穌衕行的路。

在新加坡城市豐收教會，年青人信主時，他們拜偶像的父母會打他們。陳義平牧師當時18歲，他們都是讀中學的年青人，都受過父母的打。但是，最後他們的父母都得救了。康牧師也是，他父母是由我帶領信主得救的。

把你們的痛苦和憂傷，恐懼和憤怒帶給主，饒恕你的父母，求主給你更大的愛，成為最好的家族代錶。雖然不容易，這就是我們在基督裏要走的路，我們的挑戰。阿門！

從邪術/秘術中得自由  

Thu 3rd Oct 2013 « 返回頁首

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今天的主題是邪教的問題。什麼是邪教？邪教對今天的年青人有什麼影響？還有什麼是巫術？如何幫助人, 釋放他們得自由。我們曾經處理過很多這方面的問題，有一些經驗，今天與大家一起分享，使大家能夠更明白。

首先，上帝創造我們是要我們互相關聯，這是神的設計。 讓我們互相聯接，互相依附。我們是靈，有魂住在我們身體裡面。上帝創造我們讓我們有能力與別人依附在一起，我們心裡的渴慕，隻有上帝才能滿足。上帝設計我們跟他依附在一起，因為跟他的依附，他的性情，他的生命就在我們身上流露。哥林多前書六章17節說“但與主聯合的，便是與主成為一靈。”

上帝設計我們跟他連結，是靈跟靈的結合，這樣他的生命通過我們進入這個世界。上帝的設計包含了，第一，關系，跟他有親密的連結。第二，擴展他的國。他造我們成為他的代表，使用他的權柄。

對亞當夏娃最開始的指令，神交給他們的任務的一部分就是管理看守花園。給他們一個治理的領域，在這個領域中他們有權柄。亞當得著屬靈的權柄來代表神，上帝給他關於伊甸園的兩條命令，第一，培育，發展，結果子。上帝栽培我們，就是要我們在我們的領域結果子。第二，看守這個領域，保護它不讓人入侵或摧毀。

上帝一開始就設計我們跟他有關系連結，也賜給人權柄在地上代表他並擴展他的國。亞當接受的指令是栽培園子，保護它不受入侵，后來他打破了與神的這個關系，失去了他的權柄。當他打破了跟神的關系后，他就完全不設防，不在神的保護下了。在人類歷史的第一個世紀時，邪靈就開始入侵人的世界，敗壞人的文化。耶穌來，就是要恢復我們跟上帝的親密，將權柄再次賜給我們。再就是給我們指令要生養眾多，遍滿這地。

做基督徒，就是要跟基督連結，跟隨他。把他國度的影響帶進世界，做他的大使，有權柄勝過任何的邪靈和受造物。我們看到耶穌的服事，他訓練門徒，給他們權柄勝過邪靈。相關的經文有，馬可福音三章14，15節，“他就設立十二個人，要他們常和自己同在，也要差他們去傳道，並給他們權柄趕鬼。”大使命包括傳福音，醫治病人和有權柄勝過邪靈。路加福音十章17節中又講“那七十個人歡歡喜喜的回來說，主阿，因你的名，就是鬼也服了我們。”19節又說，“我已經給你們權柄，可以踐踏蛇和蠍子，又勝過仇敵一切的能力，斷沒有甚麼能害你們。”

權柄這個詞的意思是有合法授予的權力代表神說話，作為。耶穌說，“我給你權柄”，權柄在他手上，我們隻是做他的代表。權柄不是我們的，是他授予我們的。我們有權柄代表基督，這權柄來自於我們跟基督的連結。這個權柄是有踐踏蛇和蠍子，就是一切的仇敵的能力。

他用兩個圖畫來描述邪靈，蛇和蠍子。蛇在曠野中咬人，把毒放入人的身體裡面。蠍子有針。這兩個都是折磨人的東西。雖然不是很清楚，但可以揣測，他指出這是兩個不同的邪靈實體。蛇代表邪靈，蠍子代表惡魔般的靈，靈體等。神說給你權柄，有勝過一切的能力。這個能力也是使徒前傳裡面講的能力，是一種超自然的能力。你有合法的權力，勝過所有邪靈的超自然能力，沒有什麼能傷害你。這是一句很好的需要記住的經文。當你幫人釋放，如有一點膽怯，記住，沒有什麼能傷害你的。

我們現在來看邪教。申命記十八章中有提到邪教。聖經中沒有很清楚的提到這些邪靈從哪裡來，有很多不同的看法。有些人認為他們是墮落的天使，我對此也不是很確定。他們被稱為邪靈，一定是靈體，他們的意圖也一定是邪惡的。在創世紀第六章中，有一些天使放棄上帝給他們的地位，開始以人的形態與女子發生關系，他們生下的后裔就稱為偉人，他們都是非常狂野，凶殘的一群，他們來敗壞這地。他們的敗壞如此嚴重，最后上帝就用洪水來毀滅全地。他們一半是天使，一半是人，可能成為邪靈后，繼續留在地上騷擾人類。

各個文化背景的人都知道靈的世界。聖經以外其它的一些書中對此也有涉及，如以諾書，描述一群天使叫做守望天使，他們被指定專門指令人，可是有一群放棄自己的地位，敗壞了上帝給他們的角色，與女人發生關系，並教導人邪教的東西。上帝抓住他們直到最后審批的日子。從那時起，邪教的內容就進入了人類的文化中。迦南就有一個充滿了邪教的文化。迦南地的國家參與邪教很深，有各式各樣變態的作為。申命記十八章9節，“你到了耶和華你神所賜之地，那些國民所行可憎惡的事，你不可學著行。”上帝警告這些人，他們要進入的迦南地，那裡的人行各樣上帝憎惡的行為，指的都是邪教的作為。

邪教的意思是隱密的，遮蓋的，隱藏的。因此邪教的活動是在靈界尋求知識和資訊，或從靈界尋求能力，尋求保護。邪教的兩個主流，一個是佔卜，就是從靈界尋求資訊的。另一個是巫術，從靈界尋求能力。他們一定與拜偶像相連。

上帝的百姓所要面對的是，要進入的國家裡的人都被這些邪惡的行為敗壞了，那裡沒有釋放，因此他們要摧毀這些國家，因為那裡的人都被邪靈充滿了。邪教的能力是隱秘的，能力的源頭是隱藏的。參與邪教的人可能感到自己跟邪靈有連接，他們被欺騙了，他們以為自己得著靈的能力，實際上是邪靈在他們身上才有能力。當人參與邪教，他以為靈在幫他，實際上邪靈是靠他們得著能力的。最終，邪靈會向你討價錢，所有的魔法都是要付代價的。在神的國裡，所有的代價先跟你講明了，在黑暗的世界則是反過來的，先享受再付代價，而代價遠遠超過你想像的。

上帝列出很多他們的做法，都跟拜偶像和邪教有關。邪教的問題是它會漸進式的讓你上癮。一旦進去，就很難脫身了。當上帝的百姓進入迦南地，發現當地的人拜偶像，還有各樣交鬼的行為。申命記十八章10至14節說“你們中間不可有人使兒女經火，也不可有佔卜的，觀兆的，用法術的，行邪術的； 用迷術的，交鬼的，行巫術的，過陰的。凡行這些事的，都為耶和華所憎惡。因那些國民行這可憎惡的事，所以耶和華你的神將他們從你面前趕出。你要在耶和華你的神面前作完全人。因你所要趕出的那些國民，都聽信觀兆的，和佔卜的；至於你，耶和華你的神從來不許你這樣行。”

這裡列出的行為不容易理解。各個文化有不同的變化方式。每一個行為都有屬靈的能力在后面。第一個講到的就是把兒女獻給偶像，有一個特定的偶像叫摩洛，他是一個很大的銅偶像，手臂伸出來可以在上面點火，燒到很燙后，人在旁邊打鼓叫喊，然后把孩子扔到偶像身上燒掉。對上帝來講這太可怕了。可以看出那后面邪靈的性情，就是偷你的孩子。而今天最像這種行為的就是墮胎，有同樣的靈在后面運行。

還有佔星，觀看天上的星宿。我簡短的為大家解釋一下。聖經告訴我們“諸天訴說他的榮耀”（詩篇十九篇）。講到天，講到神的話。在神的道寫下來之前，上帝可能是對以諾說話，借著看天上的星宿，看到記載的上帝的榮耀。他就把星星分成十二個星座，用不同的圖畫連起來便於記憶。每一個星座都有一個名字，他們代表上帝救贖計劃的一部分，有女人，蛇，人的墮落，然后一直到基督的降臨，勝過蛇，建立了他的國度。每一個星座的名字都是鼓勵的信息，幫助人們理解更大的圖畫，從創世到基督再來。問題是你從哪裡開始，如人面獅身，從處女座的女人開始，到獅子座。

在描述這些星星時，上帝記載了人類的歷史，人子來，救贖計劃等等，全部記錄在這個故事中。星星是沒有能力的，隻是上帝給人一個代代相傳的信息，讓他們有對將來得救贖的盼望。可是經過時間，被扭曲了，人們開始相信星星對我們的命運有影響，完全扭曲了真相。有關星座的這本書的作者叫做Bullinger。大家可以查看一下。

整個佔星術打開了門，讓人進入邪教裡面，使人上癮。人尋找屬靈的源頭，來指引他們生命的方向。他們依附在錯誤的事情上，是上帝指引我們的生命，是上帝對我們的生命有計劃，不是星星。我鼓勵大家讀這本書，會非常驚訝上帝借由天上的星空傳遞救恩的信息。詩篇十九章說諸天傳講神的道，然后借著神的道給我們救恩的信息。

整個系列有佔卜的，魔術的，行秘術的等。邪教可以分成兩組，第一組，佔卜。使徒行傳第十六章16至18節中講到的一個佔卜的女子。“后來、我們往那禱告的地方去．有一個使女迎著面來、他被巫鬼所附、用法術、叫他主人們大得財利。他跟隨保羅和我們、喊著說、這些人是至高　神的仆人、對你們傳說救人的道。他一連多日這樣喊叫、保羅就心中厭煩、轉身對那鬼說、我奉耶穌基督的名、吩咐你從他身上出來．那鬼當時就出來了。”這個女子身上就有佔卜的靈，今天就稱她為靈媒。靈媒現今很受歡迎，他們可以講到你生命中的一些事情，還有未來，他們就是在模仿我們的知識和言行。這裡的這個女子算命后可以得到財力，即別人付錢給她算命，這樣他們就是與邪靈交易，等於行淫。

利未記二十章2至6節中上帝警告百姓不要跟邪靈打交道，行淫。5，6節中寫道“我就要向這人和他的家變臉、把他和一切隨他與摩洛行邪淫的人、都從民中剪除。人偏向交鬼的、和行巫術的、隨他們行邪淫、我要向那人變臉、把他從民中剪除。”上帝說任何交鬼或與家族熟悉的靈打交道的人，就是跟他們行邪淫。意思就是有付錢，有與邪靈連結依附，就像妓女的行為。保羅在哥林多前書講“你出賣了自己。”你以為在買資訊，而實際上是出賣了自己，把自己賣給邪靈，與他連結在一起了。所有參與邪教的東西都跟邪靈有關，人與邪靈結合在一起，邪靈就有權力進入你的生命。

靈媒就是邪靈的管道，他們失了魂，邪靈附在他們身上，給他們一些資訊。在聖經中很明確的說參與邪靈是要判死刑的。我們回到使徒行傳十六章，這個女子是有佔卜的靈，那裡整個地區都因佔卜出名，有人從各地專門來這裡算命，這裡現在是希臘的一個地方。人們專門在那裡等候傳達神諭的人。傳達神諭的人是靈媒。大家付錢給他得到一些資訊。這個使女被污鬼所附，英文中說“擁有”不是說“所附”，原文講好像穿上了一件衣服，邪靈像衣服一樣穿在了身上，她披上的不是聖靈，而是邪靈。佔卜，巫術的原文意思是蟒蛇，就是當時他們工作的那個地區。這個蟒蛇的靈繞著她，對她說話，這種靈叫做家族熟悉的靈，就是說那些佔卜算命的靈媒都是借著熟悉的靈運作，這個靈跟她溝通，對她的耳朵說話。

這個靈知道什麼呢？他們知道你的未來嗎？聖經沒有明說，我的結論是他們不知道你的未來，你的未來隱藏在上帝的手中。可是他們能看見上帝能帶給你什麼。例如但以理書十章中，但以理禱告時，上帝派天使把信息帶給他，但邪靈抵擋他。邪靈知道你是誰，一直在觀察你，好像有邪惡的網絡到處可以連結。這種熟悉的靈，可以跟你溝通與你有關的訊息，因為他一直在觀察你和你的家庭，這個很難理解，我們一直是受到監視的。那些靈一直監視著你的行為，注意到你是多麼可預測的。邪靈就把這些資訊傳給靈媒，很可能很真實，模仿上帝知識的言語，很多靈媒有很強很真確的知識的言語，可是資訊的源頭卻是邪靈。因為邪靈給你這些資料，讓你開始相信他，而當他跟你講到你的未來時，你就完全同意他的話，他就有能力操縱你的未來了。有靈界的參與，一定會打開門，讓邪靈進來。是自己給邪靈合法的權力讓他進入你的生命中。

這個女孩有佔卜的靈，使徒行傳十六章17節這裡講，“他跟隨保羅和我們、喊著說、這些人是至高神的仆人、對你們傳說救人的道。” 他說的是正確的。但是帶來的影響是，保羅心裡面感覺厭惡，厭煩，攪擾，甚至攔阻他服事，這個靈制造了保羅服事的困難。一連多日，直到保羅直接面對她。一旦與邪靈對峙，就造成很大的騷動，最后被丟到牢裡了。

佔卜是尋求邪靈以得著隱藏的知識，有各式各樣的做法；華人特別對佔卜上癮，都想知道未來。不是跟上帝同行，信靠上帝，而是去找邪靈了解這些資料。這些活動包括：找靈媒算命；找巫術板，上面有些字母的板子，大家就問它問題；找熟悉的靈；找交鬼的，那人被鬼附，靈通過他說話；或者佔星的；或者塔羅牌；算數字的；看星象的等等。每一個文化有他們自己的模式，最關鍵的是能力的源泉來自哪裡？既有屬靈的力量就有屬靈的源頭。如果源頭是邪惡的，他的影響也是邪惡的，上帝禁止我們參與其中。有些人隻是好奇進入了佔卜的領域，卻打開了整個區域。很不幸，最近很多電影都是各式各樣佔卜的東西，就像哈利波特，都是佔卜的。他們很多的靈感來自真實在做的行為，是很引誘人的。“得到一些秘密”，“知道未來”，“我會發財”，“我會幸福”，大家都想知道這些事，如果找邪靈，他就有合法的權力進入我們的生命。聖經說參與佔卜，就是跟邪靈行淫，玷污了自己。任何參與算命的人都被污穢了，他們需要棄絕靈媒跟他講的話以及后面的邪靈。不可以既與上帝同行，又帶著魔鬼跟你講的話。從佔卜中得釋放的根基是悔改離開，承認你的罪，神憎惡的就是罪，也需要棄絕與邪靈的依附，也要棄絕所有邪靈給的話。不能服事兩個主，不能一腳踏兩船。我們的生命是放在主的手上，回應他的帶領，讓他的應許指引我們。如果我們去邪靈的領域尋找，就會慢慢的被吸進黑暗中。有些人非常上癮，如果沒有看一下佔星或算一下命，一整天都不用做事了。

最后，你看到這個鬼從女孩身上出來后，她就沒有這個能力了，資訊的源頭是邪靈。有一次教會結束后，有一個人來找我，請我為他的朋友禱告，他的朋友現在的生活非常糟糕，想去找一個算命的人，我就讓他來找我。我對他說，“聽說你想找一個算命的？”他說，“是的。”我對他說，“上帝知道你的未來，你應該學習仰望他，讓我為你禱告吧。”我求主給我一個清楚，明確，正確的話語，跟他講。他謝過我之后就走了。我知道他還會去找算命的，就做了一個簡短的禱告，“主啊，我知道他要去算命，求你讓算命的話困惑。”一個星期之后，他又來找我，決志信主了。他說，“我去找了算命的，根本就是浪費錢，我付了五十塊。她跟我講的亂七八糟，根本聽不懂。”他就這樣信了耶穌。

我們需要學會依靠上帝的啟示，不能把這些屬靈的領域拋棄給靈媒，我們要努力在生命中得著上帝的啟示。這些先知性的話語，都是上帝給教會的恩賜，靈媒隻是替代品，真正的寶貝是聖靈的恩賜。這對教會是一種羞辱。讓人覺得這些靈媒這麼行，很有影響力，而教會很難接受這些靈裡簡單的東西。

現在我們來看巫術。在整個邪教中，巫術是非常重要的部分。巫術是從邪靈得著能力，這個能力勝過人，或者勝過環境。巫術就是追求能力，是參與到邪靈中，從靈界將超自然的能力帶進世界來。舊約出埃及記第七章10節說，“摩西亞倫進去見法老，就照耶和華所吩咐的行，亞倫把杖丟在法老和臣仆面前，杖就變作蛇。” ，這很壯觀的。想像我拿一個木杖一丟，變成了蛇，大家一定尖叫逃出去了。這是很嚇人的。可是術士做了什麼呢？11節說“ 於是法老召了博士和術士來，他們是埃及行法術的，也用邪術照樣而行。 ”英文經文的意思是他們按他們念的咒或秘密的邪術而行，注意這是秘密的法術。現在有兩條蛇了，可是摩西的蛇把另一條蛇吞了，他拿起來又變成了杖，這就展現超自然的能力了。

上帝的能力被行巫術的術士模仿抄襲。之所以能做到是因為他們參與連結了邪教的領域。當我們講到巫術，講到的是真實的能力，邪靈的能力，那些跟邪靈接觸的人真的是有能力。任何文化都有經歷，看到這些事，特別是在土著的地方，那些巫師有能力控制人和整個地區。埃及的這個巫師有三次模仿上帝的能力，22節“埃及行法術的、也用邪術照樣而行．”就是把水變成了血。八章7節中“行法術的也用他們的邪術照樣而行，叫青蛙上了埃及地。”上帝打的仗是針對埃及的這些神，真正的沖突是誰是真神，誰是假神。所有十災都是要面對埃及人拜的神，前面三個神跡，這些巫師都可以模仿，把木杖變為蛇，很嚇人；把水變成血，也很嚇人；把青蛙叫到地上來；他們在物件和動物上有能力，改變這些東西。

你觀察世界各地的邪教，會發現有些文化中非常害怕巫師，因為他們身上帶著能力，不是他們自己的能力，而是邪靈的能力。有些文化，會讓自己隱形，他們可以改變形狀樣貌，可以變成動物。我們最近的一些電影，好萊塢拍的電影很多就是巫術做的事，很多電影來源於巫術。人可以從一個地方變到另一個地方；突然消失又從另一個地方冒出來；或變成一種動物；這些人能做的事情非常了不起。這些電影其實是有真實來源的，通過好萊塢的包裝來吸引人，這些能力都是很真實的。人們受到他們的引誘，被他們控制，最后被他們毀滅。

行巫術的喜歡跟有能力的人在一起，使徒行傳十三章6節中講，“經過全島，直到帕弗，在那裡遇見一個有法術假充先知的猶太人，名叫巴耶穌，或耶穌的兒子。”他就是進入地獄之門。7節8節中說“這人常和方伯士求保羅同在，士求保羅是個通達人。他請了巴拿巴和掃羅來，要聽神的道。 隻是那行法術的以呂馬，（這名翻出來就是行法術的意思)敵擋使徒，要叫方伯不信真道。”這個法師就像一個地獄之門，他運用邪靈的能力，想要影響羅馬的這個官，他使用魔術和巫術，抵擋真道的傳播。保羅處理的方式是，讓上帝的能力降臨在他們當中，讓這人馬上瞎了眼。11節“現在主的手加在你身上．你要瞎眼、暫且不見日光。他的眼睛立刻昏蒙黑暗、”這就顯明了上帝的能力，擺脫巫師的控制，讓這些人都相信上帝的能力。保羅就跟當時摩西一樣，他顯明神的能力勝過一切行法術的。

使徒行傳第八章9至11節，“有一個人名叫西門，向來在那城裡行邪術，妄自尊大，使撒瑪利亞的百姓驚奇．。無論大小都聽從他，說這人就是那稱為神的大能者。 他們聽從他，因他久用邪術，使他們驚奇。”這個人在行邪術，對人有很大的影響力，人們都在他的咒底下，在他的影響之下，他的影響是邪惡的。 聖經裡形容他自己妄自尊大。巫術中的人，非常自我為中心，不斷展現自己的重要性。當腓利來了之后，他受洗信主了。他看到了使徒身上的能力，他就給他錢想得到這樣的能力。19節“把這權柄也給我，叫我手按著誰，誰就可以受聖靈。”他渴望有能力，可能是他裡面的苦毒在驅動他。“彼得說，你的銀子和你一同滅亡吧。因你想神的恩賜是可以用錢買的。 你在這道上無分無關，因為在神面前，你的心不正。 你當懊悔你這罪惡，祈求主，或者你心裡的意念可得赦免。 我看出你正在苦膽之中，被罪惡捆綁。”（使徒行傳第八章20至23節）

西門還是用舊有的方式思想，他明白靈裡的交易，付代價得能力。他想我付了代價就應該有能力了。彼得不肯被錢收買，直接找到了問題的根源，“苦毒”。他是被人拒絕和苦毒的一個人，所以他才要能力；他還被罪惡捆綁，裡面有自我為中心的自私，生命被扭曲了。

巫術是非常真實的，它后面的能力是邪惡的，人參與其中就是與邪靈行邪淫了。這是漸進的，上癮的。當今人們參與的巫術法術有哪些呢？其中一種是魔術師咒語。任何人為得到能力跟邪靈達成的任何協議，就是將生命向邪靈打開了。不可避免的是，在邪教裡一定有靈裡的交易，即一定要犧牲一些東西。當人參與其中時，一定先跟邪靈達成協議，邀請邪靈進入他的生命，他們要進行交換，有時會流血。當我們幫助人時要留意，他們既然流了血，跟邪靈的連結就到了另一個層面了。

另一個常見的就是幻想的電腦線上游戲。很多線上游戲都有巫師作為娛樂消遣；有些游戲是角色扮演，你選一個角色扮演，你在線上就有了另一個完全不一樣的身份。有些人就扮演巫師的角色在裡面玩，對人施咒，跟不同的人打仗，讓自己能力越來越強。這很容易讓人上癮。

馬太福音第五章28節，“凡看見婦女就動淫念的、這人心裡已經與他犯奸淫了。” 耶穌說你若帶著淫念的眼光看一個女人，你就是跟她行淫了。行淫這個罪是從心裡開始的，一個人可以犯了淫亂罪卻沒有身體上的接觸。主在這裡讓我看見一個人長期沉浸在電腦游戲中，想像在其中得著能力，就打開門讓邪術進來。剛開始可能隻是為了娛樂消遣，一打開門，就讓巫術進來了，這就造成問題了。可不可能打開電腦被鬼附呢？隨便看一看就不可能，但花很長時間的話，就有可能了。最容易分辨的就是看上不上癮。

在城市豐收教會，我有一次講到一個年青人，他對游戲上癮，無法拋開，不斷被吸引回到游戲中。這個人出來了，后來我們發現他玩的是叫魔獸的游戲，他講出他玩的角色，我叫他棄絕這個游戲和他在裡面的身份時，當他禱告時，巫術的靈在他臉上發作，他整個人就倒在了地上。他在玩這種游戲的時候，打開生命接觸到這些巫術。我們呼召時，有兩百人走出來接受輔導，有很大的釋放。這個很神奇。這些人白天在神學院讀神學，晚上回家在電腦前玩巫術。讓我們警覺的是，他們用偽裝的方式，讓人們以為它是無害的。它是舊問題有了新包裝。

另外一個巫術的入口就是吸毒。新約中講到“邪術”跟“藥師”是同一個詞。有些藥會讓人失去自我，有人因為生命中的一些痛苦，就對藥物上了癮。不是解決問題的根源，而是用藥物壓抑它。對藥物上癮就攔阻了你跟上帝建立關系，同時也沒有很好的解決問題。人因藥物上癮而產生的幻覺都很類似。我曾為一個人禱告，他因醫生開的處方藥上癮，他過去一直有醉酒和吸毒的歷史，放棄這些后，醫生給他開的止痛藥又讓他產生了幻覺，看到很多蜘蛛從牆上往他身上跳。當我們針對這個巫術把它趕出去后，他的幻覺和身上的疼痛都不見了。因此這種讓人上癮的藥也會打開門讓邪術的靈進來。

與這個相關的另一種模式是使用迷奸藥，讓女孩昏迷后與其發生性行為。任何人受到這種藥物的影響，都沒法反應，也沒法掙扎逃脫，這種藥物的背后是有巫術的能力的。有一個人來找我說，“我好像碰到這種情況。”我為這個女孩禱告，命令巫術的靈離開她。換句話說，另一個人用藥物把這個能力加在她身上。她有很大的釋放。

另一個我在馬來西亞碰到的例子。這個女子子宮一直出血，整個腹部都腫了起來，后來我才知道，她被下了咒。什麼是下咒？她說，有一個人養了小鬼，與小鬼交換能力，他拿了一種藥粉去敲這位女生的門，當她一打開門，就將藥粉吹在她的臉上，她立刻就進入靈的影響，他性侵這位女子后就離開了。當這位女孩清醒后，就開始了內部出血，腹部腫脹的情況出現了，無法停止。我們就為這個人禱告，砍斷她跟那個人的所有連結，趕走邪靈，她就得醫治了。

有各式各樣的巫術，如武術有時也會打開門讓邪靈進來。馬可福音五章4節，那人有超級的能力，能把鐵鏈弄斷，這背后是有邪靈的力量。我有個兒子那時想去學武術，我跟他講了這些進入邪靈的入口，一開始隻是為了鍛煉身體，慢慢的進行打坐，讓生命進入靈界獲取更大的能力，這樣就被鬼附上了，你得著的能力是邪靈的能力。你的教練到時就會要求你這樣做了。他接受武術課程一段時間后，這個就真的發生了，那時他就不學了。所以武術慢慢引你進入打坐的境界，然后進入靈裡了。

對於這些能讓邪靈進來的入口我們一定要很小心。有些音樂也可能打開門讓邪靈進來。從美國的一個校園槍擊案中，發現有兩個關鍵因素。第一，槍手在服用抗憂郁的藥。第二，他很喜歡重金屬的音樂。裡面很強烈的節奏和很惡心的歌詞讓人進入一種瘋狂的境界。這不是唯一的理由。有一些音樂背后是有邪靈在，可能打開門，當然拜偶像一定會讓邪靈進來。哥林多前書十章12至21節，那些人向偶像獻祭而不是獻給神，拜偶像為邪靈開門，在廟裡向偶像獻上自己做干兒子，干女兒的也一樣。

我們有時看到參與邪教的人，在過程中一定會有血的因素，我們一定要非常警覺。利未記十七章14節中，聖經說生命在血中。邪靈要讓人跟他達成協議，要跟你做交易，其中的一種方式叫歃血為盟。歃血為盟本是由上帝開始的，后來魔鬼了解了它的能力，就是祭壇獻祭的能力，他就鼓勵人筑壇獻祭。列王記下三章27節，以色列正取得極大的勝利，乘勝追趕他們的仇敵，突然戰爭急轉直下，他們敵對的王把自己的兒子獻上為祭了，那個國家就極力地抵抗以色列。換句話說，那個王用自己兒子的血，祈求邪靈的能力。當你面對參與邪教的人，一定要問他有沒有歃血為盟的行為，邀請邪靈或砍傷自己。這一定要打破才行。

歌羅西書一章14節說是耶穌的寶血贖回我們，耶穌的血比任何獻祭更有能力。彼得前書一章18節，我們是耶穌的寶血贖回的。我們要用耶穌的寶血和寶血所成就的。簡單的說，生命在血中，流了血，就形成了盟約。上帝的計劃是借著耶穌的寶血讓我們跟他立約，而邪靈讓我們用我們的血跟邪靈立約。我們最近為一個人禱告，他的父母取了他的血帶到廟裡獻給偶像，他自己沒去但他的血被拿去了，我們需要留意到這樣的事情。借著血可以釋放很大的能力，耶穌的寶血釋放很大的能力。世界各地行巫術時，會有流血獻祭，動物的血或人的血，他們身上才得著超自然的能力。

面對邪教時一定要留意，先詢問他們怎麼結合在一起的，有沒有流血的事情，或者獻祭的事。我很驚訝，有很多年青人跟邪靈歃血為盟。他們需要棄絕這樣的協議和跟他流血的事。

一個人在邪教的壓抑下，會有哪些症狀？我們應看什麼？有哪些跡象可以幫助我們認清問題？例如，晚上會有不尋常的聲音，通常會是邪教的行動；幻聽，這個人聽到不同的聲音，有聲音對他說話，通常是邪靈在活動的証據；或是物件自己在移動，門會自動開關，燈會一暗一明，很嚇人；或是有靈顯現出來，這是很嚴重的問題；或是身體上感覺受到性侵害，卻沒有人在現場，這個比你想象的更常發生，有一種靈，特別喜歡性侵男人或女人，性侵男人和女人的靈分別有不同的名字，叫succubus 和incubus，他們都是性方面的邪靈，他們會在半夜騷擾人，甚至把人釘在床上，這個人的感覺就是被人強暴或性騷擾一樣，但是卻看不到任何人，這都是邪靈的作為。很多人不敢講，覺得很丟臉，而且別人也不相信他。所以你聽到有人這樣說或自己感覺到這樣，要先問清楚情況。如果他說出來，要願意相信。

如果一個人常有性念頭的折磨，也可能是邪靈的侵擾，很沉重壓抑的感覺。當有恩膏的聚會時，非常焦躁不安，沒有辦法專注在屬靈的事上，非常困惑。這些的症狀可能都顯示有巫術參與其中。我們要看清楚還要問他你生命中經歷了什麼，人可能有各式各樣的入口。

我們接下來來看如何服事人，哪些步驟可以釋放人自由。

第一，求聖靈幫助我們。我們需要他揭露根源，我們需要來自於聖靈的能力。

第二，診斷，找到問題到底在哪裡。你需要問問題，“你有什麼樣的情況”，“它如何影響你？”“什麼時候開始的？”這告訴你是否是歷代的問題。“開始時有發生什麼事情嗎？”“是你做了什麼還是你家中發生了什麼事情？”“還是有人對你做了什麼？”這個人必須要敞開，誠實。我們一定要找到問題的源頭，“你有沒有向邪靈打開門？還是你們家其他人打開這個門的？”

給大家講一個例子。有一個女生家裡鬧鬼，她打電話來給我，讓我幫她清理鬼屋。我去到那裡，這個女人和她的男朋友，她的女兒和女兒的男朋友都在那裡，非常害怕，他們聽到奇怪的聲響，根本不敢睡覺，嚇死了。我跟他們講話也都聽到那種聲音，我知道有這種聲音了，可是我要知道它們是怎麼來的，我就開始問問題。要找到問題的根源，需要發問也需要聆聽，然后再發問。要有聆聽的態度，聽這個人，也要聽聖靈，他會告訴你要問 什麼。我就問他們，“這樣有多久了？”他們說“兩個星期。”“兩個星期前發生什麼事？”“不知道，啊，我女兒和她的男朋友搬進來了。”我弄清楚了，他們來之前沒有問題，他們搬進來后問題就出現了，所以是這男女兩人把問題帶進這個房子。我就問這兩個男女“你們搬進來這個房子以前，在你們原來的房子有沒有這樣的問題？”他們回答“有。”“所以是你們把他帶進來的。”“應該是吧。”所以就是跟著你們其中之一來的了，要知道是男的還是女的把他帶進來的。“你原來住的房子就有這個問題嗎？”“沒有。”我又問“你們兩個人有沒有參與過邪教的事？”“沒有。”“你們兩個人之前，有沒有哪一個跟參與過邪教的人上過床的？”那個女孩說“我前一個男朋友。”“你們的關系是不歡而散嗎？”“是的。”“他有沒有詛咒你？”“有的。”“因為你跟那個男的發生性關系，你們成為一體，邪靈就有權力進入你的生命。因為性關系和他的詛咒，邪靈就臨到你和你家裡，你又把它帶進這個房子，你離開它就會走了，它是跟在你身上的。”她說“我很震驚，我想著隻是房子鬧鬼，從來沒有問過這鬼是怎麼來的。”我說“你的罪讓邪靈有門進來。我帶領這些人信主，棄絕他們跟邪靈的關系和協議，吩咐邪靈離開，這房子就安靜下來了，他們也安靜了，一對男女又搬回去了。

你比較容易怪罪這個鬧鬼的房子，而不肯為問題負責。房子會不會鬧鬼？會的。但通常是有人邀請邪靈進來，可能是交鬼或邪術的事情，或家中發生災難，不然邪靈不會進來的。所以要注意診斷問題的根源。如果你發現這個人在邪教邪術上有參與，會有很多問題，你需要發問找到問題的根在哪裡。你問“問題什麼時候開始的？”“當時發生什麼事情？”就可以幫助你找到這些線索。認清這是歷代的問題還是個人的問題。他們自己做的嗎？一定要診斷，到底是什麼原因讓邪靈進來。

第三，需要跟他們解釋基督的作為，簡短的解釋。他們需要明白耶穌寶血的大能，神的能力，他的權柄勝過所有邪靈。不用很長，但一定要跟他們介紹耶穌。耶穌才釋放我們，耶穌才勝過邪靈。就像我跟你講的一樣，簡單分享聖經，之后跟他們解釋，得釋放他們該做些什麼，該怎麼做。解釋他們的部分，他們應該做的包括：認罪悔改。這是根基的部分，你邀請邪靈進來了，就要承認，請耶穌饒恕你；其次，領受饒恕並饒恕別人。參與邪教的人，常常是心裡有很深的苦毒的，家庭關系的破碎，痛苦的感情，心裡的苦毒，憤怒和懷恨。這些根源造成他們參與邪教，全都要挖出來。第三，他們需要棄絕所有跟邪靈的協議。棄絕就是撤銷，說出話來撤銷跟邪靈的協議。因為你邀請了他進來，現在你就要命令他離開。你跟他達成的協議，現在就要打破它了。話語很重要，不是嘴巴隨便說說，而是要真心說出來。

我們告訴他們這就是你要做的部分，你抓住這個罪是無法得自由的，你仍然不饒恕就在捆綁裡了，如果你不抵擋魔鬼，他就緊緊抓住你。你可以跟他們一起看雅各書四章7節，“故此你們要順服神，務要抵擋魔鬼，魔鬼就必離開你們逃跑了。”順服神就是悔改饒恕，選擇上帝做你能力的源頭，不要找魔鬼。當我們為他們禱告，他們要主動抵擋邪靈。這就是預備好這個人。

然后，跟他解釋你要做什麼，讓他明白服事是怎麼樣的。我會帶你做一個禱告，你跟著我說，禱告最后的時候，我會打破捆綁，吩咐邪靈出來，我不是對你說話，而是對邪靈說話。我不要你再禱告了，單單抵擋，命令這個邪靈出來的時候，你可能會咳嗽或吐氣出來。

現在所有的步驟都講完了，很簡單很有邏輯。現在就帶他們做這個禱告。禱告很簡單，通常是有這樣的部分：

第一，承認對基督的信。宣告對基督的信心。

第二，棄絕一切跟邪靈的協議。

第三，求上帝饒恕他。認罪，求上帝饒恕，領受上帝的饒恕。或者他們需要饒恕別人。他們進入邪教，常常是因為他們自己的苦毒。他們要觸摸耶穌，主動的抵擋魔鬼。

當你做這個棄絕和禱告時，要記得是否有盟約需要打破，這時候他們會告訴你了。另外一個要注意他的身上有沒有佩戴一些與邪教有關的東西，手腕上或脖子上，這可能成為一個釋放的攔阻，有時那些物件一解除，馬上就得釋放了。每一個字句和順序並不重要，禱告時要一直聆聽聖靈的聲音。我帶大家一起做這個禱告，讓你們看到禱告是怎樣做的，就是我們剛剛講到的部分組合的，當我禱告，我會在靈裡面跟著聖靈的水流來做，因此這個字眼和順序你可以改變。

我會這樣帶他們，

第一宣告信心，這個很重要，就是宣告我站在主這邊。我堅持相信他所做的一切。這些話很重要。

“親愛的天父，我奉耶穌的名到你面前，承認耶穌是我的救主，耶穌寶血贖回了我，離開一切咒詛，一切邪靈，所有邪教的勢力。我得贖回，我屬於耶穌。”

這就是認同耶穌。

第二，我們可能會說

“主啊，我承認有參與這樣的活動，我承認我的家人有參與這樣的活動，求你饒恕我，我領受你的饒恕。從我心中饒恕那些傷害我的人，特別饒恕我的父母，現在我棄絕所有與邪靈達成的協議，我棄絕所有的邀請，完全棄絕撤銷它們﹔我棄絕所有用血達成的協議，我棄絕撤銷它們﹔我棄絕所有靈媒對我說的話，棄絕它們﹔我棄絕所有歷代的咒詛，所有我的家人跟邪靈的協議。”

整個禱告中，任何可能的協議，全部撤銷。當你診斷時，就知道該怎麼禱告了。

“主啊，我現在觸摸你，求你釋放我自由，撒旦離開我的生命，奉耶穌的名。”

這個禱告做完了，你才帶他禱告，他可能就發作了，你仍然要掌控，不要受到驚嚇，命令這個靈安靜下來。

第三，你就要操練你的權柄了，開始釋放了。記得上帝賜我們權柄可以踐踏蛇和蠍子。你需要這樣做，首先，打破這些協議。好像他們之前講過的話，現在你要撤銷這些話。或者想像邪靈的繩索，現在你要把它砍斷。

“奉耶穌的名，我打破與歷代邪靈達成的協議，我打破它們，我打破捆綁家庭的協議，我打破你跟邪靈達成的血約，打破跟你所說的話語和虛假的命定，打破所有跟邪靈的依附。”

不是每次講的字都一樣，可是你可以看到這個水流是按照發生的情況，你禱告時，聖靈就會給你該打破的部分，你隻要試試看就可以了。不要依靠方法，你要了解怎樣做，了解原則和過程，依靠聖靈告訴你該講的話。如果有幫助，就把禱告列出來。

首先，奉基督的名，打破這個捆綁。之后，命令邪靈，直接對這個人裡面說話，命令邪靈出來，不斷的 施壓，從你靈裡面開始說話，開始興起，吩咐他離開。所以，你要培養靈裡的人，讓你的話語帶著靈裡的力量。不是看說話有多大聲，而是要帶著信心禱告。想像你好像站在洞穴的門口，對著裡面的動物說，“我命令你出來。”你的焦點就是要命令邪靈出來。注意改變的發生，有時一點反應都沒有，你就要繼續施壓，慢慢的就要孵出來了。我發現講出邪靈的名字會有幫助。當我禱告沒有反應發生時，我就講出邪靈的名字，他就反應出來了。

你要為什麼禱告呢？可能有佔卜的靈，污鬼的靈，魔法的靈，苦毒的靈，死亡的靈，仇恨的靈，這些都可能包含在裡面。你要對這些東西說話，命令它們離開，從靈裡不斷的對它們施壓，要一直依靠聖靈的幫助。

有時它們會發作，有各式各樣的發作方法，很多人會尖叫。如果一直尖叫，說明他沒有得釋放。就像在表演一樣，所以不要讓他一直這樣做。讓這人停下來不要尖叫，開始抵擋。還是要對聖靈敏銳，如果這人一直尖叫，我會跟他說停下來，停下來，你要跟我合作，抵擋這個靈。他們可能會尖叫，會抖動，也可能會很暴力，不要害怕，他們的眼睛好像冒著火光一樣看著你，你就從裡面看回他們去，把他們瞪回去，讓他看到你的眼光更銳利。你要知道你代表耶穌，他會怎樣瞪著仇敵，他會怎麼看這些邪靈的，發光的眼，裡面要興起，帶著電光看著這個人。很有意思，他們有些很害怕就開始躲避，我注意他的眼神開始漂移或往下看時，就很強的逼迫他，他很快就出去了。一旦他開始不抗拒，很快他就消失了。

有時有些人會想吐，所以准備一些紙巾和袋子等，這些都是協助你的，不是拿袋子往上一套就得釋放。對發生的事情敏銳，繼續命令。如果他們持續的爭斗，踢斗，就要約束他們，以免傷到他們或傷到別人。有時我會退后一步，繼續命令。你需要一直聽聖靈教你怎麼做，聆聽他的指引。要分辨到底是邪靈還是他的情緒，有時會從邪靈很快的轉變為情緒，有時面對邪靈，他裡面的憂傷痛苦全都冒出來了。如果是邪靈，他裡面的感覺是很丑陋，很惡心的；如果是情緒，看起來很像，但是裡面是沒有反應的，隻是在叫，實際上是這人的情緒；有時會有很多眼淚。靈是要趕的，情緒就需要停下來，他可能需要饒恕，放開什麼。問他到底發生了什麼，跟他互動，教他跟你一起配合服事。不是那麼容易分辨什麼是邪靈什麼是情緒的，經驗會幫助你，如果根本沒有釋放，你就停下來算了。跟這人互動，得到他的協助，聖靈會告訴你，要先處理什麼，才能更進一步的釋放。

如果邪靈跟你爭吵，威脅你，你怎麼辦？邪靈說“這人屬於我，我不要離開，你是誰，你什麼都不是，你沒有能力。”沒錯，我們沒有能力，但耶穌有，我們是奉他的名來的。你要對他說話，“奉拿撒勒人基督耶穌的名來敵對你，他在各各他打敗你，撤銷了你所有的能力，他在各各他羞辱了你，有一天會把你丟到火湖裡。”用經文把它壓下去。有時他會說，“謊言”“不要跟我這樣講”，你就繼續壓迫他。魔鬼不喜歡聽上帝的話，有時我會說這樣話，“耶穌的寶血打破了你的勢力”。

如果這個魔鬼抵擋我，我會看著他說，“魔鬼，你看到十字架，你看見寶血，你的能力被打破了，你的掌控被打破了。”我感覺是從靈界，不是從自然界。自然界是按照時間來看的，我們今天的人，是看不見十字架的，因為是兩千多年前的事，我隻能在想像裡看見。可是在靈界裡，好像就在現場，真實發生的，是現在靈裡的真實。每次我叫他們看十字架，看耶穌寶血，馬上就出現整個釋放。

如果他持續抵擋，你可能需要回應一步，看看有什麼需要先解決的。你需要先拆下邪靈所住的房子，很快就可以把邪靈趕出去了。服事時，一直依靠聖靈的幫助；服事完了以后，安慰這個人，禱告神的愛和平安進入他的心中。不要在這人得釋放前就開始安慰。昨天晚上我就看到了，我常常看到。有人抱著他，安慰他，我手一放在他頭上，他就開始尖叫，因為邪靈沒有出來。你要留在那裡警覺，免得魔鬼騙你。你怎麼知道他出來了？你會感覺那個魔鬼出去了，或者那個人會告訴你，或者聖靈會告訴你。你要用不同的方式觀察。

如果這人參與邪教的話，還有額外的東西，所有跟邪教有關的物件都要從他們家清除。使徒行傳十九章19節，“平素行邪術的，也有許多人把書拿來，堆積在眾人面前焚燒。他們算計書價，便知道共合五萬塊錢。”這裡人們對他們的罪知罪了，公開承認自己的罪，確定再也不回到這裡面去了。五萬塊，很多錢了，他們的意思是這些錢不再吸引我了，我完全擺脫這些東西了。

同樣，舊約申命記七章25，26節中也說，這個人需要清除家中所有與邪教有關的物件，你要要求這人把這個東西拿來給你燒掉，在這方面絕不能妥協，參與邪教的人，需要完全得釋放。

你要為什麼樣的靈禱告？我們已經講了很多的靈，讓聖靈引導你，當有任何的名字冒出來，你就命令他。阿門？阿門！

聽眾提問之一：這一位女士去看中醫，在中華文化中，我們相信體內有一種氣，而她體內的氣很弱，於是她的中醫就建議她打坐以增強她的氣，但她擔心走火入魔，拒絕這麼做，改用鍛煉身體的方式。她想知道練太極，瑜伽等，是否會落入邪靈的圈套？

答： 氣就是你生命的力量，對基督徒來講，這就是你靈裡面的生命。我們講憂傷的靈使骨枯干，你靈裡的狀況會直接影響你身體的狀態。靈，魂，體，都是彼此攸關的，我們靈和心裡的情況都會影響身體的能量。

你怕打坐讓自己打開接觸到邪靈的問題，聖經中講的默想是非常積極的，是去想神的話語，是理解神的話語，看見神話語的真實，他的焦點專注在一個事情上。而東方的這種靜坐冥想，是要倒空自己，這就打開門讓別的東西進來了。我不覺得這是好事。其實瑜伽的每一種動作都是他們對某一種神的膜拜方式，它的根源就顯明了它是從哪裡來的了。有些人做運動，好像打太極，做瑜伽等，好像是有獲得利益，可是他們的根源卻來自於對假神的崇拜。

問題是，你要離那個懸崖多近才不會掉進去呢？這就是你要問聖靈的了。我的建議是，鍛煉的最好方式是走路，游泳，鼓勵你方言禱告，培養你靈裡的活力和能量。聖經說叫耶穌死裡復活的靈住在我們裡面，需要釋放他出來，釋放的方式就是讓我們靈裡面的能力接觸神，讓神進來。

我每天做的事情非常有幫助，就是每天走路，方言禱告，很刻意的禱告，讓我的靈興起。我方言禱告時，默想上帝親近我，我跟他結合，花時間禱告敬拜他，容許他的生命在我的生命中流露出來。我住在台北時，就在酒店的那一層走路，很早就開始走路，這樣就不會碰到人，不然大家想這個外國人瘋了。如果我唱歌，可能會想這個外國瘋子還很開心的。我發現自己的體力和能量借著運動，方言禱告敬拜，還有默想上帝的話語，真的得到提升。

讓這成為習慣，我在這方面就得到很大的幫助。有一些借著你流出來的能量，感覺是魂的部分，或者是心的部分，如果我們刻意把這些降伏在主的面前，讓他在我們生命中流露，你就會期待你的能量有很大的增加。我就很有活力，想到我的年紀，這是很讓人驚訝的，我可以花幾個小時為很多人禱告，可是我需要有跟上帝獨處的時間。

我需要默想他的同在，在我裡面充滿我。我要常常回到根源，建立屬神生命的最基本的生活。以賽亞書四十章說，等候耶和華的，必重新得力。我覺得我們活的生命是交換來的生命。不是我要讓事情發生，而是要放掉這一切，我開始明白察覺，基督在我裡面。能力已經在我裡面了，默想訓練你的心相信這個，這才讓你越來越有活力。

剛強的方言禱告，運動和默想，對我的活力非常有幫助。同時也需要好的飲食和休息。有時活力低，可能是身體不平衡，或者魂有問題。例如，焦慮會濾光你的能量，恐懼會吸走你的能量。我們身體系統的運作就是要我們的心跟上帝和諧為一，我們的心跟上帝和諧為一了，其它的東西就自然的調對了。希望這能幫助到你。

聽眾提問之二：這個人遇到一位馬來西亞來的女留學生，這個女孩半夜跟他們在一起時，突然邪靈發作，整個行為完全改變了，甚至聲音，眼神都變成了男孩。后來，她說她有很嚴重的抑郁症，沒有咨詢過醫生就擅自停止服藥了。這個人想知道，如何分辨藥物的情況還是靈裡的情況，該如何處理。

答：這是一個非常好的問題。你必須要敞開，有些人的問題是生理不是屬靈的，或者兩者都有的，因為它們是有連結的。我們提供的建議都是屬靈的，我們不是醫生，也沒有受過醫藥的訓練，這些事情就不要擅自做主，這不是我們的專長。

如果在這種情況下需要用藥的話，或者你應該鼓勵這人去做一個檢查，做了檢查就可以發現這是否是生理的問題，就可以調整飲食或用藥幫助他身體恢復平衡。有些人用藥，不告訴醫生就自己停下來了，很讓人擔心。沒過多久，問題就變得更嚴重了。因為當他沒有用藥，身體就有反應，整個發作出來了。如果跟健康醫藥有關，需要有醫生的幫助和建議，我們不是專家，不能知道全部東西。

我們曾經碰過一個女生，我們越為她禱告，她瘋狂的越嚴重。我說不禱告了，有幾件事你需要做的。首先，我們不再為你禱告了，你要先找一個人談話，他會跟你禱告。第二，馬上去找醫生，做檢查，一定有東西不對了。第三，做些實際的東西。不要太屬靈，要實際一點。有時候，運用恩慈這個恩賜。一開始，她反應很強烈，我們真的限制她隻能跟這個人聯絡；很難叫她去看醫生，一旦去看了，叫她的家人也一起去幫忙，讓她自己對自己的行為負責。我上次看到她時，她是很穩定，很安靜的一個人。這不再是釋放的問題，而是她身體內的荷爾蒙或生理上的不平衡。這一切都是相關的，所以她的情緒，生理都會造成這些反應。

人們常喜歡把所有的錯都怪罪在魔鬼身上，自己就不用負責了。所以做一些正常的事情，找醫生檢查一下，驗一下血等等。如果你認為可能是心理上的問題，不要超過自己的能力，把他轉介給醫生就好了。這不會有什麼損失，會有很大的幫助。

聽眾提問之三：這位女士經常聽到房屋的結構或鋼筋在嘎嘎作響，非常吵，無法入睡，應該怎麼辦？第二個問題是，你剛才提到的邪靈性騷擾的問題，如果在床上被壓制，被侵犯，當時應該怎麼做？

答：這兩者可能是相關的。如果一個人晚上有邪靈性侵犯她，通常有很強的邪教的連結，就打開門讓邪靈進來，它宣稱在這人生命中有權力了，而實際上它沒有。通常這種靈都是從邪界來的。可能是家族中有變態的事情發生過。第二，如果有這樣的靈，家中發生各樣的聲響或攪擾人的事情也是常見的。

第一步就是要把它帶到光中。你需要聖靈幫助你看到根源是什麼，什麼時候開始的，造成的原因是什麼，是否有歷代的原因還是這人做了什麼。之后就是釋放了。大部分事情你可以自己照著這幾個步驟釋放了，靈裡面方言禱告，命令他出去。有的時候，你需要別人來服事你。這可以幫助你做的更深，或碰觸到你自己碰不到的東西。

我猜測這兩者是有關聯的。你聽見房子裡面的聲音，一般來講就是邪靈在裡面

壓制造成的情況。禱告讓聖靈讓你看見有哪些入口。要棄絕，完全關上門，抵擋魔鬼，或找人幫你，服事你。

聽眾提問之四：一位女士提出關於小朋友的問題。一個七，八歲的孩子，晚上半夜經常狂哭尖叫，白天為他禱告時，又反應的很激烈。對於靈裡有問題的小孩，應如何醫治釋放，如何幫助他。

答：兒童有服事他們的方法。通常有兩種接觸的方式。

第一，孩子睡覺的時候幫他們禱告。讓父母也在場，所以服事當中如果孩子醒過來的時候，不至於被嚇倒。我有為比這更小的孩子禱告的情況。做之前，要先了解孩子的家庭背景，找到這個靈是由哪個源頭來的，是歷代開的門嗎？可能借由家族的邪靈進來的。所以跟父母談話，會幫你找到源頭。先服事他們，要挪去邪靈進入他們家中合法的權力。

不要碰這個孩子，輕柔的禱告，安靜的在靈裡禱告，邀請聖靈來，聆聽聖靈說什麼。基於你之前知道的資料，打破家族中邪靈的咒詛，和跟邪靈的協議，吩咐邪靈出去。這不需要孩子參與。

另一種方式是，坐下來跟孩子聊，問他晚上做什麼夢，讓孩子自己說他感受到什麼。用他們懂的語言來表達。要用孩子的方式跟他們講真理。當孩子跟你講完之后，你可以這樣跟他說，“你知道是什麼讓你有這種夢嗎？”“我覺得是一個不好的靈。”“你知道有不好的靈，它會來煩我們的。”“不是你的錯，你沒有做錯事情，是那些壞靈做的。”“耶穌可以搞定他們的，耶穌身上有好靈的。”我用他們的語言，讓孩子能夠明白。

“有時候這些壞靈會進到人裡面，讓他們很難過，讓他們很害怕。但耶穌來把這些壞靈趕走。聖經中，耶穌就把那些壞靈趕走了。壞靈很怕耶穌的，他們怕到等不及逃走。我們邀請耶穌來，他比壞靈更厲害，他可以幫助你不要這個壞靈.”

“等一下我會幫你禱告，我會對壞靈說話，我不是對你說話，當我一換，你就知道我在跟壞靈說話。我們就命令他離開，你裡面可能會有些感覺，因為壞靈會害怕。不是你害怕，是壞靈在害怕。你隻需要呼氣，吐氣讓他離開，把他推出去。”

這些孩子都懂的，呼氣或咳嗽，“我們一起咳嗽，一起工作，把壞靈趕出去。耶穌就會很開心。”

我們用的語言是孩子都能聽懂的。你可以坐在孩子身邊，或讓孩子坐在你膝上。如果7，8歲，發作起來會有些困難，他力氣已經很大了。現在你已經有他合作，我們期待這個邪靈可以很容易離開。做的時候最好父母都在場，可以是很透明的做法。不要說什麼做什麼嚇到孩子。

你會讓孩子很有信心，感覺很棒，很好。“如果你裡面有什麼感覺，你就把它咳出來，我們要拋開這個東西。”你就幫他走過這個過程。

如果孩子發作，你就緊緊抱住他，限制他，可是有時候很難。最好讓孩子跟你合作，這樣他跟你一起同工抵擋邪靈。

聽眾提問之五：這位女士幫助的一個人，他有家族病史，家族中有很多人因這個病自殺。這個病就是身體虛弱，睡不著覺，吃不下，身體機能喪失。這個人會有幻聽，讓他有自殺和自殘的想法。曾經積極參與醫治和釋放的聚會，可都沒有很大的釋放和改變。好像歷代的問題和幻聽都有。我們應該如何開始服事，如果沒有太大的經歷，要怎樣幫助他。以前從不知道他有否參與過邪教的行為，但家族中一直有拜偶像的現象。

答：像這種失眠，無法睡覺，有很多理由。有些是生理上的，有些是焦慮症，有些是靈裡的問題。有時同時給他醫療和屬靈方面的治療。我的處理方式就是系統性的問問題，試著找出根源。不處理根，不能得自由的。

這個人要為這件事負起責任來。有些人總希望別人幫他修好，自己不想負起責任來。他自己要面對耶穌，跟耶穌建立起關系。在家族中有很多人自殺，家族中就有問題了。有自殺的靈，壓抑的靈，拜偶像的靈，還有邪術的靈，你要找到有哪些源頭。這個人要站穩自己的立場，抵擋邪靈，來到十字架前。

有些人沒有信心他們可以得自由。釋放不是消極的東西，我們要主動進去得著耶穌給我們的。有時服事之前你要先教導他。舉例來說，呼召時，你會發現出來的人有不同的反應。都出來了，代表他們都希望看到一些結果，可是后面卻完全不一樣了。有的很戲劇化，有的什麼反應都沒有，我們之前都看不出來的。這個人心裡的預備和態度，會影響到他從上帝那裡能領受多少。有些人來是覺得，我真的有這個問題，我需要上帝釋放，我預備好，禁食，到領受的時候，就有很大的釋放。有些人隻是抱著試試看的態度，人家叫他去了，什麼反應都沒有。他裡面的消極被動心，根本沒有預備跟神相遇。

預備好跟神相遇很重要。我會說，第一，看他的根源，先問他，找到問題的根源在哪裡。之后，按照這些步驟一步步，看有沒有反應。鼓勵這個人可以禁食，讓他先默想一些經文，上帝的應許。不要讓他被動的等你做就好了。他就把所有責任放在你身上，要你幫他修好。而不是我自己要追求全人的健全。

責任在誰身上很關鍵。常常我們看到人沒有迫切想要得到自由。 “這個想法不錯，可是要跟耶穌調整對，我又不太想了。”我們講到失眠這個問題，自殺的問題，你必須要給他一些指示。

給你一段相關的經文，提摩太后書二章24至26節，“主的仆人不可爭競、隻要溫溫和和的待眾人、善於教導、存心忍耐、用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人．或者　神給他們悔改的心、可以明白真道．叫他們這已經被魔鬼任意擄去的、可以醒悟、脫離他的網羅。”

前面要有教導，讓這個人明白，他才能抓的到真道。我沒有失眠的所有答案，有些是邪靈造成的，有些是身體的化學反應問題。我有一個牧師朋友，他自己根本沒辦法睡，他就用那些時間看書，讀經，讓自己有生產力。可是聖經應許，“讓他親愛的安然入睡。”有些解答可能是屬靈的，有些可能是生理上的。可能吃一些東西，幫助他身體睡覺。千萬不要喝咖啡，讓自己清醒。學習入睡前放鬆。

這個解答不是那麼明顯，可能要從不同的層面看。起碼，你知道了方向了。

________________________________________________________________________

親愛的天父，我們感謝你有這樣相聚的時間。主啊，教我們怎麼應用我們所學到的，能夠釋放恩膏，在人的生命中結果子。奉基督的名，阿門！

從性犯罪中得自由  

Fri 4th Oct 2013 « 返回頁首

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性犯罪是一個當前我們所面對的一個越來越嚴重的問題。當服事人時，應從什麼角度開始幫助人從性犯罪中得自由？我們應保持願意學習的心，了解別人的情況。

我們從聖經中一個人被污鬼攪擾的故事開始。了解上帝是如何創造人的，再看性犯罪的影響，最后是服事人的方法。

路加福音第四章33節講，“在會堂裡有一個人，被污鬼的精氣附著，大聲喊叫說， 唉，拿撒勒的耶穌，我們與你有甚麼相干，你來滅我們麼，我知道你是誰，乃是　神的聖者。 耶穌責備他說，不要作聲，從這人身上出來吧。鬼把那人摔倒在眾人中間，就出來了，卻也沒有害他。”這個人被不潔的污鬼所捆綁，所有的污鬼都是不潔的，很可能這個人就是在性方面犯罪而被捆綁。這裡是信徒聚集的會堂，所以應該是一個信徒在性方面犯罪的問題，不知他是如何打開自己的生命，讓邪靈進來折磨他的。他被情欲，變態的靈折磨。那麼，這是怎樣的一種折磨呢？

第一，他的頭腦中常常出現過去性行為的畫面，邪靈確保這些圖畫一直出現在他眼前。

第二，幻想將來性行為的情形，意念中常常幻想將來可能的情況，他裡面就會有被催逼，情欲的欲望。

第三，生命中會有不斷失敗的循環。求神赦免，好一點后，不久又回到了從前。

這種不斷催逼的勢力是從邪靈來的。邪靈會在人裡面產生能量。以弗所書二章2節講到，“那時、你們在其中行事為人隨從今世的風俗、順服空中掌權者的首領、就是現今在悖逆之子心中運行的邪靈．”邪靈在心中運行，運行就是得活力的意思。邪靈在人裡面產生能量和壓力，罪也會在人裡面產生能量。罪會讓人得著能量。羅馬書五章27節說，是罪在你們心中發動。當人有這樣的問題時，他裡面會有強烈的能力和壓力在逼促他，裡面的邪靈和罪會不斷增加壓力。

性沖動是我們要學會管理的胃口，它是上帝賜給我們的。就像每天都要吃東西，也是一種自然的胃口。性欲望也是上帝放在人裡面的一種自然渴望的胃口。是人需要好好管理的。可是邪靈的存在和罪，會在裡面產生極大的能量，不斷的壓迫你，造成更大的胃口。我們要學習管理好自己。

帖撒羅尼迦前書第四章3至8節，“神的旨意就是要你們成為聖潔，遠避淫行。要你們各人曉得怎樣聖潔尊貴，守著自己的身體。 不放縱私欲的邪情，像那不認識神的外邦人。不要一個人在這事上越分，欺負他的弟兄。因為這一類的事，主必報應，正如我預先對你們說過，又切切囑咐你們的。 神召我們，本不是要我們沾染污穢，乃是要我們成為聖潔。 所以那棄絕的，不是棄絕人，乃是棄絕那賜聖靈給你們的神。”

關於處理性犯罪的問題不是用禱告，上帝的要求就是要我們保持清潔，遠避淫行，就是遠避性犯罪。

第一，神的旨意是要我們遠避，要有節制，要懂得保護自己。

第二，學習如何管理自己生命中的這種胃口。我們看到沒有得救的人，總是找機會滿足自己在這方面的欲望，這種行為正與我們相反。

第三，不要在性方面操縱弟兄姐妹，如果你這樣做，就是欺負他了。這是一個很重大的教導。如何建立美好的關系，又不在性方面操縱人。

最后，聖潔是神所召，不是人所確定的。如果我們抵擋聖潔，清潔的教導，就是抵擋上帝。

人為什麼要走這條路？我們剛剛在路加福音第四章看到的這個人，他在淫行，性犯罪的捆綁中，需要得釋放。釋放是他得自由的關鍵。釋放之后，他仍需行在聖潔裡。還要管理自己的胃口，也要用全新的方式建立他的關系感情。

要了解上帝的計劃安排，先要了解上帝是如何創造我們的。創世紀第二章18節，“耶和華神說，那人獨居不好，我要為他造一個配偶幫助他。”24節中“因此，人要離開父母，與妻子連合，二人成為一體。”所以在上帝的創造中，他說不好的隻有人的孤單。上帝造人，是要有關系的。我們受造就是有能力跟人親密，也需要這樣的親密。跟上帝親密，也跟其他人親密。上帝賜給我們這樣的能力，用很實際的方式來表達這樣的親密，有連結的能力。兩個人在性方面發生關系，就結合在一起。性的親密會使頭腦中產生化學反應，讓兩個人產生連結，他們同時會有依附的感覺產生。

孤單需要親密來解決，跟上帝的親密，跟另一個人的親密，上帝造我們是有能力跟別人結合的，性交是產生這種結合的關鍵。二人要合為一起，兩人發生性親密，就使兩人結合在一起，就連結了。上帝賜我們很多不同的能力，有能力跟別人親密，表達這樣的親密，跟別人結合，有能力創造，可以用意念，也可以用身體創造東西。

在我們性能力方面有兩個很重要的東西。第一，有能力跟別人親密結合。第二，有能力創造新生命。這當然是要負責任的，可世界卻一直在扭曲這些。馬太福音十九章4至6節中“耶穌回答，那起初造人的，是造男造女。”上帝的設計是一男一女，不是男跟男，也不是女跟女。“並且說、『因此，人要離開父母，與妻子連合，二人成為一體。』這經你們沒有念過麼。 既然如此，夫妻不再是兩個人，乃是一體的了。所以神配合的，人不可分開。”所以，神最初的設計是兩人彼此親密。親密代表不設防，向對方打開平常不給人看到的地方，人不可能跟每個人都親密，這是不恰當，會造成傷害的。

親密需要慢慢培養建立關系和信任，親密對上帝很重要。他造我們，就是希望我們能夠親密， 他設計我們有緊密的關系。有親密的能力也讓我們不設防。如果你向一個人打開心，把自己的一部分讓他知道，這樣不設防你就很容易受到傷害。他可以拒絕你，背叛你，這是兩難的情況。你傷害我，就會影響我的生命，讓我很難跟別人親密了。所有親密都讓你不設防，所以上帝的設計是，在親密中一定要有保護。兩人在性方面的親密，是他們的靈，魂，體都參與的。上帝的設計是我們從靈裡開始活，我們靈的生命借著魂和體表達出來，觸摸別人。

世界把性經歷貶低為純粹隻有肉體。在上帝的眼中，認為這是從裡面出來的，心跟心的連結，分享生命，之后才是身體。但世界反過來了。世界隻強調是肉體的，完全不在乎可能對靈和魂造成的傷害。當兩人有身體上性的關系，而沒有親密關系，沒有打開心愛另一個人，就把這行為貶低為隻有肉體的反應了。親密而沒有委身信任，就打開門讓傷害進來。上帝設計我們，是讓兩人因性親密。發生性行為，身體上會有變化發生，在性交過程中，頭腦會發生化學反應，因人的喜樂造成結合。

當兩人親密結合時，他們聽見，看見，經歷都像魂結合在一起，人彼此結合時，兩人的靈彼此觸摸接觸。上帝的設計就是從一個人的靈的流露， 與另一個人的靈，魂，體接觸。如果你忽略這些，就是把親密貶低為僅有肉體的反應，就完全扭曲了上帝的原意了。

聖經中講到亞當和夏娃的親密時說，亞當“認識”夏娃，之后才跟她同房。夫妻之間由認識，再到親密。如果不是夫妻，就隻稱為同房。例如他瑪被強暴時，她的兄弟與她同房。聖經中用完全不同的詞匯來表達。

性交除了身體的接觸，還有彼此心跟靈的結合，所以要保護這樣的親密。上帝用立約跟我們接觸。約是結合的協議，在協議中，不會有傷害。上帝建立的關系，是盟約的關系。上帝設計的婚姻，也是立約的關系。兩人彼此委身，不要傷害對方，而要忠心到底。上帝設計的婚姻是男與女結為夫妻。在盟約的關系裡，也反應了耶穌與教會的關系。盟約是一生的承諾和委身，彼此衷心和保護。

聖經中有盟約時，先是說話，然后流血，這樣就是彼此承諾了。上帝設計女子第一次性行為時，會有流血的情況，上帝就是向我們顯明這是立約，盟約的關系。在婚禮上，夫妻雙方先交換言辭，就是立約﹔然后交換戒指，成為立約的保証。大家一起見証這個約，一起慶祝這個約。可是婚姻隻有在圓房之后才算完成，因為當中會有流血。父母會把沾了血漬的床單留著，代表女子貞潔的証明。這是希伯來文化中非常重要的一件事。女子要為男子保存自己，與男人建立盟約。而當男人與女人親密，卻沒有跟她立約，就是佔她的便宜了，利用她滿足自己的需要，沒有給她盟約的保証和安全感，對她造成傷害。

上帝設計建造男人去追求和征服，女人是尋求保障和委身。耶穌追求我們，給我們這個約，我們跟他的關系就有了保障。婚姻中，男子追求女子，給她一個約，對她衷心到底。性行為是整個婚姻中的一部分，所有婚禮的程序，以及兩人的性親密都是上帝設計的盟約的關系。這就是帖撒羅尼迦書中講的“你不要欺負對方”的原因。操縱人使自己得好處，男人欺負女人，操縱她，引誘她，有了性行為之后又拋棄她。女人需要的是安全感和親密，被拋棄后，就覺得被欺負了。

可以看出來，我們離上帝的設計有多麼的遠，我們需要回到上帝的心意裡。你創造了一個東西，就了解他如何運用。造出微波爐的人，就會寫出應用手冊。如果你不理會應用手冊，隨意將金屬放進去，肯定會有問題。同樣，我們要回到上帝的設計裡，按照上帝希望的性親密的行為守則行事。但是人就是敵對神，總想按照自己的想法做。罪就是虧缺上帝原來給我們安排的美意。性犯罪就是虧缺了上帝的原意。他們享受嗎？當然享受，這原本就是上帝的設計，但是裡面隱藏了毀滅，因為罪的代價就是死。

聖經中也警告我們避免性犯罪，避免性犯罪造成的損害。神的目的是要我們有親密，在親密中不設防，婚姻之外發生的性親密很明顯就會造成傷害。在這方面神有些什麼警告？

首先，神不反對性。人是他創造的，他給我們能力創造新生命，他也教我們如何做，我們就是被這樣設計的，神覺得這樣很好，他把這個欲望放在我們裡面，我們也很喜歡。所以，不要禱告讓神把它拿走，神是有目的的。

哥林多前書第六章13 節，“身子不是為淫亂，乃是為主。主也是為身子。”表明神不希望有性犯罪，保持自己的貞潔就是尊榮神。神設計我們來顯明他，他不希望我們沒有委身就與人發生性行為，他與人是立約的關系，是永恆的。夫妻之間是流血立約的。上帝借耶穌的血跟我們立約，我們領聖餐的主要目的之一，就是慶祝這樣的關系，是約的保証。我們吃餅，喝杯，就是提醒我們耶穌的血贖淨了我們。我對上帝是很尊貴的，他愛我，我屬於他，不屬於其它任何人。我得赦免，被愛。我們與神的關系就像婚約，神是守約的，我們如果違約，不忠實，就是很嚴重的罪。在上帝的眼中，關系代表生命，違背關系就是死亡。盟約代表上帝與我們相交，違背盟約就是很可怕的罪，違背了上帝最核心的精神。

接著看哥林多前書第六章15 ，16節，“豈不知你們的身子是基督的肢體麼。我可以將基督的肢體作為娼妓的肢體麼。斷乎不可。 豈不知與娼妓聯合的，便是與他成為一體麼。因為主說，『二人要成為一體。』 ”身為信徒，上帝的靈住在我裡面，我們是耶穌在世上的代表之一，是基督身體的一部分。參與性犯罪，身上帶著的聖靈不想參與。與娼妓結合，就讓上帝的靈擔憂。

18 節，“你們要逃避淫行。人所犯的，無論甚麼罪，都在身子以外。惟有行淫的，是得罪自己的身子。”說謊，偷竊，違背律法等等的犯罪都是在你外面。隻有性犯罪不同，上帝警告我們，行淫是得罪自己的身體。當兩人結合，一人的部分生命會進入另一人裡面，改變發生在裡面。大腦的化學反應，開始回應，還有記憶留在裡面。這種淫行會建立神經的管道讓人上癮，頭腦好像被卡住。當服事人時，這不是外面的罪，表示道歉就行了，而是裡面要開始改變，因為罪一直帶在身上，沒法走開。

性犯罪的影響非常獨特，有東西會進入身體裡面。羅馬書第一章27節，“男人也是如此，棄了女人順性的用處，欲火攻心，彼此貪戀，男和男行可羞恥的事，就在自己身上受這妄為當得的報應。”這裡講到性犯罪對人的影響遠大於其它的罪。人裡面發生改變，越走入性犯罪這條路，這影響和改變就越深。

性犯罪造成的傷害有很多，雖然很多人不肯承認。一個人越對自己的靈敏銳，就會越察覺性犯罪造成的影響有多大。

首先，是靈裡的損傷。影響你跟上帝的關系，讓聖靈擔憂。以弗所書四章30節就講到讓聖靈擔憂，造成他的痛苦和難過。因為上帝是守約的，你如果行淫，就讓聖靈擔憂，破壞了這個關系。以弗所書四章，五章是有聯系的，列出了讓聖靈擔憂的事。淫行就讓上帝擔憂，對上帝造成傷害。繼續犯罪，就會使我們的良知越來越麻木。參與淫行，會產生罪咎，羞愧的心理。

這世界一直強調性犯罪不是大問題。可是任何高官在犯了淫行后，都會感到羞愧和罪咎。上帝希望我們坦然面對他，可是在性犯罪中掙扎的人，就會覺得自己被定罪了，不配來到上帝面前。性犯罪中，魔鬼會不斷的逼促你，做了之后，就馬上定你的罪，讓你羞愧。上帝供應我們，洗淨我們，隻要我們按照他的方法做。

同時，邪靈的污穢可能跟著發生了。邪靈會經由性行為由一個人身上傳到另一個人身上。兩人發生性交，就是二人成為一體。邪靈就有機會進入了。就像性病互相傳遞一樣，邪靈也有了合法的權力從一人身上進入另一人身上。舊約中，能夠讓上帝的子民犯罪的方法之一就是性犯罪，人讓邪靈進入就會被擄走。

民數記二十五章巴蘭想要咒詛以色列，上帝說不行，他們是蒙福的。於是他就差那些拜偶像的女人到他們中間，引誘他們，與他們同房，他們就因此跌倒了。士師記十六章的參孫，那些人就是在等他掉進淫行裡，奪走他的力量，把他擄走了。是淫行讓他先在靈裡被捆綁了。大衛王也是因為性犯罪，引起了后面的欺騙和謀殺。舊約中發生的性犯罪，是會被律法治死的，死亡的靈就合法進入了。性犯罪讓邪靈的污穢很容易發生。我以前分享過的一個女孩，有過被污鬼壓制的情況，因她曾跟一位參與邪教的人發生性行為。

另一個靈裡的損傷是，不敬虔的魂結產生了，讓邪靈有權力進來。魂結是一種結合，二人成為一體時，他們結合在一起了。如果他們結婚了，是合法的結合﹔如果沒有結婚，就是不敬虔的魂結。這樣的結合，就讓邪靈進入生命。如果性伴侶之間的魂結被打破，邪靈通常會馬上發作。

靈裡的影響是我們跟上帝的關系受損。邪靈進來，良心受損，人被定罪，邪靈的魂結就產生了。

上帝讓我們留意性犯罪，因為我們裡面會有改變，要轉回來是很不容易的。保持自己的清潔，就會有改變，修復損傷需要很大的努力。

我們再看魂的部分。箴言五，六，七章都有講到性犯罪。第五章3至6節，“因為淫婦的嘴滴下蜂蜜，他的口比油更滑。 至終卻苦似茵蔯，快如兩刃的刀。他的腳，下入死地。他腳步，踏住陰間。以致他找不著生命平坦的道。他的路變遷不定，自己還不知道。”這裡講的就是淫行。當人開始行淫，就變得苦毒。苦毒的男女，感覺在性關系中被人利用。原來期待親密和愛，卻被拒絕，被拋棄，最終變得苦毒。當你服事人時，要留意這裡面的苦毒。另外，死地和陰間都是屬靈的勢力，死亡讓人孤立麻木，陰間折磨人。這兩種靈在性犯罪中很常見。

箴言五章22節，“惡人必被自己的罪孽捉住。他必被自己的罪惡如繩索纏繞。” 第六章32，33節，“與婦人行淫的，便是無知，行這事的，必喪掉生命。他必受傷損，必被凌辱。他的羞恥不得涂抹。” 我們看到媒體上曝光的任何淫行的事件，都會給當事人帶來極大的羞恥和痛苦。第七章24至27節，“眾子阿，現在要聽從我，留心聽我口中的話。你的心，不可偏向淫婦的道。不要入他的迷途。因為被他傷害仆倒的不少。被他殺戮的而且甚多。他的家是在陰間之路，下到死亡之宮。”這裡再次提到傷害，死亡，陰間。如要了解整個引誘和試探，可以參考箴言第六章。

魂裡會受到傷害。魂到底發生了什麼？魂包括了意念，情緒，想像，意志力等方面。

在魂的方面，首先就是污穢的畫面和記憶。記憶是這樣運作的，把你所經歷， 看見的圖像，保留在頭腦中。如果連結歡樂的感覺，或激烈的痛苦，銘記就深。如果重復發生，銘記就會更深。性犯罪的本性，每一次參與性行為，會有化學成分產生，頭腦中的圖像無法抹掉。禱告時會出現，與配偶親密時也會出現。因為它在你裡面，在你的頭腦中。邪靈就是用它來操縱你，定你的罪。

頭腦中敬拜，親密上帝的領域，與性親密是同一地方。當敬拜神時，頭腦使用的部分，與性親密時使用的部分相同，所以那些圖畫都出現了。如果在健康的婚姻關系中，就不會有這種情況，但如果是不健康，不敬虔的性關系，畫面就出來了。要攔阻你跟上帝親密。

第二層是情緒的痛苦。是什麼樣的情緒呢？當你想起這段感情，這段關系破裂了，通常會有憂傷，因為你對這段關系期待很高。感覺被拒絕﹔常常苦毒﹔常常會恨，恨男人，恨女人，恨自己﹔常常憤怒，羞愧。

為了尋找愛而被傷害，魂受到了傷害，產生了憂傷和憤怒﹔感覺被拒絕，這人就開始變得苦毒。如果女人被男人引誘，又被拋棄，就會恨自己，怎麼讓這種事發生，這都是秘密，不讓家人知道，就造成了很大的羞恥感。

當你跟人講話，他很少會跟你說他做了什麼，他的生命有多糟，你隻需了解有這樣的折磨就夠了。人的裡面還有困惑，因為他不單隻有一段關系，多個部分的魂都有受傷，魂都四散了﹔等到結婚時，已經很難把自己給人了，太多破碎，太多痛苦。人已經被分散了，很難把自己完整的獻給對方。有時會覺得還依附在別的人身上。有時，配偶會在靈裡感覺到，你沒有跟我在一起。

性交是親密，是從裡面連結。當我教導你在靈裡流露時，我要你專注，如果你心不在焉，就沒有辦法接觸，靈裡就不能接觸。跟配偶性親密，兩人的魂不可能不連結，不要去幻想別的關系，這樣頭腦就沒法專注，傷害和羞愧因此就進來了。

如果男人從事色情的東西，他整個大腦中的化學反應都改變了，每經歷一次色情的東西，包括幻想，欲望，或手淫的行為，他的頭腦就被捆綁了。當人觀看色情的東西時，他們面對的不是真正的人，而隻是一個形象。在這形象中，把女人物件化，把女人當成一件物品供他享樂。當男人看色情時，他的大腦被訓練成為，看見女人時，無法看見上帝的 形象，因為他看不見人，隻看見身體。這種污穢的想像，無法讓他進入婚姻的親密，變得自我為中心，不能去愛，因此變態的娼妓的靈就進入他裡面。他的配偶也感覺不到他的愛了，因為他沒法跟她在靈裡流露，他的意念被不同的思想污穢了，整個意念都需要潔淨。

創世紀五章6節講到有一群天使從天上墮落下來，就是因為他們想跟女人行淫。他們看到上帝給人的能力，他們也想要做男人，就離開了上帝給他們的崗位，與女人行淫。可以看出，問題比你想像的更多。

最后要講的是，人的魂中有摧毀的反應。當人受傷時，通常會防衛保護自己，因此人發生淫行時，很常見的反應，就是在心裡筑起牆以免繼續受傷。需要留意的典型問題是：

第一，內在誓言。內心裡面自己立誓，這是出於憤怒和傷害。如“我再也不要相信男人”或“再也不要相信女人”。如果你內心做了這樣的誓言，你的內心就會相信它，你自己可能已經忘記了這個誓言。多年后你結婚了，遇見了一位很棒的男人，可是你的心會說“不要相信他”，不管他有多好，你還是不相信他。關系開始失敗， 是因為你內在不信任的引領，你內在的誓言。我有碰見過有人內在誓言不要懷男孩，她每次懷男孩都會流產。當人為保護自己做了內在誓言，就在心裡筑起了堅固營壘， 沒有了生育能力。

第二，毒根的論斷。由於過往的經歷，覺得男人一定讓人失望，或女人就想掌控你，他們是不可信的。這類的苦毒論斷會污穢你將來所有的關系。很常見的是死亡之怨。“我死了算了。”因為做過的事情產生極大的羞愧和怨恨，這樣的想法就出現了。服事人時，我們需要看到他魂裡的反應。所有的罪都在人身體之外，隻有性犯罪是在人裡面，這裡有罪的問題，邪靈的問題，不敬虔的魂結，圖像就印記在頭腦裡，造成內心的傷害和反應，所以上帝警告我們，不是性不好，而是我們需要按照上帝的指示做，他才成為美好。

性犯罪另一個問題是制造了很多的黑暗和秘密。因為被它帶來的羞愧遮蓋，埋在裡面讓黑暗蔓延。當今，這個問題越來越嚴重，特別在網絡上，讓人有很多機會接觸到性變態，即使簡單的接觸，都會對生命造成很大傷害。我們曾為一位年青牧師的兒子禱告，他接觸網絡色情約有兩年的時間。牧師很難過，家裡已經做了所有的保護措施，但他的兒子又去到他的朋友家，那家的父親不管孩子，所以兩個男孩一起在電腦上看色情的東西。青少年隻要看過一次，馬上就上癮了。

色情的英文來自兩個詞，“妓女”和“書寫”。對於娼妓的描述就是色情的源頭。色情的背后就是召妓的行為，變態的靈，拜偶像的靈。娼妓是為了賺錢才做這樣的事。 變態的靈，就扭曲了上帝的形象。女人也是按上帝的形象造的，色情就毀掉了這樣的形象，把人當成了物件。男人對色情是最沒有抵抗力的，因為他們容易受到視覺的影響，他們也害怕在感情上受拒絕。他們裡面想得安慰，控制這樣的欲望驅動。色情會改變我們大腦的化學成分，在腦內釋放胺多酚和腦內酚等。色情是上癮的，就像濫用藥物一樣，越看就想越多，最后就會產生魂結，將人鎖在了色情的圖像和網絡上，依附在上面了。

耶穌在馬太福音五章28節說，“看見婦女動了淫念就是犯了奸淫了。”色情打開門讓情欲的靈，變態的靈，娼妓的靈，拜偶像的靈進來。舊約中，當以色列人進入拜偶像的文化中時，常有廟妓出現。他們拜偶像的過程中，跟男妓和女妓發生性行為很常見。上帝原來想祝福我們的心意，變成了邪靈的入口。最近，我讀到一份有關色情的調查報告，他們研究的項目是，當人接觸色情時，腦部會發生什麼反應。他們的發現是：完全沒有接觸過色情的人，腦部的反應不會很大。而看過很多色情東西的人，大腦中很大的區域都被啟動了，與吸毒的人的大腦被驅動的區域一樣。結論是，腦部對色情的化學反應，與其它讓人上癮的東西發生的反應是一樣的。這樣的研究有很多人抗拒，色情與毒品一樣讓人上癮，會改變大腦的結構，形成虛幻，而且有耐受性，要越用越重。

聖經中提到很多淫行，大家可以自己查考。例如：苟合，奸淫，同性戀，強奸，與邪靈的性親密，虐童，獸交，娼妓，亂倫，強暴，虐待等等，任何扭曲上帝造人的模式都會造成問題。

我們需要有策略釋放人自由，得自由的道路包括，箴言二十八章13節“遮掩自己罪過的，必不亨通。承認離棄罪過的，必蒙憐恤。”

如何服事人得自由？第一，求聖靈的幫助，顯明問題的根源。處理任何問題都需要依靠聖靈的幫助，學習用心聆聽，他給你的感動，可能是一個小小的需要問的問題，觀察對方的反應。第二，診斷問題。一直發問，直到找到問題的根源。有可能是歷代遺傳下來的；也可能是這人經歷過的創傷，如小時候的性虐待，接觸過性虐待的畫面或直接被性虐待；是否有犯罪的情形。性犯罪有很大的欺騙性，人們想隱藏所發生的一切，但隻有面對真相，不留黑暗，才能完全洗清。

例如一位年青人經歷了家庭的破裂，在痛苦中尋找安慰，性犯罪是他的安慰，但根源是他家庭的破碎。要找到根源，不要隻看到表面的罪。跟他分享你看到的問題，與他互動。如果不明白問題的廣度，隻能治標不治本。這人要對你誠實，他跟你說的事情，如果有犯罪的因素，你不可以掩蓋，不可以掩蓋虐待的事情。嚴重的事情，我保留尋求協助的自由，否則可能被吸到可怕的境地。如有人說我性侵犯我的妹妹，或與教會的領袖發生性關系等。

在服事中，不能先簽訂保密條款。當然，隱私需要被尊重，不向任何人揭露隱私，可是不能擔保保守秘密，要向上面的人報告，需要專家的建議。如果有人告訴你一個重大的秘密，你不與人談，反而會對你造成很大的定罪感，他就把你拉進了他自己多年的黑暗和秘密中，千萬不要被拐進這樣的委身中。

有一個人來找我，他與一位女子結婚，生了兩個男孩，他性虐待這兩個男孩。他來認罪，因為他陷入極大的折磨中。我對他說，你的誠實是好的， 讓事情曝光。這件事情是錯的，有很多后果。第一，你跟上帝的關系。你背叛了妻子的信任，違背了你的婚約，因為你虐待孩子。第二，你這是犯罪違法的行為。這種行為是不能隱藏的，我不能隱藏，我也不想隱藏。你的選擇是：告訴這位女子你做了什麼，不可避免她應該向警察報案；或者，你可以自首。我不會幫你遮掩，我會給你一點時間讓你決定如何回應，這是犯罪，你需要面對后果。聖經講得很清楚，如果認罪悔改，你會得憐恤。直接面對，代表以后會有比較正面的結果。我給他一個星期，之后整個事情被揭露了。注意這裡，我沒有陷入幫他保守秘密的陷阱裡，我不希望成為掩蓋他犯罪的幫凶。如果你幫他保密，你整個的事工都會被瓦解，別人看你是協助侵犯孩童的一份子。教會的人也會被迷惑，他們憐憫罪犯，所以我們必須按正常的管道處理，不然就成為了共犯。

求主赦免，神保証會赦免，他們要轉離罪行，悔改不是隻道歉，而是要轉離這一切。你需要跟他解釋需要饒恕的部分，這些人要饒恕傷害過他們的人。這部分會有憤怒和憂傷，可能需要花一點時間，幫助這個人承認自己的憤怒和憂傷，然后從心裡饒恕。我們可以練習寫一封信給你生氣的人，但不要寄出去。將你心中的憤怒寫下來，讓自己看見，然后在主的面前解決他。饒恕是兩重的，首先饒恕傷害你的人，然后領受饒恕，原諒自己。有些人，特別是女士，很難饒恕自己，覺得很羞愧。你需要跟她談，不要再要求自己，上帝已經饒恕你了。

另外一個需要做的是，幫助他棄絕，砍斷這些捆綁。需要撤銷的捆綁包括：不敬虔的性的魂結，如砍斷色情的魂結，砍斷網路的魂結；或者防衛式的反應，如內在誓言，論斷，死亡之願等等，都要棄絕。最后，到主面前，求主釋放他們自由。先悔改認罪，轉離罪惡，說出認罪的話。“主啊，赦免我，因我犯了色情的罪，求你洗淨釋放我自由，遠離生命裡的污穢。”宣告饒恕他人，也要領受饒恕，原諒自己。

那麼如何服事人呢？首先，還是要跟從聖靈的引導。奉基督的名，打破所有的捆綁。打破歷代的罪孽和咒詛，魂結，內在誓言等；然后命令邪靈離開。會有各種各樣的邪靈，如情欲的靈，變態的靈，拜偶像的靈，歷代家族中的靈，色情的靈，奸淫的靈，仇恨的靈，苦毒的靈，憂傷的靈，羞愧的靈，自我仇恨的靈，死亡的靈，折磨的靈，陰間的靈等等。

大家要從三方面來看，因行為本身而進來的靈；也有因這個人對加害他的人的反應而進來的靈；還有因他對自己的反應而進來的靈。對自己的反應有：自我仇恨，羞愧，苦毒。對加害人的反應有：恨男人或女人，苦毒，憤怒，暴怒。 這些都是有邏輯聯系的。有時，隻要一講到這個靈的名字，他就會發作跑出來了，要一一把他們打破。

例如，呼召的時候，有時為人按手，就能釋放神的能力；但有些人沒有反應，就要叫出這些靈的名字，上帝會把靈的名字給你，讓你往哪裡找。是罪？還是對加害人的？還是對自己的？

我求聖靈幫助我從這個人的靈，魂，體中挪走一切因過去關系帶來的傷害。他進入你裡面了，就求聖靈把他趕出去。也求聖靈恢復他以前四散的部分。為人這樣禱告時，他們會流淚，他們裡面的羞愧無法擺脫，特別是女士。

我的禱告是這樣的，“主啊，求你將他因過去的關系對他的身，心，靈造成的傷害挪走，他所有在感情上的付出，求你為他恢復，讓他能振作起來。求主釋放潔淨，聖潔的靈進入他的生命。主啊，求你的愛和潔淨的能力進入他的身體。” 他的身體已經沒法再清潔，但上帝會給他靈裡的清潔，就如同這件事沒有發生一樣。呼召時，沒辦法做完全部這些事，可以在單獨禱告時這樣做。服事中所做的就是要彌補過去性犯罪所造成的傷害。

如何做服事之后的跟進？性犯罪在人生命中造成的影響是非常嚴重的，第一次的性行為對人有極大的影響。跟進的方面有：

1. 家中的潔淨，有沒有任何的物件需要清除？可能有雜志，電腦檔案，以前的書，照片，禮物等等。記得與罪隔絕，與上帝同行。過去任何有可能控制你，讓你犯罪的東西，統統扔掉，這是他們要負的責任。求聖靈告訴他們需要清理的東西。你也可以給他們一些建議。

2. 有沒有任何關系需要保持距離的？保持距離就留下了空間，能夠回轉過來。如果跟人有性關系，現在還保持這樣的關系嗎？如果有，他就很容易又回到這個關系中。一旦這個關系變成性的，就成為了單純的身體關系，他們需要分開一段時間，正確的與上帝同行。

3. 有沒有需要道歉的地方？不要嚴厲命令他如何做，要求聖靈讓他看見。有時道歉會讓事情變得更糟，有時不理他更好。有時上帝不要求道歉和恢復，有時要求做一個象征性的例子。你必須要聽聖靈的。

如果需要道歉，首先，必須正確的道歉，絕對不能怪罪別人。道歉自己的部分，即使別人有合作。其次，必須清楚講明為什麼道歉。第三，先處理自己的憂傷和憤怒。如果跟人道歉，心裡卻很埋怨，怨恨就沒用了。自己要沒有怒氣，沒有怪罪，清楚知道需要道歉的地方。當面道歉比寫信更好，寫信像犯行的罪証，當然有時簡單便條也可以接受。在對方方便的時候，當面道歉，道歉必須要簡短，“謝謝你讓我有機會與你談話，上帝跟我說話，我明白我的行為對你造成很深的傷害，請你原諒我。”這樣做是需要勇氣的，可是它在你的心裡，良知上會有很大的改變。別人可能不原諒你，但這不重要，那是他們的問題。別人可能不想見你，你也許可以通過電話簡短的說，或寫一封短信，一定要簡短。

最后，也是最難的一點，就是重建生命。要保持清潔，就要做不一樣的事情。想潔淨，知道潔淨是好的，知道你的生命要服事上帝。我需要的意象是服事上帝的生命，生命借我流露，建立自己的生命，每天方言禱告，讓屬靈的生命得到能量，默想上帝的話，默想上帝的愛，讓上帝的愛進入我的生命，在生命中宣告神的話語，每一天將你的生命帶到他的話語中。每天對我的心說，吩咐我的心轉離一切幻想和性犯罪。我在靈裡興起，協助我的心轉向神，因為一生的果效是由心發出的。同時，對意念說話，你的身體會回應你的話語。

記得耶穌曾對一棵樹說，不再結果子。對意念說，我咒詛跟性犯罪相關的記憶，完全不結果子，枯干。Caroline Leaf寫過一部書，她的研究表明，你的思想意念會佔大腦的部分空間，這些神經像樹一樣。你想到一個念頭，這棵樹就會亮起來，如果是正面的想法，這棵樹就會很健康。一旦你有性犯罪的念頭，它們就被激活開始改變了，你就要想這棵樹，奉耶穌的名，咒詛它不再結果子，拒絕它。重建自己在神裡面的生命，設定生命的方向，在沒有受到引誘之前，每天設定自己的方向。

接下來，就是有意念進來時就把它擄住。當試探來，就擄掠它，擄掠你的思想。例如，一位男士在路上看到一位穿著非常暴露的女士走過來，立刻這種形象開始出現，他思想的路徑開始看她是一個物件，這時就需要立刻奪走這樣的想法。開始攔阻，拒絕把女人當物件的想法。“要奪去你的想法。”（哥林多后書十章5節。）就好像有活的東西沖向你的腦部，馬上抓住他，把他扔出去。轉移焦點，注意別的東西，你的頭腦就開始了新的念頭。隻是認為這樣想不對，不可以這樣想，一點用都沒有，因為那是律法。

如果我在前面放一個盒子，上面有一個紅色的大大的按鈕，旁邊寫上“不准按”，隻有你和盒子在房間中，你最想要做的事就是按按鈕。好像著迷了一樣。換句話說，律法讓你不要按，反而自己越想犯罪。律法沒有能力救我們。你告訴一個人不可以這樣做，他反而更想做。就像有牌子寫著“油漆未干”，很多人最想做的就是摸一摸。因為心裡面有東西被挑起來，所以律法沒法幫到你。最好的做法是，不要去想這樣想是不對的，我不是好的基督徒，這樣的策略隻會讓你感覺失敗。而是要想“主啊，這是毀滅的想法，我不想這樣想，我要轉向其它的方向，耶穌，感謝你的聖潔在我裡面起來。”你要用屬靈但實際的方式來處理。定自己的罪是沒有幫助的。

還有一個幫助就是負責任，對別人坦誠。坦白承認是自己負責任的改變。如果請別人監督我的生命，不代表問題變成他的了，還是自己的問題。平常我們可以這樣跟人講，“我在這方面有掙扎，不斷想釋放自己，我想要得自由，我不知在小組中怎樣做，我跟你見面時，希望你能幫助我，問我做的怎麼樣，問我是不是說真話，希望你幫助我繼續保持承諾。”坦白負責，承認這是我要走的路，請別人幫助。敞開是走向自由的道路，當然要確保幫助你的人不會定你的罪。

要有簡單的策略面對失敗。在這條路上一定會有失敗，聖經說，“義人的腳步為上帝所立定，即使跌倒，上帝都會攙扶他，不致他全身扑倒。”如果你跌倒，不管是色情，手淫自慰，立刻承認，很快的悔改，裡面重新站起來，讓耶穌的寶血在你身上。你越留在定罪裡面，罪就越掌控你的生命。一個人如果失敗，趕快轉向主，“主啊，對不起，我向你認罪，我真的很抱歉。主啊，我接受你的饒恕，接受你的洗淨，我再次站在你面前。”因為你跟上帝斷絕了關系，就讓問題延續，要相信上帝會饒恕，要說出話，悔改認罪，信實的上帝一定會赦免你，洗淨你。

最后，要留意罪的循環。畫一個大圈，最上面是引發事件，我們犯的罪有很多是預期可以循環的，好像照劇本演出一樣。如果你了解罪的循環，通常有引發的事件；跟著有負面的感覺出現，如受傷；接下來就是憂傷沉重，沉重是性犯罪的一個征兆，有特別的壓力和沉重。這時就馬上要轉移焦點，不然，罪的循環的第二步，罪的圖像記憶就會回來了，這人就開始犯罪了。他們感到難過，罪咎，跟著就要道歉了，借著禱告讀經，回到上面來了。一直循環。

很多男人性犯罪，就像一出排演好的劇本。他們感覺受傷，有負面的感覺；想要感覺好一點，就掉進罪裡；覺得抱歉，罪咎，又走出來了。這就是一個罪的循環。解決的方法是，認清罪是如何影響你的，改變你的行為，當你感覺失落時，不要又回到原來的路上，要打破頭腦中的既定模式。這些都是如何服事人的方法。

觀眾提問之一，怎樣打破罪的循環？

答：第一，留意並認出這個循環。每個人犯罪的模式是可預期的，他們開始幻想預期這個東西，跟著上電腦尋找，我們要幫助他們認出這個模式，和行出來的過程。

第二，求聖靈幫助他們了解自己的感受。在吸引他性犯罪之前，當他們失落，沉重時就感覺到了，就可以很快的解決問題。要認清如果我不轉移焦點，就會重新掉進循環裡。不要等到犯罪了，再爬起來。有時隻要十五分鐘，轉移焦點，做不一樣的事，你的感覺就改變了，就可以出來不用掉進舊的循環裡了。你要形成新的路徑，簡單的起來，到其他地方，做別的事情，將焦點轉移，引誘試探就消退了。

不要刻意抵擋，因為這樣你就專注在這上面了，他就越來越大，你向他敞開生命。例如，在我們禱告服事中，如果太專注別人的需要，會讓我受不了，專注於自己，我也會關閉。當我專注於主，就打開門讓上帝運行。簡單的禱告，改變自己的方向，發展新的模式，最后就變成常態了。

如果在性犯罪方面有很長的時間，就需要有人陪他，幫助他做到。所有的罪的代價，上帝都付清了。最糟的是活在定罪裡，相信自己不對，很糟糕。上帝說“我愛你，你是我的兒女。”

宗教的定罪是性犯罪的溫床，你的頭腦被設計好要走上這條路，重新設計路程需要花時間。性犯罪在你裡面發生改變，但上帝勝過這一切。

觀眾問題之二：如何幫助釋放同性戀者？

答： 首先就是要愛他，接受他，他們是有價值的人。最難的是克服對這種行為的罪惡感和論斷。同性戀也是人，他們有自己的痛苦和過程。上帝愛他們，為他們而死。同性戀周圍有很多問題造成他們更大的困難，你要讓他感到你接納他，看重他這個人。

可是對很多同性戀者，他們的認同太依附在他們的行為上。當你指出他的行為，他就會覺得你在人身攻擊。耶穌接觸的人中也有同性戀，可是耶穌與他們一同吃飯，從來沒有認同他們的行為。別人首先接觸到的就是你的態度，你最先要調整的也是你的態度，上帝幫助我們愛每一個人。

有些人我知道是同性戀者，我會擁抱他，跟擁抱其他人一樣。他就是一個人，常常他們還很有創造力，他們通常在感情和家庭中受到很大的傷害。因為他們的創意，就很難讓他們融入男性或女性的文化中。他們生命中有很深的拒絕的根。他們很多人可能是被人佔過便宜或虐待，這就打開了門；有些隻是孤單，需要感情。他們尋找的跟其他人一樣，就是愛。當你了解他們，就知道他們在錯誤的地方找愛，錯誤的人身上找愛。他們的生命產生這樣的問題，性犯罪在裡面造成問題，同性戀的身上產生更大的問題。

吸引他們來到基督面前，而不是要先解決他們的問題。有時身為基督徒，我們希望他們先把生命調整對了，才接近神；可是上帝說我愛你的原樣，接納你，一旦我進入你的生命，陪你走這條路，讓上帝的能力進入他生命。

基督徒面對這些人時，常常喜歡當面對峙，認為罪就是罪，而沒有想到這人對上帝是很珍貴的，隻有聖靈才有能力改變他們。我的工作不是改變他們，而是愛他們，將他們帶向耶穌。你不逼他們改變，而是讓上帝改變他們；你隻需要照耶穌說的去做，愛他們，為他們禱告，把基督帶給他們，幫助他們走與基督同行的路，主會處理好這些事情。

有些來到教會的人是同居的關系，我們不會當面與他們對峙，指責他們，而是帶他們跟上帝同行，相信當他接觸到上帝的愛，神國度的原則，開始與上帝同行，聖靈和他們的良知會讓他們知道這是錯誤的，不應該做的。他有了這個很大的恩典，不用擔心將來的事情，相信我帶他們繼續與上帝同行，上帝會對他們的心說話，讓他們知道這樣做不對。

可是，我們對教會會友，會直接問這個問題。大部分的人在我們還沒有開始問他們時，就已經談過了。不過我們還是需要澄清他們是否住在一起。讓我們談談好嗎？你現在進入上帝的家中，需要面對這樣的情況。有時情況會很復雜，幫助每一個個人走上這條路程。有些人的情況確實很糟糕，出來才是重點；有些人需要結婚；沒有統一的答案。就像基督愛他們一樣，我們也愛他們，告訴他們真理，讓他們自己決定如何往前走。

醫治同性戀，幫助他們得釋放，我沒有所有的答案，但我知道耶穌愛他們。焦點是做上帝召我們該做的事，而不做不該做的，就是愛他們，把基督帶給他們，鼓勵他們與耶穌同行。他們一定會走到需要談論這個的時候。就像今天這樣教導，幫助大家明白上帝如何造人，預備好答案，交談時應如何講。

現在它變成了一個很政治化，情緒化的問題了，教會也是一路掙扎過來。現在紐西蘭的法律已經改了，同性的人可以結婚了，接下來他們就要開始改我們的教育系統了。這是我們的一個挑戰，擴展神的國，讓他們看見上帝設計生命的方式如何，而神國的益處隻有悔改才能得著，不按照神的方式，罪的后果一定會臨到你的。

觀眾提問之三：合法結婚的夫妻，如果一方帶有邪靈，是否代表另一方在性親密過程中隻能長期接受邪靈的進入？

答：這是個很好的問題。不敬虔的關系，就讓邪靈有能力進到這人裡面。因為你們是用不敬虔的方式結合為一，讓他有機會進來折磨你。我覺得善的能力勝過惡，當兩人結了婚，是不會想到對方是被鬼附的，婚姻因他們的信仰成聖。我不認為一方會被邪靈附著，他們現在的關系是在上帝的秩序下。我從來沒有碰到過因為婚姻從配偶身上得到邪靈的經驗。這個關系是按神的方式，邪靈是沒有地方進來的。我會多思考一下。

哥林多前書第七章講到如果信徒跟非信徒結婚，不信之人會因信的人的信心成聖得益，不然他的兒女就不敬虔了。一個有信仰的人的影響力遠遠大於我們能想像的。

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天父，感謝你我們有這樣相聚的時間，感謝你與我們同在，幫助我們，面對困難的情況，找到人生命的解答。主啊，求你的恩典降臨到每個人身上，在聖靈裡，溫柔待人，愛他們，在真理上堅定。禱告在今天的問題上有掙扎的人，能經歷極大的得勝。也禱告接下來的聚會，求你的大能釋放人得自由，奉耶穌基督的名，阿門！

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