0969 Overcoming an Orphan Spirit

Two Types of Orphans:

1. Physical orphans.

Examples of Orphans (Lot Ge 11:27,28; Daughters of Zelophehad Nu 27:1-5; Jotham Jud 9:16-21; Mephibosheth 2Sa 9:3; Joash 2Ki 11:1-12; Esther Es 2:7; A figure of Zion in affliction La 5:3)

We have a duty to visit and minister to orphans (Js. 1:27)

God is father to orphans Ps 10:14; Administers justice for them Deu 10:18;

2. Spiritual orphans

I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. John 14:18

6 Signs of Spiritual Orphan

1. An orphan spirit lives in religious people.

“Now his older son was in the field… Luke 15:25

Both sons left the Father. One went to the pigs, another to the fields. One came back, another refused to come in. Father ran to one, came out to another.

Christianity is not a religion, it’s a revelation!

Religion is what you have when you don’t have revelation. Religion is legalism not love; fields not the Father; do, not done.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16:17

Religion produces orphans. Revelation produces sons/daughters.

2. An orphan spirit brings out anger. “But he was angry…” Luke 15:28

Anger is only one letter short of danger.

According to “Better Health Channel” Anger creates problems for our health as headache, digestion problems, such as abdominal pain, insomnia, increased anxiety, depression, high blood pressure, skin problems, such as eczema, heart attack, and stroke.

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27

Anger is an open door for demons.

3. An orphan spirit pushes a person into isolation.

“…and would not go in…” Luke 15:28

“But as soon as this son of yours came,..” Luke 15:30

2 ways the enemy uses people to destroy:

- Isolation says “People are the problem”

- Toxic People say “You’re the problem”

Isolation is not solitude.

It’s not good for man to be alone Gen.2:18

Two are better than one Ecc. 4:9

Two or three gathered Matt.18:20

Jesus send disciples two by two Mark 6:7

A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment. Proverbs 18:1

4. Orphan spirit carries a sense of entitlement, unfairness, demanding, and controlling.

“…‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.” Luke 15:29

It’s all about what I did, not who I am.

It’s all about what I didn’t get, not what I got.

It’s all about what someone got, not what I have.

Cure for entitlement is an encounter.

5. Orphan spirit is jealous when others are promoted.

But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him. (Luke 15:30)

Cain killed Abel over that Saul sought to kill David over that Pharisees sought to kill Jesus over that

Every blessing is a test. Every test is a blessing.

Someone’s promotion exposed his silent frustrations.

Feeling of being overlooked, ignored, passed by… not recognized or rewarded.

Orphan waits to be honored. Sons give honor.

6. Orphans can’t access their inheritance.

And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.’ (Luke 15:31)

Intimacy unlocks inheritance

The parable of the Prodigal Son has no ending because we are invited to end it.

6 Ways to Overcome An Orphan Spirit

1. Build relationship with the Holy Spirit, not list of rules that you have kept.

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever John 14:16

2. Renew your mind with the truth of what God says about you, not with how you feel about yourself.

God calls you a son stop seeing yourself as a slave.

3. Don’t let your food get cold by looking at what is on someone’s plate.

4. You can’t overcome an orphan spirit without letting go of an offended heart.

- repent of entitlement

address assumptions stop fighting for fairness

The most used word for offense in Matthew 18:7 is Skandalon. It was the trigger of a trap on which bait is placed. When an animal touches the trigger to eat the bait, the trap springs shut, and the animal is caught. When used in a moral context, skandalon indicates the enticement to conduct which will ruin the person in question. (1:00)

You are unable to avoid encountering offenses (Luke 17:1) (2:30)

You are able to avoid causes offenses (1 Corinthians 8:13)

You will go as far in life as your ability to overcome offenses (Matthew 11:6) BLESSED IS HE WHO IS NOT OFFENDED OF ME

Offense is like an automatic weapon. Once you pull the trigger, it keeps firing. Offense is tied to pride and control. Those three in operation together are a deadly trio.

There are two types of offended people:

(1) those who have been mistreated

(2) those who think they have been mistreated but actually were not

5. Explore your inheritance by encountering God.

If you don’t develop relationship, you will obsess with your reward.

God doesn’t have to give you a treat every time you perform a trick.

As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, (2 Peter 1:3)

6. Redefine your win. From winning in life to winning lost people.

Got Dad’s money but missed His mind.

Got His property but missed His passion.

Got His valuables but missed His values.

Got inheritance but missed intimacy.