Doctrine of Demons

Introduction:

First we need to understand that we are in the middle of an angelic conflict. Somewhere in time past the Godhead created the angels. We know that they where created prior to the creation of the Heaven and the earth. tells us the “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. That is all we know, but the second verse starts out that “The earth was without form and void and darkness was over the face of the deep”. One more thing we know is found in “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements - surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? Or what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

First we need to understand that we are in the middle of an angelic conflict. Somewhere in time past, the Godhead created the angels. We know that they where created prior to the creation of the Heaven and the earth. tells us “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” That is all we know, but the second verse starts out that “The earth was without form and void and darkness was over the face of the deep”. One more thing we know is found in “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements - surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? Or what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

Take note that the “morning stars” -, , , , , , , , , , , , and . and all the “sons of God” -, , , , , are references to angels. It is important that we also note that the word all is mentioned here indicating that the angelic conflict had not yet started when the heaven and earth were created. We now that whatever God creates, He creates as being perfect and good. So why after the first verse in Genesis is there the image of a cold, void, dark place with darkness over the face of the deep. “to hu”, “bo hu”, “ho sek”, and “tehom” - Hebrew words all describe a world that is empty, confused, without form, undistinguishable ruin, emptiness, void, misery, dark, destruction, wickedness, the sea depth? These are not adjectives that describe something that God had created. These are words of condemnation and judgement. Something happened between the first and second verses, something to bring judgement onto the earth.

Take note that the “morning stars” -, , , , , , , , , , , , . and . and all the “sons of God” -, , , , , are references to angels. It is important that we also note that the word all is mentioned here indicating that the angelic conflict had not yet started when the heaven and earth were created. We now that whatever God creates He creates as being perfect and good. So why after the first verse in Genesis is there the image of a cold, void, dark place with darkness over the face of the deep. to hu, bo hu, ho sek, and tehom all describe a world that is empty, confused, without form, undistinguishable ruin, emptiness, void, misery, dark, destruction, wickedness, the sea depth? These are not adjectives that describe something that God had created. These are words of condemnation. Something happened between the first and second verses, something to bring judgement onto the earth.

In my opinion this is the time when Satan became arrogant and pride filled him, so that he wanted to be over the angles and creation and God himself. In doing so he convinced 1/3 of the angels to follow him in his rebellion. God sentenced him and the fallen angels to the lake of fire ; however, the lake of fire exists, but is void of Satan and the fallen angels (demons). Why, if the lake of fire (eternal fire) exists for the devil and his angels, are they not in it? There is only one answer to that question and that is, that Satan must have challenged God at his sentencing. Satan must have appealed that it was not fair to sentence someone without allowing them the chance to prove they can rule the world better than God himself. World history is the history of Satan and demons trying to rule the world (satan is the prince of this world), and God showing satan that no one can rule His creation better than God can. If we are in obedience to God’s revealed word this shows all the angelic beings something of God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness. We are in the midst of this conflict and it will be decided at some point when God will no longer allow Satan, demons and evil to disturb His Kingdom and will at the end of the millennium gather all who do evil including humans, satan and the demons and execute their judgement by throwing them into the lake of fire.

In my opinion this is the time when Satan became arrogant and pride filled him, so that he wanted to be over the angles and creation and God himself. In doing so he convinced 1/3 of the angels to follow him in his rebellion. God sentenced him and the fallen angels to the lake of fire ; however, the lake of fire exists but is void of Satan and the fallen angels (demons). Why, if the lake of fire (eternal fire) exists for the devil and his angels, are they not in it? There is only one answer to that and that is that Satan must have challenged God at his sentencing stating that it was not fair to sentence someone without allowing them the chance to prove they can rule the world better than God himself. World history is the history of Satan and demons trying to rule the world (satan is the prince of this world), and God showing satan that no one can rule His creation better than God can. If we are in obedience to God’s revealed word this shows all the angelic beings something of God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness. We are in the midst of this conflict and it will be decided at some point when God will no longer allow satan, demons and evil to disturb his Kingdom and will at the end of the millenium gather all who do evil including humans, satan and the demons and execute their judgement by throwing them into the lake of fire.

Demon Possession:

The most pressing question in the Christian church regarding demon possession is can a Christian ever be demon possessed? If you are from the southern USA, it might appear that Christians can be demon possessed. If you are situated in another part of the world, where demon possession appears to be rampant you also might be inclined to believe that Christians can be demon possessed. We have all heard of missionaries who will swear that Christians in these dark places have been demon possessed and then freed from these demonic powers, but it is important to not rely on our own experiences but to see what the Bible says about demon possession and if Christins can be demon possessed.

The most pressing question in the Christian church regarding demon possession is, can a Christian ever be demon possessed? If you are from the southern USA, it might appear that Christians can be demon possessed. It seems like every second preacher is casting out the demon of lust, drink, irregular leg length, gossip and anger from Christians. If you are situated in another part of the world, where demon possession appears to be rampant you also might be inclined to believe that Christians can be demon possessed. We have all heard of missionaries who will swear that Christians in these dark places have been demon possessed and then freed from these demonic powers, but it is important to not rely on our own experiences, but to see what the Bible says about demon possession and if Christians can be demon possessed.

First thing, we need to see what the Bible says about demon possession, is there really such a thing as a person being possessed by a demon? If there is demon possession, then the next logical question is, can Christians be demon possessed? Does the Bible really say that people can be demon possessed? The answer is yes. There are several places in the New Testament where Jesus and the apostles cast out demons. For our purposes we will look at Two. The first is found in . This is the instance of Jesus casting out “Legion” from the demoniac living in the country of the Gerasenes. Notice that Jesus, in verse 29 Exerchoma - commanded the spirit to “come out” of the demoniac. In verse 30 Jesus is conversing with the demon and asks him his name and the description of the demon is Legion “for many demons had entered him” The word “entered” is eiserchoma to go into. In verse 32 the demons beg Jesus to “enter” - eiserchoma the herd of pigs and Jesus allows that, and the demons came” out of the man- exerchoma and “entered” eiserchoma the pigs. It is impossible for something to come out of something without first having been in that thing; hence, demon possession is possible.

First thing, we need to see what the Bible says about demon possession, is there really such a thing for a person to be possessed by a demon? If there is demon possession, then the next logical question is can Christians be demon possessed? Does the Bible really say that people can be demon possessed? The answer is yes. There are several places in the New Testament where Jesus and the apostles cast out demons. For our purposes we will loo at 2. The first is found in . This is the instance of Jesus casting our Legion from the demoniac living in the country of the Gerasenes. Notice that Jesus, in verse 29 that Jesus Exerchoma - commanded the spirit to “come out” of the demoniac. In verse 30 Jesus is conversing with the demon and ask him his name and the description of the demon is Legion “for many demons had entered him” The word “entered” is eiserchoma to go into. In verse 32 the demons beg Jesus to “enter” - eiserchoma the herd of pigs and Jesus allows that and the demons :came” out of the man- exerchoma and “entered” eiserchoma the pigs. It is impossible for something to some out of something without first having been in that thing; hence, demon possession is possible.

The second example is found in Mathew 12:22-32. This is the turning point of Jesus’ ministry. Here Jesus heals a man for demon possession and the Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons in the name of Beelzebul. In this case the Greek word is ekballo, which means to cast out - verse 24. That word again is used in verse 27 and 28. In verse 29 Jesus uses the greek word eiserchoma indicating entering into as a reference to demons.

The second example is found in Mathew 12:22-32. This is the turning point of Jesus’ ministry. Here Jesus heal a man for demon possession and the Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons in the name of Beelebul. In this case the Greek word is ekballo, which means to cast out - verse 24. That word again is used in verse 27 and 28. In verse 29 Jesus uses the greek word eiserchoma indicating entering into as a reference to demons.

The prefixes ek and ex, indicate the casting out and eis indicates the entering into a thing. This is a truth then that people can be demon possessed. Having said that in my opinion that is extremely rare in this age. That will not be the case in the next phase of our world when demons will be allowed to physically attack the inhabitants of the earth, during the time of Jacob’s Trouble. Christians can’t be demon possessed. Why do I say that?

The prefixes ek and ies indicate the casting out and entering into a thing. This is a truth then that people can be demon possessed. Having said that in my opinion that is extremely rare in this age. That will not be the case in the next phase of our world when demons will be allowed to physically attack the inhabitants of the earth

1. Besides the historical books of the Gospels and Acts there are no other instances of demon possession. If Christians could be demon possessed wouldn’t God have given us instructions on how to cast out demons in the epistles, Jude, Hebrews or The Revelation? The rest of the New Testament is strangely silent about this subject. sates that ”His Divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence...” Why hasn’t he instructed us on how to cast out demons from Christians? We can only conclude that there is no reason to cast demons out of Christians. The New Testament is strangely silent about the subject; hence we can conclude that it isn’t an issue for Christians.

Besides the historical books of the Gospels and Acts there are no other instances of demon possession. If Christians could be demon possessed wouldn’t God have given us instructions on how to cast out demons in the epistles, Acts, Jude, Hebrews or The Revelation? The rest of the New Testament is strangely silent about this subject. The second reason Christians can not be demon possessed is that our bodies are the temple of the living God. , , , . The temple is where God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit reside. If they are in residence in the temple, no demon can be there possessing the temple. No demon is strong enough to dislodge God; hence no Christian can be demon possessed.

We need to understand that God controls demons and they are ultimately under His authority. and 2 feature times when Satan and demons present themselves to God. God only allows activities to proceed so far, and no further when satan and the demons are trying to attack us. God limits what demons and satan can do to individual Christians.

2. The second reason Christians can not be demon possessed is that our bodies are the temple of the living God. , , , . The temple is where God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit reside. If they (the Godhead) are in residence in the temple, no demon can be there possessing the temple. No demon is strong enough to dislodge God; hence no Christian can be demon possessed.

Demon Influence:

We need to understand that God controls demons and they are ultimately under His authority. and 2 feature times when Satan and demons present themselves to God. God only allows activities to proceed so far, and no further when satan and the demons are trying to attack us. God limits what demons and satan can do to individual Christians.

Demon Influence:

If demons can not possess Christians, can they influence them? What does it mean to be influenced by demons and how is that different than being possessed by demons? The following quote expresses what truley happens in the spiritual world:

Unger in his earlier book, Biblical Demonology, made the following helpful observation:

If demons can not possess Christians, can they influence them? What does it mean to be influenced by demons and how is that different than being possessed by demons? The following quote expresses what truley happens in the spiritual world:

Unger in his earlier book, Biblical Demonology, made the following helpful observation:

To demon possession only unbelievers are exposed; to demon influence, both believers and unbelievers. In the one case, the personality is actually invaded, the body inhabited, and a dominating control is gained; while in the other instance, attack is made from without, through pressure, suggestion, and temptation.

“To demon possession only unbelievers are exposed; to demon influence, both believers and unbelievers. In the one case, the personality is actually invaded, the body inhabited, and a dominating control is gained; while in the other instance, attack is made from without, through pressure, suggestion, and temptation.”

Dean, R., Jr., & Ice, T. (2000). What the Bible Teaches about Spiritual Warfare (p. 141). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.

There is only one instruction given to the believer for dealing with Satan and that is to resist the devil. This does not include binding Satan or the demons, nor does it include rebuking them. This command is given in three places in the new testament: First in , second in and Finally in .

There is only one instruction given to the believer for dealing with Satan and that is to resist the devil. This does not include binding Satan or the demons, nor does it include rebuking them. There are no instructions regarding claiming physca territoy (such as this city, this district, this continent) for Christ as some charismatic claim. This is not a part of spiritual warfare. This command, to resist the devil, is given in three places in the new testament: First in , second in and Finally in .

- Submit yourselves therfore to god, resist the devil, and he will flee from you. We need to submit ourselves to God as the first command and Resist the devil as the second command.

- Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. Once again we must humble ourselves - get rid of our arrogance/pride first. After this we are to cast our anxieties on him, be sober minded and watchful and resist the devil.

1. - Submit yourselves therfore to god, resist the devil, and he will flee from you. We need to submit ourselves to God as the first command and Resist the devil as the second command.

2. - Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. Once again we must humble ourselves - get rid of our arrogance/pride first. After this we are to cast our anxieties on him, be sober minded and watchful and resist the devil.

- Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you might be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over these present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able toe withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, an, as shoes for your feet, having the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all tomes in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for the saints… Here the mandate is to build up your understanding of God and your spiritual life, and from these resources we are to stand against the schemes of the devil.

3. - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you might be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over these present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for the saints…” “Here the mandate is to build up your understanding of God and your spiritual life, from these resources we are to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

We are to take up a defensive posture against Satan and submit ourselves to God. As we resist the Devil with an attitude of humility and submission to God, we are promised that God will take care of the battle for us, and Satan will flee. The picture here is of two different forces. On the one hand is the believer, whose responsibility is the defensive whereas, on the other hand, is the Lord and the holy angels, whose responsibility is the offensive. When we rest in our proper position, the Lord and His angels attack from the flank and defeat Satan.

Dean, R., Jr., & Ice, T. (2000). What the Bible Teaches about Spiritual Warfare (pp. 164–165). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.

Demonic influence is in a nutshell described in I :

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Demonic influence is in a nutshell described in I :

“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

We are influenced daily, even moment by moment by the world (kosmos) the orderly system set in place by Satan and his demons to turn our eyes away from God’s revealed will as stated in the scriptures. Often times they are counterfeit systems used to mimic God’s ways and often appear to work. In short it is human view point thinking as opposed to divine viewpoint thinking. Worldliness or human view point thinking is the external arrangement of non-biblical thinking. it is an organized and attractive system of ideas, concepts, attitudes, and methods Satan uses to compete with God’s concept of how people should live on earth. In order to defeat the Cosmos thinking we must be constantly in the Bible absorbing and applying the word of God. We transform our minds in this way and this gives us the ability to stand firm and resist the devil.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

We are influenced daily, even moment by moment by the world (kosmos) the orderly system set in place by Satan and his demons to turn our eyes away from God’s revealed will as stated in the scriptures. Often times they are counterfeit systems used to mimic God’s ways and often appear to work. In short it is human view point thinking as opposed to divine viewpoint thinking. Worldliness or human view point thinking is the external arrangement of non-biblical thinking. it is an organized and attractive system of ideas, concepts, attitudes, and methods Satan uses to compete with God’s concept of how people should live on earth. In order to defeat the Cosmos thinking we must be constantly in the Bible absorbing and applying the word of God. We transform our minds in this way and this gives us the ability to stand firm and resist the devil.

The cosmos is a vast order or system that Satan has promoted which conforms to his ideals, aims, and methods. It is civilization now functioning apart from God—a civilization in which none of its promoters really expect God to share, who assign to God no consideration in respect to their projects. This system embraces its godless governments, conflicts, armaments, and jealousies, [as well as] its education, culture, religions of morality, and pride. It is that sphere in which man lives. It is what he sees, what he employs. To the uncounted multitude it is all they ever know so long as they live on this earth. It is properly styled the satanic system, which phrase is in many instances a justified interpretation of the so-meaningful word cosmos. It is literally a cosmos diabolicus.

“The cosmos is a vast order or system that Satan has promoted which conforms to his ideals, aims, and methods. It is civilization now functioning apart from God—a civilization in which none of its promoters really expect God to share, who assign to God no consideration in respect to their projects. This system embraces its godless governments, conflicts, armaments, and jealousies, [as well as] its education, culture, religions of morality, and pride. It is that sphere in which man lives. It is what he sees, what he employs. To the uncounted multitude it is all they ever know so long as they live on this earth. It is properly styled the satanic system, which phrase is in many instances a justified interpretation of the so-meaningful word cosmos. It is literally a cosmos diabolicus.”

Dean, R., Jr., & Ice, T. (2000). What the Bible Teaches about Spiritual Warfare (p. 65). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.

Three strong desires that we are plagued with are described as “all that is in the world” - The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life. From these three areas most of our problems arise. If it feels good do it! If it looks good partake of it! The pride of life is an arrogant attitude by which people ultimately reject God in favour of their own way.

Three strong desires that we are plagued with are described as “all that is in the world” - The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life. From these three areas most of our problems arise. If it feels good do it! If it looks good partake of it! The pride of life is an arrogant attitude by which people ultimately reject God in favour of their own way - Cosmic Thinking.

Cosmic thinking is described in

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Cosmic thinking is described in

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Cosmic thinking is not from above, but is earthly, unspiritual and demonic. Our defence is to understand the wisdom that comes down from above. tells us that “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death”. So worldly wisdom works at helping us solve our problems in life, gain happiness and stability in this life. Many of these systems work for a period of time and provide some stability and a measure of happiness; but the end is tragic.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Cosmic thinking is not from above, but is earthly, unspiritual and demonic. Our defence is to understand the wisdom that comes down from above. tells us that “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death”. So worldly wisdom works at helping us solve our problems in life, gain happiness and stability in this life. Many of these systems work for a period of time and provide some stability and a measure of happiness; but the end is death.

Satan and the world (Kosmos) are two of three tri-fold attacks from outside of ourselves that Satan uses. The third is the war within. The war with the sinful nature. The sinful nature is engaged when we make choices based not on biblical thinking, but when we yield ourselves to temptation or uses of the world’s philosophies to justify sinful acts. As Christians we can have mastery over our sinful nature through the reliance upon the grace provisions of God as revealed in the scriptures. What is a definition of sin:

Satan and the world (Kosmos) are two of three tri-fold attacks from outside of ourselves that Satan uses. The third is the war within. The war with the sinful nature. The sinful nature is engaged when we make choices based not on biblical thinking, (Divine Viewpoint”, but when we yield ourselves to temptation or uses of the world’s philosophies to justify sinful acts. As Christians we can have mastery over our sinful nature through the reliance upon the grace provisions of God as revealed in the scriptures. What is a definition of sin:

says that “whatever is not from faith is sin,” meaning that any thought, word, or deed, no matter how noble, helpful, or religious, if it is not done in dependence upon God (the meaning of faith) by walking by means of the Spirit (), it is done in dependence upon our own powers, and God calls that sin.

Dean, R., Jr., & Ice, T. (2000). What the Bible Teaches about Spiritual Warfare

says that “whatever is not from faith is sin,” meaning that any thought, word, or deed, no matter how noble, helpful, or religious, if it is not done in dependence upon God (the meaning of faith) by walking by means of the Spirit (), it is done in dependence upon our own powers, and God calls that sin.

Dean, R., Jr., & Ice, T. (2000). What the Bible Teaches about Spiritual Warfare (p. 84). Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications.

When we are saved we are freed from the dominion of sin. This freedom is only utilized if we exercise our volition to walk and be filled by means of the Spirit as described in and . If we are doing this consistently, we will be victorious in our growth as Christians and our dominance of the flesh. If we don’t do this we will become entangled in the world’s systems and our own fleshly desires and we will be out of fellowship and fall into demonic influence; hence we need to keep short accounts with God confessing our sins and filling our minds with the Words of Christ.

Volition in the Parable of the Sower - :

The sower is God. The seed is the word of God. There are four results:

Seed (Gospel) is presented (sown on the path) and Satan blinds the spiritual eyes of the receiver. The receiver exercises negative volition (will) and walks away from the Word. This is a non-Christian.

Seed sown on rocky soil - the person receives it immediately with joy, but there is no root. This person is a Christian. When tribulation and persecution arises on account of his positive volition to receive the word, the Christian immediately falls away. Quits in his spiritual journey complaining that the sufficiency of the Word of God is not enough. This person although they are a Christian lives life like he a non-christian. For him, there is no reward in the Kingdom of God.

Seed is sown among the thorns. This person receives the word (is a Christian), but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches chokes the effects of the word and there is no fruit. It doesn’t matter how good a person you think you are, how spectacular your job, how many vacations you take, what car you drive, how loving your spouse or family is; if you do not make a concerted effort to fill your mind with biblical doctrine (teaching) and exercise your spiritual muscles you are deceiving yourself and there is no reward for you in the Kingdom of God in the 1,000 year Millennial reign of Christ.

Seed is sown on good soil. This person is a Christian. This person understands it and bears fruit and yields in 100 fold, sixty fold and thirty fold. This person is one who takes his spirituality seriously and want to grow. He knows that the Word is paramount to his growth and studies it and buries it deep within his mind. He is exercising positive spiritual volition, the fruit he experiences is the Fruit of the Spirit as found in .

Notice the very large part our volition plays in producing fruit? Although the fruit is a result of the Holy Spirit we can do things to keep the ground fertile. We can pursue the Word of God.

Where to Start:

First, receive Christ’s atoning gift, believing that Jesus died and paid the price for your sins.Next, Confess sin often keeping short accounts with God. - 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

This cleansing brings us back into fellowship with God. If you are a new Christian you might be confessing every few minutes, because you don’t have the grounding in the Word and you are immature. As you progress in your journey and your character comes more into alignment with Jesus’, you will have to confess less often.

3. Thirdly, tells us that we need to walk by means of the Spirit, then we will not gratify the desires of our flesh. This is an absolute, it is impossible to gratify the desires of our sin nature, while walking by means of the Spirit; however, once we have negative volition toward the Spirit and decide to do things our own way, or to ignore the Holy Spirit we sin and need to confess over again. states that if we are led by the Spirit, we are not under law. Being led by the Spirit has the idea of following in a straight and defined path, to follow something. Referring to these two versus we note that, the Spirit reveals the way to go, through our understanding of the scriptures - Doctrine. It is a two-fold ministry, the Spirit and the Word. To be walking by means of the Spirit means you are filled with the Spirit, a necessary condition for advancing in your spiritual life.

4. The job of the Holy Spirit is to bring to mind doctrine you have learned. You need to be filled with the word of God. When you are obedient to the doctrine, you now you are being led by the Spirit and are being filled by the Spirit. The deeper your knowledge is, the more you will be led by means of the Spirit. This is the beginning of your spiritual journey. Of utmost importance is learning doctrine through regular attendance at a Bible believing church, memorizing scripture, continuous prayers of thanksgiving, and meditating on God’s word.

5. Next, you need to become aware of the unmatchable grace of God and become grace oriented. This means that you realize that there is nothing you can do to gain favour with God. Everything you have, every friend, spouse, family relation, dollar you earn, vacation you take, vehicle you drive house you own, are all from God. They are free gifts to you. You recognize that your goal is to worship God, to glorify Him by understanding who God is, essence and how that effects your everyday.

6. Your next step is to understand that you are in boot camp. You are part of an angelic warfare; as such, what you do in this life shapes the rewards in the Kingdom of God. You become heaven oriented. You put off sins that hinder your advancement to gaining rewards in the next phase of your life, in eternity. You want to grow up in the Character of Christ. You want to make sure your progress is not impeded by your negative volition to God and future rewards. This is the place you need to get to to start advancing to spiritual maturity.

Look at the parable of the sower and ask yourself which person am I. If you want to be the last - a productive growing Christian who pursues maturity in this world, then you need to exercise your volition (will) and start to take these steps. I want to encourage you to start right now and be determined to work at increasing your intake of the Word of God - the Bible.