From a forum post:
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{{_ What are some of the ways you identify the enemy?}}
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By their actions [/] By the way they utilize scripture. They only use scripture
which condemn others and not the ones which show God's love.}}
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Thanks for that last sentence. I have just been translating James and your thought
is marvelously parallel to several passages and a sound application of them. It
is, of course, an identification of the activity of the enemy, and not of an
actual enemy.
Jas
1:25 KJV But whoso looketh into the
perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful
hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Jas
2:12-13 KJV So speak ye, and so do, as
they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. (13)
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and
mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Jas
3:13-18 KJV Who is a wise man and endued
with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works
with meekness of wisdom. (14) But if ye have bitter envying and strife in
your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. (15)
This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual,
devilish. (16) For where envying and strife is, there is
confusion and every evil work. (17) But the wisdom that is from above is first
pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good
fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (18)
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Jas
4:11-12 KJV Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of
his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the
law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a
judge. (12) There is one lawgiver, who is able to save
and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
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My translation of the second passage above is what made possible a startling
recognition of the truth of your statement. Those that are happiest in Christ
Jesus are those that observe the law of freedom.
James
2 12-13 jvb Aa 12 Be speaking and doing in this manner: as those who are being
about to be being judged by the law established by freedom. 13 For condemnation
unkind is coming to one who shows no kindness but freedom's rejoicing is
placing kindness over condemnation.
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{{_ (The enemy is evil.) Of course there are obvious ways, but give some of
your tests you use to test spirits.}}
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I have never encountered a demon or an evil spirit so a test I will use is to
ask them if they love Jesus.}}
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Sound idea. The begotten again in Christ seem to have no difficulties with
demons. There is a reported experience of being instantly in spirit upon
recognition of the demon possessed. The experience is a sense of an unusual
unity between human will and God’s will. If an exorcism is God’s will at that
time, the believer is capable. Reported horrendous difficulties in exorcism
seem to be the result of nominal Christian exorcists. The reported success of
such liturgical ceremonies may sometimes be due to the prayers of a true
believer present in a lowly physical assistant capacity.
