BEING DELIVERED FROM EVIL 1
The blood of Jesus Christ of the Bible is shown to have power to deliver from evil. Warren Smith, now a born-again believer, wrote a book, THE LIGHT THAT WAS DARK, to tell us how he was delivered from deceptive forces of the devil by believing in the power of the blood of Jesus Christ of the Bible. We may learn from his efforts to alert us about deceptive people used by the devil, who themselves may be deceived by the devil. And to understand that the blood of Jesus Christ has power to deliver from all evil when we seek the Lord with all our heart. (Jeremiah 29:13; Colossians 2:15;).
MISLED INTO DARKNESS. Warren said a friend introduced him to a psychic who told him things a about himself that no one else knew. Being intrigued, he said he asked to know more about the power of the psychic. Later he met a guru who taught him Eastern meditation—Another psychic taught about him about his “own divine being” or higher-self —a channeler of spirits recommended he study A COURSE IN MIRACLES, a metaphysical course to enhance spiritual growth.
Warren says the metaphysical program taught him massaging, yoga exercises, meditation and holistic health practices. This program was designed to prepare you to be “channels of love, light and healing.” He tells us he later used these activities, together with his metaphysic beliefs, in his work as a Social Worker with the developmental disabled ( p 61).
DREAMED OF A “GOOD BOOK,” AND WONDERED. While involved in the metaphysical program, Warren said he had a strange dream about a “good book.” Some classmates thought it was the Bible.
LEARNING THE GOOD BOOK IS THE BIBLE, AND THERE IS A DEVIL.
Warren continues in the Course of metaphysic where he got closer to a friend, Joy, who also was on a spiritual journey. When Joy encountered a spiritual problem, she and Warren went to their instructor Frank for his help. Joy told the teacher that she felt a client from her massage business had been trying to possess her body when she was almost asleep. Frank gathered them into a circle, held hands and told them to “visualize sending light” to the client. However, Warren wondered out loud if something else could be done.
Frank’s wife, Trudy who was present, responded unexpectedly: “Put on the full armor of God and stand fast against the wiles of the devil.” She advised them to read Ephesians 6:10 in the Bible. She insisted the devil is real. Frank had led them to believe there is no devil, in teaching them they were “perfect, sinless, guiltless Sons of God” (p 107). Probably not wanting to contradict his wife at this time, Frank did not contest what she said.
When Warren and Joy got home, they read Ephesians 6:10-12. They saw that what Trudy said was in the Bible. However, they felt Trudy was probably holding onto something from her past church involvement. There are other questions that come to mind about Trudy:
- Was Trudy a true believer in Jesus Christ that was somehow deceived in the past?
- Was she deceived by Frank who was involved with her in church in some way, and convinced her to seek what he thought was the “real truth” some other place?
- Did she marry Frank without seeking God approval? (2 Corinthians 6:14).
- Was she staying with Frank because the Bible says the married believer should remain with the unbeliever who wants to stay with the believer? (1 Corinthians 7:12-16).
- Was she being used by God, as a believer, despite her wrong past decisions? (Romans 8:28).
- Was God keeping a promise to her as a believer that He would never leave or forsake his believers? (Hebrews13:5)
Among all these possible questions and answers, I feel one answer is God was keeping a pledge to Trudy that he kept with me, in Hebrew 13:5, when I backslid and fell into sin. The Bible says if the righteous fall they will rise again (Jeremiah 3:14; Proverbs 24:16; John 10:29). (To be continued in my part 2, subsequent posting, on Being Delivered From Evil).
