FAITH FOR: HEALING; BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT; DELIVERANCE;
VICTORY OVER SATAN; RECEIVING GOD'S PROMISES
BY Dr. HOBART E. FREEMAN, Th.D.
CONTENTS:
Introduction: WHAT IS FAITH?
CHAPTER I....HOW TO RECEIVE GOD'S PROMISES BY FAITH.
CHAPTER II....HOW TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE HOLY SPIRIT.
CHAPTER III....HOW TO OVERCOME DOUBT BY FAITH.
CHAPTER IV....HOW TO OVERCOME SATAN BY FAITH.
CHAPTER V.... HOW TO PRAY THE PRAYER OF FAITH.
WHAT IS FAITH?
The scriptural definition of faith is given in
Hebrews 11:1. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Biblical faith contains two elements: substance and evidence.
The term "substance" is a good translation of the
Greek term used in Hebrews 11:1 which means literally that
which has real existence, the basic essence, the actual
reality, the substance of something. Thus your faith is
something real which has actuality. It is the "substance"
of that which you hope for. This means that if by faith
you claim a promise which God makes to you in His Word, and
if you believe that you have received the answer when you
pray (Mark 11:24), then your faith stands in the place of
what you ask for until it is manifested visibly. Your
faith takes the place of what you ask for as an invisible,
but nevertheless real, substance until the thing you claim
is made visible to your sight; then, faith is no longer
needed. Faith is the substance (the basic essence,
reality) of things hoped for. It is as real in the sight
of God as the thing which you ask for will be to you
when you see it manifested. Your faith is the exact image
of that which you ask for, and as an image is but the
reflection of the actuality, then where faith is present
it can only mean that the things which you have asked for
are yours and only await their manifestation by God!
Faith is also "evidence." Faith is the evidence of
things not seen. Evidence of anything is absolute proof
of its reality and existence. This means that the very
fact that you have faith that God has heard and granted
your request is evidence that you have received what you
do not yet see. You have received it "by faith." You see
the invisible reality with the spiritual eye of faith.
When you know in your heart that your request has been
answered before you see it, your faith is the evidence
that you have it.
On the other hand, if there is merely hope or desire
present then there is no evidence. Mere hope is often
mingled with doubts, fears, and anxieties as to whether
or not you will really receive what you have asked for.
When genuine faith is in the heart you know that God has
granted your petition when you ask, and this faith, as
heart knowledge, is your evidence that you have what you
do not see. Jesus said "what things soever ye desire, when
ye pray, believe that ye have received them (Greek), and
ye shall have them" (Mark 11:24).
Faith is not hope. Faith is the means by which we
receive those things we hope for. Neither is faith sight.
Faith is the evidence of things not seen. faith can only
operate in the realm of the invisible concerning those
things we hope for and do not yet see. Faith cannot exist
in the visible realm. When the things we hope for are
manifested to our sight, then faith, the invisible
"substance," having done its work, is supplanted by the
visible substance, that is, the things we hope for. When
the actuality comes into view, then the image (faith)
vanishes.
The principles of faith set forth in this book apply
to any promise which God has made to the believer in His
Word. however, because the need for bodily healing and
deliverance from disease and affliction is so constant and
universal, particular attention has been given to this
question. Especially for those who are not solidly
grounded in the teachings of Scripture concerning the
provision for the healing of our diseases and illnesses in
Christ's Atonement, we suggest first of all a sincere
study of those passages where this truth is taught in
order to quicken faith and remove doubt.
If God has provided and promised healing for the body
in the atonement of Christ, then we should be able to find
this truth set forth in His Word. If it can be found there
, then we can have the assurance that it is God's will
to heal all who will exercise faith, for "faith cometh by
hearing and believing the Word." If a sincere
consideration of these passages does not lead to a belief
that God has promised you healing for your sicknesses as
well as for your sins, then it would be futile to attempt
to support the truth by argument. Therefore, these
passages are set forth without comment. Those who humbly
seek the truth of the validity of this doctrine will see
it; those who have prejudged the question in the negative
on the basis of their theological background, or rational
argument, will be unable to receive it.
Carefully consider the following passages: Isaiah 53:4
with Matthew 8:16-17. Isaiah 53:4 reads literally in the
Hebrew: "Surely he hath carried away our diseases, and
borne our pains." Obviously, most versions do not properly
translate the original. See also: Isaiah 53:5;
Exodus 15:26; 23:25; Psalm 103:3; Galatians 3:13 with
Deuteronomy 28:15-61; Deuteronomy 7;15; Mark 16:17-18;
I Corinthians 12:28; James 5:14-16; I Peter 2:24; III John
2. Compare Psalm 107:17-20; Proverbs 4;20-22; Psalm 91;
Mark 11:22-24; Matthew 17:20; 21:21-22.
Moreover, we must correct the unscriptural notion held
by so many that God is the Author of sickness, which He
sends us as "a blessing in disguise," to be patiently
endured for His glory. This cannot be supported from
Scripture and is a direct hindrance to faith for healing.
As long as this notion prevails in one's mind, then he
cannot exercise faith for healing, but must continue to
pray, "Lord, if it be thy will, heal me, but if not,
grant me the grace to bear it." If God has sent you the
disease of illness as a "blessing," or as "correction,"
then it is a SIN to seek its removal by medicines and
treatment by the doctors.
However, all who are sick seek by every means to find
some cure as soon as possible in order to remove God's
alleged "blessing" and disobey His "will." No one need
expect to receive adequate faith for healing until they
understand that the Scriptures teach that all pain,
sickness and disease are from Satan. See, for example:
Job 2:6-7; Luke 13:10-16; I Corinthians 5:5; Acts 10:38.
Compare also the many instances in the Gospels in which
Jesus healed the diseased and afflicted by casting our
demons, thereby overcoming the work of Satan. Jesus healed
all the sick who came in faith unto Him (Matthew 8:16).
CHAPTER I
HOW TO RECEIVE GOD'S PROMISES BY FAITH.
All that God promises the believer in His Word can be
received only by an act of faith. This is true concerning
salvation (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10); physical healing
(Matthew 9:22; James 5:15); the baptism in the Holy Spirit
(Luke 11:13; Acts 2:38-39); Galatians 3:2,14); the
provision of our material requirements (Matthew 6:24-34,
note vs. 30); or whatever our particular needs and
problems might be (Mark 11:24; Matthew 17:20).
By faith we are justified (Romans 3:28); sanctified
(Acts 26;18) and preserved (I Peter 1:5). By faith we
overcome Satan (Ephesians 6:16) and the world (I John
5:4). By faith we have access to God (Romans 5:2); inherit
the promises (Hebrew 6:12); stand (II Corinthians 1:24);
walk (II Corinthians 5:7); live (Galatians 2:20) and
die (Hebrews 11:13).
The central importance of faith in the life of the
Christian is clearly indicated in God's Word, for we are
told that "without faith it is impossible to please him"
(Hebrews 11:6), and "whatsoever is not of faith is sin"
(Romans 14:23). Nothing which the Christian has, is, hopes
to accomplish, obtain, or become, is realized apart from
a living faith.
Christians are rich spiritually, materially, and
physically, but too few are aware of the fact, believing
instead that we are not to receive any of our inheritance
now, nor benefit from it in the present life, but only
in the world to come. The Scriptures, on the contrary,
declare that our inheritance belongs to us now , for God
promises that "all things are yours...whether the world,
or life, or death, or things present, or things to come;
all are yours" (I Corinthians 3:21-22).
This is an amazingly comprehensive promise which
almost staggers the imagination and challenges our faith.
God has given us all things in Christ Jesus now as joint-
heirs with Him (Romans 8:16-17; Galatians 4:5-7). He says
that all things are yours now --in the world, in life,
in the present, as well as in death and the life to come.
If all things are yours in the present as well as in the
future, then this means that you can enter into your
inheritance rights now if you will exercise the faith to
appropriate them.
How do you do this? The same way in which you withdraw
your assets from the bank which are on deposit in your
name--you make application. You must write a check. Jesus
purchased all rights, privileges, wealth, dominion, power
and authority in the universe by His redemption at
Calvary. They belong to Him now. You as a joint-heir with
Him are seated with Him in the heavens (Ephesians 2:5-6)
and are authorized to draw on your account now by faith,
for "all things are yours," now--in the present, as well
as in the world to come. Your inheritance does not have to
be begged and pleaded for; God does not have to be
persuaded, "for all the promises if God in him (Christ)are
yea, and in him Amen" (II Corinthians 1:20). God not only
promises that all things are your," but here He assures
you that He has already said "yes" to all that He promises
to you even before you ask. The answer is always "yes" to
any promise God makes to you if you meet the condition of
faith. This means then, you have not because you ask not
(James 4:2). You do not ask because either you lack the
faith to take God at His Word, or you do not know how to
ask.
The Scriptures are filled with divine assurances,
privileges, rights, commissions, authorizations, rewards,
prerogatives, powers, gifts, blessings and promises to the
believer whereby God has made provision for our every
spiritual , physical, and material need, as well as for
the accomplishment of the work He has commissioned His
Church to do. All these provisions and blessings are
available to the extent that we are willing to press
through by faith and appropriate them. Hoe is this
accomplished? There are five essential conditions of faith
set forth in Scripture which must be recognized and
observed in order to receive what God had promised.
THE FIVE CONDITIONS OF FAITH
1. GROUND YOUR FAITH IN THE WORD OF GOD.
The Apostle Paul declares" ...faith cometh by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Or render-
ed more specifically: Faith comes by hearing and BELIEVING
the word of God. This is the whole secret of faith. This
is how faith comes to appropriate what God has promised to
us and promised to do through us. Our faith cannot rise
above what God has promised us in His Word, either specif-
ically or in principle. For example, specific promises are
made to us in such passages as Matthew 6:33; James 5:15;
Psalm 91, and Mark 16:17-20. The principle of faith
embracing any problem, requirement, or need is set forth
in Mark 11:22-24 and Matthew 17:20.
Faith is believing God will do for, in, or through YOU
what He promises in His Word. Faith is believing God. God
and His Word are in one accord. Believing His Word is
believing God. God will not fail to fulfill every promise
which He makes to us for "God is not a man, that he should
lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent; hath
he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and
shall he not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19).
The general lack of faith among Christians today is
primarily due to the fact that they do not KNOW what God's
Word promises to the believer which can be claimed and
received by faith. The saints of the Old and New Testa-
ments, including the prophets and apostles, were not
supernaturally endowed with special faith more than any
other believer (James 5:15-18). They received their
answers to prayer, and the empowering to work miracles and
perform mighty acts and deed of God, by fulfilling the
condition necessary to acquire strong faith--hearing and
believing the Word of God.
2.CLAIM AS YOUR WHAT YOUR FAITH HAS
EMBRACED FROM GOD'S WORD.
The second condition is to ASK. "Ask, and it shall be
given you...For EVERYONE that asketh receiveth." Read
Matthew 7:7-11. The promises of God are not fulfilled to
us merely because we believe them--we receive only what
we specifically claim as ours by faith. It is not ours
unless we appropriate it by faith. This is cleat in the
case of salvation; it is just as true regarding bodily
healing or any other blessing God promises the believer.
James says"...ye have not, because ye ask not" (4:2).
However, when you ask, ask in simple, childlike faith.
Faith does not plead and beg for what God has promised;
this indicates a lack of faith. We are not asking in faith
if we think we have to persuade God to do what He has
already offered to do for those who ask. God is ready and
willing to bestow what He promises upon those who in quiet
assurance take Him at His Word and ask, believing. He does
not have to be persuaded for He has already said "yes" to all His promises in Christ Jesus "for all the promises of
God in him are yea, and in him Amen" (II Corinthians 1:20)
Since God has already said "yes" to everything He has promised you ever before you ask, then the answer you seek
can never be "no" if you ask in faith! "And all things,
whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive" (Matthew 21:22). How to pray the prayer of faith
is set forth in chapter 5.
3.BOLDLY CONFESS WHAT YOU HAVE BELIEVED
AND CLAIMED BY FAITH.
Confession brings possession, for what you confess is
your faith speaking. Confession is faith's way of express-
ing itself. "For with the heart man believeth unto... and
with the mouth confession is made unto" (Romans 10:10).
If we genuinely believe that God will keep His promise
to us, it will be expressed by what we say or confess.
Jesus in mark 11:23 also emphasizes the significant
relationship between what we say or confess and receiving
what we ask:
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say
unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast
into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but
shall believe that those things which he saith shall
come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith.
We always receive what we say or confess. This is why
the Scripture places such a strong emphasis upon a posit-
ive confession (cf. Matthew 10:32-33; I Timothy 6:12-13;
James 1:6-7; Mark 11:22-24). If we make a negative
confession of doubt, then we receive nothing. If we
confess what God's Word says, then He will bring it to
pass. If, for example, you claim bodily healing, and later
begin to express doubt and anxiety because it is not
manifested immediately, your condition will never rise
above the lever of your confession. Confession of doubt
imprisons your faith so that it cannot be released, for
"thou art snared with the words of thy mouth" (Proverbs
6:2).
If your confession does not agree with God's Word,
then it is not faith speaking. Faith always agrees with
God's Word. Why? Because this is the literal meaning of
the verb "to confess" in the New Testament Greek:
homologeo means "to agree with," "to speak the same
language," "to confess." If, for instance, you say, "I prayed for the healing of my eyes, but I wonder why they
do not seem to get any better? However, I an hoping that I
will be healed sometime," you can never expect to receive
healing by faith, for your confession does not agree with
God's Word.
His Word declares "by His stripes ye were healed)
(Isaiah 53:5). The reason for failure is clear, for
Jesus said when you pray believe that you have received
your petition (Mark 11:24). He said you are not to doubt
in your heart but believe that those things which you say
shall come to pass. We must, therefore, make sure our
initial confession, as well as our subsequent confession,
is in harmony with God's Word. If we fail to ask for and
confess what we believe His Word promises us, then we
receive nothing; but neither do we receive if our confess-
ion does not remain in agreement with what God's Word
teaches.
4. ACT ON YOUR FAITH.
There is a difference between heart faith and mere
intellectual belief. Often people think they have genuine
faith, but they do not act their faith. The Scriptures
show that when true faith is present it will produce works
of faith, that is, corresponding actions. When Jesus
anointed the blind man's eyes with clay and commanded him
to go wash in the pool of Siloam, this gave the man an
opportunity to put his faith into action. James declares,
"faith, if it hath not works, is dead" (2:17).In Mark 2:15
we read that Jesus "saw' the faith of the men who lowered
the man sick of palsy down through the roof. Obviously you
cannot see faith--but you can see faith at work! it is to
their faith in action that Jesus refers.
For example, to claim healing for the body and then
continue to take medicine is not following our faith with
corresponding actions. One should settle the matter befo-
re hand; if we have faith that God will keep His Word and
heal us, then we will not need to keep our medicines and
remedies around "just in case." If we feel the need of
anything in addition to faith, then we do not have faith
to be healed. One should not "try" divine healing as one
means of "cure" which we thing sometimes works for some
people and just might work for us.
This is a popular misconception of the scriptural doc-
trine of healing through faith and always results in
failure. When genuine faith is present it alone will be
sufficient, for it will take the place of medicines and
other aids. When faith alone is sufficient to walk by,
then we are acting in harmony with our faith. Others some-
times claim deliverance from an evil habit or some besett-
ing sin by faith, but continue to remain bound to the
habit or sin, waiting on God to deliver them. We must act
our faith. Genuine faith will always produce correspon-
ding action that are in agreement with our confession of
faith.
All the heroes of faith recorded in Hebrews, chapter
11, are said to have done something which gave evidence of
their faith. "By faith Abel offered unto God a more exec-
ellent sacrifice than Cain...by faith Noah...prepared an
ark...by faith Abraham offered up Isaac...by faith Moses..
.forsook Egypt," etc. When true faith is present we will
always act on it. If you claim a promise of God, you may
not know the exact moment the manifestation will occur,
but it always comes as you are acting in agreement with
your confession of faith in God's Word! It will never come
in the midst of doubt or failure to act on your faith.
5. HOLD FAST TO YOUR CONFESSION OF
FAITH WITHOUT WAVERING.
Sometimes there are those who seek to appropriate a
promise of God by faith, as for example, His promise to
heal their disease. They claim his promise and confess it,
but if it is not manifested immediately, or soon there-
after, they find they cannot maintain a positive confess-
ion of faith in God's promise, and thus they do nor rece-
ive the manifestation of their healing. The problem here
is that they did not met the first condition of receiving
by faith, that is, they did not ground their faith solely
in the Word of God.
Their faith was shallow, being based partly on God's
promise and partly on visible circumstances, feelings, or
their symptoms. Genuine faith never confesses what it sees
or feels in the natural realm, for this may not appear to
change immediately; but faith confesses what God's Word
promises in the face of all apparent circumstances to the
contrary. Therefore, we are admonished: "Let us hold fast
the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is
faithful that promised)" (Hebrews 10:23).
Jesus teaches us in Mark 11:24 that when we pray we
are to believe that we have received when we ask, and that
we shall see it manifested. The significant thing is that
it is always after we believe and confess that we have
received that the answer is manifested. Sometimes it is a
moment after; at other times it is a week, month, or long-
or before the answer is seen in the visible realm. But
true faith continues to confess that God has heard and
granted our request and that we shall have it. We must
always receive in the faith realm, before we shall ever
see it in the natural or visible realm. Faith is not
concerned with the calendar--it is based on what God has
promised, not what physical circumstances appear to indi-
cate at present.
In John 9 the blind man's healing was not manifested
immediately. It was not until after he had walked to the
pool of Siloam, and after he had washed, that he came see-
ing. The ten lepers did not receive the manifestation of
their healing when they asked, nor immediately after Jesus
granted their petition. They were healed "as they went"
(Luke 17:12-14). Abraham waited many years for the manif-
estation of God's promise to him of a son, holding fast to
his faith without doubting (Romans 4:17-21).
Sickness and disease have been repeatedly defeated by
maintaining a positive confession of faith in the face of
all apparent evidence to the contrary. Satan often will
not withdraw his symptoms until he has made trial of your
faith, for he well knows many begin to waver and doubt in
time of trial and testing. Hold fast to your confession
and Satan will be forced to withdraw his work in your
body.
Satan's power over you to afflict or oppress increases
or decreases in direct proportion to your confession of
faith or doubt. Therefore, "let us hold fast the confess-
ion of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful
that promised). Whatever you claim by faith, refuse to
look at the problems or circumstances involved; keep your
eyes on the promises of God, boldly maintaining your conf-
ession of what His Word says, and He will surely bring it
to pass when the trial of your faith is completed.
In summary, we find that there is one important prin-
ciple undergirding all these five conditions of faith. It
is imperative that we keep constantly in mind the follow-
ing principle of faith, then the form and content of our
prayers, confession, actions, and conversation must
change.
Prayer. Once you have claimed by faith healing for
yourself, then to continue to pray for healing, instead of
giving thanks that God has already heard and granted your
request, even though the manifestation is not seen as yet,
is evidence of a lack of faith. If we pray ten times ask-
ing God for the same thing before we receive, we have pray
ed nine times in unbelief!
Jesus said "when ye pray, believe that ye have rec-
eived." After you have asked in faith, praise and thank
God daily for the answer, for you must see it in the faith
realm first, before you can ever see it in the visible
realm. Read Mark 11:24 and Matthew 21:22.
Confession. After the prayer of faith, our confession must
then also change from "I believe that God can heal me and
will if I ask," to "I know that God has heard and granted
my petition according to His Word." The confession of
faith always refers to the past tense, never the future.
We must never say "God is going to heal me," for this does
not agree with what God's Word says (Mark 11:24; I Peter
2:24), and indicates you do not really believe that you
have already received your request when you prayed. Our
confession must not be based on what we see, feel, or what
outward circumstances seem to indicate, but solely on what
God says had been done for us when we prayed.
Actions. Not only must the form of our prayers and con-
fession change after we have claimed a promise of God by
faith, but our actions must change to correspond with our
faith. We must act out our faith, for "faith, if it hath
not works, is dead." Naaman, the leper, was healed accord-
ing to the Word of the Prophet Elisha only after he had
acted on faith and washed seven times in the River Jordan.
Noah was saved because he acted on his faith, for we read
"by faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seem as
yet...prepared an ark to the saving of his house" (Hebrews
11:7).
The writer was once stricken with a deep, serious
bronchial infection and head cold a few days before an
important speaking engagement. Knowing from past experie-
nce that such a condition lasted for two or three weeks,
often accompanied by coughing and laryngitis, he claimed
by faith complete healing, specifically confessing in
prayer that every trace of the infection with its symptoms
would be gone by the time he arose to speak three days
later. Although the symptoms did not leave immediately,
nevertheless, acting on his faith, he kept his speaking
appointment and when he arose to speak there was not a
single vestige of the illness remaining! We cannot be
healed by faith if we continue taking remedies, or remain
in bed; we must act on our faith. Our actions must change
to conform to our confession of faith.
Conversation. Faith never thinks, talks, nor listens
to doubt, regardless of symptoms, pains, feelings, or
apparent circumstances to the contrary. We are to "hold
fast to the profession of our faith without wavering"
(Hebrews 10:23). Faith speaks positively of what God's
Word says has been done. It does not say "I have claimed
healing for my eyes and it will come, but a present they
are still weak and I have difficulty doing my work, etc."
our conversation must change; it must not be centered on
our illness, symptoms, of feelings, for this is an admiss-
ion that Satan still has the victory over us and the power
to keep us in bondage.
Confess, on the contrary, that he has no rights to
afflict you, and that his work in your body has been over-
come by faith in God's promise. Hold fast to your confess-
ion and Satan will turn loose! Refuse to talk about your
illness, your symptoms, your pains, your problems; this is
admitting that they belong to you. Talk faith and God will
manifest it to your sight. The image will become the
actuality, but disease confessed is disease possessed!
Since you receive what you confess, then center your conv-
ersation on your faith in God's promise to you, not on
outward circumstances.
CHAPTER II
HOW TO RECEIVE THE BAPTISM IN THE
HOLY SPIRIT BY FAITH.
As was noted previously, all God's promises to the
believer are appropriated by faith. Our faith cannot emb-
race that Which God does not promise to do in His Word.
Thus we must ground our faith in the Word of God, for
faith comes by hearing and believing the Word. The bapt-
tism of the Holy Spirit is clearly promised the believer
in the Word of God, but one cannot receive this empowering
and blessing until he as gotten over any doubts or doctrin-
al questions about the possibility of being filled. To
remove doubts we recommend a study of the Word of God, for
this is how the writer received the infilling of the Holy
Spirit and has been privileged to instruct and lead many
others into this blessing. If a humble, sincere study of
the teachings of Scripture does not quicken one's faith
for this experience, then all other arguments and examples
would be superfluous.
We are addressing this chapter primarily to those who have
already gotten beyond the question of the validity of the
baptism, and desire it, but for various reasons have not
yet received the experience with the accompanying sign of
speaking in a new language as the evidence. However, for
the sake of those who may not be thoroughly grounded in the
Scriptures in regard to the question, or who have been
erroneously taught to equate receiving the Holy Spirit in
regeneration with the "baptism" in the Holy Spirit (as the
writer did for fourteen years!), then we shall set forth
the basic passages where the truth of the baptism is
taught for your study in order to remove doubts and create
faith.
A study of the relevant passages will also indicate
that certain terms and phrases are used synonymously with
reference to the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The New
Testament equates the following with each other; "The
baptism in the Holy Spirit," "filled with the Spirit,"
"the gift of the Sprit," "pouring out of the Spirit,"
receiving the Spirit," etc. Compare, for example, Acts 1:
4-5 with 2:4, 10:45; 11:15-17, where the terms "baptized,"
"filled,' and "gift' are used synonymously.
1. THE PROMISE.
Old Testament Prophecy. Joel predicted that in the
latter days God would pour our His Spirit upon all flesh:
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out
my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters
shall prophesy" (Joel 2:28). This was first experienced
on the day of Pentecost, when the 120 disciples were all
filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke with new languages
or tongues (Acts 2:1ff). But that it was not intended to
be limited to this initial outpouring is seen from Peter's
words of explanation of their experience in Acts 2:38-39
where the same gift of the Holy Spirit is promised to all
those who receive Christ "for the promise is unto you, and
to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as
many as the Lord our God shall call." The promise of the
baptism in the Holy Spirit is without question for all
believers who will exercise faith to appropriate it.
New Testament Promise. The classic passage where Jesus
promises us the gift of the Holy spirit is Luke 11:9-13.
Verse 13 reads: "If ye then, being evil, know how to give
good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your
heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask
Him?" The willingness of our heavenly Father to give us
the baptism of the Holy Spirit is clearly indicated here,
since, as a child of God, we already have the Spirit in
regeneration (Romans 8:9, 15-16). The writer has witnessed
many, many Christians come into this blessing merely by
quoting them this verse of Scripture, which was then ap
ropiated by them in faith. Christ also promises the bapt-
ism in Acts 1:4-5, 8.
2. THE EVIDENCE: THE SIGN OF THE BAPTISM.
Is there a scriptural sign that one has been filled
with the Holy Spirit? We believe there is. However, some,
who for various reasons we cannot discuss here, have not
wanted to speak in tongues, but who say they believe the
baptism in the Holy Spirit is a valid experience for this
day, claim to have received the baptism without speaking
in new tongues. They speak of an "inward experience," of
an "anointing," of "being beside oneself with joy," of
'feeling great strength or love," etc. All of these so-
called evidences are based upon "feeling" or "emotion" of
which the bible says nothing in regard to the baptism.
We must evaluate our experience in the light of Scripture; when we do this, we find that speaking in a new language
or tongue supernaturally is the Scriptural sign of
having received the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
SPEAKING IN TONGUES WAS
PREDICTED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT.
1) Joel 2:28-29. Peter quotes this to authenticate
the divine source of their ability to speak the new
languages at Pentecost. Joel had predicted the outpouring
or baptism; Peter said the new tongues were the evidence
or sign. Note carefully it was the phenomenon of speaking
in new tongues that excited the Jews causing them to
inquire: "What meaneth this?"
2) Isaiah 28:11-12. Paul cites the prophecy to indic-
ate that speaking in tongues in the Church had been pred-
icted by Isaiah. See I Corinthians 14:21-22.
This Sign Was Incontestable Proof to the Jewish Church
That the Holy Spirit Had Been Given to the Gentile Christ-
ians.
Acts 10:44-45. It was when they heard them speak with
tongues that Peter declares that they "have received the
Holy Ghost as well as we." In Acts 11;16 he calls it the
"baptism in the Holy Spirit."
This Sign Was Doubtless Missing from the Samaritans' Exper-
ience, Thus It Was Evident They Had Not Received the
Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:4-8, 12-19. Moreover, verse 18 says that Simon
"saw" something which caused him to offer money for the
power to give the Holy Spirit to others. Neither Philip's
healings, exorcisms, nor miracles caused him to offer
money for these. Evidently he had heard them speak with
new tongues when they received the baptism in the Holy
Spirit.
The 120 Disciples "All spoke with New Tongues and They
Accepted This Alone as Evidence That Christ Had Now Ful-
filled His Promise to Baptize Them in the Holy Spirit.
Compare Acts 1:4-5, 8 with Acts 2:4, 2:33. This is
their own interpretation of their experience; namely, that
the baptism in the Holy Spirit results in speaking in new
tongues.
Acts 19:1-6. Speaking in Tongues Was a commonly Accep-
ted Phenomenon in the Churches and Considered a Manifest-
ation of the Holy Spirit. I Corinthians 12:14; Romans 8:
26-27; Ephesians 6;18; Jude 20.
We conclude, therefore, that speaking in tongues and
this alone can be considered as Scriptural evidence con-
firming the baptism in the Holy Spirit. The writer has
been some of those who "thought" they had received the
baptism in the Holy Spirit without tongues, when shown
their untenable position from Scripture, receive the
baptism speaking with tongues. Without exception those who
want to speak with tongues always do when they yield the-
in tongues and will to the Holy Spirit. Doubtless what
some experience are "anointings" of the Holy Spirit. Bec-
ause of this blessed experience, and often too, because
they feel there is some stigma associated with speaking
in a new tongue, they have been led to equate this "anoit-
ting" with the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
God would not base the assurance of having given us
His Holy Spirit on mere "feelings," or "emotional exper-
ience" no matter how precious sacred these may be in our
experience. Feelings and emotional experiences are too
subjective and variable from individual to individual.
This is why he chose the sign of speaking in new languages
supernaturally as the evidence of the baptism. This is
because it is (1) outward evidence; (2) uniform evidence;
(3) universal evidence; and (4) supernatural evidence.
Emotional, physical, or spiritual manifestations may also
occur, and sometimes do accompany the sign of tongues, but
the Bible does not tell us to look for these, they are too
unreliable and variable. Look for the sign God has given:
These signs shall follow them that believe;...they
shall speak with new tongues (Mark 16:17).
3) How To Receive The Baptism In The Holy Spirit With The
Scriptural Sign Following.
The conditions for receiving the baptism in the Holy
Spirit by faith are essentially the same for receiving
anything God has promised to the believer in His Word.
These are the five conditions previously outlined in the
chapter "How to Receive God's Promises by Faith." They
are: (1) Base your faith on the Word of God; (2) Ask;
(3) confess; (4) Act on your faith; (5) Maintain your
confession without doubting. You may receive the baptism
either by the laying on of hands or through your own per-
sonal prayer of faith. In either event the conditions are
the same.
1. FAITH.
The baptism in the Holy Spirit, like all the promises of
God to the Christian, is received by faith. Our faith
cannot rise above what God promises us in His Word. Faith
cometh by hearing and believing the Word. Paul tells us in
Galatians 3:2 that we receive the Spirit, "by the hearing
of faith," i.e., by the faith that comes through hearing
the Word. In 3:15 he states that "we...receive the prom-
ise of the Spirit through faith." The first and essential
step, then, is to study those texts we have given in which
the baptism is promised (viz., Joel 2;28-29; Acts 2:38-39;
Luke 11:9-13), together with those which indicate the
evidence of having received the baptism is speaking with
a new language as the Spirit gives utterance. This is how
faith comes to receive the Holy Spirit.
2. ASK
.
Jesus assures the believer that His Heavenly Father
will give the Holy Spirit "to them that ask him" (Luke 11:
13). We may believe that God has made us a promise from
reading His Word, but we do not receive it until we pres-
onally appropriate it by faith and claim it for ourselves
by asking for it.
3. CONFESS.
The first three steps are to be taken together. That
is, on the basis of your faith in God's Word that the
Father will fill you with His Spirit if you ask, then in
simple, trusting faith say: "Heavenly Father, according
to your promise to give ME the baptism in the Holy Spirit,
I now ask you for it in faith and confess that I have
received."
This is a simple prayer of faith meeting all the
Scriptural conditions for receiving. There is no need to
beg, plead, fast, "seek" or "tarry" for days, nor to try
to "pray through for the baptism." This indicates a lack
of faith. Jesus taught us to pray directly to the point
when we are asking for something God promises us and to
believe that we have received when we ask. "What things
soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive
them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:24). You are to
confess in faith that you have received when you ask; the
sign or evidence will follow.
4. ACT ON YOUR FAITH.
God fills us with the Holy Spirit when we ask. We
begin to speak; this is something the Holy Spirit will not
do. The reason many tarry for so long seeking the baptism
is that (a) they did not believed they received when they
asked, and because (b) they were waiting for the Holy
Spirit to speak through them by literally taking control
of their vocal chords, tongue and mouth, and compelling
them to speak.
Acts 2:4 states, "And they (the disciples) were all
filled with the Holy Ghost, and (they) began to speak with
other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." They
began to speak as the Spirit gave them the words to utter.
It is you who must begin to speak in faith, and the Spirit
which you have already received will give you utterance.
he always dose without exception if (A) you believe that
He will, (B) you will yield your tongue and cooperate with
the Spirit (for it is your tongue and your voice that He
must use), and (C) determine that you will not speak a
word of English, for you cannot speak two languages at the
same time.
If faith is present, you will doubtless feel joy and
praise toward God welling up inside wanting to be express-
ed through your lips. The tendency often, without proper
instruction, is to let this praise come forth in English.
If you will refuse to speak in English and in simple faith
speak for th those sounds, which will come forth if you
will use your voice, you will find the Holy Spirit is
giving utterance supernaturally in a new language. We must
act on our faith. When Christians will do this, we have
never seen them fail to speak with new tongues.
Are there ever any exceptions? No, not from God's
side. The very few instances where a person has failed to
receive, it was clearly always the result of two things.
In the first place it was the result of a lack of faith--
an unwillingness to believe God's promise that He has
given them the Holy Spirit when they asked. Often they did
not believe they had received because they did not "feel"
any different after asking, or they did not have some un-
usual supernatural experience similar to some they have
heard about when they received, such as vision, trance,
ecstasy, or great anointing. The writer personally "felt"
nothing as he began to speak in faith, but as he continued
thusly for a few moments in faith, speaking sounds unfam-
iliar to him, the Holy Spirit began to increase abundantly
the utterance which He gave and which continued for some
time.
The second reason a few do not speak is merely because
the refuse to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. They are
waiting for the Holy Spirit to speak through them, but the
Spirit only gives us utterance as we speak in faith what
he gives us. Some say, "but I don't know what to say." Of
course not, for we speak only what the Holy Spirit gives
us to utter. Do not try to think words or sounds with the
mind or intellect. The new language does not come from or
through the mind, but from our spirits as the Holy Spirit
gives utterance. The words will come freely and super-
naturally if you will in faith use your voice and speak
whatever sounds come forth. One word will follow on the
other. These unfamiliar sounds are the new language which
is the sign of your baptism. They are unknown to you, but
not unto God, or anyone else who happens to speak that
particular tongue. Paul says we speak mysteries unto God
(I Corinthians 14:2), and that our understanding is un-
fruitful (14:14), both that we edify ourselves inwardly
(14:4).
Never allow yourself to say as did one brother, "the
Holy spirit will have to do it all, for I can't!" Of
course, he will never receive until he is willing to use
his voice in faith as Acts 2:4 states. We have seen some
who have been "seeking" and "tarrying" for many years
filled and speak fluently in a new language almost immed-
iately when they were encouraged to cooperate with the
Spirit, refuse to utter a syllable of English, and speak
forth in faith the sounds that came forth as they used
their voice. You must put your vocal cords, tongue, and
lips into motion just as you do to speak any language. You
do not cause the utterance which comes forth when you take
this step of faith--it is the Holy Spirit giving you the
utterance supernaturally. From God's side there are no
exceptions! If right now you will ask in faith, confess
you have received, and speak forth in faith, the Holy
Spirit will give you the utterance in a new language.
5. MAINTAIN YOUR CONFESSION.
The fifth step has reference to the need for daily use
of the new language which we have received. Use it daily
in your prayer life. It is a great source of spiritual
strength, edification, and comfort to the Christian. It
can also be an effective means of intercession. Note
Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20; Romans 8:26-27; I Corinthians
14:2,4,15,39.
Some neglect to speak again after their initial exper-
ience, because they were not encouraged to continue,
thereby forfeiting a great source of strength and
blessing. Not a few have come to doubt their original
experience because they did not continue. We have seen
many of these enter into a joyful experience when encour-
aged to continue again. Others sometimes are tempted to
doubt a few days after receiving whether or not they were
filled with the Spirit, or whether they are just "making
it all up." This is a common device of Satan in order to
get you to doubt God's Word. He that speaks in a super-
natural tongue edifies himself. The Devil hates a strong
Christian and will do anything to confuse you at first
and turn you aside. Refuse to entertain these thoughts of
doubt. Maintain your confession of faith without wavering
and Satan will leave. He always does if you will continue
to speak in faith. It will not be long until you will
recognize the source of your temptation to doubt.
CHAPTER III
HOW TO OVERCOME DOUBT BY FAITH.
Have you often wondered why it is that your prayers
are so seldom answered? Or why you were not healed al-
though you thought you prayed in faith? Or why there is so
much defeat, worry and frustration in your life instead
of the joy, peace and victory which a Christian is supp-
osed to have? Have you wondered why your faith is so weak
and inadequate? do trials cause your faith to languish and
grow faint rather than strong and mature?
The Word of God will give you the reason. It is doubt.
The temptation to doubt what God has promised us in His
Word is one of Satan's most effective weapons to rob the
Christian of peace of mind, healing, joy, material prov-
ision of his needs, spiritual power, strong faith, bless-
ings and victory. The spiritual principle set forth in
James 1:5-7 is applicable to any situation or promise God
has made us in His Word which is to be appropriated by
faith.
If you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and is shall be
given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing DOUBTING
(Greek). For he that doubteth is like a wave of the sea
driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man
think that he shall receive anything of the Lord.
Although we may at first ask in faith for an answer to
our needs, if we later begin to doubt, Satan will rob us
of the answer, for it will not come. God, says that a
doubter is like a wave of the sea; he wavers between faith
and unbelief and therefore is unprepared to receive the
very thing he seeks. He is like a wind tossed wave or
billow of the sea, rising first with hope, then sinking
down out of sight into the depths of doubt.
Whatever God has promised in His Word can only be
received by faith. doubt is a disease that eats away your
faith like a cancer. Doubt is the Devil's handmaid whom he
sends to seduce your faith and rob you of God's blessings.
Faith is from God; doubt is from Satan. He who begins to
doubt can go only one way--down!
HOW CAN YOU OVERCOME THE TEMPTATION
TO DOUBT?
1. ACCEPT CHRIST'S ATONEMENT AS SUFFICIENT
FOR ALL YOUR SINS.
Is doubt a sin? It is one of the greatest! God's Word
declares: "but without faith it is impossible to please
Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Again, "for whatsoever is not faith
is sin (Romans 14:23). Did Jesus die for all your sins?
Then he also died for your doubts, for the Word of God
plainly states that doubt is a sin and displeases God.
Cast your doubts on the Lord and He will surely remove
them (I Peter 5:7).
2. WHEN YOU CLAIM A PROMISE OF GOD ALWAYS
ASK IN FAITH AND EXPECT AN ANSWER.
So much prayer goes unanswered because Christians do
not really take God's integrity seriously enough to expect
an answer each time they pray. They hope that occasionally
their "turn" will come and God will give them what they
ask. But God is interested in answering prayers and ful-
filling His promises to us--this is why He made them. The
only requirement is, however, that me must ask in faith,
nothing doubting. When we pray we are to expect an answer
for Jesus said:
What things soever ye desire, when ye pray believe
that ye receive them, and ye shall have them (Mark 11:24).
If ye have faith, and doubt not...all things whatsoever ye
shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive (Matthew
21:21-22).
3. ALWAYS STOP DOUBT AT THE DOOR OF THE
MIND WHEN IT SEEKS TO GAIN ENTRANCE.
This is where your defeat always begins--in the mind.
Satan suggests such doubts to your mind as to whether or
not God is willing to answer your particular request, or
whether you are worthy, or have asked properly. He tells
you your problem is too difficult, or your disease too
far advanced for any hope of cure. Here is where most
people are defeated. They allow thoughts of doubt to enter
their mind; they entertain the doubt; they examine its
merits; or they try to reason with the problem instead of
resting of God's promise. Then when they try to get rid of
the doubts and exercise faith, they find that the doubts
refuse to leave! Entertain doubt for a minute and it will
require and hour to get rid of it; listen to Satan's
doubts for an hour and it will require a week to gain back
the ground lost and recover your faith! Do not ever enter-
tain doubt about that for which you have prayed for one
moment--stop it at the door! You need never doubt again
about anything. You can overcome all doubt and transform
your entire Christian life. You alone hold the key to
complete victory. Simply refuse to accept a single doubt-
ful thought which Satan suggests to your mind. "Resist the
Devil and he will flee from you."
4. WHEN TEMPTED TO DOUBT, PRAISE GOD AND SING
HYMS OF FAITH AND VICTORY INSTEAD.
This is one of the most effective weapons against the
Enemy the believer possesses. There is nothing that will
banish Satan with his lies and doubts more quickly than
praise and song. The Devil will flee if you commmand him,
but he will also flee if you praise God! He refuses to
stay around the Christian who continually offers praises
unto God. If we would praise God more we would have to
command the Devil less. Why? Praise covers you with a
protective garment which the spirit of depression, doubt,
and heaviness cannot penetrate. The spirit of joy and
praise is one of the benefits Christ purchased for us at
Calvary, for the Lord declares in Isaiah 61:1-3: "The
Spirit of the Lord is upon me...to appoint unto them that
mourn in Zion..the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of
praise for the spirit of heaviness." Israel once overcame
her enemies with song and praise unto the Lord without a
weapon being used and without a fight. so can you! Read
II Chronicles 20.
God desires praise more than material offerings
(Psalms 69:30-31), for "whoso offereth praise glorifieth
me" (Psalms 50:23). Doubts will vanish like the morning
mist before the rising sun in the life of one who offers
up songs of praise unto the Lord continually (Psalms 34:1;
35:28; Hebrews 13:15).
5. NEVER CONFESS DOUBT OR UNBELIEF.
Always confess what God's Word says and hold fast to
this in the face of all circumstance which appear to the
contrary, for you will receive what you confess. "Death
and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21).
Admitting doubt even in a small way will paralyze and with-
hold God's blessings from you (James 1:6-7). Absolutely
refuse to confess doubt, defeat, unbelief, or anything of
a negative nature. The reason for this is clear, for "a
merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow
of the heart the spirit is broken" (Proverbs 15:13).
Confessing doubt invites a spirit of depression and
defeat. Satan attacks the mind with thoughts of doubt and
unbelief seeking thereby to destroy your peace and joy in
the Lord for he knows that "...the joy of the Lord is your
strength" (Neh.8:10).
One of the greatest sources of weakness, failure, un-
answered prayer, and defeat is your own tongue. The conf-
ession of doubt is your own admission that you are defe-
ated and Satan is victor! Truly "death and life are in the
power of the tongue." adopt the "vocabulary" of faith.
Never allow yourself to use negative or doubtful express-ions of speech.
6. REFUSE TO LISTEN TO THE DOUBTS OF OTHERS.
Listening to the doubts, disbelief, skepticism, and
uncertainty of others can undermine and weaken your faith.
Never discuss the problems which you have committed to the
Lord, or God's promises which you have claimed by faith,
with those who do not believe God positively answers every
prayer of faith based upon His Word. For example, if, by
faith, you have claimed bodily healing, Satan often uses
the unbelief and skepticism of others to implant doubts in
your heart. Many of his tares are sown just this way and
the seed of God's Word is choked and becomes unfruitful.
It is possible also to forfeit healing once obtained
by faith if we allow doubt to affect our faith. A man
healed of cancer of the hip by faith was later stricken
with cancer of the stomach and died because he listened to
the doubts of his fellow church members who denied the
validity of divine healing for today! answer doubt with
faith. But do not linger arguing with doubters, for it is
Satan speaking through them seeking to overthrow your
faith.
7. DISCIPLINE YOURSELF TO A FAITHFUL STUDY
OF GOD'S WORD AND REGULAR PRAYER.
The most effective remedy for doubt is a close walk
with God. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the
word of God" (Romans 10:17). "...desire the sincere milk
of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2).
Prayer is the means of "...building up yourselves on your
most holy faith" (Jude 20).
Finally, therefore, resist doubts like you would any
other temptation to sin. "Resist the devil, and he will
flee from you" (James 4:7). Never open the door to doubt,
and faith will take its place. The two never exist toget-
her--if one is present the other is absent. The choice is
yours. Which will it be? FAITH OR DOUBT?
CHAPTER IV
HOW TO OVERCOME SATAN BY FAITH.
SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
The New Testament describes the Christian life as a
spiritual warfare. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this face
by admonishing us: "Put on the whole armour of God, that
ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in
high places" (Ephesians 6:11-12). Scripture abound in
references to such a spiritual conflict which is to be
waged against an evil, cunning, wicked, powerful Adver-
sary who rules over a vast, highly organized kingdom con-
sisting of principalities, powers, rulers of this world,
and spiritual wickedness in high places, together with an
innumerable host of demonic spirits.
The Bible predicts an increase in demonic activity at
the close of the present age prior to the Second Advent
(cf. I Timothy 4:1f.; II Timothy 3;1f.; II Thessalonians
2:1f.). Our age is characterized by an ever-increasing
flood of Satanic wickedness ranging all the way from
psychic afflictions to moral aberrations. This rapid
expansion of the work of the kingdom of darkness, affect-
ing and influencing the entire world, its governments,
society, the Church, and the life of the believer, is
clearly seen in the almost fantastic increase in crime,
lust, deceit, moral depravity, suicide, war, homosex-
uality, fear, worry, anxiety, atheism, disease, psychic
disorders, demonic possession, drug addiction, and
alcoholism, together with the growth and intensification of
spiritism, occultism, false cults and the doctrines of
demons.
In as much as these forces against which the believer
and the Church must contend are spiritual, they can only
be effectively withstood and overcome by spiritual armour
and spiritual weapons. The importance of faith together
with the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the manifestations
of the gifts of the Spirit cannot be overemphasized there-
fore. For without faith and the empowering of the Spirit
the Church is practically helpless and defenseless, being
unable to cope with such a foe with its mere carnal wea-
pons of theological education, medical science, psychia-
try, psychology, human methods, techniques, and religious
and social institutions or organizations.
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after
the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,
but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds)
." declared Paul in II Corinthians 10:3-4. Victory in
spiritual warfare is achieved "Not by might, not by power,
but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts" (Zech. 4:6),
and by faith: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adver-
sary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking
whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith"
(I Peter 5:8-9).
Personal resistance to Satan's oppression, temptation,
affliction, and all his work, whether he assaults your
mind or body, family, or church, is a spiritual warfare
of faith. He can be effectively overcome and defeated by
the use of the spiritual weapons and armour made available
to the believer who is to use them in faith ("whom resist
stedfast in the faith"). How is this to be accomplished?
When the Enemy attacks, take the offensive against him by
faith in the following manner.
1. CLAIM YOUR AUTHORITY OVER SATAN BY FAITH.
The Christian has this authority by virtue of his
relationship to Christ. In II Corinthians 5:14 we are said
to have died with Christ (cf. Col. 3:3); in Ephesians 2:5
we were made alive with Christ; and in Ephesians 2:6 we
are said to have been raised up with Him and ascended into
the heavens with Him and made to sit together in heavenly
places with Christ Jesus!
Where is Christ? The question is significant, for
wherever Christ is we are also with Him with respect to
our position of authority. Christ is enthroned at the
right hand of God "Far above all principality, and power,
and might, and dominion" Ephesians 1:21). Paul's prayer
is that we might recognize this fact and appropriate this
great power and authority, for the believer's position is
exhalted with Him far above all things. Read Ephesians 1:
15-23. Note especially verse 19. See also Colossians 2:
13-15.
This means that Christ not only gained victory over
Satan and his kingdom at Calvary, but that He rules sover-
eignly over him and that Satan has absolutely no power
over Him whatsoever. Therefore, since the believer's
position in Christ is the same, then he too has gained
this victory and position of authority over Satan. We must
then, first of all claim our authority by faith over the
Enemy before we can effectively command him to obey.
We are authorized by virtue of our heavenly position
to put up a bold resistance in the Name and authority of
Jesus Christ against Satan and he must obey! (Mark 16:17; Luke 9:1). Cease wasting efforts contending for victory
over Satan--you should be waging a warfare from your pos-
ition of victory which you already possess if you will
claim it in faith!
2. CONFESS VICTORY THROUGH JESUS' BLOOD BY FAITH.
Boldly confess the efficacious power of Jesus' blood,
for the strength of our authority rests in this alone.
Our work and testimony is effective only to the extent
that we know and confess this. "And they overcame him
(Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their
testimony" (Revelation 12:11). Always fearlessly go
against demonic oppression, for example, by boldly confes-
sing the power of the blood of Jesus over Satan's work in
the person affected. Satan always gives way before the
faith of one who courageously pleads the power of Jesus'
blood.
Satan's temptations, oppression, and work can be
effectively defeated, whether in your personal life, your
home, the church, or in the lives of others, by this
appeal to the blood of the Lamb, either by song, praise,
testimony, confession, or in the exorcism of demons. We
have actually heard evil spirits say they hate the blood
and the word of faith. This is because they know that this
has power over them.
3. COMMAND SATAN TO DEPART IN JESUS' NAME BY FAITH.
Satan will not depart, nor desist in his destructive
work by a polite request for him to go. The Scriptures
teach that demons are to be cast out, not requested to
leave. "And these signs shall follow then that believe;
In my name shall they cast out devils" (Mark 16:17).
Jesus and the apostles rebuked the evil spirits and com-
manded them to leave regardless of the nature of their
oppression, whether a spirit of infirmity (Luke 4:38-39;
Mark 9:25); an unclean spirit (Mark 1:23-27); temptation
(Matthew 4:10); hindrance (Matthew 16:21-23); or inter-
ference (Acts 16:16-18).
Some Christians, ignorant of their authority over the
Enemy have fearfully said, "I would be afraid to say
anything to Satan. I would just rather ignore him!" This,
of course, gives him complete liberty to work unmolested
in such a life. You, as a believer, have the authority to
set yourself and others free from his bondage, but Satan
will only leave by a direct command of faith in Jesus'
name. Satan and the demonic hosts know they have been def-
eated by Christ and that His followers have authority over
them. Our victory comes when we come top know and believe
this to the extent that we act on it (James 2:19; Luke 10:
17; Mark 16:17).
4. USE THE SHIELD OF FAITH AND
THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT.
Jesus overcame Satan's temptations with Scripture say-
ing: "It is written " (Matthew 4:1). Paul admonishes us
"Above all, take the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall
be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked"
(Ephesians 6:16). Notice that one is a defensive weapon
(the shield of faith), and the other an offensive weapon
(the sword of the Spirit, Hebrews 4:12). The two together
can effectively meet and overcome the Enemy's assaults
against us. If, for instance, you have claimed on the
authority of God's Word healing for your body, then boldly
confess by faith (the shield) the Scripture promises (the
sword) on divine healing, e.g., Isaiah 53:4; Psalm 103:3;
Mark 16:17-18; James 5:15, etc. Maintain by faith your
confession of what God's Word promises and Satan will be
compelled to remove his work of oppression in your body.
5. RESIST SATAN IN THE FAITH.
Remember we are in a spiritual warfare! Therefore, the
Scriptures admonish us to "resist (Satan) stedfast in the
faith" (I Peter 5:9). to "watch and pray, that ye enter
not into temptation" (Matthew 26:41); to "resist the devil
and he will flee from you" (James 4:7); to "walk in the
Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh"
(Galatians 5:16); to "neither give place to the devil"
(Ephesians 4:27); to "stand against the wiles of the
devil" (Ephesians 6:11); to "put on the whole amour of
God" so that we can "wrestle" with the Enemy victoriously
(Ephesians 6:11-18); and to overcome him by the word of
our testimony (Revelation 12:11).
Satan's temptations and work are not to go unchall-
anged and unopposed. We are commanded to resist him, to
stand against him, to give him no place, and to wrestle
with him by prayer and faith. The Devil was defeated at
Calvary and has no rights whatsoever in your life, home,
or church to oppress, afflict, hinder and defeat. Tell him
he is trespassing on God's property, resist him, and
demand that he depart. Resist him stedfast in the faith
and he will be unable to invade your domain or cause harm.
6. KEEP CLOSE WATCH ON YOUR HEART AND MIND.
Absolutely, refuse entrance into your heart and mind
anything of a negative, contrary, resentful, base or
depressive nature. Guard your heart and mind for this is
where the Enemy usually strikes. "Keep thy heart with all
diligence; for out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs
4:23). Refuse every thought that is critical, impure,
offensive, unjust, evil, detrimental, or unkind. Refuse to
entertain in our heart pride, hate, resentment, slander,
doubt, unbelief, anxiety, indifference, wrath, envy, and
self-pity.
Failure to guard the heart and mind against Satan's
depressive, sinful, carnal or negative thoughts and
suggestions is one of the major causes for oppression,
sickness, disease, fear, discord, strife, dissension,
mental illness, depression, despair, pessimism, frust-
ration and failure in the lives of Christians. The battle-
ground where much of the spiritual warfare is waged is the
beliver's own heart and mind. There is a real warfare
going on continually between Christ and Satan for control
of the mind. If Satan can gain ascendancy here, them he
well knows that he can very largely determine the course
of events in your life and limit or destroy your effect-
ivness in God's Kingdom.
This is true "because the carnal mind is enmity
against God: for it is not subject to the law of God,
neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). This is obvious; for
the mind filled with carnal or negative thoughts of the
nature mentioned cannot at the same time be subject to
heavenly influences such as love, truth, purity, holiness,
and peace. This is why the Scriptures admonish the Christ-
ian to "keep thy heart with all diligence," and to "be
ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:
2).
Many illnesses, for example, are psychosomatic and
result from harboring thoughts of hate, doubt, resentment,
self-pity, depression, and such like. Never allow Satan
a moment's access to your mind. If Christians would center
their attention on Christ and seek to have His mind
created in them, a large part of their present difficult-
ies and problems would dissolve. Reckon the old man, both
in mind and body, to be crucified with Christ (Galat-
ians 2:20; 5:24; Romans 6:6), confess it by faith, and
walk in that faith. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee"
(Isaiah 26:3).
We should remember one caution in conclusion--do not
confess Satan's power. This means that it is not necess-
ary to rebuke Satan or plead the blood against him concer-
ning every unwanted thought, temptation, or difficulty.
Satan achieves a negative confession from us of his power
and importance if we constantly rebuke him for everything
unpleasant instead of dismissing the thought from the mind
by an act of the will, overcoming the temptation by pres-
enting our bodies as living sacrifices, or resolving the
difficulty by faith. Do not keep the name of Satan on
your lips and in your mind, but the name of Christ. Resist
the Devil and he will flee from you. Command him only when
necessary.
CHAPTER V
HOW TO PRAY THE PRAYER OF FAITH.
One of the conditions set forth in chapter one for
receiving what God has promised us in His Word is that we
must ask. We receive only what we personally appropriate
by faith in prayer. Faith is the envelope in which every
request to God must be placed. Often you will hear some
Christian say "I have asked and asked but still I do not
receive." Why is this? This is because many do not know
how to pray the prayer of faith. Jesus' own disciples
confessed that they needed to be taught how to pray, for
they asked, "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11:1).
There is a correct way to accomplish anything we
undertake to do in order to achieve the desired result,
but too few realize this is especially true of prayer.
Failure to realize this is why many prayers are ineffec-
tive and remain unanswered. The Scriptures teach that
there are certain essential principles of prayer which we
must observe if our prayer are to be effective.
1. PRAY WITH A REPENTANT HEART.
Confession is the first requirement for effective
prayer. Remove by confession any obstacle of sin or unfai-
thfulness which would constitute a barrier between you and
the Lord. David said "if I regard iniquity in my heart,
the Lord will not hear me" (Psalms 66:18). James speaks
of the necessity of confession in connection with the
prayer of faith for healing the sick (James 5:14-16). See
I John 1:8-10; 3:20-22. Unconfessed sin, whether of the
spirit, such as pride, selfishness, doubt, hate, etc., or
sins of the flesh can constitute a hindrance to your
prayers.
2. PRAY WITH A FORGIVING SPIRIT.
Effective prayer stems from a right relationship betw-
een you and your brother as well as between you and God.
Jesus, after setting forth the principles of the prayer of
faith in Mark 11:22-24, then continues his teaching in
verses 25-26 saying, "and when ye stand praying, forgive,
if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which
is in heaven may forgive your trespasses. But if ye do not
forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven for-
give your trespasses."
3. PRAY IN JESUS' NAME.
It is only through Christ that we have access to the
Father, "for through him we...have access by one Spirit
unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:18). Many ignore this essen-
tial requirement by praying to the Father, but neglecting
to do it in Jesus' Name. This is not according to Scrip-
ture, for we are told: "whatsoever ye do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to
God and the Father by him" (Colossians 3:17). Jesus said
"whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will
give it to you" (John 16:23-24).
4. PRAY ACCORDING TO THE WILL OF GOD.
Obviously God cannot answer a prayer contrary to His
will. John says: "And this is the confidence that we have
in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he
heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we
ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of
him" (I John 5:14-15). This indicates the importance of
the first condition for receiving by faith set forth in
chapter one, that is, we must base our faith on what God
has promised us in His Word. One could not pray for God to
reveal to him the date of the Second Advent, for example,
since God has already declared this event is known but to
Him.
Nor could one expect God to forgive him his trespasses
if he were unwilling to forgive his brother (Mark 11:22-
26). Praying for forgiveness will be in vain inasmuch as
it is praying contrary to the revealed will of God. On the
other hand, the Christian can pray for the healing of his
diseases (James 5:14-15; Isaiah 53:4-5), or God's prov-
ision for his material needs (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:
6,19), since we have this promised to us in His Word.
5. PRAY WITH EXPECTATION.
It should be evident that if we are to pray the prayer
of faith we must pray expecting an answer, yet many fail
at the most crucial point. We may meet the other condit-
ions of prayer, but we do not receive until faith begins
to ask. Jesus said, "All things whatsoever ye shall ask in
prayer, believing, ye shall receive" (Matthew 21:22).
Praying in faith is simply believing that God will do for
you what he promises to do in His Word. You can pray with
only as much faith as you have in Christ Himself and are
willing to trust Him. To the extent you believe Him--this
is the extent of your faith. Thus if we do not receive, it
is only because we do not really believe. He will do what
He promises to do. Prayer only knocks on the door; faith
is the key that unlocks it!
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