"Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, 'In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.' Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, 'Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?' Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding."
(Acts 19:13-16)
"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are undisturbed. But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied and distributes his plunder. He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters. When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first." (Luke 11:21-26)
As conquerors in Christ Jesus, we realize our battle is not against humanity but in spiritual places. We can go forth into the field of the harvest, and through charity and intercession attempt a great divine victory against evil forces. However, the enemy will only be truly defeated if God has ordained the work. The previous Scriptures explain the dangers of confronting the enemy without God's guidance, protection, and equipping.
If we save them from starvation but do not present the Bread of Life as the main course, we have only filled their stomachs.
If we heal their sick but do not share with them the miracle of God's mercy upon sinners, we have only become their doctor.
If we successfully remove a tryant from oppressing a nation but do not teach the people everything that Jesus taught us, we have only opened the door for the next villain to reign in his place.
If we gather them once a week to preach the good news yet do not call upon the Holy Spirit to empower the people, we have only taught them how to attend church.
If we do all this and more in Jesus name, yet without the sovereign direction of the Holy Spirit, we have arrogantly walked away with the proud thought that we have helped set the captives free. In reality though, we will have accomplished absolutely nothing of permanence; we have only temporarily driven out the enemy, leaving behind spiritual desolation that will eventually be over run by the enemy, and the people will become worse off than they were before. God must go before us and cultivate the territories, during which time He will equip us for that work. In our zeal, let patience be our wisdom, tending to the present season, praying for the work which God has previously prepared for us. (Ephesians 2:10)
PJR
"I will send hornets ahead of you so that they will drive out the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites before you. I will not drive them out before you in a single year, that the land may not become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. I will drive them out before you little by little, until you become fruitful and take possession of the land." (Exodus 23:28-30)
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