Regaining Lost Ground

Pastor Shane Idleman: God, it’s your word. It’s your church. What do you want to do? Do you want to set somebody free? Did somebody come in here bound this morning? You know you’re bound to porn and you can’t give it up, or alcohol, or marijuana. Can we pray with you? Can we believe that God is going to set you free? Absolutely.

But guess what? Deliverance doesn't get rid of the lack of discipline. This is where many people blow it. “Oh, if I could just be delivered.” No, you have a discipline problem. You’re supposed to discipline the flesh. Put the computer out in a normal room. Open accountability software. Tell people. Be open. Be transparent. Deliverance and discipline go together.

Guest (Male): Thank you for joining us here at Westside Christian Fellowship, located in Leona Valley, California, one hour north of Los Angeles. Today on Regaining Lost Ground, we hear the third part of this grounding message titled, "When the Devil Meets You."

Leonard Ravenhill once said, “The self-sufficient does not pray. The self-satisfied will not pray. The self-righteous cannot pray. No man is greater than his prayer life.” Today, Pastor Shane brings the truth with all power and authority against the enemy of our soul, encouraging us to be actionable in this: Greater is he that is in us than he who is in the world. Walk this today right here on Regaining Lost Ground.

You can hear the whole message at Pastor Shane's YouTube and Rumble channels. Make sure to subscribe today. For more information, visit us online at WestsideChristianFellowship.org. We also encourage you to hear more truth from Pastor Shane with the Idleman Unplugged weekly podcast. And now, from Westside Christian Fellowship in Leona Valley, California, here is Pastor Shane Idleman.

Pastor Shane Idleman: It could be mental illness, but a lot of mental illness is linked to demonic activity. That's just truth, biblically speaking as well. So here are the top ten points that I want to leave you with about deliverance.

As a church, I believe—and the elders will tell me if they disagree on this, maybe we should have talked about it first—but I think we’re on the same page. We believe that a Christian can be harassed and open the door to the demonic realm. We can pray for that person. We can give that situation rest. We have people that can go to the home and pray over the home. There’s a calming effect, the work of the Holy Spirit in their heart, and it sets them free in that area.

Sometimes things come back. I don't know. But we also believe that we can pray for unbelievers. But the real point with unbelievers is to be set free as a sign that they need the gospel, to point them to the greater power that is Jesus Christ. And so we pray for people if we feel led to.

Maybe not enough because it's hard to discern what's demonic and what's not. Some people don't want to admit it. Have you ever seen that before? “No, I’m fine.” No, you’ve got something going on. You’ve got a stronghold that’s got a really strong hold. A lot of times when I pray, too, I’ll pray and say, “Lord, if there’s a demonic stronghold in this person’s life.”

Many times there’s not much of a response, but sometimes it’s like, “What do you mean by that?” Like there’s a response. You know that something triggered. Or you ask questions. “Have you opened yourself up to this in the past?” Maybe with fortune tellers and things like that. “Oh, I used to, just to see where I was going or to see if I’d meet a certain person or horoscopes.” You kind of work through that, and the key is repentance.

The person has to repent from those things. And this is where a good guideline is. For those of you who see things on Instagram—basically, in the last week, there was this lady at a book signing and people would come to her table. Her church is actually in LA. They would start shaking and manifesting and fall over. Then they pick them up and they’re smiling and they’re fine.

I guess they’re manifesting with the demon, but then they’re set free on their own because nobody’s really praying for them. It’s so bizarre. Lord, I don't know about this. But I know other things that this person does and it's just not good. It’s not godly.

So here’s point number one: Judge actions versus attacking the character of the person when we don't know the person. That’s one reason I didn’t mention the name or videos. I don't know the character. If you sit down with somebody and you really hear their heart for an hour, you just find out they’ve been misled in certain areas.

What happens, I've noticed over the years, is if you talk to certain Christians, many times we live in our own bubble. For example, there’s like the Reformed camp. All they listen to is John MacArthur, Spurgeon, the Puritans, and R.C. Sproul. That’s their whole world right there. If you talk about revival, they're not open to that.

Then there’s a whole other group that’s just all about the Calvary Chapel movement. They stay in all the Calvary Chapel distinctives. They go to Calvary Chapel conferences. All these things are good, right? But then there’s another group where there’s no scriptural grounding. It’s just “name it and claim it.” Just have enough faith and you can move mountains. They're not open to what the Bible really says about faith and sifting it through godly counsel and reading systematic theology and solid commentaries to get a solid grounding in your faith.

And so that’s what happens here. We judge the actions versus the person’s character. My point was, if I were to sit down with the person and you could talk with them, you realize, okay, they just watch Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn. That’s all they listen to. So it’s no wonder. Let’s come back to what the Bible says.

You understand you talk to people, they’re not necessarily a false prophet or a wolf in sheep’s clothing. They just have never been taught. They’ve just been taught that God can do it, faith, name it and claim it, blab it and grab it. They need that grounding and that anchor. So that’s why it’s important to judge actions versus attacking character.

Number two: On those two people I just mentioned, every time I do this, people are going to get mad at me for saying their names. I can't watch more than four minutes of Jesse Duplantis. These certain groups, it’s like, what in the world is going on? They do not represent me. I’m not ashamed to say it because they go out publicly and say asinine things and ridiculous things and misrepresent the gospel, misrepresent pastors and teachers. So yes, I can call it out.

I’ve got a biblical mandate to call out silliness and not just not want to say anything because I want to be nice to everybody. That’s not biblical. You shouldn’t want to do that, but I feel it’s important to get to more of these points that will tie in what I just said.

Point number two: A false teacher versus the one who fell off the wagon. This person I’ve been talking about, or you’ll see others online—I could name lots of names. You guys already know who a lot of these people are. We’re quick to call out a false teacher when it could just be a believer who God used powerfully when they were younger and notoriety, popularity, and fame drew them away from the Lord.

They're not necessarily a false teacher. A false teacher is purposely bringing in heretical doctrine to deceive people and lead them to hell. These people might just need to get back to their first love. They need to get back to theological grounding. They’ve drifted. They’ve drifted from the truth and they need to recapture it. The limelight has changed them.

That’s why all the cameras make me question their character. Don't allow or welcome adoration. A lot of these people welcome worship. “Oh, this great faith healer, this great person of this and that.” They welcome that adoration. You should actually point people to Jesus.

A lot of these people use the excuse, for example, if I’m coming after them, they’ll say, “Well, others were persecuted too. Persecution is normal.” No, when spirit-filled people are questioning you, you need to wake up. If people who are filled with the Spirit of God are questioning you, you’ve got to wake up. That’s not persecution; that’s God trying to get you to wake up. Are they more concerned about book sales or souls being saved? Do they need an honorarium or can they just go and honor God?

So here’s what happens sometimes. Number three: We see weird stuff and people say weird things and you know it’s not biblical, but then sometimes there’s a little bit of fruit. Usually, the people who get mad at me for mentioning names were blessed by their ministry somewhere. I get it. But we have to remember God may bless the faith, sincerity, and desperation of the hearer even when the messenger is way off.

A mom bringing her son, a little five or six-year-old, for deliverance doesn’t know that this person’s kooky and weird. But she’s so desperate to see God. God could say, “I don't need that weird person. They’ll take credit, but I’ll heal the son. I’ll deliver them.” It's because of the sincerity of the person. That’s what God’s looking at. So sometimes people go, “How is there some fruit sometimes?”

Be careful, you people who justify these false prophets and weird people and say, “But look at the fruit.” The end doesn't always justify the means. Just because there’s some fruit now and then doesn't mean you excuse all the weird behavior. But that will happen from time to time.

It actually happened. The lady who you guys have been seeing a lot of—we actually gave a testimony on a Wednesday night probably two or three years ago now. Her son was wanting to throw himself off the balcony. Maybe some of you guys were here. It was pretty bad. And she went to this place and her son got delivered.

Because I let her give the testimony, another family got mad at me because of where the deliverance happened. I’m like, shouldn’t we rejoice that a six-year-old doesn't want to jump off the balcony anymore? Hello! What, you critical, arrogant Pharisee? I’ve got the same concerns as you do, don't get me wrong. But let’s rejoice that a little—it’s almost like you could care less. That breaks my heart. That makes me question your heart as well.

And so I have seen this. I have seen people have amazing fruit under a ministry where there is a false prophet or just doing some wonky things. We’re in Los Angeles County. A lady called the church and said, “I need a stronger anointing and I need to drive to Simi Valley and have Prophet Papa Lovi pray over me.” What? Everything I see on this guy, I’m going the other direction. But see how deceived people get?

Papa Lovi needs to pray over me for a stronger anointing. Papa Lovi’s got about four women complaining against his ministry right now for sexual stuff. Let’s wake up. But that’s the world I live in. Be careful when people have dreams and visions for you. Wisdom should come first. Wisdom must come first because dreams and visions can be wrong or off. But wisdom is the principal thing.

That is what I do have to warn people. I don't think that’s a healthy church at all. The other lady, her name is Kathryn Krick. Apostle. You’ve got to put “Apostle” in front of it. Apostle Kathryn Krick. I just don't get it. We’ve got to be careful. If they’re out publicly, I should be able to say something publicly. That’s how it works.

If you want to get mad at me, take it up with the Lord. When the people are off and weird—and she’s sitting there on her birthday and people are coming up kissing the floor. “Mother Kathryn, oh, mother, you are—I worship you. My birthday, come up.” That’s sick. It is. I’m just shooting you straight. If that upsets you, I don't know what to tell you. I’m not going to be pushed into a corner because I can't say what might offend somebody when it’s absolutely disgusting and anti-biblical.

There’s other stuff I could sit here and go over. Be very careful with these people just because they have a prominent ministry or there’s some fruit. There could be a lot of bad fruit too. God is so good. I was a little upset, but I just thought this would really help.

I get home. I can't wait to have some strawberries—organic strawberries. The top row looked really good. So I grab one and then... You know what's underneath, don't you? I’m about ready to drive back to Trader Joe’s, or Sprouts, or Vons. I’m not going to tell you where I go or you’ll tell somebody. But just beautiful strawberries. Man, I’m about ready and then, what is this? Worms? White, disgusting stuff. You turn them over and there’s all this. I’ve got to throw them out.

Be careful when you think you see a little bit of fruit and they have 100,000 followers on Instagram. I actually prefer people who are not that well known. Notoriety because they can puff up. Granted, there are some good ones out there that are well known. That’s why they’re well known; God has exalted their ministry. Praise God for them. We all follow certain people.

But you’ve got to be very careful, especially in this type of deliverance, charismatic community, gifts of the Holy Spirit. Because what has happened is we allow people to get away with weirdness under the banner of the Holy Spirit. I’ve confronted people before who went here about certain things. They were like, “But brother, if the Spirit’s leading.” It doesn't work that way. You don't get to be silly and stupid and say the Holy Spirit told you to do that.

But that’s what happens. People are just acting like, if it’s odd, it’s God. Hey, if it’s odd, it’s God. Where’s your discernment? Where’s your wisdom? We’re not quenching and grieving the Spirit. We want God to move in powerful and profound ways. I’ve read tons of revivals where people just fall down under the presence and weight of God’s glory. They repent. They look to him and his word. Christ is glorified. The speaker’s not glorified.

So again, God may bless the sincerity of the seeker even though the messenger is false and fake. Number four: Context is king. So when we see deliverance or things like that, that’s why I went to the couple or the person. You talk to the person. You look for the fruit. You investigate the fruit. You don't just take anything at face value.

But I will tell you this, number five: We are to err on the side of grace. We are to err on the side of grace. For example, I could name tons of names. I could spend the whole sermon doing that. I don't want to do that. I have no desire to do that. I don't get excited about it whatsoever. I get excited about preaching.

But we’re to err on the side of grace. Number six: Are there areas of ministry that are out of order or areas in your own life? Are there things out of order and things you’re dealing with in your own life? Then don't go pointing out flaws in others until you deal with those.

Which brings me to number seven: Remove pride from your heart first through seeking the Lord and praying and fasting. That’s one reason when I say these things, it’s not coming from a “go get them” attitude. It’s truly coming from trying to help people and call out things that are not good. A lot of people won't say anything because they don't want people to be upset with them. They want to be liked by everybody. Golly gee whiz! I don't want to say anything negative. That’s not helpful. That’s not helpful.

Number eight: Deal with your own strongholds. Number nine: Deliverance or an awakening is not always pretty. Amen? So many times when somebody’s being set free of something, it’s not pretty. It’s not like you’re just having a conversation. “Yeah, that makes sense. All right.” There’s sometimes a struggle. Sometimes they curse you out. I don't understand exactly how everything works, but you’ve seen that demonic realm sometimes does not want to let go easily. It’s not pretty.

And that’s why I speak often on a genuine move of God’s Spirit. When God would genuinely move in a place and people would be crying out—sometimes you’ll hear it here. They’re crying. God’s working deep in their heart. Sometimes the altar’s full. It’s not pretty. It’s not “church as normal.” When the Spirit of the living God hits sinful flesh, things happen. We don't promote it or encourage it, but it has to be natural.

Then ten: Be open but cautious. Be open but cautious. Christ in you is a real threat to Satan’s kingdom. So we are completely open to whatever God wants to do. That’s why I hate terms. I really do. People say, “Are you charismatic? Are you Pentecostal? Or are you Baptist? Are you Reformed?”

Book of Acts. No, no, no, but are you—Book of Acts and the Bible. New Testament. What’s it say? How about if we just call it Bible Christian? Oh, but I want to label you so I can judge you. So we’re open to whatever God wants to do.

God, it’s your word. It’s your church. What do you want to do? Do you want to set somebody free? Did somebody come in here bound this morning? You know you’re bound to porn and you can’t give it up, or alcohol, or marijuana. Can we pray with you? Can we believe that God is going to set you free? Absolutely.

But guess what? Deliverance doesn't get rid of the lack of discipline. This is where many people blow it. “Oh, if I could just be delivered.” No, you have a discipline problem. You’re supposed to discipline the flesh. Put the computer out in a normal room. Open accountability software. Tell people. Be open. Be transparent. Deliverance and discipline go together.

When the devil meets you—which is the title of the message—expect opposition. Expect opposition in the spiritual realm when you do anything for God. Expect that opposition. And then also remember whose you are. Remember whose you are. Let’s be honest: what can the enemy do to you that God doesn't allow? If you are a child of God, what can the enemy do to you?

I mean, I know I’ve been on the hit list since we started the church. But what’s the enemy going to do to me? God has the final say. And that’s why he uses fear. One of his greatest weapons is fear and anxiety. Is it not? You fear, and that’s how he’ll destabilize you and put you to the side. I use that analogy often from the DMV: the Certificate of Non-Operation. The devil likes you to be that car sitting in the driveway for 14 years, not doing anything.

So remember whose you are. That’s your attitude. But also you must engage with spiritual weapons. So not only do we have the right attitude—I’m a child of God—you engage with spiritual weapons. Second Corinthians, I touched on earlier: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. So a stronghold is something that Satan has built that has a strong hold. Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, or arguments, or thoughts against God. And you bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Guest (Male): You’ve been listening to Regaining Lost Ground with Pastor Shane Idleman. You can find more information at WestsideChristianFellowship.org. That’s WestsideChristianFellowship.org. And for all the latest on what God is doing with his ministry here, please be sure to follow us on most social media platforms.

Westside Christian Fellowship is located 60 miles north of Los Angeles in Leona Valley, California. Thank you again for listening to today's message of Regaining Lost Ground, where we are reminded daily: times change, truth does not.