Righteous Invasion of Truth

Dr. Abel Damina: Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, praise the Lord. Abel Damina is my name. I want to welcome you to this broadcast, a time of learning, a time of unlearning, and a time of relearning. The essence of this broadcast is to bring to you the revelation of Jesus Christ. The mandate of God on our ministry is the revelation of Jesus, reintroducing Jesus to this generation, equipping the believer to know who you are in Christ, what you have in Christ, and what Christ can do through you.

Get ready, fasten your seatbelts today. We are going to adventure in the scriptures. The scriptures tell us in John 5:39, Jesus speaking to the Jews said, "You search the scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life, but they are they which testify of me." The Bible is Christocentric. It is a message centered on the person of Jesus Christ. Get ready today as we traverse through the pages of the scriptures, unveiling Christ so we can reveal your true identity in Christ.

Once you know who you are in Christ, then you will know what you have in Christ, and then you can be able to know what Christ can do through you. It gives you a life of fulfillment, a life that is purpose-driven so you can make the impact you were designed to make in this life through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Call a friend, call a loved one, tell somebody to tell somebody to hook up right now as I take you into that service where the Spirit of our God is already moving. Happy listening.

Father, we rejoice that this morning we have this and another opportunity to come before your holy, precious written word. Thank you that the mighty Holy Spirit lives on our inside, so we come humbly and respectfully to receive the instruction of your word in righteousness. We are not forgetful hearers but doers of the word. The entrance of your word giveth light, it giveth understanding to the simple.

We declare that in this service, whatever is not planted by God is rooted out. We rebuke sickness and disease. We declare that wherever the devil has been in operation before now, Satan desist in your maneuvers in the name of Jesus. We rejoice that by the end of this service, we will be the better for it. In Jesus' name we pray, and every believer says a powerful amen.

I am born of God. I am born of the word. The word of God is my nature. I do not struggle to do the word. I do the word naturally. Therefore today, I will understand the word of his grace. I will be built up. By the end of this service, I will never be the same, never ever be the same again in Jesus' name. And every believer says a powerful amen. Glory! Glory!

Are we excited to fellowship in the word this morning? Can we celebrate our fellowship with a shout? Oh, glory, glory, glory! I would like you to walk around two, three, four people, shake somebody, greet somebody, fellowship with somebody. Just tell somebody, "You will be blessed because I came this morning. You will be blessed because I came this morning. You will be blessed because I'm standing here with you. We're learning Christ together." Greet somebody, love somebody, reach out to somebody. Thank you, Lord. Praise you, Lord. Glory to the Lamb. Glory to the Lamb of God. Hallelujah.

All right, grab your pen, your notebook, your Bible. You can be seated with your sweet, smart self this morning as we get into the word of his grace. All right, let's get in the word this morning, the church of God in service. We are examining spiritual warfare, or we are examining the work of ministry and spiritual warfare.

Guest (Male): And he said unto them, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Dr. Abel Damina: They shall lay hands on the sick, and the sick shall recover. So the mandate is to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Same mandate was given in Matthew chapter 28, verse 18 to 20.

Guest (Male): And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Dr. Abel Damina: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. The word "teaching them to observe" is the tool for discipleship. So discipleship, which is the great commission, to go and turn men into students, will be effectively done through the vehicle of teaching. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And then in the book of Matthew chapter 10, let's see what he commanded them.

Guest (Male): These twelve Jesus sent forth and commanded them, saying, "Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'"

Dr. Abel Damina: "As ye go," that's the command, "preach, saying, 'The kingdom of God is at hand.'" So we are looking at the work of ministry, and we are looking at the church of God in service. We have been looking at the mission of the church, which is to equip, to train men to do the work of ministry. The work of ministry is a practical work. It's a practical work, and it begins with evangelism.

In the process of evangelism, there are signs that follow the believer to heal the sick, cast out demons, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, all that goes along with it. Because we are involved in reaching out to people, we have taken time to establish that this world is operated by spiritual personalities. Life in general is spiritual. God is a spirit, man is a spirit, angels are spirits, and those are the personalities that operate this world.

There is a supernatural dimension to life. There is a supernatural dimension to living in this earth. Everything you see with your naked eye is not all that there is to this life. There is life outside of this physical life that controls what happens in this physical life. Having known that, we want to get into some of these very intricate details. The book of Ephesians, the sixth chapter, the 12th verse.

Guest (Male): For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Dr. Abel Damina: So the word "wrestle" there gives you an impression of a war. The word "wrestle," now we took time in the first service to establish that the word "wrestle" means to ward off, to ward off distractions and to ward off every other thing that the enemy throws at you. To ward off, it is not like fighting. It is just to ward off distractions of an enemy. It is not a fight to win. It is to ward off deceit of an enemy, distractions and deceit of an enemy.

Then we said we wrestle not against flesh and blood. The word "flesh and blood" is the word *sarx*, S-A-R-X, which has to do with human being, human nature, human. So our wrestle is not against people. The wrestle there is not a fight. It is to ward off distractions and deceit from an enemy. Second Corinthians chapter 10, verse 4.

Guest (Male): For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

Dr. Abel Damina: So we saw that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. They are not carnal, but they are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. So we began to talk about the fact that the believer is engaged in warding off the deceit, engaged in warding off the distractions of the devil. The weapons are not carnal. The word "carnal" there means they are not natural. The weapons are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.

Now he says, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers." The word "principalities" was translated from the Greek word *arche*, A-R-C-H-E, which implies power or rule. It was used six times in New Testament Greek and one time in the Old Testament Hebrew. It is used in various applications of order, time, place, or rank. Again, it is used in various applications of order, time, place, or rank. Let's see where it is referenced in the Hebrew translation of the Old Testament. Jeremiah chapter 13, verse 18.

Guest (Male): Say unto the king and to the queen, "Humble yourselves, sit down, for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory."

Dr. Abel Damina: The word "principality" was translated from the Hebrew word *marashah*, M-A-R-A-S-H-A-H, which implies dominion. *Marashah* in the Hebrew. Then Romans chapter 8, verse 38.

Guest (Male): For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come...

Dr. Abel Damina: So Paul is saying principalities and powers cannot separate a man from the love of God which is in Christ. Take note of principalities and powers. Ephesians chapter 3, verse 10.

Guest (Male): To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.

Dr. Abel Damina: Might be known by the church, principalities and powers might be known by the church, the manifold wisdom of God. In Romans chapter 8, verse 38 where we read, principalities and powers are angels, unseen beings. Then in Ephesians 3:10 where we just read, he qualifies the term "heavenly," which is translated from the Greek word *epouranios*, E-P-O-U-R-A-N-I-O-S, which implies what is celestial or what is unseen.

It was used in the scriptures, the word "heavenly," that now to the intent that unto the principalities and powers in the heavenly, in the *epouranios*, in the immaterial unseen, might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God. Ephesians 1:3 tells us, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly." The word *epouranios* again is used in that blessing.

Ephesians chapter 1, verse 10.

Guest (Male): That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him.

Dr. Abel Damina: Look at verse 20, Ephesians 1:20.

Guest (Male): Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.

Dr. Abel Damina: Set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. All things in Christ, both which are in heaven, *epouranios*. You again see that word in Ephesians 2:6, "And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly, *epouranios*, in Christ Jesus." Now so of whom the whole family, Ephesians 3:15, "Of whom the whole family in heaven, *epouranios*, in heaven and on earth is named."

So far, principalities were not used to imply physical or human enemies. From all the scriptures we read, principalities were not used to imply physical or human enemies. On the other hand, flesh and blood, which implies human beings, were not referred to as the ones believers are to wrestle against. We are not wrestling against human beings, flesh and blood.

And then we also saw that principalities are not referring to human beings. So our wrestle is not against human enemies. Wrestle is not to engage in a war but to ward off something, to ward off something. It's like you're angry with somebody and then he comes to touch your shoulder. I say, "Please leave me." You ward him off. Somebody is trying to touch, "Leave me!" You ward him off. So that's the wrestle. It's just to ward off, not to hold the devil and say, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, today is today." No. It's just to ward off.

Devil is a defeated foe. He's the old slew-foot, defeated 2,000 years ago. We are not in a fight with Satan, but we ward off his distractions and we ward off his deceit and maintain our grounds in the victory that Christ has made available. I didn't hear a powerful amen. So we are to ward off, to ward off. Now that's very important.

Now in Ephesians chapter 6, verse 12, the word "principalities and powers," you know, we'll see how it is referenced again. "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." The word "power" was translated from the Greek word *exousia*. Power, *exousia*, E-X-O-U-S-I-A, which implies authority.

Authority. You will see that word again used for further study: Ephesians 1:19 to 21, Ephesians chapter 2, verse 2, and in Ephesians chapter 3, verse 7. Take them down for further study. Then Ephesians chapter 6, verse 10.

Guest (Male): Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Dr. Abel Damina: "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might." So the application of the word "power" will be dependent on the context where it is used. Now unto him, Ephesians 3:20, that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us.

So what power was Paul referring to? Observe that Paul had already explained the power he is referring to in Ephesians chapter 1, verse 19: "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power." Now it is key to note that Paul used similar adjectives in chapter one, and those adjectives were to describe this power. He used exceeding, greatness, power, working.

Exceeding, greatness, power, working to emphasize the magnitude and the extent of this power. He used the adjectives of exceeding, greatness, power, and working. "The exceeding greatness of his power according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ." To explain or emphasize the magnitude and extent of this power.

Now the word "principality and power" in the book of Ephesians, Ephesians 1:20 and 21, "Which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come." Then Ephesians 3:10 says, "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers might be known by the church."

Ephesians 6:12 now says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high." Now observe that brother Paul refers to principalities and powers as unseen beings. And that's why he compares them to physical things. That is, it's not flesh and blood physical, but principalities and powers unseen.

Also take note that from Paul's explanation, they are unseen beings, meaning we wrestle against spirits, spirits. Now those are not the only beings that are referred to as spirits in the scriptures. We've established that God is a spirit. In the book of First Thessalonians chapter 5, verse 23.

Guest (Male): And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dr. Abel Damina: So man is spirit, soul, and body. So men are not referred to as principalities and powers, but spirits. Men are not referred to as principalities and powers, but men are referred to as spirits. Then Hebrews chapter 1, verse 14.

Guest (Male): Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Dr. Abel Damina: Angels are spirits. So God is spirit, man is spirit, angels are spirits, then there are principalities and powers unseen. So again, what was their role? What was the role of these angels? Hebrews chapter 1, from verse 4 to 7.

Guest (Male): Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee"? And again, "I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son"? And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, "And let all the angels of God worship him." And of the angels he saith, "Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire."

Dr. Abel Damina: 14, now verse 14.

Guest (Male): Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Dr. Abel Damina: So angels were made ministering spirits to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation. That means angels are on earth for man. I repeat, angels are on earth for man. In Hebrews chapter 2, verse 2, look at the way the writer of Hebrews communicates this thought.

Guest (Male): For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward.

Dr. Abel Damina: If the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and under the dispensation of angels speaking, every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward. Hebrews again chapter 2, verse 5 to 9.

Guest (Male): For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. But one in a certain place testified, saying, "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Or the son of man, that thou visitest him? Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honor, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Dr. Abel Damina: So Jesus is made a little lower than the angels. So that term "a little lower than the angels" explains the humanity of Jesus. That is, his incarnation is how he became a little lower than the angels. Now again, angels were mentioned in reference to the devil. Matthew 25:41.

Guest (Male): Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

Dr. Abel Damina: Prepared for the devil and his angels. So everlasting fire is prepared for the devil and his angels. Second Corinthians 11:14. Please pay attention, I beg you.

Guest (Male): And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Dr. Abel Damina: So Satan or angels have the capacity to transform into certain things. Satan himself, who is an angel, is transformed into an angel of light. So it shouldn't be a marvel, you shouldn't be surprised. Angels have the tendencies to change state and change location. Second Peter chapter 2, verse 4.

Guest (Male): For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.

Dr. Abel Damina: So angels were cast down to hell, *tartaros*, delivered to chains or separated from light into darkness. Jude chapter 1, verse 6.

Guest (Male): And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

Dr. Abel Damina: That means that Satan is an angel. Satan is an angel. Demons were also called angels, angels that sinned, angels that kept not their former estate. Demons were called angels that sinned, angels that kept not their former estate. So there were angels who rebelled. Angels of Satan are called demons. They are called angels of darkness. So the word principality and power refers to angelic host, angelic host.

And where Paul spoke about it in Ephesians the sixth chapter, he says principalities and powers, then he went ahead to explain them as spiritual wickedness in high places. Principalities and powers as spiritual wickedness in high places. Then he explains further that they are rulers of the darkness of this world. So principalities and powers only rule where there is darkness.

They do not rule in the light. So that's why the more word of God you receive and the more light of God's word that enters you, the less Satan has effect over you. The less Satan is able to operate around your parameters because he can only rule in darkness. He's a ruler of darkness, not a ruler in the light. Please that's very important. So the usage of the word principalities and powers has to be explained within context.

Because in Ephesians 3:10, it tells us that those principalities and powers are learning from the church. So which means these principalities and powers learning from the church are the positive ones. Then in Ephesians chapter 3, verse 5, in fact from 4: "Whereby when you read you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ."

Guest (Male): Which in other ages was not known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; and to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.

Dr. Abel Damina: So angels are learning from the church. First Peter 1:12 also says angels desire to look into the things that the church already knows. So angels desire to learn wisdom of the church. So principalities and powers refer to angels. Now there are positive principalities and powers, there are negative ones. The positive ones are learning from the church. The negative ones we wrestle against.

We ward them off. We ward them off. Which means principalities and powers is a compound word that is used for angels. So principality refers to the one that rules, while power is to exhibit strength. Principality refers to the one that rules while power is to exhibit strength. Acts chapter 16, verse 16 to 18.

Guest (Male): And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: the same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, "These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation." And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, "I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out the same hour.

Dr. Abel Damina: "I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out," and he came out the same hour. Now that's demonic possession. That's demonic possession. In the first service we saw the difference between casting out demons and deliverance. If you were not here, get the material, it will help you.

So which means that the only security a believer have in salvation is the knowledge of God. The only security a believer has in salvation is the knowledge of God. Because demons have a hierarchy. They have a hierarchy and there's a high activity of organization and networking among demons. They are highly organized and they have a global network of their activities.

So in the networking of demons you can see intelligent operations. The demonic kingdom or the world of darkness is an organized system. I mean look at it when we read where the unclean spirit is cast out, then the unclean spirit goes through dry places and the unclean spirit say, "I will go back to my house from where whence I came."

And then he comes to the place from where he was cast out of, and the place is cleaned and swept but nothing occupies it. He now goes back to look for superior demons in the hierarchy that are more wicked than itself and he calls seven of them and eight of them come back to occupy that house and the state of that person is worse than before. See the organization, see the intelligence in the operation or in the organization of the demonic hierarchy.

Now the angel in Daniel chapter 10, where we read last Sunday, did you observe that the angel that was blocked by the Prince of Persia in Daniel chapter 10 is not as intelligent as Angel Michael? Because it was Angel Michael who came to release that angel and get the angel to go to Daniel with the answer.

Daniel was fasting for 21 days. Now if that angel that was blocked for 21 days is intelligent, he should have immediately asked for reinforcement. But he stayed there for 21 days until Michael was sent to rescue that particular angel. That's why the angels are learning, even the positive ones are learning from the church. Which means that demons and Satan don't know everything.

They also are still learning. So don't ever think they know everything, they don't know everything. They only know what you tell them. In Mark chapter 5, verse 1.

Guest (Male): And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit.

Dr. Abel Damina: A man with an unclean spirit. Next verse. Oh, I like this story.

Guest (Male): Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains.

Dr. Abel Damina: No man could bind him. He had his dwelling among tombs. Question: Can a normal human being go and live in the grave? So which means wherever you see demonic operation, you will see abnormal behavior. You will see abnormal behavior. Because under natural circumstances, a normal man does not go to live in the grave or among dead bodies.

Nobody does that. So there's an unusual human behavior. Then the next thing to take note of is the strength. Give me verse 3 of that scripture.

Guest (Male): Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains.

Dr. Abel Damina: No man could bind him, not even with chains. So when there's demonic activity you will see a show of abnormal behavior and unusual strength. I mean seven people will hold him and he will push all of them down. Something is not normal. Something is abnormal. Then verse 4.

Guest (Male): Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

Dr. Abel Damina: No man could tame. The guy was so powerful. He was living in tombs. Can you imagine? This is what we call demonic possession. So you have to be careful the way you say this man is possessed. Many people you call possessed are far from it. When you see a man that is possessed, see how possessed people operate.

He's living in the tomb, meaning he is surviving without food. How many have found out that mad men don't get sick? They eat every trash, anything they find they put in their mouth, yet they don't get sick. They live in very dirty environments, yet they are healthy. And it's very hard to see them die. That's a whole realm of operation. They have strength, they have stamina. They don't eat and they don't work out, but you can't tame them. Unusual strength, abnormal behavior.

The idea is that look at verse 6. Look at what happens in verse 6 of that scripture. Pay attention.

Guest (Male): But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him.

Dr. Abel Damina: No, that's a terrible translation. He didn't run and worship Jesus. He ran at Jesus, he charged at Jesus to see if he could scare Jesus. You know the way mad people do you like this to see if you will run? To see that's what they did. He charged at Jesus.

And Jesus was just looking at him. And you know those who know what they carry, they don't run. When you run they know that this one, this one... He didn't worship Jesus. He charged at Jesus. That's the way it is in the original. And when he got close, Jesus said to him nothing. Then he sat down. Levels.

When he saw that this one, he sat down. Are you with me here? I said he sat down. Just like in Peter's shadows. And I've seen it severally myself in dealing with demons. There are times I walk into a place and unclean spirits will just charge and they sit down. They know those who know who they are, and they know those who don't know who they are.

And then when he got close to Jesus, he fell down and screamed out loud. Look at verse 7 and 8.

Guest (Male): And cried with a loud voice, and said, "What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not." For he said unto him, "Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit."

Dr. Abel Damina: So where was the unclean spirit? In the man. Now something Jesus asked, where you have a word of knowledge. Jesus saw something then he asked him a question, and that question is a word of knowledge. "What is your name?" "What is your name?" That's a word of knowledge.

Now when you say name in the Greek and Hebrew, it's not Abel. In the Greek and Hebrew name, you are asking for authority and position. "What is your name?" means "What is your authority in that your kingdom where you are? What is your authority and your position? What is your status? What is your position?" This kind of possession was very strange, awkward. Jesus must have seen something.

Then he answered: "Legion. My name and my position is Legion, for we are many." The word "Legion" is used for a Roman military unit of 6,000 soldiers. 6,000 soldiers. "For we are many." Now listen well. There are two theories we can see: it's either there are 6,000 unclean spirits in one man, which is not impossible, or there was one spirit in the man that controls 6,000 unclean spirits.

It's one of the two. Either the man was carrying 6,000 of them or the person occupying the man was always commanding a troop of 6,000 unclean spirits. It's one of the two. Whichever one of them, they are still the same. Look at verse 9 to 13.

Guest (Male): And he asked him, "What is thy name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion: for we are many." And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, "Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them."

Dr. Abel Damina: That was their request. Send us into the swine that we may enter the pigs.

Guest (Male): And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine.

Dr. Abel Damina: Jesus didn't send them to the swines. Jesus gave them leave. Go! There the demons entered the swines. It wasn't Jesus that said "Go and enter." No, he told them he gave them leave. Look: "And forthwith Jesus gave them leave." Full stop. "And the unclean spirit went out and entered by themselves into the swine. And the herd ran violently down a steep place." See the uncommon behavior even in animals.

When unclean spirits possess people, they begin to exhibit irrational behavior, irrational behavior. They were about 2,000. So can you imagine 6,000 demons entered 2,000 animals? It would be total madness, total madness. Somebody has been living in the tomb. Nobody could control him in the area. Nobody could chain him. That guy is a territorial spirit. They saw how the demons jumped on 2,000 pigs. Jesus gave them leave.

Then look at verse 18. Verse 18.

Guest (Male): And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

Dr. Abel Damina: Give me verse 16 to 18 so we get context.

Guest (Male): And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee."

Dr. Abel Damina: This was the only time Jesus asked him to go and tell his friends. Go and tell your friends and family. And in this instance, it's understandable because they are encouraged to reconcile with their family. A man that was mad is an encouragement: "Go back to your family now that you are totally free." Now notice there was something about this Legion: it was a bit daft.

The truth is that Jesus had no control as to where they will go, so they were a bit daft. Now look at demons in Acts chapter 16 where we read. The demons in Acts 16 knew what to do. But these ones in that we just read, these ones are daft. They were idiots. They went and entered animals. Demons don't stay in animals. Demons stay in men, in human beings.

But these ones are daft, they just entered animals and caused economic waste. Wasted 2,000 pigs. Calculate it by the cost, by today's cost. How much is a pig times 2,000? Look at what they can cause. Casting out demons can cause trouble for you because the owner of that of those pigs can arrest you. They drove Jesus out of town. They ran him out of town: "Get out! Get out from us!" So you don't cause us more loss.

Because every time you cast out a demon, the demon will look for how to make trouble for you. That's why Paul said, "Having done all to stand, stand." That means when a demon is received, or when a demon is received by the cooperation of human will, you can't cast it out. When a man deliberately yielded himself to demons, you cannot cast those demons out because they are there by deliberate and intentional consent.

You have authority over demons but you don't have authority over human will. Please hear that again. You have authority over demons but you don't have authority over human will. That's why people don't get saved by force. They get saved by choice. No matter how God wants people to be saved, he can't save everybody by force. People have to willingly receive the gospel. So the authority of the believer is over demons, not over human will.

When it comes to human will, God only persuades men. God only persuades men. Now pay attention. So we begin to look at what we call demonic obsession. We have seen possession. Now there's what we call demonic obsession where you're obsessed. Where people surrender their will to demons. And at that point because you can't cast out human will, Jesus had to leave the town for them, because they drove him away from their town.

Now look at that girl in divination in Acts chapter 16. When Paul cast out that demon, she was normal and she could no more prophesy. Her will really was not involved. She was just used by certain people, she was used by certain people to make gain. That's why the Bible says when her masters saw that their gain-making business has been totally closed down because Paul came in and cast out the spirit, her will was not involved but the devil was using her contrary to her will.

Because there was no superior force living in her, for lack of a better word. There was no superior personality. Christ was not in the girl, she wasn't born again, so of course, evil spirits will find their way in when there's nothing superior stopping them from using the person. Now so her will was not involved. So actually she was oppressed. Oppressed. So sometimes what the devil does is he will first of all oppress you, and if you are empty, he possesses you. It comes first with oppression, just like the girl in divination.

But observe, when you see oppression or obsession, you will see that the person that is oppressed or obsessed is cooperating. They can't use you without your cooperation. They will appeal to your cooperation before they use you. How many of you know that there are people that are insane but they are not possessed? They are oppressed and the oppression affects their thinking faculty, but they are not possessed. They are oppressed. And they're mad. You want to pray for them, "Leave me alone! Leave me alone! I want to remain like this."

So their will has admitted their state, and you can do nothing about it. When a person that is under an oppression of the devil tells you, "Leave me alone, I don't want your prayer," there's nothing you can do about that person. Again, don't forget you don't have authority over human will. Are you with me here? You don't have authority over human will.

A ministry that casts out demons and heal the sick will also experience persecution because those demons will look for how to instigate people against you. That's why sometimes you see influence all over the place, demonic influence. Sometimes even among bloggers, you see bloggers who deliberately just decide to be anti-gospel. You see bloggers that have a whole blog to attack the gospel, to attack the word of God, to attack the will of God.

Those bloggers are under demonic high demonic influence, demonic activity. They are an extension of Satan's ministry of hindering the gospel. They could be bloggers, they could be what they call social media influencers. High activity of demons. Demonic oppression is tough. I mean look at, this guy was living among dead people, living in the tomb. Question you want to ask is how was he eating? Who takes food to the grave? At least in town you may see some things on the ground, but in the grave there's nothing there and that's where he was living.

When somebody is possessed with demons, it is synonymous to being filled with the Spirit. Yeah, when you are filled with the Spirit, the Spirit influences you. He is controlled. When a man is possessed, his vocal cords are taken over. Sometimes when you say, "You unclean spirit, come out!" "I will not go out." Then after that when he speaks you say, "How are you?" Two voices. Yes, the demons took over his vocal cords.

And then there are some times when you're casting out demons, when you really get into it... there are times I cast out demons, the whole place will be polluted. They will be polluting. You'll just be smelling all over. Demons stink, they smell. Sometimes when you say, "Come out!" they will pollute. Pooof! The whole place will be smelling. Demons. The whole place will be booming, smelling seriously. You know that there are some dirty, dirty spirits that are operating in that environment. When you really get into casting out demons, you see some of these things.

You see unusual strength. Because at that time, the guy's mental faculties are suspended by the demons. He is no more rational. He is subjected. He'll be saying things that he doesn't want to say. Just like the Spirit comes on Samson and Samson will use one hand and take gates. He will take a whole gate, a whole gate from the ground, pull it out because the Spirit of God is upon him. Unusual strength. Same thing with demons. Same thing with demons.

And then you will also find again that evil spirits will do big things. You know, just like angels parted the Red Sea, evil spirits too can do very big things in darkness. Glory to God. In Second Corinthians 11:12 to 15, read for me.

Guest (Male): But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Dr. Abel Damina: So Satan has apostles, Satan has messengers that can also transform like preachers of the gospel, but they are messengers of Satan. They will preach the gospel under demonic influence. His speech, his conduct is overtaken, the same way a man is filled with the Spirit of God. So when a man is filled with an evil spirit is what we call demonic possession again.

Demonic possession is different from demonic oppression. Again, it's different. They are not the same. Possession is not oppression. In Luke chapter 13, verse 11.

Guest (Male): And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, "Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity." And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Dr. Abel Damina: Immediately she was made straight without the administration of medication. So her bent position was not a sickness, it was demonic oppression. But if you observe carefully, and we will look into this a bit more next week, he said she had a spirit of infirmity. So it appears that apart from the oppression, it had gotten to a point where she was possessed. She had the spirit of infirmity.

Naturally, when you are somewhere for 18 years, or when you carry a condition for 18 years, everybody gets to know. So the woman must have gone places. She must have seen all kinds of doctors, and Jesus saw her and said, "Woman, thou art loosed," and the unclean spirit left. Now notice in oppression, Jesus did not mention the demon. He just said, "Thou art loosed from thine infirmity."

"Thou art loosed" in oppression. "Thou art loosed from thine infirmity." Look at Luke chapter 13, verse 11 to 14. "And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself." Give me verse 13 and 14.

Guest (Male): And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day.

Dr. Abel Damina: Instead of rejoicing, they are angry that Jesus has healed. Question: Is this a normal thinking? So that means the ruler of the synagogue was under demonic influence. Paul said, "Had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." So if they had known that Jesus came to die for their sins, they wouldn't have touched him.

But usually what Satan does is to suspend people's thinking faculty so they can behave irrationally. He will make sure they're not thinking straight. He makes them think very strange and unusual. So there are two things: number one, be loosed from thine infirmity. The infirmity she was bound by Satan 18 years. So observe that whatever a spirit of infirmity is, is Satan at work. Spirit of infirmity. And when you cast them out, they still come back. Don't forget that.

Now in that same synagogue, in Luke chapter 5, verse 17: "And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus."

"And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, 'Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.' And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, 'Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?' But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, 'What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, "Thy sins be forgiven thee"; or to say, "Rise up and walk"? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins,' (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) 'I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.'"

"And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, 'We have seen strange things today.'"

Now if you observe, sometimes when demons are cast out and the people around the area come under the influence of those demons, they will not acknowledge the workings of God's power. Rather, they will turn and attack the person, and we've seen that many times in scripture. That's when an evil spirit will want to discredit the preacher or the minister of the gospel. Now look at Matthew the 16th chapter, the 22nd to the 23rd.

"Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, 'Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.' But he turned, and said unto Peter, 'Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.'"

Of course, Peter was not possessed, but Peter was oppressed. What happened to Peter was demonic oppression, and this oppression was in his thoughts. He began to reason. So there was an oppression of the devil in his mind. Satan introduced thoughts into Peter's minds, and Peter verbalized them. So there was an oppression in his thoughts. I mean these are the things Jesus has been teaching for weeks and for days: how that he will suffer, how that he will die, how that he will save.

And all of a sudden, Peter stood up and attacked what Jesus was saying. So we see an oppression of the devil. Satan is at work. Sometimes you have a plan and you discuss with a friend of yours about your plan, and you tell your friend what you are believing God for not to happen. Then your friend goes to make sure that which you don't want to happen happens. And you go like, "Uh, what's up, man? I told you I didn't want my boss to hear about this thing I'm doing, and you went and told my boss." Your friend is under demonic oppression.

Your friend didn't know when his mouth opened, just like Peter didn't know when he started rebuking Jesus. That is why as a child of God, you must be circumspect. You cannot afford to be stupid. You must discern the times and discern people and know who you talk to and who you can never talk to no matter what. Some people are just agencies for satanic advancement and they hang around you.

That doesn't mean you suspect people, it just means you discern. There are things you don't tell people. There are things you don't tell certain people. They come under a demonic oppression and in that oppression they are no more in control. The demons control them, so they control their activity. Then you find that after a while, your friend will come back with tears, begging you because now your friend has realized what he has done, because when he did it he was not in control. It's demonic oppression, to oppress.

We've seen possession. So Peter's thoughts were oppressed, and oppression will be expressed in words. Oppression will be expressed in words. Sometimes in your growing years, you made a friend and then you shared your details of life with your friend. Then suddenly you and your friend now are no more together. Something happened, you quarrel. He takes all the secrets of your life and announces it to the whole city. That's demonic oppression.

Then when everybody starts condemning him, suddenly he realizes and then he comes to apologize. But the harm has been done, the havoc has been done. The demons have achieved what they wanted. Don't ever forget they come to steal, to kill, and to destroy. So you must mind who you hang around. You must mind who you share your life with. You must mind who your life stories and details and secrets are with. You must mind all of that. You must be circumspect, you must be wise.

You cannot afford to be foolish, for we are not ignorant of how Satan operates. So oppression of the devil will be in thoughts and in words. An instance is Judas. The Bible says, "And Satan entered Judas." Satan entered him. Give me that scripture: "And Satan entered into Judas." Satan entered Judas. Now while they're putting that scripture up, in that instance we can look at him in two ways. And I'm going to use it to explain a number of things in a few minutes.

Obviously, he was a man obsessed with money. Judas was obsessed, he liked money too much. Yeah, that's John 13:27: "And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, 'That thou doest, do quickly.'" Satan entered into Judas. That means Judas didn't have Satan in him until at a particular time. Sometimes you relate with somebody and you're operating as normal human beings, then suddenly Satan enters the person and he begins to carry out an irrational behavior.

Watch carefully. So Satan entered into Judas. Number one, Satan entered because Judas was obsessed with money. When you see people that are too obsessed, they want to get money by every means. Keep them far from you because even you can be used for that money. People that are obsessed. When they want something, they use everything and everybody to get it. They use everybody that is usable.

There's no trace of contentment and patience in their behavior. Those are people that are easy preys for demonic obsession. And if you are like that, you too have to be careful. You have to look for a knife and cut your appetite so that Satan does not destroy you. We are not ignorant of his devices. Any appetite you have that cannot be tamed, cannot be controlled, is already the setup for your destruction. Any appetite: food, sex, women, men, animals now I hear, money.

Any appetite you have that cannot be tamed, cannot be controlled, is already the setup for your destruction. That's why a child of God must have contentment. A minister of the gospel must have contentment because the love of money is the root of all evil. Stay with me. So Judas was obsessed with money and he loved money. And the way Satan used him was to use a fleshly habit in Judas, a habit that Judas did not tame, an uncontrolled habit.

Now when you leave a fleshly habit too long, a fleshly habit too long, before you know it, it moves from habit to a demonic activity. When you allow a fleshly habit to find expression through you too long, before you know it, that habit becomes a demonic activity. You begin to do things you cannot control. You begin to do things you cannot explain. Judas didn't want to sell Jesus. Judas didn't want to kill Jesus.

Judas only wanted to make money using a trick around Jesus. He just wanted to make money using a trick around Jesus. That's all. All his attention was the money. It was not Jesus. He had no reason to kill Jesus. If he killed Jesus, how will he make continue to make money? Jesus was the reason for Judas's money making. So why would he want to kill Jesus?

Firstly, the Bible says he used to take money from the bag. He used to steal from church money. He used to steal from church offering. He used to steal from church money because he was the treasurer. He would just take small, he would just take small. Then he started enjoying church money. Then now he decided to use Jesus, the head of the church, to make more money, thinking that Jesus would demonstrate power.

That when they come to catch Jesus, Jesus will just do... they will fall, Jesus will escape. Meanwhile, he has already gone with his money. He wanted Jesus to do wonder wonder, wonder wonder. So Judas allowed that habit to continue till Satan now took advantage of that habit and got him to do what he never wanted to do. That's why when Judas was done and he discovered what has happened, he came back with the money to the people and said, "Take your money, take your money. I don't want your money again. If this is what it will take from me, take, take."

They said, "No, it's too late. We have already taken him." Then Judas was sorry. He went and killed himself. You see, so he didn't want to kill Jesus. But he created a habit that Satan now capitalized on and made him do what he didn't want to do. That's demonic activity. Am I teaching? If you are hearing me say, "I hear you." That's why when, you know, he went and he was begging, they said no.

So in the operation of the devil, watch what you like. What is that thing that you too like? Money, women, power, men. You like TV, you like entertainment. You like secular music. You got to be careful. You see the musician, he likes drugs. He likes women. He's so promiscuous in his music. And that is the music you like to listen to. Something is not right around you.

Because a man that is into drugs and illicit sex and all of that, his music is coming from that realm. And you liking it means you are being oppressed. That's why you're liking it even though rationally you know you shouldn't like it. But now you're liking it against your will. There's a demon influencing your thought pattern. I'm teaching here. Please pay attention. Because if you are going to cast out demons, you yourself must be free from demonic control. You can't cast out what is controlling you.

Are we teaching here? You can only cast out what is not controlling you from others. So when those appetites become uncontrollable, at that point it becomes demonic obsession and from obsession to oppression. A believer cannot be possessed because Christ lives in him and Christ will never leave you. But you can be obsessed and oppressed in your mind.

Christ lives in your spirit. Demons can live in your mind. They can oppress your mind and they can oppress your body: sickness. The mind. So they take hold of your thought life and control how you think and control how you carry out what you're thinking. You like to rebel. Every time they give instruction in your own life, you like to go against instruction. When they say everybody go like this, you always like to go like this and find a way to eventually meet them there. As long as you didn't follow what they said.

You will still get there your own way. If you're that kind of person, it will be very easy for demons to use you to fight the purpose of God. Because the spirit works in the children of disobedience. He works in the children of disobedience. He likes rebellious people. He likes people that like to go against constituted authority. So I'm teaching good here.

Demons are angels. For example, Ananias and Sapphira. Have you heard of Ananias and Sapphira? They went to the church to test the church. They went to test the power of God. They went to test whether the Spirit of God in that church was real or not and began to lie. And Peter got them on the other side, the law of sin and death, and both him and his wife were dead-ed-dead.

So when you have a case of demonic obsession or oppression, it deals with something you like. Demonic obsession or oppression will work within the confines of your will and appeal to your will so that you yield, you deliberately yield. For example, a man that is born of God have overcome sin. Sin shall not have dominion over you. You're not under the law. You have been born of God, you have the righteousness of God.

But if you begin to play with sin and play with sin, before you know it, it becomes an obsession. You're not possessed, but you're obsessed and oppressed of the devil. And sometimes you will see the oppression of the devil in sexual habit, where you see a man just sleeping around all over the place, sleeping with everybody. And he can't control it. Even though he's trying to stop it, there's something that is more powerful than you has collected your will, and now you are a captive.

You need to be freed from that influence. You need to be freed from it. And what frees a man is the word of God. When you now take the word of God and begin to sit under the influence of the word of God, the word of God breaks those things off your life. And of course, when you begin to come under proper accountability and you expose yourself to sound relationships.

Am I teaching good? Pay attention. So it's important. And that's why you must not allow any habit hold you captive. Nothing should be such in your life that you cannot do without. Nothing. Nothing. Glory to God. I say glory to God. It also functions in lying when people talk too much. People who talk too much can be easily obsessed. They can be oppressed when you talk too much. Before you know it, you start lying. You cannot tell a complete story without lying inside.

So after a while, lying becomes normal. Lie what? After a while, lying becomes normal. Even you, you start believing the lie. You will tell it as though that is the truth. You can swear on top and die. You think I'm joking? I'm very serious. I'm very serious. There's a preacher I used to know back then, he lies to the point where Satan will say, "Eh?" There's a preacher, he used to lie to a point where even Satan will say, "Eh? I surprise." The man will lie.

Me and him will go to preach somewhere. The moment they give him microphone to preach, the only thing that is correct in his mouth is "praise the Lord." And back in those days when me and him go... even in Uyo we went some places to preach together with the guy. They will keep us on top of the pulpit, the congregation will be there, so me I will sit on the pulpit, then he will start lying. Ah! In fact, there are times I won't know when I say, "Heh?" Even me, I surprise. I'm not joking, I'm telling you the truth.

He will just be lying all over the place. I remember one time when we went to one Full Gospel Businessmen's Fellowship to preach. He preached before me, after the service the elders of the Full Gospel Businessmen came around me, they said, "Abel, tell that your friend. These stories he brought here, he should go to the village and tell market women that didn't go to school." I was embarrassed. I just laughed, I said, "Okay sir, I will tell him." But because he was senior to us, we can't talk to him.

In fact, sometimes he will lie then you say, "Abel, is that not true?" Then I will do... I cannot say yes, I cannot say no. I'll just... then you say, "Ask Abel." After this meeting Abel was there. It's a lie oh, even me I surprise. One time he said he carried the Bible up and 300 people that don't like the gospel, because he used to be in the northern Nigeria, he said 300 Muslims, Al-majiris became cripples when he carried the Bible up. Then he said, "Abel you were there." I said "Heh?" I said "Eh?" because such a thing, not even in the dream, has never happened.

So at that level this man is under high level demonic oppression. He himself now believes his lies. He believes it. People that exaggerate, they will eventually take it to the next level. That's why people that like stealing, they end up doing armed robbery. It's a habit. When you tolerate that habit for too long, demons capitalize on it and destroy you with it. Am I teaching good here? This is very important.

We are not ignorant of the devices of the devil, lest the devil should take advantage of us. Because you can't cast out demons that you have no victory over. Stay, stay with me, stay with me. Now sometimes these people, even though they have these habitual problems and they are under demonic activity, they can still cast out demons. You know why? Casting out demons is not dependent on you, it's dependent on the name of Jesus. So demons will obey the name of Jesus and go out while you yourself are still in their cage.

So that's where the dilemma is. So you see a man operating these things but is under a strong demonic oppression or demonic obsession. So that's why Second Corinthians chapter 2, verse 11: "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices." Lest Satan should get an advantage of us, for we are not ignorant of his devices. So that's Paul why Paul will say, take on the whole armor of God and having done all to stand, stand.

The word "stand" there means keep standing. Having done all to stand, keep standing therefore. "Keep" is a deliberate action from you. Keep standing. So we've established that demons have intellect because they are angels. Look at Matthew 28:5.

Guest (Male): And the angel answered and said unto the women, "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

Dr. Abel Damina: So angels are intelligent. Look at how intelligently he communicated with Mary. "He is not here, behold where they laid him." And then First Peter 1:12 he says the angels desire to look into the word of God. They want to learn the word of God. Ephesians 3:10 says angels are learning from the church.

Angels are learning from the church. Now it's important for you to also know that angels and demons have emotions. Angels and demons have emotions. Look at the book of Luke chapter 2, verse 13.

Guest (Male): And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying...

Dr. Abel Damina: Angels were praising God. That is emotion. They were praising God, saying. The same thing happened, in Acts chapter 16, when the spirit of divination was cast out, they expressed emotions. They expressed emotions. In Luke chapter 15, verse 10, read for me.

Guest (Male): Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Dr. Abel Damina: There is joy in the presence of the angels of God. So again, emotions, over one sinner that repents. So demons have emotions. Jude verse 9, demons have a will. Demons have a will just like angels have a will. They have emotions just like angels have emotions. Look at Jude verse 9.

Guest (Male): Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke thee."

Dr. Abel Damina: The demon didn't want to leave until Michael said the Lord rebuke you. So demons have a will. They have emotions. The same applies to angels. Then their appearance can be like of men. Angels can appear like men, demons also can appear like men. In Genesis chapter 18, when they appear to Abraham and Sarah on their way to Sodom and Gomorrah, they appeared like human beings.

So the writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 13:2: "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." So sometimes angels can come like strangers. They can come like human beings. But they are not human beings, but they can appear in that form. They can transform. Satan can even come to your house with horns on his head.

He can take any shape. He can come like an angel of light. All right? He can come to deceive. But it will be very easy because he cannot carry a perfect operation. If you know scripture very well, when you engage, you will know this is Satan. If you know scripture very well, when you engage, you will know this is not a human being. So that's why the writer of Hebrews says we should receive angels because we can entertain them unawares.

In Second Kings chapter 16, verse 15 to 17.

Guest (Male): And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, "Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering..."

Dr. Abel Damina: In fact, save yourself the energy. This is where angels, because of time, appeared like chariots of fire. So they can have a symbolic appearance. Angels can have a symbolic appearance. Sometimes it is used to scare people, and sometimes angels can appear in a very funny way. There are times you're ministering or worshipping or sometimes you get in the Spirit and you just see strange creatures in the environment. Those are angels sometimes.

And then sometimes they are demons. They are demons. A gentleman was coming to my office for prayer. As soon as he walked into my office for prayer, a dog was following him. I saw a dog, but he was alone. I saw a dog beside him. So I stood up from my chair and I said to him, "You've been struggling with sexual addictions." He said, "How did you know, sir?" I said, "I saw it in the Spirit." I didn't tell him I saw a dog with you.

I just said I saw it in the Spirit. He just knelt down, and I commanded that spirit to let go of him and I put him under some time of learning and held him accountable for learning, and that habit left him. So but how did I know he was having problem with sexual desires? I saw an animal, there was a demonic manifestation like a dog following him around.

Kenneth Hagin told the story of his son-in-law that used to carry three monkey-looking demons. One monkey on this shoulder, one monkey on this shoulder, and one monkey-looking demon on the head. So because of that he will start a job and resign. They will employ him, he will get a job, two days he has resigned. Then he will look for work, look for work, they will employ him again, he's happy today, after tomorrow he's unhappy, he resigns.

So Kenneth Hagin was wondering why is this guy not able to keep a job? So he went to the church, he used to like to pray on the pulpit, so he said he got on the pulpit, lay down on the floor and began to pray for him in the spirit. And in the course of prayer while fasting that day, in the afternoon, he just saw that his brother-in-law come into the building with three monkey demons on his shoulder.

One monkey demon will tell him "Come like this," when he's going like this, this one will say "Come like this," when he's going like this this one the head will say "Come like this." So those demons were the ones controlling him. That's why he will get a job, resign. Then look for another one, seriously, when he gets it, resign. Look for because those demons were controlling his life. So Hagin now said when he saw him in the spirit and he saw those demons on him, he said to the Lord, "Lord, what do I do?"

He said the Lord said, "Just like you're seeing them, you're in contact with them directly. Tell them what to do." So he said, "You monkey-looking demons, I command you to get off the shoulder of..." and he called the name of the guy, I don't want to call his name. And the demons jumped, three of them, and stood close by. He said, "No, I said get out!" So they jumped, jumped up outside the church. He said, "No, out of town!"

So they left. Then in the spirit, right still in the spirit, he prayed for that his brother-in-law, spoke into his life stability, total freedom, and total deliverance, and then prayed him into a job. And he said shortly after that he got a job, and he stayed on that job for years and took care of his family. So they took advantage of him and made him oppressed, oppressed him and controlled his life.

So sometimes in casting out demons, you may see creatures, you may see objects, you may see appearances, or smells. Are you with me here? Yeah. These are things I know, these are things I'm telling you, these are things I know. These are not things people have told me, these are things I know. You know, these are things. I remember one time I had a vision, and in the vision Satan appeared and he was very tall. I could only see the trunk of his legs, I couldn't see his body. I could see when I looked up, I was standing small here.

He was standing very huge, I was only seeing the trunk of his legs. And then he was pinching me. And I was telling him, "In the name of Jesus, in the name of Jesus I rebuke you, in the name of Jesus!" He was pinching me seriously. Then from afar Jesus appeared full of light in that vision and did me like that. So I ran quickly to where Jesus was and I stood in the light where Jesus was.

And then he now told me, "Now rebuke him." I said, "In the name of Jesus, Satan I rebuke you, get out!" He just walked... Then Jesus smiled and said to me, "With me, Satan will obey you. You alone, he will not obey you." So I understood, okay. So my authority to cast out demons is not me, it's Christ in me. I mean this happened to me... I'm talking about 80 something, this particular vision.

Those were days I was still learning to walk in the authority and walk in the power of God's word. Am I teaching here? I said am I communicating? So you've got to understand these are all the modus operandi, and this is how demons operate. They take advantage of appetites that are uncontrolled. They take advantage of people that are careless with the way they live.

Even though you're born of God, he won't possess you but he will oppress you. He will oppress you, he will obsess you. Okay, how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth went about doing good, healing all that were oppressed, oppressed, oppressed is from outside. Possessed is from inside.

Glory to God. I say glory to God. What names do demons go by? What names do demons go by? They go by names in scripture, for example, their number: they could go by their number. "We are Legion." We saw that example in scripture. Or they go by the work they do: "spirit of infirmity." Spirit of infirmity. That's the spirit of sickness.

And what that spirit does is to bring sickness, spirit of infirmity. Then we have unclean spirit. That is, what that unclean spirit will do is impure things. Antisocial behaviors, strange things. You also find wicked spirits. And these wicked spirits influence human beings to carry out heinous crimes. Now in Ephesians chapter 6, verse 12... I'm out of time, but guys I'm telling you there's a lot to learn. Are you getting blessed? Are you learning something? Okay.

Let me round off this service then we continue next Sunday. Remember it talked about spiritual wickedness in high places. They will do very wicked acts. So that's why Paul will say, pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified as it is with us, that we be delivered from wicked and unreasonable men. These are men that are influenced by wicked spirits.

So they want to kill the preacher, they want to blacklist the preacher, they want to oppress the preacher, they want to attack the preacher. Wicked and unreasonable. You see them manifest in wickedness, and you also see them manifest in deceit, in deceit. Where a guy comes to preach and deceives people. The whole message is a deception.

Some few years ago in Nigeria, a preacher will go to China and bring powder. Then the technology has not entered Nigeria. He will bring powder, that powder when it touches your head where you are sweating, it turns into fire. So they will bring this powder in their pockets, then they will ask people to bring prayer request. People bring a lot of prayer request, put it on the on the pulpit. They'll ask people to sow dangerous offerings. People will bring all kinds of dangerous offerings.

Then they will now tell them they want to pray for them. "Let the Lord that answereth by fire, let him be God!" And because they've been talking and all that, so they're sweating. Then they will bring out their hands with the powder and say, "Oh God that answereth by fire, pshhh!" You see fire coming out of their head. And people will think it is the Holy Ghost fire. They didn't know that there was powder.

It's a technology, it's a technology. So last week Pastor Jael and Mama brought one Chinese thing like that to the house. They brought one Chinese thing like that to the house. Then Mama now said to me, "Honey, this is strange technology we've never seen." I said, "What is it?" She said it's a small plate of rice. You know, very small like this. It's a small box of rice.

Then Mama said to me, "Inside this plate with this rice, the fire to cook it is inside." So as they brought it out of the small packet they kept it, I don't know what they touched, the thing started cooking. It will cook it, the rice will done and be soft with all the condiments inside. Then you remove the plate of rice and eat. Everything inside this small plate.

I said if it is before now, this technology can raise money. Say, "I carry the fire of God. You see this rice? I'm going to put it in my hand now, the fire will cook it." You won't know that there is technology inside. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Technology is changing the world. So be careful what you call power.

Why are you looking at me like that? Some preachers just lie. False gospel, false Christ, lying wonders. Ephesians chapter 4 as I close. Are you blessed tonight? Did I say tonight? Are you blessed tonight? You know, preachers are always preaching in the night. So there's more to tonight than this morning. Ephesians chapter 4, verse 24. PJ, let's go as I close this service.

Guest (Male): And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.

Dr. Abel Damina: Putting away lying. The reason why you must put away lying, next verse.

Guest (Male): Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.

Dr. Abel Damina: If you lie, you're giving place to the devil. If you have always given yourself to anger, you're giving yourself to the devil. It's like where there's a case of demonic... of of of... domestic violence. Most domestic violence are demonic. They are demonic. Suddenly the husband is angry, he pulls the wife close, slaps her. Today it has passed. Tomorrow, slaps her. It has passed.

Now Satan knows that the man likes slapping. So Satan begins to stimulate his anger for him. Stimulate, then one of these days Satan will make sure that when he's angry there are three bottles around. So the next thing is to carry the bottle, pa! The wife is dead. Satan's mission is accomplished: to steal, to kill, and to destroy. Using the man's vulnerability where anger is concerned.

Or the wife to the man, or the man to the wife. Whichever way. Anger. Anger. Anger is Satan's instrument that can be capitalized into destructive weapon. It can become a weapon of mass destruction. Anger, lies. Be angry and sin not. Do not give yourself to lies. Neither give place to the devil. Then he further tells you more things that can open the door to Satan even in the life of a child of God. Read the next verse for me.

Guest (Male): Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Dr. Abel Damina: If you are stealing, be careful oh, because that's how Judas became the killer of Christ. Then he says, "Let no corrupt communication," the things you say. Mind what you say. Satan can use your mouth if you don't discipline your mouth. Mind what you say. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth. Neither give place to the devil. We are not ignorant of the devices of the devil, lest Satan should take advantage of us. Resist the devil and he will flee. Give him no place.

Give him no place. When the devil is trying to take advantage of something in your life, stop that thing and tell the devil, "No, you will not use me in this area. This area of my life will no more be a struggle because I see what you want to do. You want to capitalize. Okay, I myself, I tame this area of my life." When you do that, you have stopped the devil completely. That's why the Bible says we examine ourselves.

You examine yourself. Don't give the devil an opportunity of using you. Let the gospel, let Christ, let the Holy Ghost use you maximally to advance the kingdom of God. I speak over you today: Satan has no hold around you. I'm not hearing that amen! I'm not hearing that amen! Say, "No oppression here. No suppression here. No obsession here. No depression here." Say it again very loud, "No suppression here, no obsession here, no depression here."

Say it one more time, "No depression here." Say it again louder, "No depression here!" Another way Satan operates is by depression and we will look at all of that next Sunday. But are you blessed this morning? Glory to God. Say with me, "I am a minister of the New Testament. I bear in my mouth the authority of Christ, the mandate of the gospel. For this purpose, Jesus is manifested: to destroy the works of the devil.

I'm a co-laborer with Jesus. Our mission is to destroy the works of the devil in people's lives. Therefore, as I preach the gospel, I cast out demons, I set men free, and I maintain my stand. I refuse the devil room around my life." I didn't hear a powerful amen! Neither give place to the devil. Tell to your neighbor, say "Neighbor, don't give the devil place. Don't develop a habit in the flesh that can give the devil room."

Sit down. Don't tolerate any habit. In fact, tell your neighbor, "Don't develop any habit that you cannot do without." Don't. Don't. If you're getting too used to something that you're beginning to depend on it, deliberately stop it. Go through the suffering period and tell yourself, "I'm not subject." God doesn't want you to be bound to anything. God wants you to be free.

If it's food you're beginning to get used to that food that now you can't even do without it, you can't even fast again, once you think of it you want to eat, stop it. Look for the opposite of that food. If it's sleep, stop the sleep. Stay awake for two days. Tell yourself, "I was not born to serve sleep. Sleep is born to serve me." Any habit. Then talk more of the other ones that are actual sins: smoking, drinking.

Some say, "Did you say smoking and drinking is sin?" Yes. It's not a sin but it can be sin when it becomes the weapon that Satan will use in chaining you. Anything. It can be food, it can be clothes, it can be money, you know, it can be sex. All of that, Satan can use any of it. So keep yourself in an environment where you're free, where Satan cannot control you with anything.

Sometimes give out all your money and be without money. Go through it for a week and endure being without money. Endure it. Tell yourself, "I can survive it. I must know how to abase and I must know how to abound. In any state and in any condition I must know how to survive." Say, "I hear you." Say, "I refuse to be bound by anything in life. I am a free child of God. I stand in the liberty wherewith Christ has set me free. I will never be entangled with the yoke of bondage."

Glory to God! Glory to God! Glory to God! Say, "Wherever I find demons I cast them out in the name of Jesus. I'm in authority. Satan is not in authority. I am in authority. I operate the gifts of the Spirit. I discern, I prophesy, I have word of knowledge, word of wisdom. I have discerning of spirits and I function supernaturally." I didn't hear a powerful amen!

Father, I pray for everybody under the sound of my voice. *Libandos likranantobulatepanamosakarataka*. Anyone under the sound of my voice in this building, online, and in the campuses that is under any form of demonic oppression or demonic depression or obsession, I command that depression, that obsession broken in the name of Jesus! Broken in the name of Jesus!

Satan, get your hands off! Off! Off! Off! Off! Off! Off! Off! By the blood, by the word, by the authority of Jesus. *Lianosakapatambalakata*. You yoke of infirmity, you yoke of pain, you yoke of oppression. *Likasubarakatata*. You yoke of oppression, break, break, break, break, break, break, break in the name of Jesus! And I declare right now whatever is not planted by God around your life and your circumstances is rooted out!

Your soul has escaped like a bird out of the snare of the fowler. The snare is broken! The trap is broken! The snare is broken! That trap is broken! Any trap that the enemy is trying to use to trap you, the trap is scattered! In the name of Jesus! You're escaped by the help of the Lord. You're escaped by the help of the Lord. Your body is loosed in the name of Jesus! Your mind is loosed in the name of Jesus!

We cast down imaginations. The voice of fear is broken in the name of Jesus! Now enjoy the liberty that you have in Christ. Enjoy the authority that you have in Christ. *Liadosakata baya*. Whatever you have lost before now, I command it restored! Restored! Restored! Now recover, recover, recover in the name of Jesus! And we walk in the authority that is ours, giving no room to the devil. Thank you for the blessing in this service. In Jesus' precious name. And every believer says that amen on a note of finality!

Now go ahead and celebrate your freedom in Christ. Celebrate your liberty in God's word! Is that a celebration or what? Glory, glory, glory, glory, glory, glory, glory! Glory! Glory! Glory! Glory! Glory! Glory! Glory! I have so much to say to you and you will bear them all. Glory to God.

Grab your offerings, let's worship Jesus in this service and enjoy the victory that we have in his finished work and the victory that we have in the blood. And those of you online, the banking details are scrolling. Those of you on television, the banking details are there. Everybody else grab your offerings, campuses and all the clusters, grab your offerings, lift them off.

Father, we give in faith, we give with joy. Thank you for the privilege of giving in this service. Our offerings are a sweet smell before you today. In Jesus' name we pray, and every believer says a powerful amen. Glory to God. Campuses, we leave you in the able hands of your coordinators to tell you what to do next as we give our offerings and rejoice. But remember Wednesday 6:00 PM GMT+1, I'll be live teaching God's word, teaching God's word and teaching God's word. We love you guys and we look forward to seeing you again. Enjoy the grace of Christ and be blessed. All right guys, hit the music! Let's do it as we worship Jesus, the risen Lord! Glory to God!

Oh my goodness, the word of God is life. The Bible tells us the entrance of God's word giveth light, and it giveth understanding to the simple. As you keep listening, the light of God's word rises out of the rightly divided word of truth, illuminates your mind, illuminates your heart, and brings you face to face with your realities in Christ Jesus.

In Ephesians chapter 3, verse 3, Brother Paul speaking about the mystery, the Old Testament, he said whereby when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ. So there is a knowledge in the mystery of Christ. The word "mystery" is the word *musterion* in the Greek, it means that which is concealed. And then he says how that by revelation, the word "revelation" is the word *apokalupsis*, it means that which is revealed.

So the revelation of the scriptures unveils the mysteries. Revelation is the New Testament, mystery is the Old Testament. But it will take reading and learning to come to a place of full, precise, and accurate knowledge. Brother Daniel will say, "I understood by books." So there's a place of books in equipping you soundly with the message of Christ.

Brother Paul will write to Timothy, he says to Timothy, "Till I come, give attendance to reading." Jesus speaking to those Jews says, "You do err because you know not the scriptures nor the power of God." Often times Jesus will say to the Jews, "Have you not read?" "Read" is the word *anaginosko* in the Greek, it means "Are you reading and not paying attention?"

I want to quickly recommend for you a plethora of books I have written. They are written with an intent to bring you doctrinal clarity, answer your questions doctrinally, and bring you to a place of accurate understanding, a precise knowledge of Christ and you in Christ. I want you to order for those books today. The number and the list of books available will be read to you right now.

And if you call today, we'll be glad to make sure you get a copy or more copies of the books so you can enrich your spiritual life and enrich your walk with God and build a quality relationship with Jesus Christ, while you're also able to teach others the same truth you have learned to liberate them and bring them to the fullness of God. Glory to God.

Dr. Abel Damina has authored several insightful books that bring clarity to foundational truths of Christianity, including: *Understanding the Spirit, Soul and Body*, *Winning the War*, *Money with a Mission*, *Understanding Relationships, Marriage and Family Life*, *Prayer that Works*, *Higher Life: Redeemed to Reign in Life*, and *The Priesthood of Jesus*. To order, call 240-367-6201 or email pciusaregion@gmail.com.

We trust you've been blessed by today's message. For prayers, counseling, or to obtain the complete teachings and books, call 404-789-7207 or 404-670-2085 or 404-453-5562 or 240-367-6201. We look forward to having you with us again tomorrow. Remain in his grace and be blessed.