Above & Beyond Christian Counseling

Christian Counselors, Deliverance Ministry and Spiritual Warfare

  • Home
  • About Us
    • What We Believe
    • FAQs
    • Above & Beyond Name?
    • Media Appearances / Conferences
  • Contact
    • Schedule Appointment
Menu
  • Counseling
    • All Services
    • Internet Counseling
    • Success Stories
    • Schedule Appointment
    • Close
  • Deliverance
    • Adults Deliverance
    • Childrens Deliverance
    • Internet Deliverance
    • Success Stories
    • Schedule Appointment
    • Seminar Registration
    • Close
  • Academies
    • Christian Counseling Degrees
    • Deliverance Ministry Training
    • Close
  • Warrior Partners
  • Store
  • Free Resources
You are here: Home / Spiritual Warfare / 7 Misconceptions About the Spirit Realm

7 Misconceptions About the Spirit Realm

By Don Ibbitson

spiritual warfare misconceptions Is spiritual warfare an Old Testament concept? Do Christians need to understand and engage the spirit realm today or did Jesus take care of that on the cross? These are important questions and what we believe has implications for how we live our daily lives. 

A pastor and his wife came into my office a few years back. Their marriage and life was in turmoil and sensed that the source was demonic. They had an entry level understanding of demons and nodded their heads in approval as I shared my insights–right up to the point where I proposed that they would benefit from going through deliverance!

They politely refuted my assertion that Christians need this type of help and left my office soon after. Sadly, that story is more familiar than I would like to see. Unlike some who leave and return, I never heard from this couple again and often wondered what became of them.

I’m going to outline seven fallacies that many believe about this topic–there are more, but the number is so biblically significant and hope it motivates you to at least skim this article.

  1. The war is over, so there is no need to fight. Jesus has won the victory over Satan and the demonic realm at the cross (1 John 3:8). Many new testament scriptures point out the need to continue battling on some level to maintain and secure that victory (Ephesians 6:10-11, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:8-9, to list only a few).
  2. Demons have no power you except what you give them. Jesus took away the demons authority, but they still have power. Many are tormented even though they did not invite in these unwanted guests. There is power in the name and blood of Jesus, but there is more to walking in that power than just declaring the word. We have authority over them, but we must act to take back what the enemy has stolen.
  3. Deliverance ministry is not necessary for Christians. This is a fallacy and those who believe may survive in demonic bondage but not possess the abundant life Christ intends. He who the Son sets free is free indeed. That is a positional truth based on the cross but also presents a prophetic promise also.
  4. God will fight your spiritual battles for you. References to “the battle is the Lord’s” appear twice in Scripture (1 Sam 17:47 and 2 Chronicles 20:15). These are old testament scriptures, and there are many more NT references that point to our role in warfare, which includes driving out, resisting and binding demons. The church has been given power and authority over the demonic realm for a reason–we are to fight (most of) the battles. (Intercessory prayer in the second heaven is a different battleground, and we will cover that in subsequent posts).
  5. Christians are in danger when they deal with demons. We never see Jesus quake in fear when he dealt with the demonic realm. He has given us, His body, the same power and authority over demons (Mark 16:17). Why should we be afraid? He’s not given us a spirit of fear (2 Tim 1:7). When people use firearms, they need knowledge and proper training or else bad things can happen. The same fact holds true for deliverance ministry.
  6. You need to be wary of demons jumping on you. Where does this come from? Demon spirits need an entry point into a person’s soul. Otherwise, they are on the outside, and we need to discern and resist them. Ignorance breeds fear, which can lead to people perishing (Hosea 4:6). No fear.
  7. Demons have to flee in the presence of God. Christians often cite 2 Cor 6:14 to insist that demon spirits (darkness) have to vacate when God (light) is present. That interpretation is wrong; examine the passage in context and you will see that it speaks to being yoked with unbelievers. Satan himself went before the throne of God in Job. Hmmm? Jesus (God in the flesh) stood before demonized people, and the demons did not leave until he commanded them to go.

Other untruths are floating about this, but the list above represents a good start to getting rid of stinking thinking. Ignorance is not bliss in the realm of demon spirits and spiritual warfare.

God’s people have been given all that we need (2 Peter 1:3) to live a blessed and abundant life. Great darkness is covering the land, and it is vital that God’s people learn how to live and walk in the fullness of our power and authority.

Commit to becoming full of knowledge and wisdom and this area so you can win battles over your life and your family. You can be part of what He is doing in these times, and the fulfillment of your destiny likely depends on your willingness to be trained.


*More Ways to Enjoy This Post*

View the Presentation
Listen to the Audio
Watch the Video

Filed Under: Featured Post Slider, Spiritual Warfare Tagged With: binding and loosing, discerning spirits, resisting spirits

 

Get Access to Our Free Christian Counseling and Deliverance Ministry Resource Library

Get all of our popular videos, podcasts, presentations, and guides in one place.

Get Access

Welcome

It's Time for Victory!

We're dedicated to helping you live a joyful, productive, and healthy life through the power of Jesus Christ, whether you need Christian Counseling or Deliverance Ministry.

About Us

Let’s Stay in Touch

We would like to send you an update by email when we have a new Counseling / Deliverance Ministry article, podcast or video.

Support What We Do

Become a Warrior Partner

Success Stories

We are blessed to have a growing number of counseling clients who have seen the power of Christ in their lives.

Read Their Stories

Drive Time Podcasts

Listen

Recent Posts

  • Testimonial – RTS Seminar Attendee: Issues with Word Curses, Rejection and Fear
  • Our Next “Released to Soar” Deliverance Seminar
  • Testimonial – RTS Seminar Attendee: Issues with Generational Curses, Doubt/Unbelief and Anger

We’re Here For You

Contact us to learn how we can help you achieve victory. We can counsel you in-office or via the Internet using GoToMeeting.

Click the button below to get started.

Contact Us

Our Locations

Tampa, Florida
10012 N. Dale Mabry, Suite 205
Tampa, FL 33618

Clearwater, Florida
13575 58 St. N., Suite 105
Clearwater, FL 33760

Brandon, Florida
1219 Millennium Parkway, #106
Brandon, FL 33511

Meet Our Team

Learn more about our team of Christian counselors.

Read more

Tampa, Florida

Above & Beyond Christian Counseling
10012 N. Dale Mabry, Suite 205
Tampa, FL 33618

Clearwater, Florida

Above & Beyond Christian Counseling
13575 58 St. N., Suite 105
Clearwater, Florida 33760

Brandon, Florida

Above & Beyond Christian Counseling
1219 Millennium Parkway, #106
Brandon, FL 33511

Connect With Us

Learn more about our Christian counseling services.

Read more

Become a Warrior Partner

Help us expand the ministry of deliverance and training worldwide. Read more

Become a Christian Counselor

We offer a variety of accredited Christian counseling courses including Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate programs

Read more

Get Trained in Deliverance Ministry

Learn our proven and effective 5-Step process.
Read more

Free Resources

We have an extensive collection of free articles, podcasts, slideshares and videos.
Read more

Copyright © 2022 Above & Beyond Christian Counseling - All Rights Reserved

Posts Sitemap | Pages Sitemap | Privacy