Besides all of the defensive strategies that I have mentioned before, I would like to focus on some of the offensive strategies that are available at a personal level.

COUNTERATTACK

              One offensive strategy, that I learned over the course of time when I was under attack, was to, instead of commanding the demons to simply leave, it was useful to attack back offensively.  The numbers of these attacks has thereby diminished greatly.  The following command is an example: 

            "In the power and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command that anything from the kingdom of darkness that has made me their business, and wishes to hassle me, or hinder me in any way - I single you out right now.  I command that you be bound with chains that cannot be broken, and that you be stripped of all your spiritual armour.  I command that you be separated from any principality or power from which you could gain support.  I now command that you be sent to the pit, or report to the Lord Jesus Christ for His dealing.  I command that any demons that are not sent to the pit be disciplined, and removed to never involve themselves with me again.  All this I command in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."

            This type of command accomplishes two things:  First, it instills fear into any demons which would want to get involved.  It is one thing to simply be repelled, and quite another to chance going into the pit.  Second, it works as a deterrent to those principalities and powers which would dare send their minions to attack.  Facing the risk os losing parts of their own army - they are therefore much more careful.  Realize that these commands will be effective to the degree that they correspond to God's will.  It is for this reason that, if they cannot be sent to the pit, Christ deals with them.  There are times in which He will allow the same ones to return, in order that we may sharpen our skills, and develop as warriors.

TITHING

              Through tithing we can also put Satan on the defensive.  Malichi 3:10-11 records:  "`Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,' says the Lord of hosts, `if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until there is no more need.  Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it may not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,' says the Lord of hosts."

PRAYER

            Prayer is our most offensive weapon!  Through prayer we move things in spiritual reality.  God waits patiently for his servants to move Him to action with prayer and petitions.  He is anxious to give us what we ask, when we ask according to His will.

FASTING

           Through fasting we can increase the power of our weapon of prayer.  Isaiah writes:  "Is this not the fast which I chose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke?" (Is 58:6).  Here we see that fasting has tremendous spiritual benefits.

DANGERS  

            There are dangers that must be mentioned - regarding personal offensive attack.  In Matthew 16:18-19 Christ says to Peter, "...you are Peter (little rock), and upon this rock (big rock) I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven."  The first word "you" here is in the singular, not the plural.  We as individuals will be attacked by Satan, but will not be overpowered by him.  (The word "rock" here does not refer to Peter, but to his confession, and all who make that confession of vs 16.)  The second "you" here is in the plural, therefore we (plurally) have the keys to bind and loose - the keys are given to the church corporately.  These are not keys which we should be attempting to use as an individual.  While we may bind and loose those things that relate specifically to us alone, it is extremely dangerous to go after anything else without (at least some of) the rest of the body of Christ.  Be forewarned.

            Another danger,  I have seen occur a number of times, is when certain people are delivered that they begin to believe that it is their responsibility to bring about the deliverances of others.  Many of these people are too weak spiritually, and too ignorant of spiritual warfare laws, to attempt such activity - especially alone.

            Never, ever walk ahead of God's will, but be patient for His leading and equipping.  The first command is to be "strong."  Don't go in over your head until you know how to swim!

FAMILY

              At the time of the flood, there only ones saved were Noah, his immediate family, and their spouses and children.  As parents we can exert tremendous spiritual power both defensively and offensively over our children - and their children.  I personally know of people who have been set free from demonic influences, as children, by the prayers of a righteous grandparent.

            Through the process of deliverance that is provided in this book, we offensively dealt with all children who are under spiritual authority.  There are though those, immediate relatives, whom we cannot deliver through ourselves.  For these we need to exercise the offensive weapons, in order that they are freed - to choose salvation and understand the truth. 

            The following prayers and commands can prove useful in dealing with older children, or grandchildren: 

            "Father, we come before You and bring   name   before You for Your consideration.  Father, we would ask that You would deliver this person from the evil one.  We ask that You would dispatch angels who would aid this person in abstaining from activities and decisions that would bring them harm.  May Your Holy Spirit be allowed to convict of sin, and lead to repentance.  May their spiritual eyes be open to see, and their ears able to hear, and their minds receptive to understand the truth.  May Your hand rest upon them to protect them, and draw them unto Yourself.  May the work of Satan be bound from them this day.  In Jesus name, amen!"

            Take responsibility to protect those you can - by establishing an environment where there are positive, and lovely things.  Psalm 101:3 says, "I will set before my eyes no worthless things."  Letting the television run all day, allows a lot of worthless things to pass before our eyes.  What our kids see us spend our time doing, often becomes the same things that they pursue.  Set a holy, and righteous example.         

RELATIVES  

            Often relatives, either directly or indirectly, become the biggest source of spiritual oppression after deliverance.  The `family demons' will be upset with what has occurred - especially if there has been some loosening of their grip upon other family members.  It is therefore important that a spiritual wall be built between, the family, and those who are free - in order to protect them from the assault of the `family demons'.  These demons are the ones who best know how to attack, for they are familiar with the whole family structure.  Therefore, pray for a wall of angels, and for Christ's blood to separate and stand between the newly freed individual and his/her family. 

            It is only natural that those who experience deliverance will want deliverance for their siblings and parents.  We instruct people as follows:  "Do not rush back and give all the details, but rather, let them see the change in you and ask about what is going on.  Often, they will not be able to figure out what has changed and will ask.  If God lays a burden upon your heart at that time, it would be appropriate to briefly discuss the matter."  Often though, the demonic entities in the rest of the family will react harshly, and bring about new problems from the rest of the family.  Under these circumstances it is important that those individuals know how to pray, both to protect themselves from curses which can be channelled through the family, and to help provide a spiritual environment which frees the family members to recognize their own problems and see the light of salvation.

            Under no circumstances should recently delivered individuals begin to bind and loose the demons of the relatives. Rather they should pray that God's spirit would; move upon the relatives, convict of sin, and lead into the truth.  It is appropriate to pray that God would set angels as scarecrows around them - to hinder the birds which steal the grains of truth, and provide additional angels to loose the bonds that bind.  When a number of those who have been delivered, can get together as a group and pray, there is then additional power to bind and loose (without the same reprocussion and counterattack).  When a person has developed the abiltiy to stand strong and firm - then it is appropriate to pray a little more aggressively (but only as the Lord leads).

FRIENDS

              There will also be friends and acquaintances, to whom, we will want deliverance to be administered.  Do not rush things, but pray that God would make them aware of their need.  I have yet to see one Christian person, to whom God has laid upon our hearts to pray that they would see their need for deliverance, who has not showed up for help.

            By far the most offensive thing that we can do is pray for the salvation of the lost.  We need to pray that the seed of the truth will fall upon them, and that it would take root - that they be able to see and to hear - so that they can freely make a choice to respond.  

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