February 3, 2019, Be Watchful Against the Spirit of Regression

Be Watchful Against the Spirit of Regression 

Pastor Donald preaches why we need to Be Watchful Against the Spirit of Regression from Luke 11. In Luke 11, after Jesus heals the boy of a mute spirit, Jesus states that any organization that is divided will collapse. Without solidarity and unity an organization will fall apart. 

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 

Luke 11:23 ESV 

Also, Jesus warns us that when took over our lives were made clean. The enemy has never given up on destroying us. The enemy will come in if you give the enemy to come in. 

"When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.'  And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order.  Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first." 

Luke 11:24‭-‬26 ESV 

As we grow as Christians, we live our lives and sometimes start to grow backwards. We are falling back to our former life.  Regression comes in when we let go of the spirit that works in us. If we continuously walk with the Lord, we will live. Being saved is a continuous process. You must seek the guidance of the Lord.  God's mercies do not create obedience. We must respond in obedience to grow. The flesh is always warring with the spirit. This is a warning for everybody. The Devil wants to destroy you. 

As we read in 1 Peter and Romans

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 

1 Peter 5:6‭-‬9 ESV 

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 

Romans 8:9‭-‬14 ESV 

There are three main ways that Christians can fight regression back to their old lives.

1A. Read your Bible. We need to gather together in the Lord. Read His word so that we know His will and how to abide in His will. 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 

Romans 12:2 ESV 

1B. Pray. Although devotion to prayer is difficult to maintain, those who seek the grace of God, need to pray so that they will get the grace to apply the word. 

2. Obedience to God's will. Power comes from obedience. When we do not obey, God cannot give us power.

But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" 

Luke 11:28 ESV 

3. Resist the Devil. Satan wants us to ruin our relationship with God. He will keep at it until we fail, but with God's word, prayer and spirit we can stand against the Devil.