An Avenue For Demon-Possession
MEMORISE: And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; – Ephesians 5:18
READ: Proverbs 23:29-35 (KJV)
29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
32 At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.
33 Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things.
34 Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast.
35 They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 20-22
MESSAGE
There are many avenues through which demons can possess an individual. One of them is alcoholism. The consumption of alcohol is a subtle habit that opens the door to various types of sins, all directed by one demon or the other. These includes violence, sexual immorality, pride, evil imaginations, folly and so on. It is unfortunate that some believers are beginning to consider ‘moderation’ in the consumption of alcohol, quoting today’s memory verse out of context by insisting that the Bible does not caution us against drinking alcohol, but rather against getting drunk. Sadly, it is this liberal approach to the handling of the issue of alcohol consumption that is increasing demonic operations in the lives that are supposed to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
How does alcoholism invite demons? One of the symptoms of demonic possession is sorrow and in today’s Bible reading, a question was asked “Who hath sorrow?” and the answer was also provided straightaway “…they that go to seek mix wine.” The Scripture goes ahead to warn “Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.” (Proverbs 23:31).
The demon of sorrow is given access through the consumption of alcohol. In addition, our Bible text says “Thine eyes shall behold strange women…” Here, the demon of sexual immorality is set in motion by alcohol. A married person does not remember his or her marriage vows when put under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol has been known to promote all sort of sexual immorality including incest.
Genesis 19:31-38 tells the story of how two sisters got their father drunk and took turns to sleep with him. The products of these incestuous acts were the Moabites and Ammonites – two nations that later became enemies of the Israelites.
The word of God is forever settled; turn your back completely on alcohol. Alcohol creates an avenue for the devil to operate freely in the life of a person.
I enjoin you to stop creating an avenue for demons to possess you; rather, seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit and the Lord will do wonderous things through you.
I pray that you will be delivered from every demonic activity in your life today, in the mighty name of Jesus.
ACTION POINT:
Flee the consumption of alcohol from today and counsel everyone around you to do same.
HYMN 29: What Can Wash Away My Stain?
1. What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
2. For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
3. Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
4. This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
5. Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
6. Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
