Month: December 2015

The image above is somewhat typical of how many think of early Christianity, martyrs dying for their faith. No question, the blood of these brave souls seeded the church. But there is much about how the early church conducted its affairs that is little understood. That’s why our International School of Exorcism teaches several courses to dispel the myths about the doctrine and practices of those who founded the faith. (For more information on the school, CLICK HERE.) One area of misunderstanding is the role that exorcism played in establishing Christianity. Our School carefully studies instances of deliverance in the synoptic gospels and the Book of Acts, along with relevant passage in the epistles and Revelation. But beyond the apostolic age, it is clear from an astute reading of church history that casting out demons was common and frequent. The School of Exorcism cites many quotes of Church Fathers validating this. Let me add some additional information that illuminates this further.

I have lately been studying a great book entitled, The Spirit of Early Christian Thought. It was written by Robert Louis Wilken, professor of the History of Christianity at the University of Virginia. And it was published, of all places, by Yale University Press. Of the earliest Christian baptisms, Dr. Wilkins writes, “When a person had completed the initial period of formation [an extensive preparation process] and was ready to apply for baptism he indicated his desire by an act of enrollment. This included a formal interrogation, followed by the making of the sign of the cross on the forehead, an initial exorcism of evil spirits, the imposition of hands by the bishop, and the eating of a tiny bit of salt” (p. 37).

Wilkens has more to say about Baptism and exorcism, which I’ll cover in my next blog. But note that this information comes from a secular scholar and was disseminated by one of America’s most liberal universities! They certainly have no prejudice to further the ministry of deliverance. Wilkens’ book isn’t about casting out demons, but the footnote above is included matter-of-factly as relevant information the modern American church would do well to note. You see, what I and the others in this ministry do is biblical, historically mainstream, and authentic. How much longer will we allow evangelical teachers with a theological axe to grind keep this ministry of liberation from those who need it most?

The ministry of deliverance didn’t end with the ascension of Christ. It wasn’t over with the apostolic age. The practices of the early church weren’t unique to that time. What Jesus, the apostles, and early Christian leaders did was normative for them, and it should be for us now. Let’s get back to doing what Jesus, and the early church did: cast out demons in the name of Jesus!

An encouraging word: PLEASURES FROM THE LORD

The ancient Psalmist has a message that our hedonistic culture would do well to note: At Your right hand are pleasures evermore (Psalm 16:11).  The pleasures of the Lord aren’t just for a season. They aren’t cheap thrills. They aren’t a high followed by a low. Plus, God’s pleasures last for an eternity! Furthermore, they aren’t followed by guilt, regret, and shame. The pleasures of sin have consequences. The pleasures of the righteous bring rewards.

Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did (Luke 4:18).  You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online.

s most of our friends know, I have been recuperating from knee-replacement surgery. Forgive me for mentioning the important facts again, but some aren’t familiar with our ministry. This was a very serious operation, especially for the possibility of life-threatening blood clots. Three years ago the opposite knee was operated on, and I did suffer clots. I came within minutes of dying. Naturally, this time around my family has been a bit on edge. My progress, 14-days post-op as of this blog, has been excruciating with lots of complications. I don’t handle medications well, so I can’t take the normal dosages of pain killers to assuage the agony. I mention this because my state of misery set the stage for God speaking to me.

While in a lot of pain, I received a phone call. It was our oldest daughter Brynne on the line. “Dad, my book is in Barnes and Nobel!” she said excitedly. Suddenly, my suffering became a non-issue. A smile crossed my face, and I replied, “That’s great, sweetie. Your mom and I are so proud of you.”

Brynne’s book, The Dark Side of the Supernatural, came out last summer. Since then she’s been so busy with her transition to a new University (junior in pre-med) that she never took time to see how secular sales of her book were doing. While Christmas shopping she looked to see if her book was in stock. There it was, on the shelves of one of the largest secular booksellers in America. That’s an extra-ordinary achievement for a 21-year-old woman: a book exposing the works of Satan and warning about evils from vampires to Harry Potter, on the shelves of a bigtime secular outlet.

In one call, God changed my perspective on what really matters. I looked away from my suffering for a season. In our daughter, and the lives of thousands of students of our International School of Exorcism®, as well as many hundreds of dedicated Do What Jesus Did® deliverance teams up all over the world, there is a legacy that will last. A mission that really matters. (Our other two daughters are doing great things too, but more on that some other time.)

This ministry isn’t about cool communication, prophetic hype, and short-term spirituality. This is a much-maligned ministry that is short on accolades and long on Christian critics. Standing by me are hundreds of incredible men and women across this land and around the world who minister in the trenches week after week, without fanfare and often little regard. They heal souls in Nashville; fight demons in Atlanta; comfort the wounded Portland; rescue the lost in Lakeland; crush the devil in Dallas; mash the enemy in Miami, and deliver hundreds every week in scores of other cities.

After my daughter’s call, my body didn’t hurt any less, but the pain didn’t matter as much. I refocused on my blessings and the privilege to “do what Jesus did.” I’ll be back on two good feet soon and ready more than ever to defeat the devil in the Name of Jesus!

TO ORDER BRYNNE’S BOOK THE DARK SIDE OF THE SUPERNATURAL CLICK HERE

TO ENROLL IN THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF EXORCISM

CLICK HERE.

An encouraging word: A CHILD IS BORN

“Unto us a child is born.” Those words of Isaiah 9:6 are spoken hundreds of thousands of times a day. But more than 2,700 year ago they were uttered regarding a particular child, without knowing exactly who this baby should be. He certainly would be no ordinary child. Isaiah declared that he would be “the Prince of Peace.” The prophet’s listeners must have been astonished, or perhaps thought he was exaggerating. Now, we know of whom the ancient one spoke. That babe is to millions worshipped as the “Wonderful, Counsellor,” “the Mighty God.” What an amazing moment in time when Isaiah spoke, only overshadowed by that moment when He was born and lay in a manger.

Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did® (Luke 4:18).  You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online

There are many tattoos which obviously seem to be demonic. Like the one on a man’s arm, left above. But what about the one on the right? Would you have picked that one as being satanic? Of course, the hideous, snarling devil face is an apparent pick. But what’s so devilish about the one on the right, which is extremely popular in tattoo parlors?

It is one of the most sacred symbols of the idolatrous religion of Hinduism. It’s a symbol often adorning yoga rooms. Actually it is more than a symbol, it is believed to embody the prime deities of Hinduism, such a Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva (the god of destruction). It represents the soul, ultimate truth (not Christ!), and the supreme spirit of the universe (read that demon). It is an incantation used in Hindu prayers and guides many occult mediations. It is OM or AUM, the word/sound uttered as a devotional evocation to connect with the primordial vibration/energy of the universe. In other words, in Christianese, it is a conjuration of any and all demons of the pagan, Hindu cosmos – all 330 million gods claimed by the faith. If just one of them responds, the results can be devastating.

And yet many Christians have been told by so-called Christian yoga instructors that it’s OK to utter OM, that it is just a vibratory sound that will help them to still the mind and relax. (Read my blog of November 30, 2015, “Yoga Takes Over.” To read CLICK HERE.) It’s bad enough to say it, but to display it on an arm, one’s chest or back, or an indelicate spot, is an open door to demons.  (Read about the dangers of tattoos in my book CURSE BREAKING. To order CLICK HERE.) If you are a fan of tattoos you might want to check further about the meaning of less obvious inking before you go under the needle. Your tattoo could be a connection to a generational curse that has been looking for an open door to attack you.

An encouraging word: ABSTAIN FROM FLESHLY LUSTS

“Abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul.” That warning of 1 Peter 2:11 is definitely needed in our age of carnal appetites being satiated in countless ways. Peter likens this to a war, a battle for control of the human conscience. Lust deadens moral senses, defiles the mind’s imagination, hardens the heart against God, and desensitizes all the sensibilities of the soul. It is nothing less than an eternal battle with an outcome of heaven or hell. From such things the Christian is to voluntarily, by an act of the will, back away and flee. Today, Satan is after your soul. Abstain from anything and everything that wages a battle for your heart and mind.

Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did® (Luke 4:18).  You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online

They are the faces of American terrorism: Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik. By now the whole country knows of their attack on a civil servant holiday party in San Bernardino, California, killing 14 and injuring 21. It is the deadliest strike by Islamic extremists on American soil since Sept. 11, 2001. Wasn’t it just a few days ago that President Obama was telling us not to worry, that terrorism wouldn’t strike America? That ISIL/ISIS was no serious threat to Americans? I’d say that the confirmed Facebook posts of Malik, pledging allegiance to Islamic State, is about as clear as the killers could be about their terrorist intentions.

Is anyone else sick of the constant drumbeat of calls for gun control every time an act like this takes place? Investigations have revealed that the murderous couple had enough bombs, guns, and bullets to start a small war. They would have gotten those munitions no matter what laws were on the books. They were cold-blooded, ruthless, and full of demons. How else can one explain a mother who would leave her six-month-old baby girl with the grandmother and then callously murder other mothers of children?

Ironically not many miles from San Bernardino, just days after the massacre, I was ministering deliverance to a woman possessed with a demon of Murder. The evil spirit had been passed down from a Muslim ancestor named Mohammed who killed Christians and Jews. As my readers know, no one encounters more demons face-to-face than I do. When I tell you that this demon was one of the nastiest I’ve ever faced, that is saying something. Am I concluding that all Muslim are demon-possessed, potential killers? Of course not. Hundreds of millions of Muslims are kind, peaceful people. What it does indicate is that within radical Islam, as in ISIL/ISIS, there is a demonic power intent on bloodlust, using religion as an excuse. This a war that will not be won just by dropping more bombs but by confronting and casting out all demonic spirits of hate, violence, and murder. What are you doing to fight and win this war against an ancient evil so much alive today in America? A great place to start is by enrolling in our International School of Exorcism® and getting the spiritual ammunition you need to resist the powers of darkness wherever you encounter them. (TO ENROLL CLICK HERE.)

An encouraging word: COUNT IT ALL JOY

“Count it as joy when you fall into various trials.” Those words of James 1:2 are some of the hardest to live by. Admit it, you struggle the same as I do with rejoicing when things aren’t going well; when sickness or financial challenges come; when friends betray; when disappointments overwhelm. But these are the times when we most need to “count it as joy.” Anyone can be grateful in good times, but it is the measure of a seasoned Christian who holds their head high when all around seem to be losing theirs. Whatever you may face today, count is as joy, rejoice even though you may be hurting, and trust in Him who is able to quickly turn things around, if you have the right attitude.

Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did® (Luke 4:18).  You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online

A week ago, on my way home, passing through San Francisco Airport (SFO), I was exhausted with a little time on my hands. Thinking I might find a quiet chapel, which almost all airports used to have, I was instead confronted by signs directing me instead to a yoga room. I peeked inside, and sure enough, there, in pretzeled positions, were travelers in various stages of yogic enlightenment. Most folks, especially liberal, New Aged Californians, wouldn’t think much about this. To me, it was more than an acquiescence to multiculturalism; it was a vivid sign of the times. When people today want peace, rest, and tranquility, they don’t pray to a transcendent deity. They evoke the yogic god within, align their chakras, and awaken the Kundalini power at the base of the spine. And they get demons.

Spare me. I’ve heard all the idiot arguments of so-called Holy Yoga, Yoga for the Soul, and Praise Moves, and Yahweh Yoga (all claiming incongruously to be “Christian”). It’s hard for me to charitable and gracious to these deceptions which are the result of abject, willing ignorance. My book Larson’s Book of World Religions (To order CLICK HERE.) has 35 pages of references to yoga, all heavily documented from original Hindu sources. Those who really want the truth can read the book. No need to repeat all its contentions here; but it’s obvious I’m not talking off the top of my head through some religiously, legalistic mindset.

Briefly consider these few points I extract from the book:

• One of the supreme texts of yoga declares, “The aim of all yoga is realization of the Absolute Brahman” [Hindu demon-god]. The aim is to unite with a demon, one that I’ve cast out many times from advocates of yoga.
• Famed Hindu mystic Swami Vishnudevananda, who helped to bring yoga to the west, wrote, “The aim of all yoga practice is to achieve truth wherein the individual soul identifies itself with the supreme soul of god.” But what god???
• My book states: “The postures are designed to condition the mind to experience altered states of consciousness. Each pose is presumed to be tuning the body, glands, and psychic nervous system to a level of spiritual susceptibility and altered awareness.”

There isn’t enough space here to address the fallacy that Yoga (which in Hindi means “union or yoked with god”) can be casually dissociated from its pagan origins simply because some willingly deceived Christian yoga instructor redefines its intent. Almost every week, I pick up the spiritual collateral damage of those who got sucked in to this lie of “Christian” yoga and became demonized. I know of no legitimate exorcist or deliverance minister who approves of such nonsense. Get my book. Read all I have to say. Enroll in our International School of Exorcism® (CLICK HERE to enroll.) and get educated to the real battlefront of spiritual warfare. And tell everyone you know that yoga is a direct pathway to spiritual oppression that is not easily removed. 

An encouraging word: IN HIS HOLY PRESENCE

Psalm 24:3 asks an important question: “Who may stand in His holy place?” In other words, who may have the right to enter into God’s presence, for now and for eternity? The answer comes quickly in the next verse: “He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” That verse has other qualifications, but just consider the “clean hands” and “pure heart” part. In many churches today, serving God is made to seem so easy with little real commitment. But abiding with Christ is more than a warm feeling from a couple of worship songs. It involves real sacrifice, holy living, and a transparent conscience. Ask yourself today if you are really ready to stand in His holy place.!

Bob Larson has trained healing and deliverance teams all over the world to set the captives free and Do What Jesus Did® (Luke 4:18). You can partner with Bob and support this vision to demonstrate God’s power in action by calling 303-980-1511 or clicking here to donate online