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Like many evangelicals, I am warming to Donald Trump. I’m not endorsing him or anyone else, and I don’t know for certain who will get my vote. (OK, not a socialist.) But the Christian nonsense going on in religious circles these days would be laughable if it weren’t pathetic. In case you aren’t aware, some religious “leaders” are saying that Donald Trump has “an anointing” to lead the country out of chaos. A “Cyrus anointing,” whatever that is. (Has “The Donald” become “The Great” of 500 BC?) Others say his Scottish heritage is a link to John Knox, the 16th Century theologian and Presbyterian clergyman. They’ve got to be kidding, but they’re not. It’s sad, but I trust Fox and CNN more than these political pundits cum-Christians. The have less depth than “The Economist” and fewer sources than “Time” magazine. Oh, I get it. They hear from “God.” So why is it that some think Marco’s the man, others say that Cruz is a godsend, and the rest pontificate that Donald Trump is a prophet sent from God. Could it be that all of them are just plain politicians, and none of them can save us from ourselves?

I’m not knocking the idea of Christians having insights into how the next President will led us spiritually and internationally. I’m just disgusted with those who think their Presidential pick is a mandate from God and has the imprimatur of the Almighty. Dreams? Visions? Prophetic words from the Lord? They all claim to hear from God. So why is God picking different Republican candidates as His own? It’s interesting that almost without exception these “prophetic” voices don’t do deliverance. They never battle face-to-face with real devils. Their demons of choice are named Bernie and Hillary. They substitute political hot-talk for a real hot-as-hell confrontation with a soul bound by Satan. They don’t even set one soul free in the name of Jesus, but they claim to be a prophetic mouthpiece of the Lord to set America free in the name of Trump.

Donald Trump may or may not make a good President. That remains to be seen, but can these self-appointed prognosticators for heaven dial back their umbrage a little? (I used umbrage because I know that most of the prophets who may read this will have to look it up and use a real literary resource for a change.) I like a lot of what Trump says but I’m not about to anoint him with a horn of oil yet. The same for all the other candidates. They are all human, mere men. (Ok, one’s a woman.) Let’s not crown them savior yet. We have one Lord. Or, in the heat of a political campaign, have some religious conservatives forgotten that?

An encouraging word: BE CAREFUL WITH WHOM YOU ASSOCIATE

What kind of company do you keep? Who do you hang out with? The Psalmist said, “I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites” (Psalm 26:4). To live a righteous life you can’t run with the wrong crowd. Remember the old saying, “A rotten apple spoils the whole barrel.” Some Christians think that by spending time with sinners they will save them. In my years of experience in counseling, I can attest it usually turns out the other way. If you sit with “deceitful men” the danger is that they bring you down before you bring them up.

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.

Phoenix said “No,” so the suburb of Scottsdale, where I have offices, said yes. The Satanic Temple cult will be allowed to say a prayer before the City Council. The Satanists had originally asked to “hail Satan” before a similar body in Phoenix. That government group decided that, rather than give in to devil-worshipers in the name of freedom of religion, they would replace their normal invocation with a moment of silence. That gave the Satanist what they wanted, no prayers at all, including one to a Judaeo-Christian God. But the devil’s crowd didn’t give up and instead took their war of evil to nearby Scottsdale. Politicians there caved in, and sometime next month, praises to the devil will arise in the city chambers, a setting paid for by God-fearing citizens. According to the Temple, the prayer will include this invocation to demons: Embrace the Luciferian impulse to eat of the Tree of Knowledge and reason our solutions with agnosticism in all things, holding fast only to that which is demonstrably true, Hail Satan.

In the interest of full disclosure, the Satanic Temple doesn’t actually believe in a literal devil. They follow the mode of Anton Lavey, founder of the Church of Satan, that Lucifer is an apt symbol of rebellious, self-indulgent lust, which they advocate. (This brand of Satanism is thoroughly analyzed in LARSON’S BOOK OF WORLD RELIGIONS. To order CLICK HERE.) This is the same group which has erected statues of Lucifer in places such as Oklahoma City and Detroit. In reality, they are a very small group of social misfits who crave public attention for their devilish antics, ne’er-do-wells whose potential is outsized by their actual numbers and influence. Like the drunken Germans of the infamous Munich Nazi Beer Hall Putsch, the potential for evil can’t be underestimated. What they want is to eradicate Christianity’s influence in public life. In Phoenix and Scottsdale, they have set an example for others to follow. These silly Satanists may be headed to your city next, but don’t underestimate their antics. They are getting press and headlines, and if one misguided young person is drawn to them as a result, it’s one too many. With all the prayer and persistence you have, oppose them to the max when they come to your town.

An encouraging word: BE WHERE GOD DWELLS

I often meet people who call themselves Christians but see no need to go to church. I usually direct them to Hebrews 10:25 for starters. But that’s not the only place in Scripture where the importance of believers gathering in unison is emphasized. Consider Psalm 26:8 where David declares that he loves the “habitation of your house . . . where Your glory dwells.” In David’s day this place was a tabernacle, a tent filled with God’s glory. Today, we worship in a church. The point is, we should desire to be where God dwells. Granted, a church is just a physical structure, but it is a location dedicated and consecrated to the corporate worship of the Lord. To you want to be where God is? Have you been to church lately?

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.

I don’t often quote a secular writer as a source of wisdom; in this case John Steinbeck, author of classics such as Of Mice and Men, East of Eden, and The Grapes of Wrath, and winner of the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature. Of his detractors, which there were many when he was alive, he declared, “Time is the only critic without ambition.” As I reflect back on many years of opposition to our ministry of healing and deliverance, I cast an amusing smile of knowing at Steinbeck’s observation. I also want to encourage, by this blog, those who share this calling to cast out demons and set the captives free.

What may be said of those who oppose the deliverance ministry? Think about who they are and what their motives may be. Without ambition? Hardly. Most have a theological axe to grind. They are often self-appointed heresy hunters who’ve never encountered an actual demonic manifestation that they were forced to deal with. They analyze from afar, never getting into the trenches of spiritual warfare. They hide behind their slick Sunday morning presentations, with all the right praise music and theatrical lighting. Nothing wrong with that per se, but the ministry of deliverance isn’t about mass consumption of the gospel in a palatable setting. It means getting down-and-dirty with the devil, relentlessly challenging him on his territory, over hours-weeks-months.

The “ambition,” to quote Steinbeck, of many critics of deliverance is to silence this aspect of ministry because it uncomfortably exposes the shallow, spiritually anemic Christianity of slickly-packaged, mass-marketed American Christianity. We who do deliverance are the thorn under the saddle of those preachers and “prophets” who want to ride comfortably into the sunset to write their next ghost-written best seller, pitch their latest health product or survival edibles, or cavort and consort with godless superstars in the name of relevancy. Such ambitions are exposed for their obvious paucity of true spirituality when compared to the efforts of dedicated deliverance ministers These individuals are often lay people who weep with those who lives have been ravaged by demons. They aggressively confront evil spirits with unflinching boldness. To them I say, soldier-on no matter what the critics say. You only answer to One, your Commander in Chief, who compels you to cast out demons by His authority (Galatians 1:10). Be faithful no matter what others say. “Time” will win out in the end.

An encouraging word: CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS.

What is your purpose in life? God has a plan for each of us individually. But the one purpose we all have is to do “good works” (Ephesians 2:10). That full verse says that we were created “in Christ” for this very purpose. Perhaps you were created with a great talent for music or the arts. God may have destined you for a leadership role in society or the church. God perhaps ordained that you would be successful in commerce or government. Your calling may be to be a pastor or an entrepreneur. But the one thing we all have in common is that God made us to do good and be a blessing to all around us. What is the good God would have you do today?

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

. On our YouTube Exorcism Channel (www.youtube.com/boblarsonexorcism) we present, from our archives, a selected exorcism every other week. On alternate weeks, we run episodes of “Ask the Exorcist.” Since launching this feature, I’ve been astounded at the diversity of questions and the countries from which our viewers watch. In addition to America and Europe, we regularly get questions from places you might not suspect, such as Egypt, Slovakia, Indonesia, Iran, Macedonia, Croatia, Kula Lumpur, Ethiopia, Slovenia, and India (to name a few). I can’t answer every question, so I pick the ones that best represent what our viewers want to know.

A few days ago I got a question from a viewer in Mauritius, a small island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, 1,200 miles off the coast of Africa. The inquirer wishes to remain anonymous, but his question is a common one that I get. I felt the answer was so urgently needed that I am responding here, in this blog. The person wonders if his family is under a curse. Family members sometimes speak in odd vocal inflections. One sibling committed suicide, and another becomes uncontrollably violent. Is it a curse?

First I am thrilled that our ministry reaches so many places via the internet, where the gospel might not otherwise penetrate. As to the issue of there being a curse, consider this. I always look at the statistical probability of whether whatever is taking place might be explained as a natural occurrence. Then I look at the severity of the situation. Finally, are the things which are happening supernatural and evil in nature? In this case, there is clearly a curse at work. The entire family needs to do these things: 1) Place complete trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, 2) renounce all known sins of every ancestor and place unknown sins under the blood of Christ, and the 3) command every evil spirit tormenting the family to reveal its spiritual, legal right, and get ready for spiritual warfare. Manifestations may start any time. Don’t be afraid to resist and rebuke these spirits in the Name of Jesus.

It would be helpful for this individual, and all family members, to read my book CURSE BREAKING (To order CLICK HERE.) and to enroll in our International School of Exorcism® (to enroll CLICK HERE.) If any readers of this blog identify with the struggles of our friend in Mauritius, don’t put off contacting us immediately for an Encounter or Skype session. Stop the suffering, break the curses, and walk in the freedom you deserve as a child of God!

An encouraging word: THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER

Psalm 23 is so beloved because it contains many truths, but we may know its verses so well that we fail to grasp their full meaning. For example, verse six says, “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Most of us have a problem getting through each day, let alone deal with all the challenges of tomorrow. But those who have faith in God can have one matter settled — where they will spend eternity. By having eternity before us resolved, we can put the question of where we’ll spend eternity, behind us. So many things in life are unsettled, but make sure you have determined, by faith in Christ, what home will be yours for eternity.

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 friend of mine recently compiled a slightly tongue-in-check list of things to do if a Christian manifests a demon.  My friend, like me, understands that Christians can be demonized and knows exactly what to do in such a situation; but what about the believer who witnesses a full-blown demonic manifestation from a Christian who doesn’t believe that a Christian can have a demon.  What then?  Well, there are several options available.  My friend has given me considerable journalistic license to reword and restate a few of his humble suggestions.   I’ve extensively embellished his original ideas, preserving the same intent, to bring understanding to a very sticky situation.  In my own words the slightly sarcastic options include . . .

1. Lead the person to Christ, because, if they manifest a demon, they obviously are not a Christian despite their confession and testimony of faith in Jesus.
2. Regretfully inform them that casting out demons ended with the apostolic age, and thus, demons are allowed to run rampant with no solution to the problem.
3. Make sure they consider the possibility that they missed the predestination classification and now are an unfortunate member or the “un-elect” who must sovereignly suffer, no matter what they claim to believe.
4. Instruct them to merely breathe in the Holy Spirit and breathe out the demon quietly as there is no need for any messy manifestations.
5. Inform the person that because they live in America, where there are no demons (evil spirits reside only in Africa), that they are likely acting out scary memories of having seen “The Exorcist” movie too many times.
6. Sadly, tell them that the demon is a “thorn in their side” and they are privileged to suffer like the apostle Paul.
7. Even though the demons can reveal their pet’s name, the street address on which they live, and the secret sins of their past, that what’s happening is all an illusion and they’ll get over it with a good night’s sleep.
8. Hand the suffering soul a Christian devotional book, a C. S. Lewis novel, and a John MacArthur Bible study, and inform them that reading every page will make the devil go away, if he ever was there in the first place.
9. If they really think they have devil inside they might perhaps try exercise at a health club, swallow herbal supplements, or try Holy Yoga to overcome tormenting thoughts, overpowering temptations and the feeling they want to commit some horrible sin.
10. If all the above fails, you could give them Bob Larson’s phone number (that’s me) and suggest a one-on-one Personal Spiritual Encounter. Now that’s a really radical solution that’s out of the box. Who knows, it might actually work.

An encouraging word: DON’T GATHER WITH SINNERS

David makes an interesting statement in Psalm 26:9: “Do not gather my soul with sinners.” Some folks like to hang out with the crowd that breaks the rules and parties the most. They call it fun. But David wants none of it. Perhaps it is because David understood where sinners are headed, to heartache and hell. That’s not how David wants to end his life or spend his days. So, he cries to the Lord to help him to avoid being found with those who reject the moral laws of God. If today you are tempted to go with the flow of the sinners around you, remember David’s prayer and get to church where you can be gathered with those who love the Lord.

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

What’s on your mind? At any given moment, whatever you are thinking is a miniscule amount of information compared to what your brain is capable of processing. Recent research at the prestigious Salk Institute has discovered that the human brain is so efficient that it is able to store more than ten times what scientists previously thought. A single synapse can hold 4.7 bits of information, and the entire brain can contain the equivalent of 20 million four-drawer filing cabinets of text! Or, that’s 13.3 years of HD-TV recording. In processing all that potential data the human brain only generates about 20 watts of power, only enough to light a dim household bulb. What this says to evolutionary biologists is self-evident. How arrogant to think that random chance and natural selection somehow designed all this without any outside intervention. It just happened???

But more to my interest as a minister of healing and deliverance. Consider what we call Ancestral Generational Dissociation, explained thoroughly in our International School of Exorcism (To enroll CLICK HERE.) Also, our current YouTube “Ask the Exorcist” episode explains this phenomenon of inherited memories of ancestral, personality alter-ego states. (To view CLICK HERE.) We know now that the human brain is capable of storing and handling unimaginable quantities of information. Compartmentalizing any number of alter identities is no problem for the mind. Not only that but there is plenty of room for the consequences of any number of curses to reside, along with accompanying demons.

Christians should quit thinking of human brain power in one-dimensional terms. Satan knows the potential to embed our mind/emotions/psyche/soul not only with lots of garbage from the present but also a potentially immense amount of spiritual contamination from the past. Christians truly need to pursue the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16) and also purge the mind of accumulated curses of all forebears, by the blood Christ, in the name of Jesus!

An encouraging word: EVERYONE HAS SIN

The lie of many false cults is that man is divine, and by enlightenment an individual can contact the God within. But 1 John 1:8 reminds us that, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.” The Bible teaches that the heart of man is inherently sinful and in need of spiritual change through the sinless atonement of Christ. Christianity teaches that salvation comes from the grace of God, outside of one’s self. Woe is the man who thinks he isn’t in need of a savior.

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.

Disclaimer. This is not an apologetic for the Republican party. I’m not telling you who to vote for, but you need to know that President Obama carries curses. I don’t mean just from his ancestors. If you know anything about his illegitimate conception, from a polygamous father, you understand his constant opposition to biblical Christianity. But this last week, he really let the cat out of the bag, or should I say, the devil out of his pocket. Obama appeared in a series of interviews with irreverent, barely adult Internet upstarts. One of these was with Internet personality Ingred Nilsen. During the discussion, Obama reached into his pocket and pulled out contents that a true Christian should be embarrassed to possess: a lucky poker chip, a Buddha, and a miniature idol of Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god! Oh yes, he did have a small rosary give to him by Pope Francis, hardly an offset to the other demonic devices.

A poker chip? Spare me that explanation. A Buddha? Simply said it’s an idol of the mere man whose teachings have enslaved millions to believe that spiritual hope lies in “right thinking” and following the “Four Noble Truths,” along with karma and reincarnation. No need for repentance and no need of a savior. (For a detailed analysis of Buddhism, its teachings and dangers, read LARSON’S BOOK OF WORLD RELIGIONS. To order CLICK HERE.)

Hanuman, is sometimes an incarnation of the Hindu god Shiva, the Destroyer, a powerful god-spirit-demon I have confronted many times. This evil entity, Hanuman, is half human, half monkey, a hideous hybrid. As an exorcist I’ve often cast out Hanuman, a demon by biblical definition. Can you imagine how my stomach turns as I see our President, who claims to be a Christian, proudly commending these amulets of evil to a youthful audience on the Internet? I don’t know what’s in Trump’s or Cruz’s pockets, but I pray it is something less than the diabolical evil glorified by Barack Hussein Obama.

An encouraging word: BEAR THE BURDENS OF OTHERS

“Bear one another’s burdens,” the apostle Paul told the church in Galatia (Galatians 6:2). I believe that therapy and counseling, especially when it is Bible-based, has an important role in emotional healing. But a being a good, empathetic listener to a hurting soul can sometimes do just as much good. This is especially true if the listener is a wise, mature Christian. In my own counseling ministry, I’ve met so many individuals who tell me that no one ever let them unburden their soul and speak their pain. Ask God if today there is someone in need to whom you can turn a compassionate ear, and help bear their burdens.

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.

The age of majority, 18 in most countries, is the threshold of adulthood as it is conceptualized (and recognized or declared) in law. It is the chronological moment when minors cease to legally be considered children and assume control over their persons, actions, and decisions, thereby terminating the legal control and legal responsibilities of their parents or guardians over and for them. They are then liable for their own contractual obligations or liability for negligence.

I didn’t write those words. A lawyer did. It’s a legal definition of adulthood; but it’s more than that. It’s a definition of the spiritual responsibility that a parent relinquishes at age 18, and the accountability that a child reaching that age assumes. This is very personal to me, as a parent. Our middle child, Brooke, turned eighteen years-of-age last week. What happened the night before her birthday occurs seldom. if ever, in most Christian homes. My wife and I spent several hours with her explaining what being an adult would mean and counseled her on the challenges and opportunities now before her. But more important, we prayed with her. And not just any prayers. Curse breaking prayers. We’d prayed such prayers before on a regular basis to nullify any assignments that Satan had on her life. But this was our last chance as her parents to speak for her, and we seized the time to do all we could to cancel any generational evil hidden in her life. Brooke is a wonderful Christian woman, but as an exorcist and demon-fighter, I know how cleverly Satan can hide generational evil. That’s why we didn’t pass by this time to pray over her life. Then, after we had broken any and all curses, my wife and I laid hands on her and prayed blessings. I prayed the blessing of a father and my wife prayed the blessing of a mother

There is an important spiritual reason that I share this deeply personal and intimate moment in our lives, which was admittedly very tear-filled. We want to encourage you to do the same with your children and grandchildren. My guess is that few readers of this blog have ever heard anything like this preached from the pulpit of your church. That’s tragic, because every day of my life I minister to people who suffered needlessly because their parents refused (or didn’t know how) to break curses and speak blessings. To learn more, read our book CURSE BREAKING: Breaking the Bondage of Generational Sin (To order CLICK HERE.) and enroll in our International School of Exorcism® where this topic is addressed in depth. (To enroll CLICK HERE.)

An encouraging word: CHRIST DIED FOR THE WHOLE WORLD

1 John 2:2 tells us that Christ died for the sins of the “whole world.” For me, that is hard to grasp. Judas betrayed him. Peter cursed and denied him. His best friends, his disciples, hid from him in the time of his trial. Yet for our sins he bore the agony of the 39 lashes of the cat-of-nine-tails, as well as the horror of the crucifixion. His pain and shame is hard to comprehend; yet, He did it for me, for you, and the “whole world.” The sacrifice of Calvary was corporate, and it was personal. How could anyone not embrace such love and selflessness? What a great mystery that everyone who has lived, does live, and will live can be saved by the atonement of Christ.

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

No, I haven’t seen the movie yet. Yes, I’ve seen the others, including the boring prequels. Will I see it? Perhaps, if I’m ever really bored with nothing consequential to do. Get the picture? I’m not a fan of the Star Wars sagas, so there’s no chance I’ll become an advocate of the latest entry. But my disdain goes way beyond my distaste for science fiction action films. My point in this blog is to simplify why these films have had such a spiritually corrosive effect on our culture. Witness Hillary Clinton closing her last televised debate, not with a final, “God bless America,” but a pandering, “May the Force be with you.” Why do I find these films so dangerous?

George Lucas, the creator of the franchise, was deeply influenced by a Mormon, Gary Kurtz, who turned him on to Eastern religions, namely Buddhism, and Native American spirituality. Lucas eventually studied Meso-American mystic Carlos Castaneda, a spiritualist shaman who communicated with demonic animal spirits. (See my book LARSON’S BOOK OF WORLD RELIGIONS for more details. CLICK HERE to order.) But it was anthropologist and mystic Joseph Campbell who sealed the deal in Lucas’ embracing of the occult. Lucas eventually called himself a “Buddhist-Methodist,” in deference to his childhood religious faith. Lucas called Campbell his “Yoda,” and built that elfin, Zen-spouting character into the films. I recall watching Campbell’s PBS-TV specials in the 80s. They were a clever but direct assault on biblical Christianity, equating all the truths of Scripture with ancient demonic archetypes of Greek Mythology, Hinduism, Buddhism etc. Anyone reasonably versed in Campbell’s syllogistic approach to spirituality can readily see it all played out in every Star Wars film.

To wit, the Force is a primordial energy, neither good nor evil, but taking on the moral quantification of the one wielding it. (That is a precise definition of witchcraft.) To Luke Skywalker, it became good. To Darth Vader, who went over to the dark side of the force, it was evil. Same Force. Same energy. Same power. Just different contexts depending on the motive of who used it. That is a millions miles from biblical constructs of good and evil. In Scripture, good and evil are fixed moral points, good originating with God in whom there is no potential for evil, and evil emanating from Satan, in whom there is absolutely no opportunity for good.

All the Star Wars films are ultimately based on this Hindu/Buddhist/Scientology/witchcraft/archetypal concept and as such have seduced a generation into discarding moral absolutes of what is right and wrong. “The Economist” (12/19/2015, p. 13) a prestigious international news weekly, editorially observed that the “clever technology and powerful marketing” of “The Force Awakens” may “fill a void left by the decline of religion in a more secular world.”

You don’t have to look around you very far to see it’s effect. It’s in academia, the media, the White House, and even many “emerging” megachurches. This is not to say that seeing “The Force Awakens” is a ticket to hell. That’s not the point. Just be aware of the deception of succumbing to the morally numbing effect of this, the seventh in the Star Wars series. “The Force Awakens” is a danger to anyone not biblically grounded. The Christian who sees this movie needs a deep understanding of how Lucas has so cleverly woven his diabolically confused beliefs into what some think is no more than a movie. As Isaiah the prophet warned (Isaiah 5:20), “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness.”

An encouraging word: DON’T LOSE YOUR SOUL

In the mist of all the New Year’s resolutions, think about Matthew 16:25: “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” I’m sure there are many noble things to be desired as a new beginning in a new year. But make certain that all of the worthy goals fit into this ultimate purpose, to cultivate those things which will bring spiritual health to the soul. Negatively, it may mean quitting some very bad habits. Positively, it could entail a greater commitment to prayer and Bible study. Whatever your lofty aims in the months ahead, make certain that they all are focused on preserving the safety of your soul.

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

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.