COUNTER STRATEGIES: PREVENTING TRANSFERENCE OF AN EVIL SPIRIT

COUNTER STRATEGIES: PREVENTING TRANSFERENCE OF AN EVIL SPIRIT

God has given spiritual counter strategies to prevent the transference of an evil spirit:

CONTROL YOUR OWN SPIRIT:

Control your own spirit. Be sure you do not develop a wrong spirit which you can transfer to others:

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. (Proverbs 25:28)

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. (Proverbs 16:32)

...therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously. (Malachi 2:16)

GUARD YOUR TONGUE:

As you have learned, the tongue can be used to create a breach in the spirit and provide access to the enemy. Watch what you say!

GUARD YOUR AFFECTIONS:

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

Guard your affections. Do not give your respect and love to just everyone. You open yourself up emotionally to those you love and respect and this makes you receptive to their spirit.

CAREFULLY SELECT YOUR ASSOCIATES:

The book of Proverbs warns repeatedly of the danger of association with those who have wrong spirits. For examples read Proverbs 1:10-19 and 2:11-22. We are warned:

Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go;

Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul. (Proverbs 22:24-25)

Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. (Proverbs 4:14-15)

Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge. (Proverbs 14:7)

Be not among winebibbers (drunkards)...(Proverbs 23:20)

Whoso is a partner with a thief hateth his own soul... (Proverbs 29:24)

If you walk with wise men their spirits will be transferred to you:

He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. (Proverbs 13:20)

Choose your close associates carefully. If you are a parent, carefully monitor the associates of your children.

GUARD YOUR PHYSICAL SENSES:

You will remember from the study of the flesh that your physical senses are important. Protect your hearing from reports of gossip, accusations, slander, and criticism. They can cause you to develop a wrong spirit. Guard your eyes from violent and pornographic movies or reading materials which can transfer spirits of adultery, lust, and violence.

USE CAUTION IN "LAYING ON OF HANDS":

The "laying on of hands" is one of the foundations of the Christian faith spoken of by Paul in Hebrews 6:1-3. It has important spiritual purposes which are covered in detail in another Harvestime International Institute course entitled "Foundations Of Faith."

What is important to recognize here is that, as demonstrated in the story of Moses and the seventy elders, a spirit can be transferred by the "laying on of hands." If a good spirit can be transferred by the laying on of hands, it is probable that an evil spirit can be also. Be careful about who you allow to "lay hands" on you for the purpose of spiritual impartation.

1. Study further the transference of a good spirit: The prophet Elisha asked for the "mantle" of Elijah to fall upon him at the time of Elijah's death. This "mantle" symbolized the spirit of God which was upon Elijah. Elisha asked for a "double portion" of the good spirit which rested on Elijah. Read the story in II Kings 2.

2. Study further the transference of an evil spirit: Read the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. This is an example of a husband who transferred a spirit of deception to his wife.

3. Study the following references. They reveal the many ways your spirit can be affected with certain attitudes and emotional responses, both right and wrong. Your spirit can be:

Jealous: Numbers 5:14 Hardened: Deuteronomy 2;30 In Anguish: Exodus 6:9 Good: Nehemiah 9:20 Guileless: Psalms 32:2 Right: Psalms 51:10 Broken: Psalms 51:17 Overwhelmed: Psalms 77:3; 142:3; 143:4 Diligent and searching: Psalms 77:6 Steadfast: Psalms 78:8 Failing within: Psalms 143:7 Faithful: Proverbs 11:13; II Corinthians 4:13 Hasty: Proverbs 14:29; Ecclesiastes 7:9 Haughty: Proverbs 16:18 Humble: Proverbs 16:19 Wounded: Proverbs 18:14 Vexed: Ecclesiastes 1:14 Patient: Ecclesiastes 7:8 Proud: Ecclesiastes 7:8 Seeking: Isaiah 26:9 Judgmental: Isaiah 28:6 In error: Isaiah 29:24 Humble and contrite: Isaiah 57:15 Poor and contrite: Isaiah 66:2 Quieted: Zechariah 6:8 Excellent: Daniel 5:12; 6:3 Grieved: Daniel 7:15 Wise: Exodus 28:3 Strong: Luke 2:40 Wrong: Luke 9:55 Worshipful: John 4:23-24; Philippians 3:3

Troubled: Genesis 41:8; Daniel 2:3; John 13:21; II Thessalonians 2:2 Persuasive: Acts 6:10 Stirred: Ezra 1:1; Haggai 1:14; Acts 7:16 Pressed: Acts 18:5 Fervent: Acts 18:25; Romans 12:11 Bound: Acts 20:22 Serving: Romans 1:9 Circumcised: Romans 2:29 New: Ezekiel 11:19;18:31; 36:26; Romans 7:6 In bondage: Romans 8:15 Bear witness with God's spirit: Romans 8:16 Slumbering: Romans 11:8 Meek: Galatians 6:1 Meek and quiet: I Peter 3:4 Prayerful: I Corinthians 14:14; One with God: I Corinthians 6:17 Glorifying God: I Corinthians 6:20 Singing: I Corinthians 14:15 Refreshed: I Corinthians 16:18; II Corinthians 7:13 Restless: II Corinthians 2:13 Filthy: II Corinthians 7:1 United with other believers: II Corinthians 12:18; Philippians 1:27 Preserved: I Thessalonians 5:23 An example of the believers: I Timothy 4:12 Fearful: II Timothy 1:7 Lustful: James 4:5 Willing: Exodus 35:21; Matthew 26:41 Poor: Matthew 5:3 Perceptive: Mark 2:8 Ready: Mark 14:38 Sorrowful: I Samuel 1:15 Sad: I Kings 21:5 Rejoicing: Luke 1:47 Sighing: Mark 8:12

4. Do you feel you have been affected by the transference of an evil spirit? Who do you believe influenced your spirit? What were the results of this negative influence? If you have been affected by the transference of an evil spirit and to defend against being affected by such, follow the counter strategies given in this chapter:

• Control your own spirit. • Guard your tongue. • Guard your affections. • Carefully select your associates. • Guard your physical senses.

• Use caution in "the laying on of hands."

5. There is a special gift of the Holy Spirit called "discerning of spirits." It enables believers to recognize whether a spirit is good or evil. You can study more about this gift in the Harvestime International Institute course entitled "Ministry Of The Holy Spirit."