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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Exercising Power Without Exorcising Demons

March 23, 2026 | 27:29

Robert Jeffress - Exercising Power Without Exorcising Demons
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#WordofGod #HealingPower #Demons #SpiritualWarfare #Excellence #Satan #Truth #RobertJeffress

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Exercising Power Without Exorcising Demons | March 23, 2026
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
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  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory" with
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  • Dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress, and welcome
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  • Again to "pathway to victory."
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  • For decades, movies and television specials have fueled
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  • Our fascination with exorcisms and demonic rituals, but what
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  • Does the bible actually teach about casting out demons?
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  • Is exorcism a tool that every christian should use in
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  • Spiritual warfare or was it a gift reserved for a special
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  • Group of people?
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  • Today we're going to examine what scripture says about
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  • Exercising true spiritual power.
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  • The title of my message is "exercising power without
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  • Exorcising demons," on today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • Announcer: whether you know it or not, you're in a battle.
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  • Satan has a strategy to attack your faith, disrupt your family,
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  • And derail your future, but god has given you everything you
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  • Need to fight back and win.
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  • In "the divine defense," dr. robert jeffress reveals
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  • Six practical strategies from ephesians chapter 6 to defeat
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  • Satan's destructive plan.
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  • When you put on the full armor of god, satan doesn't have
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  • A prayer.
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  • Request "the divine defense" when you give a generous
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  • Ministry gift to "pathway to victory."
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  • Jeffress: the other night i was flipping through the television
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  • Channels and i landed on a movie i had not seen before
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  • On purpose.
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  • It was one of those forbidden movies that i had gone out of my
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  • Way not to see, but i'll have to confess to you, my curiosity got
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  • The best of me, and so i indulged.
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  • Now, before the deacons call an emergency meeting, let me assure
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  • You, it was not some pornographic skin flick.
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  • It was a movie you may have heard about.
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  • It was called "the exorcist."
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  • Remember "the exorcist," came out 50 years ago when i was in
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  • High school?
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  • The story of a catholic priest who exorcises, removes, a demon
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  • From a 12-year-old girl.
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  • I remember when that movie came out, there was such a hubbub
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  • About it.
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  • Pastors preached sermons against it.
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  • Pamphlets and books said that if you were a christian and saw
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  • That movie, that was the next step towards satan worship.
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  • And so i avoided it for a long time, but knowing that i was
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  • Gonna preach on this subject, i decided to watch it.
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  • I'm gonna tell you the truth, it was so boring that i ended up
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  • Turning it off, but the fact is that movie, when you look in
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  • History, it began what has been 50 years of discussion in our
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  • Country and our world about exorcisms, demonic influence,
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  • Satanic influence.
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  • It's a discussion that continues right until today, and we've
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  • Looked at paul's weapons in ephesians 6 for defeating
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  • Satan's plan to destroy your life, but are we missing
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  • Something when we don't mention exorcism as a viable tool?
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  • I mean, the fact is, are there some extreme instances of
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  • Demonic activity that are so severe they demand an extreme
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  • Ritual like an exorcism?
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  • That's what we're going to talk about today.
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  • Today we're going to look at how we exercise power without
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  • Exorcising demons.
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  • If you have your bibles, turn to luke chapter 4.
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  • You know, in bible study, we have a principle called the law
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  • Of first mention.
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  • It's very simple.
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  • If you're studying a topic, an individual, a word in the bible,
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  • You need to look at the first time it's used in the bible.
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  • And what makes luke 4 interesting is, it is the first
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  • Exorcism in the bible, and it was performed by the first
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  • Exorcist, jesus himself.
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  • You know, when i read this story in luke 4, i'm reminded of what
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  • One british pastor said.
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  • He said, "you know, after the apostle paul preached, the
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  • People rioted.
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  • After i finish preaching, the people go have tea."
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  • Well, when jesus preached, it excited everybody, including
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  • The demons.
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  • Look at what happened.
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  • Luke 4 beginning with verse 31: "and jesus came down to
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  • Capernaum, a city of galilee, and he was teaching them on the
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  • Sabbath; and they were amazed at his teaching, for his message
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  • Was with authority.
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  • In the synagogue there was a man possessed by the spirit of
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  • An unclean demon."
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  • As we've seen, that term "demon possession" is not in
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  • The scripture.
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  • What it actually says in the original language was there was
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  • A man who was being demonized.
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  • He was under the influence of a demon, "and that demon cried out
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  • With a loud voice."
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  • Remember, demons don't have voice boxes.
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  • They have to speak through human beings.
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  • And so this demon "yelled out with a loud voice, 'leave
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  • Us alone!
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  • What business, jesus, do we have with each other,
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  • Jesus of nazareth?
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  • Have you come to destroy us?
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  • I know who you are.
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  • You are the holy one of god!'"
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  • How did jesus respond to the demon?
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  • Look at verse 35.
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  • "but jesus rebuked him, saying, 'be quiet and come out of him!'
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  • And when the demon had thrown the man down in the midst of the
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  • People, he came out of him without doing any harm."
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  • Jesus doesn't tell the disciples, "oh, we've
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  • Got trouble.
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  • We've got a problem.
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  • We've got a demon-possessed man.
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  • Now let's form a prayer circle around this demon-possessed man
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  • And begin praying for him."
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  • They don't engage in hours of prayer for this
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  • Demon-possessed individual.
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  • They don't all put on garlic necklaces.
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  • They don't break out in latin incantations, none of that.
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  • Instead, jesus says simply to the demon, "be quiet."
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  • Literally, be muzzled, put a lid on it, demon, "and come out
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  • Of him."
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  • And the demon submits himself to jesus's authority.
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  • That was the first exorcism.
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  • No drama, no theatrics like you see on religious tv today in
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  • Some places, just a simple command, and the
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  • Demon responded.
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  • Well, that was jesus, the first exorcist.
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  • Is there anybody else in the bible who had the power
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  • Of exorcism?
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  • Yes, and we find that in matthew chapter 10, beginning
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  • With verse 1.
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  • Jesus delegated the power to exorcise demons to the apostles.
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  • Look at verse 1 of matthew 10: "jesus summoned his twelve
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  • Apostles and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast
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  • Them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind
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  • Of sickness."
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  • I'm going to submit to you today three reasons why exorcism is
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  • Neither relevant nor even effective in spiritual
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  • Warfare today.
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  • Three reasons we do not practice exorcism.
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  • Number one, the specificity of the gift of exorcism.
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  • The specificity of the gift of exorcism, namely, it is only
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  • Given to a few specific individuals.
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  • Go back to this list in matthew chapter 10 that we just looked
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  • At, the names of the apostles, the names of the people to whom
  • 00:07:51.794 --> 00:07:56.365
  • This gift was given: peter, andrew, james, john,
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  • Philip, bartholomew.
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  • Do you find the name of any prominent televangelist in here?
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  • Anywhere?
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  • Is there the name of any pastor in this list?
  • 00:08:07.910 --> 00:08:12.415
  • Is your name in this list anywhere?
  • 00:08:12.415 --> 00:08:16.419
  • No one of us has our name as a recipient of these
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  • Miraculous gifts.
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  • Why do we assume that promises and gifts given to somebody else
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  • Automatically become our promises and our gifts?
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  • I mean, let me give this illustration.
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  • Imagine you're working at a company.
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  • And you get the copy of an email.
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  • It's been sent out company-wide.
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  • The email is not addressed to you, but it's given to you for
  • 00:08:39.742 --> 00:08:42.812
  • Informational purposes.
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  • And the email comes from the president of your company.
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  • And it's given to three people in your company.
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  • It's sent to the three division managers in your company, and
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  • This is what the email says from the president.
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  • It says: "you are hereby authorized by this email to hire
  • 00:08:55.858 --> 00:09:00.429
  • An assistant at a salary not to exceed $75,000 a year."
  • 00:09:00.429 --> 00:09:05.935
  • Now you're looking at this memo and you think, "you know, come
  • 00:09:05.935 --> 00:09:09.505
  • To think of it, i kind of feel overworked myself.
  • 00:09:09.505 --> 00:09:13.142
  • And i think i'll go out and hire an assistant as well.
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  • After all, i'm a part of this company."
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  • What happens?
  • 00:09:19.682 --> 00:09:21.017
  • Your supervisor calls you in.
  • 00:09:21.017 --> 00:09:22.551
  • They can't believe it.
  • 00:09:22.551 --> 00:09:23.886
  • And they say, "why in the world did you go out and hire
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  • An assistant?"
  • 00:09:26.789 --> 00:09:28.124
  • You hold up this email and say, "well, look at the email."
  • 00:09:28.124 --> 00:09:30.993
  • And your supervisor says, "is your name one of
  • 00:09:30.993 --> 00:09:34.096
  • The recipients?"
  • 00:09:34.096 --> 00:09:35.464
  • "well, no, but i assumed if somebody else had the gift,
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  • I had the reason--or the authority to do it as well."
  • 00:09:38.768 --> 00:09:42.204
  • How do you think your supervisor would respond?
  • 00:09:42.204 --> 00:09:44.940
  • He would tell you, you don't have the authority to do this.
  • 00:09:44.940 --> 00:09:48.811
  • This was given to three people, the three division managers.
  • 00:09:48.811 --> 00:09:52.915
  • Now, it's the same way with gifts in the bible or commands
  • 00:09:52.915 --> 00:09:57.019
  • In the bible.
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  • Now, i want you to hold on to your pew, grip the pew in front
  • 00:09:58.354 --> 00:10:01.057
  • Of you right now, 'cause it's gonna shake some of you up.
  • 00:10:01.057 --> 00:10:05.194
  • While all of the bible was given for us, not all of the bible is
  • 00:10:05.194 --> 00:10:12.635
  • Directly given to us.
  • 00:10:12.635 --> 00:10:16.172
  • All of the bible was given for us, but not all of the bible is
  • 00:10:16.172 --> 00:10:21.844
  • Given to us.
  • 00:10:21.844 --> 00:10:24.246
  • For example, god has not commanded anybody in this room
  • 00:10:24.246 --> 00:10:28.818
  • To go out and build an ark to prepare for the coming flood,
  • 00:10:28.818 --> 00:10:33.022
  • Like he did noah.
  • 00:10:33.022 --> 00:10:34.356
  • Remember?
  • 00:10:34.356 --> 00:10:35.725
  • God hasn't given you that command.
  • 00:10:35.725 --> 00:10:37.560
  • God has not given anybody in this room or anybody watching on
  • 00:10:37.560 --> 00:10:40.763
  • Television, the command to go out and sacrifice your firstborn
  • 00:10:40.763 --> 00:10:44.867
  • Son, like he did abraham.
  • 00:10:44.867 --> 00:10:47.503
  • People always say, "oh, pastor, there is a passage in the bible
  • 00:10:47.503 --> 00:10:52.007
  • That indicates all believers have been given this gift," and
  • 00:10:52.007 --> 00:10:56.445
  • It's found in mark 16, verses 17 and 18.
  • 00:10:56.445 --> 00:11:00.249
  • Turn there for a moment because somebody at some point will ask
  • 00:11:00.249 --> 00:11:03.652
  • You about this.
  • 00:11:03.652 --> 00:11:05.554
  • Look at mark 16, verses 17 and 18: "these signs will accompany
  • 00:11:05.554 --> 00:11:10.526
  • Those who have believed: in my name they will," what?
  • 00:11:10.526 --> 00:11:14.897
  • "cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they
  • 00:11:14.897 --> 00:11:19.335
  • Will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison,
  • 00:11:19.335 --> 00:11:23.305
  • It will not hurt them; and they will lay hands on the sick, and
  • 00:11:23.305 --> 00:11:27.376
  • They will recover."
  • 00:11:27.376 --> 00:11:30.212
  • Now, most bibles will have those verses in italics or written
  • 00:11:30.212 --> 00:11:35.985
  • Inside of a bracket.
  • 00:11:35.985 --> 00:11:37.553
  • And if you have a study bible, there'll be a note somewhere in
  • 00:11:37.553 --> 00:11:40.422
  • Your study bible that indicates these verses, mark 16:9 through
  • 00:11:40.422 --> 00:11:45.027
  • 20, including the ones we just read, these verses are not found
  • 00:11:45.027 --> 00:11:50.699
  • In the most reliable manuscripts of the new testament, and
  • 00:11:50.699 --> 00:11:55.037
  • Therefore, it is questionable whether they're really part
  • 00:11:55.037 --> 00:11:58.407
  • Of god's word.
  • 00:11:58.407 --> 00:11:59.742
  • "oh, he's doing it again.
  • 00:11:59.742 --> 00:12:02.478
  • He's making us doubt the word of god," some of you said.
  • 00:12:02.478 --> 00:12:05.514
  • No, listen.
  • 00:12:05.514 --> 00:12:06.882
  • There are three passages in the new testament scholars know
  • 00:12:06.882 --> 00:12:10.653
  • Don't appear in the most reliable manuscripts.
  • 00:12:10.653 --> 00:12:14.156
  • There are not 30 of them.
  • 00:12:14.156 --> 00:12:15.958
  • There are not 300 passages.
  • 00:12:15.958 --> 00:12:18.093
  • There are three.
  • 00:12:18.093 --> 00:12:19.461
  • It's this one, it's also john 7:53 through 8:11, the story of
  • 00:12:19.461 --> 00:12:25.467
  • The woman caught in adultery, and then it's matthew 18:11 is
  • 00:12:25.467 --> 00:12:29.305
  • The third one, where you find in brackets, the verse, "for the
  • 00:12:29.305 --> 00:12:33.642
  • Son of man came to seek and to save those who were lost."
  • 00:12:33.642 --> 00:12:37.546
  • We know it appeared in luke's gospel.
  • 00:12:37.546 --> 00:12:39.448
  • Matthew's version is questionable.
  • 00:12:39.448 --> 00:12:42.451
  • So, what does that mean in our interpretation of this verse?
  • 00:12:42.451 --> 00:12:47.389
  • How are we to handle it?
  • 00:12:47.389 --> 00:12:49.258
  • We had dr. charles ryrie, one of the most conservative christian
  • 00:12:49.258 --> 00:12:53.562
  • Theologians in the world, was a member of our church for
  • 00:12:53.562 --> 00:12:56.532
  • Many years.
  • 00:12:56.532 --> 00:12:57.900
  • He's in heaven now, but in his study bible, you find this
  • 00:12:57.900 --> 00:13:01.570
  • Explanation about these verses, quote, "the doubtful genuineness
  • 00:13:01.570 --> 00:13:07.309
  • Of verses 9 to 20 makes it unwise to build a doctrine or
  • 00:13:07.309 --> 00:13:13.482
  • Base an experience on them, especially verses 16 to 18."
  • 00:13:13.482 --> 00:13:19.255
  • You know what dr. ryrie is saying?
  • 00:13:19.255 --> 00:13:21.590
  • Very simply, before you go pick up a serpent, before you drink
  • 00:13:21.590 --> 00:13:26.829
  • Poison, or before you exorcise demons, you might want to find
  • 00:13:26.829 --> 00:13:31.934
  • A more credible verse to do that than one that is questionable.
  • 00:13:31.934 --> 00:13:38.140
  • And even if you believe these verses do belong in the original
  • 00:13:38.140 --> 00:13:43.512
  • Manuscripts, it belongs in your bible.
  • 00:13:43.512 --> 00:13:46.315
  • Notice verses 17 and 18 clearly indicate not everybody has
  • 00:13:46.315 --> 00:13:51.186
  • Received these gifts, not all believers.
  • 00:13:51.186 --> 00:13:53.889
  • For example, this gift of exorcism is placed alongside the
  • 00:13:53.889 --> 00:13:57.927
  • Gift of healing.
  • 00:13:57.927 --> 00:13:59.295
  • Does every christian have the gift of healing individuals?
  • 00:13:59.295 --> 00:14:04.333
  • If you've got the gift of healing, may i suggest you leave
  • 00:14:04.333 --> 00:14:06.969
  • The service right now.
  • 00:14:06.969 --> 00:14:08.904
  • Don't waste your time here.
  • 00:14:08.904 --> 00:14:10.339
  • Go to baylor hospital.
  • 00:14:10.339 --> 00:14:11.674
  • Go up and down the hallways and heal people if you've got
  • 00:14:11.674 --> 00:14:14.777
  • The gift.
  • 00:14:14.777 --> 00:14:16.145
  • But we don't all have the gift of healing.
  • 00:14:16.145 --> 00:14:19.014
  • If any of us has it, we certainly all don't have it,
  • 00:14:19.014 --> 00:14:22.351
  • And we don't all have the gift of exorcism.
  • 00:14:22.351 --> 00:14:25.321
  • That's why we say the specificity of this gift
  • 00:14:25.321 --> 00:14:29.692
  • Is clear.
  • 00:14:29.692 --> 00:14:31.060
  • It was given to jesus, it was given to the 12 apostles, but
  • 00:14:31.060 --> 00:14:35.130
  • No one beyond that.
  • 00:14:35.130 --> 00:14:36.932
  • But there's a second reason exorcism is not relevant or
  • 00:14:36.932 --> 00:14:41.537
  • Effective, and that's the infrequent mention of the gift
  • 00:14:41.537 --> 00:14:46.008
  • In the bible.
  • 00:14:46.008 --> 00:14:47.609
  • Even if a few people have that gift today, and i don't believe
  • 00:14:47.609 --> 00:14:51.080
  • They do, but even if they do, it's not an important gift,
  • 00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:55.884
  • Because you don't find it mentioned in scripture after the
  • 00:14:55.884 --> 00:14:58.554
  • Book of acts.
  • 00:14:58.554 --> 00:14:59.922
  • Think about that.
  • 00:14:59.922 --> 00:15:01.256
  • Whether you're talking about the apostle paul, the apostle peter,
  • 00:15:01.256 --> 00:15:04.293
  • John, the writers of the new testament, not one of them
  • 00:15:04.293 --> 00:15:08.163
  • Mentions the gift of exorcism.
  • 00:15:08.163 --> 00:15:10.799
  • They don't talk about it at all.
  • 00:15:10.799 --> 00:15:13.002
  • Ephesians 6, we've looked at it, phrase by phrase,
  • 00:15:13.002 --> 00:15:16.171
  • Verse by verse.
  • 00:15:16.171 --> 00:15:17.506
  • Let's look at it as a whole right now.
  • 00:15:17.506 --> 00:15:19.441
  • Here is paul's ultimate discourse on spiritual warfare.
  • 00:15:19.441 --> 00:15:24.146
  • How many of you believe spiritual warfare is real?
  • 00:15:24.146 --> 00:15:26.915
  • You believe it.
  • 00:15:26.915 --> 00:15:28.250
  • You believe satan has a plan to destroy your life.
  • 00:15:28.250 --> 00:15:31.153
  • You believe god has given you the tools you need, the full
  • 00:15:31.153 --> 00:15:34.390
  • Armor of god.
  • 00:15:34.390 --> 00:15:35.758
  • Let's look and see what that full armor is.
  • 00:15:35.758 --> 00:15:38.627
  • It's all listed in ephesians 6, beginning with verse 10:
  • 00:15:38.627 --> 00:15:42.097
  • "finally, be strong in the lord and in the strength of
  • 00:15:42.164 --> 00:15:45.234
  • His might.
  • 00:15:45.234 --> 00:15:46.568
  • Put on the full armor of god, so that you will be able to stand
  • 00:15:46.568 --> 00:15:49.838
  • Firm against the schemes of the devil.
  • 00:15:49.838 --> 00:15:52.274
  • For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the
  • 00:15:52.274 --> 00:15:55.144
  • Rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this
  • 00:15:55.144 --> 00:15:58.947
  • Darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the
  • 00:15:58.947 --> 00:16:02.251
  • Heavenly places.
  • 00:16:02.251 --> 00:16:03.585
  • Therefore, take up the full armor of god so that you will be
  • 00:16:03.585 --> 00:16:07.523
  • Able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything,
  • 00:16:07.523 --> 00:16:10.325
  • To stand firm.
  • 00:16:10.325 --> 00:16:11.760
  • Stand firm, therefore," and here's the full armor, "having
  • 00:16:11.760 --> 00:16:14.930
  • Girded your loins with truth, and having put on the
  • 00:16:14.930 --> 00:16:17.766
  • Breastplate of righteousness, having shod your feet with the
  • 00:16:17.766 --> 00:16:21.270
  • Preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition of all,
  • 00:16:21.270 --> 00:16:24.473
  • Taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to
  • 00:16:24.473 --> 00:16:27.076
  • Extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.
  • 00:16:27.076 --> 00:16:29.711
  • And take up the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
  • 00:16:29.711 --> 00:16:33.148
  • Spirit, which is the word of god."
  • 00:16:33.148 --> 00:16:34.917
  • And don't forget the necklace of garlic with which you will repel
  • 00:16:34.917 --> 00:16:38.087
  • The prince of darkness.
  • 00:16:38.087 --> 00:16:41.557
  • Anywhere?
  • 00:16:41.557 --> 00:16:43.358
  • If paul is going to give us a full listing of the armor of
  • 00:16:43.358 --> 00:16:46.662
  • God, why didn't he talk about the power to exorcise demons?
  • 00:16:46.662 --> 00:16:52.067
  • You know, i was talking to a friend this week, and they
  • 00:16:52.067 --> 00:16:54.103
  • Brought up an interesting point.
  • 00:16:54.103 --> 00:16:55.437
  • They said, "well, if you believe that, how do you explain what we
  • 00:16:55.437 --> 00:16:59.508
  • See happening in third world countries, exorcisms taking
  • 00:16:59.508 --> 00:17:03.912
  • Place, or what about pastor so-and-so?
  • 00:17:03.912 --> 00:17:06.882
  • He's conservative, and he talks about in his study wrestling
  • 00:17:06.882 --> 00:17:10.619
  • With the devil after he exorcised him from another
  • 00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:13.322
  • Human being.
  • 00:17:13.322 --> 00:17:14.690
  • How do you explain that?"
  • 00:17:14.690 --> 00:17:16.492
  • My answer is i don't have to explain it.
  • 00:17:16.492 --> 00:17:19.428
  • I don't have to explain that.
  • 00:17:19.428 --> 00:17:21.430
  • God is free to do whatever he wants to do.
  • 00:17:21.430 --> 00:17:24.633
  • He can do whatever he wants to do, how he wants to do it, but
  • 00:17:24.633 --> 00:17:27.703
  • What i know with absolute certainty about exorcism is
  • 00:17:27.703 --> 00:17:31.273
  • Two things.
  • 00:17:31.273 --> 00:17:32.608
  • First of all, nowhere in scripture am i commanded to use
  • 00:17:32.608 --> 00:17:36.478
  • Exorcism as a way to fight satan and his demons.
  • 00:17:36.478 --> 00:17:39.515
  • There's no command that tells me to do that.
  • 00:17:39.515 --> 00:17:41.717
  • And secondly, beyond no command, there's no instruction in how
  • 00:17:41.717 --> 00:17:46.622
  • To do it.
  • 00:17:46.622 --> 00:17:47.990
  • Thirdly, the limitations of the gift of exorcism,
  • 00:17:47.990 --> 00:17:52.127
  • The limitations of the gift.
  • 00:17:52.127 --> 00:17:54.663
  • Even if you're able to remove somebody from demonic control,
  • 00:17:54.663 --> 00:17:59.601
  • There's no guarantee that it won't happen again and again
  • 00:17:59.601 --> 00:18:04.306
  • And again.
  • 00:18:04.306 --> 00:18:05.674
  • How do i know that?
  • 00:18:05.674 --> 00:18:07.009
  • Because jesus said the same thing in luke chapter 11, verses
  • 00:18:07.009 --> 00:18:09.878
  • 24 to 26.
  • 00:18:09.878 --> 00:18:11.580
  • Listen to what jesus said: "when the unclean spirit goes out of a
  • 00:18:11.580 --> 00:18:15.384
  • Man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not
  • 00:18:15.384 --> 00:18:19.922
  • Finding any, it says, 'i will return to my house,'" that
  • 00:18:19.922 --> 00:18:23.492
  • Other person.
  • 00:18:23.492 --> 00:18:24.860
  • "'i will return to that person from which i came.'
  • 00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:27.563
  • And when it comes, the demon comes, it finds that it's swept.
  • 00:18:27.563 --> 00:18:31.833
  • The life is swept and put in order.
  • 00:18:31.833 --> 00:18:34.570
  • Then it goes and takes along seven other demonic spirits,
  • 00:18:34.570 --> 00:18:38.106
  • More evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the
  • 00:18:38.106 --> 00:18:42.277
  • Last state of that man becomes worse than the first."
  • 00:18:42.277 --> 00:18:46.815
  • Now theologians differ on what the situation is with the man
  • 00:18:46.815 --> 00:18:50.118
  • Jesus is imagining.
  • 00:18:50.118 --> 00:18:51.720
  • Maybe he's not a christian at all, he's truly owned by satan.
  • 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:55.791
  • Or maybe it's a christian who has not surrendered a particular
  • 00:18:55.791 --> 00:18:59.294
  • Area of his life to god, and that area is open for
  • 00:18:59.294 --> 00:19:02.798
  • Demonic influence.
  • 00:19:02.798 --> 00:19:04.233
  • But what jesus is saying is, whether it's an unsaved person
  • 00:19:04.233 --> 00:19:07.936
  • Or a demonically influenced individual, there is no one-time
  • 00:19:07.936 --> 00:19:12.040
  • Act that demon-proofs somebody forever.
  • 00:19:12.040 --> 00:19:16.845
  • Dr. m. scott peck, the late dr. peck, believed that the key
  • 00:19:16.845 --> 00:19:23.051
  • To understanding demonic influence in our life is
  • 00:19:23.051 --> 00:19:26.488
  • The human will.
  • 00:19:26.488 --> 00:19:29.024
  • He said that the single greatest determinant in how demonic
  • 00:19:29.024 --> 00:19:34.563
  • Influence begins and how it is broken is the choice that
  • 00:19:34.563 --> 00:19:39.001
  • We make.
  • 00:19:39.001 --> 00:19:40.369
  • He wrote a book entitled, "glimpses of the devil," and
  • 00:19:40.369 --> 00:19:43.772
  • He's discussed from a medical viewpoint what happened in
  • 00:19:43.772 --> 00:19:47.509
  • An exorcism.
  • 00:19:47.509 --> 00:19:48.844
  • I don't agree with everything he said in the book, but he makes
  • 00:19:48.844 --> 00:19:51.780
  • One statement that i think is dead on accurate.
  • 00:19:51.780 --> 00:19:54.983
  • "the single most important factor in demonic control is
  • 00:19:54.983 --> 00:19:59.421
  • A person's choices."
  • 00:19:59.421 --> 00:20:02.591
  • That's true for how demonic possession begins or influence.
  • 00:20:02.591 --> 00:20:07.229
  • You know, contrary to what people think, it doesn't happen
  • 00:20:07.229 --> 00:20:10.666
  • Just haphazardly.
  • 00:20:10.666 --> 00:20:12.901
  • People aren't just walking along singing a song one day when
  • 00:20:12.901 --> 00:20:16.638
  • A demon says, "oh, i think i'll invade that person."
  • 00:20:16.638 --> 00:20:19.474
  • No, there's an act of the human will that invites satan and his
  • 00:20:19.474 --> 00:20:24.746
  • Demons to take control of their life.
  • 00:20:24.746 --> 00:20:27.215
  • In fact, in his book, he points to a woman who was under demonic
  • 00:20:27.215 --> 00:20:31.086
  • Control, and she could trace it back to an evil book she read as
  • 00:20:31.086 --> 00:20:34.923
  • A little girl that fascinated her and she became fixated on.
  • 00:20:34.923 --> 00:20:40.395
  • In the same way, being free from demonic influence is also
  • 00:20:40.395 --> 00:20:46.601
  • A matter of the will.
  • 00:20:46.601 --> 00:20:48.170
  • In an interview with "christianity today," dr. peck
  • 00:20:48.170 --> 00:20:50.972
  • Said, "the most important exorcist, the one who determines
  • 00:20:50.972 --> 00:20:55.210
  • Whether exorcism succeeds or not, is the patient himself."
  • 00:20:55.210 --> 00:21:00.682
  • Perhaps dr. peck's observations explain why after the book of
  • 00:21:00.682 --> 00:21:05.354
  • Acts, you really don't find exorcism in the bible anywhere.
  • 00:21:05.354 --> 00:21:09.758
  • As more and more of the new testament was written, there
  • 00:21:09.758 --> 00:21:12.761
  • Became less and less a need for these miraculous sign gifts to
  • 00:21:12.761 --> 00:21:16.431
  • Authenticate the message or the messengers.
  • 00:21:16.431 --> 00:21:18.967
  • The way we authenticate today, whether somebody is a messenger
  • 00:21:18.967 --> 00:21:22.371
  • Or god or not, is by their fidelity to the word of god.
  • 00:21:22.371 --> 00:21:26.441
  • That's the test, not whether they can speak in tongues
  • 00:21:26.441 --> 00:21:29.244
  • Or perform exorcisms.
  • 00:21:29.244 --> 00:21:31.446
  • The need for signs is gone now that we have the scripture, but
  • 00:21:31.446 --> 00:21:35.450
  • We still have the need to be free from demonic control.
  • 00:21:35.450 --> 00:21:40.322
  • So how do we do that?
  • 00:21:40.322 --> 00:21:42.257
  • This sentence is worth the price of the sermon.
  • 00:21:42.257 --> 00:21:45.594
  • Listen to neil anderson.
  • 00:21:45.594 --> 00:21:47.396
  • He said, "the responsibility for living free in christ has
  • 00:21:47.396 --> 00:21:53.502
  • Shifted from the specially endowed agent of authority to
  • 00:21:53.502 --> 00:21:57.873
  • The individual believer himself."
  • 00:21:57.873 --> 00:22:01.676
  • It's not some pastor, some priest, some pope, some
  • 00:22:01.676 --> 00:22:05.213
  • Spiritual christian who's going to free you from
  • 00:22:05.213 --> 00:22:07.983
  • Demonic control.
  • 00:22:07.983 --> 00:22:09.351
  • They have no authority to do that.
  • 00:22:09.351 --> 00:22:11.987
  • No, you are the most important determinant in how much
  • 00:22:11.987 --> 00:22:15.624
  • Influence satan is going to have in your life.
  • 00:22:15.624 --> 00:22:19.161
  • Let me just cut to the chase here.
  • 00:22:19.161 --> 00:22:22.030
  • God has commanded and equipped every christian to be his
  • 00:22:22.030 --> 00:22:27.636
  • Own exorcist.
  • 00:22:27.636 --> 00:22:30.539
  • We have everything we need, the holy spirit of god, we have
  • 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:34.209
  • Every instruction we need, ephesians 6, to be free.
  • 00:22:34.209 --> 00:22:39.014
  • Jeffress: we don't need dramatic rituals or specially gifted
  • 00:22:43.185 --> 00:22:46.755
  • Individuals to set us free from demonic influence.
  • 00:22:46.755 --> 00:22:50.392
  • The responsibility for living in victory rests within each one
  • 00:22:50.392 --> 00:22:54.095
  • Of us and the choices we make every day.
  • 00:22:54.095 --> 00:22:57.866
  • Well, at "pathway to victory," we refuse to shy away from
  • 00:22:57.866 --> 00:23:01.036
  • Difficult topics.
  • 00:23:01.036 --> 00:23:02.437
  • We're committed to teaching the uncompromising truth of
  • 00:23:02.437 --> 00:23:05.440
  • Scripture even when it challenges popular opinion.
  • 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:09.277
  • And because of your faithful support we're able to bring this
  • 00:23:09.277 --> 00:23:12.280
  • Kind of bold biblical teaching to people all across america
  • 00:23:12.280 --> 00:23:17.052
  • And around the world.
  • 00:23:17.052 --> 00:23:18.420
  • Through television, radio, and digital streaming, we're
  • 00:23:18.420 --> 00:23:21.590
  • Reaching men and women who are hungry for answers that only
  • 00:23:21.590 --> 00:23:25.293
  • God's word can provide.
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  • Thank you to our pathway partners and to everyone who
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  • Gives generously to this ministry.
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  • Together, we are piercing the darkness with the light of
  • 00:23:33.101 --> 00:23:36.304
  • God's word.
  • 00:23:36.304 --> 00:23:37.672
  • Now please stay right there.
  • 00:23:37.672 --> 00:23:39.007
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:23:39.007 --> 00:23:43.645
  • Announcer: that recurring temptation you can't shake, the
  • 00:23:43.645 --> 00:23:46.448
  • Doubts that creep in during your darkest moments, the tension in
  • 00:23:46.448 --> 00:23:49.885
  • Your closest relationships, these aren't random struggles,
  • 00:23:49.885 --> 00:23:53.455
  • These are part of a strategic attack on your faith, your
  • 00:23:53.455 --> 00:23:56.358
  • Family, and your future.
  • 00:23:56.358 --> 00:23:57.993
  • Jeffress: satan has a personalized plan to discourage,
  • 00:23:57.993 --> 00:24:01.530
  • Deceive, and derail you.
  • 00:24:01.530 --> 00:24:03.765
  • But you don't have to live in defeat.
  • 00:24:03.765 --> 00:24:06.201
  • God has given you access to the same power that raised jesus
  • 00:24:06.201 --> 00:24:09.771
  • From the dead.
  • 00:24:09.771 --> 00:24:11.139
  • In my bestselling book, "the divine defense," i'll show you
  • 00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:14.376
  • How to put on the full armor of god and use six biblical
  • 00:24:14.376 --> 00:24:18.146
  • Strategies to defeat satan's plan to destroy your life.
  • 00:24:18.146 --> 00:24:22.817
  • Announcer: request "the divine defense," when you give
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  • A generous gift to "pathway to victory" or when you become
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  • A pathway partner.
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  • And when your gift is $100 or more, we'll send you the
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  • Complete resource set including the study guide, "suit up!
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  • The armor of god for kids," and the teaching series on both cd
  • 00:24:35.997 --> 00:24:39.901
  • And dvd.
  • 00:24:39.901 --> 00:24:41.269
  • Jeffress: your mind is the devil's battlefield on which he
  • 00:24:41.269 --> 00:24:45.507
  • Is warring against everything important to you.
  • 00:24:45.507 --> 00:24:50.679
  • It is a battle that seeks to destroy your faith, your family,
  • 00:24:50.679 --> 00:24:55.350
  • And your future.
  • 00:24:55.350 --> 00:24:56.718
  • Announcer: thank you for supporting "pathway to victory."
  • 00:24:56.718 --> 00:24:59.454
  • Your generous ministry gift helps us broadcast biblical
  • 00:24:59.454 --> 00:25:02.357
  • Truth on television, radio, and online, equipping believers like
  • 00:25:02.357 --> 00:25:06.528
  • You to stand firm and live victoriously.
  • 00:25:06.528 --> 00:25:09.631
  • Together, we're piercing the darkness with the light of
  • 00:25:09.631 --> 00:25:12.500
  • God's word.
  • 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:15.370
  • Jeffress: perhaps you've been waiting for someone else to
  • 00:25:15.437 --> 00:25:17.939
  • Deliver you from a spiritual struggle, but the truth is god
  • 00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:21.876
  • Has already given you everything you need to experience victory.
  • 00:25:21.876 --> 00:25:26.514
  • The question is, will you use the weapons god has provided?
  • 00:25:26.514 --> 00:25:31.319
  • Next time we're going to wrap up our series on spiritual warfare
  • 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:34.889
  • With a very practical message about putting on your
  • 00:25:34.889 --> 00:25:38.393
  • Divine defense.
  • 00:25:38.393 --> 00:25:39.794
  • I'll share six decisions you can make today to diminish satan's
  • 00:25:39.794 --> 00:25:44.532
  • Influence in your life tomorrow and the rest of your life.
  • 00:25:44.532 --> 00:25:48.403
  • Stay tuned for a preview of the next message in our series,
  • 00:25:48.403 --> 00:25:51.806
  • "the divine defense."
  • 00:25:51.806 --> 00:25:54.476
  • Jeffress: the good news is god has given us everything we need
  • 00:25:54.476 --> 00:25:58.046
  • To be successful in that fight against our adversary,
  • 00:25:58.046 --> 00:26:02.517
  • The devil.
  • 00:26:02.517 --> 00:26:03.885
  • And today we're going to answer the "so what" question: "what
  • 00:26:03.885 --> 00:26:06.655
  • Can i do to diminish satan's influence in my life?"
  • 00:26:06.655 --> 00:26:11.192
  • And i'd like to share with you six practical decisions or
  • 00:26:11.192 --> 00:26:15.330
  • Resolves we need to make to diminish the influence of
  • 00:26:15.330 --> 00:26:19.634
  • Our enemy.
  • 00:26:19.634 --> 00:26:20.969
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
  • 00:26:20.969 --> 00:26:24.105
  • "using your divine defense," here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:24.105 --> 00:26:28.610
  • Announcer: join us on the "pathway to victory" cruise to
  • 00:26:30.211 --> 00:26:32.681
  • Alaska, june 13 through 20, 2026.
  • 00:26:32.681 --> 00:26:36.284
  • Jeffress: let me paint a picture for you.
  • 00:26:36.284 --> 00:26:38.219
  • You're standing on the deck of a beautiful cruise ship, coffee in
  • 00:26:38.219 --> 00:26:42.057
  • Hand, watching a glacier calve into the pristine waters while
  • 00:26:42.057 --> 00:26:46.528
  • Bald eagles circle overhead.
  • 00:26:46.528 --> 00:26:49.230
  • That's going to be us this coming june.
  • 00:26:49.230 --> 00:26:51.933
  • You've got to see alaska with your own eyes to believe it.
  • 00:26:51.933 --> 00:26:55.603
  • Announcer: seven days of pure luxury where every meal is
  • 00:26:55.603 --> 00:26:58.707
  • Prepared for you.
  • 00:26:58.707 --> 00:27:00.041
  • The world-class service means you never have to think about
  • 00:27:00.041 --> 00:27:02.644
  • The details.
  • 00:27:02.644 --> 00:27:04.012
  • Instead, you can focus on casual conversations with like-minded
  • 00:27:04.012 --> 00:27:07.649
  • Christians, laughing, telling stories, while surrounded by
  • 00:27:07.649 --> 00:27:11.486
  • God's breathtaking creation.
  • 00:27:11.486 --> 00:27:13.555
  • Jeffress: this is purposeful travel at its finest, refreshing
  • 00:27:13.555 --> 00:27:17.459
  • Your soul in god's stunning cathedral of natural wonders.
  • 00:27:17.459 --> 00:27:21.863
  • Announcer: call...
  • 00:27:22.497 --> 00:27:25.834
  • Or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:25.834 --> 00:27:28.069