The conclusion.

              (As seen on Facebook)

I have been grieving some things as I write "on religion" blogposts, and working out how things I've observed and experienced in the evangelical church have been as dysfunctional as an addicted family. I've seen good things happen as a result of better writers than I (and I believe God sovereignly at work) speaking to terrible situations in the church. I'm seeing good things happen where people are waking up to the grip of man-made religion and cult-like mentalities in groups with whom I grew up affiliated or connected.  I'm seeing people freed from the grip of spiritual abuse speaking out in love as my Savior did, and it is beautiful.  I'm even seeing pockets of real repentance and humility as people see their own sins and turn towards a humbler way.

 I am grateful for the internet and the resources that are now available to hurting people. I've been one. I'm being healed but the battle is still intense. I've been personally attacked for calling a spade a spade and trying to honestly observe attitudes and excuses remaining in evangelicalism that disturb me. I have tried to discuss individual attitudes and behaviors without attacking personally, but at times I've been misunderstood.  I no longer care if I am understood so much as that people are healed.  I want to find a healthy way to speak health to situations I am privy to without causing greater harm than good. I've seen too much bullying and perfectionistic and even nationalistic "rightness" over relationship as a real problem in many evangelical circles.  I don't want to be part of that. 

I no longer consider myself "evangelical" though my theology probably is.

 All I want to be known as is a "little Christ", that is, a Christian.  True religion is caring for those in distress. Nothing fancy, nothing more, and nothing less. 

With all this in mind, I am thinking of starting a new blog focused on truth that builds rather than on calling out the deceit that clearly destroys. I think the more we know the Truth, the clearer the lies reveal themselves as twistedness.  I think there are plenty of good blogs dealing with the lies and corruption and I will continue to read and support them.  I may repost things I've said as they become relevant in the news. But I think I have said all I can say on the brand of religion I know most about. 

I hope people come out of the authoritarianism and dysfunction of the current state of things and value God's Word over the teachings of men, even the best of teachers. I pray that humility and our love begins to characterize those of us who consider themselves Christians. 

Peace to all. 

(Updated July 2017)

Do T4G Evangelicals care?

That is the question I had to take a break from twitter to consider. 

I am so sad at the hardness of heart amongst many fellow believers.  I had a conversation yesterday where someone corrected my apparent use of a false dichotomy, yet had no concern for the issue I was raising, however badly.  There is such a heartless attachment to getting the definitions right on the gospel and yet no concern whatsoever for the victims of lying church leaders and the perpetrators of abuse that they enabled and even supported.

The blindness in many Christian circles to our own sinful cover-up and enabling is disgusting.  I feel sick considering what victims of spiritual and sexual abuse have had to suffer to find a voice and cry out for justice to protect more kids from being targeted for abuse.  I am scared for my own kids.  I am hurt because of the rejection I have experienced in certain circles for being willing to be honest on much lesser things than sex abuse and cover-up.  I am angry for the time I sat through a church meeting in an evangelical church where we discussed for ONE HOUR whether our signage was in keeping with the history of the building rather than caring about the homeless who slept outside.

I am sick of much of evangelical Christianity.  I am sick and disgusted at lies and cover-up.  It is an open secret in certain Christian circles that CJ Mahaney knew about sex abuse, he has not denied this, and so many people still prefer to protect him than apologize to victims.  The lawsuit speaks for itself.  There was a conspiracy of sorts: to protect ministry at the expense of those run over by the bus of religion.  CJ Mahaney is NOT repentant, or he would step down, just as Mark Driscoll is NOT repentant for his own abusive style or he would stop preaching as if he has something authoritative to say.  All I can say is Ichabod: "the glory of God has departed" and this is not ministry.

I am concerned that very few of us really care about victims.  This means very few of us have our heads on straight.  People have lost everything because they have stood up for the truth of what happened, but in the end, God will vindicate them.  There is too often no fear of God amongst those who preach it most.  If there were, there would be humility and grief over this sin.  It would be called out and dealt with directly.  And instead so many are proud.  The evil man should have been put out of our midst immediately as well as turned over to the law for justice and child protection.  This is not a difficult concept.  Yet the Gospel Coalition thinks its articles on child protection should be "engaged with" by people they've blocked for asking why they are standing behind a man who did not protect children according to their own guidelines.  That's nuts.

I'm "nobody"; that is, I am an ordinary Christian. Most of us bloggers are.  Some have lost family members and close relationships for their commitment to truth.  So many people would rather live in the dark than face the Light.  Talking to our church leaders does very little, because they are too often political rather than concerned with the truth.  I am asking: do Christians care?  My concern is, how many of us truly love Christ WHATEVER IT COSTS US?  I'm sorry to shout-type, but it's so frustrating that anyone could think there is a different opinion on this, and that victims should be expected to just "forgive" (overlook and accept) blatant misuse of authority and refusal to deal with sin.  Authoritarian and unChristlike abuse has gone on long enough. 

Wolves are in positions of perceived authority these days in many areas, perpetuated by this evil hierarchical culture that ignores the priesthood of all believers, and if we love God, if we truly love Christ, we can no longer support people who care more about religion and abstract truth than love worked out in reality.  We are known by our fruits.  If our fruit is anything other than love, if it is in fact lies and deceit, I ask myself, are those truly Christians?  Because I believe true Christians- true "little Christs" care passionately about people, we are known by our LOVE, and God is no respecter of persons.

Imagine what Paul would say to us Corinthians now.





I conclude with a link to thoughts I entirely endorse:

http://boz.religionnews.com/2014/05/23/searching-jesus-todays-church/

- I grieve that many within the Church prefer the sounds of conference speakers, blog posts and tweets about theological nuances to the cries of the abused and marginalized.

- The Gospel needs no protection, and neither do we when Jesus is our source of security.

- I grieve that not even one pastor from the church came to court to support the brave victims who eventually came forward and testified.

What kind of hard heart does it take to silence survivors of abuse along with their families, while protecting "ministries" and "pastors" instead?

http://mattbredmond.com/2013/06/01/what-kind-of-hard-heart/

God sees and He will not be mocked. 

http://luthermatic.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-crime-of-partiality_28.html?m=1

Update April-16-2016: title adapted from "Do Christians care?" on 4-16-2016, because evidence suggests many do, including the one who corrected my poor reasoning skills at time of writing.  One link also removed as the others represent my point best.

NO excuse for covering up sex abuse

"Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires," BUT sometimes we need to overturn the tables and destroy the marketing mentality as Jesus would do. 

Work it out in the Light- don't let it fester in the dark.

 photo source:http://whowouldjesussue.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/whowouldjesussue-a-call-to-action/

I wrote the following on my Facebook page and initially as a response to the excellent blog-post mentioned within it.  I accept my tone was very angry, but having re-read it, and with all that has happened in Christendom either of the Catholic or Protestant variety over the centuries, I think that anger is one of the healthiest responses to such evil.  The evil is not simply the abuse itself, which is horrifying, but the most insidious and inexcusable evil is the cover-up of abuse that has been accepted in the name of God.  

Evangelicals take note: this is no longer a Penn State/ Roman Catholic priests issue- this is in house and we need to deal with it in family NOW. No excuses, and I won't accept any stupid "you're a gossip" comments, because telling the truth isn't gossip, and God isn't threatened when sin is exposed, even if "ministries" are.

My comments on http://www.theologyforwomen.org/2013/02/gospel-testimony-amidst-abuse-in-our.html

Thanks for sharing this. Have not come across any scandal until today that I was directly connected to...

Then today I heard for the first time of the details of ABWE firing GRACE for [the way in which GRACE was] investigating sexual abuse that was first reported in 1989 and potentially occurred then and more than once because the abuser was not dealt with appropriately.

I grew up as an MK and knew people then in ABWE who are still very precious to me now. It is appalling that some mission boards and Christian ministries can be secretive and do not feel accountable to basic child protection laws or rules of professionalism.

There is separation from the world, but never cover-up of evil excused as "in-house/in-family issues". It reminds me of the Corinthian church- and yet so many in the circles I grew up in might judge harshly the kinds of things that were going on in Corinth.

I'm not sure we're so far from it, or that we ever were- I think the internet has opened up a venue for people who have been victimized to take a much-needed stand against abuse of all kinds, and frankly, the church needs to wake up and stop enabling abusers to not only give Christ a bad name but also re-victimize victims by claiming they aren't "forgiving enough".

The manipulation, shame, silencing, and abuse has to stop being excused and "forgiven" when repentance is not flowing from the top down. Leaders are doubly accountable for what they know- there can be a level of confidentiality and grace, but there should also be transparency and openness to dialogue.

There should also always be a clear obedience to the laws of the land- such as mandated reporting- even if it tears families apart, as some leaders fear it might. Better to be obedient to the Word of God by submitting to authority than to claim false authority to do whatever the heck we want in protecting [key word: our] ministry.

Every true believer should be massively grieved by all that has gone on in the church regarding abuse of any kind- but instead too many of us are proud- and Paul has strong words to say about this: remove the evil person from among your midst. Are we really aware that in some cases that means dealing with our leaders when they get proud? That exposing sin in house/in family is what we are to be about? (not to shame or leave no way for repentance/restoration, but to protect and leave no room for evil to blossom.)

I am so sick of the evangelical mentality that excuses authority figures in the church on the basis that if you talk about this stuff you are a gossip. We need to have a conversation about this stuff, and the church needs to step up and obey the laws of the land, at the very least. God will vindicate those of us who talk.



This is the worst kind of "taking God's name in vain" I know:  to justify a no-consequence policy of "forgiveness" which includes re-victimizing the victim by demanding their forgiveness based on assumed repentance on the part of the abuser.  It puts evil human beings in the place of God to demand their treacherous and twisted version of justice.  That is a slap in the face of the Most High God for any Christian who is part of the royal priesthood of believers as described in the New Testament.

I am still horrified, shocked, and angry that such evil can exist within the ranks of people who claim to know and worship the same God I worship.  Such evil cannot be allowed to continue to exist amongst us.  In light of recent events in both the Calvary Chapel and Sovereign Grace movements, as a believer I cannot sit back and pretend this stuff is all made up lies.  Too often the church has chastised believers for taking matters to the judicial system of the land.  Yet the Bible calls us to submit to the authorities of the land and to clean house, rather than what is happening today where we hide our sin in house and submit to abusive leadership rather than to the laws of the land.

These things should not be.  The priesthood of believers is not only entitled, but required, to address such issues.

Recently, I believe this abuse of authority "in house" has gone to the next level:  trying to manipulate the authorities of the land to cover up abuse.  Instead of transparency and repentance where necessary, ministries have appealed to legal loopholes or launched their own lawsuits against those calling for justice- even launching lawsuits against their own family members.
(see
http://www.abolishsexabuse.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1744:outrage-growing-over-calvary-chapels-bob-grenier-suit-against-allegedly-abused-son&catid=72:us-news&Itemid=180      )

There is a wealth of in-context exegesis of Scripture that could refute such lawsuits as unChristian, but I need not mention those verses here to back up my thoughts, since Christians should know what the Bible says.  Suffice it to say, on any level, this is tragic.  Beyond that, the laws of the land are in place to protect the victim, not to re-victimize them.  The law doesn't always work, and it can certainly be corrupted or abused, but how dare people name the name of Christ and then use the law to silence the hurting?  Why not rather be wronged?  Instead, we are defeated already.

The kind of initial/gut response I might expect from some who read this is documented just below.  My response is highlighted, and I stand by it.


"You're hurting the cause of Christ by talking about this stuff."

NO.

We're hurting the cause of Christ by not dealing with this stuff.

https://m.facebook.com/margaretfeinberg/photos/a.212041835516619.51934.175409942513142/708586582528806/?type=1&source=46 

Slandering committed Christians who blog is never noble.

When leaders can't handle criticism, they show themselves to be immature and insecure leaders. Those who serve well are worthy of double honor; no one in leadership should be even remotely connected with slandering or beating up or bullying others, whether emotionally/spiritually or verbally/"internetly" or physically/sexually.  

Christians are called to discern what is true, and bloggers who criticize constructively (based on God's truth found in Scripture) are a great resource to the church.  We don't have to agree with each other entirely to be in this together.  Freedom of speech cannot be limited by any form of Christianity, or it's just another cult.  

Personal attacks with no basis in truth or objective observation are unChristian, ungodly, and uncalled for- whoever they come from.  

Christians must live up to the name they bear, or they themselves may not be His, in which case they should never be followed.  This is serious.
This is no joke:
http://www.fightingforthefaith.com/2009/12/perry-nobles-employees-assinate-the-character-of-a-critic.html  Update: 4-16-2016: I have long been unable to recommend Fighting for the Faith due to apparent associations with un-repentantly arrogant men such as JD Hall of Reformation Montana and Fred Butler of Grace to You.


Bullying has to stop. 
True pastors and churches can respond to bloggers and dissenters with respect and humility. This is why I and others must blog. Thank God for freedom of speech! And even for the media and the protection of the legal system, despite all those who would cover things up and have a hush hush attitude. This is not the attitude of Christ. Truth or even having an opinion is never about personally slandering any party. 


"I just wonder how in the world some of these bullies/guys are getting into church leadership positions... Seem to be lots of itching ears out there these days."
-A concerned Christian who won't be censored and who believes without apology it's all about Jesus Christ/Messiah (Savior-Anointed One).

"getting real" about a personal culture clash

Thinking through the things that annoy me about Evangelical Christianity, I had one of those epiphanies the other day- that "aha moment" when things fall in place.  I believe my "outside of the box" mentality runs counter-culture to Evangelical culture, and that a lot of the stuff that just grates on my nerves could be partially a result of culture-shock, because much of it is contrary to some hidden British sensibilities I never knew I had.  

It always aggravated me when I lived in the UK when people would say nasty things about Americans or American Christianity to me, thinking I would be on their side because I sounded like them and thought a lot like them.  Perhaps I am now experiencing this culture-clash in reverse: that would explain why it angers me so much when Mark Driscoll is so appallingly brutal about theology towards Justin Brierly whilst on air in the UK and yet sits down with T.D. Jakes in the US and is so professional, despite deep theological differences (I hope).

I simply hate the way we Christians can play politics with religion; the way that we are (all) afraid to speak the truth in love into difficult situations- especially where truth might reveal our culture- even one's particular church culture- to be off-balance or plain wrong.  Just as I hate nastiness in debate, I am sick of people in the church being sometimes more "nice" than they are truthful; also, I am sick of being so afraid to say something wrong that I say nothing at all.  I think from my blogging it's obvious I'm moving past that attitude pretty aggressively (!), however, I want to come to a point where my expressions of truth are not simply a reaction to lies, but rather a healthy understanding of what God is teaching me that might positively impact others.

The areas I have great issues with lately include such things as tithing vs giving, church membership vs "covenant partnership", the Christian cliches and jargon I hear all the time such as: "missional", "complementarian vs egalitarian", "being real", "it's all about Him/the gospel", "vision casting", "legalism", and last, but I'm sure there are more: "being intentional".

It's not that these issues should never be discussed, taught about, or defined according to a church's particular understanding of them, but my problem is that I have a cultural reaction to much of these issues, having worked out what I believe and therefore live out regarding them, outside of either my former or my latter culture.  And then I come into the church and few people seem to be going back to Scripture to check what they are being taught because it fits their cultural view of the world.  The American Evangelical church seems to me to be sometimes so overly focused on being positive they cannot face the fact we need to get down and dirty in the negative once in a while to muddle through what the Bible actually says about this or that.

To explain what I believe, let me take for example what I believe about church membership and giving.  From Acts, I understand that the early church did indeed keep records of those who were members of the Body of Christ, that is, "being saved".  From the New Testament I see clearly that the only requirements for membership of the Church were salvation by faith in Jesus and baptism in obedience to Christ.  Moving on to what I understand about giving, I nowhere in the New Testament see church members required by membership covenant to inform anyone else, not their church, not their leaders, and never in order to become a member of the church, what they were committing before God to give, nor do I see a percentage stipulated.  Giving was to be sacrificial and out of a heart of love, and the New Testament nowhere requires tithing, instead we are clearly expected to pay our taxes to our government.  A Christian who never gives is potentially an oxymoron, but any Christian who gives under compulsion or without sensible stewardship of all God gives them is also out of the will of God as revealed clearly in Scripture.  This is as I understand it from having wrestled through good times and debt, teachings on tithing, and what I see in the Bible.

Yet I keep hearing teaching in the Evangelical church that is based on individual leaders' personal convictions - with proof-texting to support - rather than teaching based entirely on the grace and truth of God's Word.  This is where my culture-shock begins:  when you try to challenge this stuff and learn and grow by questioning, particularly in American culture although I also experienced this in Evangelicalism in the UK at times, you tend to get shut down, nicely or not, for challenging the leadership who are said to be in authority. 

Yet I understood- again from Scripture- that we are to "test everything", "even if Paul or an angel of the Lord should teach it", because even leaders can be deceived.  In fact, I always understood that submission and accountability in the Body were mutual despite a variety of roles, and that hierarchies of authority were of the world, not of Christ.  The authority that leaders have comes from their correct understanding, teaching, and applying of the Truth, not simply on the basis that they have "seated themselves" in a position of authority or been granted it by a congregational vote.  All authority always belongs to Jesus, and that works for me!

I also have understood- especially from experiencing other cultures- that none of us has the monopoly on truth.  Also that truth must be tested by God's Word, not proof-texted to make our lives easier.  So I feel the clash between the truth I have wrestled with and the culture and politics of being positive in the (American) church.  It is good for me to wrestle, but it is hard to stand alone on occasion when you think you actually might just be right.

Finally, I love the church wherever it is found, and so I hope I can be a catalyst for some honest self-examination but not navel-gazing, as that would not help anyone.  I don't have everything right, but I don't believe I am or anyone else is in sin if we get a few things wrong, or if we stand on things we are convicted about and later find we were misguided.  Growth goes forward, and yet it isn't wrong to stick to one's principles as long as we're open to the possibility we might be wrong.  At least the push-back I have got from those in authority in my past and my present has pushed me to go back to the Bible and study out what God in His grace requires of me.  It is- always- quite simple, and it begins in REST.

These thoughts about culture clash came to me in the context of some rocking music one Sunday morning.  I love music, and I definitely love quality music that is sung to worship God.  But I get just as tired of what I see as a brash American fist-pumping and happy-no-matter-what style of worship as I did of the style in some of the churches I attended in the UK where the music was theologically accurate but musically sad and somber.  

Sometimes I just long for some "real" reality: to worship humbly in true spirit and true truth.  To be still and know that God is God, despite the music, or even yes because of it, but not distracted by how good or loud (or quiet) or excited it is; instead simply pointed to the God of the universe who loved me and gave Himself for me even while I was yet a sinner.  I just don't know anymore sometimes if we are really clapping God or "whooping for His glory" so much as being carried away by emotion and engaged in the enjoyment of good music or talented worship leaders.  Similarly, I sometimes find it hard to really focus on Jesus- even when it's apparently "all about Him"-because the trappings of cultural Christianity can drown Him out.

What I need- beyond any culture- is to hear God's still small voice speaking truth with grace in power, love, and a sound mind.

What we need to experience is God working by the Holy Spirit to elevate Jesus the Anointed One. 

What I don't need is the "being real" religion that so often replaces the real Jesus Christ.

We definitely don't need more religious activity nor perfect conformity.

Maybe we need some creative mess before the full picture can be understood.  Maybe what we need is transformation.

When God, not a program or institution, is in charge, then it will truly all be about Jesus Christ/Messiah.  Then all cultures, nations and languages will see, not Americanity, but Immanuel:  God with us.

religious recipe for disaster

Christians, "You have died with Christ, and He has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world."  The verses listed below in step #3 seem to make it quite clear that such a trial is NOT appropriate for a Christian, because Christians are in dwelt by the Holy Spirit of God, though I agree they are not unaffected by the world, the flesh and the devil, as other passages of Scripture make clear.

Yet below is apparently a detailed recipe for how to conduct an exorcism, ahem, "Spiritual Warfare Trial".  My concern is how easy it would be to abuse people's minds, emotions, and thoughts by focussing on demons within rather than a counselee's need for Christ, who is "full of grace and truth".  Someone suffering from post-natal depression or a profound loss, for example, would be VERY susceptible to spiritual abuse by such a trial, if conducted in the emotional direction this appears to head.

It is also true that cults use the tactic of breaking a person down to gain their loyalty, and this is the danger I would be concerned about with this model of "helping" a struggling individual.  God doesn't need to know demons' names to remove their influence, and though there are demonic forces out there, Christians need to be reminded of who dwells in them- His love, power, and sound mind.

If someone is not saved, or is actively engaged with the occult, even so, our greatest need is always salvation by grace through faith- a gift of God that defeats the powers of hell.  Exorcism just isn't part of the equation in dealing with precious souls, rather truth and love always are, and the Spirit can guide Christians in conversations without having to have a formula.  In my opinion, what is said below could potentially cause a weak mind to go over the edge, and could cause unhealthy fear and accusation.  It reminds me of the Salem Witch Trials, to be frank.  I may be wrong, but this is here for your perusal- see

http://cdn.marshill.com/files/collection/documents/spiritual-warfare_9080_document.pdf

for context and full teachings.  My concern is not so much whether this is what Christianity teaches, or even if it is sound doctrine or not; my concern is whether or not this can ever be used in a healthy way.

My deepest concern is that someone who is hurting might be offered a formula response to their hurt and become very confused about the truth of God's love as a result.  If someone with a history of depression was told they have demons, or if a couple can have all their marital problems linked to the wife's so-called "sexual demons" as has actually happened(!)  ( http://matthewpaulturner.net/jesus-needs-new-pr/exorcism-at-mars-hill-one-womans-story/ )  I have to be concerned, because I don't see Jesus treating people this way when they are needing help.

Spiritual Warfare 

Pastor Mark Driscoll 

Tuesday, February 5, 2008 

Note: Both NIV and ESV are used in this lecture. 

[...]

Spiritual Warfare Trial 

Step #1 – Share the gospel and make sure they are a Christian. 

Step #2 – Explain the world, flesh, and devil, and how ground is given.  

Step #3 – Explain our trial. 

• 1 John 4:1–6 

• Ephesians 6:10–18 

• 1 Peter 5:8 

• Explain demonic oppression, occupation, and possession  

Step #4 – Explain the counselee’s participation. 

• Our authority is in Christ. 

• You must tell the entire truth. 

• Tell me everything the demon tells you, no matter how odd it may seem.  

• Tell me everything you see, no matter how odd it may seem.  

• Pride and fear will hinder our progress. 

Step #5 – Explain confessing and canceling sin. 

Step #6 – Establish the ground rules. 

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ . . .  

I will be using the personal pronoun we because I stand with 

___________ united with them as their brother in Jesus Christ and since the 

Holy Spirit lives in us we command you in the name and authority of the One 

True God who rules as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You are an unwanted 

intruder and who is going to have to leave upon command. 

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we . . .  

• establish our authority over Satan and demons delegated to us by the 

Lord Jesus Christ 

• bind the strong man 

• command that you convey your answers to _____________ and they will 

convey your answers to me. You will not speak to me because you are on 

trial and under the authority delegated to me by the Lord Jesus Christ.  

• command that you not change your authority structure, hide, duplicate 

your identity, or change your name 

• there will be no profanity 

• you will answer every question directed at you clearly, concisely, 

immediately, completely, and truthfully 

• command that you will not have any outside help or reinforcement during 

this trial 

• command that the answers you give must stand as truth before the White 

Throne of the Lord God Almighty 

 9 

• there will be one-way traffic only from the demon to the pit. You will not in 

any way bother anyone else anywhere at any time, especially those in the 

room and their families, including but not limited to entering another 

person. 

• bind you by any name you give, and will name you if needed 

• command that you speak only that which can be used against you 

• bind you by the ground rules we lay down 

• command that there will be no control of the mind, confusion of the mind, 

tongue, or body, that they will maintain complete self-control and there 

would be no harm done to them in any way 

• you will take all of your associates and your collective works and effects 

with you 

• ask you Holy Spirit to rule over all spirits and force them to cooperate 

according to the ground rules and punish any who seek to disobey them 

Step #7 – Declarations of truth. 

We claim the following declarations of truth before the White Throne of the 

Lord God Almighty . . .  

• we claim protection from and authority over Satan and all his demons 

(Luke 10:18–20) 

• we claim our position in Christ and that all things under Christ’s authority 

are now under our authority (Eph. 1:18–2:8) 

• we claim our victory in the Lord Jesus Christ (Col. 2:13–15) 

Step #8 – Determine two or three primary areas to begin. 

Step #9 – Confess sins and cancel grounds and command leaving in each area 

one at a time. 

Take each category and have the person pray to God to confess and 

repent of their sins in each category. Then have them cancel any ground given, 

command that the named spirit and all of his works and effects and all of his 

servants and their works and effects be cast away to the pit for judgment by God. 

Then, have them request that the Holy Spirit reclaim all the ground they had 

given and rule in that area of their life.  

Step #10 – Ask the Spiritual Inventory questions. 

Often it is best to begin with addressing ancestral sin and address it first 

because it tends to have the deepest root in someone’s life. The counselee can 

pray something like, “Lord Jesus, if there are any spirits who have anything to do 

with me, body, soul, or spirit because of my ancestral sin, I ask that you please 

forgive this sin and cancel any ground they have held against me.” 

 10 

If there are any demons working in (name) in the area of (issue), we bind all of 

you together along with all of your works and effects and command that you 

come forward. 

We now command that spirit holding highest authority of all those bound and 

brought forward in the area of (issue) to step forward alone. We put a hedge of 

thorns around you, above you, and below you. You will not be interfered with by 

anyone.  

Then address that spirit holding highest authority of the group bound and brought 

forward and ask them. 

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ . . .  

1. What is your name? 

a. Will that stand as truth before the White Throne of the Lord God 

Almighty? 

b. You have responded to the name ______, we bind you by that 

name and upon command you will go to the pit bound by that name 

with all of your works and effects and all of your associates and 

their works and effects as well.  

2. When did you come? 

a. Will that stand as truth before the White Throne of the Lord God 

Almighty? 

3. What work were you commissioned to do? 

a. Will that stand as truth before the White Throne of the Lord God 

Almighty? 

4. By what means do you hope to destroy them? 

a. Will that stand as truth before the White Throne of the Lord God 

Almighty? 

5. What habitual lies have you told them? 

a. Will that stand as truth before the White Throne of the Lord God 

Almighty? 

6. Who sent you? 

a. Will that stand as truth before the White Throne of the Lord God 

Almighty? 

7. How many associates are working under you? 

a. Will that stand as truth before the White Throne of the Lord God 

Almighty? 

8. What effects have you had on them?  

a. Will that stand as truth before the White Throne of the Lord God 

Almighty? 

9. Do you still hold any ground against (name) that would keep you from 

leaving him/her upon command?  

a. Will that stand as truth before the White Throne of the Lord God 

Almighty? 

 11 

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we command (demon’s name) to leave 

(person) with all of your works and effects and all of your associates and their 

works and effects and go to the pit immediately. We command this in the name 

of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.  

Then pray for the Holy Spirit to fill the areas just vacated. 

This process can then be repeated through each major area.  

Finally, command that the highest-ranking spirit remaining other than the Holy 

Spirit (if there is one) step forward and identify themselves to ensure none has 

been overlooked. Complete the process of cleansing. Close with a general 

prayer to cover anything that may have been overlooked. 

Step #11 – Recommended ways to keep the trial moving. 

Stop and pray to the Holy Spirit asking Him to intervene as needed and 

enforce the ground rules. Stop to read Scripture such as Psalm 18, Psalm 27, 

Psalm 31, Psalm 35, Psalm 83, etc.  

Step #12 – Follow-up recommendations for the counselee.  

• Keep short sin accounts with God. 

• Pray offensively. 

• Read Scripture. 

• Do not obsess over lies and accusations. 

• Be in fellowship. 

• Schedule another appointment if things arise. 

• Exercise the authority Christ has given you.  

• Be careful to avoid arrogant pride. 

• Keep a journal to record lies and accusations.  

• Read the recommended resources. 

 "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."  1 John 4:4

who WOULD Jesus smack down?

In case this email disappears from the internet, I am saving it for posterity.   CRAZY-NESS.  There is no other word for it.  God bless the Brits!

Statement regarding media misrepresentation of healing methods

I would like to ask our friends and partners to read below the story and my brief statement regarding misrepresentation in the media and on social media blogs. I realize most of you that love, follow and support our ministry know this story is a huge misrepresentation of who we are and how we regularly pray for healing. We are not violent nor do we promote violence. I do not expect a secular audience or even many Christians to understand these isolated moments of healing through a gift of faith. No one was injured during this account.

While operating in the gift of faith, I felt I was to kick a woman in the face as a step of obedience. I do not understand it but she was healed and not injured! This is one of several isolated accounts where I have prayed in an unorthodox manner for individuals, but I do not consider it violence when no one is injured and it is the gift of faith operating. The media has interpreted a one-time event from thirteen years ago and presented it as an act of violence with intent to harm someone. I would like to make clear that it was neither and this is generally not how I pray or minister to people.

Please feel free to forward this email, post to blogs and social media as well as continue to pray for this ministry. Thank you!

Todd Bentley

www.freshfireusa.com Twitter.com/iamtoddbentley

The below story was put out by the Huffington Post Canada

A ' religious healer' who claims he can cure people by kicking them has been banned from the UK - after the Home Office deemed he could "undermine" British society.

Todd Bentley, the leader of Fresh Fire Ministries, based in Lakeland, Florida, planned to tour Britain this month.

The 36-year-old preacher previously claimed he cured a man of cancer by kicking him in the chest.

He is quoted by The Huffington Post discussing kicking an elderly woman in the face saying "just as my boot made contact with her nose, she fell under the power of God."

A Home Office spokesperson told The Huffington Post UK: "We can confirm that Mr Bentley has been excluded from the UK. The government makes no apologies for refusing people access to the UK if we believe they are not conducive to the public good.

"Coming here is a privilege that we refuse to extend to those who might seek to undermine our society."

Bentley said in a statement he was "deeply saddened" and was praying for the UK leaders.

"I am deeply saddened by the recent decision of the UK government regarding my entry into the country. At this point, we are thankful to God for the support from our friends in the UK who truly love Jesus and embrace the supernatural, faith and healing.

"We know and believe that the UK has a great destiny, and we are praying for the leaders and those in government. Please continue to stand with us in prayer regarding this decision and our return to the UK."

But spokesperson for the Presbyterian Church welcomed the decision, saying:"The violent activities reported as part of Mr Bentley's faith healing technique have no part whatsoever in our understanding of a loving, caring and compassionate ministry that is sought often by weak, frail and distressed people."

"The Home Office has a responsibilty to protect vulnerable people and in the light of what we know, is wise to respond in the way it has."

It's not the first time the Home Office has banned 'controversial' religious figures with the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church, being banned from the UK in 2009.

Previous Statement from Todd Bentley regarding the U.K.

Greetings Friends and Partners,

Todd and Jessa Bentley are currently travelling to Norway for the anticipated Miracles Signs & Wonders event. At this time, we are requesting your prayer and support as they continue to do what the Lord has called them to. Please read the below statement from Todd Bentley on the recent decision made by Home Secretary Theresa May to ban Todd from entering the UK.

I am deeply saddened by the recent decision of the UK government regarding my entry into the country. At this point, we are thankful to God for the support from our friends in the UK who truly love Jesus and embrace the supernatural, faith and healing. We know and believe that the UK has a great destiny, and we are praying for the leaders and those in government. Please continue to stand with us in prayer regarding this decision and our return to the UK.

In Him,

Todd Bentley