Patterns

Each New Year many people try, what is popularly called, The New Year's Resolution. Sadly, many of these resolutions don't last long. I believe that much of this is due to patterns in our life that we cannot seem to overcome. Psychologists have gotten very much into our cultural thinking including Christianity. In their framework, patterns can be overcome. But many patterns are set by demonic forces that we cannot overcome unless we understand how to deal with the spiritual realm. Very few psychologists, even Christian ones understand or even accept this truth. If you've read this blog for a while you probably realize I am not a flaky Charismatic (or Pentecostal), so I hope you won't stop reading at this point. There really is a spiritual realm that Christians must deal with using the power of Jesus' name instead of psychological or "positive thinking" approaches. Why? These approaches don't have any power, so individuals often go right back to their patterns no matter how hard they try to get out of them.

The first step is to truthfully realize and face any patterns we have in our lives that we cannot seem to overcome. The second step is to ask God to show us if there is any demonic problem causing it. The third step is to hear God which is no small matter. I find the more I concentrate when I read the Bible, the better I hear God's small, still voice. The fourth step is to ask God if you need to know how the demonic power got a hold of you and if any unconfessed sin is involved. The fifth step is to take care of what you hear God is saying. Of course, if you attend a church that understands and practices this within the bounds of God's leading (as opposed to much of the Charismatic flakiness going on today) you are very fortunate. But sadly, it's difficult finding a church like that, even in Pentecostal land where so many of those churches are dead. If you must deal with it alone, it will probably take longer but you will learn a lot during the process.