The Holy Ghost Said!
Did You Rejoice
When my daughter Sarah was about six years old, some strange dogs came into the yard one day while she was playing outside. They scared her and made her hesitant to play outside by herself. Because of that, I made sure that any strange dogs that came around our house knew that they were unwelcome. One day we noticed that a stray dog had come around the house. I walked outside and shouted for the dog to get out of our yard. The dog tucked its tail and quickly ran down the driveway.
On my way back into the house the Holy Ghost said, "Did you rejoice over that stray dog fleeing from you?" I said, "No", to which he said, "That's right, it did exactly what you expected it to do. That's why I told the disciples not to rejoice when devils fled at their command. That's exactly what they are supposed to do. They have no more right to harass my children than that stray dog had to take up at your house."
We find the following account in Luke 10:17-20: And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
It certainly puts the words of Jesus to his disciples in a clearer context when you understand your authority as a Christian. He was showing me that it's no strange thing that demons flee when Christians command them to leave in the name of Jesus. They are trespassers who have no right to the territory that they are trying to possess. When a Christian knows the authority given to him in the name of Jesus, demons will flee at his command just like that stray dog. It would have been silly for me to rejoice that the stray dog fled at my command. I knew my authority on my property and the dog knew he was a trespasser, so why should I rejoice over exercising my rightful authority. It's just that simple when it comes to taking authority over demons attacking anyone under your realm of authority.
I have seen many people loose their healing because that they didn't understand the devil's tactics or their authority over him. Jesus told about demons, after being cast out, trying to return to their previous abode (Luke 11:24-26). He also told one person to sin no more lest a worse thing come upon him (St. John 5:14). What people don't realize is that sicknesses that are caused by a demonic influence will usually try to return after a person is healed. When that happens, the person should take authority over it and command the symptoms to go in the name of Jesus. He must hold on to his faith that he was healed and refuse to yield to the return of the sickness. He must also not return to old habits or take up worse ones that will give demons power to get a foothold in his life.
A person's words, beliefs, and actions frequently give authority for the enemy to take up residence with them. It's just like feeding a stray dog. He begins to think that he has found a home and has a right to stay there. Sometimes repentance is necessary to break the power of the demonic influence before a person can be healed. You are doubled minded when your life gives the demon permission, but your prayers and words are trying to get him to leave. He just laughs at your ignorance and feels right at home. However, he trembles at the thought of your life, knowledge, faith, words and prayers all coming into agreement. When that happens, he is powerless and must flee.
Anyone that wants to enjoy divine health must not only come to a knowledge that it is God's will for his children, but also live a consecrated life. I can't over emphasize the need for knowledge of God's word, faith in God's word, and obedience to God's word. These are the three legs upon which the stool of God's blessing stands. Leave either one out and the stool can not stand.