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As an addendum to Darryl Thatcher's response, i am highly critical of preachers, and soon discover whether they are teaching false doctrine and/or compromising their post as a minister. The television is FULL of these types of evangelical preachers, some that are very renowned with large followers.
One i admire greatly whose teachings resonate truth for me, I only discovered recently, and while he passed away in 2003, his teachings remain poignant and insightful. He was and remains an incredible scriptural academic: Derek Prince. He was a most passionate follower of Christ, and centered all of his teachings around what Jesus taught, and asserts what did Jesus do while here (aside from sacrifice Himself for our sins and gain our salvation)? He taught, healed and cast out demons! EVERYTHING Mr. Prince teaches he substantiates from scripture, and he is of the opinion that Christians can indeed be demonized, which i never believed before having the view that the Holy Spirit lives in me, and so no demons ever could reside there. I now believe, based on Mr. Prince's teachings, this is completely wrong and that, yes indeed, Christians CAN be demonized.
I've been reading a lot of his writings, and Curses and Blessings is one book I recently finished, and he purports that curses can be generational without our knowledge. Curses are mentioned more often than blessings in the Bible, and Mr. Prince goes so far as to opine that having any type of idol in your home is a huge offense to God, and can also allow a portal for a demon into your home to afflict you and your family. I recently went through a 'cleansing' of my own home having some objects d'art that were in fact idols (an Aztec totem, a large Buddha print, and an yin-yang necklace) that compromised me and my home and prayed for forgiveness from the Lord for my participation in anything occult, knowingly or unknowingly. I also did an generational curse prayer to remove any affect that may have been imposed on me from prior generations (my father was, for a short time, a Mason.) BOTH have released me from the afflictions I was suffering from, wondering why the Lord had not freed me from them previously! Thank you Jesus!
Mr. Prince also talks about fasting as a requirement for Christians that we have moved away from, and uses scripture to substantiate this as a part of our humbling ourselves before the Lord. I have only recently begun to employ fasting and all i can say is WOW. My communion with God as a result has intensified beyond words for me.
I would suggest you review some of Mr. Prince's sermons on Youtube and if he resonates with you as he did/does with me, read some of his writings. i have no doubt the Lord has a very, very special place in Heaven for him.
Blessings,
in HIM,
Lynn