The Fast | Week 3 | Clean, But Empty | Courteney Bence
Sunday, January 19
Key Scriptures
Matthew 12:43-45; Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 11:28; James 4:7; 1 Timothy 1:18; Genesis 4:7; Mark 9:25-26; Ephesians 5:18
Ice Breaker
If you have been a part of the 21-day fast, how is it going? It is so easy to focus on what we eat or don't eat, but the real goal of the fast is to draw closer to God and to hear Him more clearly. Have you heard from the Lord? If so, what has the Lord been saying to you so far? What has been the biggest spiritual obstacle to overcome during this fast for you?
- Take time to discuss your fasting journeys.
As we start the third week of this 21-day fast, a lot of things may be happening on a spiritual level. Not everything may seem like spiritual advances, but we must remember that the reason for the fast is not simply to "get an answer," but it is for the purpose of letting God clean our spiritual house so that there is nothing in the way of us hearing what He wants to tell us and understanding what He is trying to teach us. From this closeness, God provides answers and breakthrough. It is important to remember as well, this fast is not the spiritual goal, but the start of a spiritual journey.
Introduction
In today’s message, Pastor Franklin’s daughter, Courteney, addressed the spiritual battle that is going on within us and around us. In her reference to Jesus’ description of deliverance she called attention to the importance of what happens afterward. It is perhaps more important to focus on what we put into ourselves and not just what we remove. “Vacancy is a recipe for disaster.” She reminded us to focus on, not simply leaving our old way of life, but to dedicate ourselves to the pursuit of letting God and His Spirit indwell in us so there is no room for the impure spirits to return and finish what they started.
“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” Matthew 12:43-45 (NIV)
In this week’s study we will be focusing on: The Nature of Spiritual Deliverance; Overcoming Through Identity and Prayer; and The Role of Community and Accountability. Remember to view the content and address the questions with a heart to let this fast be the start of a deeper relationship with God and with a desire to allow God’s Holy Spirit to have free rein to fill us and displace any impurity from within us.
- What does the concept of 'spiritual vacancy' mean to you in light of Courteney's message?
- How can we ensure that after the removal of negative influences, we don't leave ourselves open to worse ones?
The Nature of Spiritual Deliverance
The concept of spiritual deliverance may or may not be foreign to you, but it is a vital part of freedom from the ongoing spiritual battle between God and the angels that defied God and rebelled (called demons).
The battle unfolds when we open the Bible, and it continues with His creation (us) being the target for the enemy.
Matthew 12:43-45 warns us of the peril of spiritual vacancy, where an evil spirit returns with worse companions to an empty "house." This passage, as discussed in the sermon, parallels our lives after being “cleaned up” by the Lord; if we remain empty, we invite greater chaos.
“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.” Matthew 12:43
We learn that the impure spirit comes out indeed, but it is seeking rest. We see the very next thing that happens in Matthew 12:44:
“Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house vacant, swept clean and put in order.”
If we leave our home, spiritual or physical, vacant and without a means of protection, then anyone/anything can enter without permission.
Spiritual deliverance is not a ‘one and done’ event – we must keep ourselves filled with His Word, His Presence, in the power and person of the Holy Spirit.
- What requires persistent effort and preventive action from us to maintain? i.e.: Once we’ve been diagnosed with a medical problem, do we have a responsibility for preventing recurrence? As an example, in the event of a kidney stone, your physician may tell you to drink plenty of fluids, reduce sodium or calcium.
This time of prayer and fasting, as the Body of Christ, has no doubt waged war in the heavenlies and stories of overcoming and claiming victory will be exciting to hear. However, there is a follow-up responsibility on our part: preventing spiritual invasion.
In verse 45 we further read:
“Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”
This warning, “seven other spirits more wicked than itself” is severe. We have an enemy that is wanting complete destruction of the followers of Christ. The enemy will take everything he can get, and, in any possible way.
- How do we hang a NO VACANCY sign on ourselves (our spiritual home) and continually have the Holy Spirit taking residence?
Jesus has equipped us to stand firm and confident under His name. We do not have to live in fear because Jesus has and will always have the victory. He never leaves us or forsakes us (Heb 13:5); period. He also doesn’t leave us empty handed without the knowledge and means to defend and fight back.
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” Luke 10:19 (ESV)
Our ongoing freedom is assured as we fill and refill ourselves with His Word. The sermon, “Clean, But Empty” reminded us that it is not enough to play worship music, not enough to listen to sermons, we need the Word of God inside us, readily available to use against the enemy. We need to be able to quote it and stand on it – over and over.
We have this promise in James:
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NIV)
‘Submit or subject yourselves to God’ is an act of obedience. Barnes Commentary puts it like this:
“Yield to what He has judged necessary for your welfare… While you yield to God in all things, you are to yield to the devil in none. You are to resist and oppose him in whatever way he may approach you, whether by allurements, by flattering promises, by the fascinations of the world, by temptation, or by threats.”
Knowing and being able to quote His Word was effective for Jesus when the devil tried to tempt Him in the dessert. What Jesus did is something we can do also. The Word, Scripture, is our Sword to battle and counter the lies of the enemy.
- What are some Scriptures that you use to battle the lies of the enemy?
Overcoming through Identity and Prayer
Prayer enables us to have access to God’s strength and guidance. It brings transformation and trust in God’s sovereignty, strengthens our relationship with Him, and equips us to stand firm against spiritual challenges.
Identity in Christ
Knowing your identity in Christ is crucial to countering the lies of the enemy because it:
- Establishes a firm foundation of truth
- Protects from deceptionGives power to live boldly and victoriously
- Shields our hearts and minds against false sources of identity
- In what ways can knowing your identity in Christ help you counter the "lies of the enemy"?
Prayer as a Lifeline
Look at prayer not just as a tool in times of need but as a constant dialogue with God that sustains and strengthens your relationship with Him.
Example from The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13):
- "Give us this day our daily bread" teaches us to approach God daily for provision, forgiveness, guidance, and surrender to His will.
Example from Psalm 23:
- In times of peace: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."
- In challenging seasons: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me;" this illustrates the importance of prayer in every season, reassuring God’s presence even in uncertainty and helping find clarity.
General Reflection Questions on Prayer:
- How do you view prayer in your life? Is it more of an emergency tool or a daily dialogue?
- What does it mean to you to have a 'constant dialogue' with God through prayer?
- What steps can you take to ensure prayer remains a two-way conversation with God, listening as well as speaking?
Scriptures on Identity
Be encouraged by these verses on your identity!
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
Our identity as believers, chosen, set apart, and called to glorify and praise God, empowers us to live confidently and with purpose. Know these truths helps us resist the lies of the enemy.
- How does understanding our identity in Christ help us in spiritual battles?
- Can you share a personal experience where prayer or a sense of your identity in Christ helped you overcome a challenge?
Instead of worrying about what we're sacrificing, we should remember that everything belongs to God anyway. Therefore, we ought to joyfully offer Him our best - our time, our money, our possessions, and our talents.
God's warning to Cain in Genesis serves as a reminder to all of us:
"If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it." Genesis 4:7 (NIV)
Sin still lurks at our door, ready to overpower us if we don't resist it. We can't overcome sin on our own; we need to turn to God for faith and to fellow believers for support. The Holy Spirit aids us in mastering sin, but this struggle will continue until we meet Christ face-to-face.
- Considering that the battle with sin is lifelong, what strategies can you implement to ensure you're relying on the Holy Spirit and the support of others to master your sinful desires?
The Role of Community and Accountability
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
Community plays a vital role in sustaining deliverance, offering a space where we learn, refresh, and strengthen our faith together. Our communal time of fasting and prayer collectively helps our spiritual growth and feeling of support. Accountability within this community helps maintain integrity, and acts as a safeguard against the return of negative influences.
Remember, as Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 states, "Two are better than one... If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
- How can we, as a group, better encourage and hold each other accountable to maintain our spiritual growth and integrity? Discuss among yourselves how you can practically support each other in your spiritual journeys, perhaps by setting up accountability partners or regular prayer meetings.
- In what ways have you experienced the strength of community in overcoming spiritual struggles or temptations?
Conclusion
As we conclude this study it is important that you come away with a plan to fill the void in your life. It is critical to understand that Jesus is the only one who can fill that vacancy. His Holy Spirit is the sustainer of deliverance. If we are to be led by the Lord, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit that would empower them to walk out His purpose and plan for them.
- The Holy Spirit teaches and guides us, comforts us, convicts us of sin, and empowers us to live faithfully and successfully.
- The Holy Spirit infuses God’s character in us.
- The evidence of the Holy Spirit in someone’s life is seen in the ‘Fruit of the Spirit:’
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
The Fruit of the Spirit
The Fruit of the Spirit is the manifestation of the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is the character and nature of God. If the Holy Spirit is present, the fruits will be as well. These are given to everyone equally; it is only our application of the ‘gifts’ that would make them seem stronger or weaker in our lives. With that understood, we all have the ability to be strong in every aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit! Additionally, there are the gifts of the Holy Spirit as well.
The Gifts of the Spirit
“To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.” 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NIV)
These are given as God deems fit for the purpose of His kingdom.
“All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.” 1 Corinthians 12:11 (NIV)
We do not have all of the gifts, but all of us have access to the gifts of the Spirit. Paul even encourages us to pray for the gifts.
From a spiritual perspective, the sole method to remove sin and impure spirits from our lives is by replacing them with the presence of Jesus and His Holy Spirit. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:18,
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,” (NIV).
Closing Commission
If you are walking with the Lord, strive to go deeper with the Holy Spirit. If you have not taken an opportunity to be filled with the Holy Spirit; it is imperative for you to live a victorious life. It is an opportunity you can receive through your church, home group or trusted friend in the Lord, or you can ask the Lord to fill you with His Holy Spirit.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit will help maintain your spiritual health. It is critical to continue reading the Bible, setting aside times for prayer and listening to His voice as well as connecting with other Christians for prayer and encouragement in your growth.
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