Deliver Us From Evil - Jonathan Cook

Jonathan Cook holds two masters degrees, has served as an associate pastor, and is currently a successful marriage and family counselor, specializing in Christian counseling. I met with Jonathan to ask questions around the topic of the presence of the dark side of the spiritual life, specifically demons, based on his professional experience. While he certainly has extensive professional experience in this arena, what I didn’t expect was that Jonathan himself has experienced personal demonic deliverance. Today, he shares all of that with us in an effort to help us to better understand the presence of the demonic and to help bring light to the darkest spiritual corners.

[@phillipoverstreet9077]

I'm amazed how many people don't believe or know about demonic activity in people's lives. Three good books to learn more, Pigs In The Parlor, When Pigs Move In and They Shall Expel Demons.

[@tonyaferguson4838]

SO good! Thank you both so much for this wonderful conversation! ❤️‍🔥

[@DiGi377]

This is a good podcast. The seminary professor mentioned is Charles Kraft

[@esmevandermewe6106]

I received a sword anointing in the spirit realm which I saw in the spirit. I was kneeling down and The Sword of the Spirit anointed me (the tip of the blade of The Sword was a few inches from my head. Then I got up and was holding The Sword and then the picture changed I saw a big wolf (demon) come running towards me then the vision ended. Some time after that I had a vision The Holy Spirit was teaching me in the spirit realm how to wield The Sword. He explained to me all I have to do is hold The Sword because the Holy Spirit moves it (eg if a woman dances with a man the man leads and in this case The Holy Spirit moves The Sword and all I do is hold on to The Sword he leads and actions the blows against the demons. The Holy Spirit said to me if I pull back with the Sword it will be like i'm using my own strength. Then some time after that I saw in my spirit an army of demons coming at me on a battlefield/war but I'm the only one (in my spirit) standing and facing them with The Sword in front of me. When I clash with them I clash with them, but one by one. I've seen this vision several times. I eventually said to the Lord that this takes too long, is there not an easier way. He showed me the blade of the Sword can stretch as far as I need it to stretch (the blade of The Sword is unlimited to how far it can stretch) so in other words till the last row of the demon army. Then He said with only one swipe of the Sword it can destroy the whole demon army with one blow. In Matthew when Jesus said "GO" the Sword of the Spirit destroyed them all. Your spirit must will it so the Holy Spirit can move. The reason you receive the sword anointing is so that deliverances can happen quickly. The Sword of the Spirit cuts the demon spirit away from the human soul. Deliverance/exorcism must happen quickly not take hours or years. Some time after that the deliverance/exorcism happened: My house is in a gated complex. I came from town and in front of our gate I saw two (men) of our residence holding a female (they both were holding her arms) When I saw this I was 70% convinced the demon in the female was manifesting. I got out my car (they were 4 steps away from me) each step I took the demon in the girl was trying to attack them even trying to bite them. I walked straight up to her and put my hand on her head and said "fire of the Holy Spirit" she dropped to the ground. She kept coming in and out of consciousness and each time I would put my hand on her head and say "fire of the Holy Spirit" and she would fall to the ground. At one point she also rolled into the bushes and we pulled her out. Then during her unconscious state I commanded the demon to leave her and go to the feet of Jesus. (The reason you send the demon to the feet of Jesus is because all power and judgement is given to Him) There was about 3 times where I put my fingers in her hand and it/she grabbed me but I commanded it to release me and it did. I did not know at that stage why I was being lead to pray the robe of righteousness over her. (discovered later the robe covers your sin) I could sense the demon had not yet left her then I looked up and saw in the spirit realm and I willed with the Holy Spirit and The Sword Of The Spirit cut the demon spirit away from her soul (from right to left). Only when I saw in the spirit this happen did I feel she was ok. Later when she came to she had told us that she was raped 18 months ago and this also explained to me why I was lead to pray the robe of righteousness over her. This whole incidence took about 40 - 45 min. The other thing I learnt was not to have my hand on and off a person's head it must be permanently stationed on the head when calling fire on the demon. Perhaps this can give you some insight....

[@heatheryoung3808]

I am conflicted because im new to consuming christian content and i am in a facebook group new age to jesus I didnt realize Doreen Virtue was one of the moderators of the group and she had issue with something i posted suggesting deliverance ministry.... she says new christians are susceptable to this deceit and its never safe for christians or anyone to directly speak to demons and cast them out. And said that to even believe we were given authority over demons is a prideful thought. She says all we are to do is pray to Jesus for his protection She says people misunserstand the scriptures that say we are to take authority over demons saying that really he only ever gave this authority to the disciples and not to all christians in general. I have a lot to figure out now because i want to and need to be clear on whats right and ok and i cant just go by my feelings so now im torn. I wasnt sure i liked the vibe of what she was saying but also maybe theres truth to it?

[@maryr130]

Doreen Virtue has unfortunately yoked up with people like Justin Peter's who do not believe in the Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, miracles, demons, etc. Seems she went from one extreme to the other. Very sad for her but she spreads what you said everywhere. She was on the dark side and at best, I think she us terrified of slipping back and so she rejects it all. Everything I called out is 100% biblical. Read the Book of Acts in the bible...read the 4 gospels. Everything you need to know is there. Remember, scripture has the final word and authority..not Doreen or even me.

[@heatheryoung3808]

@maryr130 I felt very strongly in my spirit that what she was telling me and THE WAY she spoke with me was like a squelching of truth. She spoke to me like in a very dumbed down sort of a way and to one of her examples I went out of my way to find and send to her a clip of what I strongly feel debunked her point, and then she didn't acknowledge that or get on my level at all and just said "Heather, are you arguing for deliverance?" And I honestly was taking in her side of the opinion because I don't want to be doing unsafe things as a new Christian so I remained humble and considered maybe there's truth to her views. But I felt kind of bulldozed and confused by the way she spoke with me. I agree, it seems she went the other way too far but honestly I'm still learning so I'm not sure 100%. In a way it felt like maybe the demonic would want people to think like her and share this because they want us not to acknowledge and cast them out? But also I get confused because her perspective of us not having to do that and just trusting Jesus sounds peaceful and obviously I'd rather not be calling out demons at all if it's not a thing, and also if it wasn't safe like she is saying. But too much of the deliverance testimonies I watch feels too true to deny I feel.

[@pamelalanehaun7156]

​@heatheryoung3808 Wonderful! The Holy Spirit is already working in you, giving you decernment. Read the Word and find a good teaching Pastor to listen to as you go thru the day. Journal your thoughts and prayers. The Holy Spirit will lead you to Scripture that will help.

[@hanasagarin2788]

I have heard what Doreen Virtue says about deliverance ministries. As I understand her perspective, it is that only a strong relationship with Jesus can deliver a person from evil. Personally, I have a strong feeling that "deliverance" CAN do more harm than good, and even bring more demons into the person being delivered life. If a person doesn't have a strong relationship with God, they are not going to find what they are seeking and people will prey on them just as much as the devil will. However I disagree that Jesus isn't still working through people on this Earth, and there are so many incredible testimonies from people who have had true miracles occur in their life! Don't go with your own feelings- but LISTEN to the Holy Spirit, and you will be able to discern.