The second area of sin concerns the lusts and passions of our flesh and soul. We are inclined toward sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, and orgies.

All of these are the actions of demons. Since many of these behaviors are prominent in the Christian churches, we can see that the churches have become cages of unclean spirits. This is true, although our sins have been forgiven.

Sometimes there actually are evil spirits dwelling in our flesh. Christians may object that if we are washed in the blood and have God's Spirit in us we could not possibly have evil spirits dwelling in our flesh or doors in our soul through which Satan gains entrance at his will.

If you believe you are invulnerable, fine. But how about your conduct? Are any of the following true of you: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, or orgies? If they are, then you need deliverance. The question is not whether a Christian can have a demon, the question is one of your behavior. Are you given to fits of lust, rage, or selfish ambition? These are demonic behaviors.

The above are evil inclinations that are in our flesh and soul, whether or not we wish to regard them as spirits. It is absolutely true that the Lord Jesus Christ became a sin-offering to forgive the guilt of our sin. We know this from the Scripture. We know also from the same Scripture that if we practice the satanic mannerisms quoted above we shall not inherit the Kingdom. If this is not true we have no basis for claiming our sins are forgiven through the blood atonement, for each fact proceeds from the same authoritative source.

Forgiveness and deliverance from sin are part of the same salvation. If we accept the forgiveness but not the deliverance, we have disobeyed the Lord and will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

We can see instantly that when we say Jesus has taken away our sins we must determine whether He has taken away the guilt of our sins or whether He has taken away the compulsions to sin of our flesh and soul.

The first area of sin we discussed is that of our tendency to find our life in the spirit and things of the present world. The source is in our adamic nature. We must choose to set our heart and mind on Christ who is seated at the right hand of God in Heaven. This is where our life is if we are a sincere disciple of the Lord. The adamic nature is overcome as we keep following the Lord, and Christ is formed in us. The last vestiges of worldliness will be removed when the Lord appears and we are clothed upon with our body from Heaven.

So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:28—NIV)

To be continued.