Justin Peters Program

Spiritual Mapping - This week we examine another technique of the modern Spiritual Warfare "experts." Known as Spiritual Mapping, this technique attempts to identify (usually with information obtained through interviewing demons) which demons are assigned to which geographical territories. These territorial spirits are then mapped out and engaged in battle by being bound, rebuked and commanded to leave. So, are certain demons assigned certain territories and, if so, can we dislodge them and thereby bring peace and prosperity to said territories? My guest, Jim Osman, brings some biblical clarity.

Spiritual Warfare - Rebuking Satan. One need not listen to "Christian" television for long before one hears a preacher rebuking Satan. Statements such as, "Satan, I rebuke you in the name of Jesus" are commonplace and growing in acceptance among even non-charismatic churches. Should we be addressing Satan directly? Is this wise? Do we have the authority to do this? Well, unless you think you are more powerful than Michael the Archangel, you might want to think twice before rebuking the "god of this age."

This week Jim Osman and I discuss what may be the most prevalent spiritual warfare technique: Binding Satan. We hear it all the time from both charismatic and non-charismatic (at least those who profess to be such) adherents. How many times have we heard either a preacher of layman say, "I bind you, Satan, from..."? Can we really do this? Do we have the ability to bind Satan? Can we apply some type of spiritual handcuffs to the "god of this age" (2 Cor. 4:4) and thereby render him powerless? And, if so, why do we have to continue to bind him? Does he slip out of his spiritual restraints? Jim Osman walks us through this unbiblical notion and tells what the Bible really has to say.

We continue our discussion of Spiritual Warfare. This week we will be talking about hexes and generational curses. It is common nowadays to hear preachers (particularly those of the Word-Faith/NAR persuasion) speak of generational curses. If you have some besetting sin or things in your life just generally are not going as you wish, it may well be because someone in your family history invited in a demon that has set up shop in your bloodline. This demonic minion is now wreaking havoc in your world. It is also common to hear preachers speak of the necessity to break a curse because the sins of your fathers may be visited upon successive generations and you are the unfortunate, passive recipient of the consequences of their malfeasance. Are hexes real? Generational curses? Must we identify and then break these curses in order to live a victorious life? Jim Osman walks us through these issues and brings some much needed biblical clarity.

Hedges of Protection - We hear this all the time. If you want to protect a friend or loved one you must pray a hedge of protection around them. Once prayed into existence this hedge apparently becomes an impenetrable border which neither demons nor Satan himself can defeat - that is until the hedge for some reason breaks down and must be prayed up again. Is this biblical? Should we be praying hedges of protection? Jim Osman breaks it down for us.

There is much talk of demolishing strongholds among contemporary spiritual warfare "experts" today. They hold that in order to effectively engage in spiritual warfare, strongholds must be demolished per the teaching of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. Guess what? They are right! Demolishing strongholds is absolutely essential in spiritual warfare. The question, though, is this: what exactly are these strongholds? Are they what the experts say they are? And exactly what is it that we use to demolish them? Jim Osman, author of Truth of Territory, exegetes this text.

As with most of the ills which plague Christianity, the errors that are so common in the modern teaching regarding spiritual warfare are resultant from a departure of the sufficiency of Scripture. Most of the contemporary teachings on the subject are not at all derived from an exegesis of Scripture, but rather from psychology, overactive imaginations and even alleged conversations with demons. Whether it is binding Satan, breaking generational curses, spiritual mapping, or exorcising demons, these practices have scant support in the Bible. While something akin to them may be mentioned, they are all taken out of context and taken to lengths which the Bible never takes them. In today's program Jim Osman, author of Truth or Territory argues that it is a departure from the sufficiency of Scripture which has led to this rampant confusion.

This is the first of 11 programs we will be doing on Spiritual Warfare. My guest for each of these programs is Jim Osman, my friend and pastor of Kootenai Community Church in Sandpoint, Idaho. When we think of spiritual warfare today, most often we think of swashbuckling angels and demons the latter with which we must do battle. We are told that in order to live a victorious life that we must break generational curses, set up hedges of protection, and construct spiritual maps. Demons lurk around every corner and must be identified, rebuked, bound, and cast out of individuals, animals and even inanimate objects. Lately my wife, Kathy, and I have been watching a lady on the CTN Network named "Pastor Janet" (yes, an inherent problem right there) who hosts a program entitled You and Me. In this program she takes people's prayer requests and then proceeds to bind, sever and cast out demons of sickness, disease, pornography, alcohol, obesity - even the demon of car wrecks. The subject of spiritual warfare is one which has garnered a great deal of attention and interest but, unfortunately, almost everything written on it is wrong. Jim's book, Truth or Territory, cuts through all of the clutter and disinformation. He examines all of these nutty notions and presents what Scripture really has to say on this very important but almost universally misunderstood issue.

A couple of weeks ago I preached at a large conference in Brazil. In fact, it is the largest venue at which I have preached thus far. Some of you may have heard there was a bit of controversy on the trip in regards to some of what I was to teach and so I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about my trip. The trip was fruitful in many ways, though. It was also very encouraging to meet godly young men like Diego, Gustavo, Igor and others. Towards the end of the program I will play a short interview I did with Igor. The audio quality is not great but the content will surely be a great encouragement to you. For more, visit WorldViewWeekend.com and JustinPeters.org.

In this program we will wrap up our walk through Matthew 11:25-30. Jesus invited those who are weary and heavy laden to come to Him for His rest. The rest of God is synonymous with His salvation. We are to rest from our futile efforts of self reformation and non-meritorious good works. And yet, in order to be saved we must repent. So, how is it that in order to be saved we must repent (do something) and yet Christ offers to the weary His rest? Is this a contradiction? Not at all - when repentance is understood biblically. Genuine repentance is not something we do, it is done in us. Genuine repentance is granted by God. Also in this text Jesus says that we are to take His yoke upon us. What does this metaphor teach us about the oft debated question of Lordship Salvation? For more, visit WorldViewWeekend.com and JustinPeters.org.