INTRODUCTION
The previous message in this series examined the trait of the Dan brethren, who, as “serpent by the way” subtly lure people into temptation by judging; and how to overcome Danite temptations. Access previous messages at <https://childrenofgraceministries.international>.
This message analyses the traits of the Gad brethren who are overcome by “a troop” of evil spirits, and held captive and are compelled to act in unsavoury ways. It explains the ‘troop’ conditions and through biblical examples shows how these evil spirits may be cast out.
1. GADITE TROOPS
Jacob prophesy of Gad tribe saying: “Gad, a troop shall overcome him: but he shall overcome at the last”. (Genesis 49:19; 30:11). “A Troop” here symbolises “evil spirits” which may overcome or possess our Gad brethren (1 Samuel 16:14; Acts 19:13). Although the Gad people may eventually overcome, yet evil spirits may cause people to suffer physical and spiritual afflictions, addictive behaviours and lusts that may also affect those around them.
1.1. ‘TROOP’ CONDITIONS
The Gad ‘troop’ are not easily discernible because they are ‘evil spirits’. The are “not flesh and blood” which one can perceive physically, but are “principalities and powers”, “rulers of darkness of this world”, and “spiritual wickedness” in high places? (Ephesians 6:12).
The Holy bible describe such vile spirits severally as: ‘devils’, ‘unclean spirits’; ‘a strong man’; ‘women’, ‘enemies’; ‘strange women’, ‘strange wives’; ‘troops in the harlots’ house’; ‘that number’ ‘daughter of troops’; ‘strange gods’; (Matthew 12:22, 28-29; Mark 5:2; Nahum 3:1; 1 Kings 11:1-2; Jeremiah 5:7; Isaiah 65:11; Micah 5:1; Psalm 81:9).
It is important that we understand troop conditions in our GAD brethren and how we may relate to them. People possessed by evil spirits, may exhibit unsavoury or vile traits and conduct; or may be afflicted by a disease or may be impaired in some ability. Violence, madness, adulterous compulsions, prostitution, substance abuse, deaf and dumbness, paralysis, and many other infirmities may derive from ‘a troop’ condition. (Matthew 4:24; 12:22; 15:22; 17:15).
One that is possessed by unclean spirits, for example may dwell among tombs. They can be so strong that no man can bind them or tame them. They can be in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting themself with stones. And they can be exceedingly fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. Also, a devil-possessed “lunatick”, can be “sore vexed” which may cause them often to fall into fire and into water. (Matthew 8:28; Mark 5:2-5). King Solomon’s addiction to “strange women” in loving so many wives and concubines is ‘a troop’ condition. (1 Kings 11:1-3).
2. THE STRENGTH OF ‘TROOPS’
Brethren, the number of evil spirits that may possess our brethren at any time is uncertain. Jesus cast out seven devils out of Mary Magdalene; (Mark 16:9; Luke 8:2). King Solomon “had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his [strange]wives turned away his heart” (1 Kings 11:1-3). The devil-possessed man named ‘Legion’ who was cured by Jesus had “about two thousand” devil spirits. (Mark 5:9,13).
In physical realm, Gad ‘troops’ may incite people to wage wars, invasions taking people captives or hostages; burn places with fire; loot or destroy property and even cause death to family members. (1 Samuel 30:13-14; see Job 1:9-19).
3. HOW TROOPS OVERCOME GADITES
How does Gad brethren get to be overcome by ‘a troop’? Evil spirits may possess people willingly when they are invited by the host due to lustful desires; unwillingly where they reject or rebel against God’s word; or by a siege with “posted troops” by God, to prove one’s uprightness and integrity in your fear of Him.
According to the prophet Isaiah, evil spirits may possess “[… they that forsake the LORD, that forget [His] holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number”. (Isaiah 65:11).
FORSAKING GOD FOR ‘TROOPS’
Evil spirits can be invited by the host through lustful desires and may cause one to forsake God. King Solomon loved many “strange women”, having seven hundred wives and several concubines and clave unto these in love”. (1 Kings 11:1-2, 8). “… His wives turned away his heart after other gods [and goddesses]: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God…” (1 Kings 11:4-7).
Solomon’s lusts enabled these “strange wives”’ troops’ to overcome him that he built “high places” for worship of the gods of all his “strange wives” where he burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. (1 Kings 11:5-7). Brethren resit this temptation! God is weary that his people “have forsaken him, and sworn by them that are no gods: [especially] when [he] had fed them to the full, [and they] committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots’ house” (Jeremiah 5:7).
Note also that, God will give Gadites up unto their own hearts’ lusts for ‘strange women’ and they will expose them to enemies; and God will not let them subdue these enemies. (Psalm 81:9-14). Hearken therefore to the warning from the prophet Nahum saying: “behold, your troops in your midst are women. The gates of your land are set wide open to your enemies. The fire has devoured your bars”. (Nahum 3:1-19).
REJECTING GOD’S WORD
Troops can overcome our brethren who rebel against God. When Saul, Israel’s first King became rebellious and stubborn and disobeyed by rejecting God’s word, God rejected him from being King of Israel. “The Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him”. (1 Samuel 16:14; 15:19-23 & 26).
GOD’S SEIGE WITH ‘POSTED TROOPS’
God can “lay siege against you with posted troops [and can] raise siege works against you” (Isaiah 29:3). He can post troops against you to prove your uprightness, integrity and your fear of him. (Job 1:8-9); Hosea 2:5-6). Job explains, that “His troops come on together, and [can]raise up their way against [people], and encamp round about [their] tabernacle” or dwelling. (Job 19:12; Micah 5:1; Isaiah 29:3).
When one is besieged by “posted troops” it may cause one’s brethren and acquaintances to be estranged from you; your friends will forget you; people in your household will consider you as alien; “[your] breath [can be] strange to your wife”; young children will despise and speak against you; and your loved ones will turn against you; and they may cause your mirth and glory to cease (Job 19:12-19; Hosea 2:7-11). In this situation you may need to repent and seek the Lord, whole-heartedly.
4. OVERCOMING ‘TROOPS’
Jacob, prophesy that Gad shall overcome the spiritual oppression of ‘troops’ at last. (Genesis 49:19). This promised deliverance Gad brethren from ‘troops’, is symbolised in the Old Testament, by the wars King David fought with visible enemies – the Amalekites who invaded the land of Judah and took “great spoil” (1 Samuel 30:13-16).
To challenge these enemies David “enquire of God and obtained authority to pursue after the ‘troop’ and he was able to recover all that the enemy had carried away. (1 Samuel 30:8,18-20; Psalm 18:29).
But how does one overcome the Gad troops which are “not flesh and blood” that one can see physically? According to Jesus, one should first “bind the strong man” and then enter into the strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, and then you will spoil his house. (Matthew 12:28-29).
OVERCOMING TROOPS WITHOUT MIGHT
Brethren, to bind the “strong man”, does not require physical might but the strength in the Lord GOD and in the power of his might. (Zechariah 4:6; Ephesians 6:10). These are: the “helmet of Salvation” – which is the grace of salvation brought by Jesus Christ, “the name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”; and the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” – the Spiritual authority on earth. (John 1:17; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 6:17).
This power over ‘troops’ without human might is concealed in two symbolisms in the Old Testament. First, is David’s ability to ward off the evil spirit that was upon King Saul by playing the harp. (Note that “the Spirit of the Lord” was upon him). (1 Samuel 16:13; 14-16 & 18). Second, is King Saul’s belief, that listening to the music from a harp played by David will drive the evil spirit from him; (and it did). It illustrate the element of faith required to obtain God’s grace of Salvation over troops. (1 Samuel 16:15-18,23).
Let us examine some examples of how the power in the “name of Jesus” works with “faith” and “the word” (the “Spirit of God”) to overcome troops.
5. CASTING OUT ‘TROOPS’
Jesus demonstrated great power over ‘troops’ of evil spirits: during his earthly ministry. “HE CAST OUT THE SPIRITS WITH HIS WORD” and healed all that were sick and possessed with devils that were brought to him. (Matthew 4:24; 8:16; 9:32-33).
With the Canaanite woman whose daughter was vexed with a devil, The woman’s FAITH moved Jesus to grant the healing. For he said to her: “O woman, GREAT IS THY FAITH: BE IT UNTO THEE EVEN AS THOU WILT”. And her daughter was made whole immediately. (Matthew 15:22, 28).
Similarly, when a certain girl possessed with a “spirit of divination” by which she practiced soothsaying followed Apostle Paul, “he turned and said to the spirit, I COMMAND THEE IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST TO COME OUT of her. And he came out the same hour”. (Act 16:16-18).
Brethren such was the power of the spirit that worked in Paul that people would touch Paul’s body with handkerchiefs or aprons and bring them to the sick and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. (Acts 19:11-12)
When the vexed lunatick, was brought to him, “JESUS REBUKED THE DEVIL; AND HE DEPARTED OUT OF HIM” that very hour. (Matthew 17:15,18). The lunatick had been brought to the disciples earlier, but they could not cast the devil out. (Matthew 17:16).
CASTING OUT ‘TROOPS’ BY PRAYER AND FASTING
When the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast the devil out of the ‘lunatick’, Jesus explained that it was because of their “unbelief”. He admonished them that if they had “FAITH as a grain of mustard seed… nothing shall be impossible unto [them]”.
But he also clarified that the kind of lunatick devil spirit, can only go out by “PRAYER AND FASTING”. (Matthew 17:14-21). In other words, lack of faith and unbelief can affect one’s ability to cast out Gadites’ ‘troops’. And as much as faith is required to cast out evil spirits, one will also require the backing of prayer and fasting to remove certain kinds of devil spirits (Ephesians 6:18).
BINDING AND CASTING OUT DEMONS
Brethren, we do not need to see the evil spirits physically to rebuke them or command them to come out. The devil spirits can identify one’s spiritual authority and obey the power of the word one speaks by the Spirit of God.( Luke 10:17-20). For example, the girl possessed with a “spirit of divination” identified Paul saying: “these men are the servants of the highest God, which shew unto us the way of salvation”. (Act 16:16-18).
Also, Legion, the man possessed by unclean spirits identified Jesus as the “Son of the highest God”; and pled with him not to torment him. But Jesus said to him, “Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit”. (Mark 5: 6-8). Having then bound the “unclean spirit” with the command of the word, Jesus compelled him to revealed his identity. And, powerless under the authority of Christ, all the devils that possessed the man begged Jesus to send them into the swine, that were feeding nearby. Christ permitted them and the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine, causing the herd to run violently into the sea, and perished. But the devil possessed man was of a right mind. (Mark 5:10-13; Matthew 8:29-32).
6. AUTHORITY OVER ‘TROOPS’
People of God, one should be mindful of which spiritual authority and powers one submits to in seeking to help the Gad brethren overcome the evil troops. We learn from the Pharisees that devils can be cast out by “Beelzebub the prince of the devils”; and they accused Jesus of using this power (Matthew 12:24; 9:34). This is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit! Matthew 12:32).
Jesus reasons saying: “If Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?”. But if [Christ] CAST OUT DEVILS BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD, then the Kingdom of God is come unto you”. (Matthew 12:26 & 28; Luke 11:19).
- APPROPRIATE SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY
It is also important to submit to, or possess the appropriate spiritual authority to cast out evil ‘troops’, because it could be dangerous. For instance, when certain Jewish exorcists purported to call the name of Jesus over people which had evil spirits, the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?” (Acts 19:13-15). And the demon-possessed man, jumped on them and overpowered them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. (Acts 19:16-17, 20).
Consider further that spiritual authority to cast out evil spirits does not derive from following a particular leader but by FAITH IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. We see this when the disciples of Jesus sought to forbid one casting out devils in the name of Jesus because he was not a follower like them. Jesus asked them not to forbid him explaining that; “there is no man which shall do a miracle in [Jesus’] name, that can lightly speak evil of [him]. For he that is not against us is on our part”. (Mark 9:38,39; Luke 9:49,50).
7. DANGER OF RETURNING TROOPS
Brethren, when evil spirits are cast out, it is important that the faith of the person delivered is grounded in the word of God and in Christ to avoid the danger of the devil spirits returning. Jesus explains that: when the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through “dry places” seeking rest and he finds none. (Matthew 12:43).
The evil spirit will then say “I will return into my house from whence I came out”; and when he returns and finds it “empty, swept, and garnished”, he will go and bring back with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they will enter in and dwell there. “And the last state of that man [will be] worse than the first.” (Matthew 12:44-45; Luke 11:24).
Brethren, endeavour therefore to always guard yourselves with the “shield of Faith”, the “helmet of salvation”, the “sword of the Spirit” and praying always. (Ephesians 6:16-18).
PRAYER
Almighty Father, I thank you for your word.
Glory be unto thy Mighty Name and for your Kingdom on earth that reigns supreme over evil. Hallelujah!
Dear Father, by your love and mercy, grant that we may, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, overcome the evil ‘troops’ that may hold us captive, by lusts, addictions, diseases, or rejecting your word.
Gracious Lord, guard our integrity to trust you and remain steadfast in our faith when we encounter the siege of “posted troops”.
Help us dear Lord to submit to you; and be sober and vigilant to discern evil. Give us fortitude and resist the devil, that he may flee from us.
I make this prayer in JESUS NAME.
Have a blessed week and a fruitful JULY MONTH.
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG) 03 July 2022.
