Overcoming areas of unbelief
Alan and I spent some time with new-found friends from Bolivia yesterday and we discussed the spiritual oppression sometimes encountered from country to country, or from one area to another. If you’re a person with any spiritual sense you will know exactly what I mean!
They particularly felt the spiritual warfare when they traveled from Bolivia to Argentina for a time of ministry.
Jesus encountered this when He went to the Gaderenes. (Mark 5) He set the demon-possessed free… and the people begged Him to leave them alone!
Jesus crossed back over the sea and encountered mulititudes who thronged about Him, with two notable miracles described (Jairus’ daughter and the woman with the issue of blood).But, when He went to his own country… Jesus met with unbelief again.
When He met with that unbelief, it’s important to note what He did. In the Gaderenes, He told the freed man to tell others what God had done for him - setting the stage for the gospel to be received in days ahead.
In His own country, Jesus began to TEACH. He healed who He could… and then went in a circuit teaching. What do you think He taught? I’m guessing He laid a foundation of faith. We know that those who were first offended at His presence became instrumental in the growth of the church after Christ’s death (James, the brother of Jesus, Mary his mother, etc.)
If you’re facing an area of oppression, you’ve got several options. (Disgust at fruitlessness is not one of them, unless it stirs you to action!) Pray always with the weapons God has given you…. and then determine if perhaps its time to teach. - Laura Woodworth