Fasting To Defeat Stronger Demons Or Unbelief?
Kevin Martin
My Question:
“Jesus, to release faith sufficient to move a mountain, do we need to increase our faith or decrease the unbelief?”
Jesus’ disciples asked Him why they could not cast a demon out of a boy when they saw him thrown to the ground, foaming at the mouth and become rigged.
Two Versions of His Answer to their question:
“Why could we not cast it out?”
So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:19, 20 NKJV
Notice that Jesus told them that nothing would be impossible for them with only faith as a mustard seed.
However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” Verse 21:
In Mark’s gospel: His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:28, 29 NKJV
The word ‘kind’ is often said to be referring to kind of demon or power or size of demon. Strong’s Concordance defines it as ‘kind, kindred, offspring, nation, . . diversity or other.’
I thought – more likely ‘kind of demon.’ Unbelief is just unbelief, isn’t it? Or is there more than one kind of unbelief?
Andrew Wommack understood 3 kinds of unbelief:
- Unbelief from ignorance. See this affect on Paul in 1 Timothy 1:13
- Unbelief from wrong doctrine.
- Unbelief from natural information that is contrary to God’s word.
FAITH As A Mustard Seed
Several Biblical references of unbelief indicate that apparently, faith the size of a mustard seed is strong enough to move mountains if doubt or unbelief is not equal to or greater.
- What’s Possible Without Unbelief
“Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20 NKJV
Even a demon causing something so shocking as what happened to this boy.
- What’s Possible Without Doubt
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Mark 11:23 NKJV
- Mountain Moving Faith
Mark 11:23 equals Matthew 17:17-20 in that, doubt by itself is able to cancel mountain moving belief, just as unbelief by itself is able to cancel mountain moving faith; which the apostles had previously operated in against demons and disease.
- So I Asked the Lord:
“Jesus, to release faith sufficient to move a mountain, do we need to increase our faith or decrease the unbelief?”
I sensed His answer, “With your foot push down the unbelief. Your faith is sufficient!”
FAITH RESTS IN FATHER’S LOVE
Faith rests in the love and power of Christ. — Paul assures us that faith works through love (Gal 5:6). Is it our love of God or God’s love of us? Given that He first loved us(1 Jo 4:19), let’s consider the love God invites us to enter in relationship with Him.
Our Father in Heaven is a perfect Father with perfect love. Perfect love does what we need most, it casts out fear; the very source of our unbelief.
What is God’s goal in driving fear out of our hearts? That we would come to know His heart for us in every situation, especially over unbelief. He beckons us to know Him and thereby to become rooted and grounded in His love. There is no greater strength for our love and our faith than to know His unconditional, never ending, never failing, perfect love.
That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19 NKJV
Fear of Man Raises Up Unbelief
Through unbelief Jesus’ disciples could not cast the spirit out of the man’s son. Is it possible that when the disciples saw the boy thrown on the ground by an evil spirit, foaming at the mouth and becoming rigged as the crowd was watching; fear of failure raised unbelief up beyond their ability to minister in faith with that crowd watching?
What Does Faith Look Like?
Let’s give honor to Caleb and Joshua’s faith. “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and . . . its fruit.” . . a branch with one cluster of grapes; carried . . between two of them on a pole. . Also . . pomegranates and figs. Exactly what God had promised. God’s word to them was confirmed for 40 days as they spied out the land.
“Let us go up at once” – Caleb
God’s promise was confirmed, why would not the rest of His promises be confirmed? Caleb quieted the people, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” Caleb and Joshua knew God was good & faithful to His word.
WHAT DOES UNBELIEF CONSIST OF?
- The report of the 10 spies painted a Mountain of Unbelief – impossible to move.
1. NOT able to go up against the people,
2. THEY are stronger than we.”
3. “The land DEVOURS its inhabitants,
4. ALL the people are MEN OF GREAT STATURE.
5. We saw the giants; WE WERE LIKE GRASSHOPPERS in our own sight,
6. SO WE WERE IN THEIR SIGHT.”
- Great unbelief kept (Jesus) from doing any mighty miracles
Even Jesus could not do mighty works in His hometown because of the peoples’ unbelief.
And the people became offended and began to turn against him. Jesus said, “There’s only one place a prophet isn’t honored—his own hometown!” And their great unbelief kept him from doing any mighty miracles in Nazareth. Matthew 13:57, 58 TPT
Rather than recognize the Messiah in the miracles of Jesus, the folks of Nazareth chose to be offended.
What Words Formed The Mountain of
Unbelief in Nazareth?
- ISN’T HE JUST the wood-worker’s son?
- ISN’T HIS MOTHER named Mary,
- HIS FOUR BROTHERS Jacob, Joseph, Simon, and Judah?
- DON’T HIS SISTERS all live here in Nazareth?
- HOW DID HE GET ALL THIS revelation and power?
- THE PEOPLE BECAME OFFENDED
What natural sources of unbelief have you experienced which may have canceled faith?
FAITH REFUSES TO PAY ATTENTION
TO UNBELIEF
(Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; Romans 4:20 KJV
What were the thoughts of unbelief?
1. HIS BODY NOW DEAD because he was 99 years old.
2. THE DEADNESS OF SARA’S WOMB, past the age of child birth.
He STAGGERED NOT at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; Romans 4:20 KJV
Abraham remained strong in faith as he refused to pay attention to those thoughts. Abraham had learned God was faithful to him and gave glory to God, canceling the power of unbelief.
Don’t allow yourself to speak the thoughts of doubt and unbelief. Put those thoughts under your feet by speaking of Christ’s obedient faith to His Father. He fulfilled every word spoken of Him from Genesis to Malachi which released salvation and healing to us. Cast all your anxious thoughts upon Him.
I Asked Jesus For A
Personal Word Of Faith
Twice I asked Jesus for personal words of faith concerning health issues. Both times He spoke the same words because both times concerned subconscious fears of something deadly. The 2nd issue; my siblings have suffered from and could suffer from going forward.
The words He spoke into my spirit, “No deadly thing will harm you!”
I knew these words from two distinct verses of Scripture.
They will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:18 NKJV
Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:19 NKJV
He gives believers authority Over All the power of the enemy; even demons doing shocking things to young boys in the face of an unbelieving crowd.
We can say, “No shocking thing will deter us!”
UNBELIEF LOSES ITS VOICE
These verses describe relationship with the Lord in which He trains us in authority over whatever the enemy uses against us.
The message: Unbelief is Satan’s tool to keep me sick. BUT Satan really cannot stop my healing.
As I put messages of unbelief under my feet, they are under the feet of Jesus. I just look at Jesus and those messages don’t register. Seeing Jesus assures me He wants me well, so unbelief loses its voice.
All I hear is Jesus saying, “I am your sure foundation. Rise and be healed.”
NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AROUND US
EVERY DAY
There are many natural sources of negative thoughts around us every day which lead us to doubt God’s loving faithfulness.
Hand every negative thought to Jesus.
God’s answer is for us to listen to Him. What He says, we say. Remember His faithfulness to you personally. Thank Him for His goodness and His love.
Ask Him what thoughts He wants you to meditate on and to declare in faith. Find them or their equivalent in Scripture. Write them down in a journal. Post them where they become a constant reminder of the words of strong faith Jesus knows will keep you in perfect peace.
See also:
Matthew 21:21 “if you have faith and do not doubt . . . say to this mountain”
Mark 9:24 “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
Mark 16:14, 15 – He appeared to the eleven and rebuked their unbelief . . . 15. And He said to them, “Go . . and preach the gospel . . .”
Romans 3:3 Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect?
Romans 11:20 Because of unbelief they were broken off, . . you stand by faith.
1 Timothy 1:13 but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
Praise Him for His faithfulness.
HAND EVERY THOUGHT OF UNBELIEF TO JESUS
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV
- “It Doesn’t Work For Me.”
Going forward in this issue; to deal with unbelief when seeking the healing Jesus paid for in faith, for myself or, for another, I asked the Lord this question: “Lord, what are the words of unbelief I listen to and repeat in my mind and with my mouth?”
He revealed my subconscious thought, “It doesn’t work for me.” I know those words have canceled faith for me. So today I renounce those words as a lie of the enemy.
A Load Bearing Wall
So I asked, “Jesus, what are Your words that strengthen me in faith in You?”
Surprisingly, I heard, “A load bearing wall, bears the load, because it has the load bearing material built right into it.”
I thought, “What does that mean?” So, I asked, “What material is built into me, Lord?”
Immediately I sensed, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV.
So I declare these words of His strength over myself.
CHRIST OUR FOUNDATION
A load bearing wall rests on the foundation. Our foundation is Christ. But He is also the material built into us which strengthens us to do all things. Christ is the load bearing material built into us which strengthens us above our unbelief.
When unbelief speaks in your head, where is your source of strength to say the words faith would say and do all the things that faith would do?
Get into the word of God and begin asking the questions only He can answer that cancel unbelief. Let Him give you a sure foundation of faith to stand on with His strength built within you to do whatever He puts before you.