The Dangers of Rebellion
Rebellion is an open door to demonic bondage
Rebellion is an open door to the demonic in a person's life. The Bible strictly warns us against rebellion, and it's consequences are not to be taken lightly. God's Word tells us that rebellion is in the same category of sin as witchcraft itself:
1 Samuel 15:23, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft..."
The word witchcraft above is translated back to the Greek word qesem, which not only includes literal witchcraft itself, but also divination. Both of these practices are highly demonic. I believe it is clear in the following verse that those who practice true divination have a demonic spirit:
Acts 16:16, "And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying."
Now let me ask you this: Is witchcraft an open door to the demonic in a person's life? If so, why wouldn't rebellion also be an open door, being that God put both of them in the same category?
God's Word even comes out more clearly and tells us that a cruel messenger will be sent against the rebellious:
Proverbs 17:11, "An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him."
Who is this cruel messenger? I believe it's the same kind of messenger that is spoken of in Matthew 18:34-35 when speaking of turning the unforgiving person over to tormenters:
Matthew 18:34-35, "And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."
Rebellion cuts a person off from God
God's Word is clear that rebellion is a great way to find yourself in dry land spiritually:
Psalms 68:6, "...the rebellious dwell in a dry land."
It is bad enough to be rebellious, but anybody who curses their father or mother shall come under a curse, and find themselves in obscure darkness:
Proverbs 20:20, "Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness."
The Bible is clear that a man who is rebellious, is a man who's heart is not right with God:
Psalms 78:8, "And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God."
God's Word is clear that judgment will come upon the rebellious:
Ezekiel 3:26, "And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house."
This reminds me of the demons that Jesus cast out of people which caused them to be dumb (unable to speak)!
God has also shown me that rebellion shuts a person's ears from being able to hear God when He tries to speak to them. The following verse also makes this clear:
Ezekiel 12:2, "Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house."
In the above verse, it is important to notice how it also emphasizes that rebellious house has eyes, but cannot see. Rebellion allows the god of this world (which is Satan, whom works through his network of demonic spirits) to blind our spiritual eyes. When our spiritual eyesight is blinded, our discernment suffers greatly. This is a dangerous position for anybody to be in.
2 Corinthians 4:4, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
Isaiah 30 addresses rebellion
1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
2 That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! (The rebellious run to the ungodly for advise, counseling and support)
3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
4 For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.
5 They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be a help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.
6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.
7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.
8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come forever and ever.
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
10 Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
11 Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.
12 Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this word, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:
13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.
14 And he shall break it as the breaking of the potter's vessel that is broken in pieces; he shall not spare: so that there shall not be found in the bursting of it a shard to take fire from the hearth, or to take water withal out of the pit.
15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
16 But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.
17 One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on a hill.
Forsake rebellion today!
If you have been rebellious, then stop! Forsake your rebellion and turn to the Lord. Repent of thy ways, that ye shall receive mercy. Rebellion is an open door to demonic spirits in a person's life. God's Word warns us that rebellion darkens your spiritual eyesight (discernment), and it deafens your ears to hear God's voice.
