Robert grew up in a small town with middle-class parents. His father was a successful employee of a large international corporation, his mother employed in secretarial work. Robert had 3 younger siblings. As his high-school education was drawing to a close he knew he wanted to go on to college and a school which was sort of a family tradition but his field of study was undetermined even mid-way of his senior year.
Robert’s father was very determined that his son would
follow in his footsteps and do his college studies in his father’s field of
work, or at least in a closely related business. His father, even without
Robert’s knowledge, talked to several local businessmen about giving Robert a
job when he completed college. As high school graduation time approached his
father never really sat down with Robert to ask him what he wanted to do, what
his interests were and his life’s goals. It was his father’s way or
no way at all. Robert got very angry, disrespectful and rebellious towards
his father. His father blew up in anger and they got into several heated
arguments over the school issue.
Robert went on to college and chose a field of study far
removed from what his father wanted. He was determined to go in a direction
that was totally opposite from what his father wanted. This was an issue of
pure spite and rebellion on Robert’s part. The father did go ahead and pay for
the college expenses and Robert graduated with a degree and went on to have a
successful career and is now retired.
As the years passed Robert came to understand the ministry of deliverance and saw the manipulation, domination and control spirits that had worked his father, especially in the area of Robert’s education. God also led Robert to see his own rebellious attitude and anger towards his father and he repented of those sins. In a discussion with a friend in early 2010 Robert experienced some deep-seated buried anger towards his deceased father about what happened some 50 years ago. The Holy Spirit convicted Robert of this “hidden bitterness and anger” and he sought and received forgiveness for these issues.
Rebellion – Anger – Bitterness – these are demonic
spirits that will eat away at a person and destroy the person who does not repent.
It matters not who or what brought them on. A person must face these issues and
be willing to make the conscious choice to forgive the offender. Christ
forgave, we must forgive, Robert did … and it set him free. Parents have a
responsibility before the Lord to sit down with their children and ask them
what they want to do in life and offer loving input and guidance but never
force the parent’s desires and goals on a child. That is not God’s way. All
should seek God’s will in every situation. In deliverance ministry the issue of
M.I.D. is always looked for: Manipulation, intimidation and domination.
God never engages in any of these activities. God guides and leads by love. And
thankfully Robert came to see, even late in his life, his own responsibility
and sins in the matter. Robert’s father has gone home, Robert is now totally
free of the past with his father. Robert has come to truly praise God for
deliverance. May his example encourage you to admit your part, repent and
forgive each and every person who has wronged or hurt you.