1 Samuel 15:23 – For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Rebellion started at the throne of God when Satan said he would exalt himself above the most high God.  It then was transferred by Satan to the heart of man in the Garden of Eden.  I Samuel 15 likens rebellion to witchcraft.  When we think of witchcraft in the Bible, we think of the witch at Endor.  Saul went down to talk to this demon possessed woman to help with his future battle plans.  This witch tries to “conjure” up an evil spirit but is shocked when Samuel actually shows up.  If rebellion is like witchcraft, then it obviously involves a person having a another or different spirit like this witch at Endor.

When rebellion is discussed in the Bible, it often refers to rebellious children.  Rebellion occurs when people will not take counsel or listen to godly advice (Isa 30:1).  Rebellion starts at a young age and grows quickly out of control.  When children start to say “no”, “but”, or delay obedience, they are headed down that path of rebellion; they have a different spirit.  The spirit is the first thing affected by rebellion.  If a child has an evil spirit and there is Satanic influence in their life, it is going to be hard for them to get saved or live a spirit-filled life.  The same thing is true of an adult.

Demonic influence affected Saul the rest of his life after he forced himself and offered the sacrifice.  He rebelled by refusing to obey the man of God.  At that point, evil spirits created jealousy and untrue thoughts about David in his mind.  The reason rebellion is such a dangerous sin is it opens the human spirit to demonic control.  Once someone is demon possessed, it is no telling how far they will travel down the road of sin.  It is vitally important that we deal with rebellion quickly in our children and in our own lives.  Once you get a demon, it is hard to get rid of it, just ask the Maniac of Gederah.  A Christian may not be possessed but they certainly can be oppressed by demonic activity.

Let’s make sure we deal with rebellion quickly in our sons, daughters, and own lives.  Demon possession or oppression is no joking matter.