Freedom from the Orphan Spirit - Dave Hess
The orphan spirit is not a demon, so it can’t be “cast out.” It’s a condition of the heart, which can only be displaced by the Father’s love.
- Dave Hess
By: Dave Hess
John 14:18 NIV- “I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you.”
When Adam & Eve revolted against God, they not only lost their title to live in Eden—but they also moved away from the place of continually experiencing the Father’s love for them.
THEY BECAME ORPHANS!
ROOT of the Orphan Spirit
The lie that deceived Adam & Eve was rooted in Lucifer’s revolt:
Isaiah 14:12 - “Lucifer”- the Light-Bearer; Brilliant One
Ezekiel 28:14-15 - “You were the anointed cherub (archangel) who covers. I established you. You were on the holy mountain of God. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created; until iniquity was found in you.”
Iniquity - the deep-rooted ambition to replace God with yourself.
Isaiah 14:13 - “I will make myself like (in the place of) the Most High.”
NOTE: This same lie was used in the Garden—“You shall be as (in the place of) God.”Satan’s revolt: “I do not want to have a father. I refuse to be a son. No one is going to be over me. I am not subject to anyone. I choose the orphan lifestyle.”
He wants to make us orphans, too. Ephesians 2:2 “…filling your lungs with polluted unbelief—then exhaled disobedience.”
2. MARKS of the Orphaned Life
Orphans are ABANDONED. Uncared for.
· Orphans say: “Whatever. I don’t care. Doesn’t bother me.” What they are really saying is: “NO ONE cares. I don’t matter to anyone.”
· Sons & daughters say: “I am so cared for. The Lord will watch over my coming and going, both now and forevermore” (Ps. 121:8)
They are INSIGNIFICANT. No sense of belonging.
Orphans struggle to CONNECT. (Living in rejection—they reject others before they are rejected).
Orphans STRIVE to EARN SIGNIFICANCE—to make a name for themselves.
BUT sons & daughters find their significance by BELONGING—being loved & cherished for who they ARE.
They live WITHOUT INHERITANCE or PROVISION.
Orphans struggle to be GENEROUS.
Governed by a sense of LACK. (“Not enough to go around.”)
Struggle to believe that anyone will give them something without strings attached
Sons & daughters believe: “Freely receive—freely give. My Father is generous. He gives good gifts. He’s a good Shepherd—I’ll never be in want.”
Orphans have TRUST ISSUES.
Orphans resist change—striving to control a world that feels out of control.
Sons & daughters ADAPT TO CHANGES—SECURE in their Father’s faithfulness.
Psalm 78 - Those who “forget” His promises & breakthroughs “lack strength.” But those who “remember, reflect on, gratefully rehearse” His promises and savor His miracles find great strength!
ORPHANS STRIVE & PERFORM.
ORPHANED or ADOPTED prayer models:
Orphaned:
Beg
Focus mainly on problem
Mostly Asking
Believe that God is reluctant or hindered
Expect Spiritual Attacks
Adopted Son/Daughter:
Listen & come into agreement with God (Luke 11:2)
Focus on testimonies and promises (Psalm 103:2)
Mostly thanking (Philippians 4:6)
God is good, and has won the victory (2 Cor. 2:14)
Expect spiritual breakthroughs (Hebrews 11:6)
(Edited, including scripture references added, and adapted from You’re Crazy If You Don’t Talk to Yourself, Steve Backlund, 2018.)
Our RESPONSE:
The orphan spirit is not a demon, so it can’t be “cast out.” It’s a condition of the heart, which can only be displaced by the Father’s love.
Romans 8:14-16 TPT - The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit. And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty,” leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance,” enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as he rises up within us, our spirits join him in saying the words of tender affection, “Beloved Father!” For the Holy Spirit makes God’s fatherhood real to us as he whispers into our innermost being, “You are God’s beloved child!”
