For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12
Of all the topics we have discussed so far, none may be more important than this one, and none is more ignored in the church today. I am talking about the enemy’s intent to destroy your community and you. May God anoint my words and your ears to hear on this sensitive matter because it is vital for your spiritual survival both individually and collectively. My hope is that, when you read this, you will be moved to start fighting for not only your own spiritual battles but deeply interceding for your church community. Its continued existence may depend on your intercession.
Over the last year, I wish I could expound upon the many times we encountered an issue that seemed interpersonal, theological, or logistics related, only to discern that it was a tactic of the enemy to divide our community. The good news is that, once we discern these things, we can begin fighting in spiritual realms together (mainly through worship, scripture and prayer) and our attention can shift back to loving God and one another without distraction. But that does not mean the process is not painful and traumatic if not recognized quickly.
FIGHT THE REAL ENEMY
I remember as a kid learning to play soccer. The day I scored my first goal was a bittersweet victory. I remember the excitement of getting control of the ball and the thrill of running past everyone trying to stop me, eyes on the ball, and with a dramatic flair, kicking the ball just into the net. Cheers! From the other team. It was just after we switched sides and I had kicked the ball into the wrong goal! I was fighting the wrong enemy! If I had looked up I would have noticed it was my own teammates I was trying to avoid.
If you are not careful, you will fight the wrong enemy. You will fight the people you are supposed to be teammates with. If your body starts moving in this direction. Stop! Do not engage. Do not return fire! Take a minute and assess the situation.
No matter what is happening in the body of Christ around you, make note of this. If you are fighting with people, you are fighting the wrong enemy. The real enemy is under the surface. Unseen. Unnoticed. And absolutely lethal. As sure as you have skin on your body, you have an enemy of your soul. And he is a merciless enemy, actively seeking to devour, steal, kill, and destroy. We have to fight the battle underneath the battle. I want to explore how to discern what is happening in your community in spiritual realms.
But first, I want to encourage you that you do not need to be afraid to move into engaging the spiritual realm if you never have before. You have a secure victory in Jesus Christ. He intends your steadfast victory over every attack of the enemy, so get ready to fight. I also want to offer a caveat here and acknowledge that not every hardship you face is from the enemy, but there are red flags that will help you discern the enemy’s attempted efforts in your life and community.
How to Identify A Spiritual Attack
If you are experiencing fear, anxiety, hearing voices of condemnation, experiencing prolonged sadness or a deep soul darkness, inexplicable loneliness, fogginess or confusion, or irrational and unmanageable feelings of hatred then you are probably dealing with a spiritual attack. Even if we experience physical sickness, persecution, or hardship, we can respond in victorious joy over these things. Here me when I say this. God does not intend for you to experience fear, anxiety, condemnation or confusion. He may intend for you to walk through a valley of pain, sickness, persecution, even death, but even in that valley, you are not meant to feel fear. Why? Because He is with you (Psalm 23)!
Fear, anxiety, condemnation, & confusion are not going to be endorsed by God as His will for you to endure as a forgiven child of God through Christ.
Because of this, fear, anxiety, condemnation, and confusion are NEVER going to be endorsed by God as His will for you to endure as a forgiven child of God through Christ. Even a little bit! Where you see these things, in yourself or in others, the enemy is at work (unless God is sending a spirit of confusion on an enemy, but the church is His bride, not His enemy). These are the red flags that it’s time to fight in the Spiritual places. Want proof?
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:8
Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life…Matthew 6:23
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1
For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33
If God is in it, there will be peace. When you encounter a red flag, dig in. What is the lie you have internalized individually or collectively? Reject the lie and return to the truth and you will experience immense freedom. The challenge is that you cannot boardroom talk, discuss, or counsel you way out of these things. Spiritual battles must be fought in spiritual places of prayer and worship. There are enemies that need to be renounced and sent back to hell. This is the work of the intercessors, those who are practicing the presence of God and walking in the authority that comes from a completely unified relationship with God, and His will. You are meant to have clarity as to what is happening around you. We will not be caught off guard.
KNOW THE ENEMY’S SCHEMES
Let’s just dig right in shall we?
MORAL FAILURE
The enemy is persistent but not terribly creative. If you look at Genesis 3 we can see how Satan normally leads us away from a listening and trusting posture of obedience and into moral failure, which allows guilt and shame to fester and helps maintain separation from God.
Like with Eve, we see the enemy attempt to sever the communication between a you and God with an accusation that you can not hear clearly or have misunderstood God. That is followed by an assault on God’s character planting seed of distrust in you, then an offer to assess good and evil for yourself leading to a choice to sin, thereby breaching covenant. Jesus’ blood covers us and our failings, but continued or habitual sin is never encouraged or condoned in the Bible. God wants you to live holy before Him, not for purity’s sake, but because you need unity with the Father (this is the goal of life). That unity is also your ticket to function in spiritual realms! And you will not be able to fully function with active, unconfessed sin in your life.
We know that not every temptation comes from Satan. Our own insecurities, desires, and lusts are enough to do the trick, but we can also be tempted by the enemy as well. These temptations are pretty straightforward. Here’s a brief list:
- Temptation to take control of your own life to provide for yourself,
- Temptation to rush the plan of God,
- Temptation to not trust God’s character and decide good and evil for yourself,
- Temptation to disobey God by sinning in any way thereby at least temporarily and partially diminishing your spiritual authority, which exists fully only when you are joyfully and willingly residing under God’s authority.
We need to watch out for temptation as a spiritual attack because individual and joint moral failures affect the whole community. This is why it is important to practice confession and accountability in community. We need to live with consistently clean consciences.
We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. 1 John 5:18
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:15-16
The joy in this is once we learn to love discipline and walk according to the Spirit, our past moral failures become altars at which we worship God for His mercy and protection in our lives. Not only that, but we get to lead others out. The enemy fails.
DIVIDE AND CONQUER
One of the primary ways the enemy will try to destroy church communities is through trying to divide you. If you start experiencing irrational thoughts about your leaders or friends in the community or even irrational jealousy or prideful thoughts, you can probably identify them as an arrow of the enemy. If the enemy can plant those thoughts firmly in how you perceive that other person, you are well on your way to a church split. Have you ever really thought about the fact that your community’s survival may depend on you and your thought life? Because it is your responsibility to guard your heart, your thought life. No one else can do that for you! Also avoid slander and gossip. These things are poisonous.
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. Proverbs 26:22
Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends. Proverbs 17:9
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16
Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure. Psalm 101:5
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. James 4:11
When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, 11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11
It is important to note the difference between a genuine injustice that needs to be addressed (abuse, persecution, personal attack, hurt from jealous/angry/hurt people) and a perceived injustice. With perceived injustice, there has been no injustice done against you. But you feel that there has been. This is often a perception based on misunderstanding, spiritual warfare, inaccurate information or drawing conclusions from appearance, assumptions, and hearsay. It can be from unmet expectations or pride, or resistance to truth that you are not ready to accept. In the case of an actual injustice, the community should try to correct it and address it. Take it to your brother directly and if they do not respond, go to a mature believer/leader/elder to help settle the matter. Perceived injustice is more difficult because the issue is with you mainly. If you are having trouble overcoming perceived injustice, seek out people who know how to intercede in prayer and listen to the Holy Spirit to lead you into healing. In either case, the issue here is your own heart. Your thoughts may get twisted into a negative swirl that affects your self-image and your image of the other person/people. We tend to justify our bitterness, unforgiveness, anger, envy, and resentment as it rises to the surface. Do not indulge that or encourage that in yourself or others.
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15
Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 1 John 3:15
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 24:21-22
Jesus said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come.” Luke 17:1. Whether a person has been offended due to actual unjust treatment or perceived unjust treatment the remedy is the same. Radical Forgiveness.
Jesus prayed that we would love each other. You know why? Because love covers a multitude of sins and allows for you to keep worshiping together in a unified body! Of all the things He could have prayed for us about, He prayed for our love for one another. In fact, every writer in the New Testament emphasizes loving one another. And when we do forgive, laying down our rights in love-driven obedience to Jesus, what happens? The enemy fails.
PLANTING LIES
Another tactic of the enemy is to plant lies in our minds. These are referred to as flaming arrows in scripture. Every lie of the enemy can be countered by truth. The problem is that an arrow of the enemy needs to be soberly recognized and alertly discerned. Many times we may think these are just negative thoughts we are randomly having. But if the enemy can make you think these are your thoughts then he wins. You unwittingly receive them as your own and you unnecessarily bear the weight of them.
I recently came through a terrible season of layers and layers of the same lie from so many different sources, which made it seem true. Once I realized the lie was a coordinated attack of the enemy, the whole smokescreen fell apart. I could examine each arrow not as something lodged in my heart but as something now blocked by the shield of faith. At times those lies will strike us when our guard is down. Trust your friends and mentors who point out a lie you might be believing to pray you through those moments when you cannot fight for yourself and know that God fights for you too. When you come out from underneath the lies, there is such freedom and you can recognize other lies very easily. Not only in your life but in the lives of others, the enemy fails!
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44
INFLICTING SICKNESS, PAIN, AND HARDSHIP
We know that not all sickness comes from the enemy. In fact, some sicknesses are afflictions given by God as discipline (Daniel 2-5). We also know that health is not always synonymous with God’s favor or judgment any more than wealth is. But in some cases, diseases are afflictions from the enemy that have no correlation to sin or God’s desire for the person. You must discern this in the Spirit. Many times, healing is God’s will so that He will be glorified and the work of the enemy is thwarted again by Jesus and you, the saint who walks in the power and authority of the Spirit to heal. The enemy fails.
So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:20-23
And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. Matthew 17:14-20
When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” John 11:4
…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:38
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. Luke 10:19
PERSECUTION, TRIBULATION, AND CONFLICT
I suppose you see the pattern now. My friend the enemy fails! In all of these things our victory has been secured! Another attack you will endure if you follow Jesus will be false accusation and persecution for your work in the Kingdom of God. You may experience significant financial loss, relational loss, and emotional pain for telling people the truth about Jesus and what God wants, for praying for the sick, for casting out demons, and for encouraging authentic, vibrant worship. This is nothing unusual compared to the persecution that many in the world are undergoing. Sometimes the Lord allows Satan to sift us. Even though it is really difficult to endure, there is also a great joy in it.
Persecution allows us to prove our faithfulness to God, and has the potential power to completely eradicate pride, fear of man, and idolization of money, possessions, family, legacy and renown. That’s quite a powerful tool. And it is with so much joy that I announce to you the stupidity of the enemy in using it. For where He meant to harm, to crucify, to steal, to kill, to destroy, God allows the persecution to burn everything unnecessary out of us and He rescues at exactly the right time. For some of us, that rescuing will happen soon, for others we will be persecuted all the way to death and arrive safely home to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven! The enemy fails! (More on persecution here)
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12
Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. John 15:20
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 1 Peter 4:12-16
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10
Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. Mark 10:29-30
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. 2 Timothy 4:16-18
HOW TO FIGHT
Spiritual attacks must be fought in the Spirit. That means that you need to learn how to fight. You must break the authority by declaring the Word of God, which says you have the authority of Christ for the demolishing of strongholds. You can break and crush enemy’s rule over territories and situations because of Jesus blood. Renounce any lies as specifically as you can, out loud, if possible. And partner with God’s truth by faith that you, your family, and your community are off limits to the work of the enemy (unless allowed by God). This whole process is guided by the Holy Spirit. It is not a magical spell/curse where you say the right thing and if you do it right, then it happens. No. It is about authority. And so you need to figure out how to live consistently in the unbridled authority and will of God.
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:14
Strategy #1–ONE THING NECESSARY: We can prepare ourselves to face our own insecurities, desires of the flesh, or spiritual attack by spending time at the feet of Jesus with an open heart. He will show us what needs to come out of us and do surgery on our hearts (like a farmer, burning taking rocks our of soil). As we obey him, submitting every desire to His desire for our consecration to Him, we learn to fight any natural human tendencies, with the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, not with our own willpower, but by God uniting our will with His in complete submission and self-death. So our unity with Him that is created in our time at His feet is what helps us love Him enough to obey His commands from the Heart. If we obey His commands, we will yield fruit as His disciples (John 15).
Strategy #2–KEEP YOUR ARMOR ON (all the time): If you want to make it in the kingdom, you need to recognize your identity as a warrior. No matter what your natural personality is or your spiritual gift, you are all warriors and you need to train your people. Start by teaching through and memorizing these scriptures.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit. Ephesians 6:10ff
No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 2 Tim. 2:4
…Your servants, everyone who is armed for war, will cross over in the presence of the Lord to battle, just as our master has spoken. Num. 32:27
They stood up. Each soldier in His assigned place. Judges 7:21
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;
You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. Psalm 138:7The Lord advances like a warrior;
He stirs up His zeal like a soldier.
He shouts, He roars aloud,
He prevails over His enemies. Isaiah 42:13
Let’s talk about this armor for a moment. You may have learned about it in Sunday School but I am telling you, once you understand this metaphor, you will be much better equipped to fight. The key is looking at the place of your body the armor protects and how the armor is meant to function.
The helmet of salvation covers your head, your mind. You must be so assured of your salvation through Jesus that the accuser cannot get a fiery arrow in there. The assurance of your salvation protects your thought life from doubt. The helmet has ear guards so that you cannot hear the voice of the enemy. You only listen to your commander, The Holy Spirit.
The breastplate of righteousness covers your heart. It is the righteousness of Jesus that covers your most vulnerable places and motivations and emotions. Even when our hearts condemn us, God is stronger than our hearts. The love of God covers us and declares us legally righteous. The enemy is called the accuser of the brethren because if he can get you to move into a guilt, shame, sin, distrust cycle, he separates you from God. This breastplate is the assurance of your status as pure and holy before God.
The belt of truth holds everything in place in the armor. Truth keeps us integrated and whole as individuals. It is complete honesty before God and people that allows us to walk and fight in freedom. The truth of who He is meets the truth of who we are, and we are locked into a life of love and service to our King. We remain true and loyal to Him.
Our feet are covered with the gospel of peace because without the peace of God which comes through sitting at His feet, we will become exhausted. We carry this gospel of peace in an enduring battle forward, taking territory for the kingdom. The peace of Jesus is the invitation of the gospel. Try it. Next time you share the gospel share it from the perspective of peace and see what happens! Every step we take in this fight is in complete peace, a mature confidence that goes way beyond optimism, knowing that nothing is outside the power, reach, and sovereignty of our God.
The shield of faith is meant to extinguish the flaming arrows of the enemy. This is about your defense and it is to be used in conjunction with the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. We want to make sure that our faith in God is solid in all instances because questioning Him leaves us very vulnerable. Faith is the assurance for what we hope for and the evidence of this not seen. Faith is the antithesis of fear. As we resist fear, our faith grows. As we step out and fight believing in God for victory and seeing it come to pass, our faith grows. Soon, as my friend Alex says, we are hiding behind a very large shield, even a fortress, instead of a tiny shield barely big enough to block anything! Now imagine an entire community fighting with this armor and you have a pretty unstoppable force.
Strategy #3–LEARN YOUR WEAPON: Your weapon is the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. We fight as an extension of the authority of Jesus, the Word. When we do battle, we speak the same Word of God that established the heavens and earth, Let there be light! We speak the same Word that became flesh and walked among us, in Jesus name. We speak the same Word that was spoken through the prophets of old. We speak the truth and message or idea of God brought to life by the breath or Spirit of God discerned for this time and place. That word resides in our hands in the Bible, and in our bodies as the Holy Spirit. I am fully convinced that this sword is the Holy Spirit breathed Word of God meant specifically for your context. It may be a scripture God breathes into your heart to fight a situation or it may be a fresh word from God for your community given through a prophecy or it may be both! The Holy Spirit and scripture are meant to be integrated because the are the same living, active material. And we wield it to divide truth from lies, to divide demon from the demonized, to divide fear from love. You learn to wield this weapon in intercessory prayer in the presence of God. Ask Him to teach you about this, but if you do, be warned. It’s a whole new crazy world. However, I would never go back because the intimacy with Jesus in intercession is really sweet.
Learning to fight offensively with this weapon will first transform your mind in terms of self defense. Knowing and committing scripture to memory is by far, the most powerful practical practice you can incorporate into your life. It protects and defends our minds even as we are being attacked. Hiding God’s word in our heart changes our heart to not want to sin against Him. In written cultures, it helps us a lot to write and rewrite the scripture in notebooks, but also we learn a lot from oral cultures who sing scripture, rehearsing it out loud and saying it to one another. Using scripture rightly interpreted and applied comes with practice–may God give you grace to learn quickly and the spiritual gift of discernment so as not to cause unnecessary pain to people as you learn. Also, please remember, you need to fight alongside others. Fight for others. You cannot do this on your own.
Fight alongside others. Fight for others.
You cannot do this on your own.
BONUS: A Beginner’s Guide to Dealing with Demons
Every once in a while, you will notice a specific darkness in someone. While this is difficult to describe, I am going to try. Demonic activity is darkness. So there will be a darkness in the eyes, a darkness to the actual tone of speech, a darkness to the words themselves. You may notice a hopeless helplessness coupled with an subtle rebelliousness. Asking the Lord to give you spiritual discernment over these things will help you identify these situations quickly. Also if a person is hearing voices of condemnation, these are almost always demonic in my experience.
Most people dealing with demonization remember a time when they opened the door to the enemy to enter their mind. It could be through dabbling in witchcraft, sexual sin and perversion, “familiar/angelic” spirits, tarot cards, transcendental meditation, or “deals” made with the enemy.
If you get into books on this, you will find much of the theology is not really based in scripture. It’s more like lore. That’s because scripture is strangely simplistic when it comes to healing and dealing with demons. Here’s what we notice:
- Make sure you have authority first (you will feel less capable in this if you have unconfessed sin or have been complacent in your walk with God or dabbling in worldly desires). I recently heard someone say, they are prepared all the time because they live a “fasted lifestyle.” I love this. Jesus has given us authority as his disciples, but this comes through the Holy Spirit, not a naming and claiming of a scripture passage. You need the power of the Holy Spirit to do this kind of work because the Holy Spirit is the same Spirit that was in Christ. It is His authority given to us.
- Grab a strong believer who knows how to pray. Do not attempt to deal with demons on your own EVER. It’s not that they are more powerful than you. But if it gets long, you may need to be able to tag team. Have them praying the whole time.
- Ask if the person wants to be free. Most of the time I try to help them remember what the open door was, repent and return to God, and have them renounce their friendship with the enemy.
- Ask together for God to fight on your behalf. Then assert your authority in Christ.
- Tell the thing to go in Jesus name. Ask if it is gone.
- Check with the person regularly to make sure it has not returned. Changes are the person will be weak afterward for weeks or months. They need lots of prayer and scripture sent their way and a coach to teach them to fight with their armor, to renounce the enemy, to keep the door closed and only listen to the voice of God. The enemy has no right to speak to us and no access to our mind. That has to be their new mindset.
…keep the door closed and only listen to the voice of God. The enemy has no right to speak to us and no access to our mind. That has to be our mindset.
Some things to know. You need to know that as you are trying to set someone free, the enemy will try to distract you with fascination/conversation with demons, or by insulting you, so you need to be focused and mentally ready. Please be aware that Christians can absolutely be demonized if they open a door to it. Do not write off a demonic attack because a person believes in Jesus. Trust what God is saying to you . Get to the root and get it taken care of. You have the authority in Christ to do so.
It may be harder to discern demonic attack affecting people you are close to. If this is the case, ask someone else to jump in. Working people through demonic manifestations can be scary and hard to watch. But you CANNOT allow your sympathy for the person to make you let up or stop to ease their pain. The pain is temporary. Push through and the freedom will be eternal. It’s like taking a bullet out of someone (I would imagine)-you are helping them but they may experience some pain that is difficult to watch. You can do it! Remember Jesus said that some demons come out through prayer and fasting. I have seen this happen twice where extended times of fasting and prayer was needed for freedom from demonization.
Ask God what your approach should be PER PERSON. Sometimes this is a longer dramatic process, sometimes it’s very quick and quiet. Where as you may have a guy kicking and screaming in one instance, another person may just weep. Different people, different approach. Same healer. Jesus, not you. As in all things rely on Him in perfect dependence.
The enemy fails guys! We win because of Jesus and His victory becomes our! Take courage and stand firm and fight!
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.[j] 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39
Glory to God. What an accurate and authoritative teaching. God establishing His Kingdom in different places. Blessings.