Why did I just do that?
One of the most misunderstood aspects of spiritual warfare is, oddly enough, the “existence” of the enemy. Many believe that we are at war, a war for our very souls, but really don’t understand what the Devil is doing and how he is doing it.
The first thing we must all come to accept is that the Devil is real and that his demons are actively working in our lives. This is not theoretical mumbo jumbo but cold, hard fact. We, as mere humans, cannot begin to comprehend the malevolent evil that is the Devil. We also cannot hardly comprehend the absolute hate that each and every demon has towards mankind. There is no good in these fallen spirits and though, at some level, they all know that they are doomed they still want to do as much damage as they can before they are thrown into the bottomless pit for a thousand years.
Demons manifest through people
We interact with demons many times each and every day. Their presence is seen and felt through mass media, personal interaction with other people, and society as a whole. We are literally living in a world that has been warped and twisted by demonic legions who work their evil on such a vast scale that, unless God reveals it to you, it seems like the natural order of things.
The second thing we must come to understand is that demons inhabit people. This is on a sliding scale from minor oppression to full possession. Some people you meet are relativity free of demons while others are so under their influence that the real person is completely submerged and what you are dealing with is almost pure demonic manifestation. In fact, if the demons were suddenly exorcised out of them, you would be hard pressed to recognize them as the same person.
Demons also inhabit Christians
Paul says,
“For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me . For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.“
Romans 7:15-20
Demons try to influence us to sin
Here, the apostle Paul is speaking about demons and how they influence him to do evil through his flesh even though he does not want to sin. This other law that Paul talks about, which wars against his own mind, is demonic in nature. If even Paul could be troubled by demons everyone else is certainly susceptible to their influence too.
This, for many, is a very unpleasant concept to grasp. Many Christians cannot conceive of themselves being influenced by demons much less indwelt by them. Believers say, “I am filled with the Holy Spirit, therefore demons cannot inhabit me.” They forget, to their hurt, that though the children of Israel were supposed to drive out “all the Canaanite nations” before them, they did not. Likewise, though we are to give every part of ourselves to Jesus, many of us do not. Areas of our lives remain under enemy control even though God indwells us. It is ridiculous to say we are wholly given over to God when we so easily act like the Devil.
Demons prey upon and amplify your carnal desires
Demons “amplify” our carnal desires and emotions. If you are angry they fan it into hate. Do you envy someone, but allow demons to turn it into full blown jealousy? Do you allow natural hunger to turn it into gluttony? Anything you do that is against God attracts demons. The more you sin the more demons hang around making themselves at home in your body and indwelling you. The bottom line is that we are interacting with demons “all” the time but, because it seems so normal and the spirits are largely unseen, we do not realize it.
Demons behaving badly through you
When someone you love hurts you deeply through words or actions, and it seems demonic, chances are that is exactly what it is: demons behaving badly through them. People fight and say awful things later deeply regretting everything that just happened. Even lovers hurt each other, because during the heat of the moment, demons fan the flames of hurt and anger. Evil spirits blow everything out of proportion to what was really taking place.
We think that it was “the person” in front of us who said or did those terrible things when, in fact, it was demons who did those things through them. The fact is, that for a time you both may have been yielding to fallen spirits. Had demons not been pushing both of you and taking advantage of the “heat of the moment” both of you would have never said or done those terrible things.
Regret is simply the aftermath of demonic influence
After people yield to demons they feel dirty, ashamed, terrible and can’t believe they said and/or did the things they did. Some, lacking any other logical explanation, simply believe that they are evil when, in fact, it is the demons who have been evil through them. Sometimes, in extreme cases, people become so hopeless (because they realize they lack the power to stop such terrible behavior) that they despair enough to take their own lives. Suicide is almost exclusively the product of severe demonic possession.
Wars and rumors of war
We do not realize the true depth of the “Strong Delusion” that we are currently under. Likewise, we do not realize the full extent of the demonic influences that we live under. We literally deal with demons hundreds of time per day. Riots are simply demons in people rampaging. Wars are Satanic orgies of death and destruction. Ethnic conflicts fought through manipulated masses goaded to believe they must commit carnage. Demons empower doctrines and philosophies that war against God. Devils cause people to believe things that make absolutely no logical sense. Many intellectuals, whether they be secular or religious, are demon possessed.
Understand that it is not all you
You may not be nearly as bad as you may think. Your mistake is to believe that the sin that you do stems only from you. You may have chosen to sin initially but the driving force behind it is almost certainly demonic. Satan keeps you bound by shame, remorse and condemnation, until you learn to separate yourself from demons. People identify the enemy when they realize these spirits are “not” them. Once you identify the root cause of of sin in your life you can fight against them.
Paul says,
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;”
Mark 16:17
You have the power, in Jesus name, to cast out demons
One of the signs of being a Christian is that we will cast out devils in Jesus name. This scriptures alone proves that demons inhabit people. Jesus has given us the ability to command evil spirits to leave and they must obey us in his name. Demons must obey us when we tell them to leave in the name of Jesus. Why? Because when God hears the name of His son our Father makes them go.
When I write such essays I don’t go into great analytical detail. I realizes that you will either get this by His Spirit or you will not. If you are searching, these words will be like a cup of cold water to a man dying of thirst in a scorching desert. If you are not open, nothing I say will penetrate your heart or intellect.
Study to show yourself approved
That is not to say that you will understand everything I pen even if you are open to it. Many of these concepts will require scriptural study in order to fully grasp them. Give yourself time to understand.
Lastly, I write to give you perspective so that you can see what your dealing with. I want you to get the “big picture”. Most of the time people live in the thick of it, and cannot see the forest for the trees.
Father, give us spiritual eyes that we may truly see
Open your spiritual eyes so that you may truly see. Allow God to illuminate your understanding through His Spirit of Truth (His Holy Spirit). Open your hearts as well as your intellect so God may show you what you are actually dealing with. It is vitally important that we all gain “God’s” perspective on demons. We must see straight and take action against the demons that seek to destroy us.
Whereas you may be a victim you are not powerless. Jesus has given you His very name in order to defeat evil. Use it well, use it often and deliver yourself and others from the hand of the wicked one!
