Job 4:15 & 16 “(15) Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair on my flesh stood up: (16) It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying,”
1 Timothy 4:1 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils;”
Students of the Bible are well aware of the documented instances where Satan has tried to poach the things of God for himself. One of those tactics is still in use as much today as it has ever been. Throughout the Old Testament you will find commandments from God to avoid interactions with those who have familiar spirits and to abstain from the practice of communing with spirits. This form of witchcraft may indeed be the oldest and most common form of occult activism. Some magicians, mediums, and psychics may claim to be able to converse with the spirits of the dead; but no such things are possible. We who study the Bible know that the spirits of dead men reside either in Heaven or Hell (in this dispensation) and cannot traverse the gulfs fixed by God to commune with the living. Therefore, there are only two types of spirits that man can commune with: The Spirit of God; and, the spirits Satan and his fallen angel followers.
This simple truth is hardly ever disputed among the brethren. Yet, some dispute the prevalence of such attacks from Satan and his devils. Make no mistake, there are demonic spirits that wish to devour your faith and your testimony by impersonating the Holy Spirit. Our day is rife with those that submit to the guidance of demonic spirits and all the while the vast majority of them are unaware that they harken to Wicked One which wishes their damnation. My desire is to once again remind the saints of this ever prevalent threat to our own spirituality and the spirituality of those around us.
1) The means of Demonic Influence: Just as with the friend of Job, the spirits that seek to draw men away from God will try to imitate the things of God. No doubt these spirits have power (that’s what caused to hairs on his body to stand up), their mystery is meant to disguise their identity and they will never reveal their true form, and their words will appeal to our flesh and our natural desires. The spirits of devils always capitulate to man’s desire to hear what they wish to hear, thereby persuading them to follow their will as opposed to God’s will. No matter how you go about examining demonic activity it always starts this way, and always ends the same way. After enticing the hearer into rebellion against God, the spirits will dominate and bind the follower with hopes of damming them to Hell for all eternity (or in the case of saints, ensnaring them to prevent the Commission of the Church from being accomplished). These attacks may come through stray thought slipped into the mind, a voice (mimicking the Spirit of God or one’s own conscience) in the mind, or may even come in the form of suggestions from other people who, whether know to them or not, are acting in the service to such demonic influence because they have already succumbed to it themselves.
2) How the Saint Combats Demonic Attacks: Identifying a false spirit is relatively easy. The problem is that many do not see the need to prepare for such occurrences. There is labor in safeguarding yourselves against demonic spirits, but thankfully the grace of God does not let us be tempted by Satan or his minions above that which we are able. So how do we know when a spirit is other than the Spirit of God? The Word of God. The Spirit of God will always be in agreement with the Word of God; demonic spirits, however, will never agree with the Word of God and will seek to pervert it, confuse it, or eradicate it. Yet, many fall victim to the sway of demonic spirits because they are not ever aware of what the Word says. Why do you think David said that he hid the Word in his heart to avoid sinning against God? In order to identify and resist the spirits of this world, we must know what the Word says each second of the day. That only comes through study and application of the Word to our hearts,
After knowing the distinction between the Holy Ghost and the spirits of Hell, we can then combat their influence in our lives. Identification is not enough, we must resist. Peter wrote that if we resist the Devil he will flee. Knowing that surrender will shame us before God, knowing that the end of such a path will lead to our spiritual destruction, it is easier to stand in the liberty where Christ makes free and resist the temptation to forsake the One that saved us.
In conclusion, I hope that this devotion does not spur you into a fit a fear. I hope that this devotion did not shatter any concept you had about how the world works. But if either occurred, I have good news. Greater is He that is in you that he that is in the World. Demonic spirits are powerful, too powerful for us, but when compared to the might of our God they are weaker than an ant is to a human. We already are victors in Christ, we need only rely upon His strength and guidance to overcome Satan and his lot. No power of Hell, nor scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand. AMEN!
Your fellowservant in Christ,
Bro. Jordan Foster
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