Fighting Evil Spirits

One topic I resisted dealing with for a long time, is the subject of evil spirits.

Perhaps because I was scared or maybe I was spiritually immature? 

But I have come to realise that this is a subject that Christians cannot shy away from, because guess what, this is a real.

Recently, I’ve had the occasion to look back over my life I’d say within the last 3-5 years, and I’ve realised that some of the weird and terrible stuff I’ve experienced, were not normal. 

I don’t know if any of you can identify. But I’m at the point where I felt I had to do a study on evil spirits, especially because I recognize that as believers, we have nothing to fear here, for we have authority over them.

Evil spirits are fallen angels and demons that oppose God and His purpose, and work to afflict and deceive people. They are associated with Satan and his kingdom of darkness.

The Bible recognizes evil spirits, and as such, we are not to be ignorant of their influence in our lives.

Jude 1 verse 6 KJV “And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” 

1 Samuel 16:14 “But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.” 

Ephesians 6:12 “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.”

Matthew 8:16 “When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:”

Mark 9:25 “When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.”

 

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;”

As Christians, we encounter evil spirits in all forms in our everyday life. Here are 10 areas.

1. Temptations and Sinful Desires - where our thoughts and desires are influenced into sinful behaviour

2. Negative or Destructive Emotions -  where you’re always fearful, depressed, angry or feeling hopeless 

3. Addictions - where, for example, try as you might, you can’t seem to stop using drugs or gambling or watching porn

4. Demonic Oppression or Possession - where one finds themselves doing crazy things which cause distress or harm

5. Supernatural Disturbances - sometimes you hear people say they see objects moving or they’re hearing strange noises

6. False Teachings and Deceptions - the work of false prophets leading people away from the truth of God

7. Influence through Media and Culture - the  influence of immoral programmes especially in social media

8. Curses or Hexes - we hear of these practices, more popularly known as obeah and voodoo, in certain cultures

9. And this one hit close to home for me: Negative Influences in Relationships - where evil spirits work through strained relationships, causing discord, misunderstanding, and division. Always fussing and fighting, conflicts that can’t be explained or worked out. Mighty God. Evil spirits at work.

Finally on this list, #10. Physical and Mental Illness - that persistent health issue that doctors cannot explain because there’s a spiritual dimension.

So having recognized evil spirits at work in our lives, how do we as Christians address these encounters?

Family, as believers, we have to fight with the power and authority given to us by God. 

Luke 10:19 - “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Hallelujah.

None of us is immune to evil spirits. While Jesus walked the earth, He Himself encountered evil spirits.

Matthew 8:28-32, “And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.”

Family, what I’m saying here, is that once we recognize what we are dealing with and who we are fighting against, we have to look to God for help, through prayer, reading scripture, fasting, and seeking the support of a faith community. 

There are specific ministries dedicated to deliverance, and that is so important.

But individually, we must have that resolve, we must want to fight against these evil spirits. Evil spirits must not be allowed to take over our lives. We will lose our marriages, we will lose our children, we will lose our businesses or our jobs, we will lose our friends, we will lose our sanity, we will lose our lives.

Scripture warns us to be on our guard and tells us also that if we are plagued by any of these elements, we must replace them with something stronger - the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

 

Matthew 12:43-45 “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”

James 4:7&8 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

What I am made to understand, through personal experience and this study, is that evil spirits plague or has plagued each and every one of us.

But what I am super thankful for, is that the Bible provides guidance on how to confront and overcome the influence. Because evil spirits test one’s faith and literally challenge our physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being. 

Thanks be to God that once we recognize why we seem to be stuck in the cycle of bad relationships, why we’re always depressed, why we can’t seem to make or save enough money to be financially stable in life, once we recognise why some seem to be strung out on drugs, out there committing adultery and fornication, indulging in pornography, cheating, lying, gossiping etc, we can turn to God's Word, prayer, and the power of the Holy Spirit for strength and deliverance.

Mark 16:17 “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;”

Ephesians 6:10-11 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Matthew 17:21 “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

I want each of us to leave from here today examining our situations and identifying the spiritual battles we may be facing.

Ask ourselves, do we want to continue in this situation or do we need deliverance. Then we have to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas where we need to apply these principles. 

Family, we have to make up in our minds to close any doors that evil spirits may use to gain access and we must invite the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to take over our lives. We have to seek God's presence through prayer, worship, and the study of His Word. 

Now this won’t be easy. 

And so I pray against any backlash that may come from this presentation today. I pray for divine intervention for anyone dabbling in or encouraging voodoo, witchcraft and obeah. I pray that the curse will be broken over anyone listening who knows they are operating in direct opposition to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. 

I declare that anyone here, even me Lord Jesus, who may have evil thoughts, that this spirit will be rooted out from within us in the Mighty Name of Jesus.

As we come before God on this new day, Family, let us confess and renounce any sin that may have given the enemy a foothold in our lives.

Let us submit to the will of Almighty God and resist the devil, knowing that when we do so, He has to flee.

Let us acknowledge God’s supreme authority and the victory that Jesus has won over evil.

Finally, we equip ourselves with the full armour of God, allow God to fill us with the Holy Spirit and surround us with His presence, as we worship and praise His Most Holy Name. 

aub - 13 Aug 24

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