by David Brenneman
"It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling. Following after Paul and us, she kept crying out, saying, “These men are bond-servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation.” She continued doing this for many days. But Paul was greatly annoyed, and turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out at that very moment." Acts 16:16-18.
This morning I saw a video that wasn't a drama creation for shock effect of a teen ridiculing a 20 something who was speaking out in a park of the need for people to be saved.
This certainly is a far more commonplace thing to happen and it will probably grow progressively worse as the Day of the Lord draws near.
Perhaps the Apostles drew the ire of the demonic world than most people after them. The Apostles were the first to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ in the Church of Jesus Christ.
I have personally shaken the hand of someone who was truly demon possessed. Interestingly enough he was either the speaker or the actual preacher at a church we were visiting. Certainly left a lasting impression upon me. When my hand reached out to shake his, in an instant, the world turned to a photo negative and this man’s face turned to an hauntingly evil grin until I let go. Then I saw what everyone did of someone with a cordial smile.
We left mid service to say the least.
Spiritual warfare is very real and very much in our world and lives today. We are told of this by Paul as a warning. This warning of our spiritual battles in the heavenly places wasn't at all just for that time period.
Satan lost at the cross of Jesus Christ but maintains that he can still try to defeat Jesus. He's ruthless and will not give up until that day when he will indeed fully submit to the will of God in Christ Jesus.
Satan's minions are all around this world. Many many people have no clue who is or isn't demon possessed. Many only think of those held in such bondage as being mentally ill. What's revealing is those in Jesus's day knew how to identify those who are demon possessed. They blend in so well in our world that nobody seems to give it a second thought.
We are to be alert for the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.
If he is, that's what he wants of his demons. Not all things that befall us are the result of demons or demonic activity. Our sin nature is certainly in the mix. We don't take it seriously enough to be in prayer more often, seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness more often.
We don't realize that in no way does the schemes of the devil have a slam dunk in mind. They are after clogging up the works in the lives of Christians since what they want to do to them has to be permitted by Jesus Christ. Those yet unsaved are the absolutely most vulnerable to demons for virtually any acts.
Full on depression that oppresses an individual can have its roots in a spiritual war.
Looking at the headlines of senseless violence has its probable roots in spiritual warfare.
Satan's schemes involve lies and full on destruction of those who oppose him.
We are never shown a single example of it being ok to not have the full armor of God on.
In this video that I saw, the person calling out to people to repent and turn to Jesus for salvation didn't miss a beat. He didn't give this child a moments interest.
We are to be in prayer, be keeping our minds set on the things that are above and not on the things that are of this world. We are to recognize our true enemy. People may indeed be among us who are demon possessed. Pray for them. That God frees them and saves them. Satan might have sent them but God in Christ Jesus put them in your path for you to know of them and to pray for them.
This spiritual war is only going to get worse as we draw closer to the return of Jesus Christ for His Bride the Church. After the Rapture of the Church, the wrath of God will be poured out upon the Earth. Satan WILL be far more pronounced in world affairs through his Antichrist and the False Prophet.
Pray for yourself and those you know in the faith to keep the whole armor of God on. Pray for those people whom God put in your path to meet. Regardless of knowing their name or not.
The day of the Lord is drawing near.
Stand firm in the Lord.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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