spiritual warfare

[Yankee Candle]

yes to all three' date=' for the same reasons as everyone else. I've never seen it personally, but one of my dear friends did when she was going through a very hard time in her life (she went through a goth period before she was saved). She said it was one of the scariest things she's ever seen or had happen.[/quote']

Thank you Lily.

Yes, the deliverance from evil can be quite frightening, but our Lord always frees the captive who repents and confesses sin freely. His power overcomes the devils and all evil for every tender hearted believer who wishes to be close to His Lord once again.

God bless you and have a wonderful day.

[brodave]

I have never seen a demon cast out personally. But I have met some that I believe could have been possessed. I have seen a lot of dogs that I believe were possessed.

[Yankee Candle]

I have never seen a demon cast out personally. But I have met some that I believe could have been possessed. I have seen a lot of dogs that I believe were possessed.

Speaking of possessed dogs, I think we have one in our neighborhood. He bothers everyone who crosses paths with him and the owners let him run wild at times. Oh, well, glad dogs don't have to get saved and delivered from evil!

Thanks brodave.

[Yankee Candle]

Normally, but not always. The effect of curses upon Christians, are of course, broken by the blood of Christ but we have learned that there are occasions when curses can have some effect. It depends upon the circumstances. If believers are not right with God, not fully dedicated, or not paying attention to the details the Lord lays before them, then they can be effected by curses. Other than that there is an eternal purpose in such things that God may not have revealed.

Once within the last three years a person I know had a curse put upon them by another who was involved in witchcraft and the person became deaf to everything I said to her. She couldn't hear a word. The Holy Spirit led me to understand that it was indeed a curse so I prayed over the lady in the name of Christ and called for his shed blood to break that curse. Her hearing was restored instantly. This, however, is just one example.

[heartstrings]

"Spiritual Warfare" is more about drawing nigh to God, resist the devil, and the devil will flee.

I would be careful about trying to cast out devils. You are no match for the devil.
Act 19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
Act 19:14 And there were seven sons of [one] Sceva, a Jew, [and] chief of the priests, which did so.
Act 19:15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
Act 19:16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Are you an apostle?
Can you speak in unknown languages, heal or can you raise people from the dead? Michael the archangel would not even rebuke the devil; What makes you think you can cast out devils?

The best thing to do is pray....
and let GOD do the casting out.
Mat 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
Mat 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

I think if one of my loved ones was demon possessed, I would be in EARNEST prayer before the throne of Grace.

[Yankee Candle]

"I would be careful about trying to cast out devils. You are no match for the devil."

You're right. I am no match for the devil, but Satan is no match for Jesus. The Lord and his Holy Spirit have enabled my team members and I to help people with such problems for nearly two decades. We have seen people wonderfully delivered by the power of God.

May His name be forever praised.

Thank you.

[Danny Carlton]

1. Yes, 2. Yes, 3. Yes.

I had trouble with insomnia in college until I discovered that when I found myself unable to sleep, all I had to do was demand all the demons leave, in Jesus name, out load, and within 15 minutes I'd be asleep. There would be a very noticeable change after I'd command them to leave. I've found this when there are odd feelings present, like an unexplained fear or anxiety.

[Anon]

I agree with all the yes answers.

I have known people to be possessed....however its not always that they act crazy and stuff. Sometimes you can see it in their eyes....other times there are other clues. Not always a crazy foaming at the mouth action. I do not believe certain sins are certain demons though....I don't think you can look at a drunk and say "He has the demon of alcohol".

DannyC I think in your case it would be oppression....many times demons will be around us (just like angels are, no telling how busy the spirit world is but I assume it is quite) and will oppress us or make us feel uneasy or fearful...and yes claiming the blood of Christ and denouncing them does work if you are close to God. I just wanted to make the distinction that you were not possessed and casting them out (usually you do not have the power to cast out your own demons if you are truly possessed) but rather denouncing them from bothering you.

I have never personally seen one cast out of a person, although I have known them to be dismissed from a room or house or something. Demons are probably more active than most people are aware.

[John81]

I suddenly started having a lot of bad dreams some time back and I finally brought it to the Lord in prayer. I prayed the Lord would have dominion over my dreams, prayed Scripture with regards to every thought being taken captive to Christ, prayed for the Lord to protect my thoughts and dreams from demonic influence. The bad dreams ended.

[Yankee Candle]

yes to all three' date=' for the same reasons as everyone else. I've never seen it personally, but one of my dear friends did when she was going through a very hard time in her life (she went through a goth period before she was saved). She said it was one of the scariest things she's ever seen or had happen.[/quote']

Many, if not most goths are demonized to one degree or another. That movement is the most visible part of Satan's kingdom in the physical world. But sadly, many fundamental Christians have their own share of evil in their lives because of sin. Over half the people we ever helped were fundamental Baptists~!

[Anon]

If its true what you say about Baptists, its only probably because the devil fights those with the truth harder than anyone else.

Sometimes I lament that Christians are not as friendly or happy as those in the world. However, then I have to remember that Christians are in a battle, while the world has their "reward" in this present life. God even tells us that the reward of the wicked is his life in the here and now. Christians, however, have to fight their battles with a smile on their face. Its a challenge. Of course God tells us to have joy and gives us His Spirit as well...but yet we should remember when Christians are struggling, its because the devil hates us more than anyone else on earth.

[Yankee Candle]

If its true what you say about Baptists, its only probably because the devil fights those with the truth harder than anyone else.

Sometimes I lament that Christians are not as friendly or happy as those in the world. However, then I have to remember that Christians are in a battle, while the world has their "reward" in this present life. God even tells us that the reward of the wicked is his life in the here and now. Christians, however, have to fight their battles with a smile on their face. Its a challenge. Of course God tells us to have joy and gives us His Spirit as well...but yet we should remember when Christians are struggling, its because the devil hates us more than anyone else on earth.

Well, I think I agree with you. I am a fundamental Baptist and the devil fights me and our church a lot harder than the Methodists, Lutherans, and Nazarenes around us. They are seemingly unaware that there even IS a battle.

[John81]

Many professing Christians either don't really believe in a the devil or they take him very lightly. If you mention spiritual warfare or even mention the devil many will look at you as if you are a nut. The devil has done a good job of making many disbelieve in him or to think of him as some sort of boogey man their not likely to encounter or to see the devil as some powerful evil fighting with God for control and not interested in us.

This, of course, gives the devil a great deal of free reign in many folks lives because they never give him battle. They blame attacks in their lives on themselves, their family, the church or even God.

Folks not knowing their Bibles; not abiding in the Word of God; not living by the Word of God; leave themselves open to all sorts of deception, manipulaiton and attack.

[Yankee Candle]

Many professing Christians either don't really believe in a the devil or they take him very lightly. If you mention spiritual warfare or even mention the devil many will look at you as if you are a nut. The devil has done a good job of making many disbelieve in him or to think of him as some sort of boogey man their not likely to encounter or to see the devil as some powerful evil fighting with God for control and not interested in us.

This, of course, gives the devil a great deal of free reign in many folks lives because they never give him battle. They blame attacks in their lives on themselves, their family, the church or even God.

Folks not knowing their Bibles; not abiding in the Word of God; not living by the Word of God; leave themselves open to all sorts of deception, manipulaiton and attack.

Right brother, I agree.

I've got plenty of visible evidence of the reality of the devil and his imps in action but when I try to post some of it on Christian message boards the posters get so upset they demand I stop or kick me off . But there is plenty of supernatural activity that can be verified to establish that they are real.

[Anon]

Right brother, I agree.

I've got plenty of visible evidence of the reality of the devil and his imps in action but when I try to post some of it on Christian message boards the posters get so upset they demand I stop or kick me off . But there is plenty of supernatural activity that can be verified to establish that they are real.

I agree there's lots of evidence....however I do not think it is something that should be often spoken of; rather, prayed about. The devil loves it when we "glorify" him by talking to others about the things he and his angels do. People should be aware of the devil...the roaring lion...but we should not spend too much time discussing the gory details. At least I don't think so. I know if I talk about it much, I get an "icky" feeling in the pit of my stomach.