When the Devil Can’t Get to You, He’ll Go After Them

If the enemy can’t get to you, he’ll aim his attacks at those closest to you - your children, your spouse, your parents, your siblings, even those friends who are like family to you. We live in a wicked generation, where demonic influence moves subtly through media, relationships, and culture. And while worry may keep you up at night, it will never protect the ones you love. Only prayer can do that.

The Bible says in 1 John 5:14 (NLT), “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.” 

When you pray in alignment with God’s Word, heaven backs your request with divine power. If God promised it, you can pray it. If God wills it, you can believe for it. God wills that your loved ones would be surrounded by godly influence; thus, you can pray for such.

“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.” - Psalm 1:1-2 (NLT)

One of the most vital prayers you can pray on behalf of your loved ones right now is for the removal of ungodly influences. This world speaks with many voices; some enticing, some deceiving, all competing for the heart. Psalm 1:1-3 paints the picture: the blessed man does not “follow the advice of the wicked” but delights in the Lord’s Word and prospers in all he does. Your intercession can redirect paths, close wrong doors, and open divine appointments. 

A single Spirit-led prayer can prevent a harmful meeting or delay a destructive decision. You can’t always be with them. You can’t always protect them. But you can always pray. And when you pray God’s will, you surrender them to God’s care. Prayers cancel the plans of Hell.

For more about this topic, watch “7 Prayers You Need to Begin Praying Over Your Family Right Now,” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Why You Feel Attacked Right Now

What if the attack you’re facing is actually a sign that God is about to use you?

Jesus wasn’t attacked at the temple. He was attacked in the wilderness—tired, hungry, alone.

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.” - Matthew 4:1 (NLT)

That’s where the enemy strikes: in the silence, in the waiting, right before the breakthrough.

If you’re facing unusual pressure, heaviness, or temptation, don’t panic. It could mean you’re standing at the edge of God’s next move in your life. Every battle Jesus faced in the wilderness came before His public ministry began.

The enemy attacks most fiercely right before God releases you. The intensity of your battle could mean you’re closer to your calling than you think.

Don’t quit now. Keep standing. Your breakthrough is near.

For more about this topic, watch “Right Before God Uses You, The Devil Will Try These Attacks,” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

You’re Already in a War

There’s a lot of talk about war right now. Headlines. Social media. Fear everywhere. But as believers, we should never panic, for God is in control. What we must be is aware. Because whether you know it or not, you’re already in a war—a spiritual war. And this war affects both this life and the next.

Every war is fought in battles, so here are five key battles you're engaged in every single day:

#1. The battle for your mind

The enemy attacks your peace, joy, and clarity.

“But don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
– Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT)

When you are grounded in the Word, your mind becomes steady. Even when life feels like it's spinning, clarity comes through communion with God. Win the battle for your mind by grounding yourself in the truth of God’s Word. In this spiritual discipline, do not give up any ground. The Word. Every day. No exceptions. No excuses.

#2. The battle for your purity

Temptation is not an event—it’s a process. In regard to purity, there are three major areas we battle daily:

We win the battle for sexual purity when we flee from temptation instead of debating with it.

“Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”  – 1 Corinthians 6:18–20 (NLT)

We win the battle for purity of speech by practicing wisdom and self-control.

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” – Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)

And we win the battle for pure motives when we remain aware of God’s watchful, knowing gaze.

“People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.”  – Proverbs 16:2 (NLT)

#3. The battle for your relationships

To win the battle in the area of your relationships, be aware of how others are influencing you.

“Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for ‘bad company corrupts good character.’” – 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NLT)

Yes, avoid ungodly influences, but also be sure to intentionally invest in godly relationships. Don’t be so reclusive and difficult to reach that you push people away. Don’t settle for shallow connections. Invest in godly friendships. Cut off ungodly influences.

#4. The battle for your attention

Respect yourself. Respect the time God has given you. Remain aware of your own mortality. Assess how much time you’re wasting. Rest? Of course. Waste? Never.

Where does your time go? Budget your time like you budget your money. Conserve your energy as a valuable resource, because it is. Spend your attention wisely, because the enemy is trying to get you to entertain your life away, sleep your life away, and waste your time.

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12 (NLT)

#5. The battle for your calling

This battle may be one of the most overlooked because it doesn’t always come with a loud temptation or emotional moment. It comes subtly through insecurity, hesitation, and doubt.

You may already know what God has placed in your heart to do. It could be something public like preaching or leading, or something more behind the scenes like writing, creating, starting a ministry, or simply stepping up in your community or church. But right when you're about to move forward, that internal voice starts speaking: “You’re not qualified. Someone else could do it better. Who do you think you are?”

The enemy fights your calling by making you focus on your flaws. He’ll replay every failure, every flaw, every reason why it shouldn’t be you. And what’s worse, we often mistake our own insecurity for humility. But real humility says, “I can’t do this without God”—not “I can’t do this at all.”

You might question whether you’re the one God could use. So did Moses.

“But Moses pleaded with the Lord, ‘O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though You have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.’ Then the Lord asked Moses, ‘Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.’”  – Exodus 4:10–12 (NLT)

So don’t wait until you feel confident. Don’t stall until all the pieces are in place. If God told you to do it, take the step. Speak when He says speak. Move when He says move. Your obedience will unlock the guidance you're asking for.

This is how you win the battle for your calling: not by waiting for perfect conditions, but by surrendering your fear and taking faithful steps forward. The enemy hopes you’ll sit on your assignment. Heaven is waiting for you to walk in it.

For more about this topic, watch “You're Already in a War (And You Don't Even Know It)” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Types of Demonic Harassment

Though you cannot see it with your natural eyes, in the spiritual realm, a conflict between light and darkness is taking place—angels against demons, Heaven against Hell, truth against deception. Your mind is the battlefield.

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” - 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

While demons cannot dwell in believers, they can harass them. This isn’t a reason to be scared but rather prepared.

Here are 3 ways demonic beings attack the minds of Christians:

#1 - Fear

Demons aim to drag your thoughts to dwell on the worst-case scenario in every scenario. They torment your mind by suggesting what can go wrong. They even use irrational fears to keep you from enjoying the life God intended for you.

#2 - Accusation

Satan is the accuser, Christ is the advocate. Demons harass your mind by bombarding you with thoughts that bring forth guilt and shame from past mistakes. Sometimes, demons will even influence others to hold your past over you.

#3 - Temptation

If sin were a product, demons would be salesmen. While demons don’t do the sinning for you, they do try to persuade you to disobey God, as did the serpent in the garden. While tempting you, they minimize the sin, and once you give in, they magnify it. So then temptation and accusation can work together.

How can we be free? 

Fear, accusation, and temptation can make you feel like you’re going crazy, but the solution is a simple one. 

Spiritual warfare is simply the fight to believe God’s truth over the enemy’s lie. Deception leads to thoughts and feelings, which ultimately produce actions that become habits.

Instead of just dealing with the results of deception, we must be made aware of the roots of deception.

All forms of demonic harassment are rooted in deception. The enemy cannot defeat you unless He’s deceived you. Fear is based on the lie that God isn’t in control. Accusation is based on the lie that God isn’t forgiving. Temptation is based on the lie that God isn’t enough.

Once you know the truth, you’ll be free. The light of truth is what does away with the darkness of demonic harassment. 

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching, “If You're Seeing These Signs, You Need Deep Deliverance,” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Spiritual Wickedness in High Places

There exists a world beyond what natural eyes can see, and therein rages a war for the soul of this generation. Light against darkness, Heaven against Hell. Be vigilant.

“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.” -Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)

Let’s break this verse down.

“We Wrestle Not Against Flesh and Blood”

This phrase emphasizes the fact that behind every seemingly human agenda is a spiritual force. This doesn’t mean that people aren’t responsible for their own rebellious ways, nor does it mean that the enemy can’t use human individuals as enemies of the gospel. This just means that we should remain aware of the fact that, ultimately, the Devil is working from the shadows to bring about destruction.

“Principalities”

A principality is a high-ranking demon. But more than just the demonic entity, the term “principality” is also a loose reference to a region under heavy demonic influence.

“Powers”

Likewise a reference to demonic entities, the term “powers” also carries somewhat of a dual meaning. “Powers” doesn’t just refer to demons themselves but also the systems of which they are a part. Just as the term “The Government” can simultaneously refer to a group of individuals and the overall system, so the term “powers” can mean both the demonic entities and the structures of Hell.

“Rulers of Darkness in This World”

This is a reference to demonic beings and the individuals they influence.

“Spiritual Wickedness in High Places”

This is a reference to high-ranking demons and the high-ranking individuals they influence. This can also be a reference to fallen angels, which are different than demonic beings.

For more on this topic, you can watch my teaching “Spiritual Wickedness in High Places” on YouTube by clicking here.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

How to Win in Spiritual Warfare

The enemy has been defeated. Christ reigns victoriously. So why then are we commanded in Scripture to be equipped for spiritual battles?

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.“ - Ephesians 6:10-13 (NLT)

The truth of the matter is that the Devil is real, and so are demons. They are not biblical metaphors for evil. They are living, sentient beings that exist in an other-worldly dimension. They have been around for eons, understand human nature, and are highly trained spiritual assassins. 

Now, by no means should the believer live in a paranoid state or constantly worry about being overcome by demonic powers. But the Scripture clearly teaches that we are to be engaged in spiritual warfare.

But since Christ has already won the victory, how does spiritual warfare look for the believer? Mind you, demonic beings affect believers differently than they do unbelievers. 

So here is the simplest definition of spiritual warfare that I can give to you as it applies to the believer: the fight to believe God’s truths over the enemies’ lies. 

Think about what armor we are given - the shield of faith, the sword of the spirit, the belt of truth. By faith, we guard ourselves against lies. The sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, destroys deception. The belt of truth keeps us prepared to resist deception. 

At least for the believer, spiritual warfare is primarily about avoiding deception. By getting you to believe lies, the enemy can affect your thinking. By affecting your thinking, the enemy can affect your emotions. By affecting your emotions, the enemy can affect your actions.

In no way can the enemy own the believer, but the believer can embrace lies that limit faith. There’s much to know about spiritual warfare, but this is the primary way to win: know the Word of God (the sword of the Spirit) and believe that Word by faith (shield of faith).

For the believer, knowing and believing the truth is the way to win. For when you know the truth, you are free.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

The Battlefield of the Mind

Biblically speaking, for the believer, spiritual warfare is simply the fight to believe God’s truth over the enemy’s lies. The way that the enemy attacks and affects Christians is by means of deception. And deception is built upon lies. And lies are rooted in the mind. Truly, the mind is the battlefield of the spiritual realm. 

This is why the Bible tells us to be sober-minded: because the Devil prowls around.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8, NIV)

Sober-mindedness is what we are told to arm ourselves with that we might engage in the spiritual battle. And to be sober-minded is to be grounded in truth.

When it comes to spiritual warfare, the Bible tells us everything we need to know. Nothing is missing. 

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10-11, NLT)

Notice that the Bible says that if we put on God’s armor we will be able to stand against all of the strategies of the enemy. So there’s no attack that the enemy can bring against you that can’t be withstood if you simply have all of the following: 

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:13-17, NLT)

Belt of Truth: You know the truth with your mind.

Body Armor of Righteousness: Righteous living begins in the mind. 

Shoes of Peace: Peace of mind comes when you believe the good news.

Shield of Faith: By faith, you know the truth in your mind.

Sword of the Spirit: Notice that all of the other pieces of armor are defensive. The sword of the spirit is the only piece of armor that is fully offensive. All of the other pieces of armor defend you from deception. But the Sword, which is the truth of the Word of God, destroys the lies that keep you deceived. 

But it’s all about deception versus truth.

Truly, spiritual warfare takes place in the mind. So may every lying spirit be exposed, silenced, and defeated. May the light of truth dissolve the shadows of deception. May mindsets, which are strongholds, be broken. May you know the truth so that the truth will set you free. 

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

The Spiritual World

There’s more to this world than can be felt or seen. Beyond the veil, there exists a realm energized by movement and life. That world, the spiritual realm, is more real than this world. And what happens in that world is more consequential than what happens in this world.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12, NLT)

Angels and demons exist. Angels are not just metaphors for good. Demons are not just metaphors for evil. They are actual beings that exist - with minds, wills, and feelings all their own. God exists. The Devil exists. Heaven exists. Hell exists. In the spiritual realm, it’s light against darkness. And a war is raging over your soul.

What happens in that realm affects what happens in this realm. And the choices you make in this life move through the eternal world.

I think that we live so fast-paced in this realm that we rarely allow for a moment’s pause to consider the other. This is why the Bible urges us to be vigilant.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8, NLT)

Behind every lie, there is a liar. Behind every attack, there is an assailant. See with the eyes of the Spirit. Behind this world is another. The spiritual world is real, and it’s time we start living like it.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

The Holy Spirit Dominates Demons

Jesus cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit. He said so Himself. 

But if I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. (Luke 11:20, NLT)

Much like healing, deliverance does not come by special procedure, a specific prayer, some superstitious ritual, or any man-made gimmick or technique. Quite simply, it’s the power of the Holy Spirit. There’s no complicated method to apply - that power is found in surrender. The more surrendered you are to the Holy Spirit, the greater will be the flow of God’s mighty power through your life.

It’s no contest. In all the talk of principalities, strong demons, and curses, I think we sometimes forget that no matter how strong a demonic spirit is, there is no spirit on earth more powerful than the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t deal with demons; the Holy Spirit dominates demons. By His mere presence, the forces of darkness are exposed, overcome, and expelled. Just as quickly as light dissolves the shadows, so the Holy Spirit rids one of demonic influence. Like sand castles under a roaring ocean wave, the bondages of the enemy are destroyed.

Can you imagine the Holy Spirit being resisted by a demonic being? Do you imagine that a demon is powerful enough to struggle with or fight with the Holy Spirit? No way.

That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. (Matthew 8:16, NLT)

So if you’re a believer, rest assured that you carry within you the power to instantaneously overcome or expel any demonic being. Light is no match for darkness. Demons are no match for the Holy Spirit.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Watchmen on the Wall

In the Bible, watchmen were individuals who were assigned to watch over a city or a military base. Usually, watchmen would be posted on a high wall or tower, so that they could see the enemy coming from long distances. The watchman’s primary assignment was preventing surprise attacks from surrounding enemies. Were the enemy to attack, the watchmen would sound the alarm.

Biblically speaking, you are a watchman on the wall. 

Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action, it is their own fault if they die. They heard the alarm but ignored it, so the responsibility is theirs. If they had listened to the warning, they could have saved their lives. But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.’ (Ezekiel 33:4-6, NLT)

As spiritual watchmen, you and I have been assigned to preventing attacks of the enemy. We sound the alarm by proclaiming the gospel message, and the need is urgent. 

Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. (Isaiah 58:1, KJV)

We are the watchmen of the night, the spiritual light in darkness. Though each man and woman is held personally accountable by God, you and I have the responsibility to preach the gospel to them.

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16, KJV)

Don’t abandon your post. Don’t neglect your assignment. Don’t allow the enemy to take the city. Sound the alarm. There is a very real threat out there, and we must lovingly warn all. Be a watchman over your home, over your community, over your school, over your workplace. God holds us each responsible for our assignments.

This is a spiritual battle for souls. Take your position, stand strong, and preach the gospel. The hour is late, and time is running out.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

The Worst Case Scenario

Several years ago, I battled heavily with anxiety. Over the course of this struggle, my fear progressively, incrementally robbed me of life and joy. For some reason, I developed a fear of riding in cars. I can’t explain why that became the fixation of my fear. All I know is that I was afraid. Every time I heard of an accident, read about accident statistics, or saw wreckage on the side of the road, my fear would intensify. After a while, I began avoiding freeways. Then I began avoiding driving. Then I began avoiding even being a passenger in a car. Eventually, I was stuck, trapped in my own irrational snare of “What ifs.”

Thankfully, that mentality didn’t have a hold on my mind for too long. 

But my experience with anxiety and fear has given me insight on how fear works.

Fear begins with the question, “What if?” 

What if the worst should happen? What if I am harmed? What if this? What if that?

That question then becomes a fixation. That fixation eventually becomes a bondage. 

Slowly, incrementally, progressively, eventually fear robs you of life.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7, KJV)

God did not create you to live in fear. It’s an insult to your Creator to squander the potential of life because of fear.

When you fix your mind on a worry, that worry becomes the center of your life. It’s one thing to take caution as you live your life; it’s another thing entirely to allow a fear to become your life. It’s not just harmful to live in fear; it’s immoral.

Fear will always assume the worst case scenario. You won’t ever be able to enjoy anything that God has gifted to you, because you’ll always be fearfully looking for what’s lurking in the very next moment.

Fear makes you irrational. It’s wisdom to be aware of risks and to do your part to avoid them. It’s foolish to put your life on hold until all risks are gone. If you get into a car to drive, you’re risking your life and the lives of others. Is it wisdom to halt all traffic until the day all traffic accidents are prevented? When you take your loved ones to enjoy a meal, you’re risking your life and the lives of others. Should we close all restaurants until the day that the government can prevent all food poisoning accidents and choking hazards? The most dangerous thing you’ll ever do is live. Caution, yes. Paranoia, no. 

Fear makes you panic. Fear has the power to blow things so far out of proportion that it’s impossible to live. If you set your mind on something often enough and intentionally enough, its place in your thoughts grows. That’s how panic sets in. It’s amazing how panic works. There could be thousands of other risks and dangers present in the world. But panic will cause you to arbitrarily single out some specific risk or danger. With all the dangers that life presents, panic will scream, “Everyone put your life on hold until this one specific issue is dealt with.” 

And it’s nonsensical, irrational, tragic. All irrational fear, no matter what it’s about, will eventually lead to this conclusion: let’s all stay sheltered until nothing bad ever happens again.

Fear makes you selfish. Fearful people can easily become selfish people. In an attempt to protect themselves, they demand that others too become just as fearful and panicked. Fear encourages you to attempt control over those around you. I used to do that. Whenever I was in the car, I wouldn’t let my loved ones drive on the freeway. The risk I wasn’t willing to take became the risk I wouldn’t let others take. I would make them feel bad for causing me to be afraid. But, I discovered, that’s just manipulation.

Now, of course, I’m not denying that there were very real dangers in the world. And wisdom avoids unnecessary or excessive risk. And some people are more vulnerable to certain dangers than others. That’s all to be considered. But don’t allow fear to make you put your life on hold, and don’t allow fear to make you demand that others put their lives on hold. 

Stand up against fear. Resist the irrational at all costs. Don’t back down. Fight fear and claim the freedom that God has given to you - to live life. That’s the right thing to do, the selfless thing to do, the moral thing to do, the godly thing to do.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Master the Media: 3 Keys

Could there be demons talking to you through your screen?

Day after day, people sit glued to streams, hashtags, and trending news. Demonic media networks and companies spread their poisonous deceit and viral fear through screens and speakers. By captivating the eyes and the ears of a generation, they captivate the soul of a generation. 

Day and night, they manufacture their lies. Even if something isn’t so, even if reality contradicts their narratives, they can convince the undiscerning through emotional repetition. Before long, their lies that contradict God’s Word and reality are believed by the masses, and the masses act as extensions of the media - spreading fear and demanding conformity; or else you’ll be shamed, attacked, cancelled.

And the children of darkness are in sync with one another. 

Movies, music, tv shows, online videos, podcasts, radio broadcasts, articles, and various forms of entertainment - it all aligns. Like a choir of demons singing one grand number, all branches stay on message. Sadly, some believers sing the harmony - they sing the messages of the secular on their social media platforms, in daily conversations, and even from the pulpits.

They push immorality and call it progress. They stir up division, spread fear, mock God’s Word, and push for the advancement of anti-God, anti-Biblical agendas. 

No doubt, the world is effectively using media.

And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. (Luke 16:8, KJV)

Media is a powerful tool, and it can be leveraged by any cause. Media is not evil in and of itself. So media can be used for the advancement of the gospel. Thankfully, we live in an age where media can be used by just about anyone.

So I want to give you 3 simple keys to mastering the media for the sake of the gospel and the Kingdom of God. You can use your platform - large or small - to help spread Biblical truth. 

#1 Focus

By honing in on one simple message, you can become more effective in spreading the truth. Complex, nuanced ideas are difficult to spread, because people don’t really pay their attention to you for extended periods of time. Stick to a simple message, and if what you’re preaching requires more detailed explanation, break up that explanation over several posts, videos, and so forth. Give them one step at a time. 

Find a message that God has graced you to spread, and then focus. 

#2 Repetition 

As we’ve learned recently, even if something isn’t true or based in reality, if it is repeated often enough, people begin to believe it. So how much more power will the truth have if it is repeated? Preach the truth, and preach the truth consistently.

Don’t let up. Speak up, spare not, sound the alarm. Repeat, repeat, repeat - in many forms, in many ways - repeat. When the truth is repeated, it always eventually breaks through. 

#3 Boldness

Today’s social media mobs will cry aloud anytime you declare the truth. If you want to see demons manifest, just post something that’s Biblically undeniable yet unpopular in today’s culture. They’ll use guilt to try to make you feel bad for speaking truth. They’ll use intimidation to try to make you feel afraid to speak the truth. They’ll use confusion to make you second guess the truth. This is why boldness is needed now more than ever.

Know the truth, and then declare the truth - boldly. No half measures, no hesitation, no damage control, no apologies. 

Speak it. If God is for you, who can be against you? Now, more than ever, we need to spread Biblical truths and ideas. Now, more than ever, we need to establish Kingdom dominion. Now, more than ever, we need to preach the gospel. Let’s never lose our focus. You are a messenger of Heaven. Your message is the gospel. It’s time to speak up.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

4 Benefits of Focusing on Jesus

When Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on water, he experienced a miracle. Certainly, what Peter experienced was literally phenomenal. But something happened. Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, and when he did, he began to sink.

But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. (Matthew 14:30, NLT)

Peter took his eyes off of the Lord, put them on the storm, and disrupted the miracle.

Believer, please hear me - and preachers especially. If in this hour we take the focus off of Jesus, we will sink. Our futures will sink. Our ministries will sink. We will sink.

Don’t allow the winds and waves of chaos to steal your focus. Jesus must remain your focus.

When Jesus remains your focus, several things happen.

#1 Perfect Peace

Firstly, when Jesus remains your focus, your heart is filled with perfect peace.

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (Isaiah 26:3, KJV)

#2 True Unity

Secondly, when Jesus remains your focus, you’ll experience true unity with fellow believers. Focused on the Lord, you won’t become distracted by the winds and waves of this carnal world. When we focus on Jesus, we focus on what unites us, rather than on what has the potential to divide us.

Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13, NLT)

#3 Spiritual Stability

Thirdly, when Jesus remains your focus, you will be firmly established. You won’t be moved by every opinion and trend. You’ll abide faithfully, steadfastly. Nothing will be able to shake you. Your faith will remain intact, even in difficult times.

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. (Matthew 7:24, NLT)

#4 Effectiveness

Finally, when Jesus remains your focus, you remain effective. For the past several weeks, I have been emphasizing this truth: “Jesus is still the answer, and the gospel is still the mission.” I’m happy to see that message spreading. The reason I emphasize this is because, in trying times, in confusing times, we have the tendency to get off message. When Jesus remains your focus, He remains your message. And when Jesus remains your message, you remain effective.

For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2, NLT)

So let the winds and the waves rage. Keep your eyes on Jesus. When the storm passes, you don’t want to look back in shame. You don’t want to look back and remember yourself falling apart, losing faith, being controlled by your emotions, or sinking. When you look back at the days of the storm, you’ll want to say, “I stood faithful. I kept my integrity. I kept my purity, my joy, my love, my peace. In the middle of the storm, I kept my eyes on Jesus.”

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

The Myth of Generational Curses on Christians

Within Christian circles, we often find superstitions that seem Biblical but in fact are myths. Now, let me be clear: if you’ve followed this ministry for any length of time at all, you know that I unapologetically preach the Word of God. You know that I believe in God’s healing power, the gift of speaking in tongues, spiritual warfare, the reality of angels and demons, and so forth - I believe in the supernatural. In fact, most of my critics are of the belief that I’m too extreme and that I too often emphasize the power of the Holy Spirit. If you’ve been to any of my ministry meetings, you know that the Holy Spirit freely moves - people are saved, healed, delivered, and set free. 

Having said that, we must come to terms with the fact that not every supernatural experience or spiritual belief is founded upon truth. This is why we shouldn’t form our beliefs around feelings and experiences; we should form our beliefs upon the truth, the Word, the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

There is this idea, this lie, that Christians can be under a generational curse. A generational curse is spiritual demon or bondage that is passed down from generation to generation. It can also be defined as some kind of punishment from God that comes upon people because of the sins of their former generations.

Now, in some sense, this is a reality. Behavior begets behavior. Upbringing creates mindset which repeats upbringing. But there is a difference between a cycle and a curse. I believe in generational inclinations, generational patterns, and even in generational behaviors. For example, alcoholic parents often raise children who themselves grow up to become alcoholics. In choosing to repeat the decisions of their parents, they open themselves to the same habits.

But this idea that the believer can be under some kind of demonic or dark influence because of the choices of their parents is just not Biblical. 

So from where does this idea come? Partially, people believe this because of personal experience. In repeating the decisions and cycles of former generations, they sometimes look for somewhere to place the blame. But again, experience isn’t always the best foundation for truth. 

Another source of this belief is poor Biblical interpretation. Here’s one of the more often used verses that believers use to justify a belief in generational curses upon Christians: 

You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, (Exodus 20:5, ESV)

Now, at a glance, that verse seems to indicate that generational curses are a definite reality. Almost.

Notice that in the verse, however, there is a condition laid out: “You shall not bow down to them or serve them”

This verse, and all of the Old Testament verses that are similar, have something in common: they are all set to a larger backdrop of choice. In other words, by repeating the choices of former generations, one become susceptible to similar consequences and punishments. There is no blanket statement in all of Scripture that should cause us to accept this idea that God curses believers based upon the choices of previous generations.

If God cursed believers for generational sins, wouldn’t praying against such curses be working against God’s will? Does God have to fight with Himself to liberate you? No. So, in fact, the Bible does not teach generational curses; but it definitely teaches generational consequences. 

The person who sins is the one who will die. The child will not be punished for the parent’s sins, and the parent will not be punished for the child’s sins. Righteous people will be rewarded for their own righteous behavior, and wicked people will be punished for their own wickedness. (Ezekiel 18:20, NLT)

So then God does not hold us accountable for the decisions of others, even if they are the decisions of our former generations. God deals with each individual on the basis of the decisions that they make. 

Some believers look for exterior circumstances to blame for their current spiritual state. They don’t want to take responsibility for their own sins. But the good and the sobering news is that God holds the individual accountable. Do you know why you sin? It’s because you love sin, and you choose to sin. Do you know why you can’t fully commit? It’s because you choose to not fully commit. A lack of prayer, holiness, worship, or devotion to God’s Word isn’t a generational curse; it’s a choice. It’s easier to blame some exterior or demonic force working against you than it is to repent. That is deception. Yes, demonic powers work against you, but you’ve been given authority over them.

The good news is that your decision to accept the free gift of salvation has the powerful consequence of broken curses.

But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” (Galatians 3:13, NLT)

Christ broke the curse. There’s no ritual to perform, no series of fancy prayers to recite - you’re free if you’ll just walk in that freedom. As a child of God, you’ve been given the power to rise above whatever the enemy might try to throw at you.

For the believer, every curse was broken the moment they were redeemed. So then, when it comes to generational curses, the only power any curse might have is your belief in its power over you.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Overcoming the Virus

Beyond the veil, lurking within the shadows of an unseen realm, demonic beings plot against the Church and plan attacks on God’s children. Whether you believe it or not, demons are real, spiritual warfare is real, and the supernatural realm impacts your daily life. 

Demons are not metaphors for evil - they are living, sentient beings with wills of their own. 

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12, NLT)

May God open our eyes to see Hell’s agenda. Being unleashed by Hell upon the earth right now is a virus. This virus spreads from person to person, multiplying itself rapidly and bringing destruction wherever it goes. This virus has the power to shut down economies, upset governments, and intimidate people into cowering in isolation. Make no mistake: this virus is lethal. This virus can intensify over time. And this virus must be stopped. This virus is, of course, the spirit of fear. 

Fear intimidates. Fear makes people pliable and easy to control. Fear makes people afraid to proclaim truth. And, if we’re not vigilant, fear itself will cause us to surrender freedom in the name of security. It will cause us to set aside faith in the name of wisdom. 

Whatever happens in the natural realm, remember that it is being influenced in the supernatural. The enemy, that is the Devil and his demons, is testing the water, testing to see what he can get away with, testing to see if it’s possible to control you with fear. He is observing, watching closely. And if you allow fear to control you now, I promise you the enemy will use fear again and in increasingly suppressive measures. 

Let those with spiritual eyes see. Let those with spiritual ears hear. I’m talking to you about a spiritual enemy. 

The moment you allow fear to grip your soul, it will continue to tighten its grip until it brings you to the point of paralysis.

But I thank God for His truth. For greater than the spirit of fear, greater than any demonic spirit, is the Holy Spirit. He brings with Him peace and faith - the cures for fear. 

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7, KJV)

Get your spiritual fight back. Allow righteous indignation to burn within you. Put the enemy in his place. Declare the truth of God’s Word over yourself, over your family, over your home, over your region. Lay claim upon the peace that God has given to you. Let your faith soar to new heights - let it shatter the tethers of fear. Shine a light in the midst of the darkness. 

Stand your ground against fear and remember this: If your father is the Father of lights, your future is bright. 

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Resisting the Devil

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.
—James 4:7–8, KJV

We focus far too much on ourselves when we are tempted. Because self is the problem, relying on your own strength to secure victory over sin guarantees defeat. When we are tempted, we try to reason and rationalize. We try to enact disciplines, and we attempt to will ourselves all the way to holiness. But such battling only makes you linger in the place of temptation. Remember this: the longer you battle a tempting thought, the more likely you are to take an action that will fulfill it. There is a better way to battle sin than to bargain with oneself. The bargaining over whether or not to sin will occur in split seconds, and demonic beings will make full use of those split seconds. Demonic beings will debate with you, presenting the supposed benefits of sin—and that hides their tactic.

You see, when you’re weighing the pros and cons of sin in your mind, you are actually imagining the pleasure of the sin. Sure, seconds after considering the pleasure of sin, you counter such thoughts by considering the benefits of holiness. But the internal battle continues to nag at you. It is this back-and-forth contemplation that leads to a sinful fall. You may be genuine about your intentions to convince yourself into choosing holiness, but eventually your resilience will wear down. The sin itself will gradually dominate your thoughts as will the pleasures of that sin. And then you give in.

This is why demonic beings love a good debate in the moment you’re being tempted. They are like salesmen, answering your objections with convincing counter points. They know what you want and will pressure you to indulge.

How then can the believer successfully battle temptation? Jesus prayed, “Lead us not into temptation” (Matt. 6:13). He did not pray, “Give me strength when I put myself in a tempting situation.” Sure, there are times when temptation surprises you, but the Bible has one policy on temptation: flee from it! About this, Scripture is quite clear:

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
—1 Corinthians 10:13,NLT

So flee youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
—2 Timothy 2:22,MEV

When you regularly flee from temptation, resisting sin becomes a reflex, a seemingly involuntary action. Over time, the reflex to flee from temptation (rather than the habit to bargain over sin or holiness) becomes natural and well-developed.

Resistance, not confrontation, is the key to overcoming sin. We are supposed to flee from temptation, not linger to fight temptation. Willpower diminishes over time, and the strength of discipline is fleeting. God wants to give you a way out, not a battle. When it comes to temptation, the Holy Spirit prioritizes extraction—getting you out of the battle. We develop our resistance—our manner of fleeing—by drawing near to God. Therefore, drawing near to God, not exercising willpower, is the key to freedom.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Rejecting Superstition

In order to become a real threat to hell and a real help to others, we must be loosed from the distracting nature of superstition and learn how to engage in true spiritual warfare. In the introduction to this book, I presented a caution about our approach to spiritual warfare and warned against the extremes of both skepticism and superstition. I now want to focus on avoiding superstitious thinking that can keep you from overcoming the enemy.

Before I go any further, I want to be clear. It is not my intent to be dismissive of demonic activity. My goal is to keep you from becoming bound to superstitious thinking that can make you fearful of casting out or confronting demons. If you can understand the liberating truth I seek to present here, you will approach spiritual warfare with the peace of God and not become inordinately concerned about demonic activity.

This is about becoming a threat to the enemy—defeating him. To become that threat, we must consciously avoid superstitions that make us paranoid about being influenced by demons.

What kinds of superstitions am I talking about? While doing my research for this book, I read a lot of material, carefully studied the Scriptures, and spoke with several people. Through those conversations and materials, I discovered many people were living in fear of demons despite their vast “knowledge” of Scripture. They were fixated on “rules” to keep demons from “attaching” themselves to them.

They had been told that they should pray when walking into buildings so demons wouldn’t latch onto them and then to pray when leaving so no demons would follow them home. In a few extreme instances some even came to believe that they should pray before loading every web page they visited lest a demon jump off the page and into their lives. They even feared rebuking demonic spirits lest they jump onto them.

They were constantly on guard. If they got angry, they’d pray against the demon of anger that may have entered their lives. If they came into contact with a drug addict, they believed that if they didn’t rebuke the demon they might become its next victim. If they accidentally touched a trinket from the occult, they’d think they had opened a door for an evil spirit to torment them.

Instead of living in the light of Christ, these believers were tediously working to counter every possible assault that could arise from almost any possible scenario. Though they were trying to remain vigilant against demonic attack, they were actually giving demons too much of their time and living in bondage to fear instead of in the freedom Jesus purchased for us on the cross.

This isn’t how we are supposed to live as followers of Christ. Of course, the Bible tells us to “be sober and watchful, because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). So we should guard against temptation and opening doors that would give the devil legal access to influence our lives. For many of us, this means there are certain places we should not go. And obviously we should not participate in occult rituals. But greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world (1 John 4:4)! There is a difference between vigilance and paranoia. Vigilance in spiritual warfare is rooted in confidence in God and His Word and the authority we have in Him. Paranoia is rooted in fear. Vigilance is offensive; paranoia is defensive.

If you allow yourself to become paranoid about demons, you’ll constantly be looking around for demonic stalkers. We don’t see Jesus worrying about demons, and we don’t see the disciples living in that kind of fear. In fact, the apostle Paul allowed a demon-possessed girl to follow him around for several days before finally casting the demon out of her. And when he did cast it out, he took only an instant to do so.

“On one occasion, as we went to the place of prayer, a servant girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.’ She did this for many days. But becoming greatly troubled, Paul turned to the spirit and said, ‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.’ And it came out at that moment“ - Acts 16:16–18, MEV

Whenever you form a belief or embrace a concept, ask yourself this: Does this idea help me better live the lifestyle of Christ that we see reflected in Scripture? If it doesn’t, don’t embrace it. I want to see you operate in the authority that has been given to you through Christ.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Demons & Fallen Angels

Through my observation and study of Scripture, I have come to believe, quite confidently, that demons cannot be fallen angels.

Now, I know that idea will be rather jarring for some people. It may seem that I am not only challenging a widely held traditional view but also contradicting very clear teachings of the Bible. Well, the idea that demons are not fallen angels certainly contradicts tradition. But in no way does it contradict Scripture.

The Bible speaks of demons, and it speaks of the fall of Lucifer and the co-rebellion of a third of the angels, but no verses actually link the two and define demons as fallen angels. The idea that demons are fallen angels is simply a long-held tradition. The Bible actually gives three subtle distinctions between demons and fallen angels, and I want to explore each one here.

Demons Need Bodies

Demons seek to possess bodies and seem rather uncomfortable being outside of them. Take for instance the story of a man possessed by an entire legion of demons. While being cast out, the demons in that story begged Jesus to send them into a herd of pigs:

There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding in the distance. So the demons begged, “If you cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine” - Matthew 8:30–31, MEV

Fallen angels, however, can appear in physical form and even interact with mankind. In Genesis fallen angels even procreated with women. The bizarre procreation resulted in the birth of giants.

“There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown” - Genesis 6:4, KJV

For that procreation, God punished the “sons of God” by binding them in “everlasting chains” until the day of judgment (Jude 6). Keep in mind that every reference to “sons of God” in the Old Testament was a reference to supernatural beings or angels. Only in the New Testament does “sons of God” refer to the redeemed children of God. So we know that it wasn’t ordinary men, as some might suggest, who procreated with the “daughters of men.” Had those referred to in Genesis 6:4 been mere ordinary men, there would be no clear reason their procreation would produce giants.

Some also suggest that perhaps “sons of God” referred to a select group of people who were forbidden to procreate with a certain other group. Still, that would not explain why their union produced giants or why God punished their actions so harshly.

There are others still who say angels cannot breed, citing Matthew 22:30: “For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like the angels of God in heaven” (MEV). But that verse tells us only that angels do not marry. Angels can still have a gender and appear to mankind in earthly bodies. The book of Hebrews tells us that angels can actually walk around among us without being noticed.

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unknowingly” - Hebrews 13:2, MEV

Consider also the angels at Christ’s empty tomb. “While they were greatly perplexed concerning this, suddenly two men stood by them in shining garments“ (Luke 24:4, MEV).

Also, the men of Sodom desired to have sex with the angels that appeared to Lot. How could that be unless the angels had bodies and looked like human beings?

“... the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting at the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them he rose up to meet them, and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground. … Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. 5 They then called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, so that we may have relations with them” - Genesis 19:1, 4-5, MEV

From Scripture, we see that both fallen angels and holy angels have bodies. In contrast, demons greatly desire bodies because they do not have them. Demons are clingy, needy, angry, tormented creatures. That is the first distinction between fallen angels and demons.

Demons Wander the Earth

Demons are cursed to wander the earth while fallen angels still have the ability to stand before God in heavenly places. Though they were banished from heaven, the fallen angels still gave an account of their doings.

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Adversary also came among them“ - Job 1:6, MEV

I’ll give you a few good reasons to believe fallen angels, and not just heavenly angels, were among those who stood before God in the story recorded in the Book of Job. First, the devil was no longer Lucifer, for the Book of Job refers to him as “Satan.” Second, we also know that Satan was in his fallen state because later in the story of Job he sought to steal from, kill and destroy Job.

As Jesus said, “The thief’s does not come, except to steal and kill and destroy … “ - John 10:10, MEV

Third, we know from the following verse that Job’s story took place after the great flood, which means it definitely took place after the fall of both man and Satan.

“Will you keep to the old way, that wicked men have trod? They were cut down before their time; their foundations were swept away by a flood” - Job 22:15–16, MEV

So if Satan in his fallen state was among the angels who had to give an account in Job, it is consistent to believe that other fallen angels were called upon as well. Fallen angels can appear in heavenly places. Therefore, fallen angels are not completely bound to earth. Demons, however, can only wander the earth or live in a body, as Jesus explained:

“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through dry places seeking rest, but finds none” - Matthew 12:43, MEV

Nowhere in Scripture do we see demons moving from the earth to God’s presence. Those accounts are always referring to fallen angels.

Demons Are Called ‘Devils’ and ‘Unclean Spirits’

When referring to fallen angels, New Testament scriptures do not use the terms demons, devils or unclean spirits. Instead, the Bible makes reference to fallen angels by simply using a negative description or context. For example, these verses clearly describe fallen angels:

For if God did not spare the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be kept for judgment …” - 2 Peter 2:4, MEV

“Likewise, the angels who did not keep to their first domain, but forsook their own dwelling, He has kept in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day” - Jude 1:6, MEV

“Then He will say to those at the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels'” Matthew 25:41, MEV

In these verses there is no mention of demons or devils. Instead, to make a distinction between God’s holy angels and fallen angels, the New Testament simply calls them the angels “that sinned” or “which kept not their first estate.”

Apart from the simple use of negative descriptions, the New Testament also uses context to draw distinctions between fallen angels and holy angels. An example of this is when, in Matthew 25:41, hell is described as a place prepared for the devil and his angels. The angels in that verse were said to belong to the devil, so it is obvious that they were fallen.

Furthermore, in the following verse, while making a strong point about the need to avoid false gospels, Paul the Apostle mentions angels “from heaven.”

“Although if we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you than the one we have preached to you, let him be accursed” - Galatians 1:8, MEV

Of course, it’s obvious that one should reject the gospel of a fallen angel, but it might not have been as obvious to the Galatians that they should reject a different gospel from even a holy angel. To drive his point home, Paul essentially warns, “Even if one of the angels from heaven should preach to you another gospel, do not be deceived.” In other words, “Don’t be swayed even if one of the good guys starts to preach a different gospel.”

Paul’s warning is an example of how the New Testament contrasts both fallen and holy angels. No special term is used to describe fallen angels; they are simply described in a negative way and/or placed in a negative context. Demons, on the other hand, are referred to as “devils,” “unclean spirits” and “demons.”

Excerpted from Truths About Demons and Spiritual Warfare by David Diga Hernandez (Charisma House, 2016).

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.

Dominion Over Demons

Just as I was preparing for a much-needed night’s sleep, I received an unexpected (and somewhat unwelcome) phone call. Tempted to ignore the relentless ringing of my cell phone, I glanced at my phone to assess the call’s importance. Despite my lack of enthusiasm, I reached out, perhaps by impulse, and answered the call. I immediately recognized the caller’s voice. He was a friend and fellow Christian leader. I could tell by his tone that he knew his call was an imposition. He was sincerely apologetic but frantic and panicky.

“Hey can I tell you something please?” he asked timidly. Still trying to commit my mind to conversation, I answered, “Yes, sure.”

He explained, “Well, I’m here at the home of a friend. I was ministering to the family who lives here, and this lady started acting very strange. She appears to have a manifesting demon. I think she is demon-possessed.”

“What makes you say that?” I asked.

“Well, when I started to pray for her, she started screaming, saying weird things, and shaking. And she—or maybe the demon—is mocking me. What should I do?”

I pulled the phone away from my face so I could sigh without the caller hearing me. I was frustrated that he was calling me because he was a Spirit-filled believer. Had it been a new convert or an inexperienced believer who asked me that question, I would have been more understanding of his nervousness. Internally I was praying for the Lord to give me patience. I mustered all the kindness I could in that late hour of the night, and I gently said, “Well, brother, you should cast the demon out of her.”

He paused for a moment. “I can do that? Are you sure you don’t want to do it? We’d rather have you do it. Can you come over? Am I allowed to do that? I don’t need a special anointing for that or something? Won’t the demon get on me? What about everyone else here?”

His frantic questions didn’t leave me even a second’s opportunity to respond. I waited for him to calm down. “My brother,” I replied, “you can cast the demon out yourself. The same Holy Spirit who lives in me lives in you.”

There was another moment of pause. His tone was one of both excitement and concern as he replied, “OK. Thank you. … but are you sure?”

My tone tipped slightly toward irritated. “Yes, my friend. You can cast the demon out.”

After reiterating that point for about a minute more, I ended the call with my friend. Then I began to think about what had just occurred. I thought to myself: How is it possible that a fellow Christian leader doesn’t know how to cast out a demon?

Say what you will about my frustration, but Jesus Himself expressed this sort of aggravation toward His disciples when they were unable to cast out a demon of a little boy (Mark 9:19). I know that some demonic beings rank higher in power and are more difficult to deal with. But I was astonished that my friend didn’t even attempt to cast out that demon.

Most believers have the same state of mind my late-night caller had. He was living righteously. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. He was walking with the Lord. Yet he hesitated to confront the powers of darkness.

If one is living a spiritually compromised life, then hesitancy in the face of demonic activity is expected. But just as the compromising Christian can be too confident, so the battle-ready believer can be too doubtful. I don’t care what anyone says; the Bible tells us that “those who believe” the gospel message will be endued with the power to drive away demonic forces from enslaved souls.

“He said to them, “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved. But he who does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues” - Mark 16:15–17, MEV

Who will the signs follow? He who believes! He who believes what? He who believes the gospel message preached by the disciples of Christ. The moment you believed is the very moment you received authority over demonic forces.

Dear reader, you don’t need to be a “demon expert” to be a threat to hell. Should you know the dynamics of spiritual warfare and demonic activity? Absolutely. But how much more do you really think you need to learn before you begin to exercise your authority over them? The ability to cast out demons and destroy the works of hell is not necessarily about how much you know about demons; it’s about how much demons know about Christ in you.

While the “inexperienced” believer may not always be able to discern the difference between a genuine demonic manifestation and emotional hype, that individual still has the ability to cast out demons. Might the one who is unfamiliar with casting out demons do some foolish things? Of course. But his ability to cast out demons is still there.

For example, I’ve heard of some believers who, while trying to perform deliverance, smack the demon-possessed individual in the face with a Bible. The enthusiasm is good, but the actual act of hitting a person in the face is not. We know that while there is power in the Word of God, there is no actual power in a book’s leather, paper or ink. We also know that we “wrestle not” against the flesh or against people themselves. So smacking the flesh with a leather-bound book serves no actual spiritual purpose. You may even be able to expel a demon while using such silly methods, but the exorcism would have to succeed despite the foolishness, not because of it.

As believers grow, they will move beyond hype, bizarre methods, unhealthy fear of demons and superstitious thinking. But regardless of any need for growth, every Spirit-filled believer has the power to cast out demons. How effectively they exercise that authority depends upon their spiritual maturity.

My caution here would be to tell you that if you are compromising in sin, demonic beings will be able to resist your commands. They may even retaliate against your attempts to expel them. However, I am compelled to remind you that there are limitations to a demon’s attacks on a believer.

 The Believer’s State of Being

Authority flows from the top down, so you need to be positioned under authority in order to exercise authority. For example, a police officer has authority to enforce certain laws. He can command you to do many things, but the moment he commands something outside the scope of what the law allows, he loses legal authority to give orders. An employer has the authority to make demands of his employees, but if that employer steps into the home of one of his employees, he loses the right to make certain demands.

Government leaders have the authority to enact laws upon their citizens, but the moment those leaders step foot outside sovereign soil, they lack the authority to command the people of that different country. If you want spiritual authority, then you need to remain in your spiritual place of authority. Once you step out of the Spirit, you step outside your jurisdiction.

Speaking analogously, a police officer with a California badge can’t enforce the laws of Florida. A police officer with a U.S. badge cannot enforce American laws in the country of Japan. It doesn’t matter if you have a badge if that badge isn’t used in your place of influence. Jurisdiction is the key to having authority.

In the spiritual realm for the believer jurisdiction isn’t found in a physical place—it’s found in a state of being. The believer has jurisdiction in the state of righteousness, in the state of peace, in the state of faith and so on. When you live a lifestyle of compromise (the state of unrighteousness), you step out of the state in which you have dominion. You don’t lose your badge (your authority), but you do leave the state where that badge works.

How can you command a spirit of perversion to leave when you’re in the state of perversion? How can you rebuke a spirit of fear when you live in the state of fear? When you leave your jurisdiction, it’s not that you don’t have authority; it’s that you’re walking in the wrong state.

When you walk in holiness, everywhere you go is God’s dominion—and when you live in dominion, your authority works to its fullest. Simply put, this dominion, this full realization of authority, is found in the state of submission to the Lord. Our authority is fully realized in submission to God. And that submission to God precedes our ability to resist the enemy.

”Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” - James 4:7, MEV

God’s authority upon you will always work when you’re living in the right state of being. This is why you can have authority everywhere you go: Dominion goes with you! Your authority over fear works in the jurisdiction of faith. Your authority over demonic beings works in the jurisdiction of righteous living, and so on. The key is in remaining in the right jurisdiction.

ENJOY DAVID'S WEEKLY BLOG? CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE IT VIA EMAIL.