I've been aware of the spiritual world from my earliest memories. However, it wasn't until my teen years that the reality and presence of both good and evil in the spiritual world manifested itself to me. There was a real struggle for my soul that began as I started searching for God and desiring a relationship with Him. Demonic spirits physically attacked me and attempted other ways of separating me from God. But before I tell that part I need to share some things I've learned along the way.
Humans are surrounded by spiritual beings on this earth; in fact, we are out numbered! These spiritual entities are either good or evil. When we were created God also created angels, and they were given great power and authority to do whatever God assigned them. At one point about one third of the angels decided they wanted be like God rather then serve Him. God sent these rebellious angels down to earth where they would spend the remainder of their time until the earth was destroyed.
Humans are surrounded by spiritual beings on this earth; in fact, we are out numbered! These spiritual entities are either good or evil. When we were created God also created angels, and they were given great power and authority to do whatever God assigned them. At one point about one third of the angels decided they wanted be like God rather then serve Him. God sent these rebellious angels down to earth where they would spend the remainder of their time until the earth was destroyed.
I call those evil beings demons, and their leader satan. They have incredible power and should be taken seriously. They are able to disguise themselves as “angels of light” in order to deceive us. I have learned if there is ANY fear associated with a spiritual encounter then it is evil or satanic in it’s source. Also, and this is very important in discerning the difference between good and evil entities, demons cannot stand the name of Jesus Christ! They will flee when they hear His name, and I have experienced this numerous times. Even when sleeping if I have a nightmare that is demonic all I have to do is call out Jesus name and they run.
Unclean spirits speak: Mark 1:26 “And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.”
They walk. They need to rest: Matt 12:43 “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.”
and bruising him hardly departs from him.”
Unclean spirits speak: Mark 1:26 “And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.”
They walk. They need to rest: Matt 12:43 “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.”
They can be talked to. They listen. They can be commanded to leave. Mark 5:8 “For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.” 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.”
They fight. Luke 9:39 “And, lo, a spirit takes him, and he suddenly cries out; and it tears him that he foams again,and bruising him hardly departs from him.”
The critical thing I learned is that a human’s spirit is different from the angel’s. Angels are a separate creation from us. Humans never become angels. Angels were created to serve God in spiritual matters, and God has equipped them with special powers to do this. Part of the angels’ responsibilities are to watch over us. One of the special powers angels have is they can take on physical form! It’s a great comfort to have this knowledge about angels. However, angels are NOT to be worshipped. They are creations of God just as we are.
On the other hand, satan and his demons seek to kill, maim, and destroy. They desire to exert as much control over mankind as possible before this earth is destroyed. They want to separate us from God, just as they are separated. Demons are miserable entities, and they want humans to be as miserable as they are.
Discerning the difference between a good and evil spirit is critically important, but true discernment involves testing them as stated in 1 John 4:1. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are active out in the world.” So, how does one go about testing the spirits, you might ask? The answer is in 1 Corinthians 12:3. “Understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”
Humans have the ability to close doors to demonic attacks, but we also can inadvertently open doors. Ouija boards, tarot cards, seances, books on the occult, astrology charts, fortune telling, necromancy (contacting the dead), certain movies and video games, and pornography are a few of the ways humans can open doors to demons without even realizing it. As a teenager I was attacked by demons many, many nights. They had the ability to physically chock me, as well as hiss in my ear terrible things. I hated those terrifying encounters in my bedroom. As an adult I wondered why demons had this kind of control over me in my childhood home. After my NDE (Near Death Experience) I realized my dad’s sexual sin (I was an incest survivor) opened the door to satan and his demons in our home. At the age of 19 I discovered the power of the name of Jesus, and no longer struggled with these physical attacks by demonic forces.
Discerning the difference between a good and evil spirit is critically important, but true discernment involves testing them as stated in 1 John 4:1. “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are active out in the world.” So, how does one go about testing the spirits, you might ask? The answer is in 1 Corinthians 12:3. “Understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”
Therefore we test the spirits by asking them if Jesus is the Christ and Lord, and if he walked the earth in human flesh. This will not phase a spirit from God, but it will have an effect on negative spirits who are deceptively pretending to be good. These spirits will try to fool us, but the power in that question will either anger a negative spirit, or simply make it leave without another word.
Humans have the ability to close doors to demonic attacks, but we also can inadvertently open doors. Ouija boards, tarot cards, seances, books on the occult, astrology charts, fortune telling, necromancy (contacting the dead), certain movies and video games, and pornography are a few of the ways humans can open doors to demons without even realizing it. As a teenager I was attacked by demons many, many nights. They had the ability to physically chock me, as well as hiss in my ear terrible things. I hated those terrifying encounters in my bedroom. As an adult I wondered why demons had this kind of control over me in my childhood home. After my NDE (Near Death Experience) I realized my dad’s sexual sin (I was an incest survivor) opened the door to satan and his demons in our home. At the age of 19 I discovered the power of the name of Jesus, and no longer struggled with these physical attacks by demonic forces.
Most people love to talk about angels, and they clammer for stories from those who have been rescued by angels, or who have seen angels doing amazing things. But hearing about demons makes us uncomfortable, and we'd rather not think about that side of things. Yet both spiritual entities are to be taken equally seriously!
God motivated me to share all this so you can avoid being deceived! Satan has no power over us when we acknowledge him and his minions, avoid those objects and activities which invite trouble, and use the powerful name of Jesus Christ. The choices we make concerning spiritual beings (both good and bad) impact not just ourselves, but our families as well! So choose carefully.
