Have you ever stood up to the devil? I did, and I made him back off!
On this particular night, when the devil set out to terrify me (as he had many times in the past) THIS TIME I TERRIFIED HIM!
And — good news — you can do the same thing!
Read the article and find out how.
“My People Are Destroyed”
I originally wrote this on Monday, November 14, 2011. On that same Monday in 1988, exactly 23 years earlier, I was fired from the job I had held for over 16 years.
In the previous article in this series, I described how I was tormented for months by fear and by panic attacks. All of that happened before I knew anything about the spiritual basis of fear.
As the photo-Scripture above says, I was being “destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
I think of all that as the “Before” part. Before I knew how to trust God, I had no clue about applying principles from the Bible. So I’m calling this the “After” part.
What I am about to relate is a real-life example of how knowing and applying passages from the Word of God allowed me to live in peace, just as God meant for us to live.
Resuming The Story:
Early in the morning of December 12, 2001, I had an experience that I can only describe as a message or a calling from God. If this ever happens to you, you’ll understand what I’m talking about. I just knew it was God, and it seemed He wanted me to write. I felt called to be a Christian writer.
In early 2002, God revealed why he took away my business.
In a “Focus On The Family” broadcast, the guest was Dr. Bruce Wilkinson. His book, “The Prayer of Jabez” had made his name known to Bible Christians. Now he had a new book, “Secrets of the Vine”. The new book showed how Jesus’ teaching in the vineyard applies to our lives:
1 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:1~2)
It was that part about how the Vinedresser prunes the branches that arrested my attention. Dr. Wilkinson explained that sometimes God will “prune” away from us things He knows we can do without, and thus free us to do work for Him.
“That’s it!”, I shouted, slapping my hand on the table. “That’s why God allowed my business to go away!” He was making room in my life for the work He had called me to do.
So I really focused on writing, and reading prolifically everything I could find about how to apply the Word of God into my life. One of the early applications I found was from the great Apostle Paul. In one of his letters to his young pastor friend, Timothy, Paul wrote something that lifted me up from the bondage of fear.
The photo-Scripture image below contains one of the most important pieces of information I have ever learned. I share it with you trusting that you will find it as useful as I did.
What is fear, and where does it come from?
In that passage from one of Paul’s letters to Timothy, Paul wrote about a spirit of fear.
That grabbed my attention: “Just a moment Paul,” I thought, “Did you say a ‘spirit‘ of fear?? A SPIRIT??!!”
Yes, that’s what he said. And that bit of knowledge was an eye-opening revelation to me! It taught me that fear is not just a physiological response to circumstances. Yes, sometimes it is. That’s why God built a “fight-or-flight” mechanism into our bodies. We get a shot of adrenaline when faced with real danger, to strengthen us just in the moment we need it.
But Satan and his demons, as they always do, corrupt the good things that God has given us by using them against us. Thus, more often than not, the fear we are feeling comes from demons in the spiritual realm. It’s one of their favorite weapons to use against humans.
Now, here’s how I used this to my advantage.
In the fall of 2003, our son Jeff was in his final year of art college. In the tradition of starving artists everywhere, he couldn’t afford to hire a model. Instead, he asked me to pose for him. I agreed, and asked if I could pose holding my Bible.
The final painting is life-size, 42″ x 46″. You can see a photo of it at the bottom.
As we set up the scene, I chose to open my Bible to Isaiah 43. My initial plan was to spend the posing time segments, when I had to sit perfectly still, memorizing Scripture. The bottom of the right-hand page contained this passage:
43 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1~3)
I had been taught that phrases such as “pass through the waters” and “walk through fire” were poetic references to suffering. God doesn’t promise a trouble-free life. Sometimes we get soaked; sometimes we get singed. What’s important is knowing that God is with us through it all.
My initial intention was to learn new verses each time. Yet, session after session, I found myself wanting to see — indeed, needing to see —” those reassuring promises from Isaiah: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… when you walk through fire you shall not be burned”. Little did I know just how important those promises would be.
Stand… take the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God
Here is the most important part of this story!
Read this carefully, and you’ll see how, the moment I opened my mouth and began to speak His Word, God acted swiftly to banish the devil for me. Now I know, He had been right there, waiting for me to speak His Word, and by doing so I would be calling upon Him for help.
The “after” part of my story happened a few months after the portrait was done. In the early hours of a warm summer night, I found myself half-awake.
Suddenly, as though being rushed by a wicked intruder, I felt that all-too-familiar wave of panic beginning to rise within me.
Ah, but this time I knew what to do. I knew the source of the fear, and I was equipped with the Truth.
Not wishing to wake Joanne, I rose to my feet and said softly, “Lord, I know you are right here with me.” Then I began to recite God’s Words:
When you pass through the waters I will be with you… when you walk through fire you will not be burned…” (Isaiah 43:2)
As I spoke those Words softly into the darkness of the bedroom, the rush of fear and panic subsided INSTANTLY!
In a moment it was over. The feeling of impending doom was gone! Do you know why? Because to do battle with Satan and his demons is to do battle with bullies, and that’s how bullies respond. When confronted with greater strength (in this case, the power of God by way of His spoken Word), they run!
It Is Written
Matthew’s Gospel recounts Satan’s efforts to tempt Jesus after He had fasted for 40 days: turn stones into bread; jump from the temple roof; worship me. Jesus deflected each of these temptations by applying the power of God’s Word. To each lie he replied, “It is written…” followed by a statement of truth from Scripture.
The Temptation of Jesus
4 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But He answered, “It is written,
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple 6 and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down, for it is written,
“‘He will command His angels concerning you,’
and
“‘On their hands they will bear You up, lest You strike Your foot against a stone.’”
7 Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 And he said to Him, “All these I will give You, if You will fall down and worship me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written,
“‘You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.’”
11 Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to Him.
(Matthew 4:1~11)
You’ll notice that my circumstances had not changed. I still had the same financial problems as before. But because I turned to Him in faith, God honored His promise of protection by preventing Satan from tying me in knots of fear and panic.
Do you recall how God says in Malachai 3:10-11 “I will rebuke the devourer for you…”? That promise comes right after He challenges us to put Him to the test by honoring Him with our finances. Well, here is a real-life instance of God keeping His Word! I still didn’t have much money, but I had His “perfect peace”.
Train For Battle Before The Battle Begins
The other crucial part of the process was the fact that I had pre-decided what I would do when facing fear. Remember how I said earlier that I had read that same passage from Isaiah 43 over and over? I was training for battle.
A week or two later…
The devil took another run at me, this time as I slept. I dreamed I was lying awake in bed, in the midst of a full-blown panic attack. In my dream, the bed was shaking so hard it woke Joanne. She asked what was happening, and why the bed was shaking. I told her Satan was trying to overwhelm me with panic.
Then — still in the dream — I said to Joanne (with just a bit of a smile) “Watch this!”
Once again I quoted — this is all still part of the dream — God’s promise from Isaiah 43:
When you pass through the waters I will be with you. When you walk through fire…” (Isaiah 43:2)
Suddenly I was awake!!
The dreaded feeling was totally gone! I nearly burst out laughing in the middle of the night as I realized how God had just come through for me again!
The next morning, I related my dream to Joanne.
“You have”, she observed, “hard-wired yourself so effectively that Satan can’t even get to you in your sleep!”
Joanne’s comment that I “hard-wired” myself is one of the most important statements in this whole article.
That is why I like to encourage people to do Scripture memory. That’s how you get victory over demons. Look at these Words regarding Satan from the lips of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:
There is no truth in him for he is a liar and the father of lies“ (John 8:44)
To deal with Satan is to deal with lies. When the lie Satan places in your mind says — as it did in my case — “You’re all alone in this, and you’re going to lose everything”, don’t panic. Instead, rest in the comfort of God’s promises: “I will be with you even in this time of trouble. As you persevere and put your trust in Me I will bring you through it. In the process, your faith will grow stronger.” That’s not a quote, but it’s a paraphrase of what God will do for us, when we release our problems to Him.
Now, I’ve read the Barna polls, and I know that about 2/3 of Americans do not believe that Satan and his demons are real. This, despite the fact that there are 250 references to demons, by various names, in the New Testament.
But to deny the existence of demons is to call Jesus a liar. Stated simply: If you deny the existence of Satan or his ability to attack you, he has you!! You’re playing right into his hands.
But it doesn’t have to be that way!
Jesus also said:
31b …If you remain in my Word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free“ (John 8:31b~32).
Peace and freedom are yours WHEN you know God’s Word.
When you keep your mind firmly fixed on God, he gives you His perfect peace. What a great deal that is! This is not just “Bible~speak”. This really happens!
Remember that old saying: “What you don’t know won’t hurt you”? That’s a lie! (Satan probably started that.) The truth is: “What you don’t know can never help you.” In my case, once I did the work of knowing, and began acting upon that knowledge, God did the part I could not possibly do.
God meant for us to use His Book. He loaded it with word pictures showing how He relates to us and how to live in harmony with Him. It’s packed with truths and principles that He gave us. Those truths are our weapons against an adversary who knows we are defenseless without them.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God”
The transformation process I’ve just described was not instantaneous. Like forming any new habit, it took time for God to burn His Truths into the creases of my brain. All I can honestly tell you is that I’ve lived by the principles of God’s Word for years. And, despite current circumstances that would drive many to panic, I live in complete freedom from fear.
I don’t know what my future holds, but I know Who holds my future!
Portrait Of My Father
by Jeffrey Smith
- Jan
Comments with links will be marked as spam and deleted
Hi. I was alone reading the prior article and was about go read the night you defeated the devil. I fell back asleep for a little and woke up with a racing heart! Aaaahhg! Yes, I believe. Thanks it helped, after all.
Rosa, that’s an example of what God’s Word does for anyone who cries out: “Aaaahhg! Yes, I believe”
I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have found your website. It’s not the only one discussing these things, but somehow, esp. with the painting of your son, the words seem a bit more homey and receivable. Please don’t stop posting. Even if it’s saying the same thing another way for those who may need it said a bit differently. God bless!!
LJK, Sorry I didn’t reply to your comment sooner. You brought up a very good point. Seminaries train pastors to begin with a passage of Scripture, and go through it verse-by-verse, explaining what it means.
I like to think of it as going into a bakery when you are hungry, hoping to get something to eat. But instead, they explain all about planting seeds, harvesting, milling the grain into flour. But they never get around to showing you how mix the flour with various ingredients in order to bake the bread so you can satisfy your hunger. You leave just as hungry as when you entered the bakery.
What I do is to begin with a need that many (most?) people have, and demonstrate how to mix together a “recipe” from Scripture, transforming the raw material into spiritual “bread” that you can “eat”, and in so-doing nourish your soul so as to strengthen you for victory over that need. (I hope this makes sense to you.)
Would you please pray for me,I have been diagnosed with anxiety and OCD, would you please give me ascripture for ocd
What scripture would you recommend for my OCD
Anna, how can I help?
Help
Thank you?
Thank you?
Thank you Jan for writing these messages, I received the verse from you herein which helps me to get rid of anxiety (Isaiah 43:2). I also am inspired by new faith to memorize more verses and to use them in every single situation. I am passing your link on to someone who will also greatly benefit by your writings. This is a huge blessing to me. Please keep in writing. God bless you!
Wow, I’m touched beyond words with the whole article, and than to top it off the most beautiful painted portrait of you by your gifted son Jeff. God bless you for how you are allowing God to use you to be of great comfort and encouragement to others and to point the way to God, in putting all our faith and Trust in Him. God bless you!!
Thank you, Rose. I receive that blessing! Your words are so refreshing to me. Writing these things is a bit like putting a note into a bottle and tossing it into the ocean. So what your words do is to let me know that people are actually reading these things that I write.
I struggle with fear from time to time, I feel that’s my weakness, and the enemy tries to use it against me. Reading your blog has been helpful for me
I struggle with fear from time to time, I feel that’s my weakness, and the enemy tries to use it against me
Hello,
Please tell your son that portrait is AMAZING. I have always been a believer but for about 5 months now I decided to fully fall in love with Christ. Now I’m being plagued with nightmares often. I just want rest. It’s 2:30 AM CST and I have to be up for work in 3 hours. Thank you for sharing your story.
Tiffany, thank you so much for your encouraging words! Now let me encourage you to keep pressing ahead in your christian walk. When you have a chance, I urge you to read my article, “When Nightmares Haunt You“. And, near the bottom of that article are links to several other articles. They are all filled with wisdom from God’s Word.
Thanks for writing life and hope into my fears!
Thank you
Hello, I’ve been following your blog ever since I did the search on getting rid of bad thoughts with scripture. Which led me to, “How To Banish Unwanted Thoughts”. Soon after, I started reading all of your posts and the scripture memorization has been working. I have let the devil and his demons keep me in fear and panic for to long. Earlier this morning, I was praying, reading scripture and listening to praise music. Then out of the blue as I was praying and my eyes were closed, I started to feel afraid. I recognized that evil spirit for what it was and I started quoting the scriptures I had memorized. Immediately, the feeling went away and calm washed over me. I’m not used to that and it was refreshing. I’ve been trying to do this on my own strength for too long. And my way does not work. I’m not strong enough, but, God is. Scripture does work. Praise God. I’m thankful to him for leading me to your site. God bless you.
Hey Jan, yes I know what you mean when you wrote God called me to write. Called told me the same and I was stubborn for a while but then eventually started my blog last year June ( I littered did not know how but he helped every step of the way) I now even have my own website also by his guiding. I let be your articles so far, I’m happy you are writing. May the Lord continue to bless your work.
Hi, Romy,
Thanks for your kind words. I’m so glad to know that something I wrote about is able to help others.
I get a sense that this is what you are doing on your blog, too. What a beautiful blog you have!
I agree with your statement! I have been afflicted in my body and it comes and goes over the last five years. I believe this is a lie of the devil trying to take my healing! When the attack comes I get anxious and sometimes allow fear to take over. I notice confusion sets in on what I should do! Is this really a sickness in my body or is it an attack? I have learned to just speak God’s word and walk by Faith! The enemy is a liar…
Greetings from Finland. I was so hyped By this article, that I wrote all ready to your Facebook account. THIS IS SO COOL! I have had just similar attacks in same areas. Right now I was under severe attack. Thank you for giving thist testimony. I think it will save my life from listening devil all day long. I am having peace of God coming into to my daily life. Thank you so much!
Tuomo, your comment is such a blessing back to me. And are we not following the example set for in the Bible?
Paul said, “these things [events of the Old Testament era] happened to them [the people of the Old Testament era] to serve as an example, and they were written to instruct us” (1 Corinthians 10:11). So by sharing my experience, God uses it to help others. As you said, “THIS IS SO COOL!”
I’m glad I could help. So now, when the devil gets in my face I say to him, “Bring it on, because when God brings me through it, my trial will bring more glory to God!” And that’s something the devil cannot stand to see happen.
Devil really tried to kick me with worries about 4 days now. Every time I quoted Psalm 56:4 as it is in finnish Bible: “The day, when I am afraid, I will trust on you”. This attack was quite severe: I quoted this Bible verse like all day long. About 4th day, I did not get attacks anymore, even when the circumstance did not change! 🙂 This is really huge help, because I have been so many years having severe fights with this area. R.W. Schambach said: Devil is a liar. Praise Jesus and his Word.
This is absolutely a HUGE help for me & my husband. We are ‘temporarily ‘ walking through the fire as he’s been Out of job the 3rd time and I, dealing with bullies at work.
Early this morning, I felt so tired & fed up with satan playing us!!!
And out of nowhere I grabbed my phone & typed in those exact words & your article came up!!!
Thank you for writing & obeying the Lord to share about having peace & most importantly,Defeating the devil through HIS spoken word!!!
Thank you & Thank you Lord!
Hi, Liz,
I’m so glad my own trials have helped you. Now be sure to read some the other articles that help to protect you from Satan ans his demons.
Your son’s quite an artist. Thank for your post, your sharing confirms when we live in HIM we live victoriously. More than conquerors!
Hey, Raul, I like your theology! I think you’ve got it just right.
And I’ll pass your compliment along to my son Jeff.
Ellie I do hope that one day you get to document your family recipes. I can imagine what a treasure trove of recipes you would have. In the meietamn, I'll just drool over this gorgeous banana cake! Yum!
Hi I am a sinner who recently began to open up to religion and through all the documentaries of the different religions I found one which I definitely agree with and it is christianity every day more and more I am delving deeper into christianity and my love and faith for jesus christ and the holy father god I am far too young to experience such fear as I have no children to support however I find your insights very inspiring on how the devil wages war against us everyday however my question is this do I have to be Catholic to follow christ and gods word I ask this because the atrocities committed by the Catholic Church was enough for me to disregard religion entirely when I became of age to decide for my self but now just looking at the political affairs of the world it is becoming more and more apparent to me that there is more to this world then the rich holding on to their power and extorting the lower classes into slavery there is a spiritual war going on and thousands of thousands of people are suffering every single day it is so malicious and evil it is hard to fathom any man is capable of such evil it sends chills down my spine I’m from Africa far from conflict in Syria etc however I keep thinking about God and jesus christ and how honourable and pure their message is I would give my life to such a cause truly but I still can’t seem to understand how the vatican can be part of such a message from my limited understanding of the bible for I’ve yet to get one for myself however am trying as hard as I can to get one it’s tough because a lot of my friends and family do not believe most of them are good people but have the same concerns as me why is christianity linked to roman catholicism and why have they murdered so many in God’s name when in the bible it says turn the other cheek when struck for god will fight your battles for you it seriously conflicts me I love the message of the bible and yet it is tied to something that seems just as evil and demonic as the devil himself all I had to do was research the torture methods they used on people the jesuit oath which is honestly sickening to my stomach and how the vatican has sooooo much money and yet people starve on a daily basis I need to know why have christians let this happen and been linked to this in your opinion recently pope francis said christianity does not exist outside of the church I’m sorry for my lack of insight however I plan to procure a bible and to read it with an open heart regardless of your answer I ask you sir because you genuinely sound like a good person and a good christian
Hello, Shaun,
You asked, “do I have to be Catholic to follow Christ and Gods word?” The answer is: No, you do not. Because the Catholic Church does not teach Catholics how to know and live by principles found in the Bible. The Catholic Church wants people to live according to what the Pope and his theologians teach, rather that what God teaches through His Word. In my lifetime (I was born in 1942) it was considered by the Catholic Church that it was a mortal sin — you would burn in hell — if you had a Bible in your home! According to historians, the Catholic Church instigated the slaughter of millions of Bible-believing Christians over a period of many centuries.
I was raised in the Catholic Church, and I believed what they taught, without questioning any of it. But Bible teachers taught me the truth. I thank God every day for rescuing me out of the Catholic Church. Most of what I know (which you are seeing the fruit of here in this blog) came as a result of choosing to spend thousands of hours over many years in listening, reading, and now writing. You are seeing my calling right here on this blog.
Thank you so much for writing. Your story and your determination is such an encouragement to me.
In the words of the apostle Paul, “Grace to you, and peace from God our Father.” (Colossians 1:2) ~ Jan Smith
Ok I want to be protect from the demon not bother me while I was sleeping don’t want devil around in my bedroom and kicking on my bed pounding the bed. That devil try to awake me up. So don’t both me. Also keep going pray more strong power kick off the devil dispearing! Lolz
Also I need that pray for my medication from seizure and deafness too! Thanks from Anthony Sr.
Anthony, did you also read the next article in that series entitled “How To Defeat The Devil As Demonstrated By Jesus”. As the title implies, this is a “How-To” article with lots of practical information that you need. Click Here to read it.
Wow! I have recently fully accepted God into my life due to past addictions and it seemed like Everytime I closed my eyes the devil found a way into my dreams to the point of me waking up crying. I googled “how to get Satan out of my dreams and your page came up.
Thank you to you for creating this page and thank you to God for leading me to you for encouragement and hope.
Hi, Kim. I’m so glad you wrote that about the devil getting into your dreams and then you waking up crying. That does not have to happen!
In recent months — on two occasions — when the devil tried to attack in my dreams, I quoted appropriate Bible passages (with the references) to the devil IN MY SLEEP! And then I woke up almost laughing, as I realized what had just happened: that the Power of God’s Word had squashed the devil once again.
How much is it worth to you to sleep peacefully? It’ll cost you a few minutes of your time every day. It’s so easy to do, and I’ve written the “how-to” details for you. Click the “Blog Index” link in the top menu, and you’ll see the “Scripture Memory” articles.
If you will do these things, God will show up in a way you can’t even imagine. (See John 14:21-14) All that can be yours, if you or anyone reading this reply) would just partner with God by putting His Word into your mind and heart.
Or, you can keep the demons that you have now. The choice is yours. Make it a good one!
Thank you for sharing, I know am not alone and am going through challenges though i know the God am serving is bigger than whatever the devil is throwing at me.The vine and vinedresser it grabbed my attention too. and i see it happening everyday in my life. God bless you abundantly in Jesus mighty name….
Hello .. I want to thank u for this post because i believe u helped me just by reading it.
Cerise, that’s what I was hoping would happen.
i think God a very good reason for me to be reading this article . also was born 1
I am so glad I found this page! It holds true everything you are saying. The closer you are trying to get to Jesus or the Lord, the devil is always there trying to damage or tempt you away from those ties. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your story. O have always believed in God since I was younger. I am 30 years old and just now having to rely on him and trust him to bring a promise to past for me. I believe that he will do, it is just not happening as I thought it would. I felt like I would be out of this storm by now. I am still in the storm and feel like I get weary some days. I am trying my best to press my way forward and hold on to his hand but it seems so scary. I will push as long as I can, I am just afraid that I will give up before my prayers are answered. Any suggestions while I am waiting. Or has God said No to my prayers and I’m just still left hanging on in the dark! I am trying my best to seek his face and hear his voice. I’m just confused! Please God Rescue Me Out of This Storm!
Hi, Toya,
Sometimes God leaves us in the storm to strengthen us for His purposes. It’s a sign that God has His hand upon you. If you can come to see it that way, it helps a lot. I’ve been “in the storm” for years. It’s just become how I live now. But I do so with His help. So are you!
Firstly, I can see why your calling is writing 🙂 very inspiring. Secondly, the portrait your son made is skilled. It is warm and gives a positive essence to you…very well done. Finally, my experience with the devil came before I read the Bible so I only knew what I had heard from others. I am very naive without God guiding me. I have always had an instinctual trust in God throughout my life. This experience showed me how important it is for me to trust Him in all parts of my life. He guided me to reading the Bible independent of other people, just Him and I. I know He has a plan for me but it overwhelms me thinking about it. I think now He is strengthening my love for Him, others and myself (so I don’t get down on myself), my humility and strengthening my faith to at least becoming that of a mustard seed. The devil and demons most definitely exist. This sounds silly but I have seen them both in the eyes of very troubled people and in the place I went when I killed myself thinking God wanted me to. God brought me back…a beautiful, compassionate Savior we have <3
It is important to have all the armor of God. Again…well written.
Tamara, I’m goad to read that God is helping you through His Word via this article.
Many thanks
My name is hounaida ..I’m à lebanese girl ..as you know we live in a country full of desastre..and im very tired I tried many things to feel better ..God is taking may hand to show me truth.. fear is taking over me ..devil toolk everything from me ..I cant do nothing I want in life ..for now I d nt know what I need anymore ..like I dnt want anything anymore ..it is ver depressing.. i only feel good when I am at the church ….and enormes feeling of emptiness. .
Very inspiring, thank you for sharing your story! God bless
Thanks, Joey. And remember: what God did for me that night He will do for you and for anyone. But remember: each of us has a part in the process. When Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:10-11, “10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil”, that’s God commanding us to know the Word well enough to be able to recognize the devil and defeat Him with the armor God has provided.
I just want to take this opportunity to thank you from sharing this inspiring story above. I also have been tormented by the devil over the past days by bringing unwanted thoughts. It got worse to the point that I wanted to take my life becouse I thought the was no solution, but by the grace of God Im alive..
Thanks for your kind words Colan. I’m glad you didn’t listen to the devil and are still here. Remember: the devil always lies. So when you “hear” thoughts that are trying to lead you toward something that would be contrary to God’s Word, you know it’s a lie and you also know that the opposite is the truth.
Thank you, Jan.
Its a blessing that you have been prompted by the LORD Jesus to share your experiences. I too have been suffering with unwanted thoughts for some time. These thoughts have invaded my waking moments so much and i think even my sleep-life now too, to the point that i’m afraid the devil is using me to hurt good people with lies that i mutter when asleep that have crept into my brain during the days unavoidable interaction with people or media. They are hateful, disgusting accusations against myself & others i care for. I find it hard to even read God’s holy word now, as it seems as soon as I have a bit of relief the horrid thoughts attack. I can’t hear about anyone without thinking…am I that person? Whether it be a fictional character, planet or real person alive or dead. I’d laugh if it didn’t hurt so much on the inside.
The ‘bad people’ don’t seem to make it to the list of bad thoughts for long – and even bad people aren’t outside God’s grace, so I suffer with guilt thinking bad of people out to get me.FORGIVE FORGIVE FORGIVE. Believe me, i’m trying to. If that makes sense? I’ve considered taking my own life many times; but then what? Hell? satan wins? I think I need deliverance ministry, and have asked repeatedly for help from clergy (I don’t blame anyone but me, the devil is sneaky) … either i’m so beat-down by these thoughts that i’ve gone totally mental, God has handed me over so that I don’t blaspheme (like I wanted any blasphemous thoughts anyway) or I have unclean spirits.
I don’t get any let-up in the hassle. Lots of people hate me. Lots try to help. I’m torn between fasting until I drop or get healed, or ???. Don’t mean to lay this at your door, and I get that only JESUS can really help. If I fast, how much of this is down to me? How much is help from experienced deliverance ministers. Lots of people have prayed for me long distance over the years – I’ve asked them to stop. I’m kinda too tired to follow even simple instructions at the moment, so why should people go out of their way for me? I also feel like nearly everything I say or go to do, GOD is saying, “shush” or “don’t go there, or do that.”
If you can help with advice, or if you’ve had anyone go through similar things and it worked in CHRIST, then please feel free to be candid.
Many regards
tim.
Thank you for your testomony the past few weeks I all so was tormented by the devil I had my pastor and the people of my church prayed over me now I am free …..thank you for Isa 43:1&2 I will read it over and over tell I can say it in my sleep!! God bless you!!
Hi, Nancy,
Now you can see for yourself how powerful the Word of God really is.
Oct06 The post is absolutely fantastic! Lots of great information and iniripatson, both of which we all need! Also like to admire the time and effort you put into your blog and detailed information you offer! I will bookmark your site!
AWESOME.you really inspired me to start memorizing scriptures..great read.
Jojo, you really made my day by sharing that decision to begin memorizing Scripture. Once you put God’s thoughts (that’s what the Bible is) into your mind, He will use it to encourage you, to strengthen you, to challenge you, to correct you, and much more. You made a great decision. Don’t let the devil talk you out of it.
As I said I am blessed.
I am so blessed by these writings. Such clarity!
Very timely for me.
Joan, thank you for your kind words!
I’m 14 and my goodness! This post helped me a lot! Thank you so much ????
Thanks very much. I’m glad I could help you!
wonderful issues altogether, you just received a brand new reader.
What would you suggest about your post that you just made some days in the
past? Any certain?
I’m not sure I understand your question…
The portrait is very nice. Professionally done BRAVO 🙂
Well I have similarities to u Jan smith, I was actually asleep when Satan actually used a sexual unwanted thought to try to bring me back to my panic attack. It did work because I thought god and Satan was out of the question let my counselor tell it. Now since I no Satan is working on me in my dreams I now know to use bible scriptures to flee him and his demons away.this is great I’m reAding my bible the same time I’m reading your different posts. I really wonder how long it would take for me studying the bible to get rid of these unwanted thoughts. This is fairly new to me. Especially me being by myself studying.I’m scared to go into church for these unwanted sexual thoughts. I’m taking your posts very seriously becuz all I can do is turn to Jesus. That’s all I want to do.
I can relate to what you’re experiencing because I too get unwanted sexual dreams and dreams of somebody wanting to do me harm. It is the enemy attacking your fears because he somehow knew that would make you not wanna go to church. Be encouraged because if you have Jesus the battle is already won. He’s trying to put lust in your heart but God truly knows your heart so dontvlet the shame that the devil brings to your dreams stop you from praising and living for God.
WOW! Thank you for sharing, this site is wonderful!! I have always believed there was an adversary but never understood how much a part of everyday life he is until the last 2 years. He pulled back the curtain and revealed himself to me during a physical attack in the middle of the night from my eight year old daughter. It was the scariest event of my life, but ended with the Word of God saving us both. He still tries to get to me but I sense it’s him very quickly now and rebuke him. I have often felt compelled to write about it to help others identify and overcome the attacks but I haven’t started anything more than a table of contents. You have inspired me!
Laurie, thanks for posting a comment and for sharing part of your own story. I particularly like the part where you said your encounter with the enemy “…ended with the Word of God saving us both”. The power is in speaking the Word of God. So, the more Scripture you have chosen to internalize, the more you are able to stand against the enemy. ~ Jan
Start Here
Back To Top