THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Ephesians 6:10-18
Deuteronomy 18:10-12

“… from everlasting
to everlasting. Amen.”

SATAN’S STRATAGEM (III)

Some Charismatic (and non-Charismatic) healers have ventured into the area of exorcism, much to their own loss and detriment. These healers have foolishly underestimated the adversary’s wiles and power, and assumed to themselves authority not theirs. Adopting an aggressive attitude, these would-be exorcists rashly engage in “face-to-face” confrontation and “hand-to-hand” combat with the powers of darkness, “commanding” or “rebuking” the unseen opponent with words of (nonexistent) authority.

This is utterly opposed to the biblical instruction on how we are to deal with the devil and his evil spirits. Ephesians 6:10-18 gives clear guidelines on how to engage in spiritual warfare. We must use God’s prescribed weapons which alone can shield us from the forces of darkness. On no account must a believer (pastor or anybody else) make contact with or attack an evil spirit. Not even Michael the archangel dared to confront the devil (Jude 9). All he did was to say, “The Lord rebuke thee.”

How foolish for anyone to directly address the devil and to use “a railing accusation” against him! One would-be exorcist tangled with a demon-possessed person and used “railing accusation” against the demon for many months. The final score: the possessed person was no better and no worse; the “exorcist” a near physical and spiritual wreck. The demon: alive and well. (He is smarter than we think!)

What lesson can we all learn? Firstly, leave demons and evil spirits alone. We must have no contact or confrontation with them. Live a pure and holy life. Keep close to the Lord. Submit at all times to the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Then no evil spirit can ever harm us.

THOUGHT: Resist, not confront, the devil and he will flee from me.
PRAYER: Lord, keep me always in Thy peace.