Battling Demonic Influence: Signs and Spiritual Defense
In today's world, we are often confronted with challenges that seem beyond our control. Many believers find themselves questioning whether the Devil is using their emotions against them. This article aims to explore the signs that the Devil may be trying to influence us and provide guidance on how to defend ourselves spiritually.
Signs of Demonic Influence
Emotions such as conflicting, discouragement, fear, hopelessness, and others do not come from within us naturally. Instead, they are often exploited by the enemy, the Devil, to try and manipulate us. It is important to remember that the Devil is not a passive entity; he is actively seeking to deceive and destroy. However, God has provided us with powerful spiritual armor to defend against these attacks. These include the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of the gospel, the belt of truth, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Word of God.
The Devil's Strategy
The Devil is an expert in finding vulnerabilities in our lives. He carefully observes our actions and listens to our conversations, looking for ways to exploit them. One of the most critical areas of vulnerability is the power of our words. What we say has a profound impact on our lives. Therefore, it is essential to be mindful of the words we use and the attitudes we express. Positive words and thoughts will attract positive outcomes. Conversely, negative words and thoughts can lead to negative results. Confessing good things and focusing on joy and hope can strengthen your spiritual defense and help you overcome the Devil's attempts to manipulate your emotions.
Three Influences Diminishing Our Relationship with God
There are three primary influences that can obstruct or diminish a relationship with God: Satan, worldly deception, and our sinful nature inherited from Adam. Satan is a clever and deceitful entity, often offering worldly and supernatural influences or masquerading as a deity. The main obstacle to a relationship with God is often our reluctance to be accountable to Him out of pride, stubbornness, and a desire for hedonistic autonomy. Understanding these influences can help us recognize when the Devil is trying to sway our thoughts and actions.
Understanding the Human Soul and Spirit
It is crucial to understand that in addition to God and angelic beings (both holy and hostile), the human soul and spirit persist after death. The Holy Bible clearly states in Hebrews 9:27, "And just as it is appointed for man to die once and after that comes judgment." The destination of one's soul and spirit after death depends on their relationship with God. Christians believe that forgiveness, imputed righteousness, and eternal spiritual life can be achieved through believing in Christ Jesus.
Eternal Life and Salvation
The Bible points the way to eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23-24 states, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, yet all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." John 3:16 declares, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jesus, as the way, truth, and life, is the only means through which one can approach God. Ephesians 2:8-9 reinforces this, stating, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Conclusion
Our eternal destiny is in our hands. It is a decision that we must make based on faith in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior. The choice is ours, and the consequences are eternal. Will you rely on the powerful spiritual armor God has provided, or will you give in to the Devil's schemes? The outcome is your choice.