When this (an evil spirit beating an exorcist) became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. (Acts 19:17-18)
Jim Bomkamp, a pastor in Green Bay, WI, tells about his experience as a new Christian with the occult. “One lady I hung around with told me that now that she believed in Christ she only practiced white magic…I bought a deck of Tarot cards and was doing readings for friends and family. I also didn’t quit doing drugs for awhile because I didn’t know that they were wrong, and I even was still doing psychedelic drugs for awhile…that year was the worst year of my life, and…I’m lucky to have lived through that year.”
Many grow up with parents who live by Satan’s rules. They take drugs, steal, and/or practice magic. If they turn to Christ, they may not know what they’re doing is wrong. Satan works hard to get them back into his clan. He attacks all Christians, especially those who haven’t studied the Bible and don’t know what he’s capable of doing.
Satan enters our minds and thoughts. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1Peter 5:8) We should be seized with fear like the Ephesians were when we realize the enemy is attacking us if we don’t know what to do. Like the Ephesians, we should confess what we’ve done to God and repent. Then we should command the enemy to leave us in the name of Jesus by the authority He gave to Christians (Acts 16:18).
Father, I praise you for telling me in Your Word how to defeat the enemy. Thank you for your plan to keep me safe. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
As I said yesterday. The Satanic and demon thing scares me. It scares me because it is true and bad things can happen. For a long time I refused to believe that Satan existed because if I didn’t believe in him, he could not hurt me. That is wrong, but that is how I dealt with it. I’m afraid if I acknowledge He exists He can harm me. I rely on God to keep Satan away from me and protect me.
If you don’t acknowledge that he exists you might not resist him or pray for God’s power to defeat him. God wants us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” I guess if you pray that you don’t have to acknowledge Satan directly. Love you Sis. Merry Christmas.