POINT: the devil's power is real, but is teeny-tiny compared to the Spirit Who lives in us. As such, his tactics are lies and deception. If we don't recognize his bluff, we'll be backed into a corner with fear and intimidation. "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" is in there somewhere.
STORY: I'm studying occult right now for our next class (gonna be a good 'un). I was lying in the bed this morning somewhere between sleep and waking when I just KNEW that some little beastie had hopped up on the bed beside me (I was lying on my stomach and my head was turned away from where this thing was). [Aside: I'm not crazy.] I also KNEW that he was holding a sheet of thin plastic material, like the bags they put over your dry cleaning. [Aside: this KNOWING is something that happens both in prophecy and in dreams. Like "that guy looks like Marlon Brando, but I just KNOW that it's my buddy Dave!". Aside 2: I'm not crazy.] Before I really had time to process what I was 'seeing' in my spirit (if you're cool with that terminology), I heard this thing wheeze a little snort then put this plastic bag over my head, tightening it around my neck. Obviously, this thing had an intention of suffocating me. [Still not crazy!]
I laid there for a moment, thinking to myself, "Really? THIS is the tactic, here?" then, very easily (with one hand), I tore an opening in the 'plastic sheet' (I don't remember if I physically made that move or if it was just done in a spiritual state), then turned my head around to where the little dude had been (That was physical; he wasn't physically there). I felt a little put out by the run-in, very annoyed. I said something like "you spirit of suffocation and death and torment, get out of my bedroom and my house in the name of Jesus. I command you off my property. Don't you ever come near my or my family again. I speak peace and life and health over this room and house. We breathe EASY in Jesus." Then I laid back down.
BELIEFS:
1) I really don't think I'm nuts. I told this story to my wife and she didn't blink. We believe the enemy wants to kill us but he has NO POWER if we don't give it to him. This story didn't surprise my wife or worry her, because she's cool like that.
2) Giving in to fear IS an option. You can go there if you want to. Not me, boy. Saying NO to fear is also an option.
3) Fighting the enemy can be as simple as tearing a hole in a plastic bag and declaring Jesus' goodness. I decided long ago that if the enemy ever showed himself on my property, I wasn't going to just say Jesusy things at him and hope he goes away, I was going to go AFTER him. David killed a lion with his bare hands, and I'm like David. I trample on snakes and kill lions, just like my big brother Jesus does. The devil is no match for the Spirit of God in us.
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Stevie-
ReplyDeleteI agree with you: you are not nuts.
In fact, based on your willingness to trust God to see the unseen makes you more in touch with reality than most people walking around.
I picture the final scene in Matrix when Neo finally sees the "Matrix" for the ones and zeroes it is. He is then able to stop the agents' bullets by simply raising his hand.
Fellas, let's get in on what Stevie is sharing here.
Tonight was so powerful I actually did something I would normally be afraid to do. I called my boss on the way home. I spoke to him in the authority Jesus gave me. I've never done that with an earthly authority. I spoke to him love in my heart and without accusation.
ReplyDeleteHe was just baptized this weekend and I noticed that he was falling back into old behaviors... he is in a perfect storm that would tempt him into doing so. Normally I would be too afraid to approach him in this way being his direct report. But tonight was different... through the love a Christ I was able share with him the scripture to sooth him in his storm.
God you have made me rich beyond my dreams. I am rich in you... I am drunk in you. I would like more of what you have.
P.S. This so beats porn.