We are always fighting 2 battles. One with our flesh, and the other with satan. Pastor Jack Hayford said, “You can’t cast out the flesh, and you can’t disciple a demon.”
First, how do most demonic battles look? They are often a demon whispering to us, “Think about that, that is spectacular. That is what you want, what you have to have.”
The Bible is clear, some people are demon possessed. But, in addition to that, many people are oppressed to a lesser or greater degree.
Second, if we treat demonic warfare the same as our warfare with the flesh we will get into trouble. The Bible says:
Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.
44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.
45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”
The key word in this passage is “empty.” The person in this example repented, but then did not start to do God’s will. Did not start to seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Third, whether you have a demon, or are harassed by one, you can get it out. They hate the verses for quitting. I will never forget the day I printed those verses out. I printed them, and decided to attack back when tempted. When tempted I was going to get those verses out and start studying.
I was shocked by how my temptations changed. Sure… I wanted to consider my options, but now I was not being driven toward my habit. I was not enslaved like I had been. It was now a fair fight. A fight I wanted to win.
Fourth, when I say we must “Pound things (darkness) out,” I am referring to demonic harassment. They won’t leave you alone until you pound them in a way they hate.
Fifth, demons of lust hate verses about lust. Demons of drinking hate verses about drinking. Demons of covetousness, hate verses about covetousness. They are smart, they know you are submitting to God by quoting these (Very hard) verses. They know you are learning about them, learning about the destruction, learning about their darkness. Learning how to break the very chains they put on you.
Finally, most importantly, seek your purpose fervently. Seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit fervently. That way… When they check on you they say, “Not much room here for me. This house is full. I am not going to check on them as often in the future.”
After that, it is a fair fight.
