So, there is limited information in the Bible about how to handle demons. How do I know there is such limited information? Well, I was once called by my pastor, Stu Hodges, who had just talked to a guy who claimed his daughter was demon possessed. According to the guy, his daughter was being dragged across the room by a demon. This wasn’t his first encounter with something like this. He said that earlier he was in a room and the room got instantly cold. He said he then heard a door slam in a room that nobody was in. It was the story out of a horror movie, but it was real.
When Stu called, I pulled out every theology book I had to find out what my pastor should do. After we talked I went to bed and told my wife about what was going on. My wife then tells me that the date was June 6, 2006 and that equals 666. I called my pastor back and told him that I was going with him.
When we arrived at the house we were greeted by a lady that looked just like the little lady in the movie Poltergeist.
I got the giggles right away. Granted they were nervous giggles, but I walked in giggling like a nervous school girl. At one point while they were telling us the story, the Poltergeist grandma tells us that their house was built on a Civil War graveyard. She said that she’s seen ghosts walking around in this exact area before the house was built. Cue more nervous laughter from me. I’m talking the church giggles. You know, the church giggles. When you start laughing at church and you are not supposed to. That was me. My pastor then asked them if anything like this had happened before. The Poltergeist granny spoke up and told us a time where her granddaughter’s doll talked to her. The doll was saying really scary things so they put it in the closet. Her very next words were, “and then Chucky said.” All I could picture was…
I lost it. I was laughing so hard that I picked up my Bible and covered my face with it. When I finally composed myself I asked who Chucky was. Lucky for me they had a cousin named Chucky who was there the day the doll talked.
To end our time there my pastor prayed over the house. He was praying in Jesus’ name and he was intense. At one point in his prayer he addressed Satan. Right when he said Satan’s name every phone in the house started ringing. I’m talking cell phones and house phones. I looked up and the family had their eyes closed. They didn’t even look up to the madness of the phones. My pastor then told Satan that in Jesus’ name he had no place in this house. At that moment we heard a loud PFFFFFFFFFFFFFF! At this point I was ready to change my drawers. The loud noise was an air freshener attached to the wall. It took us a second to locate what hissed. The whole time the family still has heads bowed and eyes closed. We end and run out of that place as fast as we could without seeming like we were scared.
So I don’t know a lot about demons. What I do know is that some of you thought that story was really funny. I hope that’s most of you. Others though are a little freaked out about it. Here’s the deal, I don’t think we need to be afraid. I do think that the Bible is clear that spiritual things are going on around us and that we need to take them serious. But that doesn’t mean that we let them bring fear into our lives.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:10-12.
Great couple of posts Rob.
On acknowledging spiritual forces and not taking them lightly, makes me think of Jude 1:9
One of my go to verses for encouragement and reminder that nothing can separate us from God’s love – Rom 8:38-39
Heebie jeebies, man, heebie jeebies.
I remember when Stu told this story during one of his sermons. It was funny then and is still funny now. But even with the high humor quotient, the creepy factor is nearly pegging the meter too. whoa
It is hard to differentiate what is normal difficulties as a result of a fallen, sinful world, versus my own choices based on limited knowledge and what might be considered spiritual warfare, but I start praying differently when things start going wrong in multiples. For example if someone is sick, I pray for a quick recovery and healing. However, if the someone who is sick, suddenly has car trouble, and an additional financial difficulty, I begin praying differently and feel that there may be a spiritual attack.
For He has not given us a spirit of fear….But of POWER!
You are a super hero in Christ!!!! woo whoo!!!
I think it’s funny and not freaky. When we have the power of God in us – there should be nothing to fear – at least that’s how I feel. I don’t give Satan ANY holiday either – even Halloween. I have fun and stick my tongue out at him 🙂
That story cracks me up, especially the part about the church laughter. I can totally relate!
There used to be, and may still be a show on the Discovery Channel about stories like that. I can’t remember what it was called. I used to watch it, and I’d be totally freaked out, especially by the ones about demonic activity. I eventually had to stop watching the show, because it just freaked me out too much . I don’t do well with scary movies, either, but since this was in the middle of the day I could deal with it for a while anyway.
There was one episode where a guy seemingly turned out to be demon possessed, and a Christian girl rebuked the demon, and he said that it was Jesus who saved him. I thought that was really cool.
As far as demons tempting you, (or anyone) I’m sure they do, but I tend to think it’s more likely we give in to human nature, and our weaknesses. So I suppose I’m one of those that in some cases give Satan too much credit (freaking out over demon stories), and not enough–blaming myself or others for sinning when it could be spiritual warfare.
Interesting topic.
My understanding is that nervous giggling is the thing demons hate above anything else. They’re powerless against our nervous giggling.
I am such a chicken…I can’t watch scary movies or anything. I think I would have been terrified. But you’re right that we don’t NEED to be scared. Its something I should probably pray about and work on. 😉
I always see me dropping the “Hulk Hogan Leg Drop” (not sure what he called it) Atomic something right, anyway right on ole Lucifer’s face! My wife get’s crazy tripped out though by scary movies that have the “devil” talking in that deep voice.
I m a big fan of the horror movies and see all the movies that comes on the cable.