LETTER 29 - DISCIPLES OF CHRIST UNDERSTAND THEY ARE IN A SPIRITUAL BATTLE
Dear Redeemer Family,
I was once physically attacked by a demon.
It happened in 1970. I was a twenty-one, and a brand new follower of Jesus. I had become the youth leader in my Lutheran church.
I was asked to come to a meeting with our pastor, a few church leaders, and a husband and wife who were long-time church members.
The husband and wife shared they had experienced something new to them. They wanted to share it with us. They had begun to pray in tongues.
I didn't know what the manifestation of tongues was about, but was interested.
As the meeting went on, the atmosphere felt tense. This had never happened in our church. I could see that the leadership was not going to allow this. The pastor said we should stop and pray about this.
That's when a demon attacked me.
I had never felt anything like this in my life. It was as if something evil was inside me. I was sitting in this meeting, head bowed, eyes closed, praying, "Help me Jesus! Help me Jesus!" I had no training for this. What was going on inside me?
The prayer time, and the meeting, ended. I went to a phone and called Linda. I was crying. "Pray for me. I don't know what's going on. I think I've been attacked by a demon."
Since that time I've learned more about spiritual beings like demons. I concluded that, yes, I was under a demonic assault in that meeting. Over a spiritual gift. Can you believe it?
I read my Bible and saw that Jesus was confronting satan and demons, all the time. My Teacher believed in demons, and engaged in battle against them.
As an apprentice in the School of Jesus I have been taught that my true enemies are not people, but are demons. I am not to wage war against flesh and blood, but against the dark spiritual agents who are against Jesus.
In my Lutheran church we sang Luther's worship song "A Mighty Fortress." I still love this song! Look what the lyrics say.
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and pow'r are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us;
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
This song was in my DNA years before I became a disciple. When that happened, the words took on rich, new meanings.
My dear brothers and sisters, we are in a spiritual battle.
Love,
PJ
DECLARATIONS
I do not see people as my true enemies.
Today I am engaging the enemy.
I defeat the enemy using weapons of righteousness, such as love, and truth.
I am a spiritual force that sets captives free.
My mission is to tear down strongholds the enemy has erected in the hearts of people.
The enemy has been defeated! Sin and death have lost their power!
My dear brothers and sisters, we are in a spiritual battle.
Love,
PJ
DECLARATIONS
I do not see people as my true enemies.
Today I am engaging the enemy.
I defeat the enemy using weapons of righteousness, such as love, and truth.
I am a spiritual force that sets captives free.
My mission is to tear down strongholds the enemy has erected in the hearts of people.
The enemy has been defeated! Sin and death have lost their power!
