Was it YOU laying there in bed this morning...contemplating the day that awaits you...and then out of nowhere came some subtle thought of why your day was going to be bad...then escalated quickly concluding how your life sucked...and you were a failure as a mother or father...and your life did not count for much of anything? Before your feet even hit the ground, you just wanted to curl up under the covers and die. Or, maybe just go back to sleep. 

 So maybe it wasn’t that dramatic. But you made your way into the kitchen to put some coffee on and you had it on your mind to get your bible out to read some chapters this morning...maybe the thought even occurred to you to come read my posting here (if maybe you have been doing that from time to time). Then, ‘something’ suggested you really needed to get about other things of ‘importance’ this morning and you could always go read that spiritual stuff later. Besides, you read yesterday. (And NO MORE PICTURES OF SPIDERS, I promise!)

 Or what about that moment a few days ago, out of nowhere, you were reminded of that time your spouse did ‘such and such’ and it just opened up a flood of angry memories that you started feeding on...to the point when your ‘other half’ walked through the door later, they were met with icy stares and short, snippy comments, if not a wall of silence...and their confused look said it all: “What did I do now?” 

 Remember that time when you were sitting in church, of all places, being spiritual and singing hymns along with the congregation. And then out of nowhere, ‘those images’ starting playing through your head like a soft porn movie as you watched that woman in the choir sing or that preacher in his nice looking suit speak so eloquently. You shook your head in shock and embarrassment and tried to rid yourself of those thoughts. For some of you, it worked. Others...you kind of...welcomed those thoughts back and entertained them for awhile. 

 Tell me this: Where do you think those thoughts and images came from? 

 Let’s delve further in....are you one of those many people who have irrational fears? I mean, just the rustling of a leaf behind you in the dark can have you running at warp speed? And God only knows how many people are plagued by a cloak of darkness and sorrow and depression that has fueled a multi-billion dollar drug industry that offers up all kinds of anti-depressants? 

 Dare I touch on the subject for those who have serious ‘anger issues’ where the slightest thing can set you off in to an uncontrollable rage that has all kinds of ugly words and loud tones being unleashed on the ones you love the most? For many, it can progress on to acts of violence that after it’s over...you are devastated with shame and remorse and have no idea what is happening inside of you. And regardless of how many time you cry and beg forgiveness, it happens again. And again. And again. 

 I guess it is safe to assume that no one reading here today has ever experienced or knows people who are driven by sexual compulsions that could be likened to a wildfire that burns out of control. 

 Again I ask...where do these compulsions come from...and why? 

 Yesterday, I discussed the subject of addressing topics that make us uncomfortable. And while the assortment of examples I listed above here this morning could certainly fall under that category of ‘unpleasant topics to discuss’, where it can get really awkward and uneasy...is discussing the origin and cause of these unpleasant subjects. 

 Why have we been reluctant to address the possibility that they are ‘spiritual’ in origin. Some folks are fine with using that term ‘spiritual’. But can we explore the possibility that they are actually ‘demonic’? As in ‘unclean spirits’? You know, the ones Jesus went about healing and delivering people from? (Acts 10:38)

 Demon spirits. They really are ‘a thing’ if you give any credible faith in what the bible teaches. 

 And believing they don’t exist does not negate their existence. 

 Ignoring them won’t make them go away either. But resisting them will. (James 4:7). And for the record, resisting them is easier to do once they are on the ‘outside’ and then attempt to find a way ‘back in’. That is ‘a thing’ as well. (Matt 12:43-44) 

 If there is any subject in the scriptures that we have shied away from more than others, I would be willing to bet this is one of the top three; and because of that, we have paid a price. (Hosea 4:6) 

 I think you would be shocked when you see just how much scripture addresses the subject of demon spirits, the devil, Satan and the ‘powers of darkness’. Being aware of them does not mean you become obsessed with them. And being afraid of them or fearing them can be a borderline abomination given God is the One we are to fear. Of course, Hollywood has had a part in distorting our perception of them or how we might react towards them. 

 Let’s all say this aloud and slow: Demons. Are. Real. 

 And they don’t just exist over in Africa or Haiti or in the Amazon jungles of South America. 

 They are everywhere. How many are there? I haven’t a clue. I do know that in Revelation 12 we are told that there was a great conflict in heaven...a ‘war’ of sorts and Lucifer was cast out and somewhere in the neighborhood of ‘a third of the angels’ were sent packing with him and they ended up here. There is one incident in the Gospel of Mark where Jesus ministered to a man that had somewhere in the ‘thousands’ of evil spirits in him. (5:8-13) I also know Paul alludes to Satan’s ability to disguise himself as an ‘angel of light’ and ‘his ministers as ministers of righteousness’. ( 2 Cor 11:14-15).  And while we are at it, John tells us the whole world is under his influence. (1 John 5:19)

 Paul also makes it quite clear that the conflicts or struggles we face in this world are not with a natural foe (flesh and blood) but a spiritual one. He would write to the Ephesians that it is the ‘powers and rulers of darkness of this age....spiritual hosts of wickedness...principalities and such’ that we wrestle with. (Eph 6:12). I have a hunch he (Satan) actually is amused when he watches so many of God’s children go to battle with puppets that he sets up and uses to distract us from the real source. 

 Paul even expounds on this armor of God so that we can stand against the ‘wiles of the devil’. (vs.11) Wiles is another word for ‘schemes’ as it would appear that Satan has a book full of them. Sad thing is, when we fail to listen and pay attention to God, our unseen enemy has no need to mix things up given we keep falling over and over for the same bait. Why change what’s working for you?

 Here’s a classic example of one. Paul had written to the church at Corinth and was advising them on how to handle a sin issue that had arisen among them with a certain member. He gave steps on how this person was to be dealt with (1 Cor 5) with the hopes he could be brought to repentance. In his follow up letter to them, it appears this person had indeed repented and Paul then suggests the need for him to be forgiven and welcomed back into the body. (2 Cor 2). He even ‘urges them to reaffirm their love to him’ (vs. 8)...”lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 

 Unforgiveness is a ‘scheme’ that Satan gets a lot of mileage out of. Ever wonder why it’s hard to forgive some folks of things? An unseen enemy is fanning the flames of bitterness. Those roots can go deep. Resentment, unforgiveness and bitterness are a good ‘fishing hole’ for him. Or better yet, it’s ‘feeding ground’ for him and his minions. Look what Jesus had to say about it in Matt. 18 where He teaches on the need to forgive. You can read vs.21-35 when you get a chance but I want to fast forward to the end of that parable/story where Jesus makes no attempt to gloss this over. If you choose to hold on to resentment and bitterness, and are unwilling to forgive others as you have been forgiven by Him...You...get handed over...to the tormentors. (34-35). As in ...demons spirits. Why do you think Satan will bring back all those bad memories and plant those images and thoughts in your mind for you to take in to your heart? It is his access back in to your ‘house’. (Matt 12:43-45) 

 You might be asking yourself: “When was he ever in me to begin with?” Ephesians 2:1-3 will tell you clearly. Go look that up. You might also make note of John 3:36. 

 Have you ever known someone whose immune system had been compromised or diminished because of some medical treatment they were undergoing...chemo perhaps? They can be very guarded knowing how susceptible they are to ‘catching something’ that could kill them. You know...unseen germs. Peter probably knew little about germs when he wrote his letter to us but it was along the same lines of ‘being alert, vigilant’ and guarded as we had an unseen enemy lurking...seeking to devour. He tells you exactly who this unseen enemy is: the devil. (1 Pet 5:8) 

 One other point of interest you might give thought to. You are no match for this enemy. Never have been, never will be. You need a ‘covenant partner’ who is stronger and able to deal with and protect you. His name is Jesus. And if you want true protection, you are gonna have to abide in and with Him. We’ll discuss more tomorrow.