These are challenging days for Christians in America and around the world. It seems as though anything Christian is fair game for attack and persecution today as we  proceed towards the ‘end-times’ as prophesied and described in biblical Scripture.

We must put on the full armor of God to cope and overcome the challenges we face.

“Take up the full armor of God that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”  (Ephesians 6:13-18)

In this  message let us find encouragement from some great sacred hymns as we stand our ground against those who hate us for nothing more than being Christians.

How Firm a Foundation

Fear not, I am with you, be not dismayed.
For I am your God, and I will give you aid.
I’ll strengthen you, and cause you to stand.
Upheld by My gracious omnipotent hand.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

And though this world, with devils filled
Should threaten to undo us
We will not fear, for God has willed
His truth to triumph through us

Stand up, Stand Up for Jesus

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, and stand in His strength alone.
The arm of flesh will fail you; dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor, each piece put on with prayer.
Then where duty or danger calls, never be wanting there.

Standing on the Promises

Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail.
By the living Word of God I shall prevail.
Standing on the promises of Christ my King.

The Solid Rock

On Christ the solid rock I stand.
All other ground is sinking sand.

 

The Bible has a lot to say about demons. Let’s take a look at some pertinent Scriptures.

Demonic activity has been present on the earth ever since Satan was cast out of heaven along with his legions of “fallen angels” who rebelled against God. Demon possession of humans was present at the time while Jesus was here on earth and demons are still capable of possessing humans today.

Satan is referred to in biblical Scripture as the “prince of demons” and his demons are members of his well-organized ranks of fallen angels (Matthew 12:24; Ephesians 6:11-12).

Demons are also known as unclean spirits (Mark 9:25) and their doctrine leads to immoral behavior.

“In later times some will fall away from the faith [apostasy], paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron” (1 Timothy 4:1-2). Satan is also referred to in scripture as the ‘father of lies” (John 8:44).

Demons know Jesus—they know their eventual doom—and they know the plan of salvation.

“What do we have to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth?  Have You come to destroy us?  I know who You are—the Holy One of God” (Mark 1:24).

“Demons also believe, and shudder” (James 2:19).

1. Demons attempt to thwart the purpose of God (Daniel 10:10-1; Revelation 16:13-16).
2. Demons extend the authority of Satan by doing his bidding (Ephesians 6-11-12).
3. Demons can inflict diseases (Matthew 9:33) and (Luke 13:11, 16).
4. Demons can possess men (Matthew 4:24).
5. Demons can possess animals (Mark 5-13).
6. Demons oppose the spiritual growth of God’s children (Ephesians 6:12).
7. Demons disseminate false doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1).

Demon possession means a demon residing in a person, exerting direct control and influence over that person, with certain derangement of mind and/or body.

Demon possession is to be distinguished from demonic influence or demonic activity in relation to a person. The work of the demon in the latter is from the outside; in demon possession it is from within.

By this definition a Christian cannot be possessed by a demon since he is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. However, a believer can be the target of demonic activity to such an extent that he may give the appearance of demon possession.

Sometimes mental derangement is due to demon possession, but not always

(Matthew 17:15; Daniel 4).

Usually there is an outbreak of demon activity when truth and light are the strongest.

Eventually all demons (fallen angels) will be cast with Satan into the lake of fire (Matthew 25:41).

Jesus had power over demons during His earthly ministry. For a couple examples of Jesus casting out demons see Matthew 8:28-32; Mark 1:25-26.

“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart; do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.  This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, and demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy”  (James 3:13-17).

I don’t know about you, but I have never personally seen such a clear cut chasm of differences amongst our politicians, governmental leaders, and citizens within the United States of America, divided pretty much straight down the aisle between Democrats and Republicans.

Neither have I ever observed such overt signs of demonic influence and activity in the people of our nation, especially with liberal politicians and bureaucrats, the left-leaning mainstream press, and the radical, angry, and riotous anarchists at public events and in the streets across our country.

Also, in my opinion, I have not seen a stronger surge of “truth and light” displayed by a U.S. president since Ronald Reagan as we currently have now with President Trump.  His attempts to drain the swamp in Washington D.C. and return the United States to a republic of, by, and for the people is admirable as he tries to restore a renewed sense of national patriotism.

The amount of immoral behavior, blatant and purposeful lies, hypocrisy of liars, dissemination of false doctrines and narratives, mental derangement, disorder, and lawlessness in our American society today is seemingly unprecedented.

The desire by most liberals for open borders without proper vetting of immigrants and the insanity of sanctuary cities for illegal immigrants already in our country, the perpetuation of “fake news” about Trump’s campaign colleagues colluding with Russia to affect our 2016 presidential election without a single shred of evidence, and the insane opinions and behavior by some liberal politicians and their supporters is just over the top with borderline lunacy.

Most unbelievers will laugh or scoff at the mention of Satan and demons. They simply do not believe in spiritual beings or their ability to affect human events through spiritual warfare.  Those same unbelievers will have a huge surprise in store for them someday. Demons are real and their demonic activity is ongoing. This requires Christians to put on the “full armor of God” (Ephesians 6) to stand against the days of evil in the current age in which we live today.

But as long as secular world leaders, politicians, news commentators, and the rest of societal unbelievers in general try to solve the world problems only by debating and addressing the “symptoms” of our troubles without ever addressing the actual root “spiritual” cause for all of mankind’s sinfulness—then mankind will never get one iota closer to resolving any of our woeful human relations and dangerous world conditions staring us in the face today. Only God can help us!

Footnote: Scripture emphasis added by the author.