From Youthwalk...

As research, Laurin was reading a secular book online about how nonbelievers view faith. “Christianity is a myth,” the book said. “It’s just a crutch that people want to be true.” As she read more of the book, she heard in her head: “Your faith is a myth. How can you believe in a Man who lived 2,000 years ago that you never met? And you believe He set you free? Free from what? It’s very convenient that He was the One who told you what He’d be setting you free from. It’s all a farce, and you’ve bought it.” As the thoughts rolled around, a feeling of panic rose up.

Laurin closed the window on her computer screen and tried to remind herself of the truth. It wasn’t helping. She took a couple of deep breaths and asked, “Lord, help. I feel like I’m under attack. I know these thoughts and feelings aren’t from You. What is attacking me right now?”

She asked the question a couple more times, waiting for an answer. Soon she heard, “Disillusionment.” “Disillusionment?” she asked, “I don’t even know what that word means.” She looked up the definition, and sure enough, it was exactly what she was experiencing. “I bring the full work of the cross of Jesus Christ between me and the spirit of disillusionment,” she said out loud. “I am covered in Jesus’ blood, protected by His Spirit who lives in me, and in Jesus’ name you must leave.” Immediately, like turning a light on in a dark room, the panic left.

Have you ever felt a heaviness or deep despair for no good reason? Have you suddenly felt a feeling of panic about a situation where nothing has changed about it? While we can’t explain everything about it, sometimes demons work this way.

God’s Kingdom is marked by the fruit of His Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). So, when you encounter something contrary to God’s Kingdom, there’s a good possibility that it has an evil, supernatural source. And that source must be resisted.

More often than not, spiritual warfare is not fought directly against demons, but against the environments they seek to suck us into. Refuse to go along with an atmosphere that’s not of God’s Spirit. Don’t let things like discouragement, despair, bitterness, and shame suck you in. Refusing to step into the climate that demons have created is a powerful tactic in spiritual warfare.

Does the thought of demons shock you a little? In places where cultures interact more directly with the spirit world, demons often show up more directly. Satan and his cronies are more overt in those places. In cultures that are more skeptical of the spiritual world, demonic beings prefer to be more undercover because they can get away with more if they aren’t recognized. They can operate under people’s radars.

If you’re in a situation that requires a direct confrontation with a demonic influence, be decisive with it like Jesus was (Matthew 17:14-21; Luke 4:31-36; 8:26-37). Rebuke the spirit in the name of Jesus. Command it to stop and leave in Jesus’ name. Remember, you operate in His authority. Do like the archangel Michael did when he had a direct confrontation with Satan: When he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, [he] did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 9).

Ask God for help, and keep in mind that you operate from victory.

Memorize Ephesians 6:12.