Daily Encounter: A Week-day Devotional by a staff of ACTS International.

Monday, July 11, 2011

"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."¹

Another subscriber writes: "When I was in my twenties I made a deal with a demon [and did many things I should have been ashamed of]. Ever since that time I have been haunted by the presence of a face that appears to be that of an old woman who watches me every night. This has happened in every house I have ever lived in since my 'deal with the devil.' I know this sounds crazy, but it is the truth. Please tell me what I can do to be freed from this nightmare."

To make a deal with the devil (or a demon) is without question an extremely dangerous path to follow. According to the Word of God, Satan (the devil) and demons are certainly real and not to be taken lightly or scoffed about. Realize too, that the devil is the father of lies and his demons are an integral part of this deception.

To be freed from this demonic grip the first thing you need to do is confess your sin (of making a deal with the devil) to God, ask for his forgiveness, and pray for deliverance. Most important of all, if you have never received Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as the Lord and Savior of your life, I would urge you to do this immediately. For help read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian," online at:  http://tinyurl.com/real-christian.

There are some pastors who are gifted in praying for demonic deliverance so it may be advisable to seek the guidance of a sound Bible believing pastor with this gift and training—a pastor who is approved of by his denomination. There is never a shortage of "religious crackpots" so be sure to ask God for guidance in finding a wise pastor who can help you.

Immediately, however, there is much you can do yourself. The Word of God assures us that if we resist the devil, he will flee from us.¹ To resist the devil (and/or his demons), realize that Satan and his demons hate the name of Jesus Christ, so every time you are haunted by this evil face or being, say to this being directly, and repeat it over and over till this evil being leaves you, "Jesus Christ is Lord. Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God. Jesus Christ is God. Jesus Christ is Lord of my life. I rebuke you, evil being, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Go to where God sends you." And then pray repeatedly, "Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me for I am a sinner. Be Lord of my life. Please deliver me from this evil being."

Realize that this being who has been haunting you for many years will not give up without strong resistance. So go though the above exercise as often as necessary until you are totally delivered. And always remember what God's Words says, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."¹ And always remember, no matter how you feel, God is always with you and is only ever a prayer away. He will never abandon you. His Word declares: "I will never leave you nor forsake you."²

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, I believe in and accept your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord of my life. Please fill me with your Holy Spirit and thereby empower me to resist the devil so that he will flee from me whenever he comes to tempt or to plague me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

1. James 4:7 (NIV).
2. See Hebrews 13: 4-6 (NKJV).

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