Monday, October 6, 2008

What triggers a demonic attack against you?

This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it! I hope you will as well.

I would like to ask you a question. What triggers demonic attacks against you, your dream, your vision, your calling, your business, your family, your church, or your ministry? What makes the devil so upset that he rises up to resist you and your efforts? If God chose you, why are you experiencing so many hassles and difficulties along the way to your goal of fulfilling all He has called you to do?

I would like to share with you a few thoughts from author Rick Renner (Sparkling Gems from the Greek).

In Second Timothy 1:11 and 12, Paul gives us incredible insight into what triggers a demonic attack. He says, "Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things." In this verse, Paul writes about his specific calling in the Body of Christ. He affirms to us that he is called and appointed to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. Then notice that he immediately follows by saying, "For the which cause I also suffer these things." (2 Timothy 1:12).

The word "suffer" is the Greek word pascho, and first and foremost it means to suffer as a result of outside forces or outside circumstances. It could include physical suffering due to persecution; mental suffering due to outside pressures; financial suffering due to monetary hardships; or any inconvenience that stems from something outside of oneself or outside of one's control. Thus, the word pascho would depict any suffering or inconvenience due to forces beyond oneself.

When Paul wrote this verse, he used a tense in the Greek that lets us know he was experiencing these inconveniences at the very moment he was writing this epistle. At that time, Paul was in Rome, sitting in a prison cell, awaiting his own execution, and being accused of crimes that he had not committed. Because Satan couldn't find a way to personally destroy Paul, the enemy was manipulating outside forces against Paul and his ministry. The apostle's situation had been created by outside pressures that had nothing to do with himself but that the devil had orchestrated to use against him.

Satan was terrified of Paul's calling! The reason Paul was recurrently attacked is that the devil was fearful of the enormous progress Paul would make if he didn't face opposition. Paul let us know that his anointing, his calling, and his potential were the factors that triggered these demonic attacks. It's almost as though Paul was saying, "Do you want to know why I've suffered so many crazy things during the course of my ministry? Because I am appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles."

You see, Satan was scared stiff of what would happen if Paul operated 100 percent in his call. How much would he be able to accomplish if he had no resistance? If Paul was able to do the incredible things he did for God's Kingdom in the face of such opposition, what kind of Gospel advancements would he make if there was no opposition? This thought was so chilling to the devil that he threw every possible obstacle in Paul's path to slow him down, to discredit him, to destroy his friendships, and, if possible, to even kill him. Satan hated the call on Paul's life.

The reason Paul was never defeated by these attacks is that he had made a decision. He decided he would not stop or give up until he had apprehended that for which Christ Jesus had apprehended him (Philippians 3:12). Likewise, the only way you'll be able to resist the devil's attacks and successfully achieve all God has called you to do is by determining never to stop until you have accomplished your divine assignment. Jesus taught that those who "endure to the end" are the ones who will receive the prize (Matthew 24:13).

If you want to overcome all the attacks the devil tries to wage against you through outside forces, you will have to be determined to outlast every attack! Determination is a key factor in finishing one's race of faith.

Of course, no one can successfully resist the devil's attacks without the power of the Holy Spirit, but neither is the power of the Holy Spirit enough by itself. For that power to be effective, it must work in a committed person. God's power works in people who have resolve. It works proficiently through people who have decided they will never turn back until the assignment is finished. God delights in using people who are steadfast and unmoving in their conviction, tenacious and diehard in their commitment. He takes pleasure in those who have stamina, spunk, and a dogged determination to hold on to the vision He put in their hearts.

The most common reason people don't make it all the way to the end is that they weren't totally committed to completing the task assigned to them. Maybe they tried it or gave it a shot, but their commitment wasn't strong enough, and that's why they didn't make it.

There are many things Satan can do to try to elbow us out of the race, but the only one who can decide to quit is you or me. Satan can't make us quit. That choice lies in our hands alone.

If you make the decision to stay in faith and "slug it out" with the power of God at your side, you can do exactly what God called you to do. But you must begin with a rock-solid, hard-core decision to do it, do it, and keep doing it until it's done. Make any lesser choice, and you will never fulfill your God-given purpose. Blessings!


Pastor Rusty


7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am currently under attack by demonic forces. and although I know it is because I have accepted God's calling on my life. It was a blessing to see the same answer God had given me in writtting by someone else. CONFIRMATION!!!

Anonymous said...

i received promises from the Lord seven yrs ago for my family. i took a step of faith and did exactly what He told me to do. I know with all of my heart it was the Lord because the love I felt each time brought me to my knees and nothing mattered to me but being with our Savior. These promises and vision have been attacked for the last seven yrs to a point where i can't hold onto what the Lord has asked me any longer. i want to obey Him and believe as He told me to do but the depression and the fear attacks are too much for me. i know they are of satan. i come back with the truth of the word but the darts are brutal. pls could you email me at nanci@mpitalentagency.com and give me some encouragement. i pray you can do this. In our Lord who is faithful. Nanci

Cynthia Wison said...

Thank you Rusty for this message. I'm also called as a teacher, prophetess and singer. I can say that I've been chosen by God to go through the furnance of affliction. I love what the Holy Spirit has done and continuing to do in my character and life. Although Satan continuously searches out ways to bring destruction in my life, mainly through family members, I'm determined to stand strong for the Lord and accomplish whatever assignment He has given me. The race gets really tough, but I believe that just as you said, God is looking for someone to be relentless and determined to live for Him and accomplish His divine plans and purpose. God bless you Rusty! This message has given me much insight and clarity. I will meditate on the determination that Paul exhibited and how God would always protect and deliver him.

Anonymous said...

My younger brother has recently started reading the demonic bible. I took the bible and i burned it. I was hoping that maybe it would end these problems with my family and save his soul. He doesnt understand what he is getting himself into. Every since i got back from the war things havn't been right. My family has become broken up. Every time I travel home to see them i get these crazy nightmarish evil dreams. Im slowly pushing through, but its so difficult. These demons wont stop following me! I have seen them more than once. It scares me far more than words can explane! I hope i stay alive long enough to do what the lord wants of me. Nobody would believe me if i told them what is really going on with my family and me. im not sure what to do for a little support. It seems as though nobody knows of Jesus anymore.

Anonymous said...

The positive thing about demonic attacks is that it confirms you are following your calling.
Mike.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your great blog. My wife and I have been relentlessly attacked by Satan since the day we met. It's been over 3 years now and to say that our lives have been a sci-fi journey is to say the least. It's incredible how Satan can pull out all stops to try and destroy you and try to stop you. Even though we don't know exactly what we are called for, to rejoice through tribulation is what gets you through it. Thanks for the article.

Rusty L. Blann said...

Someone who posted as "Anonymous" just called me out erroneously saying that I don't believe the Holy Spirit is all sufficient. That couldn't be further from the truth. I believe with all of my heart that the Spirit is all sufficient, but He works most effectively through wilng, commited individuals. Even though Jesus' grace is sufficient, not everyone has accepted that grace. That doesn't make His grace less effective, just not effective in that individual because of his choices. The seven sons of Sceva tried to use the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, who is all sufficient, but they were defeated by the devil in spite of calling upon the Name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit was all sufficient then, but ineffective because of the faithlessness and lack of dedication of the sons of sceva. That is exactly what Rick Renner refers to when He says the Spirit is effective when used by faithful, dedicated men or women of God.

I am always amazed how some people love to make an attempt to look spiritually superior by pointing out negatives. I stand by thi article and what Rick Renner wrote. Again, I know the Spirit of God is all sufficient. But even Jesus didn't do "mighty works" at times because of the unbelief of Gods people.

Anonymous, I would love to discuss this further if you would send me your email address at rustyblann@yahoo.com. Blessings!