Discerning the spirits

Wow - every once in a while God lays something in front of us that we just don't get.  For me, that would be last night.  A friend of ours came over, who I truly believe has the spiritual gift of healing and discerning the spirits.  That right there is quite phenomenal.  Personally, I believe most Christians have totally cast aside the whole idea of spiritual warfare - that there are angels and evil spirits doing battle all around us - all day, every day!  But I believe it wholeheartedly!

Well, this friend walked in the door and instantly recognized that there was a "presence" on the wall.  I saw nothing.  That's part of my frustration.  She informed us that it was not good, or godly, and that Jesus Christ wanted it gone from the house.  There is no doubt in my mind that this was real - especially since about 18 months ago another lady walked in and said the same thing - pointing to the same spot on the wall.  Our friend also told us some things about this evil spirit - it wouldn't move, it was watching closely wherever we walked, it had been there for a long time and it was once much stronger.  By long time we're thinking 6-8 years - way before we ever came to Houston!  After a time of prayer, often calling specifically on the name of Jesus Christ as Lord, it left.  So we searched the rest of the house, and it wasn't alone.  There were two other places where she saw things and dealt with them.

My takeaways -
1 - I was frustrated that I could not see them - and that I couldn't do much about them.

2 - I was frustrated that even though I have prayed MANY times for anything that wasn't of God to be bound in the name of Jesus Christ - they were still there.

3 - I was reminded about the power of prayer.  In one bedroom, there was a stronger, more powerful presence, but it stopped right where our son's bed is.  She said that was due to the many times when we go into the room and pray over our sleeping children - asking God to work a strong faith in their hearts and asking God to protect them.

Sometime today read Ephesians 6:10-12, then spend some time praying in the Spirit (v. 18).  More will come on this - but I'd love to hear your comments.  Please post a comment for all to read!  May God be glorified as we seek to grow in this aspect of our faith!

 

Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 by Jonathan Goeke

7 comments (Add your own)

1. tbb wrote:
Wow. I'm glad you shared (and I can imagine that it was probably a little tough to say something about this) because now you have more prayers to help see you through this.

I agree wholeheartedly that Christians on the fundamentalist side of the aisle have forgotten about or neglect to teach about the spiritual warfare currently being battled on earth. It is mentioned in the Bible and continues to happen, whether or not we want to acknowledge it. It reinforces the fact that we, as Christians, are IN the world, not OF the world.

I would like to learn more, not necessarily about your own personal issue, but in spiritual warfare in general from someone who has experience in dealing with it on a very personal level. Is your friend someone who would be interested in talking about this or is it a private gift that they wish to keep to themselves?

August 20, 2008 @ 3:52 PM

2. Chris wrote:
Because I know you and Sara, and also trust your ability to discern the validity of this lady, I believe this is real. Certainly we don't find people in the Bible debating whether or not demons are real, and as you pointed out, we're encouraged to be on our guard against them. I've heard other stories like this before, from other people I also trust, and every time I do, I'm reminded that:

1) I don't take this seriously enough,
2) demons are more active than I realize they are, and
3) we don't need to be afraid - we're not powerless. Prayer really does work.

There's also, admittedly, a side of me that has to struggle with not getting all caught up in the sensationalism of this kind of thing - the side of me that likes magic tricks and special effects. Like you, I find myself wishing I could see things this way, but I also know that people who have this gift refer to it as both a gift and a curse.

I will join you in your prayers.

August 20, 2008 @ 4:13 PM

3. wrote:
So why would God allow that spirit in your child's room at all? Why would it only stop at the bed?

August 21, 2008 @ 9:59 AM

4. Chris wrote:
To 3 above...
It seems that spiritual beings can be bound to certain physical spaces. See Daniel 10 and Revelation 9:14 for an example of this. As far as why God would allow a spirit in Micah's room, I think that's part of a much bigger question - why would God allow demons anywhere near His children? Why did He allow Satan to tempt Eve? I don't know that these are questions we can have fully answered.

August 21, 2008 @ 11:10 PM

5. wrote:
I've always been extremely skeptical when I hear of people speaking of demons or feeling a evil presence in the home. I think this is because I myself have never experienced such a thing. Even stranger to me would be someone telling me they feel a presence in my home, especially if I don't feel anything. Yet as skeptical as I am, I have a cross on my front door to keep evil out. I have a cross above my bed to protect me while I sleep, and I have a picture of Jesus in each of my children's rooms to protect them.

Why if I'm skeptical do I feel the need to have these "symbols" ? Wouldn't a prayer be sufficient to ask God to protect my home and keep all evil from entering? Do I need to pray for this protection each day or doesn't God know that I mean "always" keep the evil away, not just today. Do my children see these symbols are protecting them, or just a reminder of Jesus and the love he has for them?

I wonder if your friend came to my house, what would she sense, I would hope and will continue to pray that she would find a home filled so full of God's spirit that demons wouldn't even want to come in.

August 23, 2008 @ 9:07 PM

6. PJ wrote:
To #1 above -
I hope to have a sit-down talk with this person. I haven't really been able to do that. As far as someone else doing it - I'll have to see. I'll let you know what I find out.

And yes, I truly believe it still happens - a lot more than any of us thinks or imagines.

August 24, 2008 @ 11:34 PM

7. PJ wrote:
To #2 - Chris - Thanks for the prayers. And for the thoughts. I agree with all 3!

To #3 - I think for most of us, our assumption is that demons are rare, or not real at all. And if they do exist, they are only around the really troubled people. Personally, I believe demons are present all over the place. From what I can tell in the Bible, there are many. Chances are they are present at home, in the car, at our church facilities, in the malls, etc. God has defeated the devil, but the war isn't over, and for a time the devil and all his demons are still allowed to cause trouble. Most of us just don't see it, and don't want to think about it. We don't need to be scared - but we do need to be biblically ready (as in Ephesians 6).

Why stop at the bed? Due to prayer. I go into the room and pray for his protection and faith while he is sleeping about 4-5 nights a week. I'll probably bump that up to 7!

But as I said in the original blog entry, I am a bit frustrated, too. Maybe it's time for some prayer and fasting?

To #5 - We have a "cross wall" with 20+ crosses directly across from the spot on the wall. I don't think a cross on the wall means anything. It is no-where near as strong as a prayer offered in the name of Jesus Christ. And yes, according to the Word of God, I believe we are called to pray it daily. To pray without ceasing (I Thess 5). And, to pray with persistence (Luke 18).

Finally, I believe our home is truly filled with love, with grace, and with the Holy Spirit. When I think about it, where else would we expect to find the devil wanting to mess things up?

August 25, 2008 @ 12:11 AM

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