The Unseen…It’s Closer Than You Think
BLINDSIDED
The Unseen…It’s Closer Than You Think
Pastor Mike Rippy
October 13, 2024
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil… For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places…. Above all, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:11, 12, 16
Now Jesus was casting out a demon that (made the man) mute. When the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke, and the people marveled. Luke 11:14
How much do you consider these kinds of spiritual forces in your life?
When’s the last time you thought about it? In the lives of your kids?
“Humanity falls into two equal and opposite errors concerning the devil. Either they take him altogether too seriously or they do not take him seriously enough.” C.S. Lewis
Categories of Demonic Expression
Oppression
Total Possession
Partial Occupation
Two Questions
What does demonic activity in your life “feel” like?
Demonization starts with oppressive lies and invading temptations.
“Flaming darts” Ephesian 6:16
“A flaming dart = A thought with a will behind it.” Mark Comer
Our enemy whispers lies in your life that give birth to other lies that drive you to despair.
In your life, the voice of despair is the voice of Satan and NEVER the voice of the Holy Spirit.
How do we rid ourselves of the control of the demonic?
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoil. Luke 11:21-22
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and finding none it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order Then (that unclean spirit) goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first.” Luke 11 24-26
If you are a believer, and you suspect demonic oppression or occupation in your life, you don’t need an exorcist.
Jesus has placed the power to drive the demonic away in your hands through simple surrender and faith.
Our God is a Door-Slamming God!
“And he told them, ‘This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.’”
Mark 9:29
Prayer gives us the ability to discern the demonic stronghold and speak the right truth into a situation.
