Spirirtual AttackSample

Anger

Although the Bible reveals the reality of the forces of darkness and the forces of light, it does not overemphasise Satan’s power. These are the final instructions of Jesus to His disciples before He is betrayed and crucified. The temptation in the wilderness, the ordeal in the garden and the crucifixion are intense spiritual battles, but Jesus says Satan cannot take unfair advantage of Him.

The concept of being ‘attacked by spiritual forces’ is quite daunting to some believers, but there are simple keys to overcome. James says in James 4:7, ‘So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you’. We start with submission to God. We start with turning the light on as a way of casting out the darkness.

Paul encourages Christians to: ‘Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil.’ Here’s a simple formula. Firstly, if you’re going to be angry, control it rather than have it control you. Secondly, don’t stew on it. Get over it quickly. Don’t take it to bed and pick it up in the morning. If you don’t control anger, Satan gets access to a door.

Geraldine Howard Taylor, daughter-in-law of James Hudson Taylor, wrote in her book Pastor Hsi that most cases of demon possession started with people giving themselves over to anger. To oversimplify an anecdote, the spiritual weapons of repentance and forgiveness help shut the door that the devil uses to get in.

Written by JOHN SCOTT