I found out demonic opposition is real on my first foreign mission trip. We had gone to build a house for a family. The family that lived next door had three children and the middle child could not speak. Our translator found out that a witch had put a curse on this child because of a disagreement with the mother.
Wow! As I heard this, I was surprised to be involved in a deliverance on my first foreign mission trip. We began by reading Scripture to tell this couple about Jesus and how He died and rose again to pay the price for their sins They were so moved by the Holy Spirit they were sobbing as they came to faith.
We asked if we could pray over them, and their children. They both agreed. We prayed for them including the four-year-old child who could not speak. After prayer, by God’s grace, the child began to talk! It was like a Bible story from the New Testament, but it was happening to us. All the students were amazed! Our God is powerful.
A Daughter was Demonically Oppressed
Jesus had traveled north of Israel into a Gentil area. There a woman came seeking help from Him. Matthew 15:21 Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” [1] After a short test of the woman, Jesus healed her daughter as she was set free from demonic oppression.
Demonic Oppression is Real
Satan would like to make people think he and his demons are not real. When people believe that lie, they are deceived by the ultimate deceiver. If they don’t believe satan exists, they won’t fight against him.
Jesus gives us insight into our enemy satan. John 8:44 For you (Pharisees) are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.[2]
Dealing with Demonic Oppression
Jesus and His followers encountered the demonic numerous times according to the Gospels.
If you are or someone you love is facing demonic oppression, seek out other believers to pray for and with you to overcome the situation. The Apostle Paul gives us a strategy from God to defend and overcome the enemy.
Ephesians 6:10A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. [3]
To hear more about how demonic opposition is real, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/seeking-the-lord-changes-my-life-a-gentile-woman
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.