And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out – Mark 1:23.

Several activities in the Bible involve demons. Sometimes they cause physical disease or mental suffering. However, not all mental disorders are of demonic origins. Demons also tempt people into immoral practices. They originate and propagate false doctrines taught by heretical religious groups. The Bible also teaches that they possessed some people.

Demons are real, but many people don’t believe in demons as well as some professing Christians. Demons were around while Jesus was walking the earth, and those same demons are bringing havoc until people live today, and they aren’t aware that it’s demonic activity. Satan wants people to be ignorant of him and his co-host. That way, he can continue to keep them bound in sin or sickness.

Two things people don’t want to talk about are our sanctification and demons. Sanctification brings about a connection with God, and it will make you aware of demon activity and have the authority to cast them out (Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not that the spirits are subject unto you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven – Luke 10:19-20). People don’t want to talk about sanctification because they know they will have to change their lifestyle to come in line with God’s Word, and they don’t want to talk about demons because they don’t believe in them.

Satan is a spirit, and he has other demon spirits that are under his commandment. Just as there are ranks of godly angels, there are ranks of demons. Satan nor his angels can’t be controlled other than by the Spirit of the Living God, and if His Spirit is living within the professing Christian, he or she has been given authority by Jesus to use His name and command them to leave. Many Christians have no idea of spiritual warfare and can’t engage in it because they have not fully committed themselves to the Word of God to be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

The new birth is the work of God, not humanity, and Jesus expands on that teaching in dialogue with Nicodemus, an impressive man. He was a Pharisee, and respected and pious layman, and a member of the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin.

Although Nicodemus was a religious ruler, he had no idea of spirituality. He came to Jesus during the night because he didn’t want the other Jews to know that he was coming to Jesus. Nicodemus had heard about the miracles Jesus had performed, and he was aware that the miracles performed could only be performed by God being with the person.

Jesus explained to Nicodemus a person must be born again to see the kingdom of God (Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God – John 3:3). Nicodemus didn’t understand about the rebirth so Jesus explained to him (Jesus answered, verily, verily I say unto thee. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God – John 3:5).

Water baptism is to experience Ezekiel’s promised Spirit-wrought cleansing; to be born of Spirit is to be born of God Himself. When people have truly committed and accepted God’s salvation, they can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit that will enable them to fight against Satanic attacks.

Satan doesn’t want the professing Christians to receive the Holy Spirit; he tells them it’s not real or they had already received the Holy Spirit when they received salvation. If that were true, Jesus wouldn’t tell the disciples to ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit (If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him – Luke 11:13). Only through the Spirit of God can one fight against Satan and his co-host. False teachers teach doctrine that is contrary to the Word of God. This is why Christians have been warned against false doctrine.

To fight a spirit, the person must have been born of the Spirit of God and then baptized in the Holy Spirit. When one receives salvation, they have received a portion of the Spirit that has taken them to the process of sanctification. The person must be willing to go through the process to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

We will either serve God or Satan and who we serve will come out in our character and behavior. You can’t sleep with the enemy and think you will have control over it. Satan is real, and so is his co-host. His goal is to send as many people as he can to hell. He does this by influencing people that there is no God or he will have them serve the god of this world which is him, to steal, kill and destroy them.

Who in their right mind would want to serve a god that can’t change them or what they’re going through? The true and living God will change you and your circumstances and enable you to fight against satanic attacks.

Commit to God and His Word; Abide in Him and His Word, learn about Him, and know who you’re fighting against. Whether you believe it or not, Satan is real, demons are real, and their goal is to send you to hell with them.

We’re spiritual beings fighting against an enemy we can’t see. We fight with the Word of God; we stay connected to God and allow Him to empower us to fight against ungodly influences and actions. You can’t lose with God on your side, but you must be in Him and Him in you!