I know that the vast majority of people do not believe that Satan and his demons are real. I was one of them. Even though there are 250 references to demons, by various names, in the New Testament, I denied the existence of demons and was effectively calling Jesus a liar.
The moment I grasped their reality was the moment I started seeing circumstances change. Paul tells us that when we were unredeemed, we were under the devil’s power and that his spirit in us caused us to think and act in an ungodly manner. (Ephesians 2:1-3)
First of all, let’s make it clear – fear, anxiety and worry are not from God. Here is something astounding – just one way that the devil causes us to walk out of relationship with God is to cause us to be fearful! For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7)
Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes fear really is a physiological response to circumstances. It’s why God gave us an inbuilt “fight-or-flight” response so that when we are facing a real danger, we have the power to act quickly.
But Satan and his demons want us to see danger all around us. They want us to worry and be anxious unnecessarily. The evil spirit of fear is one of their most effective and over-utilised weapons against humanity.
So how should a Christian respond when they feel fearful?
We follow the cues given us by Jesus when He was set upon by Satan. You command the evil spirit to go in the name of Jesus and speak the Word of God over that fear.
Satan, I command you now to release your spirit of fear and gloom over me in the name of Jesus. It is written:
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. (Isaiah 43:1-3)