While channel surfing last weekend, I stumbled upon Destination America’s new show called the Demon Files. This reality series features Ralph Sarchie, a former NYPD sergeant who has become a renown demonologist with his team who visit people experiencing paranormal activity. In the episode I saw, Ralph was challenging the demon or spirit inside a haunted house. Although I don’t know much about this realm, I do know you should be careful who or what you challenge.
And he said to them, “This kind of spirit cannot be driven out by anything but prayer,” Mark 9:29.
Several years ago I attended a Bible Study when a guest pastor visited for a couple of weeks. Fascinated by his testimony, I began to ask this man questions about the spiritual realm, trying to collect insight into this arena. To my surprise, he shared about an elder who attempted to challenge a demonic presence in New England. Without enough prayer support or others to intervene, this man ended up in an insane asylum. Following his release from the hospital, this elder left the church, struggling to grasp what happened to him.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, 1 Peter 5:8.
Perhaps this may explain why most seminaries avoid spiritual warfare, focusing mainly on theology. Beside demons confronted and cast out by Jesus, there isn’t much information in the Bible about challenging demons. The apostle Paul emphasizes the armor of God, fighting evil with spiritual weapons as well as making sure you don’t give the devil a foothold. Nonetheless, Paul’s best advice is to test everything, avoid evil and cling to the truth. When you encounter powers of darkness in the future, make sure you surround yourself with prayer and others believers before you confront or challenge demons.
by Jay Mankus
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