Spiritual warfare and physical attacks?

TruthSeek3r

Well-Known Member
Jan 18, 2020
1,593
509
Capital
✟128,643.00
Country
Chile
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
I've heard stories of spiritual warfare where the demonic attacks would even get physical, including physical scratches on the back, paranormal activity, etc. I just finished watching a testimony from a mature Pentecostal lady sharing her personal experiences on this topic.

Does anyone else relate? Is this a common phenomenon? Why does this happen? How can it be stopped if it's already happening?
 

Maria Billingsley

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Oct 7, 2018
9,574
7,772
63
Martinez
✟893,859.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I've heard stories of spiritual warfare where the demonic attacks would even get physical, including physical scratches on the back, paranormal activity, etc. I just finished watching a testimony from a mature Pentecostal lady sharing her personal experiences on this topic.

Does anyone else relate? Is this a common phenomenon? Why does this happen? How can it be stopped if it's already happening?
Satan can do nothing unless God allows it. Remember that when watching such things. God tests our faith. The power in the regenerated Christian can overcome Satan's antics. So rebuke.
Blessings.
 
Upvote 0

disciple Clint

Well-Known Member
Mar 26, 2018
15,258
5,990
Pacific Northwest
✟200,679.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
I've heard stories of spiritual warfare where the demonic attacks would even get physical, including physical scratches on the back, paranormal activity, etc. I just finished watching a testimony from a mature Pentecostal lady sharing her personal experiences on this topic.

Does anyone else relate? Is this a common phenomenon? Why does this happen? How can it be stopped if it's already happening?
The terrifying, real-life story behind 'The Exorcist'
 
Upvote 0

Blade

Veteran
Supporter
Dec 29, 2002
8,165
3,989
USA
✟629,996.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I've heard stories of spiritual warfare where the demonic attacks would even get physical, including physical scratches on the back, paranormal activity, etc. I just finished watching a testimony from a mature Pentecostal lady sharing her personal experiences on this topic.

Does anyone else relate? Is this a common phenomenon? Why does this happen? How can it be stopped if it's already happening?

Common.. happens all over the world day in day out and.. most never even notice. In regards to Christians I don't hear much about that. Unless the believer has no real clue just WHOs they are and WHO Is in them...then the enemy can IF we open the doors can harass/bother us. I lovingly kindly disagree with Maria..only on "God allows"..for she is so blessed in JESUS Name!
 
Upvote 0

Francis Drake

Returning adventurer.
Apr 14, 2013
4,000
2,508
✟184,952.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
UK-Independence-Party
Satan can do nothing unless God allows it. Remember that when watching such things.
Please Maria, that is such an empty valueless comment, when in fact it is God who is waiting on man before He can restrain Satan.
It was Adam that allowed Satan to do what he wanted on this earth, and countless people continue to do the same as Adam, giving ground to Satan every day.
God is waiting on man
God tests our faith. The power in the regenerated Christian can overcome Satan's antics. So rebuke.

The default position is that Satan has already been granted freedom to roam around the earth, quite free to do what he likes, simply because Christians don't stop him.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: topher694
Upvote 0

Maria Billingsley

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Oct 7, 2018
9,574
7,772
63
Martinez
✟893,859.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
it is God who is waiting on man before He can restrain Satan.
This is in error. God is in control of Satan. Satan has already been restrained. God tests our faith continually. It just so happens to be in Satan's realm. Blessings.
 
Upvote 0

ARBITER01

Legend
Aug 12, 2007
13,348
1,695
✟161,131.00
Country
United States
Faith
Pentecostal
Marital Status
In Relationship
Politics
US-Republican
I've heard stories of spiritual warfare where the demonic attacks would even get physical, including physical scratches on the back, paranormal activity, etc. I just finished watching a testimony from a mature Pentecostal lady sharing her personal experiences on this topic.

Does anyone else relate? Is this a common phenomenon? Why does this happen? How can it be stopped if it's already happening?

Paul talked about our spiritual battles that we would have,...

Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world–rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take up the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.


But there are some Christian types who have not experienced much of this in any real measure. I tend to think it comes down to what GOD has planned with you, whether you are much of a threat to satan and his plans or not. The more that GOD is operating through you to His glory, the more that you will come up against such things.

Be careful about people and their testimony on youtube and such. A whole lot of people tend to say all sorts of things happened to them on this topic just for attention.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: TruthSeek3r
Upvote 0

Francis Drake

Returning adventurer.
Apr 14, 2013
4,000
2,508
✟184,952.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
UK-Independence-Party
This is in error. God is in control of Satan. Satan has already been restrained. God tests our faith continually. It just so happens to be in Satan's realm. Blessings.
No it is not an error Maria.

Have you ever done what Jesus commanded, and cast demons out?
Have you ever brought a demonic stronghold crashing down?

If you had, you would understand that Satan is largely free to do what he wants with no restraint from God.
If Satan was not free to do what he wants, why are we commanded to resist him?
1Pet5v8Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
So if Christians do not resist, they will get devoured in one form or another, and the Lord will not stop prevent it!
 
Upvote 0

tturt

Senior Veteran
Supporter
Oct 30, 2006
15,760
7,236
✟788,800.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,
to stand."

Of vital importance is that we put on God's armor first. Eph 6
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Maria Billingsley

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Oct 7, 2018
9,574
7,772
63
Martinez
✟893,859.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
No it is not an error Maria.

Have you ever done what Jesus commanded, and cast demons out?
Have you ever brought a demonic stronghold crashing down?

If you had, you would understand that Satan is largely free to do what he wants with no restraint from God.
If Satan was not free to do what he wants, why are we commanded to resist him?
1Pet5v8Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
So if Christians do not resist, they will get devoured in one form or another, and the Lord will not stop prevent it!
Thanks for engaging! I have trouble with your statement "Satan is largely free to do what he wants with no restraint from God". This is what I believe to be incorrect/in error.

We are not dualists. God is God and Satan has no autonomy. He is only powered through God’s permission and for infinitely wise purposes unknown to us. If God chooses to allow Satan to test an individual it is for His purpose to reveal truth. All evil is attributed to flesh driven lusts. This is where Satan dwells in the flesh. As a believer we are guided by His Holy Spirit so that we do not walk in darkness. Unbelievers do not have the light, they are in darkness.

I take what Jesus Christ of Nazareth said to heart:

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”

"All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.”

And we know from 1 John:

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

As far as demonic possession, I was possessed with an evil entity back in the 80's when I was engaging in supernatural Hindu practices. So I know what you speak of first hand.

Blessings
 
  • Informative
Reactions: TruthSeek3r
Upvote 0

ARBITER01

Legend
Aug 12, 2007
13,348
1,695
✟161,131.00
Country
United States
Faith
Pentecostal
Marital Status
In Relationship
Politics
US-Republican
Thanks for engaging! I have trouble with your statement "Satan is largely free to do what he wants with no restraint from God". This is what I believe to be incorrect/in error.

We are not dualists. God is God and Satan has no autonomy. He is only powered through God’s permission and for infinitely wise purposes unknown to us. If God chooses to allow Satan to test an individual it is for His purpose to reveal truth. All evil is attributed to flesh driven lusts. This is where Satan dwells in the flesh. As a believer we are guided by His Holy Spirit so that we do not walk in darkness. Unbelievers do not have the light, they are in darkness.

I take what Jesus Christ of Nazareth said to heart:

“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life.”

"All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.”

And we know from 1 John:

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

As far as demonic possession, I was possessed with an evil entity back in the 80's when I was engaging in supernatural Hindu practices. So I know what you speak of first hand.

Blessings

While satan has no permission to outright kill us when we are born again, he does have options through demonic oppression as well as the use of people and their witchcraft.

As posted, there is a battle talked about from Paul, and thinking that satan is just going play nice and fair with GOD's children all the time, when he was the very one that attempted to overthrow GOD in heaven, is very, very naïve.
 
Upvote 0

Francis Drake

Returning adventurer.
Apr 14, 2013
4,000
2,508
✟184,952.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
UK-Independence-Party
Thanks for engaging! I have trouble with your statement "Satan is largely free to do what he wants with no restraint from God". This is what I believe to be incorrect/in error.
So who stopped Paul going to the Thessalonians, Satan or God?
1Thes2v18Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.
If Paul believed your theology, he would have said that God stopped him not Satan.
We are not dualists. God is God and Satan has no autonomy.
This is nothing to do with dualism, just bible facts.
Who gave Satan the right to enter Ananias's heart, God or Ananias?
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?
The answer is at the end of the next verse. "Why have you conceived this thing in your heart?"
Their agreement to deceive God gave Satan legal rights to enter, just as with Achan at Jericho.
That is how spiritual warfare always works Maria. Legality and rights.

The parable of the sower illustrates this point, except in this case, the seed is not the word of God, but the word of Satan. He and his demons are constantly whispering in foolish people's ears, trying to entrap them. That's why we are commanded to take every thought captive, and make it obedient to Christ.

Sadly, instead of taking their thoughts captive, millions are taken captive by their thoughts, carefully planted by demons in order to enslave.
is only powered through God’s permission and for infinitely wise purposes unknown to us.
God gave Adam responsibility for ruling the earth, and then when he rebelled, Adam gave major rights to Satan.
Ps115v16 The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD’s; But the earth He has given to the children of men.
ie. Satan has always had standing permission because man constantly gives it to him.
If God chooses to allow Satan to test an individual it is for His purpose to reveal truth.
As I said, Satan invariably has standing permission, and doesn't need to ask God.

Now I'm sure at this point you'd love to quote Job, where Satan asked God's permission to attack Job. The trouble with that story is that Job was a man completely above reproach and constantly claiming the blood covenant. There was nobody like Job in the whole earth

Job1v8Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?”
So before anyone tries to draw a parallel with Job, let's compare their characters.
All evil is attributed to flesh driven lusts. This is where Satan dwells in the flesh.
I couldn't agree more.
As a believer we are guided by His Holy Spirit so that we do not walk in darkness. Unbelievers do not have the light, they are in darkness.
Yes, believers do have that light, but most of them still walk in spiritual darkness, their lives led by the enemy not God.

Paul makes it clear that Satan is still at work.-
Romans16v20And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
 
Upvote 0

Collum Cille of Iona

Active Member
Jun 28, 2005
96
27
✟2,015.00
Faith
Catholic
Thanks for engaging! I have trouble with your statement "Satan is largely free to do what he wants with no restraint from God". This is what I believe to be incorrect/in error.

The popular doctrine that Almighty God can do nothing without human approval and other associated teachings remind me of the heresy of Pelagianism which was anathematized by the church.
 
Upvote 0

Francis Drake

Returning adventurer.
Apr 14, 2013
4,000
2,508
✟184,952.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
UK-Independence-Party
The popular doctrine that Almighty God can do nothing without human approval and other associated teachings remind me of the heresy of Pelagianism which was anathematized by the church.
Did you intend to say something?
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums