Pastor Jackson is a mild mannered and quiet man. But certainly not unengaged nor antisocial. Introverted people are, in many cases, more sensitive, perceptive and “deep” than extroverts. Jackson gave a bold testimony of the impact of being discipled through the Word of God at DSM Bible Institute. In some ways, it was typical of what we often hear from the graduates: a prior life of religious zeal built on a faulty spiritual foundation; the painful process of tearing down idolatrous and pagan beliefs; the joy of understanding the Word of God and being able to apply it to real day life; the challenges of confronting false doctrines and practices within the church today. But there was one part that, although common enough here in East Africa, might be a bit novel to those in my home culture. The very real issue of Demons.

It was Pastor Jackson’s mother who exposed him to “church” at an early age. All of the churches were cults of one sort or another. Yes, they believed in a “Jesus,” but He was just one of many spirits, souls and saints they worshiped. Unknowingly, Jackson was initiated into the occult. “Occult” simply means “hidden or concealed.” It emphasizes tapping into purported “hidden truths” that the “uninitiated” cannot perceive. The danger for us raised in a “Western-Christendom” culture is to casually dismiss occultism as irrelevant nonsense. But we can’t escape Spiritual Reality. And Spiritual Reality includes Demons, and their Doctrines...

The Holy Spirit is “expressly” or “explicitly” warning us. That alone should grab our spiritual attention. That “some will depart from the faith” should cause us all to pause...and examine ourselves. His warning is to Christians, not unbelievers. We cannot “depart from the faith” unless we were participants in the faith. And there, within “the faith,” is where Jackson was set free.

Jackson’s mother exposed him, and all of his siblings, to a life of consulting dead ancestors, “saints”, sorcerers, diviners and all sorts of superstitions. Rituals and religious repetitions prevailed over Relationship with God. In the process, Jackson was exposed to Demons...in the church.

“My mother went to a prophetess during a difficult pregnancy. As a family, we were prayed over. We submitted to rituals that included cutting. I myself was cut on my hands and stomach. The baby survived. From then on, we were bound to something spiritual. But it wasn’t God, and it wasn’t good. Immediately, problems began. My father soon started a lifelong practice of adultery. My mother began neglecting the family and became obsessed with the prophetess and the church. It was all so cunning. It was all done in the name of ‘Jesus.’ Only when I came here did I find out it was ‘another Jesus.’ Only then did I realize I was in bondage. And I was full of demons.”

Pastor Jackson continued his bold testimony before his fellow graduates...

“We have to face the issue of demons and the Devil inside the church today. If I hadn’t been challenged to do so in the Word of God, I would still be lost. The Devil presents us with ‘another Jesus,’ ‘another Gospel,’ and ‘another Way.’ The Holy Spirit has warned us ‘explicitly’ about this! I know I speak for many if not most of us. When we came to this Bible School, we were in the church, but we were not saved. For myself, I was full of demons. Many of you have come to realize the same. I professed Jesus. I knew He was the Savior. But I was a man in bondage all the same. If demons are not relevant, then why did even Jesus have to first cast them out?

And therein lay the crux of the problem. Timidity, if not outright Avoidance, of the issue of Demonetization within the Church today. Mine is not to present a detailed theological treatise or promote an unbiblical overemphasis on demons, the Devil or spiritual warfare. Creating another imbalance is the last thing I seek. Rather, it is to confront a very cunning, and current imbalance. The only thing worse than magnifying the work of demons or the Devil, is to minimize it. To avoid the issue of demons, their doctrines, practices, plans and procedures is spiritually suicidal. Jesus didn’t avoid it. He hit it dead on center. He faced them, confronted them, removed them and then inserted the Gospel. We avoid the issue at our own eternal peril.

Many people ask me about spiritual warfare when I return to the States. Those hoping perhaps for some dramatic stories of deliverance, or instructions on how to “really deal” with demons, I often disappoint. Mine is not to delve into details and dramatizations for mere spiritual entertainment. I approach the subject and the Remedy with sobriety, sincerity and simplicity. And my Bible in hand. The Holy Spirit said it. Jesus did it. The Bible proves it. And I follow by Faith. Demons are real, they are actively undermining those “in the faith” and there are very real Remedies available to us.

I will never forget one statement from Pastor Jackson. With tears in his eyes, he referred to the indescribable allure and power of the occult within the church...

“I almost became one of them!”

By this, he meant a pastor unwittingly promoting demonetization and the Doctrines of demons, within a counterfeit Christianity. To think that only happens in Africa, Asia, South America or the Caribbean would be nonsensical. The same Devil (and his minions) operate worldwide. His battle plans vary, but his objective does not. There is an overt, obvious and almost arrogant manifestation of demons in non-Western cultures. Witnessing demonic influence is regular and unremarkable. Moving to Western cultures, the Devil changes tactics. He and his coworkers operate with equal ferocity and fervor. But within a more disguised, cunning and veiled strategy. The most deceived person is not the one consulting the witchdoctor or evil spirit. It is the one that imagines the same war is not worldwide, regardless of what manifestations we see or don’t see with our eyes.

We need to step out of our doctrinal straitjackets, and face Spiritual Realities as they are, not as we like to believe them to be. Too many “Christians” are bound in sinful attitudes, affinities, and addictions. Depression, deceit, dishonesty and manipulation are amongst “the brethren.” The bondage of legalism, pride, sexual immorality and covetousness abound...all inside the church! To imagine these can be “fixed” with mere counseling and a cursory prayer on the way out the door is anemic, if not absurd.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE IS REAL. Whether we or our church engage in the battle, or not, is the point. The enemy believes in it! And engages regularly! Jesus believed in it. And engaged in it openly, regularly and without fanfare, fanaticism or drama. Let the Holy Spirit expose the lies, the deceit, the cunning craftiness of the enemy...and lead us into the victory. He exhorts us...