THE DEMON-MINDED CHRISTIAN

By Gavin Aleogho

 “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

2 Corinthians 2:11.

Certainly, it is a very dangerous position to doubt or down play on the existence of the devil or the operation of the kingdom of darkness. The Scripture clearly admonishes Christians not to be ignorant of the devices of the devil who is our archenemy. If any is ignorant, such person is susceptible to becoming a prey to Satan and his cohorts. Becoming acquainted to the devil’s ‘modus operandi’ will put any Christians in an advantageous position.

However, some have crossed the line, to becoming demon-minded. Some Christians have suddenly forgotten that, primarily, their undivided attention should not be on the devil or demons, but on Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith. This is what the Scripture counsels Believers to do.

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” Hebrews 12:2.

These Christians are overly conscious of the activities of demons with less or no regards to the works of God around them or the operations of angelic ministration to them. They’ve ignorantly dedicated their lives to the pursuit of enemies, and ignoring the many benefits in the salvation package. Their studies, prayers and interpersonal relationship are all focused solely on the devil. This may be as a result of their idolatrous or cultural background, or their continuous listening to the “enemy-driven” messages.

They see demons in everything. They are overly suspicious of everyone. They are not free, but are a captive of their fears. They read negative meaning to everything around them. The appearance of a cat in their path, especially at night, has a demonic interpretation. They read negative meaning to every dream and things around them. This is not the kind of life that Jesus intends for His followers.

I believe that life is spiritual and that we are in a state of spiritual warfare every day. I am not suggesting or implying that there are no satanic attacks and manipulations all around, or that a Christian should ignore them. No! There are spiritual battles and there will be till Jesus comes. My proposition is that, Christians should not devote their entire life to catching witches, wizards and demons, while underestimating or neglecting the opportunity of enjoying being and having fellowship with Jesus Christ.

I have had the experience of being a demon-minded Christian also. I can tell you that it’s not a good position to be. Besides the fact that I have done a lot of studies and researches on demons (demonology), I have had the privilege of attending a Bible School on Healing and Deliverance, where the school’s major focus is on the devil and demons. You can only imagine how demon-minded I was then. I can tell you that that is not the best life; where you are suspicious of even the food that you cooked by yourself.

When it comes to the spiritual battles of life, I believe according to the scripture that the battle itself is not for us to fight (2 Chronicles 20:17). God has equipped us in Christ to wage war against the devil and his cohorts. But don’t forget, the battle is not yours but God’s. When our life is right with God, we can invoke through prayers, the hand of God into any spiritual battle.  It is not that we, by our human strength or wisdom have any might to fight the devil.

There is actually a thin line between being overly conscious of demonic activities and waging war in prayers against the devil. Take for example; there are Christians who would scream with fear when they see a cat or an owl in the night while another would be undisturbed about it because he has learnt to rest in God’s love and protection. Besides, even if the former is disturbed about the cat or owl, his simple prayer would keep his mind at rest.

Sensitivity to the Spirit of God is the key to living the victorious Christian life over the devil. If you are sensitive to God’s Spirit, you will know when to pray against satanic manipulations. This is better than being ruled with fear to pray, cast and bind, because of a false or presumed satanic manipulation or appearance.

To be demon-minded is to be overly conscious of the activities of demons with less or no attention to the works of God around us. By the Spirit, Apostle Paul wrote something remarkable in the book of Philemon.

“That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus” Philemon 1:6.

This Scripture implies that, as you give full attention to acknowledging every good thing that Christ Jesus has wrought in you, then will your faith become effective; producing results. As you know, faith is an important ingredient in the Christian faith.

EFFECTS OF BEING DEMON-MINDED

1. It makes one to live in fear.
2. It makes one to be self-conscious instead of God-conscious.
3. It leads to being overly suspicious.
4. It makes everyone around you a suspect.
5. It kills a person’s ability to trust people
6. It puts people in bondage
7. It makes a person to become self-righteous; by depending on your prayer strength.
8. It indirectly magnifies the devil.
9. It makes one to lose focus of what he has in Christ Jesus.
10. It can be a distraction to enjoying your inheritance and privileges in Christ Jesus.

BENEFITS OF BEING CHRIST-CONSCIOUS

1. It makes you experience and enjoy the freedom and liberty in Christ Jesus.
2. You start acknowledging what you have rather than what’s against you. Philemon 1:6.
3. It helps you to love unconditionally. Trust will no longer be an issue.
4. You will begin to understand and comprehend the love of God the Father.
5. You will begin to see that you are at advantage.
6. You indirectly handed over the battle to the Lord.

 HOW TO GET YOUR HEART IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

1. Get the right teaching of the truth of God’s word.
2. Depend on the finished work of Christ Jesus.
3. Focus on all that Christ has done for you and in you.
4. Rely on God’s love as demonstrated through Jesus Christ.
5. Seeking God’s Kingdom rather than chasing after the kingdom of darkness.
6. Focus on Jesus rather than the devil.
7. In prayer, speak to God the Father the more rather than devoting your prayer to speaking to the devil.
8. Fellowship with God, than constantly interacting and engaging the devil and demons.
9. Love people and see God in them.
10. Know that God is in charge and not the devil.
11. Be aware that God who is your Father is all powerful and lovely.
12. See God in all things rather than seeing the devil at work. Be conscious of the fact that God is more at work than the devil for God is in charge not the devil.