It was late last night, and the house was quiet. Susan was asleep, the cats—were curled up in their usual spots, and I finally closed my eyes after a long day of working . I thought I was in a good place. I’ve been walking with the Lord a long time. I’ve written the books, I’ve done the podcasts, and I’ve seen the demons flee more times than I can count. In my head, I had "arrived" at a certain level of maturity and authority.
Then the nightmare hit.
This wasn’t just a bad dream born of spicy food; it was a visceral, demonic encounter. In this vision, I was standing with Susan, and this massive entity—not your garden-variety low-level spirit—loomed over us. I did what I always do. I pointed my finger and commanded, "Get out of here in the name of Jesus!" But here’s the thing: it didn’t budge. It just moved around, mocking my comfort. I started quoting the Word, and it was a struggle. I woke up with my heart racing, the weight of the atmosphere still heavy in the room.
The Lord used that moment to shake me out of my complacency. You see, the pain point for many of us is that we go a few months or years without a major spiritual "hit," and we get lazy. We stop being vigilant. We think we’re safe because we’re in the Bible Belt or because we’ve been saved for decades. But the enemy is a legalist, and he’s looking for a door left ajar. If you are feeling stuck, oppressed, or blindsided by life, it’s time to stop being a "frozen chosen" pew-sitter and get back on the front lines.
The Roaring Lion and the Law of Permission
We have to understand the nature of our adversary. I posted about this recently on ConradRocks.net, referencing 1 Peter 5:8. The Bible is very specific about his tactics:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8 KJV).
Notice he is seeking whom he may devour. He needs permission. In my book, OPEN YOUR EYES: MY SUPERNATURAL JOURNEY, I talk extensively about how my occult books and heavy metal CDs back in the day were like open invitations. I often tell people that demons are like the vampires in the old movies—they’re knocking on the door, but they can’t come in unless you invite them.
What is the invitation? Sometimes it’s a lack of vigilance. In Genesis, God warns Cain: If thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door (Genesis 4:7 KJV). When we stop being sober—meaning we lose our spiritual focus—and stop being vigilant, we leave the door unlatched. We think we’ve reached a plateau where we don't have to fight anymore. Paul himself said he didn't count himself to have apprehended, but he pressed toward the mark. If Paul hadn't "arrived," what makes us think we have?
Main Message: This Kind Goeth Not Out
In the midst of that attack last night, I realized I was dealing with what Jesus described in Matthew 17. The disciples were frustrated because they couldn't cast a demon out of a young boy. They had the "formula," they had the "name," but they didn't have the result. Jesus told them it was because of their unbelief, but then He added a crucial "dialing in" of the doctrine:
Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21 KJV).
There are different levels to this warfare. We wrestle against principalities and powers, not just low-level spirits. The "bigger the level, the bigger the devil." But here is the secret: our authority and our "faith muscles" move in tandem with our relationship with God. Prayer and fasting aren't about twisting God's arm; they are about increasing our pistis—our trust and connection to the Father.
I see people all over the South—right here in the heart of the Bible Belt—who aren't "worded up." I was talking to a man recently whose grandfather was a preacher, yet he didn't even know what it meant to be born again. My people perish for lack of knowledge! If you aren't in the Word, you're trying to fight a duel without a sword.
When I was in that dream last night, the "name" alone wasn't moving the mountain because my own heart had grown a bit complacent. I had the keys to the kingdom in my pocket, but I hadn't polished them in a while. Jesus wants us to have a relationship, not just a religious ritual.
Personal Reflections: When the Teacher Becomes the Student
I’ll be honest with you—I felt a bit embarrassed. Here I am, the guy who wrote Overcoming Night Terror, and I’m getting pushed around in a dream? But that’s how Jesus corrects us. He allows the enemy to show us where our armor is thin.
I realized I had been "sitting on my talent," much like the slothful servant in Matthew 25. I was doing the work, but was I seeking His face or just His hand? There’s a huge difference. If you’re seeking God just so you can get the gifts or the "exploits," you’ve missed the first commandment. You have to love Him with everything you’ve got.
Jesus corrected me by reminding me that the shield of faith is a defensive mechanism. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:16 KJV). Those darts aren't just outward trials; they are thoughts of depression, doubt, and laziness. I had let a few darts through because I was too tired to hold up the shield.
Biblical References: The Armor of God
If we’re going to survive the "evil day," we have to follow the instructions in Ephesians 6. This isn't just nice poetry; it's a survival manual for the supernatural realm.
- The Belt of Truth: Surround yourself with what is actually true, not your feelings.
- The Breastplate of Righteousness: Protecting your heart from the accusations of the enemy.
- The Sword of the Spirit: Which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17 KJV).
Remember, when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He didn't argue philosophy with the devil. He said, "It is written." He used the Rhema word—the spoken, spirit-breathed Word—to cut through the lies. If you don't know what is written, you can't say it!
Key Takeaways
- Complacency is a Target: Thinking you have "arrived" spiritually is the quickest way to get knocked down.
- Permission Matters: Sin and lack of vigilance create an "open door" for demonic trespassing.
- Relationship Over Gifts: Exploits and miracles move in tandem with how well you know your God (Daniel 11:32).
- Fasting is a Dial: Some spiritual strongholds require the increased intimacy and faith that only comes through prayer and fasting.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Don't wait for a nightmare to wake you up. Whether you are in Alabama or Japan, the same lion is seeking to devour you. But remember, he has to ask for permission, and you have the authority to say "No." Dig deeper into the Word today. Don't just be a consumer of spiritual content; be a practitioner of spiritual warfare.
If this message challenged you, please share it with someone who might be struggling with spiritual apathy. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments—have you ever felt the enemy "test" your authority when you got a little lazy?
Action Items
- Audit Your Entrances: Look at your life, your home, and your media. Is there anything giving the "vampire" an invitation?
- Get Worded Up: Memorize at least three scriptures this week that you can use as a "Sword" when fear or doubt strikes.
- Schedule a Fast: Set aside a day—or even just a meal—to specifically seek God’s face, not just His hand.
- Put on the Armor: Literally pray through Ephesians 6:10–18 every morning before you leave the house.
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