How do you know if satan is messing with you?

[Christ_empowered]

The tradition (PCUSA) I was raised in wasn't really big on Satan. The tradition (Pentecostal) I was saved in tends, I think, to blame Satan for more than his fair share of our troubles.

Now, here's my problem: how do you know if you're engaged in spiritual warfare, or if you're just having sin problems? Yes, it concerns me personally. I've been having "dark" thoughts lately. Nothing too bad. Also, keep in mind that I have Bipolar I w/Psychotic Features. Basically, I'm moody (particularly prone to severe depression) and I experience psychosis during severe mood swings. In between, I have some anxiety, some agitation...nothing too serious.

I guess I'm just wondering if this is social isolation+sin+underlying inclination to psychosis, or if I'm actually going through some kind of spiritual problem and I'm just not paying enough attention to it.

Thoughts?

 

[Heb11:6]

Christ empowered, I read your thread and I have some thoughts that I hope will help. You said that you were wondering when it is "sin" or spiritual warfare because you are having "dark thoughts." For starters we should be able to recognize sin and then we should also be able to differentiate between it and temptation - the two are not the same. Christ was tempted and never sinned and we can have thoughts of temptation and resist them and not sin as well. Sometimes believers suffer guilt when they see temptation as being actual sin and they feel horrible for being tempted. With regards to satan, he does place thoughts in people (consider Judas in John 13:2 - it began with a thought) and these thoughts are things that need to be cast down (i.e. rejected). 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says:

"v.3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: v4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; v.5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." KJV

You mentioned the mental issues you have suffered under, and please understand what I am about to say (for there is no condemnation in this); the mental oppression / depression that people suffer under is demonic at its source. All the lies and feelings of despair, lonliness, hoplessness, anxiety (i.e. fear) are not from your Lord but your adversary and as believers our adversary brings them to us but we need to resist them and cast them down (take Jesus' example in the wilderness). When these things come we do not accept them, if you do they will never leave. The slimy thing about how the devil operates is that he gives you some horrible thought and then tries to tell you that it is yours and it proves how messed up you are. he is a filthy liar and the father of lies and when he is cast into the pit I will not shed a tear for all the destruction he has done. My suggestion is that you take every thought captive to Christ and everything that does not belong in you mind you reject and answer it with a Scripture as Jesus did. This concept seems so foreign to many believers (as does commanding satan to depart) but Jesus lived them as our example. As we read through the Gospels we see Jesus deal with demon after demon and we read things like Matthew 4:24 which helps convey how large of a problem demonic oppression / possession was. Why would we think it is any different today? The Good news is that believers are overcomers and not under his power (unless they submit to it). I hope this was of some value. God Bless!

 

[Christ_empowered]

Thanks. That was a really, really helpful response. I recognize now that most (all?) of my problems are psycho-spiritual in nature. I've improved considerably since God saw fit to save me.

Anyway, I think its social isolation+sin+temptation+stress. That's my take on it. I take 1 medication (Abilify) for the time being to keep myself out of a mental hospital.

I want off my Abilify, that's for sure. I don't want to wind up a victim of psychiatry. I think God has helped me work through a lot of my sin patterns, so now I have less fear and more self-control.

That said...don't all people have periods of darkness? I mean, some more so than others. I'm not saying meds are the answer, but I am wondering if its always demonic in nature. Maybe its just life, and some people need something to take the edge off? Just throwing ideas out there. I don't know.

 

[Heb11:6]

Christ empowered, I am glad to hear that something I wrote was of value for that was my prayer. In response to your further questions and comments I have to begin by saying that I don't know much about your medication - that is between you and your provider(s). What I do know is that the will of God for you is PEACE in your mind - no torment whatsoever. If you use some sort of a search program or a concordance with regards to the use of "peace" in the New Testament you will see my point. I am glad to hear that some sin issues, ect., have improved since believing but you need to know that you have been made free from sin (see Romans 6:7 and 6:18) and it does not have to have any control over you. Many believers think that they cannot help but to sin, that in some way it still has control over them, but it does not. When we sin it is because we gave into the flesh but the Bible reveals that no temptation comes to us that we could not have escaped (1 Corinthians 10:13). Revelation of this helps us live free from sin. No Greater Joy ministries (nogreaterjoy.org) does an excellent teaching on this (go to MEDIA then AUDIO then BIBLE TEACHING then SINFUL NATURE) to access it. With regards to your question of whether people have periods of darkness I would say that unbelievers don't have periods of it - they live in it. But Jesus came to do away with all of this and Luke 1:79 declares: (speaking of Jesus)

"To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." KJV

Sadly much of what is taught today in Christian circles is so watered down that the real power of what Jesus has bought and paid for is lost. People understand the part about being saved from hell (extrememly important ) but they miss what Salvation means in the here and now. This is why so many believers live lives that so closely reflect the lives of unbelievers. I can speak to some of this from experience and challenges I have faced. Consider Romans 5:17

"For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by One, Jesus Christ." KJV

You have not been born again to be rained upon but to reign in life (excuse the pun). Brother, if you are born again (and I presume you are) then you have the Spirit of the Living God dwelling within you - you are temple of the Holy Spirit and this makes you something. You are not a noone going nowhere - you are child of the King and joint heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:17) and you can come boldly to the Throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). In Ephesians chapter 6:10-18, Paul deals specifically with battling darkness with the whole armor of God and one piece he desribes is the helmet of salvation (v.17). A helmet is something you use to guard your head and part of what Paul is getting at here is guarding your mind with and understanding and constant recognition of your Salvation (which incorporates more that just the eternal blessing). To many people the "armor of God" is confusing or dismissed in some way or another. It is safe to say that if it is not understood, nor actively being employed by someone then it is of no efffect and a person is subject to everything Paul is trying to caution people of. The Word is what changes us and your path should grow brighter (Proverbs 4:18). There is nothing before you that you cannot overcome by faith in God. The enemy would like to tell you "this is your lot in life" but don't buy it! God Bless!