Fight Spirit with Spirit

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We are at war, but we cannot fight in the spirit realm with our natural ability, nor with our education, our money, or our natural resources. We can only fight spirit with spirit, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:4, NKJV).

 Demonic spirits with different ranks and assignments exist in the spiritual realm, and they respond to atmospheres. All spirits seek expression of their will into time and space, but they cannot accomplish this without someone providing them the opportunity. If a demonic spirit manifests, it is because somebody allowed it and created an atmosphere for that spirit to operate.

 When the disciples asked Jesus why they were unable to cast the evil spirit out of the child, Jesus said, “This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matt. 17:21, NKJV). “This kind” would indicate that there are spirits with different ranks. Without going into an expository work on demonology, let’s briefly examine a few of the different types of evil spirits mentioned in the Bible.

 Tormenting or vexing spirits
A tormenting or vexing spirit is a lower-ranking demon that comes to oppose your mind and bring depression, fear, and excessive worry. Having a bad day is not necessarily an indication that you are being tormented by a demon—real life can be difficult. But when you feel oppressed all the time, so much so that your mind and emotions are in turmoil—you feel down, depressed, discouraged, and hopeless—that is a tormenting spirit.
When a tormenting spirit gets hold of your mind, thoughts such as harming yourself or even suicide* can take hold as the enemy whispers suggestions to you.

 When a vexing spirit tries to torment you, your first response should be to take authority over it and rebuke it in the name of Jesus. Do not give in to those negative, harmful, demonic thoughts of despair. Resist them. If you humble yourself and resist the devil, he will flee.

 We must never doubt that as born-again believers we have been given authority over any demon that tries to torment our lives. God gives us “the garment of praise” for the spirit of heaviness or despair (Isa. 61:3, MEV). As a Christian, the greatest thing you can do to combat depression and oppression in your mind is to put on the garment of praise. Put on some worship music and transform your heart and mind into an attitude of gratitude, think on good things and watch your praise change the atmosphere and cause a shift in the spiritual realm.
Learn to speak “praise phrases” to defeat tormenting spirits of the mind. Verbally praise the Lord, saying things such as, “You are good! You are working all things together for my good.” Don’t give in and begin to say words that make the devil think he’s winning. Atmosphere is everything. Speak words of praise, and that spirit of heaviness will lift.

 Deceiving spirits
Paul told Timothy, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Tim. 4:1, NKJV, emphasis added). Paul is telling us that there are demons that pervert teachings; who twist the Word of God, and lead people away from the faith. They are called deceiving spirits. Such deceiving spirits will always put forth wrong teaching, false teaching, and wrong thought patterns.

 Any time you open yourself up to doctrines of demons and false teachings—including horoscopes, fortune-tellers, palm readers, and psychics—you are opening the door to Satan’s plan for your life. When you do this, you are getting yourself into spiritual territory that you cannot conquer on your own. Any believer can take authority over a vexing spirit, but only pastors, teachers, evangelists, prophets, and apostles have authority to take the Word of God and teach truth against doctrines of devils and false teachings. If you or someone you know has opened the door to deceiving spirits, I encourage you to seek the counsel of your pastor or a mature believer in Christ.

 Territorial spirits
Territorial spirits are higher-level territorial principalities that try to exert control over certain geographical areas. Cities such as Las Vegas with gambling, Los Angeles with entertainment, New York with finance, and Washington DC with politics and power have territorial spirits—demonic powers trying to control their geographical area. Territorial spirits want to control the culture over cities, regions, states, and nations.

 It takes a community of believers praying and fasting and establishing strong churches in those cities, regions, and states to deal with the territorial principalities assaulting them in high places. Jesus said, “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades [hell] shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18, MEV). That is what Paul was talking about when he said, “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 3:10, NIV, emphasis added).


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