Needing Spiritual advice concerning a tormenting demon

Not sure if the subject line is describing my issue. I need help, to be delivered from what I sense is a demonic attack. I'm not desiring anyone here to get critical etc. Sincerely, I'm tired of the lack of results on my part, so I'll get to the point. I've been a strong faith-based, scripture-based believer for 27 years. I serve as a Worship leader, a teacher of God's Word and have 2 prison ministries, where I do both, once each month. So I'm involved and love serving the Lord. The down side of this is at times at night, being married for 28 years, I get awakened ...sexually arroused, and I can't get back to sleep until...you know. This has gone as far as heading to internet porn sites, sometimes 3:00am in the morning, just to deal with the lust and then I can sleep. I live with the shame of this, and effect on me, spititually . I need Godly guidence to deal with my flesh, and the devils-to take every though captive..Yes... being aware of this, has anyone heard of such a problem, and knows the steps to combat this?? I would like a very dirrect answer, even a rhema word from the Lord, to meet this need!!! This is my first attempt to find help, so be sensitive in the Spirit. Thank you in advance, Bryan

Hi Bryan...

I won't pretend to know a quick answer to this addiction -- but we do know the One who holds the answer. I will be praying for you. Let me encourage you to seek God with everything within you. This addiction may [i]not[/i] be from a "tormenting demon," but rather a very active "sinful nature" that is common to all men.

David Wilkerson created an organization that dealt with addiction called [i]Teen Challenge[/i] (an awkward name, since it has historically been geared toward adults). In his book, [i]The Cross and the Switchblade[/i], Brother Wilkerson speaks about how many individuals were able to overcome addictions to sex, drugs, violence and pornography.

This is certainly a serious matter, and should be treated accordingly. Sin is sin, and it was such sin that caused the willing death of the Son of God. But take heart: God provides a way of escape. From your post, you seem to reveal that you [u]hate[/u] this sin. Good! I will be praying for you to now [u]overcome[/u] this sin. Sometimes, the battle is not always with specific demons that serve to [i]tempt[/i] us, but with the sinful nature within us.

I will be praying for you. I encourage you to pray -- even when it is uncomfortable. When you wake up in the middle of the night, don't turn on the computer. Get on your knees (yes, physically) and seek God's face. I've always noticed that it is "uncomfortable" to sin when you're looking toward the face of God.

Thank you for your willingness to humble yourself through this request. May the Lord grant you the freedom that you are desperate for!

:-)

Joshua99, Hi,I think this is a common problem with men. If i were the devil i would use this drive[in men] to full advantage.
When I used to hunt, the best hunting was when the deer were mating.Those bucks were out of their minds crazy for the does.
This is the battle for purity. And we will win.
You seem to be a strong christian. So that means you have seen many "goliaths" go down.
Remember what David said...." This one will go down like all the others.
....I know you will win bro. I can sense this.
In 1996 I went through deliverence at a church.
It was so awesome![I dont say you need deliverence.You have to decide that]But there was a demon that was in me.The people that were there were only able to get it to manifest.They could not cast it out. When the head of the deliverence team came in she [thats right SHE]said"put me up to speed whats going on" They told her there is something and it wont come out.
By now I thought I'm hopeless .Shes going to tell me" well david there is nothing we can do for you" Was I wrong! WITH AUTHORITY SHE SPOKE TO THAT THING AND SAID " YOU PUT ON SOME BIG EARS AND LISTEN UP!" And she very bluntly cast it out.. I got to tell you when she activated faith she activated my faith and i said to that thing "YOU MUST OBEY"
I actually saw the thing and it did leave.

Bro. I got to tell you without determination we will loose.
You MUST be spirit dominated. As you take the steps to Resist the spirit meets you.
We cannot musterr the will power to fight this powerfull of a ttemptation.BUT WHAT WE CAN DO IS HOLD JESUS UP TO THE TEMPTATION.
Remember Jesus was tempted in all things and yet he remained sinless.
Throw out options. Subcontiously we think of options. Make this your "contious" Porn is not an opttion,giving in is not an option. Watching tv is not an opttion Etc.
Men are "visual" oriented so guard your "eye gates"
GEt overly disciplined for a season. Work out etc.
You will win bro.!!!!!
....David

dear Saints
Greetings in Jesus' Name by Whose Blood we are Saved.AMEN.

the issue of lust seems like (to me anyway) the primary weapon of the enemy against men in particular. it may not necessarily be directed to women, but to wealth, cars or whatever else. it is quite tragic though that our tendancy as men is to suffer in silence out of fear of condemnation/embarrasment...putting a brave face on while often dying inside in despair and hopelessness. As Christians, we tend to advise more quickly than we do empathize. most of the time, the thing that is needed isn't so much a definition of what is right and wrong, that can be discerned by the reactions of the affected parties, what is often missed is simply trying to understand what is at the root of the issue. to keep all that inside leaves one as a target for the enemy's arrows time and time again.

this issue is rampant among Christian men and yet it isn't talked about much perhaps fo fear of embarassment, or condemnation or whatever it is, at the end of the day it leaves the men of God separated from one another and sitting ducks, which is what the enemy would want. We jump up and down about all sorts of other issues but this one of lust among us gets lost in the shuffle...yet this causes a terrible, untold amount of damage in the body. Paul said that we who are strong in the Faith ought to bear the infirmities of the weak. a couple of weeks ago, a dear brother of mine in Christ shared something which our Lord had been showing him about bearing one another's burdens that they may be dispatched sooner. There is something to be said about empathizing, it gives hope and allows God to work to deal with the situation.

let us bear one another's burdens without condemntation, condescention or anything other than the Love and Compassion of Jesus that we may be loosed from whatever binds us.AMEN.let us pray for one another. dear saints.

Grace and Peace are ours in Jesus.AMEN.

Bro,
to be blunt, and yes sensitive... I too have had times of testing.
The kingdom of God suffers violence but the violent take it by force.

#1 verbalize your problem to your wife...
confess. and as long as you do not confess you will remain in bondage.
#2 pray together as a couple to get rid of this thing and if necessary go to church leadership and have them pray over you and hold you accountable..
true discipleship.

#3. the source is the enemy,and probably due to your prison ministry, I dont know this for sure but it sounds like your pretty busy and when were busy we let our prayer lives slip.. Just an observation from past experiences..
Remember God still loves you and if you confess your sins and repent, he will be faithful and just to forgive your sins..
Get violent against your situation, when the tempter comes at night get out of bed and cry out to God, Loudly not in your head. wake up your wife and have her pray with you.
if that isnt enough which I surely think it will be.
Throw your computer out of your house.
If your eye causes you to sin its better to pluck it out than to go to hell with both eyes.
you know what I mean.
Your going to beat this.
God bless.

Thank you everyone for responding and your heartfelt encouragement. I have taken most of the advice shared since last night. My wife is well aware of the sin issue and is mature in the Lord to handle it by prayer.I even informed her about sharing this here online. I believe.Cory_H has nailed the answer for me, as the Spirit of God confirmed by the Word, that the Fear of the Lord is the key to overcoming sin. I have an imtimate relationship with the Lord, but being human and still under construction >so to speak< I can become distant in my time with the Lord. Today was a very good day in prayer, meditation on the Word and comuning with the Father. The battle as the Spirit of God has shown me, time after time will be a fight, this will not happen over night, that I know. I long for the Baptism of the Spirit and of Fire. To be filled up like the early Apostles and believers. To know God's Presence and walk with Him as one is the desire from Heaven place in my heart. To surrender all that I am to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is my journey. The devil is well aware of that. So again thanks and I will keep in touch from time to time. Blessings in Jesus upon you!

To know God's Presence and walk with Him as one is the desire from Heaven place in my heart.

Indeed, many want to eradicate a bad habit more than they want Christ. And, of course, the more you think about the habit, the more you reinforce it. Even if you succeed in eradicating the sin with your own determination, you merely leave an empty "house" for other bad habits to fill (ex pride).

Did you notice that the apostle Paul doesn't merely tell us to quit sinning? He always tells us what to replace it with.
"Do not get drunk with wine, BUT be filled with the Holy Spirit"

"Rather clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." Rom.13:14

Someone said once, 'The brain is the main sex organ". Undeniably, it is in our minds where sin originates too. No wonder Paul said: "Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world BUT
be transformed by the renewing of you minds." Rom. 12:2

Bryan, You are doing just this, praise God! May the Lord give you a craving for him, and may his Spirit fill you and enlighten you more and more each day.

May the Lord protect you from evil influences/spirits that surround you when you are serving in the prison.

this issue is rampant among Christian men and yet it isn't talked about much perhaps fo fear of embarassment, or condemnation or whatever it is, at the end of the day it leaves the men of God separated from one another and sitting ducks, which is what the enemy would want. We jump up and down about all sorts of other issues but this one of lust among us gets lost in the shuffle

Ironman, I also appreciate your words. Sure, this is about a male problem primarily, but really everyone is affected. When one part of the Body (of Christ) suffers, all the parts suffer. We all need each other in the journey to victory.

I cannot tell you how many wives have shared their feelings of being used by their husbands - to feed a never-satisfied "need". Wives suffer when their husbands are not willing to admit their addiction. How can this not have a huge ripple effect - affecting family and even beyond?!

Indeed we live in a sex-crazed society. And it doesn't help to pluck out the eyes. There is a much deeper, radical death to undergo - an ongoing crucifixion - and resurrection in Christ.

Hey, brothers, we're all in that together, are we not?

Diane

Hi Joshua

You ask for spiritual advice so by God's grace I will speak according to the word. This is not being critical, but to help you look to Jesus and believe. My desire is to lead you by the word and not my own feelings or emotions.

I've been a strong faith-based, scripture-based believer for 27 years. I serve as a Worship leader, a teacher of God's Word and have 2 prison ministries,

This is what you said. You say that you are strong faith based scripture. I hope you can see the error of your word so you will see what is needed. If you were strong in believing the word than you would believe that you have died with Christ and that sin does not reign in you. I bring this up not to condemn, but to help you see that you really lack faith.

Knowing you are lacking faith then you need to spend time HEARING the word. The word says faith comes by HEARING the word. The Lord told Joshua to meditate on His word day and night so that he will walk according to His ways (josh. 1:9). Meditation is different from just reading it. Savor His word like a good meal. ponder over His word thru out the day, let it speak to you, it is life and will bring healing. Hebrew 4:12 says that the word IS living and powerful, sharper than a two edged sword, dividing bone and marrow, exposing the heart! The word will cut your heart, but don't fear, it will bring life too! Knowing the word is living and powerful you must then meditate on it daily, learning to be lead by His word and not by sight nor your feelings.

Joshua, there is a wall between you and God right now because of bongage to sin.

Listen, Rom. 8 says that to be carnally minded is death....because carnal mind is enmity to God. You cannot walk in the Spirit with this bondage. You cannot have it both ways. Read Rom. 8.

If your walking in the Spirit, the Spirit will not lead you to bondage. That is your flesh that you are still walking in. Paul tells us the works of the flesh in Gal.5:19-21. He says those who PRACTICE this will not enter the kingdom.

I am speaking straight with you because I am concern about your soul.

You are also putting yourself in more danger by being a teacher and doing ministry. Read rom. 2. it is a sober warning to those who teach God's word, and live a hypocritical life. To carry God's name as teacher and minister is a BIG DEAL. Rom. 2 says wrath is stored up for the hypocrites. I know these are strong words, but even Paul and Jesus gave such warnings too.

You should not be teaching and doing ministry right now. You should be devoting all the time seeking God for the saving of your soul. You need to cry out to Him until you know He has granted you repentance. You need to be spending much time with Him in hearing His word until He grants you faith to believe. Look to the SON. Don't focus all your energy on the sin. You've confess, now look to the SON for healing. Seek and hunger for Him like treasure, make Him above all. Throw away the computer, if you have too! Jesus says cut out your eye if it causes you to sin. Meaning get rid of all the things that is causing you to stumble. The computer is not worth you going to hell. Trash it, if you have too.

Will be praying for you.

Love, Lisa

....and remember, God saves unto the uttermost! Lust is not too big for God at all, as many christians think. It is imposssible with men, but with God all things are possible! Praise God!!!

I know men who have overcome this. And I am one who have overcome too, by the grace of God! Your mind can totally be cleanse of this filth through Jesus. I testify of this!

I understand the following comment but disagree with it:

You should talk to your wife about these urges that you have in the night and consider her as your means of release.

It is possible to be married and to lust after your wife. Love is mutual. Self-denial and control should be practiced - especially when one suspects the compulsive urge may actually have been initiated by a demon. I'm not saying a husband and wife can't have an understanding that he has natural urges which she can help relieve - but they are not the same as lustful compulsion.

Let us men be careful to notice if we are only looking for self-gratification in intimacy with our lives. The man should be looking to meet his wife's need and "giving" to her.

I suspect that the proper response to most of our compulsive urges should be to give our wife a back or foot massage, or to do the dishes for her as opposed to requesting her to dutifully "relieve" us.

Fight lust, Christ in us is the hope of glory - apart from Him we can do nothing.

Finally, cutting TV out of my life has helped tremendously in the battle against lust. The mental influence of the media (electronic and print) is staggering.

Brian

I am speaking straight with you because I am concern about your soul.

I too write to you with deep concern about your soul.

I've been a strong faith-based, scripture-based believer for 27 years. I serve as a Worship leader, a teacher of God's Word and have 2 prison ministries, where I do both, once each month. So I'm involved and love serving the Lord.

Dear Josh, because you are involved does not mean you are a Christian. Yes true Christians serve the Lord, but true Christians do not commit sin. "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
(1 John 3:9)

It seems to me that you are commiting sin, this is what the literal translation means:
"Every one having been begotten from God is not practicing sin, because His seed abides in him, and he is not able to be sinning, because he has been begotten from God."
Josh it seems like you are practicing sin! If you are, you are not walking in true salvation.

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" (Romans 6:1-16)

"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."
(Matthew 5:28-30)

You see here the serousness of lust, dear Josh! One, you are sinning against God. And two, you are sinning against your wife, by commiting adultery on her! 1Cor.6:9 says that no adulterer shall inherit the kingdom of God! My dear one, I plead with you to repent believe in Christ the risen Savior. He will deliver you from bondage, He will set you free. If you believed you would be set free, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." (John 8:36)

Until you do so, take heed to the word of Lisa, not only her word but the word of God:
"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye." (Luke 6:41-42)

You need to humble yourself, step down from all this business, and use all the free time you have, to seek the Lord in prayer and fasting and perhaps He would grant you repentace. Read the word, see how much you have offended God. The answer is Christ, and walking in the Spirit!

In Christ,
Lina Urban

The only thing that has worked for me is getting rid of my computer and internet. As long as I don't have a computer I don't have temptation in that realm.

This last week I had my computer at home in order to sell some bibles on eBay, the week was a horrible mess of temptation. Give no opening to Satan for attack.

Hello...

I've read quite a few posts where believers seem to almost blame the temptations for our lust. Wouldn't it be better to get rid of the lust and place our bodies into submission? It would be nearly IMPOSSIBLE to seperate ourselves from all temptations. You can turn off the TV, disconnect the internet, and even stop reading newspapers. But you know what? You STILL have eyes and a lustful heart!

Why not fix the problem at the root?

David Wilkerson once preached a sermon about temptation in which he described a guy who lived atop a poll for quite a while in order to "seperate himself" and be "holy." When he came down, he told others that he couldn't escape the sins of this world because they are part of our inner, sinful nature.

If you can overcome lust, you will not spend your life dodging, "hiding" or "escaping" from sin. Instead, you will be OVERCOMING.

I don't know that there is a "quick fix" for escaping such sin. However, I do know that God provides a "way of escape." This escape is NOT the removal of the eyes -- but the ability to withstand such temptations. I've always felt that, when temptation arises, it is difficult to fall when your eyes are looking toward the face of God. Paul said he would "buffet" his body and bring it into subjection (I Corinthians 9:27). In times of temptation, why not immediately fall upon your knees? Our brother has said that this happens at night. Why not get upon your knees EVERY TIME this happens? Force yourself to LOOK TO JESUS. Who could sin when they know that they are looking upon one another?

Brother, I would recommend "stepping down" from public ministry until such time that victory is achieved. I don't believe that a man of God can (or should) operate effectively while living is sin. This is not a "rebuke." Rather, it will allow you the time to fix your efforts upon overcoming such sin. You don't have to tell anyone and everyone the reason for your "stepping down" from public ministry (and of course, you can still witness to people in an informal manner). But what kind of results are produced when we ourselves cannot overcome?

I know of a christian singer who quit because of lust. He later proclaimed that he would even lust WHILE he led the congregation in worship! He recognized his terrible condition, and resolved that he wanted freedom -- even if it cost him EVERYTHING!

Brother, I am praying for you. I appreciate the humility in which you shared your condition. Do not give up! God is a "very present help in time of trouble!" You can overcome this sin. It may cost you some comfort (particularly on the knees), but in the end, it is worth it! We will stand by you and encourage you as you fight!

:-)

Hmm, I know exactually where your coming from.

This is God trying to build your integrity. The 'secret' life.

Brother, the only advice I can give is persist. Fight everything, cold turkey. Give it everything you got. It's a fruit of the Spirit, it's called 'self-control'. Abide in Him and bound in fruit!!

Take care, and fight the good fight.

Hi Bryan

I suffered in this same area for about 15 years, the bad part about it is that the cycle of guilt that satan continuosly keeps you locked in. This guilt will drive you to dark secret places because you are constanlty reminded how bad you are.

Bryon the awnser that i give will sound simple but in practise it is not because you will be fighting.

Bryon i knelt before the lord with all my heart and prayed that the holy spirit would forgive me for defiling my heart were he was supose to dwell. then with the lord by my self in a room i closed my eyes and every fowl thought that came to my mind i rebuked it. some of the thoughts in my imagination didnt seem that bad but they ended up being the hardest to get rid off.

you will know when you are clean and i think the biggest lesson i have learned is that the devil will try to get back into your thoughts through little things. We cannot evade the filth of this world as it is portrayed everywhere we go but the lord says to us "It is not what we see or here that defiles us, it is how we respond to it that defiles us.

we are to be ready to battle with satans hordes of images every second of the day. sexual lust i have found to be very difficult to deal with in alot of people that i have counselled in this area because of the pleasure side of it. But just like drug addiction it starts of all fun and exciting but then the devistation will come.

just kneel before the lord and ask the holy spirit to direct you as you cast out these imaginations that satan has planted in your heart. You have been a christian a long time so by now you should be able to recognize Gods voice and when satan tries to speak to you.

Be strong and Bold in the lord brother and this burdan will be cut of your back.