Stubborn argumentativeness

Like all the pastors of our church, I've prayed against a lot of demons in these many years. In some situation, demons easily submit and leave with a command, while in other situations they resist, argue and try to intimidate. Though it seems like the easier ones would be more preferable, it’s always been the toughest ones that built up my faith like nothing else.  

“I don't have to listen to you, who are you anyway preacher man?” they'd laugh tauntingly while manifesting in the body of their victims. “You think you're so strong? I'm stronger than you! I’m going to kill you and your whole family tonight!” To anyone who had doubts that these were real demons, just the sound of pure hatred growling in their voices was proof enough. The people I prayed for had come humbly seeking help—they had no hatred towards me or towards God, but the spirits that had been tormenting them for years did. To anyone who didn't know the power and authority of the Lord Jesus, these taunts were terrifying. They’d make your skin crawl. But praise God I learned from many great men of faith about the reality of God’s word. Demons are experts at intimidation, but they have no authority whatsoever over those who are truly God’s children and who stand on His promises.

My wife has always said that God gave me the gift of arguing so I could cast out demons. The more they’d try to intimidate me and the church members witnessing a manifestation, the more I’d shoot them down with the word of God. They had to submit, they had to obey, and they had to leave their victims’ lives based on the truth. And in the end, God always won, never the devil.

Experiences in spiritual warfare have been some of the greatest blessings of our lives because we see that there is absolutely nothing that can overcome the goodness and greatness of our Lord Jesus—nothing! Anger against the devil and stubborn argumentativeness against his lies has been the cornerstone of our faith, because every single day, the devil attacks. In our thoughts, our emotions, in real or perceived problems, in our mood, in everything. It may be a slow and subtle process, creeping into our thoughts and overwhelming us with his dark and deathly picture of the world, but if we don’t resist, he will win.

Each victory that I see is a visual testimony that I can use in my arsenal to fight the devil’s lies. I can never forget how often God has come through for me in big and small things. This testimony is my weapon. Jesus defeated Satan on the cross through the sacrifice of His blood, but we each have to defeat his attacks daily by the word of our own testimony, standing on the truths of God’s promises. If you've ever been accused of being stubborn and inflexible—great! Use it to stand for what is right, to defend God’s honor. Never back down from whatever the devil throws at you. Throw God’s truth back at him!      

They conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not love their lives in the face of death.  (Revelation 12:11 HCSB)