Swedish: The Devil and his Hanging, oil painting by Erland Cullberg. Gothenburg University Library
One morning, getting ready for work, I thought about how good I was feeling lately about signing up for a 15K and before I could blink, a voice in my head said, You will never be able to run as fast as you want. Why do you keep trying?
Instead of letting that idea slip into my consciousness, I caught the tail end of it. I held onto it, trying to bring it into focus so that I could see it, and see where it had come from. Oh my gosh, I said to myself. That thought must have come from Satan.
If you pray and wait for God to speak to you, or through you, you’re opening yourself up to receive God’s word. When you open yourself, it’s hard to keep the channels focused on only receiving God’s messages. You’re going to receive other messages.
Have you ever looked in the mirror, liked what you saw, and then you find something to criticize? Have you ever found yourself shouting at other drivers or pedestrians from the safety of your car? Have you ever looked at what a friend has and thought, how does she deserve that? Why don’t I have that? Are those thoughts coming from the Spirit within you? I don’t think so.
As I pondered Satan’s power, this idea struck me: If I’m having a hard time identifying the subtleties of the devil at work in me, how can I help my girls to identify it? How do I even begin to talk to them about it? The next day, I asked Jaiya about the devil in the car on the way home from school.
Me: Jaiya, do you ever remember talking about the devil?
J: …long pause… No, not that I can remember.
Me: Not just this year in youth group, but anytime in the past in Godly Play?
J: No, I can’t remember a time we talked about Satan specifically.
Me: Is there a Bible story that you can remember with the devil in it?
J: Hmm… vaguely… you mean like the story of Adam and Eve?
We went on to talk about feelings of envy and jealousy that she had felt earlier that day. She was amazed to think about her feelings in the context of the devil; I could see it on her face and hear it in her voice. I suspect the conversation isn’t over yet.
We need to talk honestly about Satan with our children, and ourselves. Scripture offers an entrée into a conversation about Satan, and Lent offers a space for us to explore the concept of temptation and other negative behaviors. Reading and discussing Genesis, Job, or 2 Corinthians could generate lots of good conversation with a variety of ages. Perhaps during Lent, your family might study Matthew 4.
God works in us and through us, just as God works in and through others in our lives and in our world. We have to acknowledge that the devil does the same thing. Our children need our help to understand that part of our nature includes the ability to do the wrong thing and go against the life God wants for us.
The good news about sin is that we can confess and ask God to forgive us in the name of Jesus. As we move through Lent, let’s not be afraid to have challenging conversations about Satan and sin. Jesus is always waiting for us at the end.
Have you talked about Satan with children or teens? How do you see the devil at work in your life?
I have been thinking about the devil and all that has been happening in the world, A long time ago I heard that God had given him a certain amount of time to do his havoc. Thinking about this, maybe his time is coming to an end, and he has been increasing his endeavors for control,
Still I also see more compassion, and kindness, springing forth. I believe that is Gods work. Pray without ceasing for our enemies.
Hi I think is a great site kudos to you! I talk to my son about God a lot and how he wants us to live our life. He told me couple of weeks ago that the devil told him to go see a very evil movie. He had seen the trailer while on the internet. I monitor what he watches but it was a trailer. I told him I was glad he told me. I told him that it is a good thing he recognized it was not God because some grown ups can’t tell the difference. What are your thoughts?
I had some thing similar happen to me : one day I had a sudden interest to learn about the movie IT when I watched the trailer I was tormented and afraid. My father cast 2 demons out of me and 1 year later the dreams started flowing back I didn’t know it but my mum and dad said I was screaming and yelling in my sleep. Dad asked a priest and he said I had demons in my toys. I then threw them all out. Ever since I have had anxiety and depression! And the memories are flowing back I now have insomnia and I’m only 12. Two weeks ago I had a priest visit me he said I have dealt with the devil himself cause I asked for telekinesis and now I have horrible pains as in something inside me is trying to get out! I advise you to not let your kids get too deep otherwise there in too far and it will be nearly impossible to get them out. (I also have 6 voices in my head screaming at me!
Hi Paige, 👋🏾 I pray that you have been spending time in prayer and worship to God our Deliverer. Take all those negative issues to the Father and find scriptures of deliverance. God doesn’t want his children walking and living in torment. Remember we can go directly to Him to talk and cry out. May God continue to cover you and that you will continue to crave His love, wanting a relationship with him. Blessing to you young warrior!
Read this twice. The reason spirit’s are messing with you is because you are awesome. You are extremely intelligent. They know that you are fully capable of defeating the Devil. Especially with God’s help and they don’t want you to ever focus your life on doing that. So they are gonna try to distract you with all kinds of problems ranging from psychological problems to drug addiction. They want you to focus on having children or education or marriage instead of trying to figure out how to beat the Devil. Remember they know how awesome and capable you are so hold your head high and go against them. Everytime a problem happens. Try to figure out how the Devil caused it and eventually. God will use you to defeat him. Hang in there it’s not as bad as it seems.
Hi Paige, I don’t know what you are going through but it must be tough. The enemy has no boundaries and preys on young people who are alone and sad. Try to be with God fearing people.. don’t isolate yourself too much from them. There is no one like you on the earth and the Devil wants to kill you but please don’t let that happen. Watch Christian movies from now on and read the Bible! I cannot stress this enough READ THE BIBLE. I hope to meet you one day if you get better. Praise God and not the Devil.
I think that is SO AWESOME to hear! Your child was spot on correct and he made a Wise decision especially for his age and so did you as a Mother, amen
I have to wonder myself if the devil has been defeated then how does he speak to me? Where does it say in the Bible that the devil speaks to me? I realize that he spoke to Jesus during the The Temptations. But when Jesus died on the cross the enemy the devil was defeated. So if he is defeated how does he speak to me.? What scripture says that this happens. Personally for myself I haven’t found one. I will not give the enemy credit for anything why would I do that if he is defeated. Most of the problems that I face or the thoughts that I have that are not of God or from my own past. These thoughts I have learned from other people or other pastors that I’m being attacked by the enemy. They’re my own thoughts if I have a car wreck that doesn’t mean the enemy attacked me it’s just life. So I end this comment with this. I will not give the enemy credit for anything. He has been defeated he is not omnipresent he is not omnipotent.
Correct he is not omni present BUT remember Satan has a kingdom. He runs the kingdom of darkness, no business can be run without employees a lot of the time, Satan has employees, who are demons.
He assigns them to people, and they are given missions to take us out how ever they can. It may not be Satan personally, but it sure can be Satan’s minions, you can be sure of that!
Not until the Devil has been burned in the lake of fire can he be considered defeated. Any argument against that is not only protecting the Devil but against the judgement of God. Always be aware and mindful. When something goes wrong, blame the Devil and try to carry out the Judgement of God and go against the Devil.
As I am trying to write this comment the voices of Satan are trying to overcome me and tell me what to write. I have terrible voices that speak to me and say horrible things to me all the time. What do I do? Somebody who knows please help.
Daryl, you are not alone. God and your entire Heavenly family stand unwavering behind you. Google the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel and say the Our Father/Lord’s Prayer when these chumps attack. This will help but you need to get back to Christian Sanctuary regularly as well and follow up with a Priest or Pastor on this. God’s got big plans for you; it’s when those come close to fruition that the enemy attacks. I’ll pray for you and this will be ok. Take care…
Thank you very much.
I want you to know that the main reason the Devil puts so much energy into manipulating and trying to control your life. Is because you are intelligent and you are a threat to the Devil. God placed a Judgement on the Devil and the Devil knows that sooner or later. We will try to carry that judgement out for God. The last thing the Devil wants is for the smart people to go against him. So he tries to create a thousand problems for them to deal with. That way they won’t have time to work on defeating him. Hence the meek will inherit the earth. So you just stay focused on the downfall of the Devil. God can see you trying to Carry out his Judgement and you will receive help with that mission for God. So this means that you are so awesome that the Devil feels threatened and he doesn’t want you to know that.
Thank you very much for your reply. I like the way you view things. May God bless you.
Okay here’s what you do. Know this, The devil is attacking you because you are totally capable of destroying the Devil. You are awesome and he’s trying to figure out how to make you weak. Be strong and confident, that will weaken the Devil. Always stay focused on your ability to destroy the Devil and he will eventually back off. Stay strong 💪 you got this.
Start rebuking holding every thought captive and rebuke all evil and all powers of darkness ( you say I rebuke all evil and powers of darkness and evil principalities out of my head out of my body fully liberating me and loosing me in the Mighty Name Of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Any Generational curses And ties or packs of Generation curses or bondages I rebuke out in the mighty name of Jesus And now its time to renounce in the mighty name of Jesus Amen and.. now start to renounce anything you did or are doing and say I Renounce any stronghold or any attack I caused intentionally or unmentionable not knowing I renounce Drugs Alcohol any evil doings leave my mind leave my soul any soul ties spiritual spouses I rebuke in the mighty name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth and anything effecting me from having clarity and and a sound mind that’s trying to prevent me from moving forward and spirit of stagnation trying to stop me from over coming or any evil bodage I now cancel all and pull it up from the roots in the mighty name of Jesus christ Amen…….. ( you can do this putting your faith in God and the mighty name of Jesus christ recognize the power hold it captive when you fell it even it the slightest thought tryen to come up say Satan the lord rebuke you every time say I rebuke you out in the mighty name of Jesus k doesn’t matter if your around a crowd in the store anywhere rebuke it outlook it doesn’t have to be load but rebuke it sometimes it may sound load like a shout and God will speak through you like a shout when you say I rebuke you in the mighty name of Jesus christ who came in the flesh up and out … I pray all goes well for you ok may are Heavenly fathers and Lord Jesus Christ who came in the flesh And the holyspirit guide you and protect you and cover you in Jesus name Amen … just keep rebuking evil fight the Good fight God is With Us All And Jesus died on a cross for us came in the flesh payed the ultimate sacrifice for are sins trust in him Amen
Thank you for that. It is much appreciated. I will rebuke Satan in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ from now on. Thank you everything you wrote helped me I felt some of them leaving my spirit as I said it.
Try to remember that there is a reason why Satan chose to try to control your life. He feels he needs to control you because you are awesome and you are intelligent. You are fully capable of destroying the Devil with God leading the way of course. You are so capable that you make the Devil feel vulnerable and he doesn’t want you to know this. So he tries to create all kinds of problems for you to deal with so you won’t be able to find time to defeat him. Know that he is easy to beat and if he wasn’t easy to beat. He wouldn’t have to hide all of the time. Take the power back from the Devil. From now on point your finger at the Devil and help to carry out the Judgement of God by defeating the Devil everyday and Everytime something goes wrong.
I personally love this prayer challenge.. The devil must be cast out,held captive and overcomed…he must not be given the slightest chance..he must be rebuked anywhere and at anytime.,.
Esther from Nigeria
Hello there from Austin Texas, Esther you are awesome for doing what you do. Especially when what you do is against the Devil. Teach it to the world. Do not fear the Devil because that gives him power. We need to know that when we lie in wait for the Devil and attack him over and over it weakens him. We need to know how to attack him and how to remove his power completely. The best part is that while we are on this mission with God. We will grow stronger every day and the Devil will get weaker and eventually give up. So you continue to fight the good fight and defeat the Devil for good !!!
I’m always hearing a thought in my head I don’t know where it is coming from and I really want to know I believe in god and everything but I go on these sites to help myself see other people’s experiences but I wanna know how do I get rid of the bad thoughts that always put me down?
Try to remember that there is a reason why Satan chose to try to control your life. He feels he needs to control you because you are awesome and you are intelligent. You are fully capable of destroying the Devil with God leading the way of course. You are so capable that you make the Devil feel vulnerable and he doesn’t want you to know this. So he tries to create all kinds of problems for you to deal with so you won’t be able to find time to defeat him. Know that he is easy to beat and if he wasn’t easy to beat. He wouldn’t have to hide all of the time. Take the power back from the Devil. From now on point your finger at the Devil and help to carry out the Judgement of God by defeating the Devil everyday and Everytime something goes wrong.
I have been tormented by satan for several years and I have been good at trying to keep my own thoughts and praying and rebuking but it can be frustrating. I will hope that every reader gets relief in the name of Jesus. Thank you so much for having this post up so I can know that someone has experienced this in their on way.
Don’t stop saying the prayer to St Michael the Archangel and the Our Father. Keep rebuking these spirits in the name of Jesus Christ.
Oh I wish I could get to know you better. I’ve been searching for years to find someone who has a similar understanding of the Devil. I’ve felt so alone in my understanding. Until I read your article. You are awesome and even though I don’t know you. I feel so blessed to have found you. Please communicate with me a little if you can. I’ve been quiet about what I know for a long long time. Praying for someone to share my knowledge with. Thank you ❤️ for doing what you do.
Honestly, there is no scripture to indicate Satan can speak to us in our heads. He spoke to the first Adam (Eve actually) in the garden and it’s not indicated he spoke to man again until the second Adam (Jesus Christ). And nowhere else in scripture does it say Satan did or can speak to man. In fact, Satan is not omnipresent so how can he be speaking to all of you who are “tormented” by him. The truth is Satan’s temptation caused man to fall and every other sin is on us. The voice you hear in your head is your mind. According to Romans 8:7, our carnal mind is “enmity” or “in a state of opposition” with God. Satan and his angels are our greatest foe but never forget a vast majority of the problems we have are our own fault because we’re not fully submitted to the Lord.
And Daryl, if you’re being tormented in your mind, let me ask this? What do you watch/listen to/read/think about during the day? How much time do you spend reading God’s Word? How much time do you spend in prayer? If we spend our time filling our minds with garbage, that’s usually what we get back. It’s like putting non-stop junk food in your stomach and expecting to not get sick. But if you put good things in your mind, good things will come out. Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Fascinating. When realised there is no god I realised there is no devil. And then I slept well; I have ever since.
Remember that the Devil’s greatest trick is to convince the world that he doesn’t exist. That way we will never defeat him/ Carry out the Judgement of God.
Thank you for your time for writing this article. I really enjoyed it.
I read a few of these comments about the devil talking to individuals, talking to eve and jesus etc.
I’m a man of many religions. I have been in search for god since I noticed that most of earth is evil from when I was a kid.
I will tell you this: Satan can not talk to anyone. He attacks your awareness until you channel yourself to a direction to sin. He can send signals to grab your attention too. Internet search (different search terms) like: “I see numbers 1111 or 666 or 555 through out the day”
Those people are getting signals from satan I think. I’m not 100% certain on this just yet though.
Anyways! The story of Adam and eve in the Quran didn’t have no snake come down a tree to talk to them. It was the force of confusion that satan laid down on them. It also states in the Quran that Satan said: “I will attack all mankind front left, right, front and back”
Same with Kali energy in Hinduism. Kali is satan. Kali does not talk to you, he sends signals to sin etc.
Take away your arrogance and read every religion in the world. It will strengthen you from attacks from satan. It is satan who divides people. Become self aware of who you are. Avoid sin and collect your good deeds as this world is a test from God and we will all be awarded and ranked at the time of reckoning. God bless you all.
Well it seems pretty simple to me. God made his Judgement against the Devil and it’s our responsibility to Carry out his Judgement. So we need to focus on our enemy until we figure out how to get rid of him. It’s that simple.
I have thoughts that aren’t from me telling me that if I don’t do this or that something bad will happen, and it’s super obsessive, like it makes me think that even if I don’t read the Bible or read a verse a second time something bad will happen. What is his from? Could it be a demon?