The Demon

     In the fall of ’69 I was living in a college dorm in Inglewood, CA.  While I was not a “believer” as such, there were some strange things happening.  A form of levitation, I saw dramatic personality changes, evil presence, etc.  It was that time frame when I had two “visions” – one of heaven, and one of a demon.  As I reflect back on those days it is apparent now that a battle was going on for my soul, and God was showing me the two paths.  It was clear I had a decision to make.
      On one occasion I had reached a pot induced form of meditation when I looked across my dorm room to see a unique humanoid creature sitting on my roommate’s bed.  It was ALIEN – never imagined such a being.  He was blacker than any black.  Skin real rough & scaly but not like a reptile – it was just ugly.  No horns, no fork, no pointed tail, but beady eyes with a penetrating evil stare.  He radiated hate and determination.  He didn’t move, speak or dance or even blink, but I got the message that he was NOT my friend.  I was un-read in Scripture, but I knew that was a demon – maybe the devil himself.     A few years later I came across Lamentations 4:7-8 -- “Her princes were purer than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies were more ruddy than coral, the beauty of their form was like sapphire.  Now their visage is blacker than soot, they are not recognized in the streets; their skin has shriveled upon their bones, it has become as dry as wood.”  V.8 is exactly what I saw.  And I know that afro type people are offended by this “black” image of our adversary.  But it was a different black altogether.  I don’t associate it racially; I do associate it with angelic/spiritual parameters.
     After that incident there were several occasions when I was in that state of half sleep at night – stone sober but pressed on by a power or presence of evil.  I always resisted it.  Was he trying to possess me?  Then there seemed to be attempts on my life – military accident style, etc.  Having said “no” to that demon, was he trying to kill me??  It did seem that way.
      Now we live in a world of obvious good & evil, but people are challenged by the concept of unseen entities such as angels, demons, devil, etc.  But this Lucifer character can be seen in the Bible from cover to cover and has only one objective.  That is to "steal, kill, and destroy" God’s creation.  John 10:10   He nearly got me.  Lucifer and his demon buddies are no myth. 
--  “For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against            the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts          of wickedness in the heavenly places.”    Ephesians 6:12
--  “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking          someone to devour.   Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of          suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world.”  1 Peter 5:8-9 
--  “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
    After nearly 40 years of knowing where the evil comes from, I can say from experience that we can WIN, and live above it.    We all have that decision to make which is the first step. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me.”  Jesus the Christ said that.  Revelation 3:20  I suppose the second step is reading the Bible regularly & church involvement.   (See “Set Yourself Up” Link #20)   Choose Jesus, He is Alive.

Many other Titles:  www.gospelnotes.org                                                    *  *  F. J. Stone  *  * 
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