There are times when someone who is sad doesn’t like to see someone who is happy. This isn’t with everyone and not all of the time, but certainly with some people and for some of the time.

The reasons can differ. Perhaps the sad person is jealous. Or perhaps the sad person is reminded about something they don’t think they can have, or even something they think is out of reach.

With this in mind, here’s a word by Jon Thompson: “The demonic hates anything that reminds them of hope.”*

Jon has spent a lot of time learning about evil and spiritual warfare. He and his team have helped hundreds upon hundreds of people who have been dealing with serious evil in their lives. In fact, he made that statement in the context of helping someone find freedom. When that happened, they were able to see in colour again. Dark influences in the person’s life actually restricted their ability to see the beautiful colours of the world!

Why do demons hate anything that reminds them of hope? That’s a big question to answer. But here’s what you need to keep in mind. If you belong to Jesus, that’s you! 

This is why you need to fortify yourself. 

I recently interviewed Steve Dabbs about this (and other) topics. You can link to our talk below. It’s called “How do demons gain access to people?” It’s a serious topic, but I’m increasingly convinced that Christians need to stop shutting their own eyes to reality. 

Steve highlights Acts 2:42. He calls them essential practices which help fortify God’s people: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

First, they “devoted” themselves to these things. They weren’t inconsistent or lukewarm.

Second, they seriously committed themselves to the teachings about Christ (with the implication that they were trying to live faithfully and obediently to these teachings), to fellowship, to the breaking of bread (with the implication that they were gathering weekly for worship), and to prayer.

What if these practices didn’t just nourish you personally, but actually fortified you against demonic forces who were trying to take you down!

“The demonic hates anything that reminds them of hope.” If you belong to Jesus, that’s you. The good news is that we belong to Christ—the highest power. There is no reason to fear. At the same time, we are wise to engage in the practices God himself gives us so that we can walk freely and victoriously in Christ.

Are you lukewarm or inconsistent? Or are you devoted? 

Let’s live freely and victoriously in Christ.

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Notes and extra content:

—New Podcast: “How do demons gain access to people? – a talk with Steve Dabbs.” Find it on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ or by clicking here.

—“Is this the sermon demons don’t want you to hear?” November 17, 2024. Click here.

–*Jon Thompson, Deliverance (Ajax: Sanctus Church, 2021), 168.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.