PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH TERRITORIAL SPIRITS – 1
(Thirty plus years ago God put Don Rogers in my life. He trained and mentored me in spiritual ministry. When he was no longer able to minister, I had the privilege of taking over his “Spiritual Warfare Ministries”. He wrote the following articles in 1999. I have edited and added to his work for this blog.)
In the past few years increasing awareness of spirit activity on a territorial level has developed. John Dawson’s book, “Taking Our Cities For God” and “Engaging The Enemy” edited and compiled by C. Peter Wagner made a major contribution in helping Christians become aware of territorial spirits. Over the years, I have encountered this kind of activity and have been able to learn from it.
Understanding the dynamics of the spirit world is not for the curious or those who are fascinated by such things. This kind of understanding brings great responsibility. We become accountable to use what God reveals to us in helping others. There is often a price to be paid. The path is often difficult and only those who know how to persevere in faith are successful.
A number of years ago, the bulk of my ministry was itinerant in nature. I would travel over great distances to minister to those in need. I began to realize that there were geographical areas where I could sense a unique type of bondage pervading the countryside. At other times, I did not discern the territorial bondage, but would later be confronted by it as I attempted to minister.
I remember ministering in a region of Pennsylvania once a week for about six months. The area must have covered about 400-500 square miles. Each week I was usually in a different town. After I entered the home of the person who was to receive ministry, I would discover each person beginning to suffer from the same symptoms. They were experiencing fear, an upset stomach and buzzing in their ears. The buzzing made them feel dizzy and confused.
After three cases in a row, I directed my attention to the spirit causing this phenomenon and found that I was dealing with a territorial spirit that ruled over the whole area. He did not like what I was doing. My ministry was a threat to his rule over the people of that region. He cursed me in their minds and sometimes spoke out of their mouths. Knowing what I was dealing with, I broke this spirit’s power over each individual and commanded him to leave. Immediately, their physical and emotional symptoms disappeared and I was able to continue to minister and witness them set free from the powers of darkness oppressing them.
Generations of witchcraft were practiced throughout the area. It was practiced in the form of psychic healing that had religious packaging. This ruling spirit was very powerful and made claims upon a number of generations. To this very day, Satanic groups are flourishing in this area. God is letting the consequences of “the sin of the fathers: be visited upon the children” (Exodus 20:5; Numbers 14:17-18). Like the children of Israel, who rebelled against the Lord’s commands, God provides a way of escape if the people will repent and seek Him.
I had been ministering in a particular area off and on for a few months. Each case that I had seemed to be exceedingly difficult. There were barriers confronting me in each case that I was working. One day, as I was ministering to a former Satanist, the territorial ruler manifested himself in the countenance of the individual. The face contorted and a raspy, sneering voice shouted out, ” I have been resisting you as you ministered to Mary __, Edward __, Jason __ and Sheila __ and many others. You have invaded my territory and I will fight you so they will not be set free of my power over them. If you do not stop, I will attack your wife and your children and I will destroy you. Your God will not be able to protect you from my powers!”
It was surprising to hear a powerful spirit speak out and begin naming people to whom I was ministering. The person he was speaking through did not even know any of them. I had become used to the fear tactics of the enemy. He tries to intimidate with threats in an attempt to force God’s servants to back off. In reality, the spirits are afraid they are going to lose their power base and their ability to rule over people. They recognize and fear the authority of Christ that you represent. Long ago, I learned to trust the Lord for both myself and my family. He has never failed me. (Continued in next blog)
COMMENT BY JERRY: Do you see any pattern in the attacks and bondages in your church or community? Ask God to show you if there is anything territorial spirits are doing and commit to pray faithfully against them.
Please let me know if there are topics you would like to see addressed in a blog. I really welcome your suggestions! jerry@schmoyer.net
© Copyright 1999 Spiritual Warfare Ministries, Inc., © 2013 Christian Training Organization. For more information contact Christian Training Online (SW.ChristianTrainingOnline.org), a ministry of Christian Training Organization (www.ChristianTrainingOrganization.org)