I met Denise a few years ago, and I will never forget the horrible evidences of a life that is bound by listening to the wrong voices. Denise was a tattered looking, homeless woman roaming the streets of our community. Her face was badly scarred and burned because of the use of methamphetamine. Even though she was only between thirty and forty years old, she looked much older. Although Denise had opportunities to sleep in a warm bed and enjoy the comforts of a home, she refused these offers. She ate whatever food was given to her and chose to sleep in a broken down truck even during the cold, winter nights. The smell that reeked from her was enough to make you feel sick, even from a few feet away. She came to our church a few times, and I was able to briefly talk to her. Whenever she would hear something regarding the love God has for her, she would leave angrily, slamming the door behind her.
One particular Sunday, Denise came in during the message and sat down beside me. I prayed that I wouldn’t begin gagging due to her repulsive stench. Throughout the sermon, Denise would glance over her shoulder and mumble. I heard comments like, “Be quiet! Leave me alone! Get away from me!” After the service was over, I began talking to her, and she told me that God doesn’t love her because He doesn’t hear her or answer her prayers anymore. When I asked her what she was praying about, she said, “THEY don’t leave me alone, and when I’m by myself THEY hurt me! I’m afraid they will kill me!” I asked who THEY were, but her mind was so messed up and she was so controlled that it was hard to have a coherent conversation with her. I asked her why she came to church when so many things that the pastor said made her furious. She responded, “Because they are quieter and don’t hurt me while I’m here.”
It was evident that this poor woman was filled with evil spirits, and because of them, she was experiencing a small taste of hell on earth. We were beginning to reach out to her and attempt to help her become free when she suddenly…disappeared. No one in the community seemed to know what happened to her, and it’s been a couple of years since her disappearance. I sincerely hope that she has been set free.
How did she get herself into the condition she was in? This enslavement to Satan didn’t happen overnight, but it was the result of repeatedly following the wrong voice. These small decisions led to the destruction of her soul.
How can we learn a valuable lesson from the lives of people like Denise? Each of us are potential candidates to be misled by listening to the wrong voices, rather than the voice of our Heavenly Father. We may find ourselves running in circles as we strive to obey the various voices that are attempting to control our lives. We become angry, frustrated, and begin to feel trapped by the circumstances we are in. We are all daily exposed to many voices that fight to take control of our minds, and, eventually, our lives.
In John 10:27 Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Can Jesus truly say this about you and me? Do we KNOW His voice? Do we follow HIS voice? Should we ever find ourselves tied up in knots if we are listening and obeying God’s gentle voice?
God desires for us to walk closely beside Him. His spirit will give us the needed discernment to recognize who’s voice we are hearing. God’s directives never lead us down a path that is destructive. He always calls us to come to Himself, thus allowing Him to tenderly speak to us. God has promised to love us for who we are and NOT for what we do. He never compares us with someone else. We will be able to hear His affectionate words whispered to us if we take the time to listen. Who’s voice will you listen to today? It’s your choice!
~Cindy (For The Mullett Family)
8 Comments
Trenton Yoder
Posted at 21:45h, 15 MarchWow, thank you so much for this encouraging post! It’s exactly what I needed today. God bless you with His protection both physically and spiritually, as you serve Him.
Kathy Bettis
Posted at 11:13h, 16 MarchSHe may have been helped just by reading the book brain on fire, sometimes there are medical reasons for “possessions” But God’s hand is the way to go , he has delivered me from many sure deaths!
Dorothy Wood
Posted at 12:40h, 18 MarchThank you for sharing.I pray this woman was set free from
the devils that brought her to this point and continued
to torment her.
Duane & Cindy
Posted at 18:09h, 19 MarchPraise The Lord, Trenton! Thanks for the encouragement! Cindy
Duane & Cindy
Posted at 21:02h, 19 MarchHi Kathy! I haven’t heard about this book before, but it sounds very informative. Thanks for telling me about it. I’d enjoy hearing your testimony about how God delivered you. Praise God for His healing touch on your life! ~Cindy
Duane & Cindy
Posted at 21:06h, 19 MarchThanks for your comment, Dorothy! That has also been our prayer. It is horrible to see a life so bound by the power of the enemy. She was created in God’s image and is a valuable treasure to Him. God bless you! ~Cindy
Billy
Posted at 11:07h, 10 OctoberEvil Spirits? Really? What are we in, the Dark Ages? What is the point of doctors, I wonder, when obviously all our problems can be solved with prayer. Must just be a money racket.
Duane & Cindy
Posted at 12:40h, 14 OctoberHi Billy!
Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, I’d say that, yes, we are in rather “dark” times right now. All the school shootings, murders, crimes, child abuse, terrorist attacks, etc. are a good picture of the “darkness” that is all around us. Prayer is essential, however, I’m definitely not saying that doctors aren’t important. (I just consulted with one last week!) If I fall and break my arm, I will see a doctor so he can “set” it for me and not just pray about it. (Although our FIRST response should be to go to God!) When someone is spiritually bound by evil spirits, a doctor is NOT the answer unless it is the Great Physician….the Lord Jesus Christ! We have met individuals who where hopelessly bound, but never found healing until they were completely set free by a personal relationship with Jesus. HE is the ONLY answer! I pray that Jesus will favor you in meeting the needs within your heart, just as He so gently and lovingly does within mine. ~Cindy