A demonic attack is not always a frontal assault on the church. It may come with a brazen attempt to charge the gates and take the city. However, more often it is a subtle, unnoticed infection that arrives with nothing more than a minor blip on the spiritual radar. Once it's there it assimilates into the life of the church and then begins a systematic invasion into every vulnerable area. The word use in Scripture for this demonic strategy is "methodia". It means a planned roadway, a thought out preplanned method by which demonic forces change the spiritual topography to accomplish their own destructive purposes.

2 Cor 11:14-15 give a chilling description of how the devil does work his deception. It says "And no wonder, for even satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their deeds." In other words at the opportune time the devil is well able to send someone who looks like an answer to prayer. However, in the end their deeds will make it clear that they had their own agenda and not God's heart for the church.

We experienced this very thing in our own congregation not long ago. Several years back we began to press for revival with prayer and fasting on a corporate level. The church soon felt the stirrings of the Holy Spirit as new people came, passion rose and God was blessing every area of the church. Doors opened into the community, cell groups sprang up and there was an excited expectation in all the people for what God was doing. Everyone who came into our services felt the awesome presence of God and looked forward to what was sure to happen.

In the midst of this fresh wave of glory something did happened, but it was not what we expected. Strangely enough no one could ever put their finger on what had changed. A very small, almost unnoticeable undercurrent started and little by little it sucked away the finances, the spiritual vitality and loyalty of the people. After two, then three and then four years this thing even began to eat away at the vision of the house. On the surface nothing seemed out of order, noting looked wrong and no source could ever be clearly identified. Yet, the facts were still there... we were being drained week by week of vision, passion and finances.

This constant, hidden infection got larger and larger until it cause even the loyal members of the church to wonder what was going on. Unspoken suspicion began to fill the air and rancid fingers of accusation began to be pointed specifically at my wife and myself. What had once been rich with spiritual vitality now had become a fight for survival. Were was God? Why was this happening? Was there sin in the camp? Was our ministry here over and should we think about turning things over to another? The tornado of confusion was so great that I nearly burned out from all the stress. I finally decided it was time to take a sabbatical, seek God, get healed and be refreshed. Thus, my wife took the church over and I stepped away from all of it for a season of rest.

As a leadership team we had been praying, fasting and crying out to God for over four years. We had repented of all we could think of and searched our hearts over and over. Yet it was clear that something was still not right in the church. Two months into my sabbatical God broke through the demonic lies and deception and exposed something so ungodly that it broke our hearts. The individual who had been the source of everything was finally uncovered, caught, confronted and removed. Those who were aligned with that person then began to defy our authority, lie about us and point the finger at me. Sadly, a cell group we had started even got snared by the deception and broke away from our church. Those in it then targeted other church members to get them to doubt our leadership and leave the church. 

To God's glory what the enemy had intended to use to destroy our family, our church, our finances and our ministry would actually serve the purposes of God. God used all this betrayal to make us stronger and wiser than ever. Thanks to this demonic attack the spiritual insight and wisdom we gained is now serving to globally build up the Kingdom of God. In fact the insight was used almost immediately. Another church we oversee actually uncovered similar situations with my help and they were spared much of what we went through. Thank You Jesus!   

If you are currently in a difficult place and see no end in sight we want to encourage you to  press on and dig for the truth. Cry out to our faithful God and He will rescue you. Throw yourself on Him, search your heart and repent of every fault you can find. Allow His love and power, grace and mercy to guide, direct, deliver and heal every area of your life. There is an answer and a clear solution for you. All you need to do is seek His face, press in and believe in His faithfulness.

If you want to know more about what happened to us and how we got the victory just email us at pdm@pdministry.org . We will be happy to bear our hearts, share our experience and help you in every way we can. Isa 59:19-20 says "So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion..."

In His Wonderful Love

Prophets Bill & Esther Emmons

Prophetic Destiny Ministry

website - www.pdministry.org