Recognizing and Resisting Spiritual Influence in Our Lives

Today’s focus is on the reality of spiritual influence—both dark and light—and the steps the enemy uses to gain ground in our lives. While many avoid talking about demonic influence, ignoring it only gives it more power. As believers, we are owned by the Lord and cannot be possessed by the enemy, but we can be deeply influenced, even inhabited, by demonic forces—not in terms of ownership, but in terms of occupation and influence. The world’s brokenness is a result of these spiritual influences, and we must recognize that both the Holy Spirit and evil spirits are vying for influence over our thoughts, emotions, and actions.

Disobedience opens doors to the enemy, even for Christians. Paul’s warnings to the church in Ephesus make it clear: believers can give place to the devil, and when we do, we may need deliverance. Just as a car needs to be refueled, our spiritual lives require continual renewal through worship, the Word, and fellowship. The enemy’s tactics often follow a pattern: regression, repression, suppression, and depression. Regression is when we find ourselves slipping back into old patterns, losing our spiritual fervor. The antidote is repentance and praise—blessing the Lord with all that is within us, as David modeled in Psalm 103.

Repression and suppression are about restraining or concealing the natural, God-given expressions of life and joy. The enemy wants to mute our praise and stifle our joy, but God desires exuberant, authentic expression from His children. When we allow ourselves to be repressed or suppressed, it affects not only us but those around us—our families, our workplaces, even our churches. Depression, the final step, is a broken spirit that the enemy exploits to bring conflict, confusion, and destruction. Yet, even in the darkest moments, a word of encouragement, a scripture, or a song of praise can break the cycle and restore joy.

The solution is found in James 4:7: “Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee.” Submission to God is an active refusal to submit to the enemy’s tactics. Resistance is a spiritual, even military, action that causes the enemy to flee in terror. When we stand firm in God, the enemy cannot hold us. No matter how far we’ve gone down the wrong road, turning around in repentance and praise brings us back to victory and freedom in Christ.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Spiritual influence is real and constant, affecting every person—believer or not. We are always being influenced by either light or darkness, and ignoring the reality of demonic influence only gives it more power in our lives. Recognizing and exposing these influences is the first step toward freedom. [01:47]
• 2. Disobedience, even in the life of a believer, opens doors for the enemy to gain ground. It’s not enough to simply believe; obedience is what keeps us aligned with God’s will and protected from spiritual attack. Every act of disobedience is an invitation for darkness to influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions. [07:03]
• 3. Regression, repression, suppression, and depression are progressive tactics the enemy uses to draw us away from God. Regression starts with losing spiritual passion, repression and suppression mute our God-given expressions, and depression crushes our spirit. Each step can be reversed by intentional repentance, praise, and authentic worship from the innermost part of our being. [16:43]
• 4. Authentic praise and worship are powerful weapons against spiritual regression and oppression. Blessing the Lord with all that is within us, even when we don’t feel like it, breaks the enemy’s hold and restores spiritual vitality. This is not about outward ritual but deep, internal devotion that realigns us with God’s presence and power. [14:28]
• 5. The key to victory is found in submitting to God and resisting the devil. Submission is an active, ongoing refusal to yield to the enemy’s tactics, while resistance is a spiritual stand that causes the enemy to flee in terror. When we take our stand in Christ, the enemy cannot withstand the authority and freedom we have in Him. [35:33]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:36] - Understanding Spiritual Steps and Influence
• [01:13] - Exposing Demonic Power
• [02:18] - Can Christians Be Demonized?
• [04:26] - The Reality of Spiritual Influence
• [05:20] - Allowing Light or Darkness to Influence
• [06:16] - Disobedience and Spiritual Access
• [07:19] - Giving Place to the Devil
• [08:38] - The Need for Continual Spiritual Renewal
• [09:22] - Regression: The First Warning Sign
• [10:46] - Overcoming Regression with Praise
• [14:28] - Deep, Authentic Worship
• [16:43] - Repression and Suppression Explained
• [19:08] - God’s Desire for Expression
• [22:57] - Suppression and the Victorious Life
• [25:03] - Victory Through Christ
• [29:30] - Depression: The Enemy’s Final Tactic
• [33:14] - The Power of Submission and Resistance
• [35:33] - Making the Enemy Flee
• [39:38] - Closing Prayer and Declaration of Freedom

Bible Reading

Psalm 103:1-5 (ESV) — > Bless the Lord, O my soul,
> and all that is within me,
> bless his holy name!
> Bless the Lord, O my soul,
> and forget not all his benefits,
> who forgives all your iniquity,
> who heals all your diseases,
> who redeems your life from the pit,
> who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
> who satisfies you with good
> so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Ephesians 4:27 (ESV) — > and give no opportunity to the devil.

James 4:7 (ESV) — > Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Observation Questions

1. In Psalm 103, what does David command his soul to do, and what reasons does he give for doing this?
2. According to Ephesians 4:27, what warning does Paul give to believers about the devil?
3. In James 4:7, what two actions are believers told to take, and what is the promised result?
4. The sermon describes a pattern the enemy uses: regression, repression, suppression, and depression. What does each of these terms mean in the context of spiritual influence? [[09:22]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does David have to tell his own soul to bless the Lord? What does this suggest about our natural tendencies and the need for intentional worship? [[11:14]]
2. The sermon says that disobedience, even for Christians, opens doors to the enemy. How does this challenge the idea that believers are automatically protected from spiritual attack? [[06:16]]
3. What does it look like in real life to “give place to the devil” as Paul warns in Ephesians 4:27? Can you think of examples from your own experience or from the sermon? [[07:19]]
4. The pastor describes resistance as a “military action” that causes the enemy to flee in terror. How does this change the way we think about spiritual warfare and our role in it? [[35:22]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon teaches that ignoring the reality of spiritual influence only gives it more power. Are there areas in your life where you tend to ignore or downplay spiritual warfare? What would it look like to “pull back the drapes” and expose these influences? [[01:47]]
2. Regression is described as losing spiritual passion and slipping back into old patterns. Have you noticed any signs of regression in your own walk with God recently? What practical steps could you take this week to turn around, as David did, through repentance and praise? [[09:58]]
3. The enemy wants to repress and suppress our God-given expressions of joy and worship. Are there ways you hold back in worship or in expressing your faith, either at church or in daily life? What would it look like to worship God “with all that is within you”? [[14:28]]
4. Depression is described as a broken spirit that the enemy exploits. When you find yourself in a season of heaviness or sadness, what are some specific things (like a scripture, a song, or a word of encouragement) that have helped you break the cycle? [[30:48]]
5. The key to victory is “submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee.” What does submitting to God look like for you right now? Is there an area where you need to actively resist the enemy’s influence? [[33:41]]
6. The sermon says that our spiritual lives need continual renewal, like a car needs refueling. What are some habits or rhythms (worship, the Word, fellowship) that help you stay spiritually “filled up”? Are there any you want to renew or start this week? [[08:38]]
7. The pastor mentioned that when we are repressed or suppressed, it affects those around us—our families, workplaces, and churches. Can you think of a time when your spiritual state influenced others, for better or worse? How can you be intentional about bringing light and encouragement to those around you this week? [[21:36]]