Stand and Resist

“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7, NAS.

Seeking power from the occult is a normal part of Joy’s culture. Both Christians and Muslims in Indonesia consult dukuns or witchdoctors with issues ranging from sickness to starting a business to cursing an enemy. Joy remembers a time as a young woman that her youngest sister became very sick. She and her mother took her to a dukun.

Since this particular witchdoctor worked with Christians, he used the Bible as part of his incantation to heal the girl. Joy joined in the ceremony and felt the presence of evil in the room. She said, “That night I was afraid to go to sleep.”

The dukun gave Joy’s mother a talisman to bury under the house to complete the healing. Joy said, “As night came, I sat in my bed and pleaded with God to protect my room.” Her sister did eventually recover from the illness, which strengthened her parent’s belief in the power of the witchdoctor.

Joy also remembers visiting dukuns growing up. On one occasion she received a coin. On another occasion she had stars drawn on her toes. These attachments to the occult were items she had to later repent and ask forgiveness so the enemy wouldn’t have a foothold in her life.

Several years later, after Joy had learned more about the Gospel and had personally accepted Jesus as her Savior, she was asked to another ceremony with a dukun. While she did not participate in the ritual, she did stand and pray. Joy knew that no spirit could harm her with Christ in her heart, and she could stand and resist the evil spirits being called upon by the witchdoctor.

Thinking back on her past experience, Joy realized that this was yet another way that Jesus had set her free when He saved her. She was so grateful that God had given her weapons to use against the powers of darkness and fear.

*Name changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

Believers in Indonesia will realize the power available to them in Jesus and stop consulting witchdoctors.

Joy will use all the weapons that God has given her to destroy the works of the enemy around her.

Joy’s family will follow her example of trusting Jesus alone.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.