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AriseandShine.org

May 2026

In the Devil's Grip

5/13/2026

 
"Be alert, and be vigilant because your adversary the devil, prowls
about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
1 Peter 5:8

 
I know what it is to be held captive by the devil, and to be squeezed by his grievous grip...
Beginning in childhood and into adolescence, and finally into adulthood, the demons who were assigned to me did their diabolical work of keeping me bound to them. And I did not learn of the reality of this until many years later.
 
I believe that what I am stating now is true. But this is something that only someone who has had experience in the unseen angelic and demonic realms would understand. Or if that individual has the God given gift of “discerning of spirits.” Or he or she has a good grasp of the Scriptures (the holy Bible). Otherwise, what I am saying would probably go over one's head. And I'm okay with that. 
 
But years before I first gave myself to Satan, which I now know was a foolish thing to do, even as a child, I was able to sense the presence of evil, although I did not understand it. Yes, even then, Satan was drawing me into the darkness. As a young boy, I would hide under my bed, sometimes for an hour or more, until my mom found me. While at other times I would crawl into one of our closets and hide there.
 
These behaviors would baffle my parents. It also baffled the mental health counselor, Mrs. Sosnoff, whom I had to see on a regular basis during the school year, as per the advice and demands of school officials. They were prepared to expel me if my behavior did not improve. This was when I was in the third grade, and then in the fourth grade, as well.
 
My battles with depression, and my obsession with death and dying, frightened my parents.  And my inner desire to damage people’s property for no apparent reason, along with my anger issues, which led to fights with my peers, were also a part of my troubling behaviors.
 
Back in my childhood and adolescent years thoughts of committing suicide were intense. I was obsessed with thoughts of dying and being buried in a coffin next to my grandfather (Grandpa Harry). He died when I was about five years old. 
 
These demons, whoever they were or what they saw in me, I don't know. But they definitely kept their eyes on me, even into adulthood. And of no surprise, at some point, they broke me down enough where they could rule my life from within. My ability to resist was gone, and I basically surrendered to the inevitable. 
 
But since repenting of my many sins and crimes, and placing my faith in Messiah Jesus, I am living a new life today. As Jesus himself said, “Whom the Son of God sets free, is free indeed” (John 8:36).
 
I know my experiences were extreme and very different from most. I've no doubt that the demons who once had me bound and locked in their grip, are gone. They've probably gone on to look for other victims to inhabit, and use for their evil ends.
 
But as for me, I am a man who has experienced both mental, and spiritual freedom. I know what it is to be “free in Christ,” and to have peace from within. In addition, I have long since made my peace with God, as well.
 
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1 KJV). To this I say, “Amen!”
 
D.B.

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