Expert: Dr. Ronald E. Shultz - 4/17/2004

Question
Hello Dr. Schultz,
I had a brother I loved very much who committed suicide in the early 80s from gambling addictions. He had attended church very regularly for years and had a lovely wife and three very beautiful little girls, but the weakness got to him.
Afterwards, I developed an intense hatred towards Satan and his demons and wanted and continue to want revenge on them for doing my brother in. I don't expect to have the power to fight Satan or his demons in this mortal life here, but I do often pray to God that he will give me the power, somewhere in the spirit world, after I pass on, to inflict as much damage as possible on Satan and his demons, to equal the damage they have done to my brother and humanity.
 My question is: Are my prayers to God to give me the powers to attack and punish Satan and his demons after I pass on, a wrongful or even a  dangerous type of prayer, or should I reconsider this prayer in a different context? I even find myself ,at times, telling Satan he's a coward for not picking on someone his own size. I realize we should love our enemies, but does this apply to Satan and demonic forces as well? Thank you very much.
Mike Eidson, LAc.

Answer
I am sorry to hear about your brother and I trust that God has provided for his family.

Mike, while I can understand your desire to wreak havoc on the demonic hosts, I would caution you to not be obsessed with that.  In a sense, you are praying to become an angel after you die.  You are of a different race so to speak and they have their mission to minister to believers and do battle with the spirit world.  When we die we go to our reward and we may have some things to do up there besides sitting on a cloud and playing a harp but doing battle with satan may not be part of that.  

We war with him here.  

Eph 6:12-20
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (KJV)

The most damage you can do is to walk in holiness, lift up praises to Christ, win people to Christ by using the armor provided.  That will drive satan nuts and decrease his influence on the world.  You may want to find a ministry that deals with gambling addictions and find a way to support them and if possible work with them.  FInd your spiritual gift and use it to the fullest extant and satan will hate you even more than he already does.

Be aware though that when you submit completely to Christ and move forward in His strength you will be greatly opposed.  Keep the armor on and fight, but as Paul says having done all to stand.  There will be times that it will look like you are not advancing much but if you hold your ground and not let depression turn you back you are still victorious in the strife.

Let your concentration be on Christ,not the enemy.

2 Cor 2:10-11
10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (KJV)

Be sure you forgive your brother and those who got him into the addiction.  Anger and bitterness will hinder you and defeat your purpose.  Forgive and look to Christ and the battles will be yours for the war was already won at the Cross.  Fight in the love of God not the anger of human spirit.

Blessings unto you!

Your fellow soldier in Christ,

Bro. Ron