St. Patrick's Battle with Evil
The article below was sent to us by a dear friend, Dr. C. Fred Dickason. Dr. Dickason is a renowned Bible scholar who has helped hundreds of believers in the battle with evil. It was over 30 years ago that Dr. Dickason lead me to recognize the stark reality of spiritual warfare in the lives of believers. While my ignorance on the subject was bliss, it was also a threat to the spiritual health of my family. Since my eyes have been opened to the reality of the enemy’s war waged toward Christ followers, I’ve been compelled to warn fellow believers of the reality of demonic deception. Satan and his army know that time is short; and as we press closer to the end of the age, he and his minions are more active than ever.
Over the past 50 years Dr. Dickason has counseled hundreds of people with demonic problems and witnessed first hand how the Lord Jesus Christ frees Christians from oppression. Take to heart the testimony of St. Patrick:
St. Patrick Relied on the Power and Authority of Christ
March 17, 461 is the date suggested for his death. The wearing of the green supposedly reflects the three leaf shamrock, his symbol of the Trinity. The English priest evangelized Ireland for 40 years, founding hundreds of churches and training other evangelists. It was not easy for him. He was kidnapped, imprisoned, beaten, and opposed by Druid Priests who hated the gospel. He depended upon God’s sovereign goodness and intervention and never gave up. He persisted against the pagan priests; and at one Easter time, he reportedly displayed the power of God in defeating a Druid high priest. The priest was suspended in mid-air to demonstrate demonic power. Patrick called on the Lord Jesus to intervene, and the priest fell to his death. The people recognized the superior power of Jesus. Patrick said he had no power in himself but relied upon the power and authority of Christ.
God’s true people are facing demonic opposition today in our society. With the intrusion of false religions, new age distractions, and occult practices, there are many opportunities for demonic intervention, even invasions. The Lord opposed and relieved demonization while on earth, and He also does so today. It is Christ’s power through the cross that defeated the work of Satan (John 12:31-32; Hebrews 2:14-15). He is alive from the dead and exercises His power to defeat the enemy in our lives as we trust and depend on Him. We are to submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from us (James 4:7).
Christ must first be our personal Savior, and then we must yield to Him as the Lord of our lives. Forsaking all other hope and ambition, we confess our sins, dabbling in error, false religions, and selfish life styles. We can claim our relationship and authority in Christ and order the enemy out of our lives and out of our families. We can break the ancestral curses, the effects of personal sins, and the effects of hurtful treatment received. We can experience the freedom for which Christ has set us free. We need not endure the bondage of the enemy that would entangle and disable us. We must adopt a biblical worldview of spiritual reality.
Many put up with some mental, emotional and physical ailments that are more than natural. The Gospels record Jesus freeing many from demonic ills. Why not seek His wisdom and power in the matters which plague us? I have seen the Lord deliver numbers of oppressed through specific prayer and counsel.
The Lord Jesus came from heaven to earth to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Let us trust and submit to His authority and power as did St. Patrick.
- Dr. C. Fred Dickason
The Prayer of Saint Patrick
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every one who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
Salvation is of the Lord.
Salvation is of the Christ.
May your salvation, Lord, be ever with us.
Although I do not agree theologically with everything Saint Patrick is credited with teaching, I am grateful for his testimony of trust in our Lord Jesus Christ. He was a student of the Word who understood that our Lord conquered the power of evil through His death on the cross.
In closing, we ask for your prayers for our protection and also the protection of Dr. Dickason (who is at this writing is 97 years young). The battle is real. The battle is intense. But the battle pales against the power of our Lord Jesus Christ! Thank you for taking a moment and lifting us up before the Throne of Grace.
With our deepest appreciation,
Pastor John
Books by Dr. Dickason - Link to Amazon
The Reality of Spiritual Warfare with Dr. C. Fred Dickason 45:52