In chapters 1 and 2 of my book “When Demons Surface,” I share how I suffered from demonic attacks shortly, after giving my life to Christ. These attacks included sleep paralysis—awakening with the terrifying inability to move. Shockingly, this experience is prevalent in all cultures—including historical claims from victims of being choked and pinned down by an evil spirit.[1] However, many psychologists assume the supernatural encounters are nothing but hallucinations.[2]
For clarity, I never experienced sleep paralysis until I submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Then I was frequently startled out of my sleep by the feeling of an invisible knee on my chest or hand around my neck—sometimes both!
Why did it stop when I called on Jesus? And why did it evolve into an invisible hand cupping my mouth to prevent me from praying?
Actually, there’s a biblical reason for this encounter! God warns us in Ephesians 6:12 that, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood…” but evil spirits (KJV). One of the meanings for the Greek word “wrestle” (πάλη, palā) is for the victor to hold down his opponent with his hand upon his neck.[3] Today, this is still how the winner of a wrestling match is decided—minus the once allowed chokehold.[4]
Jesus defeated Satan on the Cross (Col 2:15), so it’s no wonder demons try to mock His victory by choking and pinning us down, cowardly, while we are asleep!
If you had this experience, you were not hallucinating! I continue to receive testimonies from people all over the world who, like me, were startled out of their sleep with the sensation of being pinned down and/or choked by an evil force.
Is it any wonder the Bible specifically uses the word “wrestle” as an aspect of spiritual warfare?
PLEASE SHARE! Also, you’ll discover more insights like these along with over 50 true stories in my book “When Demons Surface.” It’s available on my website (SteveDabbs.org) or wherever books & audiobooks are sold.
NEXT BLOG: A Biblical SOLUTION to Sleep Paralysis
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Bhalerao, Vijay et al. “Recent Insights Into Sleep Paralysis: Mechanisms and Management.” Cureus vol. 16,7 e65413. 26 Jul. 2024, doi:10.7759/cureus.65413.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Thayer, Joseph. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. n.p.: n.p., 1889, entry 3942. Brackets mine.
[4] Per the United Word Wrestling (uww.org), and for the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), see "7 Wrestling Moves That Are Banned." SportsKeeda, 26 Dec. 2018, www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/7-wrestling-moves-that-are-banned#. Modified 26 Dec. 2018.
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