While dealing with Than, a demon of death, my participant suddenly ran into a shadowy blob in their dreamscape. I commanded the demonic blob to reveal its name to my participant, to which it replied, “Sayah.” I pulled out my phone and Googled the name, showing the results, “a female name, meaning shade or shadow.” Before I could say this out loud, the participant relayed, “She’s been working with Than. She’s Than’s shadow.”

I thought of C.S. Lewis’ classic work of fiction, The Screwtape Letters. Was it possible Lewis was right? Do upper-class demons really teach lower-class demons? Was it possible that Sayah was shadowing Than in this way?

“She says she’s here on a student visa,” my participant continued, giving me my answer.

This shouldn’t be too shocking of a revelation. When I’m casting out demons, the Holy Spirit often takes me to the leaders to deal with them directly. Once, two lesser demons tried to get in the way of my counseling session, and the Holy Spirit gave me permission to cast them out immediately so that they couldn’t distract us, even though the Spirit usually has me wait.

This is part of the reason that demonic attacks can be so effective. If we imagine a community of demons teaching each other what has and hasn’t worked for them as they’ve tried to mess up the lives of humans throughout their lifespans, then we can recognize that they are well-equipped for spiritual warfare.

However, no one is more equipped than the Holy Spirit. While warfare will always be warfare, the Spirit is capable of helping us withstand every attack if we protect ourselves properly.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:11-20)

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NOTE: Sayah did not appreciate being compared to one of the lower demons. In fact, most of the demons did not seem too fond of that particular lower demon.