A Powerful God

I had an experience a few years ago that truly made me realize the power of God’s name and the importance of Philippians 4:8. This well-known Bible verse says, “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Maybe it is one that you memorized or were taught when you were younger like I was. Until I actually lived through something that shook me, I understood the strength of those words. 

A little bit about me: I love listening to podcasts. I especially love mysteries, detective stories, and true crime podcasts. Usually the ones I listen to tell about the families involved and the impact of the crime that took place. One day, I was browsing the other podcasts on my phone, and under “recommended for you” was a supernatural-type mystery podcast. I decided to check it out. The first few episodes were about mysterious lights turning on in an abandoned house or a potential alien spotting in the middle of the desert. Then I got to an episode with a little more serious topic: spirits and demons. I will never forget this day as I drove home from work. I drive a reliable car that I have had for years without many problems. I was deep into this particular episode when I felt a sudden chill crossover my whole body. The host of the podcast was telling the part of the story when a young girl was experiencing physical pain from demon possession. I could not shake the cold feeling, but continued driving and listening. Then all of the lights on my car dashboard went crazy. The hazards started flashing, the seatbelt alarm was dinging, and the blinkers were clicking all at the same time. I had no idea what was happening! My car had never done this before. As I contemplated pulling over to the shoulder, everything stopped and the car’s emergency controls went back to normal. As soon as I tuned my attention back to what was playing on the podcast episode, my car started going crazy with the lights again. I immediately shut off the episode: now understanding the gravity of what I was listening to. I said out loud, “In the name of Jesus Christ, Satan leave this car. “ I prayed this over and over again as the car’s dashboard lights and noises went back to normal yet again. The rest of the car ride home, I blasted worship music from the local radio station and sang out the lyrics the entire rest of the day. The cold feeling left me and I never have listened to anything like that podcast episode again. The power of speaking God’s name out loud truly made me feel a holy sense of relief and peace the rest of the day. 

I have not really elaborated on this experience with anyone else before. I was kind of  embarrassed or thought that no one would believe me. I confessed to the Lord that I knew I had slipped up and asked for forgiveness. The power of the Lord surrounded me and protected me in my car that day. I know that God is a powerful God, but I never felt His strength more than I had in that moment. The very name of Jesus Christ shattered the evil that I let into my ears. James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” 

I remember hearing a children’s song a long time ago: ”be careful little eyes what you see, for the Father up above is looking down in love, oh be careful little eyes what you see.” As simple as it was, it is so true. The ideas you choose to surround yourself with are the ones that nest in your thoughts. 1 John 4:4, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” I encourage you to really assess what kinds of media you are consuming. Are the shows and movies you watch full gossip, drama, slander, malicious actions, sexuality, or evil? Is your music playlist mostly explicit? Is your FYP video after video of hatred or degrading jokes about politics or other people groups? Are the books you have been reading graphic, lustful, or “spicy”? Like me, do you need to stop listening to a certain podcast because it is not encouraging or honorable? 

Again, Philippians 4:8 is the perfect checklist for you (and me) to weed out the bad or unhealthy influences. What does it really look like to be in the world and not of it? Maybe that is saying no to a few things that are not following Phillipians 4:8 and instead focus on those things that glorify God. I am the first to admit that I have not followed Phillippians 4:8 all the time. I still consume media that is not always honoring the Lord. I have stuff to work on in my own life and am continuously humbled when I make mistakes. Remember you are not alone in this challenge! We can be encouraged by the following verses, “What have you learned and received and heard and seen in me– practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”