Spiritual warfare isn’t just an ancient concept from the Bible or something that only happens in far-off missionary fields—it’s happening here and now, in everyday life. Just ask Pastor Jonathan Pokluda, who came face-to-face with a demonic manifestation in one of the most unexpected places: a high-end country club in Utah.
What started as a simple moment of prayer quickly escalated into something terrifying.
“He starts coughing and then the coughing goes to growling, and then his arm flies up above his head, and then back, and then around his back, and he hunches over and he just starts convulsing and making these noises,” Pokluda recalls in an interview with “The Christian Post.” This wasn’t some third-world exorcism scene—this was a well-dressed man who had just walked off the golf course.
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“I didn’t expect that at all. […] In full transparency, I was scared and praying. It gets bigger and louder, and then it calms down. He calms down and says, ‘In Jesus’ name, amen.’ He just looks at me, like, ‘Wow, I didn’t expect that.’ I was like, ‘Man, that makes two of us.’”
If that doesn’t shake our modern, sanitized view of faith, what will?
Too often, Christians ignore the reality of spiritual warfare, dismissing it as a “fringe topic.” But as Pokluda pointed out, “If the Bible talks about it this much, we should take it seriously.” In fact, he notes that Scripture speaks more about spiritual warfare than it does about marriage. That should wake us up.
/**/The enemy’s tactics aren’t always as dramatic as full-on possession. Often, they’re subtle—deception, distraction and destruction. “The enemy doesn’t need to make us sin outright; he just needs to keep us busy, distracted and consumed with lesser things,” Pokluda warns. And let’s be honest: how often do we pick up our Bibles only to be derailed by a buzzing phone or a social media scroll session?
But make no mistake—whether through distraction or outright attacks, Satan is after us. “You have an enemy,” Pokluda said. “He hates you. He hates your family. He hates your kids before they’re born.” If that doesn’t send a chill down your spine, nothing will.
The Bible warns us repeatedly that Satan is prowling like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (see 1 Peter 5:8). In Ephesians 6, Paul tells us to put on the full armor of God, because we aren’t wrestling against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities and spiritual forces of evil. This battle isn’t optional—it’s happening whether we acknowledge it or not.
So, what can we do? The same thing Pokluda did when faced with demonic oppression: pray. Stand firm in the Word. Live righteously.
“Faith is a shield. Righteousness protects our heart. The Word of God is our weapon,” he reminded us. We don’t fight with earthly weapons—we fight on our knees.
Too many Christians are sleepwalking through life, unaware of the spiritual dangers around them. But ignorance won’t protect you. Spiritual warfare is real, and the only way to stand firm is to stay close to Jesus. Because while Satan may not fear us, Pokluda put it best: “He is terrified of Jesus.”
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
