When I was a secular journalist, I went on assignment to the Dry Tortugas National Park off the shores of the Florida Keys. Home to the largest marine sanctuary of its kind in the United States, the area is off-limits to fishing to preserve highly-exploited marine life species. I had a front-row view of magnificent coral and exotic fish as the sun beat down on the boat deck. What I couldn’t see were the marine demons below the surface.
The oceans and waters of the earth are filled with beautiful creatures—and some of them are dangerous. Take the striped surgeonfish as a natural example. With its nearly neon green and blue stripes, this fish is stunning—but its spine is venomous. Hideous marine demons are trolling below the surface of the water with a deadly agenda to kill, steal and destroy lives. You can’t see them any more than you can see spirits of fear or rejection, but they are actively engaged in aquatic ministry. Of course, they don’t only work in the water. They just make their home base there.
Perhaps the closest parallel we can make between natural sea creatures and marine demons is the jellyfish. Some jellyfish merely sting—others are deadly like the sea wasp box jellyfish (the deadliest in the world), the Portuguese man-of-war (which is technically a colony of organisms) and the Irukandji jellyfish. According to Conservation Institute, you’re unlikely to see this tiny creature coming because it’s only .02 inches and is nearly transparent.
“It is a member of the notorious box jellyfish family, and is arguably the most venomous animal on the planet. Its toxin is 100 stronger than that of a cobra. Both the tentacles and bell can sting,” Conservation Institute writes. “A single sting may be treatable. Multiple stings are almost certainly deadly. Symptoms include severe muscle cramps, pain in the kidneys and back, burning sensations, headache, vomiting and tachycardia. If you live, it won’t be a fun memory.”
Marine demons are like venomous jellyfish. They release toxic imaginations as they work to wrap their tentacles around you. The attack can sting your soul or body. If you don’t discern the attack quickly enough and sustain multiple stings, it could kill relationships, steal your peace of mind or health and destroy opportunities God has planned for you. You can defeat it. The battle won’t be a fun memory, but the victory will be sweet.
There are three realms of the universe: the heavenlies, the earth and the sea. Psalm 146:6 tells us God made “heaven, and earth, the sea and all that is in them.” Here we see three realms of creation—and three realms of spiritual strongholds. In Nehemiah 9:6a, the Levites said, “‘You alone are the Lord. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in the.'”
The third realm or stronghold of creation is the seas. In Exodus 20:4, the Lord speaks expressly: “You shall not make for yourself any graven idol, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water below the earth.” Many Christians have never heard of water spirits, but the Bible speaks of the category of sea monsters—on many occasions. Ancient religions have made gods of sea creatures, but these are really demonic entities.
A few of the Scriptures that mention water spirits include: Ezekiel 29:3-4, Job 34, Revelation 17:1-2, Revelation 12:12 and 1 Samuel 5:3. Acts 6 mentions the python spirit. Isaiah 27:1 mentions Leviathan. While some of these verses speak to specific marine demons and the principles of defeating them, others offer evidence to the broader classification of water spirits—or how spirits work in the waters.
Revelation 12:12 is perhaps the best example: “Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe unto the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short.”
There are many marine demons—or water spirits—listed in Scripture. You’ve heard of Leviathan and python, but spirits like squid, Rahab, Behemoth and others are prowling around like the proverbial Jaws waiting to attack. The first step to defeating these demons is not to be ignorant of their devices. Study Scriptures. Know the enemy. Water spirits are rising. {eoa}
This article is an excerpt from Jennifer’s new book, The Spiritual Warrior’s Guide to Defeating Water Spirits.