D E L I V E R U S
D E L I V E R U S
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AA PPASTORASTOR’’SS R RELUCTANTELUCTANT E ENCOUNTERSNCOUNTERS
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withth THTHEE P POWERSOWERS of of DDARKNESSARKNESS
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© 1972 by Don Basham © 1972 by Don Basham
Published in 2005 by Chosen Books Published in 2005 by Chosen Books a division of Baker Publishing Group a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287 P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287 www
www.chosenbooks.com.chosenbooks.com This edition published 2014 This edition published 2014
ISBN
ISBN 978-0-8007-960978-0-8007-9603-73-7
Printed in the United States of America Printed in the United States of America All rights reser
All rights reserved. ved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrievalstored in a retrieval
system, or transmit
system, or transmitted in any forted in any form or by any means—fm or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopyor example, electronic, photocopy,,
recording—without the prior written
recording—without the prior written permission of the publishpermission of the publisherer. . The only exception isThe only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
brief quotations in printed reviews. The Library of Congress has c
The Library of Congress has cataloged the original edition as follows:ataloged the original edition as follows: Basham, Don
Basham, Don
Deliver us from evil : a pastor’s reluctant encounters with the powers of Deliver us from evil : a pastor’s reluctant encounters with the powers of dark-ness / Don Basham.
ness / Don Basham. p.
p. cm.cm. Originally
Originally published : Washington Depot, Conn. : Chosen Books, c1972.published : Washington Depot, Conn. : Chosen Books, c1972. ISBN 10: 0-8007-9395-1 (pbk.)
ISBN 10: 0-8007-9395-1 (pbk.) ISBN 978-0-8007-9395-1 (pbk.) ISBN 978-0-8007-9395-1 (pbk.) 1.
1. DemonolDemonology. ogy. 2. 2. Demoniac posseDemoniac possession. ssion. 3. Basham3. Basham, , Don. Don. I. I. TitlTitle.e. BT975.B37 2005
BT975.B37 2005 235
235.4—dc22 .4—dc22 20040232412004023241 Unless otherwis
Unless otherwise indicated, e indicated, Scripture is taken fScripture is taken from the Revised Standard Vrom the Revised Standard Version of theersion of the Bible, c
Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education oopyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of thef the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture marked is taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Scripture marked is taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Cover design by Gearbox
Cover design by Gearbox 14
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ANY OOK N with a minister’s relationship to people faces ANY OOK N with a minister’s relationship to people faces a dual problem. On the one hand, he must tell the truth exactly a dual problem. On the one hand, he must tell the truth exactly as it happened, without concealing or altering the facts. On the as it happened, without concealing or altering the facts. On the other, he has a pastoral obligation to protect the confidence of other, he has a pastoral obligation to protect the confidence of those whom he serves.
those whom he serves. I have
I have solved this dilemma in solved this dilemma in the usual not-altogether-satthe usual not-altogether-satisfactoryisfactory wa
way: y: WherWhere re relelatiating ng a sta story mory migight cht cauause se haharm orm or er embmbararrasrassmsmenent,t, I have changed names and occasionally locale or other external I have changed names and occasionally locale or other external circumstances that might permit identification.
circumstances that might permit identification.
In every other respect, these events are recounted exactly as In every other respect, these events are recounted exactly as I experienced them.
I experienced them.
Don Basham Don Basham
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Foreword
Foreword by by Neil Neil Anderson Anderson 77 1.
1. The The Move Move 99 2.
2. Appointment Appointment at at Noon Noon 1717 3.
3. The The One-Eyed One-Eyed Monster Monster 3535 4. Five
4. Five O’Clock O’Clock in in the the Morning Morning 4141 5.
5. Sam Sam Jenkins Jenkins Remembers Remembers 5959 6. Face
6. Face Up Up with with a a MiraclMiracle e 7171 7. The
7. The School School of of Faith Faith 8181 8.
8. Sister Sister Sadie Sadie Objects Objects 9393 9.
9. Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio Ohio 109109 10.
10. How How They They Get Get In In 127127 11.
11. What What WWe’re e’re Up Up Against Against 141141 12. Meet
12. Meeting ing the the Conditions Conditions 151151 13. Keepin
13. Keeping g Our Our Deliverance Deliverance 163163 14. Mistakes,
14. Mistakes, Mistakes Mistakes 173173 15.
15. An An AfterAfternoon noon at at the the Movies Movies 183183 16.
16. The The DeliverancDeliverance e MinistrMinistry y Grows Grows 191191 17.
17. RighRight t NowNow, , in in YYour our OOwn wn Room Room 209209 Appendix:
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W I I a young pastor a young pastor, , a troubled woman was referred toa troubled woman was referred to me by the Bible Study Fellowship te
me by the Bible Study Fellowship teacher in our church. acher in our church. She hadShe had been diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic and hospitalized several been diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic and hospitalized several times.
times. Resolving her Resolving her problem appeared clearproblem appeared clearly over my ly over my head, head, andand the nature of her problem far exceeded my education and the nature of her problem far exceeded my education and experi-ence—if the diagnosis was accurate. But it wasn’t!
ence—if the diagnosis was accurate. But it wasn’t!
I gave her some simple psychological tests, which she could I gave her some simple psychological tests, which she could
not process. I told her I would be willing to spend more time with not process. I told her I would be willing to spend more time with her if she was willing to come under the auth
her if she was willing to come under the authority of our chuority of our church.rch. She immediately got up and said, “I have to get out of here.” She immediately got up and said, “I have to get out of here.”
That
That was was my my first first experieexperience nce with with a a ChristiChristian an who who was was inin deep spiritual bondage. With my limited experience, I assumed deep spiritual bondage. With my limited experience, I assumed that someone in such bondage was either dabbling in the
that someone in such bondage was either dabbling in the occultoccult or struggling with some gross immorality. Neither was the case, or struggling with some gross immorality. Neither was the case, which really puzzled m
which really puzzled me. e. Her problem was rHer problem was rooted in bitterness,ooted in bitterness, and when she was fin
and when she was finally abally able to forgive her fle to forgive her father, ather, her conditionher condition improved dramatically.
improved dramatically. Other cases followed,
Other cases followed, and slowly I learned how to and slowly I learned how to set the cap-set the
cap-tives free by the grace of God. I was not starting in a vacuum. tives free by the grace of God. I was not starting in a vacuum.
Scripture clearly reveals that we are all in a spiritual battle, and Scripture clearly reveals that we are all in a spiritual battle, and
8 8 scho
scholarllarly saints like Dr. y saints like Dr. Mark BubecMark Bubeck, k, Dr. Dr. ViVictor Matthector Matthews andws and Dr
Dr. Merrill Unger were cutting ne. Merrill Unger were cutting new ground in evangelicw ground in evangelical circles.al circles. Don Basham was one of those ear
Don Basham was one of those early pioneers, and I ly pioneers, and I am glad thatam glad that Chosen Books has decided to reissue his book.
Chosen Books has decided to reissue his book.
Like me, Don was not looking for encounters with the evil Like me, Don was not looking for encounters with the evil
one. Neither of us was predisposed to include the reality of the one. Neither of us was predisposed to include the reality of the spiritual wor
spiritual world in our thinld in our thinking, king, much less in omuch less in our pastoral ministrur pastoral ministryy.. But God had other ideas.
But God had other ideas.
The American culture is domina
The American culture is dominated by Wted by Western rationalismestern rationalism and naturalism,
and naturalism, and that has prevented us fand that has prevented us from having a biblicalrom having a biblical worldview
worldview.. Jesus
Jesus refereferrerred d to to Satan Satan as as the the ruler ruler of of this this worldworld, , and and the the apostapostlele John s
John says thaays that the whot the whole world lile world lies in thes in the powe power of ther of the evil oe evil one.ne. The
The Bible Bible clearly clearly exposes exposes the the battlbattle e betwebetween en Christ Christ and and the the AntiAnti- -christ, between the Spirit of truth and
christ, between the Spirit of truth and the father of lies, betweenthe father of lies, between the true prophets and the
the true prophets and the false prophets, false prophets, and between the King-and between the King-dom of God and the kingKing-dom of darkness. Every believer is in dom of God and the kingdom of darkness. Every believer is in this battle, whether he or she likes it or not, and that is why we this battle, whether he or she likes it or not, and that is why we are all admonished to put on the armor of God, stand firm and are all admonished to put on the armor of God, stand firm and resist the evil one.
resist the evil one.
Don is with the Lord, but his journey from ignorance and Don is with the Lord, but his journey from ignorance and doubt to liberation is
doubt to liberation is a great read. a great read. Most evangelicals Most evangelicals will identifywill identify with his
with his learning curve and learning curve and be helped be helped by his by his conclusions. conclusions. Igno- Igno-rance of
rance of our enemy is our enemy is not blinot bliss. ss. For many it is defFor many it is defeat. eat. TTruth sruth setsets us free, and we need to know the whole counsel of God, which us free, and we need to know the whole counsel of God, which includes the reality of the spiritual world. The world we see is includes the reality of the spiritual world. The world we see is temporal and passing away, but the unseen world is eternal and temporal and passing away, but the unseen world is eternal and
just
just as real as real as what as what we can we can touch, hear and touch, hear and see. Msee. May the ay the goodgood
Lord protect you and liberate you in Christ as you read this Lord protect you and liberate you in Christ as you read this fascinating journey.
fascinating journey.
Dr.
Dr. Neil AndeNeil Andersonrson Founder and president emeritus, Freedom in Christ Ministries Founder and president emeritus, Freedom in Christ Ministries
Foreword Foreword
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I ’ God’s will for us to come to a place like this!” I ’ God’s will for us to come to a place like this!” I complained to my wife, Alice, as we drove up the unfamiliar I complained to my wife, Alice, as we drove up the unfamiliar street leading out of town.
street leading out of town. An
An invitation invitation ffrom rom the the pulpit pulpit committee committee of of the the East East SideSide Church had brought us the three hundred fifty miles from Church had brought us the three hundred fifty miles from To-ronto, Canada, to visit the small mill town of Sharon, ronto, Canada, to visit the small mill town of Sharon, Pennsyl- vania.
vania. The weekend The weekend had been had been pleasant enough, insofar pleasant enough, insofar as as thethe East Side people were concerned. But the contrast between the East Side people were concerned. But the contrast between the broad, clean streets of Toronto and the drab business section broad, clean streets of Toronto and the drab business section of Sharon seemed only to symbolize the intangible differences of Sharon seemed only to symbolize the intangible differences between the two places.
between the two places. The
The fact fact was, was, we we were were in in the midst the midst of of a a spiritual spiritual revival revival in in ourour
Hillcrest Church in Toronto and no minister wants to leave a Hillcrest Church in Toronto and no minister wants to leave a
church where G
church where God is perfod is performing miracorming miracles. les. At least I diAt least I didndn’t, ’t, andand apparently Alice felt the same way.
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“I know wh
“I know what you meanat you mean,” ,” she sashe said. id. ““After whAfter whatat’’s been has been happen- ppen-ing in Hillcrest, this church seems so—well, complacent.”
ing in Hillcrest, this church seems so—well, complacent.” That
That was was it it exactlyexactly. . The The Sharon Sharon congrcongregation egation had had precisprecisely ely thethe kind of tame, unexpectant, it’s-Sunday-so-it’s-time-for-church kind of tame, unexpectant, it’s-Sunday-so-it’s-time-for-church approach th
approach that the Tat the Toronto churcoronto church had had before a numbeh had had before a number of usr of us became invol
became involved in what is known as thved in what is known as the “e “charismatcharismatic renewal.ic renewal.””
Now all preconceived notions and self-sufficiency were swept Now all preconceived notions and self-sufficiency were swept
aside as week after week we witnessed the supernatural manifes aside as week after week we witnessed the supernatural manifes- -tations of the Holy Spirit. Among other things there had been tations of the Holy Spirit. Among other things there had been remarkable cases of healing in response to prayer.
remarkable cases of healing in response to prayer.
One of the first of these had occurred when a young woman One of the first of these had occurred when a young woman came to our midweek prayer meeting on crutches and in great came to our midweek prayer meeting on crutches and in great pain.
pain. SufferSuffering fing from severely impaired circulation in one leg—arom severely impaired circulation in one leg—a condition that had previously put her in the hospital for many condition that had previously put her in the hospital for many months and left her partially paralyzed—she had finally months and left her partially paralyzed—she had finally
re-covered, only to have the condition recur, putting her back on covered, only to have the condition recur, putting her back on
crutches. The leg was numb and useless, yet even to touch that crutches. The leg was numb and useless, yet even to touch that foot to the
foot to the floor brought excruciating pain.floor brought excruciating pain. W
We e gathered gathered around around herher. . Even Even as as we we prayed, prayed, circulation circulation beganbegan to improve: Before the meeting ended she had discarded one to improve: Before the meeting ended she had discarded one crutch and was gingerly putting weight on the bad leg. Next crutch and was gingerly putting weight on the bad leg. Next morning she telephoned to report she had discarded the other morning she telephoned to report she had discarded the other
crutch and was completely healed. The experience had greatly crutch and was completely healed. The experience had greatly
stirred the congregation. stirred the congregation.
Besides miracles of healing there had been experiences of Besides miracles of healing there had been experiences of prophetic dreams and visions. A number of people attending prophetic dreams and visions. A number of people attending
the meetings had entered into the spiritual experience known the meetings had entered into the spiritual experience known
as the baptism in the Holy Spirit, first described in the New as the baptism in the Holy Spirit, first described in the New T
Testament estament on on the the day day of of PPentecost, entecost, and and usually ausually accompaniccompanied ed byby the phenomenon called “speaking in tongues.”
the phenomenon called “speaking in tongues.”
I was most grateful for all that was happening. For a long I was most grateful for all that was happening. For a long time I had preached that the Christian life offered joy and time I had preached that the Christian life offered joy and
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The Move The Move
tory
tory and wholeness; heand wholeness; here were living illustrations of the truth Ire were living illustrations of the truth I believed in.
believed in.
It was no wond
It was no wonderer, , then, that the prospect of lethen, that the prospect of leaving Hillaving Hillcrestcrest Church did not
Church did not excite us. excite us. WWe had responded to the e had responded to the invitation toinvitation to visit Sharo
visit Sharon only out n only out of courtesyof courtesy. . Why the East Why the East Side congrSide congrega- ega-tion had singled me out, we had no idea. But both Alice and I tion had singled me out, we had no idea. But both Alice and I
had been struck by the timing of the letter from them. When had been struck by the timing of the letter from them. When
we
we had had left left a a pastorate pastorate in in WWashington, ashington, D.C., D.C., to to move move to to TTorontooronto in 1961, we had planned to spend three years in Canada. Now in 1961, we had planned to spend three years in Canada. Now it was 1964, and here came the letter.
it was 1964, and here came the letter.
On the long drive back to Toronto, Alice and I continued to On the long drive back to Toronto, Alice and I continued to discuss it. East Side was not without in
discuss it. East Side was not without interesting aspecteresting aspects. ts. It was aIt was a “federated congregation,
“federated congregation,” ” formerlformerly two separate churches—Bapy two separate churches—Bap- -tist and Disciples of Christ—which had united with the
tist and Disciples of Christ—which had united with the agree- agree-ment that they would alternate denominations in choosing a ment that they would alternate denominations in choosing a pastor.
pastor. Their last minTheir last minister had been ister had been Baptist; I was ordaineBaptist; I was ordained in thed in the Disciples
Disciples Church. Church. That parThat part intrigt intrigued us, along with the timinued us, along with the timing.g. But—how could we tear ourselves away f
But—how could we tear ourselves away from Hillcrest!rom Hillcrest!
Neither of us realized that the visit to Sharon was a prelude Neither of us realized that the visit to Sharon was a prelude to a series of events that would totally alter the course of our to a series of events that would totally alter the course of our lives. Nor that among those events would be failures quite the lives. Nor that among those events would be failures quite the opposite of
opposite of the victories the victories we were currently experiencing. Fwe were currently experiencing. Failuresailures
including the friend whose difficulty would defy our ministry including the friend whose difficulty would defy our ministry
and eventually cost her her life. and eventually cost her her life.
It was long after midnight when we arrived back at
It was long after midnight when we arrived back at the par-the
par-sonage in Toronto. After taking our babysitter home, I locked sonage in Toronto. After taking our babysitter home, I locked
the door and ca
the door and carried the suitrried the suitcases upstcases upstairs. airs. In the hallIn the hallwayway, , I tookI took Alice by the
Alice by the hand.hand. “
“WWant to take ant to take inventory with me?”inventory with me?” “I already h
“I already have,” ave,” she smiled. she smiled. “But I“But I’’ll be hall be happy to do it againppy to do it again.”.” T
Together we ogether we went fwent from room rom room to to room looking room looking in in on our on our fivefive sleeping children. The first was Cindi; thirteen, snuggled deep sleeping children. The first was Cindi; thirteen, snuggled deep under the covers until only the tip
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the mass of blonde hair. Cindi was a regular attender at the the mass of blonde hair. Cindi was a regular attender at the midweek prayer meetings.
midweek prayer meetings. In the next b
In the next bedroom lay Sharon, our elfin, edroom lay Sharon, our elfin, brown-eyed eightbrown-eyed eight- - year-old.
year-old. “Hi, Daddy“Hi, Daddy,” she mumbled ,” she mumbled sleepily sleepily as as I I bent bent to to kisskiss her.
her.
In the bed opposite her lay three-year-old Lisa, our second In the bed opposite her lay three-year-old Lisa, our second
blue-eyed blonde. Alice squeezed my hands as we gazed at her, blue-eyed blonde. Alice squeezed my hands as we gazed at her, and I knew
and I knew she was remembering how a she was remembering how a few short few short months before,months before, Lisa had been instantly healed of violent stomach cramps during Lisa had been instantly healed of violent stomach cramps during one of our prayer meetings. Apparently God’s touch had been one of our prayer meetings. Apparently God’s touch had been more than physical, for since that time she had spoken about more than physical, for since that time she had spoken about Jesus as
Jesus as matter-of-facmatter-of-factly tly as about as about playmates she playmates she could see could see andand touch. W
touch. We coule couldndn’t understand ’t understand it, but we rejoit, but we rejoiced in iced in it.it.
In the same bedroom behind the bathroom slept six-year-ol In the same bedroom behind the bathroom slept six-year-oldd Glenn, looking,
Glenn, looking, as he sleptas he slept, , like a blike a brown-haired angelrown-haired angel. . Only Only thethe toy rockets, airplanes and football helmet through which we toy rockets, airplanes and football helmet through which we threaded our way to the bedside recalled the small cyclone who threaded our way to the bedside recalled the small cyclone who inhabited our house in the daytime.
inhabited our house in the daytime. Finally
Finally, there was , there was baby baby Laura, our Laura, our six-month-olsix-month-old “Canadian”d “Canadian” and third blue-eyed blonde, asleep in her crib in the corner of and third blue-eyed blonde, asleep in her crib in the corner of our bedroom. To look at her was to see both Cindi and Lisa as our bedroom. To look at her was to see both Cindi and Lisa as babies, the resemblance between the three was so strong.
babies, the resemblance between the three was so strong. T
Togetherogether, , Alice Alice and I and I thanked thanked God for God for the fthe five ive precious precious liveslives He had entrusted to our care and, minutes later, we were He had entrusted to our care and, minutes later, we were our-selves fast asleep.
selves fast asleep.
“You know, we really got along very well without you and “You know, we really got along very well without you and Alice over the weekend.”
Alice over the weekend.” It was EarIt was Earl Corbett, chairman of ourl Corbett, chairman of our church board who made the half-teasing comment to me next church board who made the half-teasing comment to me next morning as he dropped by my office at the church. Earl and his morning as he dropped by my office at the church. Earl and his wife,
wife, IreneIrene, , had had been been the fthe first iirst in Hillcrn Hillcrest test to ro receive eceive the the baptismbaptism in the Hol
in the Holy Spiriy Spirit, t, followed within days followed within days by a remarkable healing.by a remarkable healing.
Earl’s right eye, which had been crossed and half closed since Earl’s right eye, which had been crossed and half closed since
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The Move The Move
birth, was miraculously restored through prayer. The combined birth, was miraculously restored through prayer. The combined experiences had transformed him from a shy, retiring church experiences had transformed him from a shy, retiring church member into a vital, witnessing Christian.
member into a vital, witnessing Christian.
But with Earl’s wife things were different. Quietly devoted But with Earl’s wife things were different. Quietly devoted
to her husband and deeply interested in the new spiritual life to her husband and deeply interested in the new spiritual life swirling around her, Irene had not seemed able to enter fully swirling around her, Irene had not seemed able to enter fully into the blessings that were accruing to others. Although into the blessings that were accruing to others. Although hap-pier and more emotionall
pier and more emotionally secure than she had been in the past,y secure than she had been in the past, she still suffered f
she still suffered from a physical problem that had plaguerom a physical problem that had plagued herd her since childhood.
since childhood.
Irene was an epileptic. Irene was an epileptic.
Competent medical care enabled her to function normally Competent medical care enabled her to function normally much of the time; nevertheless we were puzzled by the seeming much of the time; nevertheless we were puzzled by the seeming impotence of prayer in her behalf.
impotence of prayer in her behalf. Why Why , I wondered,, I wondered, had Godhad God granted
granted Earl Earl such such a a marvelous marvelous miracle miracle of of healing healing while while Irene’Irene’s s condi- condi-tion remained
tion remained unchanged? unchanged?
Even more strange to us at the time (although I was later Even more strange to us at the time (although I was later to glimpse the sinister significance of it) was the timing of to glimpse the sinister significance of it) was the timing of Irene’s seizures. They generally seemed to occur either Irene’s seizures. They generally seemed to occur either dur-ing the Sunday morndur-ing worship service or at the Wednesday ing the Sunday morning worship service or at the Wednesday prayer meeting.
prayer meeting. T
Two weeks wo weeks after after our return our return ffrom Sharon, we were midwayrom Sharon, we were midway through a midweek meeting when Irene began to manifest the through a midweek meeting when Irene began to manifest the symptoms of epileptic
symptoms of epileptic seizureseizure..
“Let’s pray for Irene,” Alice suggested. Earl, sitting next to “Let’s pray for Irene,” Alice suggested. Earl, sitting next to his wife, put his arm around her protectively as we united in his wife, put his arm around her protectively as we united in prayer. Suddenly the strange, animal-like chattering noises we prayer. Suddenly the strange, animal-like chattering noises we had come to associate with Irene’
had come to associate with Irene’s disease began to pour fs disease began to pour from herrom her lips.
lips. Her body trembled violentlHer body trembled violently and she slumped over againsty and she slumped over against
Earl. After a few moments she grew quiet and the trembling Earl. After a few moments she grew quiet and the trembling
ceased.
ceased. She sat up and for an iShe sat up and for an instant I thought our prayers hadnstant I thought our prayers had brought her through
brought her through to a quick to a quick recoveryrecovery. . Then I saw Then I saw the angrthe angryy glare in her eyes, like that of a caged animal. It was an expression glare in her eyes, like that of a caged animal. It was an expression
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Deliver Us from Evil Deliver Us from Evil
I was to see numerous times on the faces of people I would be I was to see numerous times on the faces of people I would be ministering to in the years ahead.
ministering to in the years ahead. “
“Where am IWhere am I?” ?” Irene wailed. Irene wailed. ““What What place is thisplace is this?” ?” She begShe beganan fumbling desperately to open the purse on
fumbling desperately to open the purse on her lap.her lap. “
“YYou’re witou’re with me, Irene,” h me, Irene,” EarEarl trl tried to reasied to reassure hsure her. er. ““And weAnd we’re’re
in the prayer meeting at the church.” And he reached to help in the prayer meeting at the church.” And he reached to help
her open her purse. her open her purse.
“Leave me alone!” Irene retorted sharply, giving his hand a “Leave me alone!” Irene retorted sharply, giving his hand a resounding
resounding slap. slap. ““Who Who are you? I are you? I dondon’t know you!” ’t know you!” And she rosAnd she rosee to her feet unstea
to her feet unsteadily and lurchdily and lurched toward the doored toward the door. . Halfway acrossHalfway across the room Earl caught her and looked imploringly at me.
the room Earl caught her and looked imploringly at me.
“I haven’t seen her this bad before. Can someone take us “I haven’t seen her this bad before. Can someone take us home?”
home?” “I’
“I’ll take you, Earl,” ll take you, Earl,” I replied, I replied, my own concern fmy own concern for Irene min-or Irene min-gled suddenl
gled suddenly with a strange, y with a strange, smothering fesmothering fear I found hard to putar I found hard to put down. “The rest of you pray!” Earl and I ushered Irene out the down. “The rest of you pray!” Earl and I ushered Irene out the door
door, , and wedged her beand wedged her between us in tween us in the fthe front seat of ront seat of my car. my car. As IAs I backed f
backed from the church parking lot and headed in the directiorom the church parking lot and headed in the directionn of their apartment, Irene continued to struggle.
of their apartment, Irene continued to struggle. “
“Who aWho are you?” re you?” she screamed at Earshe screamed at Earl. l. “L“Let me out of this et me out of this car!”car!” and she lunged for the door,
and she lunged for the door, fumbling fofumbling for the handle as she trr the handle as she triedied to crawl over Earl.
to crawl over Earl. “Irene,
“Irene, listen tlisten to me! Ito me! It’’s Ears Earl, l, your husband! We’your husband! We’re taking re taking youyou home! Don’t you understand?”
home! Don’t you understand?”
At his words, I felt Irene go limp bes
At his words, I felt Irene go limp beside me. ide me. “Husban“Husband? Home?d? Home? I don’
I don’t have a ht have a husband and usband and I don’I don’t have a ht have a home!” ome!” Earl Earl had takenhad taken out his handkerchief and was wiping her lips
out his handkerchief and was wiping her lips and chin.and chin.
I pulled up in front of their apartment. “Would you pray I pulled up in front of their apartment. “Would you pray once more befo
once more before we go in?” re we go in?” Earl aEarl asked. I nodded, sked. I nodded, my own hearmy own heartt pounding.
pounding. What was What was this formless fear churning within this formless fear churning within me? Itme? It did not seem directly
did not seem directly connected with Irene’s epilepsy; it was someconnected with Irene’s epilepsy; it was some haunting, forgotten terror of my own.
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The Move The Move
Following the pr
Following the prayerayer, , Irene seemed Irene seemed calmer. calmer. “I’“I’ll take ll take her insiher insidede now,” Earl said, and like a docile child Irene followed him out now,” Earl said, and like a docile child Irene followed him out of the car.
of the car. “L
“Let me know if you need any more help,” et me know if you need any more help,” I called afI called after themter them and was relieved to hear Irene’s own natural voice respond.
and was relieved to hear Irene’s own natural voice respond. “Thank you, Reverend Basham. Good night.”
“Thank you, Reverend Basham. Good night.” Back at c
Back at church I ashurch I assured the psured the people thaeople that Irene was bet Irene was better. tter. Later,Later, at home, I told Alice about Irene’s continued strange behavior at home, I told Alice about Irene’s continued strange behavior in the car.
in the car.
“I just can’t understand it!” I concluded. “Why, with all the “I just can’t understand it!” I concluded. “Why, with all the
other answers to prayer, can’t she get lasting help?” other answers to prayer, can’t she get lasting help?”
Alice
Alice nodded nodded sympatheticallysympathetically. . “I know“I know, , sweetheart. sweetheart. I’ve I’ve won- won-dered abou
dered about it, too. t it, too. But you But you knowknow, , tonight tonight Irene’Irene’s behas behavior madevior made
me wonder if her problem isn’t something more than . . .” She me wonder if her problem isn’t something more than . . .” She
didn’t finish the sentence. didn’t finish the sentence.
“More than what?” “More than what?” “More than just a
“More than just a physical problem.”physical problem.” “What do you mean?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not sure,” she said slowly. “But—Don, that just wasn’t “I’m not sure,” she said slowly. “But—Don, that just wasn’t Irene! F
Irene! For a minute there I or a minute there I could actually imagine could actually imagine I saw someoneI saw someone else looking out of her
else looking out of her eyes!”eyes!” “What are you trying to say?” “What are you trying to say?” “I don’
“I don’t know.” t know.” Alice lifAlice lifted her ted her hands hophands hopelessly. elessly. “I j“I just knust knowow I saw somethi
I saw something evil, something that wasn’ng evil, something that wasn’t any part t any part of the Ireneof the Irene I know.”
I know.”
“Now let’s be sensible,” I scolded her. “I admit her behavior “Now let’s be sensible,” I scolded her. “I admit her behavior was
was plenty plenty bizarre, bizarre, but but personality personality change change is is probably probably one one of of thethe symptoms of this disease.” I was determined to keep what had symptoms of this disease.” I was determined to keep what had happened in some familiar context.
happened in some familiar context.
Sure enough, the next morning Earl telephoned to say that Sure enough, the next morning Earl telephoned to say that Irene had slept well during the night and, aside from feeling a Irene had slept well during the night and, aside from feeling a little tired, seemed perfectly all right. And our concern over the little tired, seemed perfectly all right. And our concern over the
16 16
Deliver Us from Evil Deliver Us from Evil
incident soon faded into the background behind a more personal incident soon faded into the background behind a more personal matter.
matter.
Although Alice
Although Alice and and I I had agreed had agreed on on the the drive drive home home ffromrom Sharon, Pennsylvania, that we had no desire to change Sharon, Pennsylvania, that we had no desire to change
pastor-ates, I had neglected to write the Sharon pulpit committee of ates, I had neglected to write the Sharon pulpit committee of
our decision. A few days after the episode with Irene, I received our decision. A few days after the episode with Irene, I received
a letter from the Sharon church. At a congregational meeting a letter from the Sharon church. At a congregational meeting
they had voted to extend us the call to be their minister. they had voted to extend us the call to be their minister.
As Alice and I
As Alice and I prayed over the maprayed over the matter, tter, EarlEarl’’s words kept com-s words kept com-ing back to me. “We really got along very well without you.” ing back to me. “We really got along very well without you.”
P
Perhaps this erhaps this truly was truly was God’God’s moment for a s moment for a move—just becausemove—just because
things
thingswere were going so well here. going so well here. Perhaps when His Holy SpiPerhaps when His Holy Spirit tookrit took
over it was time f
over it was time for the minister or the minister to step aside, to stand down, to step aside, to stand down, toto seek a place and a people where His fire had not yet fallen.
seek a place and a people where His fire had not yet fallen. W
We e wrote wrote the the East East Side Side pulpit pulpit committcommittee ee that that we we wouldwould come.