Can Demons Hear Your Prayers? The Truth About a Real Question - Jonathan Pokluda

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast – "Can Demons Hear Your Prayers? The Truth About a Real Question" featuring Jonathan Pokluda

Episode Information

• Title: Can Demons Hear Your Prayers? The Truth About a Real Question
• Host: Candace Cameron Bure (CandyRock)
• Guest: Jonathan Pokluda
• Release Date: May 20, 2025

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Introduction to the Episode

In this compelling episode of The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, host Candace Cameron Bure delves deep into the profound question, "Can demons hear your prayers?" Joined by guest Jonathan Pokluda, the discussion navigates the intricate realms of spiritual warfare, faith, and purposeful living. The conversation intertwines personal anecdotes, biblical references, and practical advice, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the spiritual dynamics at play in everyday life.

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Understanding Spiritual Warfare

Timestamp: [09:16] Jonathan Pokluda

Jonathan Pokluda initiates the conversation by addressing the common concern about whether demons can perceive human prayers. He clarifies, “Can demons read your mind? The short answer is no, but it’s not as good news as you might think” ([09:16]). Pokluda explains that while demons cannot read minds, they possess a profound understanding of human vulnerabilities, akin to how a coach studies an opponent's playbook. This deep knowledge allows them to tailor temptations effectively, aiming to disrupt the believer's relationship with God.

Key Insights:

• Demons’ Awareness: Demons are aware of human thoughts and inclinations, enabling them to present targeted temptations.
• Impact on Faith: This awareness is strategically used to create feelings of shame and separation from God, undermining one's spiritual foundation.

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The Role of Prayer in Spiritual Defense

Timestamp: [13:25] Jonathan Pokluda

Candace raises a pivotal question: “When I’m confessing sin, when I’m talking out loud about the things that are hard for me in my life, knowing that the enemy does hear it if I’m speaking it aloud, is that something we should be cautious of or am I overthinking it?” ([13:25])

Pokluda emphasizes the importance of prayer as a protective mechanism. He likens the spiritual armor described in Ephesians 6 to tools that believers must actively equip themselves with through constant communication with God. “Prayer is the key to unlocking the trunk where the spiritual armor is stored,” he explains, highlighting that prayer should be an ongoing, proactive engagement rather than confined to specific times or places.

Notable Quote:

“Prayer is the key to unlocking the trunk where the spiritual armor is stored.” — Jonathan Pokluda ([13:25])

Key Insights:

• Continuous Prayer: Engaging in constant prayer equips believers with the necessary spiritual defenses.
• Intentional Conversations: Viewing daily interactions and challenges as opportunities for spiritual warfare empowers believers to respond with faith and purpose.

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Personal Experiences with Spiritual Battles

Timestamp: [20:59] Candace Cameron Bure

Candace shares her personal experiences, stating, “In my first year of marriage, some of the most challenging moments were when we recognized the enemy’s tactics to drive a wedge between us” ([20:59]). She and her husband Elliot use these moments to strengthen their relationship, turning adversity into opportunities to draw closer to each other and to God.

Key Insights:

• Acknowledgment of the Enemy: Recognizing when external challenges are spiritual attacks helps in addressing them effectively.
• Strengthening Relationships: Adversity, when viewed through the lens of spiritual warfare, can lead to deeper connections and mutual support.

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Combating Lies with Truth

Timestamp: [32:17] Candace Cameron Bure

The discussion shifts to the powerful strategy of combating lies with truth. Candace highlights, “When faced with lies about not being good enough, we combat that with scriptures like Deuteronomy 31:6, which says, ‘God is never leaving you nor forsaking you’” ([32:17]).

Notable Quote:

“Whatever the lie the enemy throws at us, there is a combating truth.” — Candace Cameron Bure ([32:17])

Key Insights:

• Scriptural Affirmations: Utilizing scripture to counteract negative self-talk and external discouragements fortifies believers against spiritual attacks.
• Faith-Based Resilience: Anchoring one’s identity and worth in biblical truths provides a resilient foundation against demonic deceptions.

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Listener Engagement and Application

Timestamp: [44:25] Jonathan Pokluda

Addressing a listener question, Jonathan offers heartfelt advice on maintaining faith and hope amidst health challenges. He shares, “Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus, showing that He empathizes with our struggles, but also provides the hope of resurrection and healing” ([44:25]).

Key Insights:

• Empathy of Christ: Understanding that Jesus shares in human suffering fosters a deeper sense of connection and hope.
• Eternal Perspective: Viewing present hardships in the context of eternal hope encourages perseverance and faithfulness.

Notable Quote:

“In this life, if we suffer, we just have to use that as a reminder of the hope we have in Christ.” — Jonathan Pokluda ([44:24])

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Conclusion and Encouragement

As the episode wraps up, JP and Levi reinforce the central message of steadfast faith and the continuous application of spiritual armor. They encourage listeners to embrace prayer as a fundamental practice in overcoming spiritual adversities and to remain vigilant against the subtle tactics of the enemy.

Final Thought:

“Life really can be like a roller coaster, so embrace the journey with faith and gratitude every step of the way.” — Candace Cameron Bure ([50:36])

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Key Takeaways

1. Demons’ Strategic Awareness: While demons cannot read minds, their understanding of human vulnerabilities allows them to effectively tempt and disrupt.
2. Power of Continuous Prayer: Constant and intentional prayer acts as both a shield and a weapon in spiritual warfare.
3. Combatting Lies with Truth: Utilizing scripture and biblical truths is essential in countering the lies and deceptions of the enemy.
4. Personal Resilience Through Faith: Recognizing and addressing spiritual attacks strengthens personal relationships and deepens faith.
5. Eternal Hope Amidst Trials: Maintaining an eternal perspective provides hope and resilience in the face of life’s challenges.

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Additional Resources

• Free Resource: No Fear Guide – Empower yourself to discuss spiritual matters confidently. candace.com
• Book Mentioned: Your Story Has a Villain by JP – Explore the dynamics of personal narratives and spiritual adversaries. Your Story Has a Villain

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Stay Connected: Subscribe to The Candace Cameron Bure Podcast on YouTube and other platforms to receive updates and join the community in embracing a life of faith, family, and purpose.

Transcript

[Candace Cameron Bure]

The emphasis is on the E is it's beret. We say our last name.

[JP]

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[Candace Cameron Bure]

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[Levi]

Life.

[JP]

Is like a roller coaster. But it's better when we go through it together. Welcome to the Candace Cameron Bury podcast. We're here to share conversations about life's challenges, celebrations and everything in between. Season 10 is called your story has a villain. And if you're joining on YouTube, click to subscribe. And make sure you click that little bell icon so you don't miss an episode. Come join us. Jp.

[Levi]

Let's go.

[JP]

Welcome back.

[Levi]

Here we go. We're back.

[JP]

I'm liking the camo pants.

[Levi]

Thank you. I'm going hunting after this, so I thought I would.

[JP]

Are you meeting up with the Robertsons? Yeah, duck hunting.

[Levi]

Willie's my guy. We're gonna. I want. I wish they would take me hunting. I've tried.

[JP]

Have you gone? I know my brother's gone with them several times.

[Levi]

I haven't made that list yet. I'm not above that threshold.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Think you'll get there.

[JP]

Lev has too. Yeah, I have.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

I've learned with them.

[Levi]

See, everybody's going, me, Willie, come on.

[JP]

Come on, Willie. Where's JP's invitation world?

[Levi]

It's gonna happen one day.

[JP]

We were talking about coffee. Are you a caffeine? We weren't. We were talking about caffeine. Are you a caffeine drinker?

[Levi]

I'm like a. I'm. I'm a kind of a coffee snob, but like, just black coffee. So I don't that lattes or oat milk or upside down, whatever, mocha. I just like black coffee. But I like, when I go, when I visit somewhere, I love to like, hey, where's the good coffee shop?

[JP]

Yeah.

[Levi]

Try out different roasters and whatnot.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

You were telling me, like, in the same way that we get into all the details of wine in our family's business, you're the same way with coffee. Like, you love it to that extent.

[Levi]

Yeah. Like the different tasting notes and whatnot. Sure. But. But that. I don't know that that's really intellectually honest because I'm not that way about anything. And people are gonna be like, oh, he's this. He's pretentious. I'm really not. I'm. I'm a kid from a small town, South Texas, grew up simple ways. But I. I do like.

[JP]

But you enjoy your coffee, so you drink caffeine. I know you drink caffeine.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

I love caffeine. I mean, I love. I love drinking coffee. I'm only coffee right now, so try to do no energy drinks or anything like that.

[Levi]

Yeah, I love.

[JP]

Yeah. It kind of pains me when they drink the energy drinks in the morning before because they're bad for you.

[Levi]

When I was in corporate America, I would. I would have two energy drinks a day. And then, like, I remember co worker turned me on to coffee, and I was like, man, this stuff is amazing. Like. And he was like, that's old school, man. And so then I started drinking coffee.

[JP]

From there on out.

[Levi]

And. And so now, like, there's a guy on our staff that he just pounds the energy drinks. I'm like, bro, it's going to kill you. You got to stop.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Can I put you on the spot and ask, like, favorite coffee?

[Levi]

Oh, yeah, for sure. Maybe I get a sponsorship or something. Perhaps Brandywine Roasters is. Is what it's called and they. I think, where are they asking out of? I'm not sure. Honestly, I'm not sure where they're located it's not Texas. There's some amazing. And Waco has great coffee. Pinewood Common grounds four keeps some great coffee shops there. But four keeps is actually what turned me on to Randy wine roasters. And so I started really would order stuff from there. But there yeah. Ten boom coffee is. Is one that I get so many out. There's some great ones.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

So many out there. I know we got Elliot and I.

[Levi]

Have four trouble because somebody's gonna be like.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

But Elliot and I got my dad for Christmas subscription to a website that will send a different coffee every month.

[Levi]

Yeah.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

And he's the beans. The beans. Yeah, the beans. Because he's a big French press guy. So.

[Levi]

French press guy too.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Really?

[Levi]

Yeah. That's. That's what I have every morning.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Yeah.

[Levi]

Something called the S press. And it's like a double French press.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

So enlightenment.

[Levi]

You can do fancy S press.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

I remember that my dad's birthday's coming up.

[Levi]

You hear that Levi? Let's go. Of course. Okay. So he turned me on to the S press and I was like so shout out Levi.

[JP]

We gotta look it up.

[Levi]

Come on. It's good.

[JP]

I don't drink coffee. I really don't drink caffeine.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

You're a big Matcha gal.

[JP]

I was but Matcha's high caffeine.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Very high caffeine.

[JP]

But it's lower than coffee.

[Levi]

Okay.

[JP]

Definitely more than coffee. What can we fact check that? Yeah, we can fact checked it. It's true. But I've even pretty much eliminated that from everything. So I'm drinking herbal teas. I rarely have caffeine anymore and I feel better for it.

[Levi]

It's a. It's like a cleaner caffeine too which I don't really know what that means. If a lot you would like. I feel like you know a lot.

[JP]

Of it gives you a steady. A steady level of energy. Whereas coffee. I stopped drinking coffee five years ago. It was horrible to my system. But it gave me such highs and lows really crashing. Like the high was high, the low was low. Whereas Matcha. It's a very steady level. So it just gives you a little energy boost but you'd never crash from it.

[Levi]

I. I give up something every year. And so I'll just. At the beginning of the year I'll choose one thing that I really don't want to give up or that that's going to be challenging. And so I'll fast from it for the entire year. And so I've done coffee which is painstaking and so not just lent yeah, whole year.

[JP]

What are all the things you fasted from buying?

[Levi]

So I can't. You can't buy anything that you don't need. Oh, buying, like shopping. This year's alcohol. So I'm not a huge drinker, but like a good Beret wine. Did I say that right?

[Candace Cameron Bure]

I could tell one time.

[JP]

Just, like a burger. Beret is fine. I think that's the. Easy.

[Levi]

We.

[JP]

We put the emphasis on the.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

On the you like.

[JP]

But I find that when people are having a hard time, just think of, like, the hat you wear. A beret?

[Levi]

Yeah.

[JP]

You know, we say hooray over beret, but it's just easier to rename that way.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

It's not the hat. The hat.

[JP]

The raspberry beret.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Emphasis is on the e. It's. It's beret. We say our last name Bur.

[Levi]

Bur.

[JP]

Like Burr.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

I'm great.

[JP]

I'm so cold.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Yeah. You know, at the wedding, this is.

[Levi]

What happened, though, because we were. He. I was like. He was like, hey, can I just tell you one thing? I'm like, sure, what's up? He's. You don't say my name correctly. And I was like, oh, man. Okay, so tell me, how do I say it? And then that totally got in my head. Like, from there on out, I'm like.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Okay, so it's Beret Bureau. In the millions of things that there are to worry about in a wedding. He was just scared about saying the last name. But you nailed it. It was great. Bury. We can practice after this.

[Levi]

But then I forgot Elliot's mom's name.

[JP]

Gail.

[Levi]

Gail. No. In the wedding. So, Gail, will you please forgive me that I forgot to say I forgot your name for one second. It was just one second. But there's so many things to remember. And I was like, gail is amazing. I. So I'm grateful.

[JP]

Well, this is good. A lot of people do mispronounce our last name. And a lot of people listening to this podcast, it will be a revelation for them. They'll be like, oh, I thought your last name was Burr. Even though I say it all the time, a lot of people just think it's Burr.

[Levi]

So the Candace Cameron Beret Podcast is sponsored by Beret Wines. Pick them anyways. It's not. I'm kidding.

[JP]

Okay. This episode, I'm excited to hear all the things that you have to say about it, because we're talking about that the enemy destroys. He's a destroyer. And you. You were telling me, jp, that the enemy studies us. Like, the enemy knows us almost Like a basketball coach or a hockey coach will study the film of other players to know what they're doing. Like, start there and tell us why that matters.

[Levi]

Yeah. People will ask all the time, can the enemy. Can demons read my mind? And there's like a, there's a. The short answer is no, but it's not as good of a news as you might think because, like, Tick Tock can read your mind, right? Like technology, algorithms can read your mind. I mean, that's, that's how far we've come. And they're certainly better than that. And so while they can't read your mind in a sense like, like you, they can see your thoughts live, they can understand your inclinations, your greatest temptations, your, your family lines. And so there's, I think there's a lot of things that we try to make sense of with science that the spiritual realm closes the gap. Like, for example, is alcoholism hereditary? And say, well, they say, yes, if you're, if you're, you can have, you could be more inclined to be an alcoholic if you're. Your father's an alcoholic, if your father and mother are both alcoholics and be more inclined. And so I think some of that's. We're going to realize one day face to face with Jesus that there's like a demonic stronghold and whatnot. And people will talk about generational curses. And I, I would say, like, they would say, can I have a generational curse? I would say, well, it depends on what you mean by that. I want to understand exactly what you're, what you're trying to talk about. And, and in terms of what can the enemy actually do and where they go. So I don't know if I answered your question, Candice. What, what did, how did you ask that?

[JP]

Well, I was asking, I mean, why, why does it matter that the enemy knows us so well and, and studies us?

[Levi]

Yeah. And so you're. Yeah. And I went off on the can they read our mind? And so I think that's. They study us because then they know how to tempt us and they know what kind of temptations.

[JP]

Right.

[Levi]

Fall victim to. So what he's trying to do is hinder my relationship with God. And so people will say, well, when, you know sin separates us from God, well, it gives, it leaves us. Sin leaves us with the feeling that we're separated from God. He feel. That's the whole essence of shame. It's like if I've done something wrong to you and I'm embarrassed by it, I'm hoping I don't see you and that you don't ask me about it. Well, we do that with God. We're like, okay, God knows what I did. He. He knows what I felt, what I looked at, when I went too far. And now I don't want to, I don't want to approach God. That's what Satan's after. He wants to drive a wedge between us and the Father who loves us. And so they study us to understand where we're going, you know, how we're vulnerable and they want to discourage us and they hate us. And so they love it when we're depressed, they love it when we feel anxious and when we begin to see the world through the lens of, you know, spiritual warfare. It impacts everything because as Ephesians 6 says, you know, our enemy is not a flesh and blood. This is huge. This means that my, you know, I don't have. It's not my neighbor whose dog barks in the middle of the night. It's not right. It's not my mother in law. It's not, you know, my, my wife's ex boyfriend or my girlfriend's ex boyfriend or whatever. It's not my sorority sister or my fraternity brother. It's my enemies, actually. Demons, that, that's the reality. And they use people to discourage us. And so that's what they're, that's kind of their modus operandi. That's how they're operating.

[JP]

We know that Satan's not omnipresent. Is that correct? He's not omnipresent. And you said he can't read our mind. Yeah, but I often wonder when I'm talking out loud whether it's in conversation to a friend or I'm praying out loud. The enemy hears everything.

[Levi]

Yeah.

[JP]

Is there, is that something we should be cautious of or. I'm overthinking it. When I'm confessing sin, when I'm talking out loud about the things that are hard for me in my life, knowing that the enemy does hear it if I'm speaking it aloud.

[Levi]

Yeah. You said something huge at the very beginning that I want to go back to.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Okay.

[Levi]

Then I want to make sure we talk about, can they hear us when we're praying and whatnot. You know, Satan's not everywhere. Okay. So when I say Satan's attacking me, I, I would say Satan doesn't even know who I am. He's never been anywhere near me. And so if one third of the angelic realm fell with Satan, I probably have some snaggle. Do Snaggletooth demon assigned to me or my family or an area where I am. So that I think there's generational strongholds. That's a big part of how I got into this is I would always say, man, there's a stronghold in Waco. There's a stronghold in Waco. And people are like, what do you mean by that? And me trying to defend that statement really was the birth of this book. Your story has a villain. And trying to understand, okay, are there geographic strongholds? And so if Satan's never been anywhere near me, is it appropriate for me to say Satan's attacking me? It would be like saying Vladimir Putin is attacking Ukraine. He's not. He's never been anywhere near there. I mean, he's safe in an office or bunker. He's never fired a missile. He's never fired a gun. He's leading a war. You know, you can think about that with military leaders. So Satan is leading a war against Christians and really even against humanity. And so that's true. And then can they read our mind? The second part of that, I want to, you know, to go back to that or hear our prayers. Sometimes I will praise like, Lord, would you create a safe place for us to talk? Like, I don't. As I'm going to be vulnerable with you. I don't want. I'm not looking to give the enemy ammo. Ammo to attack me, ammunition to attack me. And I also think that we don't have to walk around timid or fearful in that they don't want us praying. And I say we should spend all of our time preparing to pray, just praying like our we can. That prayer is the one conversation that we can have that we don't have to pick up our phone, we don't have to text, we don't have to call, we don't have to send a letter. We don't have to prepare or get. Get in the right position, get in the right place. We can pray at any time. And we have a father who desires to converse with us. And so we can trust that as we converse with him, as we have that conversation, that he's going to protect us in that conversation. So I don't think we need to be clumsy around that because the enemy definitely would love it if we prayed less.

[JP]

Yeah, that's really good. I honestly just fought through that for, for a little while.

[Levi]

Yeah.

[JP]

Particularly when I was co hosting the View. I talk about that a lot, but it felt like a real spiritual battleground for me.

[Levi]

Sure.

[JP]

Again, not That I.

[Levi]

Because it was.

[JP]

Yes, it was. And not that, like everyone behind the scenes, we were all great. You know, we all had very different opinions. But so, again, what you talked about, it's like, it's not really the person that I'm fighting against.

[Levi]

It's demons. Yeah, no, and it's true. And when you. When you phrase it like that, you understand it gives you a lot of compassion for people. And so I'm not saying. I want to be clear what I'm saying, what I'm not saying. It's like, I'm not saying that somebody's, you know, that somebody who voted different than me or believes different than me or their theology is different than me is possessed by a demon. I'm saying that demons are using that person to discourage me. That. That's the. The greater narrative that we live in. For example, when we went to record this podcast for the first time, I was. I was. I'd flown here. I was driving to this studio where we're at right now, and all around Los Angeles, there were fires that prevented us from recording. And I. I said to someone, I was like, man, talk about spiritual warfare. Like, the enemy does not want us to have this conversation.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Yeah, totally.

[Levi]

Now someone can perceive that statement as. That narcissist just said that the LA fires were to prevent him from having a podcast. No, no, no, no, no. That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying that the enemy uses what happens in this in our natural realm to. To discourage a multitude of people all at the same time. So we're in this, like, weird chess match at all times where the devil does something to discourage people, and God can use it for good. This is Genesis 50:20. Joseph talking to his brothers. What the enemy meant for evil, God used. God has used for my good. This is Romans 8, 28. For we know that in all things, God is working for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Now, this is amazing. This is amazing that God can take anything that Satan throws at people who have trusted in Christ, and he can use it for their good if we trust in Him. Like, this is a really profound reality that at any moment, no matter what happens, no matter the level of discouragement, we see this all. We see this in the book of Job. You know, Satan goes to God and says, you know, there's. There's no one in all the earth that actually loves you. And God is like, have you considered my servant Job? And he's like, yeah, that's just because you've blessed him. And God is like, no, if you take away my blessings, he's still going to worship me. And then you watch this experiment. I use that word. We watch that experiment unfold. And Job continues to remain faithful to God. And then, lo and behold, God blesses him abundantly, even more than where he started. And that's what Satan's trying to discourage us. But if we maintain faith, God can use it for our good, and. And even we can find purpose in it.

[JP]

Love. Have you ever had a moment in your life, a time where you felt like the enemy was intentionally trying to disrupt your life?

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Absolutely. And I think it really goes back to looking for that and choosing to see and acknowledge its reality. You know, I think that there's this amazing truth that if we choose to try and find God and things around us, we'll see him more often. And similarly, in. In the realm of the enemy. You know, I'll be honest. I'm first year of marriage, like, it's been amazing, but there's been a lot of challenging moments, arguments. And some of the most incredible moments for Elliot and I is when, you know, we're in an argument, it's a challenging time, and we'll actually stop and recognize for a second that there is an enemy. And, like, he hates us, he hates our marriage, and he hates we would ever be together. And it's actually that acknowledgement of the reality of the enemy that almost like, turns the situation on its head and makes us want to draw near to each other and fight it more than ever. So it for sure, for sure, portrays itself in a lot of different ways. I think it's something that, you know, if you choose to be on the lookout for it, you'll be able to see it more often. I have a question.

[JP]

Yeah.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

For both of you as well. I know you guys are both, you know, well traveled. You get to visit different places. You do you feel like there are specific attacks that are only happen or more likely to happen in specific locations. Like, we all struggle with things uniquely, but do you think that you will be tempted differently, like, based on you. Where you are geographically, like you mentioned in Waco.

[Levi]

Yeah. Let you think about it and just say quickly, I'm on a college tour right now, and where we're going in and sharing the gospel. And then it's started with these spontaneous baptisms that are now less spontaneous because we're having them and we plan for them. And so my friend Tanya Pruitt's kind of led this ministry and the Lord has used her to bring this about on these college campuses. And the stories that you have as you're baptizing students, there's themes depending on the campus. And so it's like, I've been cutting myself. I've been cutting myself. I've cutting myself, I've been cutting myself. I struggle with suicide ideation. I struggle with suicide ideation. I struggle with suicide ideation. I struggle with body image. Body image, body image, you know, bulimia, anorexia. And so all of those are unique to a campus. I'm saying the theme, not, not specifically one after the other. But you're like, you end the night and you're like, wow, I had so many body image conversations tonight. Why so many self harm conversations tonight, so many anxiety conversations tonight. And so it seems like depending on the campus, there are unique strongholds. And then in Waco, the epicenter of Waco is a big Baptist university. And so it feels like there's this like, spiritual facade, like cultural Christianity, like a stronghold of cultural Christianity there where people are like going to church out of a hobby. And so that's. We're kind of on the front lines addressing that stronghold. Yeah, but the reason I was so excited for this conversation with you is because, like, I respect you for a number of things, you know, just like fitness and acting and. But the biggest thing I would say is in it's, you know, talk about legacy, I mean, your family, you stand for truth in a place where so many don't. And, and so, like, how has that been? Like, do you see that through a lens of spiritual war, spiritual warfare? Like, do you, do you sense that as, as you've had to do that you're like, all right, the enemy's coming after me.

[JP]

Yeah, thanks for that compliment. And I very much do see that every. So many people say, why are you still in entertainment? It's so dark, it can be demonic. Why are you. But exactly. I'm like, well, God places, all of us, everywhere, we. If we were all just inside the church bubble, how would the rest of the world know about the light? So I'm here. But yeah, there have been times, absolutely. That has felt darker than other places. Like for me, when I worked on the, on the View, I was at a level of prayer and shielding myself, like putting on the armor of God every single day before I went to work. Because I really did feel like I was going into the battlefield again, not against the other hosts. It was just knowing what I was going to be talking about. And I was the only one that was going to have my opinion. How do I articulate that well? How do I share it? And I, I just know I'm going to be beat up by four other people.

[Levi]

Yeah.

[JP]

And that so, so that felt even though there were lots of other great things about it that I really did enjoy about it, it just felt darker to me.

[Levi]

Yeah.

[JP]

And I would just seek out the people that I, that I knew that were working behind the scenes, whether it was the security guard or the costume designer. And you find people that just are a little bit more on the same page as you and you kind of find light and, and encouragement there.

[Levi]

Yeah.

[JP]

And then just overall. Yeah. In entertainment, I'd say just the themes of what we see in entertainment. I mean, I turn the TV on and there's whole plethora of things you can watch, whether on cable or different streaming services. And, and you look at some of the programming and it breaks my heart and it feels so dark. And that is why I do what I do, because I want to bring good programming and positive entertainment and, and just combat all the other stuff that a lot of people are doing, maybe with good intention and maybe incredibly talented, but the themes of it are just dark and demonic and the NIV Application Bible features thousands of study notes drawn from the best selling NIV Application Commentary series. Throughout the Bible, original meaning notes help you explore the meaning of the biblical text, while application notes help you relate the Bible's teachings to your everyday life. There are also book introductions that provide perspective and application for every book of the Bible, along with character profiles, questions to spur your own growth, and articles that explore the different aspects of God's character. Together, these tools will help you learn what the Bible means and discover what it means for your life today. Find out more@nivapplication bible.com that's nivapplicationbible.com Grand Canyon University, a private Christian university in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona, believes that we're endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. GCU equips you to serve others in ways that promote human flourishing and create a ripple effect of transformation for generations to come. Proverbs 11:25 says, Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. By honoring your career, calling you impact your family, your friends, and your community. Whether your pursuit involves a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree, GCU's online on campus and hybrid learning environments are designed to help you achieve your unique academic, personal and professional goals. Find your purpose at Grand Canyon University. Private Christian affordable. Visit gcu.edu.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

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[Levi]

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[Candace Cameron Bure]

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[Levi]

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[Candace Cameron Bure]

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[Levi]

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[Candace Cameron Bure]

25.

[Levi]

Okay. And so I spend a lot of time with people in their early 20s, mid-20s, and I think there's an entire generation that when something's hard, they assume it's wrong.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Right.

[Levi]

Okay. So it's like, I go out into the work world. I've graduated from college. Now I get my job, and I don't enjoy it. Like, I thought my job was going to be a hobby, you know, and I overlooked the. The reality that they're paying me to be there. And so it's like, when I don't enjoy it, it's like, wow, I went to college for this. I must have done the wrong thing. Now I need to go back and take the GMAT or go back to law school or whatever it is.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Right, right.

[Levi]

I see that all the time. But you said something really key that I want to make sure that. That our listeners and viewers, that it's a great application that in Matthew 5, it's. This is Jesus teaching the. The most famous sermon of all time. It's the Sermon on the Mount. And he says, in. In the first century, lights were expensive. Okay. And you would have to be really mindful where you would put a light. You'd want to put it where it would give light to the whole house. And when Monica and I were building a house, we had the honor of actually the privilege of actually constructing our own home. And we had to sit down with the architect and determine where we would put lights. Well, in the 21st century, lights are still very expensive. I just remember trying to cut the budget. And it's like, hey, let's put less lights there. You know, it's like, because light fixtures are really expensive. And he was like, well, you're going to need two there. And I'm like, no, let's just put one with a mirror. We'll make a really bright one, you know?

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Yeah.

[Levi]

And it was just. He was like a mindful Builder is really thoughtful as to where they put lights. And so we need to consider that as followers of Jesus is like, okay, God put us in places on purpose. Like, he put me here in this classroom on purpose, intentionally to be a light. Like, I have a greater purpose than just teaching these kids. He put me behind this counter at this coffee shop on purpose. I have a greater purpose than just serving great coffee. He put me behind, you know, this bank. Like, I can't, if you work at a bank, I can't go behind the counter. You know, I'll get arrested. But you get paid to be there. It's crazy because, like, as I talked about in, in another episode that we did going on these mission trips, well, I had to raise money to go on those trips. I had to, to learn how to say certain things in their language. I had to speak through an interpreter. I didn't understand the culture. You know, I didn't. I had to learn that men can't wear shorts in that culture or whatever it is. And yet today I'm going to be in a culture that I understand where I'm compensated to be there. And I know the language because God, a master for builder, has put me there as a light to, as a greater purpose. This is Ephesians 2:10. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which he's prepared in advance for us to do. And so I think we have to understand that in this spiritual war, God, this masterful Builder has put us in places on purpose. This is Acts 17. He determined when you would live and he determined where you would live. And he has something that he wants to accomplish through you there. So sometimes even you know where I would see the demonic working in that narrative is a good intentioned Christian saying, hey, Candace, why do you still work in entertainment?

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Right, Right.

[Levi]

That can be the, the demonic effort to discourage you. Hey, you should just go home. You should just run. You should just take life easy. Hey, you don't have to put up with this anymore. You should just quit. And that's. That can be. We don't really understand, like that can be where the enemy works. That, that voice can be just as loud as why do you believe what you believe? And why, why don't you, you know, support that? Why don't you, you know, participate in this? Or why don't you go to this party?

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Right?

[Levi]

So sometimes the loudest voices are well meaning Christians.

[JP]

Agreed.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

That's the, that's crazy. I think like one of the most cunning the Cunning characteristics of the enemy is he'll take something or someone that might be well intentioned and he'll skew it just a little bit.

[Levi]

Yeah.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

You know, take something good and change it just a little bit to become a lie.

[Levi]

Facts.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Yeah.

[JP]

I mean, that's Genesis. That's even the apple.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Exactly.

[Levi]

It's. Yeah, don't get me started on the apple. Got some hot takes there.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

It's got more caffeine than a cup of coffee.

[Levi]

Shout out, be. So.

[JP]

So when the enemy is looking to destroy us and it's scary for us, how do we. How do we learn to really trust God?

[Levi]

Yeah, it's a great question. Ephesians, chapter six is our handbook. And so as we think about how am I going to overcome the enemy? We have this. There's something that the scripture points us to is the spiritual armor. And so he says that we're to be positioned in truth, that we are to be aligned with righteousness, that we are to share the gospel, that we are to have the shield of faith, that we are to internalize our salvation, that we are to operate with the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. And then it ends in this. Where you. Where you began this episode. He essentially says, never stop praying. So I think we'll talk about the. The spiritual armor in. In future weeks. But what I want to bring our viewers and listeners attention to is I think that this armor, if it's in a trunk, think about it. Envision the spiritual armor in a trunk and the. And the trunk is locked. The key to unlocking the trunk, to putting on the spiritual armor, is praying that every soldier is in constant communication with their commander in chief. And so I don't think about it in terms of just like the prayer closet prayers, like, hey, I'm going to go here and pray, or I'm going to pray three times a day. Paul says pray without ceasing. You know, he says to never stop praying. So I think about, about it as wartime prayers. I'm going into this Starbucks or I'm going into this coffee shop. There's people around me, God, who do you want me to share with? Who do you want me to engage? Will you give me supernatural wisdom to understand and discernment to understand what this barista is going through? How can I be an encouragement to them? And when you start to see your life as being on mission like that, it changes everything. When you go on the View or, or when you go on any podcast for that matter, you're thinking, okay, Lord, why Do you have me here? What is my purpose? What do you want me to do? There's demons coming against me right now. Would you help me to be victorious over them? Help me to be clear headed. I mean, there's been multiple times even as in the weeks that we've recorded these podcasts where I'm like, hold that thought, hold that thought, hold that thought. Because I know it's gonna, it's gonna evaporate. You know, it's like, yeah, my brain is cloudy. Like I know that, that, that's, there's something happening in the spiritual realm where God, you know, they don't want me to share that. And so that's all, it's all spiritual, right? You know, it's mental, it's physical, but it's also spiritual.

[JP]

Do you have a story that about really trusting God? Yeah, maybe. Was it with one of your kids?

[Levi]

Yeah. Well, it's, it's like that God ministered to me even. You know, so many illustrations come from parenting, so there's, there's countless that I could draw on. But as you asked, that one that comes to mind is, you know, teaching kids to swim because it's like, I don't know, they. You go to swimming lessons? All three? We have. Monica and I have three children. And when they were little and you're teaching them to swim, they would walk out on that diving board. I can remember specifically Presley, my now oldest. Hard to believe she's 18, but when she was like 4 years old, it's like, walk out on that diving board and I'm there, you know, treading water in the deep end and like, hey, I want you to jump. And all she sees is this terrifying water around her that she can't swim in. She. She sees her daddy saying, come and drowned. You know, that's what it feels like to her and that's why she can't muster up the strength to leap off that diving board. She just sees her daddy, who she thought loved her, say, come and drown. Come and drown. I'm like, I'm not saying come and drown. I'm saying come and swim. I got you. I'm gonna catch you, you know, and so I think we have to see the world through the lens of a father who loves us, who, who, who is infinitely stronger than the enemy, saying, hey, there's going to be times where I'm going to need you to engage in a conversation with someone that seems terrifying, where I'm going to ask you not to gossip about them, but to actually go and have the conversation with them. I'm going to have you, you know, speak to that boss. I'm going to have to have you go back to that place of business that you're terrified. I'm gonna have you face your trauma, have you go on the view, you know, whatever that thing is that, that might seem really scary because there's, there's the demonic there, there's, there's enemies there, there's villains there. And he says, I want you to do that, but I'm going to prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemies. I'm going to anoint your head with oil. I'm going to protect you. I'm going to be your strength in that. And the thing that I really want to hit on, I think we'll, we'll double click on it in future weeks. But is this shield of faith? Because I think this is so key to operating and overcoming the spiritual realm is the enemy wants to rob us of our faith. And we have to, to keep our faith strong.

[JP]

There's nothing better to me when I'm praying and it's always a go to, but especially when I'm about to face something really difficult. I mean, I go through Ephesians 6 and I list it all out and I literally put on that armor of God over me. And I, when I'm saying it and I'm repeating it, I mean, I'm imagining every, you know, the, the belt of truth and that shield of faith and that sword of the spirit and my feet, my steps of peace, like putting on the shoe that's going to take me into that battle. And I imagine that armor all over my whole body. And it helps. I feel, I genuinely feel protected by God.

[Levi]

Yeah, I think, I think when Paul wrote that to the church in Ephesus, he's on house arrest in Rome, most likely chained to a Roman soldier. If he's not chained to one, there's one nearby. And so he's looking for this illustration to really describe to us what a, a true follower of Jesus is. And so as he describes those articles of, of armor in the Greek, it says put on the full armor of God. So it's like, it's not like we can have one without the other. It's like we have to have all of those things to be the, the real soldier in the battle. It is, it is the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel, the shield of faith, the, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the spirit, which Is the word of God. Like, we. We're operating with all of those things that all the time. Time.

[JP]

Yeah.

[Levi]

It's the only way that. That we can be, you know, protected from the end.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Yeah, the only way. I think, you know, you don't want to miss that. That's the only way.

[Levi]

The only way.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Yeah.

[JP]

Do you have a. Do you have a story or a time love that you can think of that you. You know, we're really trusting God that you're worried or nervous about or fearful of going into and.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

You had time for every day.

[Levi]

I mean, like, I would even say, like, even in this season of marriage where you. You're faced with the temptation towards discouragement, like, what does it look like for you to operate that or navigate that with the armor of God?

[Candace Cameron Bure]

For sure. You know, so speaking in transparency and vulnerability, which I think is something that I, and Elliot and I both have learned from you, is something that we really look up to you and I know you're really passionate about. Um, I think that we've been discouraged by the enemy through just lies, like, as simple as that. You know, whether it's not thinking that either of us are good enough or you deserve different, deserve better, or fights and arguments. And again, to say it really just comes in the form of lies for us. And so it's really, really important that we constantly remind ourselves what the truth is. Yeah, that's good. So for us, that's scripture. I mean, the most practical, practical way is something I learned from Elliot, that I believe she learned from Harris Creek even, was when you're faced with a lie, like, combat it with the truth. And so that's something that we try to practice, and that's been, you know, it is literally sort of the spirit that we're trying to put into place.

[JP]

Yeah, that's good.

[Levi]

So feel like. Like showing off, but. And it's. That's not my heart at all. But I think just to show and explain people, like. Like, what are things that you think people are tempted in today? Like, with any temptation that somebody faces today, like, what's. What's. Like what. How might they be discouraged, man?

[Candace Cameron Bure]

I mean, I'll stick it. Stick or stay with it in. In marriage. I mean, one is that, you know, I'm not good enough for my spouse. I think, contrastingly, it's like, I deserve better.

[Levi]

So let's just go. Let's go there. And so he says, my grace is sufficient. My power is made perfect in weakness. So I'll boast all the more about my Weakness. So, you know, some friends of mine wrote a song called Embracing Accusations. So when the enemy says I'm not good enough, I'm like, you're right, I'm not good enough. But my God is right. My God is good enough. And, and he says that he's going to finish what he. The good works that he's actually started in me, that he's going to carry them out to completion. So we're combating that lie with the truth. The, the I deserve better. It's like, well, what do I actually deserve? Totally. You know, I, I, I have the honor of serving for Mark 10:45. For the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as ransom for many. So Ephesians 5:25 says that, that you're going to love Elliot as Christ love the church.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Absolutely.

[Levi]

And gave his life for her. And, and so I say that. So maybe he says, hey, lust take a second look at that as well. No, Matthew 5 says that, that if my eye causes me to send. I'm. A gouge down my hand causes me to send it to the. I'm going to cut it off. That I'm. If I look lustfully at someone, I've committed adultery. If he says, well, you're all alone. Deuteronomy 31:6 says that God's never left me nor forsake me. If he says, hey, you should, you should be greedy. You should get that. Well, first. Timothy six says, if I love money, I'll never have enough. Matthew 6 says, Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. All these things will be added. So whatever the lie the enemy throws at us, there is a combating truth, right? And we will say, oh, you're a pastor. You know, you, you, of course you memorize like, no, listen, I've got add, Dyslexia, every all, lots of learning disabilities. I memorize the word out of a means to survival because the enemy lies. I mean, even as I woke up this morning, I'm two hours behind the church. And so I woke up with all these problems on my, on my phone, you know, waiting for me, just text messages to dig out of. And, and I just thought, of course, you know, the enemy wants to discourage me this morning as we're going to have this really important conversation. And so I have to go then to the Word and say, all right, what is the truth? What can I stand on? How can I overcome that?

[Candace Cameron Bure]

So, yeah, absolutely.

[JP]

Thanks for that. We're gonna go to a listener question. Let's go this week is from Aparna. I'm thinking that's how you say your name, I hope. Aparna. I like it. How do I remain faithful and hopeful when experiencing health issues at a young age while also taking care of a young family.

[Levi]

Man? It's heavy.

[JP]

Yeah, it is. How do I remain faithful and hopeful when experiencing health issues?

[Levi]

I first want to just say I'm so sorry just for your health issues because those are, that's a way that the, the enemy can really just discourage me. It's like if I don't feel well.

[JP]

Yeah.

[Levi]

You know, I just like, man, if I've got a headache or I've got an issue going on with my heart, it doesn't beat correctly. And that can really discourage me. So I want to start before we even go into the practical just to say I'm really sorry for your health issues and all that you're carrying in this time. And I think the greatest encouragement I can give you is you're not home yet. You're on your way home, but you're not home. And so Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus, which is so interesting to me because he's going to raise him him from the dead. And so it's like, how did he take the time to weep at the death death of Lazarus when he knew he was going to raise him from the dead? I think he was actually weeping at the possibility of death saying, man, people weren't meant to get sick, people weren't meant to die. But that really is just a reminder that the world is not as as it should be and it's not as it will be that God's going to come back and fix it. And so Paul describes, you know, Paul can identify with sickness. He got sick, he was, was beaten multiple times with 39 lashes. He was shipwrecked, he was snake bitten, he was on the run from people who were formerly his friends and on run from bandits, it says. And, and he just, he goes back and he calls all of that light and momentary afflictions. You're like, how can he have the audacity to say light and momentary afflictions from these really heavy weighty things? And I think it's because he knew he had a glimpse, a vision into heaven. He knew that a hundred years from now he's going to be in the presence of God at peace. And a hundred thousand years from now, still in the presence of God at peace and 100 billion years from now, still in the presence of God with peace. And so this life, it's like a grain of sand on the seashore, you know, like there's, there's so many billions of grains of sand and this life is just like one grain. It's, it's really, really short. And so in this life, if we suffer, if we experience hardship, we just have to use that as a reminder. Okay, I'm not home, so how can I leverage my suffering to show people the hope that I have, which is in Christ, that, that he's going to get me home? Yeah, that's what comes to mind at.

[JP]

First, I would say, me too. Thanks for sharing that. And I think friends, personal friends that I have that have either chronic health issues or real disabilities that, you know, hinder them from doing all the things that someone, you know, like me might be able to do. When I see the joy in them and the perseverance that they have, they think of like, and even me. And when something is hard, I think they focus on this helps me stay closer to God.

[Levi]

Yeah.

[JP]

Because I rely on God through the hardships, through the, the, the physical disability or health that I'm having. It just makes me be in constant contact with Him. And it also, I hear them say it, it makes their life different in a way that they have to focus to rely on God, but it helps them shine God all the more and put the spotlight on Him. And it might not be easy on the day to day when they're physically feeling the struggle, but there's, it's exactly what you said. The hope is in the eternal. And the hope is that this isn't the end all here on earth. And they see that and then they use that disadvantage to, to their advantage.

[Levi]

Yeah, yeah. Think of Catherine Wolf. Joni Eareckson. Tada. Nick Vujicic. You know, Nick was, was born with no arms and no legs. Catherine is, is and Joni are both in wheelchairs, but all three of them continue to live out their faith in, in the midst of what the world would call a hardship. And they would all say, hey, it's very, very hard. It's very difficult, but we're able to find joy because the source of our joy is not our health, but the source of our joy is our God. And it's so easy for me to say as I walked in here, right. You know, and I've, you know, feel fine and, and all the things, but it can go away like that.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Right.

[Levi]

And if my hope is in anything in this world, then I'm going to lose my hope when I lose that thing. But if my hope is is is fixed in something that's supernatural in another world, then it. It's never going to go away. It's never going to fade.

[JP]

Yeah. That's great stuff. It is great.

[Candace Cameron Bure]

Incredible.

[JP]

Well, that's great. That's it for this episode. We're going to come back next week.

[Levi]

Let's go.

[JP]

Life really can be like a roller coaster. So we do have a free resource for you this season and we're calling it the no Fear guide. You don't have to be afraid to talk about spiritual things. And you can also find the link to Pastor JP's book, your story has a villain. The links [e-mail] and in the show notes. Until next time, be grateful all day, every day. Candy Rock Entertainment. All rights reserved.

[Levi]

Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile with a message for everyone Paying big wireless way too much. Please, for the love of everything good in this world, stop with Mint. You can get premium wireless for just $15 a month. Of course, if you enjoy overpaying. No judgments. But that's weird. Okay, one judgment anyway. Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[JP]

Of $45 for 3 month plan equivalent to $15 per month required intro rate first 3 months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See full [e-mail] Race the rudders.

[Levi]

Race the sails. Race the sails. Captain, an unidentified ship is approaching. Over. Roger, wait. Is that an enterprise sales solution? Reach sales professionals, not professional sailors. With LinkedIn ads, you can target the right people by industry, job title and more. We'll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. Get started today at LinkedIn.com results. Terms and conditions apply.