There's a Crack in Your Armor Perry Stone

you toward repentance, cleansing, and renewing. If there is not a move toward seeking spiritual freedom and deliverance, then the adversary often releases the weapon of oppression. The enemy throws the dart to tempt you to sin; then if you do, he throws another dart (a double whammy) telling you how awful you are and how God now hates you! Mental depression can become so intense that it feels like a deep pit of despair without a ladder. Depression certainly feeds off of isolation. One of the classical biblical examples of a descent into despair is King Saul, Israel’s first king. Saul was selected by the Lord and anointed with oil by Samuel. He began on the right track and was humble before both God and men at the outset of his rule. Over time he became lifted up in pride and refused to obey the Lord. As a result, God initiated a future replacement for Saul, a young shepherd named David. We read: Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him. —1 SAMUEL 16:13–14 Saul’s jealousy of David opened a door for a powerful evil spirit to torment his mind. Saul was recognized publicly as king, yet he was in an internal battle with private demons that would come and go at will, tormenting the king’s thoughts. Saul experienced brief seasons of relief when David ministered with