*NOTE-Topic may not be suitable for young children, please use your discretion if they are listening as it may get graphic and content heavy. Thanks!
NOTES ON DEMON POSSESSION for SPEAKEASY's show on 5/14/11:
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE DEFINE IT AS?
The description of a possessing demon as “evil” means “unclean” in the Greek (Mark 5:2), therefore making it impossible for the Holy Spirit to share His dwelling place with such a creature.
BIBLICAL REFERENCES:
First, we know from the Bible that demons can and do possess those who do not belong to Christ, and Scripture gives some examples of people being possessed by demons. From these descriptions, we can find some symptoms of demonic influence as well as gain insights as to how a demon possesses someone. In some of these passages, the demon possession causes physical ailments (inability to speak, epileptic symptoms, blindness, etc. [Matthew 9:32-33, Mark 9:17-18]); in other cases the demon causes the individual to do evil (Judas is the main example); in Acts 16:16-18, the spirit apparently gave a slave girl some ability to know things beyond her own learning (a spirit of divination); in the case of the demoniac of the Gadarenes who was possessed by a multitude of demons, he had superhuman strength, cut himself, went around naked, and lived among the tombstones (Mark 5:1-17). King Saul, after rebelling against the LORD, was troubled by an evil spirit (1 Samuel 16:14-15; 18:10-11; 19:9-10) with the apparent effect of a melancholy mood and an increased desire and readiness to kill David (God’s next anointed king of Israel).
“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” (Matthew 12:43)
CAUTION:
a word to the wise: some people develop an unhealthy fascination with the occult and demonic activity. This is ill advised to say the least. If we pursue God with our lives and we are clothing ourselves with His armor and relying upon His strength (not our own) (Ephesians 6:10-18), we have nothing to fear from the evil ones, for God rules over all! When we are in Christ, and He in us, we have nothing to fear from the evil one because “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
* Demons do not walk to up to a person and say, "Hey! Do you want to be fully and completely demon possessed?" No, they find a weakness or a door through traditional family behavior (iniquities) or through the reckless behavior of the individual (personal sin). The person's active free will must be breached. They usually seduce a person with something simple and almost innocent unless it is generational sin.
SYMPTOMS:
Self harm
Uncontrollable anger
Super-human strength
Mental health problems: (EX- always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones." as in Matthew 5:2-5)
Mental torment (fear, depression, etc.)
Experimentalism with occult, drugs
Self Depreciation/ abuse
Lack of appetite
Lack of care in personal hygiene or appearance
Foul Language
Abusive behavior
Abilities that are almost Psychic in nature
Multiple personalities
Aversion to Christianity and Christian influence/ items/ mention of God, Jesus etc.
IN DEPTH:
Symptoms of oppression: abnormal and irrational fear, anxiety & loneliness; lack of goals; depression; lack of logical reasoning ability, seeking power and control; etc.
Symptoms of possession: uncontrolled swearing, extreme physical strength; unexpectedly high IQ; intense negative reaction when Jesus' name is spoken; multiple personalities; extreme fear in the presence of Christians; violent behavior; life-threatening behavior; exhibiting paranormal abilities, severe depression; etc.
DABBLING IN THESE CAN OPEN A DOOR TO POSSIBLE POSSESSION OR INFLUENCE:
Interest in the Occult
Horoscopes and Astrology
The "New Age"
Hypnotism
Extra-Sensory Perception (ESP)
Fortune Telling, Palm Reading, and Tarot Cards
Seances
Ghosts
Reincarnation
Demonic Favors
Demonic Games
Pornographic and Obscene Materials
Mind-altering Drugs
*It is kind of like the camel with his nose in the tent. It starts out with just a nose. Then, the next thing you know, the whole camel is in the middle of the tent. All the camel needs is a gate.
*Demons like to solicit your active free-willing participation. It is more of a kill for them. It is sport to them!
oppression and possession have different causes:
Causes of oppression: activities, such as: befriending, dating, or having sex with a possessed or oppressed individual; playing with a Ouija Board, reading science fiction, viewing soap operas, looking at pornography, etc.
religious involvements, such as: false religions, cults, chanting, non-Christian meditation, etc.
personality factors, such as: poor self-image, jealousy, bad temper, rebellion, etc.
Causes of possession: activities, such as: extreme cases of sexual immorality; rebelliousness; blasphemy; taking tests for ESP or other paranormal abilities; involvement in astrology; going to fortune tellers; either owning or using "occultic" charms, talismans, written material, music, etc.
ASK YOURSELF:
(Do a simple test)
Is supernatural power involved?
Is this power of God?
If not of God, than it must be of Satan. There is no other source of supernatural power.
REMEMBER THERE IS HOPE:
*God is bigger and in control
*Even demons must obey Jesus and fear him
* You are not alone, there is help and support if you are suffering
* Be smart. Do not mess around with things that could open a demonic door. Curiosity could lead to more.
*Know what the bible says about demons and about what Jesus does to have authority over them.
*Realize the spiritual world is a real one and this is serious business.
*Pray. Prayer keeps you mind and heart strong and alert. Pray for the armor of God and for wisdom to steer clear of opportunities for demons to take advantage of.
A GOOD ONLINE REFERENCE:
http://www.biblebelievers.com/morton_demon.html
IF YOU ARE IN THE ALBUQUERQUE AREA AND NEED HELP OVERCOMING A SPIRITUAL ISSUE, FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL US AND WE WILL REFER YOU TO SOMEBODY WHO CAN HELP.
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