On Demons?

[Major]

Hi Major,
I hope things are working out well with you and the projects that you were working on.
I find the problem with most believers and you would have to have help to not see it in this thread is that they do Not Know or Understand who the enemy is and how he opperates.

Some act as if - ohhhh dont talk about such things or you will hasve the boogy man under your bed and others claim it takes wisdom and understanding and yet others feel satan has No control over a born again man. No wonder the devil has an easy time these days - he just has to walk in the shadows and do his bidding.

Fact is No beleiver has any right to not know the enemy and how he opperates.
Mark 4 the parable of the sower shows us the 5 ways satan comes at us and it can be any one of them or combination of them and yes he will camouflage them if he can.

The devil will control by one thought at a time. Places a thought and waits to see what you do. Then another and another and so forth. This may sound sound so easy to see and many may beleive this can not happen to them but truth is - they are simply incorrect.

Scripture tells us he is Looking or Seeking some one to devour or another words some one to manipulate and gain access to thier words and ways and life. It is not all gory hollywood and friday night tv stuff.

The more you grow into walking in the spirit - well sir the more you learn how much authority has been given you over the enemy the devil - But then again you have to know what this is and how to allow it to work.

As you said sir, The Name of Jesus - it is the only name -
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, ofthings in heaven, and things in earth, and thingsunder the earth;

However Just because one mumbles the name does not mean success in many situations.
If you are not built up in His word then your words carry very little weight or power.
The disciples asked why they could not cast out certain demons - Jesus answered them saying these kind come out by fasting and prayer....What Jesus is showing us is that we too must stay Prayed up and Fasted up or another words built up on His Most Holy Word.

Once you know who you are in Christ ( the anointed one - the anointing ) and opperate in such a manner - no demon or devil can over come you or your life.
There is a flip side to this as well - if you dont understand how the devil opperates and how he manipulates then you simply will not be able to place him under your foot. Far to many beleivers just think they are doing so but then go crying out to God because all these area's of their lives are amiss. Hmmm wonder why that could be?

Major I apologise for going on and on and maybe not even saying much but it bothers me big time how Christians think when it comes to the devil. Why ? that is simple to answer - because it has been the devils plan all along to get and keep the body of Christ in the dark concerning his ways. Sad thing is far to many born again beleivers are actually helping the devil mess up their lives. Go figure.

God Bless my Friend and trusted Brother
James W

Good stuff. I have no argument at all with your thoughts.

1 Timothy 4:1..........
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to secducing spirits and doctrines of devils".

Allow me only to add that Demons are REAL! They are incorporeal beings who were angels but had fallen and rebelled against God. The absolute worse thing that we can do, and I hear you saying this.......is that we underestimate their immense power.

IMO , one of the worst things we as Christians can do is to believe that we can wrestle with demons and kick them around. My observation's have been that there are some who believe that they can control or beat these demons into submission or obedience.

I think that we need to remember that Michael the arch angel could not get through to Daniel with a message and had to call another strong angel to come and fight with this demon. If Michael had that kind of trouble, I hate to think what a demon would do against me. That is why I am glad I have never been involved in any possession situation and I hope that I never will be.

Blessing to you my brother and your family at this wonderful time of the year!

 

[Major]

Yeah I study words, which happens to be the Word of God. The Word of God says we are no longer under the power of Satan, but under the power of God.

Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

Context.........Luke 10:19 is being spoken to the SEVENTY who had gone out from Jesus and when THEY returned Jesus was agreeing with THEM about the power He had given to THEM to go out into the places He had sent them in Luke 10:1.

That power was not given to you and me but to THEM just as were the "sign gifts" that were given to the ELEVEN in Matthew 28 and Mark 16.

 

[Major]

Quite frankly, I don't believe in "studying" devil or demons. The only thing we need to study is Word of God. Bible calls us to resist devil. And fix our eyes on Jesus Christ, Author, Finisher and Perfecter of our faith. Studying devil or demon only can have negative influence. Without realizing, we try to understand the ways of devil. Which should not be done! I think devil would only enjoy believers trying to study him. Through that he brings fear in hear of people. He thrives in fear. He who is in us is greater than he who is in this world. Through the fear, the devil tries to make himself look bigger! Why give credit which he absolutely does not deserve! Remember, battle belongs to the Lord! Not us

I hear you but may I also say that if we do not know our enemy we are destined to fall to our enemy.

 

[Major]

it is so nice to see you sister.... you have a wonderful and blessed day.
Remember when we think we know all there is to know - well we dont know much at all.

I dont see where I said anything as an insult and dont know why you would take it as such. However since you "feel" i was rude then please forgive me and I apologise and in the future please remember if I mean something directed at any one person - I will have said their name.
God Bless

Personally after having read your comment several time, I did not find there to be an insult given. However, to offer an apology speaks extremely well of your Christianity in that your humbleness is showing through. But that is just me.

 

[Major]

But I do have question for those who know so much about the subject of demon possession.
Where in God's word are we specifically told that a person either was or can be possessed only in the body, or only in the soul or only in the spirit?
It seems to me that if a person is only possessed in any one part, then it would be wrong and misleading to speak of that person being possessed by an evil spirit.
Surely it might be more correct to say that person was partly possessed by an evil spirit or demon?

Agreed.

 

[Major]

That is why we trample on scorpions...to free our brothers and sisters from their demonic strongholds! People outside of Christ don't come to the Body of Christ to be freed....they don't care and are ignorant of these things.

People come to Christ with demonic strongholds in their minds Freedom from them isn't instantaneous. Demons like to hide out in the soul of a redeemed person often until spiritual growth begins to encroach on the territory they've been given permission to inhabit. Once detected, those who are equipped and know just what to do, kick them out, forthwith, along with renunciation of their newly enlightened and Holy Spirit- strengthened hosts, now rejecting them...BOOM!

My dear sister. We have debated over time on many subjects and we will on this one as well. May I say to you and all who are reading our posts that we do not always agree on very thing but we still love each other and this is another one of those examples.
This subject is one I have invested many, many hours of time to and I know that you will not agree with my comments but I will make them for those who are on the fence of understanding or just have never given this much thought.

Now the question you are posing is in fact, can demons inhabit or spatially indwell a true believer? Can they walk through an open door and become a squatter? Proponents of today’s spiritual warfare movement say yes, but they base their answer on subjective experience, not on God’s Word. Subjective experience really means what we want it to say, not actually what I need for everyone to understand that the Bible makes it clear that such a claim has no justifiable basis.

There is no clear example in the Bible where a demon ever inhabited or invaded a true believer. Never in the New Testament epistles are believers warned about the possibility of being inhabited by demons. Neither do we see anyone rebuking, binding, or casting demons out of a true believer. The epistles never instruct believers to cast out demons, whether from a believer or unbeliever. Christ and the apostles were the only ones who cast out demons, and in every instance the demon-possessed people were unbelievers.

The collective teaching of Scripture is that demons can never spatially indwell a true believer. The world isovercome today with those who are chasing after signs and wonders and gifts. But is that the example of the Lord Jesus Christ is what you must come to grips with.

Instead of responding with spectacular signs and wonders, Christ addressed the people of His day with their need for salvation. As we around today it seems as if many people appear to have their lives in order as Christians........
But in reality, they have not trusted Christ as Savior and Lord. Their souls are “unoccupied” — that is, the Holy Spirit does not indwell them. Thus they are open to demonic invasion.

That cannot be true of those whose bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit which is stated clearly in 2 Cor. 6:16.

 

[CCW95A]

I for one do not believe a Christian can be "possessed" by a evil spirit(s) (demon). We are told not to yield our member unto unrighteousness, which would be evil spirits attempting to cause us to do things unholy from the outside. No man knows the thoughts of a man except for the spirit of man which is inside him (1 Cor 2:11). If there were demonic spirits that could live inside a Christian they would know our every thoughts which is not possible. Only the Spirit of God knows our thoughts as he does live inside the believer.

 

[Major]

Then you should have been with my born again daughter who had 3-4 demons cast out of her. I myself, born again for years had an extremely powerful demon of fear cast out of me as a young woman.

Demonic oppression and demonic possession are two very different thing my sister. We are all at one time or another oppressed by demons but we are not all possessed by a demon.

 

[Major]

I for one do not believe a Christian can be "possessed" by a evil spirit(s) (demon). We are told not to yield our member unto unrighteousness, which would be evil spirits attempting to cause us to do things unholy from the outside. No man knows the thoughts of a man except for the spirit of man which is inside him (1 Cor 2:11). If there were demonic spirits that could live inside a Christian they would know our every thoughts which is not possible. Only the Spirit of God knows our thoughts as he does live inside the believer.

IMO understanding, you would be absolutely correct.

 

[Ravindran]

I hear you but may I also say that if we do not know our enemy we are destined to fall to our enemy.

Yes, I agree.. But to know (what we actually need to know) about enemy, we should reply on Holy Spirit and not try to learn the ways of devil. Trying to learn the enemy will reduce our dependency on Lord and will eventually lead to our loss. If we look at all the battles of Israel in OT, victories were accomplished only when Israel relied on Lord to bring victory and not on any military strategy. It was not that they understood enemy well. It was just that they relied on Lord for victory.

 

[CCW95A]

Certainly many people have, and are "possessed" of demons. We would be deceived if we think this never happens. Jesus went everywhere and he "healed" ALL that were "oppressed" of the devil, for God was with him. (Acts 10:38) Sickness is not a "demon", but it is demonic oppression brought on by the devil himself. Almost always it comes as the results of fear. That which we greatly fear will come upon us. Fear is of the devil, and we are not unaware of his devises in how he works against the Church.
The doctrine of devils are not devils themselves, but thoughts that we hear from the outside of us which is contrary to the Word of God. We are told to cast down these thoughts, and imaginations using weapons that are not carnal but mighty through God, which is the Word of God.

 

[Euphemia]

Good stuff. I have no argument at all with your thoughts.

1 Timothy 4:1..........
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to secducing spirits and doctrines of devils".

Allow me only to add that Demons are REAL! They are incorporeal beings who were angels but had fallen and rebelled against God. The absolute worse thing that we can do, and I hear you saying this.......is that we underestimate their immense power.

IMO , one of the worst things we as Christians can do is to believe that we can wrestle with demons and kick them around. My observation's have been that there are some who believe that they can control or beat these demons into submission or obedience.

I think that we need to remember that Michael the arch angel could not get through to Daniel with a message and had to call another strong angel to come and fight with this demon. If Michael had that kind of trouble, I hate to think what a demon would do against me. That is why I am glad I have never been involved in any possession situation and I hope that I never will be.

Blessing to you my brother and your family at this wonderful time of the year!

It is for us to know who we are in Christ so that when we are confronted with the demonic, or with people who are in need of freedom in Christ, we can be counted on by God to step up to the plate and in the name of Jesus we get the job done without fanfare...just as a matter of course in living out our faith on a daily basis.

 

[Euphemia]

My dear sister. We have debated over time on many subjects and we will on this one as well. May I say to you and all who are reading our posts that we do not always agree on very thing but we still love each other and this is another one of those examples.
This subject is one I have invested many, many hours of time to and I know that you will not agree with my comments but I will make them for those who are on the fence of understanding or just have never given this much thought.

Now the question you are posing is in fact, can demons inhabit or spatially indwell a true believer? Can they walk through an open door and become a squatter? Proponents of today’s spiritual warfare movement say yes, but they base their answer on subjective experience, not on God’s Word. Subjective experience really means what we want it to say, not actually what I need for everyone to understand that the Bible makes it clear that such a claim has no justifiable basis.

There is no clear example in the Bible where a demon ever inhabited or invaded a true believer. Never in the New Testament epistles are believers warned about the possibility of being inhabited by demons. Neither do we see anyone rebuking, binding, or casting demons out of a true believer. The epistles never instruct believers to cast out demons, whether from a believer or unbeliever. Christ and the apostles were the only ones who cast out demons, and in every instance the demon-possessed people were unbelievers.

The collective teaching of Scripture is that demons can never spatially indwell a true believer. The world isovercome today with those who are chasing after signs and wonders and gifts. But is that the example of the Lord Jesus Christ is what you must come to grips with.

Instead of responding with spectacular signs and wonders, Christ addressed the people of His day with their need for salvation. As we around today it seems as if many people appear to have their lives in order as Christians........
But in reality, they have not trusted Christ as Savior and Lord. Their souls are “unoccupied” — that is, the Holy Spirit does not indwell them. Thus they are open to demonic invasion.

That cannot be true of those whose bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit which is stated clearly in 2 Cor. 6:16.

Believers all over the place have demonic strongholds that linger in their lives despite them coming to salvation. That is why we disciple believers to help them walk in faith, and to turn to each other for care and help. People have struggles in the areas of anger, drugs, alcohol, pornography, adulterous behaviours, sexual appetites and perversions, addictions, evil thoughts and speech, self-abuse, fears and phobias, pain and sickness of every kind, etc, etc, etc. These are strongholds, and they have their source in the demonic. We, in Christ, have His authority over them, to remove them from their places of control in people's lives.

 

[Euphemia]

Demonic oppression and demonic possession are two very different thing my sister. We are all at one time or another oppressed by demons but we are not all possessed by a demon.

I always differentiate the two. However, to one so afflicted, it doesn't make a hill of beans difference whether it is "oppression" or "possession". It is torment all the same, and deliverance is required.

 

[Major]

I always differentiate the two. However, to one so afflicted, it doesn't make a hill of beans difference whether it is "oppression" or "possession". It is torment all the same, and deliverance is required.

The point is......a Christian can be oppressed but he can not be possessed. I am sorry I didn't make that clearer.

 

[Major]

Believers all over the place have demonic strongholds that linger in their lives despite them coming to salvation. That is why we disciple believers to help them walk in faith, and to turn to each other for care and help. People have struggles in the areas of anger, drugs, alcohol, pornography, adulterous behaviours, sexual appetites and perversions, addictions, evil thoughts and speech, self-abuse, fears and phobias, pain and sickness of every kind, etc, etc, etc. These are strongholds, and they have their source in the demonic. We, in Christ, have His authority over them, to remove them from their places of control in people's lives.

I call those things "Pet Sins" and temptation rather than demon possession or even oppression. And I agree that we have the ability to overcome those temptations in Christ.

 

[Euphemia]

I can those things "Pet Sins" and temptation rather than demon possession or even oppression. And I agree that we have the ability to overcome those temptations in Christ.

Well, now it's time to call a spade a spade. These strongholds are not just "pet sins", but to the Christian, they are hindrances and torments.

 

[Major]

Yes, I agree.. But to know (what we actually need to know) about enemy, we should reply on Holy Spirit and not try to learn the ways of devil. Trying to learn the enemy will reduce our dependency on Lord and will eventually lead to our loss. If we look at all the battles of Israel in OT, victories were accomplished only when Israel relied on Lord to bring victory and not on any military strategy. It was not that they understood enemy well. It was just that they relied on Lord for victory.

Isn't that "tomato" or "Tamato"???

To me it is the Holy Spirit who gives us the ability know, learn and grow in knowledge. That does not mean in any why that we depend less on Him because we learn something new. But that is just my opinion.

 

[Major]

Well, now it's time to call a spade a spade.

OK. ...........A spade is a SHOVEL!

 

[Major]

Hi Major,
I hope things are working out well with you and the projects that you were working on.
I find the problem with most believers and you would have to have help to not see it in this thread is that they do Not Know or Understand who the enemy is and how he opperates.

Some act as if - ohhhh dont talk about such things or you will hasve the boogy man under your bed and others claim it takes wisdom and understanding and yet others feel satan has No control over a born again man. No wonder the devil has an easy time these days - he just has to walk in the shadows and do his bidding.

Fact is No beleiver has any right to not know the enemy and how he opperates.
Mark 4 the parable of the sower shows us the 5 ways satan comes at us and it can be any one of them or combination of them and yes he will camouflage them if he can.

The devil will control by one thought at a time. Places a thought and waits to see what you do. Then another and another and so forth. This may sound sound so easy to see and many may beleive this can not happen to them but truth is - they are simply incorrect.

Scripture tells us he is Looking or Seeking some one to devour or another words some one to manipulate and gain access to thier words and ways and life. It is not all gory hollywood and friday night tv stuff.

The more you grow into walking in the spirit - well sir the more you learn how much authority has been given you over the enemy the devil - But then again you have to know what this is and how to allow it to work.

As you said sir, The Name of Jesus - it is the only name -
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, ofthings in heaven, and things in earth, and thingsunder the earth;

However Just because one mumbles the name does not mean success in many situations.
If you are not built up in His word then your words carry very little weight or power.
The disciples asked why they could not cast out certain demons - Jesus answered them saying these kind come out by fasting and prayer....What Jesus is showing us is that we too must stay Prayed up and Fasted up or another words built up on His Most Holy Word.

Once you know who you are in Christ ( the anointed one - the anointing ) and opperate in such a manner - no demon or devil can over come you or your life.
There is a flip side to this as well - if you dont understand how the devil opperates and how he manipulates then you simply will not be able to place him under your foot. Far to many beleivers just think they are doing so but then go crying out to God because all these area's of their lives are amiss. Hmmm wonder why that could be?

Major I apologise for going on and on and maybe not even saying much but it bothers me big time how Christians think when it comes to the devil. Why ? that is simple to answer - because it has been the devils plan all along to get and keep the body of Christ in the dark concerning his ways. Sad thing is far to many born again beleivers are actually helping the devil mess up their lives. Go figure.

God Bless my Friend and trusted Brother
James W

Thanks Jim. The product has been finished, proof read and printed. We are binding it this week and begin the study the 1st of Jan.
Thanks for asking and also for your prayers. I think it will probably be the last thing I am going to take on of that magnitude.