The Doctrine of Demons [Part 3] - Tim Millen

IS THERE SUCH A THING AS DEMON POSSESSION?

The possibility of demon possession demands serious consideration because not only has it been and is it being accepted as a fact in many places, but apparently the Lord recognized it as a real thing.

Furthermore, He and His disciples distinguished between normal physical illnesses which were cured by laying on of hands or anointing with oil, and cases of demon possession which were cured by commanding the demon to come out (Mt 10:8 “"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”; Mk 6:13 “And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.”).

The only way to try to define demon possession is by the characteristics of the clearly diagnosed cases in the Bible, and this is not easy because sometimes demon possession showed the symptoms of ordinary diseases (Mt 9:32-33 “As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, "It was never seen like this in Israel!"”).

Nevertheless, demon possession seems to mean that a demon or demons reside within a person, exerting direct control on that person's mind and/or body.

It is probably a good idea to make a distinction between demon possession and demon activity or influence.

If there is a distinction, then in demon possession the base of the demon's operations is within the person possessed, while demon influence is from outside the person's being.

However, the symptoms or characteristics may very well be the same whether the demon is operating from within or without.

Yet if you ask whether a Christian can be demon possessed, seemingly the answer should be no, simply because the indwelling of the Holy Spirit would seem to forbid a rival power like a demon from also possessing him at the same time.

But if you ask whether a Christian can be affected seriously by a demon, the answer is certainly yes; the effect of such demon activity may be the same as characterizes demon possession.

As I’ve already said, sometimes physical disease is the result of demon possession or activity

and sometimes mental derangement is due to demons (Mt 17: 15 “ "Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic { This meaning is doubtful as the Greeks knew nothing of epilepsy. Lit. ‘Moon-struck’ or lunatic) and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.”),
but not always (see Dan 4).

When a person appears with an emotional or mental problem, the cause may be single or multiple, usually the latter, and that is why it is often difficult to unravel the problem.

Medical help may be all that is necessary, or it may be required in order to bring the person to the place where a spiritual or demonic problem may then be dealt with.

Demons can be cast out, but this is not to be taken lightly.

The Lord reminded us that there is the danger of a demon returning to his former victim accompanied by worse spirits (Lk 11: 24-26 “"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, `I will return to my house from which I came.' "And when he comes, he finds it 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."”).

Also, when a demon is cast out he will undoubtedly seek embodiment in some other person.'
It is interesting to see some of today's society believe in things they cannot see, smell, taste or feel.
Today we are told of the different rays from the sun that can go into our eyes and damage the nerves and lose some of our eyesight.
Yet, we respond to a scientist, who tells the general public this is what they have found and to do what they are told and buy certain sunglasses to protect their eyes and wear sun screen to protect against the “cancer inducing rays.”
Yet, mention to some Christians that there are demons running around trying to affect them in some way, and they will look at you as if you’re not all there.
Christians must realize they are in mortal danger without the armour of God. Satan's time is running short and he knows it.
He will be “pulling out all stops” in an effort to get back some of the most dedicated Christians we have.
He will be working overtime to derail new Christians; another group that if you tell them about demons is not spiritually mature enough to understand what you are talking about.
Jesus knew about demons and about Satan. He conversed with demons in casting them out and even conversed with Satan when He was tempted by him. Jesus knew the power of Satan and his demons.
I also warn you not to get paranoid and think every thought you think is being affected by a demon.
But do be aware that where you do not have the spiritual armour on, there is the possibility that you could have thoughts being planted by “spiritual darts” from the enemy.
The answer to all of this is fairly simple.
Jesus gave us His way of dealing with things, and what we should and should not do.
If we approach things with the attitude of learning how Jesus would react to your situation or what He would do in this situation, you are on safe ground.
So put on the armour and pray, pray, pray, and then pray some more.
And take heart because eventually all demons will be cast with Satan into the lake of fire forever (Mt 25:41 “"Then He will also say to those on the left hand, `Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:”).