The Spiritual Reality #11: Possessed

Last month we discussed the reality of demonic influences on individuals and how a person can recognize it. This raises the question: Can a Christian be demon possessed? The answer to this question completely depends upon a proper understanding of the original New Testament (NT) Greek word that gets translated as such. This is where the misunderstanding occurs.

The word “possessed” does NOT exist in the Greek NT. Wayne Grudem explains this by saying, “The Greek NT can speak of people who ‘have a demon’ (Matt. 11:18), or it can speak of people who are suffering from demonic influence (Matt. 4:24), but it never uses language that suggests that a demon actually ‘possesses’ someone”- (Systematic Theology, p. 423). Therefore, technically speaking no one can be “demon possessed” rather a person can only be under their influence.

The significance of this clarification is that by saying a person is “possessed” implies that they have no freewill choice but to give into the demon’s attacks and temptations. Thus, literally speaking, a Christian cannot be demon possessed (Rom. 6:14). On the other hand, a Christian can be under their influence. The Apostle Paul admits to being tormented by a demon (2 Cor. 12:7). Like-wise, Jesus freed a believer who had struggled with “a spirit of infirmity for 18 years” (Luke 13:11 NKJV).

Some will make the argument that demons can’t exist in the same place as the Holy Spirit. Yet demons and the Spirit are vastly different meta-physically. The Spirit is divine, infinite, and uncreated, while demons are imperfect, finite, and created beings. Further-more, if an evil spirit and the Spirit can’t operate at the same time and place, then there would be no need to be on the alert for our enemy (1 Pet. 5:8), nor to put on the armor of God (Eph. 6:11).   

“The influence that Satan and his demons can have on believers is a matter of degree. Since we live in a world whose god is Satan (2 Cor. 4:4), the possibility of being tempted, deceived, and accused is continuously present. If you allow his schemes to influence you, you can lose control to the degree that you have been deceived”-(Anderson, The Bondage Breaker, p. 187).  Their influence can include bringing certain ideas and images into our minds. “They stoke the fires of our sinful desires and exploit our spiritual weaknesses. They work indirectly upon our wills through other people”- (Cottrell, The Faith Once for All, p. 175).

So how do we as Christians overcome and/or prevent demonic influences in our lives? Satan and his demon’s most effective means of influencing our lives is through deception, as they “deceive the whole world” (Rev. 12:9). Therefore, first, we must know and follow the truth; Jesus is the truth (John 14:6). And He has given us all truth necessary to overcome in His Word (John 8:32).

Second, we can overcome demonic influences through resisting by the power of the Holy Spirit (James 4:7). The Holy Spirit is the One who is greater than our enemy and He lives within us (1 John 4:4).

And third, we can overcome demonic influences by avoiding things that they could use as a foothold in our lives like unrighteous anger (Eph. 4:27), jealousy, selfishness, boasting and lying (James 3:14-16)

Therefore, may we as Christians protect ourselves with the truth (Eph. 6:14). May we resist our enemy through righteousness (Eph. 6:14). And may we avoid opportunities that could open ourselves up to their attacks (Eph. 6:16). 

In His service,

     Matt

Elder’s Corner: Secret Truth vs. The Eternal Truth

A few weeks back in our Sunday adult class, we read the letter of 2 John. In it the Apostle John speaks of his love for Christ and all Christians as they walk in the truth. Knowing that the truth is a path for freedom, so John warns about failing to follow it.

The original recipients of 2 John were a group who had doubts about Jesus: questioning His existence, miracles, teachings, death and resurrection. Claiming like today, that there are secret books, or “gospels,” rather than accepting the Bible’s teaching of its completion (Rev. 22:18-19). These false teachers claim that the church is trying to cover up things.

Thus, these false teachers claim that there is a hidden knowledge that the church does not want a person to know. The idea of “new secrets” propagated in John’s day, was also known as the heresy of Gnosticism. This so called “secret truth” finds no credibility (see http://eugenechristianchurch.blogspot.com/2013/10/how-to-understand-bible-101-lesson-1.html).

 In John 8:32, Jesus states “You will know the true and the truth will set you free.” Truth is readily accessible in contrast with the secret truth that John mentioned and some cults assert today.

The truth, which lives in us, gives a personal sense of understanding as an indwelling power. We have the access to Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) when we follow His instructions to remain in Him as He remains in us. Truth is not temporary or situational, but will be with us forever, contrary to today’s rejection of absolute truth. This is the eternal truth of God’s Word.      

—Enrique

Worldview #1: The Big Picture Questions

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

It has been said, “In the journey of life, it’s ok for me to stop and ask for directions.” As a child, I loved asking the infamous, pestering question of ‘Why?’  Why is the grass green?  Why does the sun shine?  Why does the ant crawl? And now as a parent, I know that it will not be long until I start to hear some of those same questions from my son.

Yet, am I ready to answer the barrage of questions that I know are coming?  How can I answer his questions when I have questions of my own that life has challenged me with?  Maybe you have some of the same questions.  I want to encourage you to join me as I explore some tough questions that have locked some into a pretzel.

In fact, life seems to be full of questions. The answers to some questions really do not make a whole lot of difference. However, there are some questions that do! The questions that have the greatest significance pertain to a person’s worldview.  Questions like…

· Where did all of creation come from? How was the earth, as we know it today, shaped geologically? And what difference does this mean to mankind?

· How is right from wrong determined? Does absolute truth exist; in other words, is what is true for you not necessarily true for me?

· Is there a God?

· Are all the various religions constructs of mankind? Or in other words, do all religions teach the same thing and conclude with the same result? How is it possible to know if any of them are correct?

· What is the purpose or meaning of life? Does it matter what a person does and how they live?

· What causes the pain and suffering we experience throughout our lifetimes?

· What happens when we die?

There are serious questions that can and should be answered.  Questions, that once understood, can impact our lives. Unfortunately, there are also numerous answers to these questions. Therefore, my plan is simply to examine some of the most widely held views, consider where the evidence points to, and then leave it in your hands, while praying that we are granted wisdom with the answers that we discover.

In His service,

            Matt

The Spiritual Reality #10: Who Has the Most Bullets?

As illustrated in previous articles, there is a spiritual war going on in our world today. Some contend that all evil and sin is from Satan and his demons, yet that is not the case. “If we think of the overall emphasis of the New Testament, we realize that very little space is given to discussing demonic activity in the lives of believers or methods to resist and oppose such activity. The emphasis is on telling believers not to sin but to live lives of righteousness” (Grudem, Systematic Theology, p. 420).

Therefore, agreeing with Grudem, I believe that demonic influence/possession is not as common as some would like to think. However, I do believe that it is much more common than a lot of people would like to contend. On this note, I also agree with Roger Ellsworth who says, “Satan is never happier than when people believe he does not exist” (What the Bible Teaches About Angels, p. 26). Thus, this month, I asked Alan McNeely, an elder here at ECC to share an experience that he had with demonic influence/possession.

“When I was a student at CMSU, I also attended Christian Campus House.  I met a girl, Marsha, who also attended Bible Study there.  We became good friends.  I learned she had been abused as a child and had also participated in séances and other occult practices against her will. After our conversations, I realized why the Bible so strongly prohibits involvement in such practices (Lev. 19:31; Deut. 18:10-12).  She was in a situation that allowed opportunities for the devil to attack her.”

How can demonic influences be recognized? First, Scripture illustrates that a demonically influenced individual will commonly be violent, especially towards themselves. For example, in one instance, a boy who suffered from demonic influence would be thrown violently to the ground by the spirit; he would foam at the mouth, grind his teeth, become rigid, and often the spirit would throw the boy into fire or water attempting to kill the boy (Mark 9:17-22 see also 5:2-5). “Such violent actions, especially those tending towards destruction of the affected person, were clear indications of demonic activity”(Grudem, Systematic Theology, p. 425).

Second, Scripture illustrates that a demonically influenced individual can suffer from various health issues such as epilepsy or other infirmities (Matt. 17:14-18; Luke 13:11ff). However, elsewhere epilepsy is distinguished from those who are under demonic influence (Matt. 4:24). Thus, sometimes health issues can be the result of demonic influence.

Third, Scripture illustrates that a demonically influenced individual will commonly oppose the teaching or preaching of Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation (1 Cor. 12:3; 2 Cor. 11:13-15; John 4:1-6). While sometimes these false teachers will deny Jesus’ human nature, most commonly they will deny that Jesus is God (see http://eugenechristianchurch.blogspot.com/2013/12/god-revealed-2-greatness-of-our-god.html)

And fourth, sometimes they can be recognized through spiritual discernment as in Alan’s experience. “There were many inconsistencies in her behavior which led some to believe she might be demon possessed. The campus minister was the driving force behind this determination (1 Cor. 12:10).” 

How should we as Christians respond to encounters with demonically oppressed individuals? In Alan’s situation, “they consulted with others and thought an exorcism might be required. I was asked by him to sit with Marsha during the exorcism. The campus minister and minister from Northside were there. They had apparently agreed what protocol to follow according to their interpretation of Scriptures. I had no idea what was to happen next.  There were demonstrations of supernatural phenomena during the conversations of the minister with the demons who possessed her.  I was one wide-eyed and wondering guy as all this took place. I've been asked many questions since then. Do you think she was demon possessed? “Yes.”

Relating to the question of how Christians should respond, Alan was asked “Do you think an exorcism should have been performed? “I'm not sure.” Do you think it should have been performed at Christian Campus House? “Probably not.”

What did I take from all this? Much! I am convinced that Ephesians 6:12 is absolutely correct. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

How am I to conquer these strong evil forces?  The next verse in that passage gives the answer.  v.13 “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm.” The next verses talk about those protections.  I take great confidence in knowing God has not left us defenseless in fighting back against demonic forces.

Some of my favorite verses point out how Satan is limited by God as to what he can do. Luke 22:31 points out that Satan begged for permission to put Peter through trials (sift like wheat). You can't be too powerful if you have to ask for permission to do something. 

So as a Christian I need to respect the power of Satan. (1 Peter 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”)  My paraphrase “I'd better watch out so I won't be his next snack.”  Another favorite which shows God has more bullets than the devil in this spiritual warfare is “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”   1 John 4:4b

—Alan