KingJ
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- Mar 31, 2015
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I believe that there is a lot to consider on this topic and it deserves a thorough discussion and review.
Many have demons in their house. Many are harassed by demons and don't know it. Many are harassed by demons and do know it. Many think they can cast out demons and can't. Many think they are spiritual warfare experts if they can cast out demons. Do they cast out demons? Why do demons need to be cast out? What are demons? Why are demons around me in the first place? Must a walk around looking to almost have a physical fight with demons?
I believe most peoples thinking and teaching on this topic is erroneous and terrible. I am by no means an expert, but I know enough to call 'nonsense' on a lot of 'nonsense'. I do not believe we should be going around casting demons out of everyone as some do.
1. What is a demon.
A demon is a fallen angel. Angels in heaven had free will and many chose to pull the middle finger to God and were removed from His presence. Think of it as sinners whose sin 'became' full measure. Or extremely grievous. If you are a Catholic, they would all be guilty of 'mortal sin'. We see in scripture that God only gives up on sinners when this happens Gen 15:16 'Sin of Amorites was not full measure', Gen 18:20 'Sins of Sodom were grievous'. As such there is no 'nice' demon. They are all 'sold out' to a love of what is evil. At various levels as with all sinners. Sin is sin but it also has degrees. Some demons are currently locked up Jude 1:6 then we know there are many roaming from various scriptures like Mark 5:15.
2. How many demons are there?
If you calculate according to Heb 12:22 you will arrive at 100 million. If you take a third of them being 'fallen stars', you arrive at 33 million. If you assume 10% are locked up, you arrive at a potential 30 million on earth right now. That is 3.75 to each person.
3. What are they busy doing?
Those locked up, probably not much other then what you would expect someone in a prison to do. Those roaming, well this get's interesting. We know that the devil is roaming, but heavily restricted from verse 1 Pet 5:8 as scripture is clear he is looking for 'whom' he can devour. He can't just 'devour' anyone. We also know from 2 Thess 2:6-8 that the Holy Spirit / God restrains him. The other roaming demons? Well, before anyone gets scared, know that we each have a guardian angel who watched over us 24/7 Psalm 34:7, Psalm 91:11, Matt 18:10. So, what are they doing? I believe scripture tells us a lot.
A. They interact with evil society.
During Noah's day they presented themselves as Nephilim Gen 6. Now I personally believe demons made bodies for themselves that they possessed. But many disagree with me and believe demons has relations with woman and their offspring were giants. Either way, the only point I want to make is that demons interacted with mankind when society at large was...evil.
B. They possess people.
We know this from many scriptures. Matt 8:16 for example says 'many' were brought Jesus. Possessions were a real problem in His day. Our body seems to be some kind of vehicle that can offer a ride to them. They clearly want to take part in what we are doing. Now this makes sense with point A above. The two tie up. When we are doing evil things, these fallen angels probably have a chat with our guardian angel and say ''hey, let me past, this guy is doing something I would do''. I do believe it is as simple as that.
They do a lot more, I will post further later. For now, these two are important to grasp as they relate to an exorcism.
-----------------------------------
So now, exorcism....
We need to consider a few things.
1. We are not living in the days of Jesus or prior.
At the time of Jesus, there was no 'restrainer' 2 Thess 2:6-8. There was no 'Christianity at large'. There was no 'Jesus in us' 1 Cor 6:19. Demons today have a much harder time then they did before Jesus. Fact. I would argue that in a first world Christian country, there are not many instances where you would need to perform an exorcism (if any).
2. God does not hate demons.
We know that God loves animals, yet Jesus cast demons into swine Mark 5:12. We see that by doing this He clearly favored honoring their request over the livelihood of the swine. This says a lot. We must remember this.
3. Wicked people open the door to demons.
You are foolish if you try cast demons out of a wicked person Matt 12:43-45. If the said individual does not want Jesus, they 'want' the demons. They are not possessed because they love Jesus.
4. A Christian has overwhelming authority in Jesus.
As a Christian you have complete power over demons. They know every Christian by name. You are their enemy. What happened in Acts 19:16 will never happen to you. Knowing this, you can become out of order as a Christian where you go around 'harassing demons'. As a Christian, you need to grasp that demons run and leave when someone accepts Jesus. There is hardly a need for an exorcism.
Conclusion:
I do not want to throw the baby out with the bath water. Many times exorcism are necessary and needed. I propose that in all those instances where you think one is necessary you find a very mature Christian to share Jesus with the possessed person. You can do more damage then good if you lay hands on just anyone and harass demons.
We are created just beneath the angels Heb 2:7. There is a lot we have in common with each other. Let's not be 'mad' and 'power trip' if we are good at harassing them. We achieve nothing if we cast demons out of a person. We only have victory if someone accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior. Jesus will then chase the demons.
Demons possess and harass because said individuals open the door to them. It is possible to think you are in spiritual warfare but not actually be in it.
Let's not be Matt 7:22 type Christians! Matt 7:22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.
Many have demons in their house. Many are harassed by demons and don't know it. Many are harassed by demons and do know it. Many think they can cast out demons and can't. Many think they are spiritual warfare experts if they can cast out demons. Do they cast out demons? Why do demons need to be cast out? What are demons? Why are demons around me in the first place? Must a walk around looking to almost have a physical fight with demons?
I believe most peoples thinking and teaching on this topic is erroneous and terrible. I am by no means an expert, but I know enough to call 'nonsense' on a lot of 'nonsense'. I do not believe we should be going around casting demons out of everyone as some do.
1. What is a demon.
A demon is a fallen angel. Angels in heaven had free will and many chose to pull the middle finger to God and were removed from His presence. Think of it as sinners whose sin 'became' full measure. Or extremely grievous. If you are a Catholic, they would all be guilty of 'mortal sin'. We see in scripture that God only gives up on sinners when this happens Gen 15:16 'Sin of Amorites was not full measure', Gen 18:20 'Sins of Sodom were grievous'. As such there is no 'nice' demon. They are all 'sold out' to a love of what is evil. At various levels as with all sinners. Sin is sin but it also has degrees. Some demons are currently locked up Jude 1:6 then we know there are many roaming from various scriptures like Mark 5:15.
2. How many demons are there?
If you calculate according to Heb 12:22 you will arrive at 100 million. If you take a third of them being 'fallen stars', you arrive at 33 million. If you assume 10% are locked up, you arrive at a potential 30 million on earth right now. That is 3.75 to each person.
3. What are they busy doing?
Those locked up, probably not much other then what you would expect someone in a prison to do. Those roaming, well this get's interesting. We know that the devil is roaming, but heavily restricted from verse 1 Pet 5:8 as scripture is clear he is looking for 'whom' he can devour. He can't just 'devour' anyone. We also know from 2 Thess 2:6-8 that the Holy Spirit / God restrains him. The other roaming demons? Well, before anyone gets scared, know that we each have a guardian angel who watched over us 24/7 Psalm 34:7, Psalm 91:11, Matt 18:10. So, what are they doing? I believe scripture tells us a lot.
A. They interact with evil society.
During Noah's day they presented themselves as Nephilim Gen 6. Now I personally believe demons made bodies for themselves that they possessed. But many disagree with me and believe demons has relations with woman and their offspring were giants. Either way, the only point I want to make is that demons interacted with mankind when society at large was...evil.
B. They possess people.
We know this from many scriptures. Matt 8:16 for example says 'many' were brought Jesus. Possessions were a real problem in His day. Our body seems to be some kind of vehicle that can offer a ride to them. They clearly want to take part in what we are doing. Now this makes sense with point A above. The two tie up. When we are doing evil things, these fallen angels probably have a chat with our guardian angel and say ''hey, let me past, this guy is doing something I would do''. I do believe it is as simple as that.
They do a lot more, I will post further later. For now, these two are important to grasp as they relate to an exorcism.
-----------------------------------
So now, exorcism....
We need to consider a few things.
1. We are not living in the days of Jesus or prior.
At the time of Jesus, there was no 'restrainer' 2 Thess 2:6-8. There was no 'Christianity at large'. There was no 'Jesus in us' 1 Cor 6:19. Demons today have a much harder time then they did before Jesus. Fact. I would argue that in a first world Christian country, there are not many instances where you would need to perform an exorcism (if any).
2. God does not hate demons.
We know that God loves animals, yet Jesus cast demons into swine Mark 5:12. We see that by doing this He clearly favored honoring their request over the livelihood of the swine. This says a lot. We must remember this.
3. Wicked people open the door to demons.
You are foolish if you try cast demons out of a wicked person Matt 12:43-45. If the said individual does not want Jesus, they 'want' the demons. They are not possessed because they love Jesus.
4. A Christian has overwhelming authority in Jesus.
As a Christian you have complete power over demons. They know every Christian by name. You are their enemy. What happened in Acts 19:16 will never happen to you. Knowing this, you can become out of order as a Christian where you go around 'harassing demons'. As a Christian, you need to grasp that demons run and leave when someone accepts Jesus. There is hardly a need for an exorcism.
Conclusion:
I do not want to throw the baby out with the bath water. Many times exorcism are necessary and needed. I propose that in all those instances where you think one is necessary you find a very mature Christian to share Jesus with the possessed person. You can do more damage then good if you lay hands on just anyone and harass demons.
We are created just beneath the angels Heb 2:7. There is a lot we have in common with each other. Let's not be 'mad' and 'power trip' if we are good at harassing them. We achieve nothing if we cast demons out of a person. We only have victory if someone accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior. Jesus will then chase the demons.
Demons possess and harass because said individuals open the door to them. It is possible to think you are in spiritual warfare but not actually be in it.
Let's not be Matt 7:22 type Christians! Matt 7:22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.