Seeing the Unseen-Week 6
Demons and humans…is there interaction?

Last week, I told you to expect to answer a question this week. Do you remember the question? I asked you whether you believed or not that demons can still inhabit people in 2006. You were to think about it, read about it bad pray about it. Did you? Now is your chance to answer. What do you think?

Last we tried to figure out just what a demon is…..this week we look at how and if they are still active in this fight today. For many years, I did not think they were. Probably for the reason that I had never seen it, or known anyone who had. But as I grew in faith and knowledge I began to wonder. For one, why would it be so prevalent in the Bible and not anymore? Also, I have heard some medical professionals argue that some evil in humans has no other explanation other than possession by evil forces. I also read many accounts from other brotherhoods and Catholicism that seemed very real. I also heard some accounts personally from people at work in the mission fields in 3rd world countries, whom I knew were otherwise very conservative. And..here we are today. Last week EVERY SINGLE person in this class said they believed in the existence of demons and that they are real and active. Including me. The BIG PROBLEM was that none of us admitted to having a CLUE what to do if ever confronted with the possibility of one! Hopefully, we may learn some thing this week.

Where are Satan and his minions doing their work today? Most stories I hear today of modern possession seem to take place in Africa, And other 3rd world places (remember the stories the Church of Christ missionary shared with us at Faith Quest 2 years ago?). Rarely do I hear legitimate cases in America. Why do you think this is? Here is a quote from a missionary in Joe Beam’s book:
“Why would Satan allow his forces to reveal themselves clearly in America? Americans think Satan is a silly fool in a clownish red suit. Allowing demons to possess people and call attention to themselves in this country would be counterproductive. It is much wiser to let the people of America think of Satan as a farce than to drive them to God for deliverance from widespread demon possession. But in 3rd world countries, where the populace has no doubt that Satan exists, he has nothing to gain from a subdued approach. It is there that he unleashes his demons to do their work.”

In other words, these countries are already steeped in dark demonic religion, and Satan acts mightily there where he has no reason to disguise himself. In America, most of Europe and even Canada, Satan loses a definitive advantage by revealing himself clearly. If you were fighting an enemy who did not believe you existed wouldn’t that be helpful???? Why foolishly show yourself when you are winning already behind the scenes and unnoticed?

SO back to the question: Can demons still posses people today? Well…can they? I think so. That is my opinion, but listen to this (also my uneducated opinion): I DO NOT THINK THEY CAN IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN WITH A REAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST!!!!

I believe that when we are baptized into Christ we are FILLED with the Holy Spirit. And if a demon has to totally take control of a person to possess them, I don’t think the Holy Spirit would allow that if it lives in him or her! Make any sense? Read Romans 6:3-7, 8:38-39 I think there is NO evil spirit strong enough to displace the Holy Spirit living in a Christian.

Well…there is my answer. Guess we can just stop here huh???? Not exactly……. This does not mean that demons and evil cannot still INFLUENCE Christians. I believe there is another aspect of demonic operation. The popular term for it today is “demonization”. And I think this is VERY real and VERY MUCH alive today.

Demonization

The Holy Spirit is not displaced here. Forces do NOT take control of someone, but rather assumes a position of powerful influence and power over your actions and decisions. Sound totally crazy yet? One possessed are a puppet, acting at a demons whim. They have NO ability to resist. But what I am talking about, people make their own decisions. If they knew how, they could resist. BUT…they feel as if they have no control because of the amazing influence wielded upon them.

“A FOOTHOLD”
Let’s read Ephesians 4:22-27 together. This is what I am talking about. What does it mean to “give the devil a foothold”?
** The King James says “neither give place to the devil.”
** The NAS says “do not give the Devil an opportunity”.
So consider the verse again. Paul is telling us to live Godly lives, and he says that by clinging to anger, we give Satan a hold. Or we give him a place, power, or occasion to act in our life. Makes sense to me. It is not satanic control. Not possession. We will still be making decisions. But, by clinging, we have opened ourselves up a little more to Satan’s tremendous powers! It has created a very real vulnerability. When I read this verse I believe it is saying we have given Satan and his horde access to us because we have left open a weak spot in our spiritual armor!!!!! Anger is not the only sin listed in this entire context. So I imagine that any of these create this vulnerability.

Surely we have seen this in reality. Any examples in your life you have witnessed? A strong Christian you know addicted to sex or pornography. They literally cry through the night in guilt. They want so badly to quit and sincerely, but the simply CANNOT. The compulsion is so strong that resistance is futile. Maybe a friend just cannot stop a sexually immoral affair. They want to. Even hates themselves for it, but has no clue how to stop it, and it is as if at times they have no control whatsoever over the action. And the examples go on and on!

Her me on this: I am not saying these folks have no responsibility for their actions. But I believe that MANY Christians face a force MUCH STRONGER than typical temptation! What do you think about this? Satan has a small dwelling place (or foothold) in some of us that give him perfect vantage points to know when and how to manipulate us to sin. It is SO powerful, that people buy the lie that they cannot overcome this desire to sin. It happens all the time, even to people we know, in our own churches! Some feel powerless to control their own emotions and desires.

Do you believe situations exist where demons could hold amazing levels of influence over people, far beyond regular temptation? Why not? Don’t people have this ability??? Absolutely they do!!!! Some people carry an unbelievable ability to get others to do pretty much anything they want. You know stories like this, or maybe even people like this. So why wouldn’t Satan have this ability too? Paul says he does- read I Tim. 2:25-26.

Do you believe this at all yet? I am not talking about a good person simply falling once in a while. I am describing people so tangled up in Satan’s traps to the point they yield their wills. YOU KNOW EXAMPLES OF THIS. It is much more everyday struggles with the flesh! It is a person so overpowered in a struggle with sin that they become literally enslave. They cannot stop drinking, having sex, turning on the internet etc. (II Pet 2:19-20)

IS THERE HELP OR EVEN HOPE FOR THESE PEOPLE???
Yes my friend…there is. Any Christian of several years has stories of incomprehensible and unbelievable actions you have either personally experienced or witnessed in friends you KNOW love Jesus!

I think it is time that we start to call this what it is. It is not mere acts of temptation. It is not JUST weak willed people. And, it is not just another random sin! It is the direct work of Satan’s forces dong whatever he can to destroy God’s people!!!!!!! I said it and I believe it!

And yes my friends…there is a way out. But ONLY once the power of God is used to deliver these people from the evil beings who have a foothold in them. Preaching, teaching, praying, rebuking, or even monitoring and controlling their every action will NOT solve the problem. Medicine will not solve it. Nothing will until we realize that demonized people exist and are not emotionally ill or hopelessly evil, BUT that they DO need freed from these powers. Nothing can offer this freedom until the demonic force is defeated by the power of Jesus Christ!

(honestly…I am scaring you now right??? I am myself! What does that mean I have to believe? What does this mean I may have to do?????? Anyone else asking these questions?)

Next week I will try and offer you suggestions on we can overcome these demonic forces in today’s world. Until then, keep praying, reading and studying. Make sure you keep your armor up. Let no anger or sin open up a deadly weak spot in your spiritual armor!