Demon possession

 

This past week I received a text from a man concerned about demon possession. He asked me what I knew about it. I told him that it does not exist today. His response: I wish that were true. I insisted that I could prove it Biblically. He sounded comforted but still wanted proof.

 

To be clear, I am not denying that demon possession existed. Jesus often cast out unclean spirits from people (Luke 4:40-41; 8:2, 26-33; 9:38-42). Beyond our Savior casting demons out of people, both the apostles and those whom they laid hands on also had the ability (Acts 5:16; 8:6-7; 16:16-18). It is one thing to know that possession existed, but it is another to understand what the Bible teaches on the subject.

 

Jesus, His apostles and some Christians cast out demons with purpose. This was not just done to help those suffering – it was also done to demonstrate power. Performing exorcisms showed that God was with them and confirmed that the things they were teaching were of God. Jesus made this purpose clear in Mark 16:19-20 – the gifts were given to confirm the word. Remember that in New Testament times, the scriptures were not yet complete. Once the complete revelation was given, it no longer needed to be confirmed and the gifts would go away (Jude 3).

 

Not just anyone could cast out demons though. As evidence, let’s consider what happened with some Jewish exorcists. In Acts 19:12-16, some religious men claimed to have the power to cast out evil spirits. These men noticed how Paul called upon Christ to rid people of evil spirits. Seeing this, they opted to do the same with a demon: “We adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches,” (verse 13).

 

The evil spirit then responded to the exorcists: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” (verse 15). Then the demon leaped on them, overpowered them and caused them to flee the house naked and wounded (verse 16).

 

Movies and modern depictions of exorcisms are nothing like what we find in the Bible. The exorcisms of the Bible do not require ongoing repetition of scriptures and all-night vigils. The exorcist simply commanded the evil spirit to leave the body, and the spirit would comply. This happened via the power from above. Jesus could do it, as could His apostles. As we previously mentioned, the apostles would lay hands on Christians to give them the gifts of the Holy Spirit. One of those gifts was the ability to cast out demons (Acts 8:17-18).

 

James 4:7 should offer us comfort: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” The key to this verse is the part that says to submit to God. The suffering of those who “think” they are possessed by demons has more to do with rejecting God than it does with being overpowered by some evil spirit. This is why we are warned about getting caught up in black magic, sorcery and even astrology (Acts 8:9; Rev. 21:8; Gal. 5:20; Eph. 5:11).  We are to rely on the power of God and not allow ourselves to follow Satan.

 

Am I implying that someone who dabbles with the occult will become demon-possessed? I will only quote the exact word of God: “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?” (Rom. 6:16). Demons cannot overpower anyone who is following God, and everyone has the capability to obey Him (Romans 14:11).

 

There is no need for exorcism today. Moreover, nobody is qualified to perform one as the apostles have not laid hands on anyone alive today. God always makes a way of escape when we are tempted (I Cor. 10:13). We do not have to fear being overpowered by demons. Trust in God and follow Him.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Chuck

That is not what I asked

 

Have you noticed how; when you ask someone a question, they often answer a different one? For example, this often happens when you ask people, “Are you going to heaven?” Many people give a response but do not truly answer the question. As you read this article, ask yourself if you are guilty of answering the wrong question.

 

When I ask you, “Are you going to heaven?” I am not asking you…

 

Do you want to go to heaven?

Although this is a good question, desiring to go somewhere and knowing whether you are going somewhere are very different. Some have concluded that they are going to heaven based upon their desire. We know this is true because of what Jesus said will happen in the last day. In Matthew 7:21-23, Christ speaks of the many who will think they are going to heaven merely because they want to go there. Let me be clear – it is good to desire to go to heaven! God’s word tells us of the requirements to actually get there though. Desire does not answer the question, “Are you going to heaven?”

 

Does God want you to go to heaven?

No Christian should doubt whether our heavenly Father wants us to go to heaven. He sent His Son to die on the cross so that we all might be saved (John 3:16). We are even told that our God does not want anyone to perish (II Pet. 3:9). However, we are not guaranteed to go to heaven just because our Creator wants us to go. It is true that God desires for us to join Him in heaven and thus made it accessible to us, but this does not answer the question, “Are you going to heaven?”

 

 

Do others say you are going to heaven?

Many religious people have been misled and now have a false hope of heaven. They believe they are going to heaven because of what their preacher said or because of what their family and friends told them. They are not considering what God has said about the matter. This is like when Eve was told in the garden that she would not die for disobedience when God clearly said she would (Gen. 3:4). Those who think they can blame the preacher or family member who taught error need to remember what Jesus said - when the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch (Matt. 15:14).  The teachings of men do not answer the question, “Are you going to heaven?”

 

Do you feel like you are going?

It is sad when people are taught that they cannot know whether they are going to heaven. These people often express interest in heaven but only say that they hope to get there. Jesus came to the earth to give us a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7). We already discussed how people can have false assurance of heaven, but this does not mean that we cannot know. God’s standards are clear, and we should remember this when asked “Are you going to heaven?”

 

We can know if we are going to heaven

The fact that we can know whether we are going to heaven means we can also know when we are not going. By looking to the true path described in God’s word, we can know with certainty whether we are on track to go to heaven and can take appropriate action (Matt. 7:13-14). Notice Paul’s confidence: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but to all who have loved His appearing.” (II Tim. 4:7-8).   

 

Paul’s confidence does not stem from pride or love of self – it stems from confidence in our Lord. All of us are in a fight and a race that we can win, but we need to keep the faith like Paul. May we examine ourselves (II Cor. 13:5) and make sure we have a proper assurance that we are going to heaven.                                                                                      

 Chuck

What NOT to change in the new year

 

The title of this article might seem negative, but truly there are certain things that we should NOT want to change in 2017. As Christians, we should rejoice in the knowledge that the Lord’s expectations for us will remain constant. Since Christ established His church (Acts 20:28), the work He gave it to do remains the same two thousand years later.

 

The Bible describes the church as the “pillar and ground of truth” – will that change in 2017? It better not (I Tim. 3:15). The same can be said for spreading the good news and edifying the body of saints (Eph. 4:11-12; Mark 16:15-16). If someone argues that these things have changes, we know that something is just not right.  Here is a list of specific things that should not change in the coming year. As you read the list, ask yourself if these things have been changing in 2016.

 

1. Continuing to examine ourselves that we are in the faith (II Cor. 13:5).

 

2. Looking out for spiritual brethren to see if they are wandering from the truth and trying to bring them back if they stray (James 5:19-20).

 

3. Praying earnestly to make a difference in your own life and in the lives of others (James 5:16).

 

4. Living righteously and letting our lights shine (Matt. 5:13-16)

 

 

5. Worshipping our God whenever the saints are gathered (Heb. 10:25).

 

6. Using our abilities so they continue to improve (Matt. 25:14-30).

 

7. Feeding on God’s word to become skillful in teaching it (Heb. 5:12-14).

 

8. Sharing what we have by being hospitable (Rom. 12:13).

 

9. Facing hardships by suffering for doing the right thing rather than compromising (I Pet. 4:14-16).

 

10. Leaving vengeance to the Lord and being kind to our enemies (Rom. 12:19-20).

 

11. Avoiding all sorts of sexual immorality in our own lives and in our entertainment choices (Rom. 1:29-32).

 

12. Guarding our tongue by watching what we say and how we say it (James 3; Eph. 4:29).

 

13. Doing acts of kindness that are not seen by others and being clothed with humility (Matt. 6:1).

 

14. Showing love for our brothers and sisters (II Thess. 1:3).

 

15. Being thankful for our faith in Christ Jesus (Col. 2:7).

 

16. Recognizing our blessings in the Lord (Eph. 1:3-4).

 

If these things did not exist in your life in 2016, then you must see that the Lord expected them and will continue to. Let’s do all we can to remain steadfast on these points in 2017.

 

                                                                                              Chuck