Demons

[Ryan R]

I'm not against the discussion. The last time he asked I staged a 30 page arguement on the subject. My question wasn't topic-specific.

[Calypsis4]

I'm not against the discussion. The last time he asked I staged a 30 page arguement on the subject. My question wasn't topic-specific.

O.K. Let's see where this matter takes us.

Best wishes.

[RabbiKnife]

Christians cannot be demon possessed.
Period.

[Ryan R]

Christians cannot be demon possessed.
Period.

True that: "the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

[Reynolds357]

Christians cannot be demon possessed.
Period.

If Paul can suffer demonic attack Christians can suffer demonic attack. It might make you feel better to say "Christians can not be demon possessed," but from a point of practical application it really makes no difference if they are fully possessed or severely oppressed.

This mentality is why so many Christians suffer demonic attack and do not realize that the attack is demonic in nature. They mistakenly think that because they can not be possessed, they can not be attacked either. Nothing is further from the truth.

[RabbiKnife]

If Paul can suffer demonic attack Christians can suffer demonic attack. It might make you feel better to say "Christians can not be demon possessed," but from a point of practical application it really makes no difference if they are fully possessed or severely oppressed.

This mentality is why so many Christians suffer demonic attack and do not realize that the attack is demonic in nature. They mistakenly think that because they can not be possessed, they can not be attacked either. Nothing is further from the truth.

It makes all the difference in the world. Too many Christians claim "demonic possession" or the need for "deliverance" as an excuse for sin.

Of course Christians can be demonically attacked, but it is the knowledge that they cannot be possessed and that they can very easily defend against the external attack that should lead to abundant life.

Demons are wimps. They only have the power to affect a Christian to the degree that a Christian gives them power. Bad theology leads to fear and giving up fairly simple and straightforward lines of defense.

[Reynolds357]

It makes all the difference in the world. Too many Christians claim "demonic possession" or the need for "deliverance" as an excuse for sin.

Of course Christians can be demonically attacked, but it is the knowledge that they cannot be possessed and that they can very easily defend against the external attack that should lead to abundant life.

Demons are wimps. They only have the power to affect a Christian to the degree that a Christian gives them power. Bad theology leads to fear and giving up fairly simple and straightforward lines of defense.

Most Christians do not understand the authority they have over the enemy. They do not understand that they are to resist the enemy and his forces. Why? Because churches throw out the blanket statement "Christians can not be possessed" and many wrongfully assume that they have no responsibility to resist the enemy.

[BroRog]

I question whether demon possession of any kind continued after the first century. Unless I am mistaken, Jesus bound the strong man.

[RabbiKnife]

I don't think that is necessary true.

Christians don't understand their authority over demons because they don't understand who they are in Christ. Many are taught that they can be possessed, and this leads to fear, uncertainty, and a lack of faith, making them powerless.

Sound biblical teaching corrects both errors.

[RabbiKnife]

I question whether demon possession of any kind continued after the first century. Unless I am mistaken, Jesus bound the strong man.

I don't find any Scripture to support that idea.

[BroRog]

I don't find any Scripture to support that idea.

Really? I would have thought the mere mention of the strong man would have brough to mind the likes of Matthew 12:29, Mark 3:27, or Luke 11:21. Are we to say that Jesus did not enter the strong man's house and plunder is possessions? Was not Satan bound and thrown into the abyss? Was Jesus not the light of the world and therefore had a very large impact on Western thought?

Can any of us honestly say they would recognize a demonized person if we saw one?

[RabbiKnife]

Oh, I understand those passages. But they have absolutely nothing to do with Jesus binding Satan and throwing him into the abyss. Satan is not the "strong man."


Satan is not bound. He is a "roaring lion, roaming to and fro upon the earth, seeking whom he may devour."

[BroRog]

Oh, I understand those passages. But they have absolutely nothing to do with Jesus binding Satan and throwing him into the abyss. Satan is not the "strong man."


Satan is not bound. He is a "roaring lion, roaming to and fro upon the earth, seeking whom he may devour."

Matthew 12:26-28 "If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."

Did the kingdom of God come upon them?

[TomH]

Personally I feel that rather that tormenting Christians by possession, demons sole purpose is to divert Christianity away from Christ.

I'd say after reading all the posts on the thread, they have been successful without possessing any of us.

[RabbiKnife]

Matthew 12:26-28 "If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you."

Did the kingdom of God come upon them?

Of course, but that says nothing about binding Satan and throwing him into the abyss.