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There are many today who scoff at the idea of anyone being
possessed with devils. In fact, the very mention of the
words demons, devil or evil spirits brings a smile of
disbelief to many. Evil spirits are considered as
fictional as fairies, leprechauns, and the boogie-man.
However, the devil is working today the same way as he did
in the days of Christ and the apostles. In Mark 5:12-19 we
read where Jesus cast a legion of devils out of one man.
Luke 8:2 says--And certain women, which had been healed of
evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out
of whom went seven devils.
The Bible
tells of some demons that inflict physical and mental
disarrangement such as blindness, deafness, insanity, etc.
(Matt 12:22, 17:14-15) Then other demons only affect the
spiritual part of man, such as unclean spirits, familiar
spirits and sorcerers. (Luke 4:33-34, Acts 16:16) Not
everyone who is physically or mentally deranged is devil
possessed of course, likewise not everyone devil possessed
has physical or mental derangement. Jesus healed many who
had no evil spirits and cast evil spirits out of some who
were not physically or mentally afflicted.
Every
unsaved person is more or less under the influence of the
devil, but there is a vast difference being influenced by
the devil and being possessed with evil spirits. The
manifestations of the devils in those possessed with with
evil spirits are as varied as the un-numbered legions of
devils themselves. Some people have the misconception that
all devil possessed people walk around glassy-eyed perhaps
in graveyard etc. However, this is not the case. Sometimes
the only manifestation is nothing more than a false
doctrine and a spirit of heresy combined with stubborness.
Many times there are few manifestation until the devils
are commanded to come out. Then they growl, hiss or make
other noises. Sometimes the individual will vomit or
become violent. The type of spirit the individual is bound
with causes him to do that type of activity.
One
possessed with unclean spirit may practice homosexuality
or be driven to other uncontrollable lustful desires and
practices. A spirit of divination works through fortune
tellers etc. as in the case of soothsaying damsel in Acts
16:16. Familiar spirits control Medium in Spiritualism.
Because some spiritualist practice fraud some eronously
think all spiritualist is only sleight of hand. Others
have attributed Spiritualism to hallucination or some type
of natural phenomenon, certainly not divine, but out and
out devilish. Spiritualism and witchcraft are always
opposed to God. Familiar spirits through modern mediums
imitate the voice of those who are dead, insomuch that one
is led to believe he is conversing with a departed friend;
when in reality he is talking to an evil spirit. This was
the case of wicked Saul going to the witch of Endor and
suppossedly hearing departed Samuel's voice.(1 Sam 28)
God's
attitude toward these practices can be seen in Deut
18:10-12--There shall not be found among you anyone that
maketh his son or daughter to pass through the fire, or
that useth divination, or an observer ot times, or an
enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with
familiar spirits or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all
that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord...In
these scriptures we also find enchanters or charmers. Now
while hypnosis may not proceed directly from evil spirits,
it is a dangerous practice in that one lends his mind and
whole being into the hands of another. When one does not
have control of their will they are subject to demonic
possession. The enemy of souls is operating in a variety
of deceptive ways today. Even the harmless looking Ouija
board is an off-shot of the "table-tilting"
found in Spiritualism. Anything supernatural is always
ascribed to God by some. The "power" that causes
one to shake, go into a trance, fall down or speak in
unknown tongues have been labeled by many to be a
"power" from God. The devil's power is used to
deceive, while God's power is used to enable men and women
to live holy lives.
Those who
are bound by the devil, either in soul or body, must be
delivered before they can obtain healing or salvation.
When evil spirits are cast out of a person, repentance
should immediately follow so that the soul may be saved
and fortified so when Satan returns he cannot re-enter
(See Matt 12:44-45)
God's
true ministry is commissioned and has the ability to cast
out devils. (Luke 9:1,10,19) Acts 8:7 says--For unclean
spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that
were possessed with them....Thank God, this is still true
and being done by the true ministry yet today. Mark
16:17--And these signs shall follow them that believe; In
my name shall they cast out devil.
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