“Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, ‘Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are – the Holy One of God!’ But Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be quiet, and come out of him!’ And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.” Mark 1:23-26.
“And when He [Jesus] had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit [actually, 3000-6000 of them, see Mark 5:9], who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.” Mark 5:2-5.
We often tend to think that one of the signs of demon possession is insanity, but this is not always the case.
The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar learned a hard lesson when he started taking credit for the things that God had given him; “I have built…by my mighty power…for the honor of my majesty…” Daniel 4:30; big mistake.
You really should read the whole chapter 4 sometime, very fascinating.
“That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar [see Daniel 4:4-27]; he was driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of heaven till his hair had grown like eagles’ feathers and his nails like birds’ claws. And at the end of the time [7 years] I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation.” Daniel 4:33-34.
It is also true that not all diseases are the result of demon possession. This distinction was made when the apostles went about healing people after the Lord Jesus had ascended into heaven.
“Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.” Acts 5:16.
I have stated this before, and it bears repeating, if you have not read the book of Acts yet, do so, though it is history, it reads like a novel, and is filled with fascinating information.
In fact what I always suggest for new Christians, or unbelievers who are searching, is to start with the gospel of John in the New Testament then read Acts, from there read through until you come to Revelation (the last book), stop at that point and then go back and start at the gospel of Matthew and read all the way through the New Testament, including the book of Revelation. This would be a good start for anyone.
Demons do not always possess; it is likely that the most damage done by demons is their influence.
Demons are the power behind all of the world’s false religions, whether Islam, Hinduism, or Mormonism, these are only three of many.
We are often told that Islam is the religion of peace, yet curiously, the Middle East is a hell hole of death. I have read that their method of execution is often a slow beheading; their lands are filled with mayhem, torture, slavery, and the cruel use of women as chattel.
Still, the media portrays them as the victims and Israel as the evil aggressors, even though Israel has nothing to do with aggression in places like Syria, Iraq, and the Kurds (Medes).
One can believe what Muslims say, or they can believe what they see with their own eyes on the news and the internet.
“For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:44-45.
Hinduism is an impersonal religion wherein one might go through perhaps hundreds or thousands of reincarnations before finally, like little droplets; they flow into the stream of the god consciousness.
There is also a caste system, not unlike a pecking order, though it lasts a lifetime, and means that those on the lowest levels are only fit for the most menial jobs.
Hindus also persecute Christians, despite the outward show of peace-loving tranquility through meditation. Hindus also have millions of gods (demon gods), and they are terrified of many of them.
Mormonism is a cult; it is unfortunate that conservative Christians took them off the list of cults to have Mitt Romney elected president of the United States, a disingenuous move.
Mister Romney’s subsequent actions have shown him to be unfit for that office anyway.
History now shows us that the American public preferred Barack Hussein Obama over a man who would have done less damage to the nation, America chose the worst of two terrible choices.
Folks claim they do not vote because they do not wish to choose between the lesser of two evils.
If everyone voted intelligently for good people in every election, they would soon have to vote for the better of two.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke.
President Obama once stated in an interview on French television that America is, “One of the biggest Muslim nations.”
The Mormon cult which was begun by Joseph Smith who claimed to have found golden plates with the Book of Mormon (published in 1830) inscribed on them in something he called “Reformed Egyptian”.
Archeologists and Egyptologists state that there is no evidence that Reformed Egyptian ever existed.
Joseph Smith, a man of poor reputation, always dictated the translation of the plates from behind a curtain and was supposed to have used a pair of supernatural glasses called Urim and Thummim to translate this unknown language.
While the Book of Mormon is considered to be superior to the Bible in cases where the two books disagree, it does quote from the King James Version published in 1611 A.D. at times verbatim.
This is problematic since the plates were supposed to have been inscribed and buried in Palmyra, New York, in 428 A.D. about 1200 years before the King James translation was published.
In fact, the first time the Christian church listed all 27 books of the New Testament together as the written word of God was at the Council of Carthage in 397 A.D.
In other words, even though all the books of the New Testament were written by 90 A.D. they were not collected together to make the New Testament (meaning the Bible was complete) until 31 years before the golden plates were buried.
Mormons believe in Polygamy and that good Mormons will someday have their own planet to populate and they themselves will become gods as our God the Father supposedly once was.
One of their sayings goes like this, “As man now is, God once was, as God now is, man may become.”
Satan offered Eve something similar in the Garden of Eden, “…you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5b, some things never change.
There is much more, but I have dwelt too long on Mormonism as is. I would like to add one little postscript though.
Joseph Smith’s mother practiced magic and had visions. Her son also liked to dabble in the occult, engaging in things like fortune telling and divining. The demonic world had a very real effect on this family and on the United States through the efforts of Mormon missionaries.
“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron…” 1 Timothy 4:1-2.
Islam, Hinduism, and Mormonism are not the only doctrines of demons; liberal theology is straight out of the pit of hell, as is politically correct which is designed to supplant Biblical morality with a form of deceptive high sounding egalitarian demonic immorality.
This perverse doctrine along with socialism is the programmed instruction of every student in colleges and schools throughout our nation and the world.
While any non-Christian can be possessed by a demon or demons, particularly those who engage in some sort of occult practice or even dabble in the occult.
Just playing with a Ouija board, astrology, or attending a séance can open you up to enslavement by demons. Christians can also be afflicted by demons, but it is believed that they cannot be indwelt by them.
However, such an affliction can sometimes resemble possession; this is called by some, demon influence, rather than demon possession. The Pentecostals use a more colorful and more descriptive term, they call them hitchhikers.
And rightfully so since it is felt that demons cannot possess the Christian because they were bought by the blood of Christ and belong to Him.
It should also be noted that no one, whether Christian or non-Christian, can sell his soul to the devil, it is not his to sell as God the Creator tells us below.
“Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4.
The belief that the Christian cannot be indwelt by a demon is based upon the fact that they are sealed with the Holy Spirit who already indwells them.
“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a deposit.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22.
“In Him [Jesus] you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30.
We have seen that Satan is the leader of these evil fallen angels, so it is important to realize that they are organized into ranks and under orders, though I suspect that they do not always follow them to the letter.
Their intent towards mankind is stated by Jesus as follows:
“The thief [Satan] does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” John 10:10a.
Satan and his demons accomplish this through their direct influence, demonic world system, or with the help of their stooges among unsaved mankind.
And very often they use unsuspecting arrogant or worldly Christians. This is why it is so important to always stay close to God, He alone is capable of rescuing any of us.
“For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:5.
“But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.” Psalm 37:39-40.
“After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Fear not, Abram [put your name here]: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.’” Genesis 15:1, King James Version.
If you are a Christian, you can claim this promise to Abram for yourself if you will just believe Him, “I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward”.
If you have not accepted Christ as your Savior, you too can claim this promise if you will believe that the shed blood of Christ has washed away your sin, and that you (repent) turn away from such things.
“…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.” Romans 10:9-10.
Never forget that the satanic system is well organized and cannot be faced alone, only God in Christ can defeat this evil worldly system.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12.
The comforting fact is that no matter how bad things get, God is going to dismantle Satan’s domain brick by brick and bring these malevolent creatures out of their cockroach hiding places and send them to a miserable and humiliating end.
Then they will pay for the terrible things they have done to men, women, and children over thousands of years. They will spend eternity with the full burden of the guilt of their deeds tearing at their consciences in the lake of fire day and night forever.
“And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Romans 16:20.
“Then He [Jesus Christ] will also say to those on the left hand [who rejected Christ as Savior], ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels…” Matthew 25:41.
The demon that Jesus cast out in Mark 1:23-26 shown earlier got a reprieve that day, but now after two thousand years, his doom draws very near, and soon, you and I will see him and will witness him being thrown into the lake of fire.
“You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe – and tremble!” James 2:19.
For a little more information on this and related subjects see the entry, “Witches, Ghosts and Goblins…Oh, My!” published here on 1-26-22.
Demon, an Unclean Spirit, Part 2 taken from godisrevealed.com posted on 10-29-14, updated on 4-22-24 ck.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission, all rights reserved.