Are demons real and do they interfere with people?

[Your Brother In Christ]

Here is a topic ignored in many Amarican churches, it may offend someone.

Are the Demonic forces actively seeking our downfall, are they dormant, have they never been a threat, or do they not exist at all. So, where do you stand?

I for one, know that demons are real and active. They are in a weakened state after the cross, but they are still actively trying to test us down to Hell.

 

[Dave L]

Here is a topic ignored in many Amarican churches, it may offend someone.

Are the Demonic forces actively seeking our downfall, are they dormant, have they never been a threat, or do they not exist at all. So, where do you stand?

I for one, know that demons are real and active. They are in a weakened state after the cross, but they are still actively trying to test us down to Hell.

I've been in a couple of cottage prayer meetings that caused demonic reactions in people. It was a side effect and not the purpose of worship and bible study. One became paralyzed on the floor. Another requested an ambulance while writhing. This also happened according to the media when the movie "The Exorcist" became popular.

 

[Your Brother In Christ]

Iv'e been in a couple of cottage prayer meetings that caused demonic reactions in people. It was a side effect and not the purpose of worship and bible study. One became paralyzed on the floor. Another requested an ambulance while writhing. This also happened according to the media when the movie "The Exorcist" became popular.

True, I when I was younger I was hunted and attacked by demons. Those experiences are burned into your mind they will not leave. The only thing I could do is cry out to "Jesus Christ" and the enemy ran. It still fills me with gratitude and amazement at the power of His name.

 

[HTacianas]

Here is a topic ignored in many Amarican churches, it may offend someone.

Are the Demonic forces actively seeking our downfall, are they dormant, have they never been a threat, or do they not exist at all. So, where do you stand?

I for one, know that demons are real and active. They are in a weakened state after the cross, but they are still actively trying to test us down to Hell.

I'm not sure how many people I've met in the course of my life. At least thousands or hundreds of thousands. And I have yet to meet a person possessed by a demon. Of course I think that if a person were infested with demons they likely wouldn't be flopping around on the floor injuring themselves. I think they would be on television acting like motivational speakers who mention Jesus every now and then and convince people that they are "saved".

 

[Your Brother In Christ]

I'm not sure how many people I've met in the course of my life. At least thousands or hundreds of thousands. And I have yet to meet a person possessed by a demon. Of course I think that if a person were infested with demons they likely wouldn't be flopping around on the floor injuring themselves. I think they would be on television acting like motivational speakers who mention Jesus every now and then and convince people that they are "saved".

Direct physical possession it's not necessarily the only tactic that they have. 1000 small Temptations are much more effective then one physical possession definitely here in America's "enlightened" culture. In fact, a physical public possession may even be detrimental to their current strategy here in America and in Europe.

If you can make your enemy believe that you do not exist then you are at an extreme tactical advantage.

If they can whisper from the Shadows, creep Temptation in through the cracks, or slowly twisting your virtues, this will still lead to their desired outcome. This is where I find the most focused attacks from the enemy. Physical attacks do occur, possession does occur, but they are not as effective here in America as manipulation.

 

[Basil the Great]

By all indications, actual possession is very rare. Also, real demonic oppression is probably fairly rare. Perhaps demonic temptation is somewhat more common, but I would guess still not all that common.

 

[bling]

I do not want to be blaming demons for my sins. As Christians we have to fill our house with good stuff and give no room for demons.

 

[Your Brother In Christ]

I do not want to be blaming demons for my sins. As Christians we have to fill our house with good stuff and give no room for demons.

Yes, you are responsible for your own choices and actions. This doesn't mean that there isn't something whispering in your ear. It might not be in your house, but that does not mean that he's not outside the window whispering in.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

I do not want to be blaming demons for my sins. As Christians we have to fill our house with good stuff and give no room for demons.

And keep your house filled with the Holy Spirit so when demons try to get in they find it already occupied.

 

[Rick Otto]

By all indications, actual possession is very rare. Also, real demonic oppression is probably fairly rare. Perhaps demonic temptation is somewhat more common, but I would guess still not all that common.

Totally disagree with this.

 

[Benjamin Calvary]

Here is a topic ignored in many American churches, it may offend someone.

Are the Demonic forces actively seeking our downfall, are they dormant, have they never been a threat, or do they not exist at all. So, where do you stand?

I for one, know that demons are real and active. They are in a weakened state after the cross, but they are still actively trying to test us down to Hell.

It is written of "devils" (too many to list):

1Pe_5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Rev 12:17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Rev_16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

Rev_18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Rev_9:20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

Jas_2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

1Ti_4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

1Co_10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

1Co_10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

 

[Your Brother In Christ]

I do not know if this is the same with each of you, but I have had this odd uneasiness when ever I am about to talk to someone a about my personal experience with demonic attacks.
Such little thoughts like, "what if they think your crazy?" Or "it sounds crazy." I know what the source of these thoughts are, but I was wandering if it is the same for you?

 

[justbyfaith]

In answer to the title question, Yep.

 

[Francis Drake]

Here is a topic ignored in many Amarican churches, it may offend someone.

Are the Demonic forces actively seeking our downfall, are they dormant, have they never been a threat, or do they not exist at all. So, where do you stand?

I for one, know that demons are real and active. They are in a weakened state after the cross, but they are still actively trying to test us down to Hell.

I have been involved with deliverance for the last 40 years and can assure you that demons are real and they are very active in the church.

I don't know what you mean by a weakened state after the cross. Certainly the Lord established their defeat at that time, but we are till commanded to resist them and cast them out, and the evidence of their work in the NT is no different to the OT.

 

[Francis Drake]

I'm not sure how many people I've met in the course of my life. At least thousands or hundreds of thousands. And I have yet to meet a person possessed by a demon.

I have yet to meet a person who is not affected by demons.

Of course I think that if a person were infested with demons they likely wouldn't be flopping around on the floor injuring themselves.

Such is sometimes the case, but rarely so.

I think they would be on television acting like motivational speakers who mention Jesus every now and then and convince people that they are "saved".

I think they would also be in the average church doing all sorts of religious traditional stuff.

 

[Francis Drake]

If you can make your enemy believe that you do not exist then you are at an extreme tactical advantage.

You have just described the blindness of the majority of churches in the western world.

 

[Francis Drake]

And keep your house filled with the Holy Spirit so when demons try to get in they find it already occupied.

Virtually all the deliverance from demons I have done over the last 40 years has been with spirit filled Christians.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

Virtually all the deliverance from demons I have done over the last 40 years has been with spirit filled Christians.

Christians can be oppressed demonically, but a Holy Spirit filled Christian will never be possessed by a demon. You think the Holy Spirit will allow a demon in His house? Never! For greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Now deliverance from oppression may look like possession but it isn't. This is where we exercise the power of discernment.

 

[Jon Osterman]

Yes, they ar real. And some of them have active subscriptions to this forum.

 

[Francis Drake]

Christians can be oppressed demonically, but a Holy Spirit filled Christian will never be possessed by a demon.

For a handmaid of the Lord, you show little understanding of the practice of deliverance from demons, otherwise you wouldn't be saying such things. Show me anywhere in the gospels or Acts where casting out demons raises the possessed/oppressed issue, they just got on and did it.
Its a classic diversionary debate created by people who don't actually practice deliverance, Thus freeing people from spiritual bondage becomes of lesser importance than high minded theology.​

You think the Holy Spirit will allow a demon in His house? Never! For greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.

You haven't read Ezekiel or you wouldn't say the above! Clearly, the Holy Spirit did allow demons to enter the House of the Lord, and it was the Lord himself who eventually departed.

As Ezekiel reveals, the elders of Israel had installed their idols in the temple of the Lord, flooding the place with demons. These idols were obviously there for some considerable time before the long suffering Holy Spirit eventually departed the scene.
​

Ezekiel10v4Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub to the threshold of the temple, and the temple was filled with the cloud and the court was filled with the brightness of the glory of the LORD. …..​

.....v18Then the glory of the LORD departed from the threshold of the temple and stood over the cherubim. 19When the cherubim departed, they lifted their wings and rose up from the earth in my sight with the wheels beside them; and they stood still at the entrance of the east gate of the LORD’S house, and the glory of the God of Israel hovered over them...……​

.....​

23​

The glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city and stood over the mountain which is east of the city. etc etc...……….​

Now deliverance from oppression may look like possession but it isn't. This is where we exercise the power of discernment.

Incidentally, I never actually used the word "possessed" or "oppressed", that was something you raised against me.
Nevertheless, as a debate, its a complete red herring compared to the urgency of actual deliverance, and if you used discernment, you would realise that.
The same as in the gospels, demons get cast out. Period.

For the last 40 years I have witnessed countless spirit filled believers having their lives turned around by deliverance. That is what Jesus commanded us to do.