Demon Possessed?

[JVarner83]

I'm going to have to study on this one

I found 15 places in the NT under "possessed"

Many of them seem to be pretty clear, should we disect them now? or make a new topic?

I don't want to mislead the thread

 

[mont974x4]

The definition of spirit according to the Strongs concordance:

G4151
πνεῦμα
pneuma
pnyoo'-mah
From G4154; a current of air, that is, breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively a spirit, that is, (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, daemon, or (divine) God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy spirit: - ghost, life, spirit (-ual, -ually), mind. Compare G5590.

 

[heron]

Some info-- not for argument, but to speed anyone's looking it up--

Pneuma was used many times for good and bad spirits, but Matthew 8:16 uses pneuma to say Jesus "cast out spirits" --which wouldn't pertain to an unclean heart.
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]
[/FONT]Daimonizomai
Strong's Greek #1139
1. to be under the power of a demon (13 uses)[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]
[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, Arial, Geneva]
[/FONT]
Daimonion
Strong's Greek #1140
(63 uses, NAS)

1. the divine power, deity, divinity
2. a spirit, a being inferior to God, superior to men
3. evil spirits or the messengers and ministers of the devil

Shed
Strong's Hebrew #07700
1. demon
(2 uses)

Ps 106:37 and

Deut. 32:17 They sacrificed to demons who were not God, to gods whom they have not known, new gods who came lately, Whom your fathers did not dread.

Sa`iyr
Strong's Hebrew #08163
hairy n m
he-goat, buck

1. as sacrificial animal
2. satyr, may refer to a demon possessed goat like the swine of Gadara (Mt. 8:30-

Matthew 4:24 Talks of Jesus helping demon-posessed as well as epileptics/lunatics

 

[ranyhyn]

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Yes it is true that we often times give Satan more credit than he's due. A lot of times it is our flesh warring against us. But that doesn't mean that Satan and his minions can't be attacking us either. We are also told that "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world"... and we all know that Satan was given dominion over "the world"...

We are commanded to put on the armor of God and protect ourselves from the attacks of Satan. He's out there roaming around looking for a way to separate you from God. And his fallen angels do his bidding. I'm not in a position to say you're "possessed" but I have to agree with a lot of other folks that have posted here that I would perceive what you experienced as an attack.

 

[MarkEvan]

Just one last point that sudenly came to mind, I cant remember where it is but the scriptures talk of God sending a spirit to torment king Saul, he displayed signs of what might be called today a mental illness but the scriptures are clear that this was a spirit sent by God. The spirit caused these effects, I believe that many times the "fruit" of possesion or oppression is physical illnesses.
As to those who are believers and expeiriencing oppression, it is important and comforting to know that God knows what is happening, He has allowed it or maybe even brought it about Himself and He always provides the grace needed at that time to withstand these fiery darts of satan, He is testing you with the purpose of your growth in Him and comming to know Him and His ways better.

Yours in Christ Mark

 

[JVarner83]

I still don't see how our Father which is heaven would hand us over to be tormented by "evil spirits"

Think about your natural father and if someone was putting your son in danger or bothering him then I'm sure he would do evertyhing in his power to stop it.

I just think we give credit to Satan waaay waaay to much.

Go to some churches and thats all you hear:the Devil did this, the Devil made me do this, I resisting this, I resisting that.

What about JESUS? What about Jesus and what he did on Calvery?

Did he leave anything undone? Does God make a plan and halfway finish it?

The last word spoken by Jesus was: "It Is Finished"

Claim Victory and put the Devil behind you and I'm sure you'll live happier lives

 

[MarkEvan]

God allowed Paul to be buffeted by a messenger from satan so that he would not be to "elated," what would have hapened to Paul if he had become elated, pride maybe, ultimately I don`t know but it was for Pauls bennefit.

 

[JVarner83]

God allowed Paul to be buffeted by a messenger from satan so that he would not be to "elated," what would have hapened to Paul if he had become elated, pride maybe, ultimately I don`t know but it was for Pauls bennefit.

Hello Mark, could you list the scriptre that pertains to this? I would like to take a look at it

I know he had a "thorn in the flesh" but I'm wanting to clarifiy what your saying

 

[MarkEvan]

Hi JVarner83, I believe the verses are 2 Corinthians 12 7-10, I think it says that the "thorn in the flesh" is "a messenger from satan," and the first part of verse 7 gives the reason why he wass tormented or buffeted.
I hope that helps, I may not be able to reply as I only have access to the net at work and am looking to go home, however I will look to adress any questions you may have for me tomorrow, sorry about the wait.

Mark

 

[ranyhyn]

I still don't see how our Father which is heaven would hand us over to be tormented by "evil spirits"

If God is willing to turn us over to a reprobate mind then why not allow "evil spirits" to invade our lives? Aren't there many instances throughout the Bible where God let the Israelites suffer before delivering them?

Jesus came to fulfill the law not overturn it. He was the sacrifice that cleanses our sin so we don't have to go before the priests with animal sacrifices. We don't have to have a priest intervene with God on our behalf...we go directly to Him now.

Claim Victory and put the Devil behind you and I'm sure you'll live happier lives

This is true...we do give Satan more credit than he is due. But that doesn't mean he isn't right there waiting in the wings. And I believe he's there all the time waiting and watching and when he gets even a small opportunity he tries to take advantage of it.


God doesn't say that once we're saved that we won't ever be tempted by Satan ever again. On the contrary I think...the closer we get with God the more he attacks. If the Holy Spirit dwells within us that means Satan cannot set up residence there unless we let him. But it doesn't mean he certainly won't try at every chance he gets.

 

[No Swansong]

I still don't see how our Father which is heaven would hand us over to be tormented by "evil spirits"

Think about your natural father and if someone was putting your son in danger or bothering him then I'm sure he would do evertyhing in his power to stop it.

I just think we give credit to Satan waaay waaay to much.

Go to some churches and thats all you hear:the Devil did this, the Devil made me do this, I resisting this, I resisting that.

What about JESUS? What about Jesus and what he did on Calvery?

Did he leave anything undone? Does God make a plan and halfway finish it?

The last word spoken by Jesus was: "It Is Finished"

Claim Victory and put the Devil behind you and I'm sure you'll live happier lives

However if you extend your thought here then you have to wonder if God can heal? I mean I am a father and I would do anything to take sickness and disease away from my children yet christians suffer from disease. Is God not able to heal? To argue that you cannot understand why God would do anything is absolutely correct. We cannot understand why God would do anything without his revelation. I cannot understand how God can be three yet one, I cannot understand God incarnate, I cannot understand why God would have entire populations of people put to death but He did. We know He did by His revelation to us.
I would however agree that demonic activity in the lives of Christians is probably not as frequent as many would have us to believe. We are quite capable of living a life unpleasing to God on our own. With that said however I must still state that Jesus who created everything certainly believed in Demons.