Demon Possession and Exorcism

[Deadworm]

(1) What do you believe about possession by evil spirits and exorcisms?
(2) It is commonly believed that Jesus' exorcisms merely reflect the superstitions of the ancient world about mental illness and disease. Why do you assume that the practice of exorcizing demons was common prior to Jesus? There is abundant evidence of exorcisms in the Greco-Roman world during and after Jesus' ministry. But can you cite a single case of demonic exorcism in the Ancient Near East prior to Jesus?
(3) Jesus' reputation as a miracle worker is substantially based on His exorcisms. Do you believe that Jesus misdiagnosed the mental illness or epilepsy of these needy souls as demon-possessed?
(4) Do your believe in modern demonic possession?

To get this discussion started, I will share the first of several experiences of exorcism by my relatives and by acquaintances of my friends.
(a) My cousin Eldon (now a psychiatrist) and my Uncle George ( a retired Pentecostal minister) shared this incident with me at my aunt's funeral. George was summoned to a possessed woman's home to perform an exorcism. While he was doing so, Eldon waited in the car with his Mom. Eldon was just 3 years old at the time. Shortly after the demon was expelled, little Eldon entered a trance and began to scream incessantly. His eyes rolled up until only the whites were visible. His parents frantically prayed for him all the way home until finally he was released from the demon's grip. Several decades later, Eldon says that all that he recalls of the incident was a vision of being safely cradled in Jesus' loving arms.

 

[timewerx]

It can be caused by a weak-willed person coming to contact with a very evil person (dead or alive, directly or indirectly)

Always involve elements familiar to the occult. Scientific explanation are at best, vague quantum mechanical processes which may include quantum teleportation of suspect DNA (evil DNA).

An exceptionally strong and very smart immune system could prevent/expel demon possession and even extend this protection remotely to others.

Alternately, very stringent hygienic practices to both the body and living quarters would greatly prevent demonic possession. That also includes careful removal of decaying/rotting matter.

Wonder why Jesus is obsessive about clean feet and Nazirite vow of avoiding dead people/animals.

 

[Stillicidia]

People just don't know what the scripture says when it spoke of your weapons are mighty to the pulling down of strongholds. The scripture also speaks of those who use the name of Jesus for exorcisms, and that the demons say, I know of Jesus, but who are you?

So what people don't know is that you, yourself, have to take dominion. You kinda just yell at them to leave, but there is a very proper way of speaking. I strip away all the power of the demonic operating around _____, and release the hosts of heaven on their assignments to the pulling down of strongholds.

That's just taking dominion.

There were two things we were supposed to do, pray for those who rule over us, and put our houses in order. We failed to put our houses in order because we have absolutely no clue whatsoever about demons, but I told you the means.

timewerx is right, in that, many things considered normal, and even under the old biblical law are directly related to demon avoidance, like cleanliness, and things.

Edit
I realized there are two different uses of the scripture pulling down of strongholds. There is taking dominion, but also the means for negating the waxing of a cold heart.

 

[Shempster]

There is a reality about the subject. In my experience, self-deliverance is the best way to get results. One must unravel the web that got us into trouble to begin with, then we can clean house.

 

[timewerx]

It seems to me that demons need us to sin or fear to become active within people. "casting' them out can work but if the cause for their presence is still active they will be right back in no time.
I am a big believer in self deliverance. It is the key to shutting down the old man and really walking in the spirit.

A Nazirite vow works wonders - abstaining from alcoholic drinks or any fermented drink/food and making yourself ritually pure.

The keeping a long hair and locks can be optional. The ritual purity also extends to one's living space - keeping it clean and disinfected, keeping dirty footwear outside, taking care of your feet, and avoiding houses/apartments where dead people/animals buried underneath.

I've had a history of paranormal experiences which I think came with the "gift". The Nazirite vow seems to be the only thing in keeping things quiet.


"Impurities" I've observed are often the cause of unwanted spirits. How the demon-possessed man in the Bible was found to be living among the graves. How demon possession seems to be quite common in poor and squalid areas (and crime rates are also very high)

 

[Deadworm]

(2) It was a cold February Saturday night in a large Canadian city, when I was 21 and my brother was 16. We were watching Hockey Night in Canada and badgering our poor mother for more hotdogs and ice cream. Suddenly and without warning, my brother seemed entranced. He said God was calling him to perform an exorcism downtown and he needed to leave at once. What he told me was so bizarre that I didn't take it seriously. I said, "OK, do what you have to do." At that, he got up and walked to the nearest bus stop for a 7 mile ride to a coffee house. When he left, it gradually dawned on me that he was serious and I began to worry about what would happen.

When he arrived at the coffee house, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. He began to feel foolish and thought perhaps that he should leave. Just then, someone approached him and commented, "You're here on a special mission, aren't you?" That bizarre comment prompted him to wait a while longer. Then suddenly he heard a commotion outside. 3 high schoolers were challenging people to a fight who just wanted to enter the coffee house. My brother realized that one of them was possessed and he knew this fellow.

So he took a deep breath, walked outside, addressed, the victim by name, and said, "E, God has revealed to me that you are possessed and has sent me to take care of the problem." My brother is only 5"9" and was outnumbered 3 to 1. So it took a lot of courage to confront 2 belligerent young thugs in this way. E laughed and joked, "OK, bring on the exorcism!" At that point, my brother realized that he had no idea what to do next. He had never been in such a situation before. So he just gently touched E lightly on his forehead. It was as if he had electrocuted E: he fell like a rock and, for about 2 minutes, was writhing around on the ground like a snake. Finally, he quietly said, "Thank you," and the ordeal ended. The other 2 students were so scared they wanted to become Christians, but I have no reason to believe that their conversions lasted. E went on to become a famous Canadian TV personality.

When my brother came home and shared what happened, I was dumbfounded. He opened his Bible and read the first verse his eyes lit upon: "See to it that you tell no one." My brother is now an American doctor. He still refuses to discuss the events of that night.

 

[Explorer55]

Ok.

 

[Imagican]

Interesting story Deadworm. I've never had such an experience but I have encountered demons on more than one occasion. And each time they found my recognition 'amusing'. They acknowledged my recognition on both occasions. The first occasion was long before developing a 'personal relationship with God.

Blessings,

MEC