Just curious about all aspects of this phenonmena and what Christians believe about it. How do people become possessed? Who possesses them? Can it be stopped, or exorcised? Does this happen in modern times?
-
Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.
What is the Christian view of possession?
- Thread starter feral
- Start date
There are very mixed opinions about this among Christians, so expect to hear the full range.
Jesus saw posession as a victimization, one that people could easily be freed of. He took charge and told the demons to leave the person alone.
Then he told His disciples to do the same thing.
Sometimes we see exorcists accusing victims of poor decisions in their pasts, but Jesus never did that. He just moved forward and set people free. The demon was seen as the troublemaker, and the person was seen as forgiven.
Yes, it happens in modern times, quite frequently. There are three active subforums here that focus on it -- feel free to roam through.
Some of the debates are over whether Christians have troubles with demons. I believe that demons will harrass anyone they want to, but posession comes with more of a voluntary acceptance.
God gives us authority to tell them to go. But sometimes we forget how simple and direct it can be!
Jesus saw posession as a victimization, one that people could easily be freed of. He took charge and told the demons to leave the person alone.
Then he told His disciples to do the same thing.
Sometimes we see exorcists accusing victims of poor decisions in their pasts, but Jesus never did that. He just moved forward and set people free. The demon was seen as the troublemaker, and the person was seen as forgiven.
Yes, it happens in modern times, quite frequently. There are three active subforums here that focus on it -- feel free to roam through.
Some of the debates are over whether Christians have troubles with demons. I believe that demons will harrass anyone they want to, but posession comes with more of a voluntary acceptance.
God gives us authority to tell them to go. But sometimes we forget how simple and direct it can be!
Upvote
0
C
ContentInHim
Guest
We do have authority in Jesus over demons, but Jesus warned us that it is better for the possessed to remain so if they do not instead fill their being with Him. Remember the parable of the demon being exorcised and roaming in the desert and deciding to go back to the delivered person, finding him swept clean and empty and then the demon returns with 7 spirits more evil than himself.
As for the rest of your question, demons are spirits which may be related to the angels who were thrown out of heaven with Satan. They have no physical body or ability to get one so they must inhabit a human one. I don't know how it works, but my understanding is that some volition is involved, though it may not seem so at the time. I.e. I don't believe it's an explicit "invitation" but rather sloppy caretaking and not even realizing that an invitation has been offered. This could be done by music, piercings and tattoos amidst evil prayers by others, seances, etc. Just the attending of the event is approval of what goes on, in other words. Thus the inivitation.
It definitely happens in modern times. For instance, I would venture to say that Cho who murdered the students and professors at Va Tech was possessed. The outcome, without deliverance, is never good for the one who is possessed.
As for the rest of your question, demons are spirits which may be related to the angels who were thrown out of heaven with Satan. They have no physical body or ability to get one so they must inhabit a human one. I don't know how it works, but my understanding is that some volition is involved, though it may not seem so at the time. I.e. I don't believe it's an explicit "invitation" but rather sloppy caretaking and not even realizing that an invitation has been offered. This could be done by music, piercings and tattoos amidst evil prayers by others, seances, etc. Just the attending of the event is approval of what goes on, in other words. Thus the inivitation.
It definitely happens in modern times. For instance, I would venture to say that Cho who murdered the students and professors at Va Tech was possessed. The outcome, without deliverance, is never good for the one who is possessed.
Upvote
0
Deren
Well-Known Member
- Apr 12, 2005
- 5,258
- 108
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Private
Typically a person becomes possessed when that person opens their self up to spirit contact by engaging in practices that they should not be engaging in. Things like Tarot Card reading, Witchcraft, Yoga, etc., are all things which bring a person into contact with the spirit world, that God said don't do.
Demons.
Once a person has opened themselves up to possession, it is nigh unto impossible to stop it. It is analogous to opening up all your windows and doors at your house and letting the criminal have his way. Hence, the only way to keep the criminal out, is to not let him in, in first place.
As for exorcism, we know from the Bible that exorcisms took place. Furthermore, we know that in contemporary times there are exorcisms that still take place. It's just that they're not widely publicized, and given mankind's propensity to rationalize everything, psychiatry and psychological methods are more often resorted to than exorcism to try and help people get mentally well, when the "illness" is not just mental, but spiritual.
It does, but once again, it's not widely publicized or spoken about.
Upvote
0
Yes, mostly in locations around the world where there is demon worship.
Upvote
0
sinner/SAVED
homo unis libri / εραστής της φρόνησης
The god of this world (Satan) possesses all unbelievers.
2Co 4:4 ESV In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2Co 4:4 ESV In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Upvote
0
aiki
Regular Member
- Feb 16, 2007
- 10,874
- 4,352
- Country
- Canada
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Baptist
- Marital Status
- Married
This happens when people who are not already occupied by the Holy Spirit "give place to the devil" (Eph. 4:27) by pursuing occult power and knowledge.
Unlike God, the devil is not omniscient. He cannot be at all places at all times. It is, then, far more likely that a person is possessed by one of the devil's demons than by the devil himself; for there are many demons but only one devil.
Yes, it can be stopped. Demons can be removed from people.
Rev 12:11 "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."
Jas 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Yes.
Peace to you.
Upvote
0
Sketcher
Born Imperishable
Any number of ways. I don't doubt that people can lure them with occult practices. But when I look at some of the stories in the Bible, it just looks like some people are targeted by demons just for the heck of it. They are sadistic beings, after all.
I do not believe that demons can possess Christians. They can oppress Christians, though. This can be done through very persuasive lies, which rob people of all faith and all joy. It can also be done physically, though I'm not sure oppression is the correct term for that.
They can be exorcised in the name of Jesus - provided you have the authority from God to do that. If you do not, then bad things can happen to you:
Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. (One day) the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. - Acts 19:13-16
Now, these people were Jews, not Christians. Yet they were using Jesus' name to try and drive out demons. Since they did not belong to God, they did not have the authority and look what happened.
Yes, it still does. We hear about it much of the time in the missions field, but cases like Cho at Virginia Tech may well have been demonic cases. Certainly with him, the devil was at work in some form or another.
Upvote
0
While we see possession and the Devil during the time of Jesus. I believe that Satan is currently caste into the pit during this milleinial reign and the angels who fell from grace, the demon are also chained up.
Rev 20:2-3 NET.
(2) He seized the dragon the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan and tied him up for a thousand years.
(3) The angel then threw him into the abyss and locked and sealed it so that he could not deceive the nations until the one thousand years were finished. (After these things he must be released for a brief period of time.)
Jud 1:6 NET.
(6) You also know that the angels who did not keep within their proper domain but abandoned their own place of residence, he has kept in eternal chains in utter darkness, locked up for the judgment of the great Day.
2Pe 2:4 NET.
(4) For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but threw them into hell and locked them up in chains in utter darkness, to be kept until the judgment,
With the demons locked up at this time, I don't believe demon possession currently takes place. In any case, people who have the Holy Spirit could not be possessed.
Marv
Rev 20:2-3 NET.
(2) He seized the dragon the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan and tied him up for a thousand years.
(3) The angel then threw him into the abyss and locked and sealed it so that he could not deceive the nations until the one thousand years were finished. (After these things he must be released for a brief period of time.)
Jud 1:6 NET.
(6) You also know that the angels who did not keep within their proper domain but abandoned their own place of residence, he has kept in eternal chains in utter darkness, locked up for the judgment of the great Day.
2Pe 2:4 NET.
(4) For if God did not spare the angels who sinned, but threw them into hell and locked them up in chains in utter darkness, to be kept until the judgment,
With the demons locked up at this time, I don't believe demon possession currently takes place. In any case, people who have the Holy Spirit could not be possessed.
Marv
Upvote
0
I think there are times we give power through fear. We assume inevitable weakness or takeover, and yield more than we should.Quote:
Originally Posted by feral
How do people become possessed?
Any number of ways. I don't doubt that people can lure them with occult practices. But when I look at some of the stories in the Bible, it just looks like some people are targeted by demons just for the heck of it. They are sadistic beings, after all.
Some Christians believe that they only enter through occult practices, but I find that stance can lead too far into accusing the victim. The focus is getting free.
This page has a good list of various cultures that affirm awareness of demons:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon
Upvote
0
Similar threads
