DEMONS

 

Matthew 10:1 (KJV)
1  And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 

Luke 9:1 (KJV)
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 

I believe that anyone, saint or sinner, can be demoniacally influenced, I do not believe that children of God can be possessed by demons. Just like when the Rapture will occur,  before tribulation, during tribulation or post tribulation, and speaking in “tongues”, this is a controversial subject. Not everyone believes in demons, some believe there are demons but they can not influence Christians, some people believe that Christians can be possessed by demons; and yes, there are people who doubt the existence of Satan as well as demons. Why do I believe in demoniacally possessed or influenced people? Because I believe in the Devil and his demonic force.

Acts 16:16-20 (KJV)
16  And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
17  The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.
18  And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
19  And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers,
20  And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 

A  person with a spirit of divination is a fortune teller, a spiritual reader, a psychic or a palm reader. This woman was very good at what she did, we know that because her “masters” made  a lot of money  from her activity. It does not matter if she was accurate or not she was not working on behalf of God. People who went to her looked to this woman for answers not God, anytime we trust anyone or anything to tell us about our lives we are being demoniacally influenced. 

Acts 19:10-12 (KJV)
10  And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
11  And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:
12  So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. 

If people could not be delivered from evil spirits why would they allow evil spirits to be cast out of them? 

Acts 19:13-16 (KJV)
13  Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
14  And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
15  And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
16  And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 

This is interesting because it shows that not everyone could cast out evil spirits. I believe, a person can have a mega-church and not have the power to cast out demons because the demons know that he, or she, does not have a personal relationship with God. In addition, there are individuals with titles associated with Christianity that are powerless when it comes to praying against evil spirits because Jesus is not Lord of his or her life. Some “deliverance” ministries are emotional events not true deliverance.

I find it interesting that Jesus did not comission his followers to promote prosperity. 

Mark 16:16-19 (KJV)
16  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18  They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19  So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 

WRITTEN BY; Marsha L Floyd
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED