CHAPTER 7. PEOPLE, WHO HAD SEVERE PROBLEMS, BUT WERE NOT POSSESSED.

The Scriptures that people use to justify their belief in Christian possession are very vague and weak. We will now consider these Scriptures, and others, which show that even when children of God have backslidden and behaved badly, they have not become possessed. Backsliding is not apostasy, the backslider can really suffer at the hands of the Devil; but, as in the case of Peter's denial of Christ, backsliding is a temporary lapse of faith, whereas apostasy is the total rejection of God and faith. The backslider retains faith in God and some measure of love for God, but an apostate does not. Apostasy can open the door to demon possession, as in the case of Judas; but all apostates do not become possessed, it seems to be the exception, not the rule.

1. King Saul.
We read in 1Sam.16v23., that "an evil spirit from God was upon Saul," and that David's anointed music drove it away. However, Saul was not possessed, he was tormented by a demon that oppressed him, and there was no thought that he needed exorcism. Saul had opened the door to demon attack by an envy that drove him to try to murder David, and the actual murder of the priests of God. Saul was filled with many very nasty works of the flesh and sins of the spirit, and as a result the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Him, and God allowed an evil spirit to trouble him; but he was not possessed. In 1Sam.16v14., "troubled" is "baw-ath," to make afraid, to terrify, to trouble, "it speaks of the strongest intimidation." Saul found that when he gave way to the evil works of the flesh and Satan, he destroyed his own peace.

2. Peter.
a. Peter's rebuke of Jesus.
In Mt.16v16-23., we read, "Peter took Jesus by the arm, and took him to one side to speak to Him privately, and started to rebuke Him saying; May mercy be shown to you Lord. This shall positively never happen to you. But He turned around and said to Peter, Get behind me, out of my sight, and keep on going, Satan. You are a stumbling block and hindrance to me, because these thoughts of yours are man's, not God's." Satan attacked Jesus through the false traditions that Peter had learned from men's theology. The Scriptures reveal that God's dearest children have, like Peter, given way to these attacks from evil spirits; but there is no thought, or record, that they were demon possessed. Peter was corrupted by the theology, traditions and beliefs of his time, and he refused to reject them when Jesus told him they were wrong. Peter felt that our Lord needed a lesson in theology and rebuked Him for having such wrong ideas about the promised Messiah. The strength of Peter's rebuke of our Lord can be seen from the use of the word "epitimao" in Mk.8v32..

The Church has been corrupted by false tradition, and as a result is greatly hindered from doing God' will. Jesus warned that Satan would plant his children, the tares, in the Church, and that false doctrinal leaven would permeate the Church structure. Mt.13v24-43. 2Pet.2v1-22. Jude.v3-25. Paul warned us of Satan's attack on the Church through false teaching in 1Tim.4v1-4., and said that in the last days perilous times would come as a result of these doctrines of demons. The further the river of truth has flowed from its pure source in the early Church, the more polluted it has become with false traditions and human ideas. The prophecies of Christ and Paul have been fulfilled, and they warn us that even worse is to follow.

Unscriptural structures and traditions are one of the biggest hindrances to the Holy Spirit's ministries in the body of Christ. 1Cor.12v11-31. Eph.4v9-15. Peter tells us that redemption through the blood of Jesus sets us free from the vain way of life and traditions that have been handed down to us from our fathers. 1Pet.1v18,19. "Handed down from your fathers," is "patroparadotos," and it speaks of a parent-child learning relationship; we can be led astray, as well as led into truth by our spiritual fathers. Respect for spiritual leaders does not mean that we have to accept all they teach without question. We have to test and prove all that is taught to us, with the Word of God and the Spirit of God. 1Thes.5v19,20. Acts.17v11,12. We should never accept that Christians can be demon possessed, when the Scriptures have no record of such teaching, and in fact teach the very opposite. The exorcism of Christians has no basis in Scripture, and it hinders true spiritual warfare and genuine Bible based revival.

b. Peter's denial of Jesus.
In Mt.26v69-73., when Peter was challenged by a serving maid in the courtyard of the high priest, Peter first of all said that he did not know Jesus, then professed ignorance of what they were talking about. Later, when another maid accused him that he was a companion of Jesus, Peter denied it with an oath, "mete horkou." "Horkos" occurs ten times in the New Testament; in Lk.1v73. Acts.2v30. and Heb.6v16,17. of God's oath of confirmation. See Mt.5v33. 14v7,9. 26v72. Mk.6v26. James.5v12.

After a little while a group of bystanders challenged Peter, saying that he was a disciple of Jesus, for his accent and dialect betrayed him. At this Peter began to invoke curses upon himself, asking God to curse him if he lied when he said that he was not a follower of Jesus: he also began to swear with sacred oaths that he did not know Jesus. "Then he began to curse and swear," is "tote erxato katathematizein kai omnuein." "Katathematizein," means, "to wish oneself accursed if he lies," (it only occurs here in Mt.26v74.,) it shows that Peter put the most terrible imprecations and curses upon himself in his denial of Jesus, and followed this with the strongest and most sacred oaths, that he did not know Jesus. The word "omnuein," is the present active infinitive of "omnuo;" which is used of God swearing by an oath in Lk.1v73. 2v30. 7v17. Heb.3v11,18. 4v3. 6v13,16. and 7v21., and of an angel swearing by God in Rev.10v6,7.. Our Lord and James warn against the easy use of oaths in Mt.5v34. and James.5v12. The present tense shows that there was a succession of the strongest and most vehement denials by Peter that he did not know Jesus.

Our Lord said that Peter needed to repent and turn from this failure. Lk.22v31-34. There was no suggestion of Peter being demon possessed, or of him needing exorcism. The Scriptures teach that failure in Christians is not due to demon possession; it is due rather to unbelief, the filthiness of the works of the flesh, and sins of the spirit such as pride. 2Cor.7v1. Heb.3v12-4v2.

God never allowed the curses that Peter put upon himself to come to pass. This shows how completely wrong the current doctrine is, that Christians can, by careless talk, put curses upon themselves, or others, even without realising it. Balaam was one of the world's leading occultists, and he said that children of God could not be cursed, "Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, What hath God wrought!" Num.23v23. The word for "enchantment" is "naw-khash," to whisper a magic spell, to practice sorcery or enchantment. "Divination," is "Keh-sem," another kind of occultism and sorcery. This shows that no one can curse or work enchantment against a child of God. Christ's precious blood has broken Satan's power over us, and has redeemed us from the curse of the Law and every curse. Gal.3v13,14.

3. Ananias and Sapphira.
In Acts.5v1-12., we see that Ananias and Sapphira were executed for lying to the Holy Spirit. In v3. Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart that you should lie to the Holy Spirit." Ananias allowed Satan to fill his heart with a lie, he was not possessed, nor was he exorcised, he was executed by God for his deceit and lying. Some have said that Ananias and Sapphira were demon possessed, because the word in Acts.4v31, for "filled," "ekplerosin," is the same word that is used for the filling of the Spirit in Acts.4v31.. However, Peter did not say that Ananias was possessed by Satan, he said that Ananias had allowed Satan to fill his heart with lies. Peter had the revelation from God of this deceit and lying, and showed that God's answer to it was execution, not exorcism. If Ananias had been demon possessed, he would not have been responsible for his actions; but he was responsible for his acceptance of Satan's corrupting lies, and so he died for it.

4. Angry Ephesians. Eph.4v27.
Some have said that Eph.4v27., "leave no room or foothold for the Devil," teaches that Christians can be demon possessed. However, all Paul is saying, is that we have to keep our anger under control, or we can give the Devil a foothold in our lives and Church fellowships. Paul is speaking in Eph.4v22-26., about putting off the old nature and putting on the new nature, that is, dealing with the evil works of the flesh. The word "topon," means, scope, opportunity, place, room, or quarter; Paul is saying that if you don't deal with anger you give the Devil real scope to operate in the Church. The fact that people have to try to justify their practice of exorcism with Scriptures like this, which have absolutely nothing to do with exorcism, proves that they have no Scriptural evidence to back their teaching.

5. Simon Magnus.
We see in Acts.8v18-25., that Simon Magnus was not demon possessed even though he had been steeped in occultism. Peter said Simon Magnus was still holding on to evil principles, and was in the gall of bitterness and chained with evil attitudes. "In the gall of bitterness," is "eis cholen pikrias;" "cholen" only occurs here and Mt.27v34., where Jesus was offered wine mingled with gall. It is used in the Septuagint Greek in the sense of wormwood, as well as bile or gall. Deut.29v18. 32v32. Lam.3v15. Job.16v14. "Bitterness," "Pikrias," only occurs here and in Heb.12v15. Rom.3v14. and Eph.4v31.. In Heb.12v15., Paul warns Christians against having "a root of bitterness," and says that many were defiled by it, this shows that Simon Magnus was not the only one who was being poisoned by bitterness. We must take great care, to distinguish these roots of bitterness, and bondage to iniquity, from demon possession. "The bond of iniquity," "sundesmon adikias," is taken from Is.58v6., Simon Magnus was full of the poison of envy and bitterness, and chained by wickedness. Paul uses the word "sundesmon," bond, with peace in Eph.4v3.; and with love in Col.3v14.; and of the body of Christ in Col.2v19.. It is essential to note.

a. When Simon Magnus believed and was baptised, it was never suggested, that he needed exorcism, even though he was a dedicated sorcerer. It was accepted that when he believed in Jesus and was baptised, all occult power over him was broken.

b. Simon Magnus loved power, and he was envious of the power of God that Peter was manifesting, so he tried to buy authority and power with God with money. Peter told him to go to destruction with his money, because he thought that the power and gifts of God could be purchased with money. Peter said that Simon's desire to buy power and position in the Church, showed that he was not sincere in God's sight, so he told Simon to repent of his wickedness, and plead with the Lord for forgiveness.

c. Peter did not say, "Simon Magnus, you have got to get rid of that demon;" Peter warned him that he was poisoned by the evil ambition in his life, and that he had not properly repented of the sin within him, and that he was in great spiritual danger until he did repent. Peter never suggested that Simon Magnus needed exorcism, so if this extreme case did not need exorcism, then we can be quite sure that no other Christian needs exorcism, the cure is repentance, not exorcism.

6. The Corinthians.
Paul never suggested that exorcism was necessary for the Corinthian Christians who were living such bad lives. 1Cor.5v1 to 6v20. Paul said that they needed to repent and to subdue the old nature and he commended them for it when they did so. 2Cor.7v7-13. Paul told them that the Lord had disciplined them by sickness and death for their bad living, so that they might not be condemned with the world. 1Cor.11v29-32. Paul gives them the example of his own personal self-discipline of his body, he suggests self-discipline not exorcism. 1Cor.9v24-27. If no exorcism was needed for the Corinthian Christians, then no exorcism is needed for any Christian.

There is not much doubt that Paul looked upon the case of the man who committed incest with his father's wife as the worst moral failure in the Corinthian church.. Paul did not give a hint that this sinful man was possessed and needed exorcism: indeed, Paul makes it clear that Satan had no rights over the man until the Church handed him over to Satan for the destruction of his body. Even then Satan's activities were limited to an attack on his body, as it was the case of Job; however, in Job's case it was for a totally different reason, it was to prove the righteousness of Job and the principles and justice of the Almighty. Repentance caused mercy to be shown and judgement to be withdrawn from the sinful man at Corinth, and he was welcomed back into the fellowship of the Church. The cure for his sin was not exorcism, but discipline by spiritual power and exclusion from the Church fellowship. 1Cor.5v1-5. 2Cor.2v4-11. Jn.20v22,23.

7. The Woman at the Well. John.4v1-43.
The woman at the well was won by our Lord's gracious words, gentle attitude, and his prophetic revelation of her past; she was not possessed and did not need exorcism, even though she was a notorious sinner, who had been dominated by the sins of the flesh. Like the Corinthians, the Samaritan woman needed to repent, and to receive the help and forgiveness of Jesus, and He forgave her, with all the tenderness and concern of His great and loving heart. Cast all your care upon Jesus, He really cares for you. 1Pet.5v7.


CONCLUSION.
The doctrine of Christian exorcism denies God's statements of our security in Christ and all of the Christian certainties in Christ.

a. It denies and destroys a Christian's faith in God's protecting love and power. It denies the protecting presence of the Holy Spirit; our guard and guide. It denies the hedge of God about our souls. IT ATTACKS A CHRISTIAN'S TOTAL SECURITY IN GOD, AND SO ATTACKS THE CHARACTER OF GOD, AND HIS CARE FOR HIS CHILDREN.

b. It denies the protection of the blood of Christ. The children of Israel had protection from the angel of death because they had the blood of the Passover lamb over their homes. Christ is our Passover Lamb, and he gives us complete protection.

c. It denies our protection through baptism, sonship and the new birth. God defends His adopted children. We are legally identified with the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Satan has no claim on us.

d. It takes the emphasis from God and places it on demons, and gives Satan authority where he has none.

e. It denies the protection and power of the name of Jesus. Christ has conquered Satan, we conquer in His Name. Heb.2v14. Those who believe in Jesus, shall cast out devils, not be filled by them. Mk.16v17.

f. It makes Christians act as mediums for the thoughts and blasphemies of demons. Those who deny the Scriptural fact that Christians are guarded by God from Satan's power, 1Pet.1v5. etc., end up by saying that Christians can be possessed by demons; and then go on to encourage Christians to act as mediums for the thoughts and blasphemies of demons. This is totally condemned again and again in the Scriptures.

We have to do God's work in God's way. We have to follow the example and practice of Christ and His early Church, or we go into darkness. Throughout Church history, new and supplemental faith and practice has replaced the truths of the Word of God, until the churches of today bear little resemblance to the early Church. This innovation of new doctrine and practice will have to be answered for at the judgement seat of God, so let us make quite sure that we conform our faith and practice to the Word of God. Let us carefully and prayerfully check our methods and practice of exorcism by the theology and practice of the Lord Jesus and His early Church.

God has promised that He is not going to allow His dear children to get a serpent, or scorpion, or stone, He promises His "how much more" protection with the Holy Spirit's presence and power. Lk.11v9-13. If we learn the Scriptural way to protect ourselves with the name of Jesus and the Holy Spirit's gifts, the demons that try to attack us will be filled with fear at the armoury that our heavenly Father has given to us, and Satan and his demons will flee in terror. James.4v5-7.


APPENDIX 1. THE NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES ON DEMONS AND EVIL SPIRITS.
In the Gospels demons are also called evil spirits. Mk.5v12,15. 3v22,30. Lk.4v33. They are full of sadistic evil, and gain their pleasure from tempting mankind into sin, and by causing suffering, sickness, pain and death. Mt.12v45. Mk.5v2ff. 7v25. Lk.13v11,16. Evil spirits try, by their lies, to seduce and deceive people from the truth, and are responsible for the "doctrines of demons" that Paul warned us of in 1Tim.4v1.. Like their master, Satan, demons seek worship, often through idols. 1Cor.10v20. Rev.9v20. 13v4. Lk.4v6-8. Though demons fear God, they do not worship or obey Him. James.2v19. The New Testament has not one case of a Christian being possessed by demons, or being exorcised of demons, as can be seen from the following Scriptures which give all the New Testament references to demons.

1. DEMONS.
There is some difference of opinion as to the root from which the Greek word for demon is derived. Some say that it comes from a root "daemi," "to know," and so makes the word "demons" mean "knowing ones." Others say that "daimon" is derived from "daiomai," which means "to divide or apportion," and speaks of the supernatural power of demons, and their counterfeit evil miraculous powers, by which they try to deceive mankind into believing their false claims to deity. The Scriptures inform us that the worship of idols is really the worship of demons, and that they are the power behind idols and idolatry, the idol itself being "nothing." 1Cor.10v19-21. 1Tim.4v1-3.. Rev.9v20. etc.. Satan is the prince of demons, and dominates the powers of darkness. Mt.10v25. 12v24-26.. Mk.3v22,23. Lk.11v15-19. Eph.2v1-3. Another name for Satan is "Beelzebub" or "Baal-Zebub," "the lord of flies; which links him with "Baal" worship.

The heathen falsely ascribed deity to demons; Homer used "daimon" to express deity, and as equivalent to "theos" and "thea." Idolatry is the worship of demons. Rev.9v20. 1Cor.10v20,21. 1Tim.4v1. Demons try to dominate, distress and cause fear in mankind. Mt.12v45. Mk.5v2. 7v25. Lk.13v11,16. In Acts.25v19. Festus speaks of "fear of demons," "deisidaimonia," it is from "deido," "to be afraid," and "daimon." In Acts.17v22. Paul uses "deisidaimon," for the Athenian's reverence of demons and their superstitious fears about their influence. The English, "devil," or "devils," are mistranslations of the Greek words for demon. Let us now consider the Greek words for demon.

DAIMON.
"Daimon," occurs 5 times in the A.V. text; in Mt.8v31. Mk.5v12. Lk.8v29. Rev.16v14. 18v2.; but only once in the Critical Texts, in Mt.8v31., which reads, "hoi daimones," "demons," as does the A.V. and Majority Text. In Mk.5v12., the Majority Text reads, "all the demons;" whereas the Critical Texts omit any word for demons. None of these Scriptures speak of a Christian of a Christian being possessed by demons.

1. In the story of the Gadarine demoniac, the Majority Text and the A.V. Text read, in Mt.8v31., "hoi de daimones," "and the demons." Luke tells us, in Lk.8v29., that these demons, "daimonos," had driven the man into the desert. In Mk.5v12., we read that "all the demons," "pantes hoi daimones," asked Christ to send them into the pigs.

2. In Rev.18v2., Babylon, (Jerusalem under Antichrist, Rev.11v8. 14v8,20. 18v24.) "has become a dwelling place of demons," "daimonon."

3. In Rev.16v14., the "spirits of demons doing signs," assemble Antichrist's followers to the war of the great day of God Almighty. Scrivener and the A.V. read, "daimonon;" whereas Hodges and Farstad think "daimonion" has slightly more weight than "daimonon."

DAIMONION.
Of believers, only John Baptist and Jesus are said to have demons, and this is a false accusation by their enemies.
A.T. Robertson says "daimonion" is a diminutive of "daimon." W. E. Vine says it is not a diminutive of "daimon," but the neuter of the adjective "daimonios," "pertaining to a demon." Others say it is the adjective of "daimon," used as a noun. The plural, "ta daimonia," is the usual word for demons in the New Testament. In the Majority Text and A.V., "daimonion," or "daimonia," occur in Mt.7v22. 9v33,34. 10v8. 11v18. 12v24,27,28. 17v18. Mk.1v34,39. 3v15,22. 6v13. 7v26,29,30. 9v38. 16v9,17. Lk.4v33,35,41. 7v33. 8v2,27,30,33,35,38. 9v1,42,49. 10v17. 11v14,15,18,19,20. 13v32. Jn.7v20. 8v48,49,52. 10v20,21. Acts.17v18. 1Cor.10v20,21. 1Tim.4v1. James.2v19. Rev.9v20.
Let us now consider these Scriptures.

1. In Mt.7v22., Jesus warns that on judgement day, some who claim to have cast out demons, "daimonia," in His name; will be told to depart, because of their continual evil lives. Jesus says, "I never knew you," "knew," is "egnon," the aorist of "ginosko," "to know," which shows that these false miracle workers had never experienced any personal saving relationship with Jesus.

2. In Mt.9v33,34., Jesus casts out the demon, "tou daimoniou," that makes a man dumb.

3. In Mt.10v8., Jesus gives His apostles authority to cast out demons, "daimonia." The parallel passages in Mk.3v15. and Lk.9v1. state the apostles authority against demons; and Mk.6v13. says they exercised this authority and cast out demons.

4. In Mt.11v18. Lk.7v33., Jesus refutes the accusation that John Baptist had a demon, "daimonion echei," because he did not eat well or drink wine.

5. In Mt.12v24,27,28. and the parallel passages in Mk.3v22. and Lk.11v14,15,18,19,20., the Pharisees accuse Jesus of casting out demons by Beelzebub, Jesus warns them that this accusation is a great sin, and that He casts out demons with the finger of God.

6. In Mt.17v18., Jesus casts a demon, "daimonion," out of a boy; which the apostles could not cast out, because of their lack of prayer and fasting; Lk.9v42. calls it both a demon and an unclean spirit; and Mk.9v25. calls it an "unclean spirit," and Jesus calls it a "dumb and deaf spirit."

7. In Mk.1v34,39. and Lk.4v41., after the Sabbath sunset Jesus healed all the sick and cast out many demons at Peter's home. Mt.8v14-17.

8. In Mk.1v39., Jesus preaches and casts out demons in the synagogues of Galilee.

9. In Mk.7v26,29,30., Jesus casts out the demon from the Syrophenician's daughter.

10. In Mk.9v38. and Lk.9v49., the apostles forbid a person who was casting out demons from doing it, because he was not following them. Our Lord rebukes this bigoted sectarian spirit, and tells them not to stop the man casting out demons.

11. In Mk.16v9. and Lk.8v2., we read that Jesus cast out 7 demons from Mary Magdalene.

12. In Mk.16v17., our Lord states that those who believe in Him shall cast out demons.

13. In Lk.4v33,35., our Lord meets a man in the synagogue, "having a spirit of an unclean demon," "echon pneuma daimoniou akathartou," and casts it out. Mark calls this "an unclean spirit" in Mk.1v,23,26..

14. In Lk.8v27,30,33,35,38., Jesus casts out demons from the Gadarine demoniac; Mt.8v28,33. uses "daimonizomai," and Mt.8v31. "daimones;" in Mk.5v2,8,13., the man was "IN an unclean spirit," and v12 tells us the man had demons, "daimones."

15. In Lk.10v17., the 70 return with joy, rejoicing that demons are subject to them.

16. In Lk.13v32., Jesus tells the Pharisees to tell that fox Herod, that He will cast out devils and do cures, and the third day be perfected.

17. In Jn.7v20., the Jews said that Jesus had a demon, "daimonion echeis;" when He told them of their desire to kill Him.

18. In Jn.8v48,49,52., when Jesus told the Jews that they did not listen to Him because they were not of God; they told Jesus He was a Samaritan and had a demon. When Jesus said He did not have a demon, "ego daimonion ouk echo," and said that those who kept His sayings would never see death; the Jews said, "Now we know that thou hast a demon," "daimonion echeis." They committed the ultimate unforgiveable sin, when they said Jesus was possessed, and His divine truth was demonic lies.

19. In Jn.10v20,21., when Jesus told the Jews that He had authority to lay down His life and authority to take it again, many Jews said that He had a demon and was mad, "daimonion echei kai mainetai." Others said demon possessed people did not speak like this. It is a striking fact that all references to demon possession in John's Gospel, refer to the Jews false and wicked accusation that Jesus was possessed.

20. In Acts.17v18., Epicurean and Stoic philosophers call Paul a babbler, and say he proclaims foreign demons, "daimonion."

21. In 1Cor.10v20,21., we see that offerings to idols are offerings to demons, and warns against being partakers with demons.

22. In 1Tim.4v1., Paul warns that in the epochal last days some will apostacise from the faith, and give heed to seducing spirits, "pneumasin planois," and doctrines of demons, "didaskaliais daimonion; and follow false teachers, whose consciences are "seared with a red hot iron;" who forbid marriage, and command abstinence from foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving. "Kekausteriasmenon," is the perfect passive participle of "kausteriazo," to sear with a red hot iron; the perfect shows a completed and continuing state of mind.

23. In James.2v19., we read that demons believe in God and tremble and shudder.

24. In Rev.9v20., the last day judgements fail to stop people from worshipping demons.

POSSESSED WITH DEMONS, Note well, none of these Scriptures refer to a Christian being possessed.
"Daimonizomai," "to be demonised, to be possessed with demons, to be under the control of a demon," occurs in Mt.4v24. 8v16,28,33. 9v32. 12v22. 15v22. Mk.1v32. 5v15,16,18. Lk.8v36. and Jn.10v21.. Let us now consider these Scriptures.

1. In Mt.4v23,24., Jesus healed all who came to Him, in v23., "healing" is "therapeuon," the present active participle of "therapeuo," which means primarily, "to serve, minister to, and render service as a 'therapon,' a servant or attendant; then to care for and heal the sick." "Healed" in v24 is "etherapeusen," the third person singular aorist active indicative of "therapeuo." The use of "therapeuo," shows our Lord's lovely humble and gentle spirit of service, and the singular present, shows Christ's continuous personal attention to each of their needs, in the casting out of demons, as well as healing. The parallel passage in Mk.1v35-39., says our Lord "cast out" demons."

2. In Mt.8v16., Jesus "casts out" evil spirits out of many that were possessed. This is a parallel passage to Mk.1v32-34..

3. In Mt.8v28-34., two demonised men at Gadara are exorcised by Jesus; whereas, Mark.5v1-21., and Luke.8v26-40., tell us of the exorcism of the most well-known demoniac. There are two very important lessons in this incident.

a. Demons are terrified of being sent into the Abyss, God's prison. Mt.8v29. Mk.5v7. Lk.8v28,31. They are afraid of Christians who know their authority in Christ. James tells us that Satan runs away in fear from Christians who humble themselves under God and arm themselves with His power. James.4v5-7.

b. Demons should always be sent into the Abyss and we should never agree to their requests, the demons frustrated our Lord's ministry by killing the pigs. Jesus undoubtedly knew that this would happen, and this was almost certainly allowed for our instruction, to warn us to confine exorcised evil spirits to the Abyss, and not to allow them liberty, or freedom of choice.

4. In Mt.9v32-34., our Lord "cast out" a demon from a dumb demoniac and the dumb man spoke; the multitudes marvelled; but the Pharisees resisted God, and said that the demon was cast out through "the prince of the demons."

5. In Mt.12v22-37., a blind and dumb demoniac is delivered and healed, the Pharisees again charge Jesus with casting out demons by Beelzebub. In a parallel passage with Mk.3v22-30., Jesus again gives the most solemn warnings about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit; which is rejection of Christ in the light of outstanding miracles; and saying that the miracles of God are the acts of an unclean spirit.

6. In Mt.15v22., Jesus casts out a demon from the Syrophenician's daughter. v21-28.

7. In Jn.10v20,21., Christ's enemies accused Him of being possessed, others objected saying that demoniacs do not heal blind people, or preach the wonderful truths that Jesus did. Derangement and distress always accompany demon possession.

These Scriptures prove "daimonizomai" does not speak of external oppression, as demons are "cast out" of the possessed.

DAIMONIODES. "Devilish, demoniacal." James.3v14-16. James says that we can be filled with bitter envy and strife and have an attitude that is devilish without being possessed by demons. Only Satan is called "the Devil," "Ho Diabolos," "the Slanderer, the Accuser." See Mt.4v1,5,8,11. 13v39. 25v41. Lk.4v2,3,5,,6,13. 8v12. Jn.8v44.13v2. Acts.10v38. 13v10. Eph.4v27. 6v11. 1Tim.3v6,7. 2Tim.2v26. Heb.2v14. James.4v7. 1Pet.5v8. 1Jn.3v8,10. Jude.v9. Rev.2v10. 12v9,12. 20v2,10. Jesus calls Judas a "diabolos," a slanderer, in Jn.6v70.. Paul warns Christian women not to be slanderers, "diabolous," in 1Tim.3v11. and Tit.2v3. and that slander will abound in the last days. 2Tim.3v3.

2. UNCLEAN SPIRITS.
John's Gospel never describes demons as "unclean spirits," but the synoptic Gospels often describe them in this way. The adjective, "akathartos," meaning, "unclean," or "impure," is derived from the negative "a," and "kathairo," "to cleanse, to purify." In the Authorised Version, "akathartos," is used in relation to demons in Mt.10v1. 12v43. Mk.1v23,26,27. 3v11,30. 5v2,8,13. 6v7. 7v25. 9v25. Lk.4v33,36. 6v18. 8v29. 9v42. 11v24. Acts.5v16. 8v7. Rev.16v13. and 18v2.. None of these Scriptures speak of a Christian having an unclean spirit.

1. In Mt.10v1., Jesus gives the apostles authority, "exousia," over unclean spirits.

2. Mt.12v43. The Jews rejection of Christ, meant possession by seven worse demons and national calamity. Lk.11v11v24.

3. In Mk.1v23,26,27., Jesus muzzles and casts an unclean spirit out of a man in the synagogue at Capernaum. "Be muzzled, is "phimotheti," as in 1Cor.9v9. 1Tim.5v18. The astonished people said Jesus made the demons line up in ranks and obey Him. Lk.4v33,36. calls it an unclean spirit.

4. In Mk.3v11., demons recognised Jesus, He rebuked them and commanded them not to make Him known.

5. In Mk.3v30., Jesus warns those who said His miracles were done by demons, that they were in danger of eternal damnation.

6. Mk.5v2,8,13. (Lk.8v29.) say the Gadarene was possessed by unclean spirits; in Lk.8v27-38. they are called demons.

7. In Mk.6v7., Jesus gives the twelve authority over unclean spirits.

8. In Mk.7v25., Jesus casts out an unclean spirit from the Syrophenician's daughter.

9. In Mk.9v25., the demon in the boy is called an unclean spirit, Jesus casts it out, when the apostles failed to do so. Luke calls the demon an unclean spirit in Lk.9v42.. Matthew calls this unclean spirit a "demon," in Mt.17v18..

10. In Lk.6v18., the Lord Jesus heals those "vexed with unclean spirits."

11. In Acts.5v16., the apostles heal all the people who were sick and possessed with unclean spirits.

12. In Acts.8v7., Philip casts out unclean spirits at Samaria.

13. In Rev.16v13., Antichrist's gathers armies by demonic miracles; they are gathered to destruction at Armageddon.

14. In Rev.18v2., Babylon becomes a prison of every unclean spirit.

3. EVIL SPIRITS.
The word for "evil" in "evil spirits," is "poneros," it occurs in reference to demons in Lk.7v21. 8v2. Acts.19v12,13,15,16. See also Lk.11v26. with Mt.12v45. "Poneros is worse than "kakos," intrinsic evil; which describes a person who is evil and who may cause real trouble through it, but they do not actively corrupt others. "Poneros" speaks of an active evil which is not content until it corrupts others to the same level of evil. Some manuscripts of Lk.11v4., call Satan, "Ho Poneros," the Evil One who actively corrupts everyone and everything he can.

4. PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS.

Principalities. "archos."
These are the "world rulers of this darkness," not the politicians, they are the hidden cause of the huge number of appalling atrocities that have occurred in Church and secular history. In Eph.6v12., Paul calls them, "spiritual wickedness in heavenly places." "Wickedness," is "poneros;" they aim to injure mankind and corrupt them to evil. We need all God's armour to defeat the evil principalities that rule over countries, who are the most powerful of the evil angels. Eph.6v10-20. Christ defeated them all through His death on the cross. Eph.1v21. Col.2v10-15. The evil angelic prince over Persia hindered the angel Gabriel from bringing an answer to Daniel's prayers, for 3 weeks, until Michael, Israel's angel, helped Gabriel to defeat him. Dan.10v1-21. N.B. v2,3. Satan and his evil principalities do manipulate and possess world leaders and other people on occasions; Satan himself possessed Judas, to fulfil his major evil purpose, to hurt and kill his Creator. Lk.22v3. Jn.8v44. 13v27.

Powers. "exousias."
These evil angels are given authority and power by the principalities to reign over towns and cities; and again these seldom take part in demon possession. Like the principalities they are too busy dominating and corrupting mankind to take part in the kind of possession we see in the Gospels. It is the more insignificant demonic powers that take part in demon possession. Sometimes, however, a more powerful evil angel aids lesser demons to resist the ministries of the Church, as it seems took place in the case of the demon possessed boy in Mt.17v14-21.; these powerful evil spirits can only be cast out by a prayerful person who is living a disciplined life. N.B. v21. is included in the vast Majority of Texts.


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