A demon is a spirit creature. The Father is head of all things, are you questioning His ability to do anything He wants? I believe in the power of prayer. The bible instructs us to pray to the Father in the name of the Son. Seems a simple conclusion to me.
I believe along those lines too, and I believe that possibly they are "handed down" from parent to child. Perhaps things like alcoholism, infidelity, mental disease, dependency, etc are those evil demons either inhabiting the nonbelievers or trying to influence us believers. I certainly don't know all the answers, but it's possible. And what better a veil for satan to hide behind? People can claim things such as those I listed are learned behaviors, or family genes. I just feel there is so much "bad" in the world that we don't blame the appropriate demon for...satan.
I apologize if my thoughts seem scattered or if I've offended anyone. I'm just sharing my thoughts.
a christian cannot be posessed but can certainly can be oppressed. I have had experiences and we do have the authority in Jesus name to cast them out, it's called deliverance.
NO sir I don't question him, but I do believe his word, You see I don't believe God is in control of everything, I believe he is bound to his word. You see if you are a believer you are supposed to cast him out
I suppose you are one of those who go around binding Satan in the name of Jesus as well? This all comes from not understanding God's word. There are some really bad interpretations out there, including some of the Bibles themselves. The NIV is a prime example, with well over 1,000 translation errors, yet it still is used to teach from. Sad, sad. So many people struggling to understand and being misled.
Judgment starts in the pulpit and teachers will be held to a harsher punishment. Please watch what you teach others, we will all be held accountable.
I certainly agree, but as I said my stand is to believe the word of God, which is the same as Jesus they are one.
The word of God says believers will cast out demons: it is a choice you believe or you do not.
Mk 16:14 � Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
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;
Mt 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
In answering your statement, yes i do believe that the bible is true, believers have the responsibility to bind and loose according to Jesus.
When it comes to Satan you can fins some interesting statements in the epistles of James and Peter.
5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
8 � Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
The word of God exhorts believers to humble themselves and grace will be there to deal with Satan.
Question how is anyone is supposed to put Jesus word's lower than the words of man. if we can not believe his word, who can you believe, is it not by faith one's believes?
Thanks for quoting Mark 16. I was going to do that soon so let's go over this often misinterpreted passage. It is so important to understand the Grammar of sentences or else we end up misinterpreting it's meaning and to whom it is about.
Mar 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
The above is applicable to all. Verse 17 below is another kettle of fish.
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
"those who believe" is written in the present tense. In other words those who were currently believing AT THAT TIME. It is not for future Christians. We cannot twist the grammar to suit our own beliefs. Notice verse 18 which applies to those same Christians AT THAT TIME. They could pick up deadly snakes and drink deadly things and yet not be hurt whatsoever. They would lay hands on the sick and they WOULD recover. Not maybe, not over time, but an immediately healing. We do not have this power today as it was not passed on to us. These were special supernatural powers that no one possesses today. If this was a general application for all future Christians then everyone of us without exception would have all these powers today. We would be able to walk into the Hospitals and heal everyone!
19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, [ the Apostles] He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
20 And they [the Apostles]went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them [ the Apostles] and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. NKJV
I want to point out a few things here. First when the scripture here refers to "these signs will follow those that believe" and they will take up serpents, etc.,...this is talking about those who received the word of God FROM the Apostles and had hands laid upon them BY the Apostles. That as we have seen above is the normal method that a person received a spiritual gift. This is the proper interpretation of this passage. Now what is the "application" of this so far? Can we apply this for Christians today? I don't believe so because if that were true then Christians claiming to have received supernatural gifts would have these exact same powers as those above. They/ WE would be able to handle serpents and not be harmed... and also we could drink poisons and not be harmed. So I do not see any Biblical evidence to support the gifts being for today.
Now this is not to say that GOD can't do it. Obviously He can for He is GOD. God is the one who will heal and cast out demons, but He does not do it through an individual. We can fast and pray and ask God to do it. But we personally do not have the power to do so as we have not been given those supernatural gifts.
First things first, if the word of God is not true, there is nothing to say, but of course it is true, it is simple those that believe, and those that believe not, according to you every statement you made about the word of God would make the word a lie, and of course Jesus is not a liar.
When you read scripture demons are referred to as serpents, there is no mention of any gifts in this context.
The word of God is subject to the reader believing it, not a man interpreting the word and thus saying it is not true
Good job Walter. I was hoping you still had that study saved somewhere. I remember the last time this was discussed here....to the same end, it would seem. Thanks for the post, brother.
