User talk:Fabian Lewis

Introduction
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Demon Possession is one of the most controversial topics a Bible scholar would face when studying Theology. We tend to ask the questions can Christians be possessed by demons or are they oppressed by them? Are they figments of our imaginations or realities of the universe? Did a Holy God create these beings and to what purpose? These are just a few of the questions discussed in this paper.

Who are Demons and where did they Originated?
Demons were angels that rebelled against God in the heavenly abode and was thrust down to earth because of their defiance. Revelation 12:7 mentions the state of Satan, the head of the demonic host and his angels before their defiance; before their defiance, they were called angels, and after their defiance, they were called demons. When it comes to the origin of demons, there are many views that exist. There is a view that states that demons were spirits of deceased evil people. Therefore, base on that view Adolph Hitler was an extremely evil demon, and our contemporary, Saddom Hussein would be a very evil demon when he will be hangs. Other theorists theorized that demons were spirits of a pre-Adamic race stating, “The original creation of humanity that fell is now the spirits of demons.”[1] There are loopholes to this view for “Romans 5:12 makes it clear that it was through Adam, not some Pre-Adamic creature that the conditions of sin and death began in the cosmos.”[2] The Origin of demons was perceived by another theorist as offspring of angels and women. This theory suggest that according to Genesis 6:4, nephilims who were the resultant offspring of  women and angels were demons, but this theory has its flaws since “there is no indication that nephilim were demons; rather, they were probably “heroes” or fierce warriors.”[3] The view that is much sounder theologically is the view of fallen but unconfined angels. “It teaches that when Lucifer rebelled against God he fell from his place of prominence and led with him a host of lower- ranking angels (Revelation 12:7).”[4]

Definition of Demon possession
Charles Ryrie defines demon possession as:

A demon residing in a person, exerting direct control and influence over that person, with certain derangement of mind and/ or body. Demon possession is to be distinguished from demon influence or demon activity in relation to a person. The work of the demon in the latter is from the outside; in demon possession, it is from within. By this definition, a Christian cannot be possessed by a demon since the Holy Spirit indwells him. However, a believer can be the target of demonic activity to such as an extent that he may give the appearance of demon possession.[5]

Fact of Demon possession
There is without a doubt that demon possession exists. While Christ’s sojourn on earth, we see very vividly through the scriptures that he cast out demons out of demoniacs, that is, people that were possessed by demons. Many demons appear in opposition to Christ’s messiahship. There are several accounts through the Bible that attests to demon possession. Mark1:23-24 records the identification of Christ as the Holy one by a demon; the demon was commanded by Christ to leave the man. In Mark 5:3-4 recorded the demoniac of Gerasenes with supernatural physical strength and ability to break shackles and chains. The demons was called legions for they were many; they were permitted by Christ to enter into two thousand pigs, and later the pigs ran down into a river and was drowned. However, what we should take note of is the fact that when Jesus cast out demons “He cast out the demons without the pronunciation of an elaborate formula. He merely commanded them to come out (Mark 1:25; 9:25). He attributed the exorcism to the spirit of God (matt.12:28) or the finger of God (Luke 11:20).”[6]

Nature of Demon possession
Paul Enns wrote very excellently on the nature of demon possession as he stated:

Demon possession evidences itself by a change in moral character and spiritual disposition. Frequently a different voice, a different educational level, or even a foreign language will reflect a difference in the affected person’s personality. The demons speaking through the man immediately recognized who Christ was (Mark 1:23-24, which meant he had supernatural knowledge and intellectual power. Another symptom of demon possession was exhibited by the man in the country of the Gerasenes with is supernatural physical strength and ability to break shackles and chains (Mark 5:3-4).[7]

Can Christians be possessed by Demons?
Can Christians be posses by demons? In my personal opinion, this is one of the most controversial topics when studying demonology. When studying demonology the student of Theology and the bible scholar a like have to grapple with this issue. Many programs have being aired on the media centered around this particular topic, people from secular and from theological fields seek truth to this discussion; can Christian be possessed by demons? The definition by Charles Ryrie is one of the best definition that seeks to explain what demon possession is, and tries to explain the fact of demon possession and Christians in light of the Bible. I must agree with Charles Ryrie that Christians cannot be possessed by demons since they are indwelled by the Holy Spirit. I further agree with Charles Ryrie “a believer can be the target of demonic activity to such as an extent that he may give the appearance of demon possession.”[8] On the other side of the coin, some scholars say that Christians can be possessed by demons. They say that when a Christian is possessed by a demon, it is a result of a believer living carnally, and the Holy Spirit becomes dormant and that give room for demon possession. Let us get into the scriptures, let us see what the Bible as to say about demon possession. Luke 11:24-26 reads, "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wickedly than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first." (NIV). From the scripture above, Christ mention that if a demon that was once residing in an individual is cast out, it will roam the land in search for a resting place. If the demon never found a resting place, it will return to the place that it had left and if the place is vacant it will go and take seven other demons to occupy the spot that was vacant. The key word here is ‘vacant’, it explains a lot in demon possession. It is like this, if a have a glass filled with water in a cup and I pour more water on the water in the cup, if I continue to pour water in the glass, most likely it will overflow. In demon possession it is the same scenario, if the Holy Spirit occupies a believer even when the believer is living carnally the Holy Spirit will not flee from occupying the house. For the carnal Corinthian Christians who were guilty of incest, lawsuits against fellow believers, and other sins were nonetheless indwelled by Holy Spirit (1 Corin.6:19). Therefore, in the case of demon possession it would be unlikely that a believer who is indwell with the Holy Spirit become a victim of demon possession. What can happen is the believer being the target of demonic activity. The demon may oppress the individual outwardly but will not be able to indwell the individual since the Holy Spirit occupies the believer. When the Holy Spirit occupies a believer, He never leaves, the Holy Spirit can be quenched (Eph.4:30) and He can be grieved (1 Thess.5:19), but the Holy Spirit never leaves a house that He once occupied.

'Demons Today and the Power that Lies with the Christian'
Do demons really exist today? Do Christians really have power over them? Those are questions that we should all take time to consider.

Demon influence, like the activity of Satan, is prompted by two motives: both to hinder the purpose of God for humanity, and to extend the authority of Satan. They, therefore, at the command of their king, willingly cooperate in all his God-dishonoring undertakings. Their influence is exercised both to mislead the unsaved and to wage an unceasing warfare against the believer (Eph.6:12).[9]

Some people may say that demon possession was of the past and cannot take place today, but I believe that such a view is erroneous. “There is reason to believe that demon possessions are restricted to the past. There are cases, especially but not exclusively in less develop cultures, which seem to be explainable only on this basis. The Christian should be alert to the possibility of demon possession occurring today.”[10] It is important to note that as believers, we have power over demons since Christ died a substitutionary death on the cross; and now we are joint heirs with Christ, sons of God. If we have that privileged and authority we should speak the word of faith and cast out demons through the name of Christ.

Our heavenly Father encourages us to enter directly into conflict with demonic forces in name of Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Thereby he enables us to gain the joy of participating in eternal significant ministry and the joy of triumphing over the destructive power of Satan and his demons in people’s lives.[11]

End Notes
1 Enns, Paul. The Moody Handbook of Theology. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1989). Page 295

2 Ibid 3 Ibid 4 Ibid

5 Charles C. Ryrie, Study-Graph: Bible Doctrine II (Chicago: Moody, 1996).

6 Erickson, Millard J. Introducing Christian Doctrine. (Michigan: Baker Book house,      1993). page150.

7 Enns, Paul. The Moody Handbook of Theology. (Chicago: Moody Press, 1989). Page 298.

8 Charles C. Ryrie, Study-Graph: Bible Doctrine II (Chicago: Moody, 1996).

9 Chafer, Lewis Sperry. Systematic Theology. Vol.2. (Michigan: Kregel Publications,   1976). page 121.

10 Erickson, Millard J. Introducing Christian Doctrine. (Michigan: Baker Book House,      1993). page150.

11 Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. (Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House,     1994). page 429.