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Deep Healing
The first post in this series discussed symptoms that suggest a person could be demonized. Often a person experiencing the symptoms discussed will seek help for his or her problems without any idea that evil spirits might be involved. Sometimes the person who is troubled by demons will sense their presence. Frequently a loved one will be troubled by the demonized person’s behavior and encourage him or her to seek help.
Almost always the first step taken will be to see a medical doctor, counselor, or psychiatrist. Only when these prove unable to help to will a person consider seeking help from a pastor or other Christian. Tragically, most pastors will refer a demonized person back to one of the helping professions, never considering the possibility of demonic oppression.
What a person in spiritual leadership should do, however, is be open to the possibility of demonic oppression, especially in situations where a person has sought help from doctors or counselors without being helped. When a person suffers chronic illnesses that do not respond to medical treatment, or has other problems not resolved by counseling, we should be open to the possibility of a spiritual source of a person’s problems.
Taking a history
The second post in this series provided a questionnaire that can be used to take the history of a person who is looking help. The items in the questionnaire are designed to expose possible sources of the problems troubling the person seeking help.
For instance, the root of a person’s problems may lie in a childhood experience of abandonment, or physical or sexual abuse, etc. Or it may lie in some earlier involvement in the occult. I refer to these root experiences as “events,” even though an “event” may take the form of repeated experiences. Answers given to the items on the questionnaire point to issues that should be explored further when talking with the individual seeking help.
As we begin to sense the events that are possible roots of a person’s problems we’ll better understand what spiritual help we can provide.
Spiritual Help
It’s helpful to look at persons from three different viewpoints. We can look at them as physical beings, with bodies that are subject to physical ills. We can look at them as psychological beings, with thoughts, emotions, and volition that can be corrupted. We can look at them as spiritual beings, with an inner relationship with the self and with God that can become distorted. At the same time, we have to remember that we human beings are a unity. Our various aspects are not isolated from each other.
That means, for instance, that our psychological state can and does have an impact on our physical wellbeing. And that sickness can and does have an impact on our emotions. And that our spiritual state has implications for the way we think and feel about life as well as our physical well-being..
When we discover an event that is a possible source of a person’s troubles, we need to remember that event may have a multiple impact, affecting the person physically, psychologically, and spiritually.
Medical doctors, including psychiatrists, treat physical consequences of events using medicines, drugs, surgery, etc. Counselors treat psychological consequences of events, typically seeking to reorient thinking. Few understand how to treat a person’s problems spiritually.
To provide the spiritual help that deals with the root of a person’s problems it’s important to understand what Charles Kraft calls “Deep Healing,” and what others in deliverance ministry call “Prayer Healing.”
It’s also important to understand that there may be demonic involvement in a person’s physical, psychological and spiritual problems.
A look at Deep Healing
Briefly, in Deep Healing an individual identifies an event which is the root of current problems. He or she invites Jesus into that event. As the person “reimagines” the event [under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit], what Jesus says or does transforms its significance. For many, healing results. In the case of occult involvement, that involvement is renounced, confessed, and forgiven by God. The negative physical, psychological and spiritual consequences of the event that have impacted the person’s life are healed, and the person is delivered from those consequences.
For an outstanding book on this subject, see Charles Kraft’s “Deep Wounds, Deep Healing,” reviewed earlier on this blog.
Demonic Involvement
What is important to understand is that events that cause a person problems not only have physical, psychological and spiritual consequences. Such events also can serve as “entry points” for demons. That is, the same event that impacts a person’s life in negative physical, psychological, or spiritual ways also provide a platform within the person from which demons can exercise a pernicious influence. Typically this influence involves exacerbating or exaggerating the negative impact of the event on the person’s life.
In most cases for complete and permanent deliverance, there must be both a casting out of the demon and spiritual healing of the root problem.
And in general, as long as the person is cooperative, it’s easier to undertake the Deep Healing first. Removing the platform on which the demon took its stand seems to weaken the demon and make it easier to cast out.
In our next Diagnosing Demonization, we’ll consider the next step: Challenging the demon.
The third of a series of studies of references to demons in Paul’s epistles.
The great miscalculation
“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:6-7).
Background
The Corinthian believers have formed cliques, each claiming to be followers of a different Christian leader (1:10-17). Paul’s critique quickly moves to the issue of “wisdom.” He argues that there is a human wisdom, which is both limited and corrupt. There is no chance of knowing God through human wisdom, which is foolishness to God, even though revealed truth seems like foolishness to the natural man. The cliques that have formed are reflections of human wisdom, and contrary to the Gospel. Paul himself has not relied on “wise and persuasive words” but he has related God’s “foolish” truth simply, “so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom” (1:18-2:5).
At this point Paul introduces the God’s ”secret wisdom,” a reference to revelations that have come with Christ and are not revealed in the Old Testament. With this shift in theme Paul speaks of “the wisdom of this age” and of “the rulers of this age.”
Observations
1. this age. The Greek word here is aeon. It focuses attention on a time span marked by some distinctive or moral characteristics. The New International Encyclopedia of Bible Words states that “as a spiritual and psychological state, this age is evil (Gal. 1:4). Its wise men and its philosophers are blind to God and ignorant of him, for they scornfully reject the crucified Christ (1 Co. 1:20-25). The principles by which this age operates are “foolishness in God’s sight” (1 Co.3:19), for lost humanity is blinded by illusions that are sponsored by Satan, the unacknowledged “god of this age” (2 Co. 4:4)” [page 28].
2. the rulers. The title “rulers” is applied to human authorities, as in Romans 13:3, where the Apostle urges believers to submit to the laws established by human governments. But it this title also is applied to supernatural [demonic] powers, as where the Apostle pictures believer in a struggle against “the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Eph. 6:13). The question is, in 1 Corinthians 2:6 Paul is referring to human rulers, or the demonic.
3. the rulers. Most commentators assume that Paul is referring to human rulers, and that the “wisdom of this age” that is contrasted with God’s secret wisdom is simply limited and corrupt human wisdom. If this is the case, the passage suggests if first century leaders had understood God’s plan they “would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” That is, the Jewish and Roman authority would have chosen to acknowledge Jesus rather than put him to death.
This interpretation has significant difficulties. First, the “rulers” are described as “rulers of this age.” While it’s possible to understand the phrase as “rulers who have authority during this age,” it’s more likely grammatically that the phrase portrays rulers who govern the age itself.
If we opt for this second and grammatically more likely meaning, it’s clear that no human rulers fit the description.
Second, if human authorities are in view, the verse would assert that those who were responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion would have changed course had they understood God’s hidden purpose. But in his wisdom God chose to permit Jesus to be crucified. Thus Paul would be arguing that if the Jewish and Roman leaders had understood God’s purposes in Jesus death, they would not have crucified him.
This notion is flawed theologically. The human rulers did understand Jesus’ claim of deity and Messiahship . . . and they hated him for it (cf John 3:2, 8:48-59, etc.). Unsaved human beings have never, and never will, willingly support God’s plans and purposes, but are hostile to all that God stands for and intends.
On these and other grounds the interpretation that takes “the rulers” in this verse to be either the spiritual leaders of the Jews or to the secular authorities, is not likely to be correct.
4. the rulers. The other possibility is that the rulers in view here are spirit beings, the “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” that is, demons. This view is consistent with taking “rulers of this age” as meaning “beings who rule this age.”
5. the rulers. Assuming that the reference is to demons, Paul is making a fascinating point. Despite his vast intelligence and great power, Satan falls far short of understanding God’s plans and purposes. “God’s secret wisdom” is hidden from the fallen angels as well as from human beings. And, because Satan failed to understand God or to grasp the “secret wisdom” that governs God’s actions, Satan made the disastrous [for him!] decision to incite the human rulers to bring about Jesus’ death.
5. would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Given that the rulers in view in this passage are demonic powers, the verse supports the idea that Satan and his followers actively manipulated human beings to bring about the murder of Jesus. This view is given direct support Luke 13:27, which states that Satan “entered into” Judas at the last supper when Judas was identified as Jesus’ betrayer. To Satan, bringing about the death of the Savior before the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel prophecy must have seemed his only chance to defeat the purposes the Lord had announced through that prophet (see Daniel 9:24). It must have seemed that if the Messiah were killed God’s stated purposes in the prophecy could not be fulfilled.
But this verse tells us that the dark authorities failed to understand the significance of Christ’s death. Had they understood they “would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” For in God’s “secret wisdom.” the death of Jesus was the key to the ultimate defeat of every evil power.
God has always had the power to put down Satan and his followers. But before the death of Jesus God, whose character requires him to punish sin, had no moral basis on which to act against the devil without at the same time acting against human beings.
The cross of Jesus established the basis on which God can be just and still justify sinners [pronounce innocent sinners who trust in Jesus] (Romans 3:24-26). The cross provides the basis on which we are forgiven, and it also serves as the moral basis for God’s action against all sin. In dying for us Jesus demonstrated God’s commitment to punish sin, by taking our punishment on himself.
In taking this action, Paul says in Colossians that Christ “disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” With the moral foundation now laid, God is free at any time to act against Satan as well as against any human who rejects him, while offering forgiveness to all who trust in Jesus.
It is this stunning significance of the cross that God in his “secret wisdom” fully understood, and which Satan and his followers in the spirit world failed to grasp. As Paul says, if they had grasped the significance of Jesus’ death on the cross, “they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” For in conspiring to bring about the death of Jesus they brought about their own ultimate defeat.
An Aside
The fourth book in the Invisible War series, The 60th Week, looks at the increased demonic activity reported during Jesus’ earthly ministry, and explores Satan’s motives for inciting the religious leaders to put Jesus to death. The story gives a fuller explanation of the significance of the point that the Apostle Paul is making in 1 Corinthians 2:6-7. I think you’ll find this novel fun to read, and filled with insights that will fascinate you and enrich your life. The 69th Week will be available on Amazon.com and in bookstores early in February.
Insights
In these brief verses the Apostle Paul highlights an important truth. He has been arguing that the Corinthians’ reliance on human wisdom is foolish. Here he points out that even the evil spirits who rule this present age can lay no claim to a superior wisdom. God has shown that their wisdom too is foolishness, for if they had understood God’s secret wisdom they would never have conspired to bring about the death of Jesus and thus accomplish their own ruin.
What does this tell us about the spirit world? Simply that the powers we so often fear are totally outclassed by God!
That true wisdom is to submit our judgment to the Word and the Spirit of God, realizing that the universe conforms to God’s secret wisdom; a wisdom by which all choices, whatever the intent of the one who chooses, operate to bring about that which God knows to be good.
This is an important lesson. We cannot know the consequences of any action we take. The best plans we can make, as the poet says, “gang aft aglay.” But when we seek God’s will and submit to it, trusting the outcome of our choices to his “secret wisdom,” we remain “safe and secure from all alarms.”
In fact, our only safety is found in “leaning on Jesus, leaning on Jesus. Leaning on the everlasting arms.”
Taking a History
In this series I’m treating “deliverance” as more that casting out demons. Deliverance also involves identifying the roots of an individuals problems, and praying for inner healing of those problems which provided any demons with a foothold within the personality. This is the basic reason that we need to have information that only the person himself or herself can provide that will help diagnose the source of an individual’s problems.
Why take a history?
Medical doctors do it. Psychiatrists do it. And, one way or another, those in deliverance ministry seek to understand the person seeking help.
Some effective deliverance ministers simply deal with those seeking deliverance “on the spot,” whether the spot happens to be at a chance meeting, following a service, or at an arranged appointment. They expect the Holy Spirit to take charge of the session and bring the necessary healing or the casting out of demons.
Others take a different approach, asking a person seeking deliverance to complete a questionnaire. They believe that taking a thorough history helps in the diagnosis of demonization, takes less of the deliverance minister’s time, and helps avoid overlooking significant issues that should be dealt with.
One should use the approach with which he or she is most comfortable. But in any approach it’s normally important to gather information that will make for a more accurate diagnosis of a person’s needs, provide a clearer focus for prayer, and alert the deliverance minister to possible roots of the oppression to which a person is subject.
I’ve looked at several questionnaires used in deliverance ministries. The following “Personal History” is an adaptation of several. I share it as an example of the kinds of information that’s helpful in diagnosing demonization and in praying for a person’s inner healing.
Provide Privacy Protection
Please note that in asking a person to complete a personal history it’s important to protect the individual’s privacy. Thus the first thing that should be included is a promise:
“This personal history will be used to prepare for our deliverance prayer time. It is essential that you answer all questions honestly and fully so we will be able to shape our prayers to meet your specific needs. No copies will be made, and the questionnaire will be destroyed in your presence after our prayer time.”
Basic Information
We can then go on to gather information:
Name
Age
Status (Single Married Divorced Separated Widowed Remarried)
Occupation
Ask for written statements:
* Briefly describe what led you to seek prayer for deliverance.
* Briefly describe your relationship with Jesus Christ.
* How would you explain the way of salvation?
PART ONE: FAMILY BACKGROUND
1. Write down three words that sum up the climate of your childhood home.
2. Write down three words that describe your father.
3. Write down three words that describe your relationship with your father.
4. Write down three words that describe your mother.
5.. Write down three words that describe your relationship with your mother.
6. Write down three words that describe your parents’ relationship with each other.
7. Write down three words that describe your relationship with any siblings.
8 Circle Yes or No to answer each of the following.
A. Were you a planned [wanted] child?
B. Did your mother suffer any trauma at your birth?
C. Are your parents living?
D. Were your parents Christians?
E. Are your parents divorced?
F. Is either parent remarried?
G. Did either of your parents abuse you in any way?
PART TWO: SELF DESCRIPTION
1. Circle words that describe how you feel about yourself.
I’m special I’m attractive I’m superior
I’m competent I’m inferior I’m a success
I’m a failure I’m alone I’m insecure
I’m worthless I don’t deserve to be happy
I’m lovable I deserve to be punished
I’m ugly I like myself I don’t like myself
II. Circle words that describe ways you commonly react in daily life.
Frustration Moodiness Stubbornness
Anger Withdrawal Irritability
Hostility Rebellion Swearing
Anxiety Depression Vengefulness
Apathy Mockery Getting sick
Add any other words that describe ways your commonly react.
III. Do you have any of the following feelings toward anyone?
1. Unforgiveness? Toward whom and why?
2. Resentment? Toward whom and why?
3. Bitterness? Toward whom and why?
4. Hatred? Toward whom and why?
PART THREE. SPIRITUAL HISTORY
1. List all churches and or religious/spiritual groups you have been involved with in any way.
2. Have you ever had any involvement or contact with the following? Circle, then describe the nature of the involvement (contact).
Fortune telling Levitation Crystals Seances
Ouija boards Horoscopes Tarot cards Charms
Mediums Magick Palmistry Demons
Spirit guides Satanism Astral travel Healers
Astrology New Age Clairvoyance Witchcraft Yoga Martial Arts Masonry Covens
Transcendental Meditation Games involving demon’
3. Do you have any books or artifacts in your how associated with any of the above?
4. Aa far as you know, have either of your parents, grandparents, or great grandparents been involved in any of the activities listed in 2, above? If so, please explain.
PART FOUR: VULNERABILITIES
1. To your knowledge, has anyone ever expressed aloud any wishes that you right come to harm (such as, “I wish you’d just wither away and die)? If so, what has been said and who said it.
2. Have you ever expressed aloud any wishes or beliefs that you might come to harm (such as, “I hope I die in my sleep tonight,” or “I’ll never get married”)? If so, what have you said?
3, Have you ever had an illicit sexual relationship (fornication, adultery, incest, an affair, a one night stand, etc.) with anyone. If so write down the persons’ first name.
4. Have you been molested sexually as a child, or raped as a child or adult?
5. Are you currently in an illicit sexual relationship with anyone? If so, are ou willing to give up that relationship?
6. Do you have any addictions? Circle those that apply.
Alcohol Prescription drugs Street drugs \:
Pornography Sex Food
Exercise Internet Shopping
Other?
PART FIVE: DESIRED OUTCOMES
1. What would be the best possible outcome of this prayer time?
2. How do you see yourself changing as an outcome of this prayer time?
3. How do you see your relationships with others changing as an outcome of this prayer time?
4. How do you see your relationship with God changing as an outcome of this prayer time?
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Herman Bailey recommended Larry Richards’ Invisible War novels on the Herman and Sharron show on CTN this Wednesday (the 20th). Three of the six novels have been published and are currently available in Christian bookstores and at a significant discount on Amazon.com. The three novels that are available are: Earthbound, The Day of the Others, and The Blind Prophet. The fourth novel, The 69th weekth Week, is available from Tate Publishing, and will be on Amazon and in bookstores in early February.
For a description of the series and each novel, click www.invisiblewarnovels.com.
The second of a series of studies of references to demons in Paul’s epistles.
Limits on Demonic Powers
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35,38-9).
Observations
1. “sngels nor demons.” This is one of the few instances in his Epistles where Paul uses the “angels” and “demons” vocabulary. Normally in Paul’s letters references to spirit beings use the “power” vocabulary of the Hellenistic world, and speak of them as rulers, principalities, authorities, and powers, etc. [See the first post in this series.]
2. “angels.” The Greek word simply means “messenger” and its meaning must be determined from context. Here “angels” shouldn’t be understood in the sense of Hebrews 1:14, which defines God’s angels as “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.” Rather the reference is to hostile spirit beings [demons] whose intent is to “separate us from the love of God.”
3. “angels.” Paul uses “angels” in this same sense in Colossians 2:13 where warns against the “worship of angels.” This practice was rooted in the false view that a series of spirit beings of increasing power and glory served as intermediaries between humans and God. Worship of these spirit beings was worship of Satan, one aspect of the Evil One’s ability to deceive human beings by taking on the guise of an “angel of light.”
4. “any powers.” Here Paul picks up the vocabulary of the culture in which he is ministering and refers to spirit beings as “powers.” Some have take the reference to “heights nor depths” as a reference to spirit beings as well.
5. “separate us from the love of God.” The goal of these spirit beings is to “separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This is the primary goal of Satan, whose temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden first succeeded in alienating humanity from God and bringing humankind under the wrath of God (Eph. 2:1-3). Apart from Christ’s intervention all would remain separated from God, for time and eternity.
6. “who shall separate us.” Paul does not ask “what shall separate us,” but “who.” The enemy of the believer is the ruler of Satan’s kingdom and his servants, those spirit beings referred to in this passage as “angels,” “demons,” and “powers.”
7. “trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” This phrase is very revealing. Hostile spirit beings can and do cause troubles and hardships, persecution by fellow human beings, disaster, danger and war, to attack believers spiritually. The intent is that under pressure we might sin egregiously or that our faith might fail.
8. “nothing.” Under the pressure of suffering those without a knowledge of God’s love in Jesus might well turn against God and blame him for their pain. Except for the bond established by God’s Calvary love in Jesus we too might fail. But Paul is convinced this is impossible. Nothing “in all creation” can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ, not because of our strength, but because of the nature of God’s love and his commitment to us.
Insights
We live in a universe where hostile spiritual beings can manipulate circumstances to cause human suffering. God seems willing to permit this. While this study isn’t the place to go into the positive things that God is able to produce in us through suffering, we can affirm with the Apostle Paul that God is able to redeem “all things” so they “work for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
What Paul emphasizes in Romans 8 is the fact that Satan and his minions are doomed to fail. His most concentrated efforts to separate believers from the love of God will fall short. We are secure in Christ’s love, as the old hymn states, “whatever ills betide.”
For Jesus is our Rock, our shelter in the time of storm.
Satan’s Out to Oppress Us
He’s intent on making our lives frustrating and unproductive. And he’s devised some really effective schemes that do just that. But, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “we are not ignorant of his [Satan’s] schemes” (2 Cor. 2:11). In fact the Bible describes a “full armor” that God provides to enable us to defeat Satan’s schemes and to withstand his efforts to oppress us.
That’s what the FREEDOM WORKSHOP is about. It’s about the armor that God provides for Christians. The FREEDOM WORKSHOP involves an intensive study of the book of Ephesians, where Paul describes God’s armor. But more than that. It’s a true workshop. It’s a time not just to learn about the armor of God . . . but to actually put the armor on!
The Armor of God Makes a Difference.
I’ve taught the Workshop twice now, although over a period of six weeks.. Here are some comments:
“It’s a life-changing and mind-changing experience.”
“For the first time I really understand how to use each piece of God’s Armor in everyday life, not just some theological concept.”
“The workshop and content were fantastic.”
What’s in the Workshop?
The Workshop is a Friday evening, Saturday experience. Each segment involves an explanation of one of Satan’s schemes, an exposition of a passage in Ephesians that reveals a life-changing truth that serves as a piece of God’s armor, and then an experience of actually putting that armor on. Here’s a typical workshop schedule, with each segment titled with the freedom that understanding and wearing God’s armor provides.
Friday Evening, 7:00-9:30
Sources of Spiritual Oppression
Freedom from Inadequacy
Saturday Morning 8:30-11:30
Freedom from Anxiety
Freedom from Bitterness
Saturday Afternoon 1:00-3:30
Freedom from Addictive Sins
Freedom from Family Failings
Can I Go to a FREEDOM WORKSHOP?
Better yet, a FREEDOM WORKSHOP can go to you! I’m hoping to conduct a couple here in Raleigh, but have yet to approach churches here about sponsoring a Workshop. In addition I hope to give a few weekends to put Workshops on in other places.
I plan to make these Workshops available to sponsoring churches or organization at no cost other than travel and lodging expenses. If a group wants to sponsor a workshop as a fundraiser, I have no objection as long as it’s made clear the income goes to the sponsoring group rather than to me. While I have a limited number of weekends to devote to this ministry, I’ve become convinced that Paul’s teaching on the Armor of God in Ephesians is vital to the body of Christ today. I feel responsible to do whatever I can to make that teaching known.
Brochures Available
I’ve also developed a promotional brochure that explains the workshop. If you’d like a copy or two, just send me your address and I’ll drop them in the mail.
I appreciate your prayers.
At first glance the Epistles. like the Old Testament, seems to say little about demons. But in fact both the Old Testament and the Epistles contain more information about these fallen angels who serve Satan than most realize.
The problem in each case is caused by shifts in terminology. In the Gospels the hostile spirit beings who oppress humans are called “demons” or “evil spirits.” We’re used to thinking of them in those terms. And too many, noting these terms aren’t found outside the Gospels, conclude that evil spirits aren’t really a concern of Christians today. In fact both the Old Testament and the Epistles have much to say about hostile spirit beings who, like Satan himself, are our implacable enemies.
The Old Testament terminology
The key to understanding the role of evil spirits in the Old Testament is Deuteronomy 32:17, which reviews Israel’s failings and states, “They sacrificed to demons, which are not God – gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your fathers did not know.”
Moses is telling us that the “gods” worshipped by pagans in ancient times were in fact evil spirits, demons. The Apostle Paul confirms this in 1 Corinthians 10:20, where he warns believers living in a pagan society that “the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God.”
Evil spirits have masqueraded as deities from the beginning, and evil spirits have been the powersbehind every religion other than that of the God revealed in Scripture and in Jesus Christ.
The terminology may differ. Demons may not be called “demons” or “evil spirits” in the sacred text. But Baal, Ashtoreth, Dagon, and those of the other deities worshiped by the peoples surrounding Israel are demons. If we want to know what the Old Testament teaches about demons all we need do is explore the beliefs and practices associated with the deities of ancient peoples. There is abundant material in the Old Testament and the literature of the ancients to help us understand the impact demons have had on human history and culture.
Terminology in the New Testament Epistles
A similar shift in terminology has led those who read the Bible today to assume that there’s little or no mention of evil spirit beings in the Epistles. This is because the supernatural beings called “demons” and “evil spirits” in the Gospels, terms familiar to first century Jews, were called by other names in the Hellenistic culture of the wider world.
In cities like Ephesus supernatural beings were know by terms that conveyed the idea of power. Thus Paul writes, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesiansa 6:11).
Anyone reading these words in Paul’s time would have known exactly what the Apostle is saying. The believer is engaged in a cosmic struggle with evil supernatural beings. Although they are native to a different [heavenly] realm, they have a dread impact on life in “this dark world.” These “rulers,” “authorities,” and “powers” included the deities the people worshipped, as well as other spirit beings the ancients viewed as hostile.
Looking into the literature of the first century and inscriptions from that era, we understand the grip that fear of these supernatural being had on men and women then, and we can understand why the culture turned to magic in a desperate attempt to manipulate the beings who were believed to exercise a determining influence on the lives of individuals.
When we understand these shifts in terminology, we realize that the whole Bible, not just the Gospels, speaks about evil spirits and their impact on human experience.
The Old Testament may name them “gods.” But they are demons. The New Testament letters may call name them “authorities” and “powers,” but they are demons. Today neopagans may speak of “the goddess” or “the green man,” and may encourage others to welcome “spirit guides.” But by whatever name they are called, they are demons. And we need to both understand how they operate, and the resources God has provided to enahle un to stand against them.
A Look Ahead
If we identify the times in the New Testament where power words identify evil spirits, we find that there are at least 17 New Testament passages that contain teaching on demons. Far from being silent on this subject, the New Testament epistles speak to it frequently.
That’s the challenge I’ll be taking up in subsequent posts on demondope. We’ll go together to each passage, explore the epistle’s teaching in its context, and see what it is that God wants Christians today to understand about the invisible war between good and evil that is being fought today.
A war in which God’s people are called to play a significant part.
Look for these future posts under the title, “Principalities and Powers: Demons in the Epistles.”
“How can I tell if demons are involved?” is one of those questions for which there’s no really good answer. The reason is that symptoms of demonization tend to mimic natural personality flaws or symptoms of purely physical or psychological illness. Confusing the issue even more, those in deliverance ministry have found that demons hitchhike on such conditions, exaggerating them or making them worse. For instance, Kraft notes that he’s never dealt with a wife beater whose fits of brutality did not have a demonic component, although the person may always have had difficulty controlling his temper.
Ultimately the only way to be sure if demons are present in a person’s life is to challenge them and force them to reveal themselves.
But how do we know if a challenge is warranted? It can be truly destructive if a person with a serious problem that has only natural causes is treated as if he or she were demonized.
I recently ran across helpful suggestions in a book titled Deliverance from Demons and Diseases by Eric M. Hill. I’m adapting and in some cases expanding Hill’s suggestions, which follow up on the point made above, that demon’s hitchhike on natural problems to exaggerate or intensify them. So here are some clues to help us diagnose possible demonic activity and determine whether a test for demons is warranted.
* It’s normal to have fears that are common to humankind. It may not
normal when fears become controlling or tormenting.
* It’s normal to avoid rejection. It may not normal when concern over rejection dominates, or a person constantly misinterprets and takes offense at others words and actions.
* It’s normal to be self-conscious. It may not normal to focus on imaginary flaws in one’s looks or feel that others are constantly judging him or her.
* It’s normal that our emotions sometimes cause problems. It may not normal when emotions like anger, self-pity, jealousy, animosity, possessiveness, guilt or frustration dominate.
* It’s normal when we’re subject to situational or chemical depression. It may not normal when deep depression persists despite changes in situation or medication.
* It’s normal to have problems with the sins common to humanity. It may not normal to be enslaved to sins such as pornography, homosexuality, serial adulteries, etc.
* It’s normal to have illnesses. It’s may not be normal when illnesses are chronic and do not respond to treatment.
*It’s normal to have doubts about God and spiritual truths. It may not be normal when doubts become fears that cannot be resolved.
* It’s natural to have difficulty concentrating when praying or reading the Bible. It may not be normal when these practices are constantly interrupted by evil thoughts, sleepiness, or other distractions.
* It’s natural to develop habitual way of doing things. It may not be natural when our habits become compulsive and obsessive.
Of course, that each of these “may not’s” may also have a “natural” explanation, and represent a personality quirk, phobia or mental illness. Yet when we look find the “normal” and the “natural” natural carried to extremes, we shouldn’t dismiss the possibility of a demonic element hastily. Too many pastors and Christian counselors never even consider the fact that there is an invisible war going, a struggle between good and true evil, a battle between angels and demons for the hearts and wills of human beings.
It is seldom easy to diagnose demonization. But in our struggle with the world, the flesh and the devil, let’s not keep on ignoring the devil.