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38th Street Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
“The Question of Demon Possession” |
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I. Introduction.
A. Satan’s domain is a spiritual one; he has power over
spiritual beings. But, he also has power, and influence,
over human beings. The question we want to discuss in
this lesson is how that power has been manifested in the
past, and if it is manifested in the same manner now.1. During the time before, during, and immediately
after Jesus’ personal ministry on the earth, it is
recorded that people were literally “possessed” by
spiritual beings we refer to as “demons.” We
cannot either deny, or ignore, this fact; not, at least,
and still claim a belief in the Bible as the “. . . word
of truth.”2. These manifestations, these possessions, are
referred to as “mock incarnations,” as the demons
occupied a human form (as Jesus lived in a human
body in His incarnate state.)3. Such possessions were not simply of a bodily
nature, nor were the possessed merely mentally ill.
The evil presence took control of the host
individual. They controlled their actions, their
speech – everything they did and said. What made
this possible was sin (not the individual’s sin, but
sin in the world.) That prepared the way for the
entrance of such spirits into physical bodies.B. In Jesus’ time on earth, He “exorcised” (or, cast out) many
such demons. One of the most memorable instances is that
recorded in Luke 8, the healing of the so-called “Gadarene
demoniac.” You also find reference to this incident in
Matthew 8:28-34 and Mark 5:1-20.1. Besides the drama of the exorcism itself, and the
power of God being manifested through His Son
(a power obviously Superior to that of the demons
themselves), what stands out is:a. The demons’ knowledge and understanding
of who Jesus was. Unlike so many people
at that time, they recognized Him as “. . .Son
of the most high God.” (verse 28).b. The knowledge of where these demon spirits
came from and where they were, evidently,
to return to (RE-READ verse 31).2. The first point confirms what James wrote
(James 2:19: “. . . Even the demons believe and
tremble!”).3. The second point confirms the superior power of
God over the demon spirits and confirms what Peter
wrote in II Peter 2:4: “For . . . God did not spare
the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell
and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be
reserved for judgment.”a. The word for “hell” in this verse is the
Greek “tartaroo” (or tartarus), which
represents something different than the
Hebrew “Sheol”, or the term Jesus used,
“Ge-Hinnon” (Gahenna), or the Greek
word “Hades.” It is used exclusively to
refer to the place where the angels that
sinned were confined to “. . . be reserved
for judgment.”b. The “darkness” of this place (Greek:
“ZOPHOS”), is the oppressive gloom, the
“thick” darkness, the blackness that can be
“felt”, of the spiritual world apart from the
light of God.c. The “abyss” of Luke 8:31 is the Greek word
“ABUSSOS”, meaning “bottomless” – the
“lower regions” of the spiritual world,
referred to often, as well, in “Revelation.”d. The “angels that sinned” were consigned to
a place away from God and His light to
await judgment; but, apparently, were
loosed for a time for a specific reason, but
with the knowledge that they would be
returned there when that time and reason
had been fulfilled. An alternative rendering
of verse 29, found in several versions, adds
the words “before the time” to the end of
verse 31. What “time”? That of their return
to the “abyss”, the “bottomless pit”, the
darkness and hopelessness of “tartarus.”C. We know little of how, exactly, the demons entered, and
manipulated people because the Bible does not reveal this
to us. The use of the power to cast out such demon spirits,
by Jesus and His disciples, was yet another confirmation of
Jesus’ divine nature and authority, and of the power of God
over evil. Jesus then delegated this power and authority to
disciples, for as long as it was needed upon earth to
confirm the word of God.D. Here is the first key conclusion we can make: when evil
spirits did move freely and could possess physical bodies,
the Holy Spirit provided God’s people with the power to
offset that evil. Our question then remains: is that power,
and the necessity for it, in the world today, as it was
centuries ago?II. “. . . To Depart From The Land.”
A. When the word of God was complete and confirmed, we
understand that there was no further need for what we call
the “signs and wonders” (or “miracles”) that had attended
its completion. We have no real difficulty accepting the
idea that the “miraculous gifts” of the first-century church
are not evident today because “. . . that which is perfect
[complete] has come” (I Corinthians 13:10). We are quick
to tell people that the “age of miracles” is long past, and
what some people judge to be miraculous phenomena
(healing, tongues, etc.) are not true to the first-century
prototype, or plainly fraudulent. While we certainly cannot
deny that such manifestations of divine power could occur
(the power and sovereignty of God being forever
unlimited), we can go to God’s own word to see that, in the
present time, they do not occur – unless God intervenes in
His creation in such a way.B. It is not quite so easy to dissuade some from believing in
demon possession. But, one can believe the phenomenon
has passed away – for the very same reason miracles have –
the Bible says so. Look at Zechariah 13:1-2 (READ).1. As with the miraculous manifestations of the “gifts
of the Holy Spirit”, so demon possession was for a
time and for a specific purpose. Both are now long
past.2. If demons still literally possessed human bodies
today, we should expect power of a miraculous
nature, from God, to combat such spirits – as God
provided in the first century.C. Why has the time of such possessions passed?
1. After triumphantly conquering death through
resurrection, Christ received “. . . the keys of Hades
and of Death.” (Revelation 1:18).2. Jude 6 restates what Peter wrote about “. . . angels
who did not keep their proper domain.” They are
“. . . reserved in everlasting chains under darkness
for the judgment of the great day.”3. We “bind” Satan and his demon spirits, with the
gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news of His victory
over sin and death, and these evil spirits who went
about freely in Jesus’ time are, now, once more,
restricted and awaiting judgment.4. Jesus dealt with them, and they were free to possess
people, for the very same reason that He healed the
sick, raised the dead, and performed all manner of
miracles: “. . . that you may believe that Jesus is the
Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you have
life in His name.” (John 20:31).D. The ultimate spiritual battle between God and the spiritual
forces of wickedness and evil took place during the first
century.1. Satan was permitted, by God, to use his forces of
demons (his “angels”) in this decisive campaign.
These demons already knew the terrors of eternal
punishment, and did not want to return to the place
from which they’d been released (Luke 8:31).
2. But, by allowing demons to actually possess human
bodies, God demonstrated His greater power –
through Christ – in casting out these “unclean
spirits.” And, through His death and resurrection,
Christ “. . . [destroyed] him who had the power of
death, that is, the devil.” (Hebrews 2:14).E. So, our conclusion must be, based upon Scripture itself,
that demons are not permitted, today, to involuntarily
inhabit the bodies of human beings, as they did in the first
century.1. That in no way negates the influence, and, hence,
the power, Satan has over peoples’ lives now, as in
the past. Satan will go to the limit of his permitted
influence and power to control, and to hurt, people.2. The difference, today, is that he enters a person’s
life as an invited, not uninvited “guest.” God will
no longer permit Satan to force an entry against our
will (I Corinthians 10:13): “No temptation has
overtaken you except such as is common to man;
but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be
tempted beyond what you are able, but with the
temptation will also make the way of escape, that
you may be able to bear it.”3. Any person under Satan’s control gave him that
control voluntarily: (Romans 6:16; READ).4. Satan seeks an empty place, where God is not found
(Matthew 12:43-45). When we cast Satan our of
our lives, we must be sure to put something positive
in his place, or he’ll return to control us once again.III. Conclusion.
A. Satan still acts through deception, lies, and temptations.
But, the great struggle between him and God was decided
long ago. And, God was victorious.B. Here is Satan’s most seductive trap: Do what you want,
live for today, look out for number one. When we think
this way, and let our actins reflect this thinking, we are
under the power of darkness – the very real power of
Satan (Colossians 1:13).