Demon possession

This past week I received a text from a man concerned about demon possession. He asked me what I knew about it. I told him that it does not exist today. His response: I wish that were true. I insisted that I could prove it Biblically. He sounded comforted but still wanted proof.

To be clear, I am not denying that demon possession existed. Jesus often cast out unclean spirits from people (Luke 4:40-41; 8:2, 26-33; 9:38-42). Beyond our Savior casting demons out of people, both the apostles and those whom they laid hands on also had the ability (Acts 5:16; 8:6-7; 16:16-18). It is one thing to know that possession existed, but it is another to understand what the Bible teaches on the subject.

Jesus, His apostles and some Christians cast out demons with purpose. This was not just done to help those suffering – it was also done to demonstrate power. Performing exorcisms showed that God was with them and confirmed that the things they were teaching were of God. Jesus made this purpose clear in Mark 16:19-20 – the gifts were given to confirm the word. Remember that in New Testament times, the scriptures were not yet complete. Once the complete revelation was given, it no longer needed to be confirmed and the gifts would go away (Jude 3).

Not just anyone could cast out demons though. As evidence, let’s consider what happened with some Jewish exorcists. In Acts 19:12-16, some religious men claimed to have the power to cast out evil spirits. These men noticed how Paul called upon Christ to rid people of evil spirits. Seeing this, they opted to do the same with a demon: “We adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches,” (verse 13).

The evil spirit then responded to the exorcists: “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” (verse 15). Then the demon leaped on them, overpowered them and caused them to flee the house naked and wounded (verse 16).

Movies and modern depictions of exorcisms are nothing like what we find in the Bible. The exorcisms of the Bible do not require ongoing repetition of scriptures and all-night vigils. The exorcist simply commanded the evil spirit to leave the body, and the spirit would comply. This happened via the power from above. Jesus could do it, as could His apostles. As we previously mentioned, the apostles would lay hands on Christians to give them the gifts of the Holy Spirit. One of those gifts was the ability to cast out demons (Acts 8:17-18).

James 4:7 should offer us comfort: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” The key to this verse is the part that says to submit to God. The suffering of those who “think” they are possessed by demons has more to do with rejecting God than it does with being overpowered by some evil spirit. This is why we are warned about getting caught up in black magic, sorcery and even astrology (Acts 8:9; Rev. 21:8; Gal. 5:20; Eph. 5:11).  We are to rely on the power of God and not allow ourselves to follow Satan.

Am I implying that someone who dabbles with the occult will become demon-possessed? I will only quote the exact word of God: “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness?” (Rom. 6:16). Demons cannot overpower anyone who is following God, and everyone has the capability to obey Him (Romans 14:11).

There is no need for exorcism today. Moreover, nobody is qualified to perform one as the apostles have not laid hands on anyone alive today. God always makes a way of escape when we are tempted (I Cor. 10:13). We do not have to fear being overpowered by demons. Trust in God and follow Him.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Chuck

Where are people like Cornelius? 

I must confess that when I read about the kind of man Cornelius was before the apostle came to him, I was impressed. He is described as “a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always,” (Acts 10:2). I am confident that if any of us had met this man, we would have liked him because he was so sincere, unselfish and obviously devoted to God.

If we are going to learn anything from Cornelius though, we have to come to grips with the fact that he was lost in sin. Yes, this man was not a Christian. If he would have died in that state, he would have died in his sins. Consider what Peter says in Acts 11:13-14: “And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house, who said to him, ‘send men to Joppa, and call for Simon whose surname is Peter, who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.” Prior to Peter’s arrival, Cornelius feared God and prayed to God often but was not saved.

Many people have a harder time accepting that Cornelius was lost in his sins than Cornelius did himself! We might expect that Cornelius, as the head of his household, could struggle to accept admonition from Peter, but he clearly responded to Peter’s message. What was it about Cornelius that helped him accept the words of Peter?

This man feared God not man

Logically, a religious person who is told that he is not right with the Lord should want to know what the Lord said. However, many religious people think they will be saved simply because they are religious. Cornelius was certainly religious, yet he was also lost! If we truly fear God, we will listen to His words (I Pet. 4:11). It does not make much sense to fear God and pray to Him but then refuse to accept His instruction (II Tim. 3:16-17).

This man was humble

When Peter came to see Cornelius, he fell down at Peter’s feet and began worshipping him. The apostle lifted him up and admonished him: “Stand up; I myself am also a man,” (Acts 10:25-26). I am not suggesting in the slightest that should we elevate another man. Still, notice Cornelius’ humility. Many religious people are so full of themselves that they are unwilling to be taught by another. It is hard for people to admit when they are wrong. Cornelius was not like that.

This man wanted others to learn

In Acts 10:27, we read that Peter talked with Cornelius in a public place. This allowed others to hear the same life-saving message at the same time. Notice how Cornelius did not try to act as a “filter” by first hearing the message and then later sharing it with loved ones – he allowed everyone to hear it at the same time. No one has cornered the market on truth – all can know (John 8:32). If Cornelius did act like the mediator, then he would have been guilty of wanting people to follow him instead of the Lord.

This man obeyed immediately

After hearing the message and the command to be baptized, Cornelius and several others obeyed (Acts 10:47-48). There was no sulking and asking “why have I been wrong?” or arguing “but God knows my heart”. Simply put, the gospel message was preached. They heard it, believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8; 22:16; 2:38, etc.).  How about you?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Chuck

How to view grace as a gift

For many religious people, it is a real struggle to hear that man must do something to obtain the free gift (Rom. 5:18). How can something be “free” and yet we must do something to obtain it? Let us allow God to explain it. In Luke 17:10, Jesus said that if one does everything that was commanded them; they should still say they are an unprofitable servant and that they have only done their duty.

Christ’s gift is so great that no amount of service for the Lord will equal what Jesus did for us. Consider this illustration: A teacher is holding a briefcase at the front of the classroom. The briefcase contains a million dollars. The teacher calls your name and says that if you walk to the front and ask nicely, you will be given the money. If you follow these instructions, do you believe that you earned the money? Those who believe they earned the money by simply walking up and asking politely will struggle to understand God’s grace.

Nobody is so important that they deserve a million dollars by simply walking to the front of a classroom. Now consider again the sacrifice that Christ made: no amount of service on earth will equal Christ’s sacrifice for those in sin. Remember, if we do not obey the gospel (II Thess. 1:8), God’s grace will not save us. Why not? The student who does not walk to the front of the classroom will not get the money, and Christians will not find salvation if they do not do His will.

The brethren at Ephesus were told that the gift (salvation) cannot be obtained by works because grace would then no longer exist. Works alone cannot save anyone. The nicest person in this world, the best husband, the best wife and the most loyal friend all have one thing in common – they have all sinned (Rom. 3:23) and all need a Savior to have those sins remitted (Matt. 26:28). This is why we are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). Just like faith without works is dead (James 2:26), works without faith is useless (Eph. 2:9).

Do not allow confusion about God’s grace to cause you to miss out. Though it is for everyone, not everyone will obtain it (Matt. 7:21-23).

                                                                                       Chuck

Can you be a Christian and go to any church?

I am certain that most religious people believe Christians can go to any church they choose. What does the Bible, God’s preserved word, say? In a literal sense, anyone can do anything THEY want. Let’s rephrase the question to better seek the will of God: Can one be a faithful Christian and go to any church they want?

There are many questions that need to be answered. When we find the answers to these questions, then we will have found the answer to our original question.

1. What does the Bible teach about becoming a Christian? (Rom. 10:17; John 8:24; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 2:38; 22:16)

2. If a “church” does not teach what the Bible clearly states for question #1, then why would a Christian want to assemble with that “church”? (II John 9-10; I John 4:1)

3. Has the Lord specified which church a Christian must be of? (Matt. 16:18; Acts 20:28; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4; Rom. 16:16).

4. If the answer to question #3 is no, then would it really matter which church one was a member of? (Rom. 4:15)

5. However, if the Lord is being specific, then does this not answer the question given in the title? (Acts 2:47).

Allow me to be direct as we conclude this article. Jesus adds those who obey the gospel to His church, not some man-made organization. Becoming a Christian and picking any “church” you want is NOT authorized by the Lord. To make sure you are pleasing the Lord, study to show yourself approved (II Tim. 2:15). If you need further help identifying a church that is faithful to the Lord, do not hesitate to let us know.    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Chuck

What pleases God?

There is true joy when we do something for someone and know that they are really going to like it. This is why parents want to be around when they give their child a gift. The same is true when you see soldiers come home early to surprise their loved one – to see their reaction. Knowing that someone is going to be really pleased is what makes it a joy to give to others. Here is a list of things the Bible says will please the Father:

1. Walking by faith (Heb. 11:6).

2. Not being a man-pleaser (Gal. 1:10).

3. Preaching the gospel (I Cor. 21).

4. Having Jesus reconcile man to the Father (Col. 1:19-20).

5. Singing praises to God (Heb. 13:15-16).

6. By obeying our parents (Col. 3:20).

7. Keeping His commandments (I John 3:22).

8. Being in the Spirit rather than in the flesh (Rom. 8:8-9).

9. Having all members in the body of Christ/the church (I Cor. 12:18).

10. The body we gain at the resurrection (I Cor. 15:38).

Again, we should enjoy doing these things because we know they please God the Father. We should not assume that God is pleased because we like something. It is the other way around – we should find joy in things that we know please Him. The question for all of us is this – are we pleasing the Father?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Chuck