the demon question

7/29/2019 The Demon Question

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A Biblical expose into the secret world of demons and how theyseek to influence, control, and destroy humanity.

MARK HAMILTON STEVENS


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THE DEMON QUESTION

Scriptures from King James Version

Mark H. Stevens

Crowned-Warrior Publishing Co.Jan.2004

[email protected]. Box 1497Browns Mills, New Jersey 08015

All right reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or copied in any form or otherwise by any means, except for

brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews, without permission from the publisher or the author.

Editor: Stephanie R. StevensCover: Theocentric Graphics


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INTRODUCTION

The subject of demons has mystified humanity for centuries.Every major religion has in their belief structure beings thatembody evil. From the Judeo/Christian belief structure they arecalled demons or devils. The Muslim calls them Jinn. Humanist saythey are a figment of our imagination. Whatever name you callthem, they do exist! This booklet is based upon the Bible a nd itsdescription of these evil spirits, or fallen angels.

Demons are disembodied spirits that were once angels that fellwhen Lucifer decided to rebel against God. Demons are mansenemy and are constantly seeking mans downfall. The Latindefinition of demon is Those that divide. I really believe theyseriously try to cause division in the church.

Often demons are portrayed as hideous creatures, Usually withfangs, forked tongues, bat-like wings, and serpentine features. I

have never seen a creature that looked like that. I have seen onthree occasions in my life shadow-like beings move swiftly beforemy eyes. Twice in church services, and once in my apartment. Iwill tell you about the encounter in my apartment first. I was inthe Air Force for over 23 years, and I traveled a great deal. Iwas in Somalia for 3 weeks back in 1986. While in this oppressivecountry I brought back souvenirs. One of the items was a wallhanging of animal horns and another was a spear. When I got back

home I hung them on the wall of my apartment. In addition to theAfrican artifacts I had some Martial Art trophies and orientalwall hangings I got in Korea. Well to make a long story short, Ifelt strongly impressed by the Holy Spirit to take all of thematerial off of my walls one evening, I knew it was the Lordtalking, but I decided to take a nap and do it later. I fell asleep


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on the couch and within the hour something gripped me in mysleep! I was choking and paralyzed. I tried to scream and Icouldnt. I knew this was a d emonic attack! I eventually was ableto scream JESUS! At that moment I was released, but thats notall. I woke up immediately and saw a shadow like figure walk outof my living room and down the steps. I believe God allowed thisto show me the seriousness of disobeying Him.

The other two times I saw similar manifestations were in churchservices, Once at a small Primitive Baptist church in southernNew Jersey. I was in the pulpit praying before I had to preach

and I had an eerie feeling come over me. The Lord let me knowthere was terrible sin in this church and to preach accordingly. Irose to walk to the podium and I saw this same shadow like figureflee down the stairs to the basement. Demons hate the Word of God! The other incident happened at a military chapel, in thesame fashion the shadow like figure left through the rear door

just as the praise service started. Demons hate the praises of God! In the chapel incident I was not the only one that saw it!

Another brother saw it as well, so I didnt feel like I was losing it.

Now from this point on I will share what the scriptures have tosay on this subject. I share the personal experience to give youan idea of what we are dealing with. Chances are you will neversee a demon. But that doesnt mean they are not there trying tocause you destruction. Demons usually function in the dark anddont want you to know they are real, but they are. Be encouraged

saint of God, The Greater One lives in you!


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CHAPTER ONE

DEMONS DEFINED

The Bible Vocabulary of Demon Activity (4:33-36)

The familiar Bible term "demon-possessed" has controlled ourthinking about people troubled with demons. But the word"possessed" is one of those final, all-or-nothing expressions. Andit prevents us from understanding the mechanisms involved in

demon activity within humans. Let's study further: "Unclean spirit" (20 references in the NT, including Luke4:33; 6:18; 8:29; 9:42; 11:24). The Greek word pneuma , thesame word used to translate Holy Spirit, is modified byakatharos , "unclean." NIV uniformly translates "uncleanspirit" as "evil spirit" with a footnote.

"Evil spirit" uses pneuma modified by the Greek word poneros (only 4x in the NT: Luke 7:21; 8:2; Acts 19:12-13;

15-16) "Demon" (Used 50+ times in the NT, such as Luke 4:41),Greek daimonion , "demon, evil spirit." Always translated bythe KJV as "devil" or "devils."

"Demon-possessed" (Luke 8:36; in Matthew 4:24; 8:16, 28,33; 9:32; 12:22; Mark 1:32; 5:15f; John 10:21; Acts 19:14).The Greek word is daimonizonai , literally "to demonize" fromdaimonion , "demon, evil spirit." A blood washed Child of GodCANNOT be POSSESSED! BUT! They can be influenced andoppressed by demons.

"Lunatick" (KJV) or "have seizures" (Greek seleniazomai ,Matthew 4:24; 17:15)


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"Bind," Greek deo , used in the context of demons twice(Luke 13:16 and Matthew 12:29=Mark 3:7, cf. Luke 8:22"assails and overcomes"). It is also used in connection withthe power of prayer (Matthew 16:19; 18:18).

"Healed" (Greek therapeuo or iamai or sozo ), occasionallyused to describe the state of a person from whom a demonhas been driven out. (Luke 8:2, 36; 9:42; Matthew 12:22;Mark 16:9; Acts 10:38).

"cast out" (Greek ekballo ) "rebuke" (Greek epitimao , Luke 4:41; 9:42). The Greek word

means " 'rebuke, reprove, censure' also 'speak seriously,

warn' in order to prevent an action or bring one to an end.Let's examine the word daimonizonai , often translated "demon-possessed." The word isn't a compound word. It is the word"demon" with an ending -izonai , a class of imitative verbs, wherethe ending -izo indicates "acts like, imitates." While the lexiconstranslate it "to be demon-possessed," perhaps from the worldview represented in early Judaism, all the word requires is ameaning such as "to be influenced, oppressed, or controlled by a

demon, to be like a demon." Some have coined the word"demonization" to describe this demonic activity.

The reason this is important is that when your categories arelimited to "demon possessed" or "not demon possessed," then weall agree that it is impossible for a Christian to be demonpossessed, since by definition a Christian has the Holy Spirit.

Degrees of Demonization in the New Testament

However, experience and careful theological reflection on thescriptures indicate the need for a more thoughtful terminology.


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Missionaries and others who work commonly with people afflictedwith demonic problems affirm that indeed Christians can beaffected. Even though Christians have the Holy Spirit in them,there may be various places in their life where demon oppressionis strong. Consider the following passages:The Apostle Paul instructs us, "In your anger do not sin: Do notlet the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not givethe devil a foothold (Greek topos )" (Ephesians 4:26-27). Theimplication is that if you give into anger often and carry a grudge,then the devil will gain a place in your life. The word topos means"place," but can have the special meaning as in the Ephesians

passage of "possibility, opportunity, chance".Though Satan has "filled" Ananias' heart to lie to the Holy Spirit,

yet Ananias and his wife Sapphira are held morally responsiblefor their action, and thus punished for giving into Satan (Acts5:1-11). Judas, too, had a similar experience: "Then Satan enteredJudas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve" (Luke 22:3). "Theevening meal was being served, and the devil had already

prompted (literally "put into the heart of," Greek ballo ) JudasIscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus" (John 13:2). "As soon asJudas took the bread, Satan entered into ( eiserchomai ) him"(John 13:27a). Was Judas morally responsible? Of course. He wastempted by money and probably other motives (Luke 22:3-6).Just because Jesus' betrayal fulfilled prophecy doesn't absolveJudas of responsibility for his actions. "Woe to that man by whomhe is betrayed..." (Luke 22:22). Even though Satan's temptations

can be strong, especially when he gets a foothold of sin in ourheart, we can't pass off responsibility by saying, "The devil made me do it."

Peter is certainly influenced by Satan when he betrays Jesus --"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have


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prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when youhave turned back, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:31-32).Was Judas demonized? Probably. Couldn't Jesus have just castout the demon that had "entered" Judas? Yes and no. Jesus hadthe power, but Judas had set his will to sin, and Jesus could nothave cast out the demon without violating Judas' will. Of course,we can get bogged down with predestination and free will, and allthat. But ultimately the New Testament teaches us that we areresponsible for our sins, and if we continue to sin we make alarger "place" for the devil in our lives, which will ultimately hurtor destroy us if we continue in it. Forgiveness deals with

relationship to the Father, but that doesn't mean sin doesn'texact a price in our lives. Sin is not free -- or freeing.Characterizing Degrees of Demonization

I see a gradation of demonic influence or demonization. Whether you agree with the exact words I use, I think you'll recognize thetruth of the progression from temptation to possession:

Temptation . Appeal to our sinful desires. Temptation can berejected.

Influence . Sin has a foothold in our life, and it is harder tosay no. We may have developed habits of anger orunforgiveness or lust. To say "no" requires a determined actof our will.

Oppression . Satan has some degree of control of us, and wedon't seem to be able to break free. We find ourselvesacting compulsively sometimes, and wonder why we don'thave power to resist temptation more, though we resist tosome degree.

Obsession . The degree of control is greater. Our sinfulhabits are so clearly established that we find it hard toeven recognize or discern them as wrong. We may be actingwillingly, but because we are fully deceived.


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Possession . We are puppets under Satan's control, and havelittle or no will remaining, or no desire to resist. People who"channel" or give voice to other spirits claiming to be spiritsof the dead, are dangerously close here, though they mustwillingly place themselves into this state. But this state israre. Few people are utterly possessed.

Sin is a prime cause, but not the only cause of demonization. Wecan be victimized, too. Sometimes children who are traumatizedcan become demonized. We can be duped into occult practicesthat we don't realize are wrong, and be victimized. Satan doesn'tfeel obliged to read us our rights before deceiving and taking

advantage of us. There have also been some reports of spiritualbondage being passed down through family lines -- we can onlyspeculate at the reasons.Deliverance and Recovery

We see in Jesus' ministry some dramatic examples of exorcism,casting out of demons. But let's not be nave. People who havelived under a demonic delusion or obsession for a significantperiod of their lives need a period of recovery, even though theroot demonic cause of the problem has been dealt with. Let meexplain. In order for a person to live with the demonic delusion orobsession, he is forced to develop a whole series of copingmechanisms that aren't appropriate to the free and open life of aChristian. These coping mechanisms must be gradually unlearned.They didn't develop overnight and they seldom disappearovernight. I believe that counseling by skilled, trained, andcommitted Christian counselors, pastors, or laypersons can beextremely helpful to help delivered people experience fullrecovery. The Body of Christ is not a place where we are to judgeour recovering brothers and sisters, but to love and encourageand bear with them. The church is supposed to be a supportive,loving environment where people including you and I, can find full


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healing from sin and deception, and their entrappingconsequences.Demonization and Healing

We see in scripture that some illnesses Jesus healed had theirroots in demonic influence: blindness and dumbness (Matthew9:32-33; 12:22; Luke 11:14), scoliosis (Luke 13:10), seizures (Luke9:37-48), etc. But it is important for us to recognize thatnowhere does the New Testament teach that ALL sickness is ofdemonically origin. Yes, in one sense sickness is the work of thedevil, but not all sickness has a direct demonic cause. When Jesushealed the sick, only sometimes did he cast out a demon to do it.

Most of the time it was with a word or the laying on of hands.Not all people who are mentally ill are demonized. Some are,

certainly. But many are not. There is a biochemical basis for somemental illness. Just as there is a truth basis for healing of otherkinds of mental illness. Until some individuals are capable andwilling to face truth, and adjust their own presuppositions to getin line with that truth, they will not be healed from themaladjustments that cripple them so severely. Jesus ministry tothe oppressed is two-fold: truth and power. Power without truthdoes not bring lasting deliverance. And truth without powerdoesn't reach within the soul to bring about change.


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CHAPTER TWO

Evangelism and Deliverance

LUKE 4:16-21 - Isaiah prophesied that Jesus earthly ministrywould consist of PREACHING, HEALING, and DELIVERANCE.

LUKE 7:20-23 - Jesus ministered to Lepers, the blind, thecrippled, and the poor.

Peter described Jesus ministry as one that went about DOINGgood and HEALING all under the Devils power. The ministry ofdeliverance is something Jesus expects us to carry out today.(Acts 10:38 and Mark 16:20)

Jesus told Herod that nothing would keep Him from driving outdemons and healing people. (Luke 13:31-32)

Jesus trained His disciples for DELIVERANCE ministry

LUKE 9:1-2,10 When Jesus called the Twelve together HEGAVE THEM POWER Power to cast out devils.

MATTHEW 28:18-20 Jesus gave His disciples an outline ofhow to get the job done after He left.


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Jesus intended for His followers to carry out the ministry ofSALVATION, HEALING, & DELIVERANCE. He alsocommissioned 72 others to do the same work. (Luke 10:1-17)

Jesus did not come to just to die, but to set an EXAMPLE ofwhat REAL MINISTRY is to be. In many of our churches we callmany things ministry, but REAL ministry centers aroundSALVATION, HEALING, and DELIVERANCE.

SALVATION - The Spirit DELIVERANCE The Soul

HEALING The Body Jesus is ALWAYS interested in the TOTAL man! He cares for usin such a special way. We must render Jesus type of care to theworld and the church.

The LAYING ON of Hands

Laying hands on the sick is considered an ELEMENTARYTEACHING which ALL Christians should partake in. (SeeHebrews 6: 1-2 and James 5: 14-15)

One problem I have found in the modern church is that we havemade the church a CLERGY run entity. God meant the church to

be driven by ALL of the saints. We are a body of BELIEVERSand BELIEVERS are supposed to CAST OUT DEVILS, PREACHTHE GOSPEL, and LAY HANDS on the sick.(James 5:16 and Mark 16:20)


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Evangelism, Healing, and Deliverance were not just for theAPOSTLES! This is a lie many Seminarians teach and advocate. Itoo am a college-educated preacher, however I know that theWord of God teaches that ordinary men and women participatedin the work of the ministry.

Ananias was not an APOSTLE, he was an ordinary Christian, justlike you and I, yet he prayed for Pauls HEALING and that he

would receive the BAPTISM in the HOLY GHOST. Healing thesick is NOT just for the Apostles! The signs are designed tofollow THEM THAT BELIEVE! Believers are supposed toBELIEVE that Jesus power is yet for today. I am a firm believerthat we dont see the miraculous because we dont EXPECT themiraculous. (Mark 16:20, Luke 1:37, and Phil. 4:13)

Christians usually are terrified of dealing with the demonic in any

way shape or form. Yes demons are powerful, but God is all-powerful! Demons are not afraid of humans, however they areafraid of the Christ in us. Believers in Jesus have been givenauthority through His name.


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CHAPTERTHREE

Jesus Came to Set Us Free

Certainly Jesus came to set us free. This is explicit in Jesus'commission that he read from Isaiah 61:1-2:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,because he has anointed meto preach good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisonersand recovery of sight for the blind,to release the oppressed,to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19)

Setting people free from demonic oppression and captivity isJesus' core ministry. Jesus desires to release the oppressed. Hecame to "destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). It was his

central purpose. His ministry was characterized this way by hischief Apostle, Peter: "...how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth withthe Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good andhealing all who were under the power of the devil, because Godwas with him" (Acts 10:38).That is our role, too, as Jesus' disciples. First, we must seek tobreak free ourselves. We probably DON'T need exorcism to dothis. We need truth and we need repentance. Deep, heart-feltrepentance that brings about change. Jesus said, "If you hold tomy teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know thetruth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32). There isNO freedom apart from embracing the truth in Jesus. And as wefearlessly embrace truth, the Deceiver loses his power over us.


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That's how Satan began with Eve (Genesis 3:4-5), and he's beendoing it ever since -- to Jesus in the wilderness and to you andme.

Jesus came teaching. Teaching the truth. And we are to continuethis, for teaching is not weak. The truth we share has explosiveseeds in it that can break people free. Paul instructed his protgTimothy:

"And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, hemust be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the

hope that God will grant them repentance leading themto a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come totheir senses and escape from the trap of the devil, whohas taken them captive to do his will" (2 Tim. 2:24-26).

Anger is a great doorway for demons to invade or influencea human being. The reason God instructs the believer to

forgive so easily is this, unforgiveness leads to bitterness,and bitterness can lead to hatred! Murder actually starts inthe hearts of people! In addition to forgiving our enemies,we must LOVE them! I believe these two things drive thedevil insane.

Ask yourself, am I walking in unforgiveness? Is theresomeone I am continuing to hate or refuse to forgive?

A few people will require some kind of direct command of release such as Jesus gave. Occasionally the apostles would


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do this -- but only occasionally. Truth was usually all that was necessary.What are the lessons we disciples are to learn from Luke 4?

1. Satan is a powerful opponent that Jesus faced again andagain (4:1-13). We his disciples will never get spiritualvictory until we stop trivializing Satan and denying hisinfluence.

2. Satan is the agent of oppression that Jesus came to oppose(4:18-19). His mission is to set the oppressed free!

3. Jesus confronted Satan and his demons with spiritualauthority whenever they tried to attack him or others

(4:33-36, 41).4. Jesus' focus was on wholeness and freedom, not on Satanand his work. He dealt with Satan when he had to, but hedidn't fear him or obsess over the spiritual battle. Jesus'focus was positive, not negative.

5. We must not walk in fear of demons, but be wary and wiseto there activities

6. Ask God to give us discernment on every situation. (Proverbs

3:5)7. If it seems evil, it probably is! Shun the very appearance ofevil.

8. Stay submitted to God! (James 4:7)


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CHAPTER FOUR

Demons and Our Sex Drive

6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food,and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be

desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, anddid eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did

eat.7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew

that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together,and made themselves aprons. (Gen. Chapter 3)

28 But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a womanto lust after her hath committed adultery with her

already in his heart. (Matt. Chapter 5) KJV

25 Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let hertake thee with her eyelids.

26 for by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to apiece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious

life.27 Can a man takes fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be

burned?28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?

(Prov. Chapter 6) KJV

Satan uses sex for one simple reasonIT WORKS! In thebeginning God created man (Adam) and declared, It is not goodfor the man to be alone. God created a woman FOR the man.Man was built to desire a woman. Satan went after Eve becausehe knew this fact. Eve gave Adam the fruit, why did Adam take


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it? Men throughout the ages have forsaken kingdoms, riches,position, and even God for the love of a woman. John the Baptistlost his head because of a promise Herod had to keep. Take alook!

6 But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter ofHerodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.7 whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoevershe would ask.8 and she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Giveme here John Baptist's head in a charger.8 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake,

and them, which sat with him at meat, he commanded it tobe given her. (Matt. Chapter 14 ) KJV

Herod was so driven by lust over Herodias daughtersseductive dance, he killed someone he actually admired and liked.Pornography is like gasoline on a fire, the human sex drive doesntneed a lot to motivate it, pornography sends it over the edge, andthis is why Satan uses it so often. Most movies today have fullnudity or partial, our music is sexually suggestive, and adultery isso commonplace even our clergymen are notorious for theirfallings. Demons work overtime at tempting Christians in the areaof sex. Just like our appetite for food, our lust for sex is just aspowerful.

Solomon was the worlds wisest man in the world. He was

anointed by God to lead the mightiest kingdom on earth, yet hethrew it all away because of his desire for women. He had 700wives and 300 concubines, and the scripture say he LOVED THEMALL! Satan knows that woman was created for man. God createdwoman not only to be a companion, but also as a helper andadvisor. Satan always perverts what God creates. Remember


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King Ahab? He was Israels most wicked king, guess where he gotall of his advice? His wife Jezebel!

Abraham in a bout with unbelief decided to sleep with hishandmaid, because he didnt trust that God could allow Sarah tobecome pregnant. Who put the idea in his head to do such athing? Sarah, his wife! Now before you accuse me of thinkingwoman are evil, there are many more examples of woman helping advance Gods program in the Bible than not .

This is my point, if Satan can corrupt a woman, he in turn also

corrupts a man as well (or men). Joseph was handpicked by Godto save his people, Satan chose Potiphers wife to tempt him tocommit adultery, and fortunately Joseph was committed to God.One evil woman can mess up a LOT of weak men!

Pr 6:32 But a man who commits adultery lacks judgment;

whoever does so destroys himself. NIV


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Chapter Five

the demon question

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