IS THE EXORCISM OF CHRISTIANS OF GOD?

CONTENTS AND INTRODUCTION.

CHAPTER 1. GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL PROTECTION OF HIS CHILDREN AND HIS CREATION.
1. God's restraint on evil in the world.
2. God's restraint on Satan's activities against Old Testament saints.
3. New Testament sons of God are guarded by God and His legal decrees.
    a. The invincible legal covenant barrier of Christ's atoning blood.
    b. The legal barrier of identification with Christ's death in baptism.
    c. The legal barrier of adoption as sons and the new birth.
4. The Holy Spirit is an abiding eternal protection for the Christian.
5. Christians have legal protection and authority in the Name of Jesus.

CHAPTER 2. WHY DO CHRISTIANS PRACTICE AN EXORCISM WHICH IS NOT SCRIPTURAL?
1. Because Christians have a genuine desire to help people with their problems.
2. Because Christians desire to prove that they have a ministry and power from God.
3. Because Christians desire a spectacular manifestation of God's power.
4. Because Christians desire to demonstrate God's power over Satan.
5. Because Christians do not realise they are being led astray by pride.
6. Because Christians do not realise that they are opening the door to Satan.
7. Because Christians confuse sickness with demon possession.
8. Because Christians confuse the works of the flesh with demon possession.

CHAPTER 3. WHY DO CHRISTIANS ACT AS IF THEY ARE POSSESSED WHEN THEY ARE NOT?
1. Because of the power of suggestion and submission to leadership.
2. Because Christians are encouraged to submit to demon influence.
3. Because Christians use unscriptural phraseology.
4. Because Christians confuse the works of the flesh with possession.
5. Because Christians confuse soul travail with demon possession.
6. Because Christians lack the necessary spiritual equipment.

CHAPTER 4. THE DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES OF BELIEF IN CHRISTIAN POSSESSION.
1. It replaces Christian certainties with total uncertainty.
    a. It creates fear when there should be joy at God's protective love.
    b. It makes a Christian surrender their total security in Christ.
    c. It seriously worsens a sense of failure and domination by evil.
2. It breaks God's command that God's children should not be mediums.
3. It replaces the gifts of the Holy Spirit with unscriptural routines.
4. It is a total distortion of spiritual warfare and spiritual realities.
5. It fails to cure the real problems of Christians.
6. It produces severe psychological damage to God's dear children.

CHAPTER 5. SOME PEOPLE WHO HAD SEVERE PROBLEMS, BUT WERE NOT POSSESSED.
1. Peter. 2. Ananias and Sapphira. 3. Simon Magnus. 4. The Corinthians. 5. The Woman at the Well.

APPENDIX 1. THE GREEK WORDS TO DESCRIBE DEMON POSSESSION.
1. "IN an unclean spirit." 2. "HAVE an evil spirit." 3. "To be POSSESSED by a demon." 4. "To be VEXED with unclean spirits."
5. "The OPPRESSED of the Devil." 6. The Effects of Demon Possession and Oppression.

APPENDIX 2. THE WORDS USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXORCISM OF DEMONS.
1. Demons are "COMMANDED." 2. Demons are "REBUKED." 3. Demons are "CAST OUT." 4. Demons and the Abyss.
5. Our Lord's warning of Israel's repossession by demons because of their apostasy from God.

APPENDIX 3. THE NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES ON DEMONS AND UNCLEAN SPIRITS.
1. DEMONS. 2. UNCLEAN SPIRITS. 3. EVIL SPIRITS. 4. PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS.

PREFACE.
I have condensed my larger book on the doctrine of demon possession, in order to help those who would like a shorter study on the subject. I show that the Scriptures prove that the doctrine that Christians can be possessed by demons and need exorcism is false, and not of God. I pray that this booklet will enable Christians to realise their total security in Christ, and their complete protection by God's power from possession by demons. 1Pet.1v4,5. Edited and reformatted on January 30th. 2001.


A STUDY IN DEMON POSSESSION, IS THE EXORCISM OF CHRISTIANS OF GOD?

INTRODUCTION.
We cannot find one case in the New Testament of a Christian being possessed by demons, or being exorcised of demons. When we examine the New Testament we find that no apostle of Christ ever exorcised, or suggested exorcism, for any Christians, even the most sinful Corinthian Christians. Christ's apostles are unanimous in proclaiming that we have been transferred out of Satan's kingdom and power, into the kingdom of God, through faith in Christ and His wonderful atoning death. Col.1v12-14. 1Pet.1v18,19. Rev.12v10-12. Gal.2v20. Tit.3v5. 1Jn.2v8. Paul states in 2Cor.5v17,18., "Those in Christ are a new creation, the old things have passed away; behold, all things are new, and all things are of God." God has promised that He is not going to allow His dear children to get a serpent, or scorpion, or stone, He assures us of His "how much more" protection with the Holy Spirit's presence and power. Luke.11v9-13.

Among those who believe in the exorcism of Christians, the amount they practice varies greatly. Some rarely practice this supposed exorcism of Christians and are good people with loving hearts and with genuine gifts and blessing from God in other areas of their ministries. However, others are so obsessed with demons, that they practice the routine exorcism of almost all Christians. This practice produces severe spiritual and psychological damage; and in some quarters the heavy over-emphasis upon demons has become even more dangerous than the previous ignorance about the subject. The tragic truth is that the doctrine and practice of exorcism of Christians actually results in defilement by demons, not deliverance from demons. This is the Satanic purpose behind this doctrine of demons. 1Tim.4v1.

The continuous and considerable restraint of God on Satan and his angels is a fact of Scripture. 2Thes.2v7. Christians have an hedge of protection like Job. Job.1v10,12. Those who teach that Christians can be possessed by demons deny this restraint of God and a Christian's security in God. By suggesting that Christians can be possessed by demons, Satan has found a way of partially negating the promise of God's providential protection of His children. I say partially negating, because even though Christians who submit to this supposed exorcism act like mediums for the thoughts and blasphemies of demons from outside of them, God will still not allow those demons to enter and possess Christians. Peter tells us that Christians are always guarded by God even when they fail to accept it, or appreciate it. 1Pet.1v5. Peter marvelled that God the Father and the Lord Jesus loved and guarded him even when he backslid and denied his Lord. Peter's denial was emphatic, for Peter swore with sacred oaths that he did not know Jesus and he invoked the most terrible curses upon himself if he was lying and did know Jesus. Lk.22v31-34,61,62. 24v34. Mk.16v7. Peter was attacked by Satan and failed badly, but, unlike the apostate Judas, was never possessed by Satan. Peter's backsliding was cured by divine love and mercy, and Peter's repentance.

CHAPTER 1. GOD'S PROVIDENTIAL PROTECTION OF HIS CHILDREN AND HIS CREATION.
God protects His children, and Creation, with His providential love and power.

1. God's restraint on evil in the World.
God restrains the activities of the powers of darkness in the world, and His merciful goodness protects even the unbeliever from their malice. God delivered the Philistines from Caphtor, and the Syrians from Kir. Amos.9v7. The Lord gave victory to Syria through Naaman. 2Kings.6v1. God sends His rain on the just and the unjust, and is kind, good and merciful, even to the evil, unjust and ungrateful. Luke.6v35,36. Mt.5v45. Paul told the idol worshippers at Lystra how kind and good God had been to them. Acts.14v16,17. Acts.17v30.

God protects mankind from Satan's plan to destroy the whole of mankind. 2Thes.2v7. Rev.12v12. Dan.8v24. 12v1-7. Mt.24v21,22. The explosion of evil and destruction in The Great Tribulation is allowed in order to show what evil and Satan and his angels, are like; and also show the justice and necessity of their eternal judgement and confinement in everlasting chains of darkness, after the destruction of their bodies in the lake of fire. 2Pet.2v4,17. Jude.v13. Mt.25v41,46. Rev.19v20. 20v10. Every mouth will be stopped by the awesome justice of God. Rom.3v19.

2. God's restraint on Satan's activities against Old Testament saints
There has always been special protection for the children of God. God's Old Testament saints rejoiced again and again over the loving wisdom, and the gracious protecting power and love of God. Deut.33v27. Ps.3v3. Ps.32v1. Ps.119v14. Ps.91v1. These are but a few of many such exceeding great and precious promises that are yea and Amen in Christ. 2Pet.1v4. 2Cor.1v18-22. Satan complained to God about the hedge of divine love and power that protected Job and "ALL THAT HE HATH." Job.1v10. Jacob found out that like little children he had many angels sent and devoted to his care. Mt.18v10. At Bethel the reality of God's total and dedicated caring love and protection was revealed to Jacob, he saw a continual stream of angels coming to minister to him and care for him. Gen.28v11-19. 2Kings.6v15-18. New Testament sons of God can expect at least the same protection, for "The Lord of Hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our refuge." Ps.46v7,11. Heb.1v14. We can allow the powers of darkness to harass us, when they should be trembling in fear at what we and our Father will do to them. Put on God's armour and resist the powers of darkness and they will flee from you. Jam.2v19. 4v7. Eph.6v10-20. God has called us to triumph not defeat. 2Cor.2v14. The powers of darkness know their defeat is sure, and their cause is hopeless, and that Hell awaits them. Mt.8v29. Lk.8v31. Rev.12v12.

3. New Testament sons of God are guarded by God and His Legal Decrees.
The decrees of God, as Judge, Creator and Redeemer have been made and heralded to all; and evil spirits tremble at His decrees; for God backs up his legal decrees with power. Evil spirits who try to oppose God's decrees go into chains of everlasting darkness. Dan.4v17-23. 2Pet.2v4. Jude.v6,13. These irresistible and unbreakable divine decrees are as follows.

a. The invincible legal covenant decree, barrier and defence of Christ's atoning blood.
Satan has no hold, or claim, on those who are redeemed through the blood of Christ, for His covenant blood includes protection as well as forgiveness; the blood of the Passover lamb preserved Israel, how much more does the blood of Christ protect the New Covenant children of God. Rev.12v11. 1Pet.1v4,5,18,19.

b. The legal barrier of identification with Christ's death in baptism.
Repentance and baptism in water is God's way of accepting God's covenant, it cuts us off from previous evil occult connections. Our old life is buried with Christ in baptism, and we rise to walk in newness of life, not in fear of demons, or of being possessed by demons. Rom.6v3,4.

c. The legal barrier of adoption as sons and the new birth.
Christians have a God-protected sonship. We are loved like Jesus by the Father, and He wants the world to know it; and Jesus loves us as the Father loves Him. Jn.17v23. 15v9. Christ said His enemies committed blasphemy when they said that He was possessed by demons. Mk.3v28-30. Is it not blasphemy to say that God will allow His beloved sons, who are loved just like Jesus, to be possessed by demons?

Peter assures us of God's protection in 1Pet.1v4,5..
Believers in Jesus, "are always kept, protected and guarded by the power of God through faith." The word for, "are always kept" is a military term, meaning, "to guard or garrison." Acts.9v24. Vincent says, "The present participle indicates something in progress, a continuous process of protection." Peter assures us that Christians are protected and enveloped "IN the power of God." 1Pet.1v5. Phil.4v7. Jesus has always been the sentinel and guard of His Church, He ever lives to protect us and intercede for us. Jn.17v11,12. Heb.7v25. God assures us that the heirs of the heavenly kingdom are as securely guarded by Him as their heavenly inheritance. Mt.6v19-21. Col.1v5. Lk.10v19. Indeed, God cares more for the heirs of His kingdom, than He does for the fabric of that kingdom: heaven and earth may pass away, but His love for us will never pass away.

John assures us that Satan cannot grasp a born-again child of God.
John writes in 1John.5v18., "We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the Evil One toucheth him not." "Toucheth him not," is "ouch haptetai autou;" "haptetai" is the present indicative of "hapto," which means to lay hold of or to grasp, not a momentary touch. The only other place where John uses "hapto" is in John.20v17., where Jesus tells Mary that she cannot keep holding and clinging to Him, because He has to ascend to the Father. See Mt.28v9. where the women took hold of His feet and worshipped Him. With John we can say "we know" with absolute certainty, that the Evil One cannot grasp, or lay hold of us, or possess us, this is God's sure promise to us. In 1Jn.5v18. and 3v6,9., when John tells us that born-again Christians do not live a life of sin, he is not speaking of an act of sin, which would be indicated by the aorist tense; but the continuous life of sin which is indicated by the present tense. Victory over sin is through the new birth and the law of the spirit of life in Christ; frees us from the law of sin and death. Rom.8v1-4.

God's children are the apple of His eye.
In Zech.2v8. the prophet says, "He that touches you, touches the apple of His eye." See. Deut.32v9,10. Demons believe in God and tremble, none of them would think of trying to hit God in the eye.

4. The Holy Spirit is an abiding eternal protection for the Christian.
The Holy Spirit has come "to abide with us for ever," and as, "He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world;" we can't be possessed by demons as long as we continue to follow Jesus, and don't fall away. Jn.14v16. 1Jn.4v4. Lk.8v13. Mt.24v12,13. 2Thes.2v1-3. Heb.6v1-8. 10v26,27. We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Eph.1v13,14. (Eph.4v30. and 2Cor.1v22.) In Paul's time a seal was used as both a sign of ownership and a guarantee. The Ephesian Christians received the seal of the Holy Spirit some time after their baptism in water when Paul laid his hands upon them. Acts.19v1-6. The presence of the Holy Spirit makes Christians quite immune to demon possession, even if they have not been baptised in the Holy Spirit, for His protection is there, whether He is "with us," or "in us." John. 14v17.

Jesus assures us in Lk.11v9-13., that we have a good Heavenly Father who only gives the Holy Spirit and good gifts to His children, and guarantees that we cannot get serpents, scorpions or stones. The eternally abiding protecting presence of God our Father springs from His "much more" love for us. Lk.11v13. Jn.14v16. Our heavenly Father would no more allow a demon to enter His dearly beloved children, than He would allow a demon to enter His dearly beloved Son, the Lord Jesus. Jn.17v23.

In James.4v7., "submit," "hupotasso," is a military term meaning, "to place or range under;" as we array ourselves under God and resist the Devil; God is with us, and His awesome might causes Satan to flee. In James.4v6., we read that God resists the proud; "resists" is "antitasso," a military term meaning, "to array against, to range in battle against," God arrays Himself with us against the arrogant pride of the powers of darkness, and as we take a stand with God against Satan, Satan flees from us.

5. Christians have legal protection and authority in the Name of Jesus.
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it and are safe." Prov.18v10. Every knee must bow to the name of Jesus and recognise its authority; Phil.2v9-11. Rom.14v11,12., both from Is.45v23. When we call on His name it brings our Lord's power and protection over us. Jude.v21. Jam.1v27. Heb.4v12-16. 7v25. Ps.121v3,4.

We have authority and dominion over demons in the name of Jesus.
Our Lord said to the 70 disciples in Luke.10v19., "Behold, I give unto you the authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over ALL the power of the enemy; and nothing shall by any means hurt you." These disciples returned with joy because demons were subject to them in the name of Jesus. They were not mature Christians, for in v19-21., our Lord rejoices that the revelation of this power and authority had been hidden from the wise and prudent and given to babes, because it was good in the eyes of our heavenly Father. God's beloved little children were given complete authority over ALL the power of the enemy, and the powers of darkness were terrified at their coming.

Our Lord definitely states, "nothing shall by any means hurt you." Lk.10v19. A very strong triple negative. Jesus assures us that when we meet up with evil spirits, God will protect us from them, and they will not be able to injure or harm us. These Christian babes caused demons to flee in the Name of Jesus. James.2v19.4v5-7. In Mt.10v1. we see that God's amazing love gave full delegated authority, "exousia;" and power, "dunamis;" to the apostles; Jesus also calls them babes, but said they had authority over ALL the power of the Devil in the name of Jesus. Mt.11v25,26. "He that is in us, is greater than he that is in the world." 1Jn.4v4.. Compare Acts.19v13-16.

CHAPTER 2. WHY DO CHRISTIANS PRACTICE AN EXORCISM WHICH IS NOT SCRIPTURAL?

1. Some Christians have a genuine desire to help people with their problems.
They desire to help Christians into victory and blessing, and mistakenly think that this will help them.

2. Some Christians desire to prove that they have a ministry and power from God.
Some Christians are over eager to show that they have authority and power from God, and feel that casting out demons proves that they have real authority from God. It can take a great deal of self-discipline to wait, as our Lord did, for a genuine ministry from God and the right time to manifest it. Is.49v1-3. 50v3-7. Satan tried to get Jesus to prematurely manifest His Father's power in His ministry. Mt.4v1-12.

3. Some Christians desire a spectacular manifestation of God's power.
A good desire to manifest God's delivering power can degenerate into a base desire for the spectacular, if we do not carefully watch our motives. Satan suggested to Jesus that a spectacular demonstration at the Temple was the way to start and prove His ministry. Let us wait until God opens His ways for us. Ps.37v4-9,23,24. 62v1-12. 81v13-17. 103v7. Is.48v18. 45v1-13.

4. Some Christians desire to demonstrate God's power over Satan.
Some want to demonstrate Christ's victory over demons and problems in the Christian's life. This is a good desire, but we must remember that it is absolutely essential to fight with methods that are clearly seen to be the practice of Christ and His early Church. If we pretend that a person is possessed by a demon when they are not, and try to expel an imaginary demon, we are creating a spiritual fantasy. Christ's apostles, Daniel, Paul, and even the angel Gabriel, found that real conflict with the powers of darkness can be very painful and really test our spiritual resources. Mt.17v14-21. Dan.10v1-21. 2Cor.12v7-9. Eph.6v10-20.

5. Because Christians do not realise they are being led astray by pride.
Christians are lifted up in pride that they have a real and powerful ministry like the Christians in the early Church. It is, however, a fact that the exorcism of Christians never occurred in the early Church.

6. Because Christians do not realise that they are opening the door to Satan.
This false exorcism opens the door to Satan, and encourages the manifestation of demons within the Church; if we desire this Satan will oblige us, just as he does in spiritualist meetings. This false exorcism brings one into the forbidden occult, and is very dangerous, and brings defilement to Christians rather than deliverance. This excessive emphasis upon demons is spiritually unhealthy, Christians should desire the presence and activities of God in their meetings, not the activities of demons.

7. Because Christians confuse sickness with demon possession.
Though evil spirits can cause sickness, infirmity, deafness, blindness, dumbness, madness and epilepsy, the Scriptures reveal that sickness caused by demon possession is rare. Mt.8v28-34. 9v32-34. 12v22-24. 15v21-28. 17v14-21. with Mk.9v25. Lk.4v31-36. In the ministry of Jesus ordinary sickness is clearly distinguished from Demon possession. Mt.4v23,24. Most sickness is caused by natural causes and not by demons. It is an abomination to God to say that a person has a demon when they don't have one. It is often true that some people who are praying for the sick say that a person has a demon, just to cover up their ignorance of the true cause, because they lack the necessary Divine spiritual equipment and Divine commission.

8. Because Christians confuse the works of the flesh with possession.
Some Christians confuse besetting sins and evil things that are in Christian's lives and demon possession, however, what they call demons, Paul calls "works of the flesh," in Gal.5v19-21.. See Chapter 3. section D.


CHAPTER 3. WHY DO CHRISTIANS ACT AS IF THEY ARE POSSESSED WHEN THEY ARE NOT?

1. Because of the power of suggestion and submission to leadership.
Christians often submit to those who they recognise and esteem as a spiritual leaders, and because they look upon their authority and discernment as derived from God, they obey and co-operate with them without question. They sacrifice their discernment with the words, "He is a man of God, he must be right." Paul warns us never to submit our judgement without question; he instructs us, "to scrutinise and test all things until you can approve them, retaining only what is good." 1Thes.5v21.

2. Because Christians are encouraged to submit to demon influence.
Christians are encouraged, by those who they look upon as spiritual leaders, to speak out the thoughts that demons put into their minds, and when they do so, it is looked upon as a proof of demon possession. Evil spirits must rejoice in the havoc they cause when Christians give them authority to act in this way. God warns us that the powers of darkness will attack us in our thoughts, but this is certainly not a proof of demon possession. Jesus had His mind continuously filled with evil thoughts for 40 days, when He was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, but He did not submit to them for a moment. Jesus fought Satan with God's Word, and we should follow His example. We should not allow demons to program us with their words; for if we speak out the words and thoughts of demons, then we are defiled by those demons. Jesus would not repeat the lies that Satan put into His mind, and neither should we. Christians are told to reject Satan's lies and bring them captive to Christ. 2Cor.10v4,5. James instructs us to resist the Devil, not repeat his lies and blasphemy. James.4v7. Our Lord charged demons to keep silent and be muzzled, and so should we. Mk.1v34. Lk.4v41.

3. Because Christians use unscriptural phraseology.
Phrases such as, "infiltration by demons," or, "partial possession by demons," never occur anywhere in the Scriptures, and so such experiences and terms are false and should be rejected. If they do not speak according to God's Word, THEN THERE IS NO LIGHT IN THEM. Is.8v18-20. We need to be delivered from unscriptural tradition. 1Pet.1v18,19.

4. Because Christians confuse the works of the flesh with possession.
Some books which state that Christians can be possessed by demons, give long lists of various kinds of demons, such as, demons of lust, pride, anger, and so on, which they say Christians can be possessed by. However, what they call demons, Paul, in Gal.5v19-21., calls "works of the flesh.," Demons which are outside Christians can exacerbate temptations from the flesh, but this must not be confused with demon possession. Peter fell very badly but Jesus never suggested that Peter should be exorcised, He said Peter needed to repent and turn back to Him. Lk.22v31-34. Jn.14v30. Mt.16v21-23. Acts.10v28,34,35. Col.3v1-14. It is a striking fact that though the heathen world was given over to gross immorality and occult practices, and the other evil works of the flesh, only a very small fraction of them became demon possessed, because of the protecting mercy and goodness of God, and His restraint on the powers of darkness. 2Thes.2v7.

5. Because Christians confuse soul travail with demon possession.
Some Christians fail to distinguish between soul travail for victory and demon possession. This work and ministry of the Holy Spirit must not be confused with demon possession. Our Lord Jesus experienced great travail of soul throughout all His life, the pain in His soul was truly terrible. Ps,19v20,21. Is.53v11. Our Lord experienced this travail in the garden of Gethsemane; His great anguish of soul and "strong crying and tears" on our behalf, fill us with thankfulness, love, and worship. Mk.14v32-42. Lk.22v39-46. Heb.5v7. Acts.2v22-31. Paul also experienced travail and conflict in prayer for Christians, his earnest prayers changed the characters of the people that he prayed for, and produced love and unity in the body of Christ. Col.2v1-5. 4v12. Phil.2v25. Paul tells us in Rom.8v26,27., that we can all pray effectively "with groanings which cannot be uttered," for the saints. Travail of soul is a means for personal blessing and a means of deliverance for others, it is a tragedy if people try to exorcise as a demon, a divine means of intercession that God has put into the soul and ministry of a Christian. 2Pet.1v5-9. Every revival has resulted in Christians agonising and crying out in pain of soul until they have won the victory in their lives over problems and sin. Gal.5v19-22. 2Cor.7v1.

6. Because Christians lack the necessary spiritual equipment. 2Cor.10v3-5. Eph.2v1-3. 6v10-22.
The failure to perceive what is really happening in the spiritual realm has caused some Christians to form wrong conclusions, and confuse the external attacks of demons with demon possession.

a. The confusion of demonic energy lines with demon possession.
To confuse the energy lines that demons direct against Christians, with possession, is disastrous and very harmful. I have seen Christians get instant relief from such attacks by placing a wall of God's power around them. These demonic energisings can cause real distress and can produce symptoms and physical reactions, which without the right spiritual equipment can sometimes be mistaken for possession.

b. The confusion of Satan's fiery darts with demon possession. Eph.6v16.
Demonic blasts of evil energy accompany the attack on the thoughts and emotions of Christians, their aim is to attack and destroy faith and bring depression. Those who lack the spiritual equipment can confuse these attacks with the symptoms of demon possession.

c. The confusion of attacks on the thought life of Christians with demon possession.
Accusing negative evil thoughts are put into the mind; thoughts such as, "You are no good." "You are a failure." "You don't know your Bible." Every accusing "You," has to be firmly rejected and resisted with the Word of God. James.4v6,7. Rev.12v9-12. The revelation and power gifts of the Holy Spirit are essential if we are to help people who are under attack from evil spirits, as the ministries of the prophets and the Lord Jesus demonstrate many times. 2King.6v8-23. N.B. v12. Mt.16v21-23. Mk.2v8. Jn.1v47-51. 4v16-19. Acts.5v1-11. When Christians lack the Holy Spirit's gifts, they often fail to distinguish the real problems.

CHAPTER 4. THE DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES OF BELIEF IN CHRISTIAN POSSESSION.

1. It replaces the Christian certainties with total uncertainty.

a. It creates fear where there should be joy at God's perfect protecting love.
When Christians are accused of having demons and submit to supposed exorcism, it gives them an awful feeling of fear and insecurity; and destroys their faith in the value and effectiveness of the vital covenant protections and relationships in Christ. This false exorcism has a devastating effect on sensitive and feebleminded souls, who need comfort, not exorcism. 1Thes.5v14. Lk.11v9-13.

b. It makes a Christian surrender their security in Christ.
We must never submit to any teaching that denies our total security and authority in God. We should never give evil spirits authority, where the blood of Christ has raised an impregnable barrier against them. We have total safety and security in His Name, for "The Name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runneth into it and are safe." Prov.18v10. Num.6v22-27. Demons must be filled with malignant joy, when they see Christians surrender their defences to them through this wrong teaching. How must God feel when He sees Christians being taught to co-operate with, and submit to, the influence and activities of evil spirits that are outside of them, and repeat their blasphemies. In the Name of Jesus you can tread the powers of darkness under your feet; do not let them trample under, or walk over, the holy ground of your soul. Lk.10v17-24.

c. It seriously worsens a sense of failure and domination by evil.
This is particularly true of people with nervous and emotional problems, or besetting sins, for they feel polluted by evil. This often makes their problems worse, and as a result some Christians have needed to go to psychiatrists and doctors for medical help.

2. It breaks God's command that God's children should not be mediums.
God charges His people with the gravest prohibition, not to be mediums, or repeat the thoughts and word of demons, because it DEFILES a person, and says that it is an abomination to Him. Lev.19v31. 20v6,27. Deut.18v10-22. Ex.22v18. Is.8v18-20. 19v3. 29v4. When people encourage Christians to manifest demons they go into the realm of the forbidden occult. 1Sam.28v3,7-9. 2Kings.21v6. 2Chron.33v6.

3. It replaces the gifts of the Holy Spirit by unscriptural routines.
The practice of exorcism routines, which are not in the Scriptures can never be of God. Is.8v20. This can result in a ministry that is an empty and hurtful parody of true deliverance. Unscriptural routines are the "strange fire" of carnal expedient; and come under divine judgement. Lev.10v11. Num.3v4. 26v21. The wisdom which is from God, tells us to resist the Devil, not repeat thoughts that are earthly, sensual, and inspired of the Devil. James.3v15-17. 4v7,8. Paul tells us to cast down every thought that raises itself against the knowledge of God; and to desire and use God's spiritual weapons to tear down and destroy Satan's strongholds. 1Cor.12v31. 14v1. 2Cor.10v3-5. We must follow the pattern of exorcism in the early Church, or we go into a dangerous self-deluding fantasy.

4. It is a total distortion of spiritual warfare and spiritual realities.

a. The failure to discern Satanic energisings, and fiery darts.
Paul writes, in Eph.2v1-3., of the powers of darkness energising the children of disobedience. These strong energisings of evil spiritual power are indicated in the "fiery darts" Paul speaks of in Eph.6v16.. Satan energises the thoughts that he puts into our minds with evil power, and we have to quench them with the shield of faith. These fiery darts are aimed with craft, and a military like strategy. In Eph.6v11., "the wiles of the Devil," speak of methodical scheming, deceit, and craftiness.

b. The failure to tell Christians how to put on their armour against Satan.
We need the full Christian armour to defeat the evil principalities and powers in heavenly places. In Eph.6v10-20., the word "pros" is used five times in the sense of "against," it speaks of a face to face conflict and fight to the finish. Jesus said that Satan is a fully armed strong man, and must be bound before his goods can be spoiled. Mt.12v28,29. Lk.11v20,21. We sometimes need patience as well as faith, if we are to defeat Satan and inherit the promises. Heb.6v12. There is, sadly, still a great deal of ignorance and false teaching about the use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in prayer and spiritual warfare; this hinders our Lord Jesus from operating in His Church as He intended. 1Cor.12v1. Heb.5v10-14. The doctrine of Christian possession stands truth on its head, for the truth is that we have mighty spiritual weapons from God that fill demons with fear and terror. James.4v6,7. The exorcism of Christians is a false modern tradition with no basis in Scripture, and it hinders true spiritual warfare and genuine Bible based revival.

c. The Christians armour shows Satan is on the outside, not the inside.
Paul tells us that God has provided us with total protection through His armour, and he exhorts us to put in on. Paul assures us in Eph.6v10-20. and 2Cor.10v4,5., that God's love, and His armour and weapons are a complete protection for the Christian. Paul clearly states in all his writings, and all his comments on spiritual warfare, that evil spirits can only attack Christians from outside their body and personality. Paul does not give the slightest suggestion that demons can possess a Christian, he states that the conflict is with Satan's fiery darts from outside, not from possession within. These, and many other Scriptures, totally destroy the credibility of the doctrine that Christians can be possessed by demons.

5. It fails to cure the real problems of Christians.
Those who confuse the sins of the flesh with demons, and try to exorcise them, fail to give the correct Scriptural medicine to cure the carnal appetites. 1Cor.9v24-27. Gal.5v19-26. When "exorcism" of the sins of the flesh fails, as it surely must, for you cannot cast out the flesh, people lose hope and become worse.

6. It produces severe psychological damage to God's dear children.
It is a tragic fact that many Christians, who have submitted to this parody of genuine New Testament exorcism, have had such serious psychological problems as a result of it, that they have had to receive medical help from doctors and psychiatrists to repair the damage.

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