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What does an evil spirit from The Lord mean according to I Samuel 16?

Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord terrorized him. 15 Saul’s servants then said to him, “Behold now, an evil spirit from God is terrorizing you. 

1 Samuel 16:14 - 15

NKJV - 14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him. 15 And Saul's servants said to him, "Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you.

Clarify Share Report Asked August 03 2014 1395554845 Oluwatosin Treasure Samson Supporter

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Eced7a1f c81d 42f4 95ea 9d5719dce241 Singapore Moses Supporter Messenger of God, CEO in IT industry, Astronaut, Scientist
In contrast with the Spirit of the Lord coming upon David from that day forward (1Sam. 16:13), the same Holy Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit troubled him (1Sam. 16:14). 

This is evidence again that one who returns to sin may lose the Holy Spirit. Saul lost Him after having Him on his life for several years (1Sam. 10:6,9-13; 11:6; 13:1). David believed such was possible, for he prayed for God not to take the Spirit from him (Ps. 51:11). 

Lucifer, fallen angels, demons, Adam and Eve, and many others are examples of sin causing one to lose what he has been given by the Lord. They are the examples of being fallen from grace and Backsliding. Holy Spirit Departing From Saul Not only the Holy Spirit, but God Himself had also departed from Saul (1Sam. 18:12). The same was true of Samson--God departed from him (Judg. 16:20). 

Evil spirits come from God only in the sense of being permitted by Him to trouble those who are backslidden and persist in sin and rebellion (1Sam. 16:14; 1Ki. 22:21-24; 2Chr. 18:20-23). The idea is that God does not protect such a person from spirits as He otherwise would if he yielded to Him. God gave Saul over to an evil spirit as punishment for his sins and self-will. Naturally, when the Holy Spirit left him he was open to an evil spirit of torment from Satan.

August 04 2014 1 response Vote Up Share Report


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Stringio Remya Abraham Supporter
I could be wrong, but just this morning, my meditation was from Job 1. Satan (the source of all evil) went to God and during the conversation that ensued, God actually "permitted" Satan to attack Job's family. Later on He permits Satan to attack Job's health. Maybe, in this context too, the evil spirit was "permitted" by God.

August 04 2014 2 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Data Doreen Lovell Supporter Evangelist and Prayer Intercessor
Judges 3:10--In the Old Testament the spirit of the Lord empowered individuals for specific service. Phrases such as "rested upon", "put upon", "is upon", "was upon" shows the Holy Spirit's employment on a person for a particular task. Selected leaders were said to be "filled" by the spirit or the spirit "was in" them (Gen 41:38; Ex. 28:3; Deut. 34:9; Dan. 4:8, 5:14) indicating that the spirit used them over a period of time.

In the Old Testament, God's leaders gave witness to the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Gen. 6:3; Ezek. 3:12; Zech. 4:6, 7:12). However, the Holy Spirit did not deal with everyone the same way as seen in 1 Sam.16:14, "departed from" means the Holy Spirit left Saul. He was no longer under the covering of God thus an evil spirit came upon him--a demonic dementia if you will that was only soothed by David's playing (1 Sam.16:16-23). The evil spirit is said to come from God; although God is neither the author of evil nor tempts any man with evil (James 1:13), all forces, natural and supernatural, are under His ultimate control. This evil is as a result of Saul's sinful nature and the departing of the Holy Spirit from him and it provided the means for bringing the Lord's newly anointed man, DAVID, to the throne and to eventual prominence.

August 04 2014 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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Stringio Mi Shad Ow Supporter Layman
We all are vessels ether for God or the enemy 2 Tim. 2:20-21. Jesus talked about this in Mat.12:43-45 & Lk. 11:24-26. When a person accepts Christ the Holy spirt comes in and cleans that person. When a person returns to sin (a constant backsliding state Eph. 4:30). Notice that Jesus says that the evil spirt calls that person home. And that when he returns he finds it empty, not wanting to be kicked out again he gets reinforcements.

September 16 2014 0 responses Vote Up Share Report


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