S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

There are two extremes in people's thinking about demons. One says that what we call demons are nothing more than negative thoughts and behaviors that any human being is capable of. Those who hold ...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

D W Supporter

I've been to meetings and services where "demons" were allegedly "cast out." Folks came one-by-one, or in some instances demons were cast out of everyone in the service. I find NO scriptural justification for the church coming together to engage in such activity. 

An individual who believes he or she is under demonic influence needs to contact a Pastor (not a word-faith-have-what-you-say-demon-busting-heretic on TV) in the community, join in a fellowship of believers where demonology is not even talked about, enter into Bible study, prayer, and service in the local church, never associate with folks who run about casting out demons, minister to family and friends about that heresy, and thank God for His free gift of salvation by grace through faith. Get born again!!

A Christian who believes in demonic possession must understand that no filthy demon can live in the same house as the Holy Spirit! Demonic influences (SIN) are eradicated by walking in the footsteps of our Savior, never failing to place even the worst at the Master's Feet. 

www.booksie.com/Don_Watson

October 15 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Ezekiel Kimosop Supporter

How much emphasis should be given to demonic deliverance in the Christian life?

The deliverance ministry is popular among sections of the Charismatics who teach that a believer must undergo a deliverance purge in order to be freed from demonic or generational curses. Many Christians are compelled to part with lots of money in what is popularly referred as "blessing the altar", a thinly veiled reference to payments made to the presiding minister or apostle or prophet who is believed to possess special powers in dealing with demonic altars. 

My response to the above question is in the negative. I am persuaded that a believer has nothing from which to be delivered once he is in Christ. My view is that the "deliverance" theology embraced by a section of the Charismatic movement is not consistent with the teaching of Scripture. 

Once a person submits to Christ and is cleansed of his sin, Satan has no spiritual control over his or her life. Unless a believer is harboring unconfessed sin, there is nothing to fear about the occult or any spiritual activities of the underworld. They cannot harm a Christian. The soul of the believer has been purchased by the sinless blood of Jesus Christ and he is precious in the sight of God (Acts 20:28-29; 2 Corinthians 5:21). It is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). 

The believer is God's new creation who has been translated from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13). The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Christ has irrevocably disconnected our dark spiritual past and no condemnation stands against us. 

The Bible also proclaims in Romans 8:1-4 "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit." (NKJV).

A Christian does not have to fear any altars designed by Satan because nothing stands between us and God. 

We should not be deceived by false teachers who teach this unbiblical doctrine of deliverance. No Christian is bound by any altars or spiritual forces. Our liberty in Christ Jesus is final.
This is not to suggest that believers will not suffer attacks or afflictions from Satan. The Bible teaches that Christian suffering is a menu that every believer should be prepared to receive in this evil world. The issue at stake in the context of this conversation is the validity of deliverance ministry and not Christian suffering. 

Christ died to set us free from demonic oppression and control. He proclaims in John 8:34-36 ".....Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. 35 And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. 36 Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." 

There's therefore nothing to add to what Christ has accomplished for us at Calvary. 

So how much emphasis should be given to demonic deliverance in the Christian life? Zero emphasis, in my view.

January 19 2023 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report