COUNSELING8—DEMONS
Describe in biblical categories the operations of the devil. Is there a difference between Believers and
unbelieversregardingtheactivityofthedevil?Whatisabiblicalmethodologyforrespondingtothedemonic
inthecontextofcounseling?
ANOVERVIEWOFTHEDEVILANDHISWORK
•
ExistenceofSatan
! Seven books of the OT mention him (Gen. 3; Job 1-2; 1 Chron. 21; Ps. 109:6; Isa. 14:12-17; Ezk.
28:1-19;Zech.3)
! Nineteen books of the NT mention him, and in the remaining books, his existence is strongly
impliedorreferredtoinotherways.
! Christmentionshim25times.
•
PersonalityofSatan—heisnotaforceorideabutacreatedbeingwithpersonality.
! Personalpronounsareusedofhim(Job1:6)
! Personalcharacteristicsareascribedtohim—
➢ Hehasintellect—hedeceivestheworld(Rev.12:9)
➢ Hehasemotions—hehatesIsrael&Christ(Rev.12:17)
➢ Hehasawill(2Tim.2:26;Eph.6:11)
•
OriginandnatureofSatan
! Satan’scharacterisseeninhisnames
➢ Satan—adversaryorresister(52xinScripture)
➢ EvilOne—Heisresponsibleforevil(1Jn.5:19)
➢ Devil—slanderer(35xinNT;1Pt.5:8—samerootas“gossiper”)
➢ Serpent—referringtohissubtletyandcraftiness(Gal.3:1;Rev.12:9)
➢ Tempter(Matt.4:3)
➢ Princeofthisworld(Jn.12:31)
➢ Godofthisage(2Cor.4:4)
➢ Deceiverofthewholeworld(Rev.12:9)
➢ Angeloflight(2Cor.11:14)
➢ Accuserofthebrethren(Rev.12:10)
➢ Headofthehouseofevil(Hab.3:13)
TerryEnns [email protected]
BCDC2016
! Satan’shistory—
➢ SatanenjoyedaprivilegedstatuswithGod(Ezk.28:12-15).
➢ Satanwasawiseandintelligentbeing,perfectinbeauty(Ezk.28:12).Hewasblameless,
servingGodasananointedcherub(Ezk.28:14-15).
➢ Satansinnedandfellfromhisexaltedposition(Ezk.28:15-17).
… Pridewasthecauseofhisdownfall(seealso1Tim.3:6—thesinofSatanandthedemons
was“arrogantrevolt”[Leahy,23]).Isaiah14:12-14mightalludetothesamecircumstance,
indicatingthatSatandesiredtobelikeGod,cf.“Iwill”—5times—v.13-14.
… Thefive“Iwills”ofSatanarematchedandsupersededbythesix“Iwills”ofGod(Ezk.
28:16-18)
… “Theultimatemoralquestionoftheuniverseisthis:canthecreatureinfactbecomeequal
totheCreator?”
! Satanisamorallyresponsibleperson,accountabletoGod(Job1:7).
! Satanisdeceptive,schemingtodefeatChristians.
➢ HeistheChristian’sadversary(1Pt.5:8).
➢ HeslandersChristians(Rev.12:10;Eph.6:11—schemer).
! Satanistheprinceofthisworld(Jn.12:31;14:30;16:11;2Cor.4:4;Eph.2:2).
“Satanhasnoauthoritytorulemen,formanwasneverhisownmaster.Andthereforetherecouldbeno
sceptre of rule belonging to man which was transferable to Satan after the Fall. God has given Satan no
dominion over man. Man is within ‘the dominion of Satan’ (Acts 26:18) only because of his sin. In revolt
againstGod,healignedhimselfwithSatan.InthissenseSatanishis‘god’and‘prince’;maniscaptiveinthe
jurisdictionofdarkness(Col.1:13).”[Leahy,24.]
“[Satan]isnotsovereigninarivalkingdom[toGod],butarebeltowhomGodgivesasmuchropeaswill
glorifyHisname.”[Leahy,36.]
! Satanisalsonotthe“King”ofHell,wherehetormentsothers;Godisdeterminedtojudgehimand
consignhimtoHellwherehewillreceiveGod’swrathforalleternity,alongwithallothersinners
(Rev.20:7-10).HeisnotsovereigninHell;heisjudgedinHell.
! Satanispowerful,buthispowerislimited(Js.4:7-10;Eph.6:10-18;1Cor.10:13;1Pt.5:8-10).Do
notminimizehispowerorspeaklightlyofhim,butknowthat
➢ heisrestrictedbyGod(1Jn.4:4)
➢ Christisalwaysintercedingonourbehalf(Jn.17:5;1Jn.2:2).
➢ heisusedbyGodtoaccomplishGod’spurposes(2Cor.12:7)
➢ believershavetheabilityandpowertoresisthim(weneednotgiveintohim.Js.4:7)
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ANOVERVIEWOFDEMONSANDTHEIRWORK
Demons,likeSatan,arefallenangels(Mt.12:24,26;25:41;Lk.10:17-20;Rev.16:13-14;18:2).Satanisa
fallen angel and in Matt. 12:24 he is called the prince of demons, linking demons with fallen angels.
Matthew25:41referstothe“devilandhisangels,”indicatingnotonlytheirunitybuttheirsimilarorigin.
•
Originofdemons—
! Demonswerecreatedsinlessin“unconfirmedholiness,”apparentlygivenaperiodoftimeto
confirmtheirgoodnessorwickedness.Some,withSatan,choseEvil(Ezk.28:15;1Tim.3:6;Jude6;
Rev.12:4).Theirsinwas“arrogantrevolt.”[Leahy,23.]
! Godhasnoredemptiveplanforangels—oncetheyareconfirmedintheirwickedness,thereisno
offerofgraceorsalvationmadeforthem,asGodmadeforman(Heb.2:16).
•
Typesofdemons—
! Thosewhostilloccupypositionsintheheavenlies(Eph.6:12;Dan.10:13,20;Is.24:21;Rev.12:7).
! Thosewhoroamtheearth(Mt.8:28-32;12:45;Mk.5:1ff;Acts8:7;19:12-16;Js.2:19).
! Thosewhoarecurrentlyshutupintheabyss,butwillbereleasedduringthetribulation(Lk.8:31;
Rev.9:1,2,11).
! ThosewhowereboundattheFall,keptinchainsuntilthefinaljudgment(Jude6;2Pt.2:4).
•
Characteristicsofdemons
! Theyarespiritbeingslikeangels(Matt.8:16).
! Theyarelocalized,notomnipresent;theyare“fast,”butcanonlybeinoneplaceatonetime.
! Theyareintelligent—theyknewJesus(Mk.1:24);theyare“theologians”whohavedoctrine(1
Tim.4:1).
! TheyunderstandGodandHiswrath(Js.2:19).
•
Activityofdemons
! TheyopposeGod,Hisangels,andHispeople(Eph.6:12;Dan.10:13)
! TheysupporttheworkofSatan(Mt.12:26-28,43-45;Rev.12:7)
! Theyindwellbodies(bothhumanandanimal;Mk.5:1-13).
! Theyinfluencethemind.(2Cor.2:11;4:4;1Tim.4:1;Js.3:15).(Thisdoesnotmeanthattheycan
readminds.)
! Theydeceivenations(Rev.16:14).Throughmiraculoussignstheywilldeceivethenationsatthe
endoftheagetogatherthemforwaragainstChrist.Cf.2Thess.2:7ff.
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! Theydeceivepeople.Satancantemptpeopleandleadthemastray(IThess.3:5);demonsworkin
unbelievers(Eph.2:2).
! Theyareasourceofapostasy(1Tim.4:1-3;1Jn.4:1-6;2Thess.2:9;Rev.2:18-29).
•
DemonPossession
! Definition:“Demonpossessionmeansademonresidinginaperson,exertingdirectcontroland
influenceoverthatperson,withcertainderangementofmindand/orbody.Demonpossessionis
tobedistinguishedfromdemoninfluenceordemonactivityinrelationtoaperson.Theworkof
thedemoninthelatterisfromtheoutside;indemonpossessionitisfromwithin.Bythis
definitionaChristiancannotbepossessedbyademonsinceheisindweltbytheHolySpirit.
However,abelievercanbethetargetofdemonicactivitytosuchanextentthathemaygivethe
appearanceofdemonpossession”(Ryrie).
! Occurrenceofdemonpossession—
➢ Demonpossessionisnotlinkedtosinorimmorality.Infact,theonlytimesdemonpossession
islinkedtomoralevilitisbyfalseaccusationsofdemonpossessionandimmorality(all
accusationsagainsteitherJohntheBaptistorChrist,e.g.,Mt.11:18;Mk.3:21ff;Lk.7:33;Jn.
7:20;8:48-49;10:20).
➢ Scripturespeaksofthefactofdemonpossession,butdoesnotidentifytheoriginofdemon
possession.Sobewareofspeculatingabouttheoriginsofdemonpossession.
➢ Demon-possessedpeoplearealmostalwayslinkedwiththosewhoaresufferingphysically;it
isamanifestationofsuffering,notastatementaboutthemoralconditionoftheonepossessed
(e.g.,Mt.4:24;7:22;8:16;9:32-34;10:1,8;12:22ff;Mk.6:13;Lk.6:18;11:14;Acts5:16;8:7).
Thecastingoutofdemonsistypicallyspokenofas“cured”or“healed,”likeaphysicaldisease
orsuffering(e.g.,Mt.17:18;Acts5:16).
“EMMadvocatesclaimtofollowthemodelofJesusforspiritualwarfare,buttheirmodelisactuallymore
rootedintheoccultworldviewthantheBible’s.TheyincorrectlytakeJesus’modelforfightingsituational
evilandadaptittofightingmoralevil.Bydemonizingsin,EMMtheologyactuallyembracesaworldviewthat
theBibleopposes.”[Powlison,75.]
➢ Demonpossessionisgenerallyinvoluntary.TheonlypossibleexceptionintheNTmightbe
Acts16:16-18where“spiritofdivination”isliterally,“spiritofPython,suggestingshewasa
worshipperofApollo,whowasworshippedattheshrineofDelphi(centralGreece)asthe
Pythiangod.[Leahy,89.]
➢ DemonpossessionislimitedtounbelieversasonecannotbeindweltbyboththeSpiritandthe
devil(1Jn.4:4).
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➢ Satanisneversaidtoinhabitanyindividual,withthepossibleexceptionofJudas(Jn.13:2).
Judaswas“completelyundertheswayoftheEvilOneandwasthusincitedtocommitsuch
blacktreachery.”[Leahy,quotingGeldenhuys,93.]
•
Judgmentofdemons—withSatan,intothelakeoffire(Matt.25:41;Rev.20:1-3).
THEOPERATIONSOFTHEDEVILANDDEMONS—WHATDOTHEYDO?:
•
Thedevilisaliarwhoprovokesmoralevil(Gen.3:1-5;2Cor.11:13-15;1Pt.5:8)
•
Thedevilspeaksthroughandusesfalseprophets(1Kings22;1Tim.4:1;2Cor.11:14-15;1Jn.4:1-6)
•
Thedevilisaphilosopherand“theologian”whocreatesaworldsystemtoinfluencethethinkingof
individuals(2Cor.10:5).
•
Thedeviltemptsthroughexternaldevices(Mt.4:1-11;Heb.2:18)
•
Thedevilblindspeopletothetruththroughhisfalsephilosophiesandideologies(2Cor.4:3-4)
•
Demonstormentpeoplephysically(cf.Mt.4:24;8:16;9:32-34;10:1;12:22ff;Mk.3:10;Lk.6:18;8:2;
11:14;13:32;Acts5:16).
“Sinssuchasunbelief,fear,anger,lust,andotheraddictions,pointtoSatan’smorallordship,butneverto
demonization calling for [casting out demons]. People are victims of demonic sufferings, just as they are
victimsoflameness,blindness,orpurelyphysiologicalseizures.
“…Demonizationisnotspookyormorallychargedanymorethanfever,disability,andotherafflictions
aremorallycharged.[Castingout]workwasdonetoalleviatesuffering.…Jesushealsthedemonized,justas
hedoestheothersick.Theresultof[acastingout]deliveranceisrelief,peace,andtherestorationofmental
and physical capabilities. It does not lead directly to moral improvement except as the miracle prompts
gratefulfaithinJesus.…
“…thedemonizedareneverportrayedasculpablefortheirafflictions.Thisdoesnotmeanthesick—
and presumably the demonized — are not sinners in addition to their affliction. See how Jesus treats the
lamemeninMark2:5andJohn5:14.Withoutrepentance,faith,andobediencethetemporarilyhealedwill
facefarworsesufferings—athreatofhell.Withoutrepentance,faith,andobediencetheexorcisedwillface
sevenworsedemons—alsoathreatofhell.
“Clearlyinthegospelsaperson‘has’anuncleanspiritthesamewayheorshe‘has’afever,convulsions,
or a paralyzed limb. Contrary to [casting out] teaching, unclean spirits are never implicated as holding
peopleinbondagetounbeliefandsin.Theyareneverportrayedasinhabitingandenslavingsinfulpartsof
thehumanpersonality.InsteadtheyarepartofthecursethatthelovingSaviorhascometoreverse.
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“Intoday’sclimateofopiniontheNewTestamentemphasisissonovelthatitisworthreiterating:the
New Testament never links demonization to moral evil in the person who has a demon. New Testament
teachingdoesnotconnectinhabitingdemonseithertopatternsofsininthedemonizedindividualortothe
impactofother’ssins.…
“Sinisnotidentifiedasthecauseofdemonization;neitherisdemonizationlinkedtoperpetuatingsin.
Howdemonicsufferingorinspirationmightinteractwiththevictim’ssinfulnatureisneverinviewinthe
biblicalaccounts.”[Powlison,66-68.]
•
Satandoespromoteandenticepeopletomoralevilintheinnerman(e.g.,Lk.8:12,15;22:3;Jn.13:2,
27;Acts5:3;26:18;2Cor.4:3-6;Eph.2:2-3;2Tim.2:25-26),yetScripture’sprimaryemphasisisonthe
powerofthefleshandthepersonalresponsibilityofthesinnerforhissin(Rom.3:9-20;Gal.5:7-21).
“Itisalwaysourmoralevil,ourunbelief,pride,lusts,fears,andwickednessthatneedtoberepentedof.
Moralbondagetothedevilissimultaneouslyaslaverytotheenthrallingpowerofsin.TheBibleoftentalks
aboutourresponsibilitywithoutevenmentioningthedevil,buttheBiblenevertalksaboutthedevilwithout
mentioningourresponsibility.TheBibledoesnotportraymoralevil—howeverheinousordevilish—as
demonization to be cast out. We minister to blind slaves with all the energies of prayer, love, and truth,
fightingspiritualwarfareintheclassicmode.”[Powlison,104.]
KEYPRINCIPLESANDPASSAGES:
•
Satanisadefeatedfoe:
! Satanhasbeenjudgedandwillbejudgedfinally;hisdoomiscertain:
➢ HewascastoutofHisoriginalpositioninHeaven(Ezk.28:16,17).
➢ HisjudgmentwaspronouncedinEden(Gen.3:14-15).
➢ Hewasjudgedatthecross(Jn.12:31,16:11).
➢ Hewillbecastoutinthemiddleofthetribulation(Rev.12:13).
➢ Hewillbeboundinthepitforthedurationofthemillennium(Rev.20:2).
➢ Hewillbecastintothelakeoffireattheendofthemillennium(Rev.10:10).
! ChristdefeatedSatanatthecross—
➢ ChristdefeateddeathandtherebystrippedSatanofhispowerandgavehope(confidence!)
beyondthegrave(Heb.2:14).[ThisisthereasonforthenecessityofChrist’sbodily
resurrection.]
➢ GodisnowbothjustandtheOnewhojustifies;Hisrighteousnessisfullyvalidated.Thisisthe
heartofredemptionandthedefeatofSatan(Rom.3:25-26).
➢ Christ’sdeathandresurrectionmadeitpossibleforapeopletoliveanewandrighteouslife(1Jn.3:8).
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•
Genesis3:1-15(cf.Powlison,52-53)
! SatancomestoEveasaserpent,acreatedbeing;heiscomparedtothewildanimals,madebyGod.
WhenGodcursesSatan(vv.14-15),itagainemphasizesthatheisacreatedbeing;heisnotGod.
ButheissubordinatetoGod.
! TheinteractionalsoindicatesthenatureofourwarfareagainstSatan—heisopposedtous,aliar
anddeceiver,andamurderer.HeismorallyevilandseekstoruleAdamandEveandconform
themtohisevil.
! Sufferinganddeathareaconsequenceofthemoraldilemmaandarenotunjust.“Theproblemof
sinistheultimatecauseofallourvariedmiseries.”[Powlison,53.]Thismeansthatallsuffering
andalltroublesarerelatedtosinandthefallofmaneveniftheyarenotdirectlyconnectedtosin.
Thus,“Genesis3lendsnosupporttoEMMdistinctives.Itopposesdualistictendenciesanddoes
notdemonizesin.”[Powlison,53.]
•
Job1-2—“inspiritualwarfare,thehumandramaisamoraldrama,notademonologicaldrama.”
[Powlison,57)
•
1Sam16:13-23—Godusedtheevilspirittoaccomplishtwopurposes[Powlison,54-5]:
! HejudgedSaul’ssinfulrebellionwiththedemonictormentor—sothedemonisconnectedto
God’spunishmentofsin,nottothepowerofsin.“ThedemondoesnotmakeSaulsin,asifithad
gaineda‘ground’throughSaul’srebellion.”
! HeexaltedDavidbyenablingDavidtoblessSaulwithpeaceinthemidstofSaul’ssuffering.Thus,
thispassagedoesnotvalidatecastingoutdemons.Tothecontrary,DavidministerstoSaul
throughhismusic(worshippsalms?),sothatthedemonleftSaul.
•
James4:7-8—Satancanberesisted;hehasnoauthorityoverthebeliever.
•
1Corinthians16:13
•
Jude9
! Michaelisidentifiedasthearchangel.Thisistheonlypassagethatidentifieshiminthisway.Infact,
nootherangelisdescribedasanarchangel(thoughthearchangelwillblowatrumpet,1Th.4:16).
➢ Daniel10:13describeshimas“oneofthechiefprinces.”
➢ Revelation12:7-8indicatethathehasauthorityoverotherangels—theyarehis,makinghim
a“general-in-chief.”Heisoneofthemostpowerfuloftheangels.
➢ HeisoneofonlytwoangelswhoarenamedinScripture(Gabrielistheother).
! ThedisputeaboutthebodyofMosesisnotdescribedinScripture.Itprobablywaspartoforal
tradition—likelytheaccountofDt.34:6isinview.SomesuggestSatanwantedthebodytoentice
thenationofIsraelintoidolatrousworshipofit.
! Michael,thougha(the?)pre-eminentangeldidnotpronounceagainsthimarailingjudgment.
ThewordjudgmentdenotesaverdicttodefameSatan.Herefusedtoactonhisownauthority.
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! Rather(butsaid…,“but”isemphatic),heleftthejudgmenttoGod’sauthority—theLordrebuke
you.ThiswasawayofentrustingtheLordwiththejudgmentofSatan—“Godtakecareofyou!”
! Byapplication,ifMichaelwithallofhisangelicpowerandauthorityishesitanttorebukeSatan,
butsimplyentrustsSatantothecondemnationofGod,thennomanshoulddaretorebukeSatan.
•
Romans8:38-39—GodisauthoritativeovereveryrealmofSatan’smeanstohurtman.
•
2Corinthians11:14
•
1Peter5:8-9
•
James2:19
•
Ephesians6:10-20
! BestrongintheLordisapassiveimv—it’sacommandtoallowGodtodoHiswork.Andinthe
LordsuggeststhatthestrengthcomesfromourunionandfellowshipinourpositioninHim.
! PutonisanothermeansofbeingstrongintheLord—thebelieverwearsGod’sprovisionand
defensesagainsttheattacksofSatan.Thatarmorisputonasaunit(needallofit).
! ThearmorisGod’sdefensiveprotectionagainsttheschemesofthedevil.I.e.thedevilusesa
varietyofmethodologiesandphilosophiestoattackthebeliever(implicationisthatthisisa
spiritual,notphysicalbattle,andanideologicalconflict,nota“possession”conflict).
! ThearmorofGodis—
➢ Truth(v.14)—tobegirdedwithtruthshowsareadinessandcommitmenttouseandlivethe
truthatalltimesandinallcircumstances.Itis“truthing”inlove(4:15).
➢ Righteousness(v.14b)—notjustjustification,butalsosanctification,alifethatiscommitted
tolivinginaccordancewithourjustification.Thatrighteousnessprotectsourhearts(withthe
breastplate).
➢ Gospel(v.15)—to“wear”thegospelonourfeetpictureswalking(living)inthetriumphof
Christandthepeacethatcomesfromoursalvation(Rom.5:1).
➢ Trust(v.16)—ThisfaithisthedailytrustinGod’sabilitytodowhatGodhassaidHewilldo.
➢ Assurance(v.17a)—aconfidencethatGodwillprotectthebeliever’ssalvationandbringitto
thefinalpromisedend(e.g.1Pt.1:3ff).
➢ Scripture(v.17b)—theonlyoffensivepieceofarmorpossessedbythebelieveristheWord
ofGodwhichisusedtorefuteerrorandattacksofSatan’sdeceitfulideologies.
•
Romans8:9-16
•
2Corinthians10:5
•
2Timothy2:26
•
1John5:19
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ABIBLICALMETHODOLOGYFORRESPONDINGTOTHEDEMONIC:
•
Isthereabiblicalmandateorpermissiontocastoutdemons?
! OnlyfourNTbooksrefertocastingoutdemons(Matthew,Mark,Luke,Acts).OnlyfourotherNT
booksevenmentiondemons(John,1Timothy,James,Revelation).
! Nobiblicalpassagesevercommendorcommandbelieverstocastoutdemons—evenforrelieving
suffering.[Powlison,95ff.]Mostcastingoutofdemonstodayisdoneasameansofbattlingand
overcomingsin;Scriptureneverprovidesthatasameansofourwarfareagainsttheflesh.
“Scriptureloudlyrejectsapplyingekballisticmethodstoincludeourwarfarewithsin.Thegospelsare
entirelyconsistentwithboththeOldTestamentandtheepistles.Whatshouldproperlybecalledspiritual
warfareisalwaysconductedintheclassicmode[i.e.,livingalifeoffaithandobedience].…TheBibleneither
givesusadirectcommandtodoekballistichealingnorreachesushowtodoitsuchthatweshouldpresume
itisanabidingactivity.TheconsistentandcumulativesilenceofScriptureaboutekballistichealingoughtto
giveadvocatesseriouspause.”[Powlison,98.]
! Notethedistinctionbetweenmoralandsituationalevil.
➢ Moralevilreferstosininanyofitsforms—thingspeoplebelieveanddo.Andmanisalways
responsibleforhisimmoralityandGodwilljudgeeveryformofimmoralitybecauseHehatesit.
➢ Situationalevilincludesanyoftheconsequencesthatcomefrommoralevil—itincludes
directconsequenceslikebrokenrelationshipsandindirectconsequenceslikecaraccidentsand
cancer.Itis“suffering,hardship,unpleasantandharmfulevents,death.”[Powlison,65.]
➢ Moralevilcausessituationalevil—eitherdirectlyorindirectly.“Comprehensiveevil—sin
andsuffering—definesthehumanconditionandthehumandilemma.”[Powlison,66.]
Scriptureconsistentlyportraysdemonsassituationalevil(notmoralevil).Theyare“evilsthathurtand
abuse people.…Demonization is a fact recognized and identified by its expression through miserable
conditions,suchasblindness,deafness,paralysis,dementia,andseizures.Sins,suchasunbelief,fear,anger,
lust, and other addictions, point to Satan’s moral lordship, but never to demonization calling for EMM.
People are victims of demonic sufferings, just as they are victims of lameness, blindness, or purely
psychologicalseizures.
“This explains why the demonized are included in the lists of the sick whom Jesus heals and why the
New Testament is so matter-of-fact about demonization. Demonization is not spooky or morally charged
anymorethanfever,disability,andotherafflictionsaremorallycharged.Ekballisticministrywasdoneto
alleviate suffering.…Jesus heals the demonized, just as he does the other sick. The result of an ekballistic
deliveranceisrelief,peace,andtherestorationofmentalandphysicalcapabilities.Itdoesnotleaddirectly
tomoralimprovement,exceptasthemiraclepromptsgratefulfaithinJesus.”[Powlison,66-7.]
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! ManyaspectsofJesus’ministryarenottobecopiedbybelievers(e.g.,Mt.17:24-27;Lk.21:3-6;Jn.
6:1-14;Mk.2:5ff;Lk.7:14;Jn.11:43;9:1ff).
! RememberJesus’reasonforcastingoutdemons(Heb.2:3-4).Jesuscastoutdemonstomanifest
HisdeityandMessianicauthoritysothatpeoplemightrepentoftheirsins(e.g.,Mk.1:27-28).
“Jesussaysnothingabouthowtodopowerworks.Nothingaboutdemonsofsin.Nothingaboutcasting
out demons from oneself as the way to solve personal problems and grow as a believer. Nothing about
delivering new converts by something more deep hitting than repentance and faith.…With virtually every
miracle,wearetoldorshownthepurpose;wearenottoldtodolikewise.”[Powlison,94.]
! Christiansshouldavoidrelyingontheirownpowerandauthorityindealingwithdemons,since
eventheonlynamedArchangel(Michael)refusedtorelyonhisownstrengthindealingwithSatan
(Jude9).
•
Whatisthebiblicalpatternofhandlingsuspecteddemonpossession?
! Repentofsin
! Practicethebasicpatternofsanctification(putoffsin,putonrighteousness,renewyourmind)
! TakeinandbeabsorbedwiththeWordofGod(Col.3:1-2,16;2Tim.3:16-17;2Pt.1:2-3).
! Resistsin(Eph.6:10-20;1Pt.5:5-11;Js.3:13–4:12)byobeyingtheScriptures.Disobediencewas
firstpracticedbySatanandhelovestodrawpeopleawayfromChristbytemptingthemto
disobedientrebellion.
! ChristiansshouldrecognizethepowerofSatan,butnotbeafraidofhimorhisfollowers.
! Statedmostsimply,themeanstodealingwithanyformoftemptationfromSatanor“demonization”
isto,“LivetheChristianlifeofreceptivefaithandactiveobedienceinthemidstoflife’shardships.”
[Powlison,91.]
“ThegreatestweaponwhichtheChurchpossessesistheWordofGodproclaimedinthefulnessofHis
Spirit.Herearethefacts,andnofactistrulyunderstoodwhendivorcedfromtheDivinerevelationofHoly
Scripture.TheGospelunfoldedinScriptureissaidtobethe‘powerofGoduntosalvation’(Rom1:16)…
WhenwefaceSatanwiththeswordoftheSpirit,wedosowiththeweaponhedreadsmost.OurLordinHis
temptationusednootherweapon.LettheLord’speopleunitetorelyinfaithandobedienceuponthesole
mightyWordofGod,andGodwillgivepeacetothem,blessingtheireffortsinaccordancewithHissovereign
purposeofgrace,andusingtheprayerfulproclamationofthatWordtobringabouttheultimatedoomofthe
adversary.”[Leahy,168.]
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“We experience deliverance from the power of Satan when we turn consciously from darkness to the
light. The one who blinds us that we might wallow in lies, lusts, and misery is sentenced to everlasting
darkness,whilewewhooncelivedinfearofdeathnowrisetolifeinhopeoftheresurrection.”[Powlison,
22.]
RESOURCES:
•
JayAdams,TheChristianCounselor’sManual(Zondervan,1986),126-130.
•
PaulEnns,MoodyHandbookofTheology,2ndrev.ed.(Moody,2008),306-310.
•
FrederickS.Leahy,SatanCastOut(BannerofTruthTrust,2015).
•
JohnMacArthur.HowtoMeettheEnemy,(VictorBooks,1992).
•
DavidPowlison,PowerEncounters:ReclaimingSpiritualWarfare(Baker,1994).
•
DavidPowlison,“PowerEncounters”Audioseries(InstituteforBiblicalCounseling&Discipleship,
1999),availableat:http://www.ibcd.org/resources/messages/category/demons/
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