There's a biblical subject that isn't talked about or mentioned in most churches or even considered a possibility by many Christians -- demon inhabitation. If Phillip had come to your town instead of Samaria, and he had run across someone inhabited by a demon -- what do you think "our" diagnosis and recommended course of treatment would involve? When we see unnatural behavior, we immediately think of mental illness. This is sensible -- there is evidence that many strange behaviors in people are nothing more than mental issues. Our solution might be to get the person to a crisis center or into some type of counseling (which might involve drug therapy as well). My point is that the thought of demon inhabitation does not even enter our minds.
Why is that? Has demon activity ended? Hardly! Has it moved to places nobody goes?
In other words, have demons decided to ignore civilized or "Christian" settings? Biblical evidence suggests demons were exceptionally active in regions where God was worshipped. I believe our lack of awareness is because the "enemy" has so successfully penetrated our culture and even our churches that he has completely camouflaged himself from our thought process. The popular Christian views relating to demon inhabitation are that it is either a "superstition," is so rare as to not be a concern, or only possible in a third-world country. We hold these opinions despite the fact that Jesus Himself regularly addressed the issue of demons (Mark 1:23-26, 5:2-20, 7:25-30) and in Matthew 12:23-27 confirmed that one of the signs that the kingdom of God had come to His believers was the casting out of demons. As we see in our passage today, the disciples of the new church followed Jesus' instructions and example and cast out demons wherever they went -- what followed was a great joy, "...evil spirits came out of many... so there was great joy in that city."
You will note that whenever Jesus spoke, demons were forced to obey (Mark 1:27; Luke 4:41); Jesus gave His disciples this same power through His name (Matthew 10:1,8); and which we have inherited as "co-heirs" with Christ (Romans 8:17).
So there is no need for us to fear demons. However, it would be irresponsible for us to ignore their existence and their influence on both the believer and unbeliever.
I reflect in 1980 a guy came into the office in CCWC with his wife. He was taking into a children's ministry class to be prayed over when he spoke in another voice and began to through the pastors and elders around like balled up paper. No one gave up. After he was set free he would come and do things around the church. We hear and respond to this from other countries but ignore it in the USA.
When Niky Cruz came to the USA he had seen a lot of it in his country of Cuba. There is much in places like Jamaica as well but we call it anything but demon possession here.
In fact, we make jokes and make fun of them that use the word too much.
We need to be honest and understand demo possession is alive and well here in the USA.
Yes, Satin is subtle and less bold but this is even worse, think about it. His tricks have not changed but he gives it a new name and makes it socially acceptable about every two years.
When the bible says to be wise as serpents but gentle as doves there is a reason for it.
Take heed!
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