Some healers....

We are still trying to figure out how you determine whether someone is possessed by an evil spirit. I'm not sure there is an answer. We know they are real. We can't believe in Jesus without knowing there are real entities with spirit being powers. What do I mean by spirit being powers? We know spirit form can be invisible, or take on solid shape. We know spirit form in its invisible form can still interact with human beings and animals. We know spirit forms can actually make people do things- it is at this point it's possession- right? The forced action over chosen action. We can choose to follow a wrong, sinful course of action on our own, or with subtle silent nudging by evil spirits, but that doesn't make it forced. However, when an evil spirit forces a person into actions it has to be because they are possessed by that spirit, they've either yielded control or they've been allowed this possession for reasons beyond our comprehension. We know that things are allowed through no fault of a person in order for the glory of God to be revealed, but that's not always the case. Sometimes we leave ourselves open to possession don't we? Sinning opens the door. Willfully wrong doing makes us vulnerable. Being unrepentant for even our sins of ignorance is risky. When we choose not to trust in the Lord for our lives we are susceptible.

We live in a very scary world, and most people choose believe there is no such thing as evil spirits, and surely not evil spirits who can inhabit the bodies of people.

We are at a crossroads of sorts because where is the line drawn between mental illness and demon possession? How can we tell one from the other? Is it feasible to believe there are people being treated for mental illness when they should be treated for demon possession and vice versa?

If you treat someone for mental illness and they do not recover should you treat them for demon possession? If mental illness is something that needs medication to control for the rest of the person's life, could it be possible there is demon possession? Or are there brain chemicals or damage to the brain itself that make it so lifelong medication is needed? Are there definitive tests that can determine brain damage and chemical malfunctions? So very many questions. Gone are the days that people were thought demon possessed easily, though there was such a time. It had to be awful to have a mental illness and thought demon possessed.

Jesus and the apostles could tell the difference. The disciples of Jesus were given the power of the Spirit to cast out demons could tell the difference as well. We read this….

Mat 17:15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

And this…

Mat 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

In the first instance Jesus healed the son by rebuking a devil from Him. The father of that son said his son was a lunatick, crazy. This same instance relayed in another book of the Bible says this--

Mar 9:17 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;

Mar 9:18 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

Obviously the father knew the son was possessed and that his lunacy was brought on by the evil spirit. Yet, in the second verse above-

Mat 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

Jesus healed those which were possessed with devils AND those which were lunatick. It obviously means that those that were lunatics weren't necessarily possessed by evil spirits, yet those possessed could seem to be lunatics.

So confusing for us, and it shouldn't be, should it? If demon possession still exists and there is no Biblical reason to believe it doesn't, then we need to know how to recognize it, or do we? I say that because there is no reason to believe that everyone of Christ's followers should have this ability any more than all are to have all spiritual gifts.

1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

1Co 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

1Co 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

Luk 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.

Luk 9:2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Luk 9:3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece.

Luk 9:4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

Luk 9:5 And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

Luk 9:6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

Clearly there are those who can heal, and by healing that even means from demon possession, but NOT ALL are given this ability.

We know in the last days that Satan will be working a lot of miracles to deceive people-

Mat_24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

We know that and can't let ourselves be deceived, by the grace of God.

So, what have we learned today? Are we any closer to figuring out what we need to know about demon possession? It would be very easy to say that it's got nothing to do with us and leave it at that, but I can't right now for personal reasons.

For now, we'll leave things here and by the grace of God pick this up tomorrow. We need guidance, we need to pray for understanding, for revelation. Please, Father God in heaven whose name is holy, whose kingdom come, whose will is done on earth as it is in heaven, we need our daily nourishment- spiritual and physical, we need forgiveness and help us Lord to forgive others. Please, lead us not into temptation, please deliver us from all evil, Yours is the kingdom, Yours is the power, Yours is the glory… forever! Please, we are praying and supplicating - seeking wisdom and knowledge, let Your will be done in us as we seek to comprehend. Help us. All in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord now and forever!!!!!!!