- Christians cannot be demonized.
- People are "possessed" by demons.
- Deliverance is a one-shot deal.
- Demonization is simply psychological illness.
- All emotional problems are caused by demons.
- Such problems are either demonic or emotional.
- Demonization is uncommon in the United States.
- Those with demons are guilty of spiritual rebellion.
- Only those with "special gifting" can cast out demons.
- Inner voices and personality switching: Sure evidences of demonization?
- Deliverance always entails a big fight.
- The demonized speak in a different voice.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Myths Concerning Demonization
We will also be looking at some excerpts from Charles Kraft's book Defeating Dark Angels in Redeemer Ministry School this morning as part of the Healing and Deliverance I teach. In chapter two he lists what he believes are 12 myths concerning demonization. They are as follows:
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I think perhaps the reason that #7 has become a myth believed in much of America is (at least) partially due to the way we treat the demonic.
ReplyDeleteGoing back to our Anglo-Saxon religious roots, the church was fond of killing those associated with the demonic (or witchcraft, etc.) in one of any number of creative ways. Maybe a combination of methods, if they were feeling spunky. Due to that, anything from the "dark side" seems to have become something swept under the rug. This attitude seems to have been perpetuated in most western cultures over the years, and many have adopted the attitude of "It may exist, but we sure aren't going to talk about it" or "if we ignore it, it will go away."
The opposite appears to be true in many eastern cultures. Places like China, India, Africa--no one over there seems to be unwilling to admit that demons exist. In fact, they talk about it openly; blame bad fortune on a demon or lingering ghost; have tribal leaders who specialize in ridding people of the demonic. At least they try to rid their people of an evil influence rather than murder them.
I feel that it almost boils down to a "white elephant in the room" situation. Because of the longstanding misconceptions of the demonic in many Anglo-Saxon religions, many today simply don't talk about it. And if no one talks about it, no one hears about it, and if they don't hear about it, they don't know what is going on around them. Not that I suggest we spend a large amount of time conversing about the enemy and his minions, but it is good and healthy to at least be aware that they exist and that they hate us and want us to fail.
This is the end of my novel (I've been thinking about this a lot).
As you were.
I agree with all of the myths. The only one that still gives me trouble is #10. I can't say that 100% off all people who have voices in their heads or who have multiple personalities are demonized. And the original source of the mental illness may not be demonic, but instead be a chemical or physical disturbance in the person's brain or a hereditary curse. But I do feel that people who suffer from these types of mental illness are, unfortunately, succeptible to demonic activity.
ReplyDeleteIf the voices or personalites cause them to act violently toward themselves or others, deceive themselves or others, or cause them to feel like they are loosing touch with reality, then it sounds like the enemy's plan.
I suffer from a mental illness and can clearly see the enemy's hand in my struggles. So I am not definitely NOT seeking to label anyone as bad or possessed, but I can see how the enemy can exploit a weakness.
ok so the one that says that all emotional problems are cause by demons is very inaccurate. and my thoughts on it are, and i could totally be wrong, but i think that some emotional problems totally come from demons, but that would be from them feeding on the garbage that we leave for them to feed on and them getting a strong hold on it. but also i know that i have experienced emotional problems from the lord, when i lost someone in my family, i was heartbroken, and thats because i felt love from that person and that love was suddenly gone, but it eventually directed me to finding that love in Jesus, so i think that the devil definitley twists out emotions to make us turn away from what the Lord has planned for us, but the Lord never stops pursuing and he makes everything work out for our good, so i guess what i waould say is that, the Lord puts us in trials, that we are designed to get through, but the anxiety that we feel sometimes scares us away and makes our situation seem impossible which makes it easier for the devil to twist out thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAgree with the comments from fiachdubh about #7, the "white elephant" indeed. I can tell you from experience that #1 is a lot of baloney (or bologna, if you're a purist). I was "depression-ized" for most of my life (a generational issue on both sides of my family) and have been HEALED!. I fluctuated between overwhelming guilt (it's all my fault) and the "What the heck is WRONG with me??" attitude, along with a lot of time and energy stubbornly trying to throw it off. Very little success. Bringing the whole package to Jesus (and dragging an appeal for mercy over this stinking generational curse behind me) resulted in my deliverance from this darkness. Look at that...a long-distance, in absentia deliverance, just because He told me I could ask for it. He doesn't lie. (and may I add, He's never "in absentia", but always right there...it just took me a few years to "get" that. Slloooowww learner!) re: #9 - do NOT remotely agree and I surely look forward to shining this light because there ain't nothin "special" about me. God's even willing to be patient with my cracks (chasms!!) of occasional doubt in this area. I absolutely know that the only thing holding me back is ME. But Big Happy Daddy (auugh! thanks Holly!!) smiles over me and gives me hope that some day I will be a "BIG GIRL". someday. soon, please??
ReplyDeleteI think it's a real shame that people around the world think #9 is true. However, I dont blame them, cause I use to be one of them. Most of the churches that I've attended NEVER talked about the Holy Spirit, or spiritual giftings, or anything in regards to the supernatural. I thought that God only allowed special people to have those abilities. It wasn't until I came here and realle started learning about who we are in Christ, and what being a 'Christian" entitles. I think that if people knew what power and authority they had, through Christ, that the demonic wouldn't scare them so much.
ReplyDeleteIf deliverance was always a one-shot deal, I think that could very easily be taken advantage of with a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am attitude. The one being delivered could leave feeling unloved and like a project. I call this McDeliverance.
ReplyDeleteNumber 7 is my favorite. Just the fact it's in the list sheds light on America's ignorance of the supernatural. But a time is coming when America will finally realize there is power in the unseen realm.
Most of these myths are the reason I have grown to loathe movies about the demonic because they inaccurately portray demons with absolute power and the Godly with little to no power. Praise Jesus that there is one movie about the demonic that I know I will love, and it's coming out in churches on Valentine's Day! Can't wait!
...punctual as always... #9 (Only those with "special gifting" can cast out demons) is reminiscent (slight derail of the topic) of other false ideologies within the church. Mainly members thinking they can't do something because it's "not their calling". I'm not an evangelist, I can't treasure hunt. I've never healed anyone before, why should I be able to now? Etc. Shedding these doctrines would probably send the demonic reeling. This vaguely couples with what Emily had to say about #7 (Demonization is uncommon in the United States), that increased awareness within the Western culture of demonic activity would be a healthy adjustment. If more Christians believed and were aware, there’d be a greater barrage against the demonic, thus directly and indirectly making more Christians aware . . . etc. etc.
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