http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=1198
Exorcism, Demons, Witchcraft, and Astrology
Many
theories have been advanced to account for the origin of demons. Some
say demons are the offspring of angels cohabiting with women (Genesis
6:1-4). But angels are sexless beings who apparently are incapable of
such unions (Matthew 22:30). Instead, “sons of God” and “daughters of
men” in Genesis chapter six is an idiomatic expression for the
intermingling of good people with bad people—which inevitably results in
moral corruption (1 Corinthians 15:33) [see Major, 1993].
Some say demons are the spirits of wicked dead men whom God permitted
to leave the hadean realm to indwell some people in harmony with His
divine purposes. Still others say demons are fallen angels who were
allowed to escape their confinement (cf. Jude 6) to accomplish some
divine purpose. The fact of the matter is,
the Bible simply does not tell us where demons came from. No legitimate or useful purpose is served by dwelling on the matter.
On the other hand, the Bible does tell us many things about demons. For
example, demons are spirits (Matthew 8:16; Luke 24:39). Demons are
always depicted as unclean, evil, and malevolent. They are associated
with Satan’s influence (Matthew 9:34; 12:24,43,45; Luke 11:15). Demons
also are shown to be conscious, intelligent entities who possess true
knowledge of God and Christ. In Mark 1:24, a demon spoke to Jesus, “I
know who you are—the holy one of God.” Demons exercised volition and
even locomotion (Matthew 12:44-45).
Demons frequently caused physical and/or mental illness. For instance,
in Matthew 9:32, the victim of demon possession experienced “dumbness,”
i.e., the inability to talk. Such illnesses were distinguishable from
the demons themselves (Matthew 4:24). Some say demons have never
actually existed, and that the Bible account of demons is simply the
superstitious, pre-scientific explanation of epilepsy and other physical
or emotional disorders. But in the New Testament, a clear distinction
is drawn between demons and the illnesses that a demon might cause. Some
demons had superhuman strength (Mark 5:4; Acts 19:16). No reason is
given in the New Testament for why some individuals were singled out for
demon possession. Included were men (Matthew 9:32), women (Luke 8:2),
and even children (Mark 7:30).
What was the
purpose of demons, and what was their relationship
to God? It is clear from the Bible that God had ultimate control over
them. For example, in Luke 10:17, the seventy returned from their
preaching tour and said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons are subject to
us through your name.” A careful study of the New Testament will
disclose the fact that demon possession was divinely permitted to show
the supreme authority of Christ and His inspired representatives. During
His earthly stay, Jesus demonstrated His power over: (1) nature and the
created order (Mark 4:31); (2) disease (Mark 1:32-34); (3) physical
substances (John 2:9); (4) death (John 11:44); and (5) the spirit realm
and Satan (Mark 1:27). This supreme authority and manifestation of power
set the stage for the establishment of His kingdom. In Luke 11:20,
Jesus said: “But if I, with the finger of God, cast out demons, no doubt
the kingdom of God is come upon you.” The reader is urged to study
carefully John 12:31, Ephesians 2:2 and 4:8, Colossians 2:15, Acts
10:38, Luke 10:17-20, and Matthew 12:28-29. John explained that “he who
commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. For
this purpose, the son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the
works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). John’s statement correlates well with
Hebrews 2:14, where the writer states: “Forasmuch then as the children
are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of
the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of
death, that is, the devil.”
These passages show that when Christ effected His death, resurrection,
and kingdom, Satan’s power was dealt a blow that resulted in a measure
of limitation. He was restrained to the extent that
direct,
supernatural influence over a human being ended. Just as the ability to
expel demons has ceased (Mark 16:17; 1 Corinthians 13:8-10), so the ability of demons to
possess humans
has ceased. When direct miraculous ability gradually ceased as the
apostolic age drew to a close, so demonic activity also ceased.
That is the Bible picture. This picture is very different from the
claims being made today regarding demon possession and Satanism. In the
New Testament, Jesus expelled evil spirits
publicly and in the
presence of multitudes (Luke 4:36). But much of the work of exorcists
today is hidden and only reported second hand. The alleged exorcisms by
those who are daring enough to operate publicly are contrived and
unconvincing.
In the New Testament, expulsion of demons was achieved by a
word with
immediate
results. For example, “Jesus rebuked the demon; and he departed out of
him: and the child was cured from that very hour” (Matthew 17:18). Read
also Acts 19:12. But exorcism today is a long, drawn-out process in
which multiple attempts are made. In the New Testament, demon possession
caused the malfunction of otherwise normal body traits. You simply do
not find in the New Testament the theatrical manifestations alleged by
those who affirm demon possession occurs today—fire from the mouth,
bulging eyes, transparent teeth, green slime spewing forth, and
electricity emitted from fingers.
Another significant difference between demon possession in the Bible
and alleged demon possession today is that in the New Testament, demons
were respectful of deity and acknowledged Jesus as the “holy one of God”
(Mark 1:24; 3:11). Demons knew that Jesus ultimately would banish them
to torment (Matthew 8:29). They did not blaspheme deity. But claims
today include curses and blasphemy directed against God.
In view of these biblical facts, what must we conclude? Demons do not
possess people today. The Old Testament predicted that demon possession
would cease in the first century.
In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and
to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. And it
shall come to pass in that day says the Lord of hosts that I will cut
off the names of the idols out of the land and they shall no more be
remembered; and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to
pass out of the land (Zechariah 13:1-2).
In addition, the Bible everywhere condemns those who practice
spiritualism, sorcery, witchcraft, astrology, and all other forms of
divination. Moses warned the Israelites as they were about to enter
Canaan:
When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall
not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations. There shall
not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass
through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft,
or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who casts a spell,
or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For whoever
does these things is detestable to the lord; and because of these
detestable things the lord your God will drive them out before you. You
shall be blameless before the Lord your God. For those nations, which
you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to
diviners, but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so
(Deuteronomy 18:9-14, NASB).
To God, all of these magical arts were an
abomination.
Isaiah declared that all of Babylon’s sorceries and spells would be
unable to avert the punishment that God would inflict against her
(Isaiah 47:8-15). This observation points to a significant conclusion.
The Bible repeatedly portrays those who claim sorcerous powers as fakes
and counterfeits (e.g., Genesis 41:8; Exodus 7:10-12; Daniel 2:2-11).
Even the action of the so-called “witch of Endor,” who actually is
identified in the text as a “medium” (
NKJV) or having a “familiar spirit” (
KJV) [1 Samuel 28:3ff.], must be deemed fraudulent for three reasons: (1) she was
surprised that a spirit actually appeared (vs. 12); (2) she thought the spirit was
elohim—the
Hebrew word for God or gods (vs. 13); and (3) she did not recognize
Samuel, but had to describe him to Saul who in turn recognized him (vs.
14). In the New Testament, the claims of both Simon in Acts 8 and Elymas
in Acts 13 also were bogus. All these sorcerers and astrologers were
fakes who had no real power—though they fooled a lot of people into
thinking they did.
Astrology, witchcraft, sorcery, spiritualism, and yes, those who claim
to be “psychic mediums,” are all condemned by God. Why? Because these
practices implicitly present themselves as substitutes for God, the one
and only true power of the Universe, and His Word, the one and only
valid spiritual guide. No wonder witchcraft is listed as
a work of the flesh
(Galatians 5:20). No wonder the Bible declares in no uncertain terms
that “sorcerers...shall have their part in the lake that burns with fire
and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). The only
“crossing over” that is actually occurring is by those whose spirits
exit their bodies (i.e., they die) and who then are transported to the
hadean realm to await the Day of Judgment and eternity. Their abode is
fixed and unchanging (Luke 16:26-31).
CONCLUSION
The Bible speaks decisively and definitively on the subject of demon
possession, witchcraft, astrology, sorcery, divination, enchantment, and
wizardry. With a united and concerted voice, God’s Word condemns it and
pronounces it false. People could be possessed by demons for a brief
period of time in the first century. But this phenomenon has ceased.
Those who wish to be Christians—those who wish to be pleasing to
God—will give no credence to such claims today. No doubt, many of us
like to break open that fortune cookie at the oriental restaurant and
read the note inside; we might even occasionally glance at our horoscope
in the newspaper—but only as a source of
amusement, because
there is absolutely no validity to it.
The moment a person puts trust in such, and thinks that the future is
determined by such, he or she is trusting in something other than God,
and is sinning.
The only reliable guide in life is the Bible. It is a lamp to our feet
and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). The Word of God is living and
active, quick and powerful (Hebrews 4:12). It is the sword of the Spirit
(Ephesians 6:17). By that Word we will be judged one day (John 12:48).
May we set aside all other claims to guidance and rely solely and
strictly upon the Bible, wonderful words of life—the all-sufficient and
authoritative Word of God.
REFERENCES
Major, Trevor (1993), “Genesis 6:1-4 and the ‘Sons of God,’” Apologetics Press,
http://www.apologeticspress.org/pdfs/reprints_pdf/sonsgod.pdf.
