With Blessings Come Responsibility by Ben Fronczek

http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?p=712

With Blessings Come Responsibility

With Blessings Comes Responsibilities     1 Peter (Part 2)  (by Ben Fronczek)

Introduction: There will be all kinds of celebrations around the nation  on Memorial Day, from parades to picnics, 21 gun salutes at the local VFW halls, to re-runs of old war movies on TV. The day has been set aside to remember and pay tribute to those who have spilled their blood so that we can live free and live the blessed life that we can have in this country, which not many other countries have.

But with this blessed freedom comes responsibility. Idealistically, it is to uphold those ideals set forth by our founding fathers.

We should be a free people of law and order and justice.  Living according to these ideals honor those who gave up their life for the freedom and blessings we now possess. But, permitting evil, injustice, oppression, prejudice, and the like in our land, and ignoring what our forefathers wanted dishonors those soldiers who gave up their lives for us.  The freedom and the blessings we enjoy come with a responsibility to uphold laws and a certain ethical life style.

As Christians who are wonderfully blessed by God, those blessings likewise come with responsibilities.  This topic brings us to our 2nd lesson in 1 Peter.

Just like Americans aren’t free to do and live anyway they want, as Christians we are called to live a certain way which is meant to glorify our Lord.

I Peter 1:13 begins with the word, ‘Therefore’.  And when we see the word, ‘Therefore’ at the beginning a new paragraph, it indicates that the reader is about to receive some information based on what he just read in the previous section.

And what did Peter talk about in that last section? He reminded those early Christians, and us, how truly blessed we are because of the hope that we have in Jesus. We not only have salvation because of what Christ did for us, even more wonderful and exciting is the fact that God has promised us an inheritance  that will never perish, spoil, or fade.  It’s waiting there for us in the place we call Heaven. This is the greatest blessing one could hope for, and it’s going to be the greatest adventure we will ever experience. Jesus, Himself said that He is going there to prepare a place for you and me.

Now in light of these great blessings; our salvation and heavenly hope, Peter continues on by writing,  ‘Therefore’.  Therefore what?

 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

So in just 2 verses Peter gives us a list of six responsibilities that come along with the blessings we have received in Christ.

1)      To prepare our minds for action

2)      To be sober or self controlled

3)      To set our hope fully on the blessings and grace given to us

4)      To live as obedient Children

5)      To choose not to conform to the evil desires we had when we lived in ignorance

6)      And to live a holy life style, because our Lord, our new Master is holy

With blessings come responsibility.  

In the last lesson I mentioned the fact that Peter probably wrote this letter to those early Christians because they needed encouragement because they lived during a very difficult time. It was easy to get discouraged and down in a frump. He knew that from experience, so he began his letter with these words of encouragement and hope.  But he doesn’t stop there. Now that he has caught their attention with these encouraging words of hope and blessing he tells them, ‘Now you need to prepare your mind for action.’

I don’t know about you, but when I am down in a frump or depressed I have a tendency to shut down a bit. I am less enthusiastic about doing anything and can become a bit self centered. But the more I am encouraged, the more excited I am about who I am as a Christian, as a child of God, and the more I am reminded of the blessings that my God has in store for me, the more enthusiastic I become and more I want to serve Him.

Next Peter tells us to get control of our mind, ‘be self controlled.’ Some versions say, ‘be sober,  ‘Keep sober in spirit,(ASV)’ ‘Think clearly and exercise self control (NLT)’

In other words, now that you have been reminded how blessed your really are and what you are going to get in the end, get your head screwed on right, and get your mind and body under control.  There is a battle going on to take control of your mind, the devil wants to rob you of the joy, and peace of mind you should have as a  Christian. Peter tells us to sober up, get that mind under control again.

And the very next thing he tells us is to keep your mind set on not only the grace He has already shown us, but also on the end prize.

In Phil. 3 Paul wrote, “12 I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things.”

Paul not only lived to serve Jesus, based on this text he lived and looked forward to win the prize or get what God has promises each and every one of us who have accepted Jesus; that heavenly reward.  Paul goes on to say that all mature Christians should take that same view or live like that.

In other words, stop focusing on your past failures. Stop focusing on all the negative and all the problems in this world. Stop focusing on all the heart aches and pain which will ultimately bring you down. Instead, look forward, and keep your mind on the prize. And keep pressing on to win that prize

If you learn to do this it will make you Christian walk so much easier. I personally believe this focus, this hope, is what sustained those early Christians, and gave them the strength they needed in times of great persecution. They did not live for the day of suffering, but rather for the day they would enter glory.

Peter does not stop there. Now with this mind-set; focused on the grace given us and the hope we have, he tells those early Christians and us as well that we need to become like obedient children.

You have a choice. As a Christians, you can live your life and act like a disobedient child who will not obey his parents, teacher, or anyone else. And like that child you will not only cause pain and heart ache to others, you will also become miserable, unhappy, and discontent yourself. Or you can become like the obedient child who does their best. In doing so you will receive honor and praise from others and you will feel good about yourself, and will have peace of mind.  Negative actions and thoughts will only produce negative results. You will reap what you sow.

So Peter instructs that we should strive to become like those obedient children. More specifically he tells us not to go back to the evil desires you had  before you were a Christian, or before you knew about Christ, when you lived in ignorance and didn’t know better or even care. As you can imagine those things will only pull you down to where you were before.

This is why Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:8-15,  “8 You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

15 Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Peter’s final recommendation here is this, he wrote, “Just as He who called to us holy, so be holy in all that you do. For it is written, be holy, because I am holy”

With our mind now focused on Jesus, and focused on amazing grace that God has shown us, and focused on the wonderful hope that we have in Heaven, we not only have the strength to become like obedient children, we have something to motivate us to become holy, like God.

In between the lines I can almost hear Peter saying, ‘Come on guys, if I can do it, the guy who denied even knowing Jesus three times, then so can you.’

I believe that this is a super natural power that Christians are given when we believe and accept God’s grace and love, and when we accept our position in Him, and we REALLY look forward to our heavenly home. It’s life changing!

When we choose to live like this, it honors Jesus ande His sacrifice on the cross. It doesn’t dishonors Him because it is achieving His ultimate goal of truly saving your soul from the evil and sin of this world.

We must always remember, with ever blessing comes with responsibility. And our responsibility is to take hold of what He has given us, and let it strengthen us, and let it help us get through this life by honoring Him by how we live.

For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

God's way or the Highway by Alfred Shannon Jr.

https://biblicalproof.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/walk-with-god.jpg

God’s Way or the Highway

There are much too many who don’t like the way God governs. They seemingly prefer a democracy, rather than a theocracy. They seemingly think that the commandments of God, are obeyed only by a popular consensus. The facts is, that with God, it is His way or the highway. A highway that is wide, broad, and leads straight to destruction. If we want to walk with God, get on His path of the strait, and narrow way.

Jn 14:15; 1 Jn 5:3; Amos 3:3; Isa 35:8; 2 Cor 6:14; Jn 14:6; Mt 7:13,14; Prov 4:27

Is the Church Important? by J.C. Bailey

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Bailey/John/Carlos/1903/Articles/churchim.html

Is the Church Important?

It is a very common teaching today that Christ should be magnified but that the church is relatively unimportant. You can belong to the church of your choice, or you do not need to belong to any church. We shall answer this argument from the Bible.

We shall assume the truth of the following two propositions. The Bible, as it is, is sufficient for man as he is. The best commentary to the Bible is the Bible itself (II Timothy 3:16-17).

I held a meeting one time, and after the meeting a man came up to me and said, "Do you know what Moody said on baptism?" I said, "No, but I know what Paul said." Let me show you how the Bible is the best commentary on the Bible.

Jesus said that the church would be built on a rock. Certain commentaries would say that the rock was Peter. What saith the scriptures? I Corinthians 3:22 says that there is only one foundation and that foundation was Christ. I Corinthians 10:4 says that the rock was Christ. All the man-made commentaries in the world cannot change these basic truths (Hebrews 13:8).

The church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). Can we mutilate the body of Christ? Can we exchange that body for another body (Ephesians 4:4)? No, the church is to be presented to Christ without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). Christ is the savior of the body (Ephesians 5:23). Christ purchased the church with his blood (Acts 20:28). Jesus said that the gospel was to be preached to every creature (Mark 16:15). Jesus said that He had all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). He became to those who obey him the author of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:9).

We are justified by faith (Romans 5:1). Faith comes by hearing the word (Romans 10:17). Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus prayed that we might believe through the word, given to us by the apostles (John 17:20-21). In order that we might listen to the apostles, we have the written word (John 20:30-31). The faith was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).

The Old Testament was our tutor to bring us to Christ, but now that Christ has come, we are no longer under the tutor (Galatians 3:24-25). When Jesus was on the Mount with the three apostles and Moses and Elijah appeared, Peter suggested that they have three places of worship: one for Moses, one for Elijah and one for Christ. God himself spoke from heaven. Listen to my Son. When John laid down the pen of inspiration he said that nothing more was to be added (Revelation 22:18-19).

For all time the church is to be honored with Christ (Ephesians 3:20-21). Men have made many denominations. But Jesus said that they were to be rooted up (Matthew 15:13). The church, that divine institution, began at the right time, at the right place. The Lord had declared that the law of the Lord would come from Jerusalem. God's house would come from there (Isaiah 2:2-3).

The apostles were gathered. The Holy Spirit, who was to guide them into all truth, came. The gospel had become an established fact. Christ had been raised from the dead. He had gone back to heaven (Acts 1:8-11). Jesus had said that repentance and the remission of sins should be preached in His name beginning from Jerusalem (Luke 24:46-47).

Peter explained the purpose of the coming of the Holy Spirit. Then he declared the fact of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. This brought conviction. The divine record says that they were pricked in their hearts (Acts 2:37). They asked what they should do. The answer came, not only from the apostles, but from the Holy Spirit. "And Peter said unto them, 'Repent ye and be baptized every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" To whom does this apply? Verse 39 answers that question: "For to you is the promise, and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him" (Emphasis mine - JCB). What happened? "They then who received his word were baptized, and there were added unto them in that day about 3,000 souls" (Acts 2:41).

What did this church do? "They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers."

Yes, the church is important. Christ did not die for something unimportant.

J.C. Bailey, 1993, Weyburn, Saskatchewan

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

He who has... by Gary Rose

Technology is wonderful!   I owe a great debt to my former boss, Rodger Smith, for kindling my interest in computers.   They have come a long was since 1984 when I purchased my first  computer system, a Commodore 64!

Even though I have owned about ten  systems during the last 34 years, I was very slow about getting a cellphone.    And a smart phone, well, I have only had one of those for about a year or so.

Why? Because they   are always there, always tantalizing  you with a new message, a new tweet, or an interesting website that   catches your interest.  They  so enthrall you with so many things that you become isolated from everything and everyone!

Communication has always been a problem. whether its visual, oral or written, people misunderstand the intended message. At times, with disastrous results.

Jesus deals with communication, and his teaching gets right to the heart of the matter!!! His medium- a parable (an earthly story with a heavenly meaning)... 

Matthew, Chapter 13, World   English   Bible

  ¹ On that day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the seaside. ² Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat, and sat, and all the multitude stood on the beach.  ³ He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a farmer went out to sow.   ⁴  As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them.   ⁵  Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.   ⁶  When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away.   ⁷  Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them.   ⁸  Others fell on good soil, and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.   ⁹  He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”  

(emphasis added)
  ¹⁰  The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 

  ¹¹  He answered them, “To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.   ¹²  For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance, but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he has.   ¹³  Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand.   ¹⁴  In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says, 
‘By hearing you will hear, 
and will in no way understand; 
Seeing you will see, 
and will in no way perceive: 
  ¹⁵  for this people’s heart has grown callous, 
their ears are dull of hearing, 
they have closed their eyes; 
or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, 
hear with their ears, 
understand with their heart, 
and should turn again; 
and I would heal them.’  

  ¹⁶  “But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.   ¹⁷  For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them. 

  ¹⁸  “Hear, then, the parable of the farmer.   ¹⁹  When anyone hears the word of the Kingdom, and doesn’t understand it, the evil one comes, and snatches away that which has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown by the roadside.   ²⁰  What was sown on the rocky places, this is he who hears the word, and immediately with joy receives it;   ²¹  yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while. When oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.   ²² What was sown among the thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.   ²³  What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word, and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit, and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”  

Truth: You hear and do exactly what you want to.    

Why? Well, Jesus says that they:

1.   Don't hear with understanding.

2. Don't apply in personally.

3.  Don't do something constructive with  what they were taught.

Why? Because they let other "things" get in the way.    

Those who genuinely will follow God will have a heart  (desire) towards the things of God and will want to please him in all  aspects of their life.   And, they will put that desire into PRACTICE!!!!

Now, all we have to do is just live it!!!

"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS" The Man Of Sin (2:3-12)

"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

The Man Of Sin (2:3-12)

INTRODUCTION

1. In correcting misconceptions about the Lord's return, Paul wrote that
   two events must occur
   before the Lord returns...
   a. The falling away must come - 2Th 2:3
   b. The man of sin is revealed - 2Th 3:3

2. Our previous lesson focused on the falling away, and how...
   a. The apostasy of many was foretold by the apostles - cf. 1Ti 4:
      1-3; 2Pe 2:1-2
   b. The history of the church gives evidence of a departure from the
      faith - cf. 1Jn 2:18-19
   c. We must be diligent lest we too fall away - cf. He 2:1-3

3. We now direct our attention to what is said about "the man of sin"...
   a. Who will be revealed before Christ comes
   b. Who will be destroyed when Christ is revealed

[As we examine our text (2Th 2:3-12), let's first consider what we can
about...]

I. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE MAN OF SIN

   A. WHAT THE SCRIPTURES REVEAL...
      1. His perverse character - 2Th 2:3
         a. A man of "lawlessness" - having no regard for God's law
         b. A son of "perdition" - one begotten for destruction
      2. His God-defying activity - 2Th 2:4
         a. He opposes and exalts himself
            1) Above all that is called God
            2) Above all that is worshiped (including Jesus)
         b. He sits as God in the temple (the church?)
         c. He shows himself that he is God!
      3. His present restraint and future revealing - 2Th 2:5-8
         a. He was being restrained at the time Paul wrote
            1) The Thessalonians knew what was restraining him
            2) For Paul had told them when he was with them
         b. Even so, the "mystery of lawlessness" was already at work
            1) His lawless influence was already spreading
            2) But it was hidden (still a mystery), to be revealed only
               when that which restrains was removed
         c. He would be revealed when the restraining force was removed
      4. His relation to Satan - 2Th 2:9-10
         a. His coming will be according to the working of Satan
         b. His coming will be with all power, signs, lying wonders
         c. He will exercise unrighteous deception among those who are
            perishing
      -- Who or what is this "man of sin, the son of perdition"?

   B. WHAT SOME HAVE SUGGESTED...
      1. One view is that the man of sin is one particular individual
         a. Who will arise with great power and deceive many just before
            Christ returns
         b. Who is the "antichrist" spoken of by John in 1Jn 2:18
         -- This view is held by pre-millenialists, and some
            amillenialists (e.g., William Hendricksen, Edward J. Young,
            Anthony Hoekema)
      2. Another view is that the man of sin is a series of individuals
         a. Perhaps a successive line of men with the same general
            character
         b. In this sense many have applied it to the Roman papacy
            1) This was first suggested by a pope himself!
               a) Gregory the Great (550-604 A.D.) said that whoever
                  arrogates to himself the tile of "universal priest" is
                  a forerunner of antichrist (cf. Hendricksen)
               b) It was not long before patriarchs of Rome began to
                  claim such distinction
            2) Many Protestants view the papacy as the "man of sin"
               (e.g., Luther, Barnes)
               a) Noting the similarity between what is said about the
                  man of sin, and what the Roman papacy became
               b) Suggesting that either the Holy Spirit or the Roman
                  empire was what was "restraining" the lawlessness that
                  was just beginning and would eventually lead to the
                  apostasy and revelation of the man of sin
      -- In the absence of any particular individual to arise so far, I
         am prone to think the latter view may be the correct one

[While there may be some question as to the actual identity of the man
of sin, there is no doubt what unfortunate souls will be misled by his
influence...]

II. THE DECEPTION BY THE MAN OF SIN

   A. THOSE WHO WILL FOLLOW THE MAN OF SIN...
      1. Those who are perishing will be the ones deceived - 2Th 2:
         10-12
         a. Those who do not have a love for the truth, that they might
            be saved
         b. Those who do not believe the truth
         c. Those who have pleasure in unrighteousness
      -- People whose priority is pleasure-seeking rather than truth-
         seeking will be prime candidates for deception!
      2. Those who believe the lie will be strengthened in their
         delusion - 2Th 2:11-12
         a. God Himself will send a strong delusion!
         b. Since they do not have a love for the truth, He will
            strengthen their love for a lie!
            1) As he hardened Pharaoh to resist Moses - cf. Exo 9:12-21
            2) And the Israelites, who resisted the gospel - cf. Ro 11:
               7-25
      -- The delusion will not be against their will, but will harden or
         strengthen them in their desire to follow error

   B. THOSE WHO WILL RESIST THE MAN OF SIN...
      1. Will be those who have a love for the truth - cf. 2Th 2:10
      2. Will be those who believe the truth - cf. 2Th 2:12
      3. Will this be true of us?
         a. Do we love the truth?
         b. Do we even know the truth?
         c. Do we take the time to learn the truth (i.e., study the
            Bible)?
         d. Do we place our trust in the Bible (i.e., believe and obey
            it)?
      -- Our attitude and treatment of God's Word will determine whether
         we will be susceptible to deception by the man of sin

[We cannot afford to be complacent with truth if we do not want to be
misled by the man of sin!  Finally, those who love and believe the truth
of Christ can take comfort in knowing what is said regarding...]

III. THE DESTRUCTION OF THE MAN OF SIN

   A. THE DECISIVE NATURE OF HIS DEFEAT...
      1. He will be consumed and destroyed by the Lord - 2Th 2:8
      2. His end will be similar to that of those who know not God and
         obey not the gospel of Christ - cf. 2Th 1:7-9

   B. THE TIMING OF HIS DEFEAT...
      1. This will happen at the coming of the Lord - 2Th 2:8
      2. The Lord will destroy the man of sin with the brightness of His
         coming! - 2Th 2:8
      3. Just as the Lord will destroy Satan at His coming - cf. Re 20:10

CONCLUSION

1. As with many prophetic passages, there has been a lot of foolish
   speculation...
   a. In every generation, attempts have been made to identify the man
      of sin
   b. In the 20th century alone, from Kaiser to Hitler to Hussein, etc.
   c. Many have spoken, confident in their identification, only to be
      proven wrong with time

2. What is important, indeed necessary, is that we be ready for whatever
   comes...
   a. Whether the man of sin proves to be a specific individual
   b. Or whether the man of sin is indeed a series of individuals, such
      as the papacy

3. How shall we be ready for whatever comes?
   a. Have a strong love for the truth
   b. Believe in the truth
   c. Obey the gospel of Jesus Christ
   -- Only then can we be confident that we are in a right relationship
      with the Lord

Is your love and faith in the truth sufficient not to be misled by the
man of sin, or is your love for unrighteousness setting you up to be
deceived even more?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2016

 

Exorcism, Demons, Witchcraft, and Astrology by Dave Miller, Ph.D.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=11&article=1198

Exorcism, Demons, Witchcraft, and Astrology

by	Dave Miller, Ph.D.

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 immediateresults. 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 surprisedthat 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.