DEALING WITH DEMONS #5

 Dealing with DEMONS! #5

Doctrines of Devils!

DOCTRINES OF DEVILS      Another realm of demonic activity involves religion. At first this seems strange to some, even those who may recognize demonic activity in such things as insanity or affliction. Others might suppose that the religious activities of demons are limited to Satanist cults or those who worship idols. But demonic activity goes even deeper than this - the Bible clearly shows that demons seek to infiltrate and do their work of seduction within the realm of Christianity also! Often the greatest deception is something that appears true, but which is really a counterfeit of the truth. "Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" (2 Cor.11:14).      Originally the early church, founded upon Jesus Christ, was ablaze with spiritual power and truth. But the apostles realized that in time there would come a "falling away" (2 Thess. 2:3; Acts 20:29,30), an apostasy within Christianity. Furthermore, this apostasy would not be mere carnality or a lack of interest it would be seduction by demons! "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter [later] times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth" (1 Tim. 4:1-3).      Even before the first century drew to a close, apostasy was beginning to find a place. John warned: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God" (1 John 4:1). And when Jude wrote, it was needful for him to exhort people to "earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints," for the waters of truth were being muddied by apostasy (Jude 1:3,4).      Christians believe Christ was born of a woman; that he lived a sinless life among men; that he died for our sins; that he was buried; that he rose again the third day; that he ascended into heaven, according to the scriptures. But it has long been recognized that prior to the coming of Christ into the world, there were numerous "mystery religions" which also had saviors - some who claimed a supernatural birth, died as a sacrifice, and became ascended masters.      When church fathers were confronted with these similarities, they said that demons had set up confusing counterfeits. As time went on, however, elements of the pagan mysteries were mixed into Christianity, including the worship of the Great Mother. Thus were Paul's words fulfilled that people would depart from the faith, believing counterfeit doctrines of demons and giving heed to seducing spirits.       Religious spirits can take many forms. If Satan cannot lure people into the bondage of immorality or gross sin, he baits the hook with something else: some religious extreme that also brings them into bondage. Deluded, some try to be so holy they torture their bodies and lock themselves away in seclusion. Others, though claiming to be Christians, may be driven by a sectarian spirit to believe they are the only ones right, all others are wrong, no one understands the Bible but them! It is a fanatical position, cultic.      I met a man some years ago who had been in and out of institutions. On one occasion he had gone into a hotel lobby, took off his clothes, telling everyone: "I love Jesus"! What kind of spirits might these have been? Lying spirits? Spirits of perversion? Yes, and religious! DIVINATION DEMONS      Many years ago a couple preachers went into a town to work for the Lord. A young woman followed them around and openly identified them as servants of the most high God. Some preachers might have supposed this woman had a revelation from God! It was religious information, but it was another spirit. These men - Paul and Silas by name -- discerned an evil spirit in her, a spirit of divination. "And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: the same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation. And this she did many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour" (Acts 16:16-18).      In the place where this passage mentions a spirit "of divination," the margin gives the actual Greek: "of Python." The word is derived from the name of a town, Pytho, the older name for Delphi. Here, in mythology, people and flocks were prey to a monster serpent who was later killed by Apollo. The priestess of Apollo was called a pythoness.      A spirit named Python certainly zeroes in on its demonic character. We are reminded of John's words about "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world" (Rev.12:9).      A reporter for our local newspaper once did a story on fortune tellers. At the time there were several in the area, the type that have a sign out in front of their house or shop. He made the rounds to each of them asking, basically, the same questions, including one about his wife. It was evident the information he received was only speculation, for it was not uniform. And the answers about his wife were all wrong: he was not married! The newspaper article demonstrated these "fortune tellers" were only making guesses - for money!      It is evident that a lot of so-called fortune telling is fakery. Nevertheless, by a demon of divination, the girl at Philippi recognized Paul and Silas as men of God. The demonic powers were strong enough that she "brought her masters much gain." After the demon was cast out by Paul, her fortune telling abilities were gone.      Only God himself knows all things. "Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world" (Acts 15:18). No demon knows the future as God does (Isaiah 48:5). However, having been around for a long time, certainly demons know much about the past and present. If anyone knew the past and present about any one person or thing, certainly some things about the future could be accurately predicted.      To what extent demons might predict a certain disaster or accident in a person's life and then cause it to happen, we cannot say. Fine details about all these things are not impor- tant anyhow. A Christian with just a minimal knowledge of the gospel should easily see that all such things are not of God and should be shunned. CONSULTING FAMILIAR SPIRITS      People who suppose they have contacted their dead loved ones through a medium, when fakery is not involved, have communed with a spirit that impersonates the dead loved one. The Bible calls this consulting a "familiar spirit." Such a spirit, if familiar with the one who died, could certainly mimic the dead person and reveal certain things the dead person might say. But such is demonic deception. "And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:19,20).      From ancient times, people who have practiced the black arts, such as sorcery, have used drugs to conjure up evil spirits. Interestingly, a word translated sorcery in the Bible (Rev.9:21), is "pharmakeia," from which we get the word "phar- macy. REINCARNATION?      There are countries where people will not kill a cow or small insects - lest one of their loved ones may have been reincarnated into the animal! I once had a woman tell me she could remember when she was the Queen of Sheba - centuries ago!      Do some people have a spirit within them that recalls a former life? If it is true that demons are in people today who were in other people in past centuries, certainly that spirit could feed information to the mind about names, places, and events which occurred long ago.      The Old Testament repeatedly condemned demonic practices. "There shall not be found among you anyone ... that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a necromancer" (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). "You shall not allow a witch to live" (Exodus 22:18). "A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death" (Lev. 20:27).      Having obeyed these laws, king Saul destroyed many witches in Israel. But, ironically, in his desperate closing days, he disguised himself and went to a woman who had a familiar spirit for advice. The whole incident was bad news for him and death soon followed. We read that "Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord" - because he kept not the word of the Lord - "and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it" (1 Chron.10:13). This was a fulfillment of Leviticus 20:6: "And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go whoring after them, I will ... cut him off from among his people."      Most of us would quickly discount the idea of a witch flying on a broom as blatant superstition, a mere tale told at Halloween. But in countries and among tribes where demons are actually worshipped, strange things do happen. A respected missionary - whose integrity and honesty I would not question - tells of seeing a witch come flying over him one evening. She fell in the road just ahead and, with demonic screams, said: "Don't touch me; stay away from me!" Apparently the demons knew him to be a man of God! HAUNTED HOUSES?      Would you think me a rank fanatic if I tell you some houses may actually be haunted?      Over the centuries and from all parts of the world, stories have been compiled about haunted houses - strange noises, the sound of closing doors, windows rattling, chandeliers swinging, etc. The type of papers sold at checkout counters often sensationalize such stories. In many cases there is a plausible, natural explanation if all the facts are known. Some have been pranks, hoaxes, or imaginary. But what about those cases for which there is no explanation, and there are indeed supernatural powers at work? The very nature of such things fits well with the working of deceptive demonic spirits.      I met a couple once who purchased a large old two-story home. At night they would hear strange knockings on the wall, the sound of running footsteps down the hall, and even an occasional scream. Every time they would investigate, there was no one there. They later learned that the house had been used for spiritualist meetings. Once they realized this, they went through all the rooms of the house and in the name of Jesus commanded every one of those demons to leave! They had no more trouble.      For many years stories have circulated that the White House is haunted. Harry Truman said that more than once he had been awakened at night by someone - or something - knocking on his bedroom door. When he opened it, nobody was there. In his diary he wrote that the maids and butlers swear Abraham Lincoln had appeared on several occasions, and that even Mrs.Coolidge saw him. During Franklin Roosevelt's time, a maid was frightened out of her wits, claiming she had seen Abraham Lincoln sitting on his bed putting on his shoes. Mrs.Roosevelt, whose sitting room had been Lincoln's bedroom, admitted that working at her desk late some nights, she would have the feeling that "someone" was there in the room behind her, so that she would turn around and look. It is said that when Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands was the guest of the Roosevelts, she was awakened by a knock at her door. Opening it, she saw the spirit of Lincoln standing there - and promptly fainted.      Old abandoned towns are sometimes called ghost towns, "ghost" being but another word for spirit. The common superstition is that these are spirits of people who have died--especially those who were murdered and who vengefully haunt the area. But according to the Bible, if there are indeed spirits haunting an area, it is not the spirits of dead people. It is demon spirits.      Isaiah predicted that among the ruins of ancient Babylon, "their houses shall be full of doleful creatures ... and satyrs [demons] shall dance there" (Isaiah 13:21). A "satyr" in ancient mythology was a woodland god resembling a goat. And though the Hebrew word translated "satyrs" is translated "goat" - an ordinary goat - it is also translated "devils" (Lev.17:7; 2 Chron.11:15). In the Isaiah reference it hardly seems an ordinary goat is intended, and so, there is justification for the translators using the word satyrs - goat-like demons. This point is further confirmed in the Book of Revelation which describes the ruins of Babylon in these words: "Babylon ... is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit" (Rev. 18:2). AMONG THE TOMBS      The insane man at Gadara, driven by demons, had his dwelling among the tombs (Matt.8:28). Isaiah described people who practiced abominable rites as those "which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments" (Isaiah 65:4). Concerning a desolate waste land, a burial place of many slain, Isaiah said: "...demons haunt the spot" (Isaiah 34:12, Moffatt translation).      A woman once told me that before her conversion, she was afraid to walk past a cemetery, that she would see spirits among the tombstones. We are reminded of the words of the woman at Endor to Saul: "I saw gods [spirits] ascending out of the earth" (1 Sam.28:13). With these references before us, it is now understandable why those who decorate for Halloween, or build spook houses for parties at this time, often feature things that pertain to death, skeletons, or tombstones.      Late one night, two policemen stopped by a cafe for coffee. Off to herself in a corner was a girl who had just spilled the strawberry soda she was drinking on her white dress. It was nearing closing time, and because of the lateness of the hour, the officers asked if they could drive her home. She accepted and gave them a house address.      On the way there, as they pulled up to a stop sign near a cemetery, the girl fled from the car and disappeared into the darkness of the cemetery. Puzzled by this irregular behavior, they drove on to the address and explained to her parents what had happened. The parents showed them a photo of their daughter which the officers easily identified. But they were shocked when the parents explained their daughter had been murdered a year before and was buried in the very cemetery where they stopped! The whole thing was so bizarre, an investigation was conducted and the grave opened. The body of the dead girl was indeed in the casket, clothed in a white dress, and on the dress, the stain of strawberry soda!      I don't vouch for this story. There are multiplied thousands of such stories - about eerie encounters, ghostly apparitions, mysterious and unexplained phenomena. Not all of these stories are true - of course. But should we assume the other extreme: that all are untrue? Which incidents actually happened, or which did not, is not the point here. Nor is it necessary or fruitful to dwell on these things any further, except to state our basic premise: these are often areas of demonic activity and demonic deception. To the discerning Christian, this should be apparent. WHAT DO DEMONS LOOK LIKE?      The reader will notice that the basic points in this book are backed up with scripture. But as Paul - not always having a direct quotation from Jesus on a particular point - gave his opinion (1 Cor.7:6,12,25), so we acknowledge that the following descriptions of demons are not based on direct scriptural evidence. This information has been gleaned, rather, from experiences of saved and unsaved people, from missionaries (especially those in countries given over to witchcraft), from tribal people who worship spirits, and from people who have been involved in the occult.      Apparently demons are of various sizes - from very small to very large. Their dispositions range from the subdued and silly, to the ferocious and violent. Appearing in a grotesque human shape, a demon may have a square chin, a pointed chin, or no chin at all. Eyes may be bulging, squint eyes, cat-like eyes, or eyes like a serpent. Ears may be as long as the head or stand out from the head.      Demons may have a stub nose, large pug nose, or very crooked nose. They may appear to have animal teeth or large protruding teeth, a beast-like mouth, and whiskers on the chin. Their bodies are just as ugly and out of shape as their faces. Where no hair appears, their bodies are scaly. It has been said that the worst looking man on earth is better looking than the best looking demon in its actual degraded form. Yet demons have been known to temporarily appear as a beautiful woman, a little boy or girl, or as an angel of light.      Some claim they have seen demons in animal form, or part animal and part human form, some having tails and horns! Others have seen dog-like devils, large cat-like devils, and bat-like devils. In the book of Revelation, frog-like demons are mentioned (Rev.16:13). An Old Testament word translated devils (Lev.17:7; 2 Chron.11:15), has the meaning of "hairy ones," or "satyrs" (Isaiah 13:21; 34:14) - demonic creatures appearing as part animal and part human.      Years ago a man who was my pastor told about being part of a group who prayed over a demon possessed woman. As the demonic spirit came out her mouth, it resembled a jelly fish and swiftly left the church through a back door. Weird? I agree. But I have no reason to doubt his integrity in relating this incident.      The idea that demons, being spirits, can be seen on occasions seems strange to some. Nevertheless, angels, which are also described as "spirits," have been seen (Heb.1:14; 13:2). The medium at Endor claimed to see spirits or gods (1 Sam.28:13). John saw demon spirits (Rev.16:13). Eliphaz saw a spirit and was terrified: "A spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up" (Job 4:15). IDOL WORSHIP      In the demonic delusion that exists among idolatrous tribes, a demon may appear in a certain form as a god. An image of this demon is then carved or made. This idol of wood or stone is not a demon, of course, but becomes a representative of that spirit, a worship link. Thus the many Biblical verses against idols and idolatry are not merely against statues: idol worship is actually demon worship! As Paul taught: "I say, the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils" (1 Cor. 10:19,20). Other scriptures make this same linkage with idolatry: "They served their idols ... they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils ... unto the idols of Canaan" (Psalm 106:35-38). "...sacrifices unto devils" (Lev.17:7; Deut.32:17).      In such idol worship, meat may be placed before an idol, and, it is claimed, spirits are sometimes seen coming to eat the meat, though no disappearance of the food is apparent. Strangely, some who have eaten such food later claim it had little or no taste left! Paul devoted an entire chapter to a discussion about food offered to idols (1 Cor.8).            Most people today would find it silly and superstitious - the very idea of setting up an idol for worship or good luck. Yet people dabble in astrology - as though the stars in space had any bearing on their lives. Some are fearful if they break a mirror - especially on Friday the 13th. They will not walk under a ladder, and cringe if a black cat crosses their path! Others may suppose a rabbit's foot will bring good luck. But why? It didn't save the rabbit's life!      The non-Christian Greeks believed that demons were gods who influenced the affairs of men. Some of their philosophers, misunderstanding Paul's message, said: "He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods [demons]" (Acts 17:18). The Greek word that is here translated "gods" is "daimonion," a word commonly translated devils (Mk.6:13; Lk.4:41; etc.).      According to the Bible, this Greek idea about demon gods was not entirely incorrect. Though in this "enlightened age," we often fix the blame of war and political turmoil on individuals and groups, the fact is that behind the scenes there are demonic powers at work. That demons, working through political leaders, can stir up all kinds of unrest and war, is clearly spelled out in Revelation: "Unclean spirits ... spirits of devils ... go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty" (Rev.16:13,14).      Each nation, large or small, is under the influence of a strong demonic prince. One of these demonic princes was strong enough to even delay an angel sent to Daniel. "Fear not, Daniel," the angel said, "for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days; but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia" (Daniel 10:12,13). And, on his return trip, the angel said: "Now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia" (verse 20).      At this period Daniel was receiving special divine insight regarding the fall of the Persian kingdom (which was then in power). Perhaps it was for this reason that this prince of Persia was especially interested in hindering messages getting through to Daniel.      That there was an actual, human prince of Persia is evident. But it hardly seems that a flesh and blood prince could delay an angelic message. It is generally agreed by Biblical scholars that we are here seeing into that realm of demonic activity between heaven and earth. Paul, mentioning various ranks of demons, included "principalities" (Eph.6:12); that is, princes - those who have jurisdiction over a territory or people. In the Daniel passage, the demonic spirit assigned to Persia was called the "prince of Persia."                            .................... To be continued