The power of darkness and believers

 

The power of darkness and believers

 Scripture nowhere declares that the believers cannot be invaded by the evil powers but the God’s word contains details that the power of darkness may invade the believer under certain conditions.

1.Saul was a believer (1 Samuel 10:9) and God gave him “another heart”. Early in his life he enjoyed the anointing of the God’s spirit (1Samuel 10:12). Through sin and disobedience, he forfeited God’s presence and became invaded by the demon spirit (1 Samuel 16:14). It is called an evil spirit from the Lord (1 Samuel 16:14) because it was permitted by God as a chastening upon his disobedient child. To argue that Saul was not a believer is to argue that the spirit of God anoints an unbeliever (1 Samuel 10:1,10) and God would appoint an unbeliever over His inheritance. Saul declared “Rebellion is as sin of witchcraft” (1 Samuel 15:23) and in the very next chapter Saul was invaded by demon (1 Samuel 16:14,23).

 2.King Ahab and Jehoshaphat when they proposed to fight against the Syrians inquired of the Lord by gathering 400 prophets (1 King 22:6). It is hard to imagine that Micaiah was the only believer in the Lord, among the Large Company, because they all inquired, not Baal. Yielding to the pressure of wicked Ahab, Micaiah received a spirit of deception and came under demon control.   

 At least Some of the false prophets of Israel were regenerated and initially God called (Deaut.13:1-5), Jermiah 23:21-22). Zachariah connects “prophets” with the unclean spirit (demons power energizing the false prophecies).

 3.Luke a physician diagnosed the strange physical disability of a certain believer as demonic. The woman with spine disorder, bound by a spirit of infirmity means demons caused here problem. Apparently, she was a regenerated believer “a daughter of Abraham” (Luke 13:10-16, refer Romans 4:11,16 & Galatians 3:7). Mary Magdalene was also believer.  

 Demons attack the mind to gain foothold in the life of the people. To resist the demon influence, a Christians must guard against what they read, which social sites they view and what sort of television program they view and they are not wary, demon influence may merge into demon obsession and if not curbed the demon invasion may take place.

So, the Christian/believers mental life must be renewed by dedication to God’s word and will (Romans 12:2, Ephes.4:17-18, 22-23). Importance of guarding thought life is also stressed by the Apostles as well as also bringing every though captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinth. 10:4-5).

 The imaginations and speculations the demons build in minds (if thought life not guarded) and they entrench themselves there and attack. To drive them out (2 Corinth.11:3-4) these fortresses must be destroyed. Demons hang on and do not leave until such ideas, imagination, speculation are not eradicated from the mind.

 Bible also says that in the later times some will depart from the faith (1 Timoth.4:1). Propagating error/perverting the Gospel is the main occupation of satan and demons through which they can turn the believers /Christians from God to serve themselves.

 God bless you all, please read and share with others

In lord your brother – Ramesh C koundal