A Biblical Case for Demons and Fallen Angels being the Same Thing…and Why it Matters
By Reverend Mark Hunnemann
I bow before our Lord and offer this blog in a spirit of tenderness and humility…and gratitude to the Lord Jesus who triumphed over all evil.
Let us begin this study with a clear affirmation of the victory of the Lord Jesus over all evil!! Amen!
Colossians 2:15 “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”
Many godly, sincere, and knowledgeable people are stating that there is a distinction in the bible between demons, unclean spirits, and fallen angels. Indeed, not a few respected folks state that fallen angels are particularly in doubt regarding their identity. However, I humbly offer this analysis in an attempt to show that all three are the same….focusing on the identity of Fallen Angels.
A year ago I posted an extensive blog which shows that unclean spirits and demons are the same thing in the bible.
Here is the link:
http://archive.aweber.com/paraworld/BFyYL
Please see comments on Revelation below as well). Not a few people were saying demons and unclean spirits were different beings, and I felt the need to address the issue. Please keep in mind that my main goal in this blog is to analyze fallen angels…but, specifically, I want to show that they are the same as unclean spirits and demons. My intent is NOT to focus on the question of when fallen angels fell, but their identity. I personally think that the classical view is correct—Satan and 1/3 of the angels “fell’ sometime before the creation of man, and Genesis 6 is a further rebellion of some of the already fallen angels/demons.
In my theological tradition/denomination (Reformed/Presbyterian) the identity of fallen angels is not in dispute. The classical view is pretty much universally held amongst Reformed theologians. For example, I was reading Jonathan Edwards recently and my views line up with his. But the ultimate guide must be the bible, and not a theological tradition, the book of Enoch, or any other non-canonical book. In addition, we must avoid the temptation to believe the views of someone regarding fallen angels simply because we deeply admire their piety, ministry, etc. Sola scriptura!
Colossians 2:15 “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him”. Let us keep this truth center stage!
There are numerous words used in NT just to describe Satan: devil, evil one, Lucifer, Angel of Light, Accuser, etc. In His all-wise sovereignty, God chose to use different words to identify Satan. Surely one reason was to reveal to us the multi-faceted nature of his being and work, so that we might be all the more informed and prepared—and the more we understand the evilness and power of our enemy, then the cosmic victory Jesus won on the cross will shine with all the more luster!
And of course, think of the dozens of names and titles of our Lord Jesus in both the OT and NT, which accent different aspects of the multi-splendored nature of His Person and Work!
So, we have a precedent/s in which the same person (Satan) or Person (Jesus) is called many different names, in God’s all-wise revelation to us. Hence, should we not expect that the devil’s subordinates would have multiple names as well, yet be the same entity? I believe that what holds true of Satan, is also true of his subordinates--evil spirits, demons, unclean spirits, elemental spirits (Col. 2:9, 20), rulers, authorities, cosmic powers (Eph 6), the devil’s angels (Matthew 25, Revelation 12) are different names for the same entity. That is my premise. Each of these is designed to accent a certain aspect of their nature and activity. But once again, the darkness of evil is the backdrop against which the brilliance and refulgence of God’s glory in Christ shines more brightly!
It simplifies the biblical data without endlessly multiplying the entities populating the spirit realm…and we’ve seen the precedents for this practice of multiple names for the same Person or person.
What’s the big deal? Why waste time on this issue? And aren’t you fixating on evil instead of Jesus?
If the spirit realm is populated by more than one kind of evil spirit, then are we to deal with these different spirits in different ways? Is one stronger than another? I have heard numerous times that fallen angels are the strongest, then demons, and unclean spirits the weakest…or some variation of this. There is no doubt that some demons are stronger than others—as Jesus said that “this kind can only come out by prayer”, as well as the NT words that indicate hierarchy in demonic realm. However, this hierarchy does not imply that these are different “kinds” of entities….just variation in rank and strength. Think of the military—a general and private have different authority, but they are both soldiers.
Once you add even one more spirit, then the slippery slope comes into view. What is to keep us from multiplying these evil spirits phenomenologically--by how they appear and act…which can be endless? But most importantly, we MUST exegete the bible accurately, in honor of God. God’s precious, holy Word is worthy of careful exegesis and analysis of all topics if we are to accurately expound the whole counsel of God, which would include the identity of spirits in the spirit realm. 24/7 we are in warfare with these beings, so it is an immensely practical issue.
Some may say that I am giving the devil too much emphasis, but surely there is a difference between having a clear understanding of our adversaries, and fixating on them. In fact, it is LACK of clarity that can lead to confusion, and thus, fixation. Don’t we naturally obsessively ponder things that are confusing to us? Once it is cleared up (hopefully accurately), then we can enjoy cognitive rest. As always, we must then make a bee-line for the cross.
One last word of introduction: I’m not writing this to score debate points, but with a spirit of brokenness and humility, to God’s glory and to edify the saints.
So, who are fallen angels, and are they demons, as the classical view states? Given that some ‘big names’ have stated publicly that the identity of fallen angels is unclear, we must reaffirm that we are bound by the bible, and not by people that we may deeply respect.
1. My first argument (as defined in formal logic) is admittedly not explicitly biblical. Ockham’s razor states that: the simplest answer that explains the phenomena is to be preferred. Affirming that that unclean spirits, demons, and fallen angels (as well as elementals, etc) are the same entity is clearly the simplest explanation, and can easily and adequately explain all the biblical and experiential phenomena. No, it is not a biblical argument (logical argument, not red-faced screaming), but my reasoning is cumulative. God is the Lord of language, and He knows that using different names can accent different aspects of the same entity. If demons and unclean spirits can be (are) the same thing, then why not fallen angels?
2. 1 Timothy 5:21 speaks of “elect angels”, which is an obvious reference to good angels. In the bible there are elect and non-elect humans (Romans 9), so we may properly infer that if there are elect angels, then there must be non-elect or (bad or fallen) angels. It is the same Greek word for ‘elect’. Regardless of your view of election/predestination, there is symmetry of elect and non-elect. If you don’t like inference argumentation, then hang on.
3. Matthew 25…
31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne.
32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left.
34 Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink,I was a stranger and you welcomed me,
36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'
37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'
40 And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. (to diabolo kai tois angelos autou)
42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink,
43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'
44 Then they also will answer, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?'
45 Then he will answer them, saying, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.'
46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (emphasis added)
Matthew 25….The context is the Second Coming of Christ and the Final Judgment. Note in v. 31 good angels are mentioned, and in v. 41 ‘the devil and his angels” (elect and non-elect) Nobody claims that “fallen angels” is a phrase actually used in the bible, but the key is whether there are bad angels, who had to fall at some time because God didn’t make them bad. Regardless, this text shows ‘fallen angels’ at the public Last Judgment…which means they must have had a very significant role in the overall rebellion against God from the dawn of time. Neither demons nor unclean spirits are mentioned in this text, yet we read elsewhere in Matthew (and throughout bible) of their constant activity of rebelling against God and attacking humans. Clearly, these devil’s angels or ‘fallen angels’ had been the chief agents of spiritual destruction on earth under Satan’s leadership, or they wouldn’t have been singled out so severely by Jesus. Hence, we see a developing pattern of synonymous usage of demons, unclean spirits, and ‘fallen/bad’ angels.
When you read the gospel of Matthew, both demons and unclean spirits are mentioned numerous times, as the agents of diabolical destruction. But in this awful scene of the Last Judgment, Matthew refers to these same entities as the devils angels. I say this gently and humbly, but this one text should be conclusive.
The devil and his angels—that comes as close to what is meant by fallen angels as one can get. Theologians often use terms not mentioned in the bible (like The Trinity) to summarize biblical teaching. Surely, the devil’s angels (as opposed to God’s holy angels) are innumerable, utterly evil, and Satan’s only army since the dawn of history.
At the Last Judgment, the goats (damned humans), Satan, and his angels are consigned to eternity in hell. Demons are not mentioned. Unclean spirits are not mentioned. But ‘Satan’s angels’ are mentioned. Obviously these ‘fallen angels” have been the army of Satan fighting against God/man since the beginning….what we are warned against in Ephesians 6.
Matthew 25 is a summary of all of human and cosmic history, where the Son of Man damns both unbelieving humans, and their spiritual counterparts who have been His adversaries (and ours) since the dawn of time. In light of this one text, how can we say that the identity of fallen angels is in doubt? If you prefer the term ‘devil’s angels,’ that is fine, but that is what theologians mean when they speak of fallen angels.
And most importantly for our purpose, “the devil’s angels” are clearly synonymous with demons and unclean spirits. If they aren’t the same, then why does Matthew show demons and unclean spirits as constantly attacking and possessing humans, but turns around and has God pronounce eternal judgment on the devils angels at the Last Judgment? It makes no sense UNLESS, they are one and the same. There is linguistic and theological symmetry of angels, good and bad, in Matthews’s presentation of The Last Judgment. Other than in Revelation, the phrase ‘the devil/Satan and his angels’ is not used, but these are sufficient. The pronouncement of damnation against the fallen angels has to signify that they have been the same culprits mentioned throughout the NT, but called by different names.
To say that these are the angels mentioned in Genesis 6 is eisogesis because the context precludes that interpretation. Besides, the angels in Genesis 6 are said to be already in hell.
4. Jude….2 Peter
6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day--
7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.
9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."
10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.
11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.
14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,
15 to execute judgment
My point about this text is that it is consistently and symmetrically angelic….both good and bad angels. Leaving aside the nature of their sin in v. 6, evil angels (whether they were evil before this event is not clear), clearly the angels are fallen angels now, and some are probably in hell (depending on how one interprets the sin in v.6)—but most are active on earth and being blasphemed by the false teachers. In v. 10 Jude is especially (like Peter in parallel text) concerned with the false teacher’s lack of respect for angelic beings, especially bad angels. Curiously enough, in v. 10 the remaining fallen angels are referred to as “glorious ones”…(Greek, doxas), probably to offset the false teachers flippant attitude toward demonic spirits/fallen angels. This is supported by the next verse in which the arch-angel Michael refused to speak flippantly against his arch-foe Satan (once a mighty, holy angel himself) regarding the body of Moses. And then in v.14 the Lord will come with countless ‘holy ones’—an obvious reference to holy angels. My point is that, if you don’t get bogged down in interpretive details of the sin in v. 6, then the consistency and symmetry of references to both good and fallen angels is clear—even Michael is an angel, though an archangel. The angels who fell into sin (v.6)…Satan a fallen mighty angel…Michael an (arch)angel….and the countless holy angels coming with the Lord. So, the context is ANGELS, and would suggest that the ‘glorious ones’ are fallen angels….and that fallen angels are the same as demons. It makes much more sense than bouncing back and forth between different kinds of evil spirits. This is a tight argument by Jude, in which angels (both good and bad) play a key role in the everyday affairs of mankind, especially amongst the false teachers.
Arguments from Revelation—
There are many different interpretations of this book (only one is right), so I’m not going to go in as much detail as some may like. But there is a general consensus that the movement of the book is from the things that were then present to the future…climaxing with the destruction of God’s enemies and the coming of the new heaven and earth. But within this general temporal movement forward, the visions sometimes ‘double back’ to the present, complementary perspectives on the same event or phase of the conflict between Christ and Satan.
In this flow, back and forth, the Greek word for demon is used:9:20; 16:13-14 (where demons and unclean spirits are used interchangeably);18:2.
In 12:7,9 bad or fallen angels are mentioned…Satan and his angels.
My point is simple: in the midst of the wild imagery of apocalyptic prophecy, there is a natural flow and interchangeability between demons, unclean spirits, and the devil’s angels/fallen angels.
Satan Thrown Down to Earth
12:7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels (hoi angelo autou)fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels (hoi angelo autou)fought back,
8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.
9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
This chapter, as with most, is hotly debated as far as when these events occur. May be multi-layered.Some see this as referring to the cross, some to original ousting from heaven, and still others to increased demonic activity prior to the very end. Perhaps there is overlap. Regardless, the cross is center stage at whatever point in redemptive history. In our study of fallen angels, let us not lose sight of that vital fact!
Note in v. 7 that Michael and his angels are fighting against the dragon (Satan) and his angels. There is a linguistic symmetry (hoi angelo autou) as well as symmetry of oppositional parties. Satan’s counterpart is not God, but Michael—the archangel and prince guardian of the church--, and they lead their respective angels against each other in the cosmic battle of the ages—long term and at the end. Good angels vs bad/fallen angels have been in a battle royal for eons. .
Not once, but twice, Satan/serpent/devil/dragon and his angels (hoi angelo autou) are explicitly mentioned as being the infernal army thrown to earth to fight against the Messiah and His people. The timing of this ‘casting down’ is disputed, but certainly the context reveals that Satan and the fallen angels are simply following the same MO that they employed from the Garden—where lies and false teaching continue, as well as persecution and temptation. What are elsewhere in Revelation called demons, are here called “Satan’s angels”—just as in Matthew 25. And the fallen angels are THE spiritual agents of destruction (under Satan) throughout history, aimed at God’s Kingdom…again, as in Matthew 25. My purpose is not to exegete the text in Revelation and the details, but to show that the devil’s angels/evil/fallen angels are center stage in Revelation 12…in what is a classic, significant text in Revelation, no matter how one interprets it.
What is clear to me is that the context reveals that this event is not an isolated one, but signifies the battle in general and that we have the victory in Jesus. Satan has been defanged as far as his ability to accuse us. However, the devil has been thrown down in great wrath, because he knows his time is short. (V. 12) In addition, in v. 4 many interpreters see this as the original fall of Satan and 1/3 of the angels with him.
9:20 The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons (daimonia) and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk,
21 nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Again, I’ll not get bogged down in disputed details, but what is clear is that though unbelievers will be tortured by the very demons they worshipped, they don’t take heed from these final warnings. Large numbers of people are subjected to God’s wrath and demonic attack. Whereas in Ch. 12 the oppositional army consists of “Satan and his angels”, in ch.9 the same opposition are called “demons.”.Surely this is instructive.
16:12 The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east.
13 And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits (pneumata tria akatharta) like frogs.
14 For they are demonic spirits,(pneumata daimoniown) performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty.
In ch.16 the end has come…the final, decisive battle. Divine restraints are removed and Satan and his unclean spirits/demons assemble the world for the battle; climaxing millennia of opposition to God and His people. God will utterly squash this rebellion, based on the finished work of Christ on the cross. Please note that the army which was earlier called “Satan and his angels” is now called “the dragon/Satan and his unclean spirits/demons.” In the span of two verses, John naturally switches from unclean spirits to demons.
Is it not clear by now that demons, unclean spirits, and fallen angels are the same evil beings?
18:1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory.
2 And he called out with a mighty voice, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast
Notice again, how in v.2 demons and unclean spirits are used interchangeably. Destruction has come on God’s enemies. Not focusing on interpretive details, we see that the oppositional army consists of demons or unclean spirits, which were earlier called “Satan and his angels.”
Does not the verbiage in Matthew 25 now make more sense? Putting aside all the apocalyptic imagery in the book of Revelation, we have a clear portrait of the Last Judgment in Matthew 25, which dispels any fog surrounding the sadistic spiritual culprits.
I trust by now that the cumulative effect of these “arguments” has had its desired effect. demons, unclean spirits, and fallen angels are different names for the same entity. I am not interested in winning an argument, but I want to honor God by trying to rightly divide the Word of Truth.
The more clearly we understand our enemy, the more lovely Jesus’’ triumph over this evil becomes. Yes, it is important to know our enemy, but it’s infinitely more important that we relish in the cosmic victory our blessed Savior accomplished.
Mark Hunnemann is the author of Seeing Ghosts Through God's Eyes: A Worldview Analysis of Earthbound Spirits. It's also available in eBook format.
Looking inside the spiritual & literary worlds
Showing posts with label lord jesus christ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lord jesus christ. Show all posts
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Can Our Emotions Really Attract Demonic Activity?
Happy 2017 ladies and gentlemen! I pray everybody had a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year. Hoping everyone had lots of good food and you were with the people that you love. Here in Florida it was not very cold so it didn't seem like Christmas but the weather is starting to drop. For Florida 43° is cold! But during the day it's been in the high 50s which to me is still freezing. Lol. I'm definitely a southern girl. I was born and raised here.
I'd like to take a moment of silence for the people who were injured and died from the shooting in the Fort Lauderdale airport.......................
I'm heart broken to hear of this. We don't want to start the new year like that, it really ticks me off. Once again so many innocent lives and people severely injured. It never ceases to amaze me what I hear anymore. The whole pizza gate issue that's going on has just got me sick to my stomach doing research on that I had to stop after I put out a blog about it. I can only take so much disgusting images and deep web stories that may not be true but still there is something going on with that! There's something not right when Podesto refers to three children under the age of nine as "entertainment." I just want to know why he is not made to answer that one question and there so many others that are just so disgusting. I don't know why he's not being made to answer what these three young kids were doing for them. But that's another whole subject. I won't go on my rant.
Anyway, It's like this state has a curse on it or something but I know God is in charge nothing is going to happen that he doesn't want to happen. No matter who is president. People don't want to accept our new president but the World is not for me to worry because again the Lord is in charge nothings going to happen that is not supposed to. I know where I'm going when I pass on so death is not such a scary thought for me. The Bible says we are to rejoice in one's death because they are now reunited with family and most of all they are no longer hurting and they are with the Lord Jesus Christ. I look forward to getting away from this awful world we are in.
The reason I chose this topic is because I'm randomly asked "is it true anger really attracts negativity when we don't keep our emotions in check not allowing sadness or anger to overtake us?" I say yes. And this is from my own personal experiences. Bitterness or holding a grudge things like that can put you on the Demonic radar. These are completely normal feelings. I'm just simply stating that when someone goes so far with it that they just won't let it go it feeds these vile entities. Same with vicious gossip against someone. They love chaos in the home within the family for example and couples in general. Friends, co workers etc...There is no limits when it comes to these creatures. They stop at nothing.
In the Bible it states what we speak, we speak into existence there is also another verse that tells us about the tongue being a double edged sword. It can make you or break us. Constantly speak negatively about ourselves like "oh it's not going to get better things always go bad it's always going to be that way etc.. and this goes with anything in any situation when you're speaking against yourself. And it's something that even I can admit that I have a problem with. And it has caused some problems. But every day I remind myself to take any negativity in stride and speak positive about the situation. It's better to do it in a positive manner. It's one less door the enemy can slip through.
Once an entity has attached itself to a living person it will not flee on it's own. The Bible makes that pretty clear. It will only flee when said living person passes on. Or some feel when a black magician or someone practicing dark magic puts a curse on a person for the duration of generations by sending a dark entity to that person. That entity goes from one generation to another until it has been dealt with properly. Once you open the door it is very hard to close it. Even if someone inadvertently gave a demon legal rights even though they didn't mean to it's still very difficult to close Pandora's box for lack of better words.
Please think twice when presented with anything like Ouija boards and things to that nature. It's best to just be curious and leave it at that. It's not worth going further. It can and does destroy lives. Demons prey on people through those mimicking another like a aunt who passed or parent. It's only to gain your trust to draw you in. Demons are so very tricky and want to remain out of hell because even for them they are suffering its horrible and of course this is an opinion and it too is subjective but demons don't want to go away they hang on for dear life because they don't want to go back to hell because of all the torment they are scared of Satan. And again this is all subjective but they don't want to go back and be punished by Satan for losing a soul. Even demons don't want to be there. Doesn't that just speak volumes?
So if we try to focus on the positive side of things even if there is no positive side continue to think "well it'll get better" instead of speaking death (metaphor for negative) into it. I always thought my father was doing that just to scare my sister and I. But for our particular religion I can honestly say that I've had my own struggles with this. I've had things backfire on me so I really need to watch what comes out of my mouth because... look what I do those vile things can't be very happy with me.
I wish everyone a blessed week.
Written by Jennifer L Auld
I'd like to take a moment of silence for the people who were injured and died from the shooting in the Fort Lauderdale airport.......................
I'm heart broken to hear of this. We don't want to start the new year like that, it really ticks me off. Once again so many innocent lives and people severely injured. It never ceases to amaze me what I hear anymore. The whole pizza gate issue that's going on has just got me sick to my stomach doing research on that I had to stop after I put out a blog about it. I can only take so much disgusting images and deep web stories that may not be true but still there is something going on with that! There's something not right when Podesto refers to three children under the age of nine as "entertainment." I just want to know why he is not made to answer that one question and there so many others that are just so disgusting. I don't know why he's not being made to answer what these three young kids were doing for them. But that's another whole subject. I won't go on my rant.
Anyway, It's like this state has a curse on it or something but I know God is in charge nothing is going to happen that he doesn't want to happen. No matter who is president. People don't want to accept our new president but the World is not for me to worry because again the Lord is in charge nothings going to happen that is not supposed to. I know where I'm going when I pass on so death is not such a scary thought for me. The Bible says we are to rejoice in one's death because they are now reunited with family and most of all they are no longer hurting and they are with the Lord Jesus Christ. I look forward to getting away from this awful world we are in.
The reason I chose this topic is because I'm randomly asked "is it true anger really attracts negativity when we don't keep our emotions in check not allowing sadness or anger to overtake us?" I say yes. And this is from my own personal experiences. Bitterness or holding a grudge things like that can put you on the Demonic radar. These are completely normal feelings. I'm just simply stating that when someone goes so far with it that they just won't let it go it feeds these vile entities. Same with vicious gossip against someone. They love chaos in the home within the family for example and couples in general. Friends, co workers etc...There is no limits when it comes to these creatures. They stop at nothing.
In the Bible it states what we speak, we speak into existence there is also another verse that tells us about the tongue being a double edged sword. It can make you or break us. Constantly speak negatively about ourselves like "oh it's not going to get better things always go bad it's always going to be that way etc.. and this goes with anything in any situation when you're speaking against yourself. And it's something that even I can admit that I have a problem with. And it has caused some problems. But every day I remind myself to take any negativity in stride and speak positive about the situation. It's better to do it in a positive manner. It's one less door the enemy can slip through.
Once an entity has attached itself to a living person it will not flee on it's own. The Bible makes that pretty clear. It will only flee when said living person passes on. Or some feel when a black magician or someone practicing dark magic puts a curse on a person for the duration of generations by sending a dark entity to that person. That entity goes from one generation to another until it has been dealt with properly. Once you open the door it is very hard to close it. Even if someone inadvertently gave a demon legal rights even though they didn't mean to it's still very difficult to close Pandora's box for lack of better words.
Please think twice when presented with anything like Ouija boards and things to that nature. It's best to just be curious and leave it at that. It's not worth going further. It can and does destroy lives. Demons prey on people through those mimicking another like a aunt who passed or parent. It's only to gain your trust to draw you in. Demons are so very tricky and want to remain out of hell because even for them they are suffering its horrible and of course this is an opinion and it too is subjective but demons don't want to go away they hang on for dear life because they don't want to go back to hell because of all the torment they are scared of Satan. And again this is all subjective but they don't want to go back and be punished by Satan for losing a soul. Even demons don't want to be there. Doesn't that just speak volumes?
So if we try to focus on the positive side of things even if there is no positive side continue to think "well it'll get better" instead of speaking death (metaphor for negative) into it. I always thought my father was doing that just to scare my sister and I. But for our particular religion I can honestly say that I've had my own struggles with this. I've had things backfire on me so I really need to watch what comes out of my mouth because... look what I do those vile things can't be very happy with me.
I wish everyone a blessed week.
Written by Jennifer L Auld
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Why Does Exorcism Fail?
This blog is designed to help you the reader understand why Exorcism also known as Deliverance sometimes fails. The aspects of failure stem from different aspects, however 95% of the time it is the direct result of the person who was afflicted. This blog is designed to help you understand what is required afterwards when ‘all is over’ and what becomes of the person.
Sadly, many times people think that after driving out the demons/devils that they can continue on in life with what they used to do prior to the casting out of the evil from within. However, this is far from the truth or belief. The way the person now has to live and operate is the crucial key for staying free. Many cannot do this proper walk that is required and as a result they become ‘infected’ again, but this time the results are 7 times worse than what they were in the prior state.
What people need to grasp is how God now expects a person to live. They are seeking counsel of the Lord Jesus Christ intervening before the Holy Father to set a professed child of God free from the demonic torment that this person is in. When a person does not live to the expectations of God then they are basically making a mockery of what God has just done on their behalf.
Many times I have had people tell me point blank I simply cannot do this anymore. I simply cannot live like this. There are too many rules and they cannot bear this anymore. My answer to them back is – REALLY? Please explain to me why this is so difficult?
Many times this is a direct result of them being ‘tempted’ over and over again because they have not removed improper areas within their lives. So let’s examine this so you can understand further, it’s not God who is failing the person, but rather the person is failing God.
If a person has been set free from an addiction of alcohol casting out the forces that control this addiction after proper forgiveness and repentance has been completed, then the person must adhere to certain aspects. Certainly the person is operating once again in the flesh and it’s hard for the clergy member to get them to see.
Many times the person will not give up the ‘drinking buddies’ or social settings which directly put themselves into the mix of flesh once again. They walk into these zones thinking that they are all free and that surely I’m not drinking but I can just be around these people. They use the excuse that God commands us to love one another but they fail to understand that it also means from across the street, not directly across the table at a local ‘watering hole’.
By doing so God has seen the heart of the person so the demonic slide back into play because the person is basically mocking God by saying I’ve got this, I can handle this, see God I’m not drinking, etc., etc., etc. This is a very slippery slope that one is entertaining and God will not be mocked.
The person who was set free must walk away from these ‘centers’ of influence within their lives. They must openly understand you repented to God for your prior flesh aspects and now you are taking them back from God. Therefore, God says fine take it (referring to your fleshly desires) back now but it shall be with penalties worse than what you once were before.
By the acts being committed after the exorcism is over, this person pushing the envelope so to speak is a slippery slope. The desires become more and more intense, with the person becoming further separated from God and HIS love for protection.
So here are 8 points that need to be examined to maintain freedom and they are as follows:
1. Recognize—We must recognize the problem for what it is! We can recognize the problem and the enemy in our life that is not God.
2. Responsibility—Take responsibility for what you recognize! Instead of blaming others or trying to pass the buck, humbly admit your transgressions. We learn that quickly and clearly this is the way to confess if we would find God’s mercy.
3. Repent—In Jesus Christ’s Name. For he took the curse of sin for us we can repent to God for participating with the enemy and with the sin that we now recognize as wrong and destructive.
4. Renounce—We must fall completely out of agreement with the sin and develop a “perfect hatred” for it. (see Psalm 139:21) Go forth and sin no more!
5. Remove—After we repent we can command all lying sprits, that readily accuse us of being condemned and under the curse, to depart. We cease to participate with their lies. We claim freedom in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). We begin to “reign in life” (Romans 5:17) rather than continue to “let sin have dominion over us!” (Romans 6:9, 14).
6. Resist—Draw ’nigh’ to God and resist the evil entity or entities from returning. Absolutely refuse to get involved with any sin.
7. Rejoice—Give God Almighty thanks for your freedom. Thank Him for every victory on your behalf.
8. Restore—We must help free others held captive to the evil one and sin.
These are the 8 ‘R’s’ to maintaining freedom after exorcism is completed. The truest way to stay demon free is to start to do what Christ Jesus commanded ALL believers to do, which is to do the will of the Father. Until we have arrived at this very advanced state within our mind and our heart we’re to understand the Father told us what we must do.
Then there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, My Chosen One or My Beloved; listen to and yield to and obey Him!” Luke 9:35. So you must come to Christ Jesus, silently listen, hear him speak to you, and then obey what he commands you to do.
“But the anointing which you have received of him abides in you, and you do not need any man to teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in him.” 1 John 2:27.
Therefore, to be truly free one must become a servant, one does not read about other servants, quoting their words. To be a servant, you must hear what your master orders you to do, and then you must obey; everything else is presumptive service. Think about it; would you want to employ someone who cannot hear your orders, and who only does what he assumes you want done?
Even worse is many servants doing whatever they presume you want done — no one following directions — everyone following their own ideas. To follow Christ Jesus is to hear and obey His spoken-to-you commands. Only when you hear Him tell you what to do, when to do it, and what words to speak, can you serve God.
Rev. Bradley Luoma
Sadly, many times people think that after driving out the demons/devils that they can continue on in life with what they used to do prior to the casting out of the evil from within. However, this is far from the truth or belief. The way the person now has to live and operate is the crucial key for staying free. Many cannot do this proper walk that is required and as a result they become ‘infected’ again, but this time the results are 7 times worse than what they were in the prior state.
What people need to grasp is how God now expects a person to live. They are seeking counsel of the Lord Jesus Christ intervening before the Holy Father to set a professed child of God free from the demonic torment that this person is in. When a person does not live to the expectations of God then they are basically making a mockery of what God has just done on their behalf.
Many times I have had people tell me point blank I simply cannot do this anymore. I simply cannot live like this. There are too many rules and they cannot bear this anymore. My answer to them back is – REALLY? Please explain to me why this is so difficult?
Many times this is a direct result of them being ‘tempted’ over and over again because they have not removed improper areas within their lives. So let’s examine this so you can understand further, it’s not God who is failing the person, but rather the person is failing God.
If a person has been set free from an addiction of alcohol casting out the forces that control this addiction after proper forgiveness and repentance has been completed, then the person must adhere to certain aspects. Certainly the person is operating once again in the flesh and it’s hard for the clergy member to get them to see.
Many times the person will not give up the ‘drinking buddies’ or social settings which directly put themselves into the mix of flesh once again. They walk into these zones thinking that they are all free and that surely I’m not drinking but I can just be around these people. They use the excuse that God commands us to love one another but they fail to understand that it also means from across the street, not directly across the table at a local ‘watering hole’.
By doing so God has seen the heart of the person so the demonic slide back into play because the person is basically mocking God by saying I’ve got this, I can handle this, see God I’m not drinking, etc., etc., etc. This is a very slippery slope that one is entertaining and God will not be mocked.
The person who was set free must walk away from these ‘centers’ of influence within their lives. They must openly understand you repented to God for your prior flesh aspects and now you are taking them back from God. Therefore, God says fine take it (referring to your fleshly desires) back now but it shall be with penalties worse than what you once were before.
By the acts being committed after the exorcism is over, this person pushing the envelope so to speak is a slippery slope. The desires become more and more intense, with the person becoming further separated from God and HIS love for protection.
So here are 8 points that need to be examined to maintain freedom and they are as follows:
1. Recognize—We must recognize the problem for what it is! We can recognize the problem and the enemy in our life that is not God.
2. Responsibility—Take responsibility for what you recognize! Instead of blaming others or trying to pass the buck, humbly admit your transgressions. We learn that quickly and clearly this is the way to confess if we would find God’s mercy.
3. Repent—In Jesus Christ’s Name. For he took the curse of sin for us we can repent to God for participating with the enemy and with the sin that we now recognize as wrong and destructive.
4. Renounce—We must fall completely out of agreement with the sin and develop a “perfect hatred” for it. (see Psalm 139:21) Go forth and sin no more!
5. Remove—After we repent we can command all lying sprits, that readily accuse us of being condemned and under the curse, to depart. We cease to participate with their lies. We claim freedom in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). We begin to “reign in life” (Romans 5:17) rather than continue to “let sin have dominion over us!” (Romans 6:9, 14).
6. Resist—Draw ’nigh’ to God and resist the evil entity or entities from returning. Absolutely refuse to get involved with any sin.
7. Rejoice—Give God Almighty thanks for your freedom. Thank Him for every victory on your behalf.
8. Restore—We must help free others held captive to the evil one and sin.
These are the 8 ‘R’s’ to maintaining freedom after exorcism is completed. The truest way to stay demon free is to start to do what Christ Jesus commanded ALL believers to do, which is to do the will of the Father. Until we have arrived at this very advanced state within our mind and our heart we’re to understand the Father told us what we must do.
Then there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, My Chosen One or My Beloved; listen to and yield to and obey Him!” Luke 9:35. So you must come to Christ Jesus, silently listen, hear him speak to you, and then obey what he commands you to do.
“But the anointing which you have received of him abides in you, and you do not need any man to teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in him.” 1 John 2:27.
Therefore, to be truly free one must become a servant, one does not read about other servants, quoting their words. To be a servant, you must hear what your master orders you to do, and then you must obey; everything else is presumptive service. Think about it; would you want to employ someone who cannot hear your orders, and who only does what he assumes you want done?
Even worse is many servants doing whatever they presume you want done — no one following directions — everyone following their own ideas. To follow Christ Jesus is to hear and obey His spoken-to-you commands. Only when you hear Him tell you what to do, when to do it, and what words to speak, can you serve God.
Rev. Bradley Luoma
Sunday, October 25, 2015
The Falseness of Halloween and the Christian
In this blog I wanted to discuss a very important facet of a day soon to be coming up known as Halloween. Recently I came across a comment made by Anton LaVey the founder of the Church of Satan. LaVey made a very profound statement, which was “I’m glad that Christian parents let their children worship the Devil at least one night out of the year.”
In this blog I wanted to discuss this false occult based holiday for children as well as for many adults who partake in this costume filled day, known as Halloween. We did find this comment to be a very interesting aspect from the perspective point of Anton LaVey. I do NOT condone LaVey nor promotion of his falseness which he stood for. However this comment made by him is truly mind opening thus causing this blog to be made.
Many people both Christian and non-Christian in our secular society today believe Halloween is nothing more than a harmless festival of dressing up in fun costumes which allows our children to collect candy. But is this act of dressing up that simple and innocent? The origins of Halloween lie deeply rooted in the occult realm and Christians should stay away.
I am about to lay out to you the reader as to why if you profess to be a Christian, which means that you profess the Lord Jesus Christ in your heart and off of your lips, then you shouldn't partake in an occult and pagan holiday, especially Halloween. Doing a simple google search you can find any amount of data pertaining to this pagan day.
Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death.
Celts believed that on the night before the New Year (November 1), the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31 the Celts celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. Now as you know the Bible clearly denounces Ghosts, which are nothing more than Demons. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.
By 43 A.D., the Roman Empire had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of “bobbing” for apples that is practiced today on Halloween. On May 13, 609 A.D., Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon in Rome in honor of all Christian martyrs, and the Catholic feast of All Martyrs Day was established in the Western church. Pope Gregory III (731–741) later expanded the festival to include all saints as well as all martyrs, and moved the observance from May 13 to November 1.
Here are several reasons as to why a Christian should not partake with any aspect such as Halloween or even cause for celebration of this date which I shall lay out for you to understand better.
A. The date of October 31st is known as "The Festival of the Dead." Where the Celtic tribes and their priests and the Druids celebrated this day as a marker for the change from life to death.
B. Today Halloween is presented to those adherents of witchcraft who use the night for their rituals. Witches celebrate Halloween as the "Feast of Samhain," which is the first feast of the witchcraft year. Being a festival of the dead, Halloween is a time when the pagan witches attempt to communicate with the dead through various forms of divination.
C. Christians are not be involved with occultic practice or divination. God command against divination in Deuteronomy 18.
D. Some occultists believe Halloween is a time of ‘transition’ between life and death. Some occult practitioners attempt divination and believe you can learn the secrets of life and wisdom by Laying down on a grave and listening for any messages from the deceased.
E. Occultists have also taught that spirits and ghosts leave the grave during this night and would seek out warmth in their previous homes. Villagers, fearful of the possibility of being visited by the ghosts of past occupants, would dress up in costumes to scare these spirits away. They would also leave food and other treats at their door to appease theses spirits so they would not destroy their homes or crops but instead move on down the road. That is the real reason to this day why kids dress up in costumes today and go door-to-door seeking treats.
F. Occultists also would try to scare away the spirits by carving a scary face into a pumpkin. This visage would hopefully move the spirit on to another home or village and spare that home from destruction. Sometimes the villagers would light a candle and place it within the pumpkin and use it as a lantern (hence the name, Jack-o-Lantern). Hence, the origin of carving pumpkins at Halloween.
G. In some witchcraft covens, the closing ritual includes eating an apple or engaging in fertility rites. In the Bible (Genesis 3), eating a piece of fruit brought sin and death into the world. In witchcraft, eating an apple is symbolic of bringing life. The practice of bobbing for apples blends together two pagan traditions: divination and the fertility ritual. Many Christians do NOT know this aspect.
H. The schools especially here in the U.S are removing any religious significance from Christmas (often called winter break) and Easter (spring break). Do you find it ironic that most public schools still celebrate Halloween even though it stems from occultic origins?
I. Participating in Halloween sanctions a holiday which promotes witches, devils, conjuring of spirits/divination, haunted houses and many other occultic practices. Just because people say ‘oh it's innocent fun’ so is this just innocence but is promoting Witchcraft? If Lord Jesus Christ stood next to you would you proudly profess let's go do these acts together?
So hopefully now you have a better understanding as to why Christians should not partake or have anything to do Halloween because it’s far more than ‘innocent fun’ just gathering candy and wearing costumes.
Rev. Bradley Luoma, Exorcist
In this blog I wanted to discuss this false occult based holiday for children as well as for many adults who partake in this costume filled day, known as Halloween. We did find this comment to be a very interesting aspect from the perspective point of Anton LaVey. I do NOT condone LaVey nor promotion of his falseness which he stood for. However this comment made by him is truly mind opening thus causing this blog to be made.
Many people both Christian and non-Christian in our secular society today believe Halloween is nothing more than a harmless festival of dressing up in fun costumes which allows our children to collect candy. But is this act of dressing up that simple and innocent? The origins of Halloween lie deeply rooted in the occult realm and Christians should stay away.
I am about to lay out to you the reader as to why if you profess to be a Christian, which means that you profess the Lord Jesus Christ in your heart and off of your lips, then you shouldn't partake in an occult and pagan holiday, especially Halloween. Doing a simple google search you can find any amount of data pertaining to this pagan day.
Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death.
Celts believed that on the night before the New Year (November 1), the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31 the Celts celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. Now as you know the Bible clearly denounces Ghosts, which are nothing more than Demons. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.
By 43 A.D., the Roman Empire had conquered the majority of Celtic territory. In the course of the four hundred years that they ruled the Celtic lands, two festivals of Roman origin were combined with the traditional Celtic celebration of Samhain. The first was Feralia, a day in late October when the Romans traditionally commemorated the passing of the dead. The second was a day to honor Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruit and trees. The symbol of Pomona is the apple and the incorporation of this celebration into Samhain probably explains the tradition of “bobbing” for apples that is practiced today on Halloween. On May 13, 609 A.D., Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon in Rome in honor of all Christian martyrs, and the Catholic feast of All Martyrs Day was established in the Western church. Pope Gregory III (731–741) later expanded the festival to include all saints as well as all martyrs, and moved the observance from May 13 to November 1.
Here are several reasons as to why a Christian should not partake with any aspect such as Halloween or even cause for celebration of this date which I shall lay out for you to understand better.
A. The date of October 31st is known as "The Festival of the Dead." Where the Celtic tribes and their priests and the Druids celebrated this day as a marker for the change from life to death.
B. Today Halloween is presented to those adherents of witchcraft who use the night for their rituals. Witches celebrate Halloween as the "Feast of Samhain," which is the first feast of the witchcraft year. Being a festival of the dead, Halloween is a time when the pagan witches attempt to communicate with the dead through various forms of divination.
C. Christians are not be involved with occultic practice or divination. God command against divination in Deuteronomy 18.
D. Some occultists believe Halloween is a time of ‘transition’ between life and death. Some occult practitioners attempt divination and believe you can learn the secrets of life and wisdom by Laying down on a grave and listening for any messages from the deceased.
E. Occultists have also taught that spirits and ghosts leave the grave during this night and would seek out warmth in their previous homes. Villagers, fearful of the possibility of being visited by the ghosts of past occupants, would dress up in costumes to scare these spirits away. They would also leave food and other treats at their door to appease theses spirits so they would not destroy their homes or crops but instead move on down the road. That is the real reason to this day why kids dress up in costumes today and go door-to-door seeking treats.
F. Occultists also would try to scare away the spirits by carving a scary face into a pumpkin. This visage would hopefully move the spirit on to another home or village and spare that home from destruction. Sometimes the villagers would light a candle and place it within the pumpkin and use it as a lantern (hence the name, Jack-o-Lantern). Hence, the origin of carving pumpkins at Halloween.
G. In some witchcraft covens, the closing ritual includes eating an apple or engaging in fertility rites. In the Bible (Genesis 3), eating a piece of fruit brought sin and death into the world. In witchcraft, eating an apple is symbolic of bringing life. The practice of bobbing for apples blends together two pagan traditions: divination and the fertility ritual. Many Christians do NOT know this aspect.
H. The schools especially here in the U.S are removing any religious significance from Christmas (often called winter break) and Easter (spring break). Do you find it ironic that most public schools still celebrate Halloween even though it stems from occultic origins?
I. Participating in Halloween sanctions a holiday which promotes witches, devils, conjuring of spirits/divination, haunted houses and many other occultic practices. Just because people say ‘oh it's innocent fun’ so is this just innocence but is promoting Witchcraft? If Lord Jesus Christ stood next to you would you proudly profess let's go do these acts together?
So hopefully now you have a better understanding as to why Christians should not partake or have anything to do Halloween because it’s far more than ‘innocent fun’ just gathering candy and wearing costumes.
Rev. Bradley Luoma, Exorcist
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 7
Continued from:
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 1
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 2
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 3
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 4
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 5
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 6
In my continuation on the blog series Spiritual Warfare from the last time I discussed the critical aspect of Discernment about one’s belief and what God views discernment as. In this blog aspect we will now cover what many refer to as the Spirits. So what are the spirits? Demons or Fallen Angels? This I will answer for you.
In the spiritual warfare beliefs, one is taught that there are good spirits and bad spirits which one must contend with. Ministry call the good spirits “angels” and the bad spirits “demons”. People feel angels are your buddies—wrong. These are allies in this battle who assist to protect and defend you against the powers of darkness. Demons are the rulers of this earth. These powerful forces of evil who can only be defeated by great faith and some ritualistic behaviors. This is what many are taught, and it’s a bunch of nonsense. If you’re going to get the proper understanding of the spiritual realm, I need to start at the beginning.
There are demons and angels. Understand these are two different names for the same type of creature. Ponder this, is a human stronger than a person? No, those are two interchangeable words for the same metaphor. So therefore, demons are equal to angels. These are angelic creatures who rebelled against God and are no longer righteous in His eyes. Angelic beings (demons and angels) are very different than human beings. God has limited interests in giving a warrior an in-depth education about those differences. This puts the person at a major disadvantage. You will never outwit an enemy that you can’t even understand.
Now while God prevents you from understanding angels and demons, God gives these beings an education about you. These creatures can read your mind, can hear what your soul speaks to God and can discern your very inept intelligence. Angelic creatures view us as quite unimpressive. If demons are the Lamborghini of cars, then humans are those cheesy plastic cars that a toddler “drives” by sitting inside of it and pushing the feet to the ground. In our world - earth, it’s mind-blowing how ineffective you are.
A human can’t manipulate matter, but angelic creatures can. Oxygen is necessary to breathe, angelic creatures have no use for oxygen. Instant transport of yourself to different locations around the earth is not what humans can accomplish, but angelic creatures can. We have to eat, sleep, and protect ourselves against the elements. We have all the strength of a piece of lint and we are incredibly unwise about relying on our physical senses to guide us in life.
So what about those who can see demons? Many Christians who think they have the gift of discernment believe they can see demons. What are you really looking at when you view whatever it is you see? Are you viewing what demons really look like? Of course not. However, you are seeing an illusion of a creature in costume. Angelic creatures can appear to a person in a massive variety of forms. Amazingly is how much emphasis we put in their images used and we’re incredibly easy to deceive. If they appear to you as an ugly looking gargoyle, you actually think that’s what they look like. When introductions happen as giving a certain name, you actually believe that name is true?
Hearing some demon “expert” from the Church boast about the extensive knowledge of the demonic ranks, having maps of demonic strongholds and they’ve figured out which demons work where and such talk is pure folly. No one grasps that angelic creatures communicate with each other on a regular basis. If demon #1 scared the pants off of you by coming in a certain form, they communicate that data to demon #2. Demon #2 then comes on a different night, appearing in the same form and you declare you’ve been visited by the same evil entity. No! Actually you’ve been visited by two different spirits, but there’s no way you can discern them apart because God has reserved intelligence from you.
What often passes for “the gift of discernment” these days is a little more than a vivid imagination and a head full of gullible garbage about what demons look like and act. Certainly demons are real and sometimes they appear in visual forms. However, they just toy with our imagination and make one think they viewed something that you didn’t really see. Demons love toying with the mind and senses. It is so easy for demons to send that creepy tingly aspect up the spine which one would interpret as their glorious gift at work.
Churning your emotions like a stormy sea is easy for the demons. Then you seem to interpret the whole thing as evidence of your deep spiritual insights. That would be like me kicking you in the shin and asking “Did you feel pain just now?” Clearly all you have a deep understanding of the human nervous system. Feeling your nervous system react to stimulus and understanding the mechanics of how your nervous system works are two different aspects. In the same manner, being conscious that a demon is toying with you and understanding the demon itself are two entirely separate concepts.
So how can you truly defeat an enemy that you can’t comprehend? You can’t. View spiritual warfare like this, you’re a person who is trying to hold back an approaching military tank by throwing tissue wads at it. No weapons that you have will stand against demons, you can’t injure or harm them. Unfortunately the armory is an empty closet. This is critical that you understand this. Why? Because deceived Christians are lying to you when they tell you that your faith is some great weapon that demons can’t stand up against. That is such a bold-faced lie. If your faith was so intimidating, why don’t you hear the demons in the midst of your prayer sessions trembling like they did with the Lord Jesus Christ when the demons encountered him in real life?
Why is it that the attempts to rebuke them prove to be worthless? They laugh when you try to quote holy verses at them? Why are they able to successfully hold you down in an ocean of dread and fear if you’re so full of faith? Are you going to tell me that you need more faith? Well, faith can only grow so fast. You had as much today as you had yesterday. Former times the rebuking appeared to work…or did it? So if your faith has no effect on the demons, what is keeping them off of you? It’s not what, it’s who is. God is the One who flicks demons off of you, but God is also the main reason the demons attack you.
In our next blog we will expand on the Demons and what this affords a person as this is thrown around in Spiritual Warfare.
Rev. Bradley Luoma, Exorcist
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 1
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 2
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 3
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 4
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 5
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 6
In my continuation on the blog series Spiritual Warfare from the last time I discussed the critical aspect of Discernment about one’s belief and what God views discernment as. In this blog aspect we will now cover what many refer to as the Spirits. So what are the spirits? Demons or Fallen Angels? This I will answer for you.
In the spiritual warfare beliefs, one is taught that there are good spirits and bad spirits which one must contend with. Ministry call the good spirits “angels” and the bad spirits “demons”. People feel angels are your buddies—wrong. These are allies in this battle who assist to protect and defend you against the powers of darkness. Demons are the rulers of this earth. These powerful forces of evil who can only be defeated by great faith and some ritualistic behaviors. This is what many are taught, and it’s a bunch of nonsense. If you’re going to get the proper understanding of the spiritual realm, I need to start at the beginning.
There are demons and angels. Understand these are two different names for the same type of creature. Ponder this, is a human stronger than a person? No, those are two interchangeable words for the same metaphor. So therefore, demons are equal to angels. These are angelic creatures who rebelled against God and are no longer righteous in His eyes. Angelic beings (demons and angels) are very different than human beings. God has limited interests in giving a warrior an in-depth education about those differences. This puts the person at a major disadvantage. You will never outwit an enemy that you can’t even understand.
Now while God prevents you from understanding angels and demons, God gives these beings an education about you. These creatures can read your mind, can hear what your soul speaks to God and can discern your very inept intelligence. Angelic creatures view us as quite unimpressive. If demons are the Lamborghini of cars, then humans are those cheesy plastic cars that a toddler “drives” by sitting inside of it and pushing the feet to the ground. In our world - earth, it’s mind-blowing how ineffective you are.
A human can’t manipulate matter, but angelic creatures can. Oxygen is necessary to breathe, angelic creatures have no use for oxygen. Instant transport of yourself to different locations around the earth is not what humans can accomplish, but angelic creatures can. We have to eat, sleep, and protect ourselves against the elements. We have all the strength of a piece of lint and we are incredibly unwise about relying on our physical senses to guide us in life.
So what about those who can see demons? Many Christians who think they have the gift of discernment believe they can see demons. What are you really looking at when you view whatever it is you see? Are you viewing what demons really look like? Of course not. However, you are seeing an illusion of a creature in costume. Angelic creatures can appear to a person in a massive variety of forms. Amazingly is how much emphasis we put in their images used and we’re incredibly easy to deceive. If they appear to you as an ugly looking gargoyle, you actually think that’s what they look like. When introductions happen as giving a certain name, you actually believe that name is true?
Hearing some demon “expert” from the Church boast about the extensive knowledge of the demonic ranks, having maps of demonic strongholds and they’ve figured out which demons work where and such talk is pure folly. No one grasps that angelic creatures communicate with each other on a regular basis. If demon #1 scared the pants off of you by coming in a certain form, they communicate that data to demon #2. Demon #2 then comes on a different night, appearing in the same form and you declare you’ve been visited by the same evil entity. No! Actually you’ve been visited by two different spirits, but there’s no way you can discern them apart because God has reserved intelligence from you.
What often passes for “the gift of discernment” these days is a little more than a vivid imagination and a head full of gullible garbage about what demons look like and act. Certainly demons are real and sometimes they appear in visual forms. However, they just toy with our imagination and make one think they viewed something that you didn’t really see. Demons love toying with the mind and senses. It is so easy for demons to send that creepy tingly aspect up the spine which one would interpret as their glorious gift at work.
Churning your emotions like a stormy sea is easy for the demons. Then you seem to interpret the whole thing as evidence of your deep spiritual insights. That would be like me kicking you in the shin and asking “Did you feel pain just now?” Clearly all you have a deep understanding of the human nervous system. Feeling your nervous system react to stimulus and understanding the mechanics of how your nervous system works are two different aspects. In the same manner, being conscious that a demon is toying with you and understanding the demon itself are two entirely separate concepts.
So how can you truly defeat an enemy that you can’t comprehend? You can’t. View spiritual warfare like this, you’re a person who is trying to hold back an approaching military tank by throwing tissue wads at it. No weapons that you have will stand against demons, you can’t injure or harm them. Unfortunately the armory is an empty closet. This is critical that you understand this. Why? Because deceived Christians are lying to you when they tell you that your faith is some great weapon that demons can’t stand up against. That is such a bold-faced lie. If your faith was so intimidating, why don’t you hear the demons in the midst of your prayer sessions trembling like they did with the Lord Jesus Christ when the demons encountered him in real life?
Why is it that the attempts to rebuke them prove to be worthless? They laugh when you try to quote holy verses at them? Why are they able to successfully hold you down in an ocean of dread and fear if you’re so full of faith? Are you going to tell me that you need more faith? Well, faith can only grow so fast. You had as much today as you had yesterday. Former times the rebuking appeared to work…or did it? So if your faith has no effect on the demons, what is keeping them off of you? It’s not what, it’s who is. God is the One who flicks demons off of you, but God is also the main reason the demons attack you.
In our next blog we will expand on the Demons and what this affords a person as this is thrown around in Spiritual Warfare.
Rev. Bradley Luoma, Exorcist
Sunday, May 24, 2015
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 5
Continued from:
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 1
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 2
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 3
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 4
In my continuation on the blog series Spiritual Warfare from the last time I discussed the critical aspect of Dependency. I first started off the blog series with Reverence for God. The second part was that to truly understand God you need to submit to his ways and thus not your or other human’s ways. The third aspect is to be completely dependent upon God for everything in your life. The last section of the blog series I focused on the fourth aspect which is TRUST in God.
The next aspect of Spiritual Warfare is Intimacy with God, Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The intimate act of communion with the Creator is what we are after in this life, not the supremacy over demons. However, some people think that having supremacy over the demons is how you defeat them due to the words spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ giving us authority over the demons found in Matthew 16:19 discussing the keys to the Kingdom.
It is utterly worthless for a person to think that demons flee at the sound of your voice if this person do not know God. This becomes a meaningless act of speaking words in thousands of exorcisms or deliverances if you do not know sweet intimacy with the One who is literally sustaining your soul. For when you pass away, all of your so-called accomplishments upon this earth shall be stripped away, thus the only thing you will have is your relationship with God.
So when you get to Heaven for judgment of your soul, will you be meeting a total stranger or a King whom you are deeply bonded to? Why one would chase after temporary gifts when you could be pursuing the giver of gifts is mind boggling. For the warning from above is that whoever loves this world is an enemy of God, James 4:4. Which Intimacy you choose to have will have serious implications for your soul in eternity.
So what is Intimacy then? Intimacy is defined as having a close familiarity or friendship, something which is personal and private (Webster’s dictionary). So intimacy with God carries with it the aspects of a relationship with someone where the individual is vulnerable, loving, trusting, etc. To have an intimate relationship with God means that the deepest part of you is having a relationship with God.
What an incredible world in which God who is glorious and you are the speck who is just excited to be in His holy presence. Intimacy with God fills our souls with a deep sense of completion as well as satisfaction. In this intimate act one can find joy, peace, and satisfaction working up within us and pulling us away from a love of any created thing. No greater joy can be experienced than serving a God who says his children are pleasing in His sight. Compared to truly knowing God in an intimate manner being able to discern the presence of demons seems worthless.
So let me ask you the reader of this blog this question. What do you gain from having a heightened awareness of the powers of darkness? Especially when it comes to using “discernment” so to speak in Spiritual Warfare. Our God has already told you that demons abound in this world and that they are intent on destroying us humans, John 10:10. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ beheld Satan fall like lightening, Luke 10:18. So being able to sense or see demons crawling all over other people only heightens your distress.
Yes, they are here and there, but what can you do about it? Nothing! You are just a powerless speck and demons aren’t afraid of you in the slightest. However, what they are extremely afraid of is God, Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, see James 2:19. The demons view you the reader of this blog for what you are: A fragile creature who is so easy to traumatize, manipulate and cause havoc within your life.
The demons know the Bible better than you or any person—thus they can quote any verse in any language known and unknown ancient languages to us humans. Many people in Spiritual Warfare feel that they must do certain aspects to defeat demons. These people feel that they must “study” and know why this person is “demonized” by a particular demon. Yes, part of that aspect is important to know which ones are present within the person, but it is not the end all requirements to defeat the demons.
However, what do you personally gain by focusing on mere created things when you should be directing your attention to the Creator of all? Many times people turn to so called “demonologists” who perform acts to cast off these forces because these demonized people feel they have the knowledge to defeat these created beings. When you have intimacy with God the Father you will be protected, but sadly a demonized person is in this position for the lack of intimacy with God from within their life. Sadly, many of these demonized people are “Christians” who are continually sinning. The apostle Peter warned of sinning Christians being in the grips of Satan in 2nd Peter 2:21.
Now what do you gain by fantasizing that you can go to battle against creatures who are far stronger, can manipulate the laws of psychic, come and go within milliseconds and that you have some knowledge of discernment along with knowledge of which demonic force might be present?
Unfortunately, many people feel that this is all they need and throw the name of the Lord Jesus Christ around to cause the demons to tremble and flee. While they are trembling because of the power in the name of God, however, the demons are not trembling because of this person not having an intimate relationship with God.
Therefore does focusing on the enemies of God draw you closer to God Himself? No, it does not draw one closer to God. Searching within yourself for some “powers” that don’t exist is a complete waste of time. This life is not about triumphing over some group of non-human creatures known as demons. Life is about pursuing an intimate relationship with the Creator of all. Thus this means accepting as well as cooperating with His methods as God drills those four essential attitudes down deep within your being.
Those core values for God are: reverence, submission, dependency and trust. As long as you keep these 4 values at arm’s length, one is not going to grow in the sight of God. What you will create is a state of being spiritually stagnated. These are the humans that the demons seek out to enact their plans upon because of the stagnation within their lives. In order to break free from the grips of the demons one must have that special intimacy with God.
In our next blog we will cover DISCERNMENT and what this affords a person as this is thrown around in Spiritual Warfare.
Rev. Bradley Luoma, Exorcist
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 1
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 2
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 3
Symptoms of Spiritual Pollution, Part 4
In my continuation on the blog series Spiritual Warfare from the last time I discussed the critical aspect of Dependency. I first started off the blog series with Reverence for God. The second part was that to truly understand God you need to submit to his ways and thus not your or other human’s ways. The third aspect is to be completely dependent upon God for everything in your life. The last section of the blog series I focused on the fourth aspect which is TRUST in God.
The next aspect of Spiritual Warfare is Intimacy with God, Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The intimate act of communion with the Creator is what we are after in this life, not the supremacy over demons. However, some people think that having supremacy over the demons is how you defeat them due to the words spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ giving us authority over the demons found in Matthew 16:19 discussing the keys to the Kingdom.
It is utterly worthless for a person to think that demons flee at the sound of your voice if this person do not know God. This becomes a meaningless act of speaking words in thousands of exorcisms or deliverances if you do not know sweet intimacy with the One who is literally sustaining your soul. For when you pass away, all of your so-called accomplishments upon this earth shall be stripped away, thus the only thing you will have is your relationship with God.
So when you get to Heaven for judgment of your soul, will you be meeting a total stranger or a King whom you are deeply bonded to? Why one would chase after temporary gifts when you could be pursuing the giver of gifts is mind boggling. For the warning from above is that whoever loves this world is an enemy of God, James 4:4. Which Intimacy you choose to have will have serious implications for your soul in eternity.
So what is Intimacy then? Intimacy is defined as having a close familiarity or friendship, something which is personal and private (Webster’s dictionary). So intimacy with God carries with it the aspects of a relationship with someone where the individual is vulnerable, loving, trusting, etc. To have an intimate relationship with God means that the deepest part of you is having a relationship with God.
What an incredible world in which God who is glorious and you are the speck who is just excited to be in His holy presence. Intimacy with God fills our souls with a deep sense of completion as well as satisfaction. In this intimate act one can find joy, peace, and satisfaction working up within us and pulling us away from a love of any created thing. No greater joy can be experienced than serving a God who says his children are pleasing in His sight. Compared to truly knowing God in an intimate manner being able to discern the presence of demons seems worthless.
So let me ask you the reader of this blog this question. What do you gain from having a heightened awareness of the powers of darkness? Especially when it comes to using “discernment” so to speak in Spiritual Warfare. Our God has already told you that demons abound in this world and that they are intent on destroying us humans, John 10:10. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ beheld Satan fall like lightening, Luke 10:18. So being able to sense or see demons crawling all over other people only heightens your distress.
Yes, they are here and there, but what can you do about it? Nothing! You are just a powerless speck and demons aren’t afraid of you in the slightest. However, what they are extremely afraid of is God, Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, see James 2:19. The demons view you the reader of this blog for what you are: A fragile creature who is so easy to traumatize, manipulate and cause havoc within your life.
The demons know the Bible better than you or any person—thus they can quote any verse in any language known and unknown ancient languages to us humans. Many people in Spiritual Warfare feel that they must do certain aspects to defeat demons. These people feel that they must “study” and know why this person is “demonized” by a particular demon. Yes, part of that aspect is important to know which ones are present within the person, but it is not the end all requirements to defeat the demons.
However, what do you personally gain by focusing on mere created things when you should be directing your attention to the Creator of all? Many times people turn to so called “demonologists” who perform acts to cast off these forces because these demonized people feel they have the knowledge to defeat these created beings. When you have intimacy with God the Father you will be protected, but sadly a demonized person is in this position for the lack of intimacy with God from within their life. Sadly, many of these demonized people are “Christians” who are continually sinning. The apostle Peter warned of sinning Christians being in the grips of Satan in 2nd Peter 2:21.
Now what do you gain by fantasizing that you can go to battle against creatures who are far stronger, can manipulate the laws of psychic, come and go within milliseconds and that you have some knowledge of discernment along with knowledge of which demonic force might be present?
Unfortunately, many people feel that this is all they need and throw the name of the Lord Jesus Christ around to cause the demons to tremble and flee. While they are trembling because of the power in the name of God, however, the demons are not trembling because of this person not having an intimate relationship with God.
Therefore does focusing on the enemies of God draw you closer to God Himself? No, it does not draw one closer to God. Searching within yourself for some “powers” that don’t exist is a complete waste of time. This life is not about triumphing over some group of non-human creatures known as demons. Life is about pursuing an intimate relationship with the Creator of all. Thus this means accepting as well as cooperating with His methods as God drills those four essential attitudes down deep within your being.
Those core values for God are: reverence, submission, dependency and trust. As long as you keep these 4 values at arm’s length, one is not going to grow in the sight of God. What you will create is a state of being spiritually stagnated. These are the humans that the demons seek out to enact their plans upon because of the stagnation within their lives. In order to break free from the grips of the demons one must have that special intimacy with God.
In our next blog we will cover DISCERNMENT and what this affords a person as this is thrown around in Spiritual Warfare.
Rev. Bradley Luoma, Exorcist
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)