What Should Christians Believe about the Causes of Demon Possession?

[Scripture More Accurately]

The NT indisputably and emphatically reveals the reality of demon possession. Concerning those people who were demon possessed, one of two things had to have been true: (1) They were born demon possessed or (2) they became demon possessed at some later point in their lives.

The NT does not seem to provide any definitive information to establish that any people were born demon possessed. Taking that they were possessed at some later point in their lives, what caused them to become possessed?

 

[Ben1445]

The NT indisputably and emphatically reveals the reality of demon possession. Concerning those people who were demon possessed, one of two things had to have been true: (1) They were born demon possessed or (2) they became demon possessed at some later point in their lives.

The NT does not seem to provide any definitive information to establish that any people were born demon possessed. Taking that they were possessed at some later point in their lives, what caused them to become possessed?

Vacancy, though not the cause is certainly a concern.
I gather that there will definitely be some kind of permission granted by the individual for a devil.

Mark 9:23
And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

Though it is unclear what age the child was, it is certain that he was not born this way.


But vacancy is a real problem.
Matthew 12:44
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Anyone not filled with the Spirit of Christ is in danger of being filled with something else.


Not all places are welcoming to devils.
Matthew 12:43
-- When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

Vacancy, though not the cause is certainly a concern.
I gather that there will definitely be some kind of permission granted by the individual for a devil.

Mark 9:23
And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.

Though it is unclear what age the child was, it is certain that he was not born this way.


But vacancy is a real problem.
Matthew 12:44
Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

Anyone not filled with the Spirit of Christ is in danger of being filled with something else.


Not all places are welcoming to devils.
Matthew 12:43
-- When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

Why do you think that "some kind of permission granted by the individual for a devil" was something that definitely was so? Any passages come to mind to support that view?

Vacancy of the sort that you are talking about is true for all unbelievers, but we only see a subset of them who were possessed.

Matt. 12:43 is certainly interesting in that it speaks of demons seeking rest and not finding it in dry places.

 

[JonC]

Concerning those people who were demon possessed, one of two things had to have been true: (1) They were born demon possessed or (2) they became demon possessed at some later point in their lives.

I do not know of an instance where somebody was born demon possessed. But sometime during their life - even during their youth (Mark 9:21-24) they were possessed.

The "how" is a good question. I believe it is by invitation (although typically ignorant of what is being invited). When people invite sin in their lives they are inviting possession.

 

[Ascetic X]

How people get saved is a better, more edifying question than how do they get possessed.

But there are many occult resources that explain how to summon demons and give them access to the mind and body,

 

[Ben1445]

Why do you think that "some kind of permission granted by the individual for a devil" was something that definitely was so? Any passages come to mind to support that view?

Vacancy of the sort that you are talking about is true for all unbelievers, but we only see a subset of them who were possessed.

Matt. 12:43 is certainly interesting in that it speaks of demons seeking rest and not finding it in dry places.

I would say that Mt. 12 would support that view. I don’t suppose that the unclean spirit is just traveling the Sahara Desert and not finding anyone.

Job was given over to Satan to afflict and was barred only from taking his life. We do not see Job becoming possessed. I recognize that Job wouldn’t be considered the unsaved.

But this world is given to the authority of men. I don’t see any reason to believe that we may be taken into bondage of sin but by our own will.

Luke 22:31-32
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

 

[Ascetic X]

The NT indisputably and emphatically reveals the reality of demon possession. Concerning those people who were demon possessed, one of two things had to have been true: (1) They were born demon possessed or (2) they became demon possessed at some later point in their lives.

The NT does not seem to provide any definitive information to establish that any people were born demon possessed. Taking that they were possessed at some later point in their lives, what caused them to become possessed?

I am seeing a pattern to your posts.

You seem to be obsessed with devilish music, demonic drums made by cannibals, and now how people get possessed.

This fixation on darkness does not seem to be healthy or edifying.

 

[Ben1445]

I am seeing a pattern to your posts.

You seem to be obsessed with devilish music, demonic drums made by cannibals, and now how people get possessed.

This fixation on darkness does not seem to be healthy or edifying.

I would second that opinion in a cautionary manner.

Romans 16:19
For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

 

[Aaron]

Flirting with the occult is the most common way to open the door. It doesn't matter whether one is a Christian or not. One can be tormented and troubled by demons even if not possessed by them.

But the world is a different place than it was before the Cross. Demonic activity today by comparison is a sideshow curiosity, though still horrifying to those who are troubled by them. We don't see "many possessed with devils" being brought to the churches to be cast out, and they don't appear to be on every street corner as they were when the Seventy were sent out two by two. We don't have sorcerers turning their rods into serpents or mimicking plagues, or otherwise deceiving the nations into thinking that their gods were the most high gods.

But the day is coming, and might be at the door, when that kind of manifestation will be spectacular, and the Man of Sin comes whose working will be of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 2 Thessalonians 2:9.

 

[Aaron]

I am seeing a pattern to your posts.

You seem to be obsessed with devilish music, demonic drums made by cannibals, and now how people get possessed.

This fixation on darkness does not seem to be healthy or edifying.

He might be trying to build the case for certain kinds of music being a cause, since David playing on his harp seemed to calm Saul down when he was possessed.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

I would say that Mt. 12 would support that view. I don’t suppose that the unclean spirit is just traveling the Sahara Desert and not finding anyone.

Job was given over to Satan to afflict and was barred only from taking his life. We do not see Job becoming possessed. I recognize that Job wouldn’t be considered the unsaved.

But this world is given to the authority of men. I don’t see any reason to believe that we may be taken into bondage of sin but by our own will.

Luke 22:31-32
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Can you explain further how Mt. 12 supports that view because I am not following you at all.

As far as I can tell from Scripture, this world is not currently given to the authority of men.

Satan is the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4). The whole world lies in him--that is, in his power (1 John 5:19). He takes sinful unbelievers captive at his will---not theirs (2 Tim. 2:25-26).

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

I would second that opinion in a cautionary manner.

Romans 16:19
For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

I am sorry that you agree with Ascetic X on this point. Sound demonology is a vitally important doctrine about which many believers need much more careful instruction.

 

[Ascetic X]

But the world is a different place than it was before the Cross. Demonic activity today by comparison is a sideshow curiosity, though still horrifying to those who are troubled by them. We don't see "many possessed with devils" being brought to the churches to be cast out, and they don't appear to be on every street corner as they were when the Seventy were sent out two by two. We don't have sorcerers turning their rods into serpents or mimicking plagues, or otherwise deceiving the nations into thinking that their gods were the most high gods.

I do not want to go down this rabbit hole, but the Epstein files and victim testimony prove that demonic activity is more than just a “sideshow curiosity” these days.

Demonic activity is seen in more than turning rods into serpents. It is seen in homicides, gambling compulsions, sex trafficking, fentanyl addiction, transgenderism, gay agenda, AI chatbot romantic attachments, and many other practices.

 

[Aaron]

I do not want to go down this rabbit hole, but the Epstein files and victim testimony prove that demonic activity is more than just a “sideshow curiosity” these days.

I said by comparison.

 

[Ascetic X]

I am sorry that you agree with Ascetic X on this point. Sound demonology is a vitally important doctrine about which many believers need much more careful instruction.

But demons, demonic music, demon drums made by cannibals, is all you post about. Your obsession with demonology is not normal or beneficial for a Christian believer. How many demons have you cast out? Or do you just think about demons a lot?

The Bible commands us to focus on what is holy and positive, not what is evil and darkness.


Romans 16:19

For your obedience has become known abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf; but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.



Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

[JonC]

I would second that opinion in a cautionary manner.

Romans 16:19
For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Agree. We do not have to worry that stuff if our mind is set on Christ.

Runners cross the finish line not by looking at the detractors but by keeping their eyes on the prize.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

But demons, demonic music, demon drums made by cannibals, is all you post about. Your obsession with demonology is not normal or beneficial for a Christian believer. How many demons have you cast out? Or do you just think about demons a lot?

The Bible commands us to focus on what is holy and positive, not what is evil and darkness.


Romans 16:19

For your obedience has become known abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf; but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.



Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Wrong. I do not have an obsession with demonology. You, on the other hand, seem to be focused on interposing yourself in my discussions with comments that are not germane to the topic of discussion.

Furthermore, studying in depth what God has revealed in His Word about demonology is not contrary to what Romans 16:19 and Philippians 4:8 teach. God has given us all Scripture---including everything that the Bible reveals about demonology---to profit us for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness . . . (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

If you do not have anything of value to add to the subject of this thread, you should comment and participate in other threads where you have things of value to share that are directly in keeping with the subject of the thread.

 

[Ben1445]

Can you explain further how Mt. 12 supports that view because I am not following you at all.

-- When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.


Given that the unclean spirit is unable to find rest, it must not be as simple as there is another person to possess. There must be some willingness to follow the deception of temptation. There is in my experience which is only in reading of Scripture or other books, that there is some promise made to people by Satan or by devils, that would entice people. Examples are the temptation of Eve, Faust, The Devil and Daniel Webster, to name a few. In the more recent stories, the story is of selling one’s soul to the devil. In the case of Adam and Eve, it appears to be more of buying into a lie than selling your soul.

And so to get back on track with Mt. 12, it cannot be that the unclean spirit was unable to find any other person. When he had gone out of the man, there was nobody around for hundreds of miles? Do unclean spirits get tired by distance? It necessarily means, in my mind that there had been attempts to find a satisfactory situation but none was so available as the place just left. It is unlikely that it left of its own accord and so it returned with reinforcements to make sure by the perfect amount of help that it could not be kept out. But the key is that while the place had been cleaned up, it had not been yet repurposed. There is not much in life you can list that is more helpful than purpose. People can survive incredible things with purpose to achieve. With no purpose of use, there is no resistance to an unclean spirit, vice, etc.
It is my opinion that it is exactly instilled purpose that is the difference between people who quit, cold turkey, or those who without clear purpose, struggle with their addictions.

As far as I can tell from Scripture, this world is not currently given to the authority of men.

Psalms 115:16
The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD's:
but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

Satan could only tempt. Adam and Eve had to make the choice. Even with a fallen mankind, it would have been the easiest to possess Adam and Eve at the beginning when there were only two, if that were an option.
Man is responsible for his own sin. The devil made me do it is still not a viable excuse.

Satan is the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4). The whole world lies in him--that is, in his power (1 John 5:19). He takes sinful unbelievers captive at his will---not theirs (2 Tim. 2:25-26).

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

In the aforementioned verses, there is enough recognition of the fault of the individual for their own state. They oppose themselves. They need repentance.
Because they are in the state they are in, they are sitting ducks, if you will. They are easy targets to be taken at leisure.

I hope that explains a bit better.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

-- When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.


Given that the unclean spirit is unable to find rest, it must not be as simple as there is another person to possess. There must be some willingness to follow the deception of temptation. There is in my experience which is only in reading of Scripture or other books, that there is some promise made to people by Satan or by devils, that would entice people. Examples are the temptation of Eve, Faust, The Devil and Daniel Webster, to name a few. In the more recent stories, the story is of selling one’s soul to the devil. In the case of Adam and Eve, it appears to be more of buying into a lie than selling your soul.

And so to get back on track with Mt. 12, it cannot be that the unclean spirit was unable to find any other person. When he had gone out of the man, there was nobody around for hundreds of miles? Do unclean spirits get tired by distance? It necessarily means, in my mind that there had been attempts to find a satisfactory situation but none was so available as the place just left. It is unlikely that it left of its own accord and so it returned with reinforcements to make sure by the perfect amount of help that it could not be kept out. But the key is that while the place had been cleaned up, it had not been yet repurposed. There is not much in life you can list that is more helpful than purpose. People can survive incredible things with purpose to achieve. With no purpose of use, there is no resistance to an unclean spirit, vice, etc.
It is my opinion that it is exactly instilled purpose that is the difference between people who quit, cold turkey, or those who without clear purpose, struggle with their addictions. . . .


I hope that explains a bit better.

Ok, thanks for the additional explanation. I had no idea what you were getting at with your comments about Matt. 12:43, but I now see how you are understanding what that text reveals. I will give these remarks careful and extended consideration and get back to you about them.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

First Corinthians 10 seems to be a passage that likely points to one leading cause of demon possession, as follows.

Writing at least more than a decade after Jesus had been crucified, buried, raised, seen of many credible witnesses, and then had ascended to heaven, Paul instructed the believers in Corinth about what truly happens in idolatrous worship that involves the offering of sacrifices to an idol and then the subsequent consuming of those sacrifices in a worship context:

1 Corinthians 10:19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that 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.

The Spirit reveals here that people who in a worship context partake of things that have been offered to an idol in a worship context come into fellowship with demons.

Although I do not think that such fellowship with demons automatically or necessarily entails possession by demons, it certainly means that the sinful people who engage in such activity come into contact with demons in some manner that was not true of them prior to their idolatrous partaking of those things that had been offered to an idol.

It would seem that coming into fellowship with demons in this manner would put a person into a susceptible state that would be a natural precursor to his subsequently being possessed and could readily lead to possession.