As either a pastor/Missionary?
ANY Here ever been involved in fighting Demonic activity?
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Yeshua1, Oct 3, 2012.
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Baptist Believer Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Yes.
Between 1987-1990.
Haven't had any blatant encounters since that time, although I moved out of that ministry field to Fort Worth in 1990 so the problem may still remain in that region. -
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preachinjesus Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Yes, several times. Once, the most significant, was while on a missions trip. We encountered a demon possessed woman in a third world country. A group of us fasted and prayed as two of the missionaries sat with her and began casting out the demon. It wasn't their first time.
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Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Yea as a matter of fact....right on this board! :laugh:
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Sorry for the hijack, but I couldn't resist :) -
Yes. It's called preaching the Gospel.
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You belong to either Jesus or Satan. There is no in between.
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. -
One quick qualifier, not everyone is demon possessed nor should we be looking for demons around every corner or in every action. However if they manifest themselves we are to deal with them. -
I asked this in another thread. The RCC has exact procedures for dealing with demonic possession. How does a local NT Baptist church handle this situation, which I believe is very possible. No doubt it would require faith and prayer. Paul describes putting on the full armor of God.
However, as seen in the NT, those unprepared with every weapon the Lord supplies to fight demonic activity, will literally "beat up" the person trying to battle the entity if not fully prepared with strong faith in the Lord. I would think this would be faith light years beyond the average Christian today.
So my question is, what does one actually do to handle the situation??? -
good question! Believe that while semons can and do put a kind of spiritual bondgae on christians IF we let them influence us, NOT demon possession for the saints!
The unsaved already in his camp, and can be under demon possession...
Guess my problem is that in the Bible, demons were kicked out immediatly when confronted by the person and power of christ!
But TV/Movies even some stories have it a real long affair, outcome in doubt! -
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Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Yea..... Again today on this board. And Im beginning to like it!:smilewinkgrin:
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The one and only experience I had with so-called demon possession happened in my one church in Saskatchewan. We had a missionary visiting from an Island country quite familiar wih "demonic" actions.
There was a young girl that behaved out of order in a faithful Christian family. The missionary suggested we visit this girl at home for prayer and a laying on of hands as we prayed. The girl went absolutely bonkers for a few minutes. The missionary had us hold her down whilst he layed hands on her head and prayed.
Within five minutes of this, there was an absolute change in this girl.
Long story, short, she went on to lead a marvellous life of witnessing in the Lord, and later went to Bible College and on to missions. She is now retired from the mission field after a lifetime of service in the Lord. She never turned back.
I had never seen this before nor since in all my lifetime of ministry.
I don't know how I feel about demonistic power, but I am certainly aware of it. I do believe the true believer has power over demonism. Was this girl truly "saved" before this experience, or did she experience new birth in the process? That will remain a question in my mind, but I shall ever be aware of strange things that can, and do, happen in the Christian experience.
Cheers,
Jim -
righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
My Answer is....a Resounding, YES!
Ephesians 6:10-18 - New King James Version (NKJV)
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren [refers to ALL, not just leaders or disciples], be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—
His directive for the church to lift up and pray for each other [all the saints] is not just for the brothers and sisters to have good days while living for Jesus! Paul knew, better than any of the disciples, that spiritual warfare was impossible to avoid, and that it was going to take place in their walk along the path to the narrow gate! That is why he shared the need to put on the spiritual clothing/armor mentioned in this verse!
Be strong in Him. The devil roams about looking for believers he can devour [1 Peter 5:8]...and Peter is not referring to unbelievers [whom the devil/lion wishes to devour].
The early disciples knew they were not at war against flesh and blood, BUT today's church seems to have skimmed over this, and therefore, they are easy prey for the enemy! :tear:
I also agree that we should not go looking for demons around every corner, but be ready in and out of season to make a stand when confronted.
In closing: while I firmly believe that a true, born-again believer cannot be possessed by a demon, I do believe that demons can oppress [burden, sadden, afflict, harass, subdue and even torment] a believer! This is why believers [the church] needs to be knowledgeable about what Paul and Peter taught, when it came to the spiritual war going on around us!
Shalom! :type: -
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Jesus in me is greater than the sickness, disease, sin, or demon in any person, and will cast it out. This is the normal believers attitude.
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