I'm reading through the Gospels again. One thing that always strikes me is the incredible number of healings Jesus did. Everywhere He went, he healed and cast out demons, not just a few here and there, but everyone who came to Him
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Matt 4:23
Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all
sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and
those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.
When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, Matt 8:16
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matt 9:35
At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. Mark 1:32
These are just a few of the verses. We know Jesus healed entire multitudes of people, but there are also over 40 individual healings recorded. Of particular interest to me is that over one-third of those people were healed by having a demon cast out.
In fact, if you do a search on the word "healed" and then the word "demon" in the Gospels, healed appears 34 times and demon appears 65 times.
The Bible tells us that the devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But it also tells us that Jesus came for this purpose: To destroy the works of the devil
The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8
Why do I bring this up? Because I know so many people who are seriously sick, good friends who I dearly love, and as I read what Jesus did, I can't help but wonder what is missing in our contemporary Christianity? How many of the diseases we suffer are the result of demons? Jesus spent nearly half his ministry dealing with demons, yet when was the last time you heard anything about them in church? When was the last time you witnessed a demon being cast out of someone and that person healed?
Whenever I bring this topic up to other Christians, I always get the inevitable "Well you can't blame everything on demons and you can't live in fear and look for them under every rock." Of course not! But aren't we swinging to the other side of the pendulum by not addressing them at all? People also tell me that Christians can't have demons. Really? I'd like chapter and verse on that one. No, I don't believe a Christian who has the Holy Spirit indwelling his or her heart can be possessed by demons, but I do believe and have seen and experienced demons controlling certain aspects of Christian's personalities.
Many of us cause our own diseases by poor eating and bad health habits. Some illnesses just come from germs and bacteria that live in our fallen world. But I do believe that some diseases are caused by demons. Obviously Jesus did too and so did His disciples. Perhaps we ought to follow their example and cast the nasty suckers out. Take charge in Jesus's name and evict them and forbid them to return. But first you must believe. Ask the Father to show you whether the illness is demon related, ask Him to increase your faith. Read all the examples in the Gospels and in Acts. And then follow what the Word of God say. You don't need a church or a priest. You just need Jesus.
"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they
will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no
means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will
recover.” Mark 16:17-18
Be healed in Jesus' name!
.
Amen, my friend. This is SO true. I totally believe that Satan has a hand in sicknesses in some people. He is the master of confusion and deceit. Mental illnesses come to mind...not illnesses that you are born with, but those that happen during a person's lifetime. Even physical illness, such as headaches can come from Satan. He can bring stress into our lives and mess with our physical bodies in many ways. He doesn't need to occupy us to affect our lives. Yes, we can rebuke him and make him flee...but we must believe in this, or we will fail. Thanks for sharing. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteMon Mar 14th,
ReplyDelete"Morning, MaryLu ... and Debbie."
Thanks again, for another timely word, MaryLu. Amen to all you shared. I believe that is what is troubling my son Jeff (with the severe depression, mood swings, and oft times -- suicidal tendancies). He apparently, knows right-from-wrong ... but he has said, that even when he tries or wants to do the right thing, it's like amnesia strikes ... and he's right back at what he was doing before. (Only using him as an example.)
Satan is mighty crafty -- especially when it comes to him trying to get us, to believe his lies and thoughts that fill our heads.
How crucial it is to KNOW the truth ... and yes, the truth will set us free. Everything you shared proves ... stay close to the Lord, and His Word.
Thanks again, MaryLu.
Take care, and, God Bless, In Him, Brenda
I totally agree with you, Marylu! I think today's Christianity has been influenced by secular philosophies that diminish or even deny the existence of the spiritual world and the way it crosses path with our physical life here on earth. There's an unseen and fierce war raging on for the souls of men and Satan successfully uses, for example, psychosomatic disorders to create havoc in a person's life.There are lots of illnesses that may be rooted in demonic attacks ( like acquired mental disorders), but sadly, this seems to be a taboo topic in many Christian circles. Even though Christians today theologically believe that demons are real, many seem unwilling to accept the fact that they are actively at work in the world. The mind is their favorite "playground".If they can distort a believer's mind on whatever level, the devil gains a measure of control over that person's life.
ReplyDeleteJust like you said, we need a balanced approach on the matter: do not overestimate their power, but don't ignore their schemes either.
Yes, Jesus does talk about demons and illnesses. He also talks about suffering and tribulation -- and even promises we will have some of both. Even the apostle Paul was given a "thorn" God would not remove. Should we then say that Paul's faith wasn't strong enough or that he is/was "demon possessed" ... or do we save these brilliant, theological analogies for modern-day sufferers who won The Cancer Lotto or who are riding the daily Pain Train? There are people in the world, God-fearing, Christ-loving Christians, who don't get to stand around on ceremony, second-guessing God's Plan for others' suffering. Have you ever experienced daily pain? Round-the-clock, without ceasing, constant, relentless pain? Any type of chronic illness? Do you have a child with chronic pain or illness? Because you have no idea how these little "judgments" wound an already-suffering soul. God does call some to task more than others ... doesn't he? Do you have a child with Down's Syndrome? Are you paralyzed? Have you lost an infant to leukemia? Do you have to lift a flap of skin to shovel food down your gullet or blow in a tube to move your wheelchair? It's true: demons are everywhere. But so is God -- and there's more of Him. Who are we to judge what suffering goes to whom and whether it is by God's grace, bad diet, genetics *or* demons?
ReplyDeleteI can see I touched a sore spot with this post, and I profusely apologize. It was not my intent to say that all illnesses are demon-related, nor that all illnesses will be healed. My intent was not to be judgemental in any way, but merely to suggest that the modern day church, by ignoring that some illnesses are caused by demons... by in fact, ignoring the presence of demons all together...are doing a disservice to those people who could be healed by addressing that problem. Like I said in my post, I know many wonderful God-fearing Christians who have been chronically ill for years. I have NO idea why God doesn't heal them, but I know there's a good reason. This world is full of suffering and we Christians are told we will suffer too. But IF the disease we have is demon-related and God wants to heal us.. then my hope is that this post would help people call upon the Lord. And by the way, I have a chronic illness that I've suffered with for over 25 years. I pray that whatever illness you or your family are dealing with that, first of all, God heals you, and secondly if He doesn't right away, that He gives you the strength and comfort to deal with it... and that it will lead you closer to Him. God Bless!
Delete