Demons - 1

When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men (Matthew 8:28).

Back in the late 1960s and early 70s Satanism exploded to the forefront of American culture. He’s always been around and active, but he became really popular with the production of “The Exorcist” in 1973. It was a frightening movie that scared the socks off of folks. What made the movie (and others like it) different from Frankenstein, the Wolfman, and Dracula, was its saturation of the demonic. Monsters are a figment of one’s imagination. Demons aren’t. They’re real. They’re really evil. And they’re everywhere.

Demons are angels who lived in heaven before the worlds were created. When Lucifer, the highest of the Archangels, challenged God for His throne in heaven (after the 7th day of creation), he was thrown out along with 1/3 of the angels that rebelled with him (Revelation 12:3-9). Lucifer is now known as Satan and his evil angels are called demons.

Demons are spirit beings that can manifest themselves as ghosts, strange and unnatural, even frightening phenomenon in the skies, in or on the waters, or in places where people welcome them. In the story of the demoniac of the Gergesenes (Matthew 8:28-34) there was a legion of demons inside him - that’s 10,000 demons in one person! (see Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-38).

Is demon possession real? Modern liberal theology does not believe in demons, but says what is called demon possession is really epilepsy, depression, insanity, or some other mental or physical disorder. To believe this is not just disputing the text, it’s outright rejection of God’s truth and the witness and work of Jesus.

Demon possession is real today. How else can you explain Hitler, Himmler, Stalin, Gacey, Dahmer, or even Anton LaVey (deceased), founder and high priest of the Satanic Church in San Francisco. These men were more than influenced by Satan - they were obsessed with and possessed by Satan. But this cannot happen to a true Christian. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). God is greater than Satan, the god of this age, who reigns in the hearts of those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. And because God is greater than Satan, we can be confident he cannot harm God’s people without God’s permission (Job 1 & 2).

“Thank You, Lord, for sending Your Holy Spirit to live in those who believe and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Thank You for protecting us from Satan’s assaults and for the promise of victory over every trial and temptation he throws at us. Our enemy is strong, but I thank You for being the Sovereign Lord not only of the universe, but of my life as well. I am grateful that I rest in the power of Your Holy Spirit. To the glory and honor of Jesus Christ, Amen.”

Pastor