The Pope wants there to be a holy war on devils by exorcists.
The [UK] Daily Mail reported on December 28, 2007:
“Pope Benedict XVI plans to tackle the rise of Satanism by setting up specialist exorcism squads, it has emerged.
Father Gabriele Amorth, 82, the Vatican ‘Exorcist-in-Chief’ revealed the plans in an interview with online Catholic website called Petrus.
According to the plans being considered, each Bishop in his diocese would have a specially trained number of priests trained to fight the occult and demonic possession.
In his interview Father Amorth said: “Thanks be to God that we have a Pope who has decided to fight the Devil head on.
“Now Bishops are to be obliged to have a number of established exorcists for their diocese.
“Too many Bishops are not taking this seriously and are not delegating their priests in the fight against the Devil – you have to hunt high and low for a proper trained exorcist.
Father Amorth also explained that since Pope Benedict XVI wanted to resume the prayer said to St Michael the Archangel, believed to be the prime protector against evil.
“For example if a lay person knows someone who is possessed and there is no exorcist available they can intervene by saying this prayer, commanding the demon to leave that person.
The prayer to St Michael the Archangel was abolished in the 1960’s by Pope John XXIII during the Second Vatican Council and was traditionally recited at the end of Mass.
The Vatican is particularly concerned that young people are being exposed to the influence of Satanic sects through the media, rock music and the internet.
Three signs that experts look out for are an ability to speak in tongues, the presence of superhuman strength and an awareness of hidden or distant objects.
In theory, under the Catholic Church’s Canon Law 1172 all priests can perform exorcisms but, in reality, only a select few are assigned the task.
Catholic exorcism
Pontifical Regina Apostolorum University is teaching a course called “Exorcism and the Prayer of Liberation,” which among other things hopes to teach aspiring demonologists and exorcists how to tell the difference between demonic possession and psychological problems.
Apparently the Catholic Church has seen enough real demonic possessions to be able to list the four telltale signs that a person is in fact possessed by a fallen angle.
1) When someone can suddenly speak or understands languages they normally can’t.
2) When their physical strength is disproportionate to their body size or age;
3) When they are suddenly knowledgeable about occult practices;
4) When they have a physical aversion to sacred things, such as the communion host or prayers.
Can you be possessed by a devil as a Christian?!
There is no Biblical precedence:
Not once in Scripture do we see an example of a true believer being truly possessed by a devil (evil spirit).
It is basically illogical:
The true believer has the Holy Spirit of God indwelling their spirit and it is unreasonable to think that the Holy Spirit is going to reside with a devil in the same spirit. Children of the devil can surely have their father come live with them…naturally. But, those that are Children of God, it would seem very unnatural, and preposterous, to have a different father come and live side by side with their Father (represented by the Holy Ghost). My statement on the matter is that it is highly unlikely that a truly born again believer can be possessed by a devil. You can say that it is ‘impossible’, but how do you prove this?…
How do devils influence Christians?
You are a triune being – body, soul, and spirit. Your soul is your mind, will, heart, emotions.
Body – Christians can have a sickness/disease just like the unsaved. And it may very well be caused by a devil.
Soul – Do you have a bad temper? Is there mental illness in your family background? Do you have trouble serving God? Do you have problems with bad thoughts? These all can be profoundly instigated by a devil. The ‘soul’ is the real you; it is where the Spirit of God attempts to affect…and so do other spirits.
Spirit – Apparently, the devils cannot get into your spirit, for the Holy Spirit has full control of this area. The devils can affect your body and soul enough that you are so conentrated on them that you ignore your spirit and the Holy Spirit of God that controls it. Everything has to run through your soul first; it is the decision making plant of your being; it is your will, your mind. Even what the Holy Spirit is influencing you to do through your spirit still has to be approved in your soul, your mind. This is where the devils can attack oh so vehemently.
Apparent Christian possession in the Bible is actually far from it
Paul was ‘buffetted” by them, but not possessed.
Peter was greatly influenced by them, but not possessed.
Ananias had his heart filled with Satan, but wasn’t possessed by him.
They are seeking to ‘devour’ us, but cannot possess us.
We can ‘resist’ them and they will ‘flee from us’.
They can be a ‘snare’ for us, but not possess us.
It goes against Scriptural teachings:
2 Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
A Christian is no longer like the lost person; he is uniquely new; he has a spirit with the Holy Spirit of God residing there; the old possibility of being possessed by a devil is now passed away.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
The Holy Spirit seals the spirit and soul of the born-again Christian. This ‘seal’ might indeed permanently keep out other spirits.
Jn 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
A Christian’s spirit becomes the abode or house of God; God lives there; the devil isn’t allowed into an area described this way.
1 Sa 16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
The Holy Spirit left prior to the evil spirit coming.
Are there people today that are possessed by devils?
Demonic influence vs. possession
Demonic influence. This is a more subtle level of demonic or diabolical possession. A Christian is definitely influenced by the devils. Devils are the Christians enemy and are consistantly attempting to influence them to do wrong. These under the influence of the devil, still have their proper thinking and judgement about them and are aware that there is a serious problem and may even fight it. One who is truly possessed, has a devil taking residence within their being (spirit if you will); at times they theoretically will have no control over what they do; he is not able to think for himself; he has really no hope of escape without the intervention of someone other than himself. It may be similar to being possessed by the Spirit of God; but you are not always fully under His control. Possession deals with ownership.
Why do we see apparently more devil possession when Jesus Christ was on the earth, than we do nowadays?
Demonic manifestations were a regular occurrence throughout the New Testament, especially when Jesus walked the earth. Thomas Ice and Robert Dean Jr. give a great explanation as to why they seemed to be more active during the time of Jesus than now, “In parts of Texas during the summer you can look out at a field of Johnson grass and everything appears to be calm and inactive. However, when you walk through that field you stir things up. Often a wave of grasshoppers and other insects spring into action as you plod through the field….The same was true of Christ’s ministry. Often it was just his presence passing through the land of Israel that caused the activity of the demonic realm to become noticeable. The activity was there all along, but our Lord’s messianic presence stirred up the spiritual realm and brought that activity out into the open.” Thus, today, that devil activity is probably still just the same, but there isn’t that much which is stirring it up.
The typical description one might find concerning identifying someone who is possessed with a devil
Those who are possessed by the devil are filled with hatred, blasphemy for holy things, they emit furious sounds, they move and act with weird behavior, they tend to hurt or to mutilate themselves, they enter into periods of trance, they may vomit and do biological functions as if they were animals, they become a threat to their families and those around them, they lose contact with society. In other words, they are described as mad and most likely end up in a mental hospital and diagnosed as Schizophrenic, where they are over-medicated for life without being given any spiritual help.
It may be that devils can no longer possess people today
We have learned that the apostles could give to others the ability to work miracles. The purpose of these miracles was to confirm (prove) God’s Word (Mark 16:20: Hebrews 2:2-4). Paul said these gifts of the Holy Spirit would fail, cease, and vanish away (1 Corinthians 13:8-10). These miraculous gifts would cease when that which is perfect had come (v. 10). This refers to the New Testament, which is called the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25). One of these gifts was the power to cast out demons.
1 Co 12:7-10 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit, To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Therefore, evil spirits possessing men, along with the power to cast them out, ceased when the New Testament was completed and confirmed. If demon possession continued today, Satan would have more power than God, for he could send his demons into people, but God’s people could not cast them out.
There are no further instructions given the churches in the epistles regarding how to cast out devils. This would surely have been covered with them if they were to be doing it. Michael the Archangel even chose to not deal directly with a devil, but instead had God take care of the problem (see Jude).
Zec 13:1-2 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will cut off the names of the idols out of the land, and they shall no more be remembered: and also I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the land.
In that day might be the Millenium. But, in that day it is apparent that devils will not be in that land; that land is referring to Israel and may apply to all lands.
What can we learn from the Bible on devil possession?
The key passage on spirit possession and deliverance:
Mk 5:1-13 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country (into the deep). Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
Devils may like to hang out in the cemetary (tombs). They are also known as ‘unclean spirits’. They can cause a person to have superhuman strength (plucked asunder). They can cause a person to be totally out of their mind and out of control (in his right mind, man tame him). They can cause a person to hurt themselves (cutting himself). The person possessed can still seek deliverance (ran and worshipped). There can be many, many possessing just one person (we are many). They desire to always be possessing some living thing (not send them away, into the swine). Animals apparently can be possessed. They always need to have Jesus Christ’s permission before doing anything (gave them leave).
Various truths about devils gleaned from the Scriptures
Lk 11:26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
There are different levels of wickedness associated with devils.
Mk 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
A legion is said to be 6000 men! Some may be possessed by many devils at one time.
Ac 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
Devils can give someone special powers.
Lk 13:11-13 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
She had a ‘spirit of infirmity’. It had lasted 18 years. Was she truly possessed? Well, the devil surely had control of this one area at least.
Thus, devils can cause serious chronic health problems in people.
1 Sa 19:9-10 And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand. And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.
A devil may try and cause someone to kill a godly person
HOW CAN A DEVIL BE CAST OUT?
Mk 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
With Jesus Christ speaking, they will always obey; but with mere mortals speaking it very well may not be this way.
Do we Christians today have that authority? I believe that only those during the special sign gift manifestations of the Spirit had this authority. Today, the churches have authority, but not individual Christains per se; but, this authority doesn’t involve the sign gift of casting out devils.
Mt 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
There is just a simple mention of ‘get out, by the authority of Jesus Christ’, or something to that affect. There is no long incantation process. There are no magical formulas. There are no long drawn out rituals. Just a word. Those practicing this in deliverance ministries don’t just speak a word and it’s over…hmmmm.
Why can’t we cast out devils today?
Mt 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Lk 10:1, 17-20 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
These 70 were probably ‘apostles’; the words ‘seventy also’ are used which is relating them to the 12 apostles who were similarly sent out. At that time period the sign gifts were used and these 82 men apparently had them; and, more than likely, all Christians then had at least one sign gift to manifest…some of which would be the gift of ‘discerning spirits’ and, I assume, the power to cast them out, subsequently.
Mt 17:19-21 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
The context here was His 12 apostles, though. And, sign gifts were active. If casting out devils is still for today, one might be potentially unable to because of ‘unbelief’…or a lack of spiritual preparation (prayer and fasting).
Can a non-Christian cast out devils?
Mt 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Ac 19:13-15 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
What hope do devil possessed people have today?!
Ac 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
I believe that if indeed a person can be possessed by a devil today, that they can be delivered by the only One who has authority to do such, that is Jesus Christ. God can still perform miracles. People today can still be physically healed, just not by command from a Christian. Likewise, I believe a devil possessed can be delivered, but not by some Christian ‘exorcist’ who commands such in Jesus’ name. However, today I believe that the one being delivered of a devil must first call out to God for help, for salvation, for deliverance. God will most certainly answer that call for help. God doesn’t want to deliver them from a devil without that person receiving the Holy Spirit of God. Salvation is part of the deliverance.
Lk 11:24-26 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
If they don’t get saved, the state of that person is worse than before…it would have been better if you left him possessed…