Powers of darkness

[J Krys]

Demonic Influence: Judas Iscariot

Was Judas a believer in Christ? I believe that he was "he was one of our number and shared in our Ministry" (Acts 1:17) and then this happened. . ."As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him" (John 13:27). If this can happen to a Disciple, it could happen to us.

But what about a good disciple you may ask? Jesus also says, "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail" (Luke 22:31). Christ doesn't say that Satan will not tempt Simon - He says that He has prayed for Simon to resist.

What about the fact that we now have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit did dwell within Peter and what about all the Christians in Ephesus? A previous writer mentioned "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:11,12)

So, Hell exists (Christ descended there) and Lucifer may have one third of the fallen angels there with him. And they battle the angels in the heavenlies. And they battle with Christians as well. Can we be possessed? I don't think so, but we can certainly be influenced.

 

[El Hombre viejo]

Can you tell me where it says Pauls thorn in the flesh was a demon?

Hmmm Even I could see it. LOL


2 Corinthians 12:7 (King James Version)


<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-29030">7</sup>And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.


Find it yet?

 

[El Hombre viejo]

It doesn't say demon, but a messenger of Satan.

2Co 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

2Co 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Isn't that cool?! When we are weak and can do nothing in ourselves, we can rejoice because we know that we have GODs authority to take care of it. HIS authority, HIS power backing us up. We don't have to submit to any of the devils harrassments. Ever!! All we have to do is to do what JESUS did and send the devil packing.

 

[Davy]

Hi Faithful Son: The answer you posted from gotquestion.com. States--(You asked if it is true that hell has powers that are unleashed each day. The answer is YES. Every temptation is a work of the devil and his angels on a daily basis throughout the world.)--This is not correct!

James wrote in James 1:13-15: "When tempted, no-one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." (NIV) Not all temptation comes from Satan and his Demons. Depending on the person and their life experience, our own sinful thoughts and desires we choose to focus and dwell on can tempt us in to committing those sinful thoughts and desires. If a person has been exposed to satisfying some carnal desire for a long time, then they choose to repent and follow Jesus, they will quite often find they have a real fight on their hands when it comes to resisting the temptations of immorality, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, pornography and so on.

So not only do we have to fight against the temptations from Satan and his Demons, we also have to fight the sinful temptations we generate within our own mind and heart. Thankfully the holy spirit can comfort and help us in our greatest need, in fact with out the help of God, how could any one of use stay the course!!!