Demon and Demon Possession
Posted: Friday, February 06, 2009
by John Waddey
firstcenturychristian
A world in rebellion against God finds itself obsessed with the occult, devil worship, witchcraft and demon possession. Books and movies are profiteering off of this morbid spiritual degeneracy. The current interest in demons prompts us to search the Scriptures to learn what God reveals on this mysterious subject. The speculations of the curious and the impostures of the wicked who scheme and play on the credulity of the ignorant and fearful have helped to create and maintain the wild systems of demonology that have prevailed through the years (Imperial Bible Dictionary, Vol. II, p. 144).
The most common New Testament term is daimonion, translated demon, ASV (devils, KJV). Originally it denoted supernatural powers, generally in a good sense. The term and its cognates grew to describe both good and bad powers. By New Testament times it referred exclusively to evil beings. Some times they are called evil spirits, unclean spirits, foul spirits, angels of the devil, world rulers of this darkness, and hosts of wicked spirits in heavenly places. Also commonly used in the epistles are the terms, principalities and powers. Principalities is from archai and speaks of "angelic and demonic power" (Arndt & Gingrich Lexicon, p. 112). Powers is the Greek exousia and suggests "rulers and functionaries of the spirit world" (ibid.,p. 278). Satan is the prince of the powers of the air (Eph. 2:2). Beelzebub was the prince of demons to the Jews (Matt. 12:24) (RudellWhite, Demons, Firm Foundation, Mar. 12, 1974, p.7).
Under daimonion, Thayer gives the following as his second definition, "A spirit, a being inferior to God, superior to men" Thayer's Lexicon, p.123).
Based on the writings of the ancient Greeks, Alexander Campbell concluded that demons are the spirits of deceased, wicked men. Hesiod wrote, "The spirits of mortals become demons when separated from their earthly bodies." Plutarch states, " the demons of the Greeks were the ghosts and genii of departed men; and that they go up and down the earth as observers, and even rewarders, of men; and although not actors themselves, they encourage others to act in harmony with their lives and characters."
Josephus, the Jewish historian of the first century, says, "Demons are the spirits of wicked men, who enter into living men and destroy them, unless they are so happy as to meet with speedy relief." Philo, the leading Jewish philosopher of the same period, writes, "The souls of dead men are called demons." Justin Martyr, reflects the thinking of most early church fathers when he says, "Those who are seized and tormented by the souls of the dead, whom all call demons and madmen."
Lardner sums up the above quite well with these words, "The notion of demons, or the souls of dead men, having power over living men, was universally prevalent among the heathen of these times and believed by many Christians."
After setting forth the above definitions of the word demon, Campbell cited this rule of interpretation, "Every word not specially explained or defined in a particular sense, by any standard writer of any particular age and country, is to be taken and applied in the current or commonly-received signification of that country and age in which the writer lived and wrote." Alexander Campbell, Popular Lectures and Addresses, p. 386). This conclusion we accept. However, regardless of our conclusion on this point, the rest of our information would be the same.
The Character of Demons
In the New Testament, "Demons are...spoken of as personal, conscious, powerful, responsible agents, who perceive and understand, who hate and rage, who speak, act and tremble. Our Lord always deals with them as such" (Imperial Bible Dictionary Vol. II, p. 148). They are always pictured as foul, evil spirits that work harm to their victims. Demons are under Satan's controlling power. In Mark 3:22-23, the Jews charged, "He hath Beelzebub and by the prince of the demons casteth out the demons. And he...(Jesus).. said unto them...How can Satan cast out Satan?" Jesus then believed Satan to control the evil spirits. It would be good here to remind ourselves that the King James Version uses the term "devil" where the American Standard uses demon. But demons are not to be confused with Satan, the Devil.
Demon Possession
Demons did actually possess the minds and bodies of human beings in the days of Christ and the Apostles. There are at least twenty-six instances in the New Testament that speak of demon possession. A total of 80 places speak of demons in some way. In all of these we have matter of fact statements that can only be understood as accepting the reality of the affliction. A distinction is made between those who suffer some physical or mental illness or condition and those who have similar symptoms caused by demon possession. "And he healed many that were sick with divers diseases, and cast out many demons" (Mark 1:32-34). Demon possession was more than epilepsy or insanity for these are listed as maladies cured in addition to demon possession (Matt. 4:24). Certain women had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities (Luke 8:2). Skeptics have argued that there were no real demons, rather it was the attributing to some unknown spirit power that which was unexplainable to ancient man, or that the Lord knew better but accommodated himself to the level of knowledge of that day. How can these doubters account for the response of the herd of swine at Gadara when the demons were cast out of Legion and allowed to enter them? (Mark 5:10-14).
Possession Described
"Possession is that unnatural operation, in which one or more impure spirits, through any sort of agency, intrude into a human body, make themselves masters of the instruments of sensation, of movement, and of speech; attach the power of the soul to them, and in shorter or longer paroxysms make themselves manifest in strange sounds, gestures, and movements, for the most past of a mocking, licentious, and violent kind." (Eschenmeyer as quoted in Franz Delitzsch, A System of Biblical Psychology).
"The soul finds itself no longer in possession of its body, a strange something has forced itself between it and its body, and exerts a disturbing and hindering influence upon the bodily organs of the psychical life" (Ebard, from Delitzsch, Ibid).
"We find in the demoniac the sense of a bondage in which he does not acquiesce, of his true life absolutely shattered, of an alien power which has mastered him wholly, and now is cruelly lording over him, and ever drawing further away from Him in whom only any created intelligence can find rest and peace. His state is in the most literal sense of the word; a 'possession:' another is ruling in the high places of his soul, and has cast down the rightful lord from his seat; and he knows this; and out of his consciousness of it there goes forth from him a cry for redemption..." (R. C.Trench, p. 170-171).
"The distinguishing feature of possession is the complete or incomplete loss of the sufferer's reason or power of will; his actions,his words, and almost his thoughts are mastered by the evil spirit till his personality seems to be destroyed, or if not destroyed, so overborne as to produce the consciousness of a twofold will within him, like that sometimes felt in a dream" (M'Clintock and Strong Cyclopedia of the Bible, Vol. II, p. 642). "This influence is clearly distinguished from the ordinary power of corruption and temptation wielded by Satan through the permission of God: Its relation to it indeed, appears to be exactly that of a miracle to God's ordinary Providence..." (Ibid).
Results of Demon Possession
Victims of demon possession suffered a variety of afflictions. Each case was different. We note the following examples. The man of Gadara raved and roared frightfully, was wild, fierce and dangerous to himself and others. He had supernatural strength, was insane, went naked and frequented the tombs and deserted places (Matt. 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-15). One man, possessed of a demon was blind and dumb (Matt. 12:22). In another case a demon made a child dumb and dashed him down in epileptic-like seizures. He foamed at the mouth and ground his teeth and pined away (Mark 9:17-18). A young girl had a spirit of divination (Acts 16:16-18). A man with a demon attacked and mastered two men (Acts 19: 13-16). From the frequency of its mention and the fact that"many demons were brought" on many different occasions, we would conclude that it was a fairly common experience in Palestine in the first century (Compare Matt. 4:23-24;8:16 "Many possessed with demons" Luke 7:21; Mark 16:17-20). There is no indication that the experience of seeing one possessed with demons was a rare thing.
Demons Were Cast Out
Christ cast out demons repeatedly. Never was there a hint of failure in his exorcisms. It was proof that "the kingdom of God" had come upon the Jews (Luke 11:20). It, along with other miracles of healing, was sent as proof to John the Baptist that Jesus was indeed Messiah (Luke 7:18-22). Paul cited miracles, including exorcisms, as proof of Jesus messiahship (Acts 10:38). The Apostles themselves cast out demons and worked miracles and thus their word was confirmed to their hearers (Mark 16:17-20; Heb. 2:3-4). James Henderson notes, "The demoniacs, recovered by his word to a sound body and a right mind, were more palpable convincing trophies of his power, and more palpable representatives of his work, than were his own disciples..." (Imperial Bible Dictionary p. 150).
Jesus conferred this power upon the apostles and the seventy when he sent them out to preach (Luke 9:17-20). Some, not of the immediate apostolic band, also cast out devils in Jesus' name (Luke 9:49). Christ did not forbid him. On the other hand, when certain Jewish exorcists attempted to use Christ's name to cast demons out, they failed (Acts 19: 13-16). They were routed by the demon possessed victim.
When Christ and the apostles cast out demons, it was done instantly (Matt. 17:18) "and the demon went out of him: and the boy was cured from that hour." "And his daughter was healed from that hour" of the demon (Matt. 15:22-28). Paul charged the evil spirit "in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And it came out that very hour" (Acts 16:18).
Inspired men cast out demons publicly before many witnesses, both friends and enemies. Never did they charge a fee or take a collection either before or after that or any other miracle they performed. How unlike "miracle workers" and exorcists today.
It is also important to remember that those men of God who could cast out demons were able also to work other notable miracles. Jesus promised them, "And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons, they shall speak with new tongues (languages, Acts 2:6,8); they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover" (Mark. 16:17-18). If a man cannot do all of these, neither can he cast out demons.
Miscellaneous Observations
Several interesting facts about demons can be gleaned from the scriptures. Jesus said in a parable, "the unclean spirit when he is gone out of man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest and finding none, he saith, I will turn back unto my house whence I came out. And when he is come, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he and taketh to him seven other spirits more evil than himself; and they enter in and dwell there; and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first." (Luke 11:24-26) From this we can see:
1. Demons can exist outside of a "host" body;
2. They have the intelligence and the will of their own;
3. They desire to inhabit a human body;
4. A man who has been freed is liable to be repossessed if he does not fill the void left in his life with wholesome spiritual things;
5. More than one demon could possess a person. Mary Magdalene had seven demons cast out of her (Luke 8:2).
From the case of the demoniac of Gadara, we learn:
1. That demons maintained a separate personality while inhabiting a victim.
2. The demons had a supernatural knowledge. They recognized Christ as Messiah.
3. They recognized Christ's power over them. "And the demons besought his saying, If thou cast us out, send us away into the herd of swine"(Matt. 8:31).
4. They preferred even the body of a pig to no host body for a habitation.
Evil spirits often recognized Christ and his power over them and publicly made this known through their victim. "And Jesus rebuked him (the demon) saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him, and the unclean spirit, tearing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him" (Mark 1:23-26, also Luke 4:41). Jesus addressed the demons as intelligent beings over which he had power.
Biblical and Post-Biblical Exorcisms
By a simple command, Christ cast out demons and they fled immediately. The Apostles cast them out in the name of Christ (Acts 16:18; Luke 10:17). No magical formulae or repeated efforts were needed. What a strange contrast that record is with the exorcisms of the Jews and Catholicism.
An ancient Jewish exorcism chant went: "Burst, curst, dashed, banned be Bar-Tit; Bar-Tema, Chashmogoz, Merigoz and Isteaham" (Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Vol. 2, p. 77).
The following is a Roman Catholic ritual for exorcism from ancient times. "The priest, having arrayed himself in the official robes, first sprinkles the demoniac with holy water and then recites the prayer of the litany of all saints, the paternoster, and Psalm 53 (54 in our Bible); after this the two orations, in which he makes the sign of the cross over the demoniac and commands the evil spirit to depart by the power of the mysteries of the incarnation, passion, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ, the gift of the Holy Ghost and Christ's return to judge the world. After this follows the reading of John 1, Mark 16:15-18; Luke 10:17-19. Then the priest lays both hands on the head of the demoniac and says Ecce crucem Domini. Fugite, partes adversa: vicit leo de tribu Juda. After this comes the Oratio with the special formula of exorcism Exorcizo te, immunde spiritus while the priest crosses the brow and breast of the demoniac three times in the name of the Trinity. If the spirit does not then depart, the service is begun anew" (Whitehouse, Hastings Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. 1, p. 812).
"Towards the end of the third century, an order of exorcists was established in the Christian church, which contributed materially to promote the growth of superstition, and led to much fraud and imposture. The practice also of a form of exorcism was introduced into the administration of baptism, on the ground, that as every one previous to baptism was in bondage to the devil, so he must in baptism be formally released from the evil spirit and be made to receive the good. The priest therefore was instructed to breathe thrice upon the face of the subject of baptism, and to say, Depart from him, foul spirit, and give place to the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Then followed another breathing upon the face, with the words, Receive the Holy Spirit through this same breathing and the blessing of God." This order still stood in the Latin ritual at the close of the last century (Imperial Bible Dictictionary, Vol. II, p. 265).
The Duration Of Demonic Power On Earth
Although evil spirits and demons are mentioned in the Old Testament, we have no evidence of demon possession there like we have in the New Testament. We have nothing in our world today that resembles the demon possession as described in the Bible. It seems that at that period of time when Christ and the Holy Spirit worked mightily upon the earth, God allowed Satan this added dimension of power. The repeated citing of instances by the inspired writers showing Christ's power over demons and the Apostle's like-power, indicated that this phenomena gave them opportunity to demonstrate their power over these devilish beings and so establish that God was working in and through them. Jesus said this in Luke 11:20.
"To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil" (I John 3:8). He came to bind the strong man and spoil his possessions (Matt. 12:29). That strong man was Satan. By Jesus' sacrificial death, the world was judged and the prince of this world was cast out (John 12:31). By the cross he despoiled principalities and the powers (both terms refer to angelic and demonic powers of the spirit world) (Arndt & Gingrich Lexicon, p. 112). He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. The RSV says he disarmed these demonic powers. Paul describes the victorious Christ in triumphal parade with the defeated and captured enemies displayed behind him (Eph. 4:8). This would surely include the agents of Satan of the spirit world.
As Christ reigns in heaven, angels, authorities and powers have been made subject to him (I Peter 3:22). In his victory on Calvary and his triumph over the tomb he brought to nought the devil (Heb. 2:14) who is the prince of demons. All of these establish the point that Christ had a great victory over Satan and his evil workers in His death and resurrection. From that point onward, demon possession diminished and soon after the death of the apostles we have no bonafide record of real demon possession like the New Testament records. "Nor was it less natural that it should have died away gradually before the great direct, and still greater direct influence of Christ's kingdom. Accordingly we find early fathers alluding to its existence as a common thing...dwelling upon the power of Christian exorcism to cast it out...by degrees the mention is less and less frequent, till the very idea is lost or perverted" (M'Clintock & Strong, Vol.II, p. 642). When the Seventy evangelists returned from the successful mission, they said, "Lord, even the demons are subject unto us in thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen as lightening from heaven" (Luke 10:17). This seems to be predictive of the results of the wonderful triumph of the cross.
Do Demons Possess Men Today?
If we conclude people are demon possessed today, then we would be forced to conclude that supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit were needed to expel them. If that miraculous gift is still with us, would not all the others be also? (Compare Mark 16:17-18).
If sinners are demon possessed today, we would need supernatural power to cast out the demon so they could believe and be saved. But the gospel is the power of God to save (Rom. 1:16). Therefore, we need no such miraculous power.
Paul says God will not let us be tempted above that which we are able to bear (I Cor. 10:13). Demon possession was beyond man's power to control. We Christians are to choose whether to obey Christ or Satan (Rom. 6:16-17). But the victims of demons were not free to choose.
When Christ came down to establish the kingdom of God, Satan was allowed the power to extend his vile influence to include the possession of human bodies and minds by his evil spirits. This then, gave Christ and his helpers opportunity to publicly show the power of God over Satan by casting out demons. Jesus said this proved that the kingdom of God had come (Matt. 12:28). When the kingdom had been fully established, when the need for supernatural gifts had been fulfilled, God's miraculous gifts were withdrawn and Satan's power to possess by demons likewise ceased. (Compare I Cor. 13:8-11).
Evil spirits still exist today, but are not able to possess minds and bodies. They along with their master suffered an overwhelming defeat in Jerusalem that weekend in 33 A.D. when our Lord was crucified and resurrected from the dead. He crushed the Serpent's head. He lead captivity captive (Eph.4:8). He despoiled principalities and powers and openly made a spectacle of them triumphing over them (Col. 2:15). Today, the influence of Satan and his demons is exerted only through doctrines, seductions and temptations (I Tim. 4:1). We must arm ourselves and resist him with the Word of God, the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17). If we resist him he will flee from us (Jas. 4:7).
Apparent Possession Explained
One last point should be noted. What is the explanation of the apparent demon possessions we hear of? Many strange cases are reported by travelers to benighted lands of paganism. Even some unexplained cases are seen here in the states. Having established the fact that demons are not allowed by God to afflict men today, there must be some natural explanation for the apparent cases. Perhaps it is schizophrenia, the split personality or perhaps the condition known as multiple personalities. Obsession with the occult and evil spirits coupled with ignorance of Biblical truth on the subject could lead to an imagined possession, the mind supplying all the symptoms even as in bodily illnesses. Insanity, severe nervous conditions and epilepsy might be mistaken for demon possession since those possessed in Bible times sometimes showed these symptoms. Then there are always the charlatans who stimulate such things as this for the sake of gain. They often use the power of suggestion over the weak minds to make them think that their condition is demoniacal.
Conclusion
Thank God that Jesus despoiled principalities and powers when he arose from the dead and ascended on high. Thank God for the truth that makes men free (John 8:32). Thank God that we can know that we may not be subjected to the horrors of demon possession today.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Campbell, A., Popular Lectures and Addresses, pp. 379-402, Nashville, Harbinger Book Club, no date.
DeHaan, R.W., The Spirit World, Grand Rapids, Radio Bible Class, no date.
Delitzsch, Alfred, A System of Biblical Psychology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House, 1966 (reprint).
Edersheim, Alfred, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Vol.I, p. 478-485, Grand Rapids, Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1943.
Encyclopedia Britannica, 13th edition, Vol.8, p.5-8, New York, The Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 1926.
Henderson, James, Demons, Demoniac, Exorcism, The Imperial Bible Dictionary, Patrick Fairbairn, editor, London, Blackie and Son, Limited, no date.
Henderson, Wm., New Testament Commentary, Ephesians, Colossians, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House, 1964
Hodge, Charles, A Commentary on Ephesians, London, Banner of Truth Trust, reprint 1964.
Johnson, B.W., Commentary on John, Cincinnati, Standard Publishing Co., no date.
Kent, W.H., Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p.710-716, New York, Robert Appleton Co., 1908
Lenski, R.C., The Interpretation of St. Paul's Epistles, Col. 2:15, Eph. 6:12, Minneapolis, Augsburg Pub. House, 1961
M'Clintock, J., and Strong, James, Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, Vol. II, pp.639-642, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House, reprint, 1968.
Needham, Mrs. G. C., Angels and Demons, Chicago, Moody Press, no date.
Sweet, L. M., International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Vol. I, p.478-485, Grand Rapids, Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1943
Trench, R. C., The Miracles of Our Lord, London, MacMillan 7 Co., 1876, pp.161-175.
White, Rudell, Demons, Austin, Texas, Firm Foundation, Mar.12,19,26, 1972.
Whitehouse, O.C., A Dictionary of the Bible, James Hastings, editor, Edinburgh, T. & T. Clark, 1906, Vol. I, p. 590-594.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)i dont understand the B.C and A.D between the last year of B.C and first year of A.D where these years not counted i mean is it really like 2039 or 2009 + the age of Jesus when he was crucified? or does B.C just mean up untill the year of crucifixion and A.D was the following year ?it said Jesus triumphed that weekend of the year 33 AD i dont understand, was this after the crucifixion? or beforebut B.C before Christ sounds to me like before he was even born so wouldent it be B.C.D or B.C.T , or B.C.C (before Chist's Death), (Before Christ's Triumph) or (Before Christs Crucifixion) please do not mistake my ignorance on the matter as having disrespect for Jesus and or the Bible.as a Christian i prefer Goodness and Love to the opposite, and acknowledge the Lord God Almighty as being the most high.PLEASE EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF A.D. AND B.C.
I don’t understand the B.C and A.D abbreviations attached to dates. What happened between the last year of B.C and first year of A.D? Where these years not counted? I mean is it really like 2039 or 2009 + the age of Jesus when he was crucified? Or does B.C just mean up until the year of crucifixion and A.D was the following year ?
It said Jesus triumphed that weekend of the year 33 AD. Was this after the crucifixion or before?
If B.C means before Christ, it sounds to me like before he was even born. so wouldn’t it be B.C.D (Before Christ’s Death) or B.C.T (Before Christ’s Triumph), or B.C.C (Before Christ’s Crucifixion) Please do not mistake my ignorance on the matter as having disrespect for Jesus and or the Bible.
As a Christian I prefer Goodness and Love to the opposite, and acknowledge the Lord God Almighty as being the most high.
Dear Friend: Thank you for your question.
First you should know that there have been many different calendars used in human history. In ancient times each kingdom had its own calender and sometimes each king had his own calendar based on his life and reign. Our present calendar can be traced by to Dionysius Exigius who created his dating system in the middle of the 6th Christian century. His was a revision and enlargement of an earlier calendar by the Greek scholar Sosigenes. He took as his starting point 1 A. D., the year of our Lord’s birth. Events prior to that date he labeled A.C., which stood for "ante Christum," i.e., prior to Christ. The Venerable Bede, an English monk, in his Ecclesiastical History of the English People, gave us the designation "B.C." which stands for before Christ. The term A.D., anno Domini, means in the year of our Lord. This designation was not in play when Christ was born. It was instituted centuries later when our current calendar was created.
The Christian scholars were trying to create an accurate time line and calendar of the great events of both sacred and secular history. They began with the year of Christ’s birth and counted backward towards the beginning of humanities’ life on earth. Beginning with that same year of his birth they sought to create an accurate time line of the things that happened since the birth of Jesus. Each year we continue building on that calendar. Remember our calendar was not based on the death, resurrection or ascension of Christ, but on his birth.
The triumph of Christ was in successive steps.
1. In his death on the cross, he paid the price for the forgiveness of man’s sins (I Cor. 15:3). This was his triumph over Sin! He also purchased the church with his shed blood (Acts 20:28).
2. In his resurrection, he triumphed over death and the grave (Heb. 2:14).
3. In his ascension back to God, he took his seat at the right hand of God to reign over his kingdom (Acts 2:32-35). Today he reigns as King of kings and Lord of lords (I Tim.6:15).
4. At the end of the Christian Age he will return to raise the dead (John 5:28-29) and judge all of humanity (Acts 17:31). John Waddey
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