Demonic Activity.

Dated: February 11th

Last night, my husband and I chose to have a night in. I made us dinner and then we decided to save some money and go rent a movie instead of heading to the movie theater. As Christians, we try to find a movie that isn't full of filth and doesn't compromise our morals. Needless to say, in the day and age we now live in, that doesn't leave us with many options. As we scanned the selection, I couldn't believe how many of the movies listed had something to do with either ghosts, paranormal activity (no, it's called demonic activity), demon possessed children, murder, or some kind of evil, twisted view on religion. I know some people enjoy thrillers and horror flicks but I am left asking what are we subjecting ourselves to and are these movies influencing our lives more than we think?

Throughout my day to day life, I hear of so many awful stories of murder, rape, suicide, and self mutilation. Actually, I am hearing these stories more and more often and they are hitting closer and closer to home. When Jesus was alive, people believed in demonic activity. Just look at Mark chapter 5:

New International Version (NIV)

Mark 5

Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man

¹ They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.^{[a] 2} When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. ³ This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. ⁴ For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. ⁵ Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.⁶ When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. ⁷ He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” ⁸ For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” ⁹ Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” ¹⁰ And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area. ¹¹ A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. ¹² The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” ¹³ He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.¹⁴ Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. ¹⁵ When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. ¹⁶ Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. ¹⁷ Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. ¹⁸ As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. ¹⁹ Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” ²⁰ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis^[b] how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed."

Now, people cast this man out of the town because they knew he was demon possessed. When Jesus came on the scene he didn't try to counsel the man or put him on medication. No, Jesus cast those demons out of him by the power of Almighty God!

This man was under such demonic influence that he was cutting himself with stones. Today, that is still happening. Thousands of teens are using razors and other sharp objects to cut their skin to cause it to bleed. My younger sister who is 14 said that young girls in her class are doing it on their legs so that people won't see the marks as easily. Some are even burning themselves with matches and lighters!

So what do you think causes these teens to harm themselves in such a brutal way? Should we put them all in straight-jackets and send them to the closest mental institution? Are they are mentally ill or is there something that goes beyond their mental state? Are they hearing a voice to do this? What person's conscience would tell them to hurt themselves? Do we actually believe we can medicate or counsel this problem out? This issue goes deeper. Their is a root that needs to be dealt with and it cannot be fought on the surface in the natural.

Paul tells us in Ephesians:

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" 6:12 (NIV).

That means their is a realm that is unseen that is waging war against us and they aren't ghosts. They are evil spirits, demons (fallen angels) who want to mare and destroy God's beautiful creations. We were given dominion over this earth and Satan and his demons were not. They don't like that fact...at all. But the good news my friends is that we have authority of those evil powers. The moment we start mingling with the enemy by watching such demonic filth and participating in sinful behavior is the moment Satan will try to pull us under. We must exercise our authority. Mark 16:17 "...And these signs shall follow those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons.."

So if we have been given the authority to drive them out, what makes us think they don't exist to drive out?

People don't need counseling and medication...they need deliverance!

Don't mingle with demons, my friends. Be careful little eyes what you see...

<3 Emily