How do people become demon possessed?

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Arphaxad

I believe that anyone not filled with the Holy Ghost can become demon possessed. I think they possesss whom they do just because they want to, and sometimes they are directed by satan to a certain person.


ARPH

I tend to agree w/ this position. Jesus spoke that they seek dry places ... a dry place does not have the rivers of living water ... His Spirit. It will dwell in an empty abode.

[SDG]

Another possession SINCE CHILDHOOD:

6 When they came to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them. 15 Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him. 16 He asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?" 17 Someone from the crowd answered him, "Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit. 18 Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so." 19 He said to them in reply, "O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me." 20 They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. 21 Then he questioned his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" He replied, "Since childhood. 22 It has often thrown him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." 23 Jesus said to him, " 'If you can!' Everything is possible to one who has faith." 24 Then the boy's father cried out, "I do believe, help my unbelief!" 25 Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the unclean spirit and said to it, "Mute and deaf spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!" 26 Shouting and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became like a corpse, which caused many to say, "He is dead!" 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. 28 When he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, "Why could we not drive it out?" 29 7 He said to them, "This kind can only come out through prayers


Why does Jesus ask him this type of question ?... he knew how long this young man had been possessed ... he didn't even need to know this to cast it out ... I think it's there for us to examine.

[SDG]

"The unclean spirit/demon" (Mt 12:43-45; Lk 11: 24-26)


Int. This phrase is found 11 times. Once in Zechariah and 10 times in the N. T.

1. (Zec 13:2) "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."

2. (Mat 12:43) "When the (unclean spirit) is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none."

3. (Mark 1:23) "And there was in their synagogue a man with an (unclean spirit); and he cried out,"

4. (Mark 1:26) "And when the (unclean spirit) had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him."

5. (Mark 3:30) "Because they said, He hath an (unclean spirit)."

6. (Mark 5:2) "And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an (unclean spirit),"

7. (Mark 5:8) "For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou (unclean spirit)."

8. (Mark 7:25) "For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an (unclean spirit), heard of him, and came and fell at his feet:"

9. (Luke 8:29) "(For he had commanded the (unclean spirit) to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)"

10. (Luke 9:42) "And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the (unclean spirit), and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father."

11. (Luke 11:24) "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."

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Int. The phrase "Unclean spirits" is found 10 times in Scripture.

1. (Mat 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."

2. (Mark 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."

3. (Mark 3:11) "And (unclean spirits), when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God."

4. (Mark 5:13) "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."

5. (Mark 6:7) "And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over (unclean spirits);"

6. (Luke 4:36) "And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the (unclean spirits), and they come out."

7. (Luke 6:18) "And they that were vexed with (unclean spirits): and they were healed."

8. (Acts 5:16) "There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with (unclean spirits): and they were healed every one."

9. (Acts 8:7) "For (unclean spirits), crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed."

10. (Rev 16:13) "And I saw three (unclean spirits) like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet."

[Arphaxad]

in vs. 23 when the man says "I do believe, help my unbelief'', does that mean he thought that the disciples could not cast out demon but only Jesus Himself could. Is that something that is happening in the modern church(not only pertaining to casting out demons), that we believe in Jesus but have unbelief that we can actually be a conduit for His power?...just something that came to me just now....

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Arphaxad

in vs. 23 when the man says "I do believe, help my unbelief'', does that mean he thought that the disciples could not cast out demon but only Jesus Himself could. Is that something that is happening in the modern church(not only pertaining to casting out demons), that we believe in Jesus but have unbelief that we can actually be a conduit for His power?...just something that came to me just now....

Clearly Jesus reprimands this father and his disciples for being faithless .... after the father brings his request to Jesus and states they were unable to do so ... Jesus addresses all of them saying:

19 He said to them in reply, "O faithless generation, how long will I be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.

Of course this father had to be pretty desperate by the time he came to Jesus ... after seeing that his disciples had been ineffective.

He couldn't even muster enough faith ... he first says after this reprimand "if you can .... have compassion ...."

Jesus says "Everything is possible if you have faith"

The desperate father cries out .... "I believe, help my unbelief"

Interesting type of faith displayed here ..... Now does Jesus act on this man's belief ... or his unbelief??? Good question A.

Perhaps the concept of having just enough faith ... even if it is the size of a mustard seed applies here

The biggest problem may not have just been faith also... but lack of prayer also.

Jesus tells his disciples as much.