Demons and the believer

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

It wasn't a spirit, it was exactly what Paul said it was, a messenger of Satan.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15.

Also when we look for the Biblical terminology for thorns in their sides was the inhabitants of the land against Israel. Had zero to do with hobgoblins, ghouls, or imps. Or sickness, or Paul needing a pair of bifocals. It had to do with another minister who was a Judaizer leading Paul's Asia Minor churches astray.

Numbers 33:55

But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and THORNS IN YOUR SIDES, and SHALL VEX YOU in the land wherein ye dwell.

Judges 2:3

Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as THORNS IN YOUR SIDES, and their gods shall be A SNARE unto you.


Joshua 23:13

Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be SNARES and TRAPS unto you, and SCOURGES IN YOUR SIDES, and THORNS IN YOUR EYES, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

But Paul would be like the chosen few, the remnant, who wouldn't be snared by his opposition. But through the grace of Jesus Christ he would overcome and endure. He would take possession of the Good Land the Body of Christ, the True Israel of God. Not allowing the thorn to overcome him. Much learning doth make thee mad! Acts 26:24. The devil knew how to get at Paul, because Paul knew he was smarter then his peers Galatians 2:6-10. In Galatians it doesn't look as if Paul was too impressed by the Jerusalem eldership. So, God needs to bring people around us (sometimes none too friendly) to take us down a few notches. Thorns are good, Romans 8:27-29.

But we are being told by Esaias that there is no devil. How can that be if there is no devil?