The Demonic- What Is The Balance?

[Blake]

HI all,

I am also asking about this area cos i think people have really gone overboard...it uised to be that if you watch a film or read a book you 'shouldnt' then a demon attacks etc, and while I thik thisis true, I am also wondering how much of this s justvfear based and how much is true?

I watch and read boks and see God's power in some form in them or his truth, I read the screenplay for teh EXORCIST recebntly and saw so much in there of God's power and truth..when the priest says that the enmey tries to make us doubt our worth in God and afflicts us and othesr so we wuill then doubt our value in God...

and peopel loom at things in the wrong way.

What do you all think? Is ther some mass hysteria regading the demonic to a CERTAIN EXTENT..one must NEVER play with the occult etc and I do think demons can oppress but not to the extent and fear based way some assume..deliverance books used to make me freak out! :confused:

[Michael]

I take the issue of spiritual warfare seriously at times, scoff at it sometimes, and ignore it other times.

Many years ago I lived in a commune. Long hair, organic food, all that stuff. But our commune was run by a New Age organization. And in that group I saw and experienced enough really weird, spooky stuff to convince me that it's real. A couple things, in a ceremony where they performed an exorcism on me, I held my hands in candle flames with no harm for at least 20 minutes. I had watched the guy ahead of me do it, and I guess I just believed.

In our commune there were "appearances" and demonic attacks. One man arrived at our house, sat down, and proceeded to be taken over by someone else who spoke to us through him -- totally different voice, features, etc. Perhaps he could've been a really good actor, but it didn't seem like it at the time.

I also participated in an exorcism on somebody else. It was one of the scariest things I have ever experienced. If you've seen the movie the Exorcist (the first one) you know that things can get weird. It wasn't quite that extreme in terms of supernatural manifestations, but it was pretty creepy. I remember the hair on the back of my neck standing up.

So, having said that, I also believe that much of what is attributed to the enemy and his minions is totally natural consequences. The enemy gets way too much credit. I know from my days in the commune, where we saw portents in everything around us, in the same way you can see "spiritual warfare" in every bad thing that happens.

I'd go on, but fortunately for you, lunch bekons.

In His grace,

Michael

[Voyager]

I take the issue of spiritual warfare seriously at times, scoff at it sometimes, and ignore it other times.
I'm like Michael in the sense that I ignore it and scoff at it. It is all based in FEAR, which is exactly what spiritual abusers use to manipulate their followers. If they can get you to believe that whatever they promote is holy and whatever they preach against is demonic, they have ultimate control over your mind.

It seems funny that since I left charismania six years ago, I haven't even had one encounter of a demonic nature. I am convinced that it was all nothing but imaginations run wild based on fear-laden teachings.

Whatever you give power over your mind to will dominate you. Once something like this loses power over your mind, you have the upper hand over it.

I have to laugh when I remember all the "spiritual warfare" exercises that our former abusive church used to engage in. One time the pastor had all of us musicians lay hands on the instruments and the sound equipment to "drive the demons out of them". I think we had a bad music service or something, and the pastor was convinced that the instruments were possessed by demons.

Thank God I am free from that whacko bullcrapola!!! Hallelujiah!!!!

:cool:

[jane]

I take the issue of spiritual warfare seriously at times, scoff at it sometimes, and ignore it other times.


this is like me and voyagers post is like my husband.


Jane

[Michael]

I have to laugh when I remember all the "spiritual warfare" exercises that our former abusive church used to engage in. One time the pastor had all of us musicians lay hands on the instruments and the sound equipment to "drive the demons out of them

I can hardly express how sad that makes me to read that there are "Christians" who lead others into such foolishness. It truly grieves my heart. And if I feel sad about it, I can't even begin to guess what Christ must feel about it.

In His grace,

Michael

[jane]

I am still wondering how a drum can possess a demon?????? :confused:

[jane]

wouldn't it be able to make music on it's own :confused: :p

just wondering.

Jane

[Voyager]

Maybe I should have drug a drum set like this one below into the church - the pastor really would have been binding curses then!

http://www.rockenwraps.com/images/Demon.jpg

LOL!!!

:cool:

[bad girl]

Voyager,
OOH that is one creepy looking drum set. I used to think drums could not posess a demon, but I"m not so sure now. :eek: :eek:

Pat

[Voyager]

Of course, that pastor would have loved this drum set below. We all know that the Lord wants to prosper the church (i.e. the pastor's wallet).

http://www.rockenwraps.com/images/Money.jpg

:D

[InTheory]

Too true Voyager, too true.

I think your particular quote is right on target..."Whatever you give power over your mind to will dominate you."

This is even scriptural (as a man thinks in his heart, so is he).

I have done a ton of crazy things in the name of "spirituality," and have grieved over them plenty (I think).

When my wife and I were first going out, we were both seeking spirituality, but had not yet really embraced Christ. We had some weird experiences, but I can truly say that, since we started to follow Christ, these weird experiences dissipated exponentially.

It's funny, I often think that evangelicals (of which I have been one for many years) are one of the most superstitious groups in the world.

You can't look at this without being defiled, can't go to a certain place without being "wordly," etc. etc. etc.

Jesus said that what comes out of a man defiles him, not what goes in.

Anyway, you are all great!

I love the discussions and open healing that is taking place here.

Thanks for letting me be a part (and start to receive healing for myself as well).

DC


I'm like Michael in the sense that I ignore it and scoff at it. It is all based in FEAR, which is exactly what spiritual abusers use to manipulate their followers. If they can get you to believe that whatever they promote is holy and whatever they preach against is demonic, they have ultimate control over your mind.

It seems funny that since I left charismania six years ago, I haven't even had one encounter of a demonic nature. I am convinced that it was all nothing but imaginations run wild based on fear-laden teachings.

Whatever you give power over your mind to will dominate you. Once something like this loses power over your mind, you have the upper hand over it.

I have to laugh when I remember all the "spiritual warfare" exercises that our former abusive church used to engage in. One time the pastor had all of us musicians lay hands on the instruments and the sound equipment to "drive the demons out of them". I think we had a bad music service or something, and the pastor was convinced that the instruments were possessed by demons.

Thank God I am free from that whacko bullcrapola!!! Hallelujiah!!!!

:cool:

[jane]

voyager,

I think you have missed your call. Have you thought of being a stand up comedian? Someone once joked about being a recovering catholic- others have joked on stage about domestic abuse, childhood abuse, etc.....

maybe you should make a profit out of your experiences........

jane