Equipped for Spiritual Warfare: Understanding Devil Possession

 

Summary

In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul urges believers to be strong in the Lord and to put on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. This passage highlights the reality of spiritual warfare, emphasizing that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. We explored the manifestations and operations of these evil powers, focusing on the concept of devil possession. Devil possession involves a person being controlled by an evil spirit, leading to abnormal behavior and a loss of self-control. This condition can manifest in various ways, such as violence, unusual knowledge, or the ability to speak languages never learned.

The importance of understanding devil possession lies in its frequent mention in the Bible, particularly in the Gospels, where Jesus often dealt with such cases. This understanding is crucial for interpreting the scriptures accurately and for recognizing the spiritual realities that persist today. The Bible distinguishes between diseases and devil possession, indicating that the latter is a distinct spiritual condition. The cure for devil possession often involves prayer, exorcism, and, most effectively, the person becoming a Christian.

In our modern context, the resurgence of interest in spiritism and the decline of moral and spiritual values create an environment where such phenomena can re-emerge. The presence of the Holy Spirit and the power of God provide protection and deliverance from these evil forces. As Christians, we are called to be vigilant, to put on the armor of God, and to stand firm in our faith, knowing that Christ has already triumphed over these powers and that a final victory is assured.

Key Takeaways:

- Spiritual Warfare Reality: Our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. Recognizing this helps us understand the importance of spiritual vigilance and the need to rely on God's strength and armor. [00:30]

- Devil Possession Explained: Devil possession involves a person being controlled by an evil spirit, leading to abnormal behavior and loss of self-control. This condition is distinct from medical or psychological issues and requires spiritual intervention. [03:00]

- Biblical Distinction: The Bible clearly distinguishes between diseases and devil possession, indicating that the latter is a unique spiritual condition. This distinction is crucial for interpreting scripture and understanding spiritual realities. [20:25]

- Power of Prayer and Conversion: Prayer and conversion to Christianity are powerful means of deliverance from devil possession. The transformation that comes from accepting Christ can break the hold of evil spirits. [26:53]

- Modern Implications: In a world increasingly interested in spiritism and declining in moral values, the risk of devil possession re-emerges. Christians must remain vigilant, equipped with the armor of God, and aware of the spiritual battle around them. [41:33]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Ephesians 6:10-13
- [00:50] - Understanding Spiritual Warfare
- [01:12] - Activities of Evil Powers
- [02:02] - Voluntary vs. Involuntary Submission
- [03:00] - What is Devil Possession?
- [05:06] - Manifestations of Devil Possession
- [06:00] - Unusual Knowledge and Abilities
- [07:36] - Importance of Understanding Devil Possession
- [09:11] - Biblical Context and Historical Perspective
- [11:31] - Modern Relevance and Spiritism
- [13:09] - The Person of Christ and Devil Possession
- [15:51] - Is Devil Possession Real?
- [18:24] - Biblical Evidence and Distinctions
- [22:25] - Clinical Patterns and Symptoms
- [26:53] - Deliverance through Prayer and Conversion
- [30:58] - Modern Examples and Hypnotism
- [35:21] - Influence of Holy and Evil Spirits
- [41:33] - Conclusion: The Power of Christ's Coming

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 6:10-13
- Matthew 4:24
- Luke 4:40-41

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he instructs believers to "put on the whole armor of God"? How does this relate to standing against the devil's schemes? [00:10]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between devil possession and medical or psychological issues? [18:24]
3. What are some of the manifestations of devil possession mentioned in the sermon? [04:31]
4. How does the Bible distinguish between diseases and devil possession according to the sermon? [20:25]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for Christians to recognize the reality of spiritual warfare as described in Ephesians 6:10-13? How does this awareness impact their daily lives? [00:30]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that modern interest in spiritism could lead to a resurgence of devil possession? [11:31]
3. How does the sermon explain the role of prayer and conversion in delivering someone from devil possession? [26:53]
4. What implications does the sermon draw from the biblical accounts of Jesus dealing with devil possession for understanding His person and mission? [13:09]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you feel spiritually vulnerable? How can you "put on the whole armor of God" to protect yourself? [00:10]
2. Have you ever encountered or heard of situations that might be explained by spiritual forces? How did you or would you respond to such situations? [11:31]
3. The sermon emphasizes the power of prayer in dealing with spiritual issues. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine? [26:53]
4. In what ways can you remain vigilant against the influence of spiritism and declining moral values in today's world? [41:33]
5. How can understanding the distinction between medical issues and spiritual conditions help you support others who might be struggling? [20:25]
6. Think about a time when you felt a strong sense of spiritual opposition. How did you rely on your faith to overcome it, and what did you learn from the experience? [00:30]
7. How can the assurance of Christ's victory over evil powers encourage you in your spiritual journey? [43:59]

Devotional

Day 1: Spiritual Warfare: A Battle Beyond the Physical
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil. This reality calls for spiritual vigilance and reliance on God's strength and armor. In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul emphasizes the importance of being strong in the Lord and putting on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. Recognizing the spiritual dimension of our battles helps us understand the necessity of spiritual preparedness and the power of God's protection. As believers, we are called to be aware of the spiritual warfare around us and to equip ourselves with the tools God provides to stand firm in our faith. [00:30]

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on God's strength and armor to stand firm against spiritual challenges?


Day 2: Understanding Devil Possession
Devil possession involves a person being controlled by an evil spirit, leading to abnormal behavior and a loss of self-control. This condition is distinct from medical or psychological issues and requires spiritual intervention. The Bible frequently mentions devil possession, particularly in the Gospels, where Jesus often dealt with such cases. Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for interpreting scripture accurately and recognizing the spiritual realities that persist today. The distinction between diseases and devil possession highlights the unique spiritual nature of this condition and the need for spiritual solutions. [03:00]

Mark 5:2-5 (ESV): "And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him."

Reflection: How can you discern between spiritual and non-spiritual issues in your life, and what steps can you take to seek spiritual intervention when needed?


Day 3: Distinguishing Spiritual Conditions
The Bible clearly distinguishes between diseases and devil possession, indicating that the latter is a unique spiritual condition. This distinction is crucial for interpreting scripture and understanding spiritual realities. Recognizing the difference helps believers approach spiritual and physical issues with the appropriate solutions. The Bible provides guidance on how to address devil possession through prayer, exorcism, and conversion to Christianity. Understanding these distinctions allows believers to navigate spiritual challenges with wisdom and discernment. [20:25]

Luke 9:1-2 (ESV): "And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal."

Reflection: How can you cultivate discernment to recognize and address spiritual conditions in your life and the lives of others?


Day 4: The Power of Prayer and Conversion
Prayer and conversion to Christianity are powerful means of deliverance from devil possession. The transformation that comes from accepting Christ can break the hold of evil spirits. The presence of the Holy Spirit and the power of God provide protection and deliverance from these evil forces. As Christians, we are called to be vigilant, to put on the armor of God, and to stand firm in our faith, knowing that Christ has already triumphed over these powers and that a final victory is assured. [26:53]

James 5:15-16 (ESV): "And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: In what ways can you incorporate prayer and spiritual practices into your daily routine to strengthen your faith and protect against spiritual challenges?


Day 5: Modern Implications of Spiritual Warfare
In a world increasingly interested in spiritism and declining in moral values, the risk of devil possession re-emerges. Christians must remain vigilant, equipped with the armor of God, and aware of the spiritual battle around them. The resurgence of interest in spiritism and the decline of moral and spiritual values create an environment where such phenomena can re-emerge. The presence of the Holy Spirit and the power of God provide protection and deliverance from these evil forces. As believers, we are called to stand firm in our faith, knowing that Christ has already triumphed over these powers and that a final victory is assured. [41:33]

1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV): "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."

Reflection: How can you remain vigilant and spiritually prepared in a world that increasingly embraces spiritism and moral decline?

Quotes


Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. [00:00:24]

Devil possession now the first thing we have to do is to try to be clear in our minds as to what it means and I think the term is a very good one. It means that the person is actually being possessed by or controlled by somebody else, something else, some other power. That is the exact condition. [00:27:01]

The Bible itself describes these cases definitely, specifically as devil possession. Nobody can get away from that. As I've said already, our Lord himself clearly believed in it and he taught it. So you see immediately we are up against our old problem again of the authority of the scriptures. [00:18:24]

The Bible draws a very sharp distinction between diseases which it recognizes as diseases and devil possession. Let me give you an example, Matthew 4:24, and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with diverse diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy, and he healed them. [00:20:25]

The way of curing these cases is by prayer, prayer urgent and intense prayer that they may be delivered, and it's often happened. Now if you're interested in reading about this kind of thing, take of that book about Pastor She of China, that book which was republished in an abridged form a few years ago by the China Inland Mission. [00:26:53]

Sometimes the way in which this condition is healed and dealt with best of all is by the poor devil-possessed person becoming a Christian. Certainly in my own experience, one of the most striking cases of devil possession I ever saw was healed in this way by the poor person becoming a Christian. [00:26:53]

Today, in an age of moral declension, in an age of godlessness, in an age of excesses, in an age when people no longer believe in God and begin to dabble with the unseen and to play with evil, invariably this phenomenon comes back when their education becomes purely secular and denies the Bible entirely. [00:41:33]

Thank God for the season of Advent. Thank God that we are in the time of the year when we think of the coming of the Son of God. Oh, the difference his coming has made. He came to deliver us not only from the guilt and punishment of sin but from the power of evil. [00:41:33]

Our Lord by his coming has not only dealt with these and controlled them and quelled them and delivered people, his people, from them, but there is a day coming, there is a time coming when they're all together with the devil at their head going to be finally destroyed. [00:43:34]

We can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We can put on the whole armor of God and let us use this liberty and the knowledge it has brought us to help others, to warn others, to open their eyes to the terrible dangers which are surrounding them. [00:44:02]

There are spiritual forces even in these high places. They're there at your cost, at all cost, says the Apostle, remember this and realize this that you may stand against them and they can exercise this power. If you believe in the Holy Spirit, you must logically believe in the evil spirits. [00:35:21]

The presence of the Son of God created a stir in the realm of darkness, and it arose in self-defense in an attempt to defeat him. That's the background to your four gospels, and it's a most significant and important bit of teaching. [00:38:29]

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Transcript
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