Who & what are the demons ?

Whatever demons are, they are nasty creatures that can inhabit both humans and animals, and can lead to temporal and eternal destruction and death.If/when they inhabit humans, it's best to cast them out as Jesus did, and then fill the void with God's Spirit.Blessings

Read what I said again. I said demons "can lead to temporal and eternal destruction," not God. Since Jesus believed in real demons and cast them out of persons, I believe in them too. Maybe you should travel to some places like Hati and Africa and watch them in operation where they openly manifest themselves in the lives of those who honor them.In most other parts of the world, demons are content with motivating people to kill, steal and destroy as many other humans as possible.

I know why Jesus practiced delivering possessed people from the power of satanic demons. These possessed people could not live in a normal state of mind in a civilized society.The same is still true today. If any person "cannot" resist the power of satanic demons "urging" them to steal, kill and destroy, then I believe they need to be delivered from these satanic demons "urging" them to do these evil acts.Does this mean I believe all stealing, killing and destroying is caused by satanic demons? No, I don't. Much evil is caused by our own selfish behaviors, and an unwillingness to care for and help our fellowman. I commend you for your willingness to help and serve your fellowman. But do you honestly say that you have never come across any person in all your travels who demonstrated demonic powers? Christian missionaries can testify that they have routinely witnessed demonic powers in their travels, especially in Hati and Africa.Yes, you can give a few examples of how exorcism was used in a wrong way. But I suggest we go back to examples that occurred in the life of Jesus, and follow His examples when needed.

The problem with demons is that you don't believe they exist, and I do. Jesus certainly believed they troubled some of the people of His day. When He encountered them in the lives of various people, He cast them out. When Jesus cast them out, the demon possessed people became normal and in the right mind.Just as the first healing step for an alcoholic or a drug addict is to admit that you are an alcoholic or a drug addict, the same is true for those who are afflicted by demons. Counseling does not generally work well in these situations. Our mental wards are full of people that have not been helped by drugs and years of counseling.Yes, I'm in favor of following Jesus' example by casting out demons when nothing else man has tried has worked. But I would not recommend anyone try this unless they are a follower of Jesus, and they know they have His authority cast out demons. Otherwise, unbelievers may find themselves overpowered as did the Jewish exorcists of Acts 19.Blessings

Exorcism is not primarily for drug/alcohol/porn addictions, although some demonic activity may be involved with these activities. Exorcism is primarily for those who are not in their right mind, for those who cannot resist voices who speak to them telling them to steal, kill and destroy.Studies for drug/alcohol/porn addictions are already available for all who are willing to look at the results. Just check out the success rate for the government and privately run programs against the success rate of Tenn Challenge.Blessings

In Jesus day, He took authority over these demons and cast them out.Today we just put them in mental wards, and try durgs and counseling for years and years. When drugs and counseling don't work sufficiently enough for them to return to society and normal family life, then they remain in mental wards for life.I suggest that those who know they have Jesus' authority to cast out demons do so for those who have not been helped in any other way.Edited by John 10:10, : added "normal"

No, I believe in performing exorcism for this specific catagory:They have not been helped by any other means, and cannot resist voices who speak to them telling them to steal, kill and destroy.Now do you get what I'm saying?

I would follow the examples and the words that Jesus used when He cast out demons. Maybe I am. Thanks for encouraging me to do so.Blessings

1 Cor 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

Then why are you even in this section of the forum where Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ get to explain to unbelievers what Faith & Belief are all about, and how the Lord gives His authority over demons to those who honor Him? Demons certainly knew that Jesus was the Son of God (Luke 4:41). Demons themselves are quite content for you to remain in your unbelief, while the evil they cause abounds all around you.

This forum as a whole is anything but neutral when it comes to talking about the validity of God. The least you and other unbelievers can do is let believers in the Lord Jesus Christ explain what "faith and belief in God" is all about from our viewpoint, rather than limiting "faith and belief in God" discussions to your viewpoints only. The latter mostly evolves into deprecating the messenger, rather than truly examining the message and promises that Jesus gives in the Bible.

This is your example of deprecating the messenger, rather than examining the message. If one wants to learn "Who and what are demons," the best way I know is to look at the life and message of Jesus as recorded in the Bible, and see how He dealt with demons. You can deny that demons are real, or that Jesus dealt with real demons, or that real demons exist in today's world if you wish. My belief is that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, those who know they have His authority, should take on those cases where NOTHING ELSE HAS WORKED. Yes, I guess this is dangerous to those who exclude the reality of demons.Edited by John 10:10, : No reason given.

Did you miss the part where I said, Cases where NOTHING ELSE HAS WORKED means when doctors and physiatrists have tried everything they know and nothing has helped to bring these patients into their right minds, then consider that demons are causing the problem.Yes, Christians that use Jesus's authority are a danger to demons.

Real-life case of demon possession documented

I have been walking, talking and fellowshipping with Christians for over 50 years. Do we agree on all points of beliefs, and what we have experienced in our relationship with God? No we don't! The main reason we don't is because we are all at different levels of maturity in our walk with the Lord. The main thing we all agree on as Christians is that Jesus is Lord, and the way we honor Him as Lord is to "first" enter into the truth of Acts 2:38. Then you can be saved to the uttermost (Heb 7:25), if you desire to do so.Blessings