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[et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]We want to explore demonic or satanic possession and our study will answer three questions. What is demonic or satanic possession? Can a Christian be possessed? And how does the devil gain access into a man?
Text
[Proverbs 4:23 KJV] “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”.
Reference
Matthew 12:45; Luke 11:24—26
Discussion
We have learnt that there is a thief out there who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. When he gains access to your life, he first of all tries to destroy all important relationships and connections which reinforces you. When he came into the life of Judas, he incensed him against his master and rabbi. Judas got offended in the Lord.
That is why you must guard your heart with all diligence, so that the thief would not gain access to destroy your life. We know that, there is a massive demonic and satanic activity going on around the world today. We live in such trying times and the devil is out there seeking whom he may devour. With regards to the church and believers, Satan is seeking to either deceive, manipulate, control, possess or afflict you.
Satanic or demonic possession is the condition in which Satan or devils enter and fill a person and causing that person to do things, especially contrary to the will of God. John 13:27, Luke 22:3 teaches that Satan entered into Judas Iscariot. He was a disciple training to be an apostle. He was a kingdom preaching, sick healing, and demon casting preacher, yet Satan entered into him. In Acts 5:3, Satan filled the heart of Ananias — Holy Ghost baptized, tongue talking apostle — to lie. It is therefore clear that Christians can be possessed and controlled by devils. The devil can move you to act in ways that are injurious to your relationship with important people in your life.
There are varied forms of the possession; there are times when he enters and stays there for a long time, but there are also times when Satan enters and leaves as and when he needs to use that person. Therefore, it is possible for the devils to leave when you are coming to the presence of God and enter when you get out.
So, how does the devil enter and fill tongue talking believers? Satan can only enter a man if he finds the following conditions;
1. When he finds something in the believer that agrees with the devil:
In John 14:30, our Lord Jesus said “from hence forth I shall no longer speak with you, because the prince of this age is coming, but I am not afraid because he has nothing in me.” The devil can only enter and use you when he finds something in you.
Satan entered Judas because he found offense, pride, and anger in him. Judas got offended at Bethany and sought for an occasion to betray Jesus.
Satan could fill Ananias because he found greed in him. Ananias loved the praise of men and loved money too. Until the devil finds an agreeable partner in you, he dare not enter.
Satan entered Peter because he found that Peter was thinking as a man, and lacked a godly understanding. Peter was thinking like a man, hence a formidable partner for the devil.
2. If he overpowers you;
That is why when he finds a potential prey or victim, he looks for 7 other wicked spirits, before they come to possess you. (See Luke 11:24-26). Therefore, in James 4:7, we are admonished to be “submitted to God, and then resist the devil and he will flee from us”. If you do not resist the devil, he would take roots. You must resist him, if you don’t want him to take you at will. That is why you need to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. You cannot stop devils from possessing you if you stay indifferent.
3. When you fellowship with devils by eating food sacrificed to idols:
1 Corinthians 10:19-22 exhorts us to stay away from food sacrificed to idols, lest we end up fellowshipping with devils. Fellowshipping with devils and eating food sacrificed to idols is a doorway to bondage. Be careful where you sit and what you do.
4. Through evil books, music, video and chats
Eve was deceived because she paid attention to the serpent. Evil communication will not just corrupt your good manners but it will also open you up to demonic possession. Satan can gain access to your life through the books you read, videos you watch, and music your listen to. In Acts 19:18-19, we learn that after the sons of Sceva were beaten by the man with devils, many believed and got saved; “And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver”. There were many that practiced curious arts. The practice of curious arts is through books. Let us be careful because the enemy is crafty.
Let us be careful because when the Satan enters and fills your heart, he will control your behaviour and actions. Satan can take a hold of your tongue and you will begin to talk nonsense. When the devil possessed the man of Gadara, he left home to go live in tombs. Beware! This is why you must keep your heart with all diligence.
Stay blessed; I love you!
Noah Simpe Bediako[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column]
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