Skip to main content

#575 - READER | No biblical basis for demonic possession

Much rarer than those who accept that demon possession occurs in men, women, children and animals, regardless of their state of sin are those who believe that there is not only no biblical basis for demonic possession, but that the Bible teaches that it no longer occurs; but, sure enough, a reader (who turns out to also be my own brother) asserts this argument emphatically, as shown in this Facebook conversation between the two of us this afternoon in my Facebook group Demonic and Other Paranormal Activity [unformatted; starts with my post, advertising the latest factoid addition to this blog]:

James Bush
8 hrs · San Jose, CA
DEMONIC FACTOID #34 | In spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, most people still believe that demonic possession is caused by spiritual defects inherent to the demoniac, and that godly living has the power to prevent or repel this affliction; rather, it is the ungodly that are more likely to cope, and to use demons to their personal advantage.
Read more about this fact and others at:
  • Jarrod Bush Or, you could refer to the New Testament after the establishment of the new covenant and see that demonic possession (along with miracles) are no longer permitted by God. God permitted possession in the times of Christ so that examples could be made that He was the Christ. As stated in in the letters from Paul, miracles and demonic possession have passed from the land. Therefore, if we believe that the Bible is truly the Word of God then demonic possession is not even an issue as it cannot occur. That is not to say that Satan and other Devils or demons cannot persuade you to lead a life of evil intent but they cannot directly influence your body or soul per God's will. The Bible cannot be used to pick and choose what we want. It is one complete book from start to finish. The fact that this is addressed in the New Testament after the New Covenant has been established prove that possession cannot happen. If a person believes that it can, then they have to disagree with the entire Bible . It really is an all-or-nothing deal.
  • James Bush If you have any particular scripture in mind, by all means, share it with my readers...

  • Jarrod Bush "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the pre-
    sence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. But
    these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name" John 20 30,31. In this scripture it says that Jesus was able to do many miraculous things. One of those things was to cast out demons. God permitted these demons to affect people mentally and spiritually so that Jesus could cast them out to prove that He was the son of God and that he had dominion over these demons.
  • James Bush There was demon possession after Christ. Read Acts 6.

  • Jarrod Bush Zechariah 13: 1-2 "There shall be a fountain opened to the House of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness. I will cause the prophets and the unclean spirit to pass out of the
    land."
  • James Bush That pertains to God's covenant with the house of Israel. Not applicable here, in that it refers to a very specific point in time.
  • Jarrod Bush This was a prophesy referring to the new covenant being set up. After the new covenant prophets and demons that could directly influence body and mind were gone.
  • James Bush Besides, there's no one who doesn't believe that this is real, so...

  • Jarrod Bush This as in JEsus casting out demons or demonic possession?

  • Jarrod Bush Once there was no more need for words or signs to deify Christ, these things ceased to be.
  • Jarrod Bush The apostles were given the power to do miracles so yes, these occur in Acts (of the apostles). But God did not allow the transfer of these powers to others because there ceased to be a need. Therefore, God would not allow possession if there was to purpose. It is not expedient or profitable.
  • James Bush Nope, you're confused; Jesus said that when he returns, there will be people who claim to have cast out demons in His name.
  • James Bush That means that demon possession is real, and that it will be an issue until the second coming.
    2 hrs · Like
  • James Bush Sorry, you're ass out on this one.
    2 hrs · Like
  • Jarrod Bush Exactly, CLAIM does not mean it happened. CLAIM, I can claim that I'm JEsus. Doesn't make it true. So, I don't think I'm the one confused.
  • Jarrod Bush I provided multiple references that shoot down your argument. I can give you about 5 more if you like/.
  • James Bush Matthew 7:21-23. It doesn't mean "claim," it means "happened."

  • James Bush Of course, that doesn't mean it's happening around me; but, if it hasn't, you've been arguing with a crazy man, which is pointless.
  • Jarrod Bush And his reponse to them, "And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness"
  • Jarrod Bush Argument invalid.

  • Jarrod Bush It's not happening around you not anywhere else. NOte, I never said demons don't neccessarily exist, I said demonic possession doesn't exist.
  • Jarrod Bush Lastly, I'm not saying that you're perception of reality is wrong. If you think it's happening then it doesn't matter what I think, because to you it is. All I'm saying is that of all the people I have met in my walks of life, Church of Christ, atheist, theastic agnostic, atheastic agnostic, from a lot of nationalities, no one believes in true demonic possession. They like in the sense of "The Exorcism" for entertainment. But no one takes it seriously.