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This is going to look like a study but I am not thinking of it as a study. The topic of demons has come up over and over again here and the one constant seems to be believers that use the word possessed as in the devil taking control over the person. The New Testament does not describe an experience like Hollywood does.
Jesus is not 'The Exoricist' and the devil is usually a little more clever at disguising what he does through people. No green vomit and no heads doing 360's and nor priests jumping out windows in order to secure the release of the 'possessed'
There are 3 expressions used to describe the evil spirit beings we read about in the NT, who are aligned with the devil in his war against God and His creation.
Demon, from the Greek daimonion. This is the neuter singular of the adjective daimonios, which is derived from the noun daimon. The adjective daimonios indicates some connection with a daimon. Daimonion is used regularly as a noun, even though in form it is adjectival.
In English the distinction between daimon and daimonion is hidden by the fact that both words are normally translated by one word and that is the word demon which we are all familiar with. So, right off, we see a distinction made by scripture that is not noted in our English Bibles so we are not getting the whole truth and nothing but the truth right from the get go.
The Greek indicates two separate entities. The daimon, as a primary, and daimonion which is a derivative. The drivative term occurs about 60 times in the gospels, Acts and Revelation.
We also have the term unclean spirit used to mean or describe an evil spirit, used about 20 times in Luke, Acts and Revelation. The two terms are used together in Luke 4:33, with the Greek stating 'a spirit of an unclean demon.' (daimonion)
The original KJ translates daimonion as 'devil' but this is incorrect. The English word devil is actually from the Greek word diabolos, which has no direct relationship with daimonion. Diabolos actually means 'slanderer' and in all but three instances in the NT, it is acatually the title of satan himself. It is used in the singular form...many demons but one devil. So to translate the word daimonion as devil is incorrect...as their is but one devil and not many.
The second and most important error in translation to make note of, is the way the Greek noun daimon has been used. The word daimon gives rise to a verb daimonizo, which occurs about 12 times in the NT. The English equivalent of the word should be DEMONIZED which means to be subject to demonic influence. NOT POSSESSION.
In the NT, the verb occurs ONLY in the passive form meaning 'to be demonized'. Here again, the orignal KJ gets it wrong and it has caused confusion and error ever since. Rather than translating demonized, for daimonizo, the term possessed has been implemented and it has given an entire different meaning to the actual biblical meaning and comprehensively, has indicated ownership to people rather than affliction...a world of difference!
It is one thing to be influenced by a demon and another to be owned by the demon and subject to its control. Even worse, to state you are possessed by the devil. THE devil. It does not happen. Influence, furthermore, can be from the outside and or within the person.
Either way, a Christian is therefore never possessed but can be demonized or influenced and that, to varying degrees. For the sake of being clear, I have stated many times that Christians cannot be possessed...without making a case as I am making here. It becomes obvious, I would think, that given the amount of warnings and descriptive references to the devil and demons, warnings and the fact that Christians are told to be aware of the devil's schemes, that this is something we are going to ignore at our own peril and if a pastor or person otherwise involved in ministry, ignores it, they do so to the detriment of their congregation.
So, that's the facts. Please do your own research and let's stop calling folks demon possessed and let's stop arguing over whether or not Chrisitans can be possessed.
Many scriptures indicate how God keeps us and how we can engage demons successfully. Jesus said that in His Name, believers would cast out demons.
I do not see a ministry of deliverance such as some call themselves today in the Bible. Do some have gifts imparted by God through His Spirit for discerning of spirits? well yes. but that is an exception as ALL Christians are told to put on the armor (Ephesians 6) and are told that we do not war against flesh and blood, but against invisible evil forces.
In fact, the word used is not war, but wrestle...wrestling indicates a different kind of conflict. It consists of each opponent trying to get a hold on the other one that will make it hard or impossible to get out of...ad the fight is over.
That, is very descriptive of what the devil tries to do in the walk of a Christian.
So, that is the distinction I wanted to make in the hope of having a better understanding of what is a biblical doctrine...the devil and demons do exist and ignoring that fact does no good and may do alot of harm.
I decided to create a new thread rather than post in the other one for the sake of clairity and a chance to hopefully see the distinctions and further discussion or whatever if anyone wants
Jesus is not 'The Exoricist' and the devil is usually a little more clever at disguising what he does through people. No green vomit and no heads doing 360's and nor priests jumping out windows in order to secure the release of the 'possessed'
There are 3 expressions used to describe the evil spirit beings we read about in the NT, who are aligned with the devil in his war against God and His creation.
Demon, from the Greek daimonion. This is the neuter singular of the adjective daimonios, which is derived from the noun daimon. The adjective daimonios indicates some connection with a daimon. Daimonion is used regularly as a noun, even though in form it is adjectival.
In English the distinction between daimon and daimonion is hidden by the fact that both words are normally translated by one word and that is the word demon which we are all familiar with. So, right off, we see a distinction made by scripture that is not noted in our English Bibles so we are not getting the whole truth and nothing but the truth right from the get go.
The Greek indicates two separate entities. The daimon, as a primary, and daimonion which is a derivative. The drivative term occurs about 60 times in the gospels, Acts and Revelation.
We also have the term unclean spirit used to mean or describe an evil spirit, used about 20 times in Luke, Acts and Revelation. The two terms are used together in Luke 4:33, with the Greek stating 'a spirit of an unclean demon.' (daimonion)
The original KJ translates daimonion as 'devil' but this is incorrect. The English word devil is actually from the Greek word diabolos, which has no direct relationship with daimonion. Diabolos actually means 'slanderer' and in all but three instances in the NT, it is acatually the title of satan himself. It is used in the singular form...many demons but one devil. So to translate the word daimonion as devil is incorrect...as their is but one devil and not many.
The second and most important error in translation to make note of, is the way the Greek noun daimon has been used. The word daimon gives rise to a verb daimonizo, which occurs about 12 times in the NT. The English equivalent of the word should be DEMONIZED which means to be subject to demonic influence. NOT POSSESSION.
In the NT, the verb occurs ONLY in the passive form meaning 'to be demonized'. Here again, the orignal KJ gets it wrong and it has caused confusion and error ever since. Rather than translating demonized, for daimonizo, the term possessed has been implemented and it has given an entire different meaning to the actual biblical meaning and comprehensively, has indicated ownership to people rather than affliction...a world of difference!
It is one thing to be influenced by a demon and another to be owned by the demon and subject to its control. Even worse, to state you are possessed by the devil. THE devil. It does not happen. Influence, furthermore, can be from the outside and or within the person.
Either way, a Christian is therefore never possessed but can be demonized or influenced and that, to varying degrees. For the sake of being clear, I have stated many times that Christians cannot be possessed...without making a case as I am making here. It becomes obvious, I would think, that given the amount of warnings and descriptive references to the devil and demons, warnings and the fact that Christians are told to be aware of the devil's schemes, that this is something we are going to ignore at our own peril and if a pastor or person otherwise involved in ministry, ignores it, they do so to the detriment of their congregation.
So, that's the facts. Please do your own research and let's stop calling folks demon possessed and let's stop arguing over whether or not Chrisitans can be possessed.
Many scriptures indicate how God keeps us and how we can engage demons successfully. Jesus said that in His Name, believers would cast out demons.
I do not see a ministry of deliverance such as some call themselves today in the Bible. Do some have gifts imparted by God through His Spirit for discerning of spirits? well yes. but that is an exception as ALL Christians are told to put on the armor (Ephesians 6) and are told that we do not war against flesh and blood, but against invisible evil forces.
In fact, the word used is not war, but wrestle...wrestling indicates a different kind of conflict. It consists of each opponent trying to get a hold on the other one that will make it hard or impossible to get out of...ad the fight is over.
That, is very descriptive of what the devil tries to do in the walk of a Christian.
So, that is the distinction I wanted to make in the hope of having a better understanding of what is a biblical doctrine...the devil and demons do exist and ignoring that fact does no good and may do alot of harm.
I decided to create a new thread rather than post in the other one for the sake of clairity and a chance to hopefully see the distinctions and further discussion or whatever if anyone wants
