Do demons influence our world today?

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Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
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#1
Scripture tells us that demons will be listened to more and more as we draw closer to the return of Jesus. This seems to be very true.

There are two opposing worlds: the world of the flesh and the kingdom of God. As Christians we are to live in the kingdom, not the flesh. Today the world is very intrusive for demons speak through TV, movies, and even our newspapers. Some movies openly teach the occult. A delightful TV sitcom popular not long ago taught that witches came be very entertaining. There are many movies based on a dead person interacting with the living, a takeoff on the seances of the occult. There isn’t even the slightest pretense of relating a good lifestyle with the lifestyle Jesus tells us we are to follow.

Almost every Christian spends more time being taught by the media than being taught by Christ. Few Christians even think about living a life of Christ within that shows in their lifestyle. It is as if Christianity has become a religion only of the mind, theology is king yet Christ taught little about theology and lots about living for God.

Sometimes Christians even give up the law of love that is basic Christianity over differences in scripture interpretation. Just look at the fights over the day of the Sabbath or about what Paul tells us about law! There are people on this site who have sworn to be my enemy because I have posted what I think about these things.

I was led to this post by reading the book “Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up” by Bercot. This should be a lively discussion.
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,368
3,163
113
#2
Scripture tells us that demons will be listened to more and more as we draw closer to the return of Jesus. This seems to be very true.

There are two opposing worlds: the world of the flesh and the kingdom of God. As Christians we are to live in the kingdom, not the flesh. Today the world is very intrusive for demons speak through TV, movies, and even our newspapers. Some movies openly teach the occult. A delightful TV sitcom popular not long ago taught that witches came be very entertaining. There are many movies based on a dead person interacting with the living, a takeoff on the seances of the occult. There isn’t even the slightest pretense of relating a good lifestyle with the lifestyle Jesus tells us we are to follow.

Almost every Christian spends more time being taught by the media than being taught by Christ. Few Christians even think about living a life of Christ within that shows in their lifestyle. It is as if Christianity has become a religion only of the mind, theology is king yet Christ taught little about theology and lots about living for God.

Sometimes Christians even give up the law of love that is basic Christianity over differences in scripture interpretation. Just look at the fights over the day of the Sabbath or about what Paul tells us about law! There are people on this site who have sworn to be my enemy because I have posted what I think about these things.

I was led to this post by reading the book “Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up” by Bercot. This should be a lively discussion.
For sure Satan is running rampant right now. He is desperate because he knows his time is short. You need to be careful about generalisations. You don't know almost every Christian. There are millions in China who make the Christians in the West look shallow and lifeless. And most of the people you condemn are not in fact Christian. Surveys suggest that about 4% of churchgoers in the western world are actually born again. I wish I could disagree with that finding.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
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#3
You need to be careful about generalisations. You don't know almost every Christian.
Surveys suggest that about 4% of churchgoers in the western world are actually born again. I wish I could disagree with that finding.
You need to be careful about generalisations. You don't know almost every Christian.
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,813
7,788
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#4
4% seems about right, most just "play church", Jesus spoke of this in John,
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#5
For sure Satan is running rampant right now. He is desperate because he knows his time is short. You need to be careful about generalisations. You don't know almost every Christian. There are millions in China who make the Christians in the West look shallow and lifeless. And most of the people you condemn are not in fact Christian. Surveys suggest that about 4% of churchgoers in the western world are actually born again. I wish I could disagree with that finding.
when you say my post condemns people as if I have the power to judge people, it hurts. We see the wrongs our children do, point them out, but do not condemn our children..

I have had the experience of three years without TV or movies. Before, lots of my time was spent using such for entertainment. I had no idea how deeply what they were teaching had affected me until I have had this experience. For example, look at the difference between what the world teaches about love, calling tolerance of evil in people love. It is difficult to get across in my posts that I can point out what I think God wants of us and honestly, I don't condemn people who disagree or wish I didn't point these things out.

The book that has inspired me has a theme of adding love to worship of God as something we act on instead of using theology as our practice of Christianity. Yet this post is said to be about theology!!
 

Rockson

Active member
Jul 24, 2021
217
84
28
#6
Scripture tells us that demons will be listened to more and more as we draw closer to the return of Jesus. This seems to be very true.
Scripture does say things will get darker YES but let's have some positive aspects too. Where sin abounds grace does much more abound. Rom 5:20 You could say the devil will be listened to more and more but keep in mind anyone not saved is under the influence of the Kingdom of Darkness and the four breakdowns of that kingdom.

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. Eph 6:10

All of them are talking about the spirit realm and not men for he started off by saying that very thing.....NOT against flesh and blood.
I think it's important though if one is going to talk about the spirit realm to be balanced. People get almost scared if one is going to emphasis the dark side. There's a LIGHT side too! Billions, and billions and billions of good angels are out there too so let's keep balanced with the positive things too.

There isn’t even the slightest pretense of relating a good lifestyle with the lifestyle Jesus tells us we are to follow.
More or less that's true but I wouldn't say totally. I don't think anyone can say that.

Almost every Christian spends more time being taught by the media than being taught by Christ.
Almost every Christian? I get the sense you're talking about let me put it this way certain regions in what's called Christendom. Many or most I know hardly trust the media about anything.
 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
2,887
1,684
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#7
I'll see your "influence" and raise you an "organized". The systems of the world have been organized by the demonic: commerce, education, health care, religion, transportation, law, and communication. These systems are designed to trap mankind in the illusion that he is in control. This is the "world" we are not to love.
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,813
7,788
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#8
And it has the majority of people in it's grip, this world is not our home.
We are to keep our minds "stayed on Him" and live according to his instruction that we might hear him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant" on that day for each of us.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
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#9
Scripture does say things will get darker YES but let's have some positive aspects too. Where sin abounds grace does much more abound. Rom 5:20 You could say the devil will be listened to more and more but keep in mind anyone not saved is under the influence of the Kingdom of Darkness and the four breakdowns of that kingdom.

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. Eph 6:10

All of them are talking about the spirit realm and not men for he started off by saying that very thing.....NOT against flesh and blood.
I think it's important though if one is going to talk about the spirit realm to be balanced. People get almost scared if one is going to emphasis the dark side. There's a LIGHT side too! Billions, and billions and billions of good angels are out there too so let's keep balanced with the positive things too.

More or less that's true but I wouldn't say totally. I don't think anyone can say that.

Almost every Christian? I get the sense you're talking about let me put it this way certain regions in what's called Christendom. Many or most I know hardly trust the media about anything.
It was to present the light side, to promote Christians living only in the light and not letting the world in that I posted this. Yet in the feedback I get darkness and condemning.

What about closing out the world and living only in the kingdom? What about thinking of how much time each spends learning from the world and instead learn and live in the kingdom? What about considering the difference between living in the world and living as a reflection of God within?

The book that inspired me spoke of how Christians lived who were closest to the time of Christ, before the church body changed. They were an inspiring people and worth looking at their lifestyle. We could choose to do this today.
 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
2,887
1,684
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#10
Although it is nigh impossible to ignore evil when discussing the world and its systems, I've consciously made a decision to focus on the glory of the House of God in increasing measure. Only so much can be accomplished when cursing the darkness. As "the light of the world" this becomes easier as I grow in Christ.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,777
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#11
There are two opposing worlds: the world of the flesh and the kingdom of God.
The correct terms are "the kingdom of darkness" and "the Kingdom of Light". There has been spiritual warfare between these two kingdoms since the Fall. And demons are only a fraction of the kingdom of darkness.

There are hierarchies of evil angels under Satan (different from demons), who is "the prince of the power of the air". Those angels are ranked as thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places. They have been assigned to each nation and kingdom as we see in the book of Daniel. And they not only influence governments and world events, they battle Christians and holy angels, and oppose the Gospel daily. We also see their influence on Christian forums when those with false gospels and false doctrines begin promoting their heresies. In view of that God has given Christians full spiritual armor to stand against the wiles of the devil. And we are not to be ignorant of his devices.

At the present time Satan and his demons have taken total control of almost all governments, in converting free countries into totalitarian regimes through the COVID Scamdemic. This is a precursor to the reign of the Antichrist. And since COVID and its bogus vaccines now govern the lives of people worldwide, you could call this the worship of COVID-Moloch (which demands the sacrifice of infants in order to produce those dangerous vaccines).

In India, an idol was erected to "Corona Devi" (goddess Corona) and prayed to for relief! I am not posting that YouTube video which has this title.
This Tamil Nadu Temple Got A Corona Devi Idol To Protect People From Covid | India Today
 
Jul 28, 2021
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#13
For sure Satan is running rampant right now. He is desperate because he knows his time is short. You need to be careful about generalisations. You don't know almost every Christian. There are millions in China who make the Christians in the West look shallow and lifeless. And most of the people you condemn are not in fact Christian. Surveys suggest that about 4% of churchgoers in the western world are actually born again. I wish I could disagree with that finding.
4% sounds about right.
 

1ofthem

Senior Member
Mar 30, 2016
3,729
1,921
113
#14
Although it is nigh impossible to ignore evil when discussing the world and its systems, I've consciously made a decision to focus on the glory of the House of God in increasing measure. Only so much can be accomplished when cursing the darkness. As "the light of the world" this becomes easier as I grow in Christ.
I had a friend who said... instead of only sitting around cursing the darkness, we need to focus on being a light and showing light in the darkness.
 

1ofthem

Senior Member
Mar 30, 2016
3,729
1,921
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#15
Well, I don't know if the 4% thing is true or not.

The truth is we aren't called to be judges. We are called to be a light to others in this dark world.

The harvest is plenteous but the laborers are few. If we're not careful that could be our own fault for sitting around doing nothing but judging others, only cursing the darkness, and not showing a true light.

Romans 14:13
“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.”
 
S

SophieT

Guest
#16
Almost every Christian spends more time being taught by the media than being taught by Christ. Few Christians even think about living a life of Christ within that shows in their lifestyle. It is as if Christianity has become a religion only of the mind, theology is king yet Christ taught little about theology and lots about living for God.

sigh. I know you are gifted in exaggeration Blik and here we have another fine example of it

demons certainly are very active in the world and always were and it will get worse and I think already has in my lifetime

BUT you have no way of knowing if 'almost every Christian' spends more time being taught by the media than by Christ

see, you are putting yourself in the category of the one who is taught by Christ, but I maintain that if that is your position, you would not exaggerate so much ;)
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
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#17
sigh. I know you are gifted in exaggeration Blik and here we have another fine example of it

demons certainly are very active in the world and always were and it will get worse and I think already has in my lifetime

BUT you have no way of knowing if 'almost every Christian' spends more time being taught by the media than by Christ

see, you are putting yourself in the category of the one who is taught by Christ, but I maintain that if that is your position, you would not exaggerate so much ;)
Would you say then that there is no danger for Christians in the world, and that the teaching of the world are perfectly safe for Christians as it is an exaggeration to say we need to live apart from the teachings of the world?

What about the scripture giving Jesus prayer for us in John 17:9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world.

Or what about:
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Psalm 1:1-6 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...

The Christians of the first 300 years of the church lived a life so different from the life of the world that the world looked down on them, except that even the world saw the love they had for each other. Was this church wrong and we are right?
 
S

SophieT

Guest
#18
Would you say then that there is no danger for Christians in the world, and that the teaching of the world are perfectly safe for Christians as it is an exaggeration to say we need to live apart from the teachings of the world?

What about the scripture giving Jesus prayer for us in John 17:9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world.

Or what about:
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Psalm 1:1-6 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ...

The Christians of the first 300 years of the church lived a life so different from the life of the world that the world looked down on them, except that even the world saw the love they had for each other. Was this church wrong and we are right?
my post was directed to your painting with a very broad brush, aka exaggeration

want to address that?

Almost every Christian spends more time being taught by the media than being taught by Christ. Few Christians even think about living a life of Christ within that shows in their lifestyle. It is as if Christianity has become a religion only of the mind, theology is king yet Christ taught little about theology and lots about living for God.
almost every Christian is you deciding you make the cut and so good at it, that you just know almost no one else but you gets it
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#19
my post was directed to your painting with a very broad brush, aka exaggeration

want to address that?

almost every Christian is you deciding you make the cut and so good at it, that you just know almost no one else but you gets it
I think my hours every day deep in scripture is paying off, your represent the world and the world is solidly against me. That, also, is spoken of in scripture. Thank you.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,491
13,797
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#20
Would you say then that there is no danger for Christians in the world, and that the teaching of the world are perfectly safe for Christians as it is an exaggeration to say we need to live apart from the teachings of the world?
And this is a great example of your narrow black-and-white thinking. For you, it's either "almost every Christian" or "no danger for Christians"... with nothing in between (which is where reality exists).