Satan’s fallen angels do not like to live outside a body, either human or animal. In most cases they seek human beings in which to live as the Bible tells us in many places. In Matthew 8:28-32/Luke 8:26-33 we find statements that shows us how demonic spirits–“devils”–do not like to be cast out of their “homes”: “And when He was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes (Gadarenes), there met Him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And behold they cried out, saying ‘What do we have to do with You, Jesus, Son of God? Are You come here to torment us before the time? And there was a good way off from them a herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought Him, saying, ‘If you cast us out, allow us to go away into the herd of swine.’ And He told them, “Go.” And when they were come out they went into the herd of swine and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea and perished in the water.”

Several things about demonic spirits are brought out in these passages. They like to inhabit human beings. They are capable of gaining and maintaining total control of their human hosts. They can manifest themselves in criminal and/or pathological behavior directed toward other people or toward themselves. They know they have only so much time before they will be cast into the Lake of Fire. When there is more than one demon inside a person one will normally be their spokesman (I have dealt with as many as 33 in one person. One did all the talking). They speak using their host’s vocal faculties (sometimes the voice is altered). They know who Jesus Christ is and who His minister is. If the minister is one with God they have to obey him (all 33 had to obey me). Recall that the disciples could not cast out a demon due to their lack of faith. On another occasion they could not quell a storm at sea for the same reason. On another occasion they could not multiply food for the same reason. Note in 2 Kings 4:42-44 that Elisha multiplied food. They often argue or reason with God’s man (I have had this happen–the spokesman for the 33 told me they were not coming out of their host). They often operate in groups. They can manifest themselves in physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually. Many such infirmaties suffered by mankind are demonic in origin.

Satan hates human beings and uses many different methods to torment the objects of his wrath. Though he and his demons afflict people in a variety of ways, their primary goal is to make people doubt the Word of God so as to prevent them from embracing Him. Religion is one of their areas of influence–deception being their primary modus operandi. People involved in religions other than true Christianity, which includes the Institutional Church, reject all or parts of the Word of God, and therefore reject God Himself. That their rejection of the Scriptures is due to demonic influence is brought out in Luke 8:40-47. Here Jesus is dealing with a group of Jews “who believed in Him” (vs 31). He called them His disciples, telling them that they would CONTINUE TO BE HIS DISCIPLES ON ONE CONDITION: “IF YOU CONTINUE IN MY WORD, then are you My disciples indeed, and you shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free (of bondage to Satan/man’s religion).” These disciples objected to His statement, noting that they were children of Abraham and had never been in bondage to man. He corrected them, telling them that they were in bondage because “… MY WORD HAS NO PLACE IN YOU” (vs 37). He went on to explain that they did not hear His Words (did not have ears to hear), and that “You are of your father the devil” and therefore “… I tell you the Truth and you believe Me not. HE THAT IS OF GOD HEARS (BELIEVES) GOD’S WORDS; you therefore hear them not because YOU ARE NOT OF GOD.” The message is clear: THOSE WHO DOUBT ANY PART OF GOD’S WORD ARE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THEIR FATHER THE DEVIL. There were many Jews who “believed in Him (Jesus)” but rejected the parts of His Word that did not fit their narrative. Likewise, those involved in Catholicism/Protestantism believe in Jesus but reject much of His Word. BOTH ARE CONTROLLED BY THEIR FATHER THE DEVIL AND HIS AGENTS. To be continued. L.J.