Demon Possession:

Oct. 2005 Hello. I have a friend who has been tormented for years by what he calls is demons. It has gotten really bad now. Some people think he has schizophrenia, but some think he is being possessed by demons. He doesn’t believe in Jesus, but he believes in God. If he is being control by demons, how could one find out for sure? How can I help him to accept Jesus into his heart? What do you think about exorcism? My friend was recently put in a institution for 18 days. They have put him on medication, which does not seem to work. it just has him walking about as a zombie. He says that the demons poke him, hit him, and several of them control him. I don't know how to help this person and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed about this all. He has changed so much, he has lost his lust for life. How can he be saved? What does the bible say about handling such pains. I on the other hand believe in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit and I pray for guidance. All I know to do is have faith that he will be healed and pray to the lord about it. Please tell me where I can read about this in the bible. Thank you for your time. Jacqueline Dear Jacqueline; This is a very serious matter, one that would require much more advice than you could receive over the internet. But I will try to answer your questions as best as I can in the limited space I have available. You have several questions and I will try to address them all. The first question was “If he is being controlled by demons, how could one find out for sure?” If he says that he is being controlled by demons, then he probably is. It’s not really something that someone would be likely to make up. I believe that there are many people that are possessed that are diagnosed with some mental illness simply because the medical profession has no explanation for their condition. These people are often medicated and spend the bulk of their lives in institutions. But the reverse is also true. There are so called preachers out there that see demons behind every ailment we have and spend their day going around casting out demons. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. One way to know for sure is to place your hand on him and pray aloud for him in the name of Jesus. If he truly is possessed by a demon, you will probably get an immediate reaction. But I would strongly caution you that you examine your own relationship with the Lord before you have any dealings with someone that is possessed. Be certain that you are a born again believer in Jesus, covered by the Blood. Otherwise you are placing yourself in danger. In the book of Acts there is an incident recorded where someone that is not a true believer in Jesus, took it upon themselves to try to cast out demons. The result was not good: Act 19:13-16 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Jesus has given his followers authority over evil spirits and we have nothing to fear from them Luke 10:17-20And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Then you asked “What do you think about exorcism?” I think that if someone is possessed by unclean spirits or demons, that an exorcism is required but only someone who is strong in their faith should be involved. It’s not something to play around with or take lightly. And in your friend’s case, I’m not sure that an exorcism is what is required. Since he doesn’t believe in Jesus, you can cast demons out of him all day long and it won’t do him any good. Look at what Jesus had to say on the subject: Mat 12:43-45 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So, if you cast the unclean spirits out of a man and he remains empty (without the Holy Spirit dwelling within him), then there is nothing that keeps him from becoming possessed again, and Jesus says that the second time will be worst than the first. The only thing that will help this friend of yours is for him to call out to Jesus in faith. I think you already knew this because you asked “How can I help him to accept Jesus into his heart?” The answer is that you can tell him the story of Jesus and how Jesus loved him so much he was willing to die in his place as a payment for your friend’s sins. The Bible tells us that faith is what we need to be saved and that answers your final question; “How can he be saved?” I want you to look carefully at these final verses. Paul has answered your question in the book of Romans: Rom 10:13-14, 17 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? .. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. That’s where you come in….

  Roaring Sea:

Oct. 2005 Where does it talk about the wind and the seas roaring? I have read it but cannot find it right now. Thank You Marla Dear Marla; Thank you for viewing the web site and I’m sorry it’s taken so long to respond. I found a couple of verses that might be the ones you are thinking of. I hope this helps. Isa 5:30 And in that day they shall roar against them like the roaring of the sea: and if one look unto the land, behold darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in the heavens thereof. Luke 21:25-28 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

  Homosexuals:

Oct. 2005 I saw your email in a Christian site which was also on homosexuality and so I wondered if you believe it is a sin as I can't find any passages on gay love to show that that’s a sin anywhere?..... BRIAN Dear Brian; There are many passages in the Bible that say that homosexuality is a sin. I have them listed on the What Does the Bible Say About ...Homosexuals page. Just click on the link and it will take you right to it. But in the mean time, the following verse is about as clear as you can get… Lev 18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.

  Baptism and Communion:

Sept. 2005 Dear Sir, what do you think about baptizing children. we have a twelve year old, an eleven year old, and a nine year old who are all saved, and have been for the past five years or more. Before we joined our current church, a Gospel Hall, or Brethren assembly, we were going to take them to the sea and baptize them ourselves, and were praying about this. we moved house soon after and came to the church we are now in. They do not seem interested in baptizing any of these children, even the twelve year old they consider too young. In the Bible, people were baptized shortly after conversion, so why the delay now. Is it right? Also, despite a simple gospel message, and the simplicity of accepting Jesus as your Savior, why the need for a more detailed description to prove the acceptance of Salvation? I hope you understand my query. One last thing, only baptized people can partake of the bread and wine in our meeting, so even though our children had this privilege previously, they are denied it now, but I though the bible was clear in that each man should examine himself, not be examined. I would like your views on this too please. thank you Hello; Thank you for your email. I have gone back over the verses in the Bible concerning baptism and I can’t find any age restriction what so ever. This is something that churches come up with on their own. My own children were baptized at the ages of 4 and 5. The Bible is clear that once we make a decision to be followers of Christ (when we are born again) we are to be baptized. If someone is old enough to make that decision they are old enough to be baptized. Rom 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Concerning communion, you are absolutely right, we are all to examine ourselves: 1 Cor 11:27-29 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, As you can see in the above verse, the taking of communion is a very serious matter, not to be done lightly. We need to be certain that we are worthy. The verse says that those that partake unworthily are guilty of the death of Jesus and that person is bringing damnation upon himself. So then the question is; who is worthy? The answer is that no one is worthy unless they have been cleansed of their sins through the acceptance of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection: 1 Cor 6:9-11 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. So, anyone that partakes of communion without being “washed, sanctified, and justified” is doing themselves great harm. Children don’t understand the seriousness of the ceremony and often pastors will restrict communion simply to protect those that do not understand. One way to do that is to require that only those that have been baptized partake. That is assuming that those that are baptized have also been saved. But only God and the person in question know for certain whether or not they are saved. That’s why the Bible says “let a man examine himself.” Having said all that, there is no Bible verse that says that you must be baptized to take the bread and the wine at communion. I hope I have been some help to you. God Bless you and your children.

  Marijuana:

Sept. 2005 What does the Bible say about smoking marijuana? Hello; Thank you for your question. The word marijuana does not appear in the Bible. However, there are many verses that deal with the broader issue. There are two things to consider when thinking about smoking marijuana; first it is not good for your body and second it alters your state of mind as would drinking alcohol. We are told that as Christians, the Holy Spirit dwells with us. Our bodies are the temple of God. Therefore, we are to try to care for it as best as we can. The damaging effects of smoking marijuana would bring us into violation of this command (please don’t try to tell me that smoking marijuana is not harmful, the only people that say that are the ones that can’t remember their own zip code). 1 Cor 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. The second issue is to be sober minded. You can’t do that if you are high on marijuana: 1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour I would also say the same thing about a person that was smoking cigarettes regularly, or drinking alcohol to excess. These things aren’t good for your body so you shouldn’t do them.

  Marriage - Disabled Children:

Aug 2005 Hi, I've been reading your website which if I may say is very interesting. I just have two questions from which i didn’t see posted there. I am married and have been twice now. First husband was into drugs bad and slept with his brothers wife. Now this is my second marriage I have two children by my husband which is a alcoholic and don’t show any interest in his family especially are disabled child which has autism. I'm making plans to move my home and to separate from him. Is this really bad? Would Jesus really want me to stay with a drunk who don’t care about his family? Second question, Although I do have proof of mercury and heavy metals in his system from vaccines so I really don’t think my son was born to be autistic (which I really wish I could believe he was then I would have Jesus on my side and would know that there is a reason) where can i find what the bible says about disabled children? Thanks so much for your time! Carolyn Dear Carolyn: Thank you for your kind words concerning my web site. I’m glad you find it interesting. I was sad to read about your marriage. But, to answer your question, I believe the Bible is clear that God does expect you to stay with your husband even if he is a drunk and doesn’t seem to care about you. The whole passage on marriage in 1 Corinthians 7 seems to be written just for you: 1 Cor 7:10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband: 1Cor 7:13-14 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. God expects you to stay with your husband. Jesus said that the only legitimate reason to divorce was fornication or adultery: Mat 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery. The Bible says that God does expect you to stay with your husband even though he’s an alcoholic. That seems like bad news for you. However, let me give you some good news. If you stay with your husband and submit yourself to Gods authority in your life. God will bless you for that. If you commit yourself to prayer for your husband, God will bless you for that also. Jesus died so that we could have forgiveness of sins and he died for your husband’s sake as well. I have seen God move in miraculous ways in response to prayer. If you are a born again believer in Jesus Christ, you need to be down on your knees every single day on behalf of your husband. God will amaze you with his response. If you quit and leave, you will miss the blessings, you will miss the miracle. I have read several books on this very topic and found them to be incredibly helpful. Here are the best ones: The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian Created to be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl (to order go to: www.NoGreaterJoy.org) Love Must be Tough by James Dobson The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace           The second question you had was about disabled children. This is such a painful topic. We all pray that our children would be healthy and happy and we believe that if there is a disability, that they are somehow less than they should be. You said that if the child had been born autistic it would be easier to believe that there was a reason. It really doesn’t matter if he was born that was or not. Since the fall of mankind (Genesis 3), we have been living in an imperfect world. A world where children are injured, abused, killed, blinded, neglected, and all manner of unfair, unkind things. And this will continue until Jesus returns and takes his rightful place as King of Kings. Until that time, we will deal with the effects of sin and death. But, that’s not to say that there is not a reason for disabilities. We are told in Ephesians that we are to give glory to God in all things so that the “principalities and powers ” will see the wisdom of God. Eph 3:9-13 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. We could take a good lesson from Job. Even after his children were all killed in a terrible accident, his possessions and wealth were all gone, we are told that he fell down and worshipped God. He actually worshipped! He said he didn’t have anything coming into this world and he wouldn’t have anything going out. He told his wife that if he could accept good from the Lord, he could accept the bad also. What a witness for the Lord. Job’s response to the adversity was a clear demonstration to the “principalities and powers ” that Job was trusting in the “manifold wisdom of God.” You see, when we choose to trust the Lord no matter what the circumstance (disabled child, drunken husband, etc) we demonstrate the “manifold wisdom of God.” We are a demonstration to the “principalities and powers in heavenly places” which we would call the angels and the demons, and we are a demonstration to our friends, family, … husbands. That’s why the Bible says that the believing wife could win over the unbelieving husband 1 Pet 3:1-2 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. I hope these verses will help you. My best advice to you would be to pray, and then pray some more… 1 Thes 5:17-18 Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.