Demon Possession

The October 2, 2000 issue of Time had this article about demon possession.

According to Father Gabriele Amorth, exorcist for the Diocese of Rome, the heirto the throne of St. Peter recently spent half an hour struggling-literally-with a demon from hell. Pope John Paul II was conducting his regular Wednesday audience when there was reportedly a disturbance in the front row.

A 19-year old woman began screaming insults in what Italian newspapers called "a cavernous voice". Struggling with guards, she displayed "a superhuman strength".

The frail Pontiff did not hesitate. After the apparent demoniac was hurried to a secluded area, he prayed over her, hugged her and promised to celebrate a Mass for her the next day.

After the Pontiff left, a voice was heard to speak through her: "Not even the head of the church can send me away."

Demon possession is spoken of in the Bible. Jesus cast out demons and He gave his Jewish apostles and disciples the authority to do so. The question is: Do Catholic exorcists have the authority to cast out demons? Those who have truly put their faith in Christ can, but what about those who are simply practicing ritual?

First of all, can a person be "possessed" by a demon? I have seen evidence of this, but many so called possessions are just simply illnesses of some kind because I have seen people's behavior change dramatically when they were simply given the proper medication. The term "possessed" never appears in the Greek bible!

When speaking of demons and people, three phrases are used interchangeably in the New Testament:

1.to "HAVE" a demon or evil spirit,

2.to be "IN" or "UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF" a demon, and

3.to be "DEMONIZED".

There is an amazing passage in the bible concerning exorcists and demon possession. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, "Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?" Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.Acts 19:13-16 NIV

These Jewish priests were casting out demons in Jesus name and were rewarded by the demon possessed man giving them a very sound beating that they they wouldn't soon forget. Does this remind of you the story about the Pope in the Time story? The demon possessed girl mocked the Pope. "Not even the head of the church can get rid of me!"

Of course, the Pope is just a pretender to the throne. Jesus Christ is the head of the church and it is only through his authority that a demon can be cast out.

Can a demon cast out a demon? Consider this statement: "The devil is real and his main purpose is to take souls away from God." This is very misleading. The bible very clearly states that all souls belong to the devil until they accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. This means that all of mankind who do not know Christ are already demon possessed. They spend their entire lives running with the devil.

The Pope and some doctrines of the Catholic Church make a mockery of how Christianity should be. This is, in fact, demonic activity. Exorcists, not all but many, are just the devil's playthings misleading the public to the true activities of demons.Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? and then will I profess to them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."Matthew 7:22-23

The whole world is demon possessed in a sense. If you don't believe this, just watch your daily news, read the paper, or watch any TV talk show. The bible states that Satan is the god of this world. 2 Cor. 4:4. The day you were born, you entered into Satan's kingdom. You lived your life in rebellion against God until the day you trusted Christ. When you did that, you put yourself in rebellion against the world and Satan. Why do you think other religions despise Christians so much? There is no middle ground. You are in a war and you have already chosen sides. Whose side are you on?