What Should Christians Believe about the True Extent of Authentic Demonic Activity?

[Scripture More Accurately]

Scripture plainly records instances of authentic demonic activity in the world. What should Christians therefore believe about the true extent of authentic demonic activity in world history and in our day?

 

[John of Japan]

There are factors not mentioned in the survey: geographical location, situations, culture, etc.

Of these, perhaps culture is most important in modern times. If a tribal culture believes in demons, there will be incidents of possession. For example, in one of my books chronicling a tribal Bible translation effort, the American translator did not believe in demons, but the tribal culture had such a belief. One day the tribal leaders, who were Christian, asked her to come along on an effort to cast out demons. They succeeded, and she became thoroughly convinced that demons were real and did possess humans.

Once in Japan, a young man was pointed out to me as being demon possessed. Japanese Buddhism and Shinto do not usually follow that path, though there are Japanese cults that do so, but he had been playing a role playing game, and decided he wanted the demon in the game to possess him, which it did. He could not be reached at that time, but was remanded to a mental illness facility.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

There are factors not mentioned in the survey: geographical location, situations, culture, etc.

Of these, perhaps culture is most important in modern times. If a tribal culture believes in demons, there will be incidents of possession. For example, in one of my books chronicling a tribal Bible translation effort, the American translator did not believe in demons, but the tribal culture had such a belief. One day the tribal leaders, who were Christian, asked her to come along on an effort to cast out demons. They succeeded, and she became thoroughly convinced that demons were real and did possess humans.

Once in Japan, a young man was pointed out to me as being demon possessed. Japanese Buddhism and Shinto do not usually follow that path, though there are Japanese cults that do so, but he had been playing a role playing game, and decided he wanted the demon in the game to possess him, which it did. He could not be reached at that time, but was remanded to a mental illness facility.

These other factors are certainly relevant.

The accounts that you share are sobering. Thanks for that information. Unfortunately, I have encountered Christians both here on BB and elsewhere who are very skeptical about and dismissive of the notion that much authentic demonic activity takes place at all in our day. They also believe that it has been "relatively rare" throughout human history except for a few periods of intense activity.

I find these beliefs to be completely void of any biblical support and dangerously misguided.

 

[John of Japan]

These other factors are certainly relevant.

The accounts that you share are sobering. Thanks for that information. Unfortunately, I have encountered Christians both here on BB and elsewhere who are very skeptical about and dismissive of the notion that much authentic demonic activity takes place at all in our day. They also believe that it has been "relatively rare" throughout human history except for a few periods of intense activity.

I find these beliefs to be completely void of any biblical support and dangerously misguided.

I agree completely. And, as the USA becomes more and more pagan, we will see more demonic activity.

Having said that, here's a thought. The world's population now is much, much greater than it was in Bible times, therefore the ratio of Satan's forces to the world population is now quite unequal. This means that Satan must pick and choose more than in Bible times when, where, and to whom demon possession happens.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

I agree completely. And, as the USA becomes more and more pagan, we will see more demonic activity.

Having said that, here's a thought. The world's population now is much, much greater than it was in Bible times, therefore the ratio of Satan's forces to the world population is now quite unequal. This means that Satan must pick and choose more than in Bible times when, where, and to whom demon possession happens.

I can see your point in regard to demon possession, but we need to keep in mind that demon possession is only one aspect of authentic demonic activity. Scripture shows that one lying spirit was able to work in hundreds of false prophets (2 Chron. 18:5-23) to be a lying spirit in their mouths! We simply do not have any way to know the true destructive capabilities of Satan and all his demons as they work together to oppose God and destroy humans.

 

[JonC]

Of these, perhaps culture is most important in modern times. If a tribal culture believes in demons, there will be incidents of possession. For example, in one of my books chronicling a tribal Bible translation effort, the American translator did not believe in demons, but the tribal culture had such a belief. One day the tribal leaders, who were Christian, asked her to come along on an effort to cast out demons. They succeeded, and she became thoroughly convinced that demons were real and did possess humans.

A similar thing happened to one of my theology professors in Haiti. He was asked to attend as they confronted a possessed man, left believing that demon possession was real. He said he was asked to help a second day and declined (he felt he could offer no help as, while he believed it was a real demon possession, it was too foreign to his experience).

I believe it challenged his presuppositions. I am pretty sure if we encountered Linda Blair's character, head all spinning backwards, floating to the ceiling, we would find a non-spiritial cause. That is simply the environment in which we live.

I view demonic activity as more subtle, and perhaps that is because of our culture.