What is everyone’s response to Christian’s scared of demonic activity?

I come across a handful of people each year who seem to be scared of the supernatural. They are Christians who are simply afraid of demonic oppression, influences and possession. Even if they are not afraid of it happening to them they afraid of this Hollywood version ( The Exorcist ) or even of something you may find out of books such as Mary Baxter’s “Divine Revelation” series or Frank Peretti’s “ Darkness “‘series. Some even go as far as thinking music or films , or even creepy pasta style storytelling is open portals to the underworld or invite in evil.

The only people who are affected by demons are those who believe in them.

4 Likes

For me it really depends on where they are at in life. Mentally and spiritually. If they are hard pressed demons exist and can’t really be reasoned out of it by highlighting issues like sleep paralysis and creaking houses then I just try to help calm them down by talking about the power of Yahweh and Jesus. Bring up things indont really believe but is comforting for them nonetheless such as for every demon there are 2 angels, Yahweh and all the Christian’s and so we are definitely on the winning side. I explain how “witchcraft”’and sin must be intentional.

Sometimes it’s just someone being alone or having sent through something bad recently. I’ve suggested to a few people to just get a pet dog. They then feel like there is a body guard there with sort hearing and they will be calmer.

Luckily I rarely come across this Issue since the congregations I attended are all cessationists.

1 Like

Then they need to be informed that the most frequent mandate in the Bible is “Do not be afraid” or one of its several variations – “Fear not!”, “Be anxious for nothing”, “Fret not”, and the like and told to trust their heavenly Father.

3 Likes

Been there. Rationality comes at a very high price, but losing that fear is worth it.

2 Likes

I ain’t askeerd of the supernatural! It’s them dang demons that scare the bejeezus out of me. :laughing:

2 Likes

That makes Screwtape proud. ; - )

1 Like

“Luckily” indeed! Who says ignorance has no value?

You forgot Harry Potter books, halloween, Pokemon, manga, and the MCU. :roll_eyes:

Edit: In all seriousness, if a person’s conscience prohibits them from enjoying the things mentioned above because the content makes them uncomfortable - fine no problemo. Trying to make everyone else adhere to one’s own conscience is another thing entirely.

Thinking they are gateways to the demonic has no biblical validity whatsoever as far as I am aware. Happy to be proven wrong though.

5 Likes

Oh fine. So I guess you wouldn’t be able to perform an exorcism if the need were to arise. Don’t be surprised if some of us suddenly become a lot less solicitous, insect-guy. :grin:

1 Like

I was curious since there is a wide range of beliefs in here. Never thought about it since I don’t think Satan is alive anymore. Was wondering how others interpreted it though.

Just you wait until you find some random bug in your house, then we’ll see who comes crawling back(!) :wink:

2 Likes

Interesting, tell me more. (Genuinely curious).

2 Likes

I am unfamiliar with that one. Which of the possible thing with that acronym were you thinking of? I assume it is not medium close-up, microcontroller unit, or Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (some of the items in the Wikipedia MCU (disambiguation) page.

1 Like

So he’s proud when he can’t do us harm?

My guess?
Marvel Cinematic Universe

2 Likes
  • Oh Look, Satan wants to play. See Satan smile?
    Run, Jane. Run, Dick.
    Go get the priest, Jane. Go get the priest, Dick.
    Which priest shall we get, Mother?
    Go get the Episcopalian priest! said Mother!
    Good idea, Mother! said Father.
    See Dick and Jane run?
    Run, Jane, run! Run, Dick, run!

Exorcism in Christianity

  • In 1974, the Church of England set up the Deliverance Ministry As part of its creation, every diocese in the country was equipped with a team trained in both exorcism and psychiatry. According to its representatives, most cases brought before it have conventional explanations, and actual exorcisms are quite rare; blessings, though, are sometimes given to people with psychological conditions.
    • Anglican priests may not perform an exorcism without permission from the Diocesan bishop. An exorcism is not usually performed unless the bishop and his team of specialists (including a psychiatrist and physician have approved it.
  • Episcopal Church in the United States
    In the Episcopal Church, the Book of Occasional Services discusses provision for exorcism, stating that cases are to be referred to the diocesan bishop for consultation. There is no specific rite, nor an office of “exorcist”. Diocesan exorcists usually continue in their role when they have retired from all other church duties.
1 Like

Do NOT read Hostage to the Devil or Glimpses of the Devil. You could get the Heebie Jeebies and get scared for a very long time.

It ties into theological concepts.

  1. Cessationism. ( which I went into depth on another post. It’s not part of this actual posts question though and so hopefully it won’t be a side line issue. -Why I’m a Cessationist ( yes it’s longish for a post )

  2. The other kind of pops up in here. Though some beliefs have changed since then. Fall of Satan. Thoughts? - #8 by mitchellmckain

But the main reason why I fall into it is because of revelation and it’s relationship in style to Isaiah

65:17-23 NASB

New Heavens and a New Earth
17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.
18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create;
For behold, I create Jerusalem for rejoicing
And her people for gladness.
19 I will also rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people;
And there will no longer be heard in her
The voice of weeping and the sound of crying.
20 No longer will there be in it an infant who lives only a few days,
Or an old person who does not live out his days;
For the youth will die at the age of a hundred,
And the one who does not reach the age of a hundred
Will be thought accursed.
21 They will build houses and inhabit them;
They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They will not build and another inhabit,
They will not plant and another eat;
For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people,
And My chosen ones will fully enjoy the work of their hands.
23 They will not labor in vain,
Or give birth to children for disaster;
For they are the descendants of those blessed by the Lord,
And their descendants with them.
one who does not reach the age of a hundred
Will be thought accursed.
21 They will build houses and inhabit them;
They will also plant vineyards and eat their fruit.
22 They will not build and another inhabit,
They will not plant and another eat;
For as the lifetime of a tree, so will be the days of My people,
And My chosen ones will fully enjoy the work of their hands.
23 They will not labor in vain,
Or give birth to children for disaster;
For they are the descendants of those blessed by the Lord,
And their descendants with them.

When we compare the new heaven and earth story in these verses it conflicts with what we see in the gospels. Such as Jesus says there won’t be marriage , birth or death. But the verses in Isaiah says their will be birth and death. The only way I can hold scripture in authority and not say one of them is lying is to realize Isaiah is about post exile of Babylonians. It’s not meant to be read literally. It’s metaphorical and poetic and about hope. So when I apply that same stands to revelation and the last fe we chapters I can realize it’s also not about a literal new heaven and earth. It’s a message of hope for Christian’s and Jews post roman persecution. So I don’t hVe to look for a literal new earth. So I don’t hVe to wait for Satan to start some war and be killed and everyone see it and ect….

So for me it all ties together into Satan being dead. He’s dead because he was killed after starting a war over trying to kill Jesus through Herod as a kid. It’s also why we don’t need power as dominion over sickness, death and demons because we are in the restored world and Satan is dead. Now it’s up to us to continue to shape this world into a good place.

Satan is dead?

1 Like