Recently, I had a question posed to me about the Christian understanding of demonic activity. I reached for my Bible on my worktable to see what the Word of God had to say on the topic. From my previous studies, I knew that Jesus had interacted on several different occasions with demonic presence and activity.
Demons are depicted, in the Bible, as evil disembodied spirits that tempt people to sin and can possess people’s bodies. In general, sin is thought to be:
- A distortion of our true nature
- A violation of God’s law.
- A rebellion against God’s authority.
- An act that separates one from God.
- A destructive force to ourselves and others.
- A matter requiring forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Over the years as a Christian life coach, I’ve learned that, in general, conservative Christians believe that demons are real and that they can have a negative impact on people’s lives. Most believe that demons seek to tempt us to sin in our thoughts, our words, as well as our behavior. In today’s blog, we look at both types of activities and bring clarity to the topic by defining the terms and then looking at specific instances in the Bible of both temptations and possessions.
Demonic Temptations: A Bible dictionary defines temptation as “an inducement to sin, that is, to do something wrong or evil.” It is often used in the context of a person being tempted by the devil or by their own lustful desires.
From biblical accounts, we learn that one of the major task of demons is tempting people to sin. They may tempt people to do things that are harmful to themselves or others, such as stealing, lying, or committing acts of violence. Or, they may also tempt people to doubt God and turn away from their faith.
The Bible contains many examples of this type of temptation. For example, in the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve are tempted by the serpent to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. When they eat from the tree, they are disobeying God’s command, and they are cast out of the Garden of Eden.
But it wasn’t just Adam and Eve, Jesus himself was also tempted by the devil in the wilderness. The devil tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread, to throw himself down from the temple, and to worship him. Jesus resisted all the devil’s temptations.
The Bible teaches that temptation is a common experience for all people. However, it also teaches that we can overcome temptation through faith in God and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Importantly, James 1:13-15 tells us that “When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.”
And notably, 1 Corinthians 10:13 reveals that “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
These are just a few examples of demonic temptation in the Bible. They show that demons are real and that they can tempt people to sin. They also show that God provides a way of escape so, we can be strong in our faith and resist temptation. But what of demonic possession? How does it differ? And what examples can we look at?
Demonic Possession: Demonic possession is another more extreme form of demonic activity. By general definition, it occurs when a demon takes control of a person’s body and mind. Several Hollywood movies depict and sensationalize this type of take over. People who are possessed may exhibit strange behavior, such as being violent, or having superhuman strength. They may also have knowledge that they could not have obtained on their own. Of particular interest, are two examples found in the Gospels of Mark and Matthew:
- The Gadarene Demoniac found in Mark 5:1-20. In this passage, Jesus encounters a man who is possessed by a legion of demons. The demons are so many and so powerful that they have caused the man to live in the tombs and to be physically uncontrollable. He appears as a madman to family, friends, and neighbors. The townspeople are afraid of him and what he might do. The narrative tells us that Jesus casts out the demons and restore the man to his right mind.
- The Boy with an Evil Spirit is described in Matthew 17:14-21. In this passage, Jesus encounters a boy who is possessed by an evil spirit. The spirit causes the boy to have seizures and to speak incoherently. We learn that Jesus casts out the demonic spirit, and the boy is immediately healed.
These are just two examples of demonic possession in the Bible. There are many more passages that could be mentioned. These passages show that demons are real and that they can have a negative impact on people’s lives. They also show that Jesus has the power to cast out demons and to heal people who are possessed. It is important to note that as Christians, Jesus gives us the power and authority to cast out demonic spirits (Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17-20; Acts 19:11-12).
How to Resist Demonic Temptations and Possession
Perhaps the most important question that arises is: How do we as Christians resist demonic temptations and possession? According to the Word of God, there are several ways given to us to do so which include:
- Praying: Prayer is one of the most important ways to resist demonic activity. When we pray, we are asking God for help and protection.
- Fasting: Fasting is another way to show God that we are serious about resisting temptation. When we fast, we are denying ourselves food and other physical pleasures. This can help us to focus on spiritual matters and to resist temptation.
- Reading the Bible: Reading the Bible can help us to learn about God’s will for our lives and how to resist the devil. The Bible contains many examples to encourage us of people who have resisted temptation and overcome evil.
- Seeking Christian counseling: If you are struggling with demonic activity, it is important to seek professional help. A Christian counselor can help you to understand what is happening and to develop a plan for overcoming temptation.
Demonic temptations and possession differ in several ways. They are both real spiritual threats of which Christians should be aware. As a Christian Life Coach, I emphasize that there are also several ways to resist these threats. By praying, fasting, reading the Bible, and seeking Christian fellowship and counseling, we can stop the devil in its tracks and live a life that is pleasing to God.
I hope this blog post has been helpful to understand not just the difference between demonic temptations and possession but practical ways to respond as a maturing Christian. Both temptations and possessions are activities of demons; both are meant to get you off course. Be smart! Be aware! Avoid both of these traps by recognizing your weaknesses, walking in the light of God’s Word, and calling on the name above all names—the name of Jesus.
Mary Buck, PhD / Christian Life Coach /
As God gets bigger in our lives–we get stronger!
MLBuck©2023
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