I recently posted the following comment in a discussion on Sharper Iron:
A proper accounting of the biblical data concerning demon possession in ancient Israel at the time of Jesus shows that there were vast numbers of demon possessed people among the people. I do not know of any legitimate biblical basis to hold that the Spirit’s terminology in those accounts does not actually mean that those people were demon possessed but instead signifies that vast numbers of people faked being demon possessed because humans lie for various reasons.
We therefore undeniably know that there were vast numbers of people who were genuinely demon possessed people and not just fakers during the time of Jesus. Given that is true, what possible basis is there for believers to hold that demon possession now is actually very rare and that most or nearly all of the people around the world who claim to be demon possessed during various activities are actually deceivers who just pretend to be demon possessed for various reasons?
I would be interested to hear any thoughts that anyone might have about this line of reasoning.
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3 comments
Aaron L
How does one argue that demon possession is faked by most people who act like they are demon possessed? How does one know that someone is demon possessed? Did they see a demon enter into the person? How does one know that someone is not demon possessed?
“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:8 NASB95
I would argue that demon possession has a parallel to the new birth in the sense that the new birth and demon possession are not visible. You see the results. In the one case you are indwelled by the Spirit of God. In the other case you are indwelled by demons or Satan himself (Judas).
Someone who is demon possessed is acting in a supernatural way. But they are as Scripture describes “unclean”. These unclean spirits tormented their victims. Mark 1:23, 26; 5:5 and other passages show this.
These unclean spirits were fearful and brought great fear to people (Matthew 8:29)
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, – 1 Timothy 4:1 NASB95
So if we look at the evidences of demonic “wind” it would include the following:
1. unclean
2. torment
3. fearful
4. deceitful
5. having their own brand of doctrine–a false doctrine.
I have not tried to be exhaustive. But it is hard to make a claim that possession is faked when one cannot see the “wind” of demon possession. Without divine judgment on each particular case we are left to look at the evidences of that “wind”. If we can point to one or more cases that we are able to prove as fake, that still does not mean that we can make a judgment on the majority of cases.
One of the evidences mentioned above–false doctrine–should be seriously considered though. I have to wonder how there are some people who devote their whole life to writing lengthy books that try to explain away the supernatural power of God as displayed in Scripture. I have a hard time understanding how this attack on Scripture can be understood outside of the supernatural. It is an unclean doctrine.
Rajesh
The context in which I have heard people try to say that claims of demon possession/influence have been fake have had to do with rock musicians and other musicians claiming that they had a demon overtake them or influence them to do what they did. Those who deny such testimonies say that they are just fake PR stunts and claims to get more sales of their music, etc.
What’s additionally concerning is when people try to say that people in Scripture whom the Scripture says were occultists were probably fake. The seemingly widespread skepticism does not have any biblical basis that I know of.
Aaron L
I think that it is important to understand why they deny the demon possession claim. The point about it being a PR stunt or bringing in more sales is totally irrelevant. I suspect that there is bias behind their denial.
Because we can’t see an evil Spirit go into someone, it is easy for anyone to make a bias driven claim. When someone sees the characteristics that I mentioned above and makes a denial of demon possession, they are just guessing in spite of all the evidence.
There are situations that we just don’t know if there is possession or not. But dogmatic denial is unreasonable. At the same time, there are cases that are so full of evil that people in Scripture did not need to be prompted as to the problem.
And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; – Mark 9:17 NASB95
And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and [began] to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” – Matthew 15:22 NASB95
There are rock musicians who are involved in deep radical spiritual darkness. To deny that there is demon possession is denying clear evidence.