DEMON POSSESSION #1

Illustration 1: God is in the Beginning; Evil is from the Beginning

Consistent Doctrine of Evil in OT & NT

Unclean Spirits and “Possession.” The phenomenon of unclean spirits possessing the human body is unique to the New Testament and the first century period. Jesus “cast out” unclean spirits, called demons. He gave certain of His disciples power to cast them out before and after His crucifixion. It was the first listed miraculous “confirmation sign” given to “believing” apostles (Mark 16:17) along with miraculous knowledge of unlearned languages, divine protection against life threats, and restoring health to others. Does the New Testament “possession concept” prove different sources of the Bible's revelation?

Old Testament and “Possession.” It is interesting that there is no activity in the OT described as “spirit possession” or “casting out” evil spirits. In fact, evil is not described as a possession at all. But “Evil” is characterized as an accuser and an entity that worries, troubles, and tests humans while yet within the framework permitted by God. This interaction begins with the subtle serpent in the Garden. Although the term “possession” is not used, nevertheless, in the book of Job the devil is given power to not only trouble a soul (Job) but physically impair his human body.

The Eastern Zoroastrian Myths and Theology. The absence of the expression “spirit possession” in the OT has produced theories, one of which suggests that the New Testament was a result of a developing “Abrahamic theology” that was affected by the Jewish Babylonian-Persian exile. The Eastern Persian Zoroastrian religion, according to them, influenced the Jewish concepts of Heaven, Hell, as well as a Devil and demons.ⁱ But a brief investigation certainly dispels any such notion. The Persian beliefs actually were closer to its polytheistic history wherein a good god contends with an evil god by wrestling for control of the world. One would have to believe that Jesus accommodates such superstitions in order to placate popular myths of the demons causing diseases when in reality He knew better.

To come up with such an idea attacks the integrity of the Scriptures, Jesus, and the inspiration of the Bible. The fact is Jesus actually speaks and commands certain entities only in the cases that involved their possession of humans and does not apply it to every health problem.

Satan? The noun satan is a descriptive term that is applied as a name to a being that stands before Almighty God. It is of Hebrew origin and means “adversary” or “accuser,” occurring twenty-seven times in the Hebrew Bible [Strong's #H7854 list in KJV Concordance]: eight times to describe human military, political or legal opponents, and nineteen times with reference to a heavenly being.ⁱⁱ For example, in Numbers 22:22, the prophet Balaam, who has been hired by the Moabites to curse the Israelites, is stopped by “a angel” from Jehovah God, who interestingly is described as an adversary, i.e., “satan.” This “satan” was sent by God to a person disobeying Him.

Heavenly Council? In Job, “Satan” is a member of God’s “heavenly council”, subject to God—one of the heavenly beings, whose role in this instance is being an “accuser.” Meanwhile, the Greek LXX oddly translates Job's “satan” as “the Devil” (o' diabolos ^G1228). Likewise, in Zechariah 3, the prophet describes a vision of the high priest Joshua standing also in a similar “heavenly council”. Before him stand both Jehovah’s messenger and Satan (LXX's the Devil), who is there accusing him.

Satan's Authority? Satan is not a god as the myth teaches; rather, he is a being subject to God. Satan's subjective status before God is hence illustrated and explains the dual viewpoint of who actually provoked David in taking a census. In 1 Chronicles 21:1, "And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number (count) Israel.” On the other hand, the parallel passage in 2 Samuel 24:1 states that it was God that “moved David” to “number (count) Israel and Judah.” In this context God whose authority precludes all principalities allows Satan to stimulate David's thoughts and action (2 Samuel 24:10). Consequently, God is able to punish both David who, by the way, is pricked by his conscience, as well as Israel for "their sin."

Lying Spirit At God's Throne?   Similarly, Micaiah, God's true prophet in 1 Kings 22:19-23, tells of the heavenly host standing on the left and the right of the Lord's throne. “And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.”

In this passage, Michaiah, like the book of Job, tells the narrative of beings about the throne of God. Ahab had repented earlier and God had extended mercy to him, but then Ahab at this moment in time had already reversed back to his antagonism toward God and God's true prophets. So God authorized the lying spirit to influence Ahab's decision to go to his death. But the spirit does not actually possess either Ahab or his court prophets but instead channels his lies effectively through the mouth of the willing false prophets.

Did God Tempt With Evil Then? The NT teaches that God does not tempt us, "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone” (James 1:12,13, NKJV). But the Devil tempted in the OT with the permission of God. Therein is the difference. It is the permission that's given. And it is the same in the New Testament. The Devil was permitted to continuously test Jesus during His ministry in the NT; first, in the wilderness for certain, but he only went away from Jesus “for a season” (Luke 4:13). This temptation does not mean that Jesus was not God as some argue. Although Jesus is deity, the Son of God, He was tried in His flesh and not in His deity (Hebrews 2:14). "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).

Although neither Jesus nor God tempts man with evil, God with His universal authority does permit us to be tried by the Devil even as the Devil tried Jesus. Yet, “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able” (1 Corinthians 10:13b). It can be surmised that Jesus illustrates for us how we can also overcome the trials of the Devil in this world (1 John 2:16, the three avenues of temptation are mentioned) with a "it is written."

God Sends Delusions. This scenario of God's authority in permitting evil is in the OT. Rather than being a developing dynamic to the contrary in religious concepts, there is consistency, not different, with how God is said to operate in the NT. "And with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, NKJV).

1. If you do not love truth.

2. God “sends” deception.

3. So you happily will do what you want (like Ahab)

4. Hence, you are righteously condemned.

   But delusions are obviously not possessing one's being. Sorry, but we cannot blame our evil on Satan. This would ultimately blame God who allows him to operate. The devil doesn't "make us do it" like the comedian says. God created us as free moral beings. The devil conveniently is there to allow us to decide what we want to do.

The New Testament confirms the OT relationship between God and evil. The Eastern myths of evil as an equal god in contest with Jehovah is non-existent in both Testaments. God allows the devil to do his work which ultimately glorifies the all-power of God and is the same in both Testaments.

“I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things.” Isaiah 45:7.

In Conclusion, we understand that God is God on His throne; He rules; He then permits things to happen or they will not happen. When we pray, “Lead us not into temptation... deliver us from evil,” we must believe that God has the power to do just that. “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save” (Isaiah 59:1).

-- Gaylon West

Checked by: Janie R. Ward; Mary L. West