Demonic or Phsycological

[larryt]

  Reminds me of the instance when Jesus had an encounter with the man who was living in the tombs.  Next thing you know, this man was clothed and in his right mind. 

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The problem is that we aren't seeing these kinds of miraculous deliverances in the church today, at least they are rare rather than common, so people tend to resort to drugs and therapy even when they already know Jesus. I believe 100% based on scripture that illness and affliction, both physical and mental are demonic in origin. Unfortunately I don't see the signs and wonders we're supposed to be able to perform in action. Don't know what's up with that.

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Hi OneAccord,

The answer is quite simple. And it all depends on what church you go to. The churches in America don't see because they don't believe. Jesus said "these signs would follow them that BELIEVE...." My conclusion is that they don't follow because we don't believe. The churches in third world countries have more "signs" because they are more prone to believe as the supernatural is part of their culture. Science has ruled in our culture in America for some time now. The devil has also had a heyday with the counterfeit which further causes the real to be obscured. Peter was walking on water and just doubted and started to sink. Jesus asked him why he doubted. It doesn't take much. The reason I know is the amount of doubt that My Lord has showed me in my own life. Doubt is only erased by believing the Word more than our own FEELINGS. We walk by faith not by sight. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.

LT

[Leonard]

It's called the Gift of Discerning of spirits....

[keslc]

This is a very interesting thread. I think this is a topic we must be careful not to go to extremes in either direction. Yes, many afflictions and problems going on with people are spiritual in nature and that person needs to be freed from such spirits. For example: I know a young man who has given his life to pornography and in turn suffers many "mental" and "emotional" problems. He can't seem to get the connection though and clings to his pornographic addictions (he clings to the demons of lust and pornography). I also "feel" the demonic activity or spirits around him, in him, and on him. I have even seen some demonic spirits in him. I think Leonard said it is "discernment of spirits" and yes that's what it is; it's a spiritual gift.

However, I would not say that ALL mental, emotional, and physical ailments are demonic in orgin or the "punishment" for some sin the person has committed. Sometimes people just get sick and it needs to be medically treated. (even so, I would agree that of course the situation needs to be prayed about)

I would start with prayer, especially if it is an affliction that is more obscure such as an emotional issue, (whereas if someone falls and breaks their leg, you know they need to get medical treatment so I would of course still pray for healing - then head to the doctors!) Ask God to guide you and the Holy Spirit to equip you to recognize what is going on and what you need to do. Have trusted christians (pastors, family, etc) join you in prayer. I pray that whatever it is you are facing (or someone you know is facing) God will comfort you and guide you! God bless!

[Fr Chuck]

Prayer should always be the first choice and be done even if and when other treatments are being done.

Prayer is never a either/or option and is never the last thing to try.

I have heard this way to often:

Well we have tried everything else, we may as well pray for him now.

[nebula]

Be careful with that, SOL -

The brain is a very complex organ, and a person can be born with brain defects just as much as they can with any other kind of defect. Likewise, the brain can be injured and affect the person's personality and reactions.

Case in point, frontal lobe injury has been found by experience to alter a person's behavior for the worse. There's a famous case involving a railroad worker who had a reputation for being a good, upstanding, family man, yet after a spike got jammed into the frontal lobe of his brain his behavior suddenly became vulgar and immoral and irresponsible.

One of the assistant pastors of my church, who is known for being very intune to the spiritual realm, at one time was on medication that messed with his brain chemistry. For the time he was on the medication, he lost his spiritual sensitivity. Needless to say, this was quite scary for him.

Can all mental illnesses be healed spiritually? Yes, just like any other illness. Are they all caused by spiritual things? You have to look at each person case by case. It's not quite so simple.

[O'Dannyboy]

[nebula]

hmm i dunno how to dispute somethings peacefully, i hope this didn't sound too cold or what not...

god bless and thanks for your concern nebula

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It's Ok - I'm still trying to figure all this out - what is spirit - what is natural - what is both . . . .

So, it's OK to throw in a rebuttal or alternative perspective.

[larryt]

This is a very interesting thread. I think this is a topic we must be careful not to go to extremes in either direction. Yes, many afflictions and problems going on with people are spiritual in nature and that person needs to be freed from such spirits. For example: I know a young man who has given his life to pornography and in turn suffers many "mental" and "emotional" problems. He can't seem to get the connection though and clings to his pornographic addictions (he clings to the demons of lust and pornography). I also "feel" the demonic activity or spirits around him, in him, and on him. I have even seen some demonic spirits in him. I think Leonard said it is "discernment of spirits" and yes that's what it is; it's a spiritual gift. 

However, I would not say that ALL mental, emotional, and physical ailments are demonic in orgin or the "punishment" for some sin the person has committed. Sometimes people just get sick and it needs to be medically treated. (even so, I would agree that of course the situation needs to be prayed about) 

I would start with prayer, especially if it is an affliction that is more obscure such as an emotional issue,  (whereas if someone falls and breaks their leg, you know they need to get medical treatment so I would of course still pray for healing -  then head to the doctors!) Ask God to guide you and the Holy Spirit to equip you to recognize what is going on and what you need to do. Have trusted christians (pastors, family, etc) join you in prayer. I pray that whatever it is you are facing (or someone you know is facing) God will comfort you and guide you! God bless!

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This is the wishy washy stuff that the present day church is made of. A "scientificated" religion. It boils down to WE DON'T BELIEVE. Jesus never sent anyone away to be taken care of by physicians. Our mind set is DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO STAY HERE ON THIS EARTH. Why are we trying so hard to stay here. Maybe just maybe we don't wait on the Lord. Nor do we acknowledge Him in all our way that He would direct our path.

We wouldn't dare say someone has a demon in them, it might offend them. The reason they get worse is most don't know what they are doing in deliverance. From experience they come back with a vengeance if they are not soundly defeated and put to flight. The mental problems are most often caused at the root by demons. And yes the demons cause the chemical imbalance too. Am I saying "stop taking your meds." NO!!! Get rid of the demons and the meds will take care of themselves. Jesus spent a full third of His time ministering in casting out demons. Another third he spent healing. I don't have to look under rocks to look for demons. They are out in the open. Just open your eyes.

LT

[nebula]

Is there any indication that Luke stopped being a doctor?

[larryt]

Is there any indication that Luke stopped being a doctor?

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Hi Neb,

Can you show any place where Luke practiced medicine since he believed?

Don't take this wrong, Neb. There is a place for doctors. I cut my fingers a couple years back and had to have 30 stitches. I won't go into the reasons that this happened but it was a chastisement and I knew right away. That is because I know God is constantly speaking to me and I with Him, even when I sin. For many in this world both believers and non, God and prayer is just something that is done at a particular time and place. Everywhere we turn we are told by the world to turn to the world for the help that we need. "God helps those that help themselves" is a lie. We are to bring everything to God in prayer. Many times we don't give God a chance to do a miracle. We have to go to the doctor NOW or we won't get well. Again I will ask, "Why are we trying to stay here on this earth?" Do we want to stay here one moment longer than we have to? And if God wants us here can anything "be against us?" We show how much we long to be with God in heaven and how much we love this world.

LT