· Ephesians 6:12 - 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly
realms.
· A few people are possessed by demons.
· Mark 5:2-5 - 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
· Demons enter a person by invitation
· A demon is a parasite
· Demons are painful
· Demons have influence.
· 1 Timothy 4:1 - The Spirit clearly says that in later
times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.
· How often do demons influence you?
· Mental illness is not demon possession.
· Like Satan, demons tempt and deceive people.
· Demons can inflict disease.
· Mark 9:17-18 - 17 A man in the crowd answered,
“Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it
seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
· Demons respond to commands from Jesus.
· Mark 8:25-27 - 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by
the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up
· It takes faith to deal with demons.
· Mark 9:29 – He said to them, “This kind can come out only through prayer.”
· Demons are not afraid to come to worship.
· Mark 1:23-26 - 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 25 “Be quiet!” said
Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure
spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
· Resist and submit.
· James 4:7 - 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
· Submission + Resistance = Demons fleeing.
· Recognize the demonic.
· What pulls me away from God?
· Look for the off-ramp.
· 1 Corinthians 10:13 - 13 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.
· Remember who is in you.
· 1 John 4:4 - 4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Starter Question: Think about the most evil person you have ever encountered personally. Do you think they were influenced by a demon? In what way?
Go Deeper:
1. Read Mark 5:2-9.
2. Put yourself in this story. What is your reaction to the man of the tombs?
3. What characteristics might alert you that a person
is demon possessed.
4. Read 1 Timothy 4:1.
5. Have you known someone who used to follow Jesus and no longer does? Can you identify how a demon might have deceived them or misled them?
6. Read 1 Corinthians 10:13
7. How might this passage help you deal with demonic
influence?
8. What would help you better see God’s way out of
temptation so you are less influence by demons?
