False Teachings of the Deliverance Movement (Full Version)

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MyCatSmokey2006 -> False Teachings of the Deliverance Movement (6/22/2008 2:24:27 PM)

This thread is in response to some postings in another thread that brought up the question of whether of not specific evil spirits actually exist. I believe that the Deliverance Movement has been teaching false doctrine in that they blame most sinful behavior on demons. Examples include a "spirit of suicide", "spirit of stealing", "spirit of anger", etc. Some people excuse their sinful behavior by believing they are victimized by demons rather than take responsibility for their actions.

It also has promoted the stigma associated with mental illness and some other diseases by attributing their problems to demonic activity. While that might be true in some cases, most of the time, it's a medical issue that can be corrected by medication and Christian counseling.

Before you judge me as not knowing what I'm talking about, I want to share my own experience with this topic. For a brief time, I went to a church that preached this kind of stuff. I believed it at first, but when they advised me not to go to a relative's Catholic wedding because I would pick up Catholic and Lutheran demons, I realized that things were a little fishy there.

Anyone have any comments on this? If you agree or disagree with what I've posted here, please post your reasons with reference to God's Word or other sources. Thank you.



Roberta_ -> RE: False Teachings of the Deliverance Movement (6/22/2008 3:20:03 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MyCatSmokey2006
because I would pick up Catholic and Lutheran demons, I realized that things were a little fishy there.


Ack!! I was raised Lutheran (at least I was told we were Lutheran- never went to church). My estranged husband was raised Catholic. Gee, I feel bad for our dd!



colliefan -> RE: False Teachings of the Deliverance Movement (6/22/2008 3:24:05 PM)

Like what is taking place in Lakeland, their teaching rest on emotion rather than the sound teachings of the bible.



StephK -> RE: False Teachings of the Deliverance Movement (6/22/2008 4:50:52 PM)

I have a first cousin who is now mentally retarded because her mother took her to a healing service for her epilepsy. Her mother deemed her healed and took her off of the medication and my cousin had a grand mal seizure that lasted over an hour. I want to say that I believe that God can and does heal miraculously but there is usually sufficient medical documentation of the healing.



ChristopherJ -> RE: False Teachings of the Deliverance Movement (6/22/2008 5:05:38 PM)

The ministry of Jesus (and the early church) made it abundantly clear that evil demon spirits exist. (Just read the Four Gospels and Acts). Also, both the Old and New Testament Scriptures teach about the reality of Satan (the devil) and evil spirit beings called demons.

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith." (1 Peter 5:8-9).
"And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease." (Matthew 10:1).
"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues... they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (Mark 16:17-18).
"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38).

See also Job 1-2, and Ephesians 6:10-18 for more teaching on evil/demon spirits.

So yes, the Bible makes it abundantly clear that there are evil demon spirits who harrass and oppress people. However, I appreciate and can relate to some of your reservations and objections to some of the teaching on demons in the church today. When I first got saved back in the early 90's, 'the church' was really big into the spiritual warfare fad, and everything was/had a demon. The sound system doesn't work? Cast out a demon. Much silliness!

In regards to the specific issue you posted about, here is my response. I DO believe that demons can bring us temptation, and thoughts of sinful behaviour. HOWEVER, because God's Spirit lives in us, we have the POWER to say no to sin, so that no Christian can ever genuinely say, "The devil made me do it." Although the devil and his demons are tempters and can bring us evil thoughts and temptations, they cannot make us do it - that is our choice, and that is a sinful behaviour. And although the Bible doesn't mention a spirit of suicide or stealing, there are different kinds of evil spirits mentioned by name (description) in the Bible:

• Spirit of Infirmity - Luke 13:10-11
• Spirit of Epilepsy - Matt 17:14-15
• Spirit of Depression (Heaviness) - Isaiah 61:3
• Deaf and Dumb (Mute) Spirit - Mark 9:25
• Spirit of Blindness - Matt. 12:22

Hope that helps answer your question! If you have any more comments or questions about what I have posted, ask away!



Roberta_ -> RE: False Teachings of the Deliverance Movement (6/23/2008 1:38:42 AM)

If I steal a yacht, does that mean that I'm selfish or that I have a demon of kleptomania in me?



Doc65 -> RE: False Teachings of the Deliverance Movement (6/23/2008 8:15:19 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DenimDiva

If I steal a yacht, does that mean that I'm selfish or that I have a demon of kleptomania in me?


Nope, just means you're sinful and a little dinghy....Sorry, I just couldn't resist!
[:D]



rcjames -> RE: False Teachings of the Deliverance Movement (6/23/2008 9:04:41 AM)

As with most other New Testament truths; false teaching abound concerning the casting out of demons.

The sad part of this is that many throw out the baby with the bath water, and turn to another false teaching; that there is no such thing as demonic possession and/or deliverance from such.

I hear about as many opinion leaning towards "the New Testament writers just did not under stand mental illness" as I do the other nonsense of, " everything one does wrong is caused by demon and the folks need prayer and to puke in a trach can".

Both of those extremes are very dangerous.

Are there demons? The Scriptues says there are, so I believe there are.

Can demons be cast out by the power of the Holy Spirit? The Scriptures says yes, so I believe they can.

Can a true Believer appropriate, the Name of Jesus, and the demons will be cast out by the power of the Holy Spirit? The Scriptures says that they can, so I believe they can.

Is demon control the causation of all sin, confusion, etc on plante earth? The Scriptures do not say this, so I do not believe it is true.

Is there a lot of really freaky fruit cakes out there using psychobable and other nonsence to confuse folks? Absolutely.

Thanks
RC



Ps103 -> RE: False Teachings of the Deliverance Movement (6/23/2008 12:26:26 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Doc65

quote:

ORIGINAL: DenimDiva

If I steal a yacht, does that mean that I'm selfish or that I have a demon of kleptomania in me?


Nope, just means you're sinful and a little dinghy....Sorry, I just couldn't resist!
[:D]


Hah! That was sooo bad it made me laugh![:D]



Roberta_ -> RE: False Teachings of the Deliverance Movement (6/23/2008 1:08:00 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ps103

quote:

ORIGINAL: Doc65

quote:

ORIGINAL: DenimDiva

If I steal a yacht, does that mean that I'm selfish or that I have a demon of kleptomania in me?


Nope, just means you're sinful and a little dinghy....Sorry, I just couldn't resist!
[:D]


Hah! That was sooo bad it made me laugh![:D]


Yup- I got a good chuckle out of it too! [:D]



mcleod -> RE: False Teachings of the Deliverance Movement (6/23/2008 2:10:34 PM)

Can you believe that Flip Wilson had that much influence on the subject. When he would say the devil made me do that.[8D]



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