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Now, here's today's podcast from Pathway to Victory. Hi, this is Robert Jeffers, and I'm glad to study God's Word with you every day on this Bible teaching program. On today's edition, a pathway to victory. Can a non-Christian be possessed by a demon? Absolutely.
Non-Christians can be possessed by demons, but not Christians. No, we cannot be possessed by demons or by Satan, but we can be influenced by them. Welcome to Pathway to Victory with author and pastor Dr. Robert Jeffers. Our culture tends to treat spiritual warfare as either complete nonsense or sensational entertainment.
But the Bible reveals that Satan commands legions of fallen angels called demons who work relentlessly to derail your relationship with God. Today on Pathway to Victory, Dr. Robert Jeffers shows us the five specific channels demons use to influence Christians. But first, let's take a minute to hear some important ministry updates. Thanks, David, and welcome again to Pathway to Victory.
There are times when God impresses upon me the urgency to address a subject from His Word. and there's no denying the many promptings of the spirit I've experienced in recent days. We're talking about spiritual warfare in a brand new teaching series I'm calling Spirit Wars. In a moment I'm going to expose some of the most insidious ploys of our enemy. but first I'm eager to equip your family with the resources you need to prepare for battle.
The first resource is a book I've written for the children in your life. It's called suit up. the armor of God for kids. The devil wants to destroy our family's confidence in God and will do anything to sabotage our children. My book will equip you with a creative way to explain spiritual protection.
and to help your children push back against the evil forces. Let me send you a copy of this exclusive book from Pathway to Victory. Again, it's called Suit Up. the armor of God for kids. And it's yours.
when you give a generous gift to support the ministry of Pathway to Victory. As a bonus, I'm going to include a book for adults called Angels and Demons. Fact versus fantasy. This, too, belongs in every home. We'll say more about these two books and other resources later in the program.
Right now, let's open our Bibles to Luke chapter 8 and other New Testament passages. as I present today's study called, What Demons Want to Do to You.
Well, it's hard to believe. It won't be long until we have recognized Halloween again. I don't know what you do to celebrate or acknowledge Halloween, but it's usually a time people dress up. Children dress up as their favorite Disney character, perhaps. Adults put on masks, portraying their least favorite politician.
In the last church I served in before coming here, every Halloween at our church festival, a little boy dressed in a blue suit, a white shirt, a red tie with an accordion strapped to his chest. Nobody had to wonder who he was portraying. But inevitably, every year, you'll see some people who choose to dress up in a red suit. with the horns, the tail, the pitchfork, Impersonating our adversary, Satan, or one of his legion of demon helpers that he has with him.
Sometimes I wonder, what does Satan think about that? Is he insulted? I don't think so. I think he welcomes those kinds of caricatures. Because the truth is, as long as we're laughing at Satan.
We don't fear Satan. And we're certainly not motivated to protect ourselves against his attacks. But as a friend of mine says, demons are neither phony nor funny. They are very real beings, fallen angels who have joined to assist Satan, a fallen angel himself, in his mission of building a rival kingdom that will one day topple the kingdom of God. What is his plan for doing it?
Well, when he goes to non-Christians, his goal with non-Christians is to blind them where they cannot. see the truth of the gospel.
So that they remain captives of Satan, that they spend eternity in hell with them. But Satan isn't the only one who's aiming at non-Christians. Satan is also aiming at Christians. He has a plan for them. for you, for me.
And remember, we looked at this threefold strategy. For dealing with Christians, number one, discourage them from worshiping God. Number two, to distract them from serving God. And finally, to deceive them into disobeying God. He wants to discourage, distract, and deceive.
Well, remember, Satan can't be more than one place at a time.
So how does he practically do this in our lives?
Well, he does it through millions of demons that he has available to him.
Well, that raises a question. Question number one. How does demonic activity impact a Christian? Exactly, how do demons accomplish their purpose in our life? And question number two, is it possible for a Christian to be demon possessed?
We're going to answer all those questions today as we talk about what the demons want to do to you. How do demons influence our lives, impact our lives? The Bible teaches there are five channels through which demons can impact our life. Number one, through nature. Turn over to Ephesians chapter 2, verse 2.
Many people don't understand the control that demons have over nature. Like the weather, for example. Look at Ephesians 2:2. Paul is contrasting our life before we came to Christ with our life now that we are Christians. He said, You formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the Spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.
Underline that phrase in your Bible. according to the prince of the power of the air. Who is the prince of the power of the air? Satan. He is in temporary control of this world, specifically the weather.
Hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, floods, none of those things were part of God's original plan for the world. They are directly attributable to demonic activity. If you don't believe that, consider the story of Job. Remember, Satan asked permission to break Job through a series of adversities, and God gave Satan temporary permission. to use the weather to try to discourage Job.
Job 1.19 says, Behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house where his ten children were, and it fell on the young people and they died. A freak windstorm killed Job's children, but it was attributable to Satan. We saw it here in Texas when you had that horrible flood destroy the lives not only of adults but innocent children. What effect did that have on people? It had an effect on non-Christians.
It caused them to disbelieve that there is a God at all if He can't control the weather. It discouraged Christians who had questions about why God would allow such a thing to happen. Remember. Satan uses difficulties to Two. Tempt us.
Two. renouncing our faith. God can use the same trials to test us, to strengthen our faith. But the point is, demons have temporary control over the weather. Secondly, they sometimes impact our lives through illness, through physical illness.
Now, to blame every sickness. on Satan is neither logical nor biblical. You know, some of the illness we experience is because we've inherited and we are now inhabiting a body that is infected with sin. We all are born with defective bodies. Disease and death were never a part of God's original plan until.
Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and that had a physical impact on our lives as well.
So, some of it we can blame on Adam and Eve. We inherited defective bodies. Other times, illnesses are the result of poor choices that we make. Too many trips to McDonald's, not enough trips to the gym. Addictions that are harmful, like nicotine, alcohol.
Meditation. Haagen-Das vanilla ice cream, all those kind of things can cause illness. But there are some illnesses that are attributable to Satan. Not all, but some. Turn over to Mark chapter 1, verse 32.
It's interesting that the gospel writers, when recounting the ministry of Jesus, talk about and separate. His healing of diseases that are caused by demonic power and those illnesses that are not attributable to Satan and demons. Look at Mark 1:32. When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Jesus all who were ill and Those who were demon-possessed. Verse 34, and he healed many who were ill with various diseases, and he cast out many demons.
Now, here's the simple point. If all illnesses are the result of demon possession, Then Mark is repeating himself. He could have simply said Jesus healed everybody who was demon-possessed. That would have taken care of all illnesses. But he didn't.
He made a distinction between healing those who had various diseases and healing those who were demon-possessed. Again, not all, perhaps not even most illnesses can be attributable to demonic activity, but some of it can. A third way Satan influences our life is through mental disorders.
Now again. It's a mistake to say all mental illness is the result of demonic activity. I ask a friend of mine who is a Devout Christian and a psychiatrist. I said, What do you think the relationship is between mental illness that you see every day and demonic activity? And she returned with a very good question for me.
She said, Robert, if all... Mental illness is the result of demonic activity. Why is it that the symptoms of these mental illnesses disappear almost immediately with the right medication? And it doesn't matter whether the person's a Christian or a non-Christian if they take the right medication. these symptoms disappear.
The fact is, Our thoughts and emotions. can be directly attributed the chemicals and electrical impulses in the brain. And when those get out of whack, and they do sometimes, God can use medication to restore those balances to what he originally designed. Thoughts and emotions are the result of chemical and electrical impulses, but they're also more than that. Our thoughts, our emotions are more than simple chemical and electrical impressions on the brain.
There is a supernatural element. How do I know that? Turn over to Philippians chapter 4, verses 6 and 7. Paul is talking about anxiety. Any of you suffer from anxiety?
It's one of the leading disorders people suffer from today. And people many times get chemical treatment for that. That's fine, but there's something beyond that. Look at Philippians 4, verses 6 and 7. Paul says, Be anxious for nothing.
But in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. What I want you to see here is An emotional disorder, anxiety, can be affected by spiritual influences. In this case, if you engage in a positive spiritual exercise, such as prayer. and giving of thanks.
That invisible and measurable spiritual activity can have an impact on your thoughts and emotions.
Now, follow my logic here. If positive spiritual forces can affect your thoughts and emotions, isn't it logical to think that there are negative spiritual forces that can also? Impact your thoughts and emotions. Of course, there are. And that's where some mental illness can be attributed.
Demonic activity, satanic activity can at least be A part of the reason that people find themselves filled with anxiety or other disorders. Not always. Perhaps not even most of the time, but some of the time. Consider the story in Luke chapter 8 of the Gathering Demoniac. Remember, Jesus met this guy who was possessed by many demons.
He wouldn't wear clothes. He hid among the rocks. He secluded himself from other people. He spoke in strange voices that people didn't recognize. Anybody exhibiting those symptoms today would land themselves right in a mental hospital.
Well, what did Jesus do? He exorcised the demons from this person. And what happened? Look at Luke 8:35 through 36. The people went out to see what had happened.
And they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out. Sitting down at the feet of Jesus. clothed and in his right mind. and they became frightened. Those who had seen it reported to them: Have a man who was demon-possessed.
had been made well. For this man The restoration of his mental and emotional well-being didn't take years of therapy and drugs. It happened instantaneously.
Now please hear me. That doesn't happen every time. Not every, not even most, mental disorders can be attributed to demons, but some of them can, and we should not ignore the spiritual element in mental disorders. A fourth way that Satan. and demons impact our life is through suicide.
This is one mental disorder that almost always has a spiritual element to it. You know, in Mark chapter 9, we find the story of a young boy who continually tried to take his life by throwing himself into the fire or into the water. Verse 22 of Mark 9, the father of the boy, pleads with Jesus, saying, This demonic spirit has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.
Now hear me on this. God has made us in such a way that our natural instinct is to preserve and protect our life. That's the natural thing. It is abnormal. It is beyond the natural.
It is supernatural for us to want to kill ourselves. That is not. natural. Where does this supernatural tendency come from? Certainly, again, it can be a part of a chemical imbalance, an electrical malfunction in the brain.
But it is also can be attributed to more than that. Remember what Jesus said about Satan? He said, He is a liar, he is a murderer, he is the thief who has come to kill, steal, and destroy. Satan is the one or one of his demons who whispers in people's ear. Your situation is hopeless.
You are beyond help. Or whispers things like, You're no good. You're worthless. You're of value to no one. Or you're becoming a burden to people.
It would be better to take your own life than to keep living. That never comes from God. That is a lie from the pit of hell. And I would say to everyone here in our worship center, everyone watching or listening to this broadcast, if you have regular thoughts of taking your own life, understand that is not normal. God did not intend that for you.
And I would encourage you to go as quickly as you can to a doctor, preferably a Christian doctor, a Christian psychiatrist, and get the help you need, whether it's medicine, treatment, biblical counsel, whatever you need. Seek that help now. I've been a pastor long enough to say I have witnessed the effects of suicide more times than I would care to remember. The effects of suicide on victims is obvious. But what's not always obvious is the effect it has on those who are left behind.
Those who are left behind in the aftermath of a person taking his own life have unending and unbearable burdens. The cruelest thing you can do to anybody is for you to take your own life. Don't do it. Don't listen to the lies of the evil one. There's a fifth way.
that demons influence our life, and that is through other people. Satan can many times use other people to accomplish his purpose.
Now let me give you an extreme example of that. It's found in Revelation 18 verses 2 and 24. John is describing how many Christians will be slaughtered during the Great Tribulation. Verse 2 says, And he cried out with a mighty voice, saying, Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great. She has become a dwelling place of demons and a prison of every unclean spirit and a prison of every unclean and hateful bird.
There are going to be many demons in this rebuilt city of Babylon. And in her, verse 24, was found the blood of the prophets and of saints of all who have been slain on the earth. Demons will inspire human beings to take the lives of Christians during. The Great Tribulation. We've seen that happen before.
If you've ever gone to Jerusalem and visited the Holocaust Museum, You see the atrocities, the unspeakable atrocities committed against the Jewish people. Every time I take a group there, It's the same reaction. People are so stunned. And sickened by what they've seen, they walk out and they can't speak. We saw that when Hamas invaded Israel.
What did they do? They committed atrocities against men, women, children, little babies. that I couldn't speak of from the pulpit. Where does that come from? That's not natural.
That's supernatural, beyond the natural. It's demonic. I remember speaking at a breakfast in Denver, Colorado, some years ago, and afterwards, an FBI agent. Talk to me. They were having a string of murders in Denver.
And he told me, Pastor, I've been involved in investigating these murders, and they all have ties to witchcraft and sorcery. There's a demonic element involved in it. Of course, nobody wants you to know that and hear that. But the dark world, the demonic world, is real. And many times, Satan uses other people to accomplish his purpose.
But it's not always in that dramatic of a fashion. Demons can use other people in more subtle ways to deceive us into disobedience. I've heard this story so many times. I imagine you have too. Here's a husband or wife in an unfulfilling relationship.
They feel lonely, and they just accidentally happen to run into a high school or college flame from the past. Or they just happen by accident to connect with them on social media and they begin an affair that destroys their relationship. That's not. circumstantial. That's not coincidental.
That's part of the demon's plan to deceive Christians into disobedience.
Sometimes Satan will use other people to bring discouragement into our life. It can be well-meaning Christians who bring discouragement into our life, and Satan will use that. I remember in my previous church, after a deacon's meeting, one of the deacons asked if he could visit with me in my office. I said, well, certainly. And so we visited.
and for the next hour he spewed out Every accusation you could imagine. But as I listened and thought more about what he said, I realized this wasn't. What Jerry meant.
Now, I'm not saying no criticism is legitimate. We ought to listen to people's criticism and suggestions. In fact, Proverbs 13:18 says, Poverty and shame will come to him who neglects discipline, but he who regards Reproof, correction will be honored. Anytime somebody has a criticism, listen to it, evaluate it. But as I evaluated this man's criticism, I realized it wasn't legitimate.
When somebody comes spewing out accusations against you, that are not based on truth. but are bathed in bitterness, you can know for sure that doesn't come from God. God's correction leads to healing and restoration. Satan's condemnation leads to paralysis. Have you ever found yourself on the other end of someone's accusations?
It's an unpleasant experience, to be sure. it's incumbent upon every believer to measure those accusations. to see whether they're of God or from the enemy. I'm going to say much more about these issues on our next pathway to victory. Until then, I'm inviting you to equip your family for spiritual battle.
Remember today we're offering an exclusive children's book. that's hot off the printing presses. My book is called Suit Up. the armor of God for kids. This is a highly practical book.
written in a style that will engage your child. that offers clear-cut strategies to protect them from Satan's influence. Whether you're a grandparent, mom, dad, or school teacher, this children's book belongs in your collection. and it's yours when you give a generous gift to to support the Ministry of Pathway to Victory. And I've written another book.
This one is for adults. It's called Angels and Demons. in which I expose the tactics of the enemy. and the delights of angelic protection. We're living in dark days, but Christians need not fear.
because we're protected by the One Who loves us. This is the good news that you help me share every single day. on Pathway to Victory. Thanks for sending your best gift today. Together, arm in arm, God is using our partnership to pierce the darkness with the light of His Word.
Here's David to tell you more. When you support the Ministry of Pathway to Victory with a generous gift, you're invited to request suit up. The armor of God for kids. You'll also receive angels and demons, fact versus fantasy. That's our brand new resource created especially for adults.
Give today and request both books at 866-999-2965 or online, visit ptv.org. And when you give $100 or more, You'll receive both books along with the Spirit Wars teaching series on audio and video discs. Plus, you'll get your copy of The Divine Defense. The best-selling book by Dr. Robert Jeffress.
Simply call 866-999-2965 or visit ptv.org. If you'd prefer to write, here's that mailing address: P.O. Box 223-609, Dallas, Texas, 75222. That's P.O. Box 223-609, Dallas, Texas, 75222.
I'm David J. Mullins. Wishing you a great weekend, then join us Monday when the series Spirit Wars continues right here on Pathway to Victory. Pathway to Victory with Dr. Robert Jeffress comes from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas.
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