Opening up to influences

One of the topics that was mentioned in our ministry seminars at Winter Family Weekend was the issue of discerning mental health and demonic influence in a person. It is a very deep topic but one needed as we head closer to Christ’s return and the end days. We see from the bible that such issues will increase even more so then than they already have.

The topic was met with an interesting reaction, some winced when it was brought up, others were shocked by it as if they never heard it before. Or for that matter wanted to deal with it. It is an important topic that must be talked about and a reality that we all face in one form or another.

One of the issues involving demonic influence is the issue of whether someone with the Holy Spirit in them can be influenced by a demon or possessed. Many people who have researched the topic have said yes or no. There was no agreement that would be definitive either way.

There have been some cases where someone was baptized and remained possessed by a demon. Some documented cases were made where someone was thought to have the Holy Spirit but somehow still were found with demonic influences, even possession. It seems that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit did not keep them out in those cases. Why is this?

There is an answer to a good number of those cases. It stems from allowing influences to take over our thoughts and hearts and turning them away from God. It may seem that we are totally submissive to him but these things need to be checked on a regular basis in our lives. What we intake into our minds and hearts must also be regulated and controlled by our commitment to God’s way.

Universally it is found that those who abuse drugs or alcohol or some form of immoral behavior will have a more promiscuous life which opens them up to more ungodly behavior. It may seem that this couldn’t allow demonic influences in our life but in many cases it has been the leading cause. It’s because substance abuse allows you to lower your guard to many things. A Christian can harbor some immoral behavior and that in itself can be the weakness that is exploited by demonic influences.

One of the traits of a possessed person is extreme unforgiveness. Unforgiveness can be just as damaging as drugs or alcohol in many ways. It also lowers your guard to prevent influences. Bitterness, isolation, and anger. It also flings open the door for Satan to influence you. The state of unforgiveness locks you into a negative state and can isolate you from God. You may still feel you are a good Christian but it’s that small aspect of your mental state that can be an exploited weakness. That is why scripture emphasizes love and forgiveness.

Three flagship scriptures are:

Ephesians 4:26-27 “be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity.”

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 “But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”

Then James 4:7 “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

It is important to keep ourselves unspotted from this world and unspotted from ungodly behavior. Sometimes we can think that it’ s only about just being good but in reality it is also about keeping out influences that are ungodly and only lead to our destruction.

Your Brother in Christ,

Steve Koenig