Demonology

[babylonrising]

I was reading about demonology and what the early churches believed in regards to demons and posession.
Does anyone believe that "spells" associated with demonology really work? Early churches seemed to believe in specific demons, and didn't just throw around the term demon loosely.
Are there really "specific" demons? i.e.--- Is there an army with actual names?
Some older beliefs seem true, but hard to believe nonetheless.
Scary reading... Do a google search and a little reading...

[antsinmypants]

Yes, there are specific demons with specific names.

I know of a few names that some answer to... mostly the names of mythological deities... and HaSatan has several names he, himself answers to.

I wouldn't worry about such things if you aren't having to deal with actual occult issues.

Trust G-d, draw nigh to Him, resist the devil and he will flee from you.

YSIM

[icebear]

yes the spells really work

when you open yourself up to the influence of demons they step right up and climb aboard

i'm not real sure if we know the names.... its like that show Stargate- the baddies go by the name of the Mythical gods they pretended (or invented for themselves)to become...i think maybe the demons do that too. i think many demons took advantage of human mythology and manifested themselved in forms that had been readily accepted already.
i would think that there were some demons who were first to establish the mythology and then the rest just kinda continued and made 'names' for themselves

[GraceX3]

Read Victory over the Darkness and The Bondage Breaker by Neal T Anderson.

Or go to Amazon.com where you can read an excerpt from these books.

In fact, I was just looking for ways to get bunches of these two books for people, here's a link.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0830725644/ref=sib_dp_pt/002-7612443-5057602#reader-link

YSIC,

Melanie

[pamaris]

Yes there is a hierarchy of demons who have names.... Occultists who pursue demonology learn all their names and their functions, and invoke them and evoke them, but it is not for us to know. The only name we need to know is Jesus.

Does anyone believe that "spells" associated with demonology really work?

I don't know what you mean by "spells" but yes people involved in witchcraft invoke demons through special rituals, and the demons will do their bidding, even as far as to kill someone. Their spells are powerless against Christians though, and they know that. If witchcraft, demonology and satanism was powerless, no one would get involved in such abominations.

Are there really "specific" demons? i.e.--- Is there an army with actual names?


Why not, God created the angels as an army with actual names (i.e. Michael)... So why would they lose their name and personality when they fell?

In any case, it is not for us to know, and if people get involved in invoking demons by their names, whatever name a demon gives them is probably not his real name anyway. They are liars.

I definitely think Christians today underestimate the powers of darkness in the world. Granted, these powers have nothing on us, but they have enveloped the entire world in a cloud of darkness, and as contemporary Christians we forget who the god of this world is.

Just my .02

[Servant]

That is so interesting.


I used to read a lot of Ann Rice books, not the vampire ones but the ones about the witches. One of them had a 'ghost' that followed her and her descendants around. Later on in the series his beginnings were explored and it was something VERY similar to what you [icebear] have described here. :freaked



Off topic, does anyone here remember Mike Warnke? When I was a teen his books were real popular. He was supposedly a former satanic high priest and his personal testimony was incredible! I even had a chance to see him in person once, it was neat. Years later, I heard that he was a fraud and none of his supposed satanic experiences were real. Anyone else know anything about this?


/hijack :readface sorry!!!

[GraceX3]

IMHO regarding Mike Warnke. He knows too much for his testimony to not be real.

I also found it hard to find many books by Neal T Anderson who has written the two books I referenced above.

Someone is doing a good job at keeping anything to do with this kind of spiritual warfare from being found or believed.

Believed! The evil one has done a great job at convicing people, including Christians that he's not constantly working to keep us from God. Saved, YES, but I'm still constantly battling satan. I'm far from alone. One of the reasons that I'm looking to buy these books for lots of people who I know.

I have tons of links to the these books, and they're open right now. Want more links? The funny thing is that I can find more books by Neal on Half.com and Amazon than I can at either Family Christian or Berean's bookstore sites. ;):

YSIC,

Melanie

[pamaris]

One thing I really liked about "The Bondage Breaker" was that the author promoted spiritual warfare by means of a "truth encounter" rather than a "power encounter". That is, we fight the enemy not by confrontational power in a head to head encounter, but by believing in the TRUTH which tears down the strongholds.

Good book.

[joy4Him2day]

From what I understand, we are never to go looking for demons, or even spending time meditating on them, but you can do a scripture search and help with various authors-----if you know nothing, I wouldn't do a google search, you have nothing to guide you.....

I am currently reading a book with a forward by Charles Stanley, so I consider it sound, being that Mr. Stanley seems balanced and grounded in the word, it is
Reclaiming Surrendered Ground by Jim Logan
protecting your family from spiritual attacks....

I just started it, so I can't tell you much.
I did the study by Kay Arthur on spiritual warfare too, don't remember the title, but it is a workbook and takes you through the whole bible, very informative....

I keep by my bedside: A Womans Guide to Spiritual Warfare by Quin Sherrer and Ruthanne Garlock..... it contains some wonderful helps on intercessory prayer for your family and guidelines for things to be careful about....

these are just a few, besides Neil Anderson's....
I, too, have been seeking the Lord in this area.......don't want to be decieved....

I started with a copy of Jesse Penn-Lewis' War on the Saints, and that is extensive and extremely helpful, and unfortunately, out of print.....

But I will tell you the Old Testament is full of illustrations of spiritual warfare.....which Kay Arthur's book takes you through.

Dont go looking for demons--warning, let that up to God, He will guide you in His wisdom, but study to know what the Word has to say about it, so you know how to pray effectively......

JMHO
Joy

:wave

[RobinB]

A friend wrote a book aimed at teens called "Deeds of Darkness."
It's what's called "Christian horror" because it shows what can happen if you mess with the occult--the consequences. It's great for anyone you fear might be interested in witches and spells--it's here:
http://www.trebleheartbooks.com/mvMeredithpg2.html

[MaryJane]

I have a link to an online version of "War On The Saints". I will attempt to post it here. I've never attached a link here, so not sure if it's as simple as it would seem :D:
http://www.apostasynow.com/wots/Contents.html

Ok...we'll see if it works! The book really was extremely helpful to me when I first began learning about this difficult subject.

God Bless! Mary

[MaryJane]

I guess you can teach old gramma's new tricks!!:D: :D: :D:

[matt]

My wife's roommate, before we were married, was deeply into the Sylvia Brown garbage. She claimed to have her "spirit guide" visit her numerous times. She said it appeared as a radiant human form sitting on the end of her bed.

It used to tell her things about the past and present. She also told me things that the spirit told her about the afterlife, Karma basically. It claimed that we would be reincarnation and the spirit would facilitate communication with the dead.

I don't feel she was making it up either. She authored a book, raced for the US ski team, and was working on a master's degree. She had plenty of accomplishments, thus no need to make up stories.

Demons are very active, they just don't wear their horns very often.

[audi72]

I saw Mike Warnke in person when I was 16 (and no I am not going to tell you how long ago that was!) :laugh :tape It was very powerful. Weird, I hadn't thought about that in a while and was just telling DH about him the other day.

[Mongoose60]

Unfortunately,those spells do work.:(: :B:

[joy4Him2day]

I thought about this since you posted yesterday, Babylonrising,
and I suppose that the movie will also create some interest in the spirit world......

curiosity alone is dangerous, IMO, and opening yourself up to deception. I don't know if I can put it into words right, but seeking information on them can be a little like dabbling into the occult------so, I feel inclined to believe that you do the study of spiritual warfare with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and even not until His prompting.......

I have tread carefully in this area, as I fully agree it is real, and dangerous(possible deceptions). I would start out with something that has you searching the scriptures for information before you get to the stuff that breaks it down into details that contain some speculation/and/or controversy.

And don't be reading secular stuff at all in that area. I see kids really drawn to Wicca with its benign face in the bookstores. I even picked one up and the introduction was to parents and told them not to worry it wasn't about spells and witchcraft...and their behaviour wouldn't change, etc, etc.......

It has a draw, I believe, just like a spell---to want to understand the (what I refer to as the 'third plane") spiritual plane......

God has given us enough insight to warn and encourage....but in both, it seems there is a limit to what He wants us to spend time on......

Pursue God, pursue God, pursue God............that is my best advice...........:wave

[RJs here]

EXCELLENT ADVICE ~ both posts, Joy!! :nod


{you others as well!! but what Joy said really struck home w/me}