Just when the 21st century western world has relegated demons and the topic of demon possession to the primary domain of fictional books and blockbuster movies, comes a story from the “Daily Mail” that reminds the spiritual minded of us that demons and demon possession indeed exist even today. Sophie Jane Evans, a writer for the Daily Mail, in her article entitled “Three American friends hospitalised after becoming ‘possessed’ following Ouija board game in Mexican village,” reports on the acute demon possession of 3-young adults in a Mexican village while playing a Ouija board game. According to Evans, 3-American friends, ranging in age from 18 to 22, were hospitalized with classic possession symptoms after the trio played a game on a Ouija board. The town? San Juan Tlacotenco, located in southwest Mexico.
Minutes after these young people began playing the game, the only female participant, began “growling and thrashing around in a trance-like state” while the two males suddenly became blind, deaf and began hallucinating. A local Catholic priest was called to perform exorcism on the three by one of the victims’ parents, but the Church refused to provide the service citing that the young people were not members of the church congregation. Conversely, those same parents called for paramedic assistance. The trio were transported to a local hospital. The three young peoples’ possession symptoms were treated with pain and anti-anxiety drugs and eye drops. The possession symptoms seemed to succumb to the hospital’s treatment regimen. A medical professional who witnessed the behavior of the three said of the victims, “They had involuntary movements…they were so erratic. It appeared as if they were in a trance-like state…They spoke of feeling numbness, double vision, blindness, deafness, hallucinations, muscle spasm and difficulty swallowing.”
Indeed, the spirit-realm or spirit-world is real, whether or not we choose to believe this story. Our 21st century, western world, effectively masks this reality from her citizens. Yet, tens of thousands and maybe even hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world experience such connections with the spirit world on a frequent basis. In many parts of the world, the spirit world is as common a reality as waking up and going to sleep each morning, breathing, eating, or talking to one’s spouse or children. Those of us who experience such connections with the spirit-realm are considered crazy, demented, psychotic and the like. One can only imagine how many people behind bars in this country alone (i.e., the United States) are beset and influenced by the spirit-world. The greatest attention and seemingly the most prolific manifestation of the spirit-world has to do with the evil or demon side. It is this dark side of the equation that seems to demand, deprive and take away from its victims their freedom to live peaceful and productive lives. In extreme cases, this dark side brings its victims to a state of harm to others and to themselves.
The Bible contains several stories related to demon possession and in each case, the manifestation is frightening and intimidating to say the least. Man overall appears impotent in the midst of such possession events. Man is carnal and incapable of even the smallest influence on demons. Spiritual beings, which we all know include demons, angels, the Creator and now the Son, Yeshua HaMashiach, operate on an entirely different plain of existence. Brute mortal strength has no effect on demons. Human reasoning can not break through to possessing demons. Demons are opportunistic creatures who seek out opportunities to intervene in the affairs of men—invited and uninvited. As a species, people in general are so oblivious to the dangers of the demon realm, that they will embark upon activities and behaviors that open the door to demon activity. Such things include: drugs, alcohol, Ouija board games, seances, promiscuous relationships, vodoo, satan worship and the like. Once demons find a foot hold in an individual’s life, it is next to impossible to get rid of them. The only sure cure for demon possession is the name and power of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Yeshua HaMashiach (aka: Jesus Christ). Luke 10:17-24 addresses the disciples (the seventy) reporting back to Yeshua, just before the Feast of Dedication in December of the year 27 CE. Luke records, “The seventy returned again with joy saying, “Master, even the demons are subject to us through your name.” Yeshua said to them, “I saw hasatan come down out of the heavens like lightning. I gave to you the authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and authority over all the power of the enemy.” As redeemed, believers in Messiah, we should be equipped to effectively deal with demons. When we became disciples of Messiah, we received that whole package. Yet the vast majority of us want nothing to do with the spirit-realm and thus would not be in any position to attend to a demon possession if we were to come across one. Regardless what side of the Faith we find ourselves in, we by virtue of our sacred heritage and calling, are required to not only operate in the spirit-realm, but to also deal with evil spirits when they enter our sphere of influence. We must absolutely begin with our relationship with the Father who stated through the Son, 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (Joh 4:23-24 KJV)
Once we’ve gained a foothold in to the spirit-realm, dealing with demons on their turf should not be a problem and demon fighting should become the duty of every believer and disciple of Messiah. May we all be so ready and fit for the battle ahead. Be Most Blessed.