The subject of demons surfaced in Barbados recently because of a video posted on Facebook.
In it, an underage girl, tied with rope, was seen being taken up an outdoor staircase by some women. Subsequently, Gnostic priest Dr Anne Rose stated that the girl had a demon and she had been asked by the girl’s grandmother to exorcise the demon.
So much has been said since then about the incident on social media, in the Press and in ongoing conversations across Barbados.
And up to this day, even though stories of demon possession pop up now and again, there are still those who do not believe demons exist. Of course, there is another group who believe they do exist but do not understand much about demonic activity.
So, let us look at this subject a little closer.
Isaiah 14:2-15 is regarded by Bible scholars as the account of Satan’s fall from heaven. A formerly very beautiful angel was overcome with pride and arrogance. His desire to take the place of God in heaven resulted in him being cast out.
Banished from heaven with him were a third of the angels who followed him in his rebellion against God. These are the present demons and evil spirits that now oppress and possess human beings.
Make no mistake about it, demons are real, and demonic activity does exist in the world.
The Revell Bible Dictionary states, “The Gospels give us the clearest portrait of demonic beings, in reporting their confrontations with Jesus. Here we see demons function as living beings with the ability to speak, hear, think, feel, and act. (Mt. 8:34; 17:18; Mk. 1:34; 5:12; Lk. 8:32; 10:17).”
Demons are constantly opposed to human beings. Their sole purpose is to separate human beings from a relationship with God; and cause us to endure a life of misery here on earth, and experience a life of eternal torment in hell.
Their oppression causes disease and sickness in people. Matthew 12:22 says, “Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see” (NIV). Look up as well, Matthew 15:22 and Luke 4:35).
Demonic oppression also causes madness, as the account of the demonic-possessed man in Mark 5:1-20 shows!
One thing for sure, Jesus delivered these people who were afflicted by demons, and freed them from their suffering.
And so should we.
But we must do it in the name of Jesus only. We cannot rely on ourselves. It is in His name, and in His power that demons are driven out.
Also, we must know Jesus as our Lord and Saviour in order to call on His name in full authority and assurance, as Paul did in Acts 16:18.
“The Holy Spirit of God who has taken up residence within us, will guard us from the spirit, and spirits, of evil….Despite the unspecified powers of these forces of evil, the NT assures us that Jesus, with whom we are united by faith, ‘has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand – with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him’. (1 Peter 3:22) [Revell Bible Dictionary].
The case mentioned earlier is now in the hands of the police and the Child Care Board. It is only hoped that the young girl in question has received the help she needed. If not, it is recommended here that the parents/guardians seek help among the Bible-believing churches.
Within this community there are several persons who are experienced and well abled in the ministry of deliverance.
