What Causes Demonizing? 3

            The men in the graveyard at Gadarenes were indwelt by thousands of demons (Mark 5:1-20; Matthew 8:28-34; Luke 8:26-37).  What causes this?  How can demons gain entry into a person?  We’ve seen that it could be sin that allows another power to control us or sin in our family line.  It can also be because we live on ground they claim.  Curses is a fourth reason.

Opening 4: Curses. It may be someone has put a curseon you or your family by asking that something bad happen to you. That is really a prayer that Satan loves to answer!  That desire empowers demons to try to carry out the person’s desire.  Parents can curse their children by saying they wish they hadn’t had them, they hate them, don’t want them, they are no good and will never amount to anything, and so forth.  Finally, we can curse ourselves (Proverbs 6:2) by saying we hope we die, that we aren’t good enough, that we’ll never be happy, we’ll fail in what we try or any of many such things about ourselves(Proverbs 6:2).

            The area of curses is a less common but still a strong opening to demonic access.  To curse someone is to ask for evil to happen to them.  Those requests (really prayers) are heard by Satan and his forces and ‘answered’ when possible.  Cursing thoughts are like prayers.  The more a person thinks of them and focus on them, the more power will go to the curse, or the blessing, whichever the case.  This includes everything from occult and witchcraft curses to one individual ‘wishing’ harm on another.  Balaam was paid to curse Israel, but God wouldn’t allow it (Deuteronomy23:4; Numbers 22 – 24).  Curses can also be passed on from generation to generation.  The Bible says that speaking evil of someone is the same as cursing them (Romans 12:14).  Curses can be thinking or saying things like: “I hope you die…”  “Since he/she won’t love me I wish they’d …..”  “You’re no good, you’ll never amount to anything…”  “I hope she gets some of her own medicine…”  “I hope your children ……”  You can even curse yourself by what you say (Proverbs 6:2).  Our words are powerful and important.  They aren’t something to be taken lightly.  Using profanity (“curse” words) also falls into this category.  When someone “damns” someone to “hell” that is an awful, awful thing to say!  Demons love to hear it. They use the power of the hate in the speaker and will latch onto any authority or justification to do their evil!

            It’s not the verbal sounds that make the difference but our thoughts and feelings inside as we express them verbally.  Rote chanting of words does nothing, but heartfelt desires communicated to God mean a lot.  God reads our mind and thoughts even when we pray silently, but demons do not have access to our thoughts so praying or expressing ourselves out loud makes them aware of how we feel and where we stand.  If it is inappropriate to pray out loud then do so in thoughts and let God take care of the rest, but when it is possible to express yourself out loud it is best to do so.  It’s important to realize that our thoughts are breathing and living and so are our feelings and, therefore, so is prayer. 

The Bible says we can curse others (Ps 109:17).  Demons use this as an excuse to work against the person, as a ‘prayer’ to gain access.  Old Testament men (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc. Gen 27:23, 38) would bless or curse their children (Genesis 48:20).   Sometimes they even put a curse on them, as Abraham did with Ishmael and when Isaac cursed Esau.  The Levites were used to pronounce blessings (Deuteronomy 10:8; 21:5).  When Naomi came back to Israel she said she was to be called ‘mara’ because things had turned ‘bitter’ for her. A father is to bless his children by his words and send them into life with his and God’s blessing.  What you have done is the opposite. 

            If you feel this may have happened to you remember to “Bless them that curse you” (Matthew 5:44).  Treat the person with love and kindness, for when you return good for evil the “undeserved curse does not come to rest” (Proverbs 6:2).  Break that curse against you in Jesus’ name, claiming Galatians 3:10,13 which says “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.'”  Ask God to turn the curse to a blessing (Deuteronomy 23:5).

            Good is stronger than bad, so when you speak good into a situation where previously bad was spoken then the good is stronger and purer and it stops the curse.  You can throw it back at the person who threw it at you, but turn it into a blessing – bless those who curse you (Luke 6:28).  Love the person who hates you and God will use that stronger love to overcome the hate (Luke 6:27).

            LESSON FOR TODAY:  Curses can and must be broken in Jesus’ name for the truth is that they can’t prosper against God’s people (Isaiah 54:17).  1) Break any and all of them in Jesus’ name (Galatians 3:13) and 2) ask God to surround you and protect you with His presence and angels instead (Job 1:5). 

 

(If I can answer questions or offer personal counsel, or if you would like a free copy of my Spiritual Warfare Handbook, email me at Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org or download it from http://sw.christiantrainingonline.org/.  My next book, Spiritual Warfare in the Bible, which is a more advanced treatment of spiritual warfare, is also available there for free.)

C t O Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
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