tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post4513664551535448240..comments2023-12-01T01:00:34.093-05:00Comments on The Paranormal Pastor: What is a Demon?Pastor Swopehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-12228422573715296672014-08-20T16:32:03.284-04:002014-08-20T16:32:03.284-04:00MY question is what is a Mybras Demon and how dang...MY question is what is a Mybras Demon and how dangerous is it ?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01281646755523983524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-2791311112308832802012-08-01T15:04:41.932-04:002012-08-01T15:04:41.932-04:00Ok Anonymous...
I prefer the original Koine Greek...Ok Anonymous...<br /><br />I prefer the original Koine Greek and the Hebrew version myself, but whatever floats yer boat....Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-87704970915286992982012-08-01T01:26:24.152-04:002012-08-01T01:26:24.152-04:00A Christian is someone who makes any kind of refer...A Christian is someone who makes any kind of reference to the character Jesus described in the King James Bible. It doesn't even matter what he says about Jesus. However, he must be talking about the character in the King James Bible and not the guy in the Koran and not the guy in the book of Mormon. An unclean spirit is a demon.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-48431508426017213922011-12-05T05:41:46.312-05:002011-12-05T05:41:46.312-05:00Demons, in simple terms, are servents of the Devil...Demons, in simple terms, are servents of the Devil, fallen angels that serve the Devil, in a similar way that angels serve God.<br /><br />Demons do the Devil's bidding, which is to tempt, and coorupt us, by whispering to our own spirit, or shouting.<br /><br />Resist them, and they will flee from us.<br /><br />We resist them, by obeying God's Word - but we need to know God's True Word before we can follow it.<br /><br />As Lawrence touched upon, Demons place 'images' and 'visualizations,' into our minds, telling us how we could gain or lose - i.e - greed, lust, theft, false witness, pride etc etc etc, they all result from us having an image of how we could gain something, or how we might lose something.<br /><br />Demons are tempters, liars, or ensnare us with fear.<br /><br />Just as God asks us to reason with Him, Demons also reason with us; God within righteousness, Demons within sin.<br /><br />We are all subject to the influence of Demons, as they try to corrupt us, but possession with Demons is something different.<br /><br />Jesus never blamed the Demon possessed, but He always blamed the disobedient.<br /><br />False deliverance meetings, make Demons very much stronger!!!!!!!!<br /><br />It is for us to resist the temptation, which in reality is to resist the Devil, and his demons; and they will flee rom us.<br /><br />David.davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-1219807359370642662011-12-04T13:41:21.670-05:002011-12-04T13:41:21.670-05:00Lawrence, you comment has been a great help to me,...Lawrence, you comment has been a great help to me, it fits what I have already learnt, like a glove.<br /><br />To 'imagine,' or 'visualize.'<br /><br />Our thinking is our spiritual/Spiritual hearing, our behaviour, beliefs, doctrines, opinions, character, reaveal which spirit/Spirit has gained our attention, and won our obedience, either short term, or long.<br /><br />We say and do nothing without thinking about it first; and we all need to renew our minds in Christ Jesus - that is to say, learn His Way, Scripture.<br /><br />"Of what? That is the rub."<br /><br />Lawrence, 'images,' and 'visualizations' of gain, advantage, or loss.<br /><br />Such 'images' and 'visualizations' are simply temptations, or fears.<br /><br />Think of the 'image' or 'visualization' that was put into Eve's mind, when the Devil talked her into eating fruit that God had already commanded that they should not, and explained why; the 'image' (picture painted - death) God had placed within Eve's mind, memory, thinking, was corrupted by the 'image' the Devil presented to Eve, Eve making the choice between the two 'images.'<br /><br />Remember the 'images' the Devil presented to Jesus in the Wilderness, also when Peter rebuked Jesus, and in the Garden of Gethsemane.<br /><br />'Images,' 'visualizations,' or in other words - thoughts - our thinking is our spiritual/Spiritual hearing.<br /><br />"Who told you that you were naked?" or how did you come to know/learn that.<br /><br />Pride - an 'image,' a 'visualization,' we have of ourselves.<br /><br />Greed, an 'image,' or 'visualization' of how we can gain for ourselves.<br /><br />Lust, an 'image' of how we can satisfy ourselves.<br /><br />Theft, an 'image' of how we can take for ourselves.<br /><br />Lies, an 'image' of how we can get away with something.<br /><br />God and the Devil, both present us with 'images' and 'visualizations,' you will know them by their fruits.<br /><br />Test the spirits, test the person's behaviour, beliefs, doctrine, opinions, charecter. Are the 'images' and 'visualizations,' the 'thinking' they promote, are they obedient to God's Word?<br /><br />"you will recognize them by their fruits."<br /><br />Fruits of God's Word, or fruits of the Devil's corruption.<br /><br />Demons whisper/shout the Devil's will, tempting us, corrupting us with the 'images' and 'visualizations' that the Devil's lies present to our minds.<br /><br />Bad company corrupts, as we share, and witness, the Devil's 'images' and 'visualizations.'<br /><br />"get behind Me Satan."<br /><br />Think of the endless 'images' and 'visualizations' present in the powerful deception known as the Toronto Blessing.davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-38642131708635337342011-12-03T19:16:51.305-05:002011-12-03T19:16:51.305-05:00Hello everyone.
Lawrence, it was really interesti...Hello everyone.<br /><br />Lawrence, it was really interesting to read your comment about the Hebrew meaning of the word demon - that being 'image,' and 'visualization,' it has really helped me in my own studies.<br /><br />This meaning fits like a glove, with what I have already come to understand.<br /><br />"Of what? That is the rub."<br /><br />Lawrence, you will know of the fruits of the Spirit (God's Spirit), and as Paul called them, the fruits of the flesh, which is in reality, the fruits of the Devil's spirit; I often wondered why Paul never identified those fruits of the flesh, as the fruits of the Devil's spirit, but at the time, Paul said of himself, why do I do the things I wish not to do, and those things I wish to do, I do not do - what a wretched man I am - I think we read the Bible at times, without remembering that those men we read so much about, were still learning even as they walked so strongly in God's power.<br /><br />When I suddenly came to understand, that our thinking is our spiritual/Spiritual hearing, my life changed big time!<br /><br />The Devil's lies and temptations, are the 'images,' and 'visualizations' Lawrence.<br /><br />The 'image,' and 'visualization' that was presented to Eve, the 'images,' and 'visualizations' that were presented to Jesus in the wilderness, and through Peter when Peter rebuked Jesus, when Jesus said He had to die (get behind Me Satan).<br /><br />Greed, lust, unrighteous anger, lies (what we gain from telling them) etc etc etc, are all presented to us in our minds, our thinking, our spiritual/Spiritual hearing, as 'images,' and 'visualizations,' of gain, or loss. The Devil does not trouble himself with right and wrong, for to him nothing is wrong, and right does not matter; only God cares about, and makes any distinction between right and wrong, only God can declare right from wrong.<br />The Devil will never present us with an 'image' or 'visualization' of good, though he may/will mislead us, and cause us to misunderstand just what good is, such as the tolerance of evil.<br /><br />"Who told you that you are naked?" - 'image,' 'visualization,' - 'knowledge' of, awareness of, it needs not to include understanding, as Paul said "why do I do the things I wish not to do, and those things I wish to do I do not do."<br /><br />The tree of knowledge, I do not understand exactly what happened that day, though I think it had something to do with authority, and rights, but I do understand how since that day, the Devil and his demons, present us daily with lies and temptations, whenever he has an oportunity to.<br /><br />We do and say nothing without thinking about it first, and what we say and do, our beliefs, opinions, behaviour, character, reveals which spirit/Spirit has gained our attention, and either for the short term, or the long term, gained our obedience, leading either to sin, or to righteousness.<br /><br />Scripture tells that jealousy can be demonic; we always have an 'image,' or 'visualization' whenever we feel such jealous, pride, greed, lust, hate etc etc etc, we are always imagining, or visualizing how we will either gain something from another, or lose something to another, quite different to how God teaches us to give, and help, "it is better to give than to receive." "do unto others what you would have others do unto you," two opposing natures/Natures, characters,Characters, Spirits/Spirits - you will recognize them by their fruits.<br /><br /><br /><br />"Renew your minds in Christ," - learn God's way, His Will, Word, plan.<br /><br />Think about all the very dangerous imagery and visualization used in the Toronto Blessing, it is a powerful deception.<br /><br />David.Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-68476010186502621622011-11-05T23:13:14.571-04:002011-11-05T23:13:14.571-04:00"In both China and India demons are seen as a..."In both China and India demons are seen as almost another life form very similar to Mankind but with what we might call "magical" powers. Some of these demons are seen as Good and help Mankind, others as Evil and do everything in their power to thwart Mankind"<br /><br />Dear Morris,<br /><br />I believe you're spot on. I'd like to alter your term from 'demon' to 'entity'. Since the latter is associated with horned creatures and your basic horror movies.<br /><br />The idea here... regardless of your religion/path, is that entities separate man from god, whether you construct that idea being the Judeo-Christian/Zoroastrian form or the eastern Shamanistic form of one's higher self, being a flicker of god's emanation.<br /><br />These entities exist all over the place. They infiltrate people's thinking, conscious and subconscious, and have consequences which can be detrimental long term.<br /><br />So while many religions attempt to reconcile man with god, the entities do stand in the way and thus, it's a long, uphill battle.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-64239903474459857812011-04-26T20:33:14.586-04:002011-04-26T20:33:14.586-04:00Hi, Robin, sorry I have written in some time.
Yo...Hi, Robin, sorry I have written in some time. <br /><br />You should also take into account the way Demons are viewed from an Oriental perspective. In both China and India demons are seen as almost another life form very similar to Mankind but with what we might call "magical" powers. Some of these demons are seen as Good and help Mankind, others as Evil and do everything in their power to thwart Mankind, while others are middle of the road and, depending on how they feel, might help or hinter Mankind's efforts.<br /><br />MorrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-20947598923755315512011-03-30T09:57:28.727-04:002011-03-30T09:57:28.727-04:00Thanks Howard,
Actually she was called the Pythia...Thanks Howard,<br /><br />Actually she was called the Pythian because of the legend of Apollo and the giant snake at Delphi called the Pythos (where we get the term 'python' I was making a little joke). Before the Grecian worship of Apollo at the Delphi site there was an ancient 'temple' on the cave site where the Mycenaeans worship an earth godess. Snakes in the ancient Hellenistic world were symbols of a localized daemon, small house shrines often had little live snakes that the family would offer a portion of their meals to every day.Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-37830619145186338062011-03-30T07:34:21.542-04:002011-03-30T07:34:21.542-04:00The Oracle at Delphi was called the Pythoness beca...The Oracle at Delphi was called the Pythoness because of the spirit that possessed her. <br /><br />See also Acts 16:16. <br /><br />"And it came to pass in our going on to prayer, a certain maid, having a spirit of Python, did meet us, who brought much employment to her masters by soothsaying," (Young's Literal Translation)<br /><br />"And it came to pass as we were going to prayer that a certain female slave, having a spirit of Python, met us, who brought much profit to her masters by prophesying." (Darby Translation)<br /><br />"And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain girl, having a pythonical spirit, met us, who brought to her masters much gain by divining." (Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition)Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04843514873861242426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-83339878881836317892011-03-29T01:32:01.449-04:002011-03-29T01:32:01.449-04:00Thanks Jennae,
I am still going over how to go fu...Thanks Jennae,<br /><br />I am still going over how to go further, the topic can be overwhelming! So much History!<br />We will be getting into a lot of theories as well. Thanks for reading! I've been wanting to post more stories than articles, have a few missionary stories and such. Will hopefully get them out soon.Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-14988959292382864722011-03-29T01:29:15.844-04:002011-03-29T01:29:15.844-04:00Thanks Howard,
Wasn't there a real serpent at...Thanks Howard,<br /><br />Wasn't there a real serpent at Delphi that Apollo killed?<br /><br />I just want to know how the python went from Greece to the Amazon!<br />:)Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-75795929552993430462011-03-28T13:37:20.532-04:002011-03-28T13:37:20.532-04:00Hello Pastor Swope. I'm a huge fan of your wo...Hello Pastor Swope. I'm a huge fan of your work. Looking at the paranormal from a Christian point of view! That's great! In my blog, I cover a bunch of different topics, but I always keep coming up with demonic explanations. I'm glad you are talking about demons now as well. It's helping me gain some perspective and information that helps me form my own opinions on what's going on out there. Thank you so much!Jennaehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15958795971867113163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-3327636664485736142011-03-28T13:32:38.372-04:002011-03-28T13:32:38.372-04:00Rather than concentrate on the history of the WORD...Rather than concentrate on the history of the WORD "demon", it would be interesting to look at the idea itself. For example, there were the evil spirits of 1 Samuel 16:14, 18:10, and 19:9 and Judges 9:23; these were under the control of God, but they were still "evil". The destroying angel of the 10th Plague may be related to Abaddon/Apollyon. Then there were the "python" spirits, such as the one that possessed the Oracle at Delphi.Howardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04843514873861242426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-42921996001031153012011-03-26T20:30:53.692-04:002011-03-26T20:30:53.692-04:00Thanks T'mara,
I appreciate that, it is why I...Thanks T'mara,<br /><br />I appreciate that, it is why I started the blog. I also agree with you about the majority of tv shows out there. I've actually been approached by a show and giving it much prayer because of that very issue. I just wish they would bring UFO Hunters and Monsterquest back with new episodes. Those were the only two I could watch all the way through without getting upset,though they did not deal with apparitions so do they count?<br />Although I do love Haunted History, even though it's narrated by Lionel Luthor.Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-81175954039637302172011-03-26T20:19:43.590-04:002011-03-26T20:19:43.590-04:00Thanks Anonymous,
He could be, but since there is ...Thanks Anonymous,<br />He could be, but since there is not a direct passage quote like there is seemingly in Jude we can only infer that.Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-13722097107770950662011-03-26T20:17:09.793-04:002011-03-26T20:17:09.793-04:00Thanks Lawrence,
Kudos, great stuff! I agree 100%...Thanks Lawrence,<br /><br />Kudos, great stuff! I agree 100%. Hebrew and I have a love/hate relationship I love the language but for some reason my brain hates it! So I use helps all the time. You research is great!If I remember, is it more of a reflection type of image? I seem to associate it with the analogy of someone looking into a dim mirror. I tend to think as with anything paranormal it is the person's unique mindset that gives one the perception of the phenomena. While talking with Stan Gordon after a recent interview he mentioned a UFO that was seen by a large group of people; but only 1/2 of them saw this giant glowing object overhead. Others saw nothing at all.Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-6301103637122315702011-03-26T17:52:22.133-04:002011-03-26T17:52:22.133-04:00thanks for a well researched article into the ento...thanks for a well researched article into the entomology of the word "demon." also thanks for not having a typical knee jerk "christian" response. i'm so bored with the ghost adventure type shows that equate every and all things unexplained or occult as evil. i kind of stayed away from your blog because of your "pastor" title but now i find i was mistaken and i will definitely give you a read. t'maraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-61784423584693792602011-03-26T08:57:07.269-04:002011-03-26T08:57:07.269-04:00I agree about the Book of Enoch having missing pie...I agree about the Book of Enoch having missing pieces of a larger puzzle that's only hinted at throughout our Holy Bible. It may not be canonical, but that being the case, does not Christ refer to it when he mentions the angels who left their post?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-23319317403235679812011-03-26T06:27:13.347-04:002011-03-26T06:27:13.347-04:00On the etymology of 'demon', whilst as you...On the etymology of 'demon', whilst as you relate it is derived from the Greek, the Greek may have an earlier Hebrew root. Many Greek words have Hebrew and Semitic origins (as does the Greek alphabet and thus our own Latin alphabet). <br /><br />The Greek 'daimon' may have its roots in the Hebrew 'dimun' (I would give it in Hebrew letters but I seem to have some gremlin problem with my Hebrew software script at the moment, so sorry can't put it up in Hebrew). DiMuN means 'image'. 'LeDaMYeN' (Hebrew has no vowels so I put them in small case) means 'to imagine' or 'to visualise' in Hebrew.<br /><br />Thus demons, with this possibly deeper etymology, are images. Of what? Well there is the rub, perhaps of our own deeper selves, projected outward? The demons are what we are, or - according to a more orthodox religious take - we attract the demons that reflect our own character and mindset. Or both. Can we so clearly distinguish between the Inner and the Outer? Either way, demons perhaps are ourselves or reflect different aspects of ourselves and are ultimately inseperable from who and what we are.Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04531198239870181089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-20226035885954177492011-03-25T15:13:08.410-04:002011-03-25T15:13:08.410-04:00Thanks Anonymous,
WOW. My sources are those that ...Thanks Anonymous,<br /><br />WOW. My sources are those that an Evangelical minister would use in Seminary when studying the New Testament. It does require some critical thinking. It is a historical look at the meaning of the word 'demon'. That it was confusing to you shows you were looking for a specific agenda. "demons are bad". Well of course they are in our current historical perspective and dealing with them. I have NO IDEA what makes you think I am not a Christian by a historical analysis of the word 'demon'. Is there anything in this that cannot be squared with The Apostle's Creed? Or the Nicene Creed? Do you even know what they are? What do you think a Christian is? I think you need to do some learnin'. Thank goodness you posted anonymous, that is embarassing. Your statement is entirely ignorant. It is the kind of thinking that stains the conservative Christian church and leads many to stay away from church and the Lord. It is Anti-Evangelistic thought at its best. This type of attitude and boxed in thinking is one of the reasons religion is dying in the Western world. I hope you have no leadership position in a church,if so please please please get thyself to a seminary or an intelligent Bible study led by someone who has been to a credible one.<br /><br />Ahem.<br /><br />May God Bless you on your spiritual journey.Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-30965378250691574712011-03-25T14:58:41.317-04:002011-03-25T14:58:41.317-04:00Thanks 007,
Enoch is a good resource, of course se...Thanks 007,<br />Enoch is a good resource, of course seemingly referrenced in Jude, but it is not canonical for a lot of reasons. It is a late work (300bce) so it was not written by Enoch, but a writer posing as the historical figure. It was a widely read book at the time of the New Testament, but not considered to be inspired by God and rather a piece of literature that helped one to reflect upon truth. I would say it would be akin to what Frank Peretti's "This Present Darkness" is to our modern era.Pastor Swopehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16008265694116146151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-64719889525774541062011-03-25T14:20:12.046-04:002011-03-25T14:20:12.046-04:00That was so interesting, but confusing. Are you e...That was so interesting, but confusing. Are you even a Christian?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-914842448114558426.post-10829414602896542592011-03-23T17:49:54.068-04:002011-03-23T17:49:54.068-04:00Hi Pastor Swope. What are your thoughts on the boo...Hi Pastor Swope. What are your thoughts on the book of Enoch? In my opinion, it fills in alot of the details of the book of Genesis and gives me a satisfactory explanation of what demons really are.007noreply@blogger.com