Tag: Repentance

Possessions and Eternal Life: A study of the conversation between Jesus Christ and the rich man (Part 2)

Fr Dr Saji K Mathew1 Comment

Matthew 19:16-21; Mark 10:17-22; and Luke 18:18-23.

In Part-1 we analysed about inherited possessions. Part 2 is about shared possession. As discussed in Part-1 we are looking into demonic possessions and the origin and continuity of demonic possessions which down the generations becomes strongholds.

Part-2 is about shared possessions. Shared possessions, as the phrase suggests, are the sharing of demons among the living. For example, in Genesis 3:1-6 we read that Satan entered into Eve through the fruit which she ate. Eve is now possessed with Satan or demon (demons are the subordinates, Satan being the head). Eve then reaches out to Adam and shares this possession, and makes Adam too to commit the same disobedience which she committed a moment back. In this way, the demonic possession is shared between Adam and Eve.

Another sharing of possession is seen in Genesis 6:2. Here the sons of God (another group of angels that later joined Lucifer) took wives for themselves from human beings. Thus God’s angels become fallen angels who then enter human beings. Here both the angels and the ‘daughters of men’ are equally the culprits, rebelling against God, thereby sharing evil possessions.

Again, as mentioned in Part-1, Ham saw the nakedness of his father and committed sin thereby being possessed. In Genesis 9:22 it is written than Ham went and told his two brothers what he saw. This act of Ham was demon prompted so as to share the evil by passing on to his two brothers, Shem and Japheth. Apparently, the other two brothers resisted as we read in the following verse.

Esau, son of Isaac and brother of Jacob, is seen entering into unholy alliances, and offcourse demonic, when he took wives from the Hittite (also called Hethite) tribe who were the descendants of Canaan (Genesis 10:15). Thus the demons which descended down the generational line among the Canaanites now found a new family line to share, through Esau. In this way, the promises made to his grandfather Abraham and father Isaac are now being deprived of Esau due to his unholy alliance.

The demons are further seen invading God’s chosen (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) generation’s line by using the tactic of sharing, this time through one of the sons of Jacob. It is written that Judah separated from his brothers and settled independently- obvious that when we leave our fellowship we are prone to demonic attack. Judah was not an exception, as he married a Canaanite and settled in an alien land (Genesis 38:2). The demon/s thus shared by this Canaanite daughter with Judah is/are seen articulating into the worst of actions as detailed later in this chapter (see Genesis 38:13-19).

The above examples suggest the need for alliances and combinations to be holy in Lord’s sight, corruption of which is a sure sign of demonic interference. Saint Paul appeals in Romans (12:1) ‘to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God’. In Leviticus 10:1-2 Nadab and Abihu, sons of Aron offered unholy fire before the Lord. As a result fire came from God and consumed them. The act of these two was in violation to the instruction of Lord regarding incense as detailed in Exodus 30:34-38. In this case, we see an unholy combination of items, where holy items were mixed with impure/unholy items. Any such foreign interference should be treated as demonic, and is corruption. For example, the life of Adam and Eve with God was holy until Satan interfered and corrupted the atmosphere in the Garden of Eden. In Malachi (2:8), the priests are blamed for corrupting the covenant of Levy and weakening laws instructed by Lord. Corruption and weakening happens when sharing occurs between impure and pure. Now, whether it is regarding human relations or the materials handled by humans, it needs to be holy as acceptable to Lord. Saint Peter exhorts to long for the pure spiritual milks so as to receive salvation (1 Peter 2:2). Further, he says that we are called to a holy priesthood, and offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5). Hence it could be concluded undoubtedly that those who are holy of God must not handle or interact with unholy things, and similarly, unholy people must not handle holy things. In short, we should be clear about what others are sharing with us- is it demonic or holy.

God’s people are holy, and hence their interactions and mixings must be careful, failing to which there will always be a chance of sharing corruption and impurity- which is demonic. As mentioned above, Judah left the house of Jacob for a gentile wife and hence is cut off from Lord’s favour (Malachi 2:11). Later in his own tribe we see the great King Solomon attracted to many gentile women and marrying them, and eventually falling into the disaster that his gentile wives turned his heart away from God towards other gods (1 Kings 11:3-4). In both these cases, we can see the fall of Lord’s chosen through the sharing of their precious possessions with demonic possessions; for the foreign wives are ‘daughters of foreign gods’ (Malachi 2:11), and hence demonic.

It is important for the true followers of Christ to be cautious about the possessions they share either by giving or by accepting. Jesus said, ‘Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw your pearl before swine’ (Matthew 7:6). A person holy to God cannot unite with un-holiness or else fall is certain. Our body, soul and spirit are united with the body of Christ, hence Saint Paul said, ‘……it’s no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me’ (Galatians 2:20). Being transformed into the body of Christ, we must not allow demonic possessions to be shared into our lives. Paul cautions in 1 Corinthians 6:15-16 if we commit adultery (adultery in Bible also means worshipping idols) a sharing of possessions takes place as holy body and demonic body unites to become one. In such a situation our holiness will be corrupted and destroyed by demonic possessions, for ‘bad company ruins good morals’ (1 Corinthians 15:33). Please also read 1 Corinthians 5:9-11. Our spiritual joy is kept intact when we ‘do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of the scoffers’ (Psalms 1:1). In this way, we won’t be sharing any demonic possessions.

It’s obvious to think, how then a true Christian can survive in this world. In a world full of demonic activities we will then have to leave the world (1 Corinthians 5:10).  However, Romans 12:2 assures that when we are transformed in Christ, we also receive renewal of our minds so as to ‘discern what is good, and acceptable, and perfect’. The gift of discernment of spirits (holy and demonic) (1 Corinthians 12:10) is important for a believer to avoid fall. Saint Paul is strict to instruct ‘Do not even eat with’ the demonic (1 Corinthians 5:11).

It may be worth mentioning here about the demonic possessions waiting to be shared through some sporting and entertainment activities, as an example. For instance, cruel sports involving animals such as bull fighting, cock fighting and dog fighting are demonic in the sense that people who cheers and watches are either demon possessed already or are lured by the demons to share their possessions through bloodsheds as a result of such fights. Similarly, boxing and fighting in rings are demonic as they are controlled by demonic forces to destroy the bodies- again through spilling blood. In the case of Gerasene demoniac it is mentioned that he bruised himself with stones (Mark 5:5). This was a demonic custom, as part of the practice of initiation among idol worshippers and occultists as stated in 1 Kings 18:28. We have around us many such traps with demons waiting to share their possessions. Once entered into a person, the demons start their job of multiplying by inviting other demons into the person’s lives- thus sharing possessions (see Matthew 12:45). A legion (could be between 1000-6000) was present in the poor Gerasene guy (Mark 5:9). This is a bad effect of generational sin as well, that unless delivered a demonic possession may keep multiplying down the genealogical line by means of shared possessions.

One of the bad effects of technological advances is the levelling of breeding ground for sharing evil possession. For instance, mobile and internet technology have accelerated the spread of pornography, abuses, rape and other demonic activities. A person once caught in this web is certain to further indulge in perversions and thereby collecting more demonic possessions through sharing.

A lot more can be written about shared possessions, but let me conclude here, it is better to exercise precaution so as not to fall. However, if fallen, make sure to immediately repent and cleansed in the blood of Christ, for His blood cleanses us from all the sins (1 John 1:9), no matter, how grave our sins are (Isiah 1:18).

                                                                                                                                       to be continued……

 

Possessions and Eternal Life: A study of the conversation between Jesus Christ and the rich man (Part 1)

Fr Dr Saji K Mathew4 Comments

This blog is about the conversation between Jesus and a rich man inquiring about eternal life as reported in Matthew 19:16-21; Mark 10:17-22; and Luke 18:18-23.

The primary focus of this blog on Matthew 19:21 and Mark 10:22 which states that the man was shocked and went away grieving, for he had ‘many possessions’. The Greek word for possession means property, land, estate and so on. Webster dictionary defines possession as having control (over something).

The man in the above scenario is obviously rich and had many possessions. In legal terms possession is a title of ownership with full liberty to exercise the right over someone or something. For the purpose of this study I identify three types of possessions as discussed below:

  1. Inherited possession: Inheritance could be defined as an extension of the past. For instance, we inherit many biological characteristics (even diseases as modern science identifies) from our parents. These are genealogical in nature as it is through the genes that such characteristics and traits are transferred. In my previous blog I discussed in detail about generational curses which is relevant in this context as well. In Psalms 51: 5 King David grieves about been conceived in sin. This clearly means that no one is born in this world without sin and everyone (by default) inherits sin, because of the fall of Adam and Eve. Jesus Christ is the only exception to this inheritance as Mary was conceived by Holy Spirit, and hence born without sin. Through Adam and Eve humanity has inherited sin as a possession. Lord looks up from heaven for an exception to this inheritance but finds none (Psalms 14:2-3). Job (15: 14-16) in his righteous spirit admits that no one is pure but in a sinful state. By inheritance one is legally the natural heir of a possession. Saint Paul figures this out that one is by nature children of wrath which means sinner by nature (Ephesians 2:3). We can see this in the nature of Cain that he inherited the spirit of deception (Genesis 4:7) which was passed on from Satan to Adam through Eve Genesis 3: 4-6; 1 John 3:12). In Romans 5:12 Saint Paul reinstates the nature of sin as being inherited that even though sin entered through one man, Adam, death, as the wages of sin (Romans 6:23)  spread to all because all have sinned. This shows that sin has spread across the generation due to one man, Adam. No one can deny the fact that we are sinners or we have inherited sins. 1 John 1:8 says ‘If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves…’ and as stated above deception belongs to Satan.

 On the contrary, the rich man tried to justify himself that he had been righteous by following the commandments since his youth. The Greek word for youth actually means the entire former part of the age commencing from birth. This means that the rich man was trying to deny that he has inherited sin. Instead he was just relying on his memory only which dates only so much back.   We should know that Jesus knows not only our present, but our past and future as well, in the light of Hebrews 13:8– ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever’.

 It is important for us to know how curse is inherited. At the outset please be informed that unless we open the gate demons cannot enter inside our lives. The moment we commit a sin we enter into a legal agreement with demons by means of which they obtain the right to enter and dwell in us.  In other words, by committing a sin we rebel against and detach from God and link with Satan. In this way, a sinner is possessed by demonic forces. This demonic possession continues down the genealogical line until the covenant is broken- and the only way to get ransomed is through the precious blood of Christ (see 1 Peter 1:19).

 The rich man in this text certainly had possessions as it says he was rich. His material possession does not seem to be genuine and honest as we could make out from Jesus’ stand against it. Please note Zacchaeus was also rich but his possessions were mostly acquired by fraudulent means (Luke 19:8). This denotes that he simultaneously had demonic possessions. By announcing to give away his wealth Zacchaeus denounces the possessions which withheld him from eternal life, and is delivered from his sinful possession through salvation (see Luke 19:9). It is interesting to note that Zacchaeus did neither ask for eternal life nor was told what to do, but was still granted. Whereas the rich man asked for eternal and was clearly told what to do but still failed to follow Jesus.

It was very important in the life of Zacchaeus to give away his wealth as his wealth entailed demonic possession. James 5:4 states that the cries of the deprived and oppressed have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. Now, who knows how the ancestors of the rich man have accumulated wealth. In the case of Zacchaeus we clearly know that the wealth was inappropriately amassed.

 

We certainly have a divine way to break the generational curses.  Isiah (53:5) says ‘by his stripes we are healed’. Since Jesus is there for us today and forever we ought to be aware that He keeps a tab on our activities. This means that we do have the opportunity to break away and come out from our generational curses- and it is only through the blood of Christ (1 John 1:9), which cleanses us from all sins/unrighteousness. By ‘all sins/unrighteousness’ it means ‘irrespective of past, present or future. This realistic claim also has evidence in the prophecy of Ezekiel (18:14-20) where it says that if the son decides not to follow the sins of his father but walks in righteousness he is promised to be rewarded. Therefore, if we repent our sins as well as the sins of our ancestors we receive deliverance, as promised by God (Leviticus 26:40). We see this in action when Nehemiah prayed and God responded favorably (Nehemiah-7).

It is possible that we may not have heard of or aware of our generational curses. However, our ignorance does not absolve us from those curses. More importantly, even if a person of latter generation resolves to lead a righteous life in God, s/he is prone to be overpowered by the demons within as they have not been cast out. This is where the importance of fellowship and ministry comes. James 5:15-16 should be read in light of this. Besides, Jesus commissioned his disciples to cast out the demons (Mark 3:15). Thus, there are three steps to come out fully from the clutches of curses: 1. Repent our sins, 2. Get the demons cast out (deliverance), and 3. Accept the body and blood of Christ.

Please note, in terms of generational curses, parents are like a protective umbrella for their children. They are responsible for protecting their children from the attack of demons by providing spiritual guidance and protection (see Proverbs 22:6). On the contrary, if the parents get involved in sinful activities they are destroying the protective covering of their kids, as well as passing on the demons to the next generation- thereby being cursed.

By the holy and precious blood of Jesus Christ.

                                                                                                                              to be continued…………….