Demonic Deliverance
Demonic Deliverance
If you asked someone today about their thoughts concerning demons and the demonic realm don’t be surprised if they think you are talking about movie genres or top forty songs. Today, demonic themes are no longer the stuff of fear. They are to be used for provocative self-expression or to sell movie tickets.
Consider the 65th GRAMMY Awards this past February. The most talked about performance of the night was the smash hit “Unholy” by Sam Smith and Kim Petras. The song glorifies immorality, sexual perversion, and blatant worship of the devil. Believe it or not, it was sponsored by Pfizer. The lyrics celebrate the fashion house Balenciaga which advertises and supports pedophilia. Sam Smith explained, “This song is about liberating oneself from the clutches of others’ secrets. And throwing out the rule book.” The performance included abundant red lights, fire, red spandex, devil horns, and sadomasochism.
The are also two current movies about demon possession and exorcisms. One that came out in late 2022, Prey for the Devil, tells the story of a woman who plans to be the first female exorcist. Another movie is set to be released on April 14, titled the Pope’s Exorcist, and stars Russell Crowe. Both movies do their best to provide suspense and shock for the entertainment of those who "enjoy" horror movies.
It is interesting to note that our increasingly secular world is not becoming less spiritual. The void produced by those abandoning Christianity is being filled by new versions of paganism and an ever-increasing interest in the occult.
So, are demons real? If you know what you are looking for there is an abundance of evidence that suggests demonic forces are just as active today as they were believed to be in ancient times.
In Luke 8:26-39, Jesus encounters a man possessed by a multitude of demons. The community he lived in had done what they could to control him but were powerless. When Jesus meets the demon-possessed man, his life is marked by disorder, social isolation, and self-destruction. Through Jesus, the man is delivered but the response of the community is not what you would expect. Dealing with sin and evil is disruptive, messy, and costly.