Messages By: cheerio75

I watched the show this morning and was a bit disappointed; however, I did want to give some personal advice that I believe will truly help some of the viewers on today's show. 

For starters, I do believe that there are demonic forces all around us, which, according to Scripture in the Bible, are naked to the human eye. I'm going to list a few resources that I would highly recommend to those who believe they may be in the presence of unseen evil forces. I believe demonic forces are absolutely real, because I have experienced their presence before. Being a born again follower of Jesus Christ, it is also my belief that they cannot harm me, and that I can command them to leave. I also believe that because each of us is targeted by our enemy, the devil (Satan), that we will all be tempted and pursued by demonic spirits thorughout our lives; however, there are ways to combat them if a person has refuge in Christ.  

If you aren't sure what you believe, be it in God or some religion, or whatever, I STRONGLY urge you to get a copy of an invaluable resource. It's called "Why I Believe" and can be found online at www.lote.org All one has to do to find this resource, is go to the website, search for "Why I Believe" and information about this CD set will pop up! If you have ANY questions about the accuracy of the Bible, how the Bible came to exist, who God truly is, and why Jesus is so relevant to his followers (Christians), I would recommend you get this CD set. The set is based on sound research. In fact, 60% of the research given in the set was performed and compiled by "secular" scientists and historians. Secular meaning: "non-Christians." I have studied religion for over 12 years and can attest to the accuracy of the information in the CD series. It will open one's eyes to truth, so one can see both sides of the "God" debate. It isn't about religion and it won't try to convert someone to become or endorse a specific religion. It simply states facts about God and the Bible based on years of sound research. 

Now that I've made that suggestion, I'd like to make another one. If a person believes he/she is cursed, confronted, or harrassed by demons or some other unseen presence, they should first get a hold of that CD series so they can evaluate their personal beliefs. Once they have come to some type of conclusion, if they decide they do believe in God through Jesus Christ, then I strongly suggest they get copies of the following resources to aid in the removal of all curses, demonic forces, etc., that may be overwhelming their lives.  

I strongly suggest those concerned to get copies of two books and one paperback workbook(available at Amazon and other bookstores): 

1.) Victory over the Darkness by Neil T. Anderson 

2.) The Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Warfare 

There are also workbooks available, written by the same author. One helps the reader work through what may be creating some of the demonic warfare.  

3.) Workbook: Steps to Freedom in Christ 

One lady on the show was living in total torment regarding an exorcism that had been performed on her as a child. I want to make another recommendation. You are not experiencing the joy God intends for you. You question your relationship with God, and with Jesus Christ. I have been there, so I am recommending this from experience as well. Get copies of the aforementioned resources, including the one "Why I Believe" because it will without any doubt, clear your mind. Anyone who is a believer should get copies of the books below. They will teach you the "other" half of the gospel that so many churches and preachers never talk about. You will learn who you are according to God, how you can reprogram your mind to truth, how you can live a joyful life and experience all God has done for you, AND, you will learn how the resurrection of Christ applies to your life. You will also learn whether or not you are truly a child of God.  

Also, try to get copies of the following: 

1.) The Confident Woman, Knowing Who You Are In Christ by Anabel Gillham 

2.) Classic Christianity by Bob George 

These are my recommendations. If anyone here wishes to discuss these resources, feel free to post a reply to this message, and I will happily engage in conversation with you as soon as I can. The resources I mentioned above are ones I have put to use in my own life. I also know others who have successfully used these resources as well. I have personally achieved freedom, significance, and joy having read, understood, learned, and applied the information from them, and could not recommend them more for both believers of Christ, and non-believers who truly desire to know the truth about who they are, why they were created, and why they exist.  

Many blessings! 

You're absolutely correct! I couldn't agree more.  

I also want to add that demonic forces don't focus on people of no faith. People who do believe in God and Jesus Christ also experience demonic attacks. The difference is that people who believe that Jesus Christ died in their place, died for their sins, paid that debt for them, etc., are incapable of being possessed. Both God and Satan cannot reside in the same body. I'll try to explain, in Biblical terms, why: 

I'm going to go back to Adam and Eve. Bear with me b/c this requires an explanation. Some people believe this Biblical story is allegorical, but I strongly disagree. Having studied the validity of Scripture for years, I believe the Bible is 100% accurate. I believe that "all Scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Timothy 3:16). I understand this to mean that the whole Bible is inspired, in that holy men of God "were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21) to write each and every word of Scripture. So, in other words, God authored the Bible. Some folks may have written it with their hands, but the words are sole property of God. It's like sitting in a courtroom and listening to the discussion while the court reporter keeps a record of every word that is stated. That's essentially what happened with the Bible. God authored it Himself, and others recorded all He wanted to say. God used specific people, who experienced specific things throughout life, to record those things along with His words. 

How do Adam and Eve play a part in who we are today? Well, just as each of us inherits our physical characteristics from our parents (eye color, hair color, etc.) we also inherit spiritual characteristics. Our spiritual characteristics originate with Adam and Eve. Those who know the Bible, are aware that Adam and Eve were created in perfect harmony with God. They walked and talked with God, and God allowed them to live in the Garden of Eden, the most beautiful place ever to exist on earth. Satan, who was cast out of God's presence in heaven, had been banished to earth. He also had access to the Garden. God gave Adam and Eve one command, "From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die" (Genesis 2:16-17). Well, we all know what happened next. Satan went after Eve. Satan first questioned Eve. Eve told Satan she was instructed to not eat or touch the fruit on the tree, and if she did, she would die. Satan then told Eve his first lie: "You surely will not die!" What we know about Satan is that, in serpent form, he was the most beautiful animal in the Garden. He is exceptionally crafty, and He is a liar. Satan uses these gifts to attract people today. First, he appeals to them through sin. Once he gets a hold on them (via their fleshly desires and sinful behavior), he continues to lie to them. His greatest lie of this era is that we don't need Jesus to get to heaven! It's really upsetting to me that so many people believe this lie.  

Satan's second lie Satan told Eve was "God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Lie number two...if Eve ate the fruit, she would be like God. This wasn't a bad objective, because those of us who know Jesus Christ personally want to be like Him. But, it was how she went about becoming like God. She disobeyed God's authority in order that she could become like Him through her own means, apart from God.  

The fruit took on a new appearance to Eve. It appealed to her senses in every way. Eve took the bait, believed the lie, and then she gave the fruit to Adam. Eve believed the lie that sin is good. Sin looked good. Most of us know that sin is usually fun, for a while, but then consequences of our sin come into the picture. So, not only did Eve sin, but she coerced her husband to sin. Now, Scripture tells us that they died. But, they didn't die physically right then and there, on the spot, after eating the forbidden fruit. So, what actually happened? Well, they did in fact, die. They died spiritually. They were no longer allowed to live in the Garden in God's presence. They realized for the first time that they were "naked." So, they realized they were sinful. The spiritual characteristic that Adam and Eve passed down to every person ever born is a dead spirit. We are spiritually dead at birth. It is our inheritance. We don't earn it through our own sin because we are born with it. It's our very nature, as human beings, to quench our fleshly desires and sin. Here is why Christianity is the only "religion" that relies on grace. (I WILL make my point...) Every other religion on the planet focuses on one becoming good enough to exist in the presence of God through knowledge and/or works. Christians rely solely on Jesus. Those of us who believe Christ died for us have come to the realization that we will NEVER be good enough to live in the presence of a holy God. We cannot good-work our way into heaven. If you want more information on whether or not you have sinned, and whether or not you are on your way to heaven, check out www.wayofthemaster.com and take the Introduction quiz.  

So, from a Christian's standpoint, one is born spiritually dead. In order to reconcile with God, one has to come to the understanding that he/she is sinful, by his/her very nature. And, because we are incapable of living a sinless life, we have to accept the grace God has extended to us through Himself in the form of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, according to Scripture, is God. He came to earth for the sole purpose of reconciling each and every human being to God. Jesus accomplished this by literally dying in our place. The wages of sin are death. "Spiritual death." In order that we bring our dead spirits back to life, Christ, who was sinless, died in our place. He sacrificed Himself for us, took all our sin on Himself, died in our place, and in return, gave His spirit to us. Those of us who believe this, and believe Christ died in our place, died for us, receive Him. Our dead spirit is replaced by Jesus' life. That is why Scripture tells us that Jesus is the "way, the truth, and the life" and that no man will ever come to the Father (God the Father) except through Christ. Because no man can get to God without Christ, Scripture tells us that if we refuse to accept Jesus Christ, then God will refuse us. God sacrificed His Son so that we might be reconciled to Him. If we refuse that gift, we refuse God. And, if we refuse God, then we are freely choosing to live without God throughout eternity. We have two choices: accept Jesus' death as full payment for our sins so that we can live eternally in God's presence; or, refuse Jesus' gifts of forgiveness and life. God doesn't send people to hell. People choose of their own free will to go there. 

Now, to make my point. If a person believes in Jesus Christ, their dead spirit is replaced by the very life of Christ. So, if they have that life, and the Holy Spirit resides in them, they cannot also be filled with a demon. Both God and Satan cannot reside in the same body. Satan can tempt, pursue, pressure, and harrass a believer in Christ, but Satan cannot "possess" that person because the Holy Spirit and Life of Christ already possess him/her.  

I'm not sure what religion this woman practices, nor am I certain about yours. What I want to suggest to you today is that the Bible doesn't endorse "religion" either. In fact, the Bible endorses "relationship."  

I'm also not sure how you acquired your personal beliefs. It's definitely your choice. I am so sorry and sympathetic to you because the woman who calls you a devil worshipper is really approaching you in a negative way. You seem like a very intelligent and research-minded person, based on your open-mindedness. You might find a resource called "Why I Believe" really interesting. 60% of the information presented is based on secular research (research conducted by non-Christians who do not practice any religious beliefs). You can check it out online at www.lote.org and search for Why I Believe. If anything, this resource would give you in-depth information about the Bible, it's origin, it's accuracy, and why so many people put their faith in Jesus Christ. I hope you'll check it out sometime, when you want to truly understand why Christians believe what they believe.  

As for me, I apologize for this woman's attitude. The Bible says in Romans 6:17 that all men (and women) are slaves to sin, and therefore, are owned by that sin. Sin, in the Bible, is personified. It's primarily used as a noun (only a handful of times it's actually used in verb form). So, from her perspective, she sees you as one who chooses to follow the devil. I know you don't believe in the Bible or the devil, but I would ask if you have actually read or studied it in any detail?  

The Scripture that this woman is referring to is actually there. From a Biblical standpoint, we are part of two families (two lineages). One is Adam's (Adam and Eve) and the other is Jesus Christ. We are all born out of Adam's lineage. And, according to Scripture, we are slaves to sin, a.ka.: Satan. So, from that frame of mind, one is either reconciled to God through Jesus Christ and adopted into God's family, or one remains in Satan's family. There is no in-between according to Scripture. It's either from God, or from Satan.  

I think she probably reacted harshly with her words out of her own fear for you. To Christians, we worry that others do not know the truth, and not knowing and accepting the truth is the absolute worst thing that can happen to someone. I'm not going to argue with you about your beliefs, or try to persuade you to believe mine! : ) What I would like you to do, is consider obtaining some really sound information, like the resource I suggested, that presents both sides (Christian vs. Non-Christian), and then conclude that you do not believe in the God of the Bible. I don't know if you have continuously encountered these personalities (like this woman who insulted you) throughout your life, and that has convinced you that the Bible and Jesus Christ/Christianity is not for you,  if you did some research, or if you just came to that conclusion through other means and experiences. Just consider, with your common-sense and open mind, that what if you were actually wrong about the Bible, and God? You have to put the woman out of your mind and all bias and feelings aside, ask yourself that question. I had to ponder over that question, and I came to the personal realization that if I were wrong, if God DID exist, and if Jesus truly died for me, my eternity could be at stake.  

I didn't believe in God either, until I truly began researching Scripture and it's origin, among other things. The "Why I Believe" series by Chip Ingram is the best information I have found, to date, that answered some of my questions in layman's terms. You can also go to a website called www.wayofthemaster.com and go through the Intro there. I'm sure you'll recognize a popular 80's actor who helped found the site. Anyway, he poses some really good questions that I think all of us should at the very least consider. 

Many blessings, and again, I regret that this woman used those terms when she approached you. At the very least, had you been equipped with sound information about Scripture, you could have truly put a sock in her condemning mouth! : ) If she was out to witness to you, she didn't do a very stand-up job!! Rest assured, not all people of faith will react this way to your beliefs!