Demon Possession
Mary* became a Christian about 3 years ago. She moved to another part of Switzerland last year and I encouraged her to dedicate herself to a local church in that part of the country (where there are no churches of Christ). She found a charismatic group not too far away and has been attending there ever since. We study the Bible by phone once a week, working through portions of the New Testament.
Mary hears a voice. It’s quite destructive, has led her to eating problems, lack of self-worth and much grief. She once asked me if I thought the voice was demoniac in nature. I told her I didn’t know, but would pray with and for her.
The voice continued after she became a Christian. She sought help from the local pastor and he assured her of what I couldn’t, that is, the voice is demon-inspired. She has asked for healing… The pastor there has prayed for her.
Recently, an acquaintance had a dream about Mary’s voice, and through this situation Mary was advised to attend an African Pentecostal group. Their pastor claimed that Mary had something in her that was destroying her, but that she couldn’t be healed because her faith wasn’t great enough. (Her local pastor has told her the same thing.)
We talked yesterday. Mary was quite broken up. God has been very active in her life. She has grown, has joy in her life, has made some difficult moral choices, has prayed every day for liberation, but she is not free of the voice and does not understand why. On top of that, she has learned from two of her spiritual guides that her slavery is her own fault (lack of faith) and this has inflicted deep spiritual hurt, doubt and tears.
I know she has at least the faith of a grain of mustard. I think the prayer, “I believe, please help me in my unbelief” is sufficient for God to act. If demon possessed, it is not her lack of faith but that of the exorcist that is called in question.
Mary and I will speak on the phone again tomorrow. Your input… your prayers… would be appreciated. We can discuss this more in the comments section.
*Of course, not the person’s real name.
February 8th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Pardon my cynicism but I am confident if she were to significantly raise her contributions to these people who say she lacks faith, they would find a way to “cure” her! I’m with you, Brady. I see nothing in the Scripture that says exorcism failed because of a lack of faith on the part of the one possessed. She would do well to seek medical help as well as spiritual as there are numerous situations that can be treated and are not demonic.
February 8th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
I know there are plenty of people who are sincere in trying to help with this ‘demon possession’, but who are doing more harm than good. I would let Maria know what you have already mentioned here - that she is growing in faith, as evidenced by the fruit in her life. I too would try to turn the conversation to the possibility of getting some medical help. Does she have some basic tools to defend herself? (prayer at the times of hearing the voices, song, scripture, actively helping others)
February 8th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Good suggestions both. I agree that the best thing you can tell her is that it is decidedly NOT her fault, NOT her “lack of faith.” I like your answer about the demon possession: I don’t know. But medical attention is warranted. With prayer, more prayer, and just for good measure, some prayer.
February 8th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Thanks one and all for the comments. Very much appreciated. Mary has had medical help for years. She has tried medication for years, even using some of the cutting edge “test” drugs for schizophrenia. I do not know if she is seeing a doctor now, but I will ask her about it.
She does pray when the voice speaks to her. But she hasn’t sung much, that I know of. She is discouraged with God because the voice does not go away. Her question is: WHY? Why does it stay? Why hasn’t it left her.
Just the other day, the voice told her that he really WAS Satan, the first time that that had happened.
February 9th, 2007 at 3:58 pm
I can’t add much more to the comments offered. One of my good friends dealt with his own mother suffering the same kinds of “voices” as Mary due to “becoming” bi-polar. It was a very hurtful time in both of their lives and it has gotten better through medication and treatment but as my friend tells me, his relationship with his mother isn’t the same.
February 12th, 2007 at 6:46 pm
I should have read this post before today. I worked through the Gerasene demoniac text yesterday.
I agree that faith is not the issue (on her part anyway) the faith card is always played when someone else has failed and does not want to look bad.
Are you familiar with any of Neil Anderson’s work (Bondage Breaker, etc.)?
February 12th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Yes, I’m familiar with his stuff. I found much of it very, very hard to swallow. But I read through it anyway because I know we are in a spiritual battle.
We had a great discussion on Friday. Mary is going to hold on to her faith. I just don’t want others to “beat her up” too much.