New Testament Questions - Devils Cast Out

[Tamrajh]

I've recently begun reading the New Testament for the first time and although I'm finding it quite interesting, I'm also confused by something. There are numerous references to Christ casting out evil spirits from people and even one where the evil spirits took over a herd or gathering of swine (pigs) who then went and drowned themselves.
I have numerous questions about this.
I thought we were protected from this type of thing happening because of the enmity between Satan and us so the only way this could happen was if we invited Satan into our bodies. Have I missed something here?
If it happened so often back then, can't it still be happening now? We dismiss the thought of possessions now and think people are just "crazy" but what if it really is a possession just the same as it was when Jesus walked the earth. Shouldn't there be something done the same as Christ did when he was here to help these people in a religious sense?
Thanks in advance for clearing this up for me. Even though I'm finding the New Testament very interesting, I'm really getting hung up on this possession part because it's very different from how we view things now.

[MorningStar]

Very interesting question! I've wondered the same thing - which problems today could actually be possession? Not that I have a good answer for you, but I'm looking forward to reading what other people have to say.

[prisonchaplain]

Christians cannot be demon possessed since we are filled with the Holy spirit. However, those who are not so protected might invite such into their lives through participation in witchcraft, seances, fortune telling, ouija boards, etc.

[Tamrajh]

But even Christians who have turned their backs on their religion and dabbled in seances, ouiji boards, and the like could be possessed?
Why don't we hear of the evil spirits being forced out and exorcisms like Christ did?

[FunkyTown]

I have heard of exorcisms taking place. Not the head spinning, "Send me a younr priest and an old priest!" one, but yes. I have heard of them. Ask at church. I bet some Elders have a story or two.

[BenRaines]

Possession is something that must be allowed by humans. It may be due to the manner that we live our life. Continual sin, etc. I believe PC's definition of Christian is someone who truly lives their belief and not someone who just professes one.

You may recall as you read of the Lord casting the demons out of the man possessed that the demon spirits communicated with the Lord, they recognized him for who he was and what was about to happen. They requested, in order to possess a body, to be cast in to swine, the most unclean animal in the Hebrew faith and then the swine when possessed were made mad and ran in to the sea to drown themselves.

What we can learn from this is that spirits can possess bodies if allowed and that spirits will do anything to have a body.

Ben Raines

[Tamrajh]

So do you think that curious kids, when they're playing around and don't think it's real, could invite Satan into their bodies or is there some kind of protection over them because they're too young and innocent to be able to do stuff like that.
I remember when I was younger I attended a sleep over and we turned around the picture of Christ and then invited Satan to come let us know if he was real (because we thought all this religion stuff was a bunch of crap). I've often wondered about that and, knowing we couldn't have been the only girls to have done that, I wonder what happens when kids delve into it even more deeply by playing with ouiji boards or doing some satanic worship.

[Tamrajh]

Oh, and yes, he did visit us.

[BenRaines]

I believe it is only after a pattern of unrighteous living. Always remember that we, as human beings, have power of Satan and his minions. It is us who allows them to enter and or to stay. Once under their power it is hard, but not impossible, to turn it around.

Ben Raines

[MorningStar]

Originally Posted by Tamrajh

Oh, and yes, he did visit us.

AAAAAAGH!!!! That's scary.