Growth Can a Christian have demonic strongholds and also be in bondage even though they are saved?

[Chopper]

The more worldly stuff in my life I gave up, the more truth Jesus revealed to me. Even though its truth, it is very hard to take in at first. Cause I realized basically everything I ever cared about was fleshly, and had nothing to do with Jesus It helps greatly to know the devices of the devil and how they work. If you are full of light there is no room for darkness. Figure out what all is negative and of darkness and cut it out of your life. Ephesians 5:11 "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."

That's a great answer my friend! Eph 5:11 is such a valuable verse for all of us.

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

I have found it interesting, even questionable that when Jesus was in His ministry on earth, the Gospels note many occasions of demon possession. It is recorded many times of Him casting out demons. I would imagine that during the first Century, it kept up. What I find interesting is in undeveloped Countries, there are records of demon possession among the natives and even more educated areas. This Country, with a large Christian population, there does not seem to be as much. I am puzzled though, at the seemingly high percentage of mental disease there is in this Country, and how much the evil one has to do with that.

It is so difficult to know really if mental problems are a result of chemical deficiencies in our body's or if there is a more sinister cause. Extremely hard to differentiate.

not so hard really, if they are willing to test. test and see. the doctors who actually test their patients have much better results than the doctors who don't test their patients (for nutritional deficiencies; the body's not made for chemicals).
it is not standard ama protocol(procedure) to test for nutritional imbalances anymore though, since about 1950.
'everyone' knows that chemicals used are used to treat symptoms, not to treat causes (because causes aren't identified anymore).
once the cause is known, it's usually a piece of cake, and makes all the difference in the world ---
best known example: scurvy(vitamin c deficiency once common among sailors , until they learned about it and started taking limes, lemons and oranges with them on long journeys--- tada ! no more scurvy then.)
scurvy today is rampant(wide spread), but nobody routinely tests for it. if they bother to test for it, a lot of problems are resolved just as easily as it was for the sailors.

moving on to
faith.

so-called third world countries have more people of faith, and stronger faith, than 'developed' countries. ('more' but still not many)
even Jesus "did not do many miracles" in some cities, because of their unbelief.
"This country" is a lot like the state religion that constantine started officially /legally- if you didn't say you were a chrisian, you were subject to arrest, banishment, or death, so 'everybody' suddenly was declared 'christian'.

it is still popular to be 'christian' in some cities(not as many as it used to be), especially in the untied states, so there's a lot of 'declared' christians who are christian in name only, and they don't even know the difference.(but God knows, and where there's not true faith, He doesn't do many miracles today, just as in the Bible).

 

[His_nee (Jeff)]

Unfortunately, Satan is the ruler of this world (Jn. 12:31) and he has set up all kinds of traps, these would include, music, literature, entertainment, Arts, science, and a host of other sources. Most of these look quite innocent to the innocent, but to the alert Christian, we can see area's that if we become involved, it could become a habit, or a reoccurring practice in our lives. Although not demon controlled, they can become a stage where demonic pressure can be exerted.

Can you imagine what trouble we'd be in if hasatan was NOT THE RULER OF THIS WORLD !

 

[BigSodaExposer]

I have found it interesting, even questionable that when Jesus was in His ministry on earth, the Gospels note many occasions of demon possession. It is recorded many times of Him casting out demons. I would imagine that during the first Century, it kept up. What I find interesting is in undeveloped Countries, there are records of demon possession among the natives and even more educated areas. This Country, with a large Christian population, there does not seem to be as much. I am puzzled though, at the seemingly high percentage of mental disease there is in this Country, and how much the evil one has to do with that.

It is so difficult to know really if mental problems are a result of chemical deficiencies in our body's or if there is a more sinister cause. Extremely hard to differentiate.

Brother here is the best I can make of it. Jesus says its devils, and that gives an ultimate spiritual cause of the darkness evil mental illness. However there is physical problems in the neurotransmitters and stuff. So essentially, you can toggle the mind with substances and alter the chemistry, but ultimately is does have a spiritual wicked cause. (Satan) Being born mentally ill is another interesting thing. I consider the body the temple. This vessel can be a space for Jesus or Satan. Mathew 6:24 (two masters) A balance between light and darkness. But being born mentally ill means being born with a defective temple. Well what is the spirit of Satan? Perversion, lust, greed, hate, confusion, darkness. Jesus said if your eye is healthy it will fill the body with light. Mathew 6:22 "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single (healthy), thy whole body shall be full of light." A defective temple, lets in more darkness? I personally believe one can alter this light/dark balance based on lifestyle choices and dietary choices. Mark 9:29 of the KJV "And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting." refering to the uncastable demon the disiples couldnt cast out.

 

[BigSodaExposer]

That's a great answer my friend! Eph 5:11 is such a valuable verse for all of us.

Thanks! Ephesians 5:11 is one of my favorite verses from Ephesians. That and of course Ephesians 6:12