Growth Mark 3:7-12

[claret]

Mark 3:7-12 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. And whenever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.

When anyone here reads this passage do you wonder how many diseases are unclean spirits, how many are just a part of the fallen earth we live in or due to sin? It just stood out to me today, that the unclean spirits that fell down before Him-- Seemed connected to those with diseases pressing around Him.

 

[Gary]

When anyone here reads this passage do you wonder how many diseases are unclean spirits, how many are just a part of the fallen earth we live in or due to sin? It just stood out to me today, that the unclean spirits that fell down before Him-- Seemed connected to those with diseases pressing around Him.

I had that thought one day while watching a program on Tourette's syndrome.
.

 

[Deborah13]

I don't believe diseases that we know of today are caused by evil spirits. That would mean that there are Christians who have evil spirits controlling their bodies and the Holy Spirit residing in the same abode.
Diseases that can be controlled by medications are really controlling evil spirits? I don't think so.
But I can see where some like Tourette's would cause one to wonder, that's a strange one.

 

[claret]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I believe God heals today as He did yesterday according to His will.
It made me wonder about ailments. Psychosomatic illness is one thing that came to mind for me. The symptoms are all present, but no M.D. can find a cause.

 

[ezrider]

I don't believe diseases that we know of today are caused by evil spirits. That would mean that there are Christians who have evil spirits controlling their bodies and the Holy Spirit residing in the same abode.
Diseases that can be controlled by medications are really controlling evil spirits? I don't think so.
But I can see where some like Tourette's would cause one to wonder, that's a strange one.

When I read your thought here Deborah13 I thought about the parable of the sower, for in the parable the seed the was sown was the Word of God (In the begging was the Word........). So we find in the parable that seed is sown in all who would call themselves a Christian, but for many the cares of the world or what so ever else then chokes out that seed so that it doesn't grow. The seed has not left them, it remains yet dormant within them, waiting for the warmth of the light to draw it forth.

Though I have thought about it, I have never put much stock in it, but it does seem possible then that these unclean spirits could still be in our flesh if the seed is not living within us, but remains yet dormant. I have wondered if things like ADD and ADHD, or Autism were of that nature because of something I read once from the Apocrypha. In 2 Esdras there is a passage that says in the last days women would bring forth monsters. How easy is it to call children with these ailment little monsters. I have a friend and co-worker who has a child with autism. What he has to deal with on a daily basis I would never wish on my worst enemy.

2 Esdras
{5:8} There shall be
a confusion also in many places, and
the fire shall be oft sent out again, and the wild beasts shall
change their places, and menstruous women shall bring
forth monsters:
{5:9} And salt waters shall be found in the sweet, and all
friends shall destroy one
another; then shall wit hide itself,
and understanding withdraw itself into his secret chamber,
{5:10} And shall be sought of many, and yet not be
found: then shall unrighteousness and incontinency be
multiplied upon earth.
{5:11} One land also shall ask a
nother, and say, Is
righteousness that maketh a man righteous gone through
thee? And it shall say, No.
{5:12} At the same time shall men hope, but nothing
obtain: they shall labour, but their ways shall not prosper.

 

[Deborah13]

When I read your thought here Deborah13 I thought about the parable of the sower, for in the parable the seed the was sown was the Word of God (In the begging was the Word........). So we find in the parable that seed is sown in all who would call themselves a Christian, but for many the cares of the world or what so ever else then chokes out that seed so that it doesn't grow. The seed has not left them, it remains yet dormant within them, waiting for the warmth of the light to draw it forth.

Though I have thought about it, I have never put much stock in it, but it does seem possible then that these unclean spirits could still be in our flesh if the seed is not living within us, but remains yet dormant. I have wondered if things like ADD and ADHD, or Autism were of that nature because of something I read once from the Apocrypha. In 2 Esdras there is a passage that says in the last days women would bring forth monsters. How easy is it to call children with these ailment little monsters. I have a friend and co-worker who has a child with autism. What he has to deal with on a daily basis I would never wish on my worst enemy.

2 Esdras
{5:8} There shall be
a confusion also in many places, and
the fire shall be oft sent out again, and the wild beasts shall
change their places, and menstruous women shall bring
forth monsters:
{5:9} And salt waters shall be found in the sweet, and all
friends shall destroy one
another; then shall wit hide itself,
and understanding withdraw itself into his secret chamber,
{5:10} And shall be sought of many, and yet not be
found: then shall unrighteousness and incontinency be
multiplied upon earth.
{5:11} One land also shall ask a
nother, and say, Is
righteousness that maketh a man righteous gone through
thee? And it shall say, No.
{5:12} At the same time shall men hope, but nothing
obtain: they shall labour, but their ways shall not prosper.

I think if the seed is dormant they have not received Christ and therefore are not a Christian.

There was a time when people believed that someone with epilepsy or those suffering with schizophrenia were demon possessed. Science has proved that both of these beliefs were false. Also, chemical imbalances in the body are known factors of depression, manic disorders, etc..
I think because we don't understand what has caused a specific disorder we need not to jump to conclusions that are very likely false, considering what we know today compared to the past.

 

[Fish Catcher Jim]

When I read your thought here Deborah13 I thought about the parable of the sower, for in the parable the seed the was sown was the Word of God (In the begging was the Word........). So we find in the parable that seed is sown in all who would call themselves a Christian, but for many the cares of the world or what so ever else then chokes out that seed so that it doesn't grow. The seed has not left them, it remains yet dormant within them, waiting for the warmth of the light to draw it forth.

The "word is the seed" This is a small portion from the teaching of Mark 4 and out of respect for the OP I wont go into it here. Seed needs to be watered or moistened......This is done by keeping it covered in the written word.

 

[Dude-Dastic]

I, too, have wondered how many of the illnesses -- physical and mental -- that people are dealing with today are the result of demon possession. But how does one accurately diagnose such a thing? It seems people could do it in Jesus' time (see Mark 7:24-30; 9:14-27). Modern science has yet to catch up in this respect. Should scientists link certain illnesses to unclean spirits, it's doubtful they will let us know about it. After all, modern medicine is all about drugs, which brings in a lot of money for those making them and those prescribing them. Drugs, as far as I know, don't work on devils; that means they won't make a dime selling pills to anyone afflicted by such.

Is it possible someone can be born already possessed by a demon? I'm not sure about this either. Would like to find out, though.