2 Corinthians Chapter 1, Paul’s Most Personal Epistle; The Comfort Book; The Church of God; Who Is “the God of all comfort”?; Prosperity And Affliction; Because You Prayed; OSAS, He Is Able; Once Saved Always Saved

1. 2 Corinthians 1
Paul’s Most Personal Epistle;
The Comfort Book;
The Church of God;
Who Is “the God of all comfort”?; Prosperity And
Affliction; Because You Prayed; OSAS, He Is Able; Once Saved
Always Saved
Sea of Galilee by Franklin Graham

2. BIBLE IN FIVE
Pastor Dave Kooyers
Valley Bible Fellowship
Box 433
Boonville CA 95415
http://www.slideshare.net/dkooyers
www.ValleyBibleFellowship.org
(707) 895-2325
God bless you as you examine His Word,
Your servant in Christ, 2Cor. 4:5
These Microsoft PowerPoint presentations are provided "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ"
(Ephesians 4:12-15). To help Christians to "to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." So that "we are no longer...tossed here and
there...by every wind of doctrine." They may be downloaded and modified free of charge.
Matthew 10:8 …Freely you received, freely give.

3. 2 Corinthians

4. 2 Corinthians
• The most personal, and heartfelt, of all of
Paul's epistles, the most complete text on
Paul's sufferings, the best defense of Paul's
apostleship, and the best two chapters in the
Bible on Christian giving.
• Chapters Outline;
• 1-7; Ministry, used 7 X’s
• 8-9; Money
• 10-13; Motives

5. 2 Corinthians 1:1
The Church Of God
• NAU 2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of
Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy
our brother, To the church of God which is at
Corinth with all the saints who are throughout
Achaia:
• Seems that Paul intended this to be an
encyclical letter.
5

6. 6
• “To the
church of
God which
is at
Corinth”

7. 7

8. 8
13 by Paul

9. 9
13 by Paul, + 14 more, 4 Gospels,
Acts, Revelation, etc..

10. 10

11. 11

12. Talk Thru the Bible Series
2 Corinthians
by Dr. Ken Boa and Bill Ibsen
© Talk thru the Bible Series by Dr. Ken Boa and Bill Ibsen 2009. All Rights Reserved.

13. Introduction and Title
Ruins of the Temple of Apollo, Corinth
Talk Through The Bible, Ken Boa

14. Title
Pros Korinthious B, the “Second to the Corinthians”
Talk Through The Bible, Ken Boa

15. Author
St. Paul and Antony in the Desert, detail, Matthias Grunewald, c. 1515
Talk Through The Bible, Ken Boa

16. Author: Paul
Lack of unity?
10-13 with 1-9
“Lost letter” (2)
Change of focus
Apostle Paul, Rembrandt, 1635Talk Through The Bible, Ken Boa

17. Occasion and Date
Paul wrote a sorrowful
letter to the Corinthians
Titus’ report
Paul wrote 2 Corinthians
Late A.D. 56
Epistles of St. Paul with Gloss, unknown artist, c. 1150Talk Through The Bible, Ken Boa

18. Alternate View
The anguished letter (2:4
and 7:8)
= 1 Corinthians
≠ a lost letter
Offender (2:5–11; 7:12) = Offender of 1
Corinthians 5
St. Paul, Theophanes the Cretan, 1546Talk Through The Bible, Ken Boa

19. Theme: Vindication
Paul’s defense of his
apostolic credentials and
authority
False apostles
Paul Lowered from a Basket, 2 Corinthians 11:33 James Shaw Crompton
Talk Through The Bible, Ken Boa

20. For Further Study;
• http://archive.org/details/Dr.MalCouch2Corint
hiansIntroduction_0
• Ray Stedman
• https://www.raystedman.org/bible-
overview/adventuring/2-corinthians-when-i-
am-weak-i-am-strong
20

21. Book of 2 Corinthians
by Andy Woods
Book of 2 Corinthians, by Andy Woods
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIgKpcUnDVU
Some other YouTubes;
47 2 Corinthians 1-2 - Pastor Chuck Smith - C2000 Series
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCVEMy2crCA&list=PLXYr1EhcJLKWkSPncKTSJY009nBQL1JoE
Grace to You
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9Nq0dkcl0M
The Glorious Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:1-18)
2
1

22. Book of 2 Corinthians
by Andy Woods
2
2

23. 2 Corinthians 1:1, Κόρινθος
• NAU 2 Corinthians 1:1 Paul,…To the church of
God which is at Corinth…
2
3

24. 2 Corinthians 1:1, Κόρινθος
• <2882> Κόρινθος Korinthos
• Meaning: Corinth, a city of Greece
• Origin: prob. named for a legendary king
2
4

25. This is the book on “comfort”
25

26. 2 Corinthians 1:3, Comfortable
• NAU 2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies and God of all comfort,
• John Ortberg said, “It seems that God wants to
use us, wants to grow us up, wants us to be
strong and wise and courageous. He doesn’t
appear to be terribly interested in making sure
we’re comfortable. He would not make a good
flight attendant.”
26

27. David Hocking
has some good
teachings
2
7

28. 1;3
28

29. 2 Corinthians 1:3, Who Is “the God
of all comfort”?
• YLT 2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed is God, even the
Father [Father] of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of the mercies, and God of all comfort,
• YLT John 14:16 and I will ask the Father, and
another [allos] Comforter [Jesus] He will give to
you, that he may remain with you… 26 …the
Comforter, the Holy Spirit… [the Holy Spirit]
29

30. 2 Corinthians 1:3, Who Is, “the God
of all comfort”
• NAU Isaiah 40:1 "Comfort, O comfort My people,"
says your God. 2 "Speak kindly to Jerusalem; And
call out to her… 3 A voice is calling, "Clear the way
for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the
desert a highway for our God.[Matt 3:3, Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4, John
1:23]
• NAU Matthew 23:37 "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who
kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to
her! How often I wanted to gather your children
together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under
her wings, and you were unwilling.
30

31. • NAU 2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our
affliction so that we will be able to comfort those
who are in any affliction with the comfort with which
we ourselves are comforted by God.
31

32. 2 Cor 1:6, Prosperity And Affliction
• NAU 2 Corinthians 1:6 But if we are afflicted,
it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are
comforted, it is for your comfort, which is
effective in the patient enduring of the same
sufferings which we also suffer;
32

33. 2 Cor 1:6, Prosperity And Affliction
• Dwight L. Moody; “We can stand affliction
better than we can prosperity, for in
prosperity we forget God.”
• “afflic*” is used most in NT in 2 Cor.
• The word “affliction” is used most in the
Psalms (not Job), and 2nd most in 2 Cor.
• The word “prosperity” is used most in the
book of Job , and 2nd most in the Psalms (not
one use in 2 Cor.).
33

34. The Lie, “God Won't Give You More
Than You Can Handle”
• These slides are in 2 Corinthians 4;
• NAU 2 Corinthians 1:8 … we were burdened
excessively, beyond our strength, so that we
despaired even of life;
• NAU 2 Corinthians 4:8 we are afflicted in
every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not
despairing;
34

35. 2 Cor 1:8, 7 Phrases Christians Like to
Say That Aren't Biblical, by Lori Hatcher
• “1. God won't give you more than you can handle., Yes, He
most certainly will. Ask the apostle Paul, who penned
these words in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9:
• 2. The devil made me do it. James 1:14
• 3. The temptation was too strong. I couldn't resist it. 1
Corinthians 10:13
• 4. We're all God's children. John 1:12, 8:44
• 5. God doesn't have favorites. Acts 10:34, Daniel 10:11
• 6. God helps those who help themselves.
• 7. I'm so sorry for your loss. Heaven must have needed
another angel.1 Corinthians 6:3 Heb 1:14”

36. 2 Corinthians 1:11
“The Power of Prayer”
• Jobe Martin wrote, “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our
trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure,
above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9 But we had the
sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in
God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and
doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 11 Ye also helping
together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of
many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. 2 Cor 1:8–11
• [The word sunupourgeo translated “helping together” is used only here in
the Greek New Testament and is composed of three words: with, under,
work. It is a picture of laborers under the burden, working together to get
the job accomplished. It is encouraging to know that the Holy Spirit also
assists us in our praying and helps to carry the load (Rom. 8:26).[1]]
• The Lord delivered Paul because of both his faith and the faith of those
faithfully lifting him up in prayer in Corinth…”

37. 2 Corinthians 10:4, 12:9-10, 13:7-9,
Because You Prayed
• NAU 2 Kings 19:20 Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent
to Hezekiah saying, "Thus says the LORD, the God of
Israel, 'Because you have prayed to Me about
Sennacherib king of Assyria, I have heard you.’ [Isaiah
37:21]
• NAU 1 Chronicles 5:20 … He answered their prayers
because they trusted in Him.
• NAU James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one
another, and pray for one another so that you may
be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man
can accomplish much.
• Jeremiah 11:14, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 12:9-10
37

38. 2 Corinthians 1:12
In The World
• NAU 2 Corinthians 1:12 For our proud confidence is this:
the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly
sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we
have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially
toward you.
• Philippians 2:15 so that you will prove yourselves to be
blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among
whom you appear as lights in the world,
• "The world looks at me as a football player who's a
Christian, but I look at the world and say, 'I'm a Christian
who happens to play football.'"
Those are the words of Tim Tebow, speaking to 26,000
people at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego in June 2012.
38

39. 2 Corinthians 1:13, Understandable
Writings
NAU 2 Corinthians 1:13 For
we write nothing else to
you than what you read and
understand, and I hope you
will understand until the
end;
39

40. 2 Corinthians 1:16
Helped On Your Journey
• 2 Corinthians 1:16 that is, to pass your way
into Macedonia, and again from Macedonia
to come to you, and by you to be helped on
my journey to Judea.
• Elisabeth Elliot; “It is God to whom and with
whom we travel, and while He is the End of
our journey, He is also at every stopping
place.”
• Luke 9:3…Take nothing for your journey…
• John 4:6 …Jesus, being wearied from His
journey, was sitting thus by the well…
40

41. 2 Cor 1:21, Who's In Our Hearts?
• NAU 2 Corinthians 1:21 Now He who establishes us
with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 22 who also
sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a
pledge.
• NAU Galatians 4:6 …God has sent forth the Spirit of His
Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!“
• I thought it was God’s Spirit!
• Yup, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are God!
• NAU Acts 15:9 and He made no distinction between us
and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.
• NAU Romans 5:5…the love of God has been poured out
within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given
to us.
• KJV YLT NIV NKJ …purifying their hearts... 41

42. 2 Cor 1:21-22, OSAS, He Is Able
• NAU 2 Corinthians 1:21 …God, 22 who also sealed
us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
• NKJ Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save
to the uttermost [παντελὲς, uttermost, all end] those who
come to God through Him, since He always lives to
make intercession for them.
• NAU Jude 1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you
from stumbling, and to make you stand in the
presence of His glory blameless with great joy,

43. 2 Cor 1:21-22, He Is Able
• “It is not my ability, but my response to God's
ability, that counts.” Corrie ten Boom
• 2 Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these
things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I
have believed and I am convinced that He is able to
guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.
• Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing,
that He who began a good work in you will perfect
it until the day of Christ Jesus.
• Romans 14:4…the Lord is able to make him stand.
43

44. He Is Able, OSAS
• David Reagan told a story about his friend
friend, Wayne Smith, when “…he experienced
a terrible automobile accident on the outskirts
of Lexington, he told the paramedics as they
were loading him into an ambulance,
• “Don’t take me to the Baptist hospital because
they believe in ‘once sick, always sick.'”
44

45. 2 Corinthians 1:24, The Joy Set
Before Him
• NAU 2 Corinthians 1:24 Not that we lord it over your
faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your
faith you are standing firm.
• Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and
perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him
endured the cross…
• James 1:2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you
encounter various trials,
• 2 Corinthians 7:4 …I am overflowing with joy in all our
affliction.
• Joy cannot be pursued. It comes from within. It is a
state of being. It does not depend on circumstances,
but triumphs over circumstances. It produces a
gentleness of spirit and a magnetic personality. Billy
Graham
45

46. In closing
4
6

47. Doctrinal Contributions
Reconciliation and double
imputation (5:14–21)
Separation (6:14–7:1)
Giving (8–9)
Satan’s strategies (2:10–11;
4:4; 11:3, 13–15; 12:7) Corinthian Vases
Talk Through The Bible, Ken Boa

48. The End

49. BIBLE IN FIVE
Pastor Dave Kooyers
Valley Bible Fellowship
Box 433
Boonville CA 95415
http://www.slideshare.net/dkooyers
www.ValleyBibleFellowship.org
(707) 895-2325
God bless you as you examine His Word,
Your servant in Christ, 2Cor. 4:5
These Microsoft PowerPoint presentations are provided "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ"
(Ephesians 4:12-15). To help Christians to "to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." So that "we are no longer...tossed here and
there...by every wind of doctrine." They may be downloaded and modified free of charge.
Matthew 10:8 …Freely you received, freely give.

50. 2 Corinthians 1:3, WHO WAS THE FIRST
COMFORTER?, by Dr. Lizorkin-Eyzenberg
• “On one occasion Jesus made a curious promise to his disciples. He said: “I will ask the Father, and
he will give you another Comforter” (John 14:16). This implies, of course, that he himself was the
first Comforter. But why did he phrase it this way?
• Based on hymns found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, Israel Knohl, a professor at the Hebrew
University – and a guest lecturer with us here at Israel Study Center – argued that one generation
before Jesus, a messianic leader arose and became known as the Teacher of Righteousness.
• It is possible to identify this person with Menachem the Essene who held an advisory position in the
court of King Herod. Menachem led a very dangerous life, secretly preparing for what eventually
proved to be an unsuccessful revolt. His followers believed that he was the Messiah; but he was
disgraced and killed by Roman soldiers during the revolt in 4 B.C.E. (Later they understood him to be
fulfillment of the suffering servant texts in Isaiah). The Hebrew word that lies behind the above-
mentioned “Comforter” is in fact Menachem (‫)מנחם‬ – same as the name of the Essene leader
mentioned by Josephus Flavius.
• It is possible that Jesus, by referring to the coming Holy Spirit as “another Comforter,” was
identifying himself as the true/ultimate Menachem (‫;)מנחם‬ and that he was calling the Essene
community to put its trust in Him instead. Unlike Menachem the Essene, the Ultimate Comforter
(Jesus) led a successful rebellion against all the enemies of Israel and by his resurrection overcame
even sin and death! (This intriguing interpretation may help to explain Act 2:44-45. According to this
text many early followers of Christ Jesus kept “all things in common” just as the Essenes did).”
50

51. 1;3
51

52. 1;3
52

53. 1;3
53

54. 2 Cor 1:8, 7 Phrases Christians Like to
Say That Aren't Biblical, by Lori Hatcher
• “We’ve all heard them—phrases that sound wise, insightful, and biblical. But are they really?
• First Corinthians 10:13 is one of the first verses I memorized as a new believer, and its truth has
carried me through many a temptation: “No temptation has seized you except what is common to
man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you
are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
• Notice two important parts of this empowering verse. First, God will never allow us to be tempted
beyond what we can bear. This tells us we can have victory over any temptation we encounter.
Nothing is too hard to resist.
• Second, God will always provide a way to escape. Joseph is a great example of this. Remember
when Potiphar’s wife tried to entice him to sleep with her? “My husband is away, and I’ve ordered
all the servants out of the house,” she said. “Come to bed with me. No one will ever know...” I’m
sure her offer was mighty tempting. He was young and virile, and she was rich and beautiful. But
Joseph knew giving in to his desires would be a sin. Instead of succumbing, he took the “way out”
God provided. When Potiphar’s wife caught him by his cloak, “he left his cloak in her hand and ran
out of the house” (Genesis 39:12). Not very dignified, but highly effective.
• As long as we’re alive, our sinful nature will tempt us. Notice the wording in the passage above. It
doesn’t say, “if you are tempted.” It says, “when you are tempted.” Knowing this, we’d be wise to
set up this three-fold defense before we encounter a temptation: First, memorize 1 Corinthians
10:13. Second, look for the way of escape. Third, take it.”
54

55. Jobe Martin's Newsletter On
Prayer, 4-17-17
• Biblical Discipleship Ministries
• 2212 Chisholm Trail, Rockwall, TX 75032 (972) 771-0568
• The Power of Prayer
• For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of
measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that
we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and
doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift
bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. 2 Corinthians 1:8–11
• [The word sunupourgeo translated “helping together” is used only here in the Greek New Testament and is composed of
three words: with, under, work. It is a picture of laborers under the burden, working together to get the job
accomplished. It is encouraging to know that the Holy Spirit also assists us in our praying and helps to carry the load
(Rom. 8:26).[1]]
• The Lord delivered Paul because of both his faith and the faith of those faithfully lifting him up in prayer in
Corinth.
• This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. Psalm 34:6
• Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may
stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12
• Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with
me in your prayers to God for me. Romans 15:30
• Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course,
• and be glorified, even as it is with you. 2 Thessalonians 3:1
• Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for
you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto
you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;
55

56. 2 Corinthians 1:22
• “The Holy Spirit is PERMANENTLY placed in the believer's heart.
• When someone accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, the God of the
Universe miraculously sends His Spirit to live in their hearts, permanently.
• . . . who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. —
2 Corinthians 1:22. . . having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the
Holy Spirit of promise. —Ephesians 1:13
• And NOTHING can change that status:
• . . . neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present,
nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created
thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God. —Romans 8:38-39”
56

57. 2 Cor 1:21-22, OSAS
• OSAS And 1 Tim. 4:16
• Thursday, February 27th, 2014 Once Saved Always Saved
• Salvation
• Q. Could you please explain the significance of 1 Tim 4:16, to OSAS? In this verse, it seems Paul is speaking to those in
ministry, and it does appear he is saying that they must make certain they keep their own salvation as well as that of those
they are teaching by what they are teaching. It would seem from what is being said in previous verses that these leaders are
saved, but could be in danger of losing it (salvation) through wrong teaching, as well as their recipients not receiving it. If
anyone can give a clear understanding and clarity to this, I believe you can.
• A. Here’s what 1 Tim. 4:16 says;
• Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
• If you were to read this verse in a vacuum, you could make such an assumption. But no statement in the New Testament
(especially not one of Paul’s) can contradict his promises of eternal security for Church Age believers (2 Cor. 1:21-22, 2 Cor.
5:5, Ephesians 1:13-14). These verses make it clear that having already been saved, Timothy could not be in danger of losing
his salvation if he didn’t adhere to correct teaching.
• Therefore, 1 Tim. 4:16 has to be understood as Paul telling Timothy that if he watched his doctrine carefully the end result
would not only be saving himself (already happened) but also those he would be teaching (going to happen). I think Paul was
stressing the importance of adhering to correct doctrine in assuring a fruitful career, rather than warning him that the failure
to do so could endanger his salvation.
• This is good advice for all pastors and teachers, and goes along with Paul’s admonition to present ourselves to God as
workmen approved, who do not need to be ashamed of the way we’ve handled His word (2 Tim. 2:15).
• http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/osas-1-tim-
416/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gracethrufaith+%28GraceThruFaith%29
• DLK adds that this could be about temporal salvation, our eternal salvation is by grace not by our “life”, but leading a Godly
life leaves little room for legitimate persecution, and our critics can’t get traction, and our good example/witness can lead
others to salvation in Christ.
57

58. 2 Corinthians 1:22, Demonic
Possession?• Question: "What does the Bible say about demon possession / demonic possession?"
Answer: The Bible gives some examples of people possessed or influenced by demons. From these examples we can find some symptoms of demonic influence and gain insight as to how a
demon possesses someone. Here are some of the biblical passages: Matthew 9:32-33; 12:22; 17:18; Mark 5:1-20; 7:26-30; Luke 4:33-36; Luke 22:3; Acts 16:16-18. In some of these passages,
the demon possession causes physical ailments such as inability to speak, epileptic symptoms, blindness, etc. In other cases, it causes the individual to do evil, Judas being the main
example. In Acts 16:16-18, the spirit apparently gives a slave girl some ability to know things beyond her own learning. The demon-possessed man of the Gadarenes, who was possessed by
a multitude of demons (Legion), had superhuman strength and lived naked among the tombstones. King Saul, after rebelling against the LORD, was troubled by an evil spirit (1 Samuel
16:14-15; 18:10-11; 19:9-10) with the apparent effect of a depressed mood and an increased desire to kill David.
Thus, there is a wide variety of possible symptoms of demon possession, such as a physical impairment that cannot be attributed to an actual physiological problem, a personality change
such as depression or aggression, supernatural strength, immodesty, antisocial behavior, and perhaps the ability to share information that one has no natural way of knowing. It is
important to note that nearly all, if not all, of these characteristics may have other explanations, so it is important not to label every depressed person or epileptic individual as demon-
possessed. On the other hand, Western cultures probably do not take satanic involvement in people’s lives seriously enough.
In addition to these physical or emotional distinctions, one can also look at spiritual attributes showing demonic influence. These may include a refusal to forgive (2 Corinthians 2:10-11) and
the belief in and spread of false doctrine, especially concerning Jesus Christ and His atoning work (2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 John 4:1-3).
Concerning the involvement of demons in the lives of Christians, the apostle Peter is an illustration of the fact that a believer can be influenced by the devil (Matthew 16:23). Some refer to
Christians who are under a strong demonic influence as being “demonized,” but never is there an example in Scripture of a believer in Christ being possessed by a demon. Most theologians
believe that a Christian cannot be possessed because he has the Holy Spirit abiding within (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19), and the Spirit of God would not share residence with
a demon.
We are not told exactly how one opens himself up for possession. If Judas’ case is representative, he opened his heart to evil—in his case by his greed (John 12:6). So it may be possible that
if one allows his heart to be ruled by some habitual sin, it becomes an invitation for a demon to enter. From missionaries’ experiences, demon possession also seems to be related to the
worship of heathen idols and the possession of occult materials. Scripture repeatedly relates idol worship to the actual worship of demons (Leviticus 17:7; Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm
106:37; 1 Corinthians 10:20), so it should not be surprising that involvement with idolatry could lead to demon possession.
Based on the above scriptural passages and some of the experiences of missionaries, we can conclude that many people open their lives up to demon involvement through the embracing
of some sin or through cultic involvement (either knowingly or unknowingly). Examples may include immorality, drug/alcohol abuse that alters one’s state of consciousness, rebellion,
bitterness, and transcendental meditation.
There is an additional consideration. Satan and his evil host can do nothing the Lord does not allow them to do (Job 1-2). This being the case, Satan, thinking he is accomplishing his own
purposes, is actually accomplishing God’s good purposes, as in the case of Judas’ betrayal. Some people develop an unhealthy fascination with the occult and demonic activity. This is
unwise and unbiblical. If we pursue God, if we are clothing ourselves with His armor and relying upon His strength (Ephesians 6:10-18), we have nothing to fear from the evil ones, for God
rules over all!
Recommended Resources: Logos Bible Software and Unseen Realities: Heaven, Hell, Angels, and Demons by R.C. Sproul.
• GotQuestions.org
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