Spirit of Infirmity in Christianity

The Spirit of Infirmity

• The term "spirit of infirmity" is used to describe a debilitating disease or sickness caused by a spirit.
• It does not necessarily imply constant demonic possession.
• The least that can be said is that the physical ailment was caused by an evil spirit.

Demon Possession and Healing

• Christ's healing of a woman with a spirit of infirmity was different from a case of demonic possession.
• He did not have to confront and drive out a demon, but simply declared her loosed from the bondage to that sickness.

Tragic Situations and Demon Deliverance

• There have been tragic situations associated with demon deliverance, such as the murder of a wife in an all-night exorcism ritual and the unintentional killing of a mentally unstable woman during an exorcism attempt.
• These incidents highlight the dangers of attempting to deliver people from demons without proper biblical control.

The Term "Demonized"

• The term "demonized" is used to describe a believer who has been influenced by a demon, but it is an incommunicable concept that lacks clear definition.
• The term is used to allow for the idea of direct satanic involvement with a believer, while avoiding the concept of demon possession.
• Redefining the term "demonized" raises questions about the consistency of the redefinition and the biblical basis for it.

Paranoid Universe and Deliverance Ministry

• The deliverance ministry has created a paranoid universe, where the world is divided into two forces: the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness.
• This view sees believers as trapped in a world where they must constantly contend with demonic forces.
• The limits of demonic influence have been redefined, and demons are seen as being everywhere, even in the church and in believers.

Specific Identifying and Commanding of Demons

• The deliverance ministry involves specific identifying and commanding of demons, binding of Satan, and copying of Jesus' methodology.
• This approach is based on a misunderstanding of first-century sorcery, which relied on the use of powerful names, charms, and rituals.
• The use of powerful words and names in spiritual warfare puts it in the same category as witchcraft and sorcery.

Old Testament and Spiritual Warfare

• The Old Testament passage in 2 Kings 17 is used to illustrate the idea of breaking territorial bondage and occult power.
• However, this interpretation is based on a flawed understanding of the passage and its context.
• The passage is actually describing the worship of false gods and idolatry, rather than territorial bondage.

Spiritual Warfare and Worldviews

• The spiritual warfare movement often accuses Westerners of having a truncated worldview that excludes the spiritual realm.
• However, this accusation is based on a misunderstanding of Western philosophy and its relationship to biblical teaching.
• The spiritual warfare movement is creating a new body of vocabulary and terminology that can be confusing and lacks clear definitions.

Three Levels of Spiritual Warfare

• Peter Wagner identifies three levels of spiritual warfare: ground level, occult level, and strategic level.
• These levels involve different approaches to engaging in spiritual warfare, including casting out demons and breaking the hold on particular individuals.
• The concept of spiritual warfare and its levels raises questions about the biblical basis for this approach and its implications for effective ministry.

Understanding the concept of spirit of infirmity in Christianity, its relation to demon possession and deliverance.