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.