There is a difference between being demonically possessed and being a sold out child of Satanas. Demonic spirits have a will, a desire, a social personality, and need to be housed in a human body. What we want to recognize is that some people intentionally want demons to live in them because they erroneously believe that demons can help them. Some people sell their unclean souls to Satanas because they believe the benefits of this life are better than eternal life. Demons have little to no authority and cannot help anyone, in fact they harm the humans they reside in. There are some people who do not realize they harbor demons, there are others who have cast out demons who they unintentionally harbored, and there are others still who have given in to allowing demons inside. Our difficulty in this subject is that we have not been taught much about demons, let alone their origin, and how to deal with them. We find a misunderstanding in our Old Covenant text regarding the phrase “sons of Belial”. What the Masoretic Text reads is inaccurate due to someones’ opinion. What we have to keep in mind is that not all people who behave badly have demons, and not all people who have demons are sons of Satanas. Yet there are people who do harbor demons and have become children of Satanas.
We see that Jesus talks directly to the unclean spirits. Jesus tells the unclean spirits to shut up and to come out. Again, we see demons testify of Jesus and as to who he is. It never seems that demons are helping people in any way, instead demons are making people physically, emotionally, and mentally sick. Let’s take a quick look at Jesus’ ministry.
Mar 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Mar 1:24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
Mar 1:25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
Mar 1:26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
Mar 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
Mar 1:28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.
What new doctrine is it that Jesus is commanding unclean spirits and they obey? It isn’t a new doctrine, it is simply his authority. Sometimes Jesus healed someone and told that person not to sin any more. That is a helpful key for us to understand. Sin gives entry to demons. In the case of habitual sin such as drug or alcohol abuse, casting out demons should not be a first priority until the person wants to be free from their sin.
Mar 1:32 And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils.
Mar 1:33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
Mar 1:34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
Because they knew who Jesus was, Jesus told the demons to be quiet. We want to recognize that the majority of people Jesus ministered to were not evil sinners, they were average people trying to live well who were plagued with sicknesses. Jesus exposed the root of their diseases.
Mar 3:10 For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.
Mar 3:11 And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God.
Mar 3:12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known
All Jesus did was show up and the unclean spirits fell down and cried that Jesus is the Son of the Elohim. We should start to recognize that the power Jesus walked in is the same power that we have too. Jesus said the works he did we would do, and greater because he was going to the Father. We have the Holy Spirit within us just as Jesus did. Demons should tremble when they see us coming.
Luk 4:40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
Luk 4:41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.
Funny how the demons always testify of Jesus as the Christ, yet the Pharisees refused to believe him even though they saw many miracles. The Pharisees did not care that people were being healed, they wanted to be the power and authority in Israel. The Messiah was fulfilling the Isaiah 61 prophecy and all the religious leaders could do was to shun him.
Mar 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
Mar 5:3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
Mar 5:4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
Mar 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
Mar 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
Mar 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
Mar 5:8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
Mar 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
There were many evil spirits within this man. We do not have to ask the name of the demons, Jesus did this only once. He was doing it for our benefit. Because the ruling demon was named legion it tells us that this is a large group under this one demons’ control. We do not have to converse with demons at all. What we need to know by the Holy Spirit is if there are many demons within a person. Then we take care of them all at once rather than one at a time.
Mat 8:16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
Mat 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
After Jesus died and rose up on the third day and ascended forty days later, the Holy Spirit came to indwell believers on the Day of Pentecost. From that time on, regular people who have made Jesus Christ Lord of their lives, believing that Jesus rose up on the third day, have the power of the Holy Spirit. Just as the Holy Spirit descended like a dove on Jesus, we have the same indwelling of the Holy Spirit. After Pentecost the same casting out of demons continued to occur, just as it continues today. Notice what happened in Samaria.
Act 8:5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
Act 8:6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
Acts 8:7 G4183 For many G1063 G3588 of the ones G2192 having G4151 [2spirits G169 1unclean], G994 yelling G5456 [2voice G3173 1a great] G1831 came forth; G4183 and many G1161 G3886 having been disabled G2532 and G5560 lame G2323 were cured.
169 LSJ Gloss:ἀκάθαρτος uncleansed, unclean, impure
Dodson:ἀκάθαρτος unclean, impure.
Thayer:
1) not cleansed, unclean
1a) in a ceremonial sense: that which must be abstained from according to the levitical law
1b) in a moral sense: unclean in thought and life
ἀκάθαρτος
akathartos ak-ath'-ar-tos From G1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of G2508 (meaning cleansed); impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specifically (demonic)) KJV Usage: foul, unclean.
994 LSJ Gloss:βοάω to cry aloud, to shout
Dodson:βοάω I shout, call aloud I shout, call aloud, proclaim.
Thayer:
1) to raise a cry, of joy pain etc.
2) to cry, speak with a high, strong voice
3) to cry to one for help, to implore his aid
For Synonyms see entry G5823
βοάω
boaō bo-ah'-o Apparently a prolonged form of a primary verb; to halloo, that is, shout (for help or in a tumultuous way) KJV Usage: cry.
3886 LSJ Gloss:παραλύω to loose from the side, take off, detach
Dodson:παραλύω I relax, enfeeble I relax, enfeeble, weaken.
Thayer:
1) to loose on one side or from the side
2) to loose or part things placed side by side
3) to loosen, dissolve
4) to weaken, enfeeble
5) suffering from the relaxing of the nerves, unstrung, weak of limb
6) tottering, weakened, feeble knees
παραλύω
paraluō par-al-oo'-o From G3844 and G3089; to loosen beside, that is, relax (perfect passive participle paralyzed or enfeebled) KJV Usage: feeble, sick of the (taken with) palsy.
5560 LSJ Gloss:χωλός lame
Dodson:χωλός lame, deprived of a foot lame, deprived of a foot, limping.
Thayer:
1) lame
1a) deprived of a foot, maimed
χωλός
chōlos kho-los' Apparently a primary word; “halt”, that is, limping KJV Usage: cripple, halt, lame.
In many people that had demonic spirits, the spirits came out of them yelling. That must have been quite a scene. There are many people today who don’t believe in casting out demons, but if we notice what happened, those demons came out of those people screaming and the people were healed. The demons did not want to go, but the power of God scares them, which is why they scream. Today, people are fearful of letting others know that they have demons, they would rather keep them than kick them out. This is one reason the called out are so infirm today. The people who were feeble and lame were all made whole. The people who were sick were cured.
Act 8:8 And there was great joy in that city.
There was joy because people were being set free. Demons torment their host. Demons make people sick.
We see evil spirits are identified in our KJV as follows:
The spirit of whoredoms, spirit of jealousy, spirit of an unclean devil, unclean spirit, spirit of infirmity, spirit of divination, spirit of bondage, spirit of slumber, spirit of the world, spirit of fear, spirit of antichrist, spirit of error, evil spirit, familiar spirit, lying spirit, wounded spirit, vexation of spirit, perverse spirit, spirit of deep sleep, spirit of heaviness, dumb spirit, foul spirit, deaf spirit, seducing spirit.
These are not the only characteristics of evil spirits, but how they are mentioned in scripture. Notice what happened to King Saul, due to his disobedience he was plagued by an evil spirit. We will pick up this story as Samuel is rebuking Saul.
1 Samuel 15:1Sa 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1Sa 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
It did not take long for Saul to disobey Yahweh. Therefore Samuel anointed David. Meanwhile the Spirit of the Lord, the Holy Spirit, Sophia, left Saul.
1Sa 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
1 Samuel 16: 14 G2532 And G4151 spirit G2962 of the lord G868 left G575 from G* Saul, G2532 and G4155 [5smothered G1473 6him G4151 2spirit G4190 1a ferocious G3844 3from G2962 4 the lord].
4190 LSJ Gloss:πονηρός toilsome, painful, grievous
Dodson:πονηρός evil, bad, wicked evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.
TBESG:πονηρός evil/bad
G:A
πονηρός, -ά, -όν
Thayer:
1) full of labours, annoyances, hardships
1a) pressed and harassed by labours
1b) bringing toils, annoyances, perils; of a time full of peril to Christian faith and steadfastness; causing pain and trouble
2) bad, of a bad nature or condition
2a) in a physical sense: diseased or blind
2b) in an ethical sense: evil wicked, bad
πονηρός
ponēros pon-ay-ros' From a derivative of G4192; hurtful, that is, evil (properly in effect or influence, and thus differing from G2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from G4550, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue); figuratively calamitous; also (passively) ill, that is, diseased; but especially (morally) culpable, that is, derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter (singular) mischief, malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) sinners
KJV Usage: bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked (-ness). See also G4191.
4155 LSJ Gloss:πνίγω to choke, throttle, strangle
Dodson:πνίγω I choke, strangle I choke, throttle, strangle; hence: I drown.
TBESG:πνίγω to choke
G:V
Thayer:
1) to choke, strangle
1a) of thorns crowding out the seed in the field and hindering its growth
2) to wring one's neck, throttle
πνίγω
pnigō pnee'-go Strengthened from G4154; to wheeze, that is, (causative by implication) to throttle or strangle (drown)
KJV Usage: choke, take by the throat.
Because Saul disobeyed Yahweh and then lied about it, the Holy Spirit left Saul and an evil spirit was allowed to attack Saul by choking him. If we think about where the evil spirit is attacking Saul, it is his throat, because he lied to Yahweh.
1Sa 16:15 And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
1Sa 16:16 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
1Sa 16:17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
1Sa 16:18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.
1 Samuel 16:23 G2532 And G1096 it came to pass G1722 in G3588 the G1510.1 being G3844 [3from G2316 4God G4151 2spirit G4190 1a ferocious] G1909 upon G* Saul, G2532 that G2983 David took G* G3588 the G2796.1 lute, G2532 and G5567 strummed G1722 with G3588 G5495 his hand. G1473 G2532 And G404 Saul was refreshed, G* G2532 and G18 it was good G1510.7.1 G1473 to him, G2532 and G868 [4abstained G575 5from G1473 6him G3588 1the G4151 3spirit G3588 G4190 2ferocious].
As the 1697 poem The Mourning Bride, by William Congreve, states “Music hath charms to sooth the savage breast”. Music that comes through someone in whom the Spirit of the Lord resides does in fact have binding properties for evil spirits. It depends on who the musician is. In other words songs about death and hell are not going to bind a demon, but songs of worship and praise to Yahweh will. The “savage breast” suggests that some demons are housed in the chest, where anxiety rises up.
There is a phrase used only in the Masoretic Text that describes people who have committed their lives to Satanas. It is not used uniformly, but it does describe evil people. Saul did not commit his life to Satanas, but he was plagued by a demon due to his sin. Let’s look at the phrase “children of Belial” which is originally translated as “lawbreakers” and decipher the truth.
Deuteronomy 13:13 G1831 [3came forth G435 1Men G3892.1 2lawbreakers] G1537 from G1473 you, G2532 and G868 left G3956 all G3588 the ones G2730 dwelling G3588 in G4172 their city, G1473 G3004 saying, G4198 We should go G2532 and G3000 serve G2316 other gods, G2087 G3739 which G3756 you did not G1492 know;
3892.1
παράνομοι
paránomoi
This is the noun form of the word paranomia.
3892
παρανομία
paranomia par-an-om-ee'-ah From the same as G3891; transgression
KJV Usage: iniquity.
3891
παρανομέω
paranomeō par-an-om-eh'-o From a compound of G3844 and G3551; to be opposed to law, that is, to transgress KJV Usage: contrary to law.
3844
παρά
para par-ah' A primary preposition; properly near, that is, (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subjectively), (with accusative case) to the proximity with (local [especially beyond or opposed to] or causal [on account of]). In compounds it retains the same variety of application
KJV Usage: above, against, among, at, before, by, contrary to, X friend, from, + give [such things as they], + that [she] had, X his, in, more than, nigh unto, (out) of, past, save, side . . . by, in the sight of, than, [there-] fore, with. In compounds it retains the same variety of application.
3551
νόμος
nomos nom'-os From a primary word νέμω nemō (to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), generally (regulation), specifically (of Moses [including the volume]; also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle) KJV Usage: law.
When we read the entire chapter of Deuteronomy 13 we see that these lawbreakers are to be killed by the sword. The chapter starts out with false prophets who encourage people to worship other gods.
Deu 13:1 And if there arise within thee a prophet, or one who dreams a dream, and he gives thee a sign or a wonder,
Deu 13:2 and the sign or the wonder come to pass which he spoke to thee, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye know not;
Deu 13:3 ye shall not hearken to the words of that prophet, or the dreamer of that dream, because the Lord thy God tries you, to know whether ye love your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
The Masoretes make a change to the word paránomoi by naming these types of people as sons or daughters or children of Belial. Belial is not a person’s name, but means “worthless”, however the reference is to call these worthless lawbreakers, sons and daughters of Satanas.
Deuteronomy 13:13 H3318 יצאו are gone out H376 אנשׁים men, H1121 בני the children H1100 בליעל of Belial, H7130 מקרבך from among H5080 וידיחו you, and have withdrawn H853 את H3427 ישׁבי the inhabitants H5892 עירם of their city, H559 לאמר saying, H1980 נלכה Let us go H5647 ונעבדה and serve H430 אלהים gods, H312 אחרים other H834 אשׁר which H3808 לא ye have not H3045 ידעתם׃ known;
H1100
בּליּעל
be lı̂ya‛al bel-e-yah'-al From H1097 and H3276; without profit, worthlessness; by extension destruction, wickedness (often in connection with H376, H802, H1121, etc.)
KJV Usage: Belial, evil, naughty, ungodly (men), wicked.
Brown-Driver-Briggs' Hebrew Definitions
בּליּעל
1. worthlessness
a. worthless, good for nothing, unprofitable, base fellow
b. wicked
c. ruin, destruction (construct)
TWOT: 246g
Parts of Speech: Noun Masculine
TBESH:
בְּלִיַּ֫עַלbe.liy.ya.al H:N-M
Belial
1) worthlessness
1a) worthless, good for nothing, unprofitable, base fellow
1b) wicked
1c) ruin, destruction (construct)
Almost all Old Covenant texts such as KJV uses the MT (Masoretic Text). The MT changes some of the words paránomoi, but not all, to “children or sons of Belial”. This is someone’s idea and personal opinion of who lawbreakers are. Not all lawbreakers are sons of Satanas, meaning not all lawbreakers have given their soul to Satanas, but some have. Yahweh says that these people should be killed. While that may seem harsh, it does make a point. The children of Israel were not to have any worshippers of the satan among them.
In this usage of the altered text we are talking about the tribe of Benjamin.
Jdg 19:22 Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spake to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into thine house, that we may know him.
This is the story of the men of the tribe of Benjamin who demanded a traveling Levite to be thrown out to them so that they could rape him. Instead, the homeowner threw out the Levite’s wife and they raped her all night long and threw her on the homeowners front porch where she died. These men have the characteristics of Sodom, and we can say that they had allowed demons to enter into them. Corporately, they so strongly desired to rape a Levite that the other tribes of Israel knew the only way to stop this behavior was to gather together and kill the tribe of Benjamin.
Were these men worshipers of Satanas? No, they were driven by lust and by demons, but they had not sold their soul to Satanas. Had they been worshippers of Satanas they would have been killed before this time.
1Sa 2:12 Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the LORD.
This is a great example of Belial not being a person but a name for Satanas. Eli’s sons were sleeping with women in the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. They also were taking the best meats of the sacrifices for themselves. Were Hophni and Phinehas sons of Satanas? They were acting priests but they were sinning against Yahweh Elohim. They may have simply been greedy lustful men controlled by demons and who found advantages in their inherited positions.
We have to ask, who would want demons to live inside them? People who want an advantage over others, such as for power and for money. The only thing that demons can give a person besides sickness and mental illness is a bit of spiritual inside knowledge. However the evidence of demonic activity within a person is noticeable. Demons can cause people to crave things that others do not, such as inordinate sexual passions, or drugs, or alcohol. We can see that when people get angry their faces become red and hard, their eyes bulge, and their mouths get tight as they speak or yell. Their pupils also dilate as if an evil spirit is trying to look out of those eyes. These people may have sold themselves to Satanas’ service and eternal death, but not necessarily.
In Samaria, as in most communities, there was a magician who was doing pseudo-miracles. People thought of him as a great man until Philip came to town.
Acts 8:9 G435 [3man G1161 1And G5100 2a certain], G3686 by name G* Simon, G4391 beforehand G1722 in G3588 the G4172 city G3096 was practicing magic, G2532 and G1839 amazing G3588 the G1484 nation G3588 G* of Samaria, G3004 saying G1510.1 [2to be G5100 3some G1438 1himself] G3173 great one.
3096 LSJ Gloss:μαγεύωto be a Magus, use magic arts
Dodson:μαγεύωI practice sorcery or magic.
Thayer:
1) to be a magician, to practise magical arts
μαγεύω
mageuō mag-yoo'-o From G3097; to practice magic KJV Usage: use sorcery.
Simon practiced magic that amazed people. There are many people who practice magic, manipulate the elements, and direct demons. Sometimes it looks like they have power, but what they have are simply magic tricks. They do not have dunamis, they have simple authority over demons; but they do not have the force that the children of the Living God have. Before Philip came to Samaria the people thought that Simon had the dunamis of the Mega-God. They didn’t realize that all he had were a bag of tricks from the Acme Magic Company.
This brings us to an important point. It is not what we see with our physical eyes that proves whether people have demons, instead we must rely on the Holy Spirit. Simon played magic tricks, and people thought he was powerful, yet in reality he was not. He was using demons to trick people. Ask the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:10 G3739 To whom G4337 all gave heed G3956 G575 from G3397 small G2193 unto G3173 great, G3004 saying, G3778 This one G1510.2.3 is G3588 the G1411 power G3588 of the G2316 [2God G3588 G3173 1great].
11 G4337 And they were giving heed G1161 G1473 to him, G1223 because G3588 G2425 for a fit amount of G5550 time G3588 with the G3095 magic G1839 he amazed G1473 them.
3095 LSJ Gloss:μαγεία the theology
Dodson:μαγεία magic.
Thayer:
1) magic, magic arts, sorceries
μαγεία
mageia mag-i'-ah From G3096; “magic” KJV Usage: sorcery.
The true dunamis only comes from the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Simon used demons, or sleight of hand, or other manipulations, that made people think he had power. But when the people believed Philip and saw real dunamis, they were baptized. So was Simon. Simon then attended to Philip seeing the dunamis and signs, and then Simon himself was amazed. That Simon was baptized tells us that he was not a son of Belial or someone who sold his soul to Satanas.
Acts 8:13 G3588 G1161 And G* Simon G2532 even G1473 himself G4100 believed, G2532 and G907 having been immersed, G1510.7.3 was G4342 constantly attending to G3588 G* Philip; G2334 and viewing G5037 G1411 works of power G2532 and G4592 signs G1096 being done G1839 he was amazed.
Simon got baptized. He observed all the miracles that Philip was doing. Simon did not have the same power as Philip, Philip’s power was greater. Simon realized he could make some money if he had the power that Philip had, so when Peter and John came to baptize everyone in the Holy Spirit Simon thought that this was the thing he needed.
Acts 8:18 G2300 [3seeing G1161 1And G3588 G* 2Simon] G3754 that G1223 through G3588 the G1936 laying on G3588 of the G5495 hands G3588 of the G652 apostles G1325 [4was given G3588 1the G4151 3spirit G3588 G39 2holy], G4374 he brought G1473 to them G5536 things,
19 G3004 saying, G1325 Give G2504 to me also G3588 G1849 this authority, G3778 G2443 that G3739 whom G302 ever G2007 I should place G3588 the G5495 hands G2983 should receive G4151 [2spirit G39 1holy].
1849 LSJ Gloss:ἐξουσία power
Dodson:ἐξουσία power, authority, weight (a) power, authority, weight, especially: moral authority, influence, (b) in a quasi-personal sense, derived from later Judaism, of a spiritual power, and hence of an earthly power.
Thayer:
1) power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases
1a) leave or permission
2) physical and mental power
2a) the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he either possesses or exercises
3) the power of authority (influence) and of right (privi
ἐξουσία
exousia ex-oo-see'-ah From G1832 (in the sense of ability); privilege, that is, (subjectively) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (objectively) mastery (concretely magistrate, superhuman, potentate, token of control), delegated influence KJV Usage: authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
The Holy Spirit gives authority by the nature of the indwelling itself. Simon was seeing miracles, greater miracles than he could do, but he did not understand the holiness that comes with the holy spirit. Peter scolds Simon for his behavior and Simon pleads with Peter to pray to God for him. Was Simon’s soul sold to the work of Satanas? No. Simon was repentant. He was ignorant and played with demons to make people think he had some great power. In reality what he had was just demons.
There are people who have sold themselves to Satanas and use demons to get what they want. These people are not playing with simple magic tricks. They are trying to rule the world. They see humans as their slaves, which is the plan of the satan. They see Christians as their biggest enemies because they know that the power of the Holy Spirit is greater than the power of Satanas. This is why they work so hard to shut down Christianity. They have even infiltrated Christianity to water it down and turn the Bible into a story instead of a manual of power and victory. They cause pastors to compromise on certain things such as abortion. Solomon helps us understand some of the tricks they play on the unsuspecting.
The first thing Solomon tells us is not to loan people money because it is like giving yourself to the enemy.
Proverbs 6 CAB(i) 1 My son, if you become surety for your friend, you shall deliver your hand to an enemy. 2 For a man's own lips become a strong snare to him, and he is caught with the lips of his own mouth. 3 My son, do what I command you, and deliver yourself; for on your friend's account you have come into the power of evil men: faint not, but stir up even your friend for whom you have become surety. 4 Give not sleep to your eyes, nor slumber with your eyelids; 5 that you may deliver yourself as a doe out of the toils, and as a bird out of a snare.
First thing not to do is to be a lender of money. Second is to work hard.
Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, O sluggard; and see, and emulate his ways, and become wiser than he. 7 For whereas he has no leader, nor anyone to compel him, and is under no master, 8 he prepares food for himself in the summer, and lays up abundant supplies in harvest. (6:8A) Or go to the bee, and learn how diligent she is, and how earnestly she is engaged in her work; (6:8B) whose labors kings and private men use for health, and she is desired and respected by all: (6:8C) though weak in body, she is advanced by honoring wisdom. 9 How long will you lie, O sluggard? And when will you awake out of sleep? 10 You sleep a little, and you rest a little, and you slumber a short time, and you fold your arms over your breast a little. 11 Then poverty comes upon you as an evil traveler, and your need as a swift courier. (6:11A) But if you be diligent, your harvest shall arrive as a fountain, and poverty shall flee away as a bad courier.
Equality and equity do not equal effort. We have many people trying to direct society into making everyone equal or making everything equitable. There is no such thing as “fair”. Neither is everyone equal. But pushing both equality and equity does not account for effort. The amount of work one is willing to do to achieve is seemingly pushed aside. Imagine if you went to a doctor whose entire schooling was made equal and equitable, yet that person did not put in any effort. Would you want to be treated by that doctor? Pretty soon sports will become equal and equitable and the winners won’t be chosen for their effort but for some type of imaginary balance system, such as naming winners who didn’t play well simply because they haven’t won a game in a while, regardless whether they practiced or not.
Solomon says that we are to become like ants, making an effort to be wise and work hard. Or become like bees who are diligent and earnestly engage in their work. In our push for an equal and equitable society we are rewarding the sluggard. That is the satan’s plan. Giving the sluggard benefits for not working while forcing others to work, creating a divide between the classes while the overlords laugh at how easy it was for them to become our overlords. Therefore never lend anyone money, everyone should work hard to support themselves. Solomon goes on.
Proverbs 6:12 G435 A man, G878 a fool G2532 and G3892.1 a lawbreaker, G4198 shall go G3598 by ways G3756 not G18 good.
Here is our word lawbreaker which is better understood as “transgressor” as we saw in Deuteronomy. This is also translated “Belial” in the MT. The word for man here is anēr, meaning a male human being as opposed to manfaced. It should read: A senseless male and transgressor… This is our context, foolish male humans. This person is a transgressor who travels roads that are not good.
Proverbs 6:13 G3588 And the G1161 G1473 same G1770 beckons G3788 with the eyes, G4591 and makes signs G1161 G4228 with the foot, G1321 and teaches G1161 G3505.2 with the beckoning G1147 of his fingers.
“But he makes signs eyes, but indicates foot, but teaches beckoning fingers.”
The foolish transgressor uses head gestures and eye gestures, foot gestures, and hand gestures to communicate with others, to lure others to him or to signal to those working with him.
Proverbs 6:14 G1294 [3being perverted G1161 1And G2588 2a heart] G5044.1 contrives G2556 evils; G1722 at G3956 all G2540 time G3588 G5108 such a one G5016 [2disturbances G4921 1concocts] G4172 to a city.
“But distorted heart is carrying out evil in all opportunity, such as this commend city disorder.”
The foolish transgressor has a distorted heart. He carries out evil in all occasions and opportunity. He puts together disorder in the city. Just as we have seen by someone exploiting a situation to cause mobs to gather, riot, loot, and burn down a city. The people who incite violence have a distorted heart. This tells us that their behavior is more than demonic, it is due to alignment with the satan.
Proverbs 6:15 G1223 On account of G3778 this G1819.1 [3suddenly G2064 2comes G3588 G684 1his destruction]; G1473 G1249.1 severance G2532 and G4936.1 [2destruction G446.3 1irretrievable].
“On account of this his destruction comes unawares interrupting and incurable destruction.”
Their destruction is a surprise, but it is also incurable or something that they cannot recover from. Again this shows an alignment with Satanas, it is more than demonic spirits controlling a person, it is eternal damnation.
Proverbs 6:16 G3754 For G5463 he rejoices G3956 in all things G3739 which G3404 [3detests G3588 1the G2962 2 lord]; G4937 and he is destroyed G1161 G1223 because of G167 uncleanness G5590 of soul --
“Because rejoice all that Yahweh hates but crushed completely by reason of unclean soul.”
The foolish transgressor with the perverted heart rejoices in all the things that Yahweh hates. He will be broken in pieces on account of his unclean soul. This tells us again that the unclean soul of the foolish transgressor is permanent. It was by a willful decision to have a perverted and distorted heart.
Proverbs 6:17 G3788 [2eye G5197 1an insulting], G1100 [2tongue G94 1an unjust], G5495 hands G1632 pouring out G129 [2blood G1342 1righteous],
“Insolent eyes, unrighteous language, hands pour out righteous blood…”
Having an insolent eye is the idea of being abusive or giving someone a look that makes that one feel mistreated. That could mean someone is undressing another in a lustful way or glaring at another person expressing disdain or hate. In a way, it is a spiritual look as if a demon is looking at the victim. Unrighteous language can be swearing, cursing, or blaspheming. Hands that injure or murder the righteous can be seen all over the world as the god of this world hates the believers in Christ.
Proverbs 6:18 G2532 and G2588 a heart G5044.1 contriving G3053 [2devices G2556 1evil], G2532 and G4228 feet G1986.1 hurrying G2554 to do evil.
“…and heart creating evil thinking and feet hurrying to do harm.”
This foolish transgressor with the perverted heart also calculates evil within his heart. We know that we all have thoughts in our heart as the word of God is a discerner of those thoughts and intents. The human who contrives evil thoughts does so with the help of unclean spirits, rather than the Holy Spirit. This evil thought process takes root as a regular pattern of thinking. This foolish transgressor is also in a hurry to harm others. Whether it is by words or by physical acts, if there is an opportunity to harm someone, this fool with the perverted heart takes it.
Proverbs 6:19 G1572 [3kindles G5571 4lying G3144 2witness G94 1An unjust], G2532 and G1967.2 brings in addition G2920 judicial cases G303.1 between G80 brethren.
“Unrighteous witness deeply inflames lying and transmits judgment between brothers.”
The foolish transgressor with the perverted heart is an unrighteous or false witness who inflames falsehoods. He stirs up people to make outrageous stories that are untrue. He causes others to lie as well and then causes people to fight amongst one another. Have you ever known of a person to lie to one person about someone else hoping that that person will take up a fight with the one the lie was about? Entire congregations have turned into brawls due to a few lies told by someone who is sold out to the satan.
Why does this section of Proverbs read so differently in the MT than the Septuagint? Someone thought they could identify what Yahweh hates by making a list. There are six behaviors here provoked by the foolish transgressor with the perverted heart, and one action that others then do, which is to judge one another. But this section is about people who are going to receive eternal damnation and that gets lost in the “list”.
We see that there are people who are tormented by demons. We also see people who use demons for magic tricks. We can see that there are people who do sell their soul to Satanas and that they also use demons for their advantage. As we see, Jesus cast demons out of those who wanted to be healed. We have the Holy Spirit and can also cast out demons. But if someone worships Satanas and wants to harbor demons they can. Their end will be sudden and they will receive eternal death. The idea that the Masoretes tried to put forth seems to contradict what we see. Eli’s sons were not sold out to Satanas, but they were evil and took advantage of their position. Simon the sorcerer was baptized and repented because he saw real power, he was not sold out to Satanas. The entire tribe of Benjamin was not worshipping Satanas, but they were possessed and driven by demons. There are many people who do give themselves to Satanas and those people hide in the shadows. They are foolish transgressors who have a perverted and distorted heart and incurable destruction. We will look at them next week.
