Lately, I’ve become interested in horror movies, especially movies about demons and the paranormal. It started in 2023 when my mom made me watch a Julius Avery movie. papal exorcist. I enjoyed the movie, but my first thought was that it was just Hollywood’s understanding of exorcism and demons. Indeed, there are no real-life examples of people climbing walls or climbing property that matches the artistic representation that Hollywood uses in its movies. However, when I thought about what the Bible says about possession and exorcism, I realized that the movie’s depiction of demonic possession was more faithful to the Bible than I first thought.
Thankfully, Christians have ways to deal with possessions, demons, Satan, and spiritual warfare.
Christians, especially Protestants, have become numb to the reality that property still exists today. The demonic has become a genre of horror and entertainment instead of the spiritual warfare that Christians engage in every day. Realizing that my knowledge and preparation for dealing with the paranormal was limited, I began digging deep into what the Bible says about false gods and demons and how Christians should deal with such issues. What it finally occurred to me is that people can and still are possessed. Thankfully, Christians have ways to deal with possessions, demons, Satan, and spiritual warfare.
My mother sometimes enjoys horror movies, but she’s not a fan of my research on demons. My mother believes these movies and my research are bringing demons into our home. But my point is that while I enjoy paranormal horror movies and shows, I don’t participate in these acts. I understand the reality of spiritual warfare, demons, possession, the occult, and Satan. I do my research using the Bible, not the internet or movies. I use a Biblical framework to analyze movies, TV shows, books, and podcasts. We do not pursue these things out of mere curiosity. Because we are commanded not to seek such things. But I like learning them and preparing myself for the day something comes my way. (Luke 10:20; Efe. 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8).
In these movies and shows, Hollywood wants kids to believe that floating and possessed dolls exist. Annabelle is depicted in Conjuring The movie is exaggerated non-fiction. After all, how can a mirror cause so much chaos in a home where teenagers choke on glass they never swallowed and grandparents die mysteriously and mysteriously? We’re supposed to believe these are just ghost stories, but the Bible has interesting reports about men with supernatural powers, children who can tell the future, and a God who demands that children be sacrificed. Hollywood’s portrayal of the devil, Satan, and false gods is actually accurate, not exaggerated.
The purpose of these demons is to destroy humanity, our connection to God through Jesus and through us, who are created in God’s image.
in Mark 5:1-20Jesus comes face to face with a possessed man who has been banished from the city. The Bible says that this man had incredible power. “And no one could bind him anymore, not even chains. He was often bound with fetters and chains, but he tore the chains and shattered the fetters to pieces.” The only way this man could have so much power is through the demons that possessed him. The devil makes this man do things he would never do. However, regarding this demon-possessed man, the Bible does not describe Jesus shining a cross on the demons or sprinkling them with holy water. Instead, the Bible says that Jesus commanded unclean spirits to come out of the person. The demons obeyed and begged Jesus to allow them to actually possess the pigs. This is because Christ, as the Son of God, has authority over everything (mat. 28:18; 1 John 4:4).
A similar modern example is amityville horrorwhere a young man brutally murdered his family. This man was not considered a cold-blooded murderer or psychopath, but rather possessed by an evil spirit. The Amityville house has been the subject of public speculation and ridicule since the incident began. The Lutz family, who later became owners of the Amityville home, reported paranormal activity and brought in investigators and ghost hunters. However, these claims were widely ridiculed and often refuted due to the financial difficulties faced by the Lutz family at the time. The legitimacy of this incident is often debated, but the debate has not stopped. Conjuring franchise from the production of a film about this case, and Ed and Lorraine Warren’s involvement in the case and the house. Whether this man was possessed or not, it’s not surprising that evil spirits would seek to harm humans.
Leviticus 20 Document the laws written regarding punishment for child victimization. In this passage, a false god named Molech appears. Molech was worshiped by heating the statue until it glowed red. When the metal reached this state of combustion, a living child was placed on Molech’s outstretched hand while a drum was played, drowning out the child’s cries. It is important to note that these false gods are actually demons in disguise (German. 32:17; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15). The purpose of these demons is to destroy humanity, our connection to God through Jesus and through us, who are created in God’s image. One of the ways the devil does this is by leading us astray and killing us (John 10:10; 1 Peter 5:8-9).
There were no special prayers, no holy water, no pictures or symbols of Christ, just the power of the Holy Spirit and the name of Jesus.
Knowing this, we do not need to fear evil spirits. We have the power to overcome demons through Christ. We can follow Paul’s example given in . apostle 16. While ministering to the people and sharing the gospel in Macedonia, Paul and Silas found themselves being stalked by a “female slave with a spirit of divination.”Acts 16:16-17). As the girl chased the men, she told them, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they are preaching to you the way of salvation.”Acts 16:17). This girl did the same thing and caused a stir wherever Paul and Silas went. Paul finally became irritated and “turned and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of this woman.'”Acts 16:18). The demon obeyed and immediately left the girl.
The words Paul used were not a special ceremonial prayer. He used the truth and the power of Christ. For those of us who have given our lives to Christ, we share this same powerthank you for the Holy Spirit who lives within us (mat. 10:1; Mark 16:17; Luke 10:19; Acts 1:8; ROM. 8:9-11). People like us are do not have In Christ this power to cast out demons is lacking.
Later in the book of Acts, Paul arrives in Ephesus. God uses Paul to accomplish amazing miracles. The Jewish exorcists noticed Paul’s abilities and powers and took some notes. These exorcists tried to rebuke the unclean spirits by saying, “I command you through Jesus, which Paul preaches.”Acts 19:13). But the demon did not fear the men or leave, but rather said, “Jesus knows, and Paul knows, but who are you?” (Acts 19:15). Then the devil drove out the exorcists and hurt them.
This happened because Jesus was the Son of God, not some special amulet meant to ward off spirits. “You believe in the oneness of God, you are doing well. Even the devil believes and trembles.”James 2:19). The difference between Christians and demons lies in the nature of their faith in Christ as their Savior. The demons know who Jesus is, but they will never accept Him or love Him as the Son of God. But you still have to obey the king. There were no special prayers, no holy water, no pictures or symbols of Christ. Only the power of the Holy Spirit and the name of Jesus ruled everything.
Although evil spirits are accurately portrayed in certain Hollywood movies, we as Christians do not have to fear what evil spirits can and cannot do or worry about whether they will come into our homes through our televisions. Hollywood’s purpose in making these movies is to create fear. Analyzing these films using the Bible reminds us of the ancient rebellions we were warned about. Throughout the Bible, God gives us instructions and examples of what to do when we encounter evil spirits.
It’s important to understand that there’s nothing wrong with having fun papal exorcist or Conjuring As long as we are conscious of our role in spiritual warfare, it is a franchise. We do not see demons as victims to be feared, but as victors who stand in the power of the true truth of Jesus Christ, for all to follow Jesus Christ.
Source: Christ and Pop Culture – christandpopculture.com
