Unclean Spirits...I'd like your thoughts. (Earth, bible, bless, Satanist)

[jeffrey]

Originally Posted by JamesThePersian

Maybe, but it sounds Orthodox. As with much of the Bible, verses like that can be read on more than one level. I don't doubt that part of meaning is the literal one to do with casting out demons, but I also have no doubt that your idea with respect to casting out anger (though I'd broaden it to passions in general) is also part of the meaning and a perfectly valid interpretation. It actually sounds like the sorts of things you see written in the advice of the Desert Fathers to the more junior monastics. Just cleaning out the badness isn't enough, the void where the passion was needs to be replaced by love and prayer, and continuing self-vigilance. Are you sure you've never read the Philokalia?

James

Positive. I can't even pronounce it, let alone read it.

[James the Persian]

Originally Posted by jeffrey

Positive. I can't even pronounce it, let alone read it.

Well, I can help with the first bit, it's fill-oh-kal-EE-ah. I was basically being flippant, though, as it's not something that we're often recommended to read (it's pretty difficult and much of it is aimed at monastics rather than lay people), but it's basically just a collection of the writings of various Fathers and other saints. I can distinctly recall reading similar ideas to your post in the bits I've read, though.

James

[may]

Originally Posted by dawny0826

I don't normally start a lot of threads but I just feel like discussing...

I want to know what you think about unclean spirits.

When you read scripture such as the scripture below...what's your personal interpretation of what you're reading?

And I'm not only interested in your intepretation...I'd like to know if you believe what you're reading here?

An Unclean Spirit Returns (NKJV) Matthew 12:43-45

"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest and finds none. Then he says "I will return to my house from which I came. And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. so, shall it also be with this wicked generation."

When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through parched places in search of a resting-place, and finds none. Then it says, ‘I will go back to my house out of which I moved’; and on arriving it finds it unoccupied but swept clean and adorned. Then it goes its way and takes along with it seven different spirits more wicked than itself, and, after getting inside, they dwell there; and the final circumstances of that man become worse than the first. That is how it will be also with this wicked generation................. The demons who are very active are out to influence people, they are out to find a resting place with humans.... if we let them..... and if we do , it will not go well for us when Jehovah brings judgement on this wicked generation

Oppose the Devil," James said, "and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you." (Jas. 4:7, 8) we need to fill our minds with godly things then there will be no house for satans thoughts

[Halcyon]

Originally Posted by dawny0826

An Unclean Spirit Returns (NKJV) Matthew 12:43-45

"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest and finds none. Then he says "I will return to my house from which I came. And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. so, shall it also be with this wicked generation."

If i were to just read that straight from the bible, i'd assume it was talking about psycological disorders. And when a religious leader purges a "demon" or unclean spirit from a person, it doesn't work because the problem is entirely psycological. Afterwords the victim develops even more problems as a result of a lack of proper mental therapy.

However, when looked form an allegorical perspective, Mich's reply makes a lot of sense.

[wmam]

Originally Posted by may

When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through parched places in search of a resting-place, and finds none. Then it says, ‘I will go back to my house out of which I moved’; and on arriving it finds it unoccupied but swept clean and adorned. Then it goes its way and takes along with it seven different spirits more wicked than itself, and, after getting inside, they dwell there; and the final circumstances of that man become worse than the first. That is how it will be also with this wicked generation................. The demons who are very active are out to influence people, they are out to find a resting place with humans.... if we let them..... and if we do , it will not go well for us when Jehovah brings judgement on this wicked generation

Oppose the Devil," James said, "and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you." (Jas. 4:7, 8) we need to fill our minds with godly things then there will be no house for satans thoughts

Bingo............ Iagree.