Under the influence

When someone is under the influence of drugs, alcohol, pornography, overeating or various other controlling afflictions a person’s responses change. They do things they would not normally do. The person might even say, “that wasn’t me.” They are close to the truth.

“Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”  And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.” Mark 1:21-26

We can see from this scripture that a man who was in the synagogue on the Sabbath had an unclean spirit (under the influence of a demon). We can be influenced by demons. As Christians, true believers, we are not possessed. There may be areas in our Life that are not under the total control of the Holy Spirit. Addictions are a good example. Spirits of addictions will hang around until there is a desire within the person to submit and resist the temptation. Once the person cries out to the Lord for help, he will be delivered from that which ensnares him.

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:7-8 NKJV