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Writer's pictureBible Brian

Don't be the boy who cried "demon"


There are few limits to the value of discernment. Unfortunately, many people in the Church demonise everything. Quite literally, they demonise things that are not demonic in nature.


The New Testament is replete with affirmations of Christian liberty. Even many things which, in the Old Testament, were forbidden to the Jews, are explicitly mentioned as not forbidden for us in the New Testament. Circumcision is no longer necessary (Galatians 5:1-2). Dietary requirements are completely done away with (1 Timothy 4:1-4). The entire Old Testament law was fulfilled in Christ, and so we are no longer under it (Galatians 3:24-25).


Now, obviously, this does not open the door to spiritual anarchy. We are to live in a way pleasing to Christ, which requires love for God, and love for our fellow men. What this does mean, however, is that anything not explicitly forbidden is implicitly allowed. As the Lord tells us through Paul, "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." (Romans 14:5).


This leads us to the distinction between the weaker and stronger brethren. Depending on their personal history, different Christians may be offended by different things. Things that may remind them of their own past in their old religion. Again using Paul as the example, he noted that although he is permitted to eat meat, he would willingly go vegetarian for the sake of his weaker brethren (1 Corinthians 8:13). This is important, as it puts the onus on the stronger brethren. If you find something ok, but your brother is offended by it, it is necessary to separate the weaker brother from it.


However, the Bible also puts a burden on the weaker brethren to respect the stronger brethren's liberty. "Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand." (Romans 14). Allow me to repeat that: who art thou? You have no right to judge another Christian, because he stands or falls before God. Most importantly, God will make him stand.


As a self-identified ambivore*, I am in a somewhat unique position to understand this. I find that most "stronger brethren" are completely unaware that Romans 14 exists. Vegetarianism is often mocked, which leads to an all out war between those who eat meat and those who don't. Those who eat meat find vegetarians strange. Those who don't find carnivores savage and abominable. Division raises its ugly head where it just doesn't need to be.


But it doesn't stop there. It extends to a wide range of topics. Rather than "to the pure, all things are pure" (Titus 1:15a), we end up with "nothing is pure, even to the pure" (1st Opinions 6:66). I was recently told that martial arts are a doorway to the occult. I know people who have been told they are going to Hell because they have tattoos (as have I). Christmas is apparently pagan. October 31st is allegedly an evil night. Drums, supposedly, summon demons. Electric guitars? Well, if you play those, obviously you're worshiping Satan. All of these things, and more, are heavily frowned upon by some very strict "weaker brethren", even to the point where the Gospel itself is forsaken.


But here's the real problem: Some things are demonic, or open the door to Satan. And just like The Boy Who Cried Wolf, if you keep drawing attention to things that aren't demonic, people will cease to trust you about things that are. If you tell me I'm in danger of spiritual attack because I like to listen to Wolves at the Gate while I practice disarming someone who attacks me with a knife, why would I believe your testimony about Ouija boards?


Wolves at the Gate are an obviously Christian band. When I became a fan of the band, I described them as having cracked the code for good Christian rock music. Their lyrics often contain deep spiritual messages, even flat out explanations of the Gospel, that both appeal to believers and unbelievers alike. Krav Maga, as I hinted at, is a useful fighting style for self defence, which is becoming even more necessary in our increasingly violent world. There is nothing demonic in either of those things, and so when someone tells me "that's a door opener to the Occult", I'm going to think you're bonkers.


By contrast, Ouija boards aren't just a door opener to the Occult, they are actual instruments of the Occult. The whole purpose of Ouija boards is to contact the dead, which is explicitly stated in Scripture as an abomination to God. When you try to contact the spirit world, you will receive only two possible replies: From God, who will rebuke you, or from demons. The dead, if they are even able to hear you, are not capable of replying.


But because your testimonies on my music and my emergency preparation are so bat-flap crazy, why would I believe you about Ouija boards? A person's testimony of the truth is always undermined by their general reliability. Who would trust the town drunk? Who will hire a known scam artist? Who would believe a compulsive liar? By failing to practice discernment, and calling demonic that which is not demonic, you are undermining even the most truthful words you say. Therefore, you are effectively pushing people into the Occult, or at the very least removing yourself as a barrier, by telling them these things. Therefore, my brethren, if you are one of those people, I implore you in the Lord to stop. Practice discernment, because more people than just you will suffer if you do not.


*Ambivore explanation: I prefer to live a vegetarian lifestyle. However, this is not always practical, and as I write this article, I currently eat meat. Thus, while I cannot currently claim to be a vegetarian due to a covenant with my mother, I usually am, and plan to go back to it as soon as my covenant has ended.

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