Operation Mindcrime Part 2: Ignorance Is Bliss

Operation Mindcrime Part 2: Ignorance Is Bliss Leviticus 17:7 New King James Version (NKJV) 7 They shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.”’ Throughout the Old and New Testaments there are many references to demons, unclean spirits, or devils, depending upon what translation you are reading. The bible warns us of worshipping and sacrificing to demons, tells us of people possessed by demonic spirits, and tells us of Jesus performing exorcisms on the possessed. Matthew 8:16 New King James Version (NKJV) 16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, There are several such passages throughout the New Testament gospels. Jesus cast demons out of man who were brought to Him by their families, some he crossed paths with on His journeys, and in one case demons who charged out at Him. Luke 8:26-34 New King James Version (NKJV) 26 Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” 29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. 30 Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss. 32 Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain. So they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them. 33 Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned. 34 When those who fed them saw what had happened, they fled and told it in the city and in the country. With these verses and many more throughout the bible about demons, why do we rarely ever hear about them today? Did they die out somewhere in time? Did they cease to exist because we stopped talking about them? As much as people would like to believe these things, it’s simply not the truth. In our day and time, the only instances of hearing about demon possession are in horror movies and sometimes in charismatic churches. It’s gotten to the point that when you mention demons to most Christians, they either laugh in disbelief or tell you that they’re just metaphors for people’s problems. People in general have stopped believing in demons. This is dangerous. People want to laugh at you when you say you believe in demons, but almost every culture on the planet, Christian and pagan, have stories and beliefs about demons. They believe that these spirits are loose in the air and that they can take control of good people and make them do horrific things. So if all of these cultures believe that these evil spirits can make good people do horrific things, why do we doubt their existence when we see people walk into schoolhouses on shooting sprees, religious leaders convince their followers to commit mass suicide, or torture and kill innocent children. So often we hear the killer or captor described as quiet, easy going, or even a ‘good person’ by those around them. These seemingly normal, everyday citizens suddenly turned into sadistic monsters; why? Some will say it was due to underlying mental illnesses, tragic situations in their lives, mental breakdowns, or chemical influence. Is that an explanation or are those symptoms of something more insidious? When our culture fails to recognize the existence of evil, we fail to protect ourselves and our loved ones of it’s influence. We become a culture of ‘if it feels good, do it’. We allow all sorts of immoral and evil influence into our lives without thinking twice about it. Through movies, television, print media, and social media, every vice out there is at the touch of a button. As a whole, we become desensitized to sexual immorality, alcohol and drug abuse, and violence to our fellow man through the modern media. We allow all kinds of unclean spirits into our lives. On the religious side of this, while we are being bombarded with messages telling us to be more tolerant and more accepting, we see more and more people delving into paganism. The spread of Wicca, Santa Ria, Universal Unitarianism, and even Satanism is increasing more rapidly. Simple practices such as séances and the use of witchboards are more and more common. They seems so simple, but are actually gateways to allowing all sorts of spirits into your lives. It’s gotten to the point that I’ve even seen childrens’ Ouija Boards in pink packaging for young girls on the shelves of toy sections in national chain stores. The demonic has been made ‘safe for our children’. Our culture is so terribly, sadly, deceived. We have millions of people under the control of drugs and alcohol, bound by sexual addictions such as pornography and prostitution, pedophiles at every turn, husbands and wives cheating on each other with no remorse, ministers using their positions to live like kings, and physical and mental abuse rampant throughout our society, but we don’t believe in demons. This isn’t meant to be a full sermon, just part of the series on the corruption of the human mind and soul, so I’ll bring it to a close here since we’ve got a long ways to go in the series. I hope this has given you food for thought my friends. I hope it helps you to realize some areas in your life that you need to work on and opens your eyes to things you should protect your family from. Remember to study your bibles, maintain a healthy prayer life, keep in fellowship with your Christian family, and avoid anything that gives you a feeling of evil. The greatest lie the devil ever told was convincing the world he doesn’t exist. Jesus brought us the truth: John 10:9-11 New King James Version (NKJV) 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. God bless you my friends, Pete.