Set Free: From Demonic Oppression - Message Study Questions

Message Summary

God created angels who rebelled and became demons. These demons are real and fight against God; their mission, turn people away from God as well. Everywhere the NT sees a great conflict between the forces of good led by God and Satan’s forces of evil. Like the CEO of an evil empire, Satan employs and orders his demons to do this and that in an attempt to corrupt people and societies. First, demons try to destroy the faith of God’s people. Second, demons tempt believers and lead unbelievers away from God. Rejecting God opens the door for demonic influence. And demons are cultural architects. They create structures and systems that lead entire cultures away from God, thus ruining them. The ancient dark trinity of Baal, Ashtoreth and Moloch is still alive today. Only the names have changed. Baal wants to possess the culture and exclude God. Ashtoreth aims for the sexualization of people against God’s will and to the destruction of families and lives. And Moloch, the destroyer, wants to kill people for the promise of prosperity. To fight back, first, take the authority of Scripture. Second, don’t let demons influence you. And thirdly, don’t fear Satan or his demonic realm. Fight the dark trinity with truth.

What is a demon, and do you think they are real? How would you justify your answer?
Where did demons come from? Do demons still exist today?
What are two mistakes (gutter balls) believers can make regarding Satan and his demons?

Consider This

Demonic influence is distinctly different from demonic possession. Demonic influence is just that, when an individual is influenced to think, act, and operate in alignment with the demonic spirit. They live under deception. Demonic possession is when an individual is literally possessed by an evil spirit. Someone who is demonically possessed does not have the ability to oppose the demon’s influence.

According to 2 Corinthians 1:22, 5:17, can a believer be demon possessed?
How can believers discern demonic activity in their lives or the life of someone else?
Read James 1:13-15 and compare and contrast the source of temptations and trials with the following verses.
- 2 Corinthians 2:11
- James 4:7
- 1 Peter 5:8
- Ephesians 4:27
“And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (Hebrews 12:1c-2a NLT2). What is wrong with giving demons too much attention? Why should believers focus on Jesus?
Read Luke 4:1-12. How did Jesus defend Himself against the Devil’s schemes? How can you apply this to your life?
Read Ephesians 6:10-18. In all the New Testament passages dealing with spiritual warfare, there are no instructions to cast a demon out of a believer. What are believers encouraged to do?
Believers are told to resist the devil (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9), not to cast him out. How can you resist the devil?
Victory. Read the following and describe the victory over demons that believers have in Jesus.
- Romans 16:20
- 2 Thes. 3:3,
- 1 John 5:4,
- 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Moving Forward

What action can you take this week to include God in your daily life and decisions? How about bringing God into your sphere of influence?
What action can you take this week to guard your eyes, mind and heart against sexual dalliance or engagement outside of the sanctity of marriage? How can you bring biblical sexual morality into your sphere of influence? Especially, what can you do to protect children from the sexualization orchestrated by the demon Aphrodite?
What action can you take this week to protect your family and loved ones from the deceptions of the demon Moloch—or his modern name, abortion?

“Don’t fear where our society is headed, fear where it will end up if you do nothing.”
Pastor John

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world”
1 John 4:4.