Be Sure the Devil Knows Your Name
“In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.” Acts 5:16
There are many distinctions in the Bible between sickness and demonic activity/possession. It is fair to say a demon can make someone sick, it is also fair to say that not everyone who is sick is demon-possessed.
In Jewish tradition, demons are much more present than they are in Christian teachings. In the Talmud, Jews describe demons as being everywhere, so many we would be overwhelmed if we saw them; “If the eye could see them no one could endure them. They surround one on all sides. They are more numerous than humans, each person has a thousand on his left and ten thousand on his right” (Ber.6 a).
This sentiment is not repeated in the Bible in exact terms; however, we do know that the singular “demon” can also mean a “Legion”; “What is your name?” he asked him. ‘My name is Legion,’ he answered him, ‘because we are many.’” (Mark 5:9), “When an unclean spirit comes out of a person, it roams through waterless places looking for rest, and not finding rest, it then says, ‘I’ll go back to my house that I came from.’ Returning, it finds the house swept and put in order. Then it goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and settle down there. As a result, that person’s last condition is worse than the first.” (Luke 11:24-26)
It is safe to say that when it comes to demonic activity, we are outnumbered. Let’s begin by examining what the word “demon” means in Hebrew:
The Hebrew word for demon is, shedim, and simply means “not God.” It’s not referring to evil spirits the way you and I think about them, more foreign Gods. In fact, most Biblical texts support this definition and “evil spirits” the way you and I believe them to be are differentiated from demons or shedim.
If you study demonology (why, Leah, why in the world are we talking about this?!) you will see demons have an order of authority, like all of creation. They are under God’s authority, ruled by their prince, Satan. Satan has many names, but his authority as a prince is confirmed by Jesus himself.
“And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He is possessed by Beelzebul! By the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.’ So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan?’” -Matthew 3:22-23
We’re talking about this because it matters. I quote it often, but there’s a great line in the movie The Usual Suspects that says, “The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.” It’s so easy to forget that the devil is there, even when we’re living in a state of unrest, surrounded by the evils of addiction.
If you want to see your loved one set free, the change has to start with you.
“Some Jews also were traveling around forcing evil spirits out of people. The seven sons of Sceva, one of the leading priests, were doing this. These Jews TRIED TO USE the name of the Lord Jesus to make the evil spirits go out of people. They all said, ‘By the same Jesus that Paul talks about, I order you to come out!’ But one time an evil spirit said to these Jews, ‘I know Jesus, and I know about Paul, BUT WHO ARE YOU?’ Then the man who had the evil spirit inside him jumped on these Jews. He was much stronger than all of them. He beat them up and tore their clothes off. They all ran away from that house.” Acts 19:13-16 (ERV)
“Who are you?” the demon said…
Does the devil know your name?
I don’t believe in adding to the Bible, but I have no trouble comparing Biblical texts to other historical documents to support historical hypothesis.
There are many teachings in Christian culture that are not Biblically-based. Take, for example, praying away a “spirit of perversion.”
First of all, when perversion is referenced in the Bible, there is always responsibility put onto the person. It’s called “giving into desires,” “indulged,” “pursued,” or, “practicing homosexuality,” see Jude 1:7, Lev. 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Cor. 6:9. I would also venture to say it isn’t the desire itself that is the condemner, although the desire is a sin, it’s acting on it.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24 (ESV).
Without adding to the Bible, there are spirits mentioned in scripture that according to the Jewish Talmud are known to be perverse and sexually-driven, like Lilith (Isaiah 34:14). She is not called “the spirit of perversion” in the Bible but the “night owl,” “night monster,” or “creature of the night.” Her name and story have come from other sources.
When Jesus called out demons, there are accounts of him asking for their names. Not in all cases, but in some. I would surmise this is on account of the hierarchy. Lilith is mentioned in some translations of the Bible, but not in others, so take it as you will. There is no Biblical description of Lilith, but there are in many other texts which refer to her as the “night owl” or “night monster,” and because she is referenced in the Bible, I believe it is safe to explore the theology.
Besides, it’s good for your faith to ask questions! 🤓
In the Talmud, Lilith is Adam’s first wife. She refused to submit to Adam and might have had sexual relations with the archangel Samael. She is described as having uncontrolled sexuality and was known to take men’s sperm to give birth to more demons. She is known sometimes as an owl, a woman who flies in the darkness, the thief of babies, or a dark maiden. Feminists have been drawn to her as she represents rebellion and sensuality, freedom and equality for all women. I’m sure you’ve heard of Lilith Fair? Did you know it was named after a famous demon? There are interesting references to make these connections, I won’t go into them all but if you’d like to continue reading, start here!
My point is, let’s say we’re putting all our energy into praying away a spirit of perversion, casting out that demon with all our strength in the name of Jesus, what, or who, are we praying about exactly?
And could this be why it doesn’t work?
I don’t know if Lilith is real or fictional, but I do know that I want to be the most effective follower of Christ that I can be and sometimes, that means asking tough questions and challenging what we’ve been told to believe. I don’t believe in praying away a spirit of perversion, but I do believe in making sure that demon knows who I am.
This also leads me to conclude our loved ones who are controlled by perversion in say, sex or pornography addiction, I believe to be worshiping foreign gods and submitting to demons and the prince of darkness. We call it idolatry, but that word doesn’t begin to portray how deep the problem actually goes, and it all begins in the heart.
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immorality, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man” Matt. 15:19–20.
Good and evil, it’s all a part of creation. As Adam and Eve were not to touch the tree, we too have temptations that we are to avoid; like Adam and Eve, we may fail. God could have killed them right then and there and started over with new people. There was no reason the God of the universe needed to give charge of His entire creation to two people who blatantly sinned against His one and only rule. No reason, except love.
God likes to let His things grow. The flowers could bloom all year long, but He allows them to die and bloom each year again always appearing better than the last. Without cultivation, flowers would fail to be so lovely; we would appreciate them far less. God cultivates this same goodness in us. He allows evil to torment us until we learn to worship Him. I wish we were better children. Less lewd, more righteous.
“Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and an evil spirit sent from the Lord began to torment him, so Saul’s servants said to him, ‘You see that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command your servants here in your presence to look for someone who knows how to play the lyre. Whenever the evil spirit from God comes on you, that person can play the lyre, and you will feel better.’” 1 Samuel 16:14-16
Our loved ones are not sick, they’re sinners. And you are a sinner. And I am a sinner.
Until we recognize and name the problem for what it is, “Tell me your name,” Jesus said, we cannot properly pray for it to go away.
And most important of all, be sure the devil knows your name.
Here’s a prayer to get you started!
“Dear Lord, first, I would like to thank you for my life. I am thankful for all the blessings you have given me. I am grateful for the food I eat, for my health, for the health of my family.
I would like to ask forgiveness Lord for any sinful behaviour I have allowed into my life because of my heart. Lord, please strengthen my heart and set me up in your righteousness. Make me a new creation in Christ and help me to turn away from sin.
Lord, I thank you for my loved one’s life as well. I thank you for putting me in their life to pray for them and contend for them and Lord, I ask you to hear my prayer.
Please soften their heart to you and your will, Lord. Please don’t stop pursuing them. I pray their eyes are opened to their sinful ways, and you offer them grace and forgiveness.
Thank you, Lord, I trust you!”
Amen.
Leah Grey
P.S. Unrelated, but I bought a pair of boots like the ones that girl is wearing in the picture and took them back because I chickened out and thought I wouldn’t wear them. Now I wish I hadn’t, cause they look super tough! 💪