Shootings and drownings and demons? Oh my!

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

Sunday, a man walked into 1st Baptist Church of Maryville (IL) and shot and killed the pastor of that church. He then tried to shoot himself, but was wrestled to the ground by men attending the church service.

A day after that, a man in Alabama shot and killed ten people, then killed himself.

A day later, a teenager in Germany killed fifteen students at his former high school, and when wounded by the police, shot and killed himself.

This scenario has happened time and time again since Columbine and it seems that the frequency of these attacks are increasing. The reason for these killings, so says the media, is always the same. The gunman was mentally unstable.

Or was he spiritually unstable?

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons," 1 Timothy 4:1

What makes a person "snap" and go on a sudden killing rampage, usually ending with suicide? Is it the stresses of modern society? What makes a woman systematically drown her five children in a bathtub showing absolutely no emotion while doing so? Was this post-partum depression, as the press claimed?

Or is the cause of these acts something much more insidious that has existed for as long as man and longer?

I wonder how many of us who call ourselves Christians truly believe in the existence of the enemy, and in the existence of the enemy's legion of demons. Do you, Christian, believe in demon possession? Or do you think this no longer happens? Is it just "schizophrenia" as so many would want you to believe? It is depression? Is it snapping under pressure?

When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill. Matthew 8:16

Jesus and his disciples often cast out demons. In Matthew alone, there are eight separate references to demon-possessed individuals.

When I was in India in 2005, I witnessed an exorcism.

In St. Louis, a young boy was exorcised. This was the basis for the book and movie The Exorcist.

There is no reason to believe that the demons of Jesus' day aren't still around. Ephesians 6:12 is clear - our battle on this earth is a spiritual one. The enemy wages war with his legion of demons.

When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. Mark 8:28.

Demons are violent, evil, denizens of the supernatural realm.

While he was still approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy and gave him back to his father. Luke 9:42

Demons take control of humans and make the person act against their will.

And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute; when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed. Luke 11:14

And if you examine closely the "motives" behind the shootings and killings, they are often jealousy, rage, anger, envy.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. James 3:14-16

No, this isn't some horror movie script. This is real. Demons exist and they are increasing in power as has been prophesied in the Bible.

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ you don't have to worry about yourself. Demons cannot reside where the Holy Spirit resides. If you're not a believer in Christ, call on Jesus today. And tell your friends about the wonderful saving power of Christ.

The solution to this problem isn't stiffer gun laws. The answer isn't more psychological counseling or better medications. The answer is Jesus Christ and Christ alone.