Quote:
Originally Posted by awareness
Let's suppose bearbear is out on the mission field and he runs across a person possessed of a demon.
Well if we look at:
Mar 9:28 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
Mar 9:29 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Apparently Jesus is saying there's different methods of casting out demons based upon the demon. And this one comes out only by prayer AND fasting.
This is where a variation in the manuscripts really matters ... where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. According to Jesus you have to use the right method to cast out certain demons.
And in the earliest manuscripts of Mark 9 Jesus doesn't mention fasting. Jesus says only prayer is required.
So how is bearbear to know which method will work, praying or praying and fasting?
Get it wrong and the demon with just laugh at bearbear. Pray when prayer and fasting is required and the demon laughs. Pray when just prayer is required, and add fasting, and the demon laughs.
Poor poor bearbear. If he wants to follow the proper directions of Jesus, which does he follow? His quandary will likely slow him down so much that the demon will be gone, or the possessed man will have run off to other business.
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Awareness you of all people are well aware Jesus isn't stuck to pages of scripture but he dwells in us through the Holy Spirit. He will tell us what to do when it comes time. The Holy Manual of Instruction is no longer stuck to pages, but is written in our hearts.
John 14:26
But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative--that is, the Holy Spirit--he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.
Jesus also taught it was better that the Holy Spirit come to be with us than for him to be physically present with us:
John 16:8
But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don't, the Advocate won't come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.