In the first century idol worship was prevalent across the then known world and resulted in much opposition to Christianity, and which we hear so much of in the book of Acts. The opposition often resulted in violence to those accepting the new teaching regarding Christ. Some things just don’t change. The world today is just as idolatrous as it always has been throughout history, the only difference being in the idols worshiped. Instead of figures of wood, metal and stone today’s idols are the pursuit of wealth, possessions, pleasure and self-gratification. The pursuit of the true disciple of Christ must be the "the kingdom of God, and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33Matthew 6:3333 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.).
The apostle Paul writes "But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?" (1 Cor 10:20-22).
What are the 'devils' being referred to here? The word translated devils is better rendered as "demons" from the Greek "daimonion", and in this quotation is referring to the idols of the pagan Gentiles. The word devils is used in other contexts and so we also need to examine these to get a full understanding.
In Matthew 8:16 we read "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick". In this instance 'devils’ is from the Greek "daimonizomai" meaning to be exercised by a demon, so no real difference here. "Spirits" is from the Greek "pneuma", that is literally "a current of air" but that obviously can’t be what Jesus is casting out, and must therefore refer to the state of mind being maladjusted and requiring intervention. This meaning is confirmed when we read later in this same chapter of the curing of mental illnesses, and is confirmed in the record of when Jesus came "into the country of the Gergesenes" (Matthew 8:28Matthew 8:28 28 ¶And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way.).
The word "spirits" is sometimes used in the sense of teaching, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits " we are told (1 John 4:1-21 John 4:1-2 1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:) which further clarifies the meaning of the passage under consideration as referring to incorrect thinking. Any thinking which is against the teaching of scripture is the equivalent of being possessed of evil spirits.
With this now understood where do we stand? Our stance must be aligned with that of Paul "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise" (2 Corinthians 10:12).Christ-like spirituality comes with maturity in the truth Surely, the only comparison that matters is also from Paul’s writings "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual" (1 Corinthians 2:13). If we are not spiritual in our understanding then by scriptural definition are we not carnal, having not yet developed the "mind of Christ"?
"Comparing spiritual with spiritual" firstly needs a knowledge of God’s word, as Paul states "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal…" (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).
Therefore, Christ-like spirituality comes with maturity in the truth, which can only be developed by a constant study and meditation of Yahweh’s word; without it we shall remainour only guide is the God-breathed Word which we must allow to affect us towards developing that "mind of Christ" "babes in the truth" and still carnally minded if it doesn’t sink down into our hearts and minds so that we are affected and guided by it.
Since the last days of John when the prophecies of the Apocalypse were revealed to him there has been no Holy Spirit word revealed to man, our only guide is the God-breathed Word which we must allow to affect us towards developing that "mind of Christ" which will bring life and glory. If we don’t submit but resist its influence then we will not escape the "mind of the flesh" remaining "demoniacal"stand against the errors by our familiarity with Scripture in our thinking. Our understanding of the Truth will be incomplete at best, just like those poor souls with mental illnesses whom Christ and the apostles healed, and at the worst misguided and unable to identify doctrinal error. Only by careful study and thought on the things that we read in Scripture will we be enabled to not only recognise the errors creeping into our ecclesias and fellowships For where your treasure is, there will your heart be alsobut we will also be able to stand against the errors by our familiarity with Scripture.
What were Jesus' thoughts on searching after wealth and the things of this world? They're words that were all familiar with, "19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:19-21).
Christ was able to resist all the temptations which he faced throughout his life and leading ultimately to his death by his understanding and use of scripture; the apostles used scripture to stand against the errors of that they encountered in their day, and we need to be prepared to do the same and not to be attracted by and led astray by the things that the world values.