In a sense I am saying that.
But if we assume they were could it lead to further problems?
Luke 11:20-26
20 But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. 22 But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. 23 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
An Unclean Spirit Returns
24 “When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ 25 And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. 26 Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”
So if the house has been been cleaned but is empty then the house to me is void of the Holy Spirit
The exorcised person becomes like a clean house, although empty if God is not present, and still exposed to spiritual danger.
So if these people cast out demons and do not reveal that God has delivered them in the name of Jesus then to me they do not know Jesus.
A bit like this guy
Acts 8:9-11
The Sorcerer’s Profession of Faith
9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” 11 And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.
And this is my point.
They were not Christians.
But God can use such to purpose his kingdom.
Well this seems to deflect a little from our original conversation. I would only say that, as you stated, they didn't help anyone. Which means they "thought" they were casting out demons, but they were not. They "thought", they were convinced they were "Christians" but they were not.
Much in the same way the Mainstream Preachers of Christ's time called themselves "Children of Abraham" when the truth was they were children of the devil. A tough pill to swallow for religious men who had been following the same religion for hundreds of years, completely convinced they were God's Children.
Did they know they were? Well God showed them through His Word, they just didn't "believe" Him. They were deceived. This is why the Christ spent to much time warning about being deceived.
So how would I know if someone was truly sent by God to teach His Word, or if they sent themselves to teach man's religion? It's simple. I would just trust in the Word of God which became Flesh.
Is. 8:
20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word,
it is because there is no light in them.
1 John 2:
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word,
in him verily is the love of God perfected:
hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk,
even as he walked.
2 Tim. 2:
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And,
Let every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity. (Lawlessness)
So what if I look in the mirror in honesty and see that I am lawless in some things. How would I know? Because as it is written, God has shown both you and I what His Law is therefore there is no excuse.
Rom. 1:
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them;
for God hath shewed it unto them.
Neither of us can deny this truth. So what does that make us? Sinners, Yes? And what did the Word of God which became Flesh create for sinners?
1 Tim. 1:
8 But we know that the law
is good,
if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this,
that the law is not made for a righteous man,
but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons,
and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
But what if I don't steal from people but I fool around on my wife? I don't "NEED" the Commandment which says "Thou shall not steal", I need the commandment that says "don't commit adultery". And why do I need it?
James 1:
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,
deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his
natural face in a glass (Mirror)
24 For he beholdeth himself, (Sees and Admits his sin)
and goeth his way, and straightway
forgetteth what manner of man he was. (And continues in, or "practices" the lawlessness.)
These in Matt. 7 were also shown their lawlessness, God said so. But they were not "Doers of His Word" as the man that built his house on the Rock, they deceived themselves.
I really wish you would answer the question I asked about the Broad Path.
And another question here. What if all the religions of the land we were born into "practice Lawlessness" like in Abraham's time. Should be follow the "broad Path" that "many" walk in His Name? Or should we stick to the Word of God which became Flesh, deny our self, take up our life's experiences and follow Him?
