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All (66) Mike Winger (66)
Mike Winger idea 2018-02-14

Methodology: neither defending nor attacking Bethel — the goal is clarity by taking them at their word

Mike distinguishes his approach from two common failure modes in critiquing Bethel

Bethel Church discernment methodology hermeneutics
Mike Winger idea 2018-02-14

Three sources of prophecy in Scripture: from God, from Satan (false prophets), and from the prophet's own heart — the third type is what characterizes most Bethel prophecy

Mike introduces a biblical taxonomy of prophetic sources from Jeremiah and Ezekiel

Jeremiah 23:16 Ezekiel 13:2 prophecy false prophecy Jeremiah 23:16
Mike Winger idea 2018-02-07

Q&A: Video games where the player's character summons demons are probably something a reasonable Christian would feel convicted about — Romans 14 principle: whatever is not of faith is sin.

Viewer question from DecideScroll about demonic video game content.

Romans 14:23 Christian liberty Romans 14:23 video games
Mike Winger idea 2018-02-07

Q&A: Could demons be behind Todd White's healings? Mike thinks the visible examples are explainable by natural means; for unexplained cases the options are God acting despite doctrinal error, or demonic — but Christians should not default to 'demonic' for things that are merely unusual.

Viewer question from Jas Stewart about demonic involvement in Todd White's ministry.

discernment Todd White speaking in tongues
Mike Winger idea 2018-01-24

Christian cults always remove salvation by grace — Mike attributes this pattern to demonic influence, citing the book of Galatians.

Viewer question from 'Douglas Dobbins': 'Have you ever noticed that Christian cults always throw out salvation by grace?'

sola gratia works-based salvation cults and false gospels
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-14

James 2:19 — 'Even demons believe and shudder' — intellectual assent alone is not saving faith

Verse-by-verse analysis of James 2:19

James 2:19 dead faith saving faith James 2:19
Mike Winger idea 2018-03-14

Contrast between demons (believe and tremble) and the easy-believer (believes and boasts) — the worse of the two

Pastoral application — comparing dead faith to demonic belief

James 2:19 dead faith easy believism James 2:19
Mike Winger idea 2018-10-17

The unforgivable sin (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit) — Mike is not fully settled on the interpretation but identifies the key exegetical questions: is it calling the work of the Holy Spirit the work of Satan, a continuous act of resistance, or any negative speech about the Spirit?

Q&A section: a viewer asks about the unforgivable sin.

Matthew 12 hermeneutics Q&A unforgivable sin
Mike Winger idea 2018-10-24

Side 4 & 5: Gore culture and violent/horror costumes are morally problematic regardless of satanic connection

Mike's fourth and fifth points address costumes and gore

Halloween costumes Gore culture Conscience
Mike Winger idea 2019-01-16

Q&A: Can Satan, as a non-omnipotent being, put thoughts into people's minds?

Viewer question from Joy Chintons.

John 13:2 omnipotence Satan spiritual warfare
Mike Winger idea 2019-02-13

Authority over evil spirits and sickness comes from Christ's authority, not the believer's own

Viewer asking about Christians' authority over evil spirits and sickness

healing spiritual warfare authority of Christ
Mike Winger idea 2019-03-13

Witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28): the appearance of Samuel was an exception, possibly demonic; the medium herself was shocked it worked.

Continuing the ghosts discussion with a biblical example.

1 Samuel 28 Samuel Demons / evil spirits 1 Samuel 28
Mike Winger idea 2019-05-30

Q&A: The witch of Endor and Samuel's appearance to Saul (1 Samuel 28) — God sovereignly brought Samuel to rebuke Saul, not to help him

Viewer Q&A: explaining the difficult passage of the medium at Endor and Samuel's appearance.

1 Samuel 28 Samuel Saul 1 Samuel 28
Mike Winger idea 2019-09-04

Q&A: Can a Christian be demon-possessed? Winger argues no, based on Jesus's parable of the unoccupied house

A viewer asks whether Christians can have an unclean spirit/demon, and whether Winger's view implies deliverance ministry is only for unbelievers.

Matthew 12:43-45 Todd White exorcism Holy Spirit indwelling
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-18

Apparitions of Mary at Fatima — three interpretive options; not sufficient to validate Catholic Marian dogmas

Question from Cody Skinner about Catholic apparitions at Fatima and messages to the shepherd children.

2 Thessalonians 2:9 apologetics miracles Catholicism
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-25

Exodus 7: Pharaoh's magicians reproduced some of Moses's signs — two possible explanations: sleight of hand or demonic power

Q&A from Garrett De Jong about how the magicians duplicated the signs

Exodus 7 Satan Exodus 7 Pharaoh's magicians
Mike Winger idea 2020-09-25

Pharaoh's magicians' inferior reproductions reveal lesser power than Moses — turning fresh water to blood instead of reversing the Nile

Evidence that the magicians operated with limited power

Exodus 7 Exodus 7 Pharaoh's magicians demonic power
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-02

"Slain in the Spirit" is not taught in the Bible and is inconsistent with the Spirit's fruit of self-control

Question from Steph T about whether being slain in the Spirit is biblical and how to distinguish it from demonic possession

Galatians 5:23 John 18:6 Anaheim Vineyard self-control charismatic gifts
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-17

Demon possession: less visible in Western cultures due to secular/medical framing

Q&A question from "Only in Antarctica" about why demon possession seems less prevalent today given population growth.

Satan Paganism Demon Possession
Mike Winger idea 2018-09-26

Can a Christian be demonized or possessed? — No, the Spirit-indwelt believer cannot be internally possessed

A viewer asks if a Christian can be demonized and if Mike has ever cast out a demon.

Matthew 4 1 Peter 5:8 Ephesians 6:12 spiritual warfare Holy Spirit indwelling exorcism
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

UFO sightings: the Christian worldview has a third explanatory option beyond aliens or government - angelic/demonic activity.

UFO sightings and Christian worldview

Ezekiel Ezekiel demonology apologetics
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

Hugh Ross on the difficulties of space travel make alien visits to earth implausible; demonic activity is a more probable explanation for credible UFO sightings.

Physical plausibility of alien visits vs. demonic activity

demonology UFOs Hugh Ross
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-11

Some people abandon faith over UFO sightings because they do not consider alternative explanations like demonic activity; alien existence is not a defeater for Christianity.

Spiritual danger of UFO-driven deconversion

spiritual warfare apologetics UFOs
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-15

There is no biblical confirmation that Satan can read human thoughts, but he can place thoughts in the heart

Question from Juliet Isil about whether there is biblical basis for Satan not hearing silent prayers.

John 13:2 Ephesians 6:16 John 13:2 Prayer Satan / demonic activity
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Q5: How to view false Trump prophecies — identified as wrong, traced to pride, competitive prophetic culture, and spiritual dysfunction

Viewer Crystal Peck asks about Christians who falsely prophesied Trump's 2020 electoral victory.

testing prophecy charismatic movement false prophecy
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Question: Why is demonic activity so prevalent in the NT vs. OT?

Viewer Tinkerbell Bear asks why the New Testament has so many examples of demons being cast out while the Old Testament rarely mentions demonic possession.

New Testament Old Testament exorcism
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

1 Samuel 16 — King Saul tormented by a harmful spirit

Best OT example of possible demonic activity/possession: the harmful spirit that tormented Saul after the Spirit of the Lord departed.

1 Samuel 16 1 Samuel 16 demonic activity King Saul
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Translation debate: harmful vs. evil vs. distressing spirit in 1 Samuel 16

Different English translations render the Hebrew term differently, reflecting genuine exegetical ambiguity.

1 Samuel 16 ESV NASB NKJV
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Deuteronomy 32:16-17 — OT sacrifices to idols are sacrifices to demons

OT theological foundation for demonic reality: those who sacrifice to idols actually sacrifice to demons.

Deuteronomy 32:16-17 idolatry Deuteronomy 32:16-17 demons behind idols
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Why far more demonic activity in the NT than OT — quantity and intentionality

Even granting OT demonic activity, the sheer volume of exorcisms in the Gospels and Acts is historically anomalous and must be explained theologically.

Gospels demonic activity first-century context
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Demonic activity in first century as messianic confirmation and spiritual battleground

Jesus's authority over demons served as a sign to the Jews confirming his messianic identity; the concentration of demonic opposition is explained by Satan's forces mobilizing against the Son of God.

Gerasene demoniac Satan spiritual warfare
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

First century as the ultimate spiritual battleground for all creation

Summary conclusion on demonic activity question: the first century was uniquely intense because it was the decisive battleground of salvation history.

Gerasene demoniac spiritual warfare salvation history
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Question: A website claims ADHD and all mental illness are caused by sin or the devil

Viewer Dora has ADHD and found a website attributing all mental illness to sin or demonic influence, claiming ADHD is a parental discipline failure.

mental illness ADHD sin and biology
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Generational curses: pastoral concern and theological rejection

Studio asked whether believers can be cursed by ancestral actions or ethnic heritage (specifically Native American bloodline).

Luke 11:24-26 atonement false teaching spiritual warfare
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young: channeled content, demonic origin, pastoral danger

Rachel joined a church prayer group using the devotional Jesus Calling and found concerning content.

discernment false teaching church discipline
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-22

Ghosts, the witch of Endor, and demonic impersonation of the dead

Lindsay Kelso asked whether the Bible supports ghosts, and whether those who claim to see them are actually encountering demons.

1 Samuel 28 Leviticus 19:31 Deuteronomy 18:11 Samuel Catholicism afterlife
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-26

Getting close to God and overcoming demonic oppression — prerequisites and warnings

Professor of Everything asks for advice on getting close to God and overcoming demons and oppression.

repentance pride spiritual warfare
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-05

Satan is not omniscient; he did not know God's plan of salvation and that is why he crucified Christ

Responding to whether the hidden mystery of salvation implies Satan's omniscience since Jesus had to rebuke Peter

1 Corinthians 2:8 Mark 1:24 Matthew 16:23 omniscience Satan crucifixion
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

Intrusive/unwanted thoughts: possible demonic origin and the Philippians 4:8 remedy

Question from Turka Orenzova about horrifying thoughts that pop into her head unbidden.

Philippians 4:8 John 13:2 Ephesians 6 Peter Philippians 4:8 Satan
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

Get Behind Me Satan (Mark 8:33): was Satan working through Peter, or is Jesus using "satan" metaphorically?

Question from Elijah Roman about Mark 8:33 vs. Satan entering Judas — was Satan divided against himself?

Mark 8:33 Peter Satan Judas Iscariot
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Are the gods of other religions real? Three views: false polytheism, Heiserian divine council, and Pauline demonic identification

Q6 from Loretta Taylor: Numbers 33:3-4 says Yahweh executed judgments on Egypt's gods — does this mean gods like Allah and Zeus are real?

1 Corinthians 10:19-20 Numbers 33:3-4 Exodus plagues Michael Heiser elohim 1 Corinthians 10:19-20
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Praying against "spirits of laziness, offense, depression" — most are human failures not demonic spirits; Jezebel spirit is not a biblical category

Q10 from Arfish: Is it biblical to pray against spirits of offense, laziness, depression, confusion? What is the Jezebel spirit and is it real?

James 4 Revelation 2:20 personal responsibility Jezebel James 4
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

Mark 5 demoniac: Jesus was not tricked by the demons; the swine destruction may have been demonic sabotage that God repurposed for good.

Question 16 from Galushkin about whether Jesus or the demons were tricked in the Gerasene demoniac account.

Mark 5:1-20 Gerasene demoniac Gentile mission demon possession
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: What powers do demons have? From Scripture: possession (even multiple demons), controlling actions, causing insanity (Mark 5), influencing thoughts (Satan put it in Judas's heart to betray Jesus — before possession), inspiring false doctrines ("doctrines of demons"), receiving worship through false religions and idol worship.

Q&A — demonic powers and abilities

1 Timothy 4:1 demon possession 1 Timothy 4:1 demonic powers
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-16

Q: Is COVID God's judgment? Maybe, but claiming to know is pastoral arrogance. Jesus addressed this with the Tower of Siloam (Luke 13:4-5): those who died weren't worse sinners — but if you don't repent, you'll perish too. Judgment stands over all humanity; any time God doesn't judge is grace. The right response to any disaster: get your life right with God.

Q&A — is COVID God's judgment? (Tower of Siloam)

Luke 13:4-5 Tower of Siloam Luke 13:4-5 pastoral arrogance
Mike Winger idea 2020-06-03

Can a Christian be demon-possessed? Mike distinguishes possession from influence/oppression. Christians have the Holy Spirit indwelling them — demon possession (ownership/control) seems incompatible with the Spirit's presence. But Christians can be oppressed, influenced, and harassed by demons. The demoniac in Mark 5 was fully controlled; Christians may experience lesser forms of spiritual attack but not total possession.

Demon possession vs oppression in Christians

1 Corinthians 6:19 James 4:7 spiritual warfare spiritual warfare 1 Corinthians 6:19
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-11

Is “Deliverance” for Today?: Is deliverance for today? Should we be praying for each other to be set free from demonic bondage in our lives, along with seeking medical assistance and counseling where needed?

Q&A question: Is “Deliverance” for Today?

demons
Mike Winger idea 2021-12-03

Is Hypnosis OK for Christians?: What does the Bible say about hypnosis as a form of medical treatment? I struggle with food addiction and have heard that it can help by reaching the subconscious. However, I want to be super careful not to dip into the supernatural demonic realm that can sometimes happen during yoga sessions when "channeling your inner-self" and "connecting with the universe."

Q&A question: Is Hypnosis OK for Christians?

demons
Mike Winger idea 2022-01-21

Can Mental Issues Sometimes be Demonic?: Could my Generalized Anxiety Disorder and OCD be a demonic issue rather than a mental health issue? I'm a believer, but I suffer from both of these issues and I feel trapped.

Q&A question: Can Mental Issues Sometimes be Demonic?

demons
Mike Winger idea 2022-09-02

About “Holy Water” or “Blessed” Objects: A local street preacher uses holy water on the ground, which he says keeps demonic activity from disrupting his preaching. I haven't seen Scripture support this. Is it biblical?

Q&A question: About “Holy Water” or “Blessed” Objects

demons
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