Are You Being Spiritually Attacked? Signs of Demonic Possession & Oppression
Now, more than ever before, God’s people are under attack. Why?
The devil is on a mission to steal, to kill, and to destroy us (John 10:10), and he uses his dirty agents, demons (the fallen angels), to deliver his nasty blows.
As we see in this portion of Scripture, “When evening came, they brought to Him many who were under the power of demons.” Demons are comfortable with darkness; they are afraid of the light. They want to remain hidden and not be exposed. But I have every intention to expose them. For too long they have wreaked havoc on unsuspecting people, and it is time for God’s people to shed the light on all this darkness so the people can be free.
According to Scriptures, these people were under the power of demons. In other words, they were either possessed or oppressed; and from my own personal experience of ministering to groups of people, I would say they were both, and some worse off than others. But regardless of the severity of demon hostility in their lives, these demons were no match for Jesus. They came possessed and oppressed by the devil, but then we have Jesus, the Creative Word made visible. And that devil and his demons do not stand a chance with Him.
What is Demon Possession?
Demon possession is a serious offense against God’s greatest creation, people. When demons have possession of an individual, it means that a demon (or demons) has taken ownership of this person. Somewhere, somehow a spiritual entrance has been opened for the demonic spirit to enter in and take partial or total control of a human being.
When someone is demon possessed, they lose control of their mind and emotions, and their actions too. I have witnessed many bizarre behaviors from demon-possessed individuals, such as animal-like behaviors including growling, howling, walking on all fours, eating and using the bathroom like an animal would, grabbing frozen meat out of a freezer and eating it frozen and raw. I have witnessed the typical behaviors of foaming at the mouth, rolling, thrashing, and slithering around on the ground. I have seen the unusual and humanly impossible such as ears literally flapping.
I have walked into homes of Christians where someone in that home is totally possessed and have physically felt the unseen touching me and licking my ears. I have heard the voices of these tormenting demons, seen photographs of their family members change back and forth before my eyes from the tormented to what I believe to be their tormentors. I have witnessed spirits of death in the form of skeleton masks appear on the faces of the demon possessed.
But what stands out to me more than anything about these possessed individuals is the sheer terror in their voices, and the utter loneliness in their cries. And with the discernment of Holy Spirit, I readily see the look of demons in their eyes. And I kid you not, so many people, particularly within the United States right now, have demons who need to be delivered and set free. And we lovers and followers of Jesus possess the power and the authority to set them free in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
What is Demon Oppression?
With demon oppression, the demon does not have actual possession or ownership, but a stronghold, an evil influence to lead him or her into sinful behavior. Oppression in this sense of the word is an overwhelming pressing force working against you to submit to do wrong.
So when it comes to demon oppression, does the devil force you to do something? No, but with tremendous pressure he does tempt you. The Bible makes it clear in James 1:14 (AMPC), “But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).” This action word tempted in the Greek language is peirazō (Strong’s G3985), and it means to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself. The phrase drawn away is exelkō in the Greek language, and it means to entice (Strong’s G1828). And it’s perfectly clear here that we are enticed and baited by our own evil desire. This little word, own, in Greek is idios, and it forces us to take responsibility of our own shortcomings. It plainly states that own means belonging to one’s self. So, yes, we are responsible for our own sin issues. And no, the devil as evil as he is, cannot force you to do anything you do not want to do. So use caution!
Our flesh, when under the control of selfishness, has great power to do evil. This is why we need the Savior. Jesus purchased our freedom from the oppression of the devil with the redemptive power of His blood. And His precious blood holds the power to save, to heal, and to give us forgiveness for sins and eternal life if we will believe in its redemptive power. As Christians, we have been gifted with other spiritual weapons to overcome every attack of the enemy.
The following are four more spiritual weapons:
We have been given the privilege to call upon the name that is above every other name, Jesus (Romans 10:13).
All lovers and followers of Jesus have been given the opportunity to be endued with power by the baptism of Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49).
We have been given a spiritual map, the Holy Bible that guides us through this life (Psalm 119:105).
We have been given a direct line of communication with our Lord through the power of prayer (Psalm 4:3).
Freedom Found Only in Jesus
Whether someone is possessed or oppressed by demons, both need deliverance. And freedom from both, possession or oppression, is found only in Jesus. Acts 4:12 (AMPC) reads like this, “And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.”
Proper Intercession Covering
One of my students asked while discussing exercising authority over demons, “I have been told that it is dangerous to approach anyone without proper inter-cession covering. Do you agree?”
Yes, I do agree with this advice, but not if it is being used as an excuse not to reach out and offer true help to people who need deliverance. And here is why I believe this. Jesus empowers us to set the captives free in numerous ways. In Luke 10:19, He gives to us His authority over satan and over all his wicked works. And He does not expect us to do this in our own strength but by the power of His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).
We are advised to always be ready in season and out of season (2 Timothy 4:2), to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), to edify ourselves (1 Corinthians 14:4), to be about our heavenly Father’s business (Luke 2:49), and we are commissioned to go into all the world (Mark 16:15-18), and one specific assignment in the Great Commission is to drive out demons in His name, (Mark 16:17).
Cleansing Prayer
After ministering over these hurting people, it is very important to pray a prayer of spiritual cleansing over yourself. Pray like this:
In the name of Jesus, I declare the power of the blood of Christ over me, and no evil will befall me, and any curse or assignment formed against me will not prosper. No transferring of evil spirits will enter or follow me. I am protected in Jesus’ name, amen.
Is It Okay to Watch a Good Horror Movie?
One of my students asked, “I know horror movies can be dangerous. But I still love to watch a good horror movie. However, if I get scared or it feels odd, I immediately turn it off. I’m very careful. If I feel or have any hesitation and/or it feels like more than entertainment I don’t watch. Is that okay? If not why, Since I am vigilant about not watching if gets too scary.”
No, it’s not okay to date the devil, or for God’s people to flirt with a spirit of fear. First Peter 5:8 gives us this warning concerning the devil: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Let’s take this verse apart to see the seriousness of God’s warning.
Be sober: nēphō, discreet, be sober, and watch Strong’s G3525
Be vigilant: grēgoreō, give strict attention to, be cautious, we are to be awake and watchful Strong’s G1127
Our adversary: antidikos, our enemy Strong’s G476
The devil: diabolos, is a false accuser, a slanderer Strong’s G1228 He walks about: peripateō, makes due use of opportunities Strong’s G4043
As (KJV), Like (NKJV): hōs, as, like, even as, etc. Strong’s G5613
Roaring: ōryomai, to roar, to howl (of a lion, wolf, dog, and other beasts) Strong’s G5612
Lion: a brave and mighty hero Strong’s G3023
He seeks: zēteō, he plots against us Strong’s G2212
To devour: katapinō, to swallow up, and destroy us Strong’s G2666
We are to be sober and vigilant, awake and watchful. Because our enemy, the devil, is the accuser and the slanderer, and makes use of every opportunity to do us harm. With a roar, he pretends to be like Jesus, strong, courageous, and a brave and mighty hero, but it’s all a lie. Really, he plots against us, to devour, swallow up and destroy us.
