WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT DEMON POSSESSION

WHATYOUSHOULDKNOWABOUTDEMONPOSSESSIONWithrampantgrowthoftheoccultandSatanisminoursocieties,andwiththeexplodingpopularityofNewAgespiritualism,thespiritworldisreceivingmoreattentionthaneverbefore.Butisthereaspiritworld?Areevilspiritsreal?Ifso,whatarethey?Wheredidtheycomefrom?Andwhataboutdemonpossession?Doesthisphenomenonreallyexistinourworldtoday?

“NowtheSpiritspeaketh,thatinthelattertimessomeshalldepartfromthefaith,givingheedtoseducingspirits,anddoctrinesofdevils[demons];speakingliesinhypocrisy;havingtheirconsciencesearedwithahotiron…”(1Timothy4:1-3).SowarnsyourBible!

Butwhatare“seducingspirits”and“doctrinesofdemons”?Mostpsychologistsandmanytheologiansbelievedemonstobemerefigmentsoftheimagination,andregard“demonpossession”asnothingmorethananunscientificwayofexplainingmentalillness.ButdoestheBiblesupportsuchviews?

Proponentsofthe“NewAge,”ontheotherhand,believeverymuchintheexistenceofaspiritworld.NewAgersclaimtohaveachieved“enlightenment”

andinnerpeacethroughcontactwith“spiritguides”whomtheybelievetobethe“spiritsofthedead.”Arethese“spiritguides”reallythedisembodiedspiritsofhumanbeings?Oraretheyfigmentsoftheimagination?Or,aretheysomethingelse?

Whataboutthisso-called“NewAge”—isitreallynew?Andwhatofthewidespreadpracticeofwitchcraft,Satanism,necromancy,transcendentalmeditation,divination,andotherformsoftheoccult?Arethesemere“passingfancies”—fadsthatarenottobetakenseriously?

Let’snowturntotheBible,andseewhatGodhastosayaboutthesepractices.

PaganAbominations

Intheancientworld,theuseof“curiousarts”wascommon.TheEgyptianPharaohshadtheirsorcerersandmagicians(Genesis41:8,24;Exodus7:11),asdidNebuchadnezzar,theBabylonianking(Daniel1:20;2:2-13;4:7).TheBiblespeaksofdiviners(Deuteronomy18:4;1Samuel6:2);ofsoothsayers(Isaiah2:6;Daniel2:27);ofthose(mediums)with“familiarspirits”(Leviticus19:31;1Samuel28:7);ofwizards(Leviticus19:31;1Samuel28:3);ofenchantersandwitches(Exodus22:18;2Chronicles33:6);ofnecromancers(Deuteronomy18:11);ofastrologers(Isaiah47:13;Daniel1:20).BoththeBibleandarchaeologyconfirmthatthesepracticeswereuniversalintheancientworld.

WhenGodbroughtthepeopleofIsraeloutofEgypt,Heutterlycondemnedtheuseofsuchpractices,Thisisclearlyprovedbythefollowingscriptures:

Exodus22:18:“Thoushaltnotsufferawitchtolive.”

Leviticus19:26,31:“…neithershallyeuseenchantments,norobservetimes….Regardnotthemthathavefamiliarspirits,neitherseekafterwizards,tobedefiledbythem:IamtheLordyourGod.”

Leviticus20:6,27:“Andthesoulthatturnethaftersuchashavefamiliarspirits,andafterwizards,togoawhoringafterthem,Iwillevensetmyfaceagainstthatsoul,andwillcuthimofffromamonghispeople….Amanalsoorwomanthathathafamiliarspirit,orthatisawizard,shallsurelybeputtodeath:theyshallstone

themwithstones:theirbloodshallbeuponthem.”

Deuteronomy18:9-11:“WhenthouartcomeintothelandwhichtheLordthyGodgiveththee,thoushaltnotlearntodoaftertheabominationsofthosenations.Thereshallnotbefoundamongyouanyonethatmakethhissonorhisdaughtertopassthroughthefire[humansacrifice],orthatusethdivination,oranobserveroftimes,oranenchanter,orawitch.Oracharmer,oraconsulterwithfamiliarspirits,orawizard,oranecromancer.”

InspiteofGod’sclearandrepeatedwarnings,thepeopleofIsrael,timeaftertime,“wentawhoring”afterthecustomsandpracticesoftheheathen.Theysoughtoutthesoothsayers,theenchanters,thecharmers,andtheconsultersoffamiliarspirits.Theysacrificedtothe“gods”ofthe

heathen;tookuptheirabominablecustoms.Theyevenburnedtheirchildrenashumansacrificialofferingstopagandeities(Jeremiah19:5;32:35).

ManyofthesamepaganpracticeswerestilloccurringinNewTestamenttimes.AmannamedSimon“usedsorcery,andbewitchedthepeopleofSamaria,givingoutthathimselfwassomegreatone”(Acts8:9).InCyprus,theapostlePaulconfrontedasorcerernamedElymas,callinghima“childofthedevil”and

“enemyofallrighteousness”(Acts13:8-11).InPhilippi,Paulcastademonoutofawoman“whichbroughthermastersmuchgainbysoothsaying”(Acts16:16-18).AndinthebookofGalatians,witchcraftisincludedamongthe“worksoftheflesh”(5:19-21),showingthatthe“craft”waspracticedatthattime.

Clearly,thesameoldpaganabominationsthatbroughtgreatcursesuponancientIsraelwerestillaliveinthetimeofChristandtheapostles,Andtheyarealivetoday!

Actually,allthespiritualistic“arts”and“crafts”wehearsomuchabouttodayarenothingmorethanmodernmanifestationsofveryancientpractices—practicesabsolutelycondemnedinGod’sWord!Godcallsthesethingsabominations,andpronouncesthedeathsentenceuponthosewhopracticethem.

ThosewhopracticethesethingstodayareasguiltyofsinningagainstGodasthosewhopracticedtheminancienttimes.Moreover,theyaretamperingwithspiritualpowersthatcouldliterallywrecktheirlives!

SpiritsoftheNewAge

Inourtime,theabominationscommittedbyancientIsraelhaveemergedinwhatiscalledthe“NewAgemovement.”ProponentsofNewAgepracticesclaimtohaveachieved“enlightenment”andpersonalfulfillmentthrough“channeling”—contactandcommunicationwiththe“spiritsofthedead.”

ManybookstoresnowcarryhundredsofbooksontheNewAge,including“howto”

guidesonchannelingwithso-called“spiritguides,”astralprojection(“out-of-body”experiences),clairvoyance,transcendentalmeditation,astrology,useofpyramids,readingTarotcards,dreaminterpretation,discovering“pastlives,”andachievingalteredstatesofconsciousness.

Thousandshavereadofthemuch-publicized“spiritual”experiencesofactressShirleyMacLain—whodescribesherspiritualisticjourneysinherbooks,OutonaLimbandDancingintheLight—andhaveattendedherseminarsonachievingenlightenmentthroughNewAgetechniques.Doubtless,Ms.MacLain’s“enlightening”experienceshave“inspired”manytosetoutontheirownNewAgeadventures.

Whohasn’theardofthewell-knownpsychicJeaneDixon,thecrystalballgazerwhoclaimsGodasthesourceofher“giftofprophecy,”orthelateEdgarCayce,theso-called“sleepingprophet”?TheseandmanyothershavehelpedpavethewaytoNewAge“enlightenment”forthousands. EvenprofessingChristianministershavegotteninontheact,andhaveactuallyadvocatedspiritualistictechniques.BishopJamesPike,forinstance,wroteofhisexperienceswiththespiritworldinhisbook,TheOtherSide.BishopPikeandmediumArthurFordcontributedtothepopularityofspiritualismbygoingintoatranceina1967televisedevent.

Pike’sclaimofhavingmadecontactwithhisdeadson,Jim,isbutoneofmanysuch

claims.Undoubtedly,reportsofsuchexperienceshavemotivatedmanytoattemptcommunicationwiththeirowndeceasedlovedones.

ManyNewAgershavemadecontactwiththespiritworld—andhavepaiddearly!Totheirdismay,the“spiritguides”theyencounteredwerenotthefriendly“angelsoflight”theyexpected,butwereevilspirits—the“rulersofthedarknessofthisworld”(Ephesians6:12).SomeNewAgershaverenouncedtheirpractice,andnowspeakoutagainstNewAgespiritualism,warningofitsdanger.Nevertheless,interestinthe“spiritworld”iswidespread—andgrowing!

ButNewAgemysticismisnottheonlymodernmanifestationofancientpaganpractice.ThegrislysacrificialkillingscommittedinMatamoros,Mexico,in

1989,alongwithhundredsofreportsofritualisticanimalsacrifices,helpedtoheightenthepublic’sawarenessofthepracticeofSatanismintheUnitedStatesandotherpartsoftheworld.

TheDevil’sAdvocates

TensofthousandsofAmericansandEuropeansareinvolvedinwitchcraftandsorcery,andotherformsoftheoccult.Scoresof“practicalguides”onthese“crafts”havebeenpublishedandsold,andarereadilyavailabletoalmostanyone;witches’andsorcerers’conventionsareheldinopen,publicfacilities;witchcovensandoccultshopsinAmericaandEuropenumberinthethousands.

Witchesandwarlocks,withtheirpotions,spells,andrituals,havebeenwithusforyears,andhavegenerallybeenregardedasharmless,thoughpeculiar,But,evidenceofwidespreadSatanicactivity—occultisminitsmostbizarreform—hassurfacedinmanyareasoftheUnitedStates.

“SATANLIVESNOW”—amessagepaintedonablackboardinanabandonedschoolinNewGalilee,Pennsylvania—wasoneofseveralsignsofthepracticeofSatanismintheBeaverCountyarea.AccordingtoanarticleappearingonthefrontpageoftheBeaverCountyTimes(August6,1989),“SatanicactivityhasmovedacrossBeaverCountylikeashadowonthelandscape.”

ThearticlereportsthatSatanicgraffitihadbeenpaintedinthehallways,classrooms,andcafeteriaofaformerNew

Galileeschool,andthat“blackmass”celebrationshadbeentakingplaceforyearsintheNewBrightonarea.Inaddition,thebodiesofsmallanimalsfoundinAlleghenyCountyandcasesofanimalmutilationreportedbytheHumaneSocietyofWesternPennsylvaniahaveledsomeresidentstowonderiftheanimalshadbeenritualisticallykilled.

ThiswasonlyoneofaflurryofnewspaperarticlesonSatanicactivitythatappearedacrossthecountryin1989.DozensofreportsontheoccurrenceofSatanicrituals,animalsacrifices,andSatanicgraffitifoundonwalls,buildings,andoverpassesthroughouttheUnitedStateshaveconfirmedtheexistenceofSatanicactivity.ButmostchillingofallarethereportsofSatanic-relatedcasesof

childsexualabuse,cannibalism,andritualistichumansacrifice.

TheMay17,1989editionofTheRegister-Guard(Eugene,Oregon),forinstance,reportedonthesentencingtodeathofJasonWayneRose,21,fortheMay1987killingofnineteen-year-oldMelissaAnnMeyerinaritualistichumansacrifice.Accordingtothereport,Roseandaseventeen-year-oldcompanion,JohnRayJones,“declaredthekillingasacrificetoArioch,anoccultgodofchaosandevil.”

DozensofreportsontheoccurrenceofSatanicrituals,animalsacrifices,andSatanicgraffitifoundonwalls,buildings,andoverpassesthroughouttheUnitedStateshaveconfirmedtheexistenceofSatanicactivity.ButmostchillingofallarethereportsofSatanic-relatedcasesofchildsexualabuse,cannibalism,andritualistichumansacrifice.

Thentherearethetwomillionreportsofmissingchildrenandthediscoveryofthousandsofunidentifiedbodiesofchildreneveryyear,alongwiththehorrifyingspecterofkidnapingandstoriesfrompreschoolchildrenofritualisticsexualabusebybothmaleandfemaleadults.HowmanymissingchildrenhavebecomethevictimsofSataniccults?Howmanyhavebeenmurderedinritualistichumansacrificestothedevil?

Mostpractitionersoftheoccultdonotparticipateinsuchheinouscrimes.Nevertheless,manyoccultistsareawarethattheyaredealingwithveryrealforcesandpowers,eveniftheydonotunderstandtheoriginandnatureofsuchforces.

SomeSatanistsbelieveinaliteral,personaldevil,andclaimtoworshiphimdirectly;whileothers—AntonLaVey’sChurchofSatan,forexample—believe“Satan”isametaphorfortheforcesofnature.Thelatter,likewitchesandsorcerers,generallyclaimtobe“natureworshipers”ratherthan“devilworshipers.”

Regardlesswhichcategorytheoccultistprefers,thefactremains:Dabblingintheoccultcananddoesresultindemonpossession!Somehavelearnedthehardway!

DevilMovies

Whilenotasdangerousastheoccult,“devilmovies”havecausedseriouspsychiatricproblemsforsomemovie-

goers.TheExorcist,a1973ElmbasedonWilliamPeterBlatty’sbest-sellingnovel,provedtooshockingforsomeofitsviewers.Sleeplessness,hallucinations,nightmares,andfearandsuspicionofdemonpossessionwereamongtheproblemssomeexperiencedafterviewingthefilm.Nevertheless,thefilmdidexceedinglywellattheboxoffice.

Blattyhimselfclaimstohavemadecontactwiththespiritofhisdeceasedfather,andwiththespiritofasixteen-year-oldCentralEuropeangirlnamedBats.Ithappenedduringatwenty-five-hourOuijaboardsession,whilehewastakingabreakfromwritingTheExorcist.

SincethescreeningofRosemary’sBabyin1968,followedbyTheExorcistin1973,awholespateofdevilmovieshavebeenreleased.Thesefilmspresentsomesmall

amountoftruthaboutdemonsanddemonpossession,butforthemostpartarepurelyfictional—theproductsofmen’simaginations.Forexample,demonsdosometimescausethepeopletheypossesstocurseprofusely,exhibitobscenebehavior,andspewoutvile,filthylanguage,asinTheExorcist.Butdemons(orthedevil)donotimpregnatewomenorfemalejackals,asinRosemary’sBabyandTheOmen.

Besidestheharmfuleffects(forsomepeople)ofviewingsuchfilms,perhapsthegreatestdangeristhepreoccupationwiththespiritworldsomepeopledevelopafterviewing.Anunhealthycuriosityaboutthespiritworldcouldleadtodabblingwithspiritualism,whetheroccultismortheNewAgevariety.Thiscouldleadtoencounterswithevilspirits.

Butsomeclaimthat“evilspirits”arenotliteralbeings,butare“personified”psychiatricproblems.Whataboutit?AreSatanandhisdemoniccohortsrealspiritualentities?Oraretheymythicalcreaturesfashionedintheimaginativemindsofsuperstitiousmen?

DemonsAreReal

Manypeople,includingtheologiansfromvariousdenominationalbackgrounds,believethatevilspiritsbelongtotheworldofsuperstitionandmyth.Satanisnothingmorethana“literarydevice,”apersonificationofevil;anddemonsarementalandemotionaldisorders,suchasschizophrenia,paranoia,andpsychoneurosis.

Themanyscripturesattestingtotheexistenceofsupernaturalevilareeitherrejectedasmythorviewedasallegory.The“devil”ofChrist’stemptation(Matthew4),forexample,isnothingmorethanthehumansideofChrist’snature;or,accordingtooneinterpretation,isanunnamedhuman“devil,”arepresentativeofHerod,whooffersprovincialauthoritytoJesusifHewillbutdohomagetotheRonlangovernor.

Accordingtothisthinking,demons,orevilspirits,wereconjuredbyprimitiveimagination;todayweunderstandthemasmentalandemotionaldisorders.Satanisseenasaparabolic—ratherthandiabolic—character;anemblemofevil;aliterarypersonification.AsWisdomispersonifiedinScripture(Proverbs8),soisEvil.As“gods”areconceivedin

ignoranceandsuperstition,soaredemons.

Suchreasoningmayappealtosome,butifwearehonestwiththeScriptures;ifweaccepttheBibleastheinspiredWordofGod,thenweshouldbewillingtolayasideourpersonalideas,andbelievewhattheBibleplainlyreveals.

Thetruthis,allattemptstoseedemonsandthedevilas“merementaldiseases”andthe“personificationofevil”arereallyattemptstorationalizesomethingthatseemsirrational.ButtheBibleisclear:Satanisaliteral,personalbeing;anddemonsarespiritualpersonalitiesthatthink,reason,speak,andexpressfear,andundercertainconditions,canenterintoandpossessthemindofahumanbeing!

WhenChristconfrontedamanpossessedbya“legion”ofdemons(Mark5),theevilspiritsexhibitedtheirabilitytothink,reason,andspeakbyimploringChristnottosendthemoutofthecountry,butintoanearbyherdofswine,instead.Jamessaysthatdemons“believe”inGod,“andtremble”(James2:19).

Jesus“castoutmanydevils[demons];andsuffered[allowed]notthedevilstospeak,becausetheyknewHim”(Mark1:34).Insomecases,thedemonscameout“cryingout,andsaying,ThouartChristtheSonofGod…”(Luke4:41)—showingthatdemonsareintelligentbeings,withcognitiveandcommunicativeabilities.

DemonintelligencewasagainexhibitedwhensevenJewishexorcistsattemptedtocastoutanevilspiritinthenameofJesus:“Andtheevilspiritansweredandsaid,

‘JesusIknow,andPaulIknow;butwhoareye?’Andthemaninwhomtheevilspiritwasleapedonthem,andovercamethem,andprevailedagainstthem,sothattheyfledoutofthathousenakedandwounded”(Acts19:13-16).Itwastheevilspiritthatspoke,notthe“maninwhomtheevilspiritwas”!

Evidently,thedifferencebetweenmentalillnessanddemonpossessionwasacknowledgedduringthefirstcentury,Matthewspeaksof“thosewhichwerepossessedwithdevils[demons],andthosewhichwerelunatick”(Matthew4:24),apparentlyrecognizingthatinsanityanddemonpossessionarenotnecessarilythesame.

Itisclear,then,thatdemonsareliteralbeings,not“mentaldisorders.”

WhatAreDemons?

Virtuallyeverycultureinthehistoryofmankindhasbelievedintheexistenceofspirits,bothgoodandevil.Suchspiritshavebeencalled“gods”;havebeenveneratedandfeared;havebeenregardedthespiritsofancestors,ofanimals,andofthewickeddead.

Throughouttheages,menhaveattemptedtoappeasethespirits;havesoughtguidance,protection,“goodluck,”andpersonalpowerfromthem;havecreatedritesandritualstowardoffevilspirits.

TheGreekworddaimon,fromwhichwederive“demon,”originally“hadagoodaswellasabadconnotation…Socrates,forexample,wasthoughttohaveadaimonorfamiliarspiritthatwarnedhimwhenhewasabouttomakeawrongdecision”(TheEncyclopediaBritannica)vol.7,1972edition;article:“DEMON”).

Manytribalculturesbelievethatevilspiritsarethehostilespiritsofdeceased

ancestors,Ancestralworshipandvariousritesofexorcismhaveemergedfromthisbelief.

AncientGreeksandRomansbelievedthatevilspiritswerethe“ghosts,”or“souls,”ofthewickeddead,andweretobefeared.SuchideasaboutevilspiritsspilledoverintoJudaism.Josephus,theJewishhistorianofthefirstcentury,apparentlybelievedthatdemons“arenootherthanthespiritsofthewicked,whichenterintomenthatarealive,andkillthem,unlesstheycanobtainsomehelpagainstthem”(WarsoftheJews,7:6:3).

Some,eventoday,believethatdemonsarethespiritsoftheoffspringofunionsbetweenangelsandantediluvianwomen.ThisbeliefisbasedonamisinterpretationofGenesis6,wherewereadofthe“sonsofGod”whomarriedthe“daughtersof

men.”Proponentsofthistheorysaythatthe“sonsofGod”wereangels,sinceangelsaresometimescalled“sonsofGod”(Job1:6;38:7),andthe“daughtersofmen”werehumanbeings.Howeverpopular,thisideaisdestroyedbyChrist’sassertionthatresurrectedsaintsare“equal[like,oras]theangels”inthatthey“neithermarry,noraregiveninmarriage:Neithercantheydieanymore”(Luke20:35,36).

Intoday’sworld,where“gods”and“spells”havebeenreplacedbyscienceandtechnology(exceptamongNewAgersandoccultists),demonsareoftenassociatedwithsuperstitionandmyth,andarebelievedtohavebeenconceivedintheimaginationsofmenwholackedscientificunderstanding.

Butthebeliefthatdemonsarenonpersonal“mentaldisorders”contradictsseveralscripturalpassages,aswehaveseen;andthebeliefthatdemonsarethe“departedsouls”ofthewickedisbasedonthefalsedoctrineofthe“immortalityofthesoul.”Therefore,neitherbeliefiscorrect;neitheradequatelyexplainstheexistenceofdemons.

TheBibleisthefoundationofknowledge.Itdoesnotcontainallknowledge,butprovidesuswiththefoundationalknowledgeonhowthisworldcametobe,whyGodcreatedman,andthedestinyofhumankind.Initspages,wefind“bitsandpieces”thathelpfillinthegapsinrecordedhistoryandscientificdiscovery.

TheBiblehaslittletosayontheoriginofdemons,butthelittleitdoessayprovides

uswithinformationsufficientforderivingreasonableconclusionsaboutwhatdemonsareandwhytheyexist.OnesuchbitofinformationisroundinPeter’ssecondepistle:“Godsparednottheangelsthatsinned,butcastthemdowntohell[tartarus:aplaceofconfinement],anddeliveredthemintochainsofdarkness,tobereserveduntojudgment;Andsparednottheoldworld[thepre-floodperiod],butsavedNoahtheeighth…apreacherofrighteousness,bringinginthefloodupontheworldoftheungodly…”(2Peter2:4,5).Judemakesasimilarstatement:“Andtheangelswhichkeptnottheirfirstestate[principality],butlefttheirhabitation,Hehathreservedineverlastingchainsunderdarknessuntothejudgmentofthegreatday”(verse6).

Becausethewordangels(Greek:angelos)issometimesusedofmen,andmaybedefinedas“messengers,”someclaimthatPeterandJudewerereferringtohumanmessengerswhohadcommittedsin.ButifPeterhadJudemeanttosaymen,whydidn’tthey?Inthevastmajorityofcases,“angels”referstospiritmessengers.Thisisprovedbyasimpleconcordantstudy.

ForeitherPeterorJudetohaveusedthewordangeloswhenthesubjectwas“men”ishardlybelievable.Forbothtohaveuseditiscompletelyoutofthequestion!

Thoughmenaresinners,inthiscaseitwasangelsthatsinnedandabandonedthepurposeforwhichtheyhadbeencreated.Andassinners,theymustbejudgedintheworldtocome.Thisiswhythe“legion”asked,“Artthou[Jesus]come

hithertotormentusbeforethetime?”(Matthew8:29).

TheapostlePaulwrites,“Knowyenotthatwe[thesaints]shalljudgeangels?”(1Corinthians6:3).Hadtherebeennosinningangels,therewouldbenoneedforajudgmentofangels.

TheBiblespeaksof“thedevilandhisangels”(Matthew25:41;Revelation12:9).Obviously,thedevil’s“angels”arethe“angelsthatsinned.”Theywerecreatedtobe“ministeringspirits”(Hebrews1:14),butbecameevilspirits—they“keptnottheirfirstestate,butlefttheirhabitation.”

InRevelation12,the“devilandhisangels”areengagedinsupernaturalwarfarewiththearchangelMichaelandhiscelestialarmies:“Andtherewaswar

inheaven:Michaelandhisangelsfoughtagainstthedragon[Satan];andthedragonfoughtandhisangels,Andprevailednot;neitherwastheirplacefoundanymoreinheaven.Andthegreatdragonwascastout,thatoldserpent,calledtheDevil,andSatan,whichdeceiveththewholeworld:hewascastoutintotheearth,andhisangelswerecastoutwithhim”(verses7-9).

Thisprophecyhasyettobefulfilled;but,scripturalevidenceindicatesthatthis,asmanyotherprophecies,hasdualmeaning,whereapastoccurrenceisusedtodescribeafutureevent.Thisimpliesthatthedevilandhisangelshavealreadybeencastoutofheaven—andfromallindications,ithappenedlongago,inthepre-Adamicworld.

The“angelsthatsinned,”then,aretheangelswhofollowedSataninhisrebellion;whoseexpulsionfromheavenisusedinRevelationasatype,arepresentation,ofafutureevent.

ThemainpointisthatSatanthedevilhasangels,andthedevil’sangelsaretheevilspiritstheBiblecalls“demons.”TheyaretheangelsthatfollowedSataninhisrebellion.NootherexplanationfortheexistenceofdemonsagreeswithGod’srevealedWord.

DemonActivity

Yes,demonsdoexist!Theyhavebeenactiveonthisearthformillennia,aswehaveseen.Butwhatkindsofproblemsdotheycause?Aretheredifferentkindsofdemons?Aresomemoreaggressivethan

others?Andwhataboutmentalillness;howdoesitdifferfromdemonpossession?

JesusgaveHistwelvedisciples“powerandauthorityoveralldevils[demons],andtocurediseases”(Luke9:1).Later,He“appointedotherseventyalso,andsentthemtwoandtwobeforeHisfaceintoeverycityandplace,witherHeHimselfwouldcome”(Luke10:1).Whentheseventyreturnedfromtheirmission,theysaid,“Lord,eventhedevils,[demons]aresubjectuntousthroughthyname”(verse17),Jesushadgiventhem“powertotreadonserpentsandscorpions,andoverallthepoweroftheenemy”(verse19),andtheyhadusedthatpower;hadcastoutdemonsinHisname.

Butononeoccasion,Hisdiscipleswereunabletocastoutanevilspirit(Mark9:17,18).AfterJesuscastthespiritout,“HisdisciplesaskedHimprivately,‘Whycouldnotwecasthimout?”Jesusanswered,“Thiskindcomeforthbynothing,butbyprayerandfasting”(verses28,29),Noticethewords“Thiskind.”Thisimpliesthattherearedifferentkindsofdemons.Inthiscase,thedemonappearstohavebeenaparticularlystubborn,aggressivekind.

Somedemonsaremoreaggressive,hateful,vengefulthanothers,anddifferentdemonsaffectthepeopletheypossessindifferentways.Thefollowingaresomeofthewaysdemonsaffecttheirhosts:

Somedemonsattempttohurt,harm,ordestroythepersonstheypossess.Intheexamplecitedabove,thedemonoftenthrewthepossessedperson“intothefire,andintothewaters,todestroyhim”(Mark9:22).Themanpossessedbythe“legion”(Mark5)was“always,nightandday…inthemountains,andinthetombs,crying,andcuttinghimselfwithstones”(verse5).

Somedemonscausephysicalimpairmentssuchasdumbness,deafness,andblindness.“…theybroughttoHimadumbmanpossessedwithadevil[demon].And

whenthedevilwascastout,thedumbspake…”(Matthew9:32,33).“ThenwasbroughtuntoHimonepossessedwithadevil,blind,anddumb:andHehealedhim,insomuchthattheblindanddumbbothspakeandsaw”(Matthew12:22).“Herebukedthefoulspirit,sayinguntohim,‘Thoudumbanddeafspirit,Ichargethee,comeoutofhim,andenternomoreintohim’”(Mark9:25).

Somedemonsexhibittheirsupernaturalpowersthrough“miracles”andoracularmessages.TheapostlePaulconfronted“acertaindamselpossessedwithaspiritofdivination…whichbroughthermastersmuchgainbysoothsaying”(Acts16:16).Intheend-time,the“spiritsofdevils”willgoforth“workingmiracles”(Revelation16:14).The“miracles”ofdemonsoftenincludesuchphenomenaaslevitation,

telekinesis,mindreading,andautomaticwriting,Perhapsevengreater“wonders”willcommonlyoccurintheendofthepresentage,whenthedevilandhisangelsarecastdowntothisearth.

Demonpossessedpersonssometimesdisplayextraordinaryphysicalstrength.Inthecaseofthemanpossessedbythe“legion,”“nomancouldbindhim,no,notwithchains:Becausethathehadbeenoftenboundwithfettersandchains,andthechainshadbeenpluckedasunderbyhim,andthefettersbrokeninpieces:neithercouldanymantamehim”(Mark5:4).

Somedemonsare“foulspirits.“WereadoftheseinMark9:25andRevelation18:2.Apparently,theyareconsidered“foul”(or“unclean7’)becausetheycausethepeopletheypossesstoexhibitimmoral,perhaps

perverse,behavior,andspewoutvile,filthylanguageandobscenities.

Veryoften,demonscausethepersonstheypossesstoappearinsane.Thismaynotbetrueofeverycase,butitiscertainlytrueofmany.Themanwiththe“legion”andtheboywhowasthrown“inthefireandinthewater”areexamples.

Inadditiontotheabovefactsaboutdemonpossession,theScripturesalsorevealthatmultiplepossession—whenapersonispossessedbyseveraldemonsatthesametime—occasionallyoccurs.WhenChristcastoutthe“legion,”the

demonswentintoaherdofswine,andthewholeheard—about2,000—ranintotheseaanddrowned(Mark5:13).Thenumberofswinemayindicatehowmanydemonshadpossessedtheman.Inanycase,thename“Legion”indicatesmorethanoneortwo,orevenseven,whichwasthenumberJesushadcastoutofMaryMagdalene(Mark16:9).

Somepresent-daycasesof“splitpersonality”areprobablydemonicpossessions.Distinguishingbetweenpossessionandmentalillness,however,isoftendifficult.Theruleofthumbis:MOSTCASESOFMENTALILLNESSARENOTCASESOFDEMONPOSSESSION!However,wheretherearemarkedchangesinpersonality(nottheoccurrenceofdespondency,depression,oranxiety),theonsetofsuddenboutsof

violenthostility,ortheoccurrenceofsupernaturalphenomenainthevicinityofthepersoninquestion,thendemonpossessionisaveryrealpossibility.Butbecarefulaboutjumpingtoconclusions,anddon’tgolookingforanexorcistwhensuchcasesarise.Thepsychiatricevaluationofatrainedprofessionalisthefirstcourseofactiononeshouldpursue.

MisconceptionsAboutDemons

Nowthatweknowwhatdemonsare,andwhattheyarecapableofdoing,let’stakealookatwhattheyarenot.

Somepeoplespeakof“lustdemons,”or“jealousydemons,”or“pridedemons.”Suchterminologyindicatesabasicmisunderstandingaboutthenatureofdemonsandtheeffectsofdemon

possession,andoftenprovidesa“scapegoat”forthesinner.

Itiscertainlytruethatevilspiritsarecapableofsubjectingmentotemptation(Matthew4:3),andhavealeadingroleinmuchofthisworld’swickedness(Ephesians6:12),butproblemsinvolvinglust,pride,jealousy,andothercomponentsofman’snature,donotindicatedemonpossession.Jamessays,“‘Buteverymanistempted,whenheisdrawnawayofhisownlust,andenticed”(James1:14).Lustisoneofthecomponentsofhumannature;itresideswithinusall,Toblameone’s“lustproblems”onademonistoremovetheblamefromone’sself,whereitbelongs.

Moreover,itisamistaketoseedemonslurkingbehindeverybush,ortoassumedemoninfluenceorpossessioneverytime

somethingstrangehappens.Mostunidentifiedflyingobjects,strangenoises,andcreakingfloorsarenottheresultofdemonicactivity.Mostmentalandemotionalillnessesarenotbroughtonbydemons.

Byassumingthatdemonsaretoblameforoursins—ourpride,jealousy,covetousness;our“hot-headed”temperandimpatience—wearedeprivingourselvesofanyrealsuccessinspiritualgrowthanddevelopment.Thedrivesandemotionsinvolvedinproblemssuchasthesedonotwarrantexpulsion;theycallforafirmlyestablishedsetofpriorities,foradisciplinedlife,andfortime.

Thisisnottosaythatdemonsdonotexertaninfluenceintheevilsofthisworld.Indeed,theydo.Butinfluenceandpossessionaretwoentirelydifferent

manifestationsofdemonicactivity.Inpossession,theevilspiritinhabitsandtakescontrolofthemindofitsvictim.Incasesofdemoninfluence,however,thespiritisabletoputcertainthoughtsintoaperson’smind,butdoesnotinhabitandcontrolthemind.

TheapostlePaullinks“courseofthisworld”withthe“spiritthatnowworkethinthechildrenofdisobedience”(Ephesians2:2).Thissuggeststhatthedevil—and,byextension,thewholedemonicrealm—isamajorcausalfactorbehindtheevilsofthisworld.Italsoprovidesanimportantclueonhowtoavoiddemonicinfluence:Donotfollowthecourseofthisworld!Donotbecomeachildofdisobedience!Rather,followChrist!ObeyGod!“Submityourselves

thereforetoGod.Resistthedevil,andhewillfleefromyou”(James4:7).

Thedevilandhisdementedcohortsarethe“rulersofthedarknessofthisworld”Ephesians6:12),buttheycannotrulethosewhosubmittoGod’srule.

PossessionandExorcism—AncientandModern

FromtheNewTestamentrecord,welearnthatdemonpossessionwasfairlycommoninthefirstcentury.Perhapsthisphenomenonwaspartlyduetoaconsiderablywidespreadfascinationwiththe“blackarts”—spiritualism,necromancy,magic,divination,etc,EvidenceofthisfascinationisfoundinActs19,wherewefindtheapostlePaulin

thecityofEphesus,thecapitaloftheRomanprovinceofAsia.

Inthisaccount,“GodwroughtspecialmiraclesbythehandsofPaul:Sothatfromhisbodywerebroughtuntothesickhandkerchiefsoraprons,andthediseasesdepartedfromthem,andtheevilspiritswentoutofthem”(verses11,12).ThenfollowsthecaseofthesevenJewishexorcistswhoseattempttocastoutademon“byJesuswhomPaulpreacheth”failedmiserably(verses13-16).

WhenthecitizensofEphesusheardofwhathadhappened,“fearfellonthemall,andthenameoftheLordJesuswasmagnified.Andmanythatbelievedcame,andconfessed,andshewedtheirdeeds.Manyofthemalsowhichusedcuriousartsbroughttheirbookstogether,andburnedthembeforeallmen:andthey

countedthepriceofthem,andfounditfiftythousandpiecesofsilver”(verses17-19).

Thisfascinationwiththe“curiousarts”doesnotaccountforallcasesofdemonpossessionintheancientworld,butitundoubtedlyaccountsformanysuchcases.Itisawell-knownfactthat,eveninourtime,demonpossessionisfarmorecommonamongthepeoplesoflandswherethe“blackarts”arecommonlypracticedthanintheUnitedStatesandother“Christian”nations.However,evidenceofdemonicactivity—includingactualcasesofpossession—intheUnitedStatesandotherEnglish-speakingcountrieshasincreasedsincethearrivaloftheNewAgemovement,andwiththespreadofoccultpracticesandSatanism.

Demonpossessionisaveryrealphenomenonintoday’sworld;andsoisthepracticeofexorcism—rituals,prayers,incantations,andspecialmethodsusedintheexpulsionofevilspiritsfrompossessedpersons.Thiscurious“art”waswellknownamongbothJewsand.pagansinancienttimes,SomeJewishrabbisstillpracticeexorcism,asdoHindusandMuslims.

Insomepaganexorcisms,thepossessedistortured—basedonthebeliefthatthepossessingspiritcanbeafflicted,andthusdrivenout,byafflictingthebodyofthepossessed.Apparently,andforwhateverreason,acertaindegreeofsuccesshasbeenachievedthroughtheuseofsuchcrueltechniques.

TheexorcismritesofancientJewswereapparentlyborrowedfrompagan

cultures,JosephustellsofanexorcismwhereinthedemonwasdrawnthroughthenostrilsofthepossessedpersonbyuseofaspecialmethodallegedlyhandeddownfromSolomon.TheriteconsistedofaspecialnoseringandincantationsallegedlycomposedbySolomon.Ofcourse,nosuchritesappearintheLawofMoses,andarenowhereauthorizedbyScripture.IftheexorcismritualdescribedbyJosephuswasindeedcomposedbySolomon,thenitwascomposedinhislatteryears,whilehewasundertheinfluenceofhisheathenwives.

ManycasesofpossessionandexorcismhavebeendocumentedintheprofessingChristianworld,aswell.MalachiMartin,CatholicscholarandformerJesuitProfessoratthePontificalBiblicalInstituteinRome,recountsfiveAmerican

casesofpossessionandexorcisminhisbookHostagetotheDevil.Beforedetailingtheeventsofthefivecases,Martinstatesthatthecasesaretrue,andthathisaccountsarebasedonextensiveinterviewswithpersonsdirectlyandindirectlyinvolved,andontapesmadeduringtheexorcisms.

Thechaptersthatfollowrecountsomeofthemostchillingeventsimaginable.Theaberrantbehaviorofthepossessed,aswellasthesupernaturalphenomenaoccurringduringexorcism,areinsomewayssimilartothefictionalstoryofRegan,thetwelve-year-olddemoniacofthefilm,TheExorcist.

AccordingtoMartin’sresearch,someofthe“physicalphenomenafrequentlyassociatedwithpossession”include“theinexplicablestench[whichpermeatesthe

roomwheretheexorcismisperformed];freezingtemperatures[intheroom,thoughotherpartsofthehousearewarm];telepathicpowersaboutpurelyreligiousandmoralmatters;apeculiarlyunlinedorcompletelysmoothorstretchedskin,orunusualdistortionoftheface,orotherphysicalandbehavioraltransformations;‘possessedgravity’(thepossessedpersonbecomesphysicallyimmovable,orthosearoundthepossessedareweighteddownwithasuffocatingpressure);levitation(thepossessedrisesandfloatsofftheground,chair,orbed;thereisnophysicallytraceablesupport);violentsmashingoffurniture,constantopeningandslammingofdoors,tearingoffabricinthevicinityofthepossessed,withoutahandlaidonthem;andsoon”(page13).

Beforetheexorcismritesbegin,looseobjectsareremovedfromtheroom.“Duringtheexorcism,oneformofviolencemayandmostoftendoescauseanobject,lightorheavy,tomoveabout,rockbackandforth,skitterorflyacrosstheroom,makemuchnoise,strikethepriestorthepossessedortheassistants.Itisnotrareforpeopletoemergefromanexorcismwithseriousphysicalwounds”(page15).

Diocesanauthoritiesusuallyappointajuniorpriestcolleaguetoassisttheexorcistandtoreceivetrainingasanexorcist,Hisroleisto“monitorthewordsandactionsoftheexorcist,warnhimifheismakingamistake,helphimifheweakensphysically,andreplacehimifhedies,collapses,flees,isphysicallyoremotionallybatteredbeyond

endurance—andallhavehappenedduringexorcisms”(page15).

Othersarealsoappointedtoassisttheexorcistinhisgruelingtask.Martinwrites,“Theexorcistmustbeascertainaspossiblebeforehandthathisassistantswillnotbeweakenedorovercomebyobscenebehaviororbylanguagefoulbeyondtheirimagining;theycannotblanchatblood,excrement,urine;theymustbeabletotakeawfulpersonalinsultsandbepreparedtohavetheirdarkestsecretsscreechedinpublicinfrontoftheircompanions.Theseareroutinehappeningsduringexorcisms”(page16).

“Evenwithallthecareintheworld,”Martinstates,“thereisnowayanexorcistcancompletelypreparehisassistantsforwhatliesinstoreforthem.Eventhough

theyarenotsubjecttothedirectandunremittingattackthepriestwillundergo,itisnotuncommonforassistantstoquit—orbecarriedout-inthemiddleofanexorcism”(page16).

AccordingtoMartin,exorcismscommonlylast10or12hours,butsomecontinueforseveraldays,andafewlastforweeks!“Oncebegun,”Martinexplains,“exceptontherarestoccasions,therearenotimeouts,althoughoneorotherofthepeoplepresentmayleavetheroomforafewmoments,totakesomefood,torestverybriefly,orgotothebathroom”(pages16,17).

Exorcismsarenotonlystressfulforthepossessed,butfortheexorcismteamsaswell.InPeopleoftheLie,authorM.ScottPeck,M.D.,discussesthetwoexorcismshehaspersonallywitnessed.Onelasted

fourdays;theotherlastedthreedays,hesays,andbothweresuccessful.“Andeventhoughtheoutcomewassuccessful,”hewrites,“most[membersoftheexorcismteams]hademotionalreactionstocontendwithintheweeksafterward”(page189).

Dr.Peckisnotcertainaboutwhichcomesfirst:involvementintheoccultordemonpossession.Butonethingiscertain:Thereisadefiniteconnectionbetweenthetwo.Peckwrites,“Itseemsclearfromtheliteratureonpossessionthatthemajorityofcaseshavehadinvolvementwiththeoccult…”(page190).

Boththepatientsintheexorcismshewitnessedhadbeeninvolvedintheoccult.“Inonepatienttheprocessseemedtobeginwithinvolvementintheoccultattheageoftwelve.Intheothertheprocess

apparentlybeganattheageoffivewithsomethingmoreghastlythanwhatonewouldordinarilyconsideroccult”(pages190,191).

Thelessonisclear:Ifyouvalueyourlife,yoursanity,yourmentalandemotionalhealthandwell-being,thenstayawayfromtheoccult!Avoidanythingthatresemblestheoccult,includingNewAgespiritualism.Remember,AlmightyGodutterlycondemnssuchthings!

Andthereareotherpreventativestepsyoucantake.

HowtoProtectYourself

Thefollowingisasummarizationofthethingsyoucandotoprotectyourselffromdemonicactivity:

(1)Asstatedabove,avoidallformsoftheoccultandNewAgespiritualism.Alsobeawareoftheharmfuleffectsofdrugs(cocaine,heroin,etc.)andheavymetal“music.”Mostdrugaddictsandheavymetalfansarenotdemonpossessed,buttheconnectionofdrugabuseandheavymetalwiththeoccult,andwithaberrantbehavior,depression,andsuicidaltendencies,cannotbeignored.Ancientmediumsusedmood-inducingsubstancesandenvironmentstopreparetheirmindsforcontactwiththespiritworld;theirmodern-daycounterpartsarestillusingdrugs.

(2)Practiceemotionalcontrol.Fitsofblindrage,uncontrolledanger,andprolonged“tempertantrums”mayleadtodemonpossession.

(3)Beawareoftheexistenceofdemonsandtherealityofdemoninfluenceandpossession,butdonotbecomepreoccupiedwiththem,anddonotsearchforevidenceofdemonicactivity.Moststrangeoccurrencesarenotdemonicinorigin,andmostmentalpatientsarenotpossessed.Assumingdemonicactivitywherenoneexistsismoreharmfulthanhelpful.

(4)FollowtheprinciplesofGod’sWord.God’slawswereintendedtobebeneficialtoman,Obediencetothemproduceshappiness,wellbeing,andtruepeaceofmind.

(5)PutyourtrustinthepromisesofGod’sWord,Jameswrites,“SubmityourselvesthereforetoGod.Resistthedevilandhewillfleefromyou”(James4:7),Paulsays,“Becarefulfornothing;butineverything

byprayerandsupplicationwiththanksgivingletyourrequestsbemadeknowntoGod.AndthepeaceofGod,whichpassethallunderstanding,shallkeepyourheartsandmindsthroughJesusChrist”(Philippians4:6,7).

Paul’swordsgohand-in-handwiththepromisesJesusgivestothosewhofollowHim.“Allpowerisgivenuntomeinheavenandinearth,”Hesays.“Goyetherefore,andteach[makedisciplesof]allnations…and,lo,Iamwithyoualway,evenuntotheendoftheworld[age]”(Matthew28:18-20).

Thinkofit;anexorcistofourtimespendslonggruelinghours,whichmayexpandintodaysandweeks,tryingtoexpelasingledemonicspirit.Herisksinjuryandemotionalimpairmentduringtheordeal.Andwhenitisover,hemayrequiresome

weeksinrecoveringfromtheincrediblydemandingexperience,ButJesus,whocastoutmoredemonsthananyexorcisteverhas,didnotneedlonghourstoaccomplishthetask.Herequirednoperiodofrecovery,notherapy,onceademonwascastout.Heemployednorituals,nospecialincantations.Asinglecommand—”Comeout!”—broughtinstantresults,Ononeoccasion,awholelegionofdemonsfledatHiscommand.

Whatpower!AndthatsamepowerprovidescomfortandassurancetoChrist’sfollowerstoday—fortheChristwhowithbutasinglecommandcastoutamultitudeofevilspiritsisthesameChristwhopromises,“Iamwithyoualways,evenuntotheendoftheage.”TohaveHimwithus,allweneeddoisfollowHim;

walkdownthepathHecarved;followthewayoflifeHeproclaimed.

IntheScriptures,bothChristandthepathHecarvedarecalled“theWay”(John14:6;Acts9:2;24:14),Andwhenitcomestoguardingthedoorofyourmind,there’snobetterway.