Demons: evil spirits, angelic beings who joined with Satan in his rebellion against God in the kingdom of heaven (Rev. 12:4)

Demon oppression: mild to severe harassment by evil spirit(s) resulting from the opening of some door(s) to Satan's influence.

Demon possession: the condition in which one or more evil spirits inhabit the body of a human being, taking complete control of it at will and expressing his (or their) personality through that body.

(caution: some of these may simply be the result of unconfessed sin or unconquered sin habits in the life of the believer)

1. abnormal, irrational fear
2. abnormal, irrational anxiety
3. abnormal, irrational loneliness
4. severe and/or persistent depression that is not physiologically induced
5. lack of self-control
6. aimlessness; the feeling that life is void of any purpose or meaning
7. conflicts with authority figures
8. violent, reckless behavior
9. loss of the fear of God
10. outbursts of hatred
11. selfish ambition, especially an appetite for power
12. irrationality; inability to detect or correct contradictions or other fallacious reasoning

1. indulgence in occultic music, literature, art, dancing, etc.
2. possession (known or unknown) of occultic records, tapes, books, pictures, charms, tools, games, etc.
3. grudges against God and others
4. poor self-image
5. rebellion against authority
6. dating relationships or close friendships with demon oppressed or possessed people
7. sexual immorality with demon oppressed or possessed people
8. authority figures' acceptance of Satanic influence
9. seeking or giving consent to occultic power or occultic revelation
10. fascination with occultic power, occultic revelation, or psychic phenomena, in general
11. rejection of what is know and understood to be true
12. participation in false religions or cults
13. wrong use of drugs and/or alcohol
14. wrong use of herbs
15. escapism through thrill-seeking, science fiction, soap operas, or some other addicting hobby/activity
16. hedonism; an absorbing pursuit of entertainment and/or body pleasure
17. fascination with violence, especially violence devoid of justice; sadism and/or masochism
18. prolonged or persistent jealousy
19. bad temper or stubbornness
20. pornography.
21. fascination with UFO phenomena; attempts to contact extraterrestrial beings
22. prolonged sleeplessness
23. meditation on anything other than God's revealed truth
24. chanting or other cultic/occultic forms of worship
25. any contact with demon oppressed or possessed people that threatens the demon(s)

1. intense, maniacal delight in wielding power
2. total incapability of submitting to any but demonic authority
3. filthy, uncontrolled swearing without provocation, even toward total strangers*
4. irreverent, vile, lewd comments about members of the Godhead; comments attributing gross sexual immorality to Jesus*
5. sustained supernatural strength or intelligence beyond that which might come from adrenalin or some other physiological source*
6. irrationality to the degree that even the simplest spiritual truths are beyond comprehension
7. intense, highly disturbed reaction to the mentions of Jesus' name and Jesus' blood shed on the cross for man's sin*
8. possession of supernatural, occultic power(s) e.g. ability to foretell future events, to levitate tables or other objects, or to travel outside the body, etc.
9. wild, unnatural facial contortions
10. presence of two or more distinguishable, coherent personalities, personalities capable of expressing themselves simultaneously (may include emergence of strange voices, dual or multiple voices, and/or unnatural conversations)*
11. unexplainable, uncontrollable terror especially in the presence of Christians whose faith is strong*(this terror arises either from the demon's fear of being cast out or from the possessed person's fear upon being cruelly threatened by the demon(s)
12. extreme violent, reckless behavior, e.g. throwing knives, playing with poisonous snakes, etc.**
13. severe, persistent depression, despondency and/or temptations to commit suicide**
14. total lack of self-restraint, especially in sexual behavior; uncontrolled sexual advances
15. extreme disregard for physical appearance and/or physical well-being**
16. intense loneliness, even in the midst of warm, compassionate fellowship

*conclusive evidence of possession

**The demon's goal is to get the possessed person to kill himself and/or others before he or they act on the opportunity to be saved and become Christ's "captives."

1. holding on to deep-seated grudges against God and others
2. giving consent to occultic power or revelation, e.g. going to a fortune teller, having an astrological chart or forecast made, etc.
3. craving and seeking after occultic power or revelation, e.g. taking e.s.p. tests or other psychic aptitude tests
4. possessing and/or using occultic tools, charms, books, music, souvenirs, etc.
5. having parents or other close authority figures open doors to Satan's influence
6. blaspheming the Holy Spirit; i.e. repeatedly and consistently rejecting the work of the Holy Spirit as He reveals truth and convicts of sin
7. grossly and habitually rebelling against authority
8. habitually participating in gross sexual immorality

1. Examine you life for any and all open doors.

2. Repent of opening those doors (except in the case of #25, p.2), and confess as sin the opening of doors by your authority figures.

3. Take action to demonstrate repentance and to purify your life, including the following:

a.) Release resentment/grudges against God and others, and seek forgiveness of those you have offended by your resentment.

b.) Repudiate and renounce any and all occultic involvement; seek forgiveness of those you have offended by it; totally destroy all hooks and other objects connected with it.

c.) Get back under the authority of your parents, husband, pastor, elders, boss, teachers, and/or others against whom you rebelled; again, seek forgiveness wherever necessary.

4. Ask Jesus Christ to take complete control of your life- with His will supreme, not your own. Dedicate your heart, soul, mind, and strength to be used for His glory, for the fulfillment of His purposes.

With an intense effort of your will, seek the help of God and of strong, mature Christians. Attempt to communicate your desire to be set free.

1. Make sure the possessed person encountered truly is possessed. Seek confirmation.
2. Exercise empathic repentance first, closing any open doors to demon influence in your own life.
3. Get not only the consent of the possessed person, but also that of his/her key authority figures, to cast the demon(s) out (Luke 11:24-26).
4. Enlist the help of five or more physically and spiritually strong Christians.
5. Do NOT lay hands on the possessed person, except as necessary to prevent bodily harm.
6. Identify the demon (or each demon, in cases where there are more than one) by asking him to give his name.
7. In the name of Jesus and by the power of His shed blood, command the demon(s) to leave.
8. Watch for deception-Remember: there may be more than just one or two.
9. In cases where a demon is particularly stubborn, engage in group fasting and prayer (Mark 9:25-29).
10. Carefully and diligently lead the person through each step of closing doors to demon oppression/possession given above). Remember that bringing the person to salvation, to the indwelling of God's Spirit, is the only prevention for further demon possession (Mark 9:25-29).
11. Stay close to the new convert and help him get involved in a solid program of discipleship in fellowship with other believers.

REASONS TO BELIEVE, P.O. Box 5978, Pasadena, CA 91117 (626) 335-1480.

Copyright 1983, Reasons To Believe

Sword & Spirit Ministries
P.O. Box 712 • Murrieta, CA 92564

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