Demonic Influence, Progression, and Possession

Demonic Influence, Progression, and Possession

Identifying, Resisting, and Overcoming Demonic Activity

Demonic activity is surging across our nation causing many to question how can people be so evil and wicked. The latest major demonic incident was the Sutherland Springs church massacre leaving 26 dead.  The shooter’s first wife said, “He just had a lot of demons or hatred inside of him.”

How is it that some people can become so filled with anger and hatred as to plan a calculated mass murder of men, women and even children? Is it possible that demons are real, that they influence, control and possess people? Can demons afflict people with sickness, disease or even mental illness?

What Is Demonic Activity?

Identifying demonic activity in today’s world can attract sharp criticism and outright condemnation from those heavily influenced by its presence, but we Christians must not be intimidated by those bound by the darkness of demonic activity.

The Scriptures tell us that Satan and roughly one-third of the angels in heaven were cast to earth for rebellion against God (Revelation 12:8-9). Lucifer, or Satan, is the prince or chief of demons, Beelzebub (Luke 11:15). All demonic activity flows from these invisible forces of spiritual wickedness and influences our thoughts, reasoning, beliefs, and values, often finding visible expression through our words and actions. These demonic forces are engaged in a spiritual battle against God and mankind, seeking to destroy all that is good, decent, pure, holy, and righteous. The main objective of demon activity is to lead us away from God, salvation and eternal life. According to Revelation 12:9, Satan and his imps are fighting to lead the whole world astray.

Demonic activity operates in the unseen realm of our mind and heart. Most demonic activity is camouflaged to the naturally minded person, but not the spiritually minded. Sadly, the vast majority of people fail to recognize or identify the presence of evil and wickedness until it is visibly manifested. Demonic activities include tempting, confusing, deceiving, seducing, lying, slandering, masquerading, afflicting with sickness or disease, promoting division and hatred, jealousy, envy, class warfare, ethnic and racial discord, false religions and teachings, denying Christ as God’s Son and only savior, emotional, spiritual and mental oppression, and demonic possession to name a few. The demonic powers of darkness are alive and active in our world.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

How Does Demonic Activity Influence Our Lives?

Santan and his demons comprise the “spiritual forces of evil.” The problem is not so much your neighbor, but demonic influence working inside of the mind and heart of your neighbor.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12) 

The Scriptures record various instances of demon activity: Mark 1:23-25, we see Jesus casting out demons. Matthew 12:22, demonic possession has afflicted a man with blindness and he cannot speak. Mark 5:1-20, we find Jesus delivering a demon-possessed lunatic running naked with supernatural strength. Mark 9:17-29, we see a young man tormented by demons and learn that special prayer and fasting is required when dealing with some demons. Matthew 9:32-33, Jesus heals a demon-possessed man who is speechless. Matthew 15:22-28, we find a woman’s daughter suffering from demon possession. 1 Timothy 4:1, the Apostle Paul warns of seducing or deceiving demon spirits that will lead people into believing what is false and rejecting the truth. Acts 19:13-16, we see a group of would-be exorcist receiving a severe beating from a demon-possessed man. 1 Corinthians 10:20, we learn that all pagan gods are demons and we should have nothing to do with them.

If we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and only savior of the world, then we cannot deny the existence of Satan and demons. Moreover, the church is charged with the responsibility of casting out demons in the name of Jesus.

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; (Mark 16:17)

Not every thought or idea in your head is your own or original. Demonic ideas and thoughts enter our minds and hearts in various ways including the unseen spiritual dimension. What you see with your eyes and hear with your ears also contributes to your reasoning process. The world is filled with all manner of demonic activity. Hollywood continues to promote and glorify infidelity, murder, nudity, sexual promiscuity, homosexuality, lying, stealing, greed, betrayal and every other ungodly and evil activity. God, faith in God, morality, holiness, and decency are openly ridiculed. The same is true of the tabloids, print media, radio and TV talk shows, and many Internet sites. The average American consumes roughly 5 hours of TV per day or 35 hours per week (Neilson Ratings). Moreover, family, friends and social activities all contribute to what is in our head and heart. Conversely, time spent in prayer, bible study, and at church is much less, even for believers. Is it any wonder that demonic activity is on the rise.

Those lacking discernment are inclined to entertain and embrace demonic influences as good or harmless when they are actually ungodly, evil, and deadly. Demon influence often appeals to our sinful nature which is opposed to God. Our sinful nature can justify just about any form of evil behavior. Many of us have heard someone say, “I don’t see anything wrong with that” when embracing demonic activity. It is only when the activity is fully conceived and outwardly manifested that some realize they made the wrong decision or choice. Our sinful nature can be an open playground for demonic activity. It is a fact that demonic activity has access to our minds and hearts to the extent that some people have become totally demon possessed or controlled as mentioned in Mark 5:1-17.

Satan and his demonic cohorts conduct their activities through people. For those whose minds and hearts are controlled by their sinful nature, demonic activity flows freely and unimpeded. They are willing servants, ready to carry out demonic activity at Satan’s command. In their minds and hearts, their ungodly thoughts, words, or actions are not considered demonic. Low to moderate wicked and evil behavior has become so prevalent in our society that it has mostly become an acceptable and kind of justifiable norm. It is only when evil behavior escalates to the level of some grossly heinous an unexplainable activity that we begin to view it as truly demonic.

When young Dylann Roof (white) murdered 9 people in a black Charleston church we saw the demonic evil of racial hatred manifested. When a mass murderer kills 58 and wounds 489 at an outdoor concert in Vegas we saw the outward display of demonic influence that may never be fully understood. When 26 die and 20 others are injured in the Sutherland Springs church massacre we saw the demonic evil of spousal and child abuse culminating in an evil and wicked attack upon the extended family and their church family. The common link in these horrific attacks was Satan and his imps influencing the minds and hearts of these willing demonic murders.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)

The Apostle Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 15:33 not to misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” This principle is well known to many parents—keep your children away from unruly and rebellious friends, else they will begin acting just like them. The same is true of demonic influence. The more evil you entertain and embrace in your thoughts and actions the more you become wicked or evil. Don’t be fooled, there is a progression of demonic influence and evil that intensifies to the point you come under demonic control or possession. As more and more people come under the influence of satanic and demonic influence, the closer we come to the return of Jesus and the spirit of the antichrist being revealed in a one-world ruler or government.

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, ¹⁰and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ¹¹For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie ¹²and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. (2 Thes. 2:9-12)

Freedom From Demonic Activity.

We live in a world dominated by demonic activity, it is everywhere. We are told in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that Satan masquerades as an angel of light in order to deceive even believers. It is foolish to underestimate Satan and fail to grasp that he is highly deceptive. Nevertheless, we need not become willing instruments of Satan’s schemes. The prince and power of the air, Satan, can be successfully resisted if that is your desire. The spiritually illuminated mind of a born-again believer is capable of identifying demonic activity—it is not a mystery but obvious. Nevertheless, it should come as no surprise that even the born-again believer can and will be tempted by demonic influence.

I can recall a few times in my Christian life where Satan’s influence got the better of me and I became so angry that I was tempted to grab a few people by their necks and literally strangle the life out of them. Thankfully, by God’s grace and prayer, I resisted the temptation and exercised forgiveness.

I could describe numerous detailed scenarios about demonic activity and how it operates in our lives, but it is more important that we focus and center our lives on God. You see, it is far better for us to learn about the power of God that is able to save, heal, deliver and set us free from the power of Satan and sin. It is more important that we know “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). It is of greater value that we understand that in the name of Jesus, demons will flee from you.

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. (Mark 16:17-18)

Every born-again believer should follow the admonition of the Apostle Paul:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. (Ephesians 6: 10-18)

Suggested reading: The Spirit of the Antichrist