Earmarks
of Possession
John 8:44 warn sinners, “You are of your
father the devil, and the desires of your father
you want to do. He was a murderer from the
beginning, and does not stand in the truth,
because there is no truth in hum. When he speaks
a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he
is a liar and the father of it.”
Can we easily recognize a person who is demon
possessed? Obviously, it would be hard for a
person to hide possession by six thousand demons.
However, it makes me shudder to consider how many
people we might encounter, day after day, who are
possessed by one or two or even a dozen demons-all
the while managing to blend undiagnosed right
into common society.
There are some telltale signs of which we can be
wary. Often, those who are struggling with demon
possession carry with them a dark, depressing
cloud that contaminates all those around them.
You can almost tell when they enter a room; it is
as though their gloomy atmosphere is contagious.
But there are several more-tangible indicators
and the demoniac in our story features many of
these prominent characteristics.
Radical personality change. The
‘before and after” of the demoniacs
life reveals that he was once a totally different
person. This shows that his very identity and
individuality were swallowed up by the demons
within him.
Those who have witnessed demon possession often
report that each demon seems to have its own
distinct personality and that the individual
possessed often manifests the various
personalities of the demons or demons possessing
them. The demoniac must have demonstrated a wide
array of the ghoulish personalities that were
striving for the mastery of his senses.
Antisocial behavior. The conduct of
the pathetic lunatic was obviously antisocial,
which explains why he was living in the remote
solitude of the tombs. Clearly, he lacked all
social skills. In many cases, this symptom of
demon possession might include lewd or sexually
explicit behavior. (“He wore no clothes.”)
Spiritual insight. The
possessed man also showed an unusual depth of
spiritual insight. He recognized Jesus to be God
even before Jesus spoke. This insight was
obviously beyond any human spiritual capacity.
Demons also have an intuitive knowledge of their
impending doom. (“Have You come here to
torment us before the time?”)
Supernatural strength. Norman means
of human confinement could not control the
demoniac. No chain was strong enough-he snapped
shackles as if they were strings. Other places in
the Scriptures also associate superhuman strength
with demon possession (Acts 19:16).
Torment. The price tag of
possession is very high; those who fall victim of
demons often suffer constant torment. Such was
the case of the demoniac (see Mark 5:5). His
animalistic shrieks horrified the locals. Those
possessed by demons might also babble
incoherently. (“He was crying out.”)
Tendency toward self-destruction. Another
indicator of demonic possession is the desire to
harm one’s self. (“Cutting himself with
stones.”) Often demoniacs described in
Scripture were bent on self-destruction, often
accompanied by fits and convulsions (see Mark 9:17-29).
The drowning of the swine dramatically
demonstrates the self-destructive desires of the
demons. We also see this played out in
Judas’s end. (Remember, Scripture says that
at the Last Supper, Satan entered him-see Luke 22:3.)
“Then he threw down the pieces of silver in
the temple and departed, and went and hanged
himself” (Matthew 27:5).
A preoccupation with death. The demon-possessed
frequently have a morbid preoccupation with death
and it’s trapping. The demoniac chose to
live in a cemetery. Likewise, in our culture
today, young people easily become addicted to
rock music with suicidal themes. They frequently
dress in black clothing and highlight themselves
with black-colored lipstick and fingernail polish.
They also wear jewelry or sport tattoos that
depict skulls and other graveyard images.
Casting Out
Stubborn Spirits
After televangelist Jimmy Swaggart was caught in
a moral scandal, he defied the orders of the
Assemblies of God to refrain from preaching for a
year and undergo counseling. Instead, he assured
the public that he was free of moral defect. He
said Oral Roberts had already cast the demons
from his body over the phone. Roberts confirmed
the report, insisting that his friend had demons
that had embedded their claws deeply in his flesh.
Now that the rascals were gone, Swaggart and
Roberts asserted, the televangelist could get on
with preparing the way for Christ’s return.
But only a few months later, according to media
reports, Swaggart was caught in Palm Springs with
a prostitute in his car, which was strewn with
pornographic magazines.
I need to tread softly as I venture on the
important topic of the casting out of demons. I
do not want to leave you with the impression that
there is some simple, three-step formula. It
would be nice if a doctor could prescribe a pill
that would eliminate all of the demons within
like medicine that kills worms in a dog. However,
the casting out of devils is not something to be
taken lightly. It certainly involves more than
speaking a few mystical words over the phone.
I am very suspicious of Christians who claim to
have a special exorcism ministry, because I find
no evidence in the Bible that one of the gifts of
the Spirit is casting out of demons.
However, the Bible plainly teaches that in cases
of demon possession, God’s servants can,
through His power, cast demons out. We are no
match for these spiritual enemies; but in the
might of our Lord, we can stand against even
legions of them. “Heal the sick, cleanse the
lepers, raise the dead, cast of demons. Freely
you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).
Still, God’s Word cautions that the devil
does not go easily. And casting out demons is not
a business to be executed with a flippant
attitude. Earlier, I alluded to a story in the
book of Acts that illustrates just this point.
Some presumptuous young men attempted to cast out
a demon using some canned formula they thought
the apostle Paul was using. Their plan
backfired terribly. Let us take look at the whole
story:
Some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it
upon themselves to call the name of the Lord
Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying,
“We exorcise you by the name that Paul
preaches.” In addition, there were seven
sons of Sceva, a Jewish priest, who did so. And
the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I
know, and Paul I know, but who are you?”
Then the man whom the evil spirit was leaped on
them, overpowered them, and prevailed against
them, so they fled out of the house naked and
wounded (Acts 19: 13-16).
Satan clings tenaciously to his victims. The
story of the Exodus tells us that Moses, like
Jesus, came to save his people from slavery. The
pharaoh, like Satan, fiercely resisted freeing
them from their bondage, even though it meant the
destruction of his kingdom. Indeed, new birth
always has the element of pain and blood. Freedom
from tyranny often requires sacrifice and
struggle-whether it is the birth of the nation or
of a single soul as it is being liberated from
the shackles of sin.
What Can We Do?
Cite Scripture. When Jesus battled
with the devil in the wilderness, He quoted
Scripture. It is our most powerful weapon. We
must plunge the sword of God’s Word directly
into the temptations of the deceiver. It was
frequently in the context of preaching that Jesus
cast out devils: “He was preaching in their
synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting
out demons” (Mark 1:39). Encourage those who
are afflicted to read the Bible, and, if they can,
to attend services where the Word is proclaimed.
You might even read Scripture aloud to them.
Pray and fast. Once, a father
brought his son to Jesus and complained about a
demon that possessed his boy: “Whenever it
seizes him, it throws him down and he foams at
the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and become rigid.
So I spoke to your disciples, that they should
cast him out, but they could not” (Mark 9:18).
Jesus responded, “This kind can come out by
nothing but prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29).
It might require several sessions, or even days,
of special prayer and fasting to see a soul
delivered. Do not give up easily; you can be sure
the devil will not.
Believe. We must pray in faith that
God will liberate those who are tormented. Jesus
said, “If you can believe, all things are
possible to him that believes” (Mark 9:23).
Prepare your own heart. Those
involved in praying should reach their own souls
and confess and forsake their sins. “Brethren,
if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who
are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of
gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be
tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
Anoint with oil. Often there is a
thin line between medical and spiritual
affliction, between physiological and diabolical
torment. For this reason, it might be appropriate
to anoint the victim with oil. “Is any one
among you sick? Let him call the elders of the
church, and let them pray over him, anointing
with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer
of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will
raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he
will be forgiven” (James 5: 14, 15).
Invoke Jesus’ name. Always
invoke the name and authority of Jesus when
venturing into spiritual combat. “Paul,
greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit,
‘I command you in the name of Jesus Christ
to come out of her.’ And he came out that
very hour.” (Acts 16:18). “These signs
will follow those who believe: In My name they
will cast out demons” (Mark 16:17).
Does the Devil
Know Your Name?
Sports enthusiasts might know all the names of
the players on their favorite team. But only a
few unusually gifted athletes become household
names among average citizens-names like Michael
Jordan, Babe Ruth, Mohammed Ali, and Tiger
Woods. During World War
II, every Japanese soldier recognized the name of
General Douglas MacArthur.
This also holds true in the spiritual realm.
Wherever Jesus went throughout His earthy
ministry, the devils He encountered always knew
who He was. “There was a man in their
synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried
out, saying, ‘Let us alone! What have we to
do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to
destroy us? I know who You are- the Holy One of
God!’” (Mark 1:23,24). Another time we
learn, “He healed many who were sick with
various diseases, and cast out many demons; and
He did not allow the demons to speak, because
they knew Him” (Mark 1:34). This awareness
is understandable. After all, Jesus had once been
their heavenly commander.
God, of course, is omniscient; He knows all
things, He knows even more than just our names-He
knows the very number of hairs we have on our
heads! The devil, on the other hand, is not all
knowing. However, he is acquainted with certain
people because he regards their godly reputation
and conduct as a threat. A perfect example of
this is Job, who apparently was a big thorn in
the devil’s side.
Scripture recounts, “The Lord said unto
Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job,
that there is none like him on the earth, a
blameless and upright man, who fears God and
shuns evil?’” (Job 1:8). The devil
responded that he was well acquainted with Job.
And you can be sure that the devil also knew the
names Moses, Noah, Daniel, and David.
And the enemies of God knew Paul well: “The
evil spirit answered and said, ‘Jesus I know,
and Paul I know, but who are you?’” (Acts
19:15).
Does the devil know who you are? It is a
disturbing question, but one worth considering. I
am sure it might even make you shudder, because
nobody wants to invite the diabolical attention
of Lucifer. Still, wouldn’t we want to live
a life that alarms the enemy?
I submit that when we consecrate our lives to God
and live that way, we become a threat to the
devil. Whether we like it or not, we are all
players on a cosmic football field, surrounded by
the angels of God and Satan-all watching from
their stadium seats. The angels of God certainly
cheer our victories, and the demons obviously boo.
And when we publicly announce our faith in Christ’s
promises, our names are proclaimed over the
cosmic sound system. “I say to you, whoever
confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man will
confess before the angels of God” (Luke 12:8).
On the other hand, when we deny Christ by our
words and behavior, demons cheer while God’s
angels hang their heads and fold their wings in
despair. “’He who denies Me [Jesus]
before men will be denied before the angels of
God’” (Luke 12:9). So, fight valiantly
for victory on the field of life that your Master
may pronounce with beaming smile, “Well done
good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).
In the next section, we will see how the Lord
will help you do all this and more…
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