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Defeating Demons and Occult Influences

Demons are personalities, they have a voice -- they speak and work in the realm of the spirit. The Bible teaches us that we are not wrestling with flesh and blood, but with demonic entities that possess and oppress man.  Even many Christians deal with demonic oppression. It’s not the person you are really dealing with, it is demonic forces manifesting through the flesh of the individual, even though they are a Christian! This does not give an excuse for Christians to be angry, live in a rage, walk in lust and sin.  But instead, it gives an answer to the struggles that many Christians deal with. If I find the answer, then I need to live in the answer! It’s like someone knowing 2+2=4, but they still live life telling everyone that 2+2=5. They know the answer, but they live in a lie! Why? The Bible calls these things strongholds.

Strongholds are demonically inspired, but mentally and emotionally received and acted upon. (2 Cor. 10:3-5) A stronghold can be wrong ways of thinking, destructive emotions, addictive behaviors, etc. that have built up over time. Strongholds can create deep “ruts” in your thinking processes and in the places of your deepest emotions. They can be generational in nature. The Bible speaks to us about familiar spirits. One way to understand this terminology is “family spirits”! The same spiritual forces that grandpa dealt with, many times, are the same ones you will deal with! The Bible also speaks to us about “generational curses”. As a Christian you need to break the power of these spiritually dark forces and walk in freedom! Use the authority of Jesus’ mighty name and the power of the blood! Break these powers in your life and in your family. Then do not open a door of the flesh through anger, lust, pride and rebellion that would allow these things back in your life and family!

It is important to understand exactly what "demonic oppression" is.  The 3 objectives of demons is torment and torture, keeping people from knowing Christ and for the Christian, to keep them from serving the Lord effectively. There are also 8 characteristics of demons that will help you recognize their attempted activity in your life.  #1 They tempt and entice.  #2 They harass and condemn.  #3 They torment (physically, emotionally, etc.). #4 They compel (demons will compel you to do things that are not natural and normal for you, if you allow them to) #5 They enslave (an example would be someone enslaved to alcohol or drugs) The word “addiction” comes from the two words compel and enslave! #6 They defile (As A Christian, we have been made holy in Christ! Demons want to defile what is pure and holy!)  #7 They deceive (1 Tim. 4:1)  #8 They make people weak, sick and tired (a spirit of slumber, you can sit up until 2AM watching trash on TV, but read your Bible and you’ll be asleep in 10 minutes).

What are some ways that your flesh may respond to demonic temptation and oppression ? Here are a few things to recognize and overcome! #1 Pride #2 Rebellion #3 Witchcraft and Occult (many Christians dabble in witchcraft and the occult on a regular basis, but don’t recognize the danger because they see it as innocent entertainment)  #4 Fear #5 Rejection (a sense of feeling unworthy and unwanted). This last stronghold can result from the breakup of the family. The Bible is very clear that the father brings a sense of security and purpose in a child’s life. The breakdown of the family unit in our nation has been completely demonically inspired!

How do we overcome demonic oppression and subdue the flesh? What about dealing with demons? If it is a demonic problem, why can’t I just “cast out” the demon of addiction and be done? Why can’t I just “cast out” the demon of anger and be done? Because overcoming demons also involves subduing our flesh.  As a Christian, we are to take authority over any demonic stronghold in our life but then we must keep the “door of the flesh” shut! What do we think on and dwell on? (Phil. 4:8) Are we living a sexually pure life? (1 Cor. 6:18) What do we “entertain” ourselves with in media, TV, movies, and music? (Eph. 5:1-12)

#1 You are a spiritual being. (1 Thess.5:23)  Many times people will say, well, “I’m only human”. No, you are also human. First of all, you are an eternal spirit being created in the image of God! As a Christian, you are born again and re-connected with your Creator through the power of the blood of Christ and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Paul the Apostle said your bodies are the dwelling places of the Holy Spirit of God (1 Cor. 6:19). He also said “But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him,” I Cor. 6:17.  As a Christian, we quickly realize that the real battle is not with our neighbor, our spouse, the government, or the boss -- our real battle is a spiritual battle. In these battles, demons will use, manipulate and control other people, circumstances, feelings, and attitudes, to torment Christians and keep them from being effective in God’s kingdom. Jesus said in John 10:10, “the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come to bring life and life more abundantly!” So  Jesus is not my problem, He is my answer! If my problem is demons, then Jesus said I can cast them out! (Mark 16:17)

#2 You have a “flesh”. (Romans 8:1-14)  It is very important to understand the difference between the flesh and demons when dealing with things in life. The Bible says to “crucify” the flesh (Rom. 6:6). We are told to “mortify” the deeds of the body through the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:13-14). The word “mortify” only appears here and in Col. 3:5. It can be understood as “to put to death, render useless, to put down”. The idea is not that the flesh or body ceases to exist, but instead that it is, through the power of the Holy Spirit, made powerless. When you go to the dentist and get a shot in your jaw to “deaden” the pain before the dentist begins to drill, your jaw doesn’t cease to exist, it is just numbed and rendered powerless for a time! The power of the Holy Spirit will “deaden” your flesh so that it does not control, lead and dictate your life and the decisions that you make! Romans 8:14 tells us we are to be led by the Holy Spirit! The Bible does not teach that a born-again Christian can be fully demon possessed. To “possess” is to take complete control. A truly “possessed” person is possessed in their spirit, soul and body. A demon cannot have possession of a spiritually re-born individual! This is not to say, however, that a Christian cannot and does not deal with demonic oppression in the areas of the flesh!

#3 The old fleshly nature or demons?  It is very important to understand the difference between the two when you are dealing with an issue in life. The Bible says we are to crucify, put to death or mortify the deeds of the flesh. You can’t crucify a demon, you cast it out! You can’t cast out the flesh, you crucify it. Though we are in a supernatural battle, this battle continually manifests in the realm of the flesh. An example would be anger. Is a Christian that is filled with anger and rage demon possessed? Not in their spirit, but they can be demonically oppressed in their soul and body. A demon of anger can easily stir the flesh, controlling and manipulating that person, even though they are a believer in Christ! Does the person need deliverance? Yes, from demonic oppression but they also need to “crucify” the flesh! Cast out the demons, kill the flesh!

If we put down our flesh and recognize the demonic oppression in our lives, we can live a victorious life! Christians, we have authority over all the powers of darkness through the mighty name of Jesus! (Luke 10:19) We do not live in fear of demons – demons live in fear of us! Demons fear Christians that understand their authority In Christ! (Acts 19:15)

Our modern culture may be fascinated by the supernatural, occult and demons, but you don’t have to allow these influences in your life or your family! Take authority! Stand up for light, life, holiness, peace, truth and freedom In Christ! Guard your children’s lives and hearts. Pray over your household daily. Plead the Blood of Christ over the affairs of your life. Drive out lies, depression, darkness, fear, lust, suicide and torment in the name of Jesus. Demons have no right in the life of the believer! Do not give them any place or position of opportunity! (Eph. 4:27) WE ARE VICTORIOUS IN CHRIST!

Glad Tidings Church

2 Comments


LaTanya - March 15th, 2020 at 4:06pm

Pastor Jared, I located this article on Google. I want to thank you for writing such a sound article. I'm a writer and minister as well and this has really blessed me. I am in agreement with the way you broke this down and explained it. Blessings to you.

Thomas Moncrief - August 13th, 2020 at 12:03pm

Thank you

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