...............................................................................................................................................
3 Signs of Demonic
Influence
.
Demons
seek to place people in bondage - to keep them enslaved to certain sins,
addictions, and destructive behaviors. The good news is that in Christ we can
be set free from ever demonic influence - He died not only to forgive us of our
sins, but to deliver us from the power of Satan - as we align our lives with
God, we can resist the devil and break free from every evil spirit
Jake Kail
Over
the last ten years, I have been involved in the ministry of deliverance.
Deliverance
ministry refers to setting people free from the influence of evil spirits,
often by casting them out.
In
my book Can a Christian Have a Demon? I named three common signs
of demonic influence.
Though
not an exhaustive list, when any of these three exist, it is an indication that
there could be a demonic presence and a need for deliverance.
Keep
in mind that every case is unique, and that you should always seek the guidance
of the Holy Spirit.
Also
be aware that there are varying degrees to which demons have a hold on a
person; sometimes it is mild and other times more severe.
1. Torment
Luke 6:17-18 describes a multitude of people coming to
Jesus “to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who
were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed.”
Jesus
delivered people from the tormenting influence of evil spirits.
Demons
seek to torment, both physically and mentally.
Luke
13:10-17 describes a woman who was tormented by a “spirit of infirmity”
for 18 years, unable to straighten her back.
She
encountered Jesus and was set free from this physical torment.
Mark
5:1-20 tells the story of a man so tormented by demons that he lived in the
tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
After Jesus set him free he was found “clothed and
in his right mind” (Mark 5:15).
Evil
spirits seek to torment people with physical pain and sickness, various fears,
insomnia and night terrors, demonic voices, and other types of torment.
2. Oppression
The Bible says that Jesus went about “healing all
who were oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:38).
The
devil and his demons seek to oppress people; to weigh them down and wear them
out.
Isaiah 61:3 says that God will give us a “garment
of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”
The
spirit of heaviness is a demonic spirit that oppresses people with depression,
despair, and hopelessness.
It
is as if a dark cloud follows the person wherever they go, constantly pressing
down on them.
When people
are set free from the oppression of evil spirits, it is like a heavy weight is
lifted off of their shoulders.
Many people
report feeling lighter after deliverance.
Where there
was confusion there is clarity, where there was heaviness there is joy, and
where there was despair there is hope.
3. Bondage
Just as the devil is called “the tempter” (see Matthew
4:3), evil spirits are actively working to bring people
into temptation and sin.
Along with the sinful nature and world system, the
devil and his demons seek to enslave the human race.
When
there is an inner compulsion and addiction towards sinful or destructive
behaviors, there is a possibility that what you’re dealing with is beyond the
flesh and that an evil spirit is at work.
Exercising
self-discipline will usually not be enough in these cases; deliverance from an
evil spirit will often be needed.
Do
you find yourself in any of the above scenarios?
He died not only to forgive us of our sins, but to
deliver us from the power of Satan.
As we align our lives with God, we can resist the
devil and break free from every evil spirit.
I
encourage you to pray through a prayer of deliverance, call on the name of
Jesus, and break free!
Jake Kail is a teacher, author, and speaker who is passionate
for the kingdom of God. He was called into ministry during his college years,
after a life-changing encounter with God. The focus of his ministry is on
teaching and equipping believers, strengthening local churches, and seeing
awakening and restoration come to the church. He also ministers often in the
area of deliverance from evil spirits, seeing people set free from bondage,
torment, and oppression. Jake is the author of three books: Restoring the Ministry
of Jesus, Can a Christian Have a Demon?, and Abiding in the Vine. He speaks at
churches, retreats, conferences, and other venues. Jake lives with his wife and
family in Lancaster, PA where he serves on the pastoral team at Threshold
Church. Check out Jake’s website and blog here: http://www.jakekail.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment