Although scripture assures us that we, as Christians, are filled with the Holy Spirit, we can still be oppressed by demons. Scripture also assures us that Christians can never be possessed by demons because the Holy Spirit is in us already and will not allow it (“You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” I John 4:4). We belong to God, but can still be oppressed by demons. Here are ten signs that you are being oppressed by demons:
1. The desire to abuse of animals or people and getting pleasure from it.
2. Sexual immorality, a perverse form of God’s plan for sex (homosexuality, molestation,etc.);
3. Abuse of one’s own body (drugs, alcohol, gluttony, abuse or misuse of other substances, etc.);
4. Seeking spiritual knowledge through Eastern religions and other counterfeit religious groups (TM, Yoga, humanism, etc.);
5. Involvement in occult practices (fortune-telling, Satanism, etc.);
6. Mental oppression (anxiety, fear, anger, disorientation, etc.);
7. Psychological disorders (split and multiple personalities, paranoia, etc.);
8. Physical disorders that may be demon caused (Matthew 9:32, 33);
9. Lack of freedom or joy in the Lord (spiritual bondage);
10. The constant choice or refusal to repent of sin, though you know you are sinning (rebellion).
As Christians, we must know how our enemy works. Jesus was our example when He was tempted in the desert for 40 days. He used scripture to combat Satan. Satan is fine with humans believing in ANYTHING except Jesus. Satan is very clever, but uses the same tricks as he did in the garden of Eden. In I John 2: 16 it says, “For everything in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–comes not from the Father but from the world.”
These are the 3 main things Satan uses against humans (Christians or not).
The Pride of Life- The pride of life can be defined as anything that is “of the world,” meaning anything that leads to arrogance, ostentation, pride in self, presumption, and boasting. Here is the essence of the pride of life—anything that exalts us above our station and offers the illusion of God-like qualities, wherein we boast in arrogance and worldly wisdom.
The Lust of the Flesh – The desire for that which satisfies any of the physical needs. He tempts us with the lust of the flesh—sexual gratification, gluttony, excessive alcohol consumption, and drugs, both legal and illegal, as well as the “deeds of the flesh” about which Paul warned the Galatians, “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” (Galatians 5: 19-21).
The Lust of the Eyes – The endless accumulation of “stuff” with which we fill our homes and garages and the insatiable desire for more, better, and newer possessions, which ensnares us and hardens our hearts to the things of God.
Satan used the same tricks as in the Garden of Eden- The first example of the temptation of the pride of life occurs in the Garden of Eden, where Eve was tempted by the serpent to disobey God and eat the forbidden fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve perceived that the fruit was “good for food,” “pleasing to the eye,” and “desirable for gaining wisdom” (Genesis 3: 6). She coveted the fruit in three ways. First, it was appealing to her appetite. This John refers to as the “lust of the flesh,” the desire for that which satisfies any of the physical needs. The fruit was also pleasing or delightful to the eye, that which we see and desire to own or possess. Here is the “lust of the eyes” John refers to. Finally, Eve somehow perceived that the fruit would make her wise, giving her a wisdom beyond her own. Part of Satan’s lie was that eating the fruit would make her “like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5).
John 8:31-32 tells us, ” “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
James 4:7 tells us, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Remember what Jesus says about Himself, “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Keep your eyes on Jesus because He is the way and all others are distractions. He is the life, all other things lead to eternal death.
First, you need to be sure your problem is not a fleshly, willful one on your part. Take a bold, fearless inventory of yourself. You must choose whom you will serve; self and fleshly desire, Satan or God? Repent of all sinful desires. Renounce sin and sinfulness and its ingrained habits. Commit yourself to Christ with determination and resolve. After you have repented and asked for forgiveness, accept God’s assurance that you are a child of God and have been forgiven.
You cannot reckon an evil spirit dead nor crucify an evil spirit. Neither can you cast out the flesh. You must crucify the flesh (Galatians 2:20) and its desires and cast out evil spirits (James 4:7). When demons or evil spirits are cast out, you need something to replace them, lest they return (Matthew 12:43-48). That replacement is the Holy Spirit, by completely surrendering your life to God.
You can be assured of victory over demons if you have received Jesus as Saviour and Lord (John 1:12), and have received the baptism with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit guides you into truth, empowers you, and intercedes for you. He also gives you spiritual gifts, such as discerning of spirits, for your welfare and that of others (I Corinthians 12; Mark 16:9-20). Your greatest need is to continually study God’s Word. Meditate upon the Bible day and night (Joshua 1:8) to put on the whole armor of God that you might be able to effectively overcome the forces of evil (Ephesians 6:10-18). Jesus answered Satan with the Word of God (Luke 4:1-13). You can do the same. Pray withoutc easing (I Thessalonians 5:17) and get into a local church fellowship for further ministry (Hebrews 10:25).
As You Pray
Consistently honor God with thanksgiving and praise. As you give Him first place in your thoughts and actions, Satan and his demons will have no place in your life.
Giving God The Glory 