Demon Possession

A demon is a fallen angel who chose with Satan to oppose God. A believer cannot be indwelt by a demon because every Church Age believer’s body is indwelt by all three members of the Trinity. However, the believer’s soul can be demon influenced due to long-term carnality and lack of spiritual growth. The soul containing Bible doctrine is the fortress of the body. Epignosis Bible doctrine in the right lobe of the soul is protection from demon influence of the believer.

Demon possession in the Old Testament was very dangerous to the well-being of a national entity. Therefore, it was punishable by death. Lev. 20:27.

“‘Now a man or a woman who is a medium or a spiritist shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones, their bloodguiltiness is upon them.’““ (Leviticus 20:27, NASB)

In Psalm 96: 5, “idols” refers to demons. All idol worship is worship of demons. Every idol has one or more demons connected with it. Lev. 17:7; 1 Cor. 10:19-21.

“For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.” (Psalms 96:5, NASB)

““They shall no longer sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat demons with which they play the harlot. This shall be a permanent statute to them throughout their generations.”‘“ (Leviticus 17:7, NASB)

“What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.” (1 Corinthians 10:19-21, NASB)

When God judged the Egyptians with the death of their first born, He judged their gods or demons. Apostasy is connected with demons. Deut. 23:15-18; Psalms 106:37; 1 Tim. 4:1.

““You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you. “He shall live with you in your midst, in the place which he shall choose in one of your towns where it pleases him; you shall not mistreat him. “None of the daughters of Israel shall be a cult prostitute, nor shall any of the sons of Israel be a cult prostitute. “You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the wages of a dog into the house of the LORD your God for any votive offering, for both of these are an abomination to the LORD your God.” (Deuteronomy 23:15-18, NASB)

“They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons,” (Psalms 106:37, NASB)

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,” (1 Timothy 4:1, NASB)

Satyrs are demons. Satyrs, the minor forest gods of Greek mythology, had the face, torso, and arms of a man, the ears and tail of a goat, and two goatlike legs. Satyrs are depicted many times in ancient art. Jer. 34:18-20.

“‘I will give the men who have transgressed My covenant, who have not fulfilled the words of the covenant which they made before Me, when they cut the calf in two and passed between its parts— the officials of Judah and the officials of Jerusalem, the court officers and the priests and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf— I will give them into the hand of their enemies and into the hand of those who seek their life. And their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth.” (Jeremiah 34:18-20, NASB)

There are two ways for unbelievers to become demon possessed. The first way is active submission involving isolation of dormant faculties of the soul. An example would be the use of extra sensory perception under demon possession. Another is faked necromancy. Actually, this is selling the body to Satan. The second way is passive submission. This involves idolatry, Soma mysteries (Hindu), through hallucinogenic drugs like LSD, etc., certain types of dances (Dervish, etc.), Mesmerism (hypnotism), and contemplating infinity. Demon possession is illustrated in Leviticus 17:7, Deuteronomy 32:17, and 2 Chronicles 11:15.

““They sacrificed to demons who were not God, To gods whom they have not known, New gods who came lately, Whom your fathers did not dread.” (Deuteronomy 32:17, NASB)

“He set up priests of his own for the high places, for the satyrs and for the calves which he had made.” (2 Chronicles 11:15, NASB)

Principles of demon possession are illustrated in Mark 5. Demon possession results in a loss of individuality, loss of consciousness, or abnormal behavior. Society cannot solve this problem. Demon possessed people can still be saved. The demons can come out prior to salvation or at salvation. More than one demon can occupy a person. Demons prefer a certain area. Demons indwell animals as well as humans. When demon possession involves mental illness, the mental illness is removed when the demon is removed.

Please keep the following verses in proper perspective. What these verses say is that demons are capable of causing or manifesting these maladies or behaviors in the bodies of those unbelievers they possess. They do not say that everyone who has these problems are demon possessed. Rarely are these problems caused by demon possession. Demon possession can only be proven when the demon leaves the unbeliever and the health problems or abnormal behaviors immediately disappear.

Demon possession may cause the following abnormal behaviors

Convulsions: Mark 1:26; Mark 9:20.

“Throwing him into convulsions, the unclean spirit cried out with a loud voice and came out of him.” (Mark 1:26, NASB)

“They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth.” (Mark 9:20, NASB)

Violence: Matt. 8:28.

“When He came to the other side into the country of the Gadarenes, two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way.” (Matthew 8:28, NASB)

Abnormal strength: Mark 5:4; Luke 8:29.

“because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him.” (Mark 5:4, NASB)

“For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.” (Luke 8:29, NASB)

Raving and self-mutilation: Mark 5:5.

“Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones.” (Mark 5:5, NASB)

Foaming at the mouth: Luke 9:39; Mark 9:20.

“and a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly screams, and it throws him into a convulsion with foaming at the mouth; and only with difficulty does it leave him, mauling him as it leaves.” (Luke 9:39, NASB)

“They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth.” (Mark 9:20, NASB)

Nakedness: Luke 8:27.

“And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs.” (Luke 8:27, NASB)

Living in the tombs: Mark 5:3.

“and he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain;” (Mark 5:3, NASB)

Grinding of teeth: Mark 9:18.

“and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.”“ (Mark 9:18, NASB)

Demon possession may cause health problems

Demon possession can result in loss of health. The following are examples. Again, remember that demon possession may result in these health problems. Having these health problems does NOT imply that these people are demon possessed. These health problems are rarely caused by demon possession. Demon possession can only be proven when the demon leaves the unbeliever and the health problems immediately disappear.

Speechless or mute: Mark 9:17; Luke 11:14.

“And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute;” (Mark 9:17, NASB)

“And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute; when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke; and the crowds were amazed.” (Luke 11:14, NASB)

Blindness and mute: Matt. 12:22.

“Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw.” (Matthew 12:22, NASB)

Seizures and demon-induced mental illness: Mark 5:15.

“They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the “legion”; and they became frightened.” (Mark 5:15, NASB)

Accident prone: Matt. 17:15.

““Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is a lunatic and is very ill; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water.” (Matthew 17:15, NASB)

Every system of pseudo-spirituality has demons behind it. 1 Tim. 4:1.

“But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,” (1 Timothy 4:1, NASB)

Examples of Demon Possession

The strong delusion of 2 Thessalonians 2:7-11 is described in Isaiah 8:19-20.

“When they say to you, "Consult the mediums and the spiritists who whisper and mutter," should not a people consult their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn.” (Isaiah 8:19-20, NASB)

In Isaiah 8:19, “they say” refers to false prophets. “The mediums” in the Hebrew is אוב ('ôb) and is pronounced (ahv) and means a ventriloquist demon, a fallen angel who controls the vocal cords, causing the person to speak in a different voice. This word also used for snake.

“Spiritists” is ידּעני (yidde‛ônı̂y) and refers to a demon possessed man (medium) and a demon possessed woman (witch). “Whisper and mutter” refers to a high falsetto sound and a deep hollow tone, respectively. The principle here is that they were not to go to any of these demon-possessed individuals, but to the Word of God, which is the basis of divine guidance.

In Acts 16:16-18, “divination” is πύθων (puthōn) and refers to the worship of snakes is directly connected with demonism. Satan possessed the serpent in the Garden to deceive the woman.

“It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling.” (Acts 16:16, NASB)

Isaiah 29:4 is a reference to demon possession. Ventriloquist demons are also mentioned in Revelation 16:13-14. “Unclean spirits like frogs” are demons that make croaking noises. The word “frog” was often used of politicians. “They are spirits of demons” means that the ventriloquist demons will control what is said by the rulers of earth during the Tribulation.

“Then you will be brought low; From the earth you will speak, And from the dust where you are prostrate Your words will come. Your voice will also be like that of a spirit from the ground, And your speech will whisper from the dust.” (Isaiah 29:4, NASB)

“And I saw coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs; for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.” (Revelation 16:13-14, NASB)

In Mark 5:1-20, a ventriloquist demon talked with Jesus Christ. Legion was the name of the demon because there were so many of them. Permission was given to enter the more than 2,000 pigs owned by the people in that region of the Gerasenes.

“They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him,” (Mark 5:1-2, NASB)

Demon Possession, Saul and the Witch at Endor

In 1 Samuel 28:1, “Philistines” refers to Dorian Greeks who were the same as Spartans, but settled in southern Palestine. Palestine refers to the land of the Philistines. Goliath was a Greek. They had invaded Israel and Saul was worried.

“Now it came about in those days that the Philistines gathered their armed camps for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Know assuredly that you will go out with me in the camp, you and your men.”“ (1 Samuel 28:1, NASB)

In 1 Samuel 28:3-4, Samuel was physically dead. Samuel had previously kicked out of Israel all the male mediums, but there were a few woman mediums or witches left.

“Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed from the land those who were mediums and spiritists. So the Philistines gathered together and came and camped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together and they camped in Gilboa.” (1 Samuel 28:3-4, NASB)

In 1 Samuel 28:5-6, Saul was very afraid of the Philistines and was out of fellowship, thus his prayers were not answered.

“When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid and his heart trembled greatly. When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by prophets.” (1 Samuel 28:5-6, NASB)

In 1 Samuel 28:7, he finally tries a demon-possessed woman (medium) in En-dor. Saul disguised himself and went to her at night.

“Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a woman who is a medium at En-dor.”“ (1 Samuel 28:7, NASB)

In 1 Samuel 28:8-9, Saul told her to begin and contact whom he said to contact. The woman was wary of a trap and knew the law of the land outlawing mediums. She didn’t know she was talking to Saul, so we know the disguise was working.

“Then Saul disguised himself by putting on other clothes, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, “Conjure up for me, please, and bring up for me whom I shall name to you.” But the woman said to him, “Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who are mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you then laying a snare for my life to bring about my death?”“ (1 Samuel 28:8-9, NASB)

In 1 Samuel 28:10-11, he swore by God and took an oath that she will not be punished and told her to contact Samuel.

“Saul vowed to her by the LORD, saying, “As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.” Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”“ (1 Samuel 28:10-11, NASB)

In 1 Samuel 28:12, she begins her séance where she goes under demonism and tries to crank up the “ob” demon. She has gone into her trance and now the demon is supposed to start making noises mimicking Samuel, but this séance got out of hand. God interrupts the séance, the ob demon starts to sputter and the Lord actually brings up Samuel. This scared her half to death so she screamed because she was actually seeing Saul as well as Samuel.

“When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul.”“ (1 Samuel 28:12, NASB)

You don’t scream at a séance. You may moan or groan, but the medium had just violated rule No. 1 of demon possession. This scream was different from the high-pitched whisper or the typical low moan guttural sound. Saul didn’t know what was going on and thought this was routine séance behavior.

This interrupted séance indicated that both the witch and the demon had lost control of the séance. Satan himself couldn’t counter-trump this. God interrupted the séance to bring back Samuel and of course the witch was frightened. The witch or medium had power to contact demons, but no power to contact the dead. Her terror at the appearance of Samuel was an exposure of spiritism as either demonism or fakery. The witch was most frightened because of a supernatural power greater than Satan, greater than her own was involved and she lost her poise, her cool.

Notice that Saul was not frightened but thought this was routine. It is important to emphasize that the witch was frightened, not Saul. Demons can impersonate the dead, but they cannot produce the dead! Key point! They cannot talk with the dead! Communication with the dead on the part of mediums is always cryptic, nebulous, abstruse, and general.

In 1 Samuel 28:13, Saul told her to not be afraid. She replied that she saw “gods.” This was actually Samuel whom she could see, but Saul could not. The witch described Samuel as God because she knew there was only one power greater than demons and that is God Himself. She thought God Himself had come into the séance.

“The king said to her, “Do not be afraid; but what do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a divine being coming up out of the earth.”“ (1 Samuel 28:13, NASB)

In 1 Samuel 28:14-15, Samuel spoke to Saul and wanted to know why he had been disturbed and brought up.

“He said to her, “What is his form?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped with a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and did homage. Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” And Saul answered, “I am greatly distressed; for the Philistines are waging war against me, and God has departed from me and no longer answers me, either through prophets or by dreams; therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I should do.”“ (1 Samuel 28:14-15, NASB)

In 1 Samuel 28:16-18, this is the status quo of a believer under the sin unto death. He had not obeyed God regarding destruction of Amalek.

“Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has departed from you and has become your adversary? “The LORD has done accordingly as He spoke through me; for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David. “As you did not obey the LORD and did not execute His fierce wrath on Amalek, so the LORD has done this thing to you this day.” (1 Samuel 28:16-18, NASB)

In 1 Samuel 28:19, notice that Saul and his sons would be in Paradise with God. They will lose the battle. They were believers.

““Moreover the LORD will also give over Israel along with you into the hands of the Philistines, therefore tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. Indeed the LORD will give over the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines!”“ (1 Samuel 28:19, NASB)

Saul, in 1 Samuel 31:4, died the next day by suicide. Even though Saul committed suicide, he went to heaven. Christ died for the sin of suicide too.

“Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised will come and pierce me through and make sport of me.” But his armor bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. So Saul took his sword and fell on it.” (1 Samuel 31:4, NASB)

Demon Possession and Drug Use

Demon possession of the unbeliever is related to the use of mind-altering drugs. These are not the drugs or medications prescribed by doctors, but illicit recreational drug use resulting in drug addiction. The Greek word φαρμακός (pharmakos) is our English word for pharmacy.

The Greek word φαρμακία (pharmakia) primarily signified the use of medicine, drugs, spells, poisoning. But in Galatians 5:20, Revelation 9:21, and Revelation 18:23, “sorcery” is φαρμακία (pharmakia) refers to witchcraft. Drug addiction includes mind release where there is little to no control over the mind and has destructive qualities. Demon possession in the Tribulation will also be connected with drug addiction.

“idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,” (Galatians 5:20, NASB)

“and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.” (Revelation 9:21, NASB)

“and the light of a lamp will not shine in you any longer; and the voice of the bridegroom and bride will not be heard in you any longer; for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery.” (Revelation 18:23, NASB)

In Vines, “Dictionary of New Testament Words:” In sorcery, the use of drugs, whether simple or potent, was generally accompanied by incantations and appeals to occult powers, with the provision of various charms, amulets, etc., professedly designed to keep the applicant or patient from the attention and power of demons, but actually to impress the applicant with the mysterious resources and powers of the sorcerer. page 52, vol. 4.

In Exodus 7:11, Exodus 7:22, Exodus 8:7, and Exodus 8:18 “magicians” is חרטם (charṭôm) and refers to demon possessed men.

“Then Pharaoh also called for the wise men and the sorcerers, and they also, the magicians of Egypt, did the same with their secret arts.” (Exodus 7:11, NASB)

“The magicians did the same with their secret arts, making frogs come up on the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 8:7, NASB)

In Isaiah 47:9 and Isaiah 47:12, “sorceries” is כּשׁף (kesheph) and means sorcery, witchcraft.

“"But these two things will come on you suddenly in one day: Loss of children and widowhood. They will come on you in full measure In spite of your many sorceries, In spite of the great power of your spells.” (Isaiah 47:9, NASB)

“"Stand fast now in your spells And in your many sorceries With which you have labored from your youth; Perhaps you will be able to profit, Perhaps you may cause trembling.” (Isaiah 47:12, NASB)

In Acts 16:16, “divination” is related to the Greek words πύθων (puthōn) and μαντεύομαι (manteuomai) which mean to divine, to practice divination from μάντις (mantis), a seer, or diviner. The word is allied to μαίνομαι (mantomai), to rave, and μόνια (monia), fury displayed by those who were possessed by evil spirits, represented by the pagan god or goddess, while delivering their messages from an oracle.

“It happened that as we were going to the place of prayer, a slave-girl having a spirit of divination met us, who was bringing her masters much profit by fortune-telling.” (Acts 16:16, NASB)