Humans And Demonic Possession

The dictionary gives various meanings of the word possession.

Merriam-Webster says: Someone who is influenced or controlled by something, for example an evil spirit, someone crazed, mad, a passion. Ownership of something or someone.

For the purpose of our discussion, we will look at what it is to loose control to another being or beings whose motive for taking over is for destructive purposes.

Biblical Examples

In the Old Testament, there were few cases mentioned of people being possessed. One that comes to mind is king Saul who lost favour with God, and an unclean spirit moved in and tormented him. It caused him to loose the ability of good judgment-- sound mind, dignity and respect.

The New Testament, on the other hand has a lot of examples. It seems the devil knowing Jesus had come, became quite active. Mary Magdalene was said to have been delivered of demons. There was the case of two possessed men whom Jesus delivered of demons by sending the demons into pigs-- Matthew 8: 28-34. They recognised Jesus as the Son of God and pleaded not to be destroyed before the time. They seemed aware of God's Judgement Day when all evil forces would be destroyed and Satan cast into the lake of burning sulfur--Revelation 20:10.

How are People Possessed?

There are various ways people become open to demonic possession. Some engage with spiritual forces as a means of getting wealth. Because of lust for power and wealth, souls are pawned. A person can make the decision to pawn their soul, or that of another. It usually comes from contact, close or distant. Through addictive or legal substances that corrupt with access to the soul through the body.

Some foolishly meddle with forces of darkness such as involvement with secret societies thinking they are places to socialise and make connections.

There has been cases where parents pawned their children's souls to demonic forces in return for wealth and promotion as members of secret societies. Most groups operate as 'religious' organisations or fellowships, performing immoral acts that are gateway to demonic possessions.

Demonic spirits are fallen angels who operate in the atmosphere, and occupy victims as a means of exercising power over worldly affairs--Ephesians 6:12.

There are societies that spend resources connecting with spiritual forces for knowledge and economic advancement.

The cost to the society are destructive demonic activities that become apparent by the breakdown of law and order, as the society rejects truth and promotes evil.

The New Testament has various examples of people possessed, including a child [Matthew 17:14-18], that was tormented by spirits. Exposure to idol worship and false gods expose souls to seducing spirits that are hunting for human victims. The fellowship feasts are means of exposure to demonic habitation.

Those possessed in turn oppress and enslave through contact with those ignorant of the Truth, who lack the protection of the Holy Spirit. Other examples are found in Mark 5:1-20, Matthew 12:22.

The damage to health and life are evident.

How can People be Protected?

Unfortunately, because the world has lost wisdom that is passed down from ancient times, and embraced modern knowledge that has written off demonic activities as non-existent, more are becoming possessed than it was in the past due to missuse of science.

The return to Biblical wisdom is what is needed.

People should not be afraid to own up to the fact that not all human inventions are profitable.

Demonic possession corrupts the human nature, [image of God] with that of the devil. The nature of the devil is to destroy human souls [cannibalise].

Of all the sins that God hates, it is the sin of idolatry because it destroys a person physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally--annihilation from God. In Christ is protection, because then the devil has his Creator to contend with. Christ is indistructible.

The only protection and deliverance against demons therefore, is Jesus Christ.

All things were created by God through Christ, including Satan as an angel--John 1:1-3.

Although Satan and his devils operate as demonic beings in the world, they were created by God to serve as angels in Heaven. They where thrown out to earth when they fell from grace for acts of rebellion--Revelation 12:13.

It was rebellion, that caused their altered nature from good to evil. The same thing they seek to enforce on humanity by deploying the assistance of rebellious men--Revelation 13:16-18.

The way to avoid falling into the same trap is to live in obedience to God's commands and refuse to associate with the worship of idols--Revelation 2:13.

It's the reason God calls people to repent from sin. Jesus' blood atoned for humanity to free from the curse of sin which is death--Romans 6:23.

And because God in Jesus became Man, gave His life on the Cross to atone for sin, all possessed can be set free when the Holy Spirit is received and the person is born again. Satan does not have the power to eject the Holy Spirit from the believer.

Is there Hope of Freedom and Deliverance?

There is Hope in the Creator if people believe by faith in the death of Jesus, by receiving His resurrected Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes over human hearts and overthrows the demons by purifying by the blood, as LORD and Saviour.

To remain delivered, one must abide daily in Christ, and refuse to meddle with the demonic.

God knows the destructive forces at work in the world, reason He paid for our lives with His own Blood, and not the blood of animals.

For JESUS gave His life in exchange for the dead life of sin that we inherited from Adam.

He came that we might have eternal life--John 10:10b.

Abundant life in Christ Jesus.

Copyright--2025--Ofonmbuk Ufot.