- 1 day ago
In our daily meditations, we continue discussing the levels of sin that lead a person to be oppressed and demonized. Yesterday, we talked about the first two levels: Foothold and Manipulation. The third level is Oppression:
3) Oppression. If a person does not cast down thoughts and imaginations of the mind that they know to be evil, the enemy manages to gain some control. Whoever we choose to obey is the one who will rule our lives (Romans 6:16), for sin desires to shape us into an image of evil (Genesis 4:7). An oppressed person often has negative and compulsive thoughts that suggest going down a particular path of sin. We could use the Star Wars movies as an analogy to describe what happens to a person oppressed by demons. In that movie, the Jedi knights drop suggestive thoughts into their enemies' minds, which give them a compulsion to act on the suggestion. At this level, a person does have the power to resist but finds it harder to say no.
4) Obsession. In this stage, an individual becomes controlled by sinful habits and demonic influence. When this stage is reached, it is noticeable to those around them. They often appear "weird," "out there," or simply different. A believer might sometimes sense that someone at this obsession stage is not entirely present but may struggle to identify what it is. A more mature believer quickly recognizes the influence of a demonic spirit. When someone is demonized to this extent, they often experience a breakdown in sanity and reasoning ability due to the compulsive nature of their character. The demons exert enough control that thoughts of harm to others or themselves may arise. Suicidal individuals are often driven by guilt and wicked thoughts and struggle to find inner peace at this stage. There may also be chemical imbalances in some cases, and spiritual, mental, and physical issues might overlap. However, I believe that just as physical sickness is linked to emotional and spiritual matters, the same applies to mental health. Jesus came to bring deliverance to our entire being, body, soul, and spirit.
5) Demonization. The demons inhabiting the Gadarene demoniac (called Legion) brought the man to a state of demonization (Mark 5:1-20). He was crying out in anguish day and night in the graveyard and driven by demons (Mark 5:5). When sin is expressed and allowed to corrupt a soul to this extent, the enemy gains such control that, at times, the person's spirit is sidelined and bypassed. When that happens, the demonized person can enter a sort of dream-like state. Judas is one example: through his deception of stealing from the money bag, the Scriptures show that the enemy had access to his life and used him as a tool to betray Christ— “Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve” (Luke 22:3). Today, there are mind-altering drugs that can also induce this state. Sometimes, a different voice can be heard as the demons use the individual's vocal cords. It can be pretty frightening to hear a man's voice coming from a woman!
People demonized to this extent often report hearing destructive voices, though they hesitate to share this with a counselor. Remember the story of the boy whose father told Jesus that he often “falls into the fire and often into the water” (Matthew 17:16). A stronghold of demonic control can often push the person toward suicide. The demons frequently claim that the person belongs to them at this stage. Demons are liars and should not be trusted. I don't believe anyone is ever too far under Satan's control to be reclaimed. Think of Legion running to Christ, even though he was possessed by many evil spirits (Mark 5:6).
There are varying levels of bondage to Satan and demons, but every person on Earth can call on the name of the Lord and be delivered. Those who are being demonized can resist evil thoughts, temptations, and habits. The prophet Isaiah says: “Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion” (Isaiah 52:2, emphasis added). I believe it is possible to free oneself at all stages, but it is often more challenging because of the amount of control given to the enemy. If a person is in the later stages of demonization, having a trained team of mature Christians is always best to minister deliverance. The Scripture is never without hope and deliverance: “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21), and the Greek word translated as saved can also mean “delivered” in English.
If you feel you are demonized, you are never without help! Call upon the name of the Lord. Call urgently with great emotion and sincerity. Lay down everything that has brought you to this point. Renounce every dark deed that has given the enemy a foothold in your life. Repent ("repent" means to have a change of mind about your sin, to turn around and live your life toward Christ) and make no excuses to God. Ask Him to forgive you for whatever weighs heavily on your soul. I believe that God never leaves us without help. Keith Thomas.
This meditation is from the series Spiritual Warfare: Overcoming Evil, a shortened version of the more in-depth study: Uncovering Satan’s Schemes