How Can I Know If I'm Demon-Possessed?

[nolidad]

Is there any way to know for sure if I am demon-possessed?

My sinful past is one indication that I was not truly saved the first time around, and I've had to become saved again many times since then. I understand repentance, yet I still struggle to stop sinning. Sometimes it gets to the point that I feel as if I'm out of control of my own body. And the immense shame afterward is enough to know that I believe it's not right.

Dear Brandynicole:

YOu only get saved once. That does not mean you stop sinning, but that you desire to gorw and God leads you into greater holiness! Do not worry about being demon possessed. One who is possessed doesn't worry about being possessed.

This is just a demonic attack to keep you feeling guilty and ashamed and not looking to Jesus who is the author and finisher of your faith!

Every time you sin- practice 1 John 1:9! And remember HE is the one who is faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse you!

 

[Francis Drake]

Do you still feel shame? I have asked for forgiveness dozens of times, but still, I feel like I'm far from God.

Back in the 70s, as a relatively new believer, I had serious problems with shame over my conduct prior to coming to the Lord.

I confessed and asked the Lord for forgiveness, but it didn't take too long before the torment, uncleanness and guilt came back. Again and again I pleaded with the Lord to forgive, and this went on, and on and on......…..

I just couldn't get myself clean and was wide open to demonic torment, which came daily.

Then one day, I realised that every time I pleaded with God for forgiveness yet again, in effect, I was telling God that I didn't believe he'd forgiven me the first time I asked!

So despite pleading for forgiveness, in my mind I was living in unforgiveness because of unbelief.

Once I realised what I had been doing, my prayer immediately changed and I stopped asking for forgiveness! Instead, every time the demons goaded me with the same shameful memories, instead of pleading with God for forgiveness, I started thanking Him that I was already cleansed and forgiven, and declaring to the demons that my sin was already paid for by the blood of Jesus.

The result was stunning. In fact so stunning that I completely forgot about it for maybe a year. Then by chance, I encountered a situation that connected with that past event, and I realised then that such had been the magnitude of God's cleansing that I had completely forgotten the shame, and the demons had no grounds for torment.

Read these words carefully, and digest.-
1John1v9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Once we confess, which simply means to agree with God about it, then God does what he says he will do. He forgives and cleanses.
It's a done deal and until you accept what Christ has done, the demons continue to do their work.
You may have to get some direct deliverance help also, but start by correcting your thinking.

Satan and his demons will do everything to remind you of your sin and shortcomings. It is up to you whether you believe God or the demons.
My choice to believe God, stopped Satan in his tracks.


That was back in the 70s, and since that time, I have been enabled to walk with a guilt free conscience because I always keep short accounts with God.
I know he loves me, and washes me every time I mess up.

However, I have discovered just how much most Christians disbelieve God. They live full of guilt because they don't accept what God did for them.
Few really know how to walk in the peace of God, as can be seen by the torment expressed on the forum!

 

[Maria Billingsley]

Is there any way to know for sure if I am demon-possessed?

My sinful past is one indication that I was not truly saved the first time around, and I've had to become saved again many times since then. I understand repentance, yet I still struggle to stop sinning. Sometimes it gets to the point that I feel as if I'm out of control of my own body. And the immense shame afterward is enough to know that I believe it's not right.

It seems as though you have received His Holy Spirit because of your remorse. Your doubt has overcome you though. If you want to blame an entity taking over your body making you sin, then there are ways to exorcise the demons out of you. However, I suspect you are "quenching" the Holy Spirit, and by that not benefiting from His powerful work of sanctification. This is a process we all go through to rid ourselves from sins that burdon our lives and grieves God. The fact that you do not believe you are saved is the work of Satan. You are being deceived and fruits of the truth are not realized in your life. Once you believe that Jesus Christ of Nazareth did His work on the cross for all sinners, you will begin to trust in Him fully and subsequently see the fruit of the Holy Spirit work in your life.
Be blessed and stay healthy.

 

[Francis Drake]

Christians cannot be demon possessed--once the Holy Spirit has moved in, all the demons must move out: the Holy Spirit will then commence to clean the house.

This is simply a doctrine of demons and completely untrue.
I have been casting demons out for over 40 years, and every person I have dealt with has been a born again Christian.

 

[AWorkInProgress]

Do you still feel shame? I have asked for forgiveness dozens of times, but still, I feel like I'm far from God.

In the beginning, the shame and the dirtiness were overwhelming. The shame more or less acted as a wall between Jesus and myself. The Lord had to make a point, he quickened me saying that is why I needed to let him in.

My conversion was dramatic, where he gave me eyes that could not lust for a short period of time. Later the Lord had to use a scene from a movie to help me realize I had a problem. He forgave me of all my sins...but I never forgave myself. Jesus is far more compassionate than I am to myself. The next 10 years from that the Lord had to heal me from self-loathing.

Everyone's conversion is different and the Lord speaks to his people in their own way. All I know is I can clearly contrast my life before salvation and after like night and day. Every day after Jesus is still doing a work in me. Hence the name I chose.

I will pray that you get that break thru you need and you can experience it for yourself.

 

[Francis Drake]

By all indications, demon possession is very rare. It is possible that you are being tempted or oppressed by a demon, though even that is unlikely. However, actual possession does appear to be a most unusual event, even if a remote possibility.

Sorry Basil, but demonisation is not at all rare, but extremely common. That's why we are commanded to cast them out.

If in doubt, I recommend much prayer and repeating the 23rd Psalm and doing acts of mercy and kindness to help others.

Doing good works does not cast demons out!

 

[Francis Drake]

If you are saved you can't have demon.

The idea that Christians can't have demons, is in itself a doctrine of demons. ie. they invented it so they don't get cast out!

Holy Spirit and demon can't be in one place at once, too. Jesus teaches to fast and pray for deliverance.

You've just contradicted yourself, if Christians can't have demons, why fast and pray for deliverance?
Jesus told us to cast demons out, just like he did. Its straight forward and the church should do what Jesus said.

 

[GraceBro]

Is there any way to know for sure if I am demon-possessed?

My sinful past is one indication that I was not truly saved the first time around, and I've had to become saved again many times since then. I understand repentance, yet I still struggle to stop sinning. Sometimes it gets to the point that I feel as if I'm out of control of my own body. And the immense shame afterward is enough to know that I believe it's not right.

If you are born again of the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ you can't be demon-possessed because you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you.

 

[Religiot]

What about the Jezebel spirit?

From what I've learned, she had knowledge of Scripture and even prayed in the Spirit. However, she was possessed and only caused believers to fall away from God. I could unknowingly be carrying that spirit and ruining lives, saying all the right things but evil inside. It's almost undetectable until it's too late.

The Jezebel spirit is not a demon, but a condition: Jezebel was the daughter of the Priest of Baal, and she taught the mixture of Baal worship with the worship of Jehovah.

The Jezebel condition is simply that of witchcraft, which is rebellion against what God has already said.

Men too suffer from what is the Balaam condition, in that they try to mix commerce with the word of God, and treat His truths as products for sale.

There is much to be said about these things, but the remedy for both is simple: Fear God, and keep His commandments, and He will give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all His ways.

Just believe that you must obey the Spirit, and practice meekness, and humbleness, and all things that are contrary to the flesh; and you will find yourself getting good at obeying the Spirit, and becoming bad at obeying the flesh.

 

[Religiot]

This is simply a doctrine of demons and completely untrue.
I have been casting demons out for over 40 years, and every person I have dealt with has been a born again Christian.

The following will show that what I've said is not my own, nor is it the doctrine of devils, but of Christ:

"And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first." --Luke 11:14-26

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." --1 John 4:1-16

The stronger man that overcomes the armed strongman is the Spirit of Christ; and deliverance from devils without salvation, is a recipe for disaster.

Carefully read all of the above, and beware to call the Doctrine of Christ, the doctrine of devils: for there is only one sin that shall never be forgiven, and you are treading by it's open door.

 

[brandynicole]

I was abused as a child. Could I have been exposed to demonic spirits then? Perhaps they went undetected all those years.

My life has been full of addictions and mental illnesses, even after being saved and baptized. No amount of treatment or medication has been able to help me. So, I'm not fully convinced that I am filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

[Francis Drake]

If you are born again of the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ you can't be demon-possessed because you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you.

Again, this is a doctrine of demons. Convincing Christians that they can't have demons is one of the best ways demons can continue to deceive and pollute their minds.

I have been casting demons out for over 40 years, and every one from good, born again Christians.
The evidence is in the transformed lives deliverance gives.

 

[Francis Drake]

The Jezebel spirit is not a demon, but a condition: Jezebel was the daughter of the Priest of Baal, and she taught the mixture of Baal worship with the worship of Jehovah.

Having encountered Jezebel spirits and cast them out countless times over the last 40 years, I can vouch that you are wrong.

The Jezebel condition is simply that of witchcraft, which is rebellion against what God has already said.

Men too suffer from what is the Balaam condition, in that they try to mix commerce with the word of God, and treat His truths as products for sale.

Men can also have spirits of Jezebel, or any other demon.

There is much to be said about these things, but the remedy for both is simple: Fear God, and keep His commandments, and He will give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all His ways.

The correct remedy is to cast demons out, just as Jesus commanded us!

 

[Francis Drake]

The following will show that what I've said is not my own, nor is it the doctrine of devils, but of Christ:

"And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered. But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils. And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges. But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: but when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth. When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first." --Luke 11:14-26

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." --1 John 4:1-16

The stronger man that overcomes the armed strongman is the Spirit of Christ; and deliverance from devils without salvation, is a recipe for disaster.

Carefully read all of the above, and beware to call the Doctrine of Christ, the doctrine of devils: for there is only one sin that shall never be forgiven, and you are treading by it's open door.

None of your scriptures demonstrate that Christians can't have demons.
And the very fact that we are commanded to cast them out refutes your false theology.

If salvation stops demons, why did Jesus command us to cast them out?

 

[Francis Drake]

I was abused as a child. Could I have been exposed to demonic spirits then? Perhaps they went undetected all those years.

Abuse always opens people up to demons.

My life has been full of addictions and mental illnesses, even after being saved and baptized. No amount of treatment or medication has been able to help me. So, I'm not fully convinced that I am filled with the Holy Spirit.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit should be a continuous daily process, not just a one off. And as we drive demons out of the different areas of our life, we ensure that the Holy Spirit is given dominion there as well.

In asking the question in your OP, you are on the right track. I suggest you look around and see if there is any ministry doing deliverance in your area.

Alternatively, you can actually command them to get out by yourself, I've done that countless times.

 

[brandynicole]

Abuse always opens people up to demons.

Being filled with the Holy Spirit should be a continuous daily process, not just a one off. And as we drive demons out of the different areas of our life, we ensure that the Holy Spirit is given dominion there as well.

In asking the question in your OP, you are on the right track. I suggest you look around and see if there is any ministry doing deliverance in your area.

Alternatively, you can actually command them to get out by yourself, I've done that countless times.

How do you command them to get out?

 

[Goodhuman]

The idea that Christians can't have demons, is in itself a doctrine of demons. ie. they invented it so they don't get cast out!

You've just contradicted yourself, if Christians can't have demons, why fast and pray for deliverance?
Jesus told us to cast demons out, just like he did. Its straight forward and the church should do what Jesus said.

I don't said christian can't have demon.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Is there any way to know for sure if I am demon-possessed?

My sinful past is one indication that I was not truly saved the first time around, and I've had to become saved again many times since then. I understand repentance, yet I still struggle to stop sinning. Sometimes it gets to the point that I feel as if I'm out of control of my own body. And the immense shame afterward is enough to know that I believe it's not right.

The bible tells us that:

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

When ever we have a desire for repentance, God is there in that second, to free you from the past. No demon is stronger than God, nor his blood's forgiveness.

The bible tells us:

Eph 6:12-13 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.

We are commanded to stand against the devil by:


Eph 6:14-18 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

We must strive to live in the truth of God's word, in obedience, which is righteousness, we should have a readiness to proclaim God's truth to others, we need faith in God and His promises, specifically we need to be assured of salvation, and seek to always pray.

You need to realise the moment you confess your sin to God, and commit to follow Him, you are saved, and freed from any demon's power. It is the cross that gives you that salvation, not your effort to live perfectly. Yet as you grow in faith, your works will follow.

Even as a Christian the devil may still assail you, he may attack your body, but if you can fix your eyes on the LORD, you will gain sight to see that you really do have power over your body in Christ, and the demons will not be able to stay.

 

[Francis Drake]

I don't said christian can't have demon.

I was responding to this-.

If you are saved you can't have demon.

And responding to this-

Holy Spirit and demon can't be in one place at once, too. Jesus teaches to fast and pray for deliverance.

Care to explain the contradiction?

 

[Sistrin]

Is there any way to know for sure if I am demon-possessed?

If you have the self-awareness to ask this question, then you are not demon-possessed.

Oppression is a separate issue. That may be where you want to focus your efforts.