What are some signs of demonic oppression/possession?

[jiminpa]

The same demon removed multiple times in a day means he had legal rights to return.

So this would say deliverance is for believers unless the Holy Spirit directs deliverance for a sinner. Because normally a sinner is going to be empty, swept, and garnished and stay that way.
"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself 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. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation." Matt 12:43-45

This legal rights thing bugs the snot out of me. Can you please cite the scripture that indicates that Satan is anything other than a law breaker? I don't see anything in the Bible that says he has any legal standing with God at all. He can't go to God and say, "You have to," to anything. He is the Lawless One.

 

[ByTheSpirit]

This legal rights thing bugs the snot out of me. Can you please cite the scripture that indicates that Satan is anything other than a law breaker? I don't see anything in the Bible that says he has any legal standing with God at all. He can't go to God and say, "You have to," to anything. He is the Lawless One.

While I'm certainly not speaking on behalf of anyone else Jim, I would like to throw my 2 pennies in here at this point. I think where the "legal standing comes in" is when we are delivered and then go back to the things that caused us to be ensnared in the first place.

Matthew 12:43-45 ESV, 43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”

2 Peter 2:19-20 ESV "For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first."

Now we can have the discussion of if a person is filled with the Spirit would they be "able" to have a demon, I'd say probably not. But then again, I would certainly not put it past the possibility that a Spirit filled believer could be heavily influenced by evil spirits. We still have to make the choice to obey or disobey the Holy Spirit you know.

But I do think if someone who is demon possessed is freed and goes back to the things/activities that opened the door for possession in the first place, they are at a huge risk for relapse.

 

[Eloy Craft]

This legal rights thing bugs the snot out of me. Can you please cite the scripture that indicates that Satan is anything other than a law breaker? I don't see anything in the Bible that says he has any legal standing with God at all. He can't go to God and say, "You have to," to anything. He is the Lawless One.

Satan accuses the brethren. The serpent strikes the heel. That is following the brethren and watching for a law to be broken. Then he gets to strike the heel or accuse the brethren. Think of the argument for Moses' body. Satan accusing Moses Michael's defense "may the Lord correct you".

 

[jiminpa]

Satan accuses the brethren. The serpent strikes the heel. That is following the brethren and watching for a law to be broken. Then he gets to strike the heel or accuse the brethren. Think of the argument for Moses' body. Satan accusing Moses Michael's defense "may the Lord correct you".

None of that says that Satan has any legal standing with God, though, unless I'm missing something.

 

[lismore]

. I think looking at family history is one possible way to know. If no one else in the family has mental illness then the person acting mentally ill might be possessed.

Hello! I think another way to tell mental illness from demonization is that the demonized person often knows things, supernaturally. You might find yourself speaking to a supernatural entity who knows stuff about you that a human wouldn't know. I once met someone I considered demonized who knew things a human couldn't know.

Like the example in the bible, the sons of Sceva:
One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” (Acts 19:14).

The evil spirit knew Jesus and knew about Paul. God Bless

 

[jiminpa]

I think that mental illness, like other illness, is still demon induced. I say that as one who is far too intimate with depression. I just haven't been successful in getting free of that particular demon consistently, but I still battle it, looking to God's grace.

 

[tturt]

Don't think there's a verse that specifically states "the enemy legally got" but if there is, please advise. Scripture is filled with legal terminology such as accuser, bethroth, penalty, plead, pardon, abode, justice (righteous) 500 times, advocate (I John 2:1), plus verses such as "...the Judge was seated [the court was in session] and the books were opened." (Dan 7:10)

Eph 4 was written to believers, the church - "...whosoever believeth" in God and His only begotten Son (John 3:16, II Pet 3:9). Eph 4:27 states "Neither give place to the devil." Another version "Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]." Pro 4 can be one resource.

Since the thread is about signs to indicate the need for deliverance, we're told hundreds of times not to be fearful, then we may need deliverance if we're fearful of animals, people, nations, wars, weather,, adversity, etc.

A spirit of fear isn't from God. Paul told Timothy "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." II Tim 1:7

 

[tturt]

"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." Jam 4

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. " Eph 6

God's armor for us Eph 6:14-18

 

[tturt]

Yes, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:[

Also "Therefore, since these [great] promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates and defiles body and spirit, and bring [our] consecration to completeness in the [reverential] fear of God." 2Co 7:1.

 

[Blade]

As one said I believe .. this comes from God .. that knowing about possessed or the like. Now I would say many from what I notice in my world do not see this evil enough. Taking just the mind.. yes the mind can get sick as our body does. Yet ALL sickness comes from Satan never God. Take fear.. what is fear but just some feeling? Yet God said.. God has not given us the SPIRIT of fear.

Walking in the Spirit.. don't you ever notice the time you felt like sick going into some place or around some person? Ok heres the kicker.. He warns us.. but when we fail to listen to act He will stop.. until we listen. The other is if we don't believe then HE will not show you anything..He will never go against your will. And this kind of thing unless GOD IS LEADING you never seek out.

 

[Daniel Hoseini]

Here is me reading an interesting article about how the demons take possession of us. Consider to listen and avoid the mistakes mentioned.

 

[jiminpa]

I think demonic oppression will be obvious, the person will behave in a rather unnatural way and show signs of not being himself or herself. Other than that, it is most likely human nature.

But, doesn't what we consider normal human nature include the influence of Satan? Lying does not come from God for example. Things like transgenderism are now being seen long before the age that a child's personality is completely developed.

 

[YahuahSaves]

I'm sure there is probably no one set way on this, but how does one differentiate between demonic oppression/possession and just the flesh (aka human nature)?

I have visited a Christian group that seemed to treat everything as if it were demonic in nature, always talking about get those demons cast out of ya and I even remember one conversation where someone said they had the same demon removed multiple times in a day.

I know that seems extreme, and it doesn't seem like a legit case of demonic, but I've personally never dealt with such a thing, not to my knowledge anyway. So I'm curious from those of you who have or may have. How do you know when someone is afflicted with a demonic presence or oppression or when they are just being too fleshly?

I did a search to see if people were discussing this... if anyone else has experienced and knows how to deal with this, please see my quoted post below.

As for the OP, I have experienced a demonic attack just before and after coming to Christ. My understanding is a stronghold is oppression of a believer, where as possession can happen to someone not yet saved (at least I've heard this is the case).

My post in question:

So, you know of strongholds, which I'm guessing is "oppression" as opposed to "possession".

Have you had any experiences with these yourself of how to deal with them?

I've quoted the above, because I'm trying to understand what's happening.

I said a prayer while driving earlier. I've had a few visions etc, in my life and even though I recently know what has been from God and what hasn't - I find myself questioning this one experience I had 5 years ago. I'm still not sure if it was from God, even though it closely lined up with scripture, there is room for doubt.

I have asked God to clarify if it's in his will to do so, but no certainty of anything yet.
In the car I said I won't share it with anyone unless you guide me to, but I would like to know if it is the truth or not. I suddenly got a wave of nausea and an intense feeling of dread...it lasted about 5 minutes before I just "shook it off".

The only other time I've felt that way I was invited to someone's house who wanted to know more about Christianity. The person is an alcoholic with a traumatic past. As I was approaching their house, before I turned onto the street, that intense dread/nausea feeling came over me strongly. I was thinking, what is this? I figured it  was demonic and rebuked it in Jesus name. I sat in the driveway for a minute before it passed.

I was wondering if you could shed light on this for me, or point me to someone who can? As I am not getting clear understanding or an answer from God.