EVIDENCE OF OCCULT OPPRESSION AND SUBJECTION. Part 3 of 3.
(7) Magic practices. Continued.
In the neurotic person, for example, a symptom may be only the outward indication of more serious inner disturbances. An alcoholic may be suffering, not merely from a bad habit, but from a serious neurosis. Such nervous afflictions as stuttering may be relieved through hypnosis, only to be replaced by neurotic tensions which affect the entire personality. Migraine headaches relieved through hypnotherapy may be replaced by some form of psychosis.
In the second place, contrary to popular opinion, there are many instances where criminal or immoral acts have been performed by a person subjected to someone else through hypnosis, which the subjected person would not have done in his conscious state of mind. When one thus surrenders his will to another individual, he then wills to do whatever the person who hypnotized him cares to suggest. He may even perform ridiculous or morally reprehensible acts, if the hypnotist uses the correct techniques of suggestion. For example, a hypnotized individual may be led to disrobe in public if told that he is in the privacy of his own bedroom. From time to time, the newspapers report cases such as the woman who plotted to murder her husband, while under hypnosis by her lover. Women have been abused, crimes committed, and other scandalous acts performed by individuals under hypnosis.
To make matters worse, cheap literature on the newsstands today popularizes the subject, encouraging young people to practice hypnotism on one another, sometimes with serious mental, emotional, and psychic consequences. The danger of amateur hypnotism is that it can induce psychoneuroses or arouse deep-seated complexes, compulsions, phobias, and other permanent mental and emotional disturbances. Even professional therapists are not always able to cope with the results of hypnotherapy. How much less can a stage hypnotist or novice, who lack the knowledge of the functioning of the mind and emotions!
When one thus surrenders his will to another, he becomes susceptible to hypnotic suggestion from then on. In fact, he may even become "psychically dependent" upon the other person. This danger is also encountered in telepathy, especially if these practices are carried on repeatedly.
However, the greatest threat in the hypnotized state of the surrendered will is the fact that the individual is open to the invasion of evil spirits. In order to be hypnotized, he has set aside the one divinely endowed moral and spiritual safeguard against such intrusion: the free and independent exercise of his personal will. In other words, he has at that point forfeited his independent, moral right to say "yes" or "no." So-called medical or therapeutic hypnosis obviously has no more safeguards against this danger than does the amateur hypnotist. Demons have admitted through the lips of those possessed that Satan himself is the power behind the hypnotist! The moral and spiritual implications involved in hypnotism of any sort should be obvious to any concerned person.
(8.) Spiritism and mediumistic powers.
In addition to the extrasensory powers of clairvoyance, telepathy, divination, psychometry, and so forth, certain other paranormal or psychic abilities can result from occult subjection. These include self-induced trance states; spirit writing; levitation (the lifting or floating of objects) and table-tipping; astral projection (projection of the spirit or psyche out of the body to another place); spirit knockings or rappings; telekinesis (objects are caused to move mysteriously about the room; musical instruments play as by unseen hands); apports (articles made to appear in locked rooms); materializations (the power to materialize the alleged spirit of the dead, as well as other objects, into visible form); parakinesis (PK, or the ability to control objects by the power of the mind and will); and many other forms of psychic phenomena. Many of these occult and psychic powers are found, not only in those who are practicing mediums, but also in those who have had occult associations.
Involvement in occultism often results in such total subjection to these powers that the individual is almost, if not entirely, dependent upon fortune tellers for information and advice; astrologers for guidance in the daily affairs of business and life; magical practices for healing, controlling the forces of nature, or influencing others; and so on, until the victim is hopelessly entangled in a labyrinth of evil influences and control.
2. Occult Oppression.
The foregoing forms of psychic powers and extrasensory abilities, which result from occult involvement, are indicative of occult "subjection"; that is, such persons have been brought into subjection to the powers of darkness (although they do not always recognize their source). As a result of having opened themselves to these demonic forces, they have become "psychically" subjected. However, occult participation does not always result in such sensitivity; often only a form of "oppression" occurs. In any event, oppression in some form will be the final outcome; but those who have become "psychic" or clairvoyant will usually suffer the most. At this point we shall note the most significant forms of psychic oppression which result from occult involvement.
(1) Poltergeist activity.
Poltergeist (German for "noisy ghost") activity is not uncommon, and has been observed by many reliable witnesses. These are malicious works perpetrated by demonic spirits to terrify victims as a consequence of occult involvement.
This form of oppression involves psychic attacks in the form of bizarre occurrences. The individual sees objects floating about the room. Sometimes they fall to the floor with a loud crash, as though thrown by some unseen power. Mysterious fires break out in his home. He hears strange noises, rappings, knockings, and often rattling chains, moaning, weeping or crying. Disembodied spirit voices speak threats and obscenities.
Articles suddenly appear or disappear in closed and locked rooms. Furniture moves about the room. Unseen hands begin to play the piano in the middle of the night. The bed suddenly rises off the floor and the covers are unceremoniously yanked off the victim. Doors mysteriously open and slam shut. The doorbell begins to ring incessantly, but upon investigation, the frightful confusion ends as suddenly as it began.
Light bulbs burst. Rocks, dirt, broken glass and other rubble pour down through the ceiling leaving no trace of how they entered, for the ceiling remains undisturbed. All the lights in the house suddenly flash on and off. Phantom footsteps are heard on the stairs, or strange noises, such as a trunk sliding across the floor, are heard in the attic. Stones and china are sometimes thrown about with abandon, or the furniture is upset. Personal objects disappear or are hidden from the owner, and it is not uncommon for violent and vicious attacks to be made upon the victim himself.
Incredible as it may seem, few people seem to realize the relationship between this form of oppression and the occult involvement of the victim. As a result, even Christians have been unable to cope properly with it in their attempts to liberate the oppressed. Unless one deals with this oppression from an occult standpoint, there can be no assurance of deliverance and liberation from these psychic or poltergeist attacks.
Poltergeist activities are sometimes confined to the particular residence or area in which they occur, often as a result of seances, Spiritualist meetings, or some other form of occult activity having been conducted there at some time. Nevertheless, it is the present or past occult involvement of the individual, or within his family, that makes him personally susceptible to these attacks. A certain pastor seen further evidence for this from their counseling experience in that, before liberation, one oppressed individual continued to suffer even after moving to other places of residence.
(2) Apparitions, specters, monstrous phantasms.
Appearances of ghostly figures, specters, and demonic creatures, such as headless figures, weird animals, or other hideous creatures (often dismissed as hallucinations), are frequently experienced by those who have had some kind of occult connection. One oppressed victim was almost driven insane when, upon smelling fire and brimstone in the room, turned and saw a filthy, slimy demonic creature. Another was confronted by a headless body. Another encountered a faceless specter upon opening the door. Such things as dwarfs; dark, ugly, leering faces; disembodied hands; serpents; and other fearsome phantasms are sometimes seen. The voice or apparition of a friend or relative of the oppressed individual may appear as a portent, warning of an impending accident or serious illness, or the death of the friend or relative, often at the moment of the tragedy or shortly thereafter. Others under occult oppression may sense the presence of an invisible intelligence or some oppressive, dark creature or power, which lurks about the room, or even follows its victim about. At times, malevolent spirits may actually attack an oppressed individual, choking, biting, throttling, or otherwise molesting the victim. Psychic attacks in the form of persistent nightmares are also common.
(3) Incubi and succubi experiences.
This is an attempted assault upon a human by an unclean spirit or demon of lust for the purpose of gratifying its sexual appetites. Women and men alike are known to have suffered such attempts at sexual molestation, as well as actual attacks. Both history and a certain pastor’s counseling experience confirm the reality of such experiences. II Peter 2:4, and Jude 6-7, taken literally, provide adequate Scriptural basis for the reality of such bizarre occurrences.
C. Spiritual Subjection and Oppression.
Occult involvement invariably affects one spiritually, frequently causing serious damage to one's spiritual life and faith. The spiritual effects and influence of the powers of darkness are readily apparent in the symptoms which follow, not all of which would necessarily be found in any one individual, nor to the same degree. Often there is progressive spiritual deterioration, and disintegration in the area of faith, unless deliverance is effected. Evil influences continue their destructive work even in the lives of Christians. This is true even if the occult participation was insignificant; regardless of how far in the past it took place; and even if it took place before the individual became a Christian.
1. Indifference to spiritual things.
Spiritual deterioration is seen in a noticeable indifference to the Word of God, prayer, worship, and spiritual matters in general. Often this happens against the individual's own will, and he has little success in overcoming this state, though he may try repeatedly to reverse his increasing spiritual apathy.
2. Serious problems concerning doubt and unbelief.
Extreme and persistent doubts concerning the teachings of Scripture, especially the supernatural, or difficulty in exercising faith, are clear evidence of spiritual deterioration as a result of occult associations. Often these individuals seem to be powerless to resist the temptation to doubt, waver, question, and distrust God, His promises, and His ministers. At times they feel almost overwhelmed by skepticism, suspicion, incredulity, disbelief, indecision, and other misgivings.
3. Religious aberrations.
Religious delusions, heresies, and errors, ranging from agnosticism to affirming the doctrines of Spiritualism, Modernism, New Age religion, or other religious cults, indicate occult subjection. Other aberrations include pious self-righteousness, spiritual pride, and hypocrisy. Many religious extremes, such as abnormal aversion to certain foods (which the individual is well prepared to justify on personal, religious, or medical grounds), serious deviations from Scripture in doctrine or practice, asceticism, and extreme antagonism toward other religious bodies or Christian groups, are also found.
4. Inability to receive the Holy Spirit.
Frequently, those with occult associations find a spiritual barrier when they wish to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, although some have earnestly desired and sought the experience for years. Liberation from occult powers, which act as hindrances, is the only solution we have found.
Resistance.
A very significant indication of the spiritual effect upon some who have had occult involvement is their resistance to the teaching concerning the reality of occult subjection and oppression, and their indifference to the dangers involved. This is one of the characteristic marks of occult delusion and enslavement in some who have been guilty of occult sins. Their hostile reaction is often the work of a spirit of pride which prevents them from admitting their gullibility, sin, and delusion. It may be motivated by their reluctance to sever occult connections. The powers of darkness struggle against being discovered and removed from their position of influence and control. The very resistance itself, in view of the plain teachings of Scripture condemning these practices, is evidence enough of occult subjection in such individuals.
This resistance is often expressed as unwillingness on the part of the oppressed individual to accept the fact that a Christian can be oppressed by Satan-even though this individual is usually suffering such oppression at the time! Of course, he blames his problems, for which he is seeking help, on some other source or on causes unknown. Experience has shown that, unless the oppressed or subjected person recognizes and admits the source of resistance to the fact of occult oppression and subjection, and unless he personally resists in faith the powers of darkness at this point, deliverance from this condition is impossible.
6. Occult bondage and opposition to God.
Where spiritual damage is severe, the person may be in such a state of bondage to the powers of darkness that severe forms of occult subjection are observed:
. Inability to believe on or confess Christ, even where there is a desire to believe;
. Difficulty in praying or reading the Word of God, often accompanied by extreme drowsiness or an inability to concentrate;
.Too easily being distracted during the preaching or teaching of the Scriptures, or difficulty understanding them;
. Inability to acknowledge the fact of the efficacy of the blood Atonement, or the Deity of Christ;
. Unclean thoughts and sexual images entering the mind when trying to enter into a time of private devotions or prayer;
. Dependence upon, or enslavement to, various forms of occultism.
. Opposition to God, as seen in the following characteristics, is unmistakable evidence of demon possession:
. Blasphemous thoughts against God, Christ, and the Trinity;
. Opposition to the work of the Holy Spirit; Aversion to all references to the blood of Christ or His Deity;
. Scorn, mockery, and ridicule toward the Bible, preaching, believers, Christianity, or divine and holy things in general.
Such persons often manifest violent raging, cursing, and blasphemous opposition against all attempts at deliverance-even when this liberation is being sought by the subjected individual himself! Usually, however, their bondage to occultism is greater than their will power or desire for deliverance from such enslavement.
D. Physical Oppression.
Certain physical symptoms indicate the presence and activity of demonic powers. These are related to outward behavior, bodily appearance, and to the physical condition. Of course, the mere presence of just one of these symptoms is not conclusive proof of demonic oppression and activity, but could be the result of some other cause. Inexperienced individuals need to be warned against the temptation to evaluate the spiritual state of others on the basis of these symptoms alone.
1. Speech and behavioral abnormalities.
The oppressed individual will frequently manifest one or more of the following symptoms, and usually in a noticeably abnormal manner: excessive talkativeness; unusual loudness of tone and voice; hysterical laughter; persistent restlessness and uneasiness; silliness; giddiness; unusually foolish talk and behavior; incongruity of actions; muttering to oneself; incoherence in speech and thought; compulsive shouting or screaming when provoked; the absence of certain normal reflexes, or the exaggeration of others; peculiar postures (e.g ., unrelaxed, abnormally rigid and ramrod straight; or exactly the opposite state of lethargic, sluggish droopiness); deep sighing, denoting despondency or feelings of self pity; shunning or withdrawal from public scrutiny; odd, annoyingly repetitious eccentricities of speech.
In actual cases of demon possession, especially when the evil spirits in the individual feel threatened with exposure or expulsion, or when they find themselves in the presence of the power of the blood and the Name of Jesus, more violent physical manifestations are often seen, such as: foaming at the mouth; retching; screaming; cursing, blasphemy; raging against Christianity; physical resistance; threatened or attempted violence; and at times, convulsions, with pains and cramps, or a state of catalepsy.
Often at such times spirits will speak through the possessed victim. An intelligence is manifested that does not belong to the individual himself. Sometimes a possessed individual can understand or speak a foreign language which he has not studied (not to be confused with Biblical tongues, since in demon possession it is the demon, who knows the language, speaking through the person). Frequently, there is knowledge of hidden facts, a prognostication of future events, a display of physical feats of supernormal strength, or other supernatural phenomena.
2. Abnormal facial characteristics.
The face of an oppressed individual is often contorted by fear, chronic doubts, incredulity, or anxiety; his countenance maybe strained, uneasy, or tormented. Such individuals seldom smile, and have no joy in their conversation or life. They commonly wear a morbid expression, and often think of suicide.
Others display a defiant, wicked, scowling, perverse, dark or sullen appearance. At times the complexion is also affected, being dark and somber, or pallid and corpse-like. Other extremes of facial expression are a stereotyped, frozen smile or grimace, or an impassive, stoical absence of expression.
Some have abnormally bright and protruding eyes; others, a glazed, trance-like, or hunted, animal-like stare. In others there is a wicked, defiant glare, or a demonic leering in the eyes.
3. Abnormal physical ailments.
Chronic, persistent physical ailments, diseases, or pains that do not respond to prayer or treatment of any kind, but which seem to linger on and on, may indicate occult oppression. Mere prayer for healing is insufficient, since one must deal with the occult cause of the affliction, not just the physical effect. In these cases, deliverance from occult bondage is a crucial step in receiving liberation.
E. Material, Domestic, and Social Forms of Oppression.
Most people are unaware of the far-reaching effects of occult participation. Occult associations can also result in oppression which affects the lives of others. It may, for example, produce serious marital problems, often culminating in divorce. One person traced the beginning of marital strife and incompatibility to the day following a visit to a seance. Discord between parents and children; disputes with neighbors; friction and strife between business associates or others; and church divisions and irreconcilable schisms can result.
This form of oppression is the operation of divisive and factious spirits whose primary objective is to work in the affairs of men to divide, disrupt, confuse, deceive, distract, disturb, perplex, and disorganize. Their sole aim is in every way to destroy unity, harmony, and peace; to cause as much affliction, sorrow, agony, anguish, grief, misery, misfortune, privation, distrust, suspicion, doubt, anxiety, and confusion as possible in the daily circumstances of life. Persistent financial distress, material loss, and subjection to poverty, need, scarcity, and other material privations, can also result from occult involvement.
Deliverance from all forms of oppression and subjection resulting from occult involvement can come only in one way, and it is to this that we now turn to in our next studies. Edited. Shared.
To be Continued.
God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
❤️EVIDENCE OF OCCULT OPPRESSION AND SUBJECTION. Part 3 of 3.
(7) Magic practices. Continued.
In the neurotic person, for example, a symptom may be only the outward indication of more serious inner disturbances. An alcoholic may be suffering, not merely from a bad habit, but from a serious neurosis. Such nervous afflictions as stuttering may be relieved through hypnosis, only to be replaced by neurotic tensions which affect the entire personality. Migraine headaches relieved through hypnotherapy may be replaced by some form of psychosis.
In the second place, contrary to popular opinion, there are many instances where criminal or immoral acts have been performed by a person subjected to someone else through hypnosis, which the subjected person would not have done in his conscious state of mind. When one thus surrenders his will to another individual, he then wills to do whatever the person who hypnotized him cares to suggest. He may even perform ridiculous or morally reprehensible acts, if the hypnotist uses the correct techniques of suggestion. For example, a hypnotized individual may be led to disrobe in public if told that he is in the privacy of his own bedroom. From time to time, the newspapers report cases such as the woman who plotted to murder her husband, while under hypnosis by her lover. Women have been abused, crimes committed, and other scandalous acts performed by individuals under hypnosis.
To make matters worse, cheap literature on the newsstands today popularizes the subject, encouraging young people to practice hypnotism on one another, sometimes with serious mental, emotional, and psychic consequences. The danger of amateur hypnotism is that it can induce psychoneuroses or arouse deep-seated complexes, compulsions, phobias, and other permanent mental and emotional disturbances. Even professional therapists are not always able to cope with the results of hypnotherapy. How much less can a stage hypnotist or novice, who lack the knowledge of the functioning of the mind and emotions!
When one thus surrenders his will to another, he becomes susceptible to hypnotic suggestion from then on. In fact, he may even become "psychically dependent" upon the other person. This danger is also encountered in telepathy, especially if these practices are carried on repeatedly.
However, the greatest threat in the hypnotized state of the surrendered will is the fact that the individual is open to the invasion of evil spirits. In order to be hypnotized, he has set aside the one divinely endowed moral and spiritual safeguard against such intrusion: the free and independent exercise of his personal will. In other words, he has at that point forfeited his independent, moral right to say "yes" or "no." So-called medical or therapeutic hypnosis obviously has no more safeguards against this danger than does the amateur hypnotist. Demons have admitted through the lips of those possessed that Satan himself is the power behind the hypnotist! The moral and spiritual implications involved in hypnotism of any sort should be obvious to any concerned person.
(8.) Spiritism and mediumistic powers.
In addition to the extrasensory powers of clairvoyance, telepathy, divination, psychometry, and so forth, certain other paranormal or psychic abilities can result from occult subjection. These include self-induced trance states; spirit writing; levitation (the lifting or floating of objects) and table-tipping; astral projection (projection of the spirit or psyche out of the body to another place); spirit knockings or rappings; telekinesis (objects are caused to move mysteriously about the room; musical instruments play as by unseen hands); apports (articles made to appear in locked rooms); materializations (the power to materialize the alleged spirit of the dead, as well as other objects, into visible form); parakinesis (PK, or the ability to control objects by the power of the mind and will); and many other forms of psychic phenomena. Many of these occult and psychic powers are found, not only in those who are practicing mediums, but also in those who have had occult associations.
Involvement in occultism often results in such total subjection to these powers that the individual is almost, if not entirely, dependent upon fortune tellers for information and advice; astrologers for guidance in the daily affairs of business and life; magical practices for healing, controlling the forces of nature, or influencing others; and so on, until the victim is hopelessly entangled in a labyrinth of evil influences and control.
2. Occult Oppression.
The foregoing forms of psychic powers and extrasensory abilities, which result from occult involvement, are indicative of occult "subjection"; that is, such persons have been brought into subjection to the powers of darkness (although they do not always recognize their source). As a result of having opened themselves to these demonic forces, they have become "psychically" subjected. However, occult participation does not always result in such sensitivity; often only a form of "oppression" occurs. In any event, oppression in some form will be the final outcome; but those who have become "psychic" or clairvoyant will usually suffer the most. At this point we shall note the most significant forms of psychic oppression which result from occult involvement.
(1) Poltergeist activity.
Poltergeist (German for "noisy ghost") activity is not uncommon, and has been observed by many reliable witnesses. These are malicious works perpetrated by demonic spirits to terrify victims as a consequence of occult involvement.
This form of oppression involves psychic attacks in the form of bizarre occurrences. The individual sees objects floating about the room. Sometimes they fall to the floor with a loud crash, as though thrown by some unseen power. Mysterious fires break out in his home. He hears strange noises, rappings, knockings, and often rattling chains, moaning, weeping or crying. Disembodied spirit voices speak threats and obscenities.
Articles suddenly appear or disappear in closed and locked rooms. Furniture moves about the room. Unseen hands begin to play the piano in the middle of the night. The bed suddenly rises off the floor and the covers are unceremoniously yanked off the victim. Doors mysteriously open and slam shut. The doorbell begins to ring incessantly, but upon investigation, the frightful confusion ends as suddenly as it began.
Light bulbs burst. Rocks, dirt, broken glass and other rubble pour down through the ceiling leaving no trace of how they entered, for the ceiling remains undisturbed. All the lights in the house suddenly flash on and off. Phantom footsteps are heard on the stairs, or strange noises, such as a trunk sliding across the floor, are heard in the attic. Stones and china are sometimes thrown about with abandon, or the furniture is upset. Personal objects disappear or are hidden from the owner, and it is not uncommon for violent and vicious attacks to be made upon the victim himself.
Incredible as it may seem, few people seem to realize the relationship between this form of oppression and the occult involvement of the victim. As a result, even Christians have been unable to cope properly with it in their attempts to liberate the oppressed. Unless one deals with this oppression from an occult standpoint, there can be no assurance of deliverance and liberation from these psychic or poltergeist attacks.
Poltergeist activities are sometimes confined to the particular residence or area in which they occur, often as a result of seances, Spiritualist meetings, or some other form of occult activity having been conducted there at some time. Nevertheless, it is the present or past occult involvement of the individual, or within his family, that makes him personally susceptible to these attacks. A certain pastor seen further evidence for this from their counseling experience in that, before liberation, one oppressed individual continued to suffer even after moving to other places of residence.
(2) Apparitions, specters, monstrous phantasms.
Appearances of ghostly figures, specters, and demonic creatures, such as headless figures, weird animals, or other hideous creatures (often dismissed as hallucinations), are frequently experienced by those who have had some kind of occult connection. One oppressed victim was almost driven insane when, upon smelling fire and brimstone in the room, turned and saw a filthy, slimy demonic creature. Another was confronted by a headless body. Another encountered a faceless specter upon opening the door. Such things as dwarfs; dark, ugly, leering faces; disembodied hands; serpents; and other fearsome phantasms are sometimes seen. The voice or apparition of a friend or relative of the oppressed individual may appear as a portent, warning of an impending accident or serious illness, or the death of the friend or relative, often at the moment of the tragedy or shortly thereafter. Others under occult oppression may sense the presence of an invisible intelligence or some oppressive, dark creature or power, which lurks about the room, or even follows its victim about. At times, malevolent spirits may actually attack an oppressed individual, choking, biting, throttling, or otherwise molesting the victim. Psychic attacks in the form of persistent nightmares are also common.
(3) Incubi and succubi experiences.
This is an attempted assault upon a human by an unclean spirit or demon of lust for the purpose of gratifying its sexual appetites. Women and men alike are known to have suffered such attempts at sexual molestation, as well as actual attacks. Both history and a certain pastor’s counseling experience confirm the reality of such experiences. II Peter 2:4, and Jude 6-7, taken literally, provide adequate Scriptural basis for the reality of such bizarre occurrences.
C. Spiritual Subjection and Oppression.
Occult involvement invariably affects one spiritually, frequently causing serious damage to one's spiritual life and faith. The spiritual effects and influence of the powers of darkness are readily apparent in the symptoms which follow, not all of which would necessarily be found in any one individual, nor to the same degree. Often there is progressive spiritual deterioration, and disintegration in the area of faith, unless deliverance is effected. Evil influences continue their destructive work even in the lives of Christians. This is true even if the occult participation was insignificant; regardless of how far in the past it took place; and even if it took place before the individual became a Christian.
1. Indifference to spiritual things.
Spiritual deterioration is seen in a noticeable indifference to the Word of God, prayer, worship, and spiritual matters in general. Often this happens against the individual's own will, and he has little success in overcoming this state, though he may try repeatedly to reverse his increasing spiritual apathy.
2. Serious problems concerning doubt and unbelief.
Extreme and persistent doubts concerning the teachings of Scripture, especially the supernatural, or difficulty in exercising faith, are clear evidence of spiritual deterioration as a result of occult associations. Often these individuals seem to be powerless to resist the temptation to doubt, waver, question, and distrust God, His promises, and His ministers. At times they feel almost overwhelmed by skepticism, suspicion, incredulity, disbelief, indecision, and other misgivings.
3. Religious aberrations.
Religious delusions, heresies, and errors, ranging from agnosticism to affirming the doctrines of Spiritualism, Modernism, New Age religion, or other religious cults, indicate occult subjection. Other aberrations include pious self-righteousness, spiritual pride, and hypocrisy. Many religious extremes, such as abnormal aversion to certain foods (which the individual is well prepared to justify on personal, religious, or medical grounds), serious deviations from Scripture in doctrine or practice, asceticism, and extreme antagonism toward other religious bodies or Christian groups, are also found.
4. Inability to receive the Holy Spirit.
Frequently, those with occult associations find a spiritual barrier when they wish to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit, although some have earnestly desired and sought the experience for years. Liberation from occult powers, which act as hindrances, is the only solution we have found.
Resistance.
A very significant indication of the spiritual effect upon some who have had occult involvement is their resistance to the teaching concerning the reality of occult subjection and oppression, and their indifference to the dangers involved. This is one of the characteristic marks of occult delusion and enslavement in some who have been guilty of occult sins. Their hostile reaction is often the work of a spirit of pride which prevents them from admitting their gullibility, sin, and delusion. It may be motivated by their reluctance to sever occult connections. The powers of darkness struggle against being discovered and removed from their position of influence and control. The very resistance itself, in view of the plain teachings of Scripture condemning these practices, is evidence enough of occult subjection in such individuals.
This resistance is often expressed as unwillingness on the part of the oppressed individual to accept the fact that a Christian can be oppressed by Satan-even though this individual is usually suffering such oppression at the time! Of course, he blames his problems, for which he is seeking help, on some other source or on causes unknown. Experience has shown that, unless the oppressed or subjected person recognizes and admits the source of resistance to the fact of occult oppression and subjection, and unless he personally resists in faith the powers of darkness at this point, deliverance from this condition is impossible.
6. Occult bondage and opposition to God.
Where spiritual damage is severe, the person may be in such a state of bondage to the powers of darkness that severe forms of occult subjection are observed:
. Inability to believe on or confess Christ, even where there is a desire to believe;
. Difficulty in praying or reading the Word of God, often accompanied by extreme drowsiness or an inability to concentrate;
.Too easily being distracted during the preaching or teaching of the Scriptures, or difficulty understanding them;
. Inability to acknowledge the fact of the efficacy of the blood Atonement, or the Deity of Christ;
. Unclean thoughts and sexual images entering the mind when trying to enter into a time of private devotions or prayer;
. Dependence upon, or enslavement to, various forms of occultism.
. Opposition to God, as seen in the following characteristics, is unmistakable evidence of demon possession:
. Blasphemous thoughts against God, Christ, and the Trinity;
. Opposition to the work of the Holy Spirit; Aversion to all references to the blood of Christ or His Deity;
. Scorn, mockery, and ridicule toward the Bible, preaching, believers, Christianity, or divine and holy things in general.
Such persons often manifest violent raging, cursing, and blasphemous opposition against all attempts at deliverance-even when this liberation is being sought by the subjected individual himself! Usually, however, their bondage to occultism is greater than their will power or desire for deliverance from such enslavement.
D. Physical Oppression.
Certain physical symptoms indicate the presence and activity of demonic powers. These are related to outward behavior, bodily appearance, and to the physical condition. Of course, the mere presence of just one of these symptoms is not conclusive proof of demonic oppression and activity, but could be the result of some other cause. Inexperienced individuals need to be warned against the temptation to evaluate the spiritual state of others on the basis of these symptoms alone.
1. Speech and behavioral abnormalities.
The oppressed individual will frequently manifest one or more of the following symptoms, and usually in a noticeably abnormal manner: excessive talkativeness; unusual loudness of tone and voice; hysterical laughter; persistent restlessness and uneasiness; silliness; giddiness; unusually foolish talk and behavior; incongruity of actions; muttering to oneself; incoherence in speech and thought; compulsive shouting or screaming when provoked; the absence of certain normal reflexes, or the exaggeration of others; peculiar postures (e.g ., unrelaxed, abnormally rigid and ramrod straight; or exactly the opposite state of lethargic, sluggish droopiness); deep sighing, denoting despondency or feelings of self pity; shunning or withdrawal from public scrutiny; odd, annoyingly repetitious eccentricities of speech.
In actual cases of demon possession, especially when the evil spirits in the individual feel threatened with exposure or expulsion, or when they find themselves in the presence of the power of the blood and the Name of Jesus, more violent physical manifestations are often seen, such as: foaming at the mouth; retching; screaming; cursing, blasphemy; raging against Christianity; physical resistance; threatened or attempted violence; and at times, convulsions, with pains and cramps, or a state of catalepsy.
Often at such times spirits will speak through the possessed victim. An intelligence is manifested that does not belong to the individual himself. Sometimes a possessed individual can understand or speak a foreign language which he has not studied (not to be confused with Biblical tongues, since in demon possession it is the demon, who knows the language, speaking through the person). Frequently, there is knowledge of hidden facts, a prognostication of future events, a display of physical feats of supernormal strength, or other supernatural phenomena.
2. Abnormal facial characteristics.
The face of an oppressed individual is often contorted by fear, chronic doubts, incredulity, or anxiety; his countenance maybe strained, uneasy, or tormented. Such individuals seldom smile, and have no joy in their conversation or life. They commonly wear a morbid expression, and often think of suicide.
Others display a defiant, wicked, scowling, perverse, dark or sullen appearance. At times the complexion is also affected, being dark and somber, or pallid and corpse-like. Other extremes of facial expression are a stereotyped, frozen smile or grimace, or an impassive, stoical absence of expression.
Some have abnormally bright and protruding eyes; others, a glazed, trance-like, or hunted, animal-like stare. In others there is a wicked, defiant glare, or a demonic leering in the eyes.
3. Abnormal physical ailments.
Chronic, persistent physical ailments, diseases, or pains that do not respond to prayer or treatment of any kind, but which seem to linger on and on, may indicate occult oppression. Mere prayer for healing is insufficient, since one must deal with the occult cause of the affliction, not just the physical effect. In these cases, deliverance from occult bondage is a crucial step in receiving liberation.
E. Material, Domestic, and Social Forms of Oppression.
Most people are unaware of the far-reaching effects of occult participation. Occult associations can also result in oppression which affects the lives of others. It may, for example, produce serious marital problems, often culminating in divorce. One person traced the beginning of marital strife and incompatibility to the day following a visit to a seance. Discord between parents and children; disputes with neighbors; friction and strife between business associates or others; and church divisions and irreconcilable schisms can result.
This form of oppression is the operation of divisive and factious spirits whose primary objective is to work in the affairs of men to divide, disrupt, confuse, deceive, distract, disturb, perplex, and disorganize. Their sole aim is in every way to destroy unity, harmony, and peace; to cause as much affliction, sorrow, agony, anguish, grief, misery, misfortune, privation, distrust, suspicion, doubt, anxiety, and confusion as possible in the daily circumstances of life. Persistent financial distress, material loss, and subjection to poverty, need, scarcity, and other material privations, can also result from occult involvement.
Deliverance from all forms of oppression and subjection resulting from occult involvement can come only in one way, and it is to this that we now turn to in our next studies. Edited. Shared.
To be Continued.
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God willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
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