Spirit Oppression, Possession

A controversial subject on which Christian viewpoints vary widely: some attribute every misfortune and sinful action to evil spirits, while others dismiss even blatant demonic activity as a quirk of a person’s nature. This article considers what Scripture says about evil spirits, how strongholds form, and how believers can find freedom and stand firm in Christ.

The Reality of Evil Spirits

Evil spirits (also called demons) are real spiritual beings in the devil’s arsenal, part of his purpose to “steal, kill and destroy” (Jn 10:10). They can produce major character and personality defects, causing people to do what is utterly out of character, giving ability beyond normal human capability, and causing physical ailments or horrendous evil in those under their control (Mt 9:32-33; Mk 5:1-4; Lk 22:3-4; Act 16:16-18). Satan aims to cause havoc and render our lives ineffective for God, so we must be aware of his strategies (2 Cor 2:11).

Yet much of our struggle against sin is due to our own lack of self-discipline and un-crucified fleshly desires rather than a direct attack of Satan (Jas 1:13-15). These patterns take hold through repeatedly giving in to out-of-control emotions, immoral acts, illicit drugs or occult practices, creating strongholds from which Satan can act and opening a person up to more and more domination. The prolonged entertaining of unwholesome, negative attitudes such as rejection, fear and un-forgiveness, or repeatedly yielding to any fleshly lust, has the same effect – making people feel seemingly powerless to resist. However, the comment ‘Satan made me do it’ is not a valid excuse. Cain was angry and God warned him that sin was ready to gain the advantage, stating it was Cain’s responsibility to master it (Gen 4:7). The choice rested with Cain, as it does in our lives – we choose whether we surrender ourselves to God or to evil (Rom 6:12-13).

How free am I in Jesus?

Living by the Spirit

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Gal 5:1).

There is a constant struggle taking place within us between our old, ingrained sinful life and the new life of Christ. The Bible’s advice in this struggle is to “live by the Spirit so you will not satisfy the desires of the old nature”, and through self-discipline put off the old self and put on the new godly nature (Gal 5:16-18; Eph 4:22,24; 1 Jn 2:16). By avoiding sinful practices the devil’s control will reduce as you overcome the wicked one through the enabling of God (1 Jn 2:14, 5:18).

This freedom is not automatic; it is walked in, step by step, as we refuse the old ways and live by the Spirit.

Deliverance and Standing Firm

Evil spirits can take up residence (possession) in a person who is not a believer, as many examples in the New Testament indicate (Mt 8:28; Mk 1:26; Act 8:7). Even Peter was oppressed (hassled or influenced) by them (Mt 16:23). Throughout Jesus’ ministry and the days of the early church there are numerous accounts of people being set free from demonic powers. Jesus Himself stated that some conditions caused by demonic influence required the exorcism of the spirit for deliverance, whereas conditions resulting from the Fall of humanity could be addressed by miracles of healing.

What has Jesus freed you from? Can you be specific?

The disciples were given authority to bring release to those held in Satan’s grasp, and this is given to believers today (Mk 3:14-15, 16:17; Act 19:11-12). Some people believe that when a person receives Christ at salvation all evil forces leave them as they become “a new creation” – their body is now a temple of the Holy Spirit, with His power within being greater than “the devil that is in the world” (1 Cor 3:16, 6:19; 2 Cor 1:22, 5:17; 1 Jn 4:4). Another viewpoint is that following salvation any resident evil forces require specific attention, along with the wrong attitudes and desires that must be confronted and worked through, to increasingly come into a place of cleansing and sanctification as the old nature is replaced.

Whichever view we take, experience shows that a residue of the old rebellious, life-before-Christ nature can tenaciously cling to a believer long after conversion. Ingrained habits of thought, emotional reactions and patterns of behaviour do not vanish overnight simply because we have become “a new creation”; they must be deliberately confronted, renounced and replaced, putting to death what belongs to the earthly nature (Rom 8:13; Col 3:5-10). Left unaddressed, this residue becomes the enemy’s landing place – an unhealed and unguarded area through which oppression, temptation and recurring defeat can persist.

Jesus can set us free

Yet we are not left to wrestle with it in our own strength. The Lord has supplied every resource needed for freedom: the authority of Jesus’ name, the cleansing of His blood, the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, the truth of Scripture, persistent prayer, and the support and prayers of fellow believers (Eph 6:10-18; Jas 4:7-8; 1 Jn 1:9). Since He has made such full provision, why not do all you can with the Lord’s resources to be free of it – dealing thoroughly with every remaining trace of the old life, rather than settling for a partially liberated existence?

Regardless of our understanding on this topic, realise the devil will attack. We are not to give him a foothold, especially in our thoughts, but actively and consistently stand against his schemes, for he seeks to destroy believers. We must “stand firm in the faith”, allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to successfully combat demonic influence (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 10:4-5; Eph 4:27, 6:11; 1 Pet 5:8-9). Satan even attempted to cause Jesus to sin, yet He resisted Satan’s schemes by quoting the Word of God (Lk 4:4,8,12). Whatever is of Satan must be actively resisted with unrelenting determination, besides endeavouring to protect the vulnerable areas of our sin-affected lives (Jas 4:7-8). We must not give him undue attention; instead our focus should be on the glory of God and His righteousness, with our “eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” and His Kingdom commanding our time and energy (Mt 6:33; Heb 12:2).

Our focus is on the victory we have in Jesus

Reflection and Application:

Identify any area of your life where you may have given the enemy a foothold, especially in your thoughts.
Consider honestly how free you are in Jesus, and where self-discipline is lacking.
Recall specifically what Jesus has freed you from, and thank Him for it.
Choose one practical step to live by the Spirit this week, putting off the old self and putting on the new.