Luke 8:26-39, the account of the Gadarene demoniac, clearly describes various symptoms of demonizing. There is nakedness (immodesty, immorality), self-destructive tendencies (even to suicide and death), supernatural strength, animalistic behavior, schizophrenia, mental illness, preoccupation with darkness and death (living in a graveyard), fits of rage, resistance to spiritual things, etc. The strong man (ruler) was “Legion”, meaning he had many demons under his authority that are doing these various works.
Here is a list of some characteristics of demonizing. Other factors can contribute, and our free will allows us to do these sins in our flesh without and of Satan’s help, but if you see several of these at work and recognize them as something you haven’t been able to have victory over even though you have been doing your best to live for Jesus, then they most likely are symptoms of demonizing.
I. COMPULSIVE THOUGHTS
Extremely low self image (feel unworthy, unclean, no good, etc) Luke 8:2
Constant confusion in thinking (especially about spiritual things), restlessness
Inability to believe spiritual truths which they hear or read
Mocking and blasphemous thoughts (esp. when hearing spiritual truths)
Perceptual distortions (thinking others are angry at you when they are not)
Repetitious dreams or nightmares (sexual, horror-filled, fearful, etc)
Violent thoughts (of suicide, rape, murder, self-abuse, cutting, etc.)
II. COMPULSIVE FEELINGS
Hatred and bitterness toward others for no justifiable reason
Tremendous hostility, fear, restlessness when challenged about demonizing
Deep depression and despondence (frequent and long)
Irrational fears, panic, and phobias (Rom. 8:15 Luke 9:39)
Irrational anger or rage (Mt. 8:28)
Irrational guilt and extreme self-condemnation, not forgiving self
III. COMPULSIVE BEHAVIOR
Desire to do right but inability to carry it out
Sudden personality & attitude changes (like, and then hate someone)
Strong aversion to Scripture reading & prayer
Lying compulsively, then often wondering why (Acts 5:3)
Stealing compulsively, if you need the thing or not
Drinking or using drugs (prescription or not) compulsively, if you really desire to or not
Eating compulsively (or reverse, bulimia or anorexia nervosa)
Sexual sins that are compulsive (especially perversions) Matthew 15:5 Luke 8:27
Irrational, inappropriate laughter
Irrational violence (compulsion to hurt self or someone else) Mt. 17:15; Mk. 5:5; Lk 9:39
Sudden speaking of a language not previously known
Reactions to the name and blood of Jesus (uncomfortable, move away, etc.)
Uncontrollable cutting and mocking tongue and language
Vulgar language and actions (Luke. 4:33-34)
Uncontrollable greed, which drives you on (Acts 5:3)
IV. CONSCIOUSNESS PROBLEMS
Loss of time (little or a lot, not knowing how you got someplace what you did)
Extreme sleepiness around spiritual things (Bible study, prayer, etc.)
Demonstration of extraordinary abilities (ESP, telekinesis, out of body, disassociating)
Voices heard in the mind (mock, intimidate, accuse, threaten, bargaining
A voice speaking from you refers to you in the third person (“he” “she”)
Supernatural experiences (haunting, movement or disappearance of objects, etc.)
V. ABNORMAL MEDICAL PROBLEMS
Seizures (Mk. 1:26 Mk. 7:24-30 Mk. 17:15) (may or may not be demonic)
Pain without justifiable explanation, problem doctors can’t cure
Physical ailments alleviated by a spiritual command (epileptic seizure, asthma attack,
headache, nausea, etc., which stops when commanded in Jesus’ name to be gone)
Sudden interference with bodily functions (buzzing in ears, irritability to speak or hear, increased hypersensitivity in hearing or touch, sudden chills, etc.)
Do you fine that many of these describe you? Do you see a pattern in your life that may be caused by demons? Don’t fear them, this just shows what they have been doing. Remember God can and will set you free. These blogs will show you how. You can receive my book or contact me for help if you would like (see below).
(If I can answer questions or offer personal counsel, or if you would like a free copy of my Spiritual Warfare Handbook, email me at Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org or download it from http://sw.christiantrainingonline.org/. My next book, Spiritual Warfare in the Bible, which is a more advanced treatment of spiritual warfare, is also available there for free.)