Demonic Influences and their Possible Causes in a Christian’s life: According to pastor-author Chip Ingram, a Christian cannot be possessed the way often portrayed in movies. However, there are levels of oppression which can strike at believers.
But what causes this?
The following observations aren’t all mine, though I’ve had experiences; they are mostly extracted from Ingram’s book, “The Invisible War.”
The “pathways”
Ingram observes that one attractor of demonic oppression is by actively seeking them. He notes his experience as a pastor in Santa Cruz where there was a high participation in the occult, Wicca, and Satanism.
But sometimes the pathway is passive. A person may visit a palm reader or a psychic. They might consult the Ouija board or take up yoga and meditation. All of these will attract demonic influences.
From personal experience, the last two examples are the most insidious. When I dabbled with them I experienced strange physical phenomena in my house, and heightened psychic awareness. Moreover, my explorations affected those around me; even from a distance.
If you suspect you might be subjected to oppression, you could well be. One of the several important things Ingram suggests doing is removing anything connected with paganism from your house. Get rid of any books on the occult and all pagan figurines (Buddha etc). Didn’t God command Israel to eliminate statues of false gods? Do we think the only reason is because He is a jealous God? Are these idols not magnets for nefarious spirits?
For more on this, I recommend watching the following three presentations by the Reformed scholar Vern S. Poythress:
Introduction to Spiritual Warfare Part One
Pay particular attention to Poythress’ true-life examples. They illustrate just how pervasive and how easily this type of oppression can suddenly enter a household.
Symptoms of demonic influence
Some of the symptoms of these influences include severe sickness. If it does not respond to treatments and appears out of the blue with no known cause, it might be oppression.
The sudden ability to divine (predict the future and other occult powers) is another example (see Acts 16:16). There is unusual strength (Mark 5:2-3), split personality (Mark 5:6-7), and fits of rage (Mark 5:4). There will be a resistance to spiritual help (Mark 5:7), and even manifestations (Mark 5:9).
These examples are taken from chapter 14 (When the Enemy Gets In) of Ingram’s “The Invisible War.”
In another article, we’ll look at Ingram’s remedies.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Eph 6:12
Maranatha!
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