There are only two sources of supernatural
power in the universe. The first source is made up of God, Jesus Christ,
the Holy Spirit, and the holy angels; they represent the forces for good.
The second source of supernatural power consists of Satan and his demons.
They represent the forces for evil.
The term "supernatural" means something
above the laws of nature. If something is truly supernatural and cannot
be attributed to God and the power under His control, it must be attributed
to Satan and the power under his control. There is no neutral supernatural
power. There is no white magic and there are no friendly ghosts.
If a happening or phenomenon is supernatural
and cannot be explained by the laws of nature, the source of power is on
a short list. It is either of God or of Satan.
A. Holy Power In order to understand Satan
and his demons, it is necessary to accept the existence of God and His
holy power as documented in the Holy Bible. If you have difficulty expressing
faith in an almighty God, at least accept the possibility of His existence
long enough to read this little booklet.
The essence of holy power is the three-part
God, known as the Trinity.
B. God, the Father The first Person of
the Trinity is God, the Father. He is the chief executive officer of the
entire universe. All power, holy and evil, originates with Him. Satan's
evil power is temporary and was granted by God in order to give humans
a real choice between good and evil.
In the beginning, humans were created
by God for the purpose of fellowship and worship. In order for this fellowship
and worship to be meaningful for God, it had to be voluntary. Satan was
allowed to come into existence in order to tempt us to do evil.
C. God, the Son The second Person of the
Trinity is God, the Son, Jesus Christ. He came to earth so He could die
as the supreme sin sacrifice for all humans. He is the Lamb of God.
Our first ancestors, Adam and Eve, fell
prey to Satan's temptation and disobeyed God's command to avoid eating
the forbidden fruit. In this way, they sinned. The penalty for sin was
then, and always has been, death. But God had mercy and didn't wipe out
the human race immediately because of our sin. Instead, He developed a
plan for us to be saved which was based on sacrifice.
For hundreds of years, humans sacrificed
animals on the altar of God so we wouldn't have to die for our sin. But
then God sent His Son as the ultimate, once and for all sin sacrifice.
Jesus died on the cross for our sins so we wouldn't have to die for those
sins.
D. God, the Holy Spirit The third Person
of the Trinity is God, the Holy Spirit. When Jesus died and went to Heaven,
He sent back His Holy Spirit to serve humans in three ways: (1) help us
understand the Bible and what it teaches about God and Jesus Christ; (2)
help us do the will of God in our lives; and (3) help us resist the evil
power of Satan and his demons.
The Holy Spirit is really the Ghost of
Jesus. In fact, the King James version of the Bible calls Him just that:
the Holy Ghost.
E. Holy Angels The holy angels round out
the essence of holy power on earth. The part of the angels' job description
of most importance to humans is that they are our guardians. Listen to
God's promise concerning angels, as recorded in Psalms 91:11-12: "For He
will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they
will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot
against a stone." A paraphrase of this scripture could be, "Guardian angels
keep us from stubbing our toe along the pathway of life". Demons may be
dedicated to our destruction but angels are commissioned for our benefit.
********************
Demons in the Bible
There is no doubting that demon possession is mentioned frequently in the
Gospels, the first four books of the New Testament. Skeptics may claim
these accounts of demon possession were really ignorant and superstitious
descriptions of such clinical problems as mental illness and epilepsy.
However, one of the Gospels was written by a physician named Luke. In fact,
the most complete account of the Virgin Birth is recorded by Luke
in Chapters 1
and 2 of
his Gospel.
Not only is the Bible the inspired word
of God, but Luke was a trained physician of his day. Therefore, what the
Bible has to say about demons in the book of Luke is of extreme significance.
A. Choosing
a Study Bible The King James Version of the Bible was translated in 1611.
Although this version is very popular and is the version you'll most likely
find in a hotel room, its Elizabethan English is about as easy to read
as the works of Shakespeare. If you're not used to reading the Bible, or
Shakespeare, you will find easier reading by trying one of the following
modern language versions of Scripture:
"The Living Bible" is a paraphrase of
the Bible by Dr. Kenneth N. Taylor which is published by Tyndale House,
Wheaton, IL, Copyright 1971.
"The New International Version" (NIV),
is published by Zondervan Bible Publishers, Grand Rapids, MI, Copyright
1978. This is a scholarly modern language translation from Hebrew and Greek
manuscripts and is equally suitable for first-time readers and advanced
Bible students.
Either the "Living Bible" or the NIV are
recommended for persons who are reading the Bible for the first time.
Before going on, we need to clearly understand
our terms. I will use the terms Satan and demon exclusively when I talk
about the forces of evil, with the exception of direct quotations from
the Bible. In the King James Version of the Bible, the term "devil" is
sometimes used to refer to Satan and at other times, "devil" refers to
one or more of Satan's demons. I will always say Satan when I am talking
about the chief of all evil. When I am talking about one of Satan's underlings,
I will use the term demon. I will not use the term devil at all, in order
to avoid confusion.
The scripture references listed below
outline what Luke has recorded about demons. However, the other Gospel
writers (Matthew, Mark, and John) tell about demons, also. Matthew and
Mark give several parallel (synoptic) accounts of the same incidents documented
by Luke.
The New International Version is quoted
in the passages below so you will be able to clearly understand what Luke
is saying about demon possession.
B. How to
Read a Bible Citation The Bible is organized into books, chapters, and
verses. When the location of a specific statement is given, the citation
of this scripture is given as follows: Luke
2:1-20. This example refers to the story of
Christ's birth, as recorded in the book of Luke,
chapter 2, verses 1
through 20.
If you have difficulty locating a specific
book, use the table of contents in the front of your Bible which serves
the same purpose as in any other book. In the edition of the New International
Version used to write the section below, the book of Luke begins on page
1623.
Some books of the Bible have similar names
and Arabic or Roman numerals are used to help make distinctions. There
is a Gospel of John and three epistles (letters) written by John. The three
epistles are known in the New international Version as 1 John, 2 John,
and 3 John. In the King James Version, they are known as I John, II John,
and III John.
C. Demons
Knew Who Jesus Was The word demon comes from the ancient root "da", meaning
the knowing ones. From the beginning, the demons knew who Jesus was and
they knew something about His mission here on earth.
Luke 4:33-35. "In the synagogue there
was a man possessed by a demon, an evil spirit. He cried out at the top
of his voice, 'Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you
come to destroy us? I know who you are -- the Holy One of God!'
'Be quiet!' Jesus said sternly. 'Come
out of him!' Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came
out without injuring him.
D. Demons
or Illness? Physical healing was an important part of the earthly ministry
of Jesus. However, Luke makes a clear distinction between physical healing
and providing deliverance from demon possession, as shown in these verses.
Luke 4:40-41: "When the sun was setting,
the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and
laying his hands on each one, he healed them. Moreover, demons came out
of many people, shouting, 'You are the Son of God!...'"
Luke 7:21: "At that very time Jesus cured
many who had diseases, sickness and evil spirits, and gave sight to many
who were blind."
E. Demons
and Epilepsy Luke records a case where a child's demon possession caused
what we would call epilepsy today. In Luke
9:39, the boy's father describes his son's
symptoms:
"'A spirit seizes him and he suddenly
screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth.
It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him.'"
Jesus provides
the solution in verse 42:
"Even while the boy was coming, the demon
threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit,
healed the boy and gave him back to his father."
F. Demons
and Speech Disability Luke also documents the case of a person who had
his speech restored when he was delivered from demon possession.
Luke 11:14:
"Jesus was driving out a demon that was
mute. When the demon left, the man who had been dumb spoke, and the crowd
was amazed."
G. Multiple
Demons Possessed a Single Person Luke records two case of persons who were
possessed by multiple demons. These cases are important, also, when considering
multiple personalities, reincarnation, and channeling.
Note in the first case, the number 7 in
the Bible can be interpreted as numerous instead of the simple count of
seven. In the second case, it's good to remember that in New Testament
times, the military term legion represented 6,000 soldiers.
Luke 8:2: "...and also some women who
had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from
whom seven demons had come out; ..."
Luke 8:30: "Jesus asked him, 'What is
your name?' 'Legion,' he replied, because many demons had gone into him."
H. Physical
Disability Caused By a Demon In Luke 13:10-13,
he documents the case of a woman who had a physical disability for eighteen
years because of a demon:
"...and a woman was there who had been
crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not
straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her he called her forward and said
to her, 'Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.' Then he put his
hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God."
*
*
Summary of Luke's Writings
About Demons Demons knew who Jesus was: Luke
4:33-35; Luke 4:41.
Difference between those who were sick
and those who were demon possessed: Luke 4:41-42;
Luke 7:20-21.
Some had multiple demons: Luke
8:2; Luke 8:30.
Demon caused violence and epilepsy in
a child: Luke 9:38-42
Demon caused speech disability:
Luke 11:14
Demon caused physical disability:
Luke 13:10-13
Satan's Limited Power
Although Satan does have some supernatural power, there is a limit to this
power. The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:4
that "greater is He
that is in us (the Holy Spirit) than he that is in the world (Satan)."
A powerful illustration of this is found in Revelation
20:1-3 where John, the Revelator, describes
what will happen at the beginning of the millennium (the thousand years
of peace): "And I saw an angel coming down
out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great
chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or
Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss,
and locked and sealed it over him . . . "
This shows the relative power of God and
Satan. When it comes time for Satan to be put in his place, God won't need
to do it. He won't ask Jesus or the Holy Spirit to do it. He'll just deputize
an angel and that's all it will take to completely neutralize Satan.
In the meantime, though, Satan and his
demons have real power. Within the limits God has set, Satan and his demons
can do real spiritual damage to humans who are not filled by and, therefore,
protected by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Real Evil Demons are real personalities,
not just some vague presence of evil. In our society, we have trivialized
reference to evil powers. A comedian of the 70s was known for the phrase,
"the devil made me do it!" Today, the term demon or devil can show up in
a car name, a brand name, or even the name of an athletic team.
Demons in children's literature. Children's
literature is filled with stories of witches and evil spells. Creatures
such as trolls, gnomes, and elves are sanitized references to demons. A
classic example of supernatural evil in the literature of children is the
popular "Wizard of Oz". (By definition, a wizard is a person with supernatural
power.) Everybody loves Dorothy, Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion, Tin Man, and
even little Toto. But don't forget the Wicked Witch of the West. A witch
in any context is a human being who has invoked demonic powers. Although
fiction may talk about good witches and evil witches, all witches receive
any supernatural powers they do have from the same source: Satan and his
demons.
Remember the Monkey Soldiers of the Wicked
Witch of the West and their marching chant in the movie? How does it go?
"Doo dee doo, DEE doo doo" or something like that. The actual words of
the soldiers' chant are, "Oh, we love the old one", referring to their
witch, of course.
Now, watching or reading the "Wizard of
Oz" as an isolated activity won't cause your children to become demon possessed.
However, literature like this is just one more way Satan has of normalizing
and trivializing the evil supernatural power which originates with him.
Halloween, as a celebration of evil In
the context of this book, we have to talk about Halloween. This celebration
goes back hundreds of years to when the church observed November 1 as All
Saints' Day, or All Halloweds' Day. In this same era, people who practiced
witchcraft and sorcery decided to set aside the night before All Saints'
Day as a special time for their evil activities. So, the night before All
Saints' Day -- All Halloweds' Day -- was All Halloweds' Eve, just as the
night before Christmas Day became Christmas Eve. As time passed, All Halloweds'
Eve became contracted into Halloween.
There is nothing wrong with dressing up
in costumes and trying to guess each other's identity. However, there is
something wrong when those costumes represent witches, monsters, ghosts,
and even Satan himself.
Here's a good rule to follow if you and
your family wish to observe Halloween: base your costumes and decorations
on natural things such as cobwebs, pumpkins, black cats, and corn stalks.
Avoid supernatural things such as witches, ghosts, demons, and Satan.
The "World" magazine carried an article
in its October 28, 1995 edition with this title: "Goblins 1, Saints 0".
This was an analytical account of a conflict between conservative and evangelical
parents, on the one hand, and pro-Halloween activists on the other hand.
The location was the school district of Los Altos, Calif. The conservative
parents objected to Halloween parties and parades being held during school
hours which were, therefore, a required part of the school day for all
children. The pro-Halloween coalition was made up of liberal parents, teachers,
and school board members. The conservative Christian parents lost the fight
and were characterized as kooks, and religious extremists by their opponents.
Hollywood and demons. Hollywood is convinced
of the existence of literal demonic entities. Movies such as "The Exorcist",
"Gremlins", and "Poltergeist" depict demons as actual personalities. In
April 1989, a part of a Jim Henson TV special featured a story about demons
and their interaction with humans. And Jim Henson is the originator of
the "Muppets," a program for children.
Here's a good illustration of how TV and
movie producers have a better understanding of demons and demon possession
than many evangelical Christians. This occurred in a script of a sitcom
aired during the 1993-94 TV season. The scene takes place in a junior high
and the teacher has just given his students a math word problem.
Most of the students struggle to get the
answer in the conventional ways: scratching their heads, chewing their
pencils, and staring at the problem on the board. However, one female student
uses an unusual strategy. She utters an ethereal "Uuhmmmm", slumps in her
seat, and declares she is going to channel an ancient Egyptian mathematician
to come and help her solve the problem. In a few seconds she is out of
her trance and the teacher checks her paper and declares the answer is
correct. When a student sitting behind the channeler taps her on the shoulder
to ask how she got the answer, she whirls in her seat, her face transfigured
into a mask of hate, and utters a savage, guttural snarl.
Later in the story, the channeler is talking
to that student who sat behind her. She appears to be her normal self,
and asks sweetly, "Did your spirit guide speak to you and tell you the
right answer?"
This sitcom scene might be passed off
as a harmless bit of fluff. However, it is an illustration of how demonic
and occult practices can be normalized by the skillful craft of professional
script writers. As we laugh at such "silliness", we become desensitized
to the actual evil such practices represent in the lives of real people.
The Origin of Satan
and His Demons The Bible clearly teaches that there are supernatural beings
which have superhuman powers. Holy angels are the agents of God and serve
at His pleasure. Demons are the agents of Satan and are dedicated to support
his evil activities.
But what do contemporary Americans believe
about supernatural beings? A major article on angels was the cover story
for "Time Magazine" on December 27, 1993. Some amazing statistics were
revealed concerning what Americans believe about angels and demons.
When asked if they "believe in the existence
of angels", 69% answered YES and 46% believe they have their "own guardian
angel". The story went on to say that 55% of the people surveyed believe
angels are "higher spiritual beings created by God with special powers
to act as his agents on earth".
People surveyed were not as clear in their
beliefs about demons. However, 49% said they believe in the existence of
"fallen angels or devils".
The Bible teaches that God always was
but Satan and his demons seem to have an origin. Satan tempted Eve in the
Garden of Eden so we know he is at least as old as the human race. How
much older than Adam and Eve Satan might be is not known. However, the
book of Revelation talks about a war in heaven. Although this book is generally
considered to contain prophecies about the end times, in Chapter 12:7-9,
the writer (John) seems to have used the historic past tense. As John describes
it, there was war in heaven. God and the good angels were on one side and
Satan with the evil angels were on the other side. Satan and his angels
lost that war and were thrown out of heaven and down onto the earth. This
is the best information the Bible provides on the origin of Satan's demons.
The conflict between God and Satan will continue until God puts Satan and
all his demons in the lake of fire where they will be punished forever,
as described in Rev. 12:17 and
Rev.:10.
Spiritual Warfare
The objective of God and the forces of good is salvation of the souls of
all humans who will accept His Son as their personal sin sacrifice. However,
the objective of Satan and his demons is damnation of the souls of all
humans in Hell forever. This conflict of objectives results in spiritual
warfare. The latter portion of the sixth chapter of Ephesians describes
this spiritual warfare in the hand-to-hand combat language of the first
century. In fact, the term "stand" which appears several times in this
chapter is an ancient military command. When given on the battlefield,
the command "stand" meant to form a hollow square with the backs of the
soldiers facing the inside of the square and the weapons facing towards
the outside and the enemy.
Christian literature often mentions military
conflict, including the song "Onward Christian Soldiers." All such military
references are talking about spiritual warfare. God, Jesus Christ, the
Holy Spirit, and the holy angels are fighting on the side of good. Satan
and his demons are fighting on the side of evil.
At this point in the history of the human
race, God's main offense consists of getting as many people as possible
to accept Jesus Christ as the supreme sin sacrifice for their sins. At
the same time, Satan's main offense consists of getting as many people
as possible to reject the salvation of Jesus Christ and be damned to the
punishment of hell forever. Whenever possible, Satan keeps a low profile
and tries to deactivate Christians by getting them to fight among themselves,
lose faith in God, doubt the truth of the Bible, and be wrapped up in the
activities of everyday life. However, when passive aggression is not enough
to achieve Satan's evil objectives, the demons become Satan's strike force
in bringing offensive warfare to bear against humans.
Satan's favorite offensive weapon is demon
possession. The Bible has many documented cases of how demons do possess
the mind, will, and even body of human beings. Everything you may have
read or heard about fictional demons is spelled out in vivid detail in
the New Testament of the Bible. See Section 2 of Part 1 for specific examples.
Modern demon possession rarely takes the
form of uncontrolled violence and manic behavior. Demons prefer to keep
a low profile and possess persons for very brief periods of time. In fact,
the victims may be prominent and respected members of society.
Symptoms of Demon
Possession Demon possession may last for relatively brief periods of time
for any one individual. The rest of the time, the victim of demon possession
may appear normal by social standards. Only when a demon is in residence
will its presence be detectable in terms of the behavior of the victim.
The behavior of these short-term victims of demon possession is characterized
by four basic symptoms. These symptoms may appear alone or in groups, for
just seconds of time, and in varying degrees of intensity.
The four basic symptoms are: (1)
violence, (2)
lust, (3)
greed, and (4)
an unnatural power of persuasion. A born-again
(and Spirit-filled) Christian can discern the presence of demons in a human
by using a technique which has been used by physicians for centuries: a
study of the presence of symptoms. Although the demon (or demons) may never
manifest itself openly by causing the victim to speak in a coarse, guttural
voice or to act out in an antisocial manner, a study of the past behavior
of such a person will reveal the presence of violence, lust, greed, and/or
an unnatural power of persuasion.
The late-afternoon TV talk shows and tabloids,
as well as the legitimate press, provide multitudes of case studies which
document the classic symptoms of demon possession singly and in various
combinations and degrees of intensities.
A. Violence.
There is little doubt that all serial killers and serial arsonists are
demon possessed. The classic case is Ted Bundy, who mixed violence with
lust. (See Part 2, Section 9, for a discussion of demons and criminal behavior.)
Massacre killers are clearly demon possessed,
whether the scene of the crime is a school yard, a restaurant, or a commuter
train. An assault weapon in the hands of a demon-possessed killer is a
frightening thought, indeed. However, after the demonic urge to kill has
passed, such a murderer may appear calm, in complete control, and even
contrite. This is because of the intermittent nature of modern demon possession.
Violence against family members seems
to be on the rise. This includes spousal abuse as well as child abuse.
What makes a prominent and well thought of member of the community physically
abuse his wife, to the point where someone calls 9-1-1? What drives a parent
to go far beyond corporal punishment and cause physical injury which requires
medical treatment? Intermittent demon possession is the clear answer. (See
the discussion of demonic time-sharing in Section 10 of Part 1.)
Suicide is frequently associated with
demon possession, especially in teens and in adults, where there is no
discernible cause. If a demon can induce a person to commit suicide who
has not yet accepted Jesus Christ as a personal Savior, Satan has won the
battle for that soul forever. See Suicide
B. Lust.
There is a distinct difference between normal sexual desire and lust. The
Bible clearly endorses sex within marriage to the point of full orgasm
for both parties. The only sexual sin which can be committed between two
people united in holy matrimony is selfishness. (See
1 Cor. 7:1-9 and Heb. 13:4.)
Lust is sexual activity outside the bonds
and bounds of legal marriage. This includes fornication (sexual intercourse
between two persons who are not married), adultery (sexual intercourse
when one or both parties are married to someone else), homosexuality, incest,
bestiality (sex activities between humans and animals), and child molestation.
Demons are drawn by a human's interest
in illicit sex. Therefore, using pornography in combination with indulging
in sexual fantasies is dangerous. Regarding using pornography, Ted Bundy
said, "Like an addiction, you keep craving something which is harder, something
which gives you a greater sense of excitement until you reach the point
where the pornography only goes so far. You reach that jumping off point
where you begin to wonder if maybe actually doing it will give you that
which is beyond reading about it or looking at it."
When two people are both demon possessed,
they may have a lustful affinity for each other which defies all logic.
As a minimum, such lustful affinity causes the end of marriages and careers.
Often, demon-induced lust leads to murder, completing the profile.
A horrible mix of demonic violence and
lust occurs in the case of a person who abducts a child, followed by rape
and murder. The media fully documented such a case in late 1993, where
an adolescent girl was kidnapped from her own home during a slumber party
and later murdered.
C. Greed
Greed here is defined as a need for power as well as money. Problems in
this area which relate to demon possession range from irrational shoplifting
to overselling time shares.
D. An Unnatural
Power of Persuasion The modern cult leader is a classic example of a person
with a demon enhanced power of persuasion. This is persuasive power which
goes beyond a charismatic personality coupled with effective communication
skills. This is the kind of persuasion which can convince large groups
of people to band together with no visible and logical reasons for doing
so. A cursory review of the lives of contemporary cultists will show an
unnatural power of persuasion coupled with violence, lust, or greed in
case after case.
Symptoms in Children
Children may have learning or behavior problems which are not directly
linked to violence, lust, greed, or an unnatural power of persuasion. However,
the Bible clearly documents a case of a young boy who had all the symptoms
of what we call epilepsy today. (See Part 1, Section 2 of this booklet
and Luke 9:38-42.)
Both Jesus and the author of the Gospel of Luke (who was a physician) diagnosed
the source of the problem as demon possession: "Jesus rebuked the evil
spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father." We now know how
to treat epilepsy with anticonvulsants but who knows how many other cases
of childhood behavior problems have a demon as the root cause? Parents
of children who have certain behavior problems and learning difficulties
should consult a Christian psychologist who understands demon possession.
Disabilities
as Symptoms The casual reader of the Bible may not be aware that there
are at least two cases documented by Doctor Luke where a disability was
caused by a demon. In Luke 11:14, a man who didn't speak was able to amaze
the crowd with his speaking ability after Jesus drove out his demon.
The second case involved a woman who appeared
to have a severe physical disability and hadn't stood up straight for 18
years because of a demon. In Luke 13:10-13, she stood straight when Jesus
placed his hands on her and healed her.
It would be dangerous to assume that every
person with a disability is demon possessed. However, we may never know
how many such cases do involve demons. Parents and human service professionals
should be especially suspicious of problems for which there is no discernible
physiological or neurological cause. This list should include schizophrenia
as characterized by "hearing voices".
Demonic Time-Sharing
Back in the days when Jesus walked the earth and evicted a legion [6,000]
demons out of one man, the world population was a fraction of what it is
today. In fact, population experts believe the number of people alive today
exceeds all the people who have died since the dawn of creation. Let's
assume that the number of demons is fixed and that number is the same today
as it was when Adam and Eve walked in the Garden of Eden. This means that
demons today have to cover more territory -- in terms of human beings --
than at any time in the history of the human race. One way demons can accomplish
this feat is through what computer experts refer to as time-sharing. In
the computer world, a large main-frame computer can be used by many people
at the same time, without those users even knowing about the existence
of each other. When telephone lines are used, people from all over the
world can access the same computer simultaneously. The computer works with
each user in turn and does so with such speed that each simultaneous user
has the illusion of being the only person logged on at that time. The Internet
uses a form of time-sharing. It may not be as fast as you would like, but
it's time sharing.
Demons may work the same way. Although
they are not omnipresent in the same sense as God is everywhere at the
same time, apparently they can move from point to point at very high speeds.
Assuming that their minimum speed of travel is the speed of electricity,
186,000 miles per second, a single demon can trouble a large number of
people in the course of a few minutes. This is like a computer is able
to work with a large number of customers, through time-sharing.
The concept of time-sharing explains how
a person can be a murderer or child molester one moment and the next moment,
may appear calm, rational, and even brilliant. Demons may zap in out of
victims at the speed of light, sometimes staying for just a few seconds
at a time. The rest of the time, a victim can appear normal by social standards.
The unnatural power of persuasion coupled
with the intermittent nature of the possession enables the primary victim
to lie with a straight face. This makes it extremely difficult for anyone
to believe that what appears to be a fine, upstanding citizen such as a
teacher, minister, lawyer, doctor, boy scout leader, nationally-known televangelist,
or major politician could ever be guilty as accused. This ability to lie
with total conviction makes identification of such demon-possessed persons
extremely difficult by such groups as school boards, church boards, bar
associations, medical societies, legislative bodies, and juries.
Sometimes the charges are comparatively
minor, such as sexual harassment, soliciting a prostitute, or shoplifting.
However, in other cases, the charges may be far from minor, such as violent
sexual assault or murder. Whether the charges are minor or major, what
makes a person risk a prominent career for no good reason at all? The answer
may well be intermittent demon possession on a time-share basis.
The concept of demonic time-sharing is
illustrated in ABC's mini-series of Stephen King's "The Stand" as aired
the week of May 7, 1994. In this dramatic portrayal, the character of demon-possessed
Randall Flagg, as played by Jamey Sheridan, is seen as a suave, persuasive,
personable individual much of the time. However, when Flagg is aroused
by rage or lust, his handsome face dissolves into the visage of a horrible
demon, with behavior to match. In an interview with "TV Guide" that week,
King said, "Flagg, Koresh, Jim Jones, Hitler -- they're all basically the
same guy."
This is just one more example of how the
entertainment world has a much better grasp of the concept of demon possession
than do most people in the evangelical church world.
Demon Possession
and the Occult The term occult means "hidden" and, in a spiritual context,
relates to Satan worship. Occult practices are associated with specific
symbols and paraphernalia. The symbols include such things as the five-pointed
star and the goat's head. Occult paraphernalia includes candles and blood.
The blood is usually animal but can be human. The star, or pentagram, is
often drawn on the floor with burning candles set at each point.
Not all demon-possessed persons are consciously
involved with Satan worship. However, all persons who make a point of worshipping
Satan are eventually demon possessed. Both Christians and Satan worshipers
begin their services with an invocation. The term "invocation" comes from
the Latin words which mean to call in, or voice in: vox means voice and
the meaning of in is obvious. The occult invocation involves calling Satan
to come into the presence of the worshipers, just as Christians pray for
the presence of the Holy Spirit when they worship. Demons heed the Satanic
invocation and come in droves to enter the occult worshipers.
Persons who have become demon possessed
through occult practices and Satan worship have the same hope of a solution
as any other demon possessed person. Unfortunately, many experts in occult
practices, especially in the criminal justice and education fields, have
no real understanding of demon possession and its Biblical solution as
described in the Bible.
There is no single cause of demon possession.
However, there is a common condition which always puts humans at risk:
a spiritual vacuum in the soul. When the Holy Spirit is not present in
the soul, it becomes easy for a demon or demons to take up residence. This
may be for very brief periods of time through a process of demonic time-sharing.
Sometimes, it is difficult to discern
the difference between causes and effects of demon possession. For example,
an interest in illicit sex may draw demonic activity. On the other hand,
a person who becomes involved with demons through an interest in the occult
may be drawn into sexual crimes.
As our secular society struggles to rid
itself of all aspects of religion, more and more people are left with spiritual
vacuums in their private lives as well as their corporate public life.
When this spiritual vacuums exists, any one of a multitude of activities
and practices may draw the interest of demons. For example, demons are
drawn by a human's interest in unknown supernatural powers, in the same
way sharks are drawn to blood in the water. This part of the booklet lists
and explains many activities and practices which place humans at significant
risk of demon possession, even though this possession may be intermittent.
1. Interest
in the Occult The basic meaning of the word occult is "hidden." This alone
should be warning to avoid anything to do with occult activities and practices.
Remember that there are only two kinds of supernatural power: holy and
evil. If something supernatural cannot be clearly identified as getting
its power from God, then it must be getting its power from Satan. Of course
not all things that appear to be supernatural are truly above the laws
of nature. Some are a hoax. Others are based on skill and sleight of hand,
such as party magic.
Remember the cardinal rule for examining
all occult practices: if it's genuine, and truly supernatural, it's evil.
If it's not genuine, it's a hoax. Either way, avoid all types of supernatural
activity which do not clearly have a Divine source of power.
A. Books
about the Occult Be cautious about reading books on the occult which are
not written by a Christian. Johanna Michelson writes about supernatural
evil power from the evangelical perspective. Her book, "The Beautiful Side
of Evil", is an example. This book recounts her experiences with the occult
and how she escaped to freedom. Another useful book on this topic is "Psychic
Healers of the Phillipines" by Joe Folz. Books like these should be available
in a local Christian book store. If you want to learn more about the occult
in order to protect yourself from its evils, read these kinds of books.
Avoid anything which is written by someone who is currently involved in
occult practices, including Hollywood celebrities. Stick with evangelical
authors who have insights inspired by the Holy Spirit in order to see demons
for who and what they really are: the agents of Satan.
B. Horoscopes
and Astrology During the Reagan administration, the nation was intrigued
by the alleged involvement of the First Lady in astrology and horoscopes.
Many Americans were horrified to think that affairs of state might have
been manipulated by a demon speaking through a horoscope guru. That kind
of thing is not harmless and can lead to deeper occult practices which
are far more sinister than reading the daily horoscope in the newspaper.
Pay no attention to your astrological
sign. Never read your horoscope in the paper or listen to an astrologer
on the radio or TV. Never call the so-called psychic hotline. And never
go to an astrologer in person to seek advice.
C. The "New
Age" According to astrologers, time is divided into ages of about 2,000
years. New agers claim that we are now crossing over the line between the
old age and the new age. The old age is Pisces, the sign of the fish. In
Bible history, the sign of the fish (drawn with two curved lines to represent
the crude outline of a fish) is a first-century symbol of Christ and Christians.
The new age is identified in the words
of the folk song of the 70s: "This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius".
Many books have been written to explain the new age but the basic concept
can be expressed in one sentence: in the new age, everything is spiritual
rather than physical and you are god. Of course, this kind of thinking
comes from the mouth of Satan himself, as recorded in Genesis 3:5:
"...For God knows that when you eat of
it (the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil) your eyes will
be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Be cautions
of anything which has to do with the new age.
D. Hypnotism You may have seen a demonstration
of hypnotism as an entertainment event. Those who don't believe in supernatural
power, good or evil, are convinced that post-hypnotic suggestion is science
and, therefore, harmless. Be careful. If the power is not of God, it is
of Satan.
E. Extra-Sensory Perception (ESP) Secular
humanists categorize this type of activity under parapsychology. The word
"psychology" refers to a study of the mind. The prefix "para" means "almost
but not quite", as in paralegal. The proponents of parapsychology believe
it is science instead of the occult. You will be wise to stay away from
extra-sensory perception, mind control, yoga, and all sorts of meditative
activities. Don't deliberately open your mind to powers which are not clearly
Holy or it may be filled with something demonic.
F. Fortune
Telling, Palm Reading, and Tarot Cards Avoid anything which suggests that
you can look into the future. This ability is not given to humans by God
and then we refer to such persons as prophets.
G. Seances
If a seance truly produces some kind of supernatural contact with the dead
which is not a trick, what is being seen or heard is the work of demons.
If Rich Little can make his voice sound like everyone from Johnny Carson
to Lee Iacocca, a demon can do the same thing. No one comes back from the
dead or speaks from the grave. Fortunately, most mediums are fakes and
they would drop over in a dead faint if what they were trying to do really
worked and someone did come back from the grave. Either way, avoid seances
completely.
H. Ghosts
and Haunted Houses As I've said before, Hollywood has a stronger belief
in demons than most evangelical preachers. "Ghostbusters" and "Poltergeist"
are classic examples of Hollywood's interest in demons. Of course there
are no haunted houses or ghosts in terms of people coming back from the
grave. However, demons do possess houses in addition to people, and the
so-called ghosts which people claim to see are either figments of their
imagination or the activities of demons. Regardless, stay away from any
house which is thought to be haunted. That house may be a nesting place
for demons. The famous house in Amityville, New York is a classic example
of a house which was polluted with demons.
I. Reincarnation
Demons probably go as far back as the war in heaven which is described
in Revelation 12. Since that time, the same fallen angels, as demons, have
possessed countless human beings in generation after generation. That's
why a person can claim to speak from bygone centuries. The soul has not
been reincarnated. It is merely possessed by a demon, or perhaps more than
one, who has possessed countless humans before it. This goes for celebrities
and non-celebrities alike who claim to be channels for the dead to speak,
with or without the use of crystals. If a human alive today has supernatural
knowledge of the past, this is nothing but the capricious activities of
demons. How they must howl with glee when naive humans believe their actions
are proof of reincarnation.
There is a difference between a belief
in reincarnation and a belief in the resurrection. Resurrection is the
Biblical doctrine that we will be raised from the dead with a glorified
body when Jesus returns to earth. Reincarnation is based on the theory
that a soul occupies successive bodies down through the centuries.
2. Demonic
Favors There are no friendly spirits, unless they are holy angels. Caspar,
the friendly ghost, exists only in the comics. If a demon acts friendly
or appears to do good deeds, the real objectives are to bring glory to
Satan, to draw humans into addictive occult practices, or to draw attention
to the demon's own evil activities.
Here's an example. Let's say a self-proclaimed
psychic goes to the police and offers his or her services in helping to
find a child who has been missing for several days. The psychic then begins
to visualize in frightening detail the circumstances surrounding the case:
kidnapping, sexual assault, murder, and hasty burial, complete with the
location of the makeshift grave. A police investigation confirms that all
details revealed by the psychic are unfortunately true. After we have ruled
out a hoax and complicity in the crime itself, what is left? Nothing but
the involvement of demons.
The psychic may be well-meaning and would
not be considered demon-possessed under normal circumstance.. But, since
this person has consciously or unconsciously invoked supernatural power
to solve a mystery, a demon has answered the call with visualizations of
great detail. It may be the very demon who earlier possessed the perpetrator
while the crime was committed. The demon or demons involved in this hypothetical
case has no altruistic motives. Providing comfort for the grieving family
is not an issue. The demon wants everyone to know what has been accomplished
under its influence so Satan and all the other demons can get the glory.
Sometimes successful psychics come up
empty and receive no images which can contribute to the solution of the
crime. When an experienced psychic draws a blank, it may be because there
was no demon involvement in the crime. Since a demon was not involved,
the psychic has no supernatural source of information in this particular
case.
By the way, psychics seldom, if ever,
find a live victim.
3. Demonic Games
Games which have their roots in the supernatural can lead to demonic involvement.
The best known are the ouija board and dungeons and dragons games. In the
Phillipines there are chapels for worshipping demons. At the front in place
of the altar, there is a large ouija board. With this device, demons can
communicate with humans. It can work the very same way in the hands of
children right there in your living room.
Naomi, tells about how she and a childhood
friend named Fran played with a ouija board without knowing of the potential
danger. Afternoons after school, Naomi went to Fran's house and played
with the board. The marker seemed to move by itself as words were spelled
out but each girl thought the other was doing the pushing. One day, Naomi
was sick and couldn't go to her friend's house. Later Fran told her that
when she played with the ouija board alone that day, the board spelled
out the question, "Where's Naomi?"
Dragon-type games can be dangerous, also.
The Bible clearly teaches that dragon is a name for Satan. All kids may
not be negatively effected by such dragon games but many are being drawn
into occult practices through this thought-to-be harmless table game.
The alleged perpetrators of the horrible
April 1999 massacre at Columbine High School near Denver, CO USA are thought
to have been involved in such games.
Fifteen were murdered and it wasn't a
game. I say no more.
4. Pornographic
and Obscene Materials Demons have a demonstrated interest in illicit human
sexual activity. Therefore, for the purposes of this discussion, materials
that portray illicit sexual activities in words, pictures, and sound will
be identified as pornographic and will be branded as dangerous. Using pornography
can make a person vulnerable to involvement with demons, especially when
the pornography is used in connection with masturbation and fantasies.
Jesus said that having sexual fantasies while looking at another person
who is not your spouse is equal to adultery. "But I tell you that anyone
who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her
in his heart. Matt. 5:29". The
same can be true about looking at pictures, videos, movies-- and reading
books which are pornographic. Since demons are interested in illicit sexual
behavior in humans, and since pornography leads to fantasies about illicit
sexual activities, it follows that using pornography draws demons.
Let's think about what has been happening
in our country since the early 70s as far as the availability of pornography
is concerned. There isn't a sexual activity which is not available on videotape
or in print, in sharply-focused full color. This includes sado-masochistic
violence and so-called snuff movies which show humans being killed on camera.
Listen to Ted Bundy's warning in his interview with Dr. James Dobson on
the eve of his execution: "...some of the violence in the movies that come
into homes today, the stuff that they wouldn't show in X-rated adult theaters
thirty years ago."
Now, let's think about the crime problem
in our society in the light of these facts:
1. The use
of pornography draws demons.
2. The production
and use of pornography is at an all-time high in the history of civilization.
3. There
is a cause and effect relationship between the availability and use of
hard core pornography and the incidents of violent sexual crimes involving
adults as well as children as victims.
5. Mind-altering
Drugs Drug use draws demons because the drugs can open the mind to supernatural
intrusions. The Holy Spirit is too much a gentleman to fill you while you
are under the influence of drugs. The same can't be said for demons. They
delight in finding a person on a drug trip and being right there, stretched
out on the sofa, when that person comes down from the chemical high.
The drug high produces an avenue of entry
to the inner self which does not exist under normal circumstances. We could
call a drug high the doorway to the soul. A demon could be described as
a cat trying to get into a house. Leave a door open just a crack for just
a second and that cat is in the house before you realize it.
Most people wouldn't dream of going shopping
or going on vacation while leaving the house doors unlocked. Yet think
of all of the people who use drugs which results in what is known in the
vernacular as "taking a trip". While a drug user is on a trip with his
or her mind wide open, any of the demons of hell can walk right in and
stake a claim.
6. Multiple-Personalities,
Schizophrenia, and Hearing Voices The Bible talks about persons who were
possessed with as many as 6,000 demons. Modern psychiatry documents people
who give evidence of having more than one personality as well as those
who are troubled by hearing multiple voices. In fact, "hearing voices"
seems to be a fairly common mental health complaint associated with schizophrenia.
There is an obvious connection between
the Biblical fact that multiple demons can possess a single person and
the medical fact that multiple personalities can reside in a single body
or that a person can hear a multitude of voices.
Multiple personality disorder (MPD), or
dissociative identity disorder, is a severe psychiatric problem that may
not always be caused by demons. However, the existence of alters, as the
separate personalities are known, give evidence of being driven by demons,
in some cases. An ideal treatment should be overseen by a psychiatrist
that is aware of spiritual warfare.
7. Demon Possession
and Homosexuality We've established that demons have a strong interest
in illicit human sexuality, and that illicit sexual activity is defined
by the Bible as any sexuality outside the bounds and bonds of legal marriage.
Since homosexuality is illicit sexual activity, it follows that demons
are interested in establishing and perpetuating homosexuality.
The Spring 1975 issue of the Journal of
the Christian Medical Society documents a fascinating case concerning homosexual
activity and demon possession. This case involved a Christian psychiatrist
who was seeing a female patient who was an activist in the gay and lesbian
community. At the same time, she was troubled by demon possession and was
eventually delivered. In a later counseling session, she said to her psychiatrist,
"Know what? I'm not a lesbian."
"Oh, when did you decide to give it up?"
"Decide nothing!. I'm, just not-- not
since the demons left!"
This case provides a strong indication
that homosexuality can be caused by demon possession.
According to the journal article, following
her deliverance from demon possession, the patient "abandoned her homosexual
lifestyle, resigned from the gay organization, and professed to have no
homosexual conflict."
8. Homosexual
Clergypersons, There is no Biblical way for a homosexual person to become
a member of the evangelical clergy. The idea of ordaining practicing homosexuals
to the Christian ministry is a total perversion of scripture. However,
some evangelical periodicals have included statements by seminary professors
in support of ordaining homosexuals. This is a clear example of demons
at work in the hearts of church leaders as well as in the lives of the
parishoners.
While Christ teaches love for the sinner,
and the Holy Spirit has the power to cleanse the heart of all evil, there
is no room behind the pulpit for a person with even intermittent demon
possession.
The Bible may be subject to interpretation
on certain issues of doctrine. For example, is the sanctifying work of
the Holy Spirit a second act of grace? does it occur at salvation? or does
it happen at death? Or, should baptism be by immersion or by sprinkling?
However, on the matter of homosexuality, there is no second interpretation
possible for anyone who accepts the word of God as the authority for how
we live our lives, including our sexuality.
Sodom was destroyed because the men of
that city practiced physical sex with each other, as noted in Gen. 19:4-19.
God's position on homosexual relations is clearly spelled out in Leviticus
18:22. This chapter outlines sexual regulations in general and they are
not mixed with injunctions regarding such things as harvesting, wage payment,
or cattle breeding. They are assembled together in one place with Verse
22 speaking specifically of homosexuality.
Perhaps you won't accept an Old Testament
position on an issue unless it is supported in the New Testament as well.
Listen to what the Apostle Paul wrote as part of a general denunciation
of the sins of mankind, as recorded in his New Testament letter to the
Romans, chapter 1 and verses 26-27 (NIV): "Because of this, God gave them
over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for
unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations
with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent
acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their
perversion." Could this "due penalty" have been the birth of AIDS, even
back then?
The real issue is not whether the Bible
says homosexuality is a sin. That fact is clearly understood by all careful
Bible students. The real issue is the Bible's answer to the sin problem
at any level. There is true hope for the homosexual, and anyone else who
has disobeyed God's laws. The blood of Jesus
Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit can provide both forgiveness and
cleansing. Then former homosexuals can lift
their heads high and be called Christians or even clergypeople. Not because
a liberal theologian says so but because Jesus Christ says so.
For a full description of how a homosexual
can obtain freedom from demon possession and the addiction of homosexuality,
see the solution described in Part 3 of this booklet.
9. Demons
and Criminal Behavior:
Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer
Ted Bundy The most infamous serial killer
of all time is Ted Bundy. According to his own words, Bundy believed his
descent into the horrible pit of sexual assault and murder was driven by
an alien evil force and fueled by an addiction to violent obscenity. What
makes Bundy's case of immense interest to researchers is an execution-eve
interview conducted by Dr. James Dobson, president of Focus on the Family.
This videotaped interview took place Monday, January 23, 1989, 2:30 P.M.
EST, at the State Penitentiary in Starke, Florida. Bundy called Dobson
and offered the interview with the understanding that it would be used
to warn the public of how his horrible downfall actually took place.
Quotes from this 30-minute interview have
been transcribed for this book: "Ted Bundy Interview Transcript," Copyright
(C) 1989, Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995. All rights reserved.
Used by permission.
There are several important points made
during the interview. These points are listed below and are reinforced
with direct Bundy quotes taken from the transcript of the interview in
the linked resource. The subheadings and comments are by the author.
Point 1: Bundy
Was Not Born A Monster. He Began Life As A Normal Person.
Point 2: Bundy
Was Eventually Driven By An Evil Supernatural Force Although he never named
this force as demon possession, his descriptions of it and the obvious
results point to a classic case of intermittent (time-sharing) demon possession.
The symptoms of violence, lust, and an unnatural power of persuasion are
clearly evident.
Point 3: Obscenity
Is Progressively Addictive
Point 4: There
Is A Cause-and-Effect Relationship Between Using Obscenity and Criminal
Sexual Behavior
Point 5: Bundy
Recognized His Need to Be Accountable to Society and God For His Behavior
Regarding Point 2 above, Ted Bundy was
featured in a February 1996 A & E cable broadcast of the program Biography
moderated by Jack Perkins. The program said this about an outside force
which contributed to Bundy's crimes:
"He would feel that he heard a voice.
Now again, he would never admit that he "heard voices," because he knew
that was insane. But, he would describe someone as "another Ted" . This
other Ted would start talking to him in this growling voice and point out
that this woman thinks you could never have her. 'Look at her walking by.
What is she thinking about you ...' And work him up into this hatred where
then he would start this process of stalking ..."
Investigative reporters, psychologists,
criminologists, and sociologists from all over the country are trying to
discover the cause behind the rising number of sex crimes and murders.
Some of these seekers for truth get rather close to the heart of the matter--
that intermittent demon possession is the cause. This is especially true
of such TV tabloids as "American Journal", "Limited Edition", "Current
Affair", and even network standards like "20/20", "60 Minutes", "48 Hours",
"Prime Time Live", "Dateline NBC", and "Turning Point". At one time or
another, all of these programs have skated around the edges of what is
obvious to anyone who can recognize the symptoms of demon possession: demons
cause violent criminal behavior in what may otherwise be normal people.
Jeffrey Dahmer Dahmer is a also a classic
example of a demon-possessed criminal. He exhibited the obvious symptoms
of lust and violence.
His unnatural power of persuasion may
be less well known but no less clear. On the night of his first murder,
while taking his dismembered male victim to the dump in garbage bags, he
was stopped by a cop for wandering over the center line. He was such a
smooth talker, the cop issued a ticket and let him go.
Near the end of his killing spree, a drugged
male victim came awake while Dahmer was out for beer, and ran naked into
the street, looking for help. A passerby called 9-1-1 and Dahmer convinced
the cops it was just a lovers' quarrel. Later that night, he killed the
boy.
According to a Biography script on June
18, 1998, "... Jeffrey was ... always quite willing to blame the devil
for taking over his soul ... "
Dahmer was sentenced to nine hundred-plus
years in prison. He died in November 1994 after being bludgeoned by a fellow
prisoner with a metal bar.
10. Sex
Crimes Against Children Few Americans have the slightest inkling of what
has caused the current epidemic of child molestation and even fewer have
any idea of how to combat it. This next section is of critical interest
to everyone involved with the criminal justice system, everyone involved
with the vast network of human services providers, and everyone who is
a parent or guardian of a minor child. The fact is, humans who have been
infected by demons are fully capable of sexually molesting children in
ways which are sick beyond belief. One eloquent proof of this fact is the
flood of child pornography which is available in every major city in the
nation. The Supreme Court has determined that child pornography is not
protected by the First Amendment. That one fact alone is indication of
the depths of depravity to which demons can drive adults in their sexual
activities with children. Since demon possession is not likely to be detected
by persons who are not trained and sensitized to the presence of demons,
any victim of demon possession can be the perpetrator of sex crimes against
children. This is not limited to dirty old men in long raincoats, either.
This involves both men and women who have easy access to young children
and who are in positions of authority over them. The group of possible
suspects does not exclude such stalwarts of the community as teachers (especially
in the preschool and early childhood education category), scout leaders,
medical practitioners, ministers, priests, rabbis, baby sitters, and, sadly,
parents and other close relatives.
The worst kind of child molester is the
pedophile. Such a person makes sexual involvement with children a compulsive
way of life. Photography plays a large role in the activities of the pedophile.
Pictures are taken of children in sexual situations whom they have molested.
These pictures are treasured, exchanged with other pedophiles, and often
find their way into super-slick child pornography publications. Unfortunately,
the Internet and the popular on-line services are being used to facilitate
the spread of this plague against children.
The North American Man-Boy Love Association
(NAMBLA) is an organization dedicated to the normalization and legalization
of this kind of perversion. Where NAMBLA (pronounced "NAM-bluh") is active,
there is a strong chance that illegal child pornography is being produced,
bought, sold, and exchanged close by. NAMBLA members have been reported
to traffic in illegal kiddie porn and obscenity while portraying a facade
of sophisticated normalcy to the local community. Members are often esteemed
professionals in the fields of medicine, education, or business and maintain
positions of responsibility and authority in the community. NAMBLA's primary
objective is to make it convenient and legal for men to have sex with boys.
The criminals in child molestation cases
get pledges of silence from their victims through threats of violence.
Since the perpetrators of sex crimes against children often work regularly
with young children and hold positions of authority over them, it is relatively
easy for an adult to psychologically abuse, as well as sexually abuse,
these young victims. Children are told, "If you tell, you'll die," or "your
parents will die", or "your house will burn down". After the horrors of
sexual abuse, it's fairly easy for a small child to accept the possibility
of horrible violence as well.
If a child does complain, the suspect
presents a super-slick facade of innocence which is enhanced by the prince
of liars himself, Satan. Back in the Garden of Eden, Satan lied to our
first ancestors, Adam and Eve, and he's been doing it ever since. Part
of the payoff the demons give sex criminals is the ability to lie to a
judge and jury with a straight face, and to do it with such conviction
that who will believe the word of a young child against a teacher, or minister,
or scout leader, or baby sitter, or even a parent? And this problem is
exacerbated by the horrible sexual crimes forced upon innocent children.
When a tiny child says he or she was subjected to oral sex, or anal sex,
or vaginal sex, or masturbation, or much, much worse, who is going to believe
that poor child against the demon-enhanced lying of the criminal?
One of the best weapons the advocates
of child victims have is the very innocence of that child before the molestation
occurred. It's true that many children do have vivid imaginations. Unfortunately,
inept and heavy-handed investigators may contaminate the memory and imagination
of young victims through excessive and insistent questioning. Although
it's true that some children do have difficulty distinguishing between
truth and falsehood, it is unlikely that children will create a fantasy
or falsehood out of something they know nothing about. Unless such a victim
has been previously molested, or has been exposed to obscenity, or observed
adult sexual activity, this child has nothing with which to fabricate a
fantasy or falsehood involving extreme illicit sexual behavior.
11. Repressed
Childhood Memories of Sexual Molestation. Many adults are coming forward
and claiming they were molested as children but that the memories of these
experiences have been repressed all these years. As a result, parents,
grandparents, ministers and teachers are being charged in court with child
molestation and/or incest. Who is telling the truth is such cases?
Consider what we already know about sex
criminals and the work of demons:
1. Demons
give people the ability to lie with great conviction.
2. Sex criminals
threaten their young victims with violence and even death if the truth
is ever told.
3. Effective
hypnotism may be successful because of demonic powers.
From this knowledge, we can draw these
conclusions:
A. Guilty
people can lie convincingly in the face of their accusers and even a jury.
B. When hypnotherapy
is used to release the memories of a supposed victim of childhood abuse,
a demon may have gotten involved in the process, even unknown by the therapist.
The demon may be planting false memories in the mind of the client and
then chortling with glee at the consternation which is being caused in
the lives of the accuser and the accused.
What can be done if an adult suspects
childhood abuse?
Consider these alternatives:
1. Do nothing
if there is no evidence that the bad behavior of the adult has continued
over the years. Perhaps the suspect was under demonic influence at the
time you were victimized but has been living a clean life for many years.
Find it in your heart to forgive the person who has wronged you and then
get on with your life.
2. If you
need psychological help, seek a qualified therapist who understands spiritual
warfare and deliverance from demon possession.
3. Avoid
any therapist who wants to use hypnosis as a means of helping you remember
the details of your now forgotten abuse. Remember that hypnosis may invoke
demonic involvement in the process.
4. Consider
criminal charges if there is evidence that children are still being physically
or psychologically injured by this person.
12. Suicide
Human service workers across the country are alarmed at the rapidly-rising
rate of suicide among teenagers. Some experts feel that suicide is now
the number one cause of death among people in this age group. How can this
be? Part of the answer is directly related to demon possession. You already
know some facts about demons which should be clues to the cause of this
sky-rocketing rise in teen suicide. Demons are drawn to humans who are
involved in violence, illicit sex, and who use drugs. The number of teenagers
who are experimenting with illicit sex, drugs, or both is extremely high.
That means that the demons are having a field day, zapping from teen to
teen with implanted thoughts of self-destruction. I can just hear those
demons now, whispering their diabolic rhetoric into the ears of our boys
and girls: "Nobody really cares about you and nobody even likes you . .
. "That fever and sore throat mean you probably already have AIDS . . .
"Life has nothing to offer you anyway; why not step over and try it on
the other side" . . . and on and on. Some of these same kids are just an
overdose away from death anyway, so taking the ultimate step is incredibly
easy.
The horrible April 1999 massacre when
15 died in the Columbine High School near Denver, CO USA ended in the double
suicide of the alleged perpetrators. I say no more.
13. Rock
Music No discussion of demons would be complete without saying something
about rock music. As a general rule, rock music does more damage to the
ear drums than to the soul, but there are exceptions. If a person is already
involved in one or more of the many practices which can draw demons, and
if the rock music is performed by persons who are themselves involved with
demons, yes; it can be a dangerous demonic catalyst.
However, Satan isn't wasting his time
communicating with our young people through back-masking sinister subliminal
messages of self-destruction.. The things Satan wants to say are already
being said in plain English and in forward drive. You don't have to play
the recording backward at all. Videos of harmful rock music must be included
in this warning. Here is the most potent danger of all. When a young person
who may be already tuned in to the occult sees a rock video performed and
produced by an artist who is involved in the occult, a demonic bonding
occurs which exceeds anything you may have experienced in your lifetime.
The lawsuits against the musicians and producers of violence-oriented rock
videos may be very close to the truth of the matter.
13. Spontaneous
Human Combustion (SHC) I've heard reports of persons bursting into flames
for no apparent reason, and burning down into a scattering of ashes. In
some cases, the heat is localized with the body, and in others, the immediate
environment shows evidence of a high heat source. Investigators of SHC
seem to be divided as to the cause. Some say the water in the body may
divide into hydrogen and oxygen, which are flammable gases which can burst
into flame. [What causes that separation?] Others say there is always an
external ignition source, such as an electrical spark, which causes the
fire.
As always, the first step is to determine
if this is a supernatural event, above the laws of science. If it is supernatural,
is it as a result of evil power or Holy power? In one case, I heard an
interviewed expert say in a somber tone that he didn't want to think about
the alternatives if there were no natural causes.
There may be scientific reasons for SHC
which we are not able to understand at this time. However, if it is supernatural,
I am convinced that God never burns people alive in this life. The Bible
clearly teaches that post-death punishment will occur in hell. Even then,
the body will not be consumed but will remain on fire forever. Therefore,
if SHC is indeed supernatural, it is the work of Satan and his demons.
There may be some deep, dark secret in the life of an SHC victim which
is unknown and unsuspected by family and close friends. The result, in
these isolated cases: instant, total combustion and consumption.
15. As a Born-Again
Christian, Am I Safe from Demon Possession? The long answer is within the
context of the description of the Solution to Demon Possession as outlined
in Part 3. The short answer is YES, with certain qualifications: are you
born again as described in John 3 and filled with the Holy Spirit as described
in Acts 2? As long as you remain covered by the Blood of Jesus Christ,
the context of the Bible -- taken as a whole -- says you are safe from
becoming a victim in any spiritual warfare skirmish which may flare up
between the forces of good and evil.
16. What
about psychic hotlines?
The only thing hot about the so-called "psychic hot line" is the eternal
destination of the owners, and the marketing concept involved. This is
the modern version of the old carnival midway standard with a "lady and
a crystal ball in a tent". As I have said elsewhere in this book: if it
works, a demon (or more) is involved. Otherwise, it's a hoax. Either way,
stay away!
On July 30, 1999, NBC's Dateline carried
a major segment about the criminal activity of so-called spiritualists
who scammed their victims our of hundreds of thousands of dollars. A psychic
hotline may waste a few dollars per minute; the big-time scam artists may
cost you a lot more. Either way, stay away!
The Solution to
Demon Possession The First Step in Deliverance is to Make Sure You Are
Filled with the Holy Spirit ---Filled with the Holy Spirit ---Covered by
the Blood
The First Step in Deliverance is to Make
Sure You Are Filled with the Holy Spirit This is not just a one-shot trip
to the altar. We're talking about a day by day, hour by hour, even minute
by minute reliance on the Holy Spirit for the power to live above the power
of sin. When I was a teenager in the evangelical church, we used to joke
about being saved, sanctified, and petrified. The kind of Spirit filling
we're talking about here is the starting point of a growth process, not
being sealed in Lucite until the rapture.
If your church's theology is of the Wesleyan
variety, you may understand the filling by the Holy Spirit to be in conjunction
with being sanctified in a second, definite instantaneous work of grace.
If you are of the Pentecostal persuasion, you will hear about being baptized
in the Spirit, perhaps in association with speaking in unlearned languages.
And, if your church follows the teachings of John Calvin, you may see the
filling by the Holy Spirit as happening when you first accept Jesus Christ
as a personal Savior and are born again. The key issue here is not theological
orientation but the reality of being filled with the Holy Spirit. You have
no chance of resisting the temptations of Satan and his demons if you are
not filled with the Holy Spirit.
Background In the fall of 1988, Geraldo
Rivera produced a TV special for NBC titled "Devil Worship: Exposing Satan's
Underground." This program was reported to be the highest rated two-hour
news documentary in the history of NBC up to that time. I saw that program
and I was disappointed. At least 95 percent of the time and energy of that
program involved highlighting the bizarre activities of persons involved
with the forces of evil. Little if anything was said about the solution
to the problem.
The same kind of thing happened on May
16, 1985. The ABC program "20/20" examined the problem of Satanic and demonic
worship. Again, the program completely ignored the solution. Neither the
NBC program nor the ABC program seemed to be aware of the solution clearly
spelled out in Matt. 8:32a. This is where a man filled with a legion of
demons is brought before Jesus. (A Roman "legion" was made up of 6,000
soldiers.) The demons recognize Him for Who and What He is and know He
has total power over them. Therefore, they beg to be allowed to enter a
herd of pigs in a nearby field. Jesus said to the demons, "GO!" -- and
they went, into the pigs. The same Son of God who could say to a storm
at sea "peace, be still" could say to a legion of demons "go into that
herd of pigs" and they went. Just a word was all it took.
Receiving freedom from demons is a two-stage
process. First, you need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Second, you
need to pray constantly to the Holy Spirit for ongoing protection.
Filled with the Holy Spirit When you are
filled with the Holy Spirit, the vacuum in your soul is filled and there
is no room for Satan and his demons. You may be hearing about being filled
with the Holy Spirit for the first time. Or, You may be Wesleyan in doctrine
and believe that you are filled with the Holy Spirit after you are saved,
in a second, definite, instantaneous work of grace known as entire sanctification.
You may have a Pentecostal background and believe you are filled with the
Holy Spirit when you are baptized in the Spirit, sometimes with the evidence
of speaking in unlearned languages as the Spirit gives you utterance. Or,
you may be Calvinist in doctrine and believe that you are filled with the
Holy Spirit at the point you are saved, in a single work of grace. One
thing applies in every case: be sure you ARE filled with the Holy Spirit.
If you aren't, you're vulnerable to the attacks of Satan and His demons.
You can try in your own power to avoid all the activities and practices
which have been listed in this booklet as putting you at risk of becoming
demon possessed. However, without the filling of the Holy Spirit, you are
lacking the only source of power capable of giving you freedom from demons
and keeping you free.
Covered by the Blood When Jesus Christ
died on the cross as your supreme sin sacrifice, His blood didn't just
seep into the ground and return to dust. It became the active agent in
the salvation of all persons who accept Him as their personal savior. Satan
respects the power of the Blood and recognizes it as the source of your
salvation. Therefore, not only do you need to be filled with the Holy Spirit
initially, you need to pray constantly to God for the power of the shed
blood of Jesus Christ to cover you, and for the power of the Holy Spirit
to surround you.
The Holy Spirit has the power to protect
you from evil, both seen and unseen. However, you have to remain in contact
with that source of holy power.
1. Seven
Steps To Deliverance from Your Demon Possession If you have the symptoms
of demon possession as described in Section 7 of Part 1 of this booklet,
you can follow the steps outlined below to seek deliverance:
A. Find A
Counselor and Helper Find a mature evangelical Christian who understands
spiritual warfare and who is willing to serve as your counselor and helper
in helping you find deliverance. If you're not sure of the qualifications
of a person to help and counsel you during your deliverance, ask the questions
listed below. Look for someone else if you get any "no" answers or any
hesitation when giving an answer. Not all ministers or prominent church
members will be able to answer your questions appropriately.
Ask these questions:
a. Do
you know how to pray?
b. Do
you pray daily?
c. Are
you born again?
d. Are
you filled with the Holy Spirit?
e. Do
you believe in the holy power of angels?
f. Do
you believe in the evil power of demons?
B. Believe
In the Blood of Jesus Christ and The power Of The Holy Spirit Jesus Christ
had total authority over demons in New Testament times and He still does
today. Profess your belief in Jesus as the Son of God and in the power
of the Holy Spirit. Your prayer can be very simple and can go something
like this:
"I believe God, the Father, is the creator
of the universe and that He made everything in it, including me.
"I believe Jesus Christ is my supreme
sacrifice for sin and that He came to earth to die on the cross for my
sins so I won't have to die for those sins. I ask that His Blood cover
my sins right now.
"I believe the Holy Spirit is in the world
today to guide me into truth and to guard me from evil, both seen and unseen.
I ask that the Holy Spirit fill me right now and evict the demon(s) in
me.
"I believe God has commanded His holy
angels to watch over me along the pathway of life. I ask God to send His
holy angels to help me fight against my demon(s) right now.
C. Be Prepared for a Battle When you profess
your belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and as your personal Savior,
your demon may realize he is up against the ultimate holy power and leave
quietly. However, the experience of many people who have been delivered
from demons indicates you should be prepared for a spiritual battle. You
should be prepared for resistance from the demon (or demons) which is possessing
you. You are its home. You are its claim to fame in the demonic underground.
You are its purpose for existing. It may not let you go without a struggle.
D. Expect
a Recurrence after Deliverance After you have been delivered from your
demon(s), expect it to come back and try to possess you again. This is
why it is so important that you are filled with the Holy Spirit when you
seek deliverance from your demon. When the Holy Spirit is inside your soul,
He will both cleanse you from the effects of demon possession and give
you the power to stay free from demons as well.
E. Pray Regularly
Pray regularly for the Holy Spirit to help keep you free of your demon(s).
Prayer is your source of power. Without regular prayer for the help of
the Holy Spirit to keep you free and clean, the demon will wait until your
back is turned and try to sneak in again.
F. Read Your
Bible Regularly Read the Bible regularly, starting with the scriptures
about the power of Jesus over demons as recorded in the Gospel of Luke,
and as outlined in Section 2, Part 1 of this booklet. This section will
also give you some tips on what translation of the Bible to read.
G. Attend
Church Regularly Start going to church regularly. If you don't know what
church to attend, look in the phone book for one of these churches:
a. Assemblies
of God
b. United
Pentecostal Church
c. Church
of the Nazarene
d. Wesleyan
Church
The people in one of these churches will
be likely to understand what you're talking about when you explain that
you have been delivered from a demon(s). How ever I would encourge any
who seek out these denominations to check everything they say BY
the Word of God....
2. Helping
Another Person Find Deliverance From Demon Possession A. Make Sure Of Your
Salvation Make sure you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior
and that you are personally filled with the Holy Spirit. Dealing with demon
possession should not be attempted by a person who is not on speaking terms
with God, the Father, God, the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
B. Be Free
From Unforgiven and Hidden Sin Make sure there is no unforgiven hidden
sin in your life. Demons play dirty, especially when their happy home is
being threatened. They may know about your unforgiven sins and won't hesitate
to blurt out all the dirty little facts through the mouth of the victim
you are trying to help.
C. Verify
The Symptoms Be very careful about assuming that someone is demon possessed.
Ask the Holy Spirit to give you guidance and spiritual discernment. Verify
that there is a strong behavior pattern of violence, lust, greed, or unnatural
persuasion, singly or in various combinations and in varying intensities.
D. Get The
Victim's Permission Obtain the victim's permission and pledge of cooperation
before attempting to facilitate deliverance from a demon. If there is any
hesitation, offer additional prayerful counseling before going any farther.
As you begin to pray for deliverance, the demon may take over the victim's
personality for periods of time. Make sure the victim is whole-heartedly
in favor of deliverance before the demon begins to intervene in the victim's
use of spiritual and mental faculties.
If the victim is a child, make sure you
have the same permission and pledge of cooperation from a parent or guardian,
as well as the child's consent, before beginning the deliverance process.
E. Verify
the Victim's Salvation Make sure the victim has accepted Jesus Christ as
a Personal Savior. Jesus Christ has the power to create the universe but
He will not invade the soul of a human being against that person's will.
In the process of the victim's accepting Jesus Christ as personal Savior
and asking to be filled with the Holy Spirit, the resident demon may quietly
withdraw without a struggle.
F. Get On-Site
Help Get on-site help from other evangelical praying Christians who believe
as you do about the Holy Spirit and demons. In addition to on-site help,
or if on-site help is not available, enlist the long-range prayer support
of other praying Christians.
Make sure the on-site helpers are both
male and female, even when the victim is a child. The reason for the male/female
rule is very simple. Demons have an intense interest in illicit human sexuality.
They may attempt to stir up sexual attractions among you (you, the victim,
and the on-site helpers) of a heterosexual or homosexual nature.
In this same regard, if any of the on-site
helpers have ever been delivered from homosexuality, such persons should
excuse themselves from any on-site participation in the deliverance. Demons
have no preference between heterosexual and homosexual lust feelings which
they can stir up among humans.
G. Expect
Spiritual Warfare Expect resistance from the subject demon as well as other
demons. Under normal circumstances, a demon will keep a low profile within
the soul of a victim for many years and may not reveal its presence to
a person without spiritual discernment. However, once you have let the
demon know you're aware of its presence by your prayers, it will show its
true colors. Even though the victim may be a close acquaintance or relative,
you may hear a barrage of foul and abusive language. The voice of the victim
may become coarse and guttural as the demon takes over the victim's powers
of communication.
Make no response to anything the victim
says while under the demon's control. Pray for the spiritual assistance
of the Holy Spirit and the physical assistance of the holy angels but say
absolutely nothing to the demon.
The demon may cause the victim to struggle
violently, especially if you need to apply physical restraint to ensure
the safety of all concerned. Make sure the restraint is passive. It will
be a good idea to make sure the size and number of on-site helpers are
adequate to provide passive restraint in a safe and effective manner.
H. Curb Your
Ego Don't overestimate your importance in the process. Your role (and that
of the on-site helpers) is to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit through
prayer. You are a catalyst in the overall deliverance process and nothing
more. If deliverance is achieved, to God be the glory.
I. Don't
Communicate with Demons Don't attempt to communicate with a demon or Satan.
Talk to the Holy Spirit and let Him do all the dirty work.
Avoid such statements as these:
"Demon, tell me your name. . . . Demon,
I command you to release (victim's name). . . . Come out this instant."
Neither you nor any other human has the
power and authority to command a demon to do anything alone. How ever through
the Mighty name of Jesus Christ, we have the Power and Authority over All
demons. All demons have names and can be used to displace them through
the Name and by the Blood of our Lord...
Instead of wasting your time trying to
talk to the demon, pray in this vein:
"Blessed Jesus, cover us with the power
of your blood. Please deliver (victim's name) from this demon. May the
power of the Holy Spirit fill (victim's name) right now. Heavenly Father,
send your holy angels down to help us with this struggle, in the Name of
Jesus." It's not necessary to memorize this prayer and recite it word for
word. Just pray extemporaneously, asking for the help of the Father, Son,
Holy Spirit, and holy angels.
J. Be Patient
Don't expect instant results or even deliverance during the first session.
If the first session is not successful, provide additional prayerful counseling
and enlist additional prayer support from both on-site and off-site helpers.
Then, try again.
K. Plan For
On-Going Support Be prepared to provide post-deliverance support and counseling.
Make sure the victim has a praying helper on call for the first few days
after the deliverance. The demon may attempt to re-enter the victim and
prayerful support needs to be instantly available.
3. A
Special Message To Sex Criminals If you have committed sex crimes (such
as rape or child molestation), or if you have suppressed urges to commit
such crimes, the chances are very high that you are suffering from possession
by a lustful demon. Nothing can give you permanent relief except deliverance
through the power of the Holy Spirit. There is no cure in treatment. If
you are arrested, convicted, and incarcerated, the relief will only last
as long as you're locked up. As soon as you're out of jail, the demons
will be right back, prompting you to resume your criminal activities.
By the way, the Holy Spirit may not keep
you from being arrested for crimes committed before you were filled with
His power. And if you are arrested, the Holy Spirit may not keep you from
being tried, convicted, and incarcerated. But, if you are truly filled
with the power of the Holy Spirit, the demons will be evicted and you will
be free and clean as long as you continue to pray for the help of the Holy
Spirit. (See the Ted Bundy interview.)
4. Attention
Parents of Young Children Here's a special message for parents of young
children. Please share this with your kids. Paraphrase it if you can; read
it if you must.
"If any grown-up person has been doing
anything to you in the private places of your body, tell Mommy or Daddy
about it right away. And if any grown-up person has been making you do
things to the private places of that person's body, tell Mommy or Daddy
about it right away."
Parents, if your child of whatever age
reports sexual molestation by an older person, pay immediate attention
to what you are hearing. You see, the demon-infested persons who do these
kinds of things are able to keep on doing them because of fear and shame.
Not their own fear and shame but the fear and shame in the minds of the
children they are molesting, as well as their parents.
5. Defensive
Spiritual Warfare Achieving freedom from demon possession is just the first
step in a successful Christian life. You will need to be on the defensive
as far as future involvement with demons is concerned. In Eph. 6:10-18,
the Apostle Paul gives an action plan for dealing with Satan's demons and
for taking a defensive stance in the spiritual warfare which always rages
between Christians and demons. What kind of warfare is Paul talking about?
He tells us, very clearly in 11-12: "Put on the whole armor of God so that
you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is
not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces
of evil in the heavenly realms." In addition to describing a Christian's
armor here in Ephesians 6, Paul also gives a very basic defensive command--
the word "stand" .
"Stand" is an ancient military command
to form a hollow square with all weapons pointing toward the outside so
the enemy cannot approach from any angle. Listen to Paul's instructions
in this regard: V.11: Take your stand; V.13: Stand your ground; V.14: Stand
firm. And above all, in verse 18 we are told to: Pray in the Spirit. This
is the true secret of success over Satan and his demons-- prayer in the
Spirit. You may need to do it dozens of times a day. Often it may be no
more than three words: Come, Holy Spirit!. You may want to use the words
of Bill Gaither's song: "Come, Holy Spirit, we need you. Come, sweet Spirit
we pray. Come in your strength and your power. Come in your own gentle
way."
6. Find a Good Church
Not all churches will have the ability to serve as a spiritual resource
for persons who have been delivered from demons. If your church doesn't
teach about the power of the Holy Spirit and how He can protect you from
Satan and his demons-- find a church that does. Although you may not choose
to leave your old church entirely, (at least not at first), you need to
learn more about the Holy Spirit and to be around people who are filled
with the Holy Spirit. No Christian of any degree of spiritual maturity
can last long without the constant protection and power of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is not a doctrinal option. He is an absolute necessity!
If you don't know where to find a church
which teaches about the power of the Holy Spirit, get your phone book and
use these names of international denominations for a start:
a. Assemblies
of God
b. United
Pentecostal Church
c. Church
of the Nazarene
d. Wesleyan
Church
7. The
Legal Implications of Demon Possession Demon possession provides some serious
questions for the criminal justice system. Should a person who commits
a violent crime while under the influence of one or more demons be punished
for that crime? Will demon possession become a ploy for a crafty defense
counsel? Should a demon-possessed person be considered legally insane,
and therefore not to be held accountable for his or her crimes?
More than one born-again Christian has
gone to prison for crimes which were committed before that person accepted
Jesus Christ as a personal Savior. Demon possession is a moral and not
a legal issue. Demons gain access to a person through activities done while
the person was in full control of his/her faculties.
Demons are evicted through the power of
the Holy Spirit. The law is not involved. Just as Ted Bundy was executed
for his crimes, even after professing a faith in Jesus Christ, a demon-possessed
person may be required to pay for crimes committed while under the influence
of a demon.
House Possessions, You may encounter a
situation where you believe a house or other building is occupied by a
demon. Demons do possess houses in addition to people, and the so-called
ghosts which people claim to see are either figments of their imagination
or the activities of demons. Deliverance for a house that is troubled by
one or more demons can only come through prayer by persons who are filled
by the Holy Spirit, as detailed above. If you don't believe you are filled
by the Holy Spirit and have never prayer for the Holy Spirit to deal with
anything, especially demons, you may want to contact someone from another
church.
Sanctify and dedicate your home It's a
good idea to practice defensive spiritual warfare when moving into another
home, especially a used house. I know of a family that bought a house previously
owned a by non-Christian family. Certain rooms in the house were even used
for pagan shrines. Before the new family moved in, they went from room
to room, praying in each. They asked the Holy Spirit to fill each room
and evict any evil presences left behind by previous occupants.
Demon
Possession Defined and Explained
**********
