The Bible gives some examples of people possessed or influenced by demons. From these examples we can find some symptoms of demonic influence and gain insight as to how a demon possesses someone. Here are some of the biblical passages: Matthew 9:32-33; 12:22; 17:18; Mark 5:1-20; 7:26-30; Luke 4:33-36; Luke 22:3; Acts 16:16-18. In some of these passages, the demon possession causes physical ailments such as inability to speak, epileptic symptoms, blindness, etc. In other cases, it causes the individual to do evil, Judas being the main example. In Acts 16:16-18, the spirit apparently gives a slave girl some ability to know things beyond her own learning. The demon-possessed man of the Gadarenes, who was possessed by a multitude of demons (Legion), had superhuman strength and lived naked among the tombstones. King Saul, after rebelling against the LORD, was troubled by an evil spirit (1 Samuel 16:14-15; 18:10-11; 19:9-10) with the apparent effect of a depressed mood and an increased desire to kill David.
Thus, there is a wide variety of possible symptoms of demon possession, such as a physical impairment that cannot be attributed to an actual physiological problem, a personality change such as depression or aggression, supernatural strength, immodesty, antisocial behavior, and perhaps the ability to share information that one has no natural way of knowing. It is important to note that nearly all, if not all, of these characteristics may have other explanations, so it is important not to label every depressed person or epileptic individual as demon-possessed. On the other hand, Western cultures probably do not take satanic involvement in people’s lives seriously enough.
In addition to these physical or emotional distinctions, one can also look at spiritual attributes showing demonic influence. These may include a refusal to forgive (2 Corinthians 2:10-11) and the belief in and spread of false doctrine, especially concerning Jesus Christ and His atoning work (2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 1 John 4:1-3).
Concerning the involvement of demons in the lives of Christians, the apostle Peter is an illustration of the fact that a believer can be influenced by the devil (Matthew 16:23). Some refer to Christians who are under a strong demonic influence as being “demonized,” but never is there an example in Scripture of a believer in Christ being possessed by a demon. Most theologians believe that a Christian cannot be possessed because he has the Holy Spirit abiding within (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5; 1 Corinthians 6:19), and the Spirit of God would not share residence with a demon.
We are not told exactly how one opens himself up for possession. If Judas’ case is representative, he opened his heart to evil—in his case by his greed (John 12:6). So it may be possible that if one allows his heart to be ruled by some habitual sin, it becomes an invitation for a demon to enter. From missionaries’ experiences, demon possession also seems to be related to the worship of heathen idols and the possession of occult materials. Scripture repeatedly relates idol worship to the actual worship of demons (Leviticus 17:7;Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm 106:37; 1 Corinthians 10:20), so it should not be surprising that involvement with idolatry could lead to demon possession.
Based on the above scriptural passages and some of the experiences of missionaries, we can conclude that many people open their lives up to demon involvement through the embracing of some sin or through cultic involvement (either knowingly or unknowingly). Examples may include immorality, drug/alcohol abuse that alters one’s state of consciousness, rebellion, bitterness, and transcendental meditation.
There is an additional consideration. Satan and his evil host can do nothing the Lord does not allow them to do (Job 1-2). This being the case, Satan, thinking he is accomplishing his own purposes, is actually accomplishing God’s good purposes, as in the case of Judas’ betrayal. Some people develop an unhealthy fascination with the occult and demonic activity. This is unwise and unbiblical. If we pursue God, if we are clothing ourselves with His armor and relying upon His strength (Ephesians 6:10-18), we have nothing to fear from the evil ones, for God rules over all!
1. Introduction to the levels of demonic possession according to the new age movements.
Demonic possession is a complex issue where nothing is what it seems to the gross eye. In over seven years of intense study of the subject, SSRF has come across various types of demonic possessions that indicate a diverse range of symptoms and impact on the individuals who are possessed. There is no easy way to explain the levels of possession as there are a number of ways and nuances in looking at any type of possession. In this article we will try our best to share with you these perspectives on demonic possession and their various nuances.
The information has been gathered after researching thousands of demonic possessions through subtle-vision (sixth sense). Some of our members can actually see the ghost possessing a person. Furthermore, some members who can access the Universal Mind and Intellect are able to understand the deeper reasons behind the possession and the intent of the possessing ghost.
The important point to understand from a layperson’s point of view is that almost all of humanity is affected in some way by ghosts (demons, devils, negative energies etc.). But a more serious fact that was uncovered with spiritual research is that in the current era until 2025, 30% of the population will be possessed by ghosts (demons, devils, negative energies etc.). This means that out of every ten individuals who read this article, 3 are possessed by ghosts, 5 are affected by them and only 2 will be unaffected. Refer to our article on How much of the world’s population is affected by ghosts.
Demonic possessions are classified as either mild, medium or severe. The following sections discuss the specific factors considered in classifying a demonic possession as mild, moderate or severe. To understand these sections you should also read the following two articles:
- 2. Levels of demonic possession based on who can perceive the manifestation
Here we categories the degree of possession based on the level of sixth sense or subtle perceptive ability required in order to identify the possession.
- Mild demonic possession Here even a layperson by the means of his or her intellect and a basic understanding of demonic possession can understand from observing an individual’s abnormal behaviour that something is amiss with the possessed person. The person who is possessed behaves abnormally and the entity inside the person has mostly manifested.The behavior could be a deviation from the person’s normal behavior such as a high amount of aggressiveness from a docile person, hysterical laughter, talking gibberish etc. It is also possible to decide intellectually that a person’s symptoms are due to demonic possession when they subside with spiritual remedies. For example, if the abnormal behavior calms down in the premises of a temple or church, or by drinking or sprinkling Holy water etc.
- A psychiatrist looking at the incident would generally classify it as psychosis or another psychiatric disorder. Also refer to: Why is there a protective border around the above picture?
- Medium demonic possession Here one would require a higher level of sixth sense or extra-sensory perception to be able to discern whether the person is possessed. The spiritual level of the person diagnosing would generally be between 50-70%. The symptoms and tell-tale signs are far more subtle. This type of possession is generally unmanifest. However this is not always the case and a person could be fully manifest and yet be very calm and collected giving no tell-tale signs that they are possessed.
- Severe demonic possession Here only a Saint would be able to diagnose whether a person is possessed. For a person possessed by higher level ghosts, only a Saint of the highest order would be able to ascertain that the person is indeed possessed.
3. Levels of demonic possession based on the extent of control achieved over the manifestation by speaking to the manifest person
From this viewpoint, demonic possession is categorized based on the extent that a person of average spiritual level can speak to a person where the ghost (demons, devils, negatives energies etc.) has manifested and is able to calm him down.
- In the case of a mild possession even a person of an average spiritual level can speak to the manifest person (i.e. to the ghost in the possessed person) and calm him down completely.
- In the case of a medium possession the spiritually average person has limited success into calming the person down by speaking to the person when the ghost is manifesting.
- When the possession is severe the spiritually average person is unable to calm the manifesting person.
4. Levels of demonic possession based on the spiritual level of the spiritual healer required to remove the ghost
Here the level or degree of demonic possession is based on the minimum spiritual level required of a spiritual healer in order to cure a possessed person.
- Mild possession would be when a spiritual healer of 50% spiritual level can cure the possessed person.
- Medium possession would be when a spiritual healer of 70% spiritual level is required to cure the possessed person.
- Severe possession would be when a spiritual healer of more than 70% is required to cure the possessed person of the ghost.
5. Levels of demonic possession based on the amount of control by the possessing ghost
Here the level of possession is dependent upon how much control the ghost (demons, devils, negative energies etc.) has acquired over the mind and intellect of the possessed person. In short how much has the ghost merged with the person’s consciousness.
- Mild possession is when the possessing ghost has 25% control over the possessed person.
- Moderate possession is when the ghost controls the person to the extent of 50%.
- Severe possession is when the ghost controls the possessed person to the extent of 75%.
6. Levels of demonic possession based on the spiritual strength of the possessing ghost
Here the level of possession is determined based on the strength of the possessing ghost (demons, devils, negative energies etc.).
- Mild possession is when the possessing ghost is a common ghost or an inferior level demon. At this level the intent behind the possession is generally limited to harming the individual being possessed. The relative strength of this ghost is 1-100.
- Moderate possession is when the ghost is a female goblin (haḍal), jākhin or a medium level ghost. At this level the intent is to affect the individual and society to some extent. The relative strength of this ghost is 1,000-10,000.
- Severe possession is when the possessing ghost is a subtle-sorcerer (māntrik). At this level the intention of the possessing ghost is to create nationwide destruction or worldwide detrimental effect. The relative strength of this ghost is 100,000-infinity. An example of this would be Hitler who was possessed by a subtle-sorcerer from the lower regions of Hell.
There are more siting from the Quran also.
Steve Ramsey, PhD. Calgary, Alberta.