Understanding Evil Spirits

What are evil spirits?

Evil spirits are fallen spiritual beings that were once angels of God but became evil. They became evil or fallen angels after joining Lucifer in the rebellion in Heaven. The scriptures say that Lucifer convinced a third of the angels to rebel against God. Therefore, a third of the angels became evil spirits and were cast out of Heaven together with their leader Satan. Lucifer is also called Satan or the Devil whereas evil spirits are also demons, unclean spirits or devils.

Revelation 12:3,3,7-9.  3And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 7And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Lucifer was one of the three archangels around the Throne of God. The other two are archangel Michael and archangel Gabriel. Archangels Michael and Gabriel did not rebel. They are faithfully performing their duties for the Almighty God.

What we will cover in this study:

• Where evil spirits come from
• How they enter a person
• How demons oppress, possess and torment
• How to be freed from evil spirits

Where evil spirits come from

After rebelling, Lucifer and the third of the angels were expelled from Heaven. They came to the earth as Satan and his evil spirits. Satan brought sin and death upon mankind through Adam and Eve. Let’s look at specific places where they are:

Currently there are evil spirits roaming in the air looking for people to enter and possess.

These could be freely roaming evil spirits or the ones that have been cast out of people after prayer.

Matthew 12:43. “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.”

Ephesians 6:12. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in heavenly places.”

The air here means the region that is the first Heaven up to the second Heaven. It should be noted that the first Heaven is the sky above, whereas the second Heaven is the region where the sun and moon reside. The third Heaven which is also referred to as the Heaven of Heavens is where God, His Throne, paradise and Angels are.

There are evil spirits in many people who are possessed by evil spirits.

Mark 5:2. “And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,”

Luke 4:33. “And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,”

There are evil spirits in altars and shrines where false gods are worshipped.

1 Kings 11:33. “Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.”

Evils spirits are also in shrines and altars of witches.

Witches is a general for native doctors, wizards, soothsayers, seers, necromancers etc.

Evil spirits also exist in altars that were raised in families by dead relatives or those who are alive.

These evil spirits will continue to possess and oppress family members. This can only be terminated if these altars are broken.

How evil spirits enter a person

A demonic spirit enters a person who is not sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ. One can only be sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ if he is born again and lives in Christ.

Evil spirits enter a person in one or more of the following ways:

1. When you are a target of witchcraft and curses from jealous relatives or friends or even foes.
2. Falling into sin.
3. Evil spirit from a family altar or family curse, covenants, oaths. Generational curse from one or more family members.
4. Practicing yoga, reiki, taichi, chakra and qigong.
5. Freely roaming demons in the air can target a person.
6. The state of your heart. Unforgiveness, bitterness, hate, anger, fear etc. draws demonic spirits.
7. Exposure to evil entertainment e.g., pornography, violent movies, secular music done by Satanist entertainers, concerts where there is profanity, blasphemy and idol worship.
8. Entering into ungodly covenants and oaths.
9. Seeking services of wizards, witches, ritualists, occultists, sorcerers, mediums, necromancers, diviners, soothsayers and charmers. 
10. Being enjoined with demonized people.
11. Tattoos and body markings

Let us look at each way in which demons enter a person:

When you are a target of witchcraft from jealous relatives or friends or even foes.

Witchcraft is the use of demonic powers to harm people and manipulate events. Those who practice witchcraft are witches, wizards, satanists, ritualists, mediums, seers, sorcerers etc. A witch operates from a physical location or may move around.

However, there are witches who use demonic powers to move in the air to carry out their activities at a different location. They usually disguise themselves as ordinary creatures like crows or bats.

A witch’s physical location can be outdoor or an indoor where there is a shrine or altar. In this set-up, there will usually be one or more idols of their demonic gods, an altar for carrying out sacrifices and paraphernalia. An outdoor shrine or altar can be found at particular kind of trees, hills, forest or cave.

Undoubtedly, the spiritual attacks are carried out at the altars. The demonic weaponry at the altars include vexes, spells, soothsaying’s, hoodoo, voodoo, incantations, enchantments, candle burning, silver chords, satanic covens and many more.

The paraphernalia is usually composed of items like charms, mirrors, pots, calabashes, skulls and shells. Some have pots that have human blood or body parts. Furthermore, they also have items that belong to their victims like photos, shoes, hair, money, menstrual pads, undergarments, footprints and any other object they have discreetly collected.

When your enemies visit witches and wizards.

A jealous relative, friend or even an enemy can visit a witch in order to harm someone. With the right amount of money or any required object, the witch will cast a spell on the victim. Examples of objects that are the witches’ fees include livestock like goats or chicken, priced objects like jewelry or exotic animals or their body parts.

If your enemy is actually a witch and has a shrine.

Some of the people who use witchcraft to harm others are actually witches. A majority of them usually have shrines in their homes. However, some have them have separate witches’ houses or outdoor shrines. While at their shrines, they will cast witchcraft spells on their victims.

Falling into sin

Sin has negative and horrible repercussions. You not only face the wrath of God in sin, but also face the consequences. The scriptures tell us that there is no temptation that has overtaken man. The Lord always provides a way out of it.

1 Corinthians 10:13. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

2 Peter 2:9. “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:”

Sin starts as temptation and many fall into it. Owing to the reason that we have been given the power to overcome temptation, when one sins, he opens up himself to demonic possession. For example, when one falls into sexual immorality, he/she will become possessed by spirit of lust.

Alcohol, drugs and smoking breed sin.

Likewise, it’s the same for alcohol, smoking or drug use. Addiction to these has a demonic manifestation to it. Natural ways of overcoming addiction rarely bear fruits. However, one can be made free by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Sin and evil opens up a person to demonic possession. This can happen to both the unbelievers and believers. When a believer sins, he grieves the Holy Spirit. If the sinning continues the Holy Spirit will still convict the person to stop and repent. However, those who don’t repent end up falling away and become apostate or backslidden. This is the state when evil spirits enter and possess a fallen believer. They lose the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This is why David prayed to God not to remove the Holy Spirit from him. He had sinned by committing adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah.

Psalms 51:11,12. 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Evil spirit from a family altar or family curse, covenants, oaths. Generational curse from one or more family members.

Some families have a dark past with sin and idolatry. A family member may have engaged in sin, witchcraft or made covenants which became a curse. For example, a family member may put up an altar or shrine for his own nefarious goals. As a consequence of that, evil spirits from the altar will possess or torment some or all of the family members. This is because one person opened up a doorway for the demons to enter and manipulate.

Furthermore, some family alters are raised because of sin of one or more members. An example is sexual immorality which leads to an altar of the same within the family. I have seen a case where a father and the daughter committed incest. This act opened up an altar of incest and it affected the family.

Family altars are evil and sadly they remain in the family to affect generations that follow.

Practicing yoga, reiki, taichi, chakra and qigong.

Yoga, reiki, taichi, chakra and qigong are practices that involve physical, mental exercises and spiritual exercises for stress relief and well-being. While there is no problem with physical and mental exercises, the spiritualism aspect is the harmful part. These practices have roots in ancient idol gods. When you engage in them you actually invite the spirits into your life. Yoga is strongly attached to Hinduism. Undoubtedly it opens up the person to Hindu gods’ evil spirits. That’s when the devil takes advantage because the spirits are evil and will possess and oppress.

A Christian can only be indwelled by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God whereas any other spirit is the presence of demonic gods. For this reason, yoga remains an abomination before God.

Deuteronomy 12:30,31. 30Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. 31Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.

Freely roaming demons in the air can target a person.

There are many evil spirits in the air. Some of these were cast out of people after prayers. Evil spirits seek for human bodies to live in and possess. They turn the bodies into their homes.

Matthew 8:16. “When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:”

When an evil spirit has been cast out, he roams in the spiritual wilderness looking to go back to his former home. If the person is found to be repented and living in Christ, the evil spirit won’t be able to re-possess him. However, if the person is found to be fallen again and unrepentant, the evil spirit will repossess him. His eventual state becomes worse because the demon comes back with more demons.

Matthew 12:43,44. 43When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

The state of your heart. Unforgiveness, bitterness, hate, anger, fear etc. draws demonic spirits.

Unforgiveness, bitterness, hate, anger and fear are of the devil. If a person is not set free from them he becomes a potential candidate for demonic possession. This is because the scriptures tell us that we should not be found with anything of the devil. Any fruit of the devil creates an environment for possession.

Unforgiveness, bitterness, grudges and hate prevent the move of the Holy Spirit. Many brethren’s prayers have been un-answered because of this condition of their hearts. This is why Jesus Christ said that the devil is coming and there is nothing of the devil in Him.

John 14:30. “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”

Exposure to evil entertainment e.g., pornography, violent movies, secular music done by satanist entertainers, concerts where there is profanity, blasphemy

While some forms of entertainment are out rightly evil, many others are actually still more demonic. Exposure to pornography, gore, profanity, blasphemous and vulgar language is not only addictive but dangerous to the soul. Many people have ended up with spirits of lust, incest and bestiality after watching pornography.

Many find themselves with rebellious evil spirits because of profane, blasphemous and vulgar entertainment. Most people are blinded to the fact that secular entertainment has its god. The evil demon of Baphomet is the god of entertainment. This is why there is so much open blasphemy, vulgar, mockery of God and immorality by leading musicians.

These artists don’t hide the fact that they serve Satan through Baphomet. Sadly, those who listen and watch them live or through any media end with those evil spirits.

Entering into ungodly oaths and covenants.

A young man once fell in love with a girl in a remote village. The young man whose name was Erick treated the girl very well and their love blossomed. The girl by the name Cindy equally loved Erick. As time went by other girls started making moves at Erick. Cindy became worried and was advised by a friend to make Erick make a covenant by a famous river that they will never leave each other. Erick agreed but both didn’t know that making the covenant, a marine demonic deity was actually behind the covenant.

Such happenings are very common and the repercussions can sometimes be deadly if an anointed man of God is not there to break the demonic bond. People have also made covenants and oaths for riches, influence, power and protection but the end of it is always pain and tears.  

Matthew 5:33-37. 33“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ 34But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”

Seeking services of wizards, witches, ritualists, occultists, sorcerers, mediums, necromancers, diviners, soothsayers and charmers. 

Witches and wizards derive their powers from the demonic kingdom. They serve and worship satanic gods who in turn give them dark powers. While performing their rituals, the witches summon demons at their altars. Although the person who visits the witch usually gets his request accomplished, there have been many repercussions. The evil spirits sometimes possess the person or one or more family members. Moreover, the mission into a witches shrine sometimes backfire on the person who consulted them. The end result is demonic possession, oppression or even death.

Being enjoined with demonized people.

The people that you hang around with can make or break you. The scriptures tell us that evil companions corrupt good morals. Well, it is not just your behavior that they influence. You can end up with evil spirits from them.

Proverbs 13:20. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

2 Corinthians 6:14. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”

For this reason, the Apostle Paul warned the saints against being entangled with unbelievers. Remember that Satan is looking at expanding His dark kingdom.

Tattoos, body mutilations and markings

People make body markings and tattoos for many reasons. Some are for culture, fashion, identification with gangs or cults, religion, art, memory and even cosmetic appearance. Some tattoos and body may not have any spiritual connections like flowers or pets.

However, some have serious spiritual consequences. Tattoos of cults and demons open up a person to demonic possession. The same applies for body markings. In my rural home in Busia County, witch doctors sometimes make body markings and infuse medicines inside them.

How demons oppress, possess and torment

A person is said to be possessed by an evil spirit when it enters and takes over a person’s soul and body. On the other hand, a demon may not enter into a person but will target and destroy his social, economic, material and spiritual well-being. This is what is called demonic oppression. While it is true that a believer cannot be demon possessed, the same cannot be said for the fallen or backslidden one. If a Christian backslides and doesn’t repent, he can be demon possessed.

Demonic possession

Under demonic possession, the person’s behavior and character are altered. At one time they may behave normal then become a different person at other times. This is because the demons inside become triggered by certain things or may act dormant. Don’t be fooled by the dormancy as it is just a means of deception. Undoubtedly the demon is still very much inside the person.

The behavior of the person under the possession is determined by the kind of evil spirit possessing them. Additionally, the kind of physical infirmity is also determined by the demon. Sexual immorality means the person has spirit of lust whereas anger is driven spirit of anger. The spirit of lust causes fornication, adultery and masturbation. There are more wicked spirits of lust like the spirit of incest and bestiality.

Evils spirits of infirmities cause bodily abnormalities, distortion and self-harm. Examples are leprosy, blindness, deafness, lameness/crippled, hunchback, macrocephaly in children, elephantiasis and many more. The man whom Jesus Christ set free in Gadarenes used to inflict injury on himself due to demonic possession. This proves that people who alter their bodies through surgery and mutilation are under demonic possession.  

There are many diseases that are demonic. This is true for both life threatening and non-life-threatening ones. Jesus Christ once rebuked the spirit of fever from the mother of Apostle Peter. Furthermore, Apostle Paul also rebuked the same spirit of fever from Publius, the father of one his converts. Illnesses like HIV-AIDS, cancer, growths, tumors, Ebola and many more can be broken by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Demonic oppression

An evil spirit can always oppress when it can’t enter a person. This is especially so for believers. The evil spirits will target your loved ones, your career, business, social life and your plans. They manipulate, hinder, block, suppress and destroy anything that is attached to your life.

Demons can deny a couple children for many years until the yoke is broken. A graduate may be denied jobs by dark forces while a business man may experience stagnation.

How to be freed from evil spirits

Jesus Christ demonstrated that it was possible to expel evil spirits. He further showed that the saints who are sanctified in the blood have the power to cast out evil spirits. Furthermore, any anointed man of God has been given power and authority over unclean spirits by Jesus Christ.

Luke 9:1. “Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.”

First and foremost, confession and repentance.

The first and foremost step to take is confession and repentance. Most people are possessed or oppressed because of sin. Repentance means that the person has renounced his evil ways and wants to walk in Christ. Remember that the Lord doesn’t answer prayers of the sinner.

John 9:31. “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”

1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Secondly, have faith that there is power in the name of Jesus Christ.

The repented person must have faith in God for nothing is impossible with God. The name of Jesus Christ is the name that is above every other name, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Matthew 8:5-10. 5And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Prayer with fasting is the weapon.

We break the chains and bondages through prayer. It is strongly advised that an anointed man of God to conduct the prayers. This is because sometimes demons come out and enter or attack the person praying. Therefore, the man of God must be consecrated, holy, be anointed and be rooted in the word of God. Even with all these, some demons still won’t come out except by prayer and fasting.

Matthew 17:14-21. 14And when they came to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. Matthew 17:14-21. 16And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him to me. 18And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour. 19Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, why could not we cast him out? 20And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

Prayer with fasting is the weapon.

Keep away the evil spirits away by reading the scriptures daily, live righteously and be prayerful.

Reading the scriptures daily, righteous living and prayer is the perfect recipe to receive the Holy Spirt. Evil spirits cannot possess a person who is filled with the Holy Spirit. There fire and the presence of God is just too much for them. I have seen many people who were prayed for, showed improvement but later one fell again. This is because they did not ground themselves in Christ. Becoming grounded in Christ means that you become like a mighty tree whose roots go deep into the fertile ground. Nothing will shake it off the ground, not even the mightiest of tempests. Pastors and preachers need to know that prayer and deliverance is not enough, the person prayed for needs to be nourished and be kept in the word.

Luke 6:47-49. 47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: 48He is like a man which built an house, and du deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

SHALOM.