What Is Demon Possession?

Demon possession is the seizure of a human being by a demonic being to such a degree that the individual is controlled in whole or in part by the demon (see Matthew 8:28-32, Mark 1:23-27, Mark 7:24-30, Luke 9:37-42).

The person who is demon possessed can manifest demonic qualities one minute and then be back in his right mind the next. The disease known as schizophrenia could, in certain individuals, be demon possession. This could be the case in instances where the person may speak in different voices and act in bizarre ways. One minute he could be a nice, calm, normal individual, and the next minute he could rage, foam at the mouth, and speak in an entirely different voice, blaspheming God.

In certain instances, demon-possessed individuals hear voices--voices that tell them to kill somebody, commit suicide, or undertake various kind of sins. Such people may have an uncontrollable lust. They may have an uncontrollable desire to have harm done to themselves. Masochism and sadism and other perverted sex practices are, in many instances, the result of demon possession.

Demon possession can be manifested in many ways. But the goal of demons is to debase, defile, and ultimately destroy a human being who is made in the image of God. That is what Satan wants to do: Attack God by destroying people who are precious in God's sight. However, people who serve Satan--the satanists and devil worshipers--will eventually be destroyed by that which they worship.

It is interesting to note that those who volunteer to serve Satan--the fortunetellers, spiritists, witches, warlocks, and satanists--are themselves consumed by Satan. Not only will they share Satan's ultimate punishment by God, but they will be tormented and debased by Satan himself prior to final judgment.

Excerpt taken from Answers to 200 of Life's Most Probing Questions, Copyright 1984 by Pat Robertson.