Contrary to what the movies tell us, possession doesn't happen in this sudden dramatic instantaneous event to an unsuspecting victim. People are possessed by demons slowly and gradually a little bit at a time. It happens to people bit by bit, piece by piece until overtime they give Satan complete control over their lives. It starts off as something simple, ordinary and common to everyone. Then it spirals downward from there. Let's go over the seven stages of demonic possession.
Regression
Regression is when an individual begins to "back slide". They regress or fall back into old behaviors. Even if they are not Christians, they can still regress into a more sinful lifestyle. The devil does this to distract them from any spiritual progress they may have made. The signs to look for will be an acceptance or tolerance sin, and a lifestyle of said sin. When a Christian who formally took a stand against profanity, drunkenness, sexual immorality, etc now doesn't find these behaviors so distasteful, it's a red flag. When they shrug their shoulders or wink their eye at something they would have condemned, they need a caring brother or sister in Christ to pull them a side and have a talk. Something is happening in their spiritual life, and it most likely id regression caused by evil spirits. Likewise when someone starts falling back into old patterns of the flesh, red flags should go up.
Repression
After slipping back into their old ways, the next step toward possession is repressing everything that testifies to their new life in Christ. Where as regression is moving toward sin, repression is moving away from a relationship with Christ. One of the first things that begin to go away is their devotional life. Before they may have spent time regularly with God in His word and in prayer. Now, that has slowly disappeared over time. I can attest to this in my own life. My spiritual maturity and my closeness with God has always been proportional to the depth and regularity of my devotional life. When my devotional life was strong so was my spiritual walk. When I let that area of my life slip, my spirituality reflects that neglect. So it with a person under demonic influence. After the devotional life is repressed of course the next piece to be chipped off is their involvement in the local church. Not only regular church attendance, but involvement in the life of the local church is essential for personal growth. The Christian walk was never meant to be a solo walk.
Suppression
This is the last step of possession while simply under Demonic Influence. Remember this is not possession. The person is not under demonic control. Neither are they oppressed in such a way that they are being driven to further spiritual instability. Their thoughts and behavior are simply being influenced by demonic forces. Think of it like suggestion. During the suppression stage, the demon begins to assert control. During repression, the victim is choosing to neglect and suppress Christ in their life. When they reach suppression, the life of Christ is literally being suppressed in them. They stop talking about Jesus and His gospel. You will stop hearing the name of Jesus on their lips. Instead of saying Christ, or Lord, they will simply say, God or "The Man Upstairs". This is very dangerous stage. This is the turning point. IF the person in suppression isn't rescued, they are almost at the point on no return.
Depression
When someone reaches the depression stage, they are almost beyond reach. They are overcome with hopelessness. Most people can't even even pray at this point. They can no longer see who they are in Christ. This could also be called the deception stage because it is a stage where the victim is so vulnerable that they will believe any lie from the devil. Satan can tell them that they are weak, useless, unworthy, unlovable, dumb, etc and they will believe it. In fact, it is the lies that cause the depression!
People don't just enter into this stage under depression, they are under suppression. When Christ is completely suppressed in a person's life, the truth is suppressed. When the truth is suppressed, the devils lies can take root. If your life is defined by thoughts such as, "I'm unlovable, I'm unworthy, I'm a failure, etc" you need to do a self inventory. Those are Satan's lies bombarding your spirit, and it may be that the truth has been suppressed and the devil sees it as an opportunity to sow the seeds of depression. It is really important to immediately intervene in this person's life.
Oppression
This is the point of no return. Once a victim of demonic attack reaches this stage, they are so overwhelmed, a simple counseling or prayer session will not work. In the previous stages you don't need to cast any demons. At this stage however, you will need to take authority over the demons and cast them out. The lies that Satan have sowed into the victim have begun to chart a new course for the victim. It's as though they go from seeing themselves as worthless, unlovable, a failure, etc to now living a lifestyle that demonstrates that belief.
Obsession
This is the last and final stage before full blown demonic possession. Depression, the victim embraces the lies of Satan, in oppression, they start living the lies of Satan, in obsession they are a snow ball. The person they once were is completely gone at this point. What is left is this new person with an identity based on the lies they began to accept all the way back in the depression stage.
Possession
This is where Satan has completely taken control. You see, obsession is a bad stage. That's when good people turn bad. It's when the man you know who once was a good man, turns over a new leaf. Possession is when that downward spirals to the extreme where demons are controlling the victim. Their goal? To completely ruin the victim. To leave them broken beyond repair physically, mentally, and spiritually. If the victim is left in this stage too long, that will be the result.
It's a process. Possession happens when people slowly and gradually give Satan influence over their lives bit by bit, piece by piece. Jesus commands us to help such people. He said in Luke chapter 10, "I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy." Authority over how much of the enemies power? ALL! As Christians, we have the authority to take control of demons, bind up their power, and cast them out of people's lives. Lets help our brother or sister that is sliding down this slow destructive path.
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