Contributor: Nosa Osagie
INTRODUCTION
Last week we looked at “Distinguishing the Difference between Oppression, Obsession and Possession”. We were able to clearly differentiate between oppression, obsession and possession. Oppression is an attack against mankind in form of fear, sickness, bad moods, nightmares, trials, persecution, poverty and so on.
Obsession is when an evil spirit get hold of someone`s mind to make it listen to words and suggestions of evil and not God`s word.
Possession is when a demon moves into the soul of a person and takes control of their will, emotions and desires.
Today we are looking at practical ways of how evil spirits let other evil spirits into people. It is important to know that a person can welcome an evil spirit into their soul without even knowing it and it is also important to understand how the enemy works, so that we can better be equipped to stand against his tricks. Paul said that they were not ignorant of Satan's devices... 2 Corinthians 2:11.
THE SPIRITS NEED A BODY
We should know by the Spirit of revelation that in the spirit world, the human body is a house. God sees the human body as a potential dwelling place, which is His original purpose. Scripture calls the body of the believer the temple, house or building of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19. But the devil and his demons sees the human body as a place to live also. What we should understand here is that God`s spirit need a body to dwell in and the devil spirit need a body to dwell in as well.
“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.” Matthew 12:43-45.
We will notice that the evil spirit refers to that man as his house, meaning having full possession, ownership or in control of him. Evil spirits crave bodies to live in, and to express their nature through. Without such a body they are restless, just like a homeless person. As God will not, cannot, impose Himself on someone, neither will evil spirits. God will come in where He is invited and welcomed, Revelation 3:20 also are evil spirits.
HOW THEY OPERATE
First of all, an higher rank of evil spirit comes into a person`s mind with evil suggestions, evil thoughts, pressure of life, sin etc. (oppression)
Second stage is, if the person allows those evil suggestions and so on to settle in his or her mind (obsession), the evil spirit will now let other spirits in and then gain control (possession) of their lives. For example, if a man allows into his life the suggestion of stealing a pen, that evil spirit will invite the spirits of armed robbery, drugs, drinking, smoking, killings etc. meanwhile it was just a common taking of pen from the start.
HOW EVIL SPIRITS ARE LET IN
Demons cannot just enter into any person that they choose to; there must be an open door for them to have entrance. There are several ways that evil spirits can gain access into a person’s life. We are going to be discussing some of the common openings below.
(i) Anger: Ephesians 4:26-27 says,
“Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” Anger can simply be an emotion, but if you let it linger, it becomes sin and gives “place to the devil.”
(ii) Un-forgiveness: Having un-forgiveness and resentment towards others is a major open door for evil spirits. In Matthew 18:15-35. At the end of the parable the unforgiving servant is put into a prison to be tormented. Withholding forgiveness from others puts you into a spiritual prison and gives the devil God-given permission to torment you; this is a serious issue and a major root cause for many other pproblems. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11.
(iii) Sin: When we embrace sin instead of repenting of it, we come into agreement with the devil; and this gives him access to an area of our lives. This is not stumbling into sin and then confessing and repenting of it. It`s agreeing with sin, justifying it in our minds, and embracing it. This type of attitude towards sin can open the door for evil spirits.
Romans 7:5-25
(iv) Pornography: One of the most devastating problems that has ensnared many people is the sin of pornography. Many of these same people will testify that they were ensnared with just a “peek.” This one “little fox” led to their downfall. Many, out of curiosity, just went to a site to see what was there. This is one of the devil’s tricks to get people ensnared. Satan is the power behind this attraction to all forbidden sexual images. People that are trapped today can tell you there is an evil “drawing” that compels them to return again and again. Many are desiring to be free, but seem hopelessly gripped by this evil desire. Matthew 5:28. The only way out is, confess to the Lord and ask Him to forgive you and help you out and then talk to the pastor and your partner, parents or guardian. Block all of those sites and take your PC from private rooms to the common rooms and get rid of all those magazines, videos and sinful materials in your possession to be burnt.
(v) Bitterness: When a person turns bitter against anybody, it invites an evil spirit into their system that will aggravate the cells in their body, which will cause abnormal growths, tumours, cancer and such like. Hebrews 12:15.
(vi) Tattoos and Piercings: Tattoos have witchcraft roots and so many people today are having tattoos because of some evil witchcraft influences in their lives that they are unaware of. They do not realize that partaking of these can open the door to wrong and defiling influences in their lives. 1 Kings 18:28, Lev.19:28.
(vii) Others: Evil videos, immoral music, immoral dressing, wicked Internet games, horror videos, wild parties and violent videos are ways the evil spirits want to gain access, control and destroy people, especially our youths. And the list goes on.
CONCLUSION
Believers should not be afraid and think that an evil spirit can come out of a person and enter them. Evil spirits don`t have that right, it`s only when they are invited in or “doors” are opened for them. Our spirit man needs to filled up of God`s fullness which is God`s word, praise, worship and the fruit of the spirit, so that when the evil spirit comes, suggesting evil thoughts there will be no room for him. Ephesians 4:27 says “neither give place to the devil.”
