Silence Demonic Oppression: A Faith-Based Approach to Anxiety, Toxic Thoughts & Mental Health

Excerpted from Deliver Us From Evil.

At 22 years old I had my first nervous breakdown, which began with the intruding thought that I was going to die.

It wasn’t just a thought, however; it was an experience. It felt as though someone had stuck a gun to my head and was shouting, “I’m going to kill you!” My heart raced, my body shook, and I broke out in a cold sweat. My mind was occupied with 10 different thoughts, all mixed up in a confusing blend of encroaching reality.

This went on several times a day, for three long years. Then one night at 3 a.m., I couldn’t sleep because I was struggling with toxic thoughts and thus high anxiety. I got out of bed, turned the stereo on low, and laid my head against the speaker. It was a dark, eerie, moonless night in the Trinity Alps where we were living, with about three feet of snow on the ground. I listened closely to a radio preacher as he pro- claimed, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind. Some of you think you’re going crazy, but the truth is, the enemy attacks you by giving you his thoughts, and then he accuses you of having them.” He continued, “Not all of your thoughts are your own!”

I was stunned! I had been taught that Christians could be mentality ill, but that they could not be demonized. I turned the radio off and rolled over on my back on the floor. I whispered quietly, “Lord, what should I do?”

He replied immediately, “Tell the spirit of fear and the spirit of insanity to leave you right now, in Jesus’ name!”

Okay, here it goes, I thought. Out loud, I said, “Spirit of fear and spirit of insanity, leave me right now, in Jesus’ name!”

Immediately, something demonic lifted off my body. My mind was instantly restored as I was overwhelmed with immense peace. I was free for the first time in three years. I spent the next few years learning how to stay free.

Points to Ponder

We are tridimensional beings—spirit, soul, and body—yet we often limit ourselves to a dual-dimensional approach to our well-being. Christians can’t be demon possessed, but we certainly can be oppressed! That’s why the book of Ephesians exhorts us to put on the full armor of God. (We’ll look at that passage in a moment.) If our depression, anxiety, and/or suicidal thoughts are rooted in demonic oppression, we won’t be cured with medication alone (although it may mask some of the symptoms for a season). Spiritual warfare is real, and it can affect us in a variety of ways. It’s important that we seek help from wise, experienced people who have a tridimensional understanding of wholeness, so we can live in perfect peace.

Scriptural Meditation

Ephesians 6:10-17

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. There- fore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done every- thing, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having belted your waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Insight

Warfare is a normal part of the Christian life in certain seasons. Therefore, we must put on the full armor of God and stand firm against these assaults. I would encourage you to read over the armor listed in the scriptural meditation and ask the Holy Spirit how to apply it practically to your life. But also keep in mind that oppression and warfare are often two very different things. Warfare is something we participate in as we take ground for the Kingdom. Oppression is the condition we are in when the enemy has taken us captive and we’re being held as POWs in his prison camp. Believing lies and/or living a lifestyle of sin can open the door to oppression in our lives. The way to freedom from demonic oppression is repentance from sin, along with a truth infusion that reveals the lies of the devil.

Activation         

Storming the Gates

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving…” (Psalm 100:4).

Write down two things you are thankful for.

1.

2.

Truth Infusion

“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).

Write down something that the Lord tells you about how He feels about you. Trust that He will tell you something new every day because His love for you is endless.

Meditate

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night…” (Joshua 1:8).

Reread Ephesians 6:10-17 aloud and visualize yourself putting on the armor of God. (You might even want to stand up and “pretend” to put it on physically.)

Live It

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves” (James 1:22).

As you read my story about telling the spirits of fear and insanity to leave, did it inspire you to speak to any evil spirits affecting your life and tell them to leave? Record your thoughts here, and then prayerfully let the Lord lead you in telling these spirits to go, in Jesus’ name.