Our Spiritual Battles Continue

THE RECOGNITION OF DEMONIC POWER - Ch II
Biblical Discernment of Demonic Activity
In Matthew 4:24 "they brought to Him sick people that were taken with DIVERS DISEASES and torments, and those who were POSSESSED WITH DEMONS1 and those which were LUNATICK'S So there were and are physical, mental and demonic problems. How can they be diagnosed? It all depends on God! The Lord gives discernment (1 Corinthians 12:10) from Himself (1 John 4:3) and from His Word. We have discovered 6 principles that we can use as a guide in uncovering satanic takeover. All these 6 principles must be taken in consideration together.
THE PERSPECTIVE OF SPIRITUAL THINGS
In other words, what is their aversion or reaction to...
The Word of God...Mathew 4:11-12
The Name of Jesus...1 John 4:1-3
The Servants of the Lord...Acts 16:7
The Blood of Christ...Revelation 12:11
The Gospel of Truth...2 Corinthians 11:3-4
If they react to quotations from the Bible, the use of the Name and Blood of Jesus, the Holy Spirit in the Lord's servant, or to Gospel truth in prayer, praise and singing of good Biblical hymns, we can start considering that we have a demonic case. Sometimes they confess Jesus, but is it the Jesus of the Bible? Everyone has their Jesus. Jesus of the Jehovah Witnesses is the archangel Michael.
Jesus of the Mormons is a god among many gods.
Jesus of the Spiritists is a superior medium.
Jesus of the Witches(Wicca) is a super-witch.
Jesus of the Christian-Scientists is a divine idea.
Jesus of the Baha'is is one of nine manifestations.
Jesus of the Theosophists is a reincarnation of the universal soul.
BUT THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE IS THE LORD YAWEH. . GOD INCARNATE!
PERSONALITY
When love suddenly becomes hatred; when courtesy changes to vulgarity; when intelligence gives away to folly with rapidity, one must examine to see if this comes from demonic sources. Caution is underlined these same symptoms are caused by schizophrenia. But with an opposition to the things of God intertwined with a quick change in personality we start to recognize that the trouble comes from a supernatural power other than that of the victim. It was the case of King Saul in 1 Samuel 16:5 and of Judas in John 6:70-71; 13:27. Dr. Unger wrote: "The automatic projection of a new personality in the victim is the chief distinguishing mark. The new personality reveals itself in a different voice and some- times uses different language on a completely different educational or cultural level!'
PHENOMENA AND LYING WONDERS
When strange and unexplainable phenomena is in or is around a person who has other symptoms, it may indicate the presence of evil spirits. Pharaoh's magicians did it in Exodus 7:11,22; 8:3, 14. It will be evident in the end of time as seen in Matthew 24:24 and 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10.
Signs are found 60 times in the New Testament
Wonders are found 16 times in the New Testament
Miracles are found 28 times in the New Testament
These were operated by the Lord but also by Satan and his agents (Matthew 7:22; Acts 8:11; 2Thessalonians 2:9; Mark 13:22; Revelation 16:14) Do not be fooled! If the phenomenon cannot be explained or if they are not in accord with the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 13:1-9), they could, with the other principles diagnose a demonic presence.
PRACTICING THE OCCULT
If the victim practices occult sciences, it could explain the presence of the phenomenon. The word, "occult" comes from the Latin meaning "hidden". The door is opened to Satan's attacks by seeing films on the occult, reading their books, playing their games; visiting their healers, mediums and fortunetellers. There are many occult practices and new ones appearing every day. Here is an abbreviated list of some of the 300 the author has examined.
Tarot Cards Astrology Table Tipping
Levitation Psychokinesis Palmistry
Meditation Witchcraft Hypnosis
Pendulums Reincarnation White Magic
Clairvoyance Crystal Gazing I Ching
Numerology Dream Analysis Telepathy
Astral Projection ESP Tea Leaves
Fetishes Phrenology Mind Control
Talismans Thought Transfer Colorology
Fortune Telling Seances Quija Board
Yoga Spiritism Voodoo
Materialization Necromancy Automatic Writing
Mysticism Clairaudience Horoscopes
Palm reading etc.

These practices coupled with the other symptoms reveal the presence of demonic activity. "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit after the rudiments of the world (THE SPIRITS OF THE UNIVERSE) and NOT AFTER CHRIST… Colossians 2:8
PERVERSION
In Ephesians 5:12 it speaks of "pleasures of darkness". They are called "seducing spirits" in 1 Timothy 4:1. This perversion manifests itself in sexual deviation, blasphemy, lying, violence and chemical stimuli like drugs and alcohol.
SEXUAL PERVERSION:
Demons are impure (Matthew 10:1), mean (Ephesians 6:12) and evil (Luke 7:21). This includes nudity (Luke 8:27), prostitution (Luke 8:2; 7:37) homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13,6,1 7) as well as masturbation, zoolophilia, and fornication.
BLASPHEMY:
Hal Lindsay writes: 'A continual compulsion to blaspheme the Name of God and of Christ, with the other symptoms is a sign of demon influence" Revelation 13:1, 5-6; 1 Timothy 1:20; Acts 16:1 7
LYING:
The devil is a liar from the beginning. He likes to continue this action via demonic influence. 1 Kings 22:21-22; John 8:44; Acts 5:3
VIOLENCE:
That was the case of the demonic in Mark 5:3-5. The devil is a murderer (John 8:44), It was an evil spirit that threw the young boy into the water and the fire (Mark 9:22).
DRUGS AND ALCOHOL:
The Greek word for "sorcery" is "pharmakia" that gives us "pharmacy" or 11drugs't Such is the case of the anti-christ in Revelation 18:23. According to the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse, "Alcohol is a drug!" The Michigan Substance Abuse Association tells us that "1 million Americans are addicted to alcohol". Any chemical stimuli that destroys the will of a person opens the door to the influence of evil spirits. This with the other symptoms starts to give us a picture of the demonic activity in a persons life.
PHYSICAL SIGNS
Hal Lindsay writes: "With the other symptoms, it is possible to observe demon activity in the victims face."
Seen in the body: Sickness (Luke 15:11, 16); Strength (Mark 5:4) Suicide (Matthew 17:15-18; Mark 9:22)
Seen in the eyes and face (Matthew 6:22-23)
Seen by the hearing (Matthew 9:32-33; Mark 9:25)
Seen by the speaking (Isaiah 8:19; 29:4)
The sound of speech, the context of what is said, the way and mannerism, the vocabulary and the accompanying body language helps us to discern the evil personality deep within the individual. How did the boy mentioned in Mark 9:14-22 become possessed?