7 Signs You Might Need Deliverance from Demons

How It All Began

I spent a large portion of my Christian walk in complete ignorance to the ministry of deliverance.

I knew about demons from the Bible, and had heard of demons being cast out of people, but I had not considered it a subject of personal relevance.

Now, I am more aware of demonic bondage and the need to be free, but how can we tell if there’s even a need for deliverance?

Besides direct discernment through the Holy Spirit, here are seven signs you can use to detect the work of an unclean spirit.

Problems with the Thought Life

Mental health problems and feelings of torment should cause you to take a second look for demonic influence. That’s because demons can create disturbances in your thought life.

Things like confusion, indecision, memory loss, procrastination, and mental torment, are probably not just you. If you suffer from anxiety, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, you could be dealing with an unclean spirit.

Suicidal ideations and hearing voices you cannot seem to shut out, are definitely things to address in deliverance.

Problems with the Tongue

A friend of mine many years ago shared how she could hear demons using curse words in her mind during a time of demonic attack. Ever since then I became very suspicious of curse words.

But curse words aren’t the only speech problem demons can cause. Trouble controlling the tongue, being known as a gossip, and compulsive lying, are likely connected to demons.

Other speech problems to be suspicious of are blasphemy, criticism and mockery.

If you find you can’t seem to control these speech issues, your behaviours may have their root in an unclean spirit.

Problems with the Emotions

We are emotional beings, but our emotions can experience disturbances that persist abnormally or keep recurring.

For example, in grieving the death of a loved one, you should be able to accept the loss and gradually move on. When grief is so long lasting and severe that you have trouble resuming your own life, that might not be natural.

If you have been struggling to rise above negative emotions like bitterness, hatred, anger, rejection, depression, and worry, you may be dealing with an unclean spirit.

Sexual Perversions and Excesses

A struggle with masturbation even from childhood is a clear sign of needing deliverance. You might also have a secret porn-watching habit. Maybe you want sexual satisfaction eight days a week, and you cannot control mentally undressing every woman who passes by.

If you can identify with most or all of the above, I can assure you there is some type of spirit of sexual perversion.

Other sexual problems that should make you think twice about an evil spirit at work are fantasy sex experiences, homosexuality/lesbianism, incest, fornication, prostituting, exposure and flirting.

It’s time to say goodbye to those spirits!

Physical Infirmities

The Bible mentions a spirit of infirmity in Luke chapter 13 verse 11:

“And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.”

An unclean spirit could be the cause of the physical ailment you are dealing with. So whether it is migraines, asthma, skin problems or cancer, don’t rule out the presence of a demon.

It needs to be cast out!

Then, you may also need to pray for healing from whatever damage the demon caused.

Religious Error

Any involvement in religious error can attract demons, including use of false religious literature and associated physical objects.

Your or your family’s involvement in any of the following can require a demon to be cast out:

• yoga and other types of Eastern exercises
• Christian cults
• seances
• witchcraft
• magic
• Ouija boards
• levitation
• palmistry
• handwriting analysis
• automatic handwriting
• ESP (extra-sensory perception)
• hypnosis
• horoscopes
• astrology
• divination

(And that includes when you did it at the county fair one time as a joke!)

Addictions

If you are using a substance to feel good or to cope, you are treading on thin ice. When a substance impairs your day-to-day functioning, or if you can’t function optimally without it, check if that’s an unclean spirit. If you are aware you have a problem but can’t seem to stop even if you want to or try to, that strongly suggests that there is an unclean spirit at work. Chances are you are under the influence of a spirit of addiction. The most common addictions are to nicotine, alcohol, illicit drugs, medications, caffeine – and let’s not forget food!

Final Thoughts

You will always have your carnal nature to crucify daily, so deliverance from demons won’t free you from that! But if you’re doing your best to walk with the Lord and just can’t have the victory over certain habits and behaviours, you may be dealing with a demon. Claim your authority in Christ and seek deliverance.