Darvish Intelligence: How to Prevent Demon Possession and How to Extract Demons from Those Who Have Been Overtaken by Them

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

How to Prevent Demon Possession and How to Extract Demons from Those Who Have Been Overtaken by Them

By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Former Pagan, Christian Conservative LDS Priest

As someone with a deep understanding of both spiritual warfare and the ancient, sometimes hidden, aspects of faith, I find it essential to discuss how to prevent demon possession and, when necessary, how to effectively expel demons from individuals who have been overtaken. Throughout my own journey—from my upbringing in an Islamic context, through my exposure to paganism, and eventually to my conversion to Christianity—I have learned how the spiritual realm interacts with humanity and the importance of faith and spiritual discipline in protecting oneself.

Understanding Demon Possession

Demon possession is a subject often misunderstood, whether due to secular explanations or misguided interpretations within various faith traditions. In the Christian tradition, it is seen as a spiritual affliction, wherein a demonic entity takes control of a person's body and mind. This can lead to a variety of physical, psychological, and spiritual symptoms, including erratic behavior, loss of control, intense spiritual oppression, and a distinct distancing from one's own soul.

As an ex-Muslim, I am familiar with how different cultures view possession and spiritual oppression. Islam recognizes jinn—spiritual entities that can possess or influence human beings. The Quran speaks of their negative influence in certain verses (Surah Al-Jinn, 72:6), though the concept differs from Christian exorcism practices. In my Christian faith, I have come to understand possession through the lens of spiritual warfare, as described in the New Testament.

Preventing Demon Possession

The best way to prevent demon possession is through vigilance and spiritual fortification. As a Christian, my belief in Jesus Christ as my Savior is central to my protection against the forces of darkness. Christ’s death and resurrection defeated the power of evil, and through Him, we can live in freedom. As the Apostle John wrote, "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Here are several steps that I personally believe can help prevent possession:

Strong Faith in Christ: The foundation of spiritual protection lies in maintaining a close relationship with Jesus Christ. Daily prayer, worship, reading of the scriptures, and meditation on the Word fortify the spirit and create a powerful defense against spiritual oppression. Christ’s power to protect believers is unmatched.
Living in Righteousness: Sin and rebellion against God open the door to demonic influence. By living a life of righteousness, humility, and holiness, one protects themselves from evil forces. This includes avoiding occult practices, witchcraft, and unrepentant sinful behavior, all of which invite demonic forces into a person's life.
Filling Your Life with the Holy Spirit: The indwelling of the Holy Spirit strengthens a believer's spirit and ensures that they are guided away from dangerous paths. It is important to regularly seek the Holy Spirit’s presence through prayer, fasting, and listening for His guidance.
Avoiding Occult Practices: One of the most common ways demons enter a person's life is through the practice of occult or dark spiritual rituals—whether through astrology, necromancy, or Ouija boards. These practices are doors to the demonic realm, and Christians are called to stay away from them.
Repentance and Forgiveness: Living a life of repentance, where we regularly confess and forsake our sins, is crucial. Forgiveness also plays a critical role—by forgiving others, we ensure that no bitter root grows within us that could invite demonic influence.

Extracting Demons from the Possessed

When an individual has been overtaken by a demon, the process of deliverance is crucial, and it should not be approached lightly. Exorcism, or deliverance ministry, is based on the authority that a Christian has in Christ Jesus. This is not a matter of simple ritual but of invoking the power of Christ to break the chains of demonic oppression. Below are steps that I have found to be biblically sound and effective:

Pray and Fast for Spiritual Authority: Before attempting to deliver someone from demonic possession, it is vital for the deliverer to fast and pray for spiritual clarity and strength. Fasting strips away the flesh and opens the spirit to God's leading.
Command the Demon to Leave in Jesus' Name: In the Bible, we see Jesus and His disciples casting out demons through the power of His name (Mark 16:17). Demons are subject to the authority of Christ, and they must obey His commands. The deliverer should command the demon to leave the person, invoking the name of Jesus Christ with authority.
Repentance of the Possessed: Often, the person who is being oppressed or possessed must repent of any sin that may have opened the door to the demonic presence. This might involve renouncing any previous involvement in occult practices or unrepentant sin.
Breaking the Demonic Stronghold: Demons often have strongholds that need to be broken. This can be achieved through persistent prayer, the laying on of hands, and sometimes the use of anointed oil, which symbolizes the presence of God’s power.
Invite the Holy Spirit to Fill the Empty Space: Once the demon has been cast out, it is essential that the person’s life be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit acts as a guard against future spiritual attacks and brings peace, healing, and restoration.
Follow-up Counseling and Prayer: Deliverance is a process that requires continued care. The individual should be supported through prayer, discipleship, and accountability to ensure that they remain spiritually strong and free from further demonic influence.

Conclusion

Preventing demon possession and freeing individuals who have been overtaken by demons is not a task that should be taken lightly. It requires faith, discipline, and reliance on the power of God through Jesus Christ. We must remain vigilant in our spiritual lives, grounded in the Word of God, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. In doing so, we not only protect ourselves but also have the ability to help those who are suffering from the powerful grip of the demonic realm. The victory is already won in Christ, and we are called to be warriors in His service.

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