Spiritual Oppression: Do Demonic Spirits Influence Believers?

Tom Crandall
Spirtitual Oppression Of Believers

*Logos Bible Software Propositional Outlines

According to 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, believers can be shaken or alarmed by spirits.  Here is the passage:  

“Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.”

What comes to mind when you think about spiritual oppression? Can you identify spiritual oppression in your life?

Here are some of my experiences with demonic spirits before and after I was born-again in Christ:

  • Caused heightened, even excessive and irrational emotional responses attached to my internal thoughts and beliefs; frequently in reaction to the words, attitudes, or actions of people.

  • Influenced my motives, attitudes, and will.

  • Produced over-powering thoughts and a “racing mind.” There were occurrences when I heard voices. I frequently had and have internal dialogues with oppressive spirits. It is not uncommon for people around me to hear me inexplicably and emphatically declare, “No!,” As I hold thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.

  • Attacked with fiery darts of accusation and condemnation

  • Created an atmosphere of confusion in a group setting

    • The transliteration of the Greek word “πνευματος” in 2 Thessalonians 2:2 is “pneumatos,” from the lemma, “pneuma,” meaning spirit or wind.  Here is another example of it’s usage in the plural form:

    Matthew 8:16 “That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.”

    Beloved, we exercise our faith by overcoming temptations and trials. We hold temptations captive to the obedience of Christ, and we trust and wait on the LORD to overcome trials. Thank you, Lord Jesus for setting us free and sanctifying us in truth. Your word is truth.

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *