The Question

Ever since I was little I have had a demon bothering me. I’ve prayed up to 5 hours sometimes and it still doesn’t go away. I hear voices in my head saying very bad things that I don’t agree with. I’ve been prayed for by someone that made it leave but it eventually came back. I would love to have someone help me.

– B. from Washington

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What fills you? (Part 1)

This must be very tough. You have experienced harassment for such a long time. I will not be able to remove the demon or solve the problem down to the root but I will try to give you some suggestions. You must also continue to pray and seek avenues of healing yourself. Don’t give up. Remember that wherever Jesus went, He healed the sick and cast out demons. It is not God’s will that you suffer or miss His best plan for your life.

Let’s start with first things first. You mentioned that you have prayed but I want to verify that you are a Christian. Have you made Jesus Christ Lord and Savior of your life? Depending on the root cause it is possible that making a commitment of surrender if you have never done so may end your trouble. (See “Meet the Master” if you need help in turning your life over to God.)

Secondly, fill-in any place a demon now occupies. Listen to what happens when a demon leaves but nothing replaces the space it was using: “When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, “I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first” (Luke 11:24-26).

How can you stay filled with God’s Spirit so it is too crowded for any demonic activity? Make a daily habit of praise and thanksgiving to God. Sing to the Lord out loud. Read the Bible daily and meditate on it. If possible, play the Bible on CD, even throughout the night as you sleep. Become involved with ministry to others so that your thoughts and time is tied up with good deeds.

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Physical causes (Part 2)

I am not qualified in the area of mental illness but it is worth your considering that the harassment you endure is actually physically based. Sometimes a chemical imbalance in the brain can reproduce some of the classic symptoms of demon possession. Have you been to a doctor to make sure there is nothing in the natural causing this?

Since you are hearing voices it is particularly important that you seek medical help. If the voices are suggesting bad things to you or telling you to do bad things, don’t try to go it alone. You may need help saying NO to the voices and help in how to stop them.

Because you aren’t sure about the root of this, I suggest trying to find a doctor who is a Christian and is versed in both demon possession and medicine. Perhaps someone who is a spiritual leader to you such as a trusted pastor can refer you to just the right person to resolve this.

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Other Roots (Part 3)

Let’s presume that your problem is not physically or medically based and you are correct that a demon is bothering you. Let’s also suppose that you are a strong committed Christian already but the harassment continues.

Okay, what do we do now? If that is the case, eliminating the cause or original permission it had to come in can eliminate the demon. What are the permissions? The main ones are generational curses, un-repented sin and occult activity. Demons cannot operate without legal right and these are the things that create openings.

If this has been going on since you were a child you may be dealing with something generational. Were you ever dedicated to Satan or were your parents, grandparents or other ancestors ever involved in satanic ritual or occult practices? You will need to renounce these things if they occurred and break any curses that fell upon you. As replacement, dedicate yourself to God and his kingdom and purposes.

Is there a sin that originally created legal access? For instance, were you the victim of sexual abuse? If so, as a child that is not your fault but you could still experience the results of it. Forgiving the one who abused you can bring release to you from any demonic force that slipped in by taking advantage of the sin.

Are you or have you ever been involved in ANY occult activity? If so, that needs to be repented of and renounced. Plead the blood of Jesus to cover that sin and invite the Holy Spirit to take up residence in place of any evil force.

All of the things mentioned here are worth some thought on your part. It is not only a matter of having someone cast the demon out but of getting to roots and creating an atmosphere in your life that makes such activity unwelcome.

See more Straight Talk Questions and Answers.