Seven Stages of demonic Attack

"The devil seldom takes a life all at once. He does it little by little, step-by-step. Sometimes he is able to assume complete control rapidly, but usually it is a slow process over a period of weeks, months, and even years." - (Author Lester Sumrall)

I purchased this book recently called 'Demons: The Answer Book' by Lester Sumrall and I have received so much knowledge and wisdom and I thank the Holy Spirit for helping me find this book out of the thousands of other ones I could have chosen from. It's a very good book to help one understand how the enemy works, the author Lester Sumrall speaks of many encounters with casting out devils, which he shares in this book. One chapter that stuck out to me was "Going to the devil; step-by-step" and I felt led to share it. Here he explains the seven stages of demonic attack: Regression, Repression, Suppression Depression, Oppression, Obsession and full-on demonic possession. There is no order in which these stages could happen, but full possession is rare and never done first, as the devil has to break us down as we listen to him more and more. We must know these things about demon power and understand them before we can battle the devil and win!

1. Regression:

• This is a battle against a person's God-given abilities of release and expression. To regress means to go backward in spiritual force and power. As humans we are built for progress, advancement, and understanding. Once those things begin to be in reverse it's a good warning to indicate negative powers being at work. The devil first binds his victims with a light cord of regression. "At this stage the prisoner could easily snap his bonds and be free. Then the evil one adds heavier bonds, until the ropes of oppression are securely in place. It is still possible for the victim to free himself by resisting with all this is within him. But soon the devil adds heavier bonds, until the victim is helplessly bound by the cruel cables of complete demon possession. Then only a fearless servant of God can break the bonds and set the prisoner free by the power and authority of God."

-Examples of how satan is deceiving and will damn us from the Bible; The little boy brought to Jesus in Matthew 17:14-15, Simon Magus was damned by the devil, the sorcerer who tried to purchase the gift of God from Simon Peter.

2. Repression:

• "To repress a person is to destroy the natural expression God gave him at birth." (Lester Sumrall) When one is repressed the joy and gladness of life are taken away and God did not create us to be restrained by an abnormal environment. A lot of this happens in churches and religion today. Some church goers don't even experience the JOY of salvation. Sometimes repression can also begin at home, in children, parents, belligerent husbands, even at work! "You ask, "But what has this to do with the devil?" It is the devil who makes people act like this. Satan wants to steal all the joy and happiness from EVERY human. We should be careful not to repress others, but rather let them express themselves under God." "One who represses all his inner feelings becomes a walking dead man. The Bible commands us not to "grieve" the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 4:30). I believe the word "grieve" could mean "do not repress" the Spirit." (Lester Sumrall)

3. Suppression:

• "To suppress means to abnormally squeeze down, to crush, to conceal, as to suppress information." (Lest Sumrall) The devil is very good at making people feel suppressed, it's the next step to utter destruction of our emotions and personal happiness. You can often tell one is suppressed by their lack of energy and enthusiasm. They seem to lose interest in almost everything in their lives. "Almost everyone has feelings of suppression at some time. The average person overcomes it after a few hours, or at most after a day or two. A word of comfort or encouragement from a friend, a passage from God's Word, a good night's rest, or a change of scenery is usually enough to bring new hope and renewed strength to begin living again. If suppression and melancholy hang on, however, the victim may be headed for serious trouble.

4. Depression:

• Depression is to have a broken spirit, to feel down and crushed and to be depressed for a long period of time is not from God, but the evil one. God is JOY, PEACE, GENTLENESS, He does not in ANY way, shape or form want us to be unhappy or sad. Depression can ruin your happiness, home life, work life and many like we sadly see in the world today, commit suicide. The Bible states, "A merry heart doth good like medicine." (Proverbs 17:22) Depression is dangerous because it is a big step towards complete satanic control of a person. Have you lost all hope in life? Are Depressed CONSTANTLY? Seek deliverance because only Jesus Christ can save you! "The cure for depression is to call upon Christ and place ALL of your problems and heartaches and worries in His keeping. (Lester Sumrall) "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." (1 Peter 5:7) Rebuke the devil in the name of Jesus! As Lester states say this, "I am trusting in God, and I don't have to be worried or anxious or sad or depressed. Go away satan, in Jesus's name!" Start your day by praising the Lord! "Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name." (Psalms 103)

5. Oppression:

• To be oppressed is to be weighed down by things one cannot carry. For example, the children of Israel were oppressed in Egypt, always beaten down until their burdens were TOO much to carry. Forms of oppression we see today are diseases, fear, and anything unnatural with the health and the overall body. "Millions are oppressed in America. I do not believe disease is natural any more than a beautiful tree is natural with every kind of bug and disease covering its branches. I believe it is natural to be healthy and unnatural to be unhealthy. Disease of any kind really is one of the devil's tools." (Lester Sumrall) The evil one gets us oppressed by fear, perfect example today, Covid! The devil may try to use your friend or family (anyone you thought you were close too) to try to crush your spirit. He likes to mock and laugh at us while he's doing it too! If you are oppressed from anything mentioned, seek deliverance so the Lord can set you free! God sent Jesus to this earth to heal ALL who were oppressed by the devil. (Acts 10:38)

6. Obsession:

• You can be obsessed in good reasoning, like being obsessed with spreading the Gospel like Apostle Paul was. But there are types of obsessions that negatively affect, basically destroying the human personality. By definition is an "act of an evil spirit in besetting a person or impelling him to unreasonable action. "Obsession can through lies, jealousy, hatred, and certain types of sins. "Willpower is one of the great gifts God has given us. We should never lend it through hypnotism, fortune-telling, drugs, alcohol, or anything else. Anything that can destroy your willpower should be avoided. God wants His children to be men and women who know right from wrong. They must let no obsession take over the mastery of their soul." "At this stage of domination, I doubt, that the individual being hurt by satan could be delivered without the assistance of another. I feel sure that a person who has regressed or is repressed can shake it off in Jesus's name and be free. I believe that a person who is suppressed or depressed, when reminded of the danger, can rid himself of it and have a joyful spirit. And it is possible for one is oppressed to help himself. But when we get to this stage of obsession then outside help is necessary. The reason for this is because obsession changes your mind. Black becomes white and white seems black. A straight thing is now crooked, and a lie becomes the truth. This loss of perspective causes the person to be out of step with everybody around him. He does not realize he is obsessed with some wicked thing." (Lester Sumrall) The will power in the individual is completely diminished.

7. Possession:

• The step from obsession to possession is NOT usually a fast step, so don't freak out if any of the above resonates with you in some way. When you are under demonic possession you are under complete control and jurisdiction of the devil. He owns you and you have no mind of your own. He can use the persons voice and throat to speak, some are known to be men with voices of women, and some are women with voices of men. It can also come in spurts of insanity like most patients in asylums and institutions undergo. Acting violently or vulgar at times. "The surest way to tell if one is demon-possessed is spiritual discernment. If God's spirit is within me and the devil's spirit is within another person, when we met there will be a tremendous clash of spirits. It has nothing to do with personality; it is the warfare of opposing spirits. Satan's power is as contagious as the measles. Those under his power want others under it too. A drug addict deceives until they too are "hooked". Sexual perverts look for the unwary, to lead them into sin. Laten victims are urged into the trap by aggressors. People with fear and depression may have an unreasonable desire that others suffer as they do. So, the first stages of demon possession often result from association with others already under the devil's control. To some people the words "demon possession" mean something dirty or immoral. But we need to change our thinking about this subject. Some of the finest people in the world have been assaulted by the devil, and in some instances conquered. They need the help of Christ and the church right now. The Lord is just as willing to heal a person who is tormented by the devil as a person with a bad cold. Deliverance comes through the same kind of power, the same kind of anointing, and the same kind of faith. There is no difference whatsoever." (Lester Sumrall)

Reading this chapter made me think back to my own personal torment and I can be honest and say I was demon obsessed and I see now that's why God led me to receive deliverance to be set free! I praise you Lord! I humbly encourage you all to take a deeper, more spiritual look at your life. Who are you really living for in this moment of your life? God bless you and thank you for reading!

* (I thank you, Holy Spirit, for helping me share this with those that it will bless. Exposing the enemy is crucial to our walk Lord, and I pray you continue to lead me to all knowledge that you allow me to obtain in Jesus mighty name. I love you; I cherish you; I praise you Lord! Amen!) *