We have been talking about how to find freedom from demonic oppression.  We saw first that it is important to totally submit our whole being to God for His glory.  It is only through His power that we can have victory.  That must be first.

Now it is time to start gathering information.  Before a doctor writes a prescription or gives treatment he first gathers all the facts he can.  He will then know by the symptoms and patterns what to prescribe and how to proceed.  The same is true in spiritual warfare.  These are some of the questions I ask those I am counseling.  Other questions might arise depending on their answers.

Can you briefly tell me what some of your earliest memories are?  (this can shed light into childhood events, trauma, etc., that may have contributed to the demonizing)

When did your problems and difficulties begin happening?  (going back to the start is very helpful in understanding why they began.  If they’ve always been there then generational spirits can be assumed)

Do you know of any event that may have caused the first one? (this can show an opening that needs to be taken back or a sin that needs to be confessed)

How long have you been a Christian?  (make sure they understand what it means to be a believer and really have trusted Jesus.  Seeing when they became a Christian in relationship to when the demonizing started is helpful as well.)

Does anyone else in your family or any ancestors have/had the same things happening to them?  (this shows generational demonizing)

Where are your parents spiritually?  (this can show if it is generational as well as how the person was influenced)

Are you married? 

Where is your mate at spiritually?  (through the sexual union and through soul bonding demons can claim access to the other person)

Have you ever been sexually involved with anyone outside of marriage?  (through the sexual union and through soul bonding demons can claim access to the other person)

Is there any sin you are allowing to remain in your life? (God will convict them of this.  If they aren’t honest not much good will proceed from here.)

Have you experienced any trauma in life?  (abuse, car accidents, extreme fear can break down a person’s defenses and take control of their lives out of their hands, thus creating an opening for the demonic.)

Do you have a church you attend?  (the Bible commands we are to not forsake the assembling of ourselves.  If this command is being broken it is sin and disobedience and must be changed for God to work in their lives.  Only in very extreme, rare circumstances is it all right to not be attending a church.)

What denomination is it? (this can tell you something about their beliefs and practices.)

Were you ever involved in occult or demonic activities?  (many people have used Ouija boards of something similar in the past and this is a definite opening to demonizing.)

Do you speak or pray in tongues?  (I and many others in spiritual warfare have found that a false tongue, really a demon, is present and entered through one asking for a spirit of tongues)

Did anyone ever lay hands on you to receive the gift of tongues, healing or any other reason?  (when someone lays hands on another and prays for them, anything demonic he or she may be open to can be transferred to the person they are praying for)

At this point I may ask them to fill out the list of symptoms of demonizing (page 20)and or the list of sins that lead to demonizing (page 32-33, 37-38) if I feel more detailed information is needed.  I may have them fill those papers in before we meet or at the very start.  I will use these papers and notes I have taken as I’ve asked them the questions to guide my praying.  Don’t rush this stage, the final product will only be as good as your gathering of this information has been.  Like a doctor, the results depend on this part of the process.

Of course, any sins that come up with will have to be dealt with and confessed (1 John 1:9).  The person themselves must be the one to pray and confess the sin.  You can’t do it for them.  Demons are like rats attracted to garbage, so get rid of the garbage to get rid of the rats.

It is of the utmost importance to make sure that forgiveness of others who have hurt them in the past or present, including parents, ex-mates, etc.,  is dealt with at this time.   Ask if there is anyone they hold anything against, anyone they are bitter towards or don’t like to see prosper.  You will sense this as they have answered the previous questions but now forgiveness must take place for deliverance to continue.  Unforgiven gives demons a solid stronghold from which to work (Ephesians 4:26).

As to forgiveness, what is forgiveness?  Forgiveness is not forgetting or letting someone off the hook.  Forgiveness is choosing to not desire revenge, to not want to see the other hurt for the hurt they have caused us.  When we hurt we want to hurt back, or see the other hurt for the hurt that caused us.  This desire for justice is normal but forgiveness means we don’t expect justice, we will take our hurt and deal with it instead of turning it into anger at another.  Remember, anger is a secondary emotion coming from hurt.  To forgive means giving up any right you might have to see the other suffer for what they did to you.  You can’t forget, but whenever the hurt or anger come back, you make that choice again to give up any right to see them suffer.  That’s how God forgives us – He gives up any right to see us pay for our sin against Him.  Therefore when we forgive we are being like Him and when we don’t we aren’t.  If you have trouble forgiving just tell God you are willing but struggling.  As God heals the pain you will better be able to forgive.

            Is there anyone you need to forgive?  Ask God to show you.  Write down all the things people have done to hurt you and put their name with it.  Then go through the list and forgive each person for each action. Forgiving means you give up any right you have to see them hurt for the hurt they caused you and instead you let God deal with it in His time and way (Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30).

(If I can answer questions or offer personal counsel, or if you would like a free copy of my Spiritual Warfare Handbook, email me at Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org or download it from http://sw.christiantrainingonline.org/.  My next book, Spiritual Warfare in the Bible, which is a more advanced treatment of spiritual warfare, is also available there for free.)