Demonic oppression or possession?

[klm120861]

I have a question on demonic influence and how to tell if it’s demonic oppression, or possession. A little background, and I’ll try to be brief. When I was a kid, my best friend’s family were involved in satanism. They liked me. A lot. During that time, I also responded to my first altar call (I was raised Protestant). I was only involved for about a year and a half, or so, then my dad lost his job and we moved out of state. The abuse was as bad as it gets during that time. No, my parents had no idea what was happening. I went through therapy 10 years ago and mentally and emotionally I’m as healthy as any one else.

I became Catholic 8 years ago. I go to Mass daily (except during Advent - I work retail and since I haven’t been given the gift of bi-location…) I go to Adoration at least once a week, more if I can. I pray the Rosary (almost) every day, the same is true for the Liturgy of the Hours. I am currently in the inquiry phase for the Lay Dominicans. This year I am teaching 4 adult faith formation classes. (Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick next week, next up, Spiritual Warfare in Feb.) The point is, I love God with all of my heart and the same is true for the Blessed Mother.

My confessor knows my background, because I have confessed it. Especially during confession, I will sometimes find myself trembling uncontrollably (especially if trying to confess something from my childhood, which by the way, was pre-baptism) and unable to speak. Also…the only way I can describe it is that “they” beat me up during Mass sometimes. It is literally like body blows.

Is it possible for someone like me to be possessed? I don’t think so, because my choice is Jesus. Always. But “they” want me back. “They” can go to…Jesus. Or am I just experiencing an intense demonic oppression/attack?

It feels like “I” am caught between two opposing forces. My choice is made, and if I had to try to, again, describe it, it feels like an “interior”/“exterior” thing. The interior is pure, but the exterior is black. Any thoughts would be appreciated. (Also, I have an appointment with my confessor for prayer in Jan. I’d just…like some answers before then, I guess..
Thanks.

 

[frizzgrig]

Have you told this to your confessor? He would be in a position to refer you to your diocese’s exorcist for further evaluation. It is not something that is done lightly.

 

[pablope]

I have a question on demonic influence and how to tell if it’s demonic oppression, or possession.

My confessor knows my background, because I have confessed it. Especially during confession, I will sometimes find myself trembling uncontrollably (especially if trying to confess something from my childhood, which by the way, was pre-baptism) and unable to speak. Also…the only way I can describe it is that “they” beat me up during Mass sometimes. It is literally like body blows.

Is it possible for someone like me to be possessed? I don’t think so, because my choice is Jesus. Always. But “they” want me back. “They” can go to…Jesus. Or am I just experiencing an intense demonic oppression/attack?

It feels like “I” am caught between two opposing forces. My choice is made, and if I had to try to, again, describe it, it feels like an “interior”/“exterior” thing. The interior is pure, but the exterior is black. Any thoughts would be appreciated. (Also, I have an appointment with my confessor for prayer in Jan. I’d just…like some answers before then, I guess..
Thanks.

I would advise to mention this to you confessor…and he may refer you to the diocesan exorcist if needed.

As to what you describe, it could be a demonic attack. There are saints who were attacked by the Devil…Padre Pio, St. Gemma Galgani, Teresa of Avila…to test their faith.

Here is a link to St.Gemma. I would suggest pray to her for help:

stgemmagalgani.com/2009/05/exorcisms-intercession-of-st-gemma.html

stgemmagalgani.com/2008/09/saint-gemma-versus-devil.html

 

[hieroglyph]

Have you told this to your confessor? He would be in a position to refer you to your diocese’s exorcist for further evaluation. It is not something that is done lightly.

Do you understand the difference? Possession is when a demon is in control of a human being, while oppression is when they are hurting or tempting one. Oppression is definitely what you are describing.

I recommend against an exorcism. They are rarely done, require psychological evaluation first, and a lengthy process of inquiry usually by a group that makes a recommendation to the Bishop. Exorcisms are performed in the presence of indisputable evidence of the demonic (in most dioceses, only in such cases). Levitating, speaking in dead languages, or other undeniably supernatural phenomena is required by most dioceses I know of.

Seek the protection of prayer, anointing/unction, and especially remove any sins or occult items or friends involved in spiritism. For oppresion, there is almost always a doorway somewhere in your life - close it.

 

[hieroglyph]

My confessor knows my background, because I have confessed it. Especially during confession, I will sometimes find myself trembling uncontrollably (especially if trying to confess something from my childhood, which by the way, was pre-baptism) and unable to speak.

Also, you never need to confess anything before baptism. That washed away all your sins.

 

[po18guy]

Is it possible for someone like me to be possessed?

Of course it is possible, as we still live in this world, which the devil prowls up and down. The devil is still as active as ever, and some cases of possession seem inexplicable. But, I know of no case in which a possessed person is able to ask for help - they are “owned” by the demon(s) and are always brought to the Church by someone else. There are numerous cases of this in the Gospels. You may very well be experiencing oppression, which can be rather common, really. If we somehow knew of each case of oppression - from minor to major - that occurred in our lives, we would probably be shocked.

As to oppression, you are especially at risk when you are drawing nearer to the Lord, or when your faith may be wavering. In the first case, they hate to lose you to God, and in the second, they seek to cause you to lose all faith if you are struggling. In truth, we are susceptible to their attacks at any time because, well, they are demons. That’s their job.

But, the Church is the via of God’s power against the evil one. God always triumphs and is infinitely more powerful. Here are a couple of articles that may prove interesting:

regnumchristi.org/english/articulos/articulo.phtml?id=14318&se=364&ca=118&te=782

holyspiritinteractive.net/columns/guests/tomhoopes/darkbackward.asp

 

[7armyrugrats]

I will keep you in my prayers. My brother suffered like this for many years. I know how dangerously and deadly this type of suffering can be, it stole my baby brother from our family, his wife and young son, many friends and the community as a whole. I don’t know if it is truly demonic or not, I just know how horribly my brother suffered for many, many years, especially at the end. No, he did not commit suicide but he is gone too early. Please know you are not alone. Pray and talk to the saints. And please talk to your priest about all of this to see if he can give you any advice

 

[klm120861]

Do you understand the difference? Possession is when a demon is in control of a human being, while oppression is when they are hurting or tempting one. Oppression is definitely what you are describing.

Seek the protection of prayer, anointing/unction, and especially remove any sins or occult items or friends involved in spiritism. For oppresion, there is almost always a doorway somewhere in your life - close it.

I thought it must be, simply because I don’t run from the things of God, I run *to *them. The occasional ugly thought does pop into my head sometimes during Mass, but I rebuke it and it flees. There are no unconfessed sins that I am aware of, and I have, understandably, stayed far away from anything having to do with the occult since I was a kid.

My usual day is: get up, pray, go to Mass, go to work, come home, pray, read (lives of saints, encyclicals, etc. read the Bible, go to bed, do it all over again tomorrow.
There’s no time for running amok committing mortal sin.

I know I could just quit doing what I’m doing and “they” would go away and leave me alone, but…sooooo not going to happen!

I asked because sometimes it’s hard to have the right perspective when it’s happening to you. Especially when you don’t see yourself anywhere near the level of holiness of the great Saints that stuff like this happened to. I can understand attacking them. I’m just an ordinary person. Now if I could just figure out how to get them to not just go temporarily, but go permanently…

 

[chimo]

I do not believe the devil can possess a person unless there is permisson from God. The Church Fathers often deemed total possesion as an act of Mercy from God that is God seeng this person might go to another worse state may give permission for such a person to be possessed to keep this person at bay. It is interesting these Church Fathers descibes such situations with more compassion and sympathy. It is my understanding that the devil will always feed on your fears. Since this condemned angel as the rest of his gang are all condemned creatures it can tell us they are always in total torment within. That means the devil is a scared and fearful creature who actually is more scared of you then you are of him. He s very much an underated coward who is skillful in his deception by using incredible illusions and masquarades. The devil has no power except for what you give him. This means you and God are in contol and the devil cannot force himself on you unless you give him this opening.

The devil hates a crowd and will go to the nearest exit when he is discovered. When he comes and everyone experiences his temptations, he will always work one on one. He never takes on a crowd. He will be discovered when he chooses to be in a crowd. Since the devil is a fearful creature it is amazing he hides this from us. So one of his disguises is he is in total control of himself. The truth is he is not. Once you enter the spirituality of the saints you can easily discern these truths and recognize this angel as the dwarf he really is. The fact that many people are not as educated on this is the reason why so many people show their fear of him. Movies of course do not help and actually can increase unneccessary fears to those exposed to them. When you decide to be a spiritual person God will allow you to encounter the devil for your own spiritual groth. All the saints of both East and West have testified to these truths. If you want to be a saint then God will give permission for the devil to go beyond what he is already allowed.

Cases as such you have written are caused by people who are actually dabbing into affairs that are beyond their understanding. It is sad because the truth is the devil is using them or in simple words toying with them. But when a person decides for growth into sanctification then having the devil around is God’s way of giving you to the best schooling. My advice is not to be afraid. If the rocking chair is rocking by itself then don’t let him give you this fear but go on that rocking chair to show him whose boss. Don’t run away but stand up to this coward and with Jesus and the Church behind you what can go wrong. Saints become saints because their love for Jesus can enable them not to give in to the fear which the devil wants from you. If you cannot ignore him and to his tactics then reveal to someone more spiritual what he is up to. The devil will give up when he sees you declaring all the time to someone else his thoughts to you. When fear comes to you reveal that fear to your priest or mother or father or someone you can trust. If it comes again reveal it again. The devil will give up on you once you learn what to do with his confrontation when he comes. Learn as I said before not to afraid and earn to ignore him and grow more within the love of your Lord Jesus and to the Catechism He gives out through His Church.

Of course always attached yoursel to a spiritual giude who can be your support and confessor.