Witnessing Encounters Involving the Demonic

It can be tempting for believers to go through life, forgetting that we are in a spiritual battle. However, the reality of this battle often becomes clear during our witnessing encounters, and it’s important to know how to respond. To help you navigate these situations, review the following questions and answers.

How do you deal with demon-possessed people when you are witnessing to them?

Demonic possession may be much more prevalent than most of us assume. The Bible tells us, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others” (Ephesians 2:1–3). There is a spirit that works in the unsaved, and now and then it is obvious that someone is demonically possessed. The way to deal with them is to do so very gently. Ask the person for his name. Jesus did this. If the individual is spilling over with demons, he (they) may give you a strange demonic name. If he gives you what sounds like his real name, use it as you speak to him. People are less likely to attack you if you use their name when speaking to them. Also, keep in mind that demons cannot stop someone from coming to Christ. Look at Scripture:

Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.

When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.”

For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” Then He asked him, “What is your name?”

And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.” (Mark 5:1–9)

Notice a number of things about this demon-possessed man. He was self-destructive, attracted by death and darkness, he was tormented, and he was supernaturally strong. But the demons didn’t stop him from running to Jesus and worshiping Him. So realize that fact and take the person through the Law, very thoroughly.

“Demonic possession may be much more prevalent than most of us assume.”

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He needs to shut the door to sin and not “give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). The key for any person to be free from the demonic realm is to obey the command: “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

One other point. Don’t chase after the demonic realm. It will more than likely chase after you. Paul was followed by a demon-possessed woman for many days, before he lost patience and dealt with her.

I have a Chinese coworker with whom I’ve shared the gospel. I noticed some “decorations” hanging in his car, which he said were for “protection.” Do I need to convince him to get rid of those things, or should I wait until he comes to Christ? I don’t know if they have any spiritual power that could be in the way of his salvation, but how can I convince him that they are bad? I had a similar experience with a waitress who was wearing an ankh. She laughed when I told her it was dangerous to wear it and said she’d been wearing it for fifteen years.

I would dig a little further and ask him about what they actually do. Does he think they have any spiritual power? Where does God fit in with all this? Try to talk him out of trusting in them because they more than likely have some sort of negative spiritual power, although I don’t believe they can stop him from coming to Christ (which is probably your concern). The Gadarene demoniac was full of demons, but he was still able to fall at the Savior’s feet (see Luke chapter 8). You might want to get a copy of the book Out of the Comfort Zone. Chapter 10, “Invisible Realms,” could open his eyes. It is frightening.

Adapted From The Blue Book on Evangelism