Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know the difference between mental illness and demonic activity?
Mental illness is defined as a mental disorder or psychiatric disability
that can cause a person to do abnormal things. Some, but not all,
mental illness is caused by demons. It is our policy to encourage
people who are having behavioral issues that are dangerous to
themselves or others to seek psychiatric help. I prefer that people see
a psychiatrist who has a Christian point of view. Many secular
psychiatrists do not believe in the reality of the spirit world. However,
we have received referrals from secular psychiatrists many times. We
encourage people to take their medicine that has been prescribed.
Because of dealing with several hundred paranormal cases, we have
found that demonic influences in a person’s life can result in mental
illness. They can have some of the same characteristics. It is possible
for someone to have both issues. Be sure to read the chapter in this
book that goes into this question in greater depth.
Can a true Christian be possessed by a demon?
A Christian can be demonized or vexed by an unclean spirit, but not
fully possessed. The definition of possession is ownership of their
body and soul. God created our souls to never die. A Christian’s soul
belongs to God. Our soul is obviously important because Jesus died to
make a way for our soul to go to heaven, and Satan wants to take our
soul to hell. A believer can be demonized, which could mean they are
being oppressed or influenced by a demon. To be vexed means to
have a spirit influencing or harassing you. The word vexed is used
more than twenty times in the Bible. A Christian can also have an
unclean spirit attached to them, which would require deliverance to
get rid of it.
What should we do if we suspect a demonic attachment?
You should not ignore it. Reach out to trained professionals that can
help you deal with it properly. We are here to help you determine if
the problem is demonic or something else. We get lots of requests for
help in determining if there is a demonic issue.
Does a person need to be willing for the demons to be rebuked and removed?
Yes, for deliverance to be effective and lasting, the person must
desire with all sincerity that the demons be removed and not allowed
to come back. Otherwise, the demons will make the assumption that
they are wanted and have permission to be there.
Can a demon cause someone to commit suicide?
Yes, unfortunately they can. There are suicide demons. The enemy
wants to kill people. The scripture makes this clear in John 10:10,
which says, “The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.” The devil wants
to kill all of humanity because people have been made in the image of
God. I have had many conversations with suicide demons. Some
demons brag about how many people they have caused to commit
suicide. Several demons have told me that when they are successful,
they are promoted.
Can a demon cause someone to write something they don’t remember?
Yes, if they possess a person, they can cause that person to do things
that they will not even remember. When a person is under demonic
influence, a demon can cause that person to write, speak, or do
things they would not normally do. Because the person is not in
control of himself at the time, they may not remember saying or
doing things. We have worked with people who have experienced this
many times. For instance, I have had uneducated people start
speaking other languages, including Latin. On many occasions, I will
have talked to a demon in a person, and later, after the exorcism, the
person will not remember it. However, forgetting you wrote
something can also happen to people for medical reasons, such as
schizophrenia or someone suffering from dementia.
Can a demon affect electricity?
Yes, they frequently cause lights to blink and do other things to
interrupt or cause fear. In the process of deliverance, we have seen
the electricity go off and on frequently, and the buildings we are in
sometimes shake. The reason demons do this is to show off, cause
fear, or distract us. I never allow these things to distract me from the
purpose at hand.
Can a demon communicate through technology?
Yes, we have experienced this on many occasions. In one of our cases
in Texas, we were asked to help a family that was receiving texts on
their phone from a family member who was deceased. Demons will
place unwanted pornography on people’s phones or computers to
tempt them. Paranormal teams sometimes use electric equipment to
observe paranormal activity. We have been blessed to work with
some great paranormal teams across America. In our ministry, our
goal is not to go stir up or pick fights with demons, but to help deliver
and rescue people who are under siege from demons.
Can a demon move things or hide things?
Demons like to cause irritation and to hinder us from doing things
that would please God. They could be trying to make you late for
something or just irritate you. Demons can definitely move things.
They can exert physical energy to turn pictures and crosses upside
down. They can slam doors and windows. When I do exorcisms, I
sometimes use a cross that has Jesus on it, which used to be owned
by a Catholic priest. Demons have attacked my cross several times by
knocking the Jesus emblem off it. It is not unusual for a poltergeist to
move things, throw things, and frequently make noises. The term
poltergeist comes from poltern, which means ‘create a disturbance’
and geist, which means ‘ghost.’ Early in my ministry, while serving as
a pastor in Big Spring, Texas, a young woman in her twenties came to
see me for counseling. She informed me that she had demons in her
and that she could make the books fly out onto the floor. I was
intrigued and asked her to show me. At that moment, some books
began to move and fell over. I immediately commanded her to stop.
Demons like to show off their powers when given an opportunity. I
learned a valuable lesson from this. Never let demons take control of
a situation.
Can a person have more than one demon?
Yes, it is very common for people to have more than one demon.
Mark 5 talks about a man who had a legion of demons. Usually there
is one dominant demon that is in charge, the alpha.
What is the difference between a ghost and a demon?
The Bible is full of extraordinary accounts of historical events. It
frequently mentions demons, evil spirits, unclean spirits, and even
tells of a ghost. There are 108 verses that contain the word ghost in
twenty books of the Bible. In most cases it is in reference to the Holy
Ghost or speaking about someone giving up the ghost, which means
the person has died. A ghost is an entity that used to be alive but has
died. A ghost was once a human being. A ghost is an apparition; it
does not have a physical body. In Luke 24:39 Jesus says, “Behold my
hands and feet, that it is myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit hath
not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” Many versions of the Bible
use the word ghost in this verse. Jesus is not declaring that there is no
such thing as a ghost or spirit. He is saying that they do not have flesh
and bones.
I personally believe in the possibilities of ghosts. There is an
interesting illustration of a ghost in the Bible. I Samuel 28:3-25 gives
an account of Samuel, who is dead, being summoned by a medium at
the request of Saul. This account is most assuredly an unusual
occurrence. This shows the possibility of a person who is dead being
able to communicate with someone who is alive. However, we are
warned in the Bible not to try to communicate with the dead!
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 says, “There shall not be found among you
anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who
practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a
sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who
inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination
to the Lord. And because of these abominations, the Lord your God is
driving them out before you.” Seeking to speak with the dead is forbidden.
Remember that Satan and his demons can appear as
angels of light. See 2 Corinthians 11:14. Leviticus 20:6 says, “If a
person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I
will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among
his people.”
Demons are fallen angels. Demons can never die. Demons are much
more powerful than ghosts and must be dealt with differently. There
is much debate about this. Some people do not believe in ghosts at all
but say they are really demons. It is true that demons will frequently
disguise themselves as a loved one who has died. Demons can imitate
someone who is no longer alive and can have personal knowledge.
Some people believe that it is possible for saints that have passed on
to return to the earth for a short time. An example of this is that
many times when a person is dying, they will see loved ones there to
greet them. I would not be dogmatic on this issue.
Is it possible to communicate with the dead? Can a medium help me contact the dead, and is it dangerous?
Yes, it is possible, but we know that we are not supposed to contact
the dead. It is very dangerous because you might call forth a demon
instead. I Samuel 28 contains a true story in the Bible where Saul tried
to contact the dead through the witch of Endor. God did allow him to
speak to a dead prophet, but the consequences were not pleasant.
Demons can pretend to be a person who is dead. They can have
personal knowledge about the person’s life and use that to trick
people.
What does the Bible say about communicating with the dead?
Someone who speaks to the dead is a necromancer. They are
included in a list of things that God says are an abomination.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 in the King James Version says, “There shall not be found among you anyone that makes his son or his daughter
to pass through the fire, or that uses divination, or an observer of
times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with
familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these
things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these
abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before
thee.”
What is divination? Is it a good idea to seek help from a fortune teller or medium?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, divination is “the art or
practice that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover
hidden knowledge, usually by the interpretation of omens or by the
aid of supernatural powers.” It is not a good idea to seek guidance
from a medium or fortune teller. Once my wife was talking to a
woman while riding on a plane. When she found out that she was a
pastor’s wife, she asked for prayer. She had gone to a fortune teller,
and when she left, a demon started following her. It had been
following her ever since then and was causing her fear and anxiety
What is a necromancer?
According to the Cambridge dictionary, “a necromancer is someone
who claims to communicate with the dead or who is involved in black
magic.” We are not supposed to seek answers from the dead. We
should ask God for his wisdom and guidance instead!
What does the Bible mean when it speaks of a familiar spirit?
The term familiar spirit is referred to several times in the Bible. A
familiar spirit can be a demon that serves an individual, like a medium
or necromancer. A medium can ask questions of the dead person that
are personal in nature, and the demons that were around the person
at the time they were alive can answer the questions. It is a deception
because they are not really talking to the actual person who has died,
but instead they are communicating with a familiar spirit. A familiar
spirit can also be a spirit that has affected a family for generations. In
one case in Kansas, a demon said that he had been assigned to that
family for 1700 years. Some of the family members that were present
confirmed information he was telling us about past generations.
Is there such a thing as “good witchcraft?”
The Bible warns us against any type of witchcraft, even though some
people’s motives might be good. There are many forms of witchcraft.
Wicca and witchcraft are very common. Witchcraft has become so
popular that recently the New York Times wrote, “When did everyone
become a witch?” It is estimated that in America only, there are
800,000 to a million Wiccans. This is definitely a pagan religion
What is Wicca?
Wicca is a modern pagan religion that originated in the United
Kingdom in the 1940s. It’s a nature-based belief system that
emphasizes rituals and spells and is also known as “The Craft.”
Wiccans are polytheists who worship nature, often personified as
Mother Earth and Father Sky.
How are tarot cards and crystals used?
Tarot cards and crystals are often used together in spiritual practices
to enhance intuition, provide clarity, and deepen the connection to
the messages received during readings. Tarot cards are used for
divination, which means seeking knowledge of the future or the
unknown by supernatural means. A person doing a tarot reading may
claim to offer insights into a person’s past, present, and future,
providing guidance on various aspects of life such as relationships
career, and personal growth. Crystals are believed to carry specific
vibrational frequencies that can amplify energy and intention. They
are used to enhance the intuitive and psychic abilities of the reader.
Crystals can also be used to protect against negative energies and
balance the energy centers in the body, known as chakras. For the
record, I do not recommend using tarot cards for guidance. I do not
think it is a good idea to open yourself up to being influenced by
them. Dark entities could certainly be using them.
What is Neopaganism?
Neopaganism is a modern religious movement that involves the
revival of ancient pre-Christian spiritual practices and beliefs.
Neopagans may believe in pantheism, which is the worship of all gods
in a pantheon, and in polytheism, which is the worship of multiple
gods. They may also believe in gender equality and that there are
many paths to the divine. Neopagans may worship elements of
nature, such as the cycles of the moon or seasonal changes. They may
also celebrate pagan observances such as the Winter Solstice, the
Spring Equinox, and the Summer Solstice. Some well-known
expressions of Neopaganism include Wicca, Druidism, and Germanic
Neopaganism.
How can you tell if your house is haunted? How do you know if a place is haunted?
Many people know their house is haunted because of how they feel
while they are in it. Many people experience strange things that cause
them to be afraid. Some people may sense they are being watched.
There could be unexplained smells, like the smell of a cigar or
perfume. Many times, people end up all sleeping together in one
room to feel safer. Sometimes children will be speaking or playing
with someone that you cannot see. Some people’s personalities may
change in a house that is haunted. There can be disturbing noises and
objects moving. Some people see apparitions of people or demons
Many places are active with demonic presences due to tragic events
that have happened at that property, leaving negative energy
Can a demon be attached to a certain place or object?
Yes, a demon may have been assigned to a certain location or
attached to a certain object. We see this often in our investigations.
The object could have special meaning to the demon. For instance, a
lot of research shows that mirrors can be used by demons as a portal
to enter a home. In some of our cases, we have encouraged people to
remove objects from their home that may have attachments. Witches
sometimes put curses on objects. Items that have been used in
satanic rituals, idols, and statues of foreign gods should be removed from the property
- Voodoo dolls, tarot cards and Ouija boards, and crystals are other
examples.
Are Ouija Boards and Spirit Boards dangerous?
Without question, they are among some of the most dangerous tools
that darkness uses to engage and entrap people. Mainstream
Christian denominations, including Catholicism, have warned against
the use of Ouija boards, considering their use as Satanic practices,
while other religious groups hold that they can lead to demonic
possession. We have had several cases where people connected with
the demon named Zozo while using the Ouija Board to communicate
with the spirit world. Zozo is malevolent and has been known to
cause people to commit suicide and to control people by threatening
to harm their loved ones.
Are spirit boxes and other technology equipment used by paranormal researcher’s effective ways to communicate with the spirit world?
I have personally observed paranormal teams doing their
investigations. I definitely believe that entities can and often do
communicate through these devices
What are signs that someone is possessed?
This can be seen in several different ways. One of the most obvious is
personality change. Extra knowledge of things they should not know
could be a sign. Supernatural strength and voices telling them to hurt
themselves or others are classic examples. They have a hatred toward
God or people of God, such as pastors or demonologists
What is an exorcism? Is an exorcism biblical?
An exorcism is an attempt to evict evil spirits from a person. Scripture
records that Jesus and his followers cast out many demons. The New
Testament is full of accounts where unclean spirits were cast out.
Exorcisms are usually difficult and may require people that are
trained to be successful. Because people frequently have more than
one demon, it oftentimes takes more than one session to be
completely successful. We have performed many exorcisms across
America.
Is the Catholic Church the only church that does exorcisms?
No, but they are the best known for doing exorcisms and have been
successful through the years. In the Catholic Church, only certain
priests authorized by their bishop are allowed to conduct an
exorcism. Sadly, it may take months before they will help someone.
Many Christian denominations have had successful exorcisms. Some
shamans, witch doctors, psychics, geomancers, Buddhists, Islamists,
Jews, Taoist priests, and Hindus also have been known to do
exorcisms. In Wicca and Neopaganism, “banishing” of negativity is
performed to purify an area where magic or spells are about to be
performed. Both demons and angels have a hierarchy so it is possible
that stronger demons can command other demons to be assigned
somewhere else. As Christian exorcists, we use the power and
authority that comes from God.
Can a demon make a Christian do something?
A demon has enormous power, but it is limited in its ability to read
our mind or make a believer in Christ do anything. However, he can
use various kinds of temptations and strategies to influence our
actions. He may have studied you, and he could know your
weaknesses. Also, demons communicate with each other, so they can
get information about you from other demons
Can a demon kill you?
Yes. Satan has death demons whose goal is to kill us. One of the main
goals of demons is to kill. John 10:10 says, “The thief cometh not, but
for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might
have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” While
working a case in Van Buren, Arkansas, in the process of delivering a
woman, a very dark voice came out of her saying to me, “We will kill
you before you get back to Greenwood tonight.” I refuted it by
saying, “You do not have the permission to accomplish that.” It is not
unusual after working deliverance cases to have close calls while
driving home. In Wichita, Kansas, we literally experienced a phantom
train coming toward us on railroad tracks. We were able to avoid
being struck by it, and then it faded away before our eyes. My
assistant, Janie, made the statement, “I thought we were going to
die!” I truly believe this was an attempt to take out our lives.
Can a demon bother more than one person at a time?
Demons have the power to move from person to person and from
location to location. They are not omnipresent like God, however.
Demons and angels can only be in one place at a time. If people are in
the same room, a demon could be telling them both lies and
bothering them both with doubts, jealousies, causing them to
question motives, etc. This is one reason it is important to put on
your helmet of salvation each day, asking God to protect your mind.
Can a demon cause people to fight or argue?
It is quite common for people to report that they fight or argue more
at affected locations. They can tell lies that cause dissension. They can
cause people to have nightmares and be afraid during the night.
When people haven’t had enough sleep, they can become irritable
and more likely to have disagreements. Demons like to steal our joy
to hurt our witness. They like to destroy marriages and relationships
that help us grow closer to God.
Can a demon-possessed person be dangerous?
A person that is possessed, under complete control of a demon, is
subject to obeying the powers of darkness in them. While serving in
law enforcement, I dealt with a lady who had just drowned one of her
children. I asked her why she did it. She replied that God told her to
kill the child. She told me it was difficult to do because he really
fought her. This is another reason I hate Satan. In reality, it was Satan
guiding her to do this horrible deed. On many occasions, while doing
a deliverance with someone, the person will tell me that they are
hearing voices telling them to kill me and my team. A person that is
possessed by demons can also display inhuman strength. There is lots
of documentation to support this. It is not unusual for them to kick or
hit. Once while I was a young pastor in Corpus Christi, Texas, a
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mother brought her twelve-year-old son to me to pray over him. She
said he was possessed. When I started to pray over him, he became
violent and physically attacked his mother with tremendous force. He
tried to strangle her to death. With my law enforcement background
and experience, I should have been able to restrain him with no
problem. However, this was not the case. In my attempt to restrain
him, my office took a beating. Furniture was overturned. I put out a
call for emergency assistance from other police officers. Upon their
arrival, they were astonished also by his strength. One of the officers
said, “This kid must have the devil in him.”
Are the things I see about paranormal activity on TV and in the movies true?
Obviously, some things you see in media are sensationalized or
exaggerated. For example, the Ghostbuster movies make fun of the
spirit world. I personally think it is unwise to joke around about
paranormal issues because it causes people not to take it seriously.
Some paranormal teams that you see on TV are not legitimate. They
could manipulate things to happen for their shows. I have been
blessed in my paranormal ministry to work with some paranormal
teams that are very skilled and have integrity. They use their skills to
help people. Many of the things you see on the movies and television
can be true. Often the producers of movies are demonically inspired,
and sometimes they are biblically accurate. This stuff is real. For
example, the 2023 movie Nefarious showed how a demon could
control someone in a biblical and realistic way.
What is the difference between a cult and the occult?
As a pastor, I can provide some insights into the differences between
a cult and the occult.
A cult is a group or movement that is often centered around a
charismatic leader or a set of beliefs that are considered outside of
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mainstream society. Cults typically have controlling and manipulative
practices that can be harmful to their members. They may isolate
members from friends and family, exhibit extreme devotion to the
leader, and often have a closed belief system that is not open to
questioning. Cults can have religious, spiritual, or even secular
ideologies. A church or denomination can be a cult if they do not
believe in biblical doctrines such as the trinity.
The occult, on the other hand, refers to practices, beliefs, and
phenomena that are beyond the scope of normal human
understanding. This can include dark practices related to magic,
divination, and astrology, and would include the use of tarot cards,
crystals, Ouija boards, and participating in witchcraft. The occult is
often associated with hidden or secret knowledge that is not readily
apparent or understood by the general public. Often times people in
the occult have altars dedicated to deities that are false gods or
demons. Satanic rituals can sometimes include animal sacrifices and
human sacrifices.
It’s important to note that while both cults and the occult can involve
beliefs and practices that are outside of mainstream religions, they
are distinct in their focus and nature. Cults are more about social
dynamics and control, while the occult is more about hidden
knowledge and dark practices.
Can animals be possessed? Can pets be possessed?
Yes, in fact there is a story in the Bible where Jesus cast some demons
into some pigs. Then the pigs ran off the cliff and were killed. Demons
can occupy living things and can control them and use them.
Could my pet be sensing evil spirits even though I can’t see anything?
Yes, frequently pets will resist entering a certain room or hallway if
they sense something. Sometimes they will growl or hiss at something
that we cannot see. We should pay attention to them. Animals have
the ability to sense and hear things more than humans. Some breeds
of animals have echolocation abilities. We did a case once where the
dogs had been shut in a room and became so terrified that they
clawed the wood of the door to pieces to get out.
Are prayer walks biblical?
Yes, we can take the light of God into all darkness. We can apply
God’s authority over God’s creation. Our team has had positive
experiences on prayer walks in Bakersfield, California. Many people
have asked us to come back because they can see the difference that
it can make. In the Bible, it says that we are to pray without ceasing,
so prayer walks are definitely biblical
