The Doorways We Open: How Demons Gain Access

Good morning, church! I hope you’re all ready to have a little truth talk today. Now, I know the topic of demons and possession can feel like something out of a horror movie or an old-school exorcist scene, but we need to get real for a minute. Because demons aren’t just something from scary movies—they’re very much a real threat in our spiritual lives, and they love finding ways to gain access to us through things we do, things we say, or things we even invite into our lives without thinking about it.

So today, we're going to talk about how demons can possess people and how they can get into our lives through our actions—sometimes knowingly, sometimes unknowingly. And we’re going to set the record straight on something: if you're a Christian, you cannot be possessed by a demon. We’ll talk about that too.

Demons and Their Access Points

Let’s start by getting on the same page about what possession actually means. Possession is not just about someone being overtaken and spinning their head around like in the movies. No, possession can be more subtle than that. It’s about influence. Demons gain access to a person’s life and influence their thoughts, behaviors, and actions. And they don’t need a full-on exorcism to do it—they just need an open door.

And how do demons find those doors? Through our actions. When we engage in things that give demons a legal right to be involved in our lives, we open the door. Think of it like your home: If you leave the front door wide open, anything can walk right in. Same with your spiritual life. If you leave yourself exposed by doing things that open the door to darkness, you’re giving demons access to your life.

Let me give you a few examples of common activities that can be open doors for demons:

Yoga: Yoking with Demons

Now, you might be thinking, “Yoga? Really?” Yes, really. Here’s why:

Yoga, at its root, is a spiritual practice from Hinduism, meant to connect the practitioner to Hindu deities. When you do yoga, you’re not just stretching and getting flexible—you’re connecting to the spiritual forces behind it. You’re literally “yoking” yourself to those deities. And when you make a practice like yoga a regular part of your life without knowing the spiritual implications, you are opening the door to demonic influence. It's like saying, “Hey, Satan, come on in; I’ll stretch first.”

This doesn’t mean that every person who does yoga is demon-possessed, but it’s important to understand the spiritual foundation behind what you’re doing. We need to be careful about what we’re participating in and where our spiritual allegiance lies.

Ouija Boards, Horoscopes, and Other “Fun” Occult Practices

You’ve probably seen them on TV shows or in movies—the Ouija board, horoscopes, tarot cards, and all that “just for fun” stuff people mess around with. Let me tell you, these things aren’t just “fun” and “harmless” activities. These are occult practices—ways that people communicate with spirits and open their lives to demonic influence.

The Bible is clear on this in Deuteronomy 18:10-12, where God says:

“Let no one be found among you who... practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist... Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”

So if you’re getting your fortune told by a psychic, or you’re playing with a Ouija board, or looking at your horoscope to decide your day, guess what? You’re opening the door to demonic forces. And they’ll walk right in, no invitation needed.

Pornography and Sinful Behaviors

Let’s talk about something many people don’t want to talk about—pornography. Porn is one of the biggest doorways to demonic influence today. It’s not just about lust; it’s about sin—sin that invites demonic powers into your life. When you engage with porn, you're participating in something that’s full of lust, deceit, and perversion. Those are all tools demons love to use to pull you away from God's will and to wreak havoc in your life.

And it doesn’t just stop with porn. Any kind of habitual sin—lying, stealing, gossiping, bitterness, unforgiveness—can open doors for demons to influence your thoughts, your emotions, and your choices. Sin is like a welcome mat for the enemy. When we choose to walk in disobedience, we are essentially saying, “Hey, devil, come hang out.”

The Christian Cannot Be Possessed

Now, here’s the good news. If you’re a Christian, you cannot be possessed. Why? Because when you accept Jesus Christ into your heart, the Holy Spirit comes to live inside you. And guess what? God doesn’t share His house with roommates—especially not demons.

In 1 John 4:4, it says:

"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."

That means, Jesus is stronger than any demon or spiritual force. When you have the Holy Spirit inside you, demons can’t possess you, because you belong to God.

Now, don’t get it twisted—while you can’t be possessed, you can still be oppressed. That means a demon can’t take over your body or soul, but it can still try to influence you. It can still mess with your thoughts, your emotions, and even your circumstances, trying to keep you from fulfilling God’s will for your life. That’s why we need to stay close to God and put on the full armor of God every day to resist the enemy’s tactics.

Exorcism and Why Catholics Can Be Possessed

Now, let's address a topic that's often misunderstood: exorcisms. Many of us have seen movies or heard stories about Catholic priests performing exorcisms on people who are reportedly demon-possessed. But here's the truth we need to understand: Catholic believers can be possessed because they are not truly Christians.

I know, this might sound a little harsh, but stay with me. The Bible is clear: only true believers in Jesus Christ—those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior and are filled with the Holy Spirit—are protected from demonic possession. Demons cannot live in the house where God resides. And the key is: if you don’t have Christ living inside you, then you are not truly protected by the Holy Spirit.

Now, I’m not saying that all Catholics are "bad" or that they don’t believe in God, but Catholicism often teaches a lot of man-made rituals and sacraments that can never replace the relationship with Jesus Christ that saves us which simply means it is a false doctrine. If someone doesn’t have that personal relationship, no amount of holy water, prayers, or rituals can keep them from being vulnerable to demonic influence.

The point is: true believers in Christ cannot be possessed. Why? Because the Holy Spirit lives within them. The Bible says, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). So, if you have Jesus in your life, you’re covered, and no demon can enter where God resides.

The real solution to demon possession is Jesus Christ. No ritual, no sacrament, no incantation can save you. Only Jesus. And if you are a believer, remember: you have the power to resist demons in Jesus’ name, and no demonic force can take away the security you have in Christ.

Anxiety, Schizophrenia, and Other Mental Struggles: Recognizing Demonic Influence

Now, let's talk about something that's really affecting a lot of people today, something that isn't often talked about in church: mental health struggles. But did you know that anxiety, schizophrenia, depression, and other mental disorders can actually be demonic influences in some cases?

Hold on, before you think I'm saying every mental health issue is caused by demons, let me clarify: not every mental struggle is demonic. We live in a fallen world, and sometimes physical or chemical imbalances can affect our brains. However, there are demonic spirits that love to mess with our minds and emotions, and they thrive in places of fear, confusion, and chaos.

Take anxiety for example. Anxiety often feels like something that grips you and doesn’t let go. It’s that constant, overwhelming worry about everything—the future, your health, your family, your job. It’s not just a "thought" or a "feeling"—it can feel like an unseen force tightening its grip on your mind and spirit. What we need to understand is that anxiety can sometimes be a demonic spirit trying to cause torment and fear in your life. God didn’t give you a spirit of fear—He gave you a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

So, when we feel anxious, we need to recognize it for what it might be: an attack from the enemy. That doesn’t mean all anxiety is demonic, but the enemy loves to exaggerate our fears, magnify our problems, and keep us from trusting God.

And what about schizophrenia? That’s another example where demonic influence can sometimes play a part. Schizophrenia is often marked by auditory hallucinations—hearing voices that tell you things that aren’t real, telling you to do things that don’t make sense. Sound familiar? Demons love to speak lies. The Bible tells us that the devil is the “father of lies” (John 8:44), and one of his favorite tactics is to plant thoughts and voices in your head that confuse you, distort reality, and take you down dark paths. These voices aren’t just “mental health symptoms” sometimes—they’re demonic influences looking to bring chaos into your life and keep you away from the truth of who you are in Christ.

I know this is heavy, but it's crucial to recognize that not every mental struggle is a demon—but demons do like to latch onto places of weakness. When people are struggling with things like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, or even self-harm, the enemy often sees this as an opportunity to sneak in and make things worse. He uses our vulnerabilities to magnify our struggles and keep us trapped in a cycle of defeat.

Taking Authority Over Demonic Influence in Mental Health

Here’s the good news: If you’re a Christian, you have the authority to resist these demonic influences. Jesus has already given you victory over the enemy. You don’t have to live in fear or torment because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

But how do we deal with this? We take authority over these spirits in Jesus’ name. We renounce anxiety, we bind the spirit of confusion, we command the voices to be silent in the name of Jesus, and we speak peace over our minds. We remind the enemy that we belong to Christ, and no demon can stand against the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us.

Now, I’m not saying mental health struggles can be “fixed” by just praying away anxiety or schizophrenia, but there is spiritual warfare at play. The enemy can use these mental struggles to keep you from experiencing the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). And that's why we need to approach mental health with both practical and spiritual solutions. Seek professional help, yes, but also recognize that prayer, deliverance, and standing on God's Word are powerful tools in fighting the battle against demonic oppression.

Conclusion: Stand Firm and Close the Door

So, in conclusion, we need to recognize that demons are not just these abstract forces in some faraway realm. They influence our lives through our choices, our actions, and even the struggles we face in our minds. We open doors when we dabble in things like the occult or sin, and we give the enemy a foothold when we don't resist his lies or torment.

But the good news is this: we have the authority to close those doors. When we stay close to God, put on the armor of God, and speak the name of Jesus, we can stand firm against any demonic influence.

If you’re struggling with anxiety, confusion, or any other mental health issue, don’t accept it as your lot in life. Take authority, seek help, and remind the enemy that he has no place in your life. The power of the Holy Spirit inside you is greater than anything the enemy can throw at you.

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the authority You’ve given us in Jesus’ name. We recognize the spiritual forces that are at work in our lives, but we stand firm in the truth that You are greater than any demon or lie. We ask You to help us close any doors we've opened to the enemy, and we claim victory over anxiety, depression, confusion, and any demonic oppression. Fill our hearts with Your peace and remind us of the authority we have in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Go out today knowing that you have the power to resist the enemy and walk in the freedom that Christ gives!