From the

(UPDATED: 08/12/2012)

One of the questions that seems to crop up, frequently, is how we incorporate our spirituality into 'spirit hunting', if you will.
Well, I (Keith) would like very much to answer this and all of the questions we receive.
With Sandra's help, I'll get to all of the inquiries as time allows.
Hopefully, you will find the information useful.
 

In preparation before going into any situation where demonic forces are involved, I do put on the 'Armor of God', as described in Ephesians 6; I feel this is extremely important.

Acts: 13-16
13: Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

14: And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

15: And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

16: And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

Regarding what happened to the Seven sons of Sceva as described in Acts 13-16, they were invoking the name of "Jesus, whom Paul preaches", but they were not doing so in faith, nor as Christians, which makes all the difference.

As long as any such situation is approached in faith and trust in the power of Jesus Christ, and having put on the Armor of God, there need not be any fear.

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Question: What is a demonologist?

Essentially, a demonologist is someone who studies the history, theology, nature and activity of the demonic realm, and is able to apply this knowledge.

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Question: What made you choose this area of study?
Did you have experiences that you couldn't explain and, if so, what happened?
Have you ever come in contact with something truly frightening?

What originally started me on this path was the fact that unexplained occurrences would sometimes happen in the house I grew up in...things such as unexplained laughter and (unintelligible) chatter outside of my bedroom window at night, objects sometimes mysteriously vanishing, and occasionally one of us being touched, or even pushed. Now, it's not as though these things were happening constantly...just every once in awhile. My brother also witnessed a full bodied apparition of a woman in our basement, on more than one occasion.

Yes, I have witnessed some frightening things, such as a young girl being slapped by an unseen hand, and my sister being shoved by an unseen entity. I've also witnessed furniture being moved by itself, during a case of demonic possession. A large parlor chair in which my brother was sitting moved about three or four feet backwards, with him still sitting in it.

My Christian faith is my main motivation for pursuing this field of study. Through this faith, and from studying the Holy Bible, I am often led to help people who are experiencing problems which are spiritual in nature.

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Question: What are your credentials as a demonologist/parapsychologist?

My credentials for being a demonologist/parapsychologist, are simply my own personal faith, research, and experience. I've never claimed to have a degree that says that I officially possess these titles. However, the connotation of both these terms implies the study of these fields, which is what I have done, and continue to do.
Believe me, there are organizations and individuals out there who do claim to be "professional" demonologists and parapsychologists, but who in reality may only possess an "honorary" degree. I've personally encountered some myself!

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Question: At what point would you recommend someone contact you for help? (i.e. – what point of activity is it necessary to call upon a demonologist?)

Usually, it is because someone is dealing with a situation that seems to be on a somewhat different level than, say, a haunting by a human spirit or a residual (playback) haunting.
When an individual or individuals are being targeted by an unknown entity in a personal, systematic way.

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Question: What tools are used in your trade?

We use Scripture readings from the Holy Bible, as well as blessed (holy) water and blessed oil. We also use audio and video recordings, and still photos to document activity. Most important, however, is our faith in a higher power.

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Question: How many cases do you typically work in a year and how many of those turn out to actually be demonic in nature?

We work on or become involved with approximately 25-30 cases per year.
About 5 of these turn out to be truly demonic in nature.

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Question: Are there any misconceptions you would like to clear up about your field of work?

There has been a great deal of hype, concerning the way the way demonic situations have been portrayed in the media. It is not always a cut and dry situation, and a great deal of research and investigation often goes into becoming involved in a demonic case.
What many people do not realize is that this work takes a great deal of patience. Investigating and then reviewing data can often be a lengthy, tedious process, without a lot of exciting things happening right away.

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Question: Can you recommend any papers or articles on demonology?

Personally I have written several articles on demonology, which have appeared on various paranormal web sites and in various other publications as well.
There are also some many interesting articles on demonology that have been written, from both a spiritual and a scientific point of view, which can be found on various web sites and publications.

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Question: Do you believe further research is needed in your field?
If so, how would a demonologist use funding or technology to further the field?

Further research is very much needed. Technological advancements for investigating this field of study are always being made, although funding for this research is often very difficult to obtain.
Much of the funding must be independently financed.

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Question: Do you ever call in a priest or other religious figure to assist you in cases?

Yes, in fact we do this whenever possible.

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Question: I need to know the motivation behind demonic entities.
Satan and his followers lost the battle in heaven and were cast out. They already know they will be thrown into the lake of fire after the thousand years.
Why then do they try and bring us down with them?
Some say it is pure hatred for all that God has created. Others say that was what Satan was created for in the first place, to try and lead us away from God.
The whole idea of "I'm going down, so I want to take you with me," or "I'm taking my hate of God out on you," just doesn't seem quite right to me.
I would think that Satan and his followers must believe they can win in the end, otherwise why bother?
If they believe they have absolutely no chance of winning then they have no motivation to continue to try and turn us away from God.
Perhaps they believe mankind is the key to victory in a second war in heaven. Perhaps they believe mankind has some special power or purpose they can use.
After all, God created the material world and the spirit world. Isn't mankind His only creation that is both?
So I ask you, what is the motivation behind demonic entities??


The best way to answer this question is with certain Scripture passages which point to the basic nature of Satan and his demons (other fallen angels which are subject to Satan).

1 Peter 5:8 - "Be sober and self controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour."

Revelation 12:12 - "Therefore rejoice you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."

Satan, who has been cast out of Heaven because of attempting to exalt himself as the equal of God, has been confined to the earth, and is enraged. He understands that he has but a short time left.
The demons are also acutely aware of their allotted time, as can be evidenced from Matthew 8:29, when Jesus confronts the Legion of spirits possessing the man inhabiting the tombs in the region of the Gadarenes:
"Art thou come hither to torment us before the time?"

From these verses, it would appear that Satan and his demons do realize that they face ultimate defeat, and are attempting to "punish" their Creator who cast them out, by destroying as much of humanity as they possibly can.

There is nothing positive in the nature of these demonic spirits. Their ultimate goal is destructive, and their only limited satisfaction lies in deceiving God's creation of humanity.
Therefore, God sent His only begotten Son, to destroy the works of the devil, and to be the ultimate Savior for humankind.

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Question: Can any deceased person's spirit become demonic?

A deceased person's spirit cannot become demonic. Although some people can obviously be incredibly mean during life, an actual demonic spirit is a separate class of being altogether, and was never a human being.
In the same way, a true angelic being never actually lived as a human being. Angels were created by God as a separate order, before humans ever came into existence.

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Question: When investigating an alleged haunting, how do you differentiate between a human or benevolent (angelic) spirit and an evil (demonic) or inhuman spirit?

At first, certain inhuman demonic spirits (depending upon their individual modus operandi) will appear the same as human spirits, and may even go all out to appear innocent, lost (a ploy for sympathy and to gain an element of trust) and sweet. Others will appear malicious at the outset. Going in with a positive attitude, and radiating faith in God, will usually reveal the nature of a spirit, at least to a certain extent.

Most likely a malicious inhuman spirit will at first remain very elusive, to avoid detection. There is also quite a difference in the level of activity in an inhuman haunt.

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Question: How can you distinguish a demon from a spirit, haunting or other entity?

In a demonic haunting, the entity or entities present will tend to target certain individuals.
There will be systematic strategy involved.

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Question: How do you validate that demons are present?

This is dependent upon the level and intensity of activity taking place.
Usually this is done with religious provocation, the purpose being to obtain a reaction from demonic spirits that may be present.

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Question: From your personal experience, how do you believe that most demonic activity usually starts up in a home or person?

Most often because a family member, or perhaps a previous resident of a home, has been involved with occult practices.

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Question: Have you ever become possessed as a result of working these cases or has a spirit, demon, or other entity ever followed you or your other caseworkers home?
If so, how did you deal with it?

Neither Sandra nor I have ever become possessed as a result of working on these cases. I take specific precautions to prevent anything unholy from following us home.
However, we have known other investigators who, perhaps because of their particular sensitivity, have apparently had a negative spirit follow them after an investigation.
For this reason, I also take the precaution of praying for other investigators before we leave a location.

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Question: Why do demons attack?

For two reasons:
1) They are extremely envious of us because we have been given the gifts of life and free choice by our Creator.
2) They seek to mock God by debasing and dehumanizing His creation, namely us.

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Question: Can you tell if you’re dealing with one or multiple demons?

Usually we can, although this can sometimes only be determined during a deliverance session.
It is very helpful if we have the opportunity to work with someone who has the spiritual gift of discernment.

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Question: Are there different types of demons? If so, can you name a few you’ve encountered and what the cases were like?

Just as there are different classes of angels, there are also different classes of demons. Some are very powerful, and for the most part prefer to remain completely undetected.
To use an analogy, if this were the military, then these higher entities would represent the commanding officers, whereas the lower spirits that they have authority over would represent the foot soldiers.
It is these lower, more bestial spirits – the ones that create havoc in homes – which we most often deal with.

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Question: Do all demons intend to possess?

The higher demonic entities, also known as devils, rarely intend to possess.
Rather, they are often in control of the lower demonic entities that do seek to possess.

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Question: Why do demons possess people, what is the purpose?

There are essentially three main reasons why a demon would seek to possess a human being:

1) They are incorporeal beings, and are therefore envious of the gift of life which God has given us. Only by entering into a person can they hope to temporarily experience the pleasures of the flesh, which we as living people often take for granted.
2) Since we are created in the image of God, demons seek to possess a human being as a way of perverting, or dehumanizing God's creation. Demons consider this a way of "getting back" at their Divine Creator, for their expulsion from the Heavenly realm.
3) Demons sometimes possess people to perform Satan's direct will through them.

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Question: How exactly do demons possess a victim's body or mind?

The way a demon will most likely be able to possess a person is by a systematic breaking down of that individual's will. Also, for a demon to invade someone's psyche, the person must sometimes "Invite" the demonic entity in...or be deceived or oppressed into doing so.
Actual demonic possession is extremely rare, by the way.

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Question: How do you detect if a possession is a hoax?

In legitimate cases of possession, there will often be at least some sort external phenomena taking place as well, which can be observed and documented by witnesses.

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Question: Do you require your clients to undergo mental/physical check ups before you will work their case?

We recommend that they do so, although this is not completely necessary when we initially become involved with a case. However, if it comes to the point where an exorcism is required, we do prefer that they undergo professional psychological evaluation.

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Question: Do other entities, such as angels, become actively involved in exorcisms?

Angels can indeed be present during exorcisms. Personally, I always pray for angelic assistance, whenever we are involved in any sort of deliverance from evil spirits.

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Question: Does Satan himself possess most people, or is it the other demons mainly?

Satan himself, as well as his High Lords (devils), rarely, in fact almost never, participate in the possession of human beings. This is mainly the work of demons.
In Scripture, there are only two instances of Satan directly becoming involved with the possession of a human. These are:
1) When Satan enters into Judas Iscariot, after Judas has decided to betray Jesus.
2) Satan's future direct possession of the Antichrist, in the Book of Revelation.

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Question: What is demonic activity commonly mistaken for?
What signs indicate a demonic presence over that of a mental illness or other lesser threat?

Demonic activity is commonly mistaken for clinical illnesses, and vice-versa.
Without thorough investigation, it is often very easy to mistake genuine demonic oppression or possession for such organic conditions as schizophrenia or multiple personality disorder.
However, to confirm genuine demonic activity, one must also investigate any external phenomena, which may be taking place.

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Question: Have people been rescued from mental institutions based on demonic possession?

Although it is rare, some people have actually been rescued from mental institutions that were in fact suffering from demonic possession.
I know of three such cases.
One involved an adolescent girl, and the other two involved adolescent males.
All three individuals underwent exorcisms performed by the clergy, and all three eventually returned home and went on to live normal lives.

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Question: Is the percentage of male or female possessions more?

It's hard to tell if the percentage is more male than female in actual possessions. To my knowledge, they seem about equal.
In general, women seem to be somewhat more susceptible to demonic oppression, although women generally seem to be able to cope with the long term effects of oppression better than men. This is because men often tend to go into a state of denial.

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Question: Do all demons recognize a certain church or figurehead as an authority?

They do seem to acknowledge a Higher Power, and are adverse to virtually anything that represents goodness and holiness. Regardless of culture, they also seem to respond to the name of Jesus Christ.

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Question: Are any religions more prone to demonic influence?

Without intentionally trying to offend anyone: In my personal experiences, yes, some religions are more prone to demonic influence than are others.
For example, as part of their religious ceremonies, both Voodoo and Sante Ria practitioners willingly invite "spirit guides" (sometimes known as Loa) to inhabit their bodies.

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Question: Do you have the authority to perform exorcisms?

Yes, as a believer in Jesus Christ. I believe Scripture indicates that all true believers in Jesus Christ have the authority to cast out evil spirits in His name, although not all believers are necessarily ready to do so.

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Question: Do you know what being possessed is like, and if so, how does it feel?

From what has been described to me, those who are experiencing possession are generally in a state of emotional torment, exhaustion, and sometimes embarrassment, at least right after a spate of possession has just occurred. The rest of the time, they have a sense of being invaded, as if they are being deprived of their inner privacy.
Often these people are tormented by urges and/or voices which are not their own.
During actual episode of possession, the afflicted individual's own consciousness will temporarily "blank out", causing them to experience an occasional loss of time, as well as loss of self.

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Question: Do demons earthly interact with humans, or are they mainly in a different "realm"?

In actuality, demons rarely interact directly with humans, and are usually limited to subtle temptation/oppression. Demons exist in a separate dimensional plane, which Jesus described as a state of "wandering through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none". (Matthew 12: 43-45)

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Question: Can animals be possessed?

Although this is very rare, yes, animals can be possessed, both in ancient times and in the present. (Mark 5: 11-13) However, it is far more likely that an animal would be in some way influenced by a demonic presence, since their senses are generally more developed than are ours.

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Question: Do you believe that ghosts are formerly people or that that which are called ghosts are actually non-human entities?

When confronted with a haunting, be it in a home in which a presence dwells, or through an individual who has come under possession, I do not immediately react as if faced with an inhuman spirit. Rather, I give it the opportunity to prove if it is in reality 'lost little Sally' or 'dead Uncle Fred'.

In all my years, never once have I encountered a spirit presence such as this (claiming to be a deceased human), which will not inevitably react negatively when asked about the presence of holy angels or of Jesus Christ. The spirit either avoids this line of interrogation altogether (if it is rapping on walls or speaking through a person), or if I persist, the reaction will be violent.

And so, to answer your question more specifically: With the possible exception of some "residual" (playback or time displacement) phenomena, I believe that spirits involved in haunting and possessions are inhuman entities, working against God...and not the disembodied spirits of humans.

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Question: Why is it that clearly there is demonic activity happening every day all around us, but the world will not admit to this fact?
What would, in your opinion, be undeniable proof of demonic presence?

People conveniently tend to ignore what makes them uncomfortable. I think it is also fear of ridicule in our modern “show it to me” society.
Proof would perhaps come by obtaining substantial evidence, such as being able to study a full-bodied apparition for an extended period of time, under controlled scientific conditions.

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Question: Has any possessed person (or demonic presence) ever been video taped or otherwise recorded?

Yes, demonic possession has been videotaped, and recorded on still photos and on audio.
The same applies to demons manifesting in spirit form; the audio recordings are normally in the form of EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena).

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Question: As a sensitive, I am frustrated because I want to be able to help people without becoming overwhelmed.
What are some really powerful ways to protect myself from other peoples emotions as well as spiritually?

What you have to do in these situations, is to place a psychic, emotional 'wall' between yourself and the situation you find yourself involved with...and this includes the individuals you may be offering help to as well. When situations threaten to become emotionally overwhelming, you have to place your emotional, compassionate self on hold, and react to the situation objectively. I know this will not be easy, and it takes much practice...it is often very difficult for me to emotionally distance myself as well. But, you will be much more effective in protecting yourself by doing this, as well as the people you are helping.

It is exactly what any type of emergency or rescue worker trains him or herself to do over time. It does not mean you are not feeling compassion...you are simply putting the psychic and emotional internalization of things temporarily on hold, until such time as your psyche has opportunity to effectively internalize and process the emotional input (and output).

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Question: How is the Ouija board properly used, why should one use it, and what are the drawbacks/safety hazards?

Most people consider the Ouija board to be a harmless parlor game made up of a board with various letters, numbers and symbols, etc. together with a piece of plastic, called a planchette, manufactured by Parker Bros. for use at parties and the like. They are correct. Some individuals (for example, psychic medium James Van Pragh) claim to have regularly used the Ouija board with no ill effects.