"The entrance of thy words giveth light (Psalm 119:130)."
Hallucinations
Hallucinations, in the secular world, are usually misunderstood—even by medical doctors. Let's start with a common secular definition, in layman's language, of "hallucinations."
"Hallucinations are false or distorted sensory experiences that appear to be real perceptions. These sensory impressions are generated by the mind rather than by any external stimuli, and may be seen, heard, felt, and even smelled or tasted."1
Notice two things: 1) This is a very broad definition. 2) Hallucinations are "generated by the mind rather than by any external stimuli." There is, of course, no such thing as hallucinations caused by demons.
If you are dealing with hallucinations yourself, or trying to help someone who is, it is necessary for you to first get saved.
This article will focus on hallucinations that are caused by demons. But first, let's briefly discuss hallucinations that have nothing to do with demons.
There are many causes of these hallucinations, including:
- Side effects of medications.
- Legitimate medical conditions (Examples: brain cancer, Parkinson's Disease, liver failure, kidney failure, AIDS).
- Sensory problems such as blindness or deafness.
- Phantom limb hallucinations.
There is a wealth of information available on the internet on this topic.
But, there are other types of "hallucinations" that really are caused by demons. And it's important to distinguish between the two.
The key to determining which type of "hallucination" you are experiencing is to remember that demons have a function in this world and that their activities fulfill that function: "The thief (devil, demons) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10 NKJV)." They have no other purpose.
Their activities will attempt to cause you distress, get you to distrust, misinterpret or violate Scripture or attempt to harm you in some other way.
Demons may try to get you to harm or kill yourself. They may try to get you to harm or kill other people.
One caution before continuing: Demons are deceivers by nature. Sometimes they will start off 'nice' and later become condemning.
I should also mention that hallucinations caused by legitimate medical conditions are not caused by demons—even if they are distressing. Diabetics, for example, may experience disturbing visual and auditory hallucinations that are directly related to abnormal blood sugar levels.
Most demonic hallucinations are auditory. When I worked at a crisis center, clients hearing voices were an everyday experience. The voices usually said derogatory things about the client and would tell them to do things that they shouldn't do. Since it was a secular program, I couldn't tell the clients that the voices they were hearing were demonic. But I could tell them "Don't trust the voices." The clients would almost always respond "Oh, I know that!"
The content of these "hallucinations" are rather predictable. Two client examples: First client: The voices "call me stupid," "pick on me," "harass me" and tell me to "drink more." Second client: heard voices telling him to "kill yourself," "hurt yourself" and "you need to die."
Some demonic hallucinations are the result of a spiritual foothold—but not all. The ones that are the result of a spiritual foothold—often anger—are harder to get rid of. In this category, I remember a young man who was molested by his psychopathic father. The young man would hear voices telling him to "kill the child molester." To get rid of the voices, the young man would first need to forgive his father. Once he accomplishes this, if the voices recur, he could use prayer and apply Scripture to successfully deal with the voices.
These issues are dealt with in my articles entitled How to Forgive and Stopping Spiritual Attacks.
For a more extreme example of "hallucinations" involving a spiritual foothold, be sure to read my article on the occult.
Demonic hallucinations that are not the result of a spiritual foothold are easy to get rid of, at least for Christians. All you have to do is pray, rebuke the devil in the name of Jesus or command the devil to leave in the name of Jesus. For an example, read my article entitled Sleep Paralysis.
Another example: I had a client, about 12 years old, who presented with visual hallucinations. I had the privilege of getting him saved, in therapy. In a later session, he had a visual hallucination of another person sitting in a chair in the room. I told him to rebuke the devil in the name of Jesus. He did. The result: "Poof, he's gone. That was really cool!"
Prayer and rebuking of the devil may also work with demonic hallucinations involving a spiritual foothold. If so, the result will be very temporary.
Never try to rebuke the devil until you first get saved. That is potentially dangerous (Acts 19:13-17).
Three common reasons why Christians cannot overcome recurring hallucinations are because of spiritual footholds associated with unforgiveness, fear or involvement with the occult.
It should be noted that medications often do make the hallucinations go away while you are taking the drugs. And this is true whether the cause is medical or spiritual.
Sometimes, hallucinations are closely associated with drug use.
Examples: Being drunk or high, or coming down from such drugs as marijuana, LSD, cocaine (including crack), PCP, amphetamines, heroin, ketamine, and alcohol.
In such cases, the hallucinations can be the direct result of the drug ingested, due to a spiritual foothold created by drug use or a combination of the two.
"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery." {Ephesians 5:18 NIV}
Getting drunk is a sin; it follows that getting high on other drugs is also a sin.
"But your wrongdoings have caused a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear." {Isaiah 59:2 NASB}
As with any sin, substance abuse separates us from God— it hinders our prayers and can give demons powers that they would not otherwise possess.
An example of a demonic "hallucination" associated with drug use follows:
After using drugs, one client said he would hear a woman's voice saying 'bad' things about him and say other things that would make him 'mad.'
Hallucinations involving sexual content are relatively rare, but they do occur in both sexes. I remember a woman who told me "I get raped every night." She was, of course, not actually being raped. But she felt bodily sensations as if she was. This was clearly demonic.
Demonic hallucinations can occur in conjunction with demonic delusions as part of a spiritual attack. For example, one client heard her therapist's voice (me) and believed that what she was hearing were my thoughts. Of course, what she 'heard' was disturbing to her and untrue.
This young woman also had strong feelings that God was telling her to get into vehicles with men she had never met! Again, clearly demonic.
Fortunately, this woman would call me for a reality check.
It is important to teach people not to be afraid of disturbing voices, images, feelings or ideas that come from the devil. And not to dwell on these things. And, especially, not to trust the voices.
Fear, dwelling on negatives and allowing yourself to believe demonic lies all give power to the devil.
In evaluating someone with hallucinations, there are several salient considerations.
First, hallucinations caused by a legitimate medical condition can quickly become emergencies that cannot be effectively addressed by a spiritual intervention. So, early medical evaluation and intervention are of the utmost importance. Of course, most doctors cannot distinguish between legitimate medical conditions and the spiritual. So, discernment and wise Christian counsel may be needed.
Second, is the person detached from reality? If the person is insane, he/she should not be left alone. Family monitoring and supervision is essential. Be sure to also read my article on Delusional Individuals.
Third: Just because someone is experiencing "hallucinations" doesn't mean they should be taking psychotropic drugs. Usually, this is unnecessary and counterproductive. Refer to my article on psychotropic drugs for guidance.
Unfortunately, in my experience, whenever clients have told their doctors that they are experiencing hallucinations, they have always been given a prescription for psychotropic drugs.
Finally, you may need something more than what is included in this article or even on this website.
My experience in casting out demons, and resisting demonic attacks, can be summarized in the following articles:
If more is needed, check into deliverance ministries.
I hope this article has been helpful to you. As with other mental health issues, once you determine what is going on, then, and only then, are you in a position to know what to do.
1 http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Hallucinations
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