Demonic Possession: Stages of Demonic Possession
Demonic possession, the very phrase can send chills up and down your spine! But most people don’t know is that there are levels of possession. Why is it important to know these levels? Because to be able to identify the stages and levels of possession may help to ward off a full blown possession by getting help in the very early stages! Now, I don’t promise this to be conclusive, but more of a general summary.

The five levels of possession in order of their appearance are: manifestation, infestation, oppression, possession, and death.

Understand these are how I label them and the examples of what you might experience are from my experience. There are levels within these five as each progress themselves before moving to the next stage.\r\n

Manifestation
This stage simply is the beginning presence of the demon(s). Most times, they have been ‘invited’ of sorts. Whether it be playing spiritualist games without a full understanding, playing ouija boards, seances, and more. A door is opened and sometimes is shut back, and the lay person who is not trained in these things may invite unwanted guests, to say the least. At this time, some weird experiences may be felt and/or seen, but the main objective of a demon at this stage is to find its target. Those who are emotionally, physically, and spiritually weak will be obvious targets.

Infestation
This is the stage where things are starting to pick up and fast. Often times, a demon may start recruiting help, and more will cross through this doorway that was opened up. More physical experiences may start. Some of those experiences will be cold spots, voices, lights, shadows, you name it. Manifestation bleeds into infestation very quickly once the target(s) have been chosen.

Oppression
Once the infestation has started, it will immediately go into oppression. The reason it seems to start slower and build its aggression is that the infestation is still going on. More demons are attracted and adding their energy/power to the assault. Usually there will be one main demon that is focused on the target while others are ‘outside’ causing havoc. The purpose of oppression is to isolate the target. To isolate the target, they simply play mind games. They may even cause depression because of some of the experiences and even by what the ‘voices’ are telling them. It’s all done to harm the target as much as possible on a spiritual, mental, and even physical level. The more harm done and the faster it is done, the quicker to the next stage. The target may become violent, so great care should be taken around the person oppressed. Their sense will be a great disdain to God and anything Holy.

Possession
Also known as full possession. The demon at one level will actually possess and control the target. The person may or may not ‘come out of it’ at different times. The demon will want control as much as possible, but there are lapses. Don’t be fooled, the demon is still in control! It will relinquish control at times either to rest or in an effort to trick those around the target that nothing is wrong. The demon has an ultimate goal, which is the next and final stage, if not dealt with. Some things that would be seen of the target would be a reaction to the Bible, liturgies, holy relics (even when hidden under clothes), and a definite disdain for God and all that follow Him. This stage is where the possessed is extremely dangers to him/herself and those around, especially physically.

Death
All demons have only one purpose in all stages of possession. They seek to destroy and kill God’s creation. The more pain they cause, the better for them. The more they can destroy, like relationships, marriages, etc., they are happier still. But the ultimate goal is to definitely kill the possessed target and if they can take another with the target so much the better.

Please, understand this is a very brief explanation and there really is a lot more to it than this. Exorcisms should be done only by those qualified, and not done in a light manner. If you are Catholic, of course a Priest would handle this under the direction of a Bishop. Protestants usually refer to their local pastor, and hopefully they get help and second, possibly third opinions as well. While I believe it is rare for full possession to take place, I believe it happens more often than it gets credit, and is rarely dealt with properly. Even after a confirmed possession and ‘authorized’ exorcism, many of the afflicted carry a burden for the rest of their lives, some don’t make it through it, and some are irreparably harmed mentally, so please allow those trained to handle the exorcism and offer any help you can.