Mark 5:1–20, The Gadarene demoniac.

Eighteen Attributes of a Demonic Spirit

This encounter between Yeshua and this demon-possessed individual teaches us about the characteristics of one who is tormented, oppressed or even possessed by a demon or an evil, unclean spirit.

• One with an unclean spirit is “unclean in thought and life” (Mark 5:2).
• Such an individual may have a pre-occupation with things relating to death and dying (Mark 5:3).
• They may possess superhuman strength thanks to the aid of the demon in them (Mark 5:4).
• They may act wild, and unable to be restrained (Mark 5:4).
• They may be prone to fits of shouting loudly (Mark 5:5), shrieking or making a shrill cry (Mark 9:18).
• They may cut themselves, or resort to other acts of self-mutilation (Mark 5:5) or self destruction (e.g. burning oneself by fire, Matt 17:15; Mark 9:22), or attempts at drowning (Mark 9:22).
• The demoniac may possess supernatural knowledge (Mark 5:7).
• The demon can speak through the demonized person (Mark 5:7), or cry out (Mark 9:26).
• A demonic spirit wants to possess or inhabit something; if not a human, then an animal (Mark 5:12), or a house, an objects like idols or books (Acts 19:19; Rev 13:15) or even a mechanical device or “matrix” (e.g. the image of the beast in Rev 13:13–14).
• They may be clothed improperly or scantily (Mark 5:15).
• They will not a possess a “right [sound, self-controlled, sober]” mind (Mark 5:15).
• A demonic or an unclean spirit may cause convulsions or spasmodic contractions, bodily contortions within a person, or cause a person to be hurled to the ground (Mark 1:25; 9:18, 20) resulting in one wallowing or rolling around on the ground (Mark 9:20).
• Epileptic-type seizures or madness can be symptoms of demon possession (Matt 17:15).
• A demoniac may foam at the mouth (Mark 9:18, 20).
• A demoniac may grind or gnash their the teeth (Mark 9:18)
• A demonic spirit can cause one’s body to waste away, dry up or become rigid (Mark 9:18).
• Demonic spirits can accompany people as they come into the congregation of YHVH (Mark 1:23; Luke 4:33).
• A demonic spirit can make one to be mute or unable to speak (Mark 9:17).

How does one deal with a demon or demonic influence in a person? The short answer is this: Preach the gospel to them, and if they believe in Yeshua the Messiah, then, in the name of Yeshua, cast the demon out of them (Mark 16:15–17). Remember these Scripture promises:

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. (Luke 9:1)

How to Deal With a Demonic Spirit in Yourself or Someone Else

How does one deal with a demon or demonic influence in a person? There are several possible ways. This is where wisdom and the spiritual gift of the discerning of spirits is helpful (1 Cor 12:10). Here are some quick points and guidelines that will help you in this area:

• If the evil spirit is in you or is influencing you, then repent of your sin and, in the name of Yeshua, cast the demon out of yourself. If this is difficult for you to do, then seek the help of wise and knowledgeable biblical counselors who have experience in these areas. 
• If the demon or demonic influence involves another person, you can only help them if they recognize that they have a problem and want help, are willing to repent of their sin, and want to accept Yeshua’s lordship over their lives. If so then preach the gospel to them and, with the person’s approval, cast the demon out of the person and forbid the demon from influencing them again. Then teach the person how to stay free of the demon.  
• If they don’t recognize that they have a problem and don’t want to repent of their sin, there’s not a lot that you can do, except to pray for them and to avoid them. This is because each person has free will, and only they can control what influences their lives or not. If it’s a family member that you live with,  a demon in a person or a demonic influence is even more difficult to deal with and avoiding them may be nearly impossible. There may not be much that you can do except to create a spiritual “God bubble” around yourself, draw your boundaries and pray for wisdom and guidance from above on how to deal with it. It will be a character building experience for sure! Yeshua cast many demons out of people who wanted his help, but not out of people who didn’t want it. Demonically inspired people persecuted him during his entire ministry and they eventually killed him. Study the life of Yeshua to learn how he wisely dealt with demoncially influenced people. Sometimes he confronted them, and sometimes he avoided them. This is a whole other study in itself.
• If a demonic spirit is attacking you directly or through another person, Yeshua gave his disciples the authority to bind that spirit. Just be aware of a couple of things. We don’t have authority over demons except through Yeshua. If we have major sin in our lives, we limit or negate our authority over demons. To be effective at controlling demons, you must first repent of your own sins. Finally, be careful about binding or casting a demon (Matt 12:29) out of someone against their will. When you’re gone, it may come back seven times worse and the end condition of that person’s life may be worse than before making ministry to that person at a latter date all but impossible (Matt 12:43–45). 

When dealing with demonic spirits, remember these Scripture promises:

Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. (Luke 9:1)

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (Jas 4:7)

And they overcame [Satan the serpent] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Rev 12:11)

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. (Luke 10:19)

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (Jas 4:7)

And they overcame [Satan the serpent] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. (Rev 12:11)