How To Diagnose Whether Paranormal Activity Is Demonic

The intent of this post is to give you a very comprehensive list of things to check for if you suspect demonic attachment, influence, oppression or control on some level.

Last updated: October 31, 2011

Please be aware that any one of these things by themselves is not a sure sign, but just things to be on the lookout for, and to first check physiological, psychological, and environmental causes before you leap to a demonic causation. At the same time, don't be naive either. Sometimes BOTH can be present, and often are, such as severe demonic oppression can be accompanied by psychological disorders. I will add to this list as I expand it, both by my experience and the experience of others.

Below is a list of phenomena that I use to help me determine whether a case is caused by inhuman, demonic entities.  Some of these, taken individually, would not cause me to make a definitive determination immediately - such as paralysis, foul odors or shadow figures.  However, other single phenomena would - such as major levitation or clear, unequivocal Xenoglossy. Naturally, several of these together make for a much stronger likelihood of it being an authentic demonic case.  Be acutely aware of possible mental illness, but frankly, as Father Gabriel Amorth says, "Some symptoms, however, are so inconsistent with known illnesses that they point with certainty to their evil origins."  This is something no amateur should go into alone, in trying to diagnose.  I wish I had this list when I first started.  Hopefully, you will find it helpful:

The Big Three (according to the Roman Catholic Church):
Abnormal Strength
Ability to speak or understand a previously unknown language
Knowledge of hidden things (with no way to have known them)


Other Important Factors to be considered:
Knocks or Rapping in 3's or multiples of 3's
Foul Odors (especially sulfur like smells)
Phantomania (paralysis) - be careful this isn't sleep paralysis but paralysis caused by demons
Levitation of people or objects (especially heavier objects)
Vomiting of objects such as glass or nails, even small animals such as a frog
Spontaneous combustion
Counterclockwise motion or rotation
Activity regularly happening around 3:00AM
Dark shadow men or figures (these can be human spirit activity - so don't judge too quickly)
Desecration of crosses, crucifixes or other Christian symbols & objects
Scratching, claw marks or biting (especially scratches in threes)
Violent Attack: Shoving, Pushing & Hitting
Intense Sensation of Evil (especially by people with gift of discernment) 
Extreme Sense of Evil & Fear (especially by several people independently)
Apparitions of Evil Entities
Assault Sexually by an unseen force
Growling, Hissing & Other Threatening Sounds
History of occult involvement, Ouija, tarot cards, seances, Wicca, witchcraft, spells, psychics, mediums, palm readers, etc
Knowledge of a curse
Involvement with Hoodoo, Voodoo, Sanetria, Palo, etc.

Added Summer of 2011:
The inability to pray or recite a rosary
The inability to take Holy Communion (the Eucharist)
The inability to go to Mass or to Church worship servicesIt is also very important to note also, just because a person can do some of the things listed above that it does not mean the absence of a demonic influence either.  For example, sometimes strong demons can allow a person to take Holy Communion, pray or say the Name of Christ.  It is the sustained "assault" on the demon of such things that eventually will wear it down and the demon will manifest - like a boxer tiring in the late rounds of a fight.

Knowledge of supernatural

Going about naked

Unable to hear, speak

Seizures

Blindness

Use of “different” type of voice

Presence of distinct personalities      

Bizarre behavior

Fierce, violent behavior

Unusual behavior/attitudes (e.g., vicious toward self)

Feeling of overpowering evil

Self-report of demonic influence

Added 10/31/2011 based upon recent cases and experiences:

Confusion
Syncretism (mixing in with Christianity outside beliefs and practices)
Consorting with syncretic or wholly other practitioners for demonology solutions for advice and solutions

Depression (severe, ongoing)
Obstinacy, refusal to follow advice or do what you are asking them to do which are entirely reasonable
Hopelessness or fatalism
Reclusiveness or extreme isolation
No local Church home or membership, or extreme aversion to organized religion
No local pastor, priest, or clergy to turn to
No accountability
No regular reception of sacraments such as the Eucharist, no baptism, etc.
No regular reception of sacramentals such as Holy Water, rosary, prayers, creeds, crucifixes, scapulars, etc.
Poor or non-existent prayer life
Poor or non-existent scriptural reading/study
No devotional life
No social life, friends, family, etc.
Extreme obsession with paranormal activities and interests to the exclusion of other endeavors & interests; obsessed with the paranormal or aspects of it

Other Evidence or Manifestations to Consider:
Other things to consider and pay close attention to are things such as:

Aversion to Christian religious objects, such as cringing in the sight of a Crucifix

The inability to say prayers or say the name "Jesus" or "Jesus Christ" or to praise God

The inability to go to Church or be around a priest, clergy, or a very righteous person

Strange bizarre behavior of animals or children that seem to be reacting to evil

External physical pain that is caused by Satan

Involuntary action and words (especially very foul and vile language)

Seizures (again, must be extremely careful to eliminate physiological and psychological causes first by examination by professionals)

Consistent health, job, relationship problems that seem extraordinarily unusual

Consistent diabolical dreams

Obsessive thoughts and/or habits

Attempts at suicide, thoughts of suicide that seem to come from nowhere

Fascination with the occult and/or occult practices





Note: The pentacle shown above (with the pentagram turned upside down - a classic symbol of satanic worship) is not something we normally post.  It is a powerful symbol of evil and capable of drawing evil entities to it (the Law of Recognition).  We show it only as an educational aid and tool.  We show it here because we feel strongly that such symbols should be known to the discerning Christian so he or she can recognize it when they see it. The symbol used in the illustration has been prayed over and annulled (sealed) in the Name of Jesus Christ so that no demonic, evil spirit(s) will be drawn to it or this post and those reading it. Exploring and studying such topics and symbols should be taken seriously, and done prayerfully and responsibly.