Demons are identified according to their nature. A demon of hate is called "hate". Each demon is a specialist. A hate demon does not foster lust - he only promotes hatred. When demons are commanded to name themselves, they will usually name themselves in identity with their nature, e.g. rebellion, cursing, indifference, etc. Occasionally a demon will give a personal name such as "Jim" or "Shirley". At times they will give foreign names. This is a deceptive measure to keep the deliverance minister from knowing their true nature. The minister should command the demons to reveal their nature, saying, "What is your nature, demon?"
Indwelling demons are seldom found singly; they are together in groups. Such groupings may be referred to as colonies, clans or families. When one demon is detected or discerned, one should immediately be alerted to look for its companions. A group of demons is banded together for the purpose of controlling a particular area of a person's life. Therefore, there is a very logical pattern of spirits to be found in any particular group. Certain types of spirits are found over and over in the same combinations; however, one must not assume that the combination will always be the same. THE POSSIBILITIES FOR GROUPINGS ARE UNLIMITED.
Within each group there will be a "strong man" or ruling spirit. Often during ministry a ruling spirit will be specifically identified. It is not always necessary that he be identified as a ruling spirit in order to effect the deliverance. Such identification will usually be given for one of two reasons. First, the Holy Spirit may be directing an order of procedure. The deliverance minister will want to be alert to whatever battle plan the Lord may give. There are situations where the Lord will direct that the ruling spirit be dealt with first and then his companions. At other times the leading of the Lord will be to drive out the lesser spirits first and the ruling spirit last. There seems to be no real merit in questioning why the Lord leads one way and then another. A good soldier is trained to follow orders without questioning his commander. At times he may be given great latitude in choosing his own route of attack, and at other times his orders are quite specific. The same is true in the battles of spiritual warfare.
A second reason why the ruling spirit may be identified is that it is for the benefit of the person receiving deliverance. It can be quite helpful to know which spirit to be on special guard against in the future. Some spirits are especially tied in with habit patterns that must be changed and areas of the carnal man that must be crucified. Subsequent to deliverance the person will have to fight some battles on his own to maintain his deliverance. It is very helpful to know exactly what one is fighting, and what is flesh and what is demon spirit.
From experience gained through hundreds of deliverance sessions and in dealing with demon groupings, it is the ruling spirit that is the first spirit to invade a certain area. Because he is the first to gain entrance he can establish himself as the ruler. He then becomes the key to opening the way for other spirits to enter. When demons are being driven out it is not uncommon to give a command to the ruling spirit, "Come out and bring all of your companions with you!" or "Come out and bring all your roots!" If any part of a group is not expelled, the way is left for the group to be let back in. For this reason the deliverance should be as thorough as possible.
More than one spirit of a certain type may be found within a given group. For example, the bitterness colony may contain several demons of resentment. Also, a certain type of demon may be present in more than one group. For example, a demon of anger may be found in the bitterness clan and another anger demon in the perfection clan. In one deliverance several groups of spirits were cast out. In each group there was a spirit of depression. It is only by the operation of the supernatural gift of discernment that one can know that all such combinations of spirits have been dealt with.
The following list of demon groups represents patterns experienced through actual deliverance sessions. THESE GROUPINGS ARE ONLY SUGGESTIVE OF WHAT MAY BE ENCOUNTERED. THE LISTING IS BY NO MEANS INTENDED TO BE EXHAUSTIVE, NOR THE GROUPINGS TO BE INVARIABLE. An explanation is given of some of the groupings listed. This is to offer some insight into the problems caused by particular groups of spirits. Most of the groups are rather self-explanatory.
We, the authors, believe that the information given in this chapter will prove to be of great practical value to those who are moving into deliverance ministry. It will help anyone to better understand how demons set themselves up in groups. Years of study and experience are condensed into a few pages.
