This summary is based solely on the provided text, Unmasking the Devil by John Ramirez, and provides actionable information regarding spiritual warfare.
Actionable Summary of Spiritual Warfare and Demonic Activity
1. What are Demons, Spirits, Ghosts, Strongholds, and How are They Organized and Work Together?
The kingdom of darkness is organized militarily with a defined hierarchy, aiming to kill, steal, and destroy:
| Entity | Description and Function | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Satan/Devil | The leader of the hosts of hell. He is a spiritual being filled with anger who operates through temptation and deception. He is the accuser of believers and controls the media (“prince of the air”). | Highest authority, controls the kingdom. |
| Fallen Angels / Principalities | High-ranking evil spirits that rule over geographical regions (first and second heavens). They take orders from Satan and carry out his plans. Examples include Jezebel and Delilah spirits. | Rulers, authorities, and powers in high places. |
| Unclean Spirits / Demons | The “foot soldiers” or “ground-level demons” that report to the fallen angels. They are spirits (with personality and intellect) that lack physical bodies and seek to gain access into people to control and destroy them. | Ground troops operating on earth. |
| Familiar Spirits / Ghosts | Familiar spirits are demons that mimic everything about a deceased person to deceive those seeking contact with the dead (e.g., through psychics or tarot card readers). | Deceptive ground troops. |
| Strongholds | Strongholds are territories or places (spiritual or geographical, like neighborhoods) that the devil controls by placing demonic forces. They are also spiritual structures built in a person’s life when sin provides the devil legal rights. | Bases of operation (e.g., mosques, botanicas, liquor stores, nightclubs). |
2. How is it Possible for a Christian Who is Saved and Has the Holy Spirit in Them to be Attacked or Affected by Demons?
Demons cannot enter the spirit of a Christian, as it is sealed until the day of redemption. However, a Christian can still be attacked, tormented, or infested because:
- Open Access: When a Christian commits sin and does not repent, they break the natural hedge of protection provided by God and open a “doorway” (portal or gateway) to the enemy. This gives the devil legal rights over that part of their life.
- Target Areas (Flesh and Soul): While the spirit is sealed, demons can inhabit and operate in the flesh (physical body) and the soul (mind, will, and emotions). They put pressure on the mind and emotions, paralyzing the person.
- Torment: An open door allows unclean spirits to occupy and torment the Christian until those strongholds are broken and the devils are cast out in Jesus’ name.
3. What Do Christians Do to Open the Door for Demonic Activity in Their Lives?
Christians open doors for demonic activity by stepping out of the will of God, neglecting spiritual vigilance, or making a permanent decision based on a temporary situation.
Common Gateways and Portals include:
| Category | Examples from the Text |
|---|---|
| Idolatry / Occult | Tarot cards, psychics, fortune tellers, Ouija boards, seances, horoscopes, talking to the dead, studying astrology, involvement in Santeria, Palo Mayombe, Wicca, Reiki, yoga, martial arts, or Freemasonry. |
| Sexual Sins | Fornication, adultery, homosexuality, sodomy, incest, rape, and consuming pornography (internet or movies). |
| Substance Abuse | Alcoholism (liquor stores), smoking marijuana, and using psychotropic drugs. |
| Media & Entertainment | Watching unholy television shows and movies, listening to music with lyrics of profanity/murder/suicide. |
| Negative Emotions | Unforgiveness, anger (letting the sun go down on wrath), bitterness, self-condemnation, shamefulness, and dabbling in bad soul ties. |
| Premeditated Sin | Giving into temptation with the belief that the grace of God will cover the action. |
| Compromise | Being unequally yoked with unbelievers or marrying the wrong person, allowing the devil to sabotage destiny. |
4. How to Battle as a Christian in the Spiritual Realm
Spiritual warfare requires supernatural weapons and a lifestyle of righteousness. Christians are called to enforce the victory already won by Christ on the cross.
| Phase | Actionable Steps (Must Haves) |
|---|---|
| Foundation | The battle begins and ends with the Fear of the Lord (reverence/awe). Do not panic or let the devil put pressure on you (storms don’t last). Live an armored lifestyle by putting on the full armor of God. |
| Strategy | Fight back in the spirit realm, not the natural realm. Make a lifestyle change that pleases God. Be more determined and consistent than the enemy. |
| Action | Engage in consistent, specific spiritual warfare prayers (general prayers are ineffective). Fasting moves the heart of God and brings spiritual breakthrough. |
| The 12 Supernatural Weapons | 1. The Name of Jesus, 2. The Word of God, 3. The Blood of Jesus, 4. The Word of our Testimony, 5. An Obedient Life, 6. Praise and Worship, 7. Our Heavenly Language (tongues), 8. A Life of Prayer, 9. Finding Purpose and Destiny, 10. Fasting, 11. Intercessory Prayer, and 12. Perseverance. |
| Church Structure | The church should establish and employ specialized teams: a Spiritual Warfare Team (to target regions/territories), an Intercessory Ministry (to pray for leaders and the unsaved), and a Deliverance Ministry (to set bound Christians free). |
5. How to Cast Out Demons
Casting out devils is simple, utilizing the authority and power Jesus gave to every believer (Mark 16:17).
| Step | Actionable Guidance |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite | The individual must be born again (have accepted Christ as Lord) before deliverance, ensuring the Holy Spirit fills the void left by the evicted demon. |
| Forgiveness | Forgive everyone who has wronged you. Unforgiveness is the greatest blockage to deliverance and will deliver the person to “tormentors.” |
| Confession/Repentance | Confess all personal and generational sins (known and unknown) and repent. Renounce Satan and all ancestral contact with the occult. |
| Breaking Curses | Claim Galatians 3:13 (“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law”). Break all personal and generational curses, blood oaths, contracts, and agreements made with the devil in Jesus’ name. |
| Casting Out | Use the authority given by Jesus to speak directly to the unclean spirit (by name or function) and command it to come out in Jesus Christ’s name. Command the demon to go where the Lord sends it, never to return. |
| Physical Manifestation | When demons exit, they may manifest as tears, coughs, burps, yawns, screams, gas, or vomit. |
| Fill the Void | Ask Father God to send the Holy Spirit to fill up every void and bind all demonic backlash or retribution. |