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Now we turn from hypnosis to consider the interesting New Testament phenomenon we call possession. After exploring the concept of possession, we will examine the relationship to various forms of good and evil mind control.

What we mean by possession

First, we believe that supernatural spirits exist and are able to communicate with mankind. We also assume that awareness capacity has several overlapping components. The first is intellect. We reason with this component. It deals with words, numbers, ideas and theories. Second is the emotion component, sometimes called the heart. Here we deal with intuitive feelings and subconscious impressions. The third component we define as spiritual. This spiritual nature is distinct in many ways although some may wish to include it as a subdivision of emotional awareness.

Before we can relate and coordinate these variations of awareness to possession, we need to define communication.

Communication

Communication from intellect to intellect is chiefly verbal. Lecturing, preaching, writing, and printing are typical modes of verbal communication.

Nonverbal communication is largely heart-to-heart. It is conveyed by attitude, gestures and manner. If the verbal message contradicts the nonverbal message, the latter is the one usually perceived.

Spiritual communication is a third type. A supernatural spirit may communicate directly with the mind of a person without using the ordinary sensory mechanisms. This may comprise impressions or a distinct message.

Considering the perfection of the original creation, the following assumption seems valid: We know that God is a spirit (John 4:24). Surely the infinitely wise and loving Creator provided a mechanism whereby His Spirit could communicate directly with creatures made in His own image. This assumption is compatible with the following statement by Ellen White. "The brain nerves that connect with the whole system are the medium through which heaven communicates with man, and affects the inmost life." In other words, we assume that there was, and is, a mechanism whereby the Holy Spirit can communicate directly with each of us.

Zechariah describes a golden bowl with pipes leading from seven lamps. He saw olive branches filling the bowl (Zechariah 4:1-l 3). In commenting on this, Ellen White suggests that God has an organized, effective channel of communication. 'Through the golden pipes, the olive branches empty the oil out of themselves. These olive branches are the anointed ones that stand by the Lord of the whole earth. Through them the Holy Spirit is communicated to the churches. . . . The power that is in heaven unites with human intelligences. Holy beings surround His throne. The Lord keeps up constant communication with the inhabitants of earth. The golden oil represents the grace with which God keeps lamps of believers supplied "

Some persons exploring occult phenomena and para-psychology consider extrasensory perception (or ESP) to be an undeveloped, latent sense. Experiments with extrasensory perception, if they are not delusional, may be dealing with this very mechanism which we have been discussing.

Possession, a Mystery

Do not be dismayed if we touch on ideas which are not easily grasped. We have been discussing problems which have been studied by many scholars. All admit that the mechanism within the brain which produces awareness, thought, decision making, and logical action is not really understood. Thus, contemplating spirit possession, we project our thinking on a little further into the unknown.

Possession by the Holy Spirit

Possession by the Holy Spirit is a Biblical concept. Notice for example, Romans 8:9: 'But you are not in the flesh; You are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you." And Corinthians 3: 16: "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's spirit dwells in you?" Ellen White has written, 'When the soul surrenders itself to Christ, a new power takes possession of the new heart and a. change is wrought which man can never accomplish of himself.  It is a supernatural work, bringing a supernatural element into human nature. The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by the heavenly agency is impregnable to the assaults of Satan. But unless we do yield ourselves to the control of Christ, we shall be dominated by the wicked one. We must inevitably be under the control of one or the other of the two great powers that are contending for the supremacy of the world".

Surrender to Christ clearly involves a free choice. Actually, we are not defeated by Christ, as though He overpowers.  Instead it is more like enlisting in His army. We do not enter a state of passive hyper-suggestibility. Our Creator chooses to be served only by truly free creatures. Hence a person fully surrendered to God's control, acts and lives in harmony with the divine will because he has chosen that will as his own.  I believe it was God's original plan that the influence of the Holy Spirit should be complete and unchallenged.

Possession by an unholy spirit

Now we turn to the other side of the path where we will examine an entirely different kind of possession, possession by an unholy spirit. Such possession results from submission to the suggestions of an evil spirit. It seems reasonable to believe that the mechanism designed for communication with the Holy Spirit may be usurped by agents of the evil one. Comparing these two kinds of possession we expect to find differences determined by the contrast in the characters of the possessors.

Unclean spirits mentioned in Scripture

In the Scriptural account of one case which some of us might have diagnosed as epilepsy, a father asking Jesus' help, described his possessed son's condition in these words 'Suddenly a spirit seizes him and all at once he shrieks, convulsing him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him" (Luke 9:39). In other cases, individuals seem to have been dominated by supernatural spirits in the sense of possession as described in this study. For example, Acts 8:7 reports that "unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed."

In his book, The Mind Possessed, British psychiatrist William Sargant, helps clarify the phenomenon of possession.  In England, he experienced the violent World War bombing raids. After the war he spent time in Africa, Haiti and Tennessee making friends with witch doctors, voodoo priest and faith healers. He watched them at work and observed the altered awareness which occurred in their subjects. In the book, he compares these phenomena with those observed in persons experiencing hypnotic trance. He discusses "Beatle possession" which occurs during rock music festivals. He describes how hyper-suggestibility makes ideas and behaviour contagious in groups. He comments on the weakening individual will power under the influence of a popular dynamic leader. And he mentions how a strong desire to please the hypnotist produces "blind obedience" to even absurd commands and to posthypnotic suggestion.

Methods facilitating the development of Beatle trance-ecstasy are very similar to those which lead to spirit control voodoo dances, and also resemble factors which induce group hypnosis. Namely, attention is diverted and then compromised by fatigue. Fatigue is produced by the physical exertion of frantic dancing and is accentuated by loud, pounding somewhat dysrhythmic, music. Eager anticipation and high expectation that ecstasy will occur also contribute significantly. In the case of the rock concert, a strong desire to please the greatly-admired rock star is an important factor. Whether the star serves as hypnotist, or whether he participates with the audience in mass spirit possession may be debated.  Interestingly, Sargant found voodoo, where control by supernatural spirits is deliberately sought, similar to Beatle possession. In rock music, as in the music of voodoo, melody is eclipsed by enchanting rhythm. It can be sanctified by association with words of the Christian religion.

Spiritism

Spiritism (or spiritualism) is one type of possession. Notice Paul's caution in 1 Timothy 4:1: 'Now the [Holy] Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons." Spiritism has been with us since the serpent induced the woman to take the forbidden fruit. He told her, 'You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil (Gen. 3 :4).

The message of spiritism to mankind has not changed. It teaches that death is merely a step into a more favourable existence. Leroy Froom in his book, Spiritualism Today quotes extensively from spiritualist and other authors. He crystallizes the position of spiritism very well: 'The 'spirits' spiritualism, and their exponents, attack the very foundation of Christianity itself by denying the inspiration and authority of Holy Scripture, denying the deity of Jesus Christ as the second person of the Godhead, denying the reality and sovereignty of His judgment . . . and His power to resurrect all men at that day, denying the actuality of sin and the need for and reality of redemption, and denying the ultimate destruction of unrepentant sinners. That disavowal is decisive."

Leslie M. LeCron and Jean Bordeaux make the following comments concerning spiritualism, 'When in a trance . . . the medium seems to come under the control of another personality, purportedly the spirit of a departed soul, and a genuine medium undoubtedly believes the 'control' to be a spirit entity. "In the trance, the medium often enters a cataleptic state marked by extreme rigidity. The control then takes over, the voice may change completely . . . and the supposed spirit answers the questions of the sitter, telling of things 'on the other plane' and giving messages from those who have 'passed over.'''

LeCron . . . was able to discuss this relationship with . . Stewart White, a famous writer whose latest works were devoted to spiritualism. Sincere and completely convinced as to the validity of spiritualism after a quarter century of intensive study of the subject, White volunteered to try to obtain information on hypnosis from his control, whom he termed 'the Gaelic.' In a subsequent séance this entity from the 'Unobstructed Universe,' which White believed controlled him during trance, undertook an explanation which was a new interpretation and one of great interest. It was stated by him that hypnosis and the mediumistic trance are definitely identical but that they should not be considered autohypnosis. The medium having made himself relaxed and receptive, the invisibles (a White termed them) from their plane induce the hypnotic state.  And they often find it as difficult as does a corporeal hypnotist according to the Gaelic control.  After reporting this interview, Dr. LeCron comments that many spiritualistic messages are 'assigned to spirit origin, the information thereby disclosed assertedly being unknown to the conscious mind "

From my point of view, however, the phenomenon which we call possession or mediumistic trance is a trance induced by a supernatural spirit acting as hypnotist. Ellen White makes the following interesting comment: "There are few who have any just conception of the deceptive power of spiritualism and the danger of coming under its influence. Many tamper with it merely to gratify their curiosity. They have no real faith in it and would be filled with horror at the thought of yielding themselves to the spirits' control.  But they venture upon the forbidden ground, and the mighty destroyer exercises his power upon them against their w ill. Let them once be induced to submit their minds to his direction and he holds them captive. It is impossible, in their own strength, to break away from the bewitching, alluring spell."

This suggests that a state resembling posthypnotic influence may persist after such an experience. One further word is in order concerning the nature supernatural spirits. The Bible does not support the idea of the transmigration of the soul. Angels were created as angels from the beginning. They are supernatural beings. Humans were created as humans and will always be such. In John 11:11-14, Jesus calls the first death "sleep."  Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6 and John 5:28, 29 make it clear that this sleep state continues until it is terminated by the resurrection when "all who are in the tombs wiII hear his voice; and will come out. . . ." Thus there are no 'departed" human spirits to practice possession or to communicate with anyone. (See John 7:12 and 14:21). However, the Scriptures do declare the existence of evil angels (Rev. 12: 7-9; Luke 8:2).

Transcendental meditation

The meditation practiced by adherents of several Easter religions involves a type of trance which appears to be a form of spirit possession. As an example, many Hindus believe that transcendental meditation blends the devotee's spirit with the higher, all-pervading universal spirit. This state is sought while sitting motionless in the "lotus" position after ritual body purification. The devout Hindu makes an effort to subdue or eliminate all physical and voluntary mental activity in submission to the divine spirit so that the blissful state of nirvana may be achieved.  A little book of the Hindus entitled The Daily Practice provides insights into the practice of the Hindu faith. It contains several devotional chants, called ' mantras,' and tells how they are used. For example, as soon as he awakens in the morning he is to recite, " Let Brahma, Vishnu, the foe of Mura, Shiva, the slayer of Tripura, the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, the ascending and the descending Nodes, let all (the Celestials) make the morning auspicious for me. " After reciting certain mantras, or formal prayers, the believer is to make a mental program of his day's work then he rises from the bed, touches the earth with his right foot and repeats, "0 Earth, the giver of all that is good to us, I bow before Thee." One of the purification mantras states, 'Om! Raising the liva-monad from the Muladhara (lit. Elemental-Mountain) slowly through the Susumna channel of the spinal cord, I unit it with the Supreme Monad in the head. Svaba." Thus transcendental meditation as described in these practices invites spirit control. Similar spirit connections are fundamental components of other Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Brahmanism. And all obviously counterfeit God's original plan for divine guidance.

Double occupancy

Before considering the relationship between possession and hypnosis, we should ask whether the Holy Spirit and an evil spirit can dwell in a person simultaneously. Jesus said 'No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other" (Matt. 6:24). Even more significantly, God has declared, "You shall have no other gods before me' (Ex. 20:3). Presuming to divide our loyalty between two lords just doesn't work.

In Matthew 12:43-45, our Saviour tells about a man who had been released from domination by an unclean spirit. He says his house was clean. Apparently he determined to live strictly on his own, without allowing the Holy Spirit to have possession of his soul temple. But in the end he was in a worse condition than before he was cleansed. In other words the soul temple is designed and built for spiritual occupation. It is not enough that one be freed from the domination of Satan.  If life is to be ultimately successful, one must be willing to accept the influence of the Holy Spirit.

Possession and hypnosis

The trance-like state of spirit possession is remarkably similar in appearance and mannerism to the hypnotic trance.  Because of this similarity, and because no hypnotist is seen to be responsible, most observers assume that spirit possession is simply self-hypnosis. But, how can one hypnotize himself: If I surrender control of my mind to myself, am I not still in control? This appears to be a contradiction of terms, unless we view all hypnosis as evil spirit possession. It is my personal conviction that the normal human brain is capable of experiencing the functional relation to the Holy Spirit by a mechanism which is misused to achieve the hypnotic trance. Furthermore, I believe this capacity of the mind of man was designed to permit communion with the Holy Spirit.  God uses it when He gives dreams and visions to His prophets. He uses it in a milder, non-trancelike manner in providing non-spiritual guidance to His children through the conscience. This mechanism may be surrendered to the control of an evil spirit as occurs in voodoo spirit possession; or a human hypnotist may intrude into the relationship when he casts a spell over his subject.

Stated differently, spiritual possession implies responding to the suggestions of a supernatural spirit. As every salesman knows, an increase in responsiveness naturally occurs as one accepts suggestions. Therefore, as would be expected responding repeatedly to the suggestions of a supernatual spirit, including the Holy Spirit, tends to make one susceptible to the influence of that spirit.

Such susceptibility also occurs as rapport increases between a hypnotist and his subject. In hypnotic trance, the depth of response to suggestion may vary from slight to profound. The intensity of response to spirit possession may vary in a similar way. The quiet, unobtrusive influence of the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian seems to be imitated by the post hypnotic influence which some hpnotherapists hope will benefit their patients. In both cases an internal guiding force is at work without evidence of a trance.

Glossolalia

The ecstasy exprienced while speaking in an "unknown tongue" resembles the trance of spirit possession and that of hypnosis. For this reason, glossolalia deserves careful examination. At the outset, we may accept the obvious truth that any behaviour is unsafe if it disregards basic principles clearly taught in the Scriptures. God does not contradict Himself. No matter how impressive such manifestations may be, they cannot replace Scripture study as a basis for belief and practice.

Personally I know a number of people who speak in tongues. I admire them. They are conscientious and sincere. Yet, I must explain my misgivings concerning the nature of this "gift" as it is commonly practiced. Remember that when the disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, they "began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. . . . each one heard them speaking in the native language of each" (Acts 2:4-6). In this case they spoke in other tongues, suggesting that they communicated in a language with which they were unfamiliar. But miraculously, they were understood by all who heard.

The effective purpose was obvious in this experience. In harmony with our earlier discussion we may assume that the Holy Spirit, or a divine messenger, or an evil angel may communicate with a human being through direct mental suggestion, just as the human hypnotist evidently influences his subject by verbal suggestion. Those who speak in an 'unknown tongue" believe that their voice is controlled by the Holy Spirit, and that they are not personally responsible for the sounds produced. Their utterances are considered to be 'the language of heaven ' and hence not necessarily intelligible to people. They seem to be in a sort of trance, unaware of what is happening around them Some feel that, during this process, their wiII is replaced by the Holy Spirit's total control. But God's Spirit does not work that way. The chapter, "Will and Salvation," reveals that, in submitting to God, the will is harmonized with His will the individual remains in control. We may reasonably question whether exercise of the "tongues" experience is evidence of being possessed by the Spirit of God. We are told that Satan appears as an "angel light" (2 Cor. 11:14).

Counterfeit money does not deceive anyone unless it closely resembles genuine money. That applies as well to counterfeit speaking in tongues.

Glossolalia at Corinth

The gift of tongues was important in the early church. Paul devoted about one fifth of his first letter to the church at Corinth (Chapters 12, 13, 14) to this problem. He clearly put the issue In perspective. Probably he was writing to people who earnestly believed that ecstatic, seemingly unintelligible, speech was of divine origin. Paul did not condemn the Corinthian brethren. He carefuIly avoided driving away any sincere worshiper. 'Now, brothers an sisters," he writes, "if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation of knowledge or prophecy or teaching' (1 Cor. 14:6). . .

Editor's Note - Feb 26, 2007. It's been several years since I scanned this material and I'm not sure if this is the entire chapter.  I'll try and find my copy of the book and update this.