Children and the Demonic
The most disturbing calls for help we receive are those involving young children. Scripture makes it clear that children are uniquely special to God. Not only are children a heritage from the Lord but they are also a means of personal fulfillment. Adults receive special blessings through their children e.g., God matures us through the challenges of parenting. One of the most helpless feelings in the world is having one’s child the object of unseen attention.
Children teach us humility, meekness, and tenderness as illustrated by Christ in both word and deed.
Matthew 21:15 (ESV) - But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" they were indignant,
Mark 10:13-16 (ESV) - And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
The foregoing clues us in on the innocence, simplicity, and trusting nature of a child. “A little child,” writes Matthew Henry “is the emblem by which Christ teaches us simplicity and humility.” I believe these qualities not only imply that young children are closer to God than we are, but also serve as avenues by which the demonic targets and influences them. It is no secret that the most trusting is the easiest to control or manipulate.
Children of all ages can be targeted but they normally fall within the range of ages 3 to 9. It is not our intention to convey the idea that all spirit contact is demonic, but we do take the position that the majority are. Inhuman entities normally appear as a playmate (child spirit) or confidant to gain control of a child. When this takes place, it is just a matter of time before the true nature of a demon betrays its identity, instilling a sense of fear within the child and a level of mistrust of his or her parents. The demon often attempts to control the household through the unsuspecting child and can be violent toward parents who try to dissolve this unholy alliance/relationship.
Can the above spiritual reality be explained, in part, scientifically or in terms of the physical to facilitate a better understanding of the relationship between children and unworldly parasites? It is here that faith and science may not be mutually exclusive as one might think. There is a consensus within the paranormal community a toddler’s or small child’s cognitive ability has not developed to the stage where learning or logical thinking has transpired and, therefore, the child’s sensitivity to the paranormal. Logical thinking blocks receptivity of chaotic thinking. This is the position we take at C.P.R.
Cause/etiology is one of four components of a disease that pathology addresses. Although we take our cues from the Bible as to why children receive other than worldly visitations, what is it in terms of physical makeup that makes children so susceptible to paranormal activity? Is there an identifiable pathology? Let us take a closer look at the consensus of the paranormal community to this phenomenon. Does science back the claims of paranormal researchers in regards to cognitive ability and receptivity playing a key role in the extra sensitivity of children?
Although newly released research findings show no evidence within brain imaging, indicating we are right-brained or left-brained, it remains true that some brain functions occur in one or the other side of the brain. “Language tends to be on the left, attention more on the right,” says Jeff Anderson, M.D., Ph.D., lead author of the study titled "An Evaluation of the Left-Brain vs. Right-Brain Hypothesis with Resting State Functional Connectivity Magnetic Resonance Imaging." Regardless of this ground breaking study of “no divide,” there remains an obvious pathological component responsible for the apparent greater extrasensory powers of young children and possibly animals.
Current research indicates that the human brain works as a single interactive system and not an organ that works one part at a time, both hemispheres well connected. Our new understanding, theory of cognitive modes, our brain functions between its top and bottom parts. Has our simplistic brain hemisphere dichotomy become a myth to be relegated to the past? In short, no.
Although this new study reveals that the functional differences between the hemispheres are not as distinct as we thought, the hemispheres do function differently. Findings still show that the left-brain is dominant for language and the right brain is implicated more strongly in emotional processing. Our traditional understanding of the left hemisphere where rational, logical, analytical, and objective thought takes place is not completely without merit. This also holds true to the right side being intuitive, random, and subjective, evaluating the outside world.
Our long held understanding of this dichotomy comes from split-brain studies that began in the sixties. As a last resort for epilepsy, patients with a thick bundle of fibers connecting the hemispheres were subjected to having said bundles cut/severed. After this procedure researchers discovered that presenting stimuli to just one hemisphere at a time the two halves acted like independent entities. This leaves, in our opinion, an identifiable pathological component responsible for greater extrasensory powers.
Studies have shown that meditative processes and induced altered states of consciousness opens one up to the spirit realm by suspending rational or critical thought whether partial or in full. “The left hemisphere,” writes Ferguson in her “Aquarian Conspiracy, “carries on verbal, linear, analytic reason of the sort highly valued in objective, science-dominated Western culture. The right hemisphere, on the other hand, responds to patterned wholes and is not ordered by linear time…Its only speech functions are singing, swearing, or other ―automatic responses. However, it may be dominant in religious responsiveness, imagery, sociability, and intuition. The functions of the right hemisphere closely parallel the descriptions that people who are familiar with altered states of consciousness give of their experiences.” There is an obvious connection between the inhibition of chaos inherent in the spirit realm and critical thinking thus, to a large degree, validating the split-brain studies conducted during the 60’s.
What is rational thinking? According to Richetti & Tregoe in their “Analytic Processes for School Leaders,” rational thinking is “the ability to consider the relevant variables of a situation and to access, organize, and analyze relevant information (e.g., facts, opinions, judgments, and data) to arrive at a sound conclusion.” A five-year study led by Maggie Toplak looked at developmental trends in five reasoning tasks considered critical components of rational thinking in 204 students from grades two to nine. The researchers found that rational thinking in both children and adolescents improves with age and “positively correlates with intelligence and executive functioning” You can read research highlights in the November issue of the journal of Developmental Psychology, “Rational Thinking and Cognitive Sophistication: Development, Cognitive Ability, and Thinking Dispositions.” Lending credibility to the consensus of the paranormal community, rational or critical thinking takes time to develop and, therefore, leaves many young children vulnerable to the spirit realm.
As for maturing girls, it has been suggested that there is a connection between menstrual cycles, puberty and telekinetic energy – poltergeist activity – which, in turn, makes it easier for demonic entities’ demonstration of telekinetic activity. Supernatural significance to the phenomenon of menstruation is a part of belief systems in some cultures. We do not hold this position in relation to children and the demonic for several reasons, namely because there are no valid studies, as we are able to discern, to support this notion and that there have been many instances of poltergeist activity within homes without a female child entering puberty.
What we, as parents, know and do regarding this topic? The innocence of a young child in regards to being closer to God is a given. As a matter of divine revelation, we see that children are a heritage of the Lord, teachers of humility, tenderness, and meekness, and hold a very special place in the heart of our Lord. A child is uncomplicated and possesses a trusting nature. This close relationship to God, trusting nature and sensitivity to the spirit realm, makes a child prey to the darker spirits of the preternatural realm. One of the major objectives of the demonic is control and this can be achieved through an unsuspecting child. This is the spiritual reality behind contact whether an entity masquerades as a child/playmate/confidant or deceased relative.
The long held belief that children are more sensitive or open to the spirit world apparently has a pathological basis. Rational or critical thinking has an inverse relationship (or correlation) to receptivity of the unseen. Research indicates the decommissioning of the left hemisphere or suspension of rational thought, or the lack of development as is the case for children, connects us to the spirit world. “Shutting down” the left hemisphere of the brain, facilitates the use of the right hemisphere that is associated with spirit. The right side structures and stores information in a circular manner. It is poetic, imaginative, emotional, mystical, and abstract. Fortunately, rational thinking in both children and adolescents improves with age.
Children are spiritually venerable. We should not be quick to dismiss an imaginary friend or playmate with whom our children claim interaction. Assessing a situation can be a bit of a balancing act given children have a keen sense of imagination. Watch for affected child alienating him or her from the rest of the family. Pay attention to your child if he or she is having horrible nightmares. If your child is swearing or using new words that are out of character and/or is aware of people or past incidences to which they never had exposure, it is past time for intervention. We recommend a mental health evaluation of your child and when a clean bill of mental health is issued, contact clergy. If the foregoing is accompanied by intense paranormal activity, call clergy immediately. The Lord has entrusted us with the care of His children and in our valiant efforts to protect them, let us remain mindful that protection extends beyond what we can see with our natural sight.