5 Doors Demons Use & How Prayer Shuts Them
Share This Blog Post On:
Short on time, but big on faith? We break down complex topics into easy-to-understand chunks, making the Bible accessible to everyone. Join us for answers to your Bible questions and encouragement for your daily walk with God. Click here to grow your faith, one byte at a time!
“Neither give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:27, KJV)
In this verse, the Apostle Paul warns that doors can be opened that grant Satan access. Satan was once an angel of light (Isaiah 14:13-14), but he fell with his angels (Revelation 12:9), and they became demons or fallen angels. Demons look for legal entry points, and once they gain ground, they seek to establish strongholds (Matthew 12:43-45). However, just as doors can be opened, they can also be closed. One of the most powerful weapons God has given us to close these doors is prayer (James 5:16; 2 Corinthians 10:4). In this post, we will explore five common doors that demons use to infiltrate lives and how to use prayer to shut them firmly.
Related Posts:
One, Music
Music is a powerful force in the spiritual realm as explained in this post on Proofs That Sounds Matter in the Spirit Realm. It has the ability to uplift the soul and bring divine encounters, but it can also open doors to demonic influence when used for evil as seen in the two Biblical examples below:
- King Saul – After Saul disobeyed God, an evil spirit tormented him. The only thing that could drive the spirit away was the anointed music of David (1 Samuel 16:14-23).
- Nebuchadnezzar’s Idol Worship – In Daniel 3, music was used to compel people to worship the golden image. Those who refused were thrown into the fiery furnace, showing how music can be tied to idolatry and demonic influence.
Satan himself was once a cherub responsible for worship in heaven (Ezekiel 28:13-15), and he understands the power of music more than anyone. Many songs today glorify sin, rebellion, violence, and immorality, serving as invitations for demonic influence. To close this door, believers must be intentional about the music they sing and listen to. Worship and godly music can be used to invite the presence of the Holy Spirit instead.
Prayer to Close the Music Door: “Heavenly Father, I repent for any ungodly music I have listened to that has opened a door to demonic influence. I ask for Your cleansing and protection over my mind and spirit. Fill my heart with worship that glorifies You and drives out every unclean spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Two, Trauma
Trauma can create a crack in a person’s spirit, making them vulnerable to demonic oppression. Proverbs 18:14 says, “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” A deeply wounded spirit can be an entry point for the enemy to introduce fear, anxiety, depression, and bitterness as seen in the Biblical examples below:
- Job’s Suffering – After Job experienced extreme loss and suffering, he was attacked by demonic afflictions (Job 2:7). His trauma was so deep that he cursed the day of his birth (Job 3:1-3).
- Tamar’s Trauma – After being violated by her brother Amnon, Tamar lived in desolation (2 Samuel 13:19-20). Her brokenness opened the door for lasting sorrow and destruction in her life.
- Naomi’s suffering – Naomi’s request to be called “Mara” (meaning “bitter”) after her husband and sons’ deaths, reflects her deep grief and perceived suffering, expressing a sense of trauma and bitterness in the face of hardship (Ruth 1:20).
God is close to the brokenhearted (Psalms 34:18) and offers healing for emotional wounds. Seeking His presence in prayer is the first step toward restoration. He binds up the wounds of those who turn to Him in faith (Psalm 147:3). His peace and comfort can fill every broken place, bringing wholeness and renewal.
Prayer to Close the Trauma Door: “Heavenly Father, I bring my trauma before You. Heal my wounds and restore my soul. I refuse to let pain become a door for the enemy. I receive Your peace and declare that my past will not define me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Three, Drugs
Drugs alter consciousness and open doors to the spiritual realm, often leading to demonic encounters. The Greek word for sorcery in Revelation 18:23 is pharmakeia, which is where we get the word pharmacy. This word is often associated with witchcraft and mind-altering substances as seen in:
- The Gadarene Demoniac – This man was possessed by a legion of demons, lived among tombs, and exhibited abnormal behavior (Mark 5:1-13). His altered state suggests demonic influence.
- Belshazzar’s Drunken Feast – King Belshazzar used wine in a blasphemous way, leading to divine judgment (Daniel 5:1-31).
Deliverance from drug addiction comes through surrendering to God, renouncing all mind-altering substances, and asking the Holy Spirit to fill every void. Through persistent prayer and fasting, strongholds of addiction can be broken, and the chains of bondage can be loosed (Isaiah 58:6). Surrounding oneself with godly counsel and immersing in Scripture strengthens the mind against temptation (Romans 12:2). God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in weakness, offering complete freedom and restoration (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Prayer to Close the Drugs Door: “Heavenly Father, I renounce every substance that has altered my mind and opened a door to the enemy. I ask for freedom from addiction and any lingering spiritual ties. Fill me with Your Spirit and let my body be Your temple. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Four, Occult Practices
Engaging in witchcraft, fortune-telling, or any occult practices is a direct violation of God’s commands (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). These practices are gateways for demonic oppression as supported by the experiences of:
- King Saul and the Witch of Endor – Saul consulted a medium, which led to his downfall (1 Samuel 28:7-19).
- Simon the Sorcerer – Simon practiced sorcery in Samaria, and even after believing in Christ, he tried to buy the Holy Spirit’s power, showing how deep demonic influence can go (Acts 8:9-24).
Repentance and renouncing all involvement with the occult is the only way to shut this door permanently. Confessing these practices before God and asking for His forgiveness breaks the enemy’s hold (1 John 1:9). It is also crucial to remove any occult objects, books, or symbols from your life to fully sever ties with darkness (Deuteronomy 7:25-26). Through prayer and the authority of Jesus Christ, you can declare freedom and invite the Holy Spirit to fill every area once influenced by the occult (Luke 10:19).
Prayer to Close the Occult Door: “Heavenly Father, I renounce every occult practice and sever every tie with the kingdom of darkness. I choose to serve You alone. Wash me in Your blood and protect me from every retaliatory attack. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Five, Unrepented Sin
Sin gives Satan a legal foothold . When we engage in sin without repentance, we allow the enemy to establish strongholds (Romans 6:16) in our lives as seen in the examples of:
- Cain’s Unrepented Anger – God warned Cain that sin was crouching at his door (Genesis 4:7), but he refused to repent and became a murderer.
- Judas Iscariot – His greed led him to betray Jesus, opening the door for Satan to enter him (Luke 22:3-6).
Confession and genuine repentance break the power of sin and close the door to demonic influence. When we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). True repentance involves turning away from sin and seeking God’s help to live in obedience to His Word. Through prayer, we invite the Holy Spirit to strengthen us, renew our minds, and guard our hearts against future temptations.
Prayer to Close the Sin Door: “Heavenly Father, I repent for every unconfessed sin. I ask for Your mercy and cleansing. Help me to walk in righteousness and shut every door I have opened to the enemy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
In conclusion, demons cannot access a believer’s life unless a door is opened to them. Through music, trauma, drugs, occult practices, and unrepented sin, the enemy seeks entry. But through prayer, repentance, and seeking God’s presence, every door can be shut. Let us be vigilant and walk in holiness, ensuring that no place is given to the devil (Ephesians 4:27).
Continue Reading More On Spiritual Warfare In The Guides Below:
|
