The following paragraphs represent a sixth draft of a statement of principles developed by a diverse group of pastors and professors represent­ing various evangelical traditions. I am the primary author of this document, but it has been developed with extensive interaction in the group.

How should a Christian respond to mental illness? How do you determine if there is demon possession or if it is genuine mental illness, in which case, the person is still acting in sinful ways based upon biological problems. 

My good friend, seminary professor and theologian, Gerry Breshears, has written/compiled three different articles related to this subject. He has done extensive research and has firsthand experience in dealing with demon possession.

Model #1: Gospel Encounter Model #2: Power Encounter Model #3: Truth Encounter

I was recently asked the following question on Facebook: "I had a woman come to my door today, wanting to share the gospel. Why is it that even though I know what I believe and why I believe it, that it is so hard to share with others? She was a Jehovah's Witness, and asked if she could come back to share a scripture again. I told her yes. I will be better prepared next time, but how do I become better prepared?"

Lord Foulgrin’s Letters weren’t meant to fall into our hands. But thanks to Randy Alcorn’s imagination, we have the opportunity to read the correspondence between Lord Foulgrin and Squaltaint, two of Satan’s demons. The object of these letters is a man named Jordan Fletcher. It’s Squaltaint’s duty to keep Fletcher out of the kingdom of God.     This book may sound similar to C. S. Lewis’ classic, Screwtape Letters, but there are significant differences. Alcorn creates an earthly setting in which we view the lives of the Fletcher family. Each earthly vignette is followed by one of Foulgrin’s letters in which he analyzes and strategizes with his underling, Squaltaint.

God gave Lucifer a capacity of true free choice which involved the possibility of sin. It is possible for a being with free choice—even living in a perfect environment and without having some exterior temptation, such as Satan provided for Adam and Eve in the garden—to make a choice contrary to God’s will.

I believe you are quite correct to say that you are hesitant to “invite darkness” by pursuing a perceived demon. This is an area of spirituality that no one should ever “pursue” out of curiosity.

As for righteous angels, I’ll never forget driving too fast as a teenager, looking down at something that distracted me, and then looking up to see all yellow in front of me.