What do you think?
Rate this book
Defeating Dark Angels: Breaking Demonic Oppression in the Believer's Life
Dr. Charles Kraft explains how demons operate, how to resist their influence, and how to cast them out in Jesus' name. This book provides the practical and spiritual help Christians need, both to defeat dark angels in their own lives and to minister God's freedom and healing to others. Kraft uses the experience of his ministry to teach the reader ways to overcome the works of Satan.
254 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1992
140 people are currently reading
342 people want to read
About the author
Charles H. Kraft
52 books25 followersRev. Dr. Charles H. Kraft is an anthropologist and linguist whose work since the early 1980s has focused on inner healing and spiritual warfare. He is the Sun-Hee Kwak Professor of Anthropology and Intercultural Communication in the School of Intercultural Studies, Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, teaching primarily in the school's spiritual dynamics concentration. He joined Fuller's faculty in 1969. In the 1950s he served as a Brethren missionary in northern Nigeria. He has been a professor of African languages at Michigan State University and UCLA, and taught anthropology part-time at Biola University. He holds a BA from Wheaton College, a BD from Ashland Theological Seminary, and a PhD from the Hartford Seminary Foundation.
-Wikipedia
-Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 9, 2016
At first I was skeptical of some concepts and practices taught and used by Dr Kraft. I thought it was too subjective without substantial evidence. I've read other books of his, and had the same conclusions and preconceived assertions. Coming from a Christian Pentecostal tradition with solid hermeneutical education, I thought that the concept of spiritual warfare was rather simple and only practical and necessary for people coming out of pagan religions, or for missionaries living somewhere else. Then I started confronting my own wounds and past brokenness, and I couldn't find full freedom. In fact I was facing an increase in unhealthy emotional health & coping mechanisms, depression and addiction. I had heard about Dr. Kraft's prayer counseling ministry, and started reading more of his work. Then a student in our community started manifesting demons weekly and I experienced my first encounter with evils spirits in eye opening prayer sessions. My theological framework was challenged, and after seeing the importance of deep healing prayer ministry, I went to Dr. Kraft for prayer counseling for myself. I then experienced healing from past wounds in which evil spirits had taken a hold of in me in order to exercise negative influences. For example, a strong sense of negativity and nightmares about death or dying which were previously present and were evidence of the influence of evil spirits is absolutely gone now. I also have a greater peace and joy that fills my soul. There is definitely a burden lifted from my life after prayer counseling with Dr. Kraft. I highly recommend his work & ministry to anyone and I recommend this book because of the scriptural basis and results of his ministry. The spirit world is real and operates within a framework that we don't give much thought to in the west. This is a good resource for those needing answers in deliverance ministry and spiritual warfare.
October 14, 2012
I do believe in spiritual forces, but once you get past the first couple of chapters, this book is based completely on subjective experience. When I read there was a coffee demon, I started to get a bit dubious. Still, I don't doubt that the writers have genuinely experienced something.
April 28, 2014
Thank goodness I read this book!
July 18, 2019
After John Wimber’s Power Healing and Power Evangelism, this is the best book on inner healing and deliverance. I would also recommend you read it in conjunction with JP Moreland’s book on anxiety, whether you have anxiety or not.
Demons can attach themselves to wounds. As Jesus brings healing to the wounds, the demons get weaker.
He makes an identification between demon, angel, and evil spirit. I don’t think that is exegetically warranted, but that’s not where Kraft’s real strength is, either. He sees these as “the ground troops,” which are distinct from the principalities. That much is correct. I think demons are “ground troops” as well and that is a good way of putting it. I just don’t think demons are fallen angels.
Can Christians be demonized? We need to be clear that demonize does not mean demon-possessed. Kraft makes a very subtle distinction: a demon cannot live in a Christian’s spirit–the deep core of a person–because Jesus lives there. Very true. But the Christian’s spirit is not the whole person.
>>A demon cannot indwell a Christian in the same sense as the Holy Spirit can. A demon is a squatter and subject to momentary eviction.
>>Do demons “cause” events? Not really. Normally they will simply “tag along” with a bad event and exploit it.
>>Demons will often “bluff” because they know while Christians have the greater power, they usually don’t use it.
>>Not only will demons attach themselves to sin, but also to damaged emotions. In order to enter a person (but not a Christian’s spirit), a demon either has a legal right (e.g., the occult) or an entry point via an emotional or spiritual weakness.
Demons can attach themselves to wounds. As Jesus brings healing to the wounds, the demons get weaker.
He makes an identification between demon, angel, and evil spirit. I don’t think that is exegetically warranted, but that’s not where Kraft’s real strength is, either. He sees these as “the ground troops,” which are distinct from the principalities. That much is correct. I think demons are “ground troops” as well and that is a good way of putting it. I just don’t think demons are fallen angels.
Can Christians be demonized? We need to be clear that demonize does not mean demon-possessed. Kraft makes a very subtle distinction: a demon cannot live in a Christian’s spirit–the deep core of a person–because Jesus lives there. Very true. But the Christian’s spirit is not the whole person.
>>A demon cannot indwell a Christian in the same sense as the Holy Spirit can. A demon is a squatter and subject to momentary eviction.
>>Do demons “cause” events? Not really. Normally they will simply “tag along” with a bad event and exploit it.
>>Demons will often “bluff” because they know while Christians have the greater power, they usually don’t use it.
>>Not only will demons attach themselves to sin, but also to damaged emotions. In order to enter a person (but not a Christian’s spirit), a demon either has a legal right (e.g., the occult) or an entry point via an emotional or spiritual weakness.
February 4, 2015
A very helpful read, because it stresses the importance of inner healing (addressing unforgiveness, anger, bitterness, inner vows, etc.) prior to direct confrontation of demonic spirits within a believer. Although it may scare folks that Christians can be demonized, there's nothing to be afraid of: "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you" (10:19). My only complaint is that Kraft allows demons to speak through the person being ministered to during deliverance prayer sessions, which is not okay. Karl Payne's ground rules in Spiritual Warfare: Christians, Demonization and Deliverance are a bit more robust in that sense in constraining demons pretty thoroughly before direct confrontation and expulsion.
May 27, 2018
Get into the battle!
Excellent book with in depth experience to equip us to do what Jesus did. If there ever was a time to recognize that we are opposed by a merciless enemy, and people need to be rescued, this is it. Put on your armor and go wreck the kingdom of darkness, people are worth it!
Excellent book with in depth experience to equip us to do what Jesus did. If there ever was a time to recognize that we are opposed by a merciless enemy, and people need to be rescued, this is it. Put on your armor and go wreck the kingdom of darkness, people are worth it!
November 14, 2018
Defeating Dark Angels is both a handbook for doing deliverance ministry and a rebuttal to arguments against deliverance. Professor Kraft uses his experience from years of prayer ministry to write this how-to manual.
September 2, 2008
The book has great listings for reference on the demonic names, functions, and the strength of the demonic that I find useful.
August 26, 2012
Great source. One of the best.
May 20, 2017
Authored by the Anthropology professor at Fuller Theological Seminary.
January 1, 2018
Charles “Chuck” Kraft is a missiologist who has contributed greatly to his field. He first entered the field as a linguist and anthropologist. His greatest contributions came through his thoughts on anthropology and communication in the field of missiology. His third great contribution to the field is the area that seems to be what he is currently more delighted to talk about, spiritual power.
In Defeating Dark Angels, Kraft leads the reader step by step in how to address and deliver people oppressed by demons. Kraft demystifies and even deglamorizes power encounters that bring healing and freedom from past wounds and the demons that feed of them. For the reader who is new or skeptical about demonic deliverances, Kraft speaks of God’s power and authority with such confidence that it allows for a more tempered approach to this type of power encounter.
One large topic he brings up is whether or not Christians can have demons in them. To this question Kraft says, “yes”. While demons cannot dwell in the inner core of a person’s spirit where Jesus resides, they can inhabit other areas of the person. He differentiates between a person’s “garbage” and the “rats” that feed on that garbage. “Had they recognized that the real problem was the emotional and spiritual garbage present, and worked on it before challenging the demons, they would have found the demons had been weakened and had little or no fight left.” (Kraft 2011. 42). This is a common theme throughout the book. Demons are secondary to the garbage that needs to be fully taken care in a person through inner healing prayer.
Kraft encourages the readers and reminds us that our power and authority is in the Lord Jesus Christ, who has already won the battle. Our strength and authority over the demons are much greater than the demons and we should therefore not fear encountering them and commanding them to leave. This authority is also a reminder for when the demons try to act out or act bigger than they really are. Kraft reminds us that they are more bluff than actual power in comparison to what we have in Jesus Christ.
Kraft uses his vast experience to describe the demons tactics, how they operate in hierarchy and how they are able to gain or weaken in strength. While Kraft talks specifically about how the demons operate, he also gives the reader tools for dealing with them. Dealing with inner healing issues is the number way approach to getting rid of the “rats”. The garbage is what allows them to attach and if the garbage is gone, then the demons are weakened with nothing left to hold on to.
The large themes in this book are as follows:
1. Satan and demons are real and are at work
2. They operate in hierarchy and answer to authorities above them, while Jesus Christ has the ultimate authority and power above all
3. Our “garbage” can invite demons to enter and feed off. Garbage happens when we experience internal wounding.
4. When we deal with our garbage through inner healing prayer and/or counseling the demons have less to feed off of.
5. As believers in Jesus Christ, we have the power and authority to cast out demons. It takes practice however to become more confident and experienced in this.
6. Deliverance from demons is secondary and often easy once the garbage is taken out.
7. Counseling to continue healing and reintroduce healthier habits and attachments is needed as well as an increased dwelling with the Lord through worship, prayer and scripture. This will help strengthen a person’s spirit and help against any further attacks and attachments from demons.
I personally appreciate this book as it provided a framework for some of my own experiences and understanding.
In Defeating Dark Angels, Kraft leads the reader step by step in how to address and deliver people oppressed by demons. Kraft demystifies and even deglamorizes power encounters that bring healing and freedom from past wounds and the demons that feed of them. For the reader who is new or skeptical about demonic deliverances, Kraft speaks of God’s power and authority with such confidence that it allows for a more tempered approach to this type of power encounter.
One large topic he brings up is whether or not Christians can have demons in them. To this question Kraft says, “yes”. While demons cannot dwell in the inner core of a person’s spirit where Jesus resides, they can inhabit other areas of the person. He differentiates between a person’s “garbage” and the “rats” that feed on that garbage. “Had they recognized that the real problem was the emotional and spiritual garbage present, and worked on it before challenging the demons, they would have found the demons had been weakened and had little or no fight left.” (Kraft 2011. 42). This is a common theme throughout the book. Demons are secondary to the garbage that needs to be fully taken care in a person through inner healing prayer.
Kraft encourages the readers and reminds us that our power and authority is in the Lord Jesus Christ, who has already won the battle. Our strength and authority over the demons are much greater than the demons and we should therefore not fear encountering them and commanding them to leave. This authority is also a reminder for when the demons try to act out or act bigger than they really are. Kraft reminds us that they are more bluff than actual power in comparison to what we have in Jesus Christ.
Kraft uses his vast experience to describe the demons tactics, how they operate in hierarchy and how they are able to gain or weaken in strength. While Kraft talks specifically about how the demons operate, he also gives the reader tools for dealing with them. Dealing with inner healing issues is the number way approach to getting rid of the “rats”. The garbage is what allows them to attach and if the garbage is gone, then the demons are weakened with nothing left to hold on to.
The large themes in this book are as follows:
1. Satan and demons are real and are at work
2. They operate in hierarchy and answer to authorities above them, while Jesus Christ has the ultimate authority and power above all
3. Our “garbage” can invite demons to enter and feed off. Garbage happens when we experience internal wounding.
4. When we deal with our garbage through inner healing prayer and/or counseling the demons have less to feed off of.
5. As believers in Jesus Christ, we have the power and authority to cast out demons. It takes practice however to become more confident and experienced in this.
6. Deliverance from demons is secondary and often easy once the garbage is taken out.
7. Counseling to continue healing and reintroduce healthier habits and attachments is needed as well as an increased dwelling with the Lord through worship, prayer and scripture. This will help strengthen a person’s spirit and help against any further attacks and attachments from demons.
I personally appreciate this book as it provided a framework for some of my own experiences and understanding.
August 16, 2025
Thankful for this information
I am very impressed with Charles Kraft because he operates with authority without needing to be sensationalistic about demonization. He is just very matter of fact about it, because he knows what IS TRUTH! The Bible declares that we fight against these principalities and powers but most Christians don't take this seriously, and because of that, many of us walk in some degree of bondage to the enemy. The fact is that we CAN be free, we just need to recognize that we NEED deliverance! That is what this book has taught me and I look forward to walking in this freedom for myself and then training to help others find this freedom through the power and authority of the Holy Spirit that I believe in.
I am very impressed with Charles Kraft because he operates with authority without needing to be sensationalistic about demonization. He is just very matter of fact about it, because he knows what IS TRUTH! The Bible declares that we fight against these principalities and powers but most Christians don't take this seriously, and because of that, many of us walk in some degree of bondage to the enemy. The fact is that we CAN be free, we just need to recognize that we NEED deliverance! That is what this book has taught me and I look forward to walking in this freedom for myself and then training to help others find this freedom through the power and authority of the Holy Spirit that I believe in.
October 25, 2019
Felt like this book simultaneously discredited doctors and psychologists while giving way too much power and strength (ironically) to demons.
Could it be argued that by not giving credit to demons you are in a way disarming them...
The lessons in this book are not entirely terrible but the packaging needs to be smoothed out significantly. I think we can blame his editor for not insisting on much-needed finesse throughout his message.
Could it be argued that by not giving credit to demons you are in a way disarming them...
The lessons in this book are not entirely terrible but the packaging needs to be smoothed out significantly. I think we can blame his editor for not insisting on much-needed finesse throughout his message.
February 10, 2020
Excellent and scriptural based book regarding how to deal with demons. Thank you Dr. Kraft for your ministry and help in understanding this topic.
October 5, 2023
Real and honest, and also not weird. Unless of course, you don't believe in dark angels. 😁
October 1, 2014
Charles Kraft is one of the world's top authorities on this topic.
This book is a powerful overview.
Doesn't celebrate evil, just exposes it with strategies for defeating.
Are demons for real? What do they do? How do they get in? How do we get them out?
Excellent Q&A section at the end.
This book is a powerful overview.
Doesn't celebrate evil, just exposes it with strategies for defeating.
Are demons for real? What do they do? How do they get in? How do we get them out?
Excellent Q&A section at the end.
January 2, 2012
3.5-4 stars range
I liked it. It taught me a lot. It was easy to read. But, I'm not sure I agree 100% with some of the strangeness of his philosophy.
I liked it. It taught me a lot. It was easy to read. But, I'm not sure I agree 100% with some of the strangeness of his philosophy.
April 6, 2016
Good read and practical. It gave you a better understanding how the evil forces work and I like it cause it has a lot of Scriptural references.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews