Incubus / succubus
Sexual attacks during sleep
Description
Incubus and succubus are names derived from later tradition, not biblical names of demons. Contemporary deliverance ministries use these terms for spiritual attacks of a sexual nature, particularly experiences occurring during sleep.
In teaching about “spirit spouses,” Vlad Savchuk speaks of recurring sexual encounters during sleep, highly realistic erotic experiences, a sense of sexual violation, and later effects on sexuality and relationships. In this context he names the incubus and succubus and describes a bondage referred to as a “spirit spouse” — a spiritual spouse.
Miguel Bustillos / The Children’s Bread Deliverance Ministry likewise describes incubus and succubus as demonic influences connected with sexual attacks during sleep. These experiences may be perceived as extremely realistic and physical and, after waking, leave shame, exhaustion, a sense of bondage, or intense oppression.
In the teaching of these ministries, spiritual openings connected with a person’s own involvement in pornography, sexual immorality, sexual rituals, magic, witchcraft, and other occult practices are also considered significant. Conscious spiritual covenants or bondages described as spiritual marriages are also mentioned.
Such bondage may affect not only dreams but real relationships as well. Difficulties with intimacy are described, together with strong attachment to experiences occurring during sleep, aversion to marriage, or a sense that there is a foreign presence in the sexual sphere claiming a right to the person.
The path to freedom leads through breaking with whatever created the spiritual bond. If a person knowingly participated in pornography, sexual immorality, rituals, magic, or occultism, they can confess that sin, turn away from it, and renounce the spiritual influence connected with it.
If spiritual covenants, vows, or bondages described as a “spirit spouse” were established, they can be revoked and broken in the name of Jesus Christ. A person can also renounce incubus, succubus, and other sexual demonic influences and command them to leave.
The response is to surrender the whole area of sexuality, relationships, and sleep again to Jesus Christ and reject every spiritual right that had previously been accepted or granted through one’s own involvement.
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7
Sources
Vlad Savchuk — “Spirit Spouses” — incubus, succubus, sexual attacks during sleep, pornography, sexual sin, and witchcraft.
Miguel Bustillos / The Children’s Bread Deliverance Ministry — materials concerning incubus / succubus and demonic sexual attacks.
Ephesians 5:3; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20; James 4:7 — purity, surrendering the body to God, and resisting the devil.