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Can a Christian be demon possessed? Judas is often used as an example for Christians being possessed (this was before the Holy Spirit indwelt believers). Many will go into their experiences instead of using the word as their basis. With the teaching that a Christian can have a demon, almost anything can be excused. What seems to be neglected, is the fact that demons can lie to and deceive those who are attempting a deliverance! They may not be doing what the deliverer thinks . And only want him to chase after their illusion they have presented to him. Which leads him into false doctrine.Demons do have the ability to control to a certain extent and oppress Christians from the outside, it only happens when the Christian gives his or her will over into doing sin continually which they are being tempted to do. The Biblical concept is that man is comprised of two components, “the material body” and “the immaterial” (spirit and soul). Those who promote Christian demonization say that the unclean spirit dwells inside of our body but not Inside our spirit. What they overlook is that the old nature still dwells within us and that it expresses itself through the body. Yielding to the desires of the flesh can definitely bring a Christian into bondage yet this cannot – nor should be put into the same category as demonization. Though the Christian can do the will of Satan rather than the will of God (willingly or unwillingly), it should not be confused with the inward occupation that we see mentioned in the Bible, inside of a non-Christian Practicing sin can create bondage and can open Christians up to having little control over certain aspects in their lives.. This is called Oppression and is different than possession. The word used in the gospels is demonized (Greek Diamonizomai) meaning to be controlled by a demon. The common expression is “to have a demon” Mt.11:18, which expresses residency. By this it means that the entity can have direct control of a person from the inside. With this comes a certain degree of derangement within the mind or physical destruction in the body. (Mk.5:1-20 Mt.12:43-45.) We need to distinguish this control from harassment which comes from the outside because of some weakness of character or allowance of something that is false to reshape their thinking and living. 2 Cor. 10:4-6 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. The weapon is the sword which is the word of truth, the word of God. “Stronghold” -GR. ochuroma- 1) a castle, a stronghold, a fortress, fastness 2) anything on which one relies; used of the arguments and reasoning by which a disputant endeavors to fortify his opinion and defend it against his opponent. Our fight is to protect ourselves , or on the behalf of others as we are witnessing to them.1 Thess.2:18 The degree of control is different for a Christian than a non Christian. Demons and/or the devil do have the ability to control or influence a Christian from the outside, but! There is no evidence from scripture that a Christian can be controlled from within or inside, (Eph. 1:13), even though at times it may appear to be the same as possession, it is not. The unholy influence will stop when the Christian chooses to repent or surrenders his or her will, to the will of God. James 4:7-8 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded .In Gal. 5:19-22, it tells us that much of what is blamed on demons is really man's fallen nature, expressing itself through his flesh. Demons can entice and exaggerate our fleshly weaknesses but the blame lies in ourselves With the believer, deliverance is a matter of the will; with a non - believer they have no spiritual authority and have an open door to the demonic with no protection. But! “he who is born of God keeps himself and the wicked one does not touch him” (1 Jn. 5:18) this is an assurance and is clarified in the Greek that he cannot lay hold of , or fasten to the believer that is being obedient. That, I Jn. 4:4 He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”To believe Christians can be possessed just as unbelievers means we have no advantage being in Christ or having Christ in us. That it becomes dependent on us and not Him to keep us. In Jn. 17:15 Jesus prays that “they should not be taken out of the world but that the father should keep them from. the evil one.” This is a provision for Christians, that we will not have a relationship with the enemy, of whom we were formerly delivered. But we need faith to endure, because, there is no promise that we will not be affected by evil, this side of heaven. We are told to pray for deliverance from evil (Mt. 6:13). As long as we are in this world there will be evil encroaching upon us, there is no special method or incantation for relief... Only the faithfulness of Christ Jesus who strengthens us in order to preserve us, as we serve him through it. As promised greater is he that is in us than he who is in the world.
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