Can a Christian have a demon?

  • Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.

    You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Nancy

Well-Known Member
Apr 30, 2018
16,761
25,324
113
Buffalo, Ny
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Perhaps it's weeds. I haven't actually seen it for a while. And I've never seen that one before, definitely no weeds on that one. I'll try and post the one I know. It's called the Light of the World by Holman Hunt.

Oh yes, I see. There are several of these I notice, and some DO have a door handle...those must have been painted by a non-free-willer, :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hisman and Pearl

Nancy

Well-Known Member
Apr 30, 2018
16,761
25,324
113
Buffalo, Ny
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Hi Nancy,
Figured that you may have meant the other part of my post, but wasn't sure X
You know I have had many Christian friends who grew up in true Christian homes and some just haven't got that ' day ' where they can say ' they came to faith , they were aware of change but because they held the truth in their hearts already , they just grew. Some are aware of something deeper happening at very young ages.
Rita

Yes, I suppose it could go either way with the kids of pastors and such. I did know one daughter of a pastor was a wild one! I think she must have been acting out maybe? And then you have folks like Franklin Graham and other sons of pastor/evangelists/teachers who follow into the steps of their dads. So, they don't really HAVE much of a testimony. lol. Well, they do but not in the traditional sense of folks giving their worldly backgrounds they have come out of. But, their life itself would be a great testimony as to how someone lives when growing up with the Lord in their homes. ♥
 
  • Like
Reactions: Butterfly and Pearl

justbyfaith

Well-Known Member
Jun 28, 2018
21,740
4,114
113
51
San Pedro
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Actually, Franklin Graham had his rebellious days I think. He wrote a book about his testimony (I have not read it), entitled, Rebel With A Cause.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nancy and Helen

Helen

Well-Known Member
Oct 22, 2011
15,476
21,155
113
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
Perhaps it's weeds. I haven't actually seen it for a while. And I've never seen that one before, definitely no weeds on that one. I'll try and post the one I know. It's called the Light of the World by Holman Hunt.

Hey there

@Nancy 's picture is the only one I have seen before...Yours maybe the original and I like the light in His hand..but not the dinner plate behind His head much.

I did notice in Nancy's picture, the light was ON on the inside of the door!!
Interesting.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nancy

Pearl

Well-Known Member
Staff member
Encounter Team
Apr 9, 2019
11,344
17,182
113
Lancashire
Faith
Christian
Country
United Kingdom
No, I don't much like the 'dinner plate'. When I looked it up there are so many different versions.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hisman

farouk

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2009
30,790
19,231
113
North America
Hi Nancy,
Figured that you may have meant the other part of my post, but wasn't sure X
You know I have had many Christian friends who grew up in true Christian homes and some just haven't got that ' day ' where they can say ' they came to faith , they were aware of change but because they held the truth in their hearts already , they just grew. Some are aware of something deeper happening at very young ages.
Rita
Sometimes its date is obscure but testimony of a Scripturally recognizable experience is indeed there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Butterfly

Soverign Grace

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2018
2,948
1,708
113
73
Palmyra
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
I have often wondered about the things in a person's life before coming to faith, things that can come in as a result of lifestyle, choices, influences- I mean many need ministry after coming to faith, often many times- so it must be possible for certain things to remain with the In dwelling of the Holy Spirit. We all have pasts prior to coming to faith- and we don't get free of everything ( although some are dramatically released )

I tend to believe along those lines as well. I was reading up on it and from what I've read so far, it appears that Christians can have a demon. Our former pastor's wife did away with her own life and I wondered if it was demonic - the evil one urging her to do that. I think things like that are too easily dismissed as the person being depressed or upset, not really looking at the realization that the evil one may be behind it. Satan appears to have access to believers minds' but I'm still trying to figure out a few things.
 

Soverign Grace

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2018
2,948
1,708
113
73
Palmyra
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Reading the article, he does stated that the word demonization is mis leading, so perhaps it's how we interpret that word that gives the impression that people have different opinions.
He states that many think that the word means that a demon has completely taken over that person- what I would call ' real possession ' Hecdoesnt seem to convey that he believed that can happen to a ' spirit filled ' Christian. However the word can also mean ' to be influenced by a demon ' and thus be deceived- now I totally get that , and agree.
One is an internal inheritance the other is an outward influence.
The latter is something that we should all be aware of, and I don't think all Christians are, so it can make them a target for denial. If a person never seeks to be ' searched by the Lord ' If they never self examine, then the enemy will find it easier to continue the deception.
Have you ever read Frank Perretti books,( piercing the darkness ect , they are fantasy, but give an interesting view of this kind of warfare.
Rita

That's the very thing I was trying to understand: what attacks come from within and what comes from without. We know that the bible tells us where demons completely controlled people such as the man of Gadara; he was taken over by them - possessed. But then we read of instances such as Satan entering Judas, and Christ saying to Peter: "Get thee behind me Satan." So it appears that there are different levels of demonization. And Satan has the ability to shoot thoughts into our minds but that doesn't mean there is a demon inside.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nancy

Soverign Grace

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2018
2,948
1,708
113
73
Palmyra
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
It is a fact. There is no need for the enemy to attack a person who is not advancing spiritually. So that's why so few people understand the kinds of attacks that are possible. They walk in the realm of theory...having no practical experience of the spiritual walk.

It is unsettling at first to come to grips with the depths of the enemy's deceptions. As in...why does God allow the devil so much wiggle room?

The truth is that we get smug and forget to remain humble and fearful. God preserves them that fear Him. All others will be deceived by the devil...whether they realize it or not. The ones who realize the enemy's ways are the ones who walk in the life of Jesus.

So the right formula is to walk in the fear of the Lord AND the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

So true. It is a mystery why God allows what He does. One can read the footprints of Belial on every newspaper that comes out.
 

Soverign Grace

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2018
2,948
1,708
113
73
Palmyra
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
The story of Ananias and his wife is a prime example of the external influences of Satan. '. How is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit. The issue was not that he kept money back, as the apostles states that it was his in the first place, it was the fact that he was decieved enough to believe that the lie would not be revealed. That was the lie that was fed to him by Satan ' God won't know ' that is temptation given into, and we are all able to be tricked by his whisperings.
In many respects I have always found it harsh that it cost Him and his wife their lives, but I guess God needed to shows the new followers that the Holy Spirit knows everything, and can reveal things through others.
Rita

The story of Ananias and Sapphira is somewhat puzzling in that you wonder why someone evil such as the Pharisees weren't struck down like that or any of the evil people in our day, but I suppose God has some lesson for us in it. Maybe "judgment will begin with the House of God."
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nancy and Episkopos

Soverign Grace

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2018
2,948
1,708
113
73
Palmyra
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
That article is taking Scriptures out of context to prove an invalid point. I could tear it apart, but that is a very misleading article, not worth wasting time on. Christians can be (a) influenced, (b) deceived, (c) oppressed, and (d) attacked by Satan, evil angels, or demons, but NOT possessed. Why? Because they are the PURCHASED POSSESSION of Christ.

I've wondered that as I've read through the beliefs of different theologians: we read of those who are possessed from within such as the man of Gadara. We know the demons were within because Christ drove them into the herd of pigs. But then we read other instances such as Christ saying to Peter "get thee behind me Satan." We aren't told that a demon was inside or outside of Peter but I would tend to believe in his case it was operating outside; Satan just shot a thought in Peter's mind. I think we've all experienced fiery darts shot into the mind. Then we read that "Satan entered Judas" - so we know that Satan was on the inside of Judas.

I've never worked in the deliverance ministry but I do respect Rev. Don Basham and his writings and he said that a demon can inhabit a Christian. One would wonder how the Holy Spirit can live within a believer and also a demon. I don't know enough. We know that Judas never was a true believer so he obviously never received the Holy Spirit: “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” But I don't know of any instances in the bible where a demon was driven out of a believer. I found this, written by one in the deliverance ministry:


Ephesians 6:10-12

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

In this passage, Paul informs us that there is a wrestling match going on. He chose an interesting word to describe the battle…the Greek word pálē. This word describes a violent hand-to-hand combat that involves trying to throw your opponent, choke him, pin him to the ground, etc. For more on this, read the Wikipedia entry here.

Since this passage is written to Christians, we know that we Christians are in a violent wrestling match. However, our opponents are not people. We are not wrestling against “flesh and blood.” We are not in a battle against physical human enemies. Rather, we are in a wrestling match against some other kind of enemy. That enemy is a not physical enemy, it is a spiritual enemy., i.e. demons.

We are in a battle against demons, and we have been given armor and weapons to use in this battle. If demons are not able to affect Christians, then the instructions in Ephesians 6 would be needless and irrelevant. But the Letter to the Ephesians was written to born-again Christians who were involved in conflict with demons, and therefore it should be obvious that it is possible for demons to affect Christians. Otherwise, what is the point of saying that we are in a wrestling match, and then giving us instructions on how to win? So to answer the first question…can demons affect Christians…the answer from the Bible is yes.

Possessed?
At this point I want to be very clear. There is a huge difference between being affected by a demon, and being possessed by a demon. I am not saying that a Christian can be possessed by a demon. I am saying that a Christian can be affected by a demon. Let me explain.

The word “possess” implies ownership. If I possess something, then it is mine. My car is my possession. It belongs to me. I possess my car. I own it. It is possessed by me. The Greek equivalent to this word is “ktaomai.” That word means ownership. It means “to possess something.”

If you are a Christian, then you belong to God. Jesus purchased you (Rev 5:9). You are his possession. You are possessed by Jesus. Therefore, a Christian can never be possessed by a demon. A demon can never own a Christian.

And so it should not come as a surprise that this Greek word for “possess” is not used when describing the activities of demons. In the Greek, demons are not said to “possess” people. The word “ktaomai” is not used in this regard. Rather, another word is used.

Demonized
There is one Greek word that is used over and over again in the Bible to describe the activity of demons in relation to humans. That word is “daimonizomai.” It means “to be demonized” or “to be under the influence of a demon” or “to be under the power of a demon.” Daimonizomai does not imply ownership. It implies influence. This a huge key in understanding the activity of our spiritual enemy.

(Note: It is very unfortunate that the King James translators chose the word “possessed” rather than “demonized” when they were translating this word daimonizomai. This has led to so much confusion, as some other translations continued this practice for some reason.)

Ownership is not what the Bible is talking about when it comes to demons. It is talking about influence. Demons work to get influence over people, with the end goal of having some measure of control. This gives the demons an avenue to to express themselves in some way. Remember, demons do not have physical bodies. If they want to have any kind of effect on our physical world, they have to find a person to influence. If a demon can gain influence or control of a person in some area, then that demon can get the person to behave according to the influence or control of the demon to some degree.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Episkopos

Soverign Grace

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2018
2,948
1,708
113
73
Palmyra
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Degrees of Influence
Demonic influence can occur in degrees ranging from very minor to nearly total control. Demons influence people by tempting them to think or act in ways that are contrary to the will and character of God. Whenever a person thinks or acts according to a demon temptation, then that person has just been influenced by a demon…i.e. demonized. (Note: Not all temptations are demonic in origin – see James 1:14-15 for example)

Here is a quick rundown of how this process works. (The next few paragraphs are adapted in part from an excellent book by Dr. Ed Murphy titled “The Handbook for Spiritual Warfare.“)

A demon will bring a tempting thought, imagination or sensation to a person. The person chooses to either agree and receive it, or disagree and resist or reject it. If the person chooses to agree and receive the temptation, then often some form of action, thought process, or emotion will be the result. And when that happens, that person has just acted out under the influence of a demon, even if it is to a very small degree. And to that same degree, that person by definition has been demonized.

This will often be repeated as the demon continues to attempt to gain influence. If it goes on long enough, it turns into a habit. It will be a habitual thought process or mindset, or some kind of emotional response, or even some kind of action that is ungodly to some degree.

If the habit continues long enough, the person will start to accept it as part of their character and begin to think that this is just how they are. They will feel stuck with it. They may blame it on their past, on their family, on their genes, or something else. However, in this type of case, the real culprit is a demon that is manipulating someone.

Eventually, if this goes on long enough, it can turn into bondage where the demon can have almost total control over some area of the person’s life.

At any point in this story, from the first agreement with temptation, all the way to the bondage and control, the person is under the influence of a demon to some degree, and is therefore considered demonized to that same degree.

Somehow, during the process, it appears that the demon finds some way to “inhabit” (Mat 12:43-44) an area in the person’s mind (2 Cor 4:4), will (Mark 1:23-25), emotions (2 Tim 1:7), or body (Luke 13:11). This doesn’t mean that the demon inhabits the spirit of that person, however. And it doesn’t mean the person is possessed or owned by the demon. The Bible says nothing about the demon owning the person. But it does say the person is being influenced or controlled by a demon to some degree.

The solution is for a child of God to operate in his or her God-given authority and expel the demon, to cast it out or drive it out from whatever territory that his being affected or influenced. (See Mark 1:25, Mark 5:8, Mat 17:18, Acts 8:6-7, Acts 16:18, Mark 16:17, etc). If someone is demonized, then we are to dive the demon out of them using our authority. That is the way it works in the Bible, and that is the way it works now. It has not changed.

The Big Question
So now I want to summarize and address the main questions and the main purpose of this article.

Can a Christian be possessed by a demon? No. As I said earlier, a Christian cannot be possessed or owned by a demon, because the Christian already belongs to God…is owned or possessed by God. Possession is dealing with ownership.

Can a Christian be affected by a demon? Yes. Demons can and do affect Christians. That is why the Bible provides instructions to Christians on how to resist the effect and attacks of demons (Eph 6:10-18, James 4:7-8).

Can a Christian be influenced by a demon? Yes. If a Christian does not resist when a demon is attempting to gain influence (James 4:7-8), and if that Christian chooses to go along with the temptation and participate in thought, emotion, or action, then that Christian has been influenced by a demon.

Can a Christian be demonized? Yes. If a Christian continues to participate or go along with a demonic influence or temptation over and over, then that Christian is under the influence of a demon, and is under that demon’s control to a certain degree.

Is it Biblical to cast a demon out of a Christian? Consider these two facts, and come up with your own answer

  1. It is possible for any human, Christian or not, to be demonized, or under the influence of a demon.
  2. The Biblical method for freeing someone from demonization is to cast the demon of out them.
Can a believer have a demon?


~~~

That seemed pretty balanced to me and made sense.
 

Soverign Grace

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2018
2,948
1,708
113
73
Palmyra
Faith
Christian
Country
United States

Sorry if you answered this already Helen - sometimes I miss posts when my eyes act up - but if you worked in the deliverance ministry, have you ever seen demons in people or driven them out?
 

Enoch111

Well-Known Member
May 27, 2018
17,688
15,996
113
Alberta
Faith
Christian
Country
Canada
If demons are not able to affect Christians, then the instructions in Ephesians 6 would be needless and irrelevant.
As already noted, demons and evil spirits can attack and oppress Christians, and create all kinds of problems for them. But if anyone comes along and states that they can actually possess those indwelt by the Holy Spirit, he is talking nonsense.

As to Judas, he never was saved and Satan did indeed possess him. But Peter was strongly influenced by Satan and Christ rebuked Satan for what he had planted in Peter's mind.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Nancy

Soverign Grace

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2018
2,948
1,708
113
73
Palmyra
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
As already noted, demons and evil spirits can attack and oppress Christians, and create all kinds of problems for them. But if anyone comes along and states that they can actually possess those indwelt by the Holy Spirit, he is talking nonsense.

As to Judas, he never was saved and Satan did indeed possess him. But Peter was strongly influenced by Satan and Christ rebuked Satan for what he had planted in Peter's mind.

I know that demons can attack and oppress Christians using people and circumstances because it happens to me. I agree that a Christian can't be possessed although there is an instance where a believer can be "turned over to Satan" as in Corinthians: "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." - A believer can be 'turned over' but I don't think it implies "possession." Although it would be interesting to have someone expound on just what that verse implies. What does "turned over" mean? If a truly reborn believer sins can Satan then "enter" like what happened to Judas when it says "Satan entered him."

We know from the Bible that they inhabited the man of Gadara and when Christ was going to drive them out they asked to be sent into the herd of pigs - so apparently they want a "house" to live in. What I'm not sure of is whether a demon could actually live inside of a Christian. Some deliverance ministers seem to think so - such as Rev. Basham.

I looked the question up about Judas and Christ said that He chose the 12 and yet one was a devil so yes, he couldn't have ever been saved; Christ knew he was evil from the start.
 
B

Butterfly

Guest
I tend to believe along those lines as well. I was reading up on it and from what I've read so far, it appears that Christians can have a demon. Our former pastor's wife did away with her own life and I wondered if it was demonic - the evil one urging her to do that. I think things like that are too easily dismissed as the person being depressed or upset, not really looking at the realization that the evil one may be behind it. Satan appears to have access to believers minds' but I'm still trying to figure out a few things.
I am still not convinced that a Christian can have a demon, even if something had happened before coming to faith - demons would resist the work of the Holy Spirit, they would kick against any attempt to bring that person to accept Christ, the man who was possessed had to encounter Christ, but at the point he was released. Don't deliverance ministries happen when someone is a seeker. Ministry after coming to faith is often about releasing people from the influences of Satan that have bound them.
I believe suicidal thoughts come from Satan, not necessarily through possession, but definately through influence. My son gets suicidal thoughts, but he can talk about Jesus, maybe wrong but I am pretty sure a ' demon ' within would not allow him to utter his name - but I could be wrong !!

Love to know what others think on that !
Rita
 
D

Dave L

Guest
I am still not convinced that a Christian can have a demon, even if something had happened before coming to faith - demons would resist the work of the Holy Spirit, they would kick against any attempt to bring that person to accept Christ, the man who was possessed had to encounter Christ, but at the point he was released. Don't deliverance ministries happen when someone is a seeker. Ministry after coming to faith is often about releasing people from the influences of Satan that have bound them.
I believe suicidal thoughts come from Satan, not necessarily through possession, but definately through influence. My son gets suicidal thoughts, but he can talk about Jesus, maybe wrong but I am pretty sure a ' demon ' within would not allow him to utter his name - but I could be wrong !!

Love to know what others think on that !
Rita
Many embrace doctrines of demons so in that sense they come under their control.
 

GTW27

Well-Known Member
Dec 6, 2018
867
1,222
93
wilderness
Faith
Christian
Country
United States
Out of every hundred "Christians" only a hand full are truly Born from above. It is these that are His special possesion. It is these, that are sealed until the day of redemption.It is these, that have laid down there lives in order to gain it. It is these,that can not be snatched out of The Fathers hands. It is the other "Christians" that can be entered by the enemy for they have not yet given themselves fully to The Lord. This is why deliverance ministers have been casting out demons out of "Christians". That is why there is The Gift of Discernment is needed. With me personally, whenever I run into one who is truly born from above(again) I instantly am in The Spirit(For The Spirit bares witness to The Spirit). As for the others who are"Christians" there is no change, for there is nothing inside to bare witness to. Also, there can be a a spiritual head ache meaning that "Christian" is in need of deliverance. Deliverance (casting out the demons) from a demon or demons, must(And I say must) be done in at the same time a person truly comes to The Lord or it will happen again only only much worse. In this, you will find your answers, and in this, you will understand the reason why there is so much disagreement between "Christians". Also demons are not to be played with, as many deliverance ministers do today(they are crafty at deceit). They are to be cast out as soon as they manifest. Have a Blessed Day!