What's the difference between demon possession and oppression?

[TonyChanYT]

Can a Christian have a demon?

Demons can attack a Christian's mind, but they cannot occupy his spirit because the Paraclete dwells there. See also Can Satan put thoughts into your mind?.

Also, not everyone who calls himself a Christian has the Paraclete dwells in him. Demons can indeed possess these.

Mark 5:

2 when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit.

with
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

This man has an unclean spirit in him. Later, verse 15 shows that he is demon-possessed.

4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces.

He has supernatural strength through the demon-possession.

Jesus delivered him.

15 they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.

possessed
δαιμονιζόμενον (daimonizomenon)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1139: To be possessed, be under the power of an evil-spirit or demon. Middle voice from daimon; to be exercised by a demon.

The word appears 13 times.

I posit demon possession to mean demons occupying a person's spirit in order to control his mind and body through his volition.

Elsewhere in Acts 10:

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

oppressed
καταδυναστευομένους (katadynasteuomenous)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2616: To overpower, quell, treat harshly. From kata and a derivative of dunastes; to exercise dominion against, i.e. Oppress.

The word appears only 2 times.

I posit demon oppression as demons occupying a person's mind and body but not the spirit/volition.

Are mental illnesses actually caused by demons?

Some are.

How can they affect Christians?

Demons can oppress the mind of a Christian.

 

[Jim C]

Internal residence vs external influence

 

[MatthewG]

Hello Tony,

Great question, while I believe that demon possessions happened back in the days of Jesus and after his ascension, and since his return in 70Ad, he put an end to Satan, and in some ways I do believe that deals also with Satans angels. Today, I believe that human beings wrestle with darkness, and also the world, which from it comes the pride of life, the lust of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh, darkness is overcame with by light, unless a person refuses to ever look into the light or accept anything of light being of truth. Yeshua is the light of all mankind. He had victory over Satan, the false prophet, and the beast in my opinion, however even so as you mentioned about unclean spirit(s) - perhaps those would be what come from the world (spirit of greed, spirit of lust, spirit of hatred, etc...) and I do not believe it is good to play with withcraft, or playing around with things of the world is good at all for a healthy renewed heart and mind which only comes by Yahava and seeking him out in faith. Some desire to look at themselves, and this world and what it offers, which basically leads to bondage, oppression, rather than freedom, and liberty.

 

[Jay Ross]

Hello Tony,

Great question, while I believe that demon possessions happened back in the days of Jesus and after his ascension, and since his return in 70Ad, he put an end to Satan, and in some ways I do believe that deals also with Satans angels. Today, I believe that human beings wrestle with darkness, and also the world, which from it comes the pride of life, the lust of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh, darkness is overcame with by light, unless a person refuses to ever look into the light or accept anything of light being of truth. Yeshua is the light of all mankind. He had victory over Satan, the false prophet, and the beast in my opinion, however even so as you mentioned about unclean spirit(s) - perhaps those would be what come from the world (spirit of greed, spirit of lust, spirit of hatred, etc...) and I do not believe it is good to play with withcraft, or playing around with things of the world is good at all for a healthy renewed heart and mind which only comes by Yahava and seeking him out in faith. Some desire to look at themselves, and this world and what it offers, which basically leads to bondage, oppression, rather than freedom, and liberty.

MatthewG you have a flawed understanding on this topic with your preterist points of view. The scriptures available to us tells a very different story to the one you want to push.

 

[MatthewG]

MatthewG you have a flawed understanding on this topic with your preterist points of view. The scriptures available to us tells a very different story to the one you want to push.

May God guide.

 

[Jay Ross]

May God guide.

Who, You or everybody else?

 

[MatthewG]

Who, You or everybody else?

Love you, hope you have a good day, and may God guide.

 

[Jay Ross]

Love you, hope you have a good day, and may God guide.

A case of deflection on your part MatthewG

 

[MatthewG]

A case of deflection on your part MatthewG

If i choose to love you, what could you do? While people judge people and what they decide to believe on their own merit, is that between them and you? If it is not, then is it between them and God? In my opinion it would be. Not everyone is going to like or love you; and it can deal beliefs in themselves, but what does that have to do with me? A human being who still bleeds red and on his way to death? Love you, Jay Ross, regardless if you think im in need of correction or not, that is a flesh to flesh matter and not of the spirit.

 

[Jay Ross]

If i choose to love you, what could you do? While people judge people and what they decide to believe on their own merit, is that between them and you? If it is not, then is it between them and God? In my opinion it would be. Not everyone is going to like or love you; and it can deal beliefs in themselves, but what does that have to do with me? A human being who still bleeds red and on his way to death? Love you, Jay Ross, regardless if you think im in need of correction or not, that is a flesh to flesh matter and not of the spirit.

Are you Teflon coated?

PS: - Thanks for increasing the number of posts that I can make.

 

[MatthewG]

Love you, and have a good day, Jay. I have to go on to work. It is always good to know you are still alive and breathing.

 

[Behold]

Hello Tony,

Great question, while I believe that demon possessions happened back in the days of Jesus and after his ascension, and since his return in 70Ad,

Preterism is a cult teaching.

Avoid it.

 

[Augustin56]

Demonic influence comes in several different flavors:

Possession - where demons (usually more than one) possess your body.
Oppression - where demons influence your life. Example: The guy that just can't catch a break. He loses his job, his home, his car, his family for no obvioius reason.
Obsession - where demons crowd your thoughts with other thoughts. Example: Someone who has opened the door to demonic influence through pornography may be completely unable to do his job or anything without being constantly tempted by impure thoughts and images.
Vexation - where demons attach your body. Example: You find words or letters scratched on your skin.
Infestation - where demons inhabit a house or location. Sometimes we call this "haunted" but it's infestation.