christianpossessed
Can A Christian Be Demon-Possessed?
By Rev. Jack Howell
This is a very important question for the simple fact that there are many
who believe that it is indeed possible for Christians to become possessed
by demonic spirits. This view has been enforced by the rise of what are commonly
known as “deliverance ministries” made up of Christians who go around casting
demons out of other “Christians.”
First, it is important to define just what we mean by the term “Christian”
since many have the idea that anyone who belongs to a Christian church or
denomination, or professes to be a Christian is one. The word “Christian”
literally means “Christ-like” or “little christ,” and refers to one who is
genuinely born again; one who has accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior,
and not a person who is a “Christian” in name only, or merely a member of
a church.
Secondly, 1 Corinthians 6 declares that the body of the Christian is the
temple of the Holy Spirit. Also, John 14 makes it clear that believers are
indwelt by God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. To conclude, therefore,
that Christians can be demon-possessed is to admit that demons can inhabit
the very temple of God Almighty. This would mean that they are more powerful
than the Triune Godhead by whom we are indwelt! Since we are sealed by the
Holy Ghost unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30), this would mean that
demon spirits can over-power the Holy Ghost, kick Him out, and take
possession of the Believer. I find this to be repugnant and blasphemous,
and totally unscriptural.
Thirdly, there are some real ignorant and uninformed teachings making the
Christian circles in the form of books, tapes, videos, etc., by self-proclaimed
“occult experts” who claim to have had first-hand knowledge or experience
of Believers being possessed by demons, and even reportedly carried on a conversation
with a demon supposedly possessing a Believer who had sought the Baptism
of the Holy Ghost. The conversation, as published in this person’s book went
something like this:
"Domenigaio, how many associates are with you in Mark?"
"I am alone."
"When did you enter him?"
"When he was slain in the spirit."
"Who sent you?"
"The devil, from the pit."
"Do you acknowledge our authority over you in Christ Jesus our Lord?"
"I do."
"What is your commission from Satan?"
"To deceive."
"How?"
"In his love for the Lord Jesus; ruin his faith; have him follow Satan."
"You were posing as the Holy Spirit, weren't you?"
"Yes."
There are many major problems with this purported incident of a Christian
who had sought the Baptism of the Holy Ghost receiving a demon spirit instead.
We have already addressed two of the problems above, so lets look at a third
major problem with this supposed event. This third problem lies in the fact
that the account as given above is totally contrary to the inspired, written
Word of God. At Luke 11:10-13 we read:
“For everyone who asks receives. And he who seeks finds. And to him who
knocks it shall be opened. For what father of you, if the son asks
for bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give
him a snake for a fish? Or if he shall ask for an egg, will he give
him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts
to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy
Spirit to those who ask Him?”
Notice what these verses say. These verses clearly contradict the supposed
account quoted above of a Christian asking for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost
and receiving a demon instead. These verses show that if you ask for the Holy
Ghost, you will receive the Holy Ghost and not a demon! Thus, the account
as given above is a LIE and is contrary to God’s Word, and those who concocted
the account, as well as those who are promoting the account as factual are
calling God and His Word liars, and are in fact bordering on blaspheming the
Holy Ghost! You have God’s Word that if you ask for the Holy Ghost to fill
you in full baptismal measure, you will receive just that, and not a demon
spirit! Trust God and His Word over the corrupt doctrines of men! It should
also be pointed out that the source of the above “incident” is one that denies
that the Gifts of the Spirit are in operation today, so naturally, they will
stoop to such levels as creating false incidents as the one above to convince
others that the Gifts of the Spirit are not in operation today, and to oppose
the move of God today.
Another point of error in the above supposed dialogue between that
"expert" and the "demon possessing the Believer" is the statement by the
"demon" saying that he was sent "by the devil, FROM THE PIT."
The "pit" referred to is Hell, and apparently the person who concocted this
"dialogue" does not know the Bible very well, for Satan is NOT in Hell at
this time! Rather, he is "walking about the earth, seeking whom he may
devour!" (1 Peter 5:8) Satan is not ruling in Hell as popularly believed.
This false idea comes from pagan Greek mythology wherein the Greek god "Hades"
rules the underworld. It has no place in the Bible. Rather than ruling in
Hell, Satan will be cast into Hell where he will be bound for 1000 years,
and this has not taken place yet! He will not be cast into Hell temporarily
until Christ sets up His millennial kingdom on earth, whereupon Satan will
be bound during that thousand years, only to be released upon the earth afterward
to deceive mankind once again (Rev. 20:1-3, 7-8). After he is defeated in
the Battle of Armageddon, he will be judged and cast into the Lake of fire
where he will remain forever, not as ruler, but as prisoner (Rev. 20:10).
Thus, the idea that Satan is ruling in Hell is based upon pagan Greek mythology,
and NOT on the inspired, written Word of God. Hence, the dialogue as given
above is shown to be false and a concoction borrowed from pagan Greek mythology
and created by one ignorant of the scriptures.
