Can a Christian be demon possessed? Can a Christian be demonized?
Can a Christian be demon possessed?
Answer
The Bible does not explicitly state whether a Christian can be possessed by a demon, but related biblical truths indicate that, no, believers cannot be demon possessed.
A quick defining of terms is appropriate here: demon possession is the state of being indwelt by a demon who has direct control over the thoughts and/or actions of a person (Matthew 17:14–18; Luke 4:33–35; 8:27–33). The man Jesus met in the region of the Gadarenes was demon possessed. Demonoppression or influence involves a demonic attack on a person from without. Oppression can result in spiritual and/or physical trouble and strong temptation to sin. Job was oppressed by Satan.
A believer in Jesus Christ is born again to be a new creation and a child of God. As such, he or she is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, baptized into the Body of Christ, seated in heavenly places, and served by angels. The Christian has been chosen by God, bought with the blood of Christ, and sealed by the Spirit. God’s children are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation” (1 Peter 2:9). They belong to God, and Jesus is their Shepherd. (See John 1:12; 10:14, 28–30; Romans 8:9–11, 15; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19; 12:13; Ephesians 1:13; 2:6; Hebrews 1:14.) Given these truths, there is no way possible for a follower of Christ to be demon possessed.
The Holy Spirit would not allow a demon to possess the same person He is indwelling. The Holy One will not share space with the wicked one. Satan is undoubtedly powerful—he is the “strong man” in Jesus’ parable in Mark 3. But Jesus is the One who “ binds the strong man” and takes possession of “his house” when a person is born again (Mark 3:27, NKJV). The strong man is feeble and defenseless in the presence of the Spirit of Christ. The believer need not fear that the devil will regain control.
Scripture declares, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome [false teachers], because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Who is the One in us? The Holy Spirit. Who is the one in the world? Satan and, by extension, his demons. This is good news: the believer has overcome the world of demons, with all their falsehood and deception.
The biblical evidence that a Christian cannot be demon possessed is strong. That’s why some Bible teachers use the term demonization to refer to a demon having control over a Christian. They argue that, while a Christian cannot be demon possessed, a Christian can be “demonized.” Typically, the description of demonization is virtually identical to that of demon possession. But changing the terminology does not change the fact that a demon cannot inhabit or take control of a Christian. Demonic influence and oppression are realities for Christians, but it is not biblical to say that a Christian can be possessed by a demon or demonized.
Much of the reasoning behind the concept of demonization is based on a misinterpretation of personal experience. So, someone who is “definitely” a Christian begins to exhibit evidence of being controlled by a demon, and that is taken as “proof” of demonization. At this point, it’s important not to allow personal experience to color our interpretation of Scripture. Personal experience plays a secondary role to the truth of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16–17). Seeing someone whom we thought was a Christian exhibiting behavior associated with demon possession should cause us to question the genuineness of the faith of the person in question. Judas Iscariot was indwelt by Satan (John 13:27), but Judas, according to Jesus, was not truly one of His—he was “a devil” (John 6:70). Perhaps the person truly is a Christian but is severely demon oppressed and/or suffering from acute psychological problems. But a Christian cannot be demon possessed/demonized. The Holy Spirit has not rented out space to an unholy spirit.