Can a Christian be demon possessed? Can a Christian be demonized?

While the Bible does not explicitly state whether a Christian can be possessed by a demon, related biblical truths make it abundantly clear that Christians cannot be demon possessed. There is a distinct difference between being possessed by a demon and being oppressed or influenced by a demon. Demon possession involves a demon having direct/complete control over the thoughts and/or actions of a person (Matthew 17:14-18; Luke 4:33-35; 8:27-33). Demon oppression or influence involves a demon or demons attacking a person spiritually and/or encouraging him/her into sinful behavior. Notice that in all the New Testament passages dealing with spiritual warfare, there are no instructions to cast a demon out of a believer (Ephesians 6:10-18). Believers are told to resist the devil (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9), not to cast him out.

Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19). Surely the Holy Spirit would not allow a demon to possess the same person He is indwelling. It is unthinkable that God would allow one of His children, whom He purchased with the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19) and made into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), to be possessed and controlled by a demon. Yes, as believers, we wage war with Satan and his demons, but not from within ourselves. The apostle John declares, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, 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 his demons. Therefore, the believer has overcome the world of demons, and the case for demon possession of a believer cannot be made scripturally.

With the strong biblical evidence that a Christian cannot be demon possessed in view, some Bible teachers use the term “demonization” to refer to a demon having control over a Christian. Some argue that while a Christian cannot be demon possessed, a Christian can be demonized. Typically, the description of demonization is virtually identical to the description of demon possession. So, the same issue results. Changing the terminology does not change the fact that a demon cannot inhabit or take full control of a Christian. Demonic influence and oppression are realities for Christians, no doubt, but it is simply not biblical to say that a Christian can be possessed by a demon or demonized.

Much of the reasoning behind the demonization concept is the personal experience of seeing someone who was “definitely” a Christian exhibiting evidence of being controlled by a demon. It is crucially important, though, that we do not allow personal experience to influence our interpretation of Scripture. Rather, we must filter our personal experiences through the truth of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Seeing someone whom we thought to be a Christian exhibiting the behavior of being demonized should cause us to question the genuineness of his/her faith. It should not cause us alter our viewpoint on whether a Christian can be demon possessed / demonized. Perhaps the person truly is a Christian but is severely demon oppressed and/or suffering from severe psychological problems. But again, our experiences must meet the test of Scripture, not the other way around.

Recommended Resource: The Invisible War: What Every Believer Needs to Know about Satan, Demons, and Spiritual Warfare by Chip Ingram

What did Jesus mean when He said, 'I am the way and the truth and the life' (John 14:6)?

“I am the way and the truth and the life” is one of the seven “I Am” statements of Jesus. On the last night before His betrayal and death, Jesus was preparing His disciples for the days ahead. For over three years, these men had been following Jesus and learning from His teaching and example. They had placed their hopes in Him as the Messiah, the promised deliverer, yet they still didn’t understand how He was going to accomplish that deliverance. After the Last Supper, Jesus began speaking about His departure, which led to questions from His disciples.

In John 13:33, Jesus said, “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.” This prompted Peter to ask where He was going (verse 36). Peter and the others did not understand that Jesus was speaking of His death and ascension to heaven. Jesus’ response was, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter was still misunderstanding and declared that he would follow Jesus anywhere and even lay down His life if necessary. As Jesus patiently continued to teach His disciples, He began speaking more plainly about heaven, describing the place He was going to prepare for them (John 14:2–3). Then Jesus said, “You know the way to the place where I am going” (verse 4). Speaking for the others, Thomas said they did not know where He was going, so how could they know how to follow Him there? It was in answer to this question that Jesus uttered one of the seven famous “I am” statements.

I am – In the Greek language, “I am” is a very intense way of referring to oneself. It would be comparable to saying, “I myself, and only I, am.” Several other times in the Gospels we find Jesus using these words. In Matthew 22:32 Jesus quotes Exodus 3:6, where God uses the same intensive form to say, “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” In John 8:58, Jesus said, “Truly, truly I say unto you, before Abraham was, I am.” The Jews clearly understood Jesus to be calling Himself God because they took up stones to stone Him for committing blasphemy in equating Himself with God. In Matthew 28:20, as Jesus gave the Great Commission, He gave it emphasis by saying, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” When the soldiers came seeking Jesus in the garden the night before His crucifixion, He told them, “I am he,” and His words were so powerful that the soldiers fell to the ground (John 18:4–6). These words reflect the very name of God in Hebrew, Yahweh, which means “to be” or “the self-existing one.” It is the name of power and authority, and Jesus claimed it as His own.

10 Women in the Bible Who Struggled to Trust God’s Plan

By: Kristine Brown

My situation looked bleak from every direction. I wanted to trust God’s plan. I really did. So why was I struggling to believe God could help me in the midst of what seemed impossible? Sometimes, God gives us opportunities to come to a deeper level of trust in Him. During those dark times, we have a choice. Will we doubt, or will we trust God to guide us?

If you’ve ever doubted, take heart. You are not alone. Many women in the Bible also questioned God’s plan. Through their stories, we can learn how God works through our trials to draw us closer. When we rely on His sovereignty instead of our strength, we will discover faith like never before. Here are 10 women in the Bible who struggled to trust God’s plan.

1. Eve

“The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it,” (Genesis 3:6 NLT).

The planner in me dislikes not knowing. I want everything written down in orderly fashion in my ultra-efficient organizer. I want to be able to cross out one item at a time on my to-do list while smiling with satisfaction. Planning makes me feel in control, and I like being in control.

So when I come face to face with unexpected circumstances, I feel self-sufficiency slip away. That’s when fear finds its place in my heart. Eve gave in to the temptation to know more. Just like Eve, I want wisdom to be able to figure things out on my own and answer all those what-if questions. What if it doesn’t work out? What if something bad happens? But focusing on the unknown gives fear an edge. God wants us to release our need to know and trust Him with the plan.

2. Sarah

“Then the Lord said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son,’” (Genesis 18:13-14).

When something happens that can’t be explained, I try to reason it out. Find a way to make sense of it. God may be working a miracle in my life, but my mind can be my worst enemy.

No doubt Sarah was a bright woman. She knew the impossibility of her giving birth. Why should she believe three strangers? Like Sarah, we struggle to trust God’s plan because He can do things beyond our human understanding. God’s Word says to “lean not on your own understanding,” (Proverbs 3:5). As we grasp the Truth of that verse, we can learn to let go of doubt and trust God’s miracle-working power.

3. Hagar

“When the water was gone, she put the boy in the shade of a bush. Then she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards away. ‘I don’t want to watch the boy die,’ she said, as she burst into tears,” (Genesis 21:15-16).

Have you ever been stuck in a situation where you couldn’t see a way out? Where every possible answer seemed to make matters worse? We focus on what we can’t see happening, and hopelessness takes over. When our current circumstances look bleak, it’s easy to forget God’s past promises.

Years before, Hagar had taken a trip into the desert. While there, God made a promise to her. “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count,” (Gen. 16:10). Now, she struggled to hold onto hope. It may have been years since her first visit from an angel, but God’s promise to Hagar hadn’t expired. His Word says, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ,” (2 Cor. 1:20). When we’re at our weakest, His assurance remains strong.

4. Job's Wife

“His wife said to him, ‘Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die,’” (Job 2:9).

She watched her husband in agony, his entire body covered with painful boils. His discomfort was so great, he scraped himself with broken pottery. Nothing aches like watching those closest to us suffer. And no one knew better how that felt than Job’s wife.

Although it may seem like Job’s wife responded to his condition with callousness, many of us can understand her heartbreak. Watching someone we love with a debilitating illness can make us feel helpless, fearful, and sometimes even angry at God. Her comment reveals deep hurt. It exposes those feelings we harbor in our hearts when hope fades. Questions like, “Why would God allow something so terrible to happen?” take over our thoughts. But even through our darkest times, God’s will prevails. God said Job had “maintained his integrity.” (Job 2:3) That kind of faith can encourage those we love to trade helplessness for hope.

5. Lot's Wife

“But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt,” (Genesis 19:26).

Early in our marriage, my husband and I moved several times. Each time we relocated, a pattern emerged. I would overthink, second-guess, and question our decision. I compared the newness of the now to the familiarity of the past, which would once again trigger fear of the future.

In times of change, I struggle to trust God’s direction. Perhaps Lot’s wife had the same questions as her family embarked on the unknown. Scripture does not reveal why Lot’s wife looked back, only that she disobeyed God’s command. Many times, we don’t know the why, but we keep our eyes forward as we take the next step in faith. If we dwell on the past, we risk missing out on God’s blessings ahead.