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Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4, ESV).
Can Christians be possessed by demons?
Some scholars say “yes,” and some say “no.” I’m not a scholar, so for a thorough discussion on this topic, read chapters nine and ten of Sam Storm’s book Spiritual Warfare.
Years back, attending a conference with a Christian pastor that I knew well, during a ministry time after worship, he fell to the ground writhing, voice changing, and eventually freedom after believers prayed over him for about an hour.
I know that 1 John 4:4 (already mentioned) speaks of the overwhelming power of the Spirit within us and that Jesus taught that it’s impossible to enter a strong man’s house without first binding the strong man (Matthew 12:29).
Can Christians be possessed or are they oppressed?
While witnessing my friend and other believers wrestling with the demonic, in my thoughts, what I experienced often competed with what I knew of Scripture. Perhaps with you as well. So, let’s review what we know from the Bible.
- Christians are involved in intense spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-20)
- Satan attacks us individually seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8)
- We can give the devil a foothold or opportunity in our thoughts and actions (Ephesians 4:27)
- While Jesus defeated the devil (John 12:31), He still prays that God will guard us against attacks of the evil one (John 17:15)
- The Bible never says that Christians can be possessed by the devil
The New Testament has a Greek word rendered “demonic possession” in some translations, but I believe “demonic oppression” should be used instead. “Possession” indicates ownership, and while Satan can inhabit some individuals, this isn’t possible with those professing Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Colossians 1:13-14 wouldn’t make sense if Christians could be possessed. . .
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
So, I would say “no” to possession and “yes” to oppression! The word “oppression” indicates harassed, attacked, and tempted — words that better describe a believer’s encounter with demons.
No conservative believer debates spiritual warfare and that Satan hinders — including scholars, pastors, evangelists, C.S. Lewis, elders, deacons, and Pastor Grant. And while some Christians do believe that believers can be possessed, everyone agrees with oppression.
Let’s add a note of affirmation. Paul writes at the end of Romans 8 that nothing can separate us from the love of God, and this described “inseparable love” of Christ includes the demonic.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
Back to my pastor friend mentioned at the beginning of this Interruption. He has served Jesus faithfully and powerfully since his deliverance that night. I use the word “deliverance” in that he was set free from a stronghold of guilt plaguing his freedom in Christ. Afterward, he admitted to a renewed sense of power in his life.
I believe he was delivered from demonic oppression, manifesting deep emotional turmoil in his actions that night. Some scholars teach that Satan has “rooms” or “influences” within believers from which we need deliverance.
Perhaps, but this sounds like possession, not oppression.
Scripture teaches that when we confess Jesus as Lord and Savior, God dwells within us. He doesn’t possess us, but by yielding to His ways, we reflect more and more His glory.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
Amen!