Can a Christian Be Demon Possessed?

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

Demons are real — and where their activity is overt

• The question posed (in the host's frame): the bible — particularly the gospels and acts — talk a lot about demon possession. In fact, it seems like, if you're reading the gospels, you can hardly turn the page, without jesus casting a devil out of someone. And then the book of acts follows it up, with accounts of multiple confrontations, between the apostles and demon-possessed people. For those of us who live in north america, in the present, however (as the frame puts it): it seems like there's maybe not as much — i could call it overt demonic activity — as what we read about, in the new testament. But i know that you've ministered extensively, outside north america. You grew up in korea. What's been your experience, when it comes to confrontations with demonic spirits? And maybe: why don't we see as much of that (the frame's phrasing carries a fused letter-soup at this point, standing in the verbatim layer), in north america? The answer: well, I first of all — from the bible, particularly the new testament — I do believe demons are real. It appears that they're fallen spirits. Angels, who sinned, and became demonic, under the influence of satan. And we do see accounts, in the bible, of demon possessions. Demons have caused physical disease, mental disease, a spiritual rebellion. I do believe there's demonic activity, in the world today. I grew up in korea, where my parents were missionaries. And it was a non-christian culture. Primarily ancestor worship, and shamanism — or worship of spirits of nature. Buddhism. And when you find a pagan culture, or non-christian culture, where there's overt worship of spirits: the apostle paul explains, in first corinthians (as he names the letter), that demons receive that worship. So it's not just neutral. But demons actually receive that. So that explains: in non-christian cultures, there is often more overt demonic activity. Whereas in the u.s. — at least historically, we've been more or less a biblically oriented christian culture ('christian or any culture', as the words run) — so there's not a lot of openness, towards demonic influence. Now, sadly, that has changed, a lot. So I do believe that, when people engage in idolatry, or witchcraft, or open promiscuity, or open drug use: they do open themselves up, to the demonic world. And, to be honest: when you read about some of the heinous crimes — the torture, child abuse, just gratuitous violence — and you might just say: well, it's mental illness. And maybe that is a factor. There's often an overlap. But I do think, probably, we are seeing — although we don't recognize it — maybe we are seeing an increase, in demonic activity, across our world. And even in the united states, and canada. It's probably far more prevalent, than what we know. I have personally — both in korea, and ministry overseas, and in starting a church in austin, texas — I have encountered demonic spirits. And we have cast out demons. I believe it's real.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians (book-only)

The continuum — flesh, influence, oppression, possession — and the will

• Then the way that you deal with that situation is: you rebuke them, in jesus name. Sometimes it's not always clear. There is a — maybe a continuum. Where certainly there is human rebellion. Not all sin is caused by the devil. People say: the devil made me do it. No: it could be your own will. You know: you can cast out the devil. But you can't cast out the flesh. So if your temptations, and your habitual sins, are caused by fleshly indulgence: well, no amount of praying is going to cast out the demon. Because that's not the real issue. (The host's interjection stands verbatim-only here.) The answer resumes: yes. But I will say: when people just open themselves up, in an unrestrained way, to evil: then that gives an opportunity, for the devil. And in some cases, it may be demonic influence, which I think that's extremely prevalent. Some cases, it may be oppression, where the devil has — you know — is dominating the person's thoughts, and minds. Maybe not completely controlling them. And then sometimes it is possession, where the demonic — the spirit — has taken over. Where that person cannot freely exercise choice. And they're being motivated, by evil spirits, within them. Now, I will say this: we shouldn't exaggerate the devil's power. Because notice: when jesus cast out demons — I'm thinking of the man in gadara, that was so possessed by demons he couldn't be restrained. He would break chains. And he would howl, and cut himself. And he would roam around. He was what we would call, you know, insane. But yet he came to jesus. And jesus rebuked the demons, and delivered him. Now notice: he couldn't free himself. He was bound. But all those demons could not stop him, from coming to jesus. Surely they would have, if they could have. But even with a demon-possessed person, there is a human will. And I believe, deep inside, if there is a will: that will is not 100 crushed (the percent as he frames it). So even though the person may not have free control — and may be influenced, and even compelled, to do things that they didn't want to do — if they want deliverance: they can't deliver themselves. But when they come in contact with an apostolic believer, spiritual believer: then we can pray the prayer of faith, in jesus name. And they will be delivered. Now, sometimes people aren't delivered. And I think it's usually because: in their will, they have chosen this. And they desired this. And they have — maybe they didn't really expect to be filled with demons. But they persistently, and rebelliously, chose a lifestyle. And so, even though you pray for deliverance, and cast out the demon: if their will is not seeking deliverance, then I believe the demon could remain. On the other hand: if they desire deliverance — even though they're not capable of acquiring it, on their own — they are capable of coming in contact with the church. And seeking, in their own way, for someone to deliver them, by the power of jesus christ. And that probably would explain why jesus is constantly encountering people, who are demon possessed. Because those people — there's something inside of them — wanted to make contact with jesus. Right.

Can a Christian have demons? — no, if filled with the Spirit

• (The host's follow-up question — the episode's title question — stands verbatim-only here.) The answer: and I would say: understanding, as we do, what a new testament christian is — someone who's baptized in the name of jesus christ, filled with the holy ghost — the answer is: no. If you're filled with the spirit — well, and of course we're not talking about physical quantity, but that's a good analogy, if you want to describe what that means — if you're filled with the spirit: you're led, you're guided, you're owned. Now, the difference between holy spirit infilling, and spirit possession: god always honors your will. So we don't really think of ourselves as possessed, by the holy spirit. Because that implies force. We're filled with the spirit, because it's voluntary. We receive the spirit. It's a gift. We accept it. But having said that, there is a parallel: if you're filled with the spirit, voluntarily — but still the holy spirit is controlling (you), you're guiding your thoughts, your mind, you're bearing the fruit of the spirit, you're exercising gifts of the spirit — well then, how could there be room, for a demon? If you're filled with the spirit, where's the place for a demon? If you're submitted to the will of god: can you be submitted to a demon? No. And so I do not think a christian can be demon possessed, if they're truly filled with the spirit. Now, there are many experiences people relate. But we always establish doctrine, by the word of god. Not by experience. We interpret our experience, in light of what the bible teaches ('we interpret our spirit experience', as the words run). Having said that, there are many explanations, of various experiences. First of all: maybe a person is demonically possessed, because they're not really a new testament christian, filled with the holy ghost, as we know it. Second: they could have backslidden. And I do think, if they're backslidden, they can open themselves up, to demonic spirits. Third: they could be oppressed, or influenced. So they are encountering real spiritual forces. But those forces haven't controlled them. And for a christian, we should understand: the only power the devil has is bluff. James says (as he names the author): resist the devil, and he will flee from you. So that's why I don't think we can have a demon, if we're full of the holy ghost. Because if we say flee: the devil has to flee. But of course, the devil could control us, in the form of a bluff: if we don't realize that his power is limited, and we allow him to guide us, and influence us, and oppress us: then it could be the same effect, as if we were possessed. But we're really not possessed. The devil doesn't really have the power. But he pretends to have the power. And if we're ignorant, we let him get away with it. And of course, the answer to that is: to pray, in jesus name. And rebuke the devil. So there can be many explanations, of why people have had various experiences. But if you are a child of god — you're baptized, in jesus name, you've received the holy ghost — then whatever demonic force you encounter: in the middle of the night, you feel oppressed, attacked. You see a form. Whatever: the simple thing is, to realize: I have power, in jesus name. So you rebuke the devil, in jesus name. And we sometimes say: plead the blood. What does that mean? It's not a new testament phrase. But it simply means: jesus died for my sins. He shed his blood, for me. And he rose again, to give me liberty. So I'm gonna plead the blood of jesus. In other words: based on the death, burial, and resurrection of jesus christ, I have power. I have victory. Devil: you're defeated. You already have been defeated, by jesus. And I'm not gonna listen to you. And you're not gonna have control of me. And so we call that: I plead the blood. Or: I call on the name of jesus christ. And I do believe — and I have experienced that ('and i haven't experienced that', as transferred; the sense runs the other way, and the record does not repair it) — whenever you feel that you're under demonic attack, or oppression: if you will call on the name of jesus christ, plead the blood of jesus christ, and to have confidence, and pray in the holy spirit: then you will be victorious.

Scriptures: James (book-only)

Discerning of spirits — knowing what you're dealing with

• So, in summary: christians don't have to fear the devil. And we shouldn't try to find the devil, everywhere. Because, as I said: many problems are because of the flesh. But I do think: the discerning of spirits — first corinthians (the chapter as he gives it) talks about — sometimes we'll recognize: this is not of god, for sure. And this is not just the human spirit. This is a demonic spirit. We take authority over it, in jesus name. Other times, we may recognize: well, this is really a human spirit. So, while we're going to resist the devil: to get at the root of the problem, that person needs to repent. That person needs to be committed to jesus christ. And be willing to pursue holiness. To be willing to grow. To be trained, in how not to yield to temptation. So it's important, for us to understand what we're dealing with. So that we can give a comprehensive answer. But thankfully, in the gospel of jesus christ: we do have the comprehensive solution, to human sin. And we have victory, in our lives.

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 12

Scripture index: 1 Corinthians (book-only); James (book-only); 1 Corinthians 12.