Can a Christian have a demon?

[Chad]

Found this article that I think is well written. A good topic to study and although may be a bit of a hot topic, it's a worthy study. Just keep in mind some of the examples the author provides in the article about a Christian and darkness. It's important to recognize such elements and repent of them.

Can a Christian have a demon?

Why this question is so very important
This is perhaps the single most important question that is asked concerning deliverance ministry. Let me first say that it is Satan's #1 lie to keep demons from being cast out. How is that? Because if Christians could not have demons, then what is the point in driving them out, if all we had to do was get the person saved and their demons would leave on their own? That would leave us casting demons out of people who refuse to accept Jesus as their lord and savior! It is my experience that those who claim that Christians cannot have demons are not even casting them out of non-believers.

Deliverance is NOT for non-believers
The truth is that if we went about casting demons out of non-believers, then we would be ignoring some very important things that Jesus had to say about the deliverance ministry. Consider these passages in scripture:

But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

Matthew 15:26

In the above verse, Jesus was speaking with a woman outside covenant with God, concerning casting a demon out of her daughter. Jesus made it very clear that this ministry was not intended for those outside covenant with God.

When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Matthew 12:43-45

In the above passage, Jesus was making it very clear that if we cast a demon out of somebody who rejects Jesus as their Lord and savior, then we are setting that person up for a disaster.

One of the serious flaws in the idea of casting demons out of non-believers is that the demons have a right to be there, and unless a person accepts Jesus, that right cannot be removed or nullified. The Bible tells us that when our sins are forgiven, the unclean spirits are stripped of their legal grounds in our lives:

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Colossians 2:13-15

Unfortunately, a non-believer cannot have their legal grounds removed, therefore, attempting to drive out a demon can be a dangerous scenario.

"But light cannot dwell with darkness!"
Many Christians assume that because they have the Holy Spirit, darkness cannot dwell in them. But they fail to recognize the darkness that can exist in a Christian's mind, such as lust, ungodly anger, weaknesses, and so forth. This is darkness, isn't it? Even Paul said that there was evil indeed present in him:

Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not... I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

Romans 7:17-18,21

How could Paul have evil present in him, and at the same time, be filled with the Holy Spirit? It is because Paul, as any human being, was composed of three parts. He was a spirit, lived in a physical body and possessed or had a soul. A soul is different from the spirit. The spirit is the real you, which is united with the Holy Spirit if you are in Christ. Your soul is your mind, will and emotions. Your mind, will and emotions are where the darkness can remain long after you've accepted Jesus and were washed from your sins. This is where unclean spirits can remain, along with your physical body. The Bible makes a clear distinction between a person's soul and their spirit:

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

Also look at this passage where the soul and spirit are said to be separate from each other:

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Your spirit is born again and made new the moment you accepted Jesus, but your mind, will, and emotions were not born again. If this were true, then you would have shed all the evil thoughts, desires and lusts all at once the moment you accepted Jesus. Consider this passage, and it is obvious that all the baggage does not leave a believer's soul the moment they are born again... but something is made new and old things have passed away - that is because it is speaking of your spirit!

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Was this intended for believers? Or non-believers?

When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.

Matthew 8:16-17

Here was Jesus demonstrating the benefits of the new covenant between God and His people, and in doing so, He was driving out demons and healing the sick. Now let me ask you this: Was Christ's payment for our physical healing (by His stripes we are healed) for non-believers or believers? Believers of course! Then I believe this passage makes it very clear that deliverance (involving casting out demons) and our physical healing is a benefit meant for the believer!

You don't have to be a lunatic to have a demon!
A common misunderstanding is that you have to be a lunatic in order to have a demon. This is not true, and any studying of this subject in the Bible will make this very clear. Consider the man who was perfectly sane mentally, but could not speak nor see because he had an unclean spirit which hindered his speech:

Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

Matthew 12:22

Another example is the woman who was bound with a spirit of infirmity. She was clearly not a lunatic, but merely had a physical infirmity caused by an unclean spirit:

And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?

Luke 13:10-16

"Possessed with a devil" in the NT Greek
Nowadays, the word possessed infers ownership, such as our possessions. But if you look this phrase up in the NT Greek, we find an entirely different meaning. The phrase possessed with a devil translates back to the Greek word daimonizomai, which means to have a demon or to be vexed (meaning tormented) by one. Demons do not own people, there is no scriptural evidence of such a thing - not even in the life of a non-believer!

If you look up the accounts in the Bible of demon possession, we find people who either have demons or are being tormented by them. This can manifest in both the physical body or the soul (a person's mind, will, and emotions).

"But the deliverance ministry ended with Jesus' ministry!"
This is simply not true, and we don't have to read far into our Bibles to find this out. After Jesus rose again, He appeared to His disciples and gave them the great commission:

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Mark 16:15-17

If we continue reading into the book of Acts, we will find that the early church was also active in the ministry of deliverance:

And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

Acts 8:6-7

Also, if you research the early church fathers, those not written about in the Bible, they were also very active in the ministry of deliverance!

source: Spiritual warfare, deliverance, casting out demons, strongholds and more!

 

[Travis]

Can a Christian have a demon?

Yes

Luke 13
11 And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your disability." 13 And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. 14 But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day." 15 Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? 16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?" 17 As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.​

As stated previously: she was a daughter of Abraham because she had faith. She was a believer, in a sense. She had a spirit of infirmity/a disabling spirit for 18 years.

Mark 16
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover." 19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.​

 

[clark thompson]

The Holy Spirit and a demon can not both be in a man at the same time, so they either have one or the other but can not have both, so I do not think a man of Christ can have a demon.

 

[B-A-C]

I wouldn't think a demon could inhabit someone who is filled with the Spirit. (of course there are many who "think" they have the Spirit).
But it seems perhaps demons can harass Christians. Certainly Satan himself tempts Christians.

2 Cor 11:
For I will speak the truth. But I spare, lest anyone should think of me as being beyond what he sees me, or hears of me; and by the surpassing revelations, lest I not be made haughty, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be made haughty. For this thing I besought the Lord three times, that it might depart from me. And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may overshadow me.

 

[Brad Huber]

In my mind, the only way an evil spirit could inhabit a believer is if they asked it to enter. The strong man (the Holy Spirit) in my house (my body) will keep out any thief who would steal my body for his own purpose. Otherwise, God's power in the Holy Spirit is too weak to keep out evil intruders? I think not. The child of Abraham could be so in the flesh only, and not spiritually. Now thats not to say the evil spirits cant whisper in the ears of believers, and try to lead them with whispered lies, but inhabit them.... I say not.

 

[Dovegiven]

But the Canaanite woman got her request, even though Jesus said the benefits were not yet for the "dogs" (Gentiles, outside the then in force covenant with Israel). The demon was removed when Jesus authorized it in that same hour.
Matthew 15:28 (KJV) 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Jesus cast a legion of demons out of the madman in the cemetery, certainly not a Christian. But attempting to cast out devils while not obeying Christ about that can backfire, as attested in
Acts 19:13-20 (KJV)
13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

Yet, what happened to those Jews resulted in a revival.

So if those outside covenant with God could benefit from crumbs from the Children's table, what say Christians who have the whole cake? We are filled with the Spirit, light having no fellowship with darkness, having power instead to cast demons out of people who are in fellowship with darkness.

The ministry the Lord put me in has been very challenging since about 1985, dealing with men hooked on alcohol, drugs, all sorts of sins imaginable and unimaginable. Casting out demons has been common for me, in prisons, jails, halfway houses, and church sponsored rehab programs, as well as our nearby Teen Challenge facility. Demons have been plaguing lost men. Some claim upfront they are or were Christians, but once studying the Bible they realize they never had been a priest of God, not born again as many assume, never tasting of the power of the Kingdom. I realize that statement is quite anecdotal, but is part of my testimony.

Jesus' ministry was to the House of Israel, rarely dealing with a Gentile, seeking to save Israel first. The signs of God's power were for his ministry to wake Israel up. Nobody was a born again Christian yet, but all were Jews under the old covenant. The apostles were Jews, we know, that were filled with the Spirit and power of God, eventually taking the gospel benefits to the Gentile world partly to provoke Israel to jealousy, to go after the New Covenant. Many did, 3,000 the first day at Pentecost. Peter was used to bring the gospel to Gentiles about 7 years later.
Jesus' last orders while still on earth, after his resurrection, were here:
Mark 16:15-20 (KJV)
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

The way I read that is our job is to take the gospel to the lost, given abilities to do that job. I don't think the sign of casting out demons were meant for the disciples to apply to each other, but to those needing benefit of that sign so they can listen to the gospel preached.

Of all those we do have specific instructions for Christians and anyone else accepting it James 5:14-16 (KJV)
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

The emphasis is on Christians reaching the lost, aided by those powers.

We are crucified with Christ, dead and buried to sin with him, and risen to life in him. It seems contrary to think such a person could be possessed with a demon, which would not be happy living in a body filled with the Holy Spirit, cleansed by the blood of Jesus, and having power to cast out demons.

 

[Travis]

In the above verse, Jesus was speaking with a woman outside covenant with God, concerning casting a demon out of her daughter. Jesus made it very clear that this ministry was not intended for those outside covenant with God.

Made in reference to:

Matthew 15
22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon." 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying out after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." 26 And he answered, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 27 She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.​

This woman's daughter was severely oppressed by a demon. I think it's safe to say that this demon/demons was inside of her (the little girl). At the end, it says that her daughter was healed instantly. I thought we were talking about a demon, not an infirmity... Right? It seems there must be a link between a physical infirmity and a demon here. What is the children's bread? The children's bread is deliverance/healing. It belongs to the children, who are children by faith. One may cast demons out of a pagan, sure, the bible records such events. But this passage of scripture tells us that deliverance from demons belongs to the children, whom are children by faith. That's who it is intended for.

Blessings,

Travis

 

[Travis]

We are Three Part Beings

1 Thessalonians 5
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.​

We have a spirit. We have a soul. We have a body.

When a person is born again, born from above, quickened by the Spirit of the living God, their spirit is made clean, holy, and is sealed until the day of redemption. The spirit of a born again believer always desires to do the will of God. Our spirits are clean.

The soul, despite what many people may mistakenly say, is not born again. Our soul, which is made up of our mind, will, and emotions, is being renewed. It's a process. Doesn't happen overnight. There are many areas of our soul, when we are born again, that are still really corrupt and messed up.

Our body is corrupted. Period. Our flesh is totally useless. The flesh profits nothing.

The temple(s) of the old testament, especially the tabernacle/tent that made up the temple before Solomon's temple (but it as well), represent us as a human being in some sense. There is the outer court (body), the inner court (soul), and the inner house/holy of holies (our spirit). The Holy Spirit dwells in the holy of holies, He dwells in our spirits. The demons ain't stupid, they don't want to mess directly with the Spirit of God, so they don't really try to enter into our spirits. They know who is stronger. The inner court though, our soul, is not where the Holy Spirit dwells, per say. The Holy Spirit can and does fill our soul, and our body, but He dwells in our spirit.

Our job is to guard our soul/inner court, and to not let the enemy in. The problem is, our enemy is much more knowledgeable and crafty than us, they have been doing this for a long time. They know how to get us to let our guard down, and invite them right in the door. Once they are in, they are harder to get out than any seasoned squatter out there. Someone with authority to do so, always lets them in, much of the time it is unaware though. You have the most authority over yourself, but others who have spiritual authority over you (parents, pastors, or anyone you let do so) can allow things into your life as well. And they, the demons, like to remain as hidden as possible, they don't like to be found out/exposed, because then they are probably going to be actively opposed as soon as someone knows they are there. Most people don't want demons in them....

Our outer court is a lot harder to guard. There is just so much more territory to cover, and so many ways in. Demons love to roost in our flesh, even if they can't get direct access to our souls. They can then magnify the desires of the flesh, the lust of the flesh, and use it against us. If you've ever had this incredibly overwhelming pull towards a certain sin, like almost too hard to resist, just tugging out you incredibly forcefully, more so than regular temptation, you are probably dealing with a demon, who is trying to control you. I think this is incredibly common.

Demons absolutely hate to be found out/exposed. They will do just about whatever is necessary to avoid it. That is one of the reasons why this topic is so taboo. Try going to a local church and suggesting to the pastor there that a christian can have a demon. I dare you

Blessings,

Travis

 

[Travis]

The Holy Spirit and a demon can not both be in a man at the same time, so they either have one or the other but can not have both, so I do not think a man of Christ can have a demon.

This is probably the most common objection out there.

It's based on an assumption, and not scripture. Show me one scripture that says demons can't inhabit the bodies of believers (not totally possess or completely control, that is definitely unbiblical). That's a dare =D We still have the old sin nature in us, that leads us to sin. The Holy Spirit dwells right alongside that... We watch television, movies, listen to music and all manner of things that are sexually erotic, promote promiscuity and fornication, and let that stuff right into our minds (souls). It grieves the Holy Spirit, but he doesn't leave because of it, He puts up with a lot of our junk. If we let demons into our lives, they have a legal right to be there, even if we are not 100% aware that is what's going on.

Here is a little booklet that addresses the issue, put together over a couple decades ago, by a group that practices deliverance. Good read.

Hegewisch BaptistChristians Can and Do Have Demons - Hegewisch Baptist

Blessings,

Travis

 

[Dovegiven]

Made in reference to:

Matthew 15
22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon." 23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying out after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me." 26 And he answered, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." 27 She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly.​

This woman's daughter was severely oppressed by a demon. I think it's safe to say that this demon/demons was inside of her (the little girl). At the end, it says that her daughter was healed instantly. I thought we were talking about a demon, not an infirmity... Right? It seems there must be a link between a physical infirmity and a demon here. What is the children's bread? The children's bread is deliverance/healing. It belongs to the children, who are children by faith. One may cast demons out of a pagan, sure, the bible records such events. But this passage of scripture tells us that deliverance from demons belongs to the children, whom are children by faith. That's who it is intended for.

Blessings,

Travis

At that time the "children" was the House of Israel. Matthew 15:24-26 (KJV)
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

The Jews just didn't realize the magnificent glory that was within their reach had they believed Jesus. But we know it was prophesied they would reject him so that Jesus could save the whole world of believers. He fulfilled
the original purpose of God that those people should have the promise right there among them, all benefits planned for them for the taking.

The wording of Matthew 15:28 (KJV) 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
has it that the daughter was not healed as from a disease, but vexation by a demon. Jesus accepted her report. She didn't request healing of leprosy or any disease, in that sense not asking for a health healing.

 

[Dovegiven]

This is probably the most common objection out there.

It's based on an assumption, and not scripture. Show me one scripture that says demons can't inhabit the bodies of believers (not totally possess or completely control, that is definitely unbiblical). That's a dare =D We still have the old sin nature in us, that leads us to sin. The Holy Spirit dwells right alongside that... We watch television, movies, listen to music and all manner of things that are sexually erotic, promote promiscuity and fornication, and let that stuff right into our minds (souls). It grieves the Holy Spirit, but he doesn't leave because of it, He puts up with a lot of our junk. If we let demons into our lives, they have a legal right to be there, even if we are not 100% aware that is what's going on.

Here is a little booklet that addresses the issue, put together over a couple decades ago, by a group that practices deliverance. Good read.

Hegewisch BaptistChristians Can and Do Have Demons - Hegewisch Baptist

Blessings,

Travis

What about 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (KJV)
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. ?

 

[Travis]

The wording of Matthew 15:28 (KJV) 28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
has it that the daughter was not healed as from a disease, but vexation by a demon. Jesus accepted her report. She didn't request healing of leprosy or any disease, in that sense not asking for a health healing.

Kind of a moot point... but since you brought it up. What was going on with her daughter was definitely comparable to a physical infirmity. They often go hand in hand, especially in terms of mental illness. But, phsyical ailments too. There are quite a number of biblical examples of this in the gospel's alone. But concerning this text:

Matthew 15:28 (KJ21) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, “O woman, great is thy faith. Be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Matthew 15:28 (ASV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it done unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Matthew 15:28 (AMP) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Jesus answered her, O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you wish. And her daughter was cured from that moment.

Matthew 15:28 (CJB) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Yeshua answered her, “Lady, you are a person of great trust. Let your desire be granted.” And her daughter was healed at that very moment.

Matthew 15:28 (ERV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Jesus answered, “Woman, you have great faith! You will get what you asked for.” And right then the woman’s daughter was healed.

Matthew 15:28 (ESV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Matthew 15:28 (GW) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, you have strong faith! What you wanted will be done for you.” At that moment her daughter was cured.

Matthew 15:28 (GNT) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 So Jesus answered her, “You are a woman of great faith! What you want will be done for you.” And at that very moment her daughter was healed.

Matthew 15:28 (HCSB) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Jesus replied to her, “Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you want.” And from that moment her daughter was cured.

Matthew 15:28 (KJV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Matthew 15:28 (TLB) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 “Woman,” Jesus told her, “your faith is large, and your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed right then.

Matthew 15:28 (MEV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith. Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Matthew 15:28 (NASB) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.

Matthew 15:28 (NIV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Matthew 15:28 (NKJV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Matthew 15:28 (NLV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have much faith. You will have what you asked for.” Her daughter was healed at that very time.

Matthew 15:28 (NLT) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 “Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

Matthew 15:28 (RSV) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Matthew 15:28 (WEB) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.

Matthew 15:28 (YLT) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 then answering, Jesus said to her, `O woman, great [is] thy faith, let it be to thee as thou wilt;' and her daughter was healed from that hour.

 

[Travis]

What about 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (KJV)
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. ?

Like I said, not a single one of those verses says that a Christian cannot have a demon. One has to make an assumption to say that.

Thanks for posting all those great scriptures though!

Blessings,

Travis

 

[Brad Huber]

This is probably the most common objection out there.

If we let demons into our lives, they have a legal right to be there, even if we are not 100% aware that is what's going on.
Blessings,
Travis

This is true. The rest is somewhat assumption as well. I mentioned that it can happen if the christian invites them in.

 

[Dovegiven]

Kind of a moot point... but since you brought it up. What was going on with her daughter was definitely comparable to a physical infirmity. They often go hand in hand, especially in terms of mental illness. But, phsyical ailments too. There are quite a number of biblical examples of this in the gospel's alone. But concerning this text:

Matthew 15:28 (KJ21) | In Context | Whole Chapter
28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, “O woman, great is thy faith. Be it unto thee even as thou wilt.” And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Matthew 15:28 (ASV) | In Context | Whole Chapter..................

I was trained by Baptists to completely reject the notion of evil spirits (demons), always to be referred to as physical or mental diseases. I knew that was wrong, but there was apparently no good reason to upset a congregation. I knew diseases don't talk to us.
Mark 5:2-11 (KJV)
2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

You know the rest of it.

 

[amadeus2]

When we first come to the Lord, we, all of us, had within us some very evil ways, some very bad habits, which when followed would lead us back to sinning.

When our demons, any of them, are retained initially, that in itself is not sin if we did not invite them in..., but while they remain in us, we will hear them and we will be attracted by them to the sin again. We might call our demons the ways of men which John describes:

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." I John 2:6

The world spoken of by John is the private world of each of us. Jesus overcame his little world of temptations (John 16:33), but he did not overcome all of our little private worlds. What he did was provide the means for us to overcome them, to be become overcomers entitled to the benefits promised to overcomers in Revelation chapters 2 and 3.

We don't start out with all of the overcoming behind us. All of us, who are believers in any measure have already overcome in part (I Cor 13:9-10), but while we retain even a single demon, a single way of man instead of only the Way of God, we will return and sin again. These demons, I believe, are also called beasts in scripture:

"I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.

For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.

All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?" Ecc 3: 18-21

These beasts, or demons, or ways of men which will lead us to sin must be removed or destroyed for us ever to be overcomers as Jesus became an overcomer:

"She [wisdom] hath killed her beasts;" Prov 9:2

The wisdom to kill our beasts or as Paul calls them, our "old man" {Rom 6:6, Eph 4:22, Col 3:9) is found in the believers, but the work is not done until every beast that would lead us astray is gone:

"To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:" Col 1:27