Christians & Demon Possession

[jiggyfly]

Jigger Why do you bait me?

You KNOW that the devil stepped out of Gods will. He stepped out of the light. Sin was the result.

You KNOW that only Father and We have the power to create.

I know Father and His Son the Christ have power to create but I believe the only thing you or I have power to create is a big mess.

I find it funny that you think a challenge to your religious paradigm is baiting.

 

[El Hombre viejo]

I know Father and His Son the Christ have power to create but I believe the only thing you or I have power to create is a big mess.

I find it funny that you think a challenge to your religious paradigm is baiting.

Nah. Its just the way you seem to challenge each word I say. Mind you I may be misunderstanding your motives still.

I'm not a trusting person in any sense of the word.

 

[jiggyfly]

Nah. Its just the way you seem to challenge each word I say. Mind you I may be misunderstanding your motives still.

I'm not a trusting person in any sense of the word.

Can't blame you there, I'm the same way, I am not very trusting towards others. I find myself always on guard when it comes to religious teachings.
My motive is to see that the truth is found and relayed here at TJ.
I know there are many different religious paradigms propagated here and I do not respond to all of them. IMO few are as dangerous as the popular prosperity gospel and WOF that teaches things like God needs our permission to do a work in the earth, that spiritual maturity comes without suffering and that contentedness without personal gain/ financial increase is foolish.:wink:

 

[MorningStar]

IMO few are as dangerous as the popular prosperity gospel and WOF that teaches things like God needs our permission to do a work in the earth, that spiritual maturity comes without suffering and that contentedness without personal gain/ financial increase is foolish.:wink:

I don't think I've ever heard of that concept. Unless I misunderstand the concept, that's a new one on me and it certainly doesn't make sense per the bible lol. Who is the WOF? :shock:

 

[El Hombre viejo]

I don't think I've ever heard of that concept. Unless I misunderstand the concept, that's a new one on me and it certainly doesn't make sense per the bible lol. Who is the WOF? :shock:

IMO few are as dangerous as the popular prosperity gospel and WOF that teaches things like God needs our permission to do a work in the earth, that spiritual maturity comes without suffering and that contentedness without personal gain/ financial increase is foolish

LOL I've never heard of these teachings. Who would teach that? I know We don't want to name names but.... Oh My!

 

[MorningStar]

Almost sounds like some tenets of Buddhism. :shock:

 

[jiggyfly]

I don't think I've ever heard of that concept. Unless I misunderstand the concept, that's a new one on me and it certainly doesn't make sense per the bible lol. Who is the WOF? :shock:

Word of Faith, prosperity gospel proponents.

 

[David777]

Hello all.

I was reading some of these posts and behold I noticed a
Biblical verse from the book of Isaiah.

I will reproduce the verse as quoted by Morning Star.

Isaiah 45:7 - "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."

This quote did not seem correct, so I checked the NKJV and of course the NASB.

Both Bibles use the word "calamity" in place of "evil".

I thought now what was the textual source?

More than likely the KJV, it uses the word "evil".

So I checked Strong's Concordance for the Hebrew.

Sure enough the correct translation is calamity.

You guys may have to backtrack.

Also, please consider the following,
Since God is transcendent and independent of His created universe (1 Kgs 8:27),
He is separate from its inhabitants and feared by them (e.g., Ex 19:10-25; 20:18-21).
Thus holiness becomes equivalent to true deity, separating Him from the impotence of
the gods of the defeated Egyptians (Ex 15:11): “Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like thee, glorious in holiness?” “Holy” in many passages is synonymous with
“divine”: “There is none holy [uniquely divine] as the Lord: for there is none
beside thee” (1 Sam 2:2; cf. Ps 99:3, 5, 9; Isa 40:25; Hab 3:3).

Because He is holy, truly deity and thus infinite, there is no searching of His understanding (Isa 40:28; Ps 145:3).
Holiness, then, is what characterizes God, and it includes all His other attributes.

(Wycliffe Bible Dictionary, Barton J. Payne, Th.D., Professor of Old Testament Language and Literature,
Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Mo.)

It is only logical that holiness precludes evil.

 

[Ophel]

I was reading some of these posts and behold I noticed a
Biblical verse from the book of Isaiah.

I will reproduce the verse as quoted by Morning Star.

Isaiah 45:7 - "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."

This quote did not seem correct, so I checked the NKJV and of course the NASB.

Both Bibles use the word "calamity" in place of "evil".

I thought now what was the textual source?

More than likely the KJV, it uses the word "evil".

So I checked Strong's Concordance for the Hebrew.

Sure enough the correct translation is calamity.

You guys may have to backtrack.

Also, please consider the following,
Since God is transcendent and independent of His created universe (1 Kgs 8:27),
He is separate from its inhabitants and feared by them (e.g., Ex 19:10-25; 20:18-21).
Thus holiness becomes equivalent to true deity, separating Him from the impotence of
the gods of the defeated Egyptians (Ex 15:11): “Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like thee, glorious in holiness?” “Holy” in many passages is synonymous with
“divine”: “There is none holy [uniquely divine] as the Lord: for there is none
beside thee” (1 Sam 2:2; cf. Ps 99:3, 5, 9; Isa 40:25; Hab 3:3).

Because He is holy, truly deity and thus infinite, there is no searching of His understanding (Isa 40:28; Ps 145:3).
Holiness, then, is what characterizes God, and it includes all His other attributes.

(Wycliffe Bible Dictionary, Barton J. Payne, Th.D., Professor of Old Testament Language and Literature,
Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Mo.)

It is only logical that holiness precludes evil.

This is thruth. thank you, David.

 

[MorningStar]

I was reading some of these posts and behold I noticed a
Biblical verse from the book of Isaiah.

I will reproduce the verse as quoted by Morning Star.

Isaiah 45:7 - "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things."

This quote did not seem correct, so I checked the NKJV and of course the NASB.

Both Bibles use the word "calamity" in place of "evil".

I thought now what was the textual source?

More than likely the KJV, it uses the word "evil".

So I checked Strong's Concordance for the Hebrew.

Sure enough the correct translation is calamity.

You guys may have to backtrack.

Also, please consider the following,
Since God is transcendent and independent of His created universe (1 Kgs 8:27),
He is separate from its inhabitants and feared by them (e.g., Ex 19:10-25; 20:18-21).
Thus holiness becomes equivalent to true deity, separating Him from the impotence of
the gods of the defeated Egyptians (Ex 15:11): “Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like thee, glorious in holiness?” “Holy” in many passages is synonymous with
“divine”: “There is none holy [uniquely divine] as the Lord: for there is none
beside thee” (1 Sam 2:2; cf. Ps 99:3, 5, 9; Isa 40:25; Hab 3:3).

Because He is holy, truly deity and thus infinite, there is no searching of His understanding (Isa 40:28; Ps 145:3).
Holiness, then, is what characterizes God, and it includes all His other attributes.

(Wycliffe Bible Dictionary, Barton J. Payne, Th.D., Professor of Old Testament Language and Literature,
Covenant Theological Seminary, St. Louis, Mo.)

It is only logical that holiness precludes evil.

Yes, and if you check in other places where the word evil is present, vs. the original Hebrew, what word is used then? Hebrew is dependent on context, and singular and plural meanings.

And it doesn't change the meaning to use calamity....its still a form of evil. If God didn't allow evil, he would have never allowed the devil, or his works.

So, you can poke around all the latest translations all you want, but it still doesn't change the fact that God created evil, Satan,and allows evil to exist.

Disagree? Then whence did evil come if God did not allow it to exist?

God created ALL things. That's the bottom line.

Besides, the versions after the Hebrew original are VASTLY different in doctrine and translation....therefore, I relate my research to the original Hebrew....not the later versions that have been changed hundreds of times.

As an example, there was no concept of a 'fire and brimstone' hell in the original Hebrew bible.

This fire and brimstone hell was added MUCH later, after Dante's Inferno was inspired. This is well known history.

 

[B-A-C]

Yes, and if you check in other places where the word evil is present, vs. the original Hebrew, what word is used then? Hebrew is dependent on context, and singular and plural meanings.

And it doesn't change the meaning to use calamity....its still a form of evil. If God didn't allow evil, he would have never allowed the devil, or his works.

So, you can poke around all the latest translations all you want, but it still doesn't change the fact that God created evil, Satan,and allows evil to exist.

Disagree? Then whence did evil come if God did not allow it to exist?

God created ALL things. That's the bottom line.

Besides, the versions after the Hebrew original are VASTLY different in doctrine and translation....therefore, I relate my research to the original Hebrew....not the later versions that have been changed hundreds of times.

As an example, there was no concept of a 'fire and brimstone' hell in the original Hebrew bible.

This fire and brimstone hell was added MUCH later, after Dante's Inferno was inspired. This is well known history.

(NASB) Isa 45:7 The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these.
(KJV) Isa 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.

Ultimately God created Satan and man, giving both freedom to choose. In that way, he created sin. Creating it and doing it are two different things. There is a group Amish people who manufacture Amana appliances and New Holland Farm equipment, they don't use these things, only manufacture them.

שׁאל שׁאול
sh<SUP>e'ôl she'ôl</SUP>
<SUP>sheh-ole',</SUP><SUP> sheh-ole'</SUP>
<SUP>From </SUP><SUP> hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranian retreat), including its accessories and inmates: - grave, hell, pit.</SUP>

This is an ancient Hebrew word ( Deut 32:22 is first time it is used in the Bible)

Deuteronomy was written thousands of years before Dante's Inferno, this is well known history.

 

[lilyR]

Christians can't be possessed it is written!

I have only just come across this thread, Let me just say a christian not be possessed. How can? possession is an act of ownership and Christians/believers of Jesus are not owned by the devil and his demons. Jesus our lord bought us with a price his blood so that we may be cleansed and washed from sin 1 corintians 6:20; 7:23

Ephesians 6:16-18
"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit and watching thereunto with perseverance and supplication for all saints"

James 5:7
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you"

Christians wearing the helmet of salvation will have challenges in their lives but by faith the scriptures say we should "resist" the devil when he comes not within ourselves and he will flee, it does not say cast him out.I can't see any instruction in the new testament to cast out demons from believers.

A Christian/follower of Christ has the spirit of God dwelling in him, surely, the Spirit of God would not allow a demon to possess to dwell in the same temple he's in...period. Light and darkness can't mix.

People are quoting Isaiah 45:7, yes God created all things but you have the right to choose and when you choose to be a Christian,it would be wrong to think being Christian still makes you a target for demons.

1 John 4:4
"Ye are of God little children and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world"-The Holy spirit.
Demons can't dwell where God dwells,in his house, his temple because of his greatness and purity.

The devil and his demons will try to oppress Christians with sickness and all sorts of afflictions and we need to look into our lives and check if there are any open doors for demon activity i.e tarot cards, astrology,Cult materials or objects... in homes and ask God to forgive us and ask for his protection.

I Peter 5:8-9
" Be sober, be vigilant because the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour"

That is why we have to "pray without ceasing" always so that there won't be any door ways to draw us back, the spirit of God stays in you(his temple) and when the devil tries to come in,all he will see is "OCCUPIED".

1 Peter 1:18-19
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot"

Again 1 John 4:4 " Ye are of God, little children and have overcome them because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world". Amen!

John 5:37
" Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testify of me".


God bless everyone.

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

Pride come before a fall...

I was extremely reluctant to write a critique of this work, firstly because I hate criticizing anyones work and secondly because I don't write well or easily, so it was hard for me to do this on both counts. But having once witnessed a close personal friends life cut short due to demonic activity. Then having had my own struggles with demons that inhabited my body, as a young Christian, and the torment they caused me. I felt it would be wrong for me to keep silent on this issue.

Can Christians Be Demonized?
By: Hank Hanegraaf

“Over the years, I have read a wide variety of stories that claim to support the notion that Christians can be demonized.”

Let's look the first sentence, '... I have read a variety of stories...' What does this tell us about the author? “...I have read...” suggests the author is a theorist, someone who has no practical experience of such things. The next part of the sentence, '...a wide variety of stories...' Suggests the author believed he was reading fiction, no doubt there were testimonies of people who were delivered from demonic oppression. The author has reduced these testimonies to the level of comic book stories. I'm not sure whether this is unwitting or deliberate mockery, but it is mockery nevertheless.
I would also suggest that the author had a preconceived position before he ever read any books on deliverance ministry. He had already decided they were wrong.

(It might be worth noting at this point that some theologians don't believe in the Baptism in the Holy Spirit or spiritual gifts but believe these things belong to another era. And anyone who does believe in these things is deluded and cultist)

Lets now have a look at the statement, 'They greatly overestimate the power and province of Satan.' There are two possible positions that Christians can fall into here both of which are wrong. One is to disregard the realm of Satan and demons and take the view they don't have much influence on Christians today.
The opposite and equally wrong view is as the author says to, '... overestimate the power... of Satan.' People who do, tend to see demons in everything and everywhere.

Before we get any deeper into analyzing Mr Henegraaf argument. I think it might be good to have a brief look at what Our Lord, Jesus said in regard to demons and what our response to them should be. Matthew 10:8 says, “ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.” And Mark 16:17 says, “ And these signs will accompany those who believe. In my name they will drive out demons...” So both Matthew and Mark record that Jesus said believers should drive out demons. So deliverance ministry is something that our Lord Jesus has legitimized.

“In the end, they all have one thing in common: Some deliverance ministers make a more valiant attempt than others to provide a biblical basis for the contention that a Christian can be inhabited by a demon. Inevitably, however, Scripture itself undermines their stories.
First, Christ Himself precluded the possibility that a Christian could be inhabited by demons. Using the illustration of a house, Jesus asks, "How can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man?" (Matthew 12:29). In the case of a demon-possessed person, the strong man is obviously the devil. In a Spirit-indwelt believer, however, the strong man is God. The fore of Christ's argument leads inexorably to the conclusion that, in order for demons to possess believers, they would first have to bind the one who occupies them - namely God Himself!”

The problem here is that most people who have a demon got it before they were born again. So that argument immediate falls to the ground. The need for deliverance ministry is most often a consequence of what happened to people before they were born again.

(Deliverance ministry should be part of being an evangelist. Unfortunately this isn't always the case. So the demons have to dealt with after the person becomes a Christian. Some have suggested that when a person is born again that process should automatically deal with the demons.
In practice it often doesn't, but continual exposure to Spirit led worship and Spirit anointed preaching/teaching will drive the demon to the surface. Then there will be an opportunity to drive them out. The reason some Christians are disturbed in Holy Spirit led worship is because the demons within them are reacting negatively to the Worship.)

For arguments sake lets suppose that a demon tries to take up residence in a believers body/flesh. Does it have to bind Almighty God to do this?
I can't believe I'm even rising to answer such an utterly silly question. But since Mr Hanegraaf's put it up as an argument against deliverance ministry we are going to have to look at it. And I would start by asking: Does a believer have to bind God the Holy Spirit before he sins?
No as believers we have a choice as to whom we serve. Romans 6:16 Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

We can quench and grieve the Holy Spirit through the choices we make. If
we choose to sin we suffer loss our faith wanes and the influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives becomes less. That is a very basic Bible proposition. If a believer continues to give in to temptation and does not turn in true repentance to God, then the influence of God in his life and his faith starts to become less and less. The demon however, is enjoying greater and greater influence over the believers life. And since sin and Satan are synonymous it become a very simple matter for the demon of say, lust to enter into that part of the flesh/sinful nature of the believer and take up residence there. It should be remembered that the body has not been fully redeemed yet according to 1 Corinthians 15:54 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. I think we all know it was sin that caused corruption & mortality. So until our Lord Jesus changes our condition our minds and bodies are still vulnerable to the enemy, and a demon can go anywhere sin and disease can go.

I have personally known people who died prematurely through demonic oppression. There have been Christian families torn apart, lives shattered, Christians in torment, some have committed suicide all these instances could and can, often, be prevented by deliverance ministry. This is the reason I will argue strongly to defend deliverance ministry. It has been and continues to be for some people, both Christian and none Christian a matter of life or death.

Furthermore, I discovered an equally airtight argument against Christian demonization in the Gospel of John. The Jews once again were accusing Jesus of being demon-possessed. Rather than circumvent their accusations., Jesus condescends to reach out to His accusers with reason. The essence of His argument is "I am not possessed by a demon" because "I honor my Father" (John 8:49). The point is impossible to miss: Being demon-possessed and honoring God are mutually exclusive categories.

There would be something to this argument if Christians had always honoured God with their bodies, but this simply isn't true historically or otherwise.

Take for instance 1 Corinthians 6: 15-20; Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body.
It is a misnomer to suggest that Christians always honour God with their bodies. History and practice proves that they don't. That is why the Apostle Paul has to exhort the Corinthians to honour God with their bodies. The apostle Paul would never have exhorted the Christians at Corinth to honour God with their bodies if there was no need to do so. So it would be reasonable to conclude that some of them had not been honouring God with their bodies.
In the final analysis it's down to a question of choices, 'whom will you serve.' (Romans 6:16)

Instead, The principle is foolproof. If you are a follower of Christ, the King Himself indwells you. And you can rest assured that "the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world"(1 John 4:4)

This is a true statement, if someone is sold out for Jesus, then they have the full benefit of this great scripture.

“the consistent teaching of the Bible is that Christians cannot be controlled against their wills through demonic inhabitation.”

That is also a true statement. The only problem I have with it is, a Christian who previously didn't have a demon and now has one, chose to go that way. That is what happens when someone consistently yields to the temptation of a demon.

“Finally, Scripture does not contain a single credible example of a demonized believer.”

The answer to this final statement by Mr Hanegraaf depends on ones faith, revelation and the personal integrity before God. The key to revelation is humility. To approach the Bible without utter dependence on the one who inspired the Bible, the Holy Spirit, is wrong. Unfortunately, many in their pride have not learned this lesson yet and still think they are able, by reason of their own intelligence, to figure out God and the Bible. This is why there is so much division in the body of Christ. It is man trying to do God's work for Him, instead of allowing God to do His work through man. This always leads to the sin of division. In John 7:18 Jesus said, He who speaks on his own does so to gain honour for himself, but he who works for the honour of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. That is the key to successful ministry, to deny ones self and speak only from the revelation we receive from God. If we did that a lot of the doctrinal arguments between Christians would just fall away.

If anyone has a genuine need to know about deliverance ministry remember, “ God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble, Humble your selves under God's mighty hand..”. 1 Pet.5.5-6 And “ Ask and it will be given to you; seek; and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matt.7.7.

It goes without saying that moving in deliverance ministry without the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and His gifts is nigh on impossible!

Well said.

I too must personally say that I have had issues with demonic activity when I already strongly believed I was saved. Maybe I wasn't. I had given myself to the Lord at the age of 6 and did so again and again all throughout my life,but maybe I wasn saved I sure thought I was and was trying to live as such.

This started around age 24, I thought I was saved at age 6 and I dedicated myself multiple times to God in my teenage years.
Anywho, the activity I felt was so indescribable, it was like hell on earth. Perhaps it was more torment then possession. I felt as if something was in me as it wrestled with my mind and burned my soul with unexplainanle pain that wasn't physical pain but a torment of the soul. It didn't make me see things or control my movements but it felt so horrible any nothing that I can describe except hell. It was terrible. I'm not talking about depression or mental illness ( I would know, I'm a licensed certified clinical social worker) but torment out of this world in my soul. If would try to get me to curse God in my mind, and it would be putting thoughts in my head that I knew wasn't mine. It was horrible, thank God I've been delivered from that.

That was another reason I fled from porn, I noticed the demons would get on me when I after being exposed to that for years and it scared the hell literally out of me and I told myself I was not going back to that. It was literally hell on earth.

Hell is real.

 

[Bendito]

Demons are powerful, but limited by God. Jesus has authority over all demons. If we are covered in His blood who do we fear? Mark 1:27, NIV. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, 'What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey Him."
Jesus can exercise authority over demons and demonstrates this. Luke 4:35-36, NIV. "'Be quiet! Jesus said sternly. 'Come out of him!' Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed and said to each other, 'What is this teaching? What authority and power He gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!'"
And ofcourse we deal with these demons today, but they have lost the battle and scramble in urgency for they only have a short time. Ephesians 6:12, NIV. "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

These demons cannot have dominion over a believer, it simply cannot happen. If we submit to God and resist Satan, he will flee. James 4:7, NIV. "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." God will not lie or confuse.

God Bless.

What about our authority over demons?

 

[Bendito]

Can Christians Be Demonized?
By: Hank Hanegraaf

Over the years, I have read a wide variety of stories that claim to support the notion that Christians can be demonized. In the end, they all have one thing in common: They greatly overestimate the power and province of Satan. Some deliverance ministers make a more valiant attempt than others to provide a biblical basis for the contention that a Christian can be inhabited by a demon. Inevitably, however, Scripture itself undermines their stories.

First, Christ Himself precluded the possibility that a Christian could be inhabited by demons. Using the illustration of a house, Jesus asks, "How can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man?" (Matthew 12:29). In the case of a demon-possessed person, the strong man is obviously the devil. In a Spirit-indwelt believer, however, the strong man is God. The fore of Christ's argument leads inexorably to the conclusion that, in order for demons to possess believers, they would first have to bind the one who occupies them - namely God Himself!

Furthermore, I discovered an equally airtight argument against Christian demonization in the Gospel of John. The Jews once again were accusing Jesus of being demon-possessed. Rather than circumvent their accusations., Jesus condescends to reach out to His accusers with reason. The essence of His argument is "I am not possessed by a demon" because "I honor my Father" (John 8:49). The point is impossible to miss: Being demon-possessed and honoring God are mutually exclusive categories.

Finally, Scripture does not contain a single credible example of a demonized believer. Instead, the consistent teaching of the Bible is that Christians cannot be controlled against their wills through demonic inhabitation. The principle is foolproof. If you are a follower of Christ, the King Himself indwells you. And you can rest assured that "the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world"(1 John 4:4)

1 John 4:4
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Let me say here....Demon possession and having a demon inside oneself are two different things.....Demon possession is when demons "Possess one" They own him/her. The demons call the shots and do, through the victim, whatsoever they choose. When a person has a demon, he/she is influenced by this creature but has a choice whether or not he/she will follow the leading of it. Big difference....
When one is born again the Holy Spirit comes in and makes His home in a person's spirit.....Now its that persons responsibility to work out his own salvation (deliverance) with fear and trembling...Its up to each Christian to take his/her own God given authority and get rid of any demons left in body and soul... To 'work out' your own salvation here...Work out translates as "to work fully, i.e. accomplish; by implication, to finish"
Agreed A demon cannot reside in the spirit because the Holy Spirit resides there....but its up to us to finish the work of cleaning house.

 

[Lisa C.]

First I want to say that "demon possession" and the term "demonized" are essentially referring to the exact same thing. There's a great website/app called GotQuestions and quotes numerous scriptures to back their findings. What I'm going to talk about comes from my personal testimony and if I can help/reach one person in this then I feel I have done my job.

I do NOT believe that a TRUE Believer in Jesus Christ can be demon possessed or demonized involving a demon having direct/complete control over the thoughts and/or actions of a person

1 John 4:4
But you belong to God my dear children you have already won your fight with those false prophets because the spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world

I do HOWEVER believe that a TRUE Believer can be demon OPPRESSED influenced involving a demon or demons attacking a person spiritually and/or encouraging him/her into sinful behavior.

Ephesians 6:10-12
A final word be strong with the Lord's Mighty power put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the devil for we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood but against the evil rulers and authorities of the Unseen World against those Mighty powers of Darkness rule this world and against Wicked spirits in the Heavenly realms.

This passage from Paul was directed at BELIEVERS. So yes we are in a constant attack spiritually with satan and his demons but that DOES NOT mean they rule or reign within us!

I have personally felt this DEMON OPPRESSION in my life and has caused me much doubt---which after all is exactly what Satan is trying to achieve---- I am bombarded at times with intrusive thoughts(mostly curse words...phrases that unbelievers have spoken taking the Lords name in vain) I know they are sinful and beyond replusive and how any human could take the Lord's name in vain in such a way is heart-wrenching to me. Although satan and his team of demons my try to invade my thoughts I am in COMPLETE CONTROL and know when these attacks happen and when they end. So NO I AM NOT POSSESSED!!! I HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLING INSIDE OF ME.
I fight these attacks EXACTLY the way scripture tells me to Ephesians 6:17b and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We also know that from 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.
SATAN will use any weakness to his advantage and while I struggle with mild OCD he may know this and use this to his advantage in my personal spiritual warfare causing me to obsess and worry over these thoughts.
The good news is that Satan is a defeated adversary. While he is a powerful foe, those who are protected by salvation, prayer, and the word of God need not be paralyzed in fear at this roaring lion...we have VICTORY AND HOPE in our Savior Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:38 is a great reminder "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't and life can't. The Angels can't and the demons can't. Our fears for today or worries about tomorrow and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away.

 

[Sue J Love]

First I want to say that "demon possession" and the term "demonized" are essentially referring to the exact same thing. There's a great website/app called GotQuestions and quotes numerous scriptures to back their findings. What I'm going to talk about comes from my personal testimony and if I can help/reach one person in this then I feel I have done my job.

I do NOT believe that a TRUE Believer in Jesus Christ can be demon possessed or demonized involving a demon having direct/complete control over the thoughts and/or actions of a person

1 John 4:4
But you belong to God my dear children you have already won your fight with those false prophets because the spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world

I do HOWEVER believe that a TRUE Believer can be demon OPPRESSED influenced involving a demon or demons attacking a person spiritually and/or encouraging him/her into sinful behavior.

Ephesians 6:10-12
A final word be strong with the Lord's Mighty power put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the devil for we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood but against the evil rulers and authorities of the Unseen World against those Mighty powers of Darkness rule this world and against Wicked spirits in the Heavenly realms.

This passage from Paul was directed at BELIEVERS. So yes we are in a constant attack spiritually with satan and his demons but that DOES NOT mean they rule or reign within us!

I have personally felt this DEMON OPPRESSION in my life and has caused me much doubt---which after all is exactly what Satan is trying to achieve---- I am bombarded at times with intrusive thoughts(mostly curse words...phrases that unbelievers have spoken taking the Lords name in vain) I know they are sinful and beyond replusive and how any human could take the Lord's name in vain in such a way is heart-wrenching to me. Although satan and his team of demons my try to invade my thoughts I am in COMPLETE CONTROL and know when these attacks happen and when they end. So NO I AM NOT POSSESSED!!! I HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLING INSIDE OF ME.
I fight these attacks EXACTLY the way scripture tells me to Ephesians 6:17b and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We also know that from 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.
SATAN will use any weakness to his advantage and while I struggle with mild OCD he may know this and use this to his advantage in my personal spiritual warfare causing me to obsess and worry over these thoughts.
The good news is that Satan is a defeated adversary. While he is a powerful foe, those who are protected by salvation, prayer, and the word of God need not be paralyzed in fear at this roaring lion...we have VICTORY AND HOPE in our Savior Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:38 is a great reminder "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't and life can't. The Angels can't and the demons can't. Our fears for today or worries about tomorrow and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away.

Thank you @Lisa C. for sharing your testimony. I have experienced, too, some of what you shared here, and yes, daily we must put on the armor of God with which to fight off Satan's evil attacks against us, including his attacks against our minds. Singing songs of praise to God is one of the ways to fight off his attacks, especially if we sing out loud. I like that scripture that says we need to set our faces like flint: "But the Lord GOD helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame." Is. 50:7

 

[Chad]

Well said @Lisa C.

It's biblically contradictory and impossible for the Holy Spirit to dwell with a demonic spirit in a believer. Also, once a believer is sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13), God will never forsake us nor leave us. Therefore, there's no way for demonic spirits to enter a believer, only oppress and influence.

 

[Bendito]

First I want to say that "demon possession" and the term "demonized" are essentially referring to the exact same thing. There's a great website/app called GotQuestions and quotes numerous scriptures to back their findings. What I'm going to talk about comes from my personal testimony and if I can help/reach one person in this then I feel I have done my job.

I do NOT believe that a TRUE Believer in Jesus Christ can be demon possessed or demonized involving a demon having direct/complete control over the thoughts and/or actions of a person

1 John 4:4
But you belong to God my dear children you have already won your fight with those false prophets because the spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world

I do HOWEVER believe that a TRUE Believer can be demon OPPRESSED influenced involving a demon or demons attacking a person spiritually and/or encouraging him/her into sinful behavior.

Ephesians 6:10-12
A final word be strong with the Lord's Mighty power put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the devil for we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood but against the evil rulers and authorities of the Unseen World against those Mighty powers of Darkness rule this world and against Wicked spirits in the Heavenly realms.

This passage from Paul was directed at BELIEVERS. So yes we are in a constant attack spiritually with satan and his demons but that DOES NOT mean they rule or reign within us!

I have personally felt this DEMON OPPRESSION in my life and has caused me much doubt---which after all is exactly what Satan is trying to achieve---- I am bombarded at times with intrusive thoughts(mostly curse words...phrases that unbelievers have spoken taking the Lords name in vain) I know they are sinful and beyond replusive and how any human could take the Lord's name in vain in such a way is heart-wrenching to me. Although satan and his team of demons my try to invade my thoughts I am in COMPLETE CONTROL and know when these attacks happen and when they end. So NO I AM NOT POSSESSED!!! I HAVE THE HOLY SPIRIT DWELLING INSIDE OF ME.
I fight these attacks EXACTLY the way scripture tells me to Ephesians 6:17b and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. We also know that from 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.
SATAN will use any weakness to his advantage and while I struggle with mild OCD he may know this and use this to his advantage in my personal spiritual warfare causing me to obsess and worry over these thoughts.
The good news is that Satan is a defeated adversary. While he is a powerful foe, those who are protected by salvation, prayer, and the word of God need not be paralyzed in fear at this roaring lion...we have VICTORY AND HOPE in our Savior Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:38 is a great reminder "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't and life can't. The Angels can't and the demons can't. Our fears for today or worries about tomorrow and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away.

I won't argue with this other than to say....GotQuestions.com is sometimes a good source of help...too often though I find them waaaay off..so be careful...The Word is still the best commentary on the Word.

 

[Sue J Love]

I won't argue with this other than to say....GotQuestions.com is sometimes a good source of help...too often though I find them waaaay off..so be careful...The Word is still the best commentary on the Word.

I agree that sometimes they, gotquestions, are a good source and sometimes not. We have to read all commentaries with much discernment, in prayer, listening to the Spirit, and studying the scriptures ourselves. Commentaries can be helpful, at times, but they should never replace the Word itself or the witness of the Spirit within us.