“Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” (John 8:48)
An old saying was once used to describe a disobedient, ill-mannered child, that the child had “the devil in him.” We might also apply this saying to someone consistently making sinfully poor choices. But is it true? Can someone be possessed by a demon or the devil himself? How about a follower of Christ?
The New Testament describes a few instances of demon possession in which a demon or evil spirit controls a person’s thoughts and actions. Examples found in Matthew 17:14–18, Luke 4:33–35, and 8:27–33 involve convulsions, self-harm, rage, and supernatural strength. We still see examples like this today.
However, the difference between those people and believers in Christ is the Holy Spirit, the third person of the divine Godhead (the other two being Father God and His Son, Jesus). The Bible tells us that when we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit comes and dwells within us.
“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now, if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Holy Spirit who dwells in you.” (Romans 8:9, 11)
“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” (I Corinthians 3:16)
Further, the Holy Spirit eternally seals believers, which means He claims them as God’s own and guarantees their protection from demons.
Ephesians 1:13-14, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession to the praise of His glory.”
2 Corinthians 1:21-22, ‘Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
Romans 8:38-39, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities or powers [i.e., demons], nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
When we fully accept Christ, we step out of a life of darkness and sin controlled by Satan and into a life of light, freedom, joy, and peace in the Lord. The fruit we consequently bear (Gal 5:22-23) is evidence of our true spiritual transformation by the Holy Spirit, and Satan is powerless against Him. However, those who reject Christ do not have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and are vulnerable to Satan’s control.
Be Vigilant
The Bible contains no examples of any demon possessing a believer in Christ, and there is no instruction about exorcising them (i.e., spiritual removal) out of believers today. The early disciples cast out “unclean spirits” at one time (Mk 6:7; Lk 10:17), but the Bible does not mention God giving anyone else the command or instruction since that time. Why? Because it does not occur.
However, it is vital to understand that even though demons cannot possess believers, they can greatly influence them.
Believers often struggle with the trappings of sin, such as pride, addiction, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, and more. They remain trapped unless they confess their sin, repent, and return in obedience to the Lord. Until then, Satan continues his attempts at destruction through subtle influences with the hope of drawing those who are not steadfast in the Lord away from Him.
The Bible tells us always to be alert to the devil’s schemes (1 Pt 5:8-9) and be ready for him by putting on the whole armor of God daily (Eph 10-18). James 4:7 says it best.
“Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
True believers should never worry about demon possession, knowing that the Holy Spirit is within them and protecting them. But it does not mean we should not be on guard. We must be vigilant about Satan’s plots and plans because the truth is, he is doing everything he can to destroy you and your loved ones.
Be ready, stand firm, confess sin (hidden or obvious), and keep your eyes on God, knowing He victoriously goes before you every day (Psalm 23).
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Rom 8:37)
