Can a Christian Become Demon-Possessed?

Demonic possession is a controversial issue in the Church today because of its serious ramifications. If a Christian can actually become possessed by a demon, then we better know! Otherwise we are underestimating Satan's power, and we do not want to do that.

Nevertheless, I firmly believe that every Christian is exempt from the danger of demon possession. First of all, the apostle Paul taught the Corinthians, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, who you have received from God? You are not your own" (1 Cor. 6:19 NIV). Since every Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9), isn't it naturally repugnant to suggest that Satan (or any of his demons) can work from within a Christian's body? The late Dr. Walter Martin once said, "The Lord is the tenant [of your body], and he is not going to let the apartment become a duplex."

The apostle John assured us, "Greater is he that is in you [the Holy Spirit], than he that is in the world [Satan]" (1 John 4:4b KJV). He went on to write, "We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God [Jesus] keeps him safe, and the evil one [Satan] cannot harm him" (1 John 5:18 NIV). It should be clear therefore, that the indwelling Holy Spirit is both able (1 John 4:4) and willing (5:18) to shield God's people from the snare of devil possession.

Those who disagree with me might contend, "Oh, but I myself have witnessed Christian people who were undoubtedly exorcised from demonization!" This naturally raises a question: How do they know that the persons they witnessed were truly saved and truly demonized? A person can sincerely claim to be a Christian, but he can still be as lost as the devil (Matt. 7:21-23). On the other hand a Christian can be sincerely misled to believe he is demonized. Furthermore, personal experience does not have the final authority in discerning truth from error; only God's Word does!

Believers can suffer demonic oppression (1 Sam. 16:14-16;18:10-11;1 Thes. 2:18), but that is not to be confused with demonic possession. A person who is demon-possessed is at the mercy of the unclean spirit; he has no choice but to do the demon's bidding. That is not the case with oppression; the oppressed person can still resist the demon by surrendering to God (Jas. 4:7).

Christians must never take Satan lightly (or any of his cohorts of darkness)! They can inflict us with pain or illness (Job 1:7; 2 Cor. 12:7). They can even take our lives so long as God gives them permission (Job 2:6; Luke 22:31; 1 Cor. 5:5). But thanks to God, demons can never inhabit our bodies, and force us to sin against our will (1 Cor. 10:13). See also Mark 16:17; Luke 10:19; Acts 16:16-18; Rom. 16:20; and Rev. 12:10-11.