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[donnell]

I received the following question from Hillis;

Is it possible for a practicing Christian to be demon possessed? I once heard Paula White teach that this is not possible, but i recently heard someone in ministry make the statement that "there are so many Christians that are demon possessed, who go to church every Sunday and praise God, but are still possessed by the devil". I know that according to Paula White, a Christian cannot be possessed by the devil, but can only be oppressed. I know that a practicing Christian can commit sinful acts that gives the devil license to oppress our lives, but possession is another matter.



Hillis, thanks for the question. Preachers' opinions can confuse us sometimes so I'm happy that you decided to see what The Bible says for yourself. When someone is demon-possessed, an unclean spirit moves on the inside and lives there. Anyone can be attacked by the enemy on the outside but demonic possession means that the enemy is on the inside and controls a human being.

Here's the answer....


1 Demon possessed people can't cast out demons

Mark 16:16-18 (NLT) - Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned. These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”

Matthew 12:24-29 (New Living Translation) - But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.


One of the signs that follow those who believe in Christ is the authority to cast out demons. Whether or not you make full use of it doesn't change what The Bible says. However, Jesus made it clear that a person with demons won't cast out demons because that's spiritual "civil" war. So that's one simple reason why Christians cannot be demon possessed. Jesus also made it clear at the end of the scripture reference that The Holy Spirit will put the devil out of a person because He's stronger.


2 God and Satan will not be roommates!

Matthew 12:43-45 (New Living Translation) - “When an evil spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, seeking rest but finding none. Then it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ So it returns and finds its former home empty, swept, and in order. Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before. That will be the experience of this evil generation.”

Romans 8:9 (Amplified Bible) - But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God].


Either The Holy Spirit lives inside of you which makes you a Christian or The Holy Spirit does not live inside of you which means you are unsaved. If you are unsaved then you are open for demonic possession. If you are a Christian, the devil cannot move inside of you because he won't be welcome in there. The Holy Spirit and the devil cannot live together in the same physical body. The stronger Spirit will rule and put the weaker spirit out!

Every Christian has to make the decision to obey or disobey God on a daily basis. We are no longer controlled by the devil so we are responsible for our actions. The Holy Spirit is supposed to direct and control us because that's the definition of true Christianity. Hence, anybody who is demon-possessed is not a Christian even if he/she attends "church" every Sunday. The scriptures are very clear about that! If you belong to Christ, the enemy can attack from the outside but he cannot come in.