Can a Christian be demon-possessed?

Many strong feelings can be found on both sides of this issue. Those who issue an emphatic "NO!" tend to rely on the teaching that the Holy Spirit who indwells a believer will not share that body with a demon. On the other side, the primary argument is that Scripture is silent on the issue -- that one cannot state a dogmatic position from silence. Both of these are valid points. To truly answer this question, I believe a firm definition of the term "demon possession" is essential in finding a Scripturally-based answer to this important question.

First, to enable a sound discussion of this topic, the term "demon possession" will be defined. Then, let us examine some of the principal Scripture passages that create arguments against and for demon possession of a Christian. Finally, a summary and conclusion will be drawn from the passages chosen.

Demon possession can be defined as that condition in which a fallen angel exercises such control over an individual that the individual is unable or unwilling to resist. Following this definition is critical; how demon possession is defined will obviously affect whether or not it can happen to a Christian.

The following passages of Scripture will be presented along with a brief explanation of its relevance to the question of a Christian being "demon possessed." These passages provide good examples from Scripture that argue against a Christian being possessed.

"What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." (2 Cor 6:16, NIV)

In this passage, Paul is making the point that believers and unbelievers are not to be unequally yoked (the Greek word translated "unequally yoked" indicates two things of a different kind being coupled or joined together). Verse 16 contains the last of five rhetorical questions asking whether things of God can be in agreement with or joined to things of Satan; each has an implied but emphatic "No" as the answer. There is no fellowship between righteousness and unrighteousness, no communion between light and darkness, no concord (a sounding together as indicated in the word "symphony") between Christ and Belial, no part between believer and unbeliever, and, in verse 16, no agreement between the temple of God and idols. Paul's command was given to counter false teaching and improper behavior of the believers at Corinth. Each of these things is given as a stark contrast with the other; they just do not go together.

As the temple of the living God, the believer could never also be the temple of Satan. The word for temple, "naos", indicates not the whole Temple complex but the Holy of Holies. From this verse alone, it is inconceivable that a fallen angel would be allowed to indwell a believer along with the Holy Spirit. Note the warning in 1 Cor. 3:16-17: "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple." Also, 1 Cor. 6:19-20 makes the point of how God will guard His possession, the believer who is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Though the point is not made explicitly, this is a strong teaching that the Holy Spirit possesses the believer and no other.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, {2} in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. {4} But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, {5} made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. (Eph. 2:1-9, NIV)

Speaking of believers, Paul says that we WERE dead in our sins and USED TO live when you followed the world system and the devil. He is referred to as the "spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient (v2)." Paul clearly indicates that believers do not live among those who are disobedient, those IN WHOM the devil is actively at work. Now if the devil (or any fallen angel for that matter) cannot be at work IN us as this verse teaches, then the believer cannot be indwelt and possessed by demons.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. (Col. 1:13, NIV)

Those in the kingdom of the Son, that is believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, are not under the rule or authority of demons.

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (Rom. 8:6-9, NIV)

A true believer has the Spirit of Christ, that is, the Holy Spirit. Though this verse is contrasting control of the sinful nature and of the Holy Spirit, it does unequivocably state that a true believer is controlled by the Spirit of God. A believer may certainly resist the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19), grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30), but is still, ultimately, controlled by the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Cor. 5:17, NIV)

The true believer has a new nature, different than before. If a believer was possessed by a demon to the point of being unable or unwilling to resist, then either (a) he would not have a new nature that desired to please God or (b) the Spirit of God would have been defeated in His work of regeneration in the believer. Either case is a clear contradiction of God's word.

Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. (1 John 3:7-9, NIV)

This and other similar passages in 1 John refer to willful, habitual sin by someone. The point here is that Jesus Christ appeared to destroy the devil's work. One who has been born of God cannot continue in a life of sin because God's seed remains in Him. Being born again means the Holy Spirit has given you new life and made His abode in you. The Holy Spirit remains in a true believer. Why? Because God's word is clear about this. For what purpose? To destroy the devil's work which is sinful. Possession of a believer by a demon, or the devil himself, is impossible because that would mean habitual sin which is not possible for a believer.

Dr. Terry Wise, Dean of Pastoral Ministry at Trinity Theological Seminary, offers the following Scriptures (1 Cor. 6:15-20; 2 Cor. 11:4; James 3:9-13) that argue for or imply demon possession of a Christian:

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 honor God with your body. (1 Cor. 6:15-20, NIV)

Some have argued from this passage that there is a spiritual union between two people through the physical act of intercourse. Certainly the sexual act between a man and woman in marriage can build a bond of unity, intimacy, and commitment between them. But this passage states that a believer who unites with a prostitute in the flesh is "...one with her in body (v.16)" -- it says nothing about some kind of spirit passing between the two. In fact, it specifies that there is sin is against one's own body. The devastating consequences of sexual immorality, along with guilt and spiritual brokenness, are physical diseases. Finally, Paul makes the point that the believer is the temple (Holy of Holies) of the Holy Spirit -- not some other spirit. Because the believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit, each of us should honor God with our body. If Paul was suggesting another spirit were indwelling or possessing the believer, then he would have said honor God with your body and spirit.

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:9-13, NIV)

Apparently, the point here is that a fresh water spring (symbolic of the Holy Spirit) cannot put forth both fresh water and salt water. Yet, believers were doing this very thing. Godly and sinful behavior in the same person. Rather than indicate demon possession, it speaks more pointedly to the sinful nature that still exists in a believer and has a great deal of power (as Paul details in Romans 7). The believer can still be tempted and can be led astray if he does not follow the leading of the Holy Spirit so "...be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18)." This verse might be construed to indicate possible demon possession but it would be a very weak position to take since it argues, for the most part, from silence.

For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. (2 Cor. 11:4, NIV)

A surface level reading of this verse would indicate the possibility of receiving another "different" spirit from "...the one you received" indicating the Holy Spirit. But Paul, in this chapter, is speaking somewhat sarcastically. From the preceding verse 3, he says he does not want the believers to be deceived as Eve was and somehow led astray of their sincere devotion to Christ. Both the KVJ, NKJV, and NAS translations render the second phrase "or if you receive a different spirit which you have NOT received (2 Cor. 11:4, NKJV, emphasis mine)." And the point Paul makes with this verse is that the believers were putting up with false teachings. In fact, contextually, the false teachers and false "apostles" were the bane of Paul's ministry, accusing him of being inferior to the primary apostles or not even a true apostle at all. This really presents no compelling evidence that a believer can be possessed by another spirit though it does seem so at first blush.

"In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (Eph. 4:26-27, NIV)

What is a foothold? The meaning here can be likened to the beachhead at Normandy on D-day. While one may set foot on the beach, it in no way demonstrates ownership to the one who controls the land. From a spiritual perspective, we know the devil to be a tempter of humans. This verse clearly warns of the danger of unresolved anger toward one another. It provides a tremendous opportunity for temptation. Does it indicate a believer can be possessed by a demon? No. Does it indicate the opposite? No. But it does indicate the devil can have an influence on a believer who refuses to deal with his anger.

In conclusion, the two points of view are in stark contrast to one another. Obviously, there is no one passage that says dogmatically a Christian cannot be demon possessed. But the numerous passages cited here, along with many others, make it clear that the believer is the Lord's possession. God's rule in the heart of a believer, through the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit, make it impossible for a believer to be so controlled by a fallen angel that he is unable to resist. The new nature of a believer desires to please God; to be unwilling to do so on a continual basis would be a condition which contradicts God's word.

Reflect on YOUR life: As a believers, you can most certainly be influenced by demons and even led astray for a time. But God's seed always remains in a believer, not a demon. Influence is not the same as possession. God always gives a choice to people, both believers and unbelievers. Believers are warned to stay in accord with that which is holy because, in Christ, we are holy.

Our Creator God loves you and wants you to know Him! If you would like to contact this ministry for further information or questions, please send your e-mail to:
Email: ministryrequest1@WordTruth.Com
Web Site: WordTruth.Com

Copyright © 1998, Randy Lariscy.
Revised -- 2/26/98