Can a genuinely saved Christian be possessed with demons?
Most of the older writers say that genuine Christians cannot be possessed or indwelt by a demon.
An example is John L. Nevius, a Presbyterian missionary who spent nearly 40 years in China, who saw many cases of demon possession, but never among Christians. He found that demons did not want to stay in the presence of true Christians.1
A pioneer Pentecostal missionary, Victor Plymire, gave similar insights from Tibet. He found also that demon worshipers did not find it easy to get demons to take possession of them.
More recently writers of various denominations have taken a different view. M. H. Nelson, a medical doctor, tells of numerous reports of Christians who apparently have suffered from demon possession. He suggests, however, that some of them may be in open rebellion against God. (Apparently, he believes in eternal security and still calls these rebels Christians.) He goes on to say, however, that though a demon may gain an influence over the mind and body of a Christian, it is very doubtful that the body of a Christian can be possessed by a demon.2
Others say that a demon can possess the Christian’s body without possessing the Christian’s inner being. This seems contrary to the biblical view of the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit. It also goes against the biblical view of the unity of body, soul, and spirit as far as responsibility is concerned. The fragmentation of the person into various aspects is a heathen idea. If a demon enters any area of the body or mind (or attitudes), it enters you!
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There is no clear example in the Bible where a demon ever inhabited or invaded a true believer. Never in the New Testament epistles are believers warned about the possibility of being inhabited by demons. Neither do we see anyone rebuking, binding, or casting demons out of a true believer. The epistles never instruct believers to cast out demons, whether from a believer or unbeliever. Christ and the apostles were the only ones who cast out demons, and in every instance the demon-possessed people were unbelievers.
Absolutely not. 1 Corinthians 6:19 declares that the body of the Christian is the temple of the Holy Spirit. That is to say, Scripture makes it clear that believers are indwelt by God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (John 14:17, 23). To conclude, therefore, that Christians can be demonized is to admit that demons can inhabit the very temple of God Almighty.
This is indeed difficult to believe, given Jesus’ insights on possession: “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up the spoils” (Luke 11:21-22). Clearly, the “strong man” who guards Christians is the sovereign God Who created and sustains the heavens and the earth, Who is unable to be overpowered or plundered (2 Chr. 20:6).
Nevertheless, we must realize that our warfare is not against flesh and blood, but rather, against principalities and powers of darkness (Ephesians 6:12). That is precisely why we are exhorted to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11). However, we can say with confidence that Christ has already won the victory and no Christian can be “demon-possessed” (Colossians 2:15). As God’s Word triumphantly proclaims, “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4b).
i think deamon cannot control Christian’s life, but they still have some demons in their lives. Because after they are justification, they have not get rid of all their sin. Therefore, they could have demons, However, if they choose to get rid of it, they can free by Christ’s love.
If you are been tormented by demonic spirits/demons and need help .
I recommend Daily Mercy, because I was set free by it .It’s an extensive online deliverance program that can be done from anywhere you have internet connection.
www.ricardowatson.com ,look for Daily Mercy and schedule a call.