Dealing With The Demonic - Lesson 6 Series

A great debate has taken place in recent years within Christianity as to whether or not a genuine born-again Christian can be demon-possessed. Some claim that, while the spirit of a Christian could not be possessed by a demon, their body could house a demon.

1. The issue revolves primarily around the word Greek word “daimonizomai.”

Those who believe a Christian can be possessed by a demon argue there has been a mistranslation of the word “daimonizomai” in the King James Version of the Bible and should have been translated as “possessed with evil spirits.” They believe that the correct translation of the Greek word “daimonizomai” is not demon possession but demonized. Therefore, they teach that the correct rendering should be “to be under the power of a demon” They argue that there is a big difference between ‘being possessed,’ which is synonymous to being ‘owned,’ from just ‘having demons’ which is a significant difference between ‘being possessed,’ or being ‘owned.’

2. The Greek word “daimonizomai” is defined by all the Bible Dictionaries and Lexicons as “to be demon-possessed.”

It is very clear that in the New Testament, the word “daimonizomai” was understood to mean ‘to be possessed by a demon.’ There is no distinction in the usage of the word in the New Testament, nor is there even a single reference or warning about this threat.

A Christian can be in a situation where demonic forces exert such oppressive attacks that it can “feel” as if there is actual possession of the body or personality. These attacks may range from mild harassment to extreme subjection of the person involved. The Greek word for “oppressed” is “katadunasteuo.” It means to exercise dominion, dominance, or control. The enemy tries to dominate and control everything. However, Jesus has control over him! Jesus went about healing “all that were oppressed of the devil” (Acts 10:38 KJV). The enemy has to submit to the authority of Jesus.

Christians often used the term "oppressed" without realizing the very thin grounds that exist in the Bible for such a category of demonic activity. Indeed, without the King James Version of the Bible, the word would not even have entered the Christian vocabulary. This belief of demonization subtly changes the focus from God to satan. It can inspire fear in the believer when they should be experiencing security in Christ.

A. The Body Of Christ

“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. (1 Cor 6:15-18 NIV)

A. Your physical body is a member of Christ himself.

That is why you are told that you must not have sexual relations with a non-believer. To do so would be to unite the flesh of Christ with that of a prostitute. As the physical union causes us to be "one flesh," so your spiritual union with Christ causes you to be one in spirit. Thus you are physically members of Christ’s body as well as spiritually members of His body.

1. A demon is not able to inhabit the body of Jesus, nor is a demon able to inhabit the body of anyone who is united with Christ.

B. The Dwelling Place Of The Holy Spirit

“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 6:19-20 NIV)

1. There are two words in the New Testament that are translated as “Temple.”

a. “Naos”

The word used to describe your body as a “temple” of the Holy Spirit is the word “Naos.” This word is also metaphorically to describe the physical body of Jesus.

b. “Hieron”

“Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days."

“The Jews replied, "It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?" But the temple he had spoken of was his body. (John 2:19-22 NIV)

The other word translated in the New Testament is “hieron,” which signifies the entire building or outer courts of the Temple where all the people had access. This is the area in the temple where Jesus taught His lessons.

Your spirit dwells in your body, and the Holy Spirit dwells in your spirit. Your body is the very shrine, the Holy Of Holy’s where the Spirit of God dwells. Only the high priest, clothed in penitential garments, amid a cloud of incense, and with the blood of sacrifice having been offered could lawfully enter in the Holy of Holies (Lev 16; compare Heb 9:7).