Can a Christian be demon possessed?
Luke 4:33 And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, 34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.
The question came up the other day by someone..."can a Christian be possessed by a demon? Before I answer that lets look at what it means to be possessed.
All through history of mankind demons have been very active through a human. During the time Jesus walked this earth they were very busy. The demons today are busier than ever. How else could we possibly explain some of the crimes that go on all around us. People are doing things that is just beyond the imagination. Serial killers are at an all time high and many are going free to kill again. Corruption in our government, work place and yes, even our churches.
The worse crime that comes from men and women to me is the crime against our children. Someone that sexually abuses, rapes and just throws a child into a dumpster after they use them for their own evil satisfaction.
That kind of human behavior can only come from the devil himself. Some picture Satan as a little red man with a pitch fork sitting on someone's shoulder whispering in their ear. Oh no, Satan is a very powerful force that can never be underestimated. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
There is a distinct difference between being possessed by a demon and being influenced by a demon. Demon possession involves a demon having direct..complete control over the thoughts or actions of a person. The Bible make it clear that Christians cannot be demon possessed.
My answer when someone ask me if a Christian can be possessed by a demon is: "A demon cannot live where Jesus lives...once we accept Christ as our Saviour He lives within us therefore, demons access is out of the question. We have been signed, sealed and waiting to be delivered by our Lord! and besides that the Bible says in 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
We don't need a "No Access" sign hanging around our neck...we are a child of God...a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords...we have been redeemed by the precious blood....bought for a price not with silver or gold but by the blood of Jesus! You will notice in our text today that the demons knew our Lord....they know He is the Holy one of God.
Also the demons knew that Jesus could destroy them. There is nothing greater than our God and He is our protector.
Psalm 18:2 says The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower
But, can we be influenced? The answer is yes. That is why Paul says in Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Wiles means to be deceived or tricked but Christians can never be possessed.
Love in Christ Jesus, Ronnie Miller www.themillersbiblestudy.com
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06/07/2012
