There came also a multitude out of the cities round about to Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
Acts 5:16, KJV
27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4:27-30
Can a person be demon possessed?
Can a Christian be demon possessed?
Do Christians need deliverance from demonic spirits?
The biblical meaning of possession:
Two Greek words:
1. “Diamonizomia” = To be under the power of a demon, afflicted, demonized.
++2. “Echo” = Compromise, agitating emotions and mind, controlled harassment.
NOTE: Both words for “demon possession” does not carry the meaning of ownership but conveys oppression or demonization.
Vexed:
• Distressed
• Agitated
• Troubled
• Annoyed
• Afflicted
• Harassed
Possessed:
• Seized and taken complete hold of.
• Grasped firmly.
• Ownership.
Can a person be demon possessed?
44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
John 8:44
Can a Christian be demon possessed?
4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:13-14
What about Jesus’ ministry of deliverance to those who were demon possessed?
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.
Acts 10:38
But if we have the Holy Spirit and faith, shouldn’t that prevent us from having demons?
Because we are bought by the blood of Jesus, we now are abler to yield to the Holy Spirit.
But, we can also yield to ungodly spirits out of deception or rebellion.
3 But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:3
1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:
1 Timothy 4:1
Remember…….
++Demons can not enter anytime they choose. There must be an opened door.
Three warnings of opening demonic doors.
4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.
II Corinthians 11:4, ESV
4 You seem so gullible: you believe whatever anyone tells you even if he is preaching about another Jesus than the one we preach, or a different spirit than the Holy Spirit you received, or shows you a different way to be saved. You swallow it all.
II Corinthians 11:4, TLB
1. Listening to the message/messenger that presents “another Jesus”.
5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.
Matthew 24:5
2. Receiving a “different spirit” than the Holy Spirit.
1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirit to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 5 they are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
I John 4:1-6
A false inspiration
Discernment is not, knowing the difference between right and wrong.
It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.
C.H. Spurgeon
3. Accepting a “different gospel” than the Gospel of Christ.
Can a Christian be oppressed and have demons in their lives?
Demonic oppression comes through doorways that you open.
What doors are you opening in your life?
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
I Peter 5:8
21 Then Moses called all the elders of Israel and said to them, “Go and select lambs for yourselves according to your clans, and kill the Passover lamb. 22 Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. 23 For the LORD will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, The Lord will pass over the door and will not let the destroyer to enter your houses to to strike you.
Exodus 12:21-23
11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:11-12