5. Christians Can Be Demonically Oppressed
Demon spirits are created beings. They have minds, wills, emotions and some spirits are more wicked than others! These characteristics are laid out succinctly in Matthew 12:43-45 and also in Luke 11:24-26. Notice the first part of the phrase. “When a spirit comes out of a man…”
That tidbit is vitally important to understand one aspect of oppression. Websters defines the term “oppression” as:
- Unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power
- A sense of being weighed down in body or mind
These two together explain the scope of demonic oppression. Cruel use of power and a sense of being weighed down.
Demonic spirits have the ability to put thoughts in our mind but cannot read our mind. When the spirits are inside of a person, that is the nature of torment, and the thoughts have great power because of the proximity of the source.
When a demon comes out of a person, that is how we define the term “deliverance” as outlined in point 1.
Christians, with the Holy Spirit in them, can likewise be tormented and indwelt by demonic spirits and be oppressed. But, as we explained in point 4, they cannot be demon-possessed.
Spirits can oppress people even when they are outside of us because of their ability to put thoughts in our mind. However, this is a different type of spiritual battle— resisting (James 4:7) rather than driving out.