One of the questions we get asked repeatedly is whether or not Christians can be demon-possessed. The question also arises about the nature of demonic oppression; what is the difference?
In our ministry, we make a careful distinction between these terms and typically use the following explanation and analogy. We teach that the term “possession” implies ownership. If you own a house and that house is infested by termites, we would not say that the termites possess the house. We understand that we, as the “owner” (albeit with the bank’s mortgage position) possess the house but that does not protect us from attack and destruction from termites. Have you heard anyone describe their house as “termite-possessed”? We see the termites as a destructive force that needs to be dealt with and removed from the house.
Demon Possession Implies Ownership
In a similar manner, a believer, a child of God, is “God-possessed”. The bible teaches that when we come to Christ we get adopted into the family and that Jesus has redeemed us with His sacrifice on the cross. While we once belonged to the kingdom of darkness, we have been grafted into the kingdom of life!
We belong to God and we are a prized possession! However, in like manner as with termites, our “house” of the Holy Spirit can be infested and tormented by destructive spiritual forces.
We call this torment demonic oppression which involves attacks on our soul and body realm, including thoughts and even physical sickness.We believe that demonic spirits cannot read a person’s mind but have the capability to put thoughts there.
We also teach that demonic spirits can inhabit and indwell believers’ soul and body, as the source of many types of emotional/psychological “issues” and also sickness and disease. This reality presents the need for deliverance ministry, which involves the “casting out” of demonic spirits from an oppressed person.
Now, clearly if a person does not belong to God and is not born again, is it not possible that the demon spirits in them may be so strong and powerful as to drive them to do terribly evil things? A person bereft of salvation and the indwelling Holy Spirit is indeed a ripe candidate to be classified as demon-possessed and we sadly often see the fruit of that in ruined lives, terrible crimes and news stories.
However, the reality is that believers can also be driven to do evil deeds and it is because of the darkness and demonic strongholds that still live in them even after salvation! We have ministered to many born again, Spirit-filled believers who are demonically oppressed and needed deliverance. He who the Son sets free is free indeed!
Need deliverance or know someone who does? Get in touch with us!
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