The question has been forced upon us: "Can a born-again Christian be possessed by a demon?" The answer based on the Scriptures & on logic is an unequivocal no!
The proponents of this unscriptural doctrine use such terms as Christians being "invaded by demons" rather than demon possessed. This is nothing more than a word game & a smoke screen to hide the scriptural weakness of their position.
They also present an illogical supposition that demons can invade or control the mind or body but not the spirit. God's Word declares that the body is a temple of the Holy Ghost who is in us. We're told to glorify God in our bodies & in our spirits,which are His (1 Cor. 6:19,20). In 2 Corinthians the question is asked: "....what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial...And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said,I will dwell in them...." (6:14-16). To say that a Christian's body or mind can be possessed or invaded by demons is to contradict the Word of God & declare a communion of light & darkness,that God & Satan are dwelling together.
The Scripture also teach us that Christ is seated in the heavenlies,far above all principalities & powers & mights & dominions (Eph. 1:21,22). These are references to spirit beings - & Christ is far above them. Where am I as a believer? According to Ephesians 2:6, I am seated together with Christ in the heavenlies. As Christians we're in a warfare against these principalities & powers (Eph. 6:12). We need the help of God to stand,for these rulers of the darkness can & do attack us in a variety of ways. But they cannot come in & take control of our lives.
The Scriptures also teach that we are in Christ,& that He is in us (John 14:20). Christ in us which is our hope of this world cometh,& hath nothing in Me" (John 14:30). If I'm in Christ & Satan has nothing in Him,Satan can have nothing in me - praise the Lord!
We also read in 1 John 5:18, "We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself,& that wicked one toucheth him not."
What about these experiences of Christians having demons cast out of them? What are the voices that name themselves,the writhing on the floor,& the regurgitation? I don't know. I'm thankful that,since I don't engage in these unscriptural practices,I don't have to explain them.
Some of the names given by these supposed demons which are more popular are lust,hatred,liar,gluttony,envy,fear,& jealousy. These things are classified in Galatians 5:19-21 as the works of the flesh. We're told to "put off all these" (Col. 3:8),or by the Spirit to "mortify the deeds of the body" (Rom. 8:13; 6:3-14). Not once are we commanded to have them cast out.
It seems to me that this whole Christian-and-demon trip is a cop-out for the flesh. I would like to find some easy way to get rid of my fleshly nature,& rather than the painful process of crucifixion,I'd just like to have it cast out. It's also a way of escaping the responsibility for my fleshly actions. How can I be blamed if "the devil made me do it"?
There doesn't exist one piece of evidence in the Scriptures that Jesus Christ,His apostles,or the early Church once sought to cast demons of the flesh out of anyone in the Body of Christ. The works of the flesh were recognized,& we're instructed in how to deal with them. Never are we taught that they're to be exorcised.
Even in the supposed cases from the Scriptures which would confirm that demons could inhabit a Christian - such as Ananias & Sapphira, "Why hath Satan filled thine heart..." (Acts 5:3),or Simon the sorcerer, "Thou art in the gall of bitterness,& in the bond of iniquity...." (Acts 8:32) - Peter didn't practice exorcism. Instead,there was instant judgment of death in the first case & a call to repentance in the other.
It is sad that many Christians & non-Christians seem to have a greater interest in Satan & being possessed by demons then they do in Christ & being possessed by His Holy Spirit. Those who fall into the practices of exorcism soon seem to be looking for & placing a greater emphasis on the power of Satan to attack than on the power of Christ to keep. Demons become the center of their conversations & teachings rather than Jesus Christ.
We can rejoice in God's Word, "Greater is He that is in you,than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Thanks be to God Who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord! We as Christians are told in James 4:7 to "resist," not "cast out," the devil - and he will flee from us.
¤ Three Things in Common ¤
There are three interesting similarities in these two false doctrines:
1. Both doctrines have really divided the Body of Christ across the United States.
2. They both have sterilizing effects. If you become so involved in casting demons out of yourself,every time you gather together with the local body the whole emphasis is upon demons rather than upon the Lord. Soon,you become so inward that you're no longer effective in your witness for Jesus Christ. You're too preoccupied about some demon activity within your life.
The doctrine of shepherding is also sterilizing in its effects. Since you become spiritually responsible for everyone & anyone you lead to Christ,you shouldn't lead anyone to Christ until you're spiritually mature enough to accept that responsibility.
3. Both false doctrines appeal to people who are seeking to escape the responsibility of their own actions. This is were these doctrines actually have their appeal.
"It wasn't really me! A demon was responsible for that outburst of temper. A demon was responsible for that moment of lustful passion." Its throwing the responsibility for my actions over onto the demons,rather than accepting it as part of my old rotten flesh.
The shepherding doctrine relieves me of the obligations & responsibility of my conduct. "I don't have to be responsible for what I do. The shepherd tells me what to do." Thus,he is the one who is responsible for my actions - whether they're right or wrong,in the will of God or not. And I escape responsibility for my own deeds.
There are many people who don't want to be responsible for the things they do. Both of these false doctrines offer that escape from,& of,responsibility.
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