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Can a Christian be demon-possessed?
A Christian web-site, a Centre Director and a former spiritualist give views on the sometimes-controversial question of whether or not Christians can be demon-possessed, and the extent to which local churches are equipped to minister to those whose lives are afflicted by demonic activity.
 Martin Knapp is Centre Director of Ellel Grange, the HQ of Ellel Ministries International. He speaks on the work of Ellel Ministries is assisting believers and churches to address the issues affecting Christian lives through negative spiritual issues.
 Listen to a short interview in which Martin addresses the question and speaks about how Ellel Ministries seeks to assist believers and churches in addressing the problems arising from demonic activity and involvement.
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 Laura Maxwell is a former spiritualist whose mother tragically committed suicide as a result of demonic activities brought about by involvement in a spiritualist church. A transcript of Laura's testimony can be found elsewhere on Christians Together.
The following video is a brief excerpt taken from a recent video interview which Laura gave to Christians Together and produced the Thistle Channel TV. The interview was based on her life experience and and book 'A Spiritual Quest'.
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The article below is taken (with permission) from the GotQuestions web site.
Question:
"Can a Christian be demon possessed? Can a Christian be demonized?"
Answer:
While Bible does not explicitly state whether a Christian can be possessed by a demon, related biblical truths make it abundantly clear that Christians cannot be demon possessed. There is a distinct difference between being possessed by a demon and being oppressed or influenced by a demon. Demon possession involves a demon having direct/complete control over the thoughts and/or actions of a person (Matthew 17:14-18; Luke 4:33-35; 8:27-33). Demon oppression or influence involves a demon or demons attacking a person spiritually and/or encouraging him/her into sinful behavior. Notice that in all the New Testament passages dealing with spiritual warfare, there are no instructions to cast a demon out of a believer (Ephesians 6:10-18). Believers are told to resist the devil (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9), not to cast him out.
Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19). Surely the Holy Spirit would not allow a demon to possess the same person He is indwelling. It is unthinkable that God would allow one of His children, whom He purchased with the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19) and made into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), to be possessed and controlled by a demon. Yes, as believers, we wage war with Satan and his demons, but not from within ourselves. The apostle John declares, “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Who is the One in us? The Holy Spirit. Who is the one in the world? Satan and his demons. Therefore, the believer has overcome the world of demons, and the case for demon possession of a believer cannot be made scripturally.
With the strong biblical evidence that a Christian cannot be demon possessed in view, some Bible teachers use the term “demonization” to refer to a demon having control over a Christian. Some argue that while a Christian cannot be demon possessed, a Christian can be demonized. Typically, the description of demonization is virtually identical to the description of demon possession. So, the same issue results. Changing the terminology does not change the fact that a demon cannot inhabit or take full control of a Christian. Demonic influence and oppression are realities for Christians, no doubt, but it is simply not biblical to say that a Christian can be possessed by a demon or demonized.
Much of the reasoning behind the demonization concept is the personal experience of seeing someone who was “definitely” a Christian exhibiting evidence of being controlled by a demon. It is crucially important, though, that we do not allow personal experience to influence our interpretation of Scripture. Rather, we must filter our personal experiences through the truth of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Seeing someone whom we thought to be a Christian exhibiting the behavior of being demonized should cause us to question the genuineness of his/her faith. It should not cause us alter our viewpoint on whether a Christian can be demon possessed / demonized. Perhaps the person truly is a Christian but is severely demon oppressed and/or suffering from severe psychological problems. But again, our experiences must meet the test of Scripture, not the other way around.
Footnotes:
 Ellel Ministries has centres throughout Scotland and offers courses and assistance to churches and individuals in addressing the range of issues impacting on the lives of Christians including that of demonic influences.
Healing retreats are free of charge and are offered by all the Ellel Centres including Blairmore House which is situation near Huntly in the north of Scotland.
 Watch an interview with Anna Wood who, along with her husband Malcolm, is a director of Ellel Scotland.
In the interview Anna speaks of the facilities offered at Blairmore House in terms of Healing Retreats and a programme of care for church leaders called 'Operation Blairmore.
 Laura Maxwell. Another short interview with Laura can be seen at Thistle Channel web site along with details of how to purchase Laura's semi-autobiographical book 'A Spiritual Quest'.
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Christians Together and friends, 20/10/2010 |
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| | | Pawlo | 28/10/2010 16:40 | Peter, just to note that I did not imply starting with Judas earlier. I mentioned Judas because his works had an appearance of a true disciple. His being a 'Christian' is not really applicable in my opinion as he died before the resurection as a Jew.
| | | | Peter Carr | 28/10/2010 16:49 | So, where does that leave all the other people of faith who died prior to the ressurection (cf. Heb 11)?
| | | | Martin Lisemore | 28/10/2010 17:19 | Hebrews 11:40 God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. NIV
| | | | Pawlo | 28/10/2010 17:34 | This could get complicated, but I think you've misunderstood me. I was pointing out that fact that Judas was a Jew, a disciple of Christ and a man who served Christ during his ministry. He was born a Jew, raised as a Jew and died as a Jew under law, living by works and not by faith though he claimed the benefits of freedom from the law under Christ. Yet he still served his former master and died serving that master.
I am not saying that there was no salvation before the death of Christ, thats a ridiculous notion. I'm just making the distinction between Jew and Gentile. If there is no distinction then there can be no future hope for the Jews. They would have to be grafted into us but as we know, we as Gentiles are grafted into them. (And we too live by faith)
| | | | Martin Lisemore | 28/10/2010 19:33 | Paul, I took Peter's post to mean, in a veiled way, there's no salvation for the Jews. You have said nothing I could disagree with.
And you're right, this could very complicated, and very partisan, and I don't think we should go there just yet. Gotta go, teaching tonight!
| | | | Pawlo | 28/10/2010 21:06 | "And you're right, this could get very complicated, and very partisan"
Thats unfortunately very true Martin. It's interesting that as with the article on David and Goliath, christians are often quick to assosiate themselves with certain characters within scripture but would automaticly dismiss the Jewishness of the character, as if it means nothing. (not saying that is what that article does, just using it to make the point)
But this is right off topic now, sorry editor!
| | | | Martin Lisemore | 28/10/2010 22:39 | Paul, I'd be every interested to hear your views on Jewishness of Biblical characters and indeed the Bible itself. Maybe we dare visit Jesus Jewishness!
If you would like some serious debate on this, just start a new thread on it. I'll be there!
Really would enjoy hearing people on this one, because it is so relevant to our understanding of Jesus himself. And how we serve the Jewish people in our times - they are, after all the apple of God's eye!
Editor - sorry, this is even more off topic, but have asked for a new thread. Sorry, I can't think straight at the moment, teaching search engine optimization just does my head in.
| | | | europe (Guest) | 01/01/2011 08:51 | i really DONT understand what you people are debating. Please stay on the topic. Is a christian influenced by demons or possessed. we need answers. not this man you are debating about. thanks
| | | | RF (Guest) | 01/01/2011 09:39 | Can I help out? The answer is surely no. I am certain of it.Let us not be open to obscurantism on this bright new day with its new challenge to us all to get with it; oh to be on top of our game.
| | | | Editor | 01/01/2011 12:40 | Responding to 'Europe' (above):
"Please have a listen to the interview with Martin Knapp. The link to his interview had somehow become disabled: it is now restored. It is worth listening to Mr. Knapps observations (and the experience of Laura Maxwell)."
There are several mistakes which can be made in dealing with the subject of the demonic -
(a) to be come obsessed with it (pardon the pun) and assume that the battle between the Devil and God is one of a conflict between equals,
(b) to deny its influence and effect,
(c) to acknowledge the issue but fail to address it (through inability, bias or neglect).
PS The interview with Laura will (d.v.) be given fuller expression soon.
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