Can Christians Be Possessed

Can Christians Be Possessed

FACE YOU DEMONS!

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Can Christians Be Possessed

~Face Your Demons~

Can Christians Be Possessed

1. According to “Barna Research,” 40% of Christians strongly agree that Satan is not real.
2. In addition, 19% agreed somewhat that Satan is not real.
3. 26% disagreed with the statement affirming their belief that Satan is real.
4. Yet, 39% of Christians surveyed believed that a person can be under the influence of spiritual forces such as demons and evil spirits. While 25% agreed somewhat.

Article: Barna.com “Most Christians do not believe that Satan or the Holy Spirit Exist.”

Can Christians Be Possessed

Many Christians walk around unaware of the hidden danger. They never realize that there is an unseen realm cloaked in secrecy, and shielded in misinformation. The Spiritual realm is very real, active, and present. Even if the believer walks around oblivious to the battle ground they find themselves in. As we are leaving Babylon, we must guard ourselves from these spiritual attacks and not allow ourselves or our brothers and sisters in Christ to be slowed down in their exodus from Babylon.

James 4:7-8 “Be subject therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  (8)  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

We are resisting against his attacks and attempts to cause us to sin, as he tried to do against Jesus in the wilderness. Why are we warned to resist against something that supposedly can’t hurt us or come against us? The battle is real and active.

Ephesians 6:11-13 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  (12)  For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  (13)  Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.”

Can Christians Be Possessed

     Influenced

The Disciples/Brothers James & John:

Luke 9:51-56  “It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem,  (52)  and sent messengers before his face. They went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, so as to prepare for him.  (53)  They didn’t receive him, because he was traveling with his face set towards Jerusalem.  (54)  When his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky, and destroy them, just as Elijah did?”  (55)  But he turned and rebuked them, “You don’t know of what kind of spirit you are.  (56)  For the Son of Man didn’t come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” They went to another village.”

Believers receiving a demonic spirit over the true Spirit of Christ:

2 Corinthians 11:4 “For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, whom we didn’t preach, or if you receive a different spirit, which you didn’t receive, or a different “good news”, which you didn’t accept, you put up with that well enough.”

Warning that believers will be seduced by demonic spirits and give up the faith:

1 Timothy 4:1-2 “But the Spirit says expressly that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,  (2)  through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;”

Seducing: Strong’s- G4108 – πλάνος – planos

Of uncertain affinity; roving (as a tramp), that is, (by implication) an impostor or misleader: – deceiver, seducing.

Leaders can be influenced by Satan if they don’t take heed:

1 Timothy 3:5-7 “but how could someone who doesn’t know how to rule one’s own house take care of God’s assembly?)  (6)  not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.  (7)  Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

Snare: Strong’s- G3803- παγίς – pagis

From G4078; a trap (as fastened by a noose or notch); figuratively a trick or stratagem (temptation): – snare

We will later look at 2 Timothy 2:24-26. We will see those who fall into a “snare of Satan” and are controlled to do his will!

Sin gives the Devil influence in your life:

Ephesians 4:25-27 “Therefore putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor. For we are members of one another.  (26)  “Be angry, and don’t sin.” Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath,  (27)  and don’t give place to the devil.”

Place: Strong’s- G5117 – τόπος – topos

Apparently a primary word; a spot (generally in space, but limited by occupancy; whereas G5561 is a larger but particular locality), that is, location (as a position, home, tract, etc.);

Can Christians Be Possessed

     Oppressed

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 “Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,  (11)  that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.’”

Advantage: Strong’s- G4122 – πλεονεκτέω – pleonekteō

From G4123; to be covetous, that is, (by implication) to over reach: – get an advantage, defraud, make a gain.

1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  (9)  Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.”

Devour: Strong’s- G2666 – καταπίνω – katapinō

From G2596 and G4095; to drink down, that is, gulp entire (literally or figuratively): – devour, drown, swallow (up).

Galatians 3:1 “Foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you not to obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly portrayed among you as crucified?”

Bewitched: G940 – βασκαίνω – baskainō

Akin to G5335; to malign, that is, (by extension) to fascinate (by false representations): – bewitch.       {To Use Charms, Spells, etc.}

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.  (8)  Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  (9)  He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.  (10)  Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.”

Can Christians Be Possessed

     Possessed

We get this Hollywood view point that all demonic possession has people throwing themselves around on the ground. Yet, while this can and does happen, we find in the Bible more of the “A” typical, “foaming at the mouth” possession. We find more sinister and subtle forms of possession, the kind of possession that can fly under most people’s spiritual radar.

Can Christians Be Possessed

1 Corinthians 5:1-5 “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one has his father’s wife.  (2)  You are arrogant, and didn’t mourn instead, that he who had done this deed might be removed from among you.  (3)  For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing.  (4)  In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, you being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,  (5)  are to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”

Deliver: G3860 – παραδίδωμι – paradidōmi

From G3844 and G1325; to surrender, that is, yield up, intrust, transmit: – betray, bring forth, cast, commit, deliver (up), give (over, up), hazard, put in prison, recommend.

1 Timothy 1:18-20 “This instruction I commit to you, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which were given to you before, that by them you may wage the good warfare;  (19)  holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made a shipwreck concerning the faith;  (20)  of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.”

Jesus concerning The Parable Of The Sower.”

Mark 4:13-15 “He said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How will you understand all of the parables?  (14)  The farmer sows the word.  (15)  The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes, and takes away the word which has been sown in them.”

As we talked earlier, here is the verse referenced under “Influenced”.

Let’s look at that verse first:

1 Timothy 3:5-7 “(For if a man does not know to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)  (6)  not a novice, lest being puffed up he may fall into the condemnation of the Devil.  (7)  But he must also have a good report from those on the outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the Devil.”

Now let’s look at what this snare can do in a believer’s life:

2 Timothy 2:24-26 “The Lord’s servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient,  (25)  in gentleness correcting those who oppose him: perhaps God may give them repentance leading to a full knowledge of the truth,  (26)  and they may recover themselves out of the devil’s snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.”

Can Christians Be Possessed

Examples Of Christian Possession-

Now I believe Judas was never saved and was the son of perdition. Yet, Judas hung around Jesus and the disciples and participated as a follower. We can rightly expect that he enjoyed the spiritual blessing and covering provided by Jesus to His followers.

Can Christians Be Possessed

~Judas~

As we see, Jesus calls him a devil:

John 6:70-71 “Jesus answered them, “Didn’t I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”  (71)  Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he who would betray him, being one of the twelve.”

Jesus declared the following about Judas:

Matthew 26:24-25 “The Son of Man goes, even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”  (25)  Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You said it.”

Yet, at one point, Jesus gave him authority to cast out demons and he still became demonized:

Matthew 10:1 “He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.”

Then later, Satan entered Judas:

Luke 22:3-6 “Satan entered into Judas, who was also called Iscariot, who was counted with the twelve.  (4)  He went away, and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them.  (5)  They were glad, and agreed to give him money.  (6)  He consented, and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude.”

Can Christians Be Possessed

~Peter~

We also have Peter being filled with Satan:

Matthew 16:21-23 “From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.  (22)  Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.”  (23)  But he turned, and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.”

Can Christians Be Possessed

~Ananias & Sapphira~

Then after Jesus’ Resurrection and Pentecost, we have Ananias and Sapphira:

Acts 5:1-11 “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira, his wife, sold a possession,  (2)  and kept back part of the price, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.  (3)  But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?  (4)  While you kept it, didn’t it remain your own? After it was sold, wasn’t it in your power? How is it that you have conceived this thing in your heart? You haven’t lied to men, but to God.”  (5)  Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and died. Great fear came on all who heard these things.  (6)  The young men arose and wrapped him up, and they carried him out and buried him.  (7)  About three hours later, his wife, not knowing what had happened, came in.  (8)  Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much.” She said, “Yes, for so much.”  (9)  But Peter asked her, “How is it that you have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”  (10)  She fell down immediately at his feet, and died. The young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband.  (11)  Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things.”

Can Christians Be Possessed

     Children’s Bread

Deliverance from the Demonic is the “Children’s Bread” and is therefore particularly reserved for the children of God:

Matthew 15:22-28 “Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely possessed by a demon!”  (23)  But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.”  (24)  But he answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”  (25)  But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.”  (26)  But he answered, “It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”  (27)  But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”  (28)  Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.”

Yet, this begs the question, why would the Children of God need this Bread of Deliverance if they could never become possessed? Obviously it’s because the children of God can be.

Now as children of the New Covenant, all who call upon Jesus and obey Him are God’s Children, Jew or Gentile.

Romans 10:12-13 “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him.  (13)  For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 3:29 “Or is God the God of Jews only? Isn’t he the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also,”

Basically, if you believe in Jesus and confess with your mouth, get baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit, you are a child of God. And the children’s bread (Demonic Deliverance) is for you.

Can Christians Be Possessed

     A Case Study

Point 1: They Are Given The Power Over Demons And Ability To Heal.

Luke 9:1-3  “He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.  (2)  He sent them out to preach God’s Kingdom and to heal the sick.  (3)  He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey—neither staffs, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats each.”

Point 2: He Also Gave The Same Ability To 70 Others.

Luke 10:1 “Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place, where he was about to come.”

Luke 10:17-19 “The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”  (18)  He said to them, “I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven.  (19)  Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.” 

Point 3: He Tells Them Not To Rejoice Over This Power, But To Rejoice That They Are Written In The Lamb’s Book Of Life.

Luke 10: 20 “Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Revelation 3:5 “He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”                 (Side Note: Obviously, Judas didn’t overcome!)

So, as we see, the 11 and Judas and the 70 had power to cast out demons and heal. Yet, Jesus told them not to rejoice in this, that they should rejoice that they have salvation having their names written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Point 4: Yet, they still had Satan posses them and fill their hearts.

We also know that in (Matthew 16:22-23) Jesus rebuked Satan out of Peter. Jesus told James and John that they didn’t know what spirit they were of, meaning an evil Spirit (Luke 9:52-56).  We also know that Satan entered into the heart of Judas to betray Jesus. (John 13:26-27). So, empowered disciples of Jesus Christ whose name were written down in the book of life became demonized. This proves again that Christians can become influenced, oppressed and possessed. Even if they are saved, or in the process of being damned to hell, “Judas!”

Point 5: Now we can fully appreciate Jesus’ statement.

John 14:30-31 “I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me.  (31)  But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let’s go from here.”

Can Christians Be Possessed

     Verses

Now we can look at one of the most misapplied verses concerning this subject:

1 John 4:4 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.”

This issue is not with the statement, as it is true God is greater than the spirit of the world {or Satan}, it is how they try to apply it. As we have seen over this study, Christians can become Influenced, Oppressed, and Possessed and that the Christian can be devoured. As read here in Peter:

1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  (9)  Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.”

So, how do we balance out the weight of all the Biblical evidence, including 1^st Peter against 1^st John? There is an apparent disconnect from how some try to apply 1^st John as the spiritual wall against the demonic.  Yet, if they were right, then how could a person be devoured by Satan? How could they be turned over as we read earlier? How could they have their hearts filled by Satan like Ananias and Sapphira? The only answer is that this verse is not telling us what they think it is. It is a statement of authority, that God is bigger and we can side with God and not fear the spirit of the world. It does not say that you are untouchable, and that Satan has no power in your life.

For example, Satan prevented Paul from his goal:

1 Thessalonians 2:17-18 “But we, brothers, being bereaved of you for a short season, in presence, not in heart, tried even harder to see your face with great desire,  (18)  because we wanted to come to you—indeed, I, Paul, once and again—but Satan hindered us.”

I could go on and on with all the examples- in the scriptures, in the world, of the attacks of Satan upon the church, from martyrs, and to the persecuted. Satan has real power, even to those who follow Jesus with all their heart. We see this in the disciples of Jesus and how they all died for their faith. So, 1^st John is by no means a “get out of jail free card” telling us we can never be influence, oppressed, or possessed by demonic activity. Yet, it is a promise that God is mightier and we can run to Him for safety as His children. 

As we read earlier, Judas was given the power to cast out demons, yet he later becomes possessed by Satan. With this in mind, let’s read the following verse:

Luke 10:19 “Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you.”

This too is often applied wrongly. Yes, the demons we cast out in Jesus’ Name will not hurt us while we are ministering. Yet, we have clearly read that Christians can be demonized. So, what’s the difference? The difference is this- those things we entertain and allow in by our own free will can hurt us! You can allow yourself to be in spiritual trouble by sinning and rebellion against God. What you let in will have an impact on your life, without question. God is good and stays the attack, but we are warned:

Galatians 6:7-8 “Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows,  (8)  because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.”

Can Christians Be Possessed

Can Christians Be Possessed

Can Christians Be Possessed