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Can Christians be demon possessed? How can Satan influence believers?
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Posted by: Sulten
What are your thoughts out there about this? There seems to be a lot of series coming out over here in Norway (many we get from America and Great Britian) about demons and spirits possessing bodies and houses. I have always believed that when a Christian receives Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit enters our bodies. I believe that God then claims us His own and demons cannot occupy the same place as the Holy Spirit. I think that is why Satan tries so hard to get to people and prevent them from being converted so he can influence his control over that person to a greater degree. Yet, I believe that even though the new Christian has the Holy Spirit with him, demons can certainly try to plant thoughts or to affect the thinking process. Many times we even see that he is successful and we see good, seemingly solid Christians fall.
I was thinking of Ananias, one of the members of the church at Jerusalem during the early days of the church. He conspired with his wife Sapphira to deceive the church. The members of the early Christian community at that time had agreed to devote their property to the work of furthering the gospel and of assisting the poor and needy. Then the proceeds were given to the apostles. Ananias could have kept his property if he had chosen that; but he professed agreement and declared that he had devoted it all. In reality, he kept a part of it for his own ends, and subsequently lied by declaring he had given it all. Peter had asked them why they had allowed Satan to fill their hearts to lie to the Holy Spirit. They were Christian believers, but they lied and were swayed from the truth. That is Satan’s influence.
Someone said, “Demons cannot live in Christian hearts, but they perch on Christian shoulders and whisper in Christian ears.”
It’s easy to think that because we’ve turned our lives over to the Lord and have the Holy Spirit living in us, we’ll be safe ever after.
Pastor Jerry talks about “putting on the armor of God each and every day.” Think of it like building your arsenal for the next attack. (The sneak attacks!)
What happens to a Christian society that spends more time watching television every day? What happens to our young people whose lives center around socials, extracurricular activities and don’t have time for scripture study and prayer? Will they have the strength to withstand the fiery darts of the adversary when they come?
I have heard it said that Satan has a plan for our lives, just as God has a plan. Both are going to fight for each and every one of us. We know that God of course is the stronger of the two, BUT, Satan is going to run interference and if he can get you off track and keep you off track, he can win the battle.
Satan’s time is running short and he knows it. He will be “pulling out all stops” in an effort to get back some of the most dedicated Christians. He will be working 24/7, 365 days a year to derail new Christians, sometimes not always spiritually mature enough to understand what they’re up against.
When the world saw Saddam Hussein do what he did in Kuwait, and the world said enough is enough and we must do something against him, nobody underestimated him. General Schwartzkoff certainly did not underestimate him. There were huge forces of troops and equipment sent in. Many countries' forces were amassed to ensure there would be enough power to do what was necessary.
Any of you out there that are not sure what the plan of defense is against the adversary, know that God has given us a sure plan. Once again, back to the full set of armor that Pastor Jerry talked about. We must wear it each and every day. Here’s what he has to say about it:
”We must do this daily otherwise we are not ready for battle that day. That is why so many Christians are not victorious on a daily basis. Satan is kicking them around because they have not put on the Armor of God properly that day.”
Pastor Jerry
This is the link to read the whole thread what he says to do if you haven’t read it already:
http://www.annointed.net/ForumTopic_35815__15.htm
You basically have to put on the armor of Righteousness every day. Letting yourself fall into sin, will erode the armor and let the adversary have more power over you. PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! You have to ask for the Lord’s protection each and every day and His Spirit to remain with you. Do not take it for granted you will have that without asking each and every day. Study his Word. Arm yourself with TRUTH AND KNOWLEDGE that you will not be deceived. You have to “die every day” to your sins. You can’t just repent once! Keep the armor in tact. Put your faith and trust in the Lord, not the arm of flesh or your own devices.
I heard an interview with Madonna the other day. She was talking about how she had “empowered herself.” I used to hear a lot of talk about that in the work place where I was working. The Lord is our ultimate empowerment source. Every other source of that and institution is subject to fail, if it is not built upon the Savior’s rock.
Do you know what the Devil’s plan for us is? It is to keep our lives and thoughts so jumbled, so busy that we will not have time to get the armor put on. No time to stop and pray and read the scriptures. So we’re leaving ourselves wide open to attack.
Of course we will have attacks when we are doing all the right things, but the difference will be in the magnitude of the power we will have to fight those demons. When left in our own strength, we will quickly weaken. With the Lord, He has even promised us He will fight our battles for us.
In my life, I’ve lived on both sides of the fence. As a young teen I opened the door to Satan’s influence and power to work in my life and I have felt of his power and it terrified me, though I didn’t understand at the time I was allowing him in, time and time again. I used to ask my dad to give me blessings and pray with me to get rid of the evil spirits that were tormenting me in my dreams and waking moments. I was inviting those buffetings. Now that I have accepted Jesus Christ into my heart, there are still attacks, but I just know and understand better how to fight them.
I have been made aware that our society’s interest in the Occult is opening the door to trouble and house and bodily possessions. Ask ChristianCommando about his experiences of coming up against things like that and how to cast them out completely if you are having problems and cannot do this on your own. If you are tampering with and intrigued by the Occult, think again and stay as far away from these things as you can get. They are dangerous and playing with fire.
There is also a great promise that if we are “prepared,” if we have put the whole armor of Christ on, “we shall not fear.” I think that means being overcome by fear or paralyzed by fear. Sometimes we are afraid in the face of uncertainty and perplexing problems, but as we turn to God for answers and lean on Him, those fears have a way of dissolving into faith and hope.
Posted by: Christian Commando
Hey Sis-
No, a True child of God cannot be possessed by demons- "Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world".
But, we can still hear the words or thoughts of Satan in our minds, just as can hear God's thoughts. Thus, we must make the choice every day all day to do hat is of God and learn the ifference so we do do the right thing always.
God Bless!!
Posted by: CaptainTar
Can someone open your door to your house, and enter it, without YOUR key?
You could have left it unlocked. If so did someone,while you were not looking, enter and go into one of your rooms. Are they still there? Did you eat your evening meal, and they are still there? Did you look? Did you go to sleep?
I was a christen for 3 years, filled with the Holy Spirit, an went to a mens meeting in a home (big),(100+men)from my 4square church. They cast a spirit (unclean) out of ME. While during a break, I got tired and laid down to sleep, when I awoke I went back to the meeting. I heard a voice that told me to leave the room, I did ,and went into a bedroom with a outside door. The voice demanded that I leave. Instead, I cried out to Jesus for help. I knew that voice wasn't me, and I knew it wasn't God ether. I knew I didn't want to leave, I cried out for HELP, loudly, not knowing what to do!! A group of men entered the room, and started praying over ME. Telling the devil to leave. This one man layed his hand on me and told the demon to leave. MY MOUTH OPENED UP WITHOUT ME DOING IT, AND I FELT SOMETHING PASS THOUGH MY THROAT AND MOUTH.
At the same time I HEARD A LOUD SCREAM.
They took me into the meeting again, and loved on ME, my pastor put his arm around ME and told me to get into the WORD. I really felt LOVED by that group of men, and protected! I figure that, that spirit came into my body while sleeping, to disrupt the meeting, but it backfired, and many men SAW the POWER of GOD in action!!!!
That night at my home church, that man that touched me, told his story to the church, how that he had cast out a demon out of a man that day, not pointing ME out.
So, people try to explain away the idea that a christen can have a unclean spirit in them, but I KNOW FIRST HAND that they can have ONE or MORE in them. But know this, the devil CANNOT possess my NEWBORN SPIRIT, only (if he finds entry) the body. So YES he can be in a room of your house without your knowledge, but not really have total control or ownership, because you belong to Jesus!!
It's God Plan the YOU put on the Full Armor of God!
I'll explain: I put on the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteous...........NO NO NO It is not done that way. Do you know a book by reading the contents page....no.
You PUT ON THE ARMOR not by saying this and that, but
by Worshiping HIM, by Praying in the Spirit, by Praising HIM, by Speaking HIS WORD, by bringing HIM your thanksgivings, then HIS SPIRIT covers you and protects you, God enhabits the praises of His people.
A person can possess your room in your house, without you knowing it,but we all need to make sure that doesn't happen to us, clean your rooms out DAILY ! Worship God and protect youself by putting on HIS Spirit daily.
Captain Tar
Posted by: Christian Commando
CaptainTar-
Very interesting, but if a True Child of God with the Holy Spirit dwelling within them can have a demon come into them as well, how then can God be accurate in declaring- "Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world"?
Do you honestly think the Holy Spirit leaves you when you are asleep? That the Holy Spirit is only present in you when awake? I think not. God declares once we become saved and reborn, our body becomes the "Temple" of God.
In Heaven, we have consistant visions of God sitting on His Throne in His Temple in Heaven. When the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, He is there constantly, He don't take breaks like man does for coffee, lunch etc and leaves us.
But, God does declare we can quench or grieve the Holy Spirit and put distance between Him and us when we think wrong things or do wrong things.
Also, the Lord speaks of a void we can have and it needs to be filled with good or evil can fill it and change us. But this cannot be a True Child of God except they choose to allow evil to start influencing them over the Holy spirit. If goes long enough, the Holy Spirit shall leave and God turns the person over to Satan.
God will chastise the Child and try to turn them back to Him, but if won't listen and stays hard hearted, God will let them go to Satan.
Galatians 5:16-23 shows as in v 17, that flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh, that they are contrary to each other. And God also declares you cannot eat of the Table of the Lord and of Satan, nor drink of the Cup of Christ and of Devils together for they totally contradict each other.
To top it off, God is omnipotent-(all powerful), Satan is only a fallen Angel with limited abilities and power. There is no way both the Holy Spirit and a Demon- (fallen Angel), can dwell within one person at the same time, as the demon would never touch the pure undefiled Power of God by His Glory as the Holy Spirit, or would be destroyed. Matt.4:2-10- (Satan never touched Christ but only spoke to Jesus and lead Him to places). (Setteth- to stand, make stand, put, stood still, appointed), etc.
Notice, in all examples where people were brought to Christ possessed with demons, devils, evil spirits, He did not touch them, but "He cast out the spirits with His Word"-Matt. 8:16,28-32,15:22-28, plus alot more.
No, there is no way the Holy Spirit, a member of the Holy Trinity can dwell within a person and a demon- (fallen Angel) together at the same time. And understand that "quenching" the Holy Spirit by a person He dwells within, is only holding Him- (Holy Spirit) back from doing God's Will thru that person, but is by no means seperating Him from them or driving Him out.
God Bless!!
Posted by: diamondcreates
***QUESTION****
While attending elementary school (Catholic) one of the head priests of the school/church stated that when he was a young priest he was an apprentince of helping the monsignor with an exorcism in the mid to late 20s early 30s. And an unclean spirit came out of this little boy he said. The priest spoke about how this little boy was newly baptized not too long before this had happened. He was about 7-8 years of age. And that after this had happened he was re-baptized and the little boy don't remember anything that took place. As children we never doubted what he said -- about being present at an exorcism, it gave us the notion that evil does lurks about and that will do anything to try to destroy children of God by any means necessary. meaning that the devil thinks if Iget to HIM I will get to HIM through His children. 
Is it possible what Father Russo was speaking about being presence for an exorcism is true?(christians being possessed by the devil/demon) Or due to the decade can consider it that it was young rude child whom had no rules or regulations? And instead of casting out a 'spirit' they was praying over this boys bad behavoirs? 
Just a thought that 'popped' in my mind. Have a great day. 
Posted by: Christian Commando
diamondcreates-
In the case of this child, the "baptism" he'd had, would depend upon doctrinal beliefs. As some religions believe a chld must be water baptized as a baby to be saved and reborn.
God declares He knew us before we were born, even before formed in the belly. Christ declared- let the little children come onto Me, for they are of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Understanding this, we can realize, all newly concieved babies, up to after they are born, until reach an age they can understand the doctrine of Salvation and choose for themselves, are automatically covered by the Blood of Jesus to go to Heaven if die prematurely.
There are too many if ands or buts in this case from our view to know for sure about this boy, except to realize, he could not have made the choice for Salvation, or the Holy Spirit would've been dwelling within him and kept all demonic spirits out. (If really was possessed by a demon).
But, know that children not being of an age to understand or who haven't heard the message to make a choice, are "dead to Christ", in the respect of not having the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. Yet those still of an age unable to understand are not yet accountable for such, thus are covered by the Blood anyways. But in both cases those children can be possessed by demons, if the right door for this is opened for that person, to allow it to happen.
All children are individual, this means some may be able to understand and make the choice for God very young, while others must wait for an older age to understand and choose.
Water baptism tho, most certainly is not the deciding factor for being saved and reborn to God, be it infant or later. Water baptism is an outward ceremonial sign of the committment of parents for infants, to raise them in Godly ways, and for our public committment to follow Christ and we belong to Him, after accepting Salvation, by Grace thru faith first.
As for thier memory of being possesed, I've found it depends upon the type of demon possessing the person and what they controlled the person to do, say etc. And the memory can vary from remembering nothing to a great deal of it.
Claiming if the child was possessed or not is not our position, particularly knowing so little of the whole situation. That realization must be left to those who were directly involved with the people and situation.
Realize, Catholics, along with some Ministers of past years of other denominations have had dealings with possessed people (or considered to be by documentations) and approached those situations as according to how they were taught to deal with them. Thus, each one will be differently approached and dealt with as such.
Christ did not go thru an elaborate exorcism any more than the Apostles did in casting out demons,. Yet that is not to say, if is an authentic possession, it won't work, as has been described by RC documentations or other religions' documentations of thier methods. Surely they can. They all just differ.
But without direct dealings with a situation, it would be unwise to claim if were a true exorcism or not. As with all dealings God had me face demonic activity of many kinds, I learned quickly to thoroly investigate the situation to learn what I could before attempting any kind of action.
I pray this helps-
God Bless!!
Posted by: diamondcreates
Thank you CC. In regards to what Father Russo had said have there ever been documents stating that once a priest does the exorcism, the priest uses so much of his strength and energy to have the unclean spirit removed that they are weak and sometimes become ill, mentally and physically due to what they saw? wouldn't at that point become a christian person being possessed with an uncleaned spirit. Or surrounded by an unclean spirit? If the priest removes the unclean spirit that needs a host to 'live' inside of -- where does it goes?? Wouldn't it go on to the nearest body that is 'weak' per say?
Posted by: Christian Commando
diamondcreates-
The Lord declares, when a house is cleansed of an evil spirit, that evil spirit will move around seeking refuge. If it finds none, it can return unto the house it had been removed from and if the void has not been filled with good, the evil spirit can bring more spirits back with it and make that house I believe 7 times worse than it was before.
As for a weak Christian, no, Satan nor a demon can possess one, so long as the Holy Spirit is dwelling within them. A True Saved and Reborn Child of God, while may be weak from an attack of Satan or from an exorcism, still has the Holy Spirit within them.
What can happen tho, is if the weakened Christian falls to sin and is influenced enough by evil to stay that course and refuses God's Chastisements to return to God, God will eventually let that Child go to Satan and the Holy Spirit will be gone- Heb. 6:4-6.
A true Child of God when weak is more susceptable to influence from evil spirits, but still cannot be possessed by one.
Notice, as mentioned before above, Satan nor demons ever attempted to touch Christ, as well as seen in Job, where Satan appeared with other Angels before God to petition, he never attempted to touch God.
This is also why God covered Moses' eyes when God appeared to Moses and waited till He walked by to let Moses see God only from the back, otherwise God declared it would've destroyed Moses, a tainted man, to have looked upon the Glory of God emitting from His- (God's), Face.
Angels are different since they exist in the spirit realm. Fallen ones that are tainted, can view God and face Him, but cannot touch Him- (God can neither be touched nor tempted by sin).
God's Children can become weak by the process of casting out demons or working against them, as according to the process needed, for Christ clearly cast some out easily, but He also declares some need praying and fasting done first before it could be done.
Yes, there used to be a couple of women who went around, being Christians, the one a doctor, the other a past witch. They shared thier testimony of how tough it was for the doctor, even thru prayer and fasting, while dealing directly with this witch, to help the past witch come to the Truth and keep Satan and his demons at bay.
At one point, Satan finally attacked the doctor, thru a weak point of her body, bringing her close to death. She had to leave the hospital, go back home and her family's whole Church came into intercessory prayer over her. God heard them and eventually healed her, so she could go back and finally, God, by the Holy Spirit, reached this past witch and brought her to conversion. If recall correctly, this whole process took over a year in duration.
If want to get hold of thier taped testimonies, go thru the James Dobson radio station website and ask for the audio tape testimonies of the doctor and witch from given on his radio station program.
Understand tho, in this situation, the witch thought Satan and his demons were the ultimate power. So, it wasn't just a matter of casting out demons, but demonstrating for proof to the person, God was greater than Satan or his demons.
But, I should warn anyone wanting to listen to that testimony, its not for the weak hearted. The witch had some pretty sordid events she shared to show just how deep she was involved as a witch and what they could accomplish and had done or attempted.
See, as this testimony alone shows, Satan or his demons could not possess the doctor, even after growing weak from months of working at this, but they weakened her to where she could be attacked bodily.
Notice Jesus when entered the Garden of Gethsemane, prayed God would allow "this cup to pass", as Christ was praying so hard and earnestly, His sweat became as blood and did not want to physically die before He could accomplish what He needed to on the cross-Matt. 26:42, Mk 14:35-36, Lk. 22:41-44, Jhn. 18:7-11.
No, a demon can't just pop into a weak body and possess it. There must be an approriate door opened, giving them the right, or authority to have control over that body.
Read about the first time sin entered man and this world. God created man and this world perfect. No sin, etc. But, God gave man "dominion"- (authority), over the earth, to dress it and keep it. God instructed man in perfect rightceous ways that would keep all things and man perfect.
And Satan, at that point, could not do anything to this world or to man at the start. But... since God gave man "dominion" or authority over the earth, he also had to deal with the ultimate decision for the future existance of this world.
So, Satan was only allowed to be as a Serpent in the Garden. Notice Adam apparently stayed away from the evil tree that would taint them. Eve happened by it tho and was tempted. Tho she first held to God, she finally fell to temptation and sinned. She offered this to Adam and he accepted it also.
This then, took the authority of God away to an extent, to interact with our world as freely as He had before. But it turned and gave Satan authority now, to interact in this world. Notice too, Satan as the Serpent "vocally" spoke to Eve, not thru thoughts in her mind. He couldn't, until man bowed to Satan and listened to him over what God taught them.
God now, can only operate within our world, as far as we give Him authority. Question that? What about where Christ had enteres that one settlement and God declares Christ did very few miracles etc because of thier unbelief.
Yes, God is creator of all things and is in control of all things. But, this is within understanding He is omnicient- (all knowing), secondly, God Promised since Milleniums before, He would never let Satan destroy what He created. God ensured this thru Christ's Shed Blood- ("Behold, the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world").
Once tainted, now Satan could influence man thru thoughts he could put in our minds, besides, if get involved with the wrong kinds of activities, this gives Satan or his demons the right- *authority), to strongly influence us, to possess us as well if goes long enough.
Unsaved people are lost to God and able to be possessed by Satan or his demons. The saved and reborn Children of God can never be possessed by them unless fall away from God and are left to Satan.
I pray this helps- God Bless!!