THEIR
NATURE
The
term "demonic possession" conjures
up many things in the
minds of believers. It
seems to suggest total
control, occupation,
inhabiting. It is a Biblical
term-
(Mat
8:16 NIV) When evening
came, many who were demon-possessed
were brought to him, and
he drove out the spirits
with a word and healed
all the sick.
But
is the spiritual realm
a matter of a person
being totally controlled
by a spirit or Spirit?
From personal experience,
no. Free will is a power
that each person possesses.
In order for spiritual
control to be exercised,
free will must be surrendered.
This applies also to the
believer seeking for God
to control his/her life.
Naturally, Satan and his
associated demons are not
more powerful than God
when it comes to spiritual
control. This implies
that there are varying
degrees of spiritual
control. In the demonic
realm this means that
the worst case scenario
is total possession,
but the most common is "oppression"-
(Luke
4:18 NIV) "The Spirit of
the Lord is on me, because
he has anointed me to preach
good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim
freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for
the blind, to release the oppressed..."
(Acts
10:38 NKJV) "how God
anointed Jesus of Nazareth
with the Holy Spirit
and with power, who went
about doing good and
healing all who were oppressed by
the devil, for God was
with Him."
THEIR
INFLUENCE ON BELIEVERS
Having
established that demonic
control of people is
variable, what influence
can demons have on believers?
For some, the answer
is: none. They might
reason that if a believer
is a Temple of the Holy
Spirit (1Cor. 6:19),
and that Jesus Christ
lives within them (Gal.
2:20), and that light
can not dwell with darkness
(2Cor. 6:14), then the
Christian is immune from
demonic oppression.
However,
the Scriptures warn the
believer to be aware
of demonic influence
upon them.
(Eph
4:27 NIV) and do not give
the devil a foothold.
(1
Tim 4:1 NIV) The
Spirit clearly says
that in later times
some will abandon
the faith and follow
deceiving spirits
and things taught
by demons.
(2
Tim 2:24-26 NKJV)
And a servant of
the Lord must not
quarrel but be gentle
to all, able to teach,
patient, in humility
correcting those
who are in opposition,
if God perhaps will
grant them repentance,
so that they may
know the truth, and
that they may come
to their senses and
escape the snare
of the devil,
having been taken
captive by him to
do his will.
(James
3:14-15 NKJV) But
if you have bitter
envy and self-seeking
in your hearts, do
not boast and lie
against the truth.
This wisdom does
not descend from
above, but is earthly,
sensual, demonic.
All
of these Scriptures are
addressed to Christians.
Ephesians 4:27 says that
Christians could give
the devil a "foothold" in
their lives. First Timothy
4:1 says that some believers
will be led astry by demonic
spirits. Surely this is
demonic influence upon
believers? Second Timothy
2:24-26 says that the
servant of the Lord must
correct those in his
congregation who are
in opposition (presumably
to the teaching of Scripture)
because they are already
in the snare of the Devil.
James says that if the
Christian has bitterness
and selfishness in his
heart he is being influenced
by demons.
If
Christians can not be
influenced by demons,
then it demands the logical
question as to why the
Scriptures warn against
being influenced by demons.
ELIMINATING
DEMONIC INFLUENCE
There
is no doubt that sin
is not of God. It is
not walking in the "light" (1John
1:6-8). Yet there is
no doubt that the Christian
sins. Here is our dillemma: How
can sin dwell with the
Spirit of Christ in the
believer? If this
is possible, which it
clearly is, then the
believer is also subject
to varying degrees of
demonic influence. And
the connection between
sin and demonic influence
is inseparable.
(James
1:14-15 NKJV) But
each one is tempted when
he is drawn away by his
own desires and enticed.
Then, when desire has conceived,
it gives birth to sin;
and sin, when it is full-grown,
brings forth death.
Sin
in the life of the believer
is permission for demonic
influence. Where a believer
is walking in repentance,
renouncing the works of darkness,
the blood of Jesus keeps
him clean and protected.
(1
John 1:9 NIV) If
we confess our sins, he
is faithful and just and
will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all
unrighteousness.
Therefore
the real issue is not whether
a Christian can have a demon
or not, it is whether a Christian should have
a demon! The answer is
clearly "NO!" But
because Christians lapse
and fall into sin, they
can be subject to demonic
influence. To eliminate
demonic influence requires
walking in the light of
God- not knowingly entertaining
wicked thoughts, attitudes,
or actions. It demands
a lifestyle of clean living
and repentance towards
God.
For
those that sense demonic
oppression, renouce whatever
sinful act, or attitude
you may have committed.
Repent- turn to God and
ask for His cleansing
forgiveness. Rebuke any
known demonic spirit
from off your life.
Amen
