LIST
OF SCRIPTURES
Matthew 12:43-45 A
non-Christian DELIVERED.
Matthew 15:22-28
Children's (Christian's) bread.
Mark 1:23-27 Man in
the synagogue (Believer).
Mark 1:39-42 Cast
out devils in synagogues.
Mark 7:25-30
Children's (Christian's) bread.
Mark 8:33 JESUS
Called Peter Satan.
Mark 9:17-29
Believer's son.
Luke 4:38-39 Spirit
of fever is a demon.
Luke 11:24-26 A
non-Christian DELIVERED.
Luke 13:11-17
Daughter of Abraham (Believer).
Luke 22:3 Satan
entered Judas.
Acts 5:3-4 Ananias
and Sapphira were Believers.
Acts 8:5-7, 13 Gave
heed to things spoken of Christ.
Acts 8:20-24 Simon
was a Believer.
Acts 10:38 Sickness
is oppression of Satan.
I Cor. 5:1-5
Believer in Corinth DELIVERED to Satan.
II Cor. 2:10-11
Satan getting advantage of Believer.
II Cor. 11:3-4
Believers receive another spirit.
II Cor. 12:7-9
Paul's messenger of Satan in flesh.
Gal. 3:1 Galatians
bewitched by spirits.
Eph. 2:1-3 Influence
of Satan.
Eph. 4:26-27 Anger
gives place to Devil.
I Tim. 1:18-20
Hymenaeus and Alexander Believers.
I Tim. 4:1-2
Believers depart from the faith.
II Tim. 2:24-26
Recover out of snare of Devil.
Heb. 12:15-16 Root
of bitterness is a spirit.
James 4:6-8 Devil
will flee from you.
I Peter 5:8-9
Afflictions in the brethren.
GENERAL
There is nowhere in the Bible that says explicitly
that a "Christian" can have a demon. But it does talk
about "Believers" having demons. Are you a Believer;
what is the difference - none!
The multitudes that
came to JESUS received DELIVERANCE; some were bound to
be Believers!
You can memorize the
Bible and go to Hell. No part of the Bible is any good
to you unless it is used! Head knowledge will not get
you to Heaven; it takes heart knowledge.
Bible scholars can
argue about theology until JESUS comes again and not
settle the question of whether a Christian can have a
demon; it takes experience.
When you start
casting demons out of people, you find that Christians
not only have demons but they have thousands of
demons! In our years of ministry, we have worked with
thousands of people - small groups to large groups. We
found that the congregation could have many demons.
Then the Lord started us working with pastors and
their families. We found that the five-fold ministry
also had almost as many demons as the congregation.
Finally the Lord had us to work with DELIVERANCE
ministers. We found that they also had quite a few
demons too!
We have seen leaders
go into false doctrines. These can even be leaders
that cast out demons. It appears that pride is their
downfall. Pride is an abomination to God and is an
active demonic area.
WARNING
SIGNALS - POSSIBLE NEED FOR DELIVERANCE
Characteristics noted below merit a closer look when
they are pronounced, persistent or recurrent over a
period of time, or progressive - tending to become
more, rather than less, extreme. Check yourself
against these warnings. The following thumbnail
descriptions of behavior can be a call for help:
1. Confused or
disordered thinking: loss of touch with reality -
delusions (persistence of erroneous convictions in the
face of contrary evidence) - hallucinations;
disconnected speech.
2. Obsessions:
absorption with a subject or idea to the exclusion of
others - compulsions - uncontrollable urges.
3. Inability to
cope: with minor problems - with daily routine.
4. Difficulty in
making/keeping friends: poor social skills -
isolation, withdrawal from society - "loner"
life-style.
5. A pattern of
failure across-the-board: at school - at work - in
sports - in personal relationships.
6. Prolonged or
severe depression: suicide threats/attempts.
7. Immaturity:
infantile behavior (such as bed-wetting) - over
dependence on the mother (excessive clinging as a
child - continuing dependence in teens and twenties) -
failure to keep pace with peer group.
8. A series of
physical ailments which do not run a typical course
and/or fail to respond to treatment.
9. Neglect of
personal hygiene (disheveled and unsanitary
surroundings) or exaggerated concern for order and for
cleanliness.
10. Difficulty
adjusting to new people and places.
11. Undue anxiety
and worry: phobias - feelings of being persecuted.
12. Too much or too
little sleep.
13. Excessive
self-centeredness: indifference to other people's
feelings, doings, ideas -lack of sympathy with
another's pain or need.
14. Substantial
rapid weight - gain or loss.
15. Muted, "flat"
emotions (absence of angry/delighted/sorrowing
reactions to stimuli) or inappropriate emotions
(sharp, inexplicable mood swings - silliness at
serious moments, unpredictable tears).
16. Negative
self-image and outlook: "inferiority" complex -
feelings of worthlessness.
17. Frequent random
changes of plans: inability to stick with a job, a
school program, a living arrangement - failure to keep
appointments, abide by decisions.
18. Extreme
aggressiveness (combativeness, hostility - violence,
rage) or exaggerated docility (lack of normal
competitiveness and self-assertion - refusal to
confront, avoidance of argument).
19. Risk-taking.
20. Lack of zest and
enthusiasm: listlessness, sadness, mood habitually
"down" -limited or missing sense of humor.
HOW CAN A
CHRISTIAN HAVE DEMONS ? (EXCERPTS)
How can a demon spirit indwell the same body at the
same time as the Holy Spirit does ?
The New Testament
word for "spirit" is pneuma. In contra-distinction
from the natural or "soulish", the spirit is that part
of man which has the ability to grasp and perceive
divine things (I Cor. 2:14).
The word for "soul"
is "psyche". This word defines the self life - the
emotions, the intellect and the will. Paul shows us
that man is a three-fold being (I Thes. 5:23).
The Scripture
teaches that prior to salvation a man is "dead in
trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1). JESUS comes into the
human spirit and brings in His life (I John 5:11-12).
JESUS has made
adequate provision for the whole man, but part of the
responsibility now rests upon us as is shown in the
following scripture: (Phil. 2:13-15).
The word for
"salvation" in this passage is soteria. Thayer's
Lexicon gives as the primary meaning of this word
"DELIVERANCE from the molestation of enemies". The
picture becomes clear. JESUS has DELIVERED our SPIRIT
from the power of Satan; now He says to us, "Work out
your own DELIVERANCE from the molestation of enemies
until you have freed both SOUL AND BODY".
RESULTS WHEN
DEMONIZATION OF CHRISTIANS IS DENIED (EXCERPTS)
False teachings are perpetuated by the erroneous and
unscriptural position that Believers cannot have
demons. The following is a partial list of the
pitfalls associated with taking such a position; check
yourself against these results:
1. The old sin
nature becomes the "whipping boy" and the middle
ground between God and the demons.
2. All problems are
taught to be due to the "lack of surrender".
3. People are left
open to be snared into cults by angels of light.
4. All inherited
characteristics are thought to be unchangeable.
5. Personality
quirks and characteristics are thought to be
unchangeable.
6. Makes us unable
to break the bondage on another person's will.
7. Mental health
programs, which teach all problems are the result of
heredity are supported.
8. Demons are given
legal ground to stay when a person sits under teaching
that denies a Christian can have a demon.
9. Demonic lies
about oppression, possession, etc. are perpetuated.
10. Reinforces
spiritual pride which keeps leaders from re-examining
their teachings and retracting error.
11. Despair and
hopelessness are fostered within the demonized.
12. Gives ground to
accept, as law, all medical diagnosis and medication.
RESULTS WHEN
PARENTS DO NOT PRACTICE DELIVERANCE ON THEIR
CHILDREN
The greatest need in
the church today is teaching the whole Bible without
fear or favor of man and the practice of DELIVERANCE
for every Christian. As you see the children, so you
see the parents and the nation. Look at your children
and see your mistakes in their lives.
The following
statistics were taken from The Children's Hour, U.S.
News and World Report: "IN ONE DAY IN 1988 -2753
teenagers get pregnant, 1099 teenagers have abortions,
367 teens miscarry, 1287 teenagers give birth, 666
babies are born to women who have had inadequate
prenatal care, 72 babies die before one month of life,
110 babies die before their first birthday, 9 children
die from gunshot wounds, 5 teenagers commit suicide,
609 teenagers get gonorrhea or syphilis, 988 children
are abused, 3288 children run away from home, 49322
children are in public juvenile correctional
facilities, 2269 illegitimate children are born and
2989 kids see their parents divorced."
WHO IS A
BELIEVER ? (EXCERPTS)
Because so many promises are given to those who are
Believers, it is important to know who the Bible
classifies as a Believer.
In the Greek
"believe" indicates one relying on JESUS Christ for
salvation. In Acts 5:14 the word means unadulterated
trust. In I Tim. 4:12, trueness, to entrust one's
spiritual faith assurance, well-being.
A check list for
Believers: must bear fruit (John 15:2); signs shall
follow (Mark 16:17-18); shall do works JESUS did (John
14:12); answered prayer (John 15:7); friend of JESUS
(John 15:14) and witnessing (John 15:27).
WHAT ABOUT
DEMONS IN CHRISTIANS ? (EXCERPTS)
"In the name of our Lord JESUS Christ, when you are
gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of
our Lord JESUS Christ, to deliver such as one to Satan
for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may
be saved in the day of the Lord JESUS" (I Cor. 5:4-5).
The apostle here deals with the case of a disobedient
and sinful Believer in the church at Corinth.
In another case,
Paul writes: "Holding faith, and a good conscience;
which some having put away concerning faith have made
shipwreck; of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I
have DELIVERED unto Satan, that they may learn not to
blaspheme" (I Tim. 1:19-20).
"In meekness,
instructing those that oppose themselves; if God
peradventure will give them repentance to the
acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover
themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are
taken captive by him at his will" (II Tim.2:25-26).
When you go into the
ministry of casting out demons, inevitably you are
challenged by the question, "Is it possible for a
born-again Believer to have a demon?" In charismatic
circles the question is: "Is it possible for a
Believer who is baptized in the Spirit to have a
demon?"
"Absolutely not!"
comes the stock answer. "The Holy Spirit cannot
coexist in the same body with a demon!"
Actually, the answer
to both questions above is definitely "yes". Almost
one-hundred percent of the DELIVERANCE ministry we
have had has been among the born-again Believers, and
most of them were Baptized-in-the-Spirit Christians
also.
Several arguments
are advanced to "prove" that under no circumstances
can a born-again person have a demon. The most common
statement is that a Christian cannot be "possessed".
This will be discussed later as a misnomer. The
arguments in summary run something like this:
The Believer is
inhabited by the Holy Spirit; therefore, the demons
cannot coexist within the same body. The proof text
usually used is I Cor. 2:12; however the verse does
not say this.
JESUS came to
destroy the works of the Devil (I John 3:8), and
indeed He did. In the case of problems caused by
demons, the remedy and method of doing this is cast
out the demons in His name.
The struggle inside
the Believer is always revealed to be the struggle
between the flesh and the Spirit, and not a struggle
involving demons (Rom. 6 and 7). Were that the case,
the conscientious claiming of the promises of God
would solve every human problem.
The Believer is
DELIVERED from the power of Satan and his demons (Col.
1:12-13; Eph. 2:1-3). Yes, but like many other
promises, not automatically , but only as we
voluntarily meet God's conditions for DELIVERANCE.
The Christian is
provided with complete protection from the fiery darts
of the enemy (Eph. 6). This overlooks the rather
obvious fact that the armor is designed for defense
from external, not internal enemies, and also that
even so the Believer's armor is not always in place.
In spite of these
arguments, the dismaying fact remains that born-again
Christians, including leaders, are having difficulties
and problems which can find no solution in natural
infirmities or the endless conflict between the flesh
and the Spirit.
It is no secret that
many have become discouraged and filled with awful
despair.
In his tract, Demon
Activity and the Christian, Ernest B. Rockstad rightly
concludes that: "Experience, of course is not the
basis for the interpretation of the Bible.
Nevertheless, if consistent experiences run counter to
an interpretation, the dedicated seeker after truth
will set out to find the reason. He must be willing to
re-study his interpretation under the direction of the
Holy Spirit...and be prepared to make any necessary
corrections in his own belief so as to be in full
agreement with the facts as they are." He further
points out that understanding the Biblical doctrine of
human depravity should cause one to wonder that the
Holy Spirit would enter a person under any
circumstances.
You cannot argue
anyone into believing that the old fundamental stand
against Christians having demons is fallacious.
There is an
excellent presentation of the whole question in Don
Basham's book, Can A Christian Have A Demon?
Non-charismatic writers like Frances Manuel, Merrill
Unger, Mark Bubeck, and Robert Peterson also teach
that a Christian can have a demon.
In his very balanced
and scholarly treatise, Demons In The World Today, Dr.
Unger writes, "In demon influence, evil spirits exert
power over a person short of actual possession. Such
influence may vary from mild harassment to extreme
subjection when body and mind become dominated and
held in slavery by spirit agents.
Christians, as well
as non-Christians, can be so influenced. They may be
oppressed, vexed, depressed, hindered and bound by
demons."
Dr. Unger is frank
to say that he had written in 1952, "To demon
possession, only unbelievers are exposed." Twenty
years later, he writes: "This statement was inferred,
since Scripture does not clearly settle the question.
It was based on the assumption that an evil spirit
could not indwell the redeemed body together with the
Holy Spirit".
Hobart Freeman
points out that "as a result of erroneous teachings
and beliefs, which are based neither upon Scripture or
experience, Satan has deluded many concerning the
question, can a Christian be oppressed by Satan or
possess evil spirits? Can one who has never
participated actively in any form of occultism be
subjected or oppressed?" The answer to both questions
is yes, supported both from the Scriptures and
experience.
Derek Prince in his
helpful pamphlet, Expelling Demons, explains facts
linguistically which should help unsnarl the semantic
tangle. "The New Testament Greek word for demon is
daimonion...in the King James Version...often
translated 'devil'. Associated in the New Testament
with the noun daimonion is the passive verb
daimonizomai. The literal meaning of this verb is 'to
be demoned', that is, in some way under the influence
or power of demons. In the King James Version this
verb is usually translated by some phrase such as 'to
be possessed' or 'to be vexed' by demons or by evil
spirits. However, there is no distinction in the
original Greek text to support these (translated)
distinctions".
Believers were
definitely subjected to demonic attack in the
Scriptures. The physical afflictions and other
disasters of Job are shown to be Satan's work in Job 1
and 2. In the synagogue there was a man with an
unclean spirit (Mark 1:23). A woman called "a daughter
of Abraham" (father of the faithful) was bound with a
spirit of infirmity for eighteen years (Luke
13:11-16).
There is no reason
to conclude arbitrarily in the two latter cases that
the persons involved were not Believers. In II Tim.
2:23-26, where Paul discusses contention and disputing
over doctrine, Believers are indicated who have
evidently slipped and need to "recover themselves from
the snare of the devil, who are taken captive of him
at his will".
A member of the
church in Corinth seems to have been overcome by a
spirit of lust (I Cor. 5:1-5). JESUS rebuked a spirit
of fever in Peter's mother-in-law (Luke 4:38-39) and
he left her, and she was well. In Mark 3:33 and Mark
9:25, JESUS uses this same term to rebuke Satan.
Sickness is described as an oppression of the Devil in
Acts 10:38 and JESUS often healed by removing spirits
of infirmity, which are simply another method of
Satanic attack (Luke 4:40-41).
Consider Peter, who
one moment spoke by Divine revelation, declaring that
JESUS was the very Christ, and in the next moment was
reprimanded by JESUS, who rebuked Satan in him, saying
"thou savorest not the things that be of God" (Matt.
16:13-23). Simon the magician is presented as one who
believed and was baptized, but had evidently not been
DELIVERED from his occult bondage and was commanded to
repent and pray (Acts 8:20-24). How did Satan manage
to "fill the heart" of the Believers Ananias and
Sapphira? (Acts 5:3). Paul himself reports he suffered
buffeting from a "messenger of Satan" (II Cor. 12:7).
Dr. V. Raymond
Edman, the late president of Wheaton College, wrote
the following in answer to a question as to whether or
not a Christian could have a demon: "...The unguarded
Christian may have demon possession in the soul, which
would affect mental processes and emotions; or in the
body, as was the case of the woman who had a 'spirit
of infirmity eighteen years and was bowed together,
and could in no wise lift up herself' (Luke 13:11). Of
her, the Savior said when He healed her, 'Ought not
this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan
hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from
this bond on the Sabbath day?' To say that a Christian
cannot be demonized in any area of his life is a happy
but inaccurate generalization".
Paul reproves the
Corinthian Christians for receiving another spirit
than the Spirit they had previously received (II Cor.
11:4)
Paul inquired, in
Gal. 3:1, about who had bewitched the Believers to
draw them away from the truth.
Robert Peterson
makes an interesting comment: "It appears that the
full force of deceiving spirits is directed against
the spiritual Believer in doctrinal rather than
worldly matters, although the latter may be used after
the Believer has been ensnared by the most subtle
means. In I Tim. 4:1-2 the Apostle Paul gives a full
account of how wicked spirits attack the spiritual
Believer and by deception beguile him away from the
faith through the use of false prophets".
Don Basham sums up
the matter when he writes that there is an "almost
universal sense of fear and loathing toward the whole
subject of Satan and the evil spirits. Many Believers
have adopted the fallacious idea that if they ignore
Satan, he will ignore them. Scripturally, such a
position is indefensible" (I Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7;
II Cor. 2:11).
When the power of
God begins to move in a person's life, he quite
naturally becomes an object for the devil's most
crippling attacks.
The unreasoning fear
of demons is fostered and promoted by Satan and his
hosts directly.
Basham concludes
that a Christian can be tormented or afflicted by evil
spirits in some area of his life and still be a
sincere Christian; just as he can be tormented by
physical sickness and still be a sincere Christian.
It is always a
blessing to see truths, not mere speculations, in
print concerning spiritual warfare.
I shudder when I
hear someone remark skeptically, "Well, I just can't
believe that. I'd have to see it first." They seek to
shield themselves by mere ignorance!
For myself, I had no
real problem believing in a personal Devil and in the
fact that demons can infest both lost and saved as
they have opportunity.
To me it was as
foolish as telling Peter he could not walk on the
water when he was already doing it.
When a person is
born again by confessing his sin and asking the Lord
JESUS Christ to come into his heart and save him (Rom.
3:23-24; 6:23; Rev. 3:20), he is received by the
Father and salvation comes instantaneously in the
experience of the new birth. Love, joy, and peace are
the initial, logical by-products.
The Holy Spirit
comes to indwell and seal the Believer as God's
earnest of redemption (Eph. 1:13-14) and His abiding
presence is guaranteed until the Believer is redeemed
(in point of time) completely by being taken to be
with the Lord, whether it be through the door of
death, or through the door in the sky (I Thes.
4:16-17).
The Holy Spirit
therefore inhabits the body of the Believer in a
peculiar and special way in these days since
Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the
assembled Believers. The child of God (John 1:12) is
accepted in the Beloved, JESUS (Eph. 1:6) and blessed
with the assurance of God's presence and blessing.
(John 10:28-30).
In spite of these
wonderful changes, however, a week will scarcely pass
in a babe's life (assuming he follows the Lord in
Bible study and prayer), that he will not be convicted
of some sin of omission or commission (James 4:17),
which must be confessed (I John 1:9) and put away
(Prov. 28:13). This will continue indefinitely as long
as the Believer is growing in grace and in the
knowledge of the Lord JESUS Christ.
Many of these sins
of omission and commission were present at the time of
conversion and some will lie unnoticed by the Believer
for months, until the Lord deals with them. The Holy
Spirit is able to coexist with these unconfessed sins.
Why then is it so difficult to accept the fact that
the Holy Spirit is able to also coexist with
indwelling demons until they are detected, hated,
renounced and expelled in the Name of Our Lord JESUS
Christ?
PRAYER
I forgive the false teachers that say a Christian can
not have a demon within their flesh or soul. God
please forgive the false teachers and show them the
truth. Please forgive me for believing the false
teachers. I forgive myself for the damage done to me
and my family by practicing false teachings. I now
break any curses of false doctrine on me and my
descendants. I ask these things in the blessed name of
JESUS Christ, my Lord, Master and Savior.
REFERENCES