I am wondering what you guys believe about demon possession and the Christian and why you believe it? Do you believe that Christians can be possessed of devils?

My husband and I believe that a Christians body can be possessed but not their soul or spirit.

Anyway, what is everyone else's take on this?

[Brother Tim]

Scripture?

This article produces some of the verses for this, but I don't think it's all of them.

http://www.biblebelievers.com/morton_demon.html

[Brother Tim]

There is a big difference in satanic influence or oppression of the believer, and possession.

1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

[Brother Tim]

There is a big difference in satanic influence or oppression of the believer, and possession.

1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Satan cannot possess what belongs to God.

Originally Posted by aussiemama

I am wondering what you guys believe about demon possession and the Christian and why you believe it? Do you believe that Christians can be possessed of devils?

My husband and I believe that a Christians body can be possessed but not their soul or spirit.

Anyway, what is everyone else's take on this?

Well, Mama, I think it's a matter of terminology. Yes, I believe that Christians can be possessed, period. Others say that we can be "oppressed" or "obsessed." But the choice of words is unimportant; I simply think that unclean spirits can indwell a Christian's body, and cause great misery.

Some Christians, including most Pentecostal/Charismatics, say that this is completely impossible, and they cite 1 John 4:4: Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They say, "Well, if the Holy Spirit indwells your body, then it's impossible for an evil spirit to indwell it at the same time." But that's simply not true, and it's not what the verse in 1 John means. The verse is a simple statement that Jesus Christ is greater than Satan, and, in context, that the ultimate spiritual victory has been won (at Calvary). It has nothing to do with devils occupying a Christian's flesh.

I've been studying this matter for a long time, and the very best book ever written on the subject is Jessie Penn-Lewis' War on the Saints. It's an old book, and is usually only found (in "Christian" bookstores) in a heavily edited form; but, by the grace of God, the original, full text is available, free, online:

Penn-Lewis, in addition to being a woman (which gives some of the brethren hives), was an old-time Pentecostal; but, apart from her belief that the "baptism of the Spirit" can be repeated and re-repeated, her doctrine is straight as an arrow. Her book is a very detailed, uncompromising study of how a Christian can be affected by unclean spirits, and how these spirits can be fought. It's a "how to" guide for getting rid of unclean spirits, and I can't recommend it highly enough. Ruckman recommended it to me, and it's really been one of those very few books that are actual life-changers.

Please check it out, Mama. You and your husband would find it fascinating.

http://www.apostasynow.com/wots/Contents.html

However, anything written since about 1960 or so, especially the crap in the Christian bookstores, is utterly worthless, and full of false doctrine.

[Traditional Anglican]

Originally Posted by Brother Tim

There is a big difference in satanic influence or oppression of the believer, and possession.

Satan cannot possess what belongs to God.

I agree, I think a wicked spirit and the Holy Ghost cannot be in the same person at the same time, I believe a Christian can, with certain sins leave himself open to influence of the demonic, and act in the flesh with this. I feel it is different than actually having a demonic "locus" in that individual.

[Brother Tim]

Others say that we can be "oppressed" or "obsessed." But the choice of words is unimportant; I simply think that unclean spirits can indwell a Christian's body, and cause great misery.

VR, I must strongly disagree. "Oppression" is an exterior attack while "possession" is interior. "Obsession" is a different circumstance altogether. One who is obsessed is the creator of the focus, not the recipient, as in possession or oppression.