Daily devotion – Can a Christian be demon possessed?
A question that continually raises its head is, can a true born again Christian be demon possessed?
The answer is no!
Scripture is very clear that a genuine believer in Jesus Christ cannot be demon possessed. When a person is truly born again, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within them permanently. Darkness cannot possess what belongs to God.
1Co 6:19
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”
The believer is not empty or spiritually vulnerable in the sense of being able to be inhabited by demons, because God Himself lives within them. The Christian has been purchased by the blood of Christ and sealed by the Holy Spirit.
2Co 1:21-22
“Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”
Eph 1:13
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”
That seal speaks of God’s ownership, security and guarantee. The enemy cannot break what God has sealed. Jesus said in Joh 10:28,
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”
This does not mean the Christian will never face spiritual warfare. Satan can tempt, oppress, discourage and attack believers. We see throughout the New Testament the call to stand firm, put on the armour of God and resist the devil.
Jas 4:7
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
What a wonderful promise. As we submit ourselves to the Lord and walk closely with Him, the enemy has no authority to take possession of the child of God. Greater is the Holy Spirit within us than the enemy in this world.
1Jn 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.”
The safest place for the believer is near to Christ — walking in obedience, prayer, worship and the Word of God. The closer we draw to Him, the stronger we stand in spiritual battle, and the more peace and assurance we experience in our daily walk with the Lord.