Possession

There is much teaching today along the lines of demon possession of Christians. This is a very dangerous teaching that can, and has, hindered many believers in their walk with the Lord. It is for this reason, that we have felt it necessary to include a correct teaching on this subject.

1. WHAT DOES IT ACTUALLY MEAN TO BE "POSSESSED"?
1. According to Webster's Dictionary, being possessed means "to be influenced or controlled by a demon". The word possess means "to have as property; to own". It comes from the Latin word "possidere," which means "to sit as master".
2. We can see from the meaning of the word itself that we are owned, influenced, and controlled in all we do by the one who possesses us.
2. NOW THE QUESTION IS, "WHO OWNS US?"
1. The word of God says that we, as Christians, have been bought with a price (I Corinthians 6:20).
2. This "buying back" is more commonly referred to as "redemption".
1. Redemption is defined as "the action of recovering ownership by paying a specified sum".
2. The price or specified sum was the blood of Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28; I Peter 1:18, 19; Revelation 5:9).
3. Before being redeemed, we were sold into the bondage of sin (Romans 7:14) and were walking according to the prince of the power of the air, the devil (Ephesians 2:2).
3. CAN WE HAVE TWO OWNERS OR MASTERS?
1. The Bible is clear on the fact that there is no neutrality.
1. You are either for Christ or against Him (Matthew 12:30).
2. You will either serve sin or serve righteousness (Romans 6:16).
3. You cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).
2. The Bible also tells us that we, individually as well as collectively, are the temple of God (I Corinthians 3:16, 17).
   We can draw an interesting parallel between our subject and the account in I Samuel 5:1-5. The ark of God was brought into the house of a pagan god, Dagon. This god was unable to stand in the presence of God without being destroyed.
4. ARE THERE ANY SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES TO SUPPORT THE TEACHING THAT CHRISTIANS CAN BE POSSESSED BY A DEMON?
1. There is none. In all cases, those who had demons cast out of them were not saved or "born again".
2. The Spirit of the Lord is far more powerful than that of the devil.
1. Jesus exercised authority over demons and unclean spirits.
1. A devil cast out of dumb demoniac (Matthew 9:33).
2. Unclean spirit cast out (Mark 1:23-27).
3. Demoniac of Gadara healed (Mark 5:1-19).
4. Seven devils cast out of Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2).
2. Apostles had authority over unclean spirits and demons.
1. Jesus gives the apostles power against unclean spirits and the power to cast them out (Matthew 10:1).
2. Apostles healed everyoneY those vexed with unclean spirits (Acts 5:16).
3. Paul commanded the evil spirit to come out of a damsel (Acts 16:18).
4. Again, speaks of Paul as having authority over evil spirits (Acts 19:12).

This power and authority is imparted to us as believers (Mark 16:14-20).

3. We are called God's "peculiar people". This does not mean that we are odd or strange, but that we are "a people for God's own possession", or His "special treasure" (I Peter 2:9).
5. CAN WE HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT WE WILL REMAIN GOD'S POSSESSION?
1. No one will be able to snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28, 29).
2. We are told that those whom the Son sets free are free indeed (John 8:36).

As we continually allow God to fill us with His Holy Spirit, we find there is no longer room available for another spirit to reside within us. Webster's Dictionary states that when something is full or filled there is room for nothing else. Paul, in Ephesians 4:27, tells us not to give place to the devil, and in James 4:7 we find,

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

As we submit our vessels to be filled with God's Holy Spirit, the devil and his demons will flee from our very presence. There is no room for them to reside in our beings.

Possession

LOVE-PASS IT ON!

[Back To Topics Page] [Request for Prayer] [Welcome Page] [Feedback]

© 1997-2005 New Life Church, Franklin, Virginia.  All rights reserved.
Website designed and maintained by ZAFA Communications.

(last updated on July 5, 2005)