CAN A CHRISTIAN REALLY HAVE A DEMON?

It is important to understand the difference between influence and indwelling as the one who is indwelt has a need for the demon/evil spirit to be cast out (Mark 16:17). The one who has a demon indwelling would also need repentance (turning from sin to a right relationship with God). The fact that a demon is indwelling shows that the relationship with God has been broken and needs to be repaired. To cast a demon out of an individual and then leave that person without encouraging right relationship with God through a prayer of repentance and discipleship would mean that person would remain empty and open to a fresh demonic assault (Matthew 12:43-45). This would be spiritual abandonment and neglect.

The believer who struggles with external attacks of the enemy needs to learn to wage spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:4,5), submit themselves to God and resist the devil (James 4:7), learn to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:12-18), and pray (Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Ricky Nelms [02/22/2015 5:10 PM]
Easy – NO!

Pentecostal Theology [02/22/2015 5:16 PM]
Just clarifying terminology: The question is not if a Christian can be possessed, but if can have a demon (like one “having the Holy Spirit”). The word “possessed” is an unfortunate translation because it connotes ownership; however it is not in the greek. Gr. daimonizomai is properly translated “demonized” i.e. coming under the power of a demon (Strong’s). In reflection BAGD, EDNT, ed. Balz & Schneider, 1:274, LSJ, Louw-Nida, 1:147 (§12.41), NIDNTT, ed. Brown, 1:453, TDNT, ed. Kittel, 2:19, UBS Greek Dictionary render: “to be demon possessed.” Rick Wadholm Jr

Rick Wadholm Jr [02/22/2015 6:30 PM]
We must deal with the difference between meaning and the gloss used for translation.

Pentecostal Theology [02/23/2015 7:20 AM]
Early Pentecostalism always went with literal translation. Semantici/idiomatic translation inevitably leaves unbalanced synergy between theology and praxis as in the case above

Jonathan Downie [02/23/2015 7:36 AM]
And literal translation is more often than not misleading. Interesting enough, I am not convinced that “possessed”/”have a demon” is a free/literal distinction. A brief brush acrosss the main translations of all stripes shows that they all use the terms pretty similarly I wrote in detail about the problems with our translation terminology here: http://pneumareview.com/using-right-bible-translation-jdownie/

Jonathan Downie [02/23/2015 7:36 AM]
Basically, the whole free/literal distinction has no credibility. Sorry to go off-topic but translation is one of my things as I translate and interpret professionally.

James L Alldredge [02/23/2015 7:46 AM]
There is no Biblical precedent or example of a demon being cast out of a born again believer

Jeff Burrell [02/23/2015 7:50 AM]
Mike Evans, to put it simply, you took the ‘Word’ right out of my mouth.

Ermar Reyes Luna [02/23/2015 8:50 AM]
As for experience and observation in our church, I believe one can have. . Being one in ministering deliverance, a part of our Church Immersion Programs etc., on our church. .

Pentecostal Theology [02/23/2015 8:56 AM]
James L Alldredge Jeff Burrell So just to clarify, are you guys saying that a believer can have a demon, but it cannot be cast out b/c there’s no such precedent in the Bible?

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