CAN A BELIEVER BE DEMON-POSSESSED?

People have always been fascinated with the topic of possession. We’re familiar with it not only because of reported incidents, but also because media loves to sensationalize it in movies and shows. Many churches even organize “deliverance services” to cast out demons from believers—sometimes without the supposed victims even knowing they were “possessed.” Can a believer truly be possessed by demons? The Bible seems to say otherwise.

Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

The truth that the Holy Spirit lives within believers is firmly established in Scripture (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9; 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19; Gal 4:6). Jesus promised that the Spirit would never leave us (Jn 14:16; Eph 1:13–14). To believe that a child of God can still be possessed by demons would mean believing that evil spirits can live side by side with the Holy Spirit. That is impossible! Light cannot dwell with darkness (2 Cor 6:14–16).

John reminds us, “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 Jn 4:4). This shows that “the one in you” (the Spirit of God) is not the same as “the one in the world” (Satan). They cannot both reside in you at the same time. For demons to possess a believer, they would have to overpower the Spirit of God within us—and that is utterly impossible, no matter how many of them try.

Implications from Christ’s Words

When Jesus was accused of casting out demons by Satan’s power (Matt 12:22–37), He answered, “If it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (v. 28). He then illustrated: “How can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.” (v. 29). In other words, the Holy Spirit is the one who binds the “strong man” (the evil spirit), which is why Jesus could drive demons out. By implication, for a demon to possess a believer, it would have to bind and drive out the Holy Spirit Himself—an impossibility.

In another encounter, when Jesus was accused of being possessed, He said: “I am not possessed by a demon, but I honor my Father.” (Jn 8:49). Honoring the Father meant knowing and obeying Him (v. 55). The implication is clear: honoring God and being demon-possessed are incompatible. And though we are imperfect, true believers honor God through faith and obedience.

Independence from the Powers of Darkness

Scripture tells us that in Christ we have been delivered from the dominion of darkness (Col 1:13; 1 Jn 5:18). If believers could still be possessed at any moment, that deliverance would be meaningless.

In fact, the Bible records no instance of a believer being possessed. What we do see are unbelievers being freed from possession and then becoming followers of Christ (Mk 5:1–20; Lk 8:2). On the other hand, believers are given authority over evil spirits in Christ (Mk 16:17; Lk 10:17–20; Jas 4:7).

Influence and Oppression, Not Possession

Though demons cannot control believers from within, they can still attack from the outside through influence and oppression. Peter warns: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Pet 5:8).The Bible gives examples of how evil spirits can:

• Tempt believers to sin (Eph 2:1–2; 1 Thess 3:5; 2 Cor 11:3).
• Influence deceit, as with Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:3).
• Spread destructive false teachings (1 Tim 4:1; 2 Cor 11:13–15; 1 Jn 4:1–3).
• Cause affliction, as Paul described with his “thorn” from a messenger of Satan (2 Cor 12:7).
• Block ministry efforts (1 Thess 2:18).
• Stir up persecution (Rev 2:10).
• Blind unbelievers from receiving the gospel (Matt 13:19).

God may allow such attacks, but He also sets limits (Rom 8:38; Lk 22:31–32; Job 1:12). For this reason, Scripture does not call us to seek deliverance but resistance (Jas 4:7; 1 Pet 5:9; Eph 6:10–13).

Incidents of Believers Being Possessed

What about supposed cases of Christians being possessed? We must never elevate experience above Scripture in determining truth. Other explanations may include psychological factors, deception (making it seem like possession when it is not), or the simple fact that the person may not actually be a believer in the first place. Stay Curious.

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph 6:10-12). Stay Curious.

Sources and Studies:

Rhodes, R. (2013). “Can Christians be Demon-Possessed?” 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘨 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴. Harvest House Publishers.
Willmington, H. (2011). “Demon Possession and Exorcism.” 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘰𝘯’𝘴 𝘎𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. Tyndale House Publication
Hanegraaf, H. (2008). “Can Christian be Demonized?” 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬.
Grimsley, B. and Miller, E. (2023 originally published 2009). “𝘊𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥?”. Christian Research Institute. Retrieved from https://www.equip.org/.../can-a-christian-be-demonized/...