Page updated 18 Dec 2015
Page Suggestions: Bible Facts, Hell is Real, Satan, Spiritual Warfare
What does the BIBLE say about Demons
Can a Christian Have a Demon
Page 4
Summary
The argument that many use that "a Christian cannot be demonized" is that the Holy Spirit would not reside or be at work in a person who is being demonized, or that they cannot co-exist in the same person. This is an argument from silence, since the Bible does not state categorically that the Holy Spirit cannot be in the same location as evil. Rather it gives many examples where the Holy Spirit was at work in demonized believers. Part of the problem is our perception of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. God is the creator, omnipresent and omniscient. Since He is omnipresent He would already be where the devil and demons are at the same time. I would propose the concept that He is a different being than the creatures He created, which include the angels, devil and demons. It may be entirely possible for the Holy Spirit, who is the agent, the seal of God unto salvation for those who believe in Jesus, to be at work in a Christian's life who is, at a particular time, being demonized. He certainly is there working with the "new self" which is still residing with the "old self". Can the Holy Spirit work in a sinful believer? Thank God He can!
I also think that the Holy Spirit is the "agent", not some "substance" with which we are filled. However, a demon is a creature and may have substance like other created beings such as angels. I cannot fully prove this hypothesis from Scripture and it may well be that this concept is not crucial for us to fully understand. The fact that Christians have and are being demonized is a fact from Scripture beyond dispute, as you have just read, and is important for us to be aware of.
Only God knows who His sheep are and whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. We cannot ever be absolutely sure about another person, only ourselves as our belief in Christ and relationship with Him remains steadfast through faith. Even then God is our judge and can see sinful areas in our lives even when we are blind to them ourselves, or when we are willfully unrepentant of them. When we allow a sin to continue unconfessed in our lives, or we confess sin but continue to live in it, we allow Satan a foothold in our lives as Christians. It is our responsibility to confess our sins. Jesus is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. It may be that God will allow Satan to tempt us, as He did with His own Son in the desert, or to torment us, as He allowed the enemy to do to Paul. In that case we need to put on the armor of God, stand firm, remain faithful, and use the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, to fight the enemy.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Ephesians 6:10-18
We don't automatically get the armor when we are saved. We must put it on.
This section of Scripture was written to believers!!!
The devil has everyone's destruction in mind, including Christians. Many Christians today do not have the full armor of God on. They may have the "helmet of salvation" on their heads, but they have become gossips and do not have their "feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace." They may have the "shield of faith" up, but they have fallen into habitual lying and do not have the "belt of truth" around their waists. We must be ready as Christians, on all fronts, to stand and rebuff the power of the enemy in our lives, holding fast to our salvation, our faith, the Truth, Jesus' righteousness imputed to us by the cross, the Word of God, the gospel of peace -- and, last but not least, in prayer constantly.