Can a CHRISTIAN have a DEMON?

MahogonySnail · Apr 23, 2009

2. Satan in Job has freedom to wonder in heaven as he pleases while "lucifer" is decribed as being cast from heaven (theres no point in being cast from somewhere if you can jsut go back when you want jsut like you did before)

Click to expand...

It seems as though Satan did not have a habit of going into heaven, because God had to ask him where he came from....and satan said he was wandering on the earth, not wandering around in heaven:

Job 1:7 And Jehovah said to Satan, From where do you come? Then Satan answered Jehovah and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Although satan was cast from heaven as probably meaning his status and authority in heaven , this may not mean Satan was not able to enter heaven (either as himself or as pretending to be an angel of light)

Job 1:6 And a day came when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah. And Satan also came among them.

Baruch · Apr 23, 2009

Soldier_Of_Christ said:

Do consider how the promise of the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit was given. Remember as He is speaking to His disciples, His words are applicable to them in that they will see Him before the ascension, but the commandments ... as in the specific ones that comes with the promise of the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit that is being said to apply to all.

John 14: 18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

19Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.
20At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.....
25These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
28Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. 29And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.

Again, let us look at this promise of the permanent indwelling Holy Spirit that comes with these commandments for all believers.

John 14:15If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

So then the question is what are these commandments? Everything Jesus taught? That cannot be because we need Him in us to live as His. So these commandments are seperate and apart from the guide in our daily walk with Him by faith in Our Enabler, so what are those commandments that comes with the consdition of the permanent indwelling Holy Ghost for all believers? For such an importance, the Lord would not forget to mention them.. so let us read back further and find out.

We read about Jesus' relationship with the Father. Then we come to that commandment... given in different ways, but still all pointing to Jesus in how one is to approach God the Father. Notice the specificity.. the narrowness of that commandment.

John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

That is the commandment for all believers... to come to Jesus for the promise of the Holy Spirit and by no other way as in going after the Holy Spirit directly for that is considered as climbing up another way. No invitation has been given to come to the Holy Spirit and there are no hype campaign to the early church to seek after the Holy Spirit, but a constant reminder of their faith in Christ Jesus so that they may rest in Him when they came to him for life.

Ephesians 1:12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

So Jesus telling His disciples to wait at that time when He ascended to the Father for the Holy Ghost... is when the indwelling Holy Spirit will be permanent.

John 20:22 was not the only time Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit to dwell in them temporarily. Notice the instructions He gave the disciples at that time.

Matthew 10:1And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease......18And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Let us consider the ramification of the scripture in context for application:

Luke 11: 9And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

As you read those words above, may the Lord remind you of what was written to the early church at Ephesus in how and when they had received the promise of the indwelling Holy Spirit... and then consider this in light of the passage above:

Can a believer after receiving the Holy Ghost ask for the Holy Ghost again? How can that not be making the Father look like He gave us a stone, a serpent, or a scorpion? And since it is by seeking and knocking at the door in order to receive this Holy Ghost, what door is that?

John 10: 7Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

So either He gave us the permanent indwelling Holy Ghost as promised or... we have not been bought with a price.. as in we are not the new wineskin holding the new wine and thus we are not a new creature in Christ to contain the Holy Spirit... but we are.

Matthew 9:17Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

We are not leaky vessels, otherwise... that is like saying God did a poor job redeeming us... and we know He did not. By believing we are not complete in Christ Jesus... that there is another invitation to heed to... another door to enter and that is by chasing after the Holy Spirit when He is already within us... this is called labouring in unbelief. We are His... bought with a price and sealed.. with the Holy Spirit and thus filled... preserved... and declaring His workmanship in us that we are saved.. that we are His.

Hebrews 4:1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world..... 9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

John 10:1Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

What happens when believers chase after the Holy Spirit? Look for the action of the thief that takes away one of the promises in Jesus Christ when they "hunger for more of God" by chasing after the Holy Ghost....and do note the commandment again...

John 6:35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

By not coming to Jesus and chasing after "more" of the Holy Spirit, they hunger for more of God... which proves it is not of God.

The problem with Acts is that believers try to discern the spiritual experiences by them fitting them in the Bible when they should be discerning the experience by the scripture.

This historical account given by Luke is to consider the reason why Luke included the background on Simon the scorceror and the entire town. Luke testified that Simon had bewitched the town with his scorcery. Simon was responsible for their afflictions of unclean spirits which the Lord was casting out through Philip. Why the delay of the permanent indwelling Holy Spirit? Simon was among them. How fast would new believers think that Simon was bewitching them again? So the laying on of hands was necessary so as to dignify that the Holy Spirit was not the unclean spirits coming on them again. AND, to show the depths of the love of God for simon, he was not ready to receive the Holy Ghost because of his mentality of the former practise. Proof of that was when he thought he could purchase this power of laying on of hands to impart the Holy Spirit. He had to be rebuked of this mentality before becoming His for Simon cannot continue in the way he has been.

Do note that your reference to this point is only the basis for not receiving the Holy Ghost in the first place.... it is not to say that you lose the Holy Ghost and thus the necessity for asking for the Holy Ghost again. I still maintain the faith in Christ Jesus that once you have Him, that is it. You are His.

Again, one must read the scripture in context and not try to understand their own supernatural encounter by fitting it in the Bible... as many believers do when testing the spirits, and wind up preaching another spirit to receive... when there is only one baptism of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:4-6

These disciples were not followers of Jesus Christ. These "certain" disciples were of John the Baptist's. That was why Paul had asked the question... and Paul went further by asking of what baptism were they baptized by... they answered.. John the Baptist's. Then Paul had to tell them about Jesus. Then Paul baptized them in Jesus' name. Then they had received the permanent indwelling of the Holy Ghost. You have to consider that alot of people came to John the Baptist's ministry in repentance of sins by water baptism...disciples come and go. So not everyone would have been there when Jesus....the One, John was prophesying about as in preparing the way for, finally came.

Actually... He spoke against lying wonders, but Satan's workings are evident with power and signs as well. The apparations of the "Virgin Mary" is a good example of that. Weeping and bleeding phenomenons from pictures and statues are another. When you consider the historical account of Acts, they did not preach signs: signs followed the believers. What were the signs given for? For the unbelievers. When were the signs given? After preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ by which sinners believed and became saved. So the signs were never the focal point of the ministry, but the after effects of the believers as a witness towards the unbelievers.

Do take note that if those signs and wonders exalt the movement of the Spirit or exalt the person as in doing them, then it is a false witness. The real indwelling Holy Spirit will not speak of Himself but seek to testify and glorify Jesus Christ (John 16:13-14 & John 15:26) and so should we if we are led by the Spirit of God with our eyes on Jesus, Our Good Shepherd (John 15:27) and testify not of ourselves (John 5:31 ; John 7:18-19 ; 2 Corinthians 4:5-7) so that His name is above every other name... nothing.. no one.. not even the Holy Spirit would share in that spotlight ( Philippians 2:9-11) as the Holy Spirit is God, He will not fail as a witness of Jesus Christ... but believers can fail when their eyes are off of Jesus and begin serving something else in His name to glorfy that.

That little girl prophesied about those two servants of the Lord and yet that spirit was casted out because she was being annoying. How? She was declaring them.. not the Gospel. She was exalting them as anyone would get a swell head if left unchecked. Did she spoke a lie? No. but the glory she was trying to convey was putting the spotlight on them more than the Gospel they brought.

So we have prophesying that can be misleading... tongues that are gibberish which the world can get by chasing after other spirits... all this pertaining to the necessity of keeping our eyes on Jesus... for the manifestations of the Spirit are not given to be glorified or for believers to lose themselves in vainglorying, but are given for the edification in the knowledge of Him so that our love may abound yet more and more to glorify Jesus Christ the Lord.

So for believers to seek another spirit to receive after having received Him as promise is suffering a thief to break through to steal their affections and focus away from Jesus Christ as the spirit of the anti-christ would do... and the definition of the anti-christ is "instead of Christ"... so dare we take heed of His warnings so as to throw away the lie in that bathwater when it is not of Him at all in regards to our faith in Jesus Christ?

Dare we continue as the foolish virgins in having to go to the market continuously to put oil in our vessels so as to trim our lamps and shine our faith that we are His, or do we rest in Him with the oil in our vessels .. ready to shine our faith that we are His when He appears?

Piano_hero · Apr 23, 2009

MahogonySnail said:

so youre argument is that Satan didnt spend ALOT of time in heaven ? the satan you believe in cant spend ANY time there. You cant be cast out of heaven and then visit every other year . even if this satan went to heaven not too often, he still went to heaven adn thats all teh evidence i need to make my point

MahogonySnail · Apr 23, 2009

I think there is a time when all angels both good and bad need to give account of themselves to God. That's all satan came for, doesn't mean he lived there.

e-Sword86 · Apr 24, 2009

Baruch said:

What your suggesting to do is not in line with God's word. Read what happened after the Day of Pentecost:

Acts 4:18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Acts 4:24 So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: "Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them,
Acts 4:29 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word,
Acts 4:30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus."
Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Two things happened after the Day of Pentecost:

1. they prayed for signs and wonders to be done through the name of Jesus
2. they were all filled with the Holy Spirit

Evidence that we love God is not whether we are involved with signs and wonders or if we SAY that we love Him but:

Proof that we love God is if we hear and do what His word says.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
John 14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
John 15:12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Luke 6:46-48 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.

What I believe that the main "issue" with whats happening in church events, assemblies, gatherings or services has nothing to do with signs, wonders or miracles but rather the preaching of a compromised Word, Message and or another Gospel.

1Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, (for some examples visit alittleleaven.com)

2Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (for some examples visit alittleleaven.com)

When God's word is preached and taught correctly:

1. 2Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2. 2Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

3. Mark 16:15,16 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

4. Matthew 10:7 And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

5. Isaiah 55:11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

kjv4me2u · Apr 24, 2009

The word of God must be rightly divided...........(2 Tim 2:15 KJV) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
This means scripture interprets scripture.
Example: Jesus is the image of God as reported by scripture in Col 1:15 , 2 Cor 4:4 and Hebrew 1:3
So in 1 Tm 3:16 when it says God was manifest in the flesh. We know it means Jesus the image of God was manifest in the flesh when (Gal 4:4 KJV) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Also 1 Tim 3:16 mentions "SEEN OF ANGELS) we know angels saw God but angels never saw the image of God as Jesus. The angels saw the First Adam Son of God as the image of God ( Gen1:27)
I believe you cannot interpret the word of God or rightly divide the word of truth if you do not use scripture to interpret scripture as did the Bereans.

(Acts 17:11 KJV) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

kjv4me2u · Apr 24, 2009

A christian cannot have demon because the inner man of the believer is renewed daily and is hid in Christ in heavenly places.
(2 Cor 4:16 KJV) For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

(Col 3:3 KJV) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

The outward man or mortal man cannot be in Christ because flesh and blood mortal cannot enter the kingdom of God which is paradise of God but the believers inner man is in the paradise of God because he is of the bones , body , flesh , soul and spirit of Christ.

(Eph 5:30 KJV) For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

(1 Cor 2:16 KJV) For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

(Rom 8:9 KJV) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Lusitano · Apr 24, 2009

Great post people, just something i see from a"real" life situations without making this long or confusing.The demons around you not "in" you are the problem most of the time,so beware of this and control this as much as possible. God Bless..

Baruch · Apr 24, 2009

e-Sword86 said:

Thanks for replying, brother, but some clarity is needed here. Your response above was due to this quote and if you note the parameter of the first part of the quote, I was referring more to signs and wonders, but to the practise of seeking it in the place of it.

"So for all those believers out there in signs and wonder land... if you love Jesus... put them away and go there no more. Narrow your focus back to Jesus and return to your first love. He is the Bridegroom"

Jesus simply said that signs will follow them... it was not to lead them for them to be looking for it. Jesus Christ is the Gospel. The signs following would confirm that truth. It will not be the spotlight ever in the assembly for Jesus is the Good News... not the signs.

Incidentally, Acts 4 of your reference is not the Pentecost Day event. Acts 2 is.

Acts 4 has them addressing the Lord in prayer and not the Holy Spirit directly. It is to be asked in the name of Jesus, but if you note, not all signs and wonders are being asked in His name in today's assembly.. but in the name of the "Spirit of God" as it is the name of the Spirit that is being glorified in that movement.

Again on Acts 4, if you start at the beginning, they were preaching the Gospel and new believers were coming about. Following the dramatic event of verse 31, we have this verse to signify that the new believers from the beginning of Acts 4 were among them in referring to the multitude.

Acts 4:32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

The problem of Acts 4 is misreading it to mean that the Spirit can fall on the believers again, but that is contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as well as instructions for discernment given to the early churches in regards to our faith. To ignore that new believers were being among the believers is to ignore that this move of the Spirit accomplished in making them of one accord... whereas before they were not all of one accord.... since new believers were not baptized with the Holy Ghost yet... thus siginfying that they were all filled after the Holy Spirit had come. Verses together:

Acts 4:4Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. .......31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. 32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

There is a historical account.. I cannot produce it, that the Israelites at one time worshipped the staff with the serpent on it that in the past God commanded to be made for those in the wilderness to look to if they get bitten by a poisonous snake so as to live. When this had occur that they were worshipping that, I know not, but that staff with the serpent on it was destroyed.

If God sees fit to do that, then He will not manifest tongues if all eyes are being taken off of Him to the "spirit" in the worship place, cause I guarantee you that the indwelling Holy Spirit is still pointing us towards Jesus Christ to avoid false prophets as well as false spirits.

So when believers pray today.. is it the same as back then at Pentecost?

Acts 2: 1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

What? No prayer? They were told to wait. What were they doing before that day?

Acts 1: 15And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,) ....

They had prayed and casted lot for the replacement of Judas. So the idea of constantly praying for the Holy Ghost by calling for the Holy Ghost is a misconception.

Indeed, in regarding to that topic, they were to ask the Father in Heaven. So how do they have access to the Father and Who baptizes us with the Holy Ghost? Jesus Christ the Lord.

If you quoted John 14:15, then what commandment is being given that comes with the promise of the Holy Ghost in verse 16 & 17?

Since the Holy Ghost cannot move on His own accord and can come only by Way of Jesus Christ, once you discern the commandments above in verse 15 that comes with the promise of the Spirit, then you can understand how it had been fulfilled in Ephesians 1:12-15 in according to this commandment of John 14:6.

And once He has come, what is the promise of John 14:16-17 declares but a permanent indwelling?

Do we have instructions given to the early church to pray always to the Holy Ghost for a continual infilling and to seek signs and wonders that it be proof from God? No. Jesus Christ is the Gospel... keeping the faith is the walk of the believer. We are not to glorify the Day of Pentecost for on the day of Pentcost, they glorified Jesus Christ.

You quoted Luke 6:46-48, but heeding the commandment of His invitation is doing what He says. When they are preaching another spirit to receive as in saying that there is another baptism of the Holy Spirit that comes with evidence of tongues, it is against the Gospel of Jesus Christ as they seek tongues directly from the "Holy Spirit" to come and fall on them as the world seeks tongues that are gibberish in the same rudiment found in the world in how they seek after other spirits.

So in keeping in line with your thread: It is possible for believers to be influenced by devils because it is prophesied that it will occur when they depart from the faith.

2 Corinthians 13:5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

1 Timothy 4:1Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

What greater hypocrisey than to call for the Holy Spirit to come when He is already in them? What is it that makes them think only the Holy Spirit will come and no other when 1 John 4 instructs the assembly to not believe every spirit but test them? The fact that the practise goes against our faith is enough to say.. whoah.

1 John 4:1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.....3And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

If God wants us to stand apart from the world, how would He save those out of the occults as a witness if they practise the same thing that is found in the world as in tongues that are gibberish and comes with no interpretation? Would God bury a talent by not having interpretation? Then neither would God have us use tongues in the same manner as the world does by as the last verse above declares for discernment.. speak as they speak and hear as they hear.

I know that there are signs and wonders following those that believe, but believers are not to follow signs and wonders, so my point from the quote was to seek after Jesus, not signs and wonders, because as Jesus said signs and wonders follow believers, so did He say this about those seeking after a sign...

Matthew 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Again in the same book...

Matthew 16:4A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

If you see the application when believers seek another bpatism of the Holy Spirit that comes with evidence of tongues by seeking after the "spirit" and not by Way of Jesus Christ, one can see the spiritual adultery of the believers committing against the Bridegroom and yet to avoid all that is...

Luke 13:24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

I am not sure how you would apply your OP for the believers to be more discerning by, but that is the intent of my posting, applying to something believers are not discerning twice about in what they say or do in representing the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Believers can be influenced because the prophetic warning says they will in 1 Timothy 4:1-2 and so the crux of this influence is by what? Departing from the faith in Jesus Christ and thus giving heed to seducing spirits and taking after the rudiment in the world as described as doctrines of devils in seeking another spirit to receive.

1Gary · Jun 15, 2009

For any who really want to get into the details of how such a thing could be possible, they might like to take a look at this book that took twelve years to write: "Can a Christian Have an Unclean Spirit?" by Gary Graff. It is a three-volume book and it is available on Amazon.com.

MaggieMye · Jun 15, 2009

Also "Can a Chrisitian Have a Demon?" by Don Basham

The answer is yes.
POsession and OPpression are two different things.
POsssesion refers to ownership, so a Christian is OWNED or possessed by Holy Spirit.
However, OPpression is the condition of being influence by a demon or two or three.
Demons can and do take residence in our physical bodies...it shows up as infirmity and sickness. They have a right to do this when curses are in place upon our lives or when we have unrepented sin in our lives.
But a demon residing in our body does not mean that it owns us. Remember, though verse Mt 12:43-45. They regard our bodies as their 'house'...their place of dwelling. But they are not paying rent and we have the authority to kick them out as soon as we discover their prescence.
Maggie

e-Sword86 · Jun 15, 2009

Amen, I'm glad you know God's word.

sweetie36 · Jun 19, 2009

Every does not agree..........
If you have strong Faith you have the Holy Spirit within you. You will be fine......................
If you have strong Faith you are close to God........................

pickles · Jun 20, 2009

I have never known a spirit filled person with a demon although I have on two occasions met ones posessed that believed in God. One would not come near us , the other when she touched my hand quickly drew back and claimed when she touched me it burned. Although others said she was mentally ill I knew otherwise. I have met many christians that are oppressed, in fact I believe as christians whenever we are unwilling to turn over that which separates us in any small way we put ourselves at some risk. I have seen those who have some to severe oppression for many reasons. That is why every day I believe we need to examine our hearts for that which we need to turn over to Jesus. Its not a one time deal. We need to see within ourselves the constant hope in Jesus and his guidence. By not doing so it is like inviting him to live in your home but closing off all the rooms to his light. I have had contact with many who were said to be mentally ill, and never felt threatened. In fact I have often wondered if I am called to this. But not sure where to start or who to speak to about some of my exspeariences. In our Lord Jesus's time I trust on this. God Bless, pickles

e-Sword86 · Jun 20, 2009

pickles said:

I first became involved in this area back in 1990 when at the time my closest Christian friend and his girlfriend were in spiritual warfare and in need of prayer. Before that time the Lord had been training me on how to pray for the sick. That was my hearts desire and thats what I did when I saw an opportunity. My friend had always spoken of his "demonic" battles and warfare but I wasn't sure what to make of it because I had never witnessed any of it. Then the Church I was attending had a prayer session for the men regarding deliverance and I saw for the first time the supernatural power of God work in this area. I had no real interest in the area of demons except when I thought they might be the cause of some illness if I prayed for someone. Well the time came when my friend asked me to pray for him because he was going through a hard time. To make a long story short, that was the first time I became directly involved in the area of deliverance and it was with someone that I personally knew and lived with. It's one thing to hear stories about these things but it's another thing to be directly involved. There is a lot that I can write about regarding this but there is a point that needs to be made. The topic of "Christians and the demonic" is an area that is misunderstood or not understood by many. I believe those who do understand what deliverance is about probably spend their time in service to those members in need rather trying to persuade those who don't have the same view who is right. Those who oppose usually don't have any scriptures to backup what they think but instead rely on their own understanding. I started this thread because it is biblical, it is from God, and it is a good discussion for those looking for answers.

Baruch · Jun 20, 2009

e-Sword86 said:

Not all deliverance is done after Jesus Christ. Some may do these "ministry" after the Holy Spirit or even after an angel. It is by broadening the singular way to approach God the Father through the Son that the work of iniquity is defined.

Matthew 7: 13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Doesn't matter how popular the movement of the "spirit" is or how successful a ministry is, if it is not after Christ Jesus specifically, then that is the anti-christ which means instead of Christ because the inner dwelling Holy Spirit is still pointing to Jesus.

Matthew 7:20Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

Those slain in the "spirit" can take heed and narrow the way back to the straight gate to avoid that again.

Matthew 7:26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Luke 13:24Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

Baptistrw · Jun 20, 2009

No, a Christian can't have a demon.

SamIam · Jun 20, 2009

I believe a christian can be harassed or opressed by a deamon but not possesed

Trilogic · Jun 20, 2009

The answer is no. A christian can certainly be opressed bya demon, but he or she can't be possed. The Spirit of God will not share a body with a demon. If the person recieves Jesus Christ into his heart then whatever spirit is there must first be cast out! As we see in the example of the man of the tombs who Jesus sent the demon named Legion into a herd of swine. This demon had to be cast out first. Once it was cast out then the man was free to have the Holy Spirit come live on the inside.

e-Sword86 · Jun 20, 2009

Baruch said:

Mat 12:24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, "This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons."

Mat 12:25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.

Mat 12:26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?

Mat 12:27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges.

Mat 12:28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Can a CHRISTIAN have a DEMON?

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