We explore these questions and much more in this article.

  Let me begin by telling you where I started this journey so you may better understand my position. Before writing this paper, I , probably like many brethren of our Church of God background, have held the strong belief that a Christian with the abiding holy spirit could not also harbor a demon at the same time.

  The Bible does not explicitly state whether a Christian can be possessed by a demon. Let us also point out that the Bible never actually uses the term "possessed" in references to demons residing inside someone. The term is "demonized" and never refers to ownership in relation to this "demonizing" of a person. However, since a Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19), it would seem unlikely that the Holy Spirit would allow a demon to possess the same person He is indwelling. We definitely recognize that this is a controversial issue. However, we strongly hold to the belief that a spirit-abiding Christian cannot be POSSESSED (as in "controlled") by a demon.

Stay with me now ....

  We believe there is a distinct difference between being possessed by a demon and harboring, being oppressed or influenced by a demon. Demon possession involves a demon having direct control over the thoughts and/or actions of a person (Luke 4:33-35; 8:27-33; Matthew 17:14-18). Demon oppression/influence involves a demon or demons attacking a person physically, spiritually or mentally often encouraging him/her into sinful behavior (1 Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7).

 We know that the devil can't touch the salvation of one truly sealed by God's Spirit (although a person could give it up willingly). The Book of Job shows us that the body certainly can be afflicted if there is a break in our protective hedge.  Ecclesiastes 10:8, "He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him."  There is a hedge of protection around God's people, but if there is a hole in that hedge, it can open the door to the enemy and we can get bitten.

And the New Testament is also full of warnings about the devil and his wiles. These warnings are not written to unbelievers  ... but to Christians.  Paul warned the believers in Ephesians 4:27, "Neither give place to the devil." Also, 2 Corinthians 2:11 tells us, "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices." We are told to resist the devil (1 Peter 5:8-9; James 4:7). These verses speak of outside temptations by the enemy.

THY WORD IS TRUTH

  Let me make clear that if we experience something (spiritually speaking) then we are to "test the spirits" and "prove all things."  We must turn to the Word of God to be able to view that experience with biblically 'corrective lenses'. Paul, the Apostle, exhorted both Timothy and Titus concerning sound doctrine in I Timothy 1:10 and Titus 1:9; 2:1. To Timothy he said, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lust shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears, and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned to fables." (II Timothy 4:3,4)

  What is the only criteria for sound doctrine?  God's Word is the ONLY basis for sound doctrine. The seducing words of 'spiritual teachers or esoteric experiences' must never supersede the Word of God. If I have an experience that doesn't seem to fit with the scriptures on that same subject; then, it is the experience, or the understanding thereof, that needs to be re-examined in the light of scripture. Do not reject scripture due to something you experienced (we walk by faith not by sight). Paul said that if he or an angel from Heaven preached any other Gospel than that which they had already heard, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:8).

   The relating of experiences that are fables can never be the true basis for sound doctrine, and the minute we open the door and begin to teach from merely experience, we lose authority and introduce confusion. People have a great variety of "spiritual" experiences and if we accept one unscriptural experience as evidence of doctrinal truth, then I am bound to accept all experiences; for each one would have equal authority as a basis for doctrine. However, if your experience squares soundly with the scriptures then, you can stand in faith that your experience is not a deceiving one. You may then view it as being aligned with the scriptures and gain its fullest impact and meaning.

Okay, that being said ...

CAN A CHRISTIAN BE DEMON POSSESSED?

  So can we prove the truth on the matter about Christians and Demons? In the following narrative we adapted from an Internet article "Can A Christian Be Demon Possessed".

 The question has been forced upon us: "Can a Christian be demon possessed?" We wish to look at this in the manner of the Bible and not on the basis of the pre-conditioning of theologians and philosophy. "Let us reason together" is the Bible's admonition and to "Test all things; hold fast to that which is true." We wish to look at the matter in the light of reason.

The term "syllogism" refers to a process of deductive reasoning based upon a major premise, a minor premise, and the subsequent conclusion. An example is that we say "All men are foolish." (Major premise). We then make the observation "G. Smith is a man." (Minor premise) and we arrive at "Therefore G. Smith is foolish." (Conclusion). As you can see it is imperative that ALL three parts of the syllogism are correct, else it fails.

    The past writers and theologians have made this syllogism:

1. (Major premise)  A True Believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
2. (Minor premise)  The Spirit of God cannot permit demons to reside where it resides.
3. (Conclusion)    Therefore, No True Believer can be possessed by demons.

We must point out the major FAULT in the above syllogism in that the minor premise could also be phrased:

1. (Major premise)  A True Believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
2. (Minor premise) The Spirit of God cannot tolerate sin and will not allow it in its presence.
3. (Conclusion)   The conclusion would thus follow: Therefore, no True Believer can have sin in him or commit a sin.

Now, it should be obvious that the conclusion of both the above syllogisms are FALSE. A True Believer does sometimes fall to sin, does have sin in his flesh which is constantly warring against the Spirit of God. Those who choose to think that True Believers cannot be demonized always quote the Scriptures that refer to our place of residence "in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 2:6) and that we are in Christ (John 14:20) and Christ is in us (Colossians 1:27) and make the conclusion "If I am in Christ and Satan has nothing in Him, Satan can have nothing in me!" [Adapted from Computers for Christ article: CAN A CHRISTIAN BE DEMON POSSESSED? Posted on: 04/25/2003 Category: Cults / Sects / Non Christian Religions and Topics Source: CCN]

CAN THE SPIRIT OF GOD BE IN PRESENCE OF DEMONS? (or vice-versa)

 Let's review the witnesses testimonies from scripture on a few key points of importance. Can an evil entity be in God's holy presence?

Lying Spirit in YHWH's Presence

1 Kings 22:19-22 And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner. And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

 Here we see a LYING SPIRIT in God's own house - before the very throne of the Almighty. Can evil dwell with His spirit and not affect the spirit? This seems to suggest that, doesn't it?

Here is another similar witness:  Judges 9:23 Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:

Satan in YHWH's Presence

 I am certain that most readers will recall how Satan himself appeared directly before YHWH twice in the text of the book of Job.

Job 1:6-7 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Job 2:1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.

  Satan stands before the throne of God and says he has come from doing as he pleased down on earth. Satan is clearly shown to be IN YHWH's PRESENCE ... and yet God is still God and Satan cannot possibly do Him any harm (neither can he harm God's subjects unless God allows him to do so). Yet an evil spirit abides in the same house with God.

WHERE CAN DEMONS HIDE?

  Take notice of an example Christ cited to the scribes and the Pharisees: Luke 11:24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. 25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. 26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.  

  This verse seems to indicate that if an unbeliever has a demon cast out of them ... and doesn't accept Christ that the end result is worse than the beginning. So if it is so dangerous to cast a demon from an unbeliever  ... then who else should we cast them out of?

  The demon and his friends can only enter the house if it is empty and unoccupied - but in the case of all ACTIVE believers, who 'hear and do' the words of the Lord, the house is occupied. So when the demons come-a-knockin' the door is answered by Christ within and the demons tremble and cannot enter therein. This passage is saying that only "empty houses" or unbelievers can be occupied by demons and so we rightly determine that active Christians, therefore, cannot BECOME demon-possessed. But what if the demon was already present in the individual prior to their baptism?

When a person is baptized and forgiven their sins - are they also purged of any dormant demons?

PARABLE OF THE RAT

I read one deliverance preacher's example of a modern parable that went something like this:

A builder builds a home for you - modeled after his very own quality home. The builder, out of his affection for you, allows you to live rent-free this house he built for you (yet he retains full ownership of the property). At some point, you forget the owner and claim the house as your own personal property. Using forged documents you illegally 'sell' the ownership of the home to an evil slumlord. You become a tenant and pay rent to the new "owner."  During this time, unknown to you, a rat sneaks into the house and sets up a home. He was not invited. He was not announced. He hides in the structure of the home, within the walls and in the dark corners of the cellar. You do not even know he is there!  Now, the new landlord begins to oppress you. He raises rents, refuses to make necessary repairs, and becomes verbally and sometimes physically abusive.  You feel like your life is worth nothing. You realize that the builder loved you and you treated him deceitfully. You are ashamed and want to change deep inside. Finally, you grow so desperate that you turn to the real owner of the house for help. You confess the shameful way you sold his property and beg his forgiveness. You expect to be thrown in prison but, moved by compassion, the real owner promises to buy back his own house and let you continue to live in it rent-free.  The new landlord demands an exorbitant price - the builder must be exiled to a place from which there is no return - yet because of his love for you the builder agrees to the price. The builders father, however, finds his exiled son and brings him back to claim his rightful possession. The builder legally defeats the deceiving landlord and the house is fully the builders once again with no liens or encumbrances. Now you are free from this "landlord from hell." To top it all off, the builder then asks you to marry him and he moves into the house with you to stay forever!    All the wonderful things that have transpired in your salvation from the evil landlord, however, does not mean the rat has left. It didn't leave just because the builder reclaimed his ownership of the home and moved in with you. You could still even be unaware that it is there. Relative to the critical issue of who owns the house and has power over you, it is a minor matter. Now this rat might spread disease and eat some of your food, but it does not 'control' you. Neither does it belong to you, nor to the owner of the house. It is simply a trespasser that will exploit your ignorance until you become aware of it and take action by seeking your landlord’s help in ridding it from your house. You have the authority and the power to rid your home of this trespasser.

 When someone repents and is baptized - if they had demons that were not cast out previously - do the demons just go away? Lets ask using the syllogism model we used earlier:

1. (Major premise)  A True Believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit after baptism and laying on of hands.
2. (Minor premise)  The Spirit of God cannot permit demons to reside where it resides.
3. (Conclusion)   Therefore, a baptized Believer cannot still be possessed by demons after baptism.

Again, we must point out the major FAULT in the above syllogism in that the minor premise could also be phrased:

1. (Major premise)  A True Believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit after baptism and laying on of hands.
2. (Minor premise)  The Spirit of God cannot permit sickness or disease to reside where it resides. (and we are healed by the same blood that purges our sins)
3. (Conclusion) Therefore, a baptized Believer cannot still have sickness or disease after baptism.

Again we see that if the second is false then so is the first because it was built upon faulty reasoning and faulty reasoning always yields faulty conclusions. A person with a tumor who gets baptized for remission of sins and is imparted the spirit through the laying on of hands ... most often still has the tumor afterwards, don't they?

  There is an obvious need for casting out demons (Mark 16:17, Matthew 8:16-17) just as there is for healings. So .. who are we to cast them out of, if it's so risky (Luke 11:24-26) to cast them out of unbelievers? And if an unbeliever loosed from a demon doesn't come to Jesus shortly after they are delivered from the tormentors then the end of them is worse than before! And if people automatically evict their demons when they became a Christian, then why worry about casting them out at all? If people shed their demons when they accepted Christ, then why not just bring them to Christ? This would defeat the whole purpose of the deliverance ministry as practiced by Jesus and the apostles. Which would be saying that the early church (which was very active in the casting out of devils) was wasting it's time, and would make no sense that Jesus said that those who believe would 'cast out demons'!

  IF it were possible for a Christian to have demons it is not because they have no choice in the matter. It would simply be that, similar to drug or porn addicts (there are not or should not be such habits in the body of Christ), they have not exercised their right to liberty. This would either be because they do not realize they have a demon or because they do not realize (at least in practical terms) the authority over demons bestowed on them by Christ and the power over demons resident within them through the Holy Spirit. 

 Consider the possibilities, at least. Either the demon(s) was there before the person came to Christ (past lifestyles, generational curses, bondages they previously came under, vows they made with the enemy, etc.), or maybe it entered since they became a Christian. If the demon came into the person's life before they accepted Christ, then the demon is likely trespassing because he has no real legal right to be there, and simply needs to be cast out (as Jesus did in Matthew 8:16-17).

  Deliverance and healing were paid for in the same verses (Isaiah 53:5, Matthew 8:16-17), but a lot of Christians are walking around sick and many others are being tormented. Why? Because these two things are received by faith! The price was paid for us to be set free, but if we don't believe it and stand on it, we can miss out in the fruits of what Jesus did for us!

  What about scriptural examples of demon-indwelling of persons - are there any indications that a Believer could harbor one? Remember, we need to stick to the Word rather than merely our own philosophy or experiential data.

SOME BIBLICAL FACTS ABOUT DEMONS AND BELIEVERS

	KING SAUL
	POSSESSED MAN IN THE SYNAGOGUE
	DAUGHTER OF ABRAHAM
	PAUL - MESSENGER IN THE FLESH

Lets look at these four examples together.

KING SAUL

Consider the case of King Saul:  1 Samuel 10:6-7  And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man. And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.

DISOBEDIENCE OF SAUL - 1 Samuel 15:10-28 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night. And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal. And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed. Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on. And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD. And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent. And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.

1 Samuel 16:14-15 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

I Samuel 18:12 And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.

 The description [1 Samuel 10:6-7] itself is unique in Scripture. It reads like the most powerful conversion and manifestation of the character-changing power of the Holy Spirit. And in addition, this man of God prophesied under the unction of the Holy Spirit. Then in brazen disobedience (not thinking it was so at first) Saul sins. The spirit of God departs from him and a demon comes to trouble him. And this man, while still continuing to fully function as king of God’s people, harbored a demon (1 Samuel 16:14-23).

 If anyone understood Saul’s spiritual affliction, it was his harpist, David, whose task was to calm the evil spirit and who, more than once, had to dodge a spear during such sessions. David himself was anointed and yet, this man specially gifted with spiritual insight, kept referring to Saul as "God’s anointed", regardless of Saul having an evil spirit (1 Samuel 24:6,10; 26:9,11,16,23; 2 Samuel 1:14,16). King David  learned from the lesson of Saul and recorded a prayer that shows us he knew that this was possible too -- to lose the spirit of God by quenching it.  Psalms 51:10-11 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

With SAUL, we find that one can lose God's spirit and be inhabited or possessed by a demon!

POSSESSED MAN IN THE SYNAGOGUE

Luke 4:31-37 And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.

Notice that this was not an non-religious 'pagan'. This was a man, Jew or Gentile, who was a regular WORSHIPPER in the SYNAGOGUE. Now, the the holy spirit was not yet given so we know this person did not have the spirit but we wanted to point out that he wasn't irreligious either.

DAUGHTER OF ABRAHAM

Luke 13:10-17 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

 Again, Jesus in the SYNAGOGUE speaks to a woman, a regular WORSHIPPER in the synagogue, who has a MEDICAL CONDITION caused by a demon.
(Apparently she was a respected woman of faith publicly worshipping God in a synagogue congregation.) This woman in called by Jesus A DAUGHTER OF ABRAHAM. Does this mean she was merely a physical Israelite? Our Lord seemed to use the term to be "of Abraham" to be one based in the FAITH of the person.

 Okay, many have questioned if these were, in fact, believers. It is true that the holy spirit was not yet supplied (indwelling) to them as far as the scripture can tell us. But what about the apostle Paul? We know he certainly had the holy spirit indwelling him and WITH POWER!

PAUL - WHAT WAS THIS MESSENGER IN THE FLESH?

2 Corinthians 12:6-10 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Let us look up the words that are rendered as "thorn in the flesh"

THORN  = Strong's Greek Dictionary 4647. skolops skoloy skolops skol'-ops perhaps from the base of 4628 and 3700; withered at the front, i.e. a point or prickle (figuratively, a bodily annoyance or disability):--thorn. See Greek 4628  See Greek 3700

FLESH = Strong's Greek Dictionary  4561. sarx sarx sarx sarx  probably from the base of 4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):--carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).

"the messenger of Satan"

MESSENGER = Strong's Greek Dictionary 32. aggelos  aggeloV aggelos ang'-el-os  from aggello (probably derived from 71; compare 34) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor:--angel, messenger. See Greek 71 See Greek 34 Strong's Greek Dictionary 71. ago agw ago ag'-o a primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, (reflexively) go, (specially) pass (time), or (figuratively) induce:--be, bring (forth), carry, (let) go, keep, lead away, be open.    Strong's Greek Dictionary 34. agele agelh agele ag-el'-ay  from 71 (compare 32); a drove:--herd. See Greek 71  See Greek 32

SATAN = Strong's Greek Dictionary 4566. Satan satan Satan sat-an' of Hebrew origin (7854); Satan, i.e. the devil:--Satan. Compare 4567. See Greek 4567  See Hebrew 7854 Strong's Greek Dictionary 4567. Satanas satanaV Satanas sat-an-as' of Chaldee origin corresponding to 4566 (with the definite affix); the accuser, i.e. the devil:--Satan.See Hebrew 4566    Strong's Hebrew Dictionary 7854. satan Njs satan saw-tawn'  from 7853; an opponent; especially (with the article prefixed) Satan, the arch-enemy of good:--adversary, Satan, withstand. See Hebrew 7853

Notice that this "messenger of Satan" "buffets" Paul. It is the same word [ref: Matt 26:67, Mark 14:65] used when the Chief Priests, Elders, Council and possibly soldiers repeatedly and brutally would strike Jesus with their fists. Paul gave us a clue a chapter previous when he described his "infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions and distresses for Christ's sake."

2 Corinthians 11:23-29 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

This "messenger of Satan" which was in Paul's "flesh" often caused him harm (only because God allowed it to further strengthen him) but did not "take over" or "possess" the Apostle. Like Job in the Old Testament, I think Paul is the best New Testament biblical example of demonization in Believers.

  A Christian is a new creation. All Christians would therefore agree that if it were possible for Christians to have demons, they would be vastly different persons to non-Christians with demons.

  As we revisited previously, because of his rebellion against God, King Saul ended up with an evil spirit (1 Samuel 16:14) and yet despite his affliction he was still able to function as king. It was commonly (falsely) asserted that Jesus had a demon (Mark 3:22,30; John 7:20; 8:48,52). John 10:20-21 reads as if this was a genuine belief rather than mockery and yet, except for his claims and miracles, there was nothing abnormal about him. John the Baptist was also erroneously accused of having a demon (Luke 7:33). Clearly, their contemporaries did not think that to have a demon one must be dysfunctional.

  All of the above lines of biblical evidence point to the conclusion that, as distinct from the cases Scripture chose to highlight, the effect of having just one minor demon might be so small as to be hard to detect.   Could we miss some cases of the demonic because our spiritual gifts do not include the ability to discern evil spirits? It surely is possible.

 All Christians have a divine mission and power over demons. What distinguished Jesus and the apostles from the average Christian was not that they had spiritual authority but that they knew it and exercised it.