Question:

I have a coworker who is convinced that a Christian’s body and soul can be possessed by demons. Is this true? He also said that any Christian can cast out demons. Is this true? I am trying to find out what the Bible has to say about it and I would love any help you could give me.

Thanks!

Doug

Answer:

Dear Doug,

The subject you raise, and the response that individuals have to it, is influenced by one’s religious background. On one extreme, there are those who believe that virtually all mental dysfunctions and chemical imbalances are demonic. Such individuals tend to see and look for demons under every rock and behind every tree. They see that the church should have a major ministry against Satan – and his strongholds – to claim victory over him, and his demons. Such an approach can lead to superstition and a mystical view of this topic.

The other extreme are those who disavow any manifestation of the activity of the spirit realm in our world. Such individuals would discount and "demythologize" all such reports of the para-normal and simply attempt to explain them rationally. For a Christian to take such a position is difficult, as there are many references in the Bible to the reality of the spirit world.

Christian and non-Christian alike take some position between these two extremes.

Plain Truth Ministries takes the position that the devil is real, Satan is a real being, and his demons likewise. We also believe that Jesus has displaced and won the victory over Satan once and for all. Believers need not fear the demonic world because he that is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

We also believe that the Bible does not lead us into a preoccupation with the demonic and the occult. We do not believe that demonic activity and "strongholds" are anywhere near the top of the priority list that we have as Christians. In fact, a focus on the demonic world can lead, and often does, to the very problem that intense study/prayer/evangelism is dedicated to overcoming.

Humans are given willpower – we cannot be possessed against our will. Casting out demons is part of what Jesus empowers us to do – but they must be present to cast out, and the Christian who is involved in such an activity should not be naïve or unaware of the kind of forces with which they are dealing. That is – if a believer only thinks or hopes that Christ lives within them, they would do better not to be involved with casting out demons.

Doug – this is a huge subject and time prevents me from continuing with other areas, qualifications, and modifications to the above. We recommend and stock a book titled Counterfeit Revival – it is available on our website – that gives further background.

May God bless you as you yield to and follow him!

Greg Albrecht