Demon Possessed Christians? Part Two

Deliverance being performed on a Christian woman

According to the Hegewisch Baptist Church (Highland, Indiana), the Bible declares that Christians can be possessed by demonic spirits. And those who claim otherwise are simply ignorant of what the scriptures say.

Here's a portion of what Hegewisch teaches concerning demon possession and Christians: Almost one hundred percent of our deliverance ministry has been among the born-again believers; most of them also baptized-in-the-spirit. Being saved, and even being baptized in the Holy Spirit, is no guarantee against the inroads of the evil spirits.

Does the Bible reveal that Christians can be possessed by unclean spirits? It doesn't. Then why do churches such as Hegewisch claim that believers can be possessed? Because such churches succumb to the temptation to interpret spiritual problems by experience rather than scripture. In other words, they ignore the scriptures in favor of religious experiences if the experiences seem genuine.

And ironically, Hegewisch initially denounces choosing experience over scripture, and then reverses course:

In his tract, “Demon Activity and the Christian,” Ernest B. Rockstad rightly concludes that: “Experience of course is not the basis for the interpretation of the Bible.  Nevertheless, if consistent experiences run counter to an interpretation, the dedicated seeker after truth will set out to find the reason.  He must be willing to re-study his interpretation under the direction of the Holy Spirit… and be prepared to make any necessary corrections in his own beliefs so as to be in full agreement with the facts as they are.” 

He further points out that understanding the Biblical doctrine of human depravity should cause one to wonder that the Holy Spirit would enter a person under any circumstances.  You cannot argue anyone into believing that the ancient fundamental stand against Christians having demons is fallacious. 

Donald Jacobs illustrates it this way: “There once lived a skeptical fisherman who heard unbelievable stories about people catching fish two feet long.  He had never caught one over twelve inches.  One day he caught one three feet long, held it by the tail, shook his head, threw it back into the water and said, 'Just another lie.' Likewise, faced with the evidence of a 'real live demon,' a western man would probably react just about this way. 'There are just no such things,' he would say.” 

Anyone who's familiar with the demonic understands that choosing to embrace religious experiences over scripture is a deadly mistake. Nearly 2,000 years ago, the apostle Paul issued this prophetic caveat concerning the end times: "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." (1 Timothy 4:1)

While Paul's prophecy speaks mainly of those who would leave the church to join cults and false religions, it also speaks of churches that cast aside the Bible in favor of religious experiences that are intended to deceive.

But in what way? If Satan can persuade people to believe that their problems are rooted in demonic possession rather than in sin and bad moral choices, then he can convince them that they aren't responsible for their behavior. Something else is, such as demonic spirits. Thus, they can get fixed via deliverance or exorcism.

Here's what Paul wrote concerning sin and unacceptable moral conduct:

"So I say, walk by the (Holy) Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." (Galatians 5:16-26)

As one who's ministered to demon possessed and oppressed people, I can tell you that possession isn't pretty. It's often ugly and menacing. And it can be frightening. If you don't have strong faith in Christ, you shouldn't get involved in it.

Nevertheless, true born again Christians can't--I repeat--can't be possessed by evil spirits. Yes, they can be harassed by them, especially by people who aren't saved and are under the influence and control of evil spirits. Therefore, it's vital that Christians avoid sin like the plague so they don't give Satan a legal right to oppress them. Because true Christians are his worst enemies.

And it's important for everyone to understand that demon possession and oppression are very real and probably more prevalent today than at any other time in human history. With the advent of hallucinogenic drugs and the rising interest in the occult and eastern mysticism, millions of people have exposed themselves to the demonic. And exposure to the demonic invariably leads to possession, oppression and spiritual deception. Every time.

The antidote is confession of sin and repentance from practices that invited Satan into your life, and dedicating your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. He cannot be your savior only. He must also be your Lord. That means that you must live the rest of your life for Him rather than for yourself.

And if you truly dedicate your life to Christ, you won't have to worry about demon possession. Because you'll be possessed by the Spirit of God who'll live in your heart.