Can A Christian Have A Demon?

[chicacanella]

Hmmm, this is the question of the day and as I was praying about some people and situations, God has been giving me more and more revelation.

Now, I know it seems like a "crazy" topic to some, to some it may sound like we are talking about demons to much now...but one of the things that sparked it was another thread I posted.

I actually didn't want to come on here and talk about this to you guys...but The Holy Spirit said something to the effect, "If it was you, wouldn't you want someone to tell you?" And I had to say 'yes. For me, it goes beyond the nay-sayers or those who don't believe it is possible but rather that someone may be set free from something they don't even know is there. As I sat here and was about to write this, I still kept asking, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" And He said "Go and tell the people." I know you guys might think I'm a little slow to the draw but He's been reafirming to me all day, "Yes."

The Topic At Hand

Many disagree that Christians can have demons inside of them, but I started to think about a lot of people in my life. As you know, there are some people in my family that have confessed Lord and Jesus as their savior, that he died for their sins and God raised him from the dead three days later. Romans 10:5

5Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them."[a] 6But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'[b]" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7"or 'Who will descend into the deep?'[c]" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"[d] that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."[e] 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."[f]

 

[chicacanella]

Please Read:
Cracks In The Soul
Normally in counseling I look for doors where the enemy may come into one's life and cause problems. However, on occasion I find people who have tried their best to shut all the major openings but still have severe attacks from the enemy. As I encountered such a case, I prayed for discernment. After several days of prayer, God gave me something of a vision and reminded me of a story that my dad had told me.

When he was a young boy, during the days of the dust bowl on the plains of Texas, he went with his dad to visit an Uncle and Aunt that lived on the plains. They arrived at the house late in the afternoon. He said that the house was a small house that was not very well built, and it had cracks under the doors. Shortly after Dad and his dad arrived, a sandstorm blew in. The sky became dark early in the evening as the sand filled the air. There was little to do but to go to bed. My dad said that he pulled the sheet up over his head to keep the sand out of his eyes and nose. During the night, toward morning, he awakened to discover that his body felt weighted down. He could hardly move for the weight. When daylight came, he discovered that the sand had blown in through the cracks in the house and settled as a heavy weight upon the bedding.
The spiritual application is that if we have cracks in our house during the storm of attack by the enemy, he can enter through those cracks. The cracks may seem rather small on a sunny day, but we see their significance when the storm comes. Some of these cracks may not be as major as being raped or being involved directly in Satanism. Remember these are cracks, not major doors opened. Some general areas of cracks are: little sins, idle words, neglect of a clearing our conscience, emotional hurts, the lust of the eyes, unrestrained thoughts, failure to be filled with the Spirit, and a failure to act in faith. This list is not meant to be comprehensive, but illustrative of little cracks.
The little cracks

Solomon, a wise man, stated, "Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes" (Song of Solomon 2:15). It was not the elephant that destroyed the grape vine, but the little foxes. It is the little sins that we often overlook. We may excuse ourselves by saying, "Everyone does it" or "It was just a mistake." However, the little sins are cracks. Paul wrote to the Galatians, "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (Galatians 5:9). We need to clear our conscience of little sins as well as the big ones.

 

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The cracks allow the enemy to enter

We have a picture of this as God spoke to Cain. "And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him" (Genesis 4:6-7). The picture is of a wild animal that is crouched at the door awaiting for an opening to enter. Solomon said, "He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction" (Proverbs 17:19). My mother at a very large dog that she kept pinned up in the back yard. She lived in a rural community at the time. If she allowed the dog to get out, he would chase cars that passed the house on a highway. If you went to the gate in the back yard, the dog would wait until you opened the gate ever so slightly, then he would spring at the opening, forcing his way through it. Picture Satan crouched at the gate of your soul looking for a crack to spring through and enter.

The crack in our speech

Solomon declared, "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit" (Proverbs 15:4). We can open a crack to our souls through saying the wrong words. In fact, Jesus said, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37). We are held accountable by God for even the jokes we tell. The jokes can be an opening for the enemy to enter. You may even remember at this moment a bad joke that you have told. Many years ago when I was in college, I went out to a restaurant with some friends. One of the guys liked to tell jokes. He was the center of attention, and I wanted to be in that position. I had stored up some good jokes in my memory. When my friend got started telling jokes, I started telling jokes also and out did him. He was hurt, but I was haunted by guilt.

The crack of disobedience

Let us take a look at what God declared about His Law. "But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee" (Deuteronomy 28:15). We should note that the people were to do all that was in God commandments and all that was in His statutes. If the people did not obey all, then they would become subject to the curses. David said, "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18). Even a little unconfessed disobedience will allow doubt into our hearts and keep God from answering our prayers. Therefore, there is a need to get a clear conscience. "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck" (I Timothy 1:19). If we don't have a clear conscience, we will open our lives to the enemy. Paul also wrote, "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men" (Acts 24:16). Solomon, the wise man, wrote, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13).

The crack of hurts

We often forget that hurts are also cracks. We may say that the hurt was so long ago that it doesn't matter any more. Why then is it still so vivid in your memory? Others may try to intellectualize the hurts away, trying to understand why the offender did what they did. Another person may deny the hurt by saying, "Oh, that was nothing." However, the truth is, "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly" (Proverbs 18:8). When God began to heal my hurts, He had me to ask the Holy Spirit to show me where all the hurts were in my life (Psalm 139:23-24). It took over a month and a half for God to work through my life. Furthermore, my life has been good and without many hurts. Another factor is that hurts usually open the door to anger and bitterness to enter into our lives."Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil" (Ephesians 4:26-27). Whenever we are angry longer than one day, we have opened our souls to the enemy to come in and take up squatting rights. "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled" (Hebrews 12:15). We become defiled when we allow the enemy to enter into our lives.

The crack of lust of the eyes

The eyes can be another opening by which the enemy enters. Solomon wrote, "Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied" (Proverbs 27:20). Have you ever noticed that when you begin to look at something that you know that is wrong to look at, it is difficult to stop looking. Jesus also said, "But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). I have heard it said, "It is not against the law to look." However, God looks at what is in the heart and so does our enemy.

The crack of thoughts

Have you ever just allowed your imagination run wild? I work often with people that have opened their lives up to the enemy through fantastical thinking. The Word of God says of an evil person, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee" (Proverbs 23:7). Paul wrote, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (II Corinthians 10:5). Please notice that we are to examine every thought. The problem is that one thought always leads to another, then another, then another, and then to another. Soon, we have traveled a long way down the wrong path of thoughts.

The crack of emptiness

Some people think that it is enough to get saved and get their ticket to heaven. They are deceived. "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself 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. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation" (Matthew 12:43-45). I used to think that this passage only applied to those who did not have Jesus living in their spirit-man. I have learned that these verses may apply to born again, once "spirit filled" Believers as well. A vacuum is an invitation for the enemy to enter. Therefore, we should heed the words of Paul, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).

The crack of laziness

Everyone needs to rest at times; however, there is a grave danger when we take liberty with that rest. The Word says, "Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man" (Proverbs 6:10-11). Even for Believer to sit still and to do nothing when he knows what to do is dangerous. The Word says, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17).

The crack of false doctrines

Many people think that it O.K. to have their own individual opinion about certain things. Once, I spoke on the cracks that one may have in their helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17) in a small group meeting. The devil didn't like the topic, and "all hell" broke loose. Christians began to yell and falsely accuse one another. However, in the end, God had the victory. Paul wrote, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but they be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ" (Galatians 1:6-7). I continually work with people who have cracks through false doctrines. The Word says, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Colossians 2:8).

How does one close the cracks?

You will find many of the answers through reading the other articles on this web site.

 

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[SIZE=+3]The[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+3]Open[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+3]Door[/SIZE]
​

[SIZE=+2]The Blue Print[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+2]The House[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Jesus describes a man as being a HOUSE for evil spirits (Matthew 12:43-45). More specifically, man has three parts: body, soul (mind, will, and emotions), and spirit (I Thes. 5:23). [/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Evil spirits may take up resident in any or all of these three parts: [1] In the body = Matt. 12:22, [2] In the soul = (mind, will, and emotions) Mark 5:1-15,and [3] In the spirit = John 13:27.[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]Even a Christian may allow evil spirits to enter his body or soul (Matt. 18:21-35, Acts 5:3). Note, only the spirit of a Christian remains exempt from demonic occupation in that his spirit is in eternal union with the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 6:17-20), II Cor. 6:16). See also Acts 8:23.)[/SIZE]


[SIZE=+2]The Door[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]1. The mind of a man is like a TV screen that pictures various thoughts.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]2. Thoughts come from different sources: a. From God. b. From physical stimuli (the five senses). c. From self (memory & imagination). d. From the powers of darkness (evil spirits).[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]3. Man, unlike all other earthly creatures, was given a conscience by which he can judge the purity of thoughts. (Rom. 2:14-15).[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]4. Man was also given the power of his will to choose which thoughts to entertain or reject.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]5. When one chooses (by the will) to entertain a specific evil thought, then he leaves his door (the will) open for an evil spirit to enter.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]CONCLUSION: The door is the WILL of man.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=+2]The Opening[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Evil spirits crouch like wild animals at the door waiting for an opening to enter (Gen. 4:7). Again, the door is generally considered the will of man.[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1]The door may be opened by:[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]1. Being knowingly involved in a sin-habit. (Prov. 15:4, 17-19, Examples = unforgiveness, immorality, pornography, anger, bitterness, and jealousy.)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]2. Situations that call for fear. (Job 4:13-16)[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]3. Situations that bring emotional hurt. (Prov. 18:4). a. Being rejected. (Genesis 3:15, 27:31-41). b. Being embarrassed. (Prov. 26:22).[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]4. Any kind of occult involvement. (I Samuel 15:23, 16:23).[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]5. Drug and alcohol use. (Prov. 23:29-35).[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]6. Sins of the forefathers. (Exodus 20:5 and II Kings 22:13). (Through birthing).[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+2]The Decor[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Symptoms often vary depending upon the evil spirits involved, the degree of control they have obtained, and also the emotional, mental, and spiritual state of the individual (Matt. 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-10, Luke 8:26-28).[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]SOME SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]1. Physical = supernatural strength, weakness, malnutrition, overweight, uncleanliness, nudity, nerve disorders, sexual perversion, violence, nonfunctional illnesses, headaches, heartaches, and stomach problems.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]2. Mental = restlessness, compulsions, reliance upon drugs, suicidal tendencies, fantasizing, self-deception, confusion, extreme fears, depression, shyness, and dominance.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]3. Spiritual = continual spiritual failures (even as a Christian), nightmares, hearing voices, seeing unusual things, and a lack of self-control.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+2]The Occupants[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+2]A New Resident[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]If you have allowed evil spirits to enter into you house, then you should also know that you have no power of your own to overcome them. (Acts 19:15-16). You need the STRONGER POWER of the Spirit of Jesus in your life. (Luke 11:22).[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]You may receive this stronger power by praying:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]1. I confess to you Jesus that I have sinned.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]2. I realized that the penalty for sin is death (in the spirit-man).[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]3. I believe that you, Jesus, died for all my sins and arose again.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]4. I give my life to you, Jesus, letting you become my LORD and SAVIOUR.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]5. I ask you to come now and live inside of me by your Spirit.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Rom. 3:10, 3:23, 5:12, 6:23, 5:8, Isa. 53:6, Rom. 10:9-10, Phil. 2:9-11, Ezek. 36:26-27.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]REMEMBER: A vacuum is an invitation for evil spirits. Matt. 12:43-45.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=+2]The Inward Change[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+2]The Deliverer[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]"For this purpose, the Son of God (Jesus) was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil." I John 3:18.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Jesus DEMONSTRATED his own power and authority over evil spirits:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]1. By casting them out of people that he met. "They brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he (Jesus) cast out the spirits with his word." Mark 8:16.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]2. By overcoming Satan in his death and resurrection. "And having spoiled principalities and powers (of darkness), he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them (evil spirits) in it." Colossians 2:15.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]3. By giving the same power and authority to Believers to bind and cast out evil spirits. "In my name shall they cast out devils." Mark. 16:17.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=+2]Begin House Cleaning[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]1. Destroy by fire all physical objects in you possession associated with the occult or false religions. Deut. 7:25-26, Acts 19:13-19. Some examples are books, magazines, records, CDs, tapes, videos, statues, art objects, charms and other objects of worship.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]2. Destroy all personal possessions of drugs, alcohol, and pornography. James 1:14-15.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]3. Confess to God the specific sins of your forefathers. Lev. 26:40.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]4. Confess to God all known sins in your own life asking for His forgiveness.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]5. Tell God that you are willing to forgive everyone who has offended you and hurt you. Then ask God also to forgive them. Matt. 6:12, 18:22-35, Luke 23:34, Acts 7:59.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]6. With God's help be willing to repent of (turn from) all habitual sins. Acts 3:19.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=+2]Claiming Your Property[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]7. NOW PRAY: "In the name and blood of Jesus, I break all curses that have been placed upon me and my house. I bind and command every evil spirit to leave me and not to come back." Sometimes it is necessary to name each of the curses and each of the evil spirits. Rev. 12:11, Mark 11:22-23, Matt. 18:18, Acts 16:18, Mark 5:8-9.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]8. Expect the curses to be broken and the spirits to leave. Gal. 3:13, James 4:17, Acts 8:6-8.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]9. Continue to resist your enemy until you experience deliverance in your life. Dan. 10:11-13.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]10. Praise the name of Jesus. PRAISE is a mighty weapon to the Believer. Psa. 149:6-9.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]*** If you need someone to help you in deliverance, counseling is available.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=+2]Shut The Door On Satan[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1] You are able by the grace of God (His will and power working in you) to overcome future attacks of the enemy. Eph. 4:27, I Cor. 10:13, Phil. 2:13. You CAN close the door (II Cor. 2:11) to the enemy by taking the following steps:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]1. Understand that nothing can separate you from the love of God. Rom. 8:35-39, John 10:28.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]2. Be baptized (immersed) considering yourself dead to sin, but alive unto God. Rom. 6:3-15.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]3. Cast all your cares upon Jesus because he cares for you. I Peter 5:7-9.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]4. Put on all the armor of God and pray daily. Eph. 6:10-18.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]5. Reject wrong thoughts and run from all temptations to sin. II Cor. 10:4-5, II Tim. 2:22.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=-1][/SIZE]

 

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[SIZE=+2]Open The Door To Jesus[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1] You should not only close the door to the enemy, but you should, as a Believer, also open the door to your soul to JESUS. Jesus is now knocking at the door of your soul (mind, will, and emotions) desiring to enter. Rev. 3:20.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]1. Be baptized in and filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8, Luke 11:1-13, Eph. 5:18. 2. Yield all personal rights that you may have to Jesus letting Him take control over all areas of your life. Rom. 12:1-2, Rev. 3:20.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]3. Read, memorize, meditate upon and obey God's Word. Rev. 1:3, Psa. 119:11, Josh. 1:8, James 1:21-22.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]4. Join a local church and submit yourself to the authority of the Pastor and Elders. Heb. 10:25, 13:17.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]5. REMEMBER: Greater is the Holy Spirit in you than then devil and his spirits in the world. I John 4:4.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=+3]No Vacancy[/SIZE]

 

[OhmyKimB]

Hmmm, this is the question of the day and as I was praying about some people and situations, God has been giving me more and more revelation.

Now, I know it seems like a "crazy" topic to some, to some it may sound like we are talking about demons to much now...but one of the things that sparked it was another thread I posted.

I actually didn't want to come on here and talk about this to you guys...but The Holy Spirit said something to the effect, "If it was you, wouldn't you want someone to tell you?" And I had to say 'yes. For me, it goes beyond the nay-sayers or those who don't believe it is possible but rather that someone may be set free from something they don't even know is there. As I sat here and was about to write this, I still kept asking, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" And He said "Go and tell the people." I know you guys might think I'm a little slow to the draw but He's been reafirming to me all day, "Yes."

The Topic At Hand

Many disagree that Christians can have demons inside of them, but I started to think about a lot of people in my life. As you know, there are some people in my family that have confessed Lord and Jesus as their savior, that he died for their sins and God raised him from the dead three days later. Romans 10:5

5Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: "The man who does these things will live by them."[a] 6But the righteousness that is by faith says: "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'[b]" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7"or 'Who will descend into the deep?'[c]" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,"[d] that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."[e] 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."[f]

Without really reading (I'm working on a class project also) I do believe that spirits or demons can attach themselves or follow us around. And I do think that sometimes we don't realize it like when my friend had to pray over his son and himself...and I did over both and me after attending a function at his biological father's home. They are cuban and practice a religion thing I forget the name and we realized that it was greatly effecting all of us...but the baby the worst...we would see him every week with a new bruise or cut.

I notice now that I'm going through a lot I picked up a spirit of anger and loneliness from that same friend and had to pray that off of me and him and other things that I notice went against the behaviors that we tried to display. But I'll be back later let me work a little bit more on this project.

 

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[SIZE=+2]Open The Door To Jesus[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1] You should not only close the door to the enemy, but you should, as a Believer, also open the door to your soul to JESUS. Jesus is now knocking at the door of your soul (mind, will, and emotions) desiring to enter. Rev. 3:20.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]1. Be baptized in and filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8, Luke 11:1-13, Eph. 5:18. 2. Yield all personal rights that you may have to Jesus letting Him take control over all areas of your life. Rom. 12:1-2, Rev. 3:20.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]3. Read, memorize, meditate upon and obey God's Word. Rev. 1:3, Psa. 119:11, Josh. 1:8, James 1:21-22.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]4. Join a local church and submit yourself to the authority of the Pastor and Elders. Heb. 10:25, 13:17.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]5. REMEMBER: Greater is the Holy Spirit in you than then devil and his spirits in the world. I John 4:4.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=+3]No Vacancy[/SIZE]

 

[chicacanella]

Without really reading (I'm working on a class project also) I do believe that spirits or demons can attach themselves or follow us around. And I do think that sometimes we don't realize it like when my friend had to pray over his son and himself...and I did over both and me after attending a function at his biological father's home. They are cuban and practice a religion thing I forget the name and we realized that it was greatly effecting all of us...but the baby the worst...we would see him every week with a new bruise or cut.

I notice now that I'm going through a lot I picked up a spirit of anger and loneliness from that same friend and had to pray that off of me and him and other things that I notice went against the behaviors that we tried to display. But I'll be back later let me work a little bit more on this project.

Yes, I definitely agree that spirits can attach themselves to people and things.

What made me think about Christians and demonic oppression was that there would be Christians in our church and others I know that have truly accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior but be delivered from demonic spirits. I was wondering as I prayed for people, "How can this be?" How can a saved individual have the enemy residing in their vessel.

That's when The Holy Spirit began to explain to me that a person's body is like a house or a home. How many rooms are there in a home? A person has a mind, a spirit and a heart and what happens as you see in the illustration above is that sometimes, when a person persists in sin, their becomes cracks in their spiritual armour. It's like how the bible tells us to put on our full spiritual armour but if we aren't maintaining it, then we become open to the enemy and that is how the enemy gets in and starts to work building a baracade in whatever part of the home he is residing in.

 

[Laela]

It's not possible for a demon to possess where the Holy Spirit indwells...

 

[chicacanella]

It's not possible for a demon to possess where the Holy Spirit indwells...

Laela, I believe that you truly know the Lord and what I would like for you to do is to please, please go into prayer about this because I have some questions too.

Okay, I just noticed your wording and I see you used posesss. Well, I'm not saying posessed but rather opressed. I believe that The Holy Spirit does keep one from being possessed but I do believe they can still be oppressed. When I say opressed I am speaking of legal ground that has been given to the enemy at one point in time or maybe even now. We know that according to scripture, habitual sin or sin not wiling to be dealt with quenches The Holy Spirit. How many times has the annointing been quinched when we've done stuff knowingly not in the will of God?

But the scripture that also came to mind is where Paul, I don't know his name but he talks about telling us to be overflowed with The Holy Spirit. Do you know which scripture I'm talking about.

 

[PinkPebbles]

Well, I'm not saying posessed but rather opressed. I believe that The Holy Spirit does keep one from being possessed but I do believe they can still be oppressed. When I say opressed I am speaking of legal ground that has been given to the enemy at one point in time or maybe even now. We know that according to scripture, habitual sin or sin not wiling to be dealt with quenches The Holy Spirit. How many times has the annointing been quinched when we've done stuff knowingly not in the will of God?

.

Chica- I agree with your posts! I believe that a Christian can be oppressed. For example; when a born again believer constantly operates in fear, depression, suicidal thoughts, strife, etc. those are oppressive spirits.
As you mentioned a person can be delivered. However, if the person continuously opens the door to sin in their life those oppressive spirits would definitely return and come back with a vengeance. Luke 11:24

 

[chicacanella]

Chica- I agree with your posts! I believe that a Christian can be oppressed. For example; when a born again believer constantly operates in fear, depression, suicidal thoughts, strife, etc. those are oppressive spirits.
As you mentioned a person can be delivered. However, if the person continuously opens the door to sin in their life those oppressive spirits would definitely return and come back with a vengeance. Luke 11:24

Great...you definitely get what I'm saying! Sometimes, I feel as if the "church" has not equipped us with the knowledge we need to know to bring people deliverance. All of this stuff, God has been teaching me through His Holy Spirit. In church, we know of demonic possession which means fully and complete control by the enemy but never do we hear of demonic oppression which is much different.

I was just reading testimonies of two men suffereing from oppression and he was saying these spirits would torment him and say things to bring him down or oppress him. He's been praying for some time but I think he may be delivered now.

Another man on a thread said that after playing with ouija boards or some type of occult behavior in a hunted house, he began to have spirits mess with him. I think he also said he was off in pornography. Well, he said that because of all the torment...he finally gave himself fully to God and everything was fine.

Then one day, he forgott where God had brought him from nad wwent back to pornography and the devil said, "Now, you can't go back to God. He doesn't want you." Something crazy to that effect so he kept giving in to the pornography but anyhow, now he is really tormented because as Lord Jesus said that they will bring back seven more spirits stronger than themselves. This is what happened to the man and he is saved but is dealing with evil spirits playing with him and his mind.

Then I heard Lord Jesus tell me, "It starts in the mind."

 

[PinkPebbles]

Great...you definitely get what I'm saying! Sometimes, I feel as if the "church" has not equipped us with the knowledge we need to know to bring people deliverance. All of this stuff, God has been teaching me through His Holy Spirit. In church, we know of demonic possession which means fully and complete control by the enemy but never do we hear of demonic oppression which is much different.

."

This is indeed true! Most churches do not teach / preach this type of message. The only reason why I'm informed about it is due to me serving in the prayer ministry. The ministry leader had seminars and classes about oppressive spirits so we could be equipped on how to pray and discern. However, I noticed that the Sr. Pastor did not teach this to the masses / congregation.

Although this is a debatable topic amongst Christian all I can say is that from personal experience it is real. I believe that God showed me things so that I can be more equipped and effective in my spiritual gift.

 

[PinkPebbles]

Chica-

I'd like to add that the book of Job lets us know that a Christian can be oppressed by a demon. Job did not sin but the story insinuates that a Christian can be oppressed for various reasons. In Job's case the demon was used as a "testing agent." As well as Peter in Luke 22:31-34

Job
1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.
6 One day the angels [a] came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan [b] also came with them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?"
Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it."
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."

9 "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. 10 "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face." 12 The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger."
Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Peter - Luke 22
31"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you[a] as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

33But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." 34Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."

 

[JinaRicci]

Yes they can! Thank you Chicanella. I think the difficulty some may have in believing that a Christian can have a demon comes from the image we have of someone possessed- crazy, mad, frothing at the mouth and just out of their mind.

The Bible speaks about devils, evil spirits, unclean spirits and familiar spirits (Matthew 15:22-28; 1Samuel 16:14-23; Mark 5:1-21; Leviticus 20:27). There are spirits associated with many things- e.g. lying, jealousy, pride & disobedience.

God provides protection- yes! I like the example Pink Pebbles gave of Job- God allowed him to be tested like that. He has control over everything- including the evil spirits.

In Ephesians 6:11 (KJV) we are told:

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

We need the whole armour because 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." (verse 12)

The whole armour is made up of: loins girt about with truth and breastplate of righteousness (verse 14), feet shod with the preparation with the gospel of peace (verse 15), shield of faith (verse 16), helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God (verse 17).

The armour isn't automatic-we have to put it on. We need to continue to grow daily by seeking God through prayer & Bible study. Everyday we are confronted with evil- every single day. When we neglect God we're just not well equipped to stand. We also can't 'see' those 'little things' in our lives or cracks as Chicanella said and we certainly can't remove them on our own. We need the Holy Spirit to convict us of these things- to guide us into all truth. Only God can deliver us.

We are to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23). All the devil needs is a little way in. As Christians we are also expected to do our part- we shouldn't put ourselves in situations that will expose us to evil just to test His protection (Matthew 4:5-7). That's everything from what we say, do or think.

"Whatsoever things are true...honest...just...pure...lovely...of good report... think on these things." (Philippians 4: 8)

 

[Laela]

Oh, absolutely a Christian can be "oppressed" by the Enemy and his demons/spirits!

I read your question to mean possessed. If a person "has" a demon, to me they're possessed. OK, that out the way...

To address the bolded, I believe one can sin or do something not in the will of God and the Holy Spirit won't be pleased. Repenting and renewing the mind and the spirit (through prayer, worship and talking with God) is what keeps the Holy Spirit near. Even when the person is not doing the will of God, I believe the Holy Spirit is talking/warning them not to. They just choose not to listen.

The Scripture I believe you're referring to is in Acts..when the disciples were filled to an overflow. It means we must constantly keep the Spirit of God working on the inside..that's OUR jobs as humans, not God's. His Spirit is a gift to us. How we choose to use it in this world is our responsbility, not his. This is why I always say being a Christian is not an easy task and I don't think it should be. If it were, we'd all live however we choose and still expect to make it to heaven. It doesn't work that way.

I'll be back to read your links..sorry I didn't closely read them

God bless!

Laela, I believe that you truly know the Lord and what I would like for you to do is to please, please go into prayer about this because I have some questions too.

Okay, I just noticed your wording and I see you used posesss. Well, I'm not saying posessed but rather opressed. I believe that The Holy Spirit does keep one from being possessed but I do believe they can still be oppressed. When I say opressed I am speaking of legal ground that has been given to the enemy at one point in time or maybe even now. We know that according to scripture, habitual sin or sin not wiling to be dealt with quenches The Holy Spirit. How many times has the annointing been quinched when we've done stuff knowingly not in the will of God?

But the scripture that also came to mind is where Paul, I don't know his name but he talks about telling us to be overflowed with The Holy Spirit. Do you know which scripture I'm talking about.

 

[Laela]

ITA ..good point that those are two different things.

Interestingly enough, I find some have difficulty in understanding two other things: one of the Fruits of the Spirit (Temperament) and Catching the Holy Spirit. Those also are two different things that shouldn't be confused.

A person who catches the Holy Spirit and jumps and dances around isn't possessed by a demon. This is Fire meeting Flesh. What's ironic is a person can be composed/mild-mannered and be very well possessed by a Demon.

Satan is the master of deception .....

I think the difficulty some may have in believing that a Christian can have a demon comes from the image we have of someone possessed- crazy, mad, frothing at the mouth and just out of their mind. [/B]