Can Christians Be Possessed By Demons?

The Bible speaks about the existence of the powers of darkness (demons) and also mentions that people can be possessed. But does this apply to Christians?

Let’s turn the question around: What happens when a person turns to Jesus and experiences rebirth? The Holy Spirit moves into that person’s heart. God Himself dwells within them! The body becomes God’s temple (1 Corinthians 6:19; John 14:23). Would God share this temple with a demon?

Absolutely not! If that were the case, it would imply that God and demons are on the same level and have equal power. That’s completely unbiblical!

Born-again Christians are sealed with the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 1:21-22) and freed from the dominion of darkness (Colossians 1:13; Acts 26:18). Moreover, light and darkness are incompatible (2 Corinthians 6:14-16). Whoever the Son sets free is truly free (John 8:36)!

I’m aware that there is a theological opposing view, which often relies on two main arguments:

1. „I’ve personally seen a Christian who was possessed!“

At this point, I’d like to quote @worteleben, who put it well: „A biblical doctrine should never be based on personal experiences or emotions, but must always be grounded in the Word of God, the Bible.“

There are spiritual attacks on Christians – but they come from the **outside**. These attacks can be intense (see Job; the bent-over woman in Luke 13:11; Paul, who was tormented by a messenger of Satan, etc.). This is why God has given us the armor of God in Ephesians 6:13-18. It is a description of the Gospel, and we are called to stand firm in its truth with faith and unwavering resolve. However, one thing is clear: demons can never take possession of a child of God.

2. „The Bible doesn’t explicitly say that Christians can’t be possessed.“

The Bible also doesn’t say that they can be possessed. Another example: Even the word „Trinity“ isn’t found in the Bible, yet we clearly see in many places that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three persons, yet one God. In the same way, the verses mentioned above show that a child of God cannot be possessed.

What about mental illness?

There are people with neurological or psychological conditions who may exhibit behaviors similar to those of the possessed. But this does not mean that Christians who suffer from anxiety, obsessive thoughts, depression, or other mental struggles are possessed. We live in a fallen world where even Christians face sickness and suffering.

One last important point:  

If you follow the teaching that Christians can be possessed, there’s a tendency to blame demons for one’s own flaws and sins. Yet the Bible tells us (James 1:14-15) how sin arises within us, and we are called (e.g., Galatians 5:24, Romans 6:11) to fight against our old selves, to cast off our sinful habits, and to even „put to death“ our sins.

Love,
Mirjana Joy