Can a Christian Have a Demon?

Few topics create as much debate in the Church as this one.

Some say it is impossible.
Others say it is common.
Many believers are confused, afraid to ask, or silently struggling.

The Real Question We Should Be Asking

The better question is not:
“Can a Christian be possessed?”
But rather:
“Can a believer come under demonic influence, oppression, or attachment?”

The Bible makes important distinctions.

Possession vs. Influence

The word “possession” is not actually the best translation of the Greek in the New Testament. The term used is daimonizomai, which means “to be demonised” or “under the influence of a demon.”
There is a difference between:

• Ownership (possession)
• Oppression
• Influence
• Strongholds

A Christian belongs to Christ. You are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20).
Satan cannot own what Jesus has redeemed. But ownership and influence are not the same thing.

Can Believers Be Influenced?

Yes — Scripture shows believers can:

• Give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27)
• Be deceived (2 Corinthians 11:3)
• Be influenced by Satan (Acts 5:3 – Ananias)
• Experience spiritual attacks (Ephesians 6:12)

Peter himself, a disciple of Jesus, was told:

“Get behind Me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23)

That was not possession. That was influence.

The Temple of the Holy Spirit Argument

Many argue:

“The Holy Spirit lives in a believer, therefore no demon can be present.”

But Scripture shows the human being is spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

The Holy Spirit indwells your spirit.

But your soul (mind, will, emotions) can still:

• Hold trauma
• Contain strongholds
• Harbor bitterness
• Carry lies
• Be oppressed

Paul tells believers to renew their minds (Romans 12:2).

Why renew something that is already perfect?

Salvation transforms your spirit.

Sanctification transforms your soul.

What About Deliverance for Christians?

Jesus said:

“These signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons.” (Mark 16:17)

He did not say, “Cast demons out of unbelievers only.” In the book of Acts, deliverance often followed belief. Deliverance is not a denial of salvation.
It is the removal of legal ground.

So What Is the Balanced Answer?

A Christian cannot be owned by a demon.

But a Christian can:

• Give ground through sin.
• Give legal rights through trauma or abuse.
• Come under oppression
• Develop demonic strongholds through lies and agreements.

Why This Debate Matters

If we say Christians cannot be affected at all, we leave many believers silently suffering.
If we say Christians are easily possessed, we create fear and insecurity.
The biblical position is authority and responsibility.

“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
You cannot resist something that cannot be present.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

• Where do demons come from?
• Can demons read your thoughts?
• Why do I have demonic attacks at night?
• What are the signs a Christian needs deliverance?

The Demonology Focus Course at the Global School of Ministry (GSOM) will answer these questions and go deeper into this subject, equipping believers with clarity, maturity, and authority.

Freedom is not hype.
It is a structured understanding applied with faith.