CAN BELIEVERS BE DEMON "POSSESSED?"

The simple answer to the question asked is “NO.”

ABSOLUTELY & UNEQUIVIBLY NOT!!

But the relationship of Believers to the demonic is not that simple. In the original language, “demon possession” is only one word. Some have suggested that it would have been better to have transliterated it as “demonized.”

If we did, then a demonized person could be defined as “one who is under the influence of one or more demons.”

All the passages where this word is used are in the Gospels. The word never occurs after the Cross. Consequently, we will forever lack theological precision in determining if the word “demonization” can be applied to a New Testament Believer. To say the concept couldn’t apply because the word doesn’t occur is, at best, an argument from silence and not a definitive answer. The answer also hinges on how you define “possessed.”

We have a tendency to think that if we possess something, we own it (as in “possession is nine-tenths of the law”).

With that understanding of the word, the question becomes “Can a Believer be owned by the evil one?”

1. The answer: Absolutely not! Every Believer has been bought by the Blood of the Lamb: 1 Peter 1:18-19; "Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."

We belong to the LORD Yeshua Hamshiach (Messiah/Christ), and He will never leave us.

1. Paul writes: Ephesians 1:13-14; “You were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance.”

Despite what some of our critics charge, I Apostle Dr. Shaolin MB Abrams Sr., ThD, PhD have never taught that Believers can be “demon-possessed.”

The first cornerstone of our message is that Believers are eternally secure in their identity as Children of YAHWEH.

1. We teach that no Believer is in such deep bondage that they cannot exercise their responsibility to: James 4:7; “Submit therefore to GOD. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

Our approach is to encourage believers to exercise their authority and responsibility as Children of YAHWEH to repent of sin, win the battle for their minds, present their bodies to YAHWEH, and resist the devil.

1. Even though Yeshua has secured our victory over our spiritual enemies:

• Colossians 2:15; "Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it."

Please don’t conclude that Believers can’t have spiritual problems. Some Believers seem to think they are immune to spiritual attack, but the Bible clearly teaches that Satan’s primary attack has always been on YAHWEH’s people, hoping to thwart YAHWEH’s plan. The Bible clearly teaches that temptation, accusation, and deception are constant possibilities for Believers.

1. The following passages describe the possible impact of evil forces on Believers:

• 1 Samuel 16:14; "But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him."

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• Acts 5:3; "But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?"

A true Biblical worldview presents all of the creation locked in a spiritual conflict that extends from Genesis to Revelation.

1. As Believers, we are aligned with YAHWEH against the "God of this world":

• 2 Corinthians 4:4; "Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of GOD, should shine on them."

1. We have been transferred from the “domain of darkness” to the “Kingdom of His beloved Son.” Colossians 1:13; "He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love."

• In this battle for the heavenly places, the Body is YAHWEH’s method for extending His Kingdom and as such is Satan’s prime target: Ephesians 1:3, 20; "Blessed be the GOD and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places."

The entire Book of Ephesians teaches that as believers we already have everything we need to experience spiritual resources through faith and obedience in the power of the Holy Spirit.

1. Spiritual defeat is still a real possibility for Believers who still live like unbelievers: Ephesians 4:17-32; "This I say, therefore, and testify in the LORD, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of GOD, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to GOD, in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of GOD, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as GOD in Christ forgave you."

• We are clearly told that: Ephesians 6:12; "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

1. Therefore, Paul teaches it is our responsibility to put on the Armor of GOD, to stand firm, and to resist the powers of evil: Ephesians 6:10-18; "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of GOD; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."

• Peter calls the devil “your adversary” and warns believers of his intention to devour them: 1 Peter 5:7-8; "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

The word used for “devour” is a strong term that means “to drink down, swallow down, to eat up, or to devour.”

1. For example, the Egyptians were “swallowed up” by the Red Sea: Hebrews 11:29; "By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned."

• 1 Corinthians 5:5; "Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the LORD Jesus."

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• 1 Timothy 1:20; "Of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme."

1. We are told to submit to YAHWEH and resist the devil and that he will flee from us: James 4:7; "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

What happens to Believers if they don’t obey YAHWEH's Word and choose to resist the devil?

All these passages imply dire consequences for Believers who ignore Satan, pretend he doesn’t exist, or fail to stand firm in their faith. If Satan can get you to believe a lie, he can control your life.

1. We have been clearly warned: 1 Timothy 4:1; “The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.”

By focusing the discussion of Satan’s influence on Believers on the issue of the location of the demons; whether they are internal or external, some have needlessly polarized the Body.

Christians have disagreed for years about what demons can do to Believers and whether this control can extend to what we normally think of as internal functions such as thinking, feeling, and motor activities. We could quote authors, cite references and debate the passages, but we don’t believe deciding the location is the critical issue; furthermore, we believe you could use our discipleship-counseling model regardless of your view on the location issue.

Let us explain; first, the issue of internal versus external is hard to apply in the spiritual realm; and as Believers, is our “skin,” the Armor of GOD repelling demons and their activities?

Or is the battle for our minds fought in a spiritual realm where spatial concepts are not the key issues?

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is primarily a “relational issue” and not a “spatial” issue because of the doctrine of the Omnipresence of YAHWEH.

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit does not automatically keep sin and evil out of our mortal bodies.

1. The Corinthian believers were warned about receiving other spirits besides the Holy Spirit even though Paul calls them temples of the Holy Spirit:

• 2 Corinthians 11:3-4; "But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you may well put up with it!"

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• 1 Corinthians 6:19; "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from GOD, and you are not your own?"

1. As the Temple of YAHWEH was violated in the Old Testament, Paul teaches that sin can reign in the mortal bodies of those who use their bodies as instruments of unrighteousness: Romans 6:12-16; "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to GOD as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to GOD. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness?"

• That is why he urges us to present our bodies to YAHWEH as a living sacrifice as the necessary prerequisite to the renewing of our minds: Romans 12:1-2; "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of GOD, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to GOD, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of GOD."

The whole question of “internal versus external influence” is difficult because we just don’t know exactly how the material world of the brain, body, and nervous system interfaces with the spiritual realm of the mind, flesh, and spirit. Second, virtually all who carefully study this issue agree that Believers can be greatly impacted by evil spirits.

1. Authors who advocate an external-influence-only view conclude this: “The Bible itself does not give us a full description of everything demons are capable of. Because of this lack of accurate information, plus the satanic ability to deceive, plus our own shortcomings in the area of discernment, it is likely that certain activities such as vocal chord control or even a demon throwing someone on the ground, may be caused by a demon without requiring internal habitation."

What if these authors are correct and all control is external?

You could still have a believer rolling on the ground, speaking in demonic voices, in desperate need of help. We believe the critical issue is how to help this person. To find freedom from spiritual bondage, however, you want to describe it, the believer must assume personal responsibility to believe the truth of his or her identity in Yeshua, submit to YAHWEH by repenting of sin, put on the spiritual armor, and resist the devil.

1. Regardless of where the demons are located, it is trusting YAHWEH’s truth and His truth alone that sets people free: John 8:31-32; "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

We have never cast demons out of anybody as some kind of “outside authority agent,” and we don’t teach others to do it. We simply encourage believers to exercise their responsibility to “submit therefore to YAHWEH."

1. Resist the devil using the kind, the compassionate model described by Paul:

• 2 Timothy 2:24-26; "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition if GOD perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will."

Through the years, we have had the privilege of helping thousands find their freedom in Yeshua, freedom from Satan’s lies, and freedom from their pasts. Many were in bondage to their past, others had deep sexual problems, eating disorders, and other seemingly unmanageable behaviors. Few of these people knew who they were as Children of YAHWEH, and all struggled in their thought lives. I Apostle Dr. Shaolin MB Abrams Sr., ThD, PhD have personally counseled hundreds of people who heard voices, and nearly every situation involved a spiritual battle for their minds. You may want to read: "Spiritual Hosts of Wickedness In High & Heavenly Places."

It teaches about how the "God" of this world (Satan) has blinded the eyes of Christians who were in bondage because he has blinded the eyes of the WHOLE world and with the Word of YAHWEH shows tactics & strategies to help fight effectively in the spiritual realms. How you choose to label the conflict is almost irrelevant to us. The fact that Yeshua was their answer and truth set them free is the real issue. And we, the Body of Christ, are the only hope these dear people have because the Religious world believes they could possibly be possessed by demons.

I WOULD RATHER BE UNCOMFORTABLE IN YESHUA...THEN COMFORTABLE WITH SATAN!!!

"IF YOU'RE NOT WINNING SOULS FOR YESHUA...YOU DON'T WORK FOR YAHWEH...YOU'RE SELF-EMPLOYED!!"