Is there demonic possession today? Isn't Christ's death powerful enough to destroy the works of the devil?

Question

Why do so many Pentecostal churches teach that Christians can be demon possessed? Isn't this dangerous heresy?

Answer 1

There are just as many demonic possessions now as there have ever been.

Answer 2

Here's something that happened when the Bible was translated into English that is unfortunate in my opinion. The word that was translated as demon possession would have been better translated as demonization. The word literally means 'for a demon to ride a man the way a man would ride a horse'. In other words, to have some control over the animal. The reason this is important is because it shows that there can be a spectrum of demonization. There can be a lot or a little, and in some *very* severe cases it can look like what most people think of as demon possession, i.e. spitting peas, head spinning around, doing bad bad things with a crucifix ala The Excorcist.

I think there is a lot of empirical evidence that points to the fact that many, many people in the world are demonized, including many Christians. In fact, note that in the early church, new converts were regularly excorcised. Sin opens us up to demonic influence, particularly witchcraft and unforgiveness. Hopefully the definition above will shed more light on how this can happen.

It's one of those things where a lot of people think "No way could the Holy Spirit and a demon both live in a person" but then there seems to be a lot of evidence that refutes that assumption. I realize that this short answer probably won't convince you; ask the Lord to show you what He thinks.

Also, there are a *number* of books on this; one very good and very scholarly (but very readable) one is:

http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Questions-about-Spiritual-Warfare/dp/0801057841/ref=sr_1_1/104-1555276-9934348?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1190125844&sr=8-1

Answer 3

Unbelievers today canbe demon possessed, I have seen them. The power of Christs blood on the cross covers your sins when you get saved and born again, not until. Once a person gets saved the demon will have to leave the body as we seen all thru the Gospels how Jesus cast them out as people became believers. A Christian cannot be demon possessed but demons do torment us and aggreviate us. that is why we need to read our Bibles everyday and have an active Prayer life. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Jesus said you cannot serve to Masters, so there is no way a Christian canbe possessed, but remember Jesus said there would be people on judgement day say Lord Lord did we not castout demons in your name and he will say unto them depart from me because I never knew you, not all that say they are Christians are. For with your lips you do honor me but your heart is far from me.

Answer 4

I have never understood the "demon obsession" certain Christians have.

One minute they talk about how powerful the protection of Christ is, next minute, they are seeing demons in everything and everyone and always fearful of demonic forces etc.

Seems more like devotion driven by fear rather than by implicit TRUST in the light and love and higher forces of good from a far more powerful Divine Creator.

To an outsider like me who never worries about such things and feel so protected by Divine Light, it seems so strange.

It's almost like fear of the Devil or seeing the Devil in everything is just as or probably even MORE important to certain Christians than seeing good and light in the world.

Answer 5

Safiyya2 is right: that would be none.

I do agree that it is dangerous, not so much because of heresy but because people who believe in demonic posession are less likely to recognize the signs of serious mental illness if it befalls them or their loved ones. Andrea Yates is a prime example. Or those people who beheaded their three children because they believed the kids to be posessed. Most of these demon / god related murders seem to happen in bastions of fundamentalism... Texas has had FAR more than its fair share.

Answer 6

As many have said, there are demon possessions still. Where and when I don't know. I would be very freaked if I saw one myself, that's for sure. I just may pee my pants if I even saw a demon. But anyway, yes, those who have placed their faith and salvation in Jesus, it is impossible to be demon possessed. Here it is in Mark 3:27: "In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house." The strong man is Jesus in your life.

Answer 7

Believing that you have to go through Mary to get to Jesus is heresy. "I am the way," not "My mother is the way."

I think we know enough about psychology and the diseases of the mind to know for certain that "demonic possession" is balderdash and the stuff of pagan beliefs. Like praying to golden calves. Or other icons.

Answer 8

My mother became processed by a demon when I was a teenager. This happened because she wanted to talk to my dead relatives. She ended up psychotic as a result.
Just because someone goes to church doesn't make them a born again believer. I know Christians who watch horror shows on TV and read books by mediums. Parents who let their children read Harry Potter. So no because America is in rebellion against God.

Answer 9

yes there is demonic possession because there is still a devil but his end will come soon when God takes the key

Answer 10

The only demon peossessing most people is the one they create to make themselves less than they really are. You fear what you fear because of you, not some external demon that invaded you. And of course only you can rid yrouself of yoru own demons.