Difficult Questions Concerning Demons, the Devil, and Spiritual Warfare.
1. Can a Christian be demon possessed?
The word “possessed” (Gr. Daimonizomai”) makes this a difficult question. Possession suggests ownership. Demons own nothing simply because God owns everything. At best, demons can only influence people. The problem lies in how deep the influence goes. In a Christian it can go no deeper than the “soul.” We call this “oppression,” meaning that it is an attack against the mind, coming from outside the Christian. In an unbeliever, however, the influence can go all the way into his or her “spirit.” The demon then has almost unlimited control over the individual. This kind of influence is not possible in a believer because of the indwelling Holy Spirit. “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4 NKJV).
To be “filled” with the Holy Spirit not only empowers a person for greater living, it prevents other influences from gaining control. “Christ in you” (Col 1:27), “Christ lives in me” (Gal 2:20), “He dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:17, and “It is God who works in you (Phil 2:13) are all verses that inform us of God’s willingness to be the source of our influence.
2. Can a Christian come under the influence of demons?
Yes. But keep in mind we are not referring to demon possession. Christians can and sometimes do come under the deceptive lies of the enemy. As a result, they sometimes do strange things. If this were not possible we would not be told to “resist the devil” (James 4:7), or that we “do not wrestled 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” (Eph 6:12), or that the “weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God” (2 Cor 10:4). The solution to countering and preventing demonic persuasion is two-fold. First, is to cut off the influence where possible. Drugs and alcohol can weaken the mind and open a door to a demon. Negative, bitter, and critical attitudes in others can affect and open more doors for influence in us. Second, is to resist the attack (influence). James tells us to do just that (Jas 4:7). Most of our attacks come through the mind; therefore we need to put on the mind of Christ. The Word, prayer, and fellowship help us to begin the process. When evil thoughts strike our minds, we have the right as Christians to resist and reject the thought. If it refuses to leave we have weapons with which to fight it (2 Cor 10:4), such as the blood of Jesus (Rev 12:11), praise (Psa 22:3), the name of Jesus (John 14:13), and the intercessory prayers of others (1 Tim 2:1).
3. Can the devil and his demons be saved?
Scripture provides no direct answer to this question. But the Bible says enough on the subject, and especially about the fate of the enemy, that it is safe to assume that he cannot be redeemed. This is probably, more so, from the fact that he doesn’t seem to want to be. All we ever hear about him is his desire to take away from God’s right to rule this universe, and to further destroy the things that God loves. There is never a word about brokenness and humility in Satan that would allow God to formulate a plan for his salvation.
It seems safe to conclude that the enemy of our soul, Lucifer along with his demons, will be forever assigned a place outside of the presence of God.
4. Can a Christian cast a demon into hell?
Some people believe that this is possible. There is, however, no definitive biblical evidence to prove this as a possibility. We do know that we can displace demons, especially when they are bothering people (Luke 10:9). We can hinder their influence as they try to destroy our race. The casting out of a demon is simply displacing him.
5. Can a demon read your mind?
What difference does it make? It is ludicrous to try to hide our thoughts as if a demon were constantly monitoring them. We do not know everything that demons can or cannot do, but we do know that we have a Savior who “has come to destroy the works of the devil.” It is easy to become demon conscience once we learn of their existence. But more important is that we become Jesus conscious. All power has been given to Jesus so that in Him we have the ability to overcome all the attacks of the devil. If you are in Christ you need to be alert and ready to fight against demon aggression, but you need not be afraid of demons.
6. Is the devil responsible for all evil?
No. If he were, God would not hold the human race responsible for the decisions we make. Satan and his demons rebelled and humanity has rebelled as well. Each of us must take responsibility for our own sin. It is true that demons influence people to sin. But that does not excuse our actions. The message of the Gospel is that God is willing to personally pay the price of our sin if we allow Him to do so.
7. Is Satan the opposite of God?
No. But that is what he would like us to believe. We know this from his statement in Isaiah 14:14 where he desires to be “like God.” He does not have the ability to develop a nature like God. Therefore his plan is to deceive people into believing that he is similar to God, only opposite of Him. Then he tries to make God out as the bad guy pointing to what he calls God's "restrictive" laws and rules.
