DEVIL POSSESSED?
Is it possible for a child of God to be possessed by
a devil or devils? While the question is growing in popularity among some, perhaps a
better question should be asked: “Who possesses the Christian already?”
a devil or devils? While the question is growing in popularity among some, perhaps a
better question should be asked: “Who possesses the Christian already?”
In the spirit of standing behind the truth let us
allow Jesus to answer the question of who possesses every Christian. In John
17:10, Jesus was praying to his heavenly Father and said, “…all mine are thine, and thine are mine.” There is no room for
doubt here. When Jesus says you belong to him…you belong to him!
allow Jesus to answer the question of who possesses every Christian. In John
17:10, Jesus was praying to his heavenly Father and said, “…all mine are thine, and thine are mine.” There is no room for
doubt here. When Jesus says you belong to him…you belong to him!
Jesus possession of each believer is not a trivial
matter with God. Jesus purchased
each believer at the cost of his own blood and his own Father turning his back
on him while doing so. The Bible itself calls each believer a “…purchased possession.” God values this
“purchased possession” so much that
he seals each Christian with “… that holy
Spirit of promise.” How long is that believer sealed? The Bible answer is, “…until the redemption of the purchased
possession.”
matter with God. Jesus purchased
each believer at the cost of his own blood and his own Father turning his back
on him while doing so. The Bible itself calls each believer a “…purchased possession.” God values this
“purchased possession” so much that
he seals each Christian with “… that holy
Spirit of promise.” How long is that believer sealed? The Bible answer is, “…until the redemption of the purchased
possession.”
Ephesians 1:13, 14 says it all very plainly, “In whom ye also trusted after that ye
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest
of our inheritance until the redemption
of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Emphasis
mine)
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest
of our inheritance until the redemption
of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Emphasis
mine)
To say that Satan, a devil, or devils could break
that seal, snatch a believer from God, and subject him to powerless submission
is wrong and heretical. This argument deprives God, and subject him to powerless submission
is wrong. This argument also robs God of the “praise of his glory.”
that seal, snatch a believer from God, and subject him to powerless submission
is wrong and heretical. This argument deprives God, and subject him to powerless submission
is wrong. This argument also robs God of the “praise of his glory.”
Let’s look briefly at the sequence of Ephesians
1:13, 14. First, the “word of truth” is
heard. Secondly, the “word of truth” is
trusted and believed. Thirdly, the believer is sealed with “that holy Spirit of promise…until the redemption of the purchased
possession.” Lastly, God’s ability to keep his children sealed, “until the redemption of the purchased
possession” brings praise to His glory.
1:13, 14. First, the “word of truth” is
heard. Secondly, the “word of truth” is
trusted and believed. Thirdly, the believer is sealed with “that holy Spirit of promise…until the redemption of the purchased
possession.” Lastly, God’s ability to keep his children sealed, “until the redemption of the purchased
possession” brings praise to His glory.
Satan cannot possess, or bring to defenseless
compliance, any child of God. In this day, every Christian will be called on to
make a choice to stand by this truth or yield to the “new” teachings of “demon
possession.”
compliance, any child of God. In this day, every Christian will be called on to
make a choice to stand by this truth or yield to the “new” teachings of “demon
possession.”
The word “demon” is not even found in the Holy Scriptures. Sound doctrine is the call of the hour. We must avoid becoming
like those mentioned in II Timothy 4:3 who “heap
to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” About these people the Bible
says, “…They shall turn their ears away
from the truth, and shall be turned into fables.”
like those mentioned in II Timothy 4:3 who “heap
to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” About these people the Bible
says, “…They shall turn their ears away
from the truth, and shall be turned into fables.”
When controversy comes, we will be safe as long as we stand on the
Bible. To the older crowd, who have seen this battle before, we say, “Stick to
the old paths; don’t venture out looking for some new doctrine. There is someone watching you.” To the younger crowd, whose ears are so
easily turned by charismatic men, we say, “You’d better study a little harder the Holy Scriptures.”