Demon Possession *What is demon possession? Demon possession is the ability of Demons to actually indwell and take over the mind and body of a human. There are only two prerequisites for this to even happen: 1. First, the person cannot have God in them [refer to "Salvation"]. 2. Secondly, they must be an empty vessel or one where there is no glimmer of God's light. God's Word also provides us insight in their strong desire to possess breathing animals, preferably humans. They are also known to have the ability to come and go freely from their subject. What power do demons have over Born again Christians? As a Born again Christian you are a personal part of God's family with the Holy Spirit indwelling within you [refer to "Salvation"]. That means that you are protected from demon influence. Demons cannot exist where God already exists. Plus, you have a guardian Angel always at your side [refer to "Angels"]. But, that does not give you permission to let your guard down, both Satan and/or demons can tempt you. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us that we need to "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, ...". Plus, the Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 6:12-13 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." As an additional side note, remember also that God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can handle and if tempted, He will always give you a way out [refer to "Sin"]. (1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.") *Who can exorcise a demon possessed person? In the New Testament we are shown several examples where Jesus [refer to "God's Son"] exorcised out the demons. Otherwise in 1 Samuel 16:23 "... David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him." Then in Matthew 10:1 "He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." As for our present day, all of us Born again Christians have the power of prayer. With prayer we can move mountains, so putting that power against demons should be easy. *Bible References: 1 Samuel 16:23 "Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him." (from New International Version) Matthew 8:16-17 "When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." (from New International Version) Matthew 9:32-34 "While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. 33 And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel. 34 But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons." (from New International Version) Matthew 10:1 "He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." (from New International Version) Matthew 12:24-29 "But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons." 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 "Or again, how can anyone 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." (from New International Version) Matthew 12:43-45 "When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation." (from New International Version) Matthew 15:22-28 "A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." 23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us." 24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel." 25 The woman came and knelt before him. "Lord, help me!" she said. 26 He replied, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." 27 "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table." 28 Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour." (from New International Version) Mark 7:25-30 "In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. 27 "First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." 28 "Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." 29 Then he told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter." 30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone." (from New International Version) 1 Peter 5:8-9 "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." (from New International Version) *Non-Biblical References: The media, when portraying demon possession, make it look very scary. Which is probably a good thing in that it promotes an atmosphere of evil. The inconsistency usually comes during the exorcism where the demon/s usually take a long drawn out process before leaving their host. *Overview: Demon possession is very dangerous and very evil. The good news is that all of us Born again Christians cannot be possessed because we have God in us. *Additional Links: blank