Can a Christian be Possessed by Demons? 8-28-25

BIBLICAL Facts - Not Opinions! My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge because you have rejected knowledge (Hosea 4:6)

Some believe that Christians can be possessed by demons, whereas I tend to differ according to the Word of God. First of all, the demons and the Holy Spirit cannot dwell in the same temple. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16). Yet, Christians can be oppressed by demons.

Internet - Possession vs. Oppression: What’s the Difference? In Scripture, demonic possession refers to control. The demon doesn't just influence—it dominates. The possessed person is overtaken, their body and mind subject to the intruder's will (for example, see Luke 8:27–33). 

Oppression, on the other hand, is external. It involves attack, temptation, accusation, and torment. It’s real, and it’s intense—but it’s not the same as ownership. Christians are not possessed territory, because they are already owned.

 And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs.  When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment [torture] me!”  

For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him often, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness. Jesus asked him, saying, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered him.  And they begged Him that He would not command them to go out into the abyss.  Now a herd of many swine was feeding there on the mountain.

So, they begged Him that He would permit them to enter them. And He permitted them.  Then the demons went out of the man and entered the swine, and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the lake and drowned.

Oppressed – to be burdened down – Jesus said: Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls (Matthew 11:28-29).

Possessed- torment/torture - And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve (Luke 22:3). For Satan to enter into Judas meant that Judas became possessed by the devil. Remember this, Judas was never saved, even though he walked with Jesus and the disciples for three years. His kind of possession was different than the man who had demons for a long time. Also, every unsaved person is not possessed by demons. Although I did some wicked things I was not possessed by demons, but their influence on me was evident by what I said and did. The point I am putting emphasis on; is a Christian cannot be possessed by demons.

Bible Hub- Demonic oppression refers to a persistent affliction or harassment by malevolent spiritual beings (demons), influencing thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. Unlike demonic possession, where a demon takes fuller control over an individual (Mark 5:1-20), oppression often manifests in a believer or unbeliever through discouragement, bondage to sinful patterns, or an overwhelming sense of darkness.

Betty -Even if a born again believer delves into ungodly things, regardless of how bad those things may be, he or she can never be possessed by demons.  But the more they delve into these practices the more oppressed they become. Our past can also affect how much “Deeply Embedded Roots” that are in our lives. All of us have some roots that need to be cut out; some deeper than others.  They are strongholds that have us highly oppressed. Nevertheless, I will reiterate that a born gain believer can NEVER be possessed by demons.

His handmaiden, Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org