Can a Christian Be Possessed by a Demon?

When an individual places his or her faith in the work of Christ on the cross, the apostle Paul writes that God has bought that one with the blood of His Son (1 Cor. 6:20). The mark of authenticity that indicates that we belong to God is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13–14). Finally, John tells us in his first epistle that the one who indwells us is greater than the evil spirits who are in the world (1 John 4:4).

Putting these verses together, I believe that any individual who comes to Christ has become a new creature. This means that all the old things have passed away, and God who now owns us, is in the process of making all things new (2 Cor. 5:17). In order to do it, He gifts us with the Holy Spirit, who becomes God’s seal of ownership. And since the Holy Spirit is greater than any evil spirit who may have occupied this individual in his old way of life, and since God does not share ownership, no evil spirit can remain in residence once conversion occurs.

This does not mean, however, that believers cannot open themselves to demonic influences because of poor or evil choices that they make in life. Our experience of the Holy Spirit’s renewal of our lives requires our faith in God’s goodness and in His love. But as long as the individual continues to affirm the name of Christ (see 2 Tim. 2:12), I do not believe an evil spirit can take permanent residence in the life of a believer.