Daimonizomai: Can a Christian Be Demon Possessed?

SERIES INTRO

Battle Ready!

SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 6:10–12 NKJV

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle 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.

MESSAGE

Satan is real, demons are real, and they have real power.

But Jesus has all power and all authority over Satan, demons, and their limited power.

1 John 3:8 - Jesus came to destroy the work of the devil.

What are the works of the devil?

To get us to stay trapped in sin.

To get us to believe false doctrine.

To get us to be lukewarm in our relationship with God.

When Jesus began His earthy ministry, demonic activity increased.

We don’t read much about demonic activity in the OT.

But everywhere that Jesus went, He cast out demons and set people free from demonic powers.

Here’s the first account in a synagogue in Capernaum:

Mark 1:23–27 NKJV

23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

Later that day:

Mark 1:32–34 NKJV

32 At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. 33 And the whole city was gathered together at the door. 34 Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.

The word translated “demon possessed” in Verse 32 is the Greek word “daimonizomai.”

It is the word most often used in the Gospels to describe a person who is under the influence of a demon.

And it is most often translated as “demon possessed.”

But daimonizomai comes is made up of two words:

Daimon = demon

Izomai = influence

Means “to be demonized.”

Deliverance from Demonization continued to be a big part of Jesus’ ministry.

And demonic activity is just as real today as it was in Jesus’ day.

In fact, in many ways, I think it is actually increasing.

Some of the performances by mainstream singers and musicians are demonic.

Some of the performances that some churches are allowing to take place in the House of God are demonic.

Some of the decisions and things that are happening in politics in our nation are demonic.

I am convinced that the people who are promoting this nonsense are under the influence of demonic powers.

I believe that as we get closer to the Rapture of the Church, demonic activity is going to continue to increase.

As it increases, the Church is going to have to be ready to deal with it.

That’s why we’re talking about being “Battle Ready.”

There are people who are under the control of demons that need to be set free.

And there may be times when we encounter people in the church that need deliverance.

I know this probably brings up a lot of questions in your mind.

But a question that often comes up on the topic of demonic activity in the church, and one that I want to address today is, “Can a Christian be Demon Possessed?”

The short answer is no.

A true born again believer cannot be possessed by a demon if they are possessed by the Holy Spirit.

But I actually think that’s the wrong question.

A better question is, “Can a Christian be Demonized?”

Can:

a Christian be under the influence of a demon?

a Christian be oppressed by a demon?

a Christian be harassed by a demon?

a Christian yield themselves temporarily to the influence of a demon?

We have to say that the answer is yes.

Is every problem we face demonic? No.

But I think a lot of Christians never get total victory in certain areas of their lives that are caused by demonic activity because they just think they are dealing with the flesh.

You’ve got to deal with the flesh and the demonic in two totally different ways.

You crucify the flesh.

You expel demons.

You can’t:

Expel the flesh, and

You can’t crucify demons.

The first step is to discern what is demonic and what is not.

What are some signs a Christian may be demonized?

Out of Control Behavior

Hatred of the Anointing

Extreme Restlessness in a Spiritual Environment

Perverse Thoughts and Actions

Unhealthly Negative Emotions

Involvement in the Occult

Paranormal Activity

How to be Delivered from Demonization

Repent of Known Sins

Close the Door to the Demonic

Let Go of Bitterness and Unforgiveness

Resist the Devil

Fill Your Heart and Mind with God’s Word

CLOSING