Can a Christian Be Demon-Possessed?

So, let's think a little bit about So, let's think a little bit about >> what the Bible teaches um in in terms of >> what the Bible teaches um in in terms of >> what the Bible teaches um in in terms of spiritual warfare. I mean, can a spiritual warfare. I mean, can a spiritual warfare. I mean, can a Christian be possessed by a demon? Uh c Christian be possessed by a demon? Uh c Christian be possessed by a demon? Uh c can a Christian be uh what is the nature can a Christian be uh what is the nature can a Christian be uh what is the nature of spiritual attack in the life of a of spiritual attack in the life of a of spiritual attack in the life of a Christian? Well, let me back up from Christian? Well, let me back up from Christian? Well, let me back up from that question one step and say that you that question one step and say that you that question one step and say that you will find um a number of places in the will find um a number of places in the will find um a number of places in the New Testament where Jesus or the New Testament where Jesus or the New Testament where Jesus or the apostles are exhorting Christians to be apostles are exhorting Christians to be apostles are exhorting Christians to be aware of the spiritual battle that we aware of the spiritual battle that we aware of the spiritual battle that we are in. Uh, one place that comes to mind are in. Uh, one place that comes to mind are in. Uh, one place that comes to mind is in the armor of God passage where is in the armor of God passage where is in the armor of God passage where Paul says, "Our struggle is not against Paul says, "Our struggle is not against Paul says, "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, flesh and blood, but against the rulers, flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world against the powers, against the world against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the forces of this darkness, against the forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the spiritual forces of wickedness in the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." That's Ephesians heavenly places." That's Ephesians heavenly places." That's Ephesians 6 verse 12. And right before that, he 6 verse 12. And right before that, he 6 verse 12. And right before that, he says, says, says, "Put on the full armor of God that you "Put on the full armor of God that you "Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand firm against the may be able to stand firm against the may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil." And that's the schemes of the devil." And that's the schemes of the devil." And that's the that's the verse that gets Thomas Brooks that's the verse that gets Thomas Brooks that's the verse that gets Thomas Brooks thinking about the schemes or the thinking about the schemes or the thinking about the schemes or the devices of Satan in his book, Precious devices of Satan in his book, Precious devices of Satan in his book, Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices. So, as Remedies Against Satan's Devices. So, as Remedies Against Satan's Devices. So, as well as probably 2 Corinthians 2:11, for well as probably 2 Corinthians 2:11, for well as probably 2 Corinthians 2:11, for we are not unaware of Satan's schemes.

we are not unaware of Satan's schemes. we are not unaware of Satan's schemes. >> Exactly. So, that I I think start there. >> Exactly. So, that I I think start there. >> Exactly. So, that I I think start there. It it ought to be a standing part of the It it ought to be a standing part of the It it ought to be a standing part of the Christian life to be aware of those Christian life to be aware of those Christian life to be aware of those spiritual realities. And I love again, I spiritual realities. And I love again, I spiritual realities. And I love again, I love the balance that Brooks gives in love the balance that Brooks gives in love the balance that Brooks gives in the introduction to Precious Remedies the introduction to Precious Remedies the introduction to Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices. says there are Against Satan's Devices. says there are Against Satan's Devices. says there are four things that you need to be that four things that you need to be that four things that you need to be that that that you need to concentrate on if that that you need to concentrate on if that that you need to concentrate on if you're going to be happy here and you're going to be happy here and you're going to be happy here and hereafter. Number one, Christ. hereafter. Number one, Christ. hereafter. Number one, Christ. So, your eyes are always on Christ. So, your eyes are always on Christ. So, your eyes are always on Christ. That's the most important thing. If your That's the most important thing. If your That's the most important thing. If your eyes are on demons more than they're on eyes are on demons more than they're on eyes are on demons more than they're on Christ, they're in the wrong place. So, Christ, they're in the wrong place. So, Christ, they're in the wrong place. So, Christ, the scriptures is the next thing Christ, the scriptures is the next thing Christ, the scriptures is the next thing Brook says. Keep keep your nose in your Brook says. Keep keep your nose in your Brook says. Keep keep your nose in your Bible. Keep burying your soul. uh into Bible. Keep burying your soul. uh into Bible. Keep burying your soul. uh into the word of God and and plumbing the the word of God and and plumbing the the word of God and and plumbing the depths of the scriptures. Your own depths of the scriptures. Your own depths of the scriptures. Your own selves is the third thing he said. You selves is the third thing he said. You selves is the third thing he said. You need to know yourself. You need to know need to know yourself. You need to know need to know yourself. You need to know you need to know how your desires work you need to know how your desires work you need to know how your desires work because Satan is going to go for the because Satan is going to go for the because Satan is going to go for the weak spots in your desires. And then weak spots in your desires. And then weak spots in your desires. And then next thing he says, the fourth thing and next thing he says, the fourth thing and next thing he says, the fourth thing and Satan's devices. You need you need to Satan's devices. You need you need to Satan's devices. You need you need to know how Satan operates. And the know how Satan operates. And the know how Satan operates. And the scriptures tell us how Satan operates.

scriptures tell us how Satan operates. scriptures tell us how Satan operates. You've already started this conversation You've already started this conversation You've already started this conversation by pointing us to the original by pointing us to the original by pointing us to the original temptation in which Satan sought to temptation in which Satan sought to temptation in which Satan sought to undermine Adam and Eve's confidence in undermine Adam and Eve's confidence in undermine Adam and Eve's confidence in the word of God, in the goodness of God, the word of God, in the goodness of God, the word of God, in the goodness of God, in the truthfulness of his word, in his in the truthfulness of his word, in his in the truthfulness of his word, in his concern for their well-being. What was concern for their well-being. What was concern for their well-being. What was he doing? He was leveraging he doing? He was leveraging he doing? He was leveraging uh and building a doubt in their souls uh and building a doubt in their souls uh and building a doubt in their souls um and and and leveraging it against um and and and leveraging it against um and and and leveraging it against God, against their own good, for their God, against their own good, for their God, against their own good, for their self-destruction. So, you learn self-destruction. So, you learn self-destruction. So, you learn something out of that. Satan Satan knows something out of that. Satan Satan knows something out of that. Satan Satan knows how to twist true things so that they how to twist true things so that they how to twist true things so that they hurt the us. He knows how to question hurt the us. He knows how to question hurt the us. He knows how to question true things so that our doubt hurts us. true things so that our doubt hurts us. true things so that our doubt hurts us. and the the whole of the Bible will give and the the whole of the Bible will give and the the whole of the Bible will give us and that and that's really what what us and that and that's really what what us and that and that's really what what Brooks is doing in his book. He's sort Brooks is doing in his book. He's sort Brooks is doing in his book. He's sort of piling up examples in the Bible of of piling up examples in the Bible of of piling up examples in the Bible of how Satan uses our own desires against how Satan uses our own desires against how Satan uses our own desires against us. And so I think we start there, Matt, us. And so I think we start there, Matt, us. And so I think we start there, Matt, to to recognize that there is a personal to to recognize that there is a personal to to recognize that there is a personal being being being who wants to destroy us [clears throat] who wants to destroy us [clears throat] who wants to destroy us [clears throat] >> and and he's he he's doing that. We and >> and and he's he he's doing that. We and >> and and he's he he's doing that. We and we see the effects of that all around we see the effects of that all around we see the effects of that all around us. And we we don't fixate on that. We us. And we we don't fixate on that. We us. And we we don't fixate on that. We we fix our eyes on Christ. We base our we fix our eyes on Christ. We base our we fix our eyes on Christ. We base our life on the scripture. We know life on the scripture. We know life on the scripture. We know ourselves. But we do need to know there ourselves. But we do need to know there ourselves. But we do need to know there is a being that wants to destroy us. And

is a being that wants to destroy us. And is a being that wants to destroy us. And and he's more powerful than you. It and he's more powerful than you. It and he's more powerful than you. It there's a sense in which it's, hey, God there's a sense in which it's, hey, God there's a sense in which it's, hey, God is mightier than Satan, so be assured, is mightier than Satan, so be assured, is mightier than Satan, so be assured, but Satan is mightier than you, so do be but Satan is mightier than you, so do be but Satan is mightier than you, so do be careful. That's absolutely true. And so careful. That's absolutely true. And so careful. That's absolutely true. And so he's he's more than we are, but he's he's he's more than we are, but he's he's he's more than we are, but he's less than Christ is. And so we've got to less than Christ is. And so we've got to less than Christ is. And so we've got to retain that balance. Now that you come retain that balance. Now that you come retain that balance. Now that you come back to your question about possession, back to your question about possession, back to your question about possession, what I want to say is if we are united what I want to say is if we are united what I want to say is if we are united with Christ and indwelt by the Holy with Christ and indwelt by the Holy with Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, there is no room for Satan to Spirit, there is no room for Satan to Spirit, there is no room for Satan to occupy uh our hearts and and control our occupy uh our hearts and and control our occupy uh our hearts and and control our desires territory. Absolutely. The Lord desires territory. Absolutely. The Lord desires territory. Absolutely. The Lord Jesus Christ has has been sent on a Jesus Christ has has been sent on a Jesus Christ has has been sent on a mission by his father and in his role as mission by his father and in his role as mission by his father and in his role as our mediator and our savior, our mediator and our savior, our mediator and our savior, he loves to take those whom the father he loves to take those whom the father he loves to take those whom the father has given to him and he says no one will has given to him and he says no one will has given to him and he says no one will snatch them out of my hand. So I think snatch them out of my hand. So I think snatch them out of my hand. So I think that's very important especially for that's very important especially for that's very important especially for Christians who feel spiritually Christians who feel spiritually Christians who feel spiritually oppressed oppressed oppressed to know that no one is going to take you to know that no one is going to take you to know that no one is going to take you out of Jesus' hand. Now, does that mean out of Jesus' hand. Now, does that mean out of Jesus' hand. Now, does that mean that you will not sometimes face that you will not sometimes face that you will not sometimes face despair?

despair? despair? >> Well, let me just let me just interject. >> Well, let me just let me just interject. >> Well, let me just let me just interject. And not not just Christ. Um I office out And not not just Christ. Um I office out And not not just Christ. Um I office out I'm a church planner. So, I office not I'm a church planner. So, I office not I'm a church planner. So, I office not out of a church building, but out of a out of a church building, but out of a out of a church building, but out of a co-working space, right? A shared co-working space, right? A shared co-working space, right? A shared workspace. The Christian heart is not a workspace. The Christian heart is not a workspace. The Christian heart is not a shared space in the sense that when the shared space in the sense that when the shared space in the sense that when the omnipotent third person of the eternal omnipotent third person of the eternal omnipotent third person of the eternal trinity moves in and takes up residence trinity moves in and takes up residence trinity moves in and takes up residence within a believer, again, that's claimed within a believer, again, that's claimed within a believer, again, that's claimed territory. That's not a a shared working territory. That's not a a shared working territory. That's not a a shared working environment. The holy uh and and of environment. The holy uh and and of environment. The holy uh and and of course we can grieve the spirit. We can course we can grieve the spirit. We can course we can grieve the spirit. We can suppress the spirit. We can refuse to be suppress the spirit. We can refuse to be suppress the spirit. We can refuse to be led by the spirit. But fundamentally, a led by the spirit. But fundamentally, a led by the spirit. But fundamentally, a child of God is indwelt by the spirit, child of God is indwelt by the spirit, child of God is indwelt by the spirit, not by the evil one. not by the evil one. not by the evil one. >> Amen. And I think the the the other >> Amen. And I think the the the other >> Amen. And I think the the the other thing that we need to remember along thing that we need to remember along thing that we need to remember along with that especially if we are feeling with that especially if we are feeling with that especially if we are feeling satanic oppression, satanic opposition, satanic oppression, satanic opposition, satanic oppression, satanic opposition, satanic discouragement, satanic satanic discouragement, satanic satanic discouragement, satanic temptation, temptation, temptation, >> these are all real categories, not >> these are all real categories, not >> these are all real categories, not satanic possession in a believer, but satanic possession in a believer, but satanic possession in a believer, but all those other words you used. And you all those other words you used. And you all those other words you used. And you you see that so clearly in Job. Jo, as you see that so clearly in Job. Jo, as you see that so clearly in Job. Jo, as far as we know, Job never knows, far as we know, Job never knows, far as we know, Job never knows, >> right? what we know in Job 1 and2. But >> right? what we know in Job 1 and2. But >> right? what we know in Job 1 and2. But there is something going on in the there is something going on in the there is something going on in the heavenly places that is directly heavenly places that is directly heavenly places that is directly impinging upon Job's life. And so we impinging upon Job's life. And so we impinging upon Job's life. And so we shouldn't be dis surprised that he's shouldn't be dis surprised that he's shouldn't be dis surprised that he's deeply struggling with despair and deeply struggling with despair and deeply struggling with despair and discouragement because the evil one discouragement because the evil one discouragement because the evil one wants him to wants him to wants him to >> or or Peter. Jesus says Satan demanded >> or or Peter. Jesus says Satan demanded >> or or Peter. Jesus says Satan demanded that he sit you like wheat. And so that

that he sit you like wheat. And so that that he sit you like wheat. And so that should not surprise us that we feel should not surprise us that we feel should not surprise us that we feel those things that are so I think I think those things that are so I think I think those things that are so I think I think that's one reason why you get believers that's one reason why you get believers that's one reason why you get believers using language like possession because using language like possession because using language like possession because it feels so real, so powerful, so it feels so real, so powerful, so it feels so real, so powerful, so pervasive that you can be and and pervasive that you can be and and pervasive that you can be and and believe me, the evil one wants you to believe me, the evil one wants you to believe me, the evil one wants you to feel like you're possessed. He he wants feel like you're possessed. He he wants feel like you're possessed. He he wants you to feel like you're his. Yeah. He you to feel like you're his. Yeah. He you to feel like you're his. Yeah. He wants you to feel like you've got no wants you to feel like you've got no wants you to feel like you've got no chance, no choice. and um and and so I chance, no choice. and um and and so I chance, no choice. and um and and so I think that leads some believers to make think that leads some believers to make think that leads some believers to make a bad theological deduction. But the and a bad theological deduction. But the and a bad theological deduction. But the and and so alongside of the glorious truths and so alongside of the glorious truths and so alongside of the glorious truths that you just articulated, I think we that you just articulated, I think we that you just articulated, I think we need to recognize and that's what Paul's need to recognize and that's what Paul's need to recognize and that's what Paul's talking about here in Ephesians 6 that talking about here in Ephesians 6 that talking about here in Ephesians 6 that the occupation of us by the spirit the occupation of us by the spirit the occupation of us by the spirit does not mean a sessation of conflict. does not mean a sessation of conflict. does not mean a sessation of conflict. It means the inauguration of spiritual It means the inauguration of spiritual It means the inauguration of spiritual conflict for the rest of our lives. And conflict for the rest of our lives. And conflict for the rest of our lives. And and and that that is due to two things.

and and that that is due to two things. and and that that is due to two things. Number one, outside of us, the evil one Number one, outside of us, the evil one Number one, outside of us, the evil one is raging. is raging. is raging. Inside of us, however, there is still a Inside of us, however, there is still a Inside of us, however, there is still a remnant of sin. And it's that which the remnant of sin. And it's that which the remnant of sin. And it's that which the evil one is trying to get a hold of. Um, evil one is trying to get a hold of. Um, evil one is trying to get a hold of. Um, and that means that our possession by and that means that our possession by and that means that our possession by the Holy Spirit, our occupation by the the Holy Spirit, our occupation by the the Holy Spirit, our occupation by the Holy Spirit, the indwelling of the Holy Holy Spirit, the indwelling of the Holy Holy Spirit, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit launches a conflict with sin and Spirit launches a conflict with sin and Spirit launches a conflict with sin and with temptation that we're going to have with temptation that we're going to have with temptation that we're going to have for the rest of our lives. And for the rest of our lives. And for the rest of our lives. And so, we shouldn't be discouraged so, we shouldn't be discouraged so, we shouldn't be discouraged as believers when we see that conflict as believers when we see that conflict as believers when we see that conflict raging. That is not a sign of satanic raging. That is not a sign of satanic raging. That is not a sign of satanic dominion. It's a sign of new life. If if dominion. It's a sign of new life. If if dominion. It's a sign of new life. If if we were dead, still dead in our we were dead, still dead in our we were dead, still dead in our trespasses and sins, we would not be trespasses and sins, we would not be trespasses and sins, we would not be raging uh in a war against our raging uh in a war against our raging uh in a war against our trespasses and sins. That's that is the trespasses and sins. That's that is the trespasses and sins. That's that is the the effect of the living Holy Spirit in the effect of the living Holy Spirit in the effect of the living Holy Spirit in us in the process of reclaiming us in the process of reclaiming us in the process of reclaiming everything that Satan has spoiled in everything that Satan has spoiled in everything that Satan has spoiled in this world, including every last corner this world, including every last corner this world, including every last corner of our hearts. And that is a project of our hearts. And that is a project of our hearts. And that is a project that goes on until we take our last that goes on until we take our last that goes on until we take our last breath. And so really mature believers breath. And so really mature believers breath. And so really mature believers can experience this in overpowering can experience this in overpowering can experience this in overpowering ways. I was just reading uh I I was ways. I was just reading uh I I was ways. I was just reading uh I I was trying to get ready for a sermon for a trying to get ready for a sermon for a trying to get ready for a sermon for a friend of mine that I couldn't preach friend of mine that I couldn't preach friend of mine that I couldn't preach the other day on Psalm 88 and I ran the other day on Psalm 88 and I ran the other day on Psalm 88 and I ran across this amazing quote from Spurgeon across this amazing quote from Spurgeon across this amazing quote from Spurgeon in the treasury of David where he just in the treasury of David where he just in the treasury of David where he just talks about the spiritual battle of

talks about the spiritual battle of talks about the spiritual battle of discouragement that that wages war in discouragement that that wages war in discouragement that that wages war in many wonderful Christian souls. And I many wonderful Christian souls. And I many wonderful Christian souls. And I couldn't help but think, oh man, couldn't help but think, oh man, couldn't help but think, oh man, Spurgeon, you are speaking to us out of Spurgeon, you are speaking to us out of Spurgeon, you are speaking to us out of your own experience here. This is why your own experience here. This is why your own experience here. This is why you're able to speak so realistic about you're able to speak so realistic about you're able to speak so realistic about this is you've felt this yourself. And this is you've felt this yourself. And this is you've felt this yourself. And in fact, a friend of mine who's a in fact, a friend of mine who's a in fact, a friend of mine who's a counselor wrote to me and said, "I have counselor wrote to me and said, "I have counselor wrote to me and said, "I have never read a better, more comprehensive never read a better, more comprehensive never read a better, more comprehensive description of spiritual depression and description of spiritual depression and description of spiritual depression and discouragement than this one." And it discouragement than this one." And it discouragement than this one." And it it's it's a pastor writing out of his it's it's a pastor writing out of his it's it's a pastor writing out of his own own own >> Spurgeon sermon on out of treasury of >> Spurgeon sermon on out of treasury of >> Spurgeon sermon on out of treasury of David. So it's his notes, you know, as David. So it's his notes, you know, as David. So it's his notes, you know, as he builds his sermon on Psalm 88. I had he builds his sermon on Psalm 88. I had he builds his sermon on Psalm 88. I had never read it before until this uh never read it before until this uh never read it before until this uh weekend. And it is so good, Matt, but weekend. And it is so good, Matt, but weekend. And it is so good, Matt, but it's speaking to exactly the reality it's speaking to exactly the reality it's speaking to exactly the reality that you were talking about at the that you were talking about at the that you were talking about at the beginning of our conversation.