One can hardly blame a Christian for looking around him or her and wondering if the world has gone crazy. Certainly, it would seem as if all of the bad in this world causes a Christian’s walk with God to become interrupted or harmed. In addition to people of various religions that try and cause harm to Christians, a Christian also must deal with attempts by otherworldly creatures (demons) that interfere with the relationship between them and God. To learn more about what a demon actually is, please read our article: “What Does the Bible Say About Demons?”
A Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Because a Christian has been blessed to have a loving and special relationship with God, he or she has been gifted with the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, and 1 Corinthians 6:19). The previously mentioned Bible verses talk of how the presence of the Spirit, within us, saves us from corruption as long as we truly believe. Therefore, this is a powerful tool in the fight against demons and people who fight against God and His followers.
Because the Holy Spirit exists within a Christian, demon possession is impossible. Because the Holy Spirit dwells within Christians, this allows them to live in a state of grace--which can infuriate demons that are always fighting against God. If they could, these demons would look upon the possession of a Christian as an accomplishment against God. However, it would be impossible for the Holy Spirit (who is also God) to ever allow a demon to possess the Christian within whom it dwells.
There is a difference between demon “possession” and demon “oppression.” Demon “possession” involves a demon having direct control over the thoughts and/or actions of a person (Luke 4:33-35; 8:27-33; Matthew 17:14-18). Additionally, demon possession was shown in the New Testament to have occurred in those who had not yet benefited from the grace of the Holy Spirit because they were not Christian (illustrated in Luke 4:33-35 in which a Jewish man in the synagogue saw Jesus and the demons within him cried out in fear and rage against Him). Because we have been graced by the presence of the Holy Spirit within us--which simply would not allow something so evil as a demon to possess us--it is far more likely that demons are seeking to “oppress” us in ways that can appear to be possession but which are, in reality, attempts to discourage us to the point where we deny God.
Demon “oppression” of a Christian is a main activity for demons, but they can be defeated. For demons, successfully oppressing a Christian would be almost as large a victory as the taking complete control (possession) of a Christian. However, demon oppression means that demons will seek to influence a person into sinful behavior (1 Peter 5:8-9 and James 4:7). In Peter, we are told to be alert at all times for the presence of our enemy, the devil, who prowls and roams like a lion, is looking for someone to devour. James reminds us that if we submit to God, the devil will flee us in defeat because the love God gives us unconditionally is something which no demon can ever stand being around.
