Can true Christians be "Demon possessed"?

[Faithful83]

I've always believed in God (well, as soon as I was old enough to believe in anything..lol). I always thought I was a Christian (believed Jesus died and resurrected and all that), but I never realized truely what salvation really was until about 7 or so years ago, at which point I accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior.

But there's a problem.

I have some issue going on. When things don't go the way I think they should, I fly off the handle (mostly with my family). My mom actually described it the other day as acting like a 2-year-old. "You'd never know there was a zero behind that two" is the comment she made.

I have anger management issues. I try to pray quite a bit and as soon as I know I've done something wrong, I ask God to forgive me for it. I even go as far as, when people think I've done something wrong but I don't think it was wrong, I will ask God to let me know on no uncertain terms if it was wrong or not so that if it was wrong I might repent of it.

And when I ask if what I did was wrong and get the feeling that it was not wrong, people just label it wrong, I can't resist thinking: "Is it safe for me to believe that this is coming from God, or is it just one of Satan's outragious lies?"

Also, praying sometimes seems somewhat repetitive, and I wonder if my all but memorized bedtime prayer bores God by now.

Any advice?

 

[Gander]

No a christian cannot be possessed, as in full scale possession.

A christian can however be oppressed or influenced by demonic or spiritual forces at work in their life. These spirits can attach themselves to you.
Anger can be of a spiritual force in your life.

Now the good news. All demons are defeated enemies. We have all authority in the name of Jesus. You have the God given right to rise up and pull that stronghold down. You are a joint heir with Christ. You are destined to reign in this life. You are not destined to bow your knee to anger.

Speak to that spirit at work in your life. Command the spirit of anger to leave in the name of Jesus. It has to go. It is a promise of God.

 

[Faithful83]

Thanks for that bit of advice. Do you have anything to say to this?:

And when I ask if what I did was wrong and get the feeling that it was not wrong, people just label it wrong, I can't resist thinking: "Is it safe for me to believe that this is coming from God, or is it just one of Satan's outragious lies?"

 

[loveisallyouneed]

Have you tried Christian counseling? You may need an anger management class, besides, you'd probably want to rule out mood disorders too that are chemical. Of course you can be under the influence of dark forces, I think I was to be honest with you, but a lot of times these things are of the body, chemical reactions, etc. that may need medication or behavioral therapy. I'm sure you can find some Christian services out there to help you.

 

[Gander]

Thanks for that bit of advice. Do you have anything to say to this?:

Our measure in life is the word of God. Measure what you do by God's word not by your feelings. Human feelings can be out of line sometimes.
Walk in love. Read the love chapter 1 Cor 13. See what love is? Now measure what you do by what love is. That is how you can tell if it is of God, because God is love.

 

[ShetlandRose]

I have anger management issues. I try to pray quite a bit and as soon as I know I've done something wrong, I ask God to forgive me for it. I even go as far as, when people think I've done something wrong but I don't think it was wrong, I will ask God to let me know on no uncertain terms if it was wrong or not so that if it was wrong I might repent of it.

And when I ask if what I did was wrong and get the feeling that it was not wrong, people just label it wrong, I can't resist thinking: "Is it safe for me to believe that this is coming from God, or is it just one of Satan's outragious lies?"

Here is something to think about... When the peace inside your heart disappears and you question your conduct and you become troubled within yourself, you will know that likely what you are doing (or have done) is prideful or wrong or sinful or improper. "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." (Colossians 3:15)

 

[KGirl]

Yea, I'll have this thing where I'll listen to Christian music, be feeling Godly, meditating on God, then the next minute my mum knocks on my door and says something and I yell something like "That's nice!!" lol, I'm like "What did I just do? It feels like you can't control it and it happens randomly.

 

[Desert Walker]

In my opion, a Christian cannot be demon possessed, the Bible makes it clear that we are bought with a price. God cannot look upon sin, therefore, if He is living within us, then there is no room for sin or a demon for that matter. So does that mean we are perfect, of course not, Heaven knows I have made tons of blunders. I've thought on this topic a lot in the past year, what I came up with is two things, it is the old man that Romans talks about trying to sneak it's ugly head back into the picture. The truth is, that old man is dead, "Old things are passed away, all things are new" My question always is, "If the old man is dead, then why is it still around driving me nuts? And how come it has so much power?" I think much of it is in how much power we give it. This is a real struggle, it's a battle that must be won, if it is any consolation, this may help, in my opinion to be truly demon possessed means no guilt, guilt is conviction, conviction comes from God pricking our hearts that there is something wrong. By your admition, you have these feelings, I trust you will take those feelings and convert them into the proper action. All the best with this struggle, my advice is to lean on the Lord, He will give you victory over this.

 

[Supreme_Arbiter]

Of course Christians can be possesed by demons - what do you think speaking in tongues is???

 

[ShetlandRose]

Of course Christians can be possesed by demons - what do you think speaking in tongues is???

According to I Corinthians 12, various kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues are Gifts of the Spirit.

 

[ShetlandRose]

No, I do not believe that a Christian can be demon possessed. If our spirits are joined to Jesus Christ, there is no way possible a demon can possess us. The Holy Spirit keeps us safe, and God is infinitely stronger than demons. But we do still struggle with sin.

The Bible says that anyone born of God does not continue to sin. That is not to say that a Christian never commits an act of sin (we have not reached that eternal perfection as yet--but will in Heaven), but it does mean that a Christian does not continue in a course of sin, refusing to confess sin and repent. If a person has been born of the Spirit of God (born again) the Holy Spirit inside them will draw them back to repentance every time they sin. We are being changed throughout our lives. "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:8,9)

 

[Desert Walker]

I think Shetland Rose did a beautiful job in answering your question, nicely done Rose,

 

[Faithful83]

Very interesting points.

It's just so frustrating when I know God is with me I can feel Him when I'm in prayer or when I'm at rest, but the microsecond something makes me mad, get out of the way because it's not gonna be pretty.

 

[Desert Walker]

Thats when you need to put the old man away. We are dead to sin, it's just someone forgot to tell that old man that it is spose to be dead. It wants to be in control, it is a hard struggle, one we must overcome. You are not alone in this, I struggle with this daily.

 

[PottersClay]

When things don't go the way I think they should, I fly off the handle (mostly with my family). My mom actually described it the other day as acting like a 2-year-old. "You'd never know there was a zero behind that two" is the comment she made.

What I'm going to say may sound a bit offensive, but please hear me out--it's actually good news. What your mom said pinpointed the problem. Your anger is simply your flesh demanding its own way. The reason that's good news is you have a tremendous amount of control over that--especially since it's evident your heart to change is genuine.

Scripture is loaded with passages that deal with being led by the Spirit instead of living controlled by your emotions, fears, etc.

One thing really helped me was when I really got it that 'hey, I'm a child of God now. I dont have to do those things any more! That was a real eureka moment for me.

I try to pray quite a bit and as soon as I know I've done something wrong, I ask God to forgive me for it. I even go as far as, when people think I've done something wrong but I don't think it was wrong, I will ask God to let me know on no uncertain terms if it was wrong or not so that if it was wrong I might repent of it.

And when I ask if what I did was wrong and get the feeling that it was not wrong, people just label it wrong, I can't resist thinking: "Is it safe for me to believe that this is coming from God, or is it just one of Satan's outragious lies?"

Faithful, the Lord knows your heart. He knows you desire to have a pure heart before Him, and He's more than able to convict you of sin than satan is able to try to convince you otherwise.

Also, praying sometimes seems somewhat repetitive, and I wonder if my all but memorized bedtime prayer bores God by now.

I know exactly what you mean. I struggled with prayer for the first 10 years of my Christian walk. The thing that made the difference was when I stopped "praying" and started just talking to the Lord like I would to a friend. I didnt just talk to Him about what was on my heart or mind, or things that I cared about (or felt i was supposed to pray for), I also started asking what was on the Lord's heart.

I would encourage you to try this. I assure you, if instead of "praying" your goal is to get to know the Lord better and become someone He can call His friend (friends confide in each other) you will never bore God!

Another very cool thing about this kind of time with the Lord is it makes getting those sins and traits we want so badly to stop doing much easier to change. There is no way we can spend that kind of time in God's presence without it changing us. (I'm living, breathing proof of that)

 

[Faithful83]

The thing that made the difference was when I stopped "praying" and started just talking to the Lord like I would to a friend.

So, to all intents and purposes, you're suggesting that basically, I just walk right up to God and strike up a conversation?

 

[Ceris]

I think so. That's what I am doing more and more often, and it really helps.

 

[PottersClay]

So, to all intents and purposes, you're suggesting that basically, I just walk right up to God and strike up a conversation?

Exactly. We are told we can go "boldly to the throne of Grace". And all throughout Scripture you can see God looking for those He could call His friends.

When the Lord finally got it through to me that the main thing God wants from us is RELATIONSHIP, my entire Christian walk was revolutioinized. That's what this whole thing is about. It's why God created mankind in the first place.

Tell the Lord you want to become someone He can call His friend, and watch the awesome things that happen. As you spend time with Him, stuff like the anger (or angry responses) will fall away. You cannot be in the presence of such love and acceptance without being changed.

Spending time with Him completely and utterly changed me. His complete love and acceptance of me caused a lot of the junk I used to deal with just disappear. And the things that didnt fall away that quickly, the Lord would lovingly (though sometimes sternly) help me to face why I was doing them and help me to let them go.

Another thing that happened, was that I used to agonize about what I was supposed to be "doing" for God. I cant tell you the stupid stuff I used to put myself through trying to find out what that was. Then one day, the Lord asked me "Who do you think is more important to the King: a very skilled worker ... or his closest friend that he can trust and confide in?" In that moment, the Lord had shared a very tender part of His heart to me. He showed me that most Christians want to work for Him, when He is looking for trusted, intimate friends. The very cool thing about that is when the Lord shares His heart about a matter, He will often give you the priveledge of taking part in the matter.

Remember now, what I'm describing does not have a formula. It's a friendship, and so approach Him that way. I promise, He'll meet you exactly where you are.

His Bondservant,
PottersClay

 

[Faithful83]

Okay, I've started trying that, but it kinda feels...well...kinda...one-sided....

 

[PottersClay]

Okay, I've started trying that, but it kinda feels...well...kinda...one-sided....

When you're talking to Him, are you also asking questions, asking Him what's on His heart, what does He think about this etc? If not, try. After all, when you talk to your earthly friends, that's how you communicate.

If you are doing this, but are feeling like you're talking and asking questions but the Lord isnt answering, be patient. Learning how to hear Him takes practice. Ask Him to help you recognise His voice. Remember, He doesnt speak to your ears or your mind, He speaks to your spirit. If you're not accustom to listening with your spirit, just ask Him for help.

There is one thing I can promise you, and that is the Lord is always communicating to your spirit at some level. It's just a matter of becoming sensitive to it.

One of the biggest hinderances to my being able to "hearing" His voice is my own loud and frantic mind and soul. If my mind is racing, or if my emotions are raging, I need to quiet that down before I can hear Him. Though for me, getting my mind quiet is the more difficult part and is harder at times than others. And to be honest, there are times where I've been unsuccessful at getting quiet, but that's ok--as long as it doesnt make me give up altogether.

The other hinderance I found was when I lost sight of the relational aspect of my time with Him and instead tried to turn my time with Him into a formula (ok, i'm going to sit in this chair, do this and that and hear from God). But He would gently remind me why I was there, and bring me back to Himself.

One other thing that I learned was talking with the Lord and "hearing" His voice was only part of the picture. Some times, I'd sense His presence, and we'd just sit together, not "talking" but just enjoying each other's company.

The bottom line is that the entire concept of prayer is simply the Lord's way of drawing us into a more intimate relationship with Him. To be honest, for me, I have to avoid the actual word "prayer" because its meaning is so messed up in my mind, that if I dont mentally use another term for my time with Him, I too feel like I'm talking to an empty room. It's an easy correction to make, and the results are tremendous.

Let me know if any of this helps.