We know from Scripture that an individual can be possessed by a demon or demons (Matthew 4:24) but further questions abound within the church regarding this subject.
What Are Demons?
Demons are evil spirits in league with Satan. They have the power to enter and control certain human beings.
- Also known in the Bible as “unclean spirits” or “evil spirits”. They are associated with Satan, under his command (Luke 11:18). Thus they are most likely fallen angels who rebelled with Satan and shared his expulsion from heaven (Rev 12:9). They consistently oppose Jesus and the kingdom of God, but are completely subject to Jesus’ authority.
- Some humans can be controlled by demons. The Bible uses two expressions to describe this: “demonization” or “having a demon”. In such cases, the evil spirit gains some form of physical control over the human.
- The idea of “possession” comes from the fact that the demon takes up residence within the human and has much control over that individual.
- Demon possession is not temptation or any activity of an evil spirit outside of the human person.
Demons Want a Foothold
Demons will use any deception to have a person open that door. Any lie that is believed that is opposite the truth from God, whether conscious of it or not, can end up being a foothold. John 12:1-11, Ephesians 4:27.
- In New Testament cases where individuals are said to be demon possessed, an explanation of what caused them to be possessed is not given. For example: the man in a Capernaum synagogue (Mark 1:25-27; Luke 4:51-56), the Gadarene demoniac (Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39), the demoniac boy (Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42), or the slave girl at Phillippi (Acts 16:18).
- However, scripture is not completely silent on this matter. John 12:1-11 tells us that even before Judas was offered money to turn over Jesus, he would help himself to what was put into the money bag. What started off small only grew. The Bible tells us that Satan entered Judas. It does not appear that Judas was aware of Satan entering him.
- From this, and from scriptures like Ephesians 4:27 that states, “do not give the devil a foothold,” we can ascertain that demons can possess a person with or without them knowing; however, the person in one way or another has opened themselves up.
- The term “foothold” or “gateway” is often used to describe this “opening up”. Many behaviors can be a gateway or allow a foothold by the enemy; involvement with new age, psychics, cults, drugs, the occult, witchcraft, spirit guides, rituals, passive meditation, sexual deviance, spells, oaths, “charged” teachings, and communicating with a spirit.
- Demons will use any deception to have a person open that door. As with Judas, once the door is opened, it...
