Can A Spirit-Filled Believer Have A Demon?

[TyronePalmer]

Originally Posted by Luke

I agree that as a christian we can be attacked by the devil or a demon but not that we can be possessed by a demon or devil. Possession implies control and we cannot be controled by the devil and by God at the same time.

There is a difference between being 'Posessed', and 'Demonized', please go back and read the original post and watch the message of Derek Prince if you would like to be enlightened on this biblical truth.

[Luke]

Originally Posted by TyronePalmer

There is a difference between being 'Posessed', and 'Demonized', please go back and read the original post and watch the message of Derek Prince if you would like to be enlightened on this biblical truth.

Is the term demonized even in the Bible?

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by TyronePalmer

Where does the scripture say that 'the thorn in Paul's flesh was an idiomatic expression'?

By the fact that Paul didn't have a literal thorn stuck into his side, makes the expression an idiom by default.

I'm sure you know the story of Job right? Didn't God allow Satan to afflict a righteous man?

Job wasn't immersed by the Holy Spirit the same way Paul was. Additionally, being afflicted and suffering righteously, even under the hand of the devil, is not the same as being demonized.

And didn't God send a 'lying spirit' into the mouths of the false prophets of Ahab? 1st Kings 22:20-23

The false prophets were liars and idolaters. No wonder they were so susceptible to evil spirits. But they weren't believers, which is the thrust of your question and comments.

How about King Saul?

See above. Saul was backslidden and tormented by an evil spirit because he was fallen from grace. This situation, like the one above, doesn't apply to your original question.

And have you read the scriptures where Paul gave over some brothers to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, and to be taught not to blaspheme?

Yes, of course. But these people, being blasphemers, should not be considered believers. So see above.

The Lord said truly "My people perish for lack of knowledge".

Nice dig. But presumptuous, too. And presumption is usually based in the sin of pride, something God abhors.

[TyronePalmer]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

By the fact that Paul didn't have a literal thorn stuck into his side, makes the expression an idiom by default.

Job wasn't immersed by the Holy Spirit the same way Paul was. Additionally, being afflicted and suffering righteously, even under the hand of the devil, is not the same as being demonized.

The false prophets were liars and idolaters. No wonder they were so susceptible to evil spirits. But they weren't believers, which is the thrust of your question and comments.

See above. Saul was backslidden and tormented by an evil spirit because he was fallen from grace. This situation, like the one above, doesn't apply to your original question.

Yes, of course. But these people, being blasphemers, should not be considered believers. So see above.

Nice dig. But presumptuous, too. And presumption is usually based in the sin of pride, something God abhors.

Naww not pride, I was delivered from an evil spirit of pride, praise the Lord for that!, it's more like frustration at the lack of spiritual understanding of many professing Christians, but the Lord is working on me about that. God bless you :-)

[votivesoul]

Originally Posted by TyronePalmer

Naww not pride, I was delivered from an evil spirit of pride, praise the Lord for that!, it's more like frustration at the lack of spiritual understanding of many professing Christians, but the Lord is working on me about that. God bless you :-)

But this, too, is pride.

You are making an assumption that your spiritual understanding is this particular arena and on this particular issue is superior, without even giving any thought to the possibility that in fact, your spiritual understanding is inferior to those responding to you.

I understand frustration when you believe others are wrong. But unless you are willing to admit the possibility yourself, you're dwelling in pride.

After all, we aren't disagreeing about whether Jesus is Lord. We are disagreeing about something that can only be perceived through a glass darkly, i.e. the spiritual realm as it pertains to demons.

On such a level, regarding such a topic, we are only going to know in part, no matter how much revelation we think we have on the subject.

[shazeep]

you might disinherit the notion of demon possession a la The Exorcist, possibly, for a better definition of "possession."

[Luke]

One other question how does that teaching work with this verse:

1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

How can a person have a demon in them and be sanctified (holy) wholly (entirerly)?

[Luke]

Thayer's dictionary defines this word: To be under the power of a demon.

Strong's dictionary defines this word: to be under the power of demon.

Vine's expository dictionary defines this word: "to be possessed of a demon, to act under the control of a demon."

Nowhere does it mean to be under the power of a demon incertain areas. The addittion of the phrase in certain areas seems to imply that God shares individuals with the devil this is false and not found in scripture.

[votivesoul]

Tyrone, it seems to me, and I could be wrong, that the real issue is not trying to rightly divide the Word so we can get at God's TRUTH, but so that you can use the Word to prove something you say you personally experienced, i.e. that you had a demon in your flesh but not your soul, and that you were delivered from it.

Since I wasn't there, I won't comment more except to say that, anytime we attempt to justify an experience by making the Word fit it, instead of using the Word to judge the validity of the experience, and, if necessary discredit said experience, we end up in some serious danger.

Please be mindful. You may, even unintentionally, be doing this.

[Luke]

Originally Posted by votivesoul

, anytime we attempt to justify an experience by making the Word fit it, instead of using the Word to judge the validity of the experience, and, if necessary discredit said experience, we end up in some serious danger.

Great statement of truth.