Can a Christian Be Demon Possessed? - Mark 5

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Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man

5 They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” 9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

Most people espouse one of two views of the demonic world.  Either they completely deny the idea of evil spirits, or they are obsessed with them.  How can we develop a biblical worldview of the subject of demons, the demonic and what it might mean for someone to be demon possessed>  

First let's set some ground rules.  The bible is clear that there is another spiritual power at work in the world that has been around since the beginning of time.  "Demons in the Bible can refer to the forces of evil in the world as well as the devil himself. Although the term demon possession does not appear in the bible, it is clear in this passage that demons had control of this man and his actions." (bible hub)  In the passage today Jesus told the evil spirit to, "come out of the man".  This suggests the demons were within him. 

In Luke 8:30, the demon speaks to Jesus and says his name is Legion because, "many demons had gone into the man."  The very fact that that the evil spirit could speak to Jesus suggests they had control over the man. 

The other evidence of control is the man would hurt himself by cutting himself with stones and had a supernatural amount of power.  I.e. He tore chains apart and broke the chain around his hands and feet.  We see the height of the torment of this man as he was subjected to wandering around the tombs in the dark of the night crying out in despair. 

In another story Jesus confronted a demon possessed person in the synagogue in Luke 4.  Jesus was teaching and a demon came up and cried out at the top of his voice,  “Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

35 “Be quiet!” Jesus said sternly. “Come out of him!” Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.

Again you see Jesus says, "come out of him" implying demon possession. 

Delivering people of demons didn't stop after Jesus went back to heaven.  He gave his disciples the power and authority to heal and cast out demons as he had.  Here are two examples.  First, from Philip, who was a deacon.  

"When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. 7 For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city." Acts 8:6-7

Paul was being harassed by a female fortune teller over and over and he finally he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

Notice the consistent use of the words, "come out of".  This implies that they are in the person.  

So what might the reality of demon possession mean to us today.  Let me summarize with four important principles.

1. Evil is real.  It is not just made up in a fanciful fairy tale as a metaphor of the fight between good and evil.  Look at the world today. How else would you explain the horrible things people to do to each other if there isn't some dark force behind it?

2. As Christian we battle against evil.  Paul said to the Ephesians, "Do not be unaware of the devil's schemes for our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers of this present darkness." Ephesians 6

3. A Christian cannot be possessed by demons.  When you trust in Christ and receive the power of the Holy Spirit, you are under new ownership.  You are God's special possession who has been delivered out from the world.  Though we are IN the world we are not OF the world. 

4. We don't need to be afraid of the devil or his demons.  I will close what the apostle John says, "Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."  

It is important as a Christ follower to have a correct, biblical view of the reality of evil in the world day.  One day Jesus will defeat evil and the power of the devil forever, but for now we fight the good fight with the weapons he has given us: prayer and the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God!