by Don Dickerman
Damage and Danger in The Deception
“I just don’t see how demons can live where the Holy Spirit also lives.”
You may have heard messages over the years titled: If I Were The Devil. I have heard some good ones, have preached the thought myself. What I would do, the way I would attack Christians and the Church if I were the devil.
Well, let me tell you for sure, one of my main areas of concentration would be to deceive God’s Children into believing that demons could not live in believers. I would gain a major stronghold if I could deceive them in this area. It would become an area that I would own and they wouldn’t even know it. I am sorry to report that apparently Satan has concentrated much in this area and it is THE BIG LIE! If you believe that demons cannot, do not live in believers you are deceived!
Before I go into the scriptural aspect of this lie, let me tell you by experience I have encountered it in no less than 25,000 believers. Many have been gloriously delivered and their testimony should be enough, but still, I know the deception. I know it is great. I know many who will read this will want to put it down and in the trash and go on believing the lie. The lie comes from well-meaning, good intentioned, but ignorant teachers and preachers.
How Can Demons Live in a Believer If The Holy Spirit Lives There Also
I will ask you a question, how can sin live there if the Holy Spirit lives there also? Is not that the same logic. You see the question is not possession, it is control. Clearly, we are possessed of God, He purchased me with the Blood of His Dear Son. I am His possession. But control is another matter. The actual word used by Jesus to describe demonic activity in an individual is demonized, not possessed. Saved or unsaved, God does not tamper with my free will and my choices. I must choose to walk in the Spirit. Paul says, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh…” He explains that “the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh…” Being saved and having the Holy Spirit does not mean that you will yield to the Spirit, you can, if you like, walk in the flesh.
The point is this, the Holy Spirit prompts us, convicts us, guides us etc, but still we make the choice. He does not automatically fight demons for us! Rather, through the Word of God, the Spirit admonishes to fight and teaches us how to fight. Perhaps it is correct to say that He fights with us.
Of course, He that is within us is greater than he that is in the world, of course! But that is not the question. It does no good to know you have authority if you don’t know how to use it. It is worthless to have power over sin and not use the power. So, find all the scripture you want to defend your position, but you will have to take it out of context to do so. Plain and simple demons can and do invade believers, demonize, torment, and live in believers. Let me ask you another question. Why cast demons from unbelievers? Why so many admonitions in scripture to “fight” spiritual warfare if the demons are held at bay anyway. It’s a big lie and if you believe it you are deceived! If we wrestle against principalities and powers as the scripture plainly tells us we do…who do you think the principalities and powers are? If we are to resist the devil so he will flee, does that not imply emphatically that it is up to us not the Holy Spirit. Our strength is walking in the Spirit and calling upon God, it is exercising the authority of Jesus’ Name that keeps the demons at bay!
Why would Jesus say that if a believer does not forgive that God turns him over to the the tormentors? Mt. 18:23-35. Unforgiveness is a “God-given right for demons to invade, demonize, believers! Why would He say that “…in my Name ‘believer’ shall cast out devils”? Why would He remind us that He has given us power over all the power of the enemy, why would He say the spirits are subject unto you? Why do we need to know any of this if the Holy Spirit is going to keep them away anyway? Why would He tell us to “First bind the strongman (satan)” Why tells us that when the unlcean spirit is gone that he may come again if our house is left empty and bring seven more spirits more evil than himself with him? Why are we admonished to wear spiritual armor that we may be able to stand? (Eph. 6)
I could continue with these type questions but if you don’t see by now, you won’t see then. It’s a big lie! Christians can be controlled by demons, demons can live and do live in believers. Why would Jesus say, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted; to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Lk. 4:18-19. Why preach deliverance, why liberate if there is no bondage. The demons are not raking leaves in the park. They are actively fighting against God and are involved in the lives of mankind…their most treasured prize is a believer, to torment a child of God, to cause him to fall and to fail.Please, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you. Don’t remain in spiritual ignorance because you ‘have always believed it’ or because your pastor told you, or your denomination believes it. Find it out for your self. Just start studying the scripture and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes. You may be surprised what you see.