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Chapter 1 Can Christians Have Demons?
To deliverance ministers, the question, "Can Christians have demons?" is not even worth pondering. Experiences with thousands of deliverance sessions leave no doubt in my mind that Christians not only can, but do have demons. One famous teacher, Frank Hammond, says, "The question is not whether Christians can have demons, but rather, can I ever find a Christian without a demon?" People stand up during services and declare, "I don't have a demon!" Yet the demon of Pride is manifested all over their faces. I suspect that most opposition to deliverance comes out of either fear or pride. People who fear demons and the very thought of the devil don't want to be involved. To disguise that fear, they advance an array of doctrines or Scripture to prove either that demons do not exist, or that Christians cannot have them. If their fear is too great, no amount of persuasion will convince them otherwise. Pride comes in when a denomination or church has officially adopted a "no demons in Christians" stance. It's difficult to change doctrines or positions once you have taken a public stance. No one wants to admit errors in doctrine if it will threaten his reputation. "Face" becomes more important than truth. Occasionally, a church sits on the fence by declaring that Christians cannot have demons but conceding that demons can cling to the outside. A number of Scriptures are used to support the argument that Christians cannot have demons living in them. Some quote 2 Corinthians 6:14, which says, "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" Actually, the Bible does not say it cannot happen. It merely says it should not happen. Jesus supped with publicans, and saints fellowship with unbelievers so that the light can defeat the darkness. Some saints reason that demons cannot live in the body because it is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). But we find that the temple in Old Testament days was divided into three main sections: outer court, Holy Place, and Holy of Holies. In Moses' tabernacle, anyone could enter the outer court, even foreigners. The Holy Spirit dwelt in the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. Similarly, I believe that the Holy Spirit dwells in our spirits or hearts (Eph. 3:17; 2 Pet. 1:19), the demons in our bodies. In Acts 5:3, Peter said to Ananias, "why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?" In Ezekiel, the prophet dug a hole in the wall of God's temple and found a door through which he entered. He saw "every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, portrayed upon the wall round about" (Ezek. 8:10). Demons existed in God's temple. Others claim that when we become Christians, we are cleansed of all demons. The Bible does not say that. It says that our sins are washed away by the blood, but does not mention demons. It is true, however, that demons cannot "possess" us. Unfortunately, the King James Version of the Bible uses an incorrect word. The correct word in the Greek is "demonization," or having demons. Possession implies total control. Demons cannot possess us, but we can possess demons. A quick fix for the issue is the contention that demons can only cling on from the outside. However, the Bible does not say that Jesus and the disciples "brushed off," "rubbed off," or "chased away" demons. Instead, the Bible consistently says, "cast out." "Cast out" clearly indicates that demons were "in." To get something out, it has to first be in. Theological arguments must give way to experience. Even scientists are known to abandon pet theories when actual experiences do not support them. Over 99% of the people I have delivered have been born-again tongue-speaking Christians, including many charismatic pastors. If you do not believe that Christians can have demons, I suggest you attend a number of deliverance sessions. Don't pass judgment until you have investigated the matter thoroughly. It is important to know the truth in these end times. If demons can reside in the human body, then they need to be cast out!
