Every believer should have an understanding of the influence of Satan and demons who are under his control. Ephesians 6 speaks of evil forces at work in this world. We are told to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. In ourselves we cannot defeat the satanic work and influence. Ephesians 6:11-12, Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Listed are five words that have a definite bearing on the subject.
1. Demon Possession:
Can a born again person be demon possessed? NO! The born again person’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. A believer cannot be indwelt by a demon and the Holy Spirit at the same time. They are incompatible.
2. Oppression:
Acts 10:38, How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power: Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him. We believe that this oppression is first developed in the mind, where Satan plants doubts of the goodness of God and His grace to the children of God. This is why every thought is to be brought into captivity to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) If this is not done, Satan gains an advantage over the believer. Don’t give Satan a place to operate against you. Ephesians 4:27, Neither give place to the devil.
3. Obsession:
This word indicates a vexing, haunting evil spirit to cause the believer to feel unwanted and unloved; it will cause the mind to dwell on this thought until it becomes the dominating thought during the waking hours. This type of spirit could lead the person to commit suicide as a way out of the problem instead of finding a solution to it. The deliverance from this evil spirit is to recognize its source and turn to the Lord in simple faith, asking the Lord to so fill your mind with the goodness and mercy of God that there will be no provision for the continued harboring of such evil and dishonoring thoughts. Romans 13:14; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:2, Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
4. Depression:
This word indicates a very common condition, even found in strong Christians, who in an unguarded moment, give the devil an opportunity to attack the mind with thoughts about the unfairness of some treatment or morose thinking about conditions beyond our control. The result is a saddened, dejected attitude that could result in bodily illness, infirmity, and even mental breakdown. The solution or answer is found in reminding yourself that Romans 8:28 is still true, And we know that all things work for good, to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. If God be for us, who can be against us. (Romans 8:31)
5. Concession:
If there is any area that an evil spirit might get a toehold on the mind of a child of God, it will be in the field of concessions made to the world. We give little thought to the many ways we allow the world to influence and shape our lives. They allow us to quickly follow worldly ways in thought, dress, speech and deeds, and escape ridicule because we don’t conform to the latest hair style and mode of dress. We are not to go off into isolation but in living the Christian life, we are not to mimic the ways of the world. We are told not to CONFORM to the world. Romans 12:1, 2, I beseech you, therefore by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. We are not to love it’s way of life; 1 John 2:15, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (James 4:4; Titus 2:12)
There is no reason to fear Satan or his demons, but we should be aware of their activities to keep them from having an influence in our lives.