You have authority as a believer. You are royalty. Since God is the King of the universe, and you are His children, that makes you royalty. Ephesians 2:6 says that you are seated with Christ in heavenly places. All principalities and powers are under His feet, so they are under your feet. You were made to stomp on the devil.

The devil is real. His demons are real. Much of the world worships demons, even unknowingly. Some do willingly. Why? Demons do have power. It’s counterfeit, but it’s real. Every person desires to worship, and be filled with spirit presence. It’s in us to have a connection with God, but got distorted by sin and the fall of man. So, since we lost our direct connection with God, we started down a rabbit trail of worshipping other gods. (Which God spoke against in the first commandment!)

This worship is supposed to satisfy a basic craving we as humans have. We desire connection with a divine being. Since the devil wanted so bad to be worshipped, he usurps the worship of the Lord, and takes it for himself.

Can Christians have demons?

Whenever I start talking about warfare or demons to Christians, this is almost always a topic that’s brought up. It’s probably one of my least favorite parts about warfare and deliverance. However, I would rather know the truth so that I and others can be free, than to believe something false and remain in bondage. “…and you will know the truth and the truth will make you free” John 8:32

The truth is, yes. Christians can have demons. I really wish it was as simple as “get saved and it’s all done.” But it’s not that simple. Was it finished at the cross? Yes. It was paid for in full. That’s why we can have deliverance. “But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:27‬ ‭NKJV

Deliverance is for the children! Without the Holy Spirit, we would have no way to stay free. ““When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first.”” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:24-26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I’m sorry if you’re uncomfortable while reading this. I’m uncomfortable as well, to be honest with you. However, I feel as though this is an important topic to understand, and I don’t want us to be deceived. “God has called you to be uncomfortable.” -Ryan LeStrange

Let’s get a few terms settled, and we can rest assured that Jesus loves us so much, and desires us to be free.

Demon possessed?

Possession is a bad term. In the King James Version it says “…there met him two possessed with devils” This phrase is actually one word in the Greek:

daimonizomai: to be under the power of a demon.

Clearly this does not mean the devil owns (possesses) you. A good way to look at demonization is “levels of influence.” Sometimes problems are caused by demons. We have the ability to sin, even though we are new creations, but sometimes it can be enhanced by a demon. For example, when I was addicted to pornography, I had a spirit of lust. Sometimes this thing likes to come back around and tempt me. I will have the most lustful and pornographic images in my mind when it tries to come around. Thank the Lord Jesus, He delivered me from its power over me.

This is a good way to look at the levels of influence, or “demonization”

Level 1: affliction; sometimes we experience afflicting spirits that want to cause physical pain or little annoyances. Everyone has experienced this at some point.

Level 2: oppression; this happens when you have an evil spirit that constantly comes around and bugs you. It could be a spirit of depression that is holding its grip on you. The Bible calls it a “spirit of heaviness” I’ve experienced this one, as I’m sure a lot of other people have as well.

Level 3: bondage; this is when you have an over powering influence of a demon (or multiple) that you can’t seem to shake. Self-deliverance is almost not possible at this level, and you need the body of Christ to pray for you to be set free. There is no shame in this, we all need the freedom Jesus provides. Regardless of what level of influence is happening to you, you are worthy of God’s love, and nothing is wrong with you. The devil is a liar.

Level 4: “possession“; believers can not be in this category. Only God owns the Christian. This is someone who doesn’t know Jesus yet, someone fully given to darkness. They need the truth and the love of God to rescue them. This is like the man with the legion that Jesus set free.

Credit for these “levels of influence” or “demonization” goes to my pastor, Bruce Latshaw.

What do I do?

First of all, if your problem is a demon, nothing else will solve it. That’s why it’s so important that we don’t have theology that says Christians can’t have demons. “If deliverance is the thing that you need, nothing else will do.” -Ken Fish

And there’s nothing to feel bad about! You are so loved by God. Nothing is wrong with you. The devil doesn’t play fair. Sometimes he uses generational curses or things from your past and tries to make you feel like you’ll always be bound. Not true. Jesus sets the captives free. (Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18) If you’re experiencing any level from 1-3, I personally would love to pray with you to receive freedom, just contact me. You have to really want it though. “Deliverance is for the desperate” -Derek Prince

If you happen to be reading this and you are level 4, meaning you don’t know Jesus but you still want freedom, I would love to pray with you as well.

It does not have to be me. Go find someone you trust who is filled with the Spirit of God, and ask them to pray for you. Ask God to show you who that is. If you are serious about freedom, He will make a way.

Thank you for reading, and be blessed in Jesus name!