Can a Christian have a Devil (unclean spirit)? Absolutely Yes,
Why this question is so important
This is perhaps the single most important question that is asked concerning deliverance. The Bible is filled with scriptures on unclean spirits being cast out. Are they called Demons? No, that's not in the Authorized King James Bible, but "unclean spirits" and "devils" are, and that's how we refer to them. There are not many churches in today's world that have a deliverance ministry, however if you understood the extent of damage that unclean spirits and devils can do to a life, or to a relationship, you would be a lot more serious about getting advice and knowledge on the subject and looking at yourself, dare I say it...
If Christians could not have unclean spirits, then what is the point in driving them out, if all we had to do was get the person saved and their unclean spirits would leave on their own? That would leave us casting unclean spirits out of people who refuse to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour! It is my experience that those who claim that Christians cannot have unclean spirits are not even casting them out of non-believers.
If the problem, such as a person having a spirit of infirmity causing disease in their body, is not dealt with because they are a Christian and it is thought that "Christians cannot have unclean spirits" then the problem has to be caused by something else, and the real issue that needs to be dealt with is completely overlooked! This is why such a belief among Christians is deadly… literally! Numerous healings that God wants to manifest do not happen because the spirits behind those particularity infirmities are being completely overlooked.
From www.greatbiblestudy.com
Matthew 10:1
And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Matthew 12:43-45
"When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none."
"Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished."
"Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation."
Deliverance is truly not for non-believers. Matthew 12:43-45 is very clear that it can do more harm than good if the person does not repent from their sin, and ask Jesus to fill them with the Holy Spirit; "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20). The Bible tells of many times when Jesus rebuked and cast out unclean spirits from those in torment. Not "demons" but unclean spirits and devils. Jesus did this for those He knew who would become His followers with belief in Him. Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega who knows the beginning from the end. "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30).
Luke 8:1-3
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
Mark 1:23-25
And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
And Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Hold thy peace, and come out of him."
Many believe that Christians cannot have unclean spirits dwelling in them, but sadly this is not true. Yes, we must be born again (John Chapter 3) but we also need to have our bodies cleaned out through the process of a deliverance ministry which involves identifying doorways and the related sins, and asking for forgiveness of those sins. When Satan's legal rights are removed, including forgiveness for all parties involved, we then pray to break the spiritual ties which allow unclean spirits to remain. And cutting off the "ungodly soul ties" created through any act of fornication must also be done.
The Right of Access
When a person is born of the Holy Spirit into the family of God their spirit is united with God's spirit; "But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:17). They belong to God. This is not about salvation; this is about house cleaning. The bodies of those who have been baptized into Jesus Christ are now the temples of the Holy Ghost. And just as Jesus cleaned out the temple in Jerusalem twice; in the beginning and at the end of His three and a half year ministry, so our bodies, our temples, must be cleaned out from all unwelcome intruders who came in through any sin, fornication, or occult practices we may have carried-out in our lives prior to being born of God. Because if we have done any of these things we have opened doors for the unclean spirits, and given them a "legal right" to access our bodies; our temples. And so we must repent of these sins, which means we confess them before God and ask His forgiveness, and ask Him to cleanse is from all unrighteousness, which He says that He will: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
After we have repented, the unclean spirits will be commanded to leave. Deliverance from evil spirits occurs where we command all unwelcome inhabitants of our temples to leave in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Not "Yeshua" or any other alleged "Hebrew" names which are deceptions of the enemy. The Name of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Name in which those who follow Him are given the authority to cast out unclean spirits and devils:
Mark 16:23-25
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils."
And so we do well to search our hearts and ask the Lord to show us anything we have done in our lives which is a sin, and which would have been a doorway for devils and unclean spirits to enter our temple. When we truly repent and FORSAKE our sins, we remove the legal right of the enemy to our body; our temple. Let us consider some areas which give them legal ground.
Everything to do with sorcery, witchcraft, Satanism and the occult gives "legal right" to Satanic spirits to enter our temples. This includes using Ouija boards or Tarot cards, going to a fortune teller or to a seance, as well as playing any type of video game which has a Satanic or devilish theme. Satanic "music" also opens doors to devils, particularly rock music and all "heavy metal" music, as well as movies and books which involve sorcery and witchcraft. It is also important to destroy such things, preferably by burning and have them removed from your property.
Horoscopes, yoga, hypnosis, and all forms of Eastern "meditation" and New Age practices are also in Satan's realm and provide "right of access" for unclean spirits to enter our bodies. Freemasonry and all other "secret societies" are also Satanic, and put a curse not only on those who are involved in these practices but on their children to the third and fourth generation. These are called "generational curses" which we plan to discuss in the future. In conclusion; any involvement in any occult practice provides a doorway for unclean spirits to enter into the body and start their work to bring a person to eternal damnation in hell, if they do not repent and believe the Gospel, and permanently forsake everything that is a part of Satan's kingdom.
Another major gateway for unclean spirits is the use of mind-altering drugs and marijuana. Drunkenness is also a gateway, as well as all sins such as gambling, theft, murder, pride, arrogancy, cruelty etc. All of these things are in Satan's realm, and not in God's kingdom, and so the person will put themselves into the hands of Satan, even if they don't believe he exists. Covetousness, pride and arrogancy are also sins, as well as cursing and lying. The Bible tells us that no liars shall be found in heaven: "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whore-mongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:18).
And perhaps the most prevalent doorway for unclean spirits in today's Western world is fornication. Fornication is any sexual conduct outside of marriage. Scripture tells us that marriage is ordained by God as the holy and acceptable place for sex between a man and a woman only (Genesis 2:21-25). When a person commits an act of fornication including all acts of abomination listed in Scripture they have broken God's law, and they put themselves into the domain of Satan (Leviticus 18:22-30, Romans 1:18-32). Therefore they have given Satan the legal right to infest them with unclean spirits. In addition to this they have opened themselves up to receiving the unclean spirits which are also in the person(s) with whom they have committed fornication. They have created "ungodly soul ties" by fornication which must also be broken, in order to be set free from all such unclean spirits. We plan to have a course on the cutting of ungodly Soul Ties.
Fornication is also the only sin which is said to be damaging to a person's health (1 Corinthians 6:18). However there are also spirits of infirmity mentioned in Scripture.
And so in order to have our temples cleaned out we must repent of anything we have ever done that is connected to Satan's kingdom. To repent means to ask God's forgiveness for our sins, and to ask Jesus Christ to wash us clean from these things, and to deliver us from all evil spirits. We also need to resolve in our hearts to NEVER do these things again. Otherwise we are not sincere in our repentance. God is not mocked. And if a Christian "backslides" and falls into sin again, they will become infested again with unclean spirits, and must go through this process again.
We are all sinners; "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 6:23).
But the Good News is that; "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John1:9). And we can be born again into God's family, washed clean by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (John's Gospel Chapter 3).
The Devil knows that he is going to burn in hell for eternity,
and he wants to bring as many people with him as he can.
If a Christian has unclean spirits in them they are still saved and they don't lose salvation, but they do have unnecessary torment and even illnesses if they are not fully delivered. Also, they will be more inclined to commit sinful acts or thoughts as they have to fight the subtle evil influences of Satan's unseen workers.
Mark 5:2-9
And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
8 For he said unto him, "Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit."
9 And he asked him, "What is thy name?" And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
Paul said that there was evil present in him:
Romans 7:17-21
"Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me."
How did Paul have evil in him, but was filled with the Holy Spirit? Because Paul, like us, was composed of three parts; spirit, soul and physical body. The spirit is the real you, which is united with the Holy Spirit if you are in Christ. Your soul is your mind, will and emotions. However the body has been corrupted since the time Adam and Eve fell through sin. We inherited their sinful nature. And so Paul reveals that in his body, which he calls his flesh, "Dwelleth no good thing." And this is true for all men and women. However Paul makes it clear that his soul desires to do good, however this is a battle. And the only solution is to be crucified with Lord Jesus Christ. If we "walk in the flesh" we will not be pleasing to God, and we will sin. And it is through the deeds of the flesh that we can be affected by evil spirits. And since we are "creatures of habit" a person can develop either good or bad habits over time based upon what they allow to influence them. Thus unclean spirits can dwell within a person's physical body, as well as influencing their soul; thus their mind, will and emotions.
The Bible makes a clear distinction between soul and spirit:
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
1 Thessalonians 5:23
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ"
Your spirit is born again and made new when you accepted Jesus, but your mind, will, and emotions were not born again. We have to be "transformed by the renewing of our mind" (Romans 12:2). This is the process of sanctification in a believer's life. We must die to "the old man" and be renewed in the Holy Spirit.
It is obvious that all the baggage does not leave a believer’s soul the moment they are born again… but our spirits are made new and old things have passed away – that is because it is speaking of your spirit which is born again by the Holy Spirit:
2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Matthew 8:16-17
"When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."
Here Jesus demonstrates the benefits of the New Covenant between God and His people. He drove out unclean spirits and healed the sick. Now let me ask you this: Was Christ’s payment for our physical healing (by His stripes we are healed) for non-believers or believers? Believers of course! Then I believe this passage makes it very clear that deliverance (involving casting out devils) and our physical healing is a benefit meant for the believer!
You don’t have to be a lunatic to have unclean spirits!
Many think you have to be a lunatic in order to have unclean spirits, which is not true, and any studying of this subject in the Bible will make this very clear. Consider the man who was perfectly sane mentally, but could not speak nor see because he had an unclean spirit which hindered his speech:
Matthew 12:22
Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
Another example is the woman who was bound with a spirit of infirmity. She was clearly not a lunatic, but merely had a physical infirmity caused by an unclean spirit;
Luke 13:10-16
And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
Nowadays, the word "possessed" implies ownership, such as our possessions, but in the NT Greek, we find an entirely different meaning. The phrase possessed with a devil translates back to the Greek word daimonizomai, which means to have a devil or to be vexed (meaning tormented) by one.
Devils (unclean spirits) do not own people, there is no scriptural evidence of such a thing – not even in the life of a non-believer! Only the LORD God owns our souls. He tells us;
Ezekiel 18:4
"Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die."
If you look up the accounts in the Bible of devil (unclean spirit) possession, we find people who either have unclean spirits or are being tormented by them. This can manifest in both the physical body or the soul (a person’s mind, will, and emotions).
Many say ''the deliverance ministry ended with Jesus’ ministry" This is not true, and we don’t have to read far into our Bibles to find this out. After Jesus rose again, He appeared to His disciples and gave them the great commission:
Mark 16:15-17
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
"They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
If you read the Book of Acts, you will find that the early church was also active in the ministry of deliverance. Sadly however there are few churches in our time that do this. However, in our Hall of Fame Article there is information on Scott Hensler who still carries-out deliverance today https://www.bitchute.com/channel/secondheaveninvasion/ email: , as well as Pastor Win Worley and the Hegewisch Baptist Church in Indiana, USA. They also provide seminars for those who may wish to learn more. www.hbcdelivers.org
If you know a good ministry that offers deliverance please tell us about them and we shall add them to the list.
