The Exorcist

Do you believe that demons and impure spirits exist? You should. Jesus spoke about them several times. Jesus cast many of demons and impure spirits out of people who were possessed by them. They are quite real.

Next question. Can demons possess Christians? True Christians, no. False converts, yes.

A true Christian has the Holy Spirit living inside of them. A demon would not be allowed to share the same body with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, if someone professes faith in Christ yet is possessed by a demon, they are either a liar and the truth is not in them, or they are not possessed and something else is wrong. Read these words spoken by Jesus.

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house (a human house) I left.’ 25When it arrives, it finds the house (a human) swept clean and put in order. 26Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” - Luke 11:24-26

What do you notice about this? The first thing you notice is that the house was "swept clean". There are NO spirits in it. Not even the Holy Spirit. The person doing the sweeping had no power. The spirit left of its own accord.

The second thing you will notice is that the demon, and several of his friends, had no problem coming right back into the place he had just left. Again, the absence of the Holy Spirit allows demons and impure spirits to enter a person whenever they choose.

When I was in college a movie came out about demon possession. It was called The Exorcist. Scary movie. Never watched it. In the movie two priests tried to remove the demon for a 12-year old girl. Both priests died trying. Humans can't do much without the help of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

"Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” 16Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding." - Acts 19:13-16

Do you have the Spirit of God living in you? Are you sure? You had better be sure. You will be eternally dead if you don't.

If you know someone who seems to be possessed? Tell them about Jesus. Pray for them. Only God has the power to cast out demons.