I recently watched the video ["My deliverance testimony: **warning this will trigger many christians**"](https://youtu.be/Lm9TcYmZjMs) which recounts a former New Age practitioner's conversion to Christianity and subsequent deliverance from demonic forces. These forces were legally allowed into her life through occult practices during her New Age days. She specifically mentioned a stubborn demon, allowed in through Kundalini Yoga, which only left her after eight months of her conversion. The "controversial" aspect of her testimony, depending on one's doctrinal commitments, is that she still required demonic deliverance well after her conversion and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Despite being "on fire for Jesus," this particular demon persisted until she was fully delivered. As expected, the video is causing some controversy in the comment section. For example (quoting some comments): > I believe demons can oppress a Christian. I do not believe that they can Indwell a Christian who is saved and sealed with the Holy Spirit. If that is the case, I immediately question if one was truly converted. The notion that a demon can indwell a Christian is a lie of note. The one who the son sets free is free indeed. You are sealed with the Spirit of God. > > Many make the claim that actual Christians can be indwelled by a demon and that is a lie. There is no record of that in scripture. It also diminishes the gospel which is the power of God unto salvation. I have seen deliverance and it is dramatic. The conclusion is that they were never saved to begin with. That is tough pill to swallow as many think they are when they are not. When you respond to the gospel, God himself seals you with his spirit. His spirit helps you live out your life through sanctification, he also helps you pray and he (the Spirit) intercedes on your behalf. That alone eviscerates any claim about Christians having a demon inside of them. Lies from the devil. If you believe that, you do not understand the gospel and you need some basic sound doctrine. Basic theology is important, it helps us get crystal clear on these matters, especially the gospel (which is everything). > Thank you for sharing about this, you are right - it's controversial in the church at large to say Christians can have demons. Sadly, it's very difficult for many of us to find a church where anyone (including the pastoral team) is willing to take on anyone as a disciple, let alone believe that anyone in a church setting would need deliverance from a demon. For encouragement to anyone who may happen to read this, after fifteen years of being saved (and told I was showing the fruit of the Spirit), I began listening to the book, Pigs In The Parlor (by Frank Hammond). Well, an hour or two later I started coughing uncontrollably. I wasn't sick, had no other symptoms of sickness, but experienced a coughing fit for five or ten minutes. Afterwards, I kept thinking, That was so weird; what was that? But over the following week, I realised a thought-pattern that had bothered me for decades was gone! So I've concluded that a demon left, simply after hearing (through earbuds, by the way) the prayers that were being spoken in the audio book I was listening to! Hallelujah, God is so good! God bless you and your family 🙂 > I had a very similar experience as you…having demons and then also > having the Holy Spirit…my full deliverance took almost 2 and a half > years. 🤯 > > People don’t understand your body becomes a battlefield as you learn > to submit and be sanctified in Jesus.🤍 > > Praise God for the miracle of your life!!!!🙌🏻 Derek Prince really > helped me too!!!❤ > > Thank you for inspiring me to share this truth on my channel. I > haven’t thought of covering this topic but the body of Christ needs to > hear that Believers can house demons. They stay until they are kicked > out. > > I, like you, was so desperate. You have to FIGHT and KILL the flesh > with the Truth of God’s word, prayer, fasting and never giving up on > God. > It happened with me too! I was Holy Spirit filled and I still had demons. It took obedience and sanctification in order for them to leave me (yes, they were inside me). Few months after I got freed I started a research about the occult in order to make a video and expose the lies. But I went soo far away into that investigation that I walked out of the narrow path of Jesus (by giving almost all of my focus on the darkness) and I once again got possessed by an unclean spirit. I cried, I repented, I fasted, but it really took time to solidify my commitment to walk in holiness and obedience with the Lord. Once the Lord saw that I was committed to walking with Him in purity the spirit left me in a split of a second. What biblical texts are cited to support the belief that Christians can have demons?

Jesus in Matthew 12 appears to give a compelling argument against the possibility of demons casting out other demons: > 22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” > > 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” > > 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 **If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself**. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 **But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you**. > > [Matthew 12:22-28, NIV] In other words, demons are cast out by the power of the Spirit of God, and in the case of Christians, in the name of Jesus. That said, according to the Wikipedia article on [Exorcism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcism) , exorcisms have been practiced since antiquity in other religions. And I find this problematic, because if we think about it, non-Christians do not have the power of the Spirit nor the name of Jesus to drive out demons during an exorcism. And they can't be using the power of Satan either, as per Jesus' argumentation in Matthew 12:22-28. So there appear to be no other options left, and we are faced with a dilemma. **Question**: How do Christians make sense of exorcisms in other religions? Are exorcisms in other religions compatible with a Christian worldview? ____ *Note: I'm not sure if I should request answers from a specific denomination or Christian group for this one. I would imagine that most Christians believe that demons exist and can be cast out, and I'm not sure if there is a specific denomination with an official position regarding exorcisms in other religions. But in any case, if this question needs editing, feel free to let me know or go ahead and edit it yourself.*

Many Christians of different denominations have reported encounters with demon-possessed individuals. Catholic exorcists are an obvious example. In the mission field, reports of demonic possessions in the [10/40 Window](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/82874/how-often-do-missionaries-report-encounters-with-demonic-activity-while-deployed) are not unheard of. An interesting first-hand account by a SDA missionary can be found [here](https://youtu.be/Lh3l9FaRbpM) . Even Baptist pastor John Piper has had his [fair share](https://youtu.be/0SK07TY1uh0) of experiences with the exorcism of demon-possessed people. Have Jehovah's Witnesses ever reported similar encounters with demon-possessed individuals in the mission field or in other contexts?

I have a background involving the worship of Ganesha, the Hindu elephant-headed deity, and I’ve recently begun exploring Christianity. Since this transition, I’ve faced troubling experiences and feelings of torment by this pagan deity, especially on days significant to Ganesha like tuesdays or 4th day after full moon or new moon, leading to deep depression and frustration. While I believe in Jesus, my family continues to honor Ganesha, complicating my situation. I feel that the influences of this pagan god are affecting my life and mental well-being. My questions are: Can Jesus deliver individuals from the torment of pagan gods like Ganesha? Additionally, can Jesus deliver these pagan gods themselves from any spiritual influences

Catholic Exorcist Father [Vincent Lampert](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Lampert) , in an [interview](https://youtu.be/_9xcAl0gg7w?t=1109) on the PBD Podcast, explained: > Rather than being critical of someone else, I would tend to want to be more positive about what I believe exorcism is. Because we talked about skepticism, an exorcist is trained to be a skeptic. I should be the very last person in the room to believe that somebody is truly dealing with extraordinary demonic activity. **Every other possible explanation needs to be exhausted. And that's the approach the Catholic Church takes**. That's why even in the United States we have a protocol that we follow, and **step number one of the protocol is for the person to have a psychiatric evaluation**. **Step two is to have a physical examination**, **because the church wants experts in the mental health field and in the medical sciences to weigh in** on what is happening or what this person believes is happening in their life. Do Protestants follow a similar protocol? --- For additional context, see my previous question https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/101721/61679

This question addresses the epistemological challenges of determining whether someone is possessed by demons. Belief in demon possession has to contend with skepticism from those who view it as a myth lacking scientific evidence (see the sources cited in the appendix of [this question](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/101703/61679)) . Even among believers in demonic possession, there is often an acknowledgment of the need to rule out alternative natural explanations such as mental illness or fraud. For example, see the article [*As a psychiatrist, I diagnose mental illness. Also, I help spot demonic possession*](https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/07/01/as-a-psychiatrist-i-diagnose-mental-illness-and-sometimes-demonic-possession/) by Richard Gallagher. However, the Bible does not mention any cases where a mental health professional was consulted to confirm that an allegedly possessed individual was not simply experiencing a mundane psychological disorder. Jesus and the Apostles were able to discern possession directly, presumably using [discernment of spirits](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discernment_of_spirits) , without the need for intermediaries to rule out false positives. What is the biblical basis for requiring a psychiatrist to examine an individual before declaring them demon-possessed?

According to Baptist belief is it possible for a true believer in their ranks to become possessed by demons? If so what does the Baptist church do to help such a person? This closed question asked a broader version of this question

Nations have guardian angels ; but, according to Catholicism, can an entire nation be possessed by a demon? Catholic perspective on this question

We see Jesus describing in Matthew 12:43-45, how an unclean spirit returns to dwell in a person whom it had quit before wandering in the dry land. Jesus adds that the state of the man concerned, becomes more miserable in that he now hosts more powerful unclean spirits. That implies that there are degrees of possession by the evil spirit - from mild to the extremely dangerous. In deed, we see the different victims of possession whom Jesus would later heal, behaving in widely different manner from case to case. Now, one can easily imagine a world in which God dwells, but which is also dwelt in by evil spirits. Can the phenomenon apply to individuals also? My question, in sum, is as follows: **Is it possible for both God and an unclean spirit to dwell in the same human being at the same time?** Inputs from scholars of any denomination are welcome.

In the New Testament Jesus performs an exorcism (Mark 1:23–26, Luke 11:14–26) and Jesus gave that authority over to the apostles themselves to drive out evil spirits and to perform exorcisms (Matthew 10:1), but did any of the prophets from the Old Testament perform exorcisms?

Are there video recordings of humans said to be possessed by demons? Has a claimed demon possession ever been recorded on camera? I'm open to answers from any Christian groups/denominations. ____ Related or similar questions: - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/2614/50422 - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/91832/50422 - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/83624/50422 - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/84586/50422

In the three gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus repeatedly casts out demons , speaks to them , etc. He tells his disciples to do the same. There are so many references it would be difficult to put them all here. This is not a topic that is very frequently mentioned (if at all) in my experience in the modern church (here in the USA at least). But reading the New Testament it cannot be easily glossed over. What is the church's view on demonic possession today, especially in light of modern psychology and drug therapy? Where people possessed by demons in ancient times but not today? Are people with certain types of psychological disorders (or in certain times/cases) actually possessed?

In Luke, we are told: >Luke 22:3-4 And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. 4 And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. So then, did Judas sin or was it Satan inside him sinning? If a computer hacker uses my computer to commit a crime, all liability falls on the hacker using my computer. So, did Satan utilise Judas as a vessel in such a manner? Did Judas have free will in this matter? Elsewhere in the Bible, it says, “resist Satan and he will flee from you”(James 4:7). Does that apply here with Judas?

Many Christians believe that Christians **cannot** be possessed by demons. What is the biblical basis for this belief? _____ Related: https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/32198/50422

The possibility that a person can become demon-possessed is a well established fact of Scripture. The four gospels as well as the book of Acts make many references to individuals who were tormented and possessed by evil spirits. But what about the *how*? What would be an **overview** of beliefs on *how* people can become demon-possessed in the first place? Can evil spirits enter and possess whomever they want (and to what extent, are there different degrees of possession)? Are there spiritual laws that determine when, where, why, how and the extent to which a person can be influenced and ultimately possessed by evil spirits? ________ Related: - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/81001/50422 - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/84082/50422 - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/84365/50422 - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/82874/50422

- Does being a cessationist have any bearing on one's views on spiritual warfare, demon possession and the casting out of demons (a.k.a. exorcisms)? Can a person be a cessationist and still believe in contemporary demon possessions and exorcisms? - Are there dedicated deliverance ministers or exorcists who are cessationists? If not, how do cessationists drive demons out of demon-possessed individuals? ____ Related: - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/12536/50422 - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/81001/50422 - https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/83574/50422

I was recently reading "Hostage to the Devil" by Malachi Martin, and starting thinking about demonic possession and exorcisms. Naturally, when I thought about exorcisms the movie "The Exorcist" popped up. And then it struck me that "The Exorcist" and the book I was reading were both based on Catholic Exorcisms. In Catholicism, we believe that during an exorcism, the exorcist (highly trained priest specifically for exorcisms) is actually battling the demon. There are certain prayers that go with it and there is a structure to it. My questions is basically, are there any Christian denominations that do not believe in possessions/exorcisms, if not, then are there some that take it only as a very lose possession (a demon made me do it, but it's gone now)?

This question is a nuanced version of my recently asked question https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/86124/50422 , this time aiming to address the 'dark side'. A very insightful [answer](https://christianity.stackexchange.com/a/86135/50422) to the aforementioned question brought up an important point: > However, **if the spiritual experience is not an hallucination but a demonic trick**, then the person is in deep spiritual trouble and will need help from mature Christians. I know of such instances, but not personally. Christians should know that they are warned in the Bible that a satanic influence can appear as an 'angel of light' (2 Cor.11:14; Gal.1:8; Rev.13:13-14). A Christian's safeguard from that is to utilise the full symbolic 'armour of God' as detailed in Eph.6:10-18. **Question**: What is an overview of how Christians discern genuine instances of demonic influence (ranging from counterfeit spiritual experiences to full-blown demonic possession) from mundane mental health problems? What follows is not mandatory, but a particular case I'd like answerers to think about is that of individuals locked up in psych wards. Is it possible that people locked up in psych wards may actually be suffering from a demonic problem rather than a psychiatric one? If so, would it be possible in principle for people in psych wards to recover their soundness of mind through a process of demonic deliverance carried out by a mature Christian? _________ Related: https://christianity.stackexchange.com/q/34332/50422

**Has a born again Baptist believer or a Jehovah’s Witnesses ever approached Catholic authorities for an official exorcism?** The Catholic Church has a long history of exorcisms, but has a professed Baptist or Jehovah’s Witnesses ever approached Catholic authorities for an official exorcism? Catholic authorities permit the use of the Rite of Exorcism on non-Catholic Christians . Since it is seemingly believed that Baptists and Jehovah’s Witnesses has no documented cases of demonic possession, thus my question. Is there a documented case of demonic possession being requested on behalf of a Baptist or Jehovah’s Witnesses denomination to the Catholic authorities? The Catholic Church does permit non-Catholics to request by a Catholic priest to perform this ritual on other Christian denominations with certain requirements put forth. Thus my question is as follows: **Has a born again Baptist believer or a Jehovah’s Witnesses ever approached Catholic authorities for an official exorcism?**

Has an atheist, an agnostic, a [naturalist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naturalism_(philosophy)) or anyone lacking a belief in the supernatural for that matter ever been demon possessed or had a demonic experience of any kind? Is this even possible to begin with (theoretically speaking)? My personal opinion would be that this should be possible in principle: there is no middle ground, a soul either belongs to God or Satan. Therefore, if an atheist or agnostic openly denies or rejects the existence of God, their soul cannot belong to God (because they don't have Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior), and since there are not more options, it follows that their soul must belong to Satan. And if they belong to Satan, I would imagine that there should be demonic spirits assigned to each atheist or agnostic, and it shouldn't be too far-fetched to think that these spirits might decide to make their presence more obvious if they are compelled or under pressure to do so (e.g. I'm picturing in my head a hypothetical scene where a spirit-filled missionary confronts an atheist and the demons inside the atheist suddenly begin to manifest, etc.). Has this ever happened? Does any denomination have records of performing exorcisms on atheists?