The Good Book Company have issued a new series of books covering ‘Questions Christians Ask.’  This morning I noticed a blog post listing an extract from one of the books in the series, which deals with the issue of whether Christians can be possessed by the devil.

The book looks as though it would be worth getting hold of, but I was struck by the extract mainly due to recognising the experience of the author, Mike McKinley, in being surprised at how often Christian brothers and sisters are concerned that they might be possessed by demonic forces.  Below is the extract from the book posted on the GBC blog this morning, which can also be found here.

Can a Christian be possessed by a demon?

I have been surprised at how often I hear this question as a pastor, but frankly the answer is not a simple one. If by “demon possession” we mean that someone is so controlled by a demon that they are unable to worship God, obey his commands, and control their behaviour, then the answer is clearly “no”. Scripture says plainly that the entrance of God’s salvation into a believer’s life will prevent that kind of satanic control.

• Sin will not have dominion over Christians, who have been raised with Jesus. Romans 6 v 14
• God dwells in his people and walks among them, and thus there can be no fellowship between God’s people and Satan. 2 Corinthians 6 v 15-16
• The Spirit of God, who lives in believers, is stronger than the devil. 1 John 4 v 4
• Believers are no longer citizens of the domain of darkness but are citizens of Jesus’ kingdom. Colossians 1 v 13

So we must reject the idea that a Christian can be possessed, controlled, or dominated by a demon. Jesus has bound Satan and set God’s people free from his dominion (Matthew 12 v 29). There is no way for Satan to exercise that kind of authority and power over someone who has been bought by Jesus’ blood.

But, if we leave aside the word “possession” and think instead in terms of demonic “influence” or “attack”, then we have a clearer sense of how demons relate to God’s people. This is what is reflected in the experience of King David, which we read about in the book of 1 Chronicles: Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. 1 Chronicles 21 v 1 We are not told how exactly Satan “incited” David, but it was part of a larger satanic programme of opposing God’s people. Unlike Job, who withstood Satan’s assaults faithfully, it seems that David succumbed to the temptation due to his pride and military ambition. But at no point do we have any reason to think that David (or anyone else in Israel) was unwittingly under the control of Satan or his demons.

In the New Testament, we read that Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, and that a messenger from Satan harassed the apostle Paul (2 Corinthian 12 v 7) and frustrated his plans (1 Thessalonians 2 v 18). We are also told that the evil one looks to devour believers like a ravenous lion (1 Peter 5 v 8). He schemes against God’s people, engages them in spiritual combat and attacks with fiery darts (Ephesians 6 v 11-16). Demons can tempt, influence, and attack God’s people, but to say that they can “possess” a Christian doesn’t make sense of the biblical evidence.

We’ve just heard the Word read and proclaimed, sung the praises of our great God, and petitioned him for mercy in our time of need. And then we spend our time afterward talking about last night’s movie, the game, the hobby, the state of the nation, or whatever.Anything but the great truths of the gospel we’ve just heard and by which we’re saved. Why do we do this?

Colin Marshall has a very helpful article here on why we often find it hard to talk about spiritual things immediately after our worship services have ended.  There are also a number of thoughts to encourage us to speak more about our great God and his amazing salvation that we have hope,fully just heard about in the sermon.  These include the following: Continue reading →

The Telegraph has a some comments from the Bishop of Manchester on the vote on women bishops within the Church of England, which is going ahead today.  Should the vote fail:

“It would be a devastating blow to the morale of people across the Church of England.

“It would be a devastating blow to the morale not least of our female clergy.

“It would be a major deterrent to continuing to attract into the ordained ministry able women – and many able men too.

It would also, in my view, do real harm to the credibility and mission of the Church of England to the people of this nation.

“They simply wouldn’t understand.

So that seems to be everyone’s feelings considered apart from the Living Lord God.

Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.  – 1 Timothy 2:11-13

And what is God’s answer to those who seek to shape their ministry on the voices of others rather than on His Word?

But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the Lord of hosts, and so I make you despised and abased before all the people, inasmuch as you do not keep my ways but show partiality in your instruction. – Malachi 2:8-9