Many people, particularly Christians, believe that Christians can be demon-possessed. This kind of thinking may come from the countless movies that involve priests of the Catholic church performing exorcisms on "Christians." Unfortunately, the truth is that we live in a society where movies, among other things, shape our minds to believe things that are not true.
However, demonism in movies, TV shows, and music is so typical that many are more familiar with evil than holiness. It is also so prevalent that we believe our actions can be labeled demon possession. For example, when someone is known for not acting "godly," whether it be how they respond to situations or have an addiction, some think they are demon-possessed in some ways. We must remember that there is a clear distinction between being demon-possessed and just being who we are. Just because a person is addicted to drugs or porn or has an anger problem does not mean they are demon-possessed. As Christians, we all deal with struggles, but it does not automatically mean we are demon-possessed. If anything, demonic forces tempt us, but we must stand firm on God's word.Â
In Luke 8:26–37, a man possessed by demonic spirits called "legion" (approximately 6,000 spirits) approaches Jesus in Gerasenes. The man who dwelled among the tombs is described as not in his right mind. The man's possession was so bad that people tried to bind him in shackles and chains, but the man would tear them apart because the demons had that much control over him. When the demons saw Jesus, they immediately recognized who He was and pleaded with Him not to torment them before their appointed time of destruction. When Jesus cast the demons out of the man, the demons were permitted to enter the swine nearby.
However, what is interesting is that once this took place, the man was said to be in his "right mind." Why is this significant to the subject at hand? The phrase "right mind" can also mean he became himself again. We are not told any specific details on his personality faults, possible addictions, or struggles outside of being demon-possessed. However, we know that his actions before being healed were not his but the demons'. The difference in the man shows a clear distinction between being oneself and being demon-possessed. If every ungodly action we perform is the cause of being demon-possessed, then what is sin? If this is the case, would it be safe to say that our Lord and Savior died for our demon possession? As Paul would say, "May it never be." If this were true, we would undoubtedly blame every evil action on demonic possession, and we would never be at fault for anything we do.
Noticing this, many may think that the man became a Christian filled with the Holy Spirit, but the passage does not tell us this information. However, because of what is explicitly written, we can conclude that he did not have the Holy Spirit or receive Christ afterward. Essentially, the man was spiritually available to be possessed again if not filled with the Holy Spirit, as seen in Luke 11:24–26. Being spiritually empty is dangerous; this is why we must be whole-heartedly devoted to Christ, who gives us the Holy Spirit as an assurance of salvation. The Bible tells us that those in Christ are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14), who abides within us when we surrender to Christ.
So we must ask ourselves: can a holy God and an evil spirit coexist in the same "temple"? No, because holiness and demonic spirits cannot coexist in the same body. Another thing to think about is that if the demon-possessed man were himself when he met Jesus, then there would be no need for an exorcism, and Jesus would have known that this was just who the man was. What is beautiful about this story is that the Creator of the universe in the flesh recognized that man was not acting according to how He created him.
In conclusion, Christians cannot be demon-possessed. At best, the only 'power' demons have is the power Christians give them due to being tempted or influenced by evil.