Can Satan possess a believer in Christ?
This entire question is incorrect. English translations have contributed to this misunderstanding by translating ‘demonized’ as 'possessed.' Instead, we should recognize that Christians can be influenced by the devil, and at times, this influence is so strong that it causes Christians to let powerful demonic thoughts and behaviors take control of their lives.
Most of the time, the Greek word ‘demonized’ (daimonizomai) is translated as ‘demon-possessed.’ We suggest that ‘demonized,’ ‘demoniacs,’ or ‘influenced by demons’ would be better translations. Why is this so important? Clearly and accurately defining the problem leads to helpful solutions. See Demon Possession for more discussion.
Matthew 4:24 is an exception in the NASB. Compare how it uses ‘demoniacs’ instead of ‘possessed’ as in 8:16.
"They brought to Him all who were ill, taken with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them." (Matthew 4:24)
"They brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill." (Matthew 8:16)
Is there help for these 'demonized' believers?
If a believer seeks help, assistance is available. The influence of the evil one can only be as strong as the believer permits. Saul’s jealousy and rebellion caused problems with demons. Pride, bitterness, and sexual sins are other ways believers open the door to demonic influence.
A demon’s influence on a believer is only as strong as they allow sin in their lives. Repent of our sins, and the demons will leave. Ants go where there are crumbs. Remove the crumbs, and the ants will go away.
"He had healed many, with the result that all those who had afflictions pressed about Him in order to touch Him. And whenever the unclean spirits beheld Him, they would fall down before Him and cry out, saying, "You are the Son of God!" And He earnestly warned them not to make Him known." (Mark 3:10-12)
"For in hope we have been saved." (Romans 8:24)
What are 'strongholds'?
Strongholds are areas of unrepentant sin in a believer’s life where he has lost hope of finding freedom. In other words, he no longer believes he can overcome that sin. Whenever you hear someone say, “Oh, everyone does it,” a stronghold is exposed. It begins with a believer who struggles with sin. He knows it is wrong. He doesn’t just fall into it; he first fights it
At some point, he begins to believe he can’t change his circumstances. So he accepts it as ‘normal’ by believing a lie about it. This sin, built on that lie, then becomes a ‘permanent’ foundation for the evil one to wage war on the believer. The believer then simply tolerates it as inevitable. He often alters his theology, habits, and behavior to match his faulty conclusion that he can’t escape that sin. His life becomes an absolute mess.
"If indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard." (Colossians 1:23)
"For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)
How does he break out of this stronghold?
There are two powerful weapons for fighting demonic influence. They must be used together.
(1) Hate for sin. For a while, a believer can ‘enjoy’ his sin, meaning he can ignore the consequences. But his faithful Father will increase its pain until he is broken and seeks release again. This willingness to change is useless without hope.
(2) Hope. God is fully able to send hope to the convicted sinner. Hope breaks through past failures and again presents the possibility for God to help him change.
Consequence > Humility > Seek help > Gain light
How does it work? Pride blocks light from the soul. When a believer humbles himself, then light can enter again. Lies can only exist in darkness. “If indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard” (Colossians 1:23).
Once the light breaks into darkness, the lies are exposed and lose their power. The light is made up of God’s promises in His Word. The believer, of course, needs to respond to this light or fall into worse sin. That’s why it’s important for other believers to be praying for him.
There are two keys for deliverance: Repent and believe.
1) Repent and confess to correct our wrong living.
2) Capturing our thoughts through the truth of God‘s Word.
What If He Doesn’t Want to Repent?.
We need to patiently wait, pray, and speak to those who are still obstinate. When appropriate, share applicable scriptures with them. We are waiting for the eternal God to move in his heart and bring him to a point of repentance. Even if the evil spirit is cast out, if he remains unrepentant, the evil spirit will return and find a home again in his old stomping grounds, making things worse than before (Luke 11:24-26)..
“When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came. And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order.’ Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first” (Luke 11:24-26).
Things I have learned about the occult:
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Never trust the evil one. He lies.
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God can always break in and deliver a person.
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It is important to discern what voices you hear. What you hear influences your decisions.
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We need to help others discern what they are hearing and reject Satan's lies. The more they believe and repeat the lies, the more influence the demons have on them.
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Repent from every sin and maintain a clear conscience.
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Help others see the other side of the lie - the truth. State the opposite. Use scripture to help.
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Satan has many ways to make us think we need to follow his suggestions—through feelings, confusion, thoughts, impressions, fears, worries, and more. Never obey them..
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Enjoy the complete covering and cleansing of Christ.
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Your only duty is to obey Christ.
Here are several articles on keeping from temptation:
Keep Watching | Train Your Hands for Fighting
Any Suggestions on Casting Out Demons?
There is usually no need for big demonic confrontations. When a person comes to Christ, great things are happening in the spirit world. We just can't see them. When a sinner repents and confesses their sins, they often feel a great release. This is because they are released from the oppressive cloud of darkness.
In some cases, though, the evil spirit(s) have really dominated a person's life. See the box above for a few guidelines. Remember the steps of self-preparation above.
a) Make sure the person and their family agree to have the evil spirit cast out. Explain the evil powers that are influencing him (Ephesians 6:11-12).
b) Make sure the person knows the Lord (sometimes they come to know Him at the same time).
c) Have the person renounce all contact with occult, religions, etc. and any future occult contact.
d) Have them confess their own sins. Name them one by one and ask for cleansing by Christ.
e) Cast the evil spirit out with words like, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, I command you (first find the name if possible) to leave and go where the Lord Jesus commands you."
f) Follow through by prayer and singing. Check in often for a while to make sure the evil one does not cause other problems.
"When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came. And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order.' Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first." (Luke 11:24-26)
"And the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." (Luke 10:17)
"And when He had come out onto the land, He was met by a certain man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs." (Luke 8:27) {Note the Greek literally says 'had demons.'}
"But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." (Matthew 17:21)
Disciple them and lead them from paths of sin.
Don't confront the spirits unless they confront you or there are irregular problems in the new Christian's life. Disciple the person into the paths of holiness and the evil spirits will leave. Sometimes, because of a distressful past, more time is needed to lead the new disciple to understand that he is bitter and needs to forgive others as Christ has forgiven him. Train them that whenever some past offense or sin comes up, they are to confess, make restitution and ask for forgiveness. This will bring total cleansing.
Please remember that the Lord oversees any ministry to others. These are just some observations and not complete for every situation. Think of it as a starter kit.
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The fight Job and Jesus had with a sinister figure clearly shows that there is some entity opposing God’s people and purpose. His name is Satan. Job’s situation became a prophetic picture of the Lord Jesus Christ. We sense that Satan not only asked to tempt Adam and Job but also Jesus, God’s Son. God the Father gave him permission to tempt them. 
Get my newest book: Satan's Four Stations!He is further said to be the one 'who deceives the whole world.' He and his angels were thrown down to the earth together. This verse helps us piece together many scriptures about the origin and purpose of Satan. Here are two truths.
Get this article and all our theological studies with videos, slides, handouts, etc. Check it out–BFF Discipleship #3 Digital Library!
Jesus came to thwart the evil one‘s plan. He achieved this by being the righteous man who listened to the Father despite Satan's temptations. As the second Adam, Jesus regained control of the earth and, by conquering death, freed humanity from Satan’s tyranny. Now, everything belongs to Christ.