Can a Christian Be Demon-Possessed?

Mark Virkler's picture

Here is a link to a 90-minute video session where I participated in a panel that was answering questions about deliverance. I discovered that people in the group were using the phrase demon-possessed, which is an expression I quit using years ago. Here is the reason why.


The word translated as "demon-possessed" in the King James Version of the Bible is daimonizomai in Greek. The literal definition of daimonizomai isunder the influence ofor vexed with. This is a very different picture than that of possession.

Yes, a demon can influence a Christian. Demons don’t possess Christians. I have been through deliverance on a couple of occasions and become free in areas that were under the influence of demons, but I would never say I was possessed by those demons.

Removing an unbiblical picture from our mind

The word daimonizomai is used 25 times in the Greek New Testament. The King James Version only translates it “possessed” 11 of the 25 times. It is translated as simply “devil(s)” 13 times and “vexed” once. Well, having a devil or being vexed by a devil is a whole lot different in my mind than being “possessed” by a devil. So more than 50% of the time it is not translated “possessed.” (Above information is excerpted from the book Prayers That Heal the Heart, as is the picture at the end of this blog.

Using the correct definition of daimonizomai - being under the influence of - really clears up the unbiblical picture in our minds of a person being “possessed by” (totally controlled by) a demon. So let’s drop the unfortunate translation of this word, and remove “possessed by” from our vocabulary, along with the unbiblical picture. Let’s adopt a new phrase, “under the influence of,” and a new biblical picture of “an area of my life that is under the influence of a demon."

Below is how Young’s Literal Translation translates daimonizomai

Young’s Literal Translation, which I love for its precision, never once translates daimonizomai as “possessed.” You can download Young's Literal Translation free as part of e-Sword. The list of verses below were instantly collected for me by e-Sword. Here is a blog describing why I love e-Sword.

Translated "demoniac" in the Young's Literal Translation

  1. Mat_9:32  And as they are coming forth, lo, they brought to him a man dumb, a demoniac,
  2. Mat_12:22  Then was brought to him a demoniac, blind and dumb, and he healed him, so that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
  3. Mar_5:15  and they come unto Jesus, and see the demoniac, sitting, and clothed, and right-minded—him having had the legion—and they were afraid;
  4. Mar_5:16  and those having seen it declared to them how it had come to pass to the demoniac, and about the swine;
  5. Mar_5:18  And he having gone into the boat, the demoniac was calling on him that he may be with him,
  6. Luk_8:36  and those also having seen it, told them how the demoniac was saved.
  7. Joh_10:21  others said, 'These sayings are not those of a demoniac; is a demon able blind men's eyes to open?'

Translated "demon" in the Young's Literal Translation

  1. Mat_9:33  and the demon having been cast out, the dumb spake, and the multitude did wonder, saying that 'It was never so seen in Israel:'
  2. Mat_11:18  'For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a demon;
  3. Mat_17:18  and Jesus rebuked him, and the demon went out of him, and the lad was healed from that hour.
  4. Mar_7:26  and the woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phenician by nation—and was asking him, that the demon he may cast forth out of her daughter.
  5. Mar_7:29  And he said to her, 'Because of this word go; the demon hath gone forth out of thy daughter;'
  6. Mar_7:30  and having come away to her house, she found the demon gone forth, and the daughter laid upon the couch.
  7. Luk_4:33  And in the synagogue was a man, having a spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a great voice,
  8. Luk_4:35  And Jesus did rebuke him, saying, 'Be silenced, and come forth out of him;' and the demon having cast him into the midst, came forth from him, having hurt him nought;
  9. Luk_7:33  'For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and ye say, He hath a demon;
  10. Luk_9:42  and as he is yet coming near, the demon rent him, and tore him sore, and Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the youth, and gave him back to his father.
  11. Luk_11:14  And he was casting forth a demon, and it was dumb, and it came to pass, the demon having gone forth, the dumb man spake, and the multitudes wondered,
  12. Joh_7:20  The multitude answered and said, 'Thou hast a demon, who doth seek to kill thee?'
  13. Joh_8:48  The Jews, therefore, answered and said to him, 'Do we not say well, that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a demon?'
  14. Joh_8:49  Jesus answered, 'I have not a demon, but I honour my Father, and ye dishonour me;
  15. Joh_8:52  The Jews, therefore, said to him, 'Now we have known that thou hast a demon; Abraham did die, and the prophets, and thou dost say, If any one may keep my word, he shall not taste of death—to the age!
  16. Joh_10:20  and many of them said, 'He hath a demon, and is mad, why do ye hear him?'
  17. Joh_10:21  others said, 'These sayings are not those of a demoniac; is a demon able blind men's eyes to open?'

Action Step

I encourage everyone to drop the phrase “demon-possessed” and the picture of “being demon-possessed” completely from their vocabulary and their thinking. It is a mistranslation of the Greek and an evil imagination (Jer. 7:24) that stirs up needless controversy in the body of Christ, taking us backward and not forward.

Resources for deliverance

These seven prayers remove all legal rights for a demon to be present. This makes deliverance easy.

 

Related Resources: 

Prayers That Heal the Heart   
Add new comment

Results

Results 171 - 180 of 487

Pages

LEARN Rivers of Grace

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 20 Pages

This LEARN notebook is designed to go along with the CD series on Rivers of Grace and it offers you the following four benefits:

Price: $1.95
LEARN Spirit-Anointed Teaching

LEARN Spirit-Anointed Teaching

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 23 Pages

This 23-page Life Enrichment And Review Notebook is designed to go along with the CD/ DVD series and/or PowerPoint presentation. If receiving training in a group, we highly recommend that EVERY member of the group have their own copy. It offers you the following four benefits:

Price: $4.95
4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice DVDs

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice DVDs

by Mark Virkler | 10 Discs

This DVD Set of the 10-hour course will draw you into a classroom experience with others who are learning to hear from God right alongside you. It follows along with the LEARN 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice notebook (available for $4.95). Because Dr. Virkler is teaching directly from this booklet, it is recommended that you purchase both the LEARN notebook and the complete book entitled 4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice. You will want to meditate on the teaching and do the exercises found in the large book if you intend to fully internalize the skill of living daily out of God’s voice.


Looking for the new Abridged Edition? See this blog post to learn more and order.


Price: $69.95

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice DVDs - Abridged Edition

by Mark Virkler | 3 Discs | 10 Sessions

A complete description is available by clicking here, where you will find information on the 60-minute version of this product. The main difference is that these 10 sessions are shorter, averaging 40 minutes each. You asked for it and it's finally available! The same core teaching now abridged, making the sessions easier to fit into your Sunday School class, home group meeting or lunch hour Bible study.

Price: $39.95

A Stroll Along the Sea of Galilee DVD

New life for your daily devotions!

The #1 Tool in the World for Introducing People to Hearing God's Voice! Pop this into your DVD player during your morning devotional time and let us paint a scene of you and Jesus walking together along the Sea of Galilee. We'll encourage you to ask Him one of the following questions, "Lord, what would You like to say to me?" "How do You see me?" or "Do You love me?" We then guide you into using the four keys for hearing God's voice, which are: quieting yourself down, fixing your eyes on Jesus, tuning to spontaneity and writing.

Price: $2.95
Counseled by God DVD Series

Counseled by God DVDs

by Mark Virkler | 4 Discs

Just Released: 35th Anniversary Edition

The foremost training series in the world teaching you how to become emotionally whole by hearing the voice of the Wonderful Counselor (Isa. 9:6)! A genuine word from the Lord heals the broken-hearted. All the “how to” books can never do what a rhema word from God can do for the inner man. You will learn to let God speak to your heart and counsel you about the basic emotional pressures of life such as anger, doubt, depression, condemnation and inferiority. You will learn to let God replace these with His opposites, as His voice releases His grace within your heart. Those whom the Son sets free are free indeed!

Price: $59.95
Prayers That Heal the Heart DVDs

Prayers That Heal the Heart Revised & Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition DVDs

by Mark Virkler | 15 Sessions | 7 Discs

Prayer counseling that breaks every yoke! Everything you need to experience deep healing of your soul and spirit. Did you know that you don’t need to be continually plagued by negative thoughts, feelings, pictures or memories?

It is not part of the "human condition" to feel the constant nagging of doubt, insecurity, or anger. No matter what sin you are trying to overcome, what lie you think you’ll always believe, or what traumas your heart has suffered in the past, you will receive total freedom and restoration by praying these prayers in faith.

Price: $69.95

Everyday Angels DVDs

By Charity Virkler Kayembe

You can partner with Heaven’s angelic hosts!

Do you have guardian angels? Does God want you to know them? Find out what Scripture reveals and how YOU can interact with the company of Heaven!

The supernatural realm permeates our natural world! Therefore, experiencing angels should be an everyday occurrence–we simply need to open our spiritual eyes to their reality and role in our lives.

Price: $59.00
Hear God Through Your Dreams DVDs

Hear God Through Your Dreams DVDs

by Mark Virkler | 5 Sessions

The DVDs and CDs correspond with the Hear God Through Your Dreams book and for maximum growth and internalization, we recommend utilizing it along with either the CD or DVD set. The book provides an outline to follow as you watch the DVDs. Also included are application exercises and classroom activities. (Note: There are 5 sessions on 3 discs.)

Price: $39.95

Hearing God Through Your Dreams DVDs

by Mark Virkler and Charity Virkler Kayembe | 10 Sessions on 3 Discs

Learn How to Hear God’s Voice, Even When You Are Sleeping

Receive divine counsel nightly. Increase emotional health, wisdom and creativity.

Recorded live at Catch the Fire in Toronto!

Price: $49.95

Pages