(Disclaimer: I am not a biblical scholar. Nor am I a Greek or Hebrew scholar. I’m simply a son of God through the power of Christ’s death and resurrection on the cross. The claims I make are based on the scriptures and on the teachings of others whom I respect and have found to also be rooted in the scriptures. Ultimately, this is all just my opinion, as I don’t view myself as an appointed authority on the matter. These are simply my thoughts.)
I’d like to throw together a bit of what I know (which isn’t much) on the matter of deliverance and present it as an open letter for discussion.
Before that though, please heed this scripture as an encouragement before you read on:
Romans 15:13– “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Demonized, not demon-possessed
Daimonizomai is a Greek word that means, “to be under the power of a demon.” This definition is widely held by Greek scholars and is believed to be the most accurate translation of the word.
This Greek word was often translated as “demon-possessed” or “demon-oppressed” but many scholars today, as well as ministers of the Gospel who cast out demons, don’t believe these translations are accurate.
There are no Greek words for possession or oppression when relating to demons, so these translations don’t really give an accurate picture of what the word really means in context.
Many respectable scholars and ministers, like Derek Prince, believe the best way to translate the word from Greek to English would actually be “demonized.” As in, “that person is demonized.”
So, if we can agree for at least the sake of this letter, that every time we read a verse that, in Greek, used the word “daimonizomai,” we will insert, in English, the word “demonized,” then we can continue. If not, please stop reading and go do your own study of the word, because I imagine the rest of this letter will greatly agitate you.
A lot of people seem to get hung up on a couple of things with the words “demon-possessed.”
We’ve already agreed that this translation misses the mark and the word is better translated as “demonized.”
So let’s get rid of this idea of ownership that is implied by possession.
The enemy himself doesn’t even own anything. He is the “god of this world” (2nd Corinthians 4:4) but still, he doesn’t own anything. He is not a creator. God alone is the creator.
So how could demons, which most would agree are subordinate to Satan, own or “possess” an image-bearer of God?
I’m suggesting that not only can Christians not be “demon-possessed” but even an unbeliever cannot be owned by a demon. They can only be demonized or under the power of a demon.
Now, I’m aware of some extreme cases in the occult and in satanic practices where people give themselves to Satan in various capacities, but in these cases, there is often a legal exchange made. The devil is a legalist. He knows the law very well.
So for the sake of this letter, I am excluding these somewhat extreme cases, so as not to distract from the main ideas.
Can a Christian be demonized?
Now this is the area that stirs up the most controversy.
In my opinion, the most effective way to show a person that a Christian can be demonized is to provide counter-arguments to the popular arguments.
Argument: A Christian can’t be demonized because they are filled with the Holy Spirit.
When does a person receive the Holy Spirit? I believe the word of God tells us that a person receives the Holy Spirit upon repenting and believing in the gospel. Here’s the support:
“Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 2:38
Peter is clear here. Repent, believe, and be baptized all in the name of Jesus, and you will receive forgiveness for your sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
I know some might want to discuss the requirement of baptism, so here it is, briefly. In short, a lack of baptism isn’t a roadblock to salvation. Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would join him in paradise because of his belief in Him. See Luke 23:39-43. However, if you can be baptized, you have no reason not to.
So, if we receive the Holy Spirit upon belief in Christ and repenting of our sins, then there are loads of scriptures to show how a Christian can be demonized.
Ananias and Sapphira were early members of the church and all scripture we have relating to them indicates that they were genuine believers. Or as we say today, Christians.
So, if a Christian can’t be demonized, how do we explain the following verse?
“But Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?’” Acts 5:3
Ananias and his wife decided to sell their property and donate the money to the early church. However, they decided to keep a portion of what they earned and lied about the true amount.
Peter makes quite the accusation here. He says that Satan has filled Ananias’ heart! That’s a pretty serious deal if we’re going to insist that Christians can’t be demonized.
This passage clearly indicates that a post-resurrection believer dealt with a real force of evil outside of his flesh. Now this case is particularly unique because of how the Lord dealt with him (read the rest of Acts 5 to find out) but nonetheless, it shows that being a believer doesn’t excuse us from keeping ourselves protected from spiritual attacks.
We are called to be vigilant and strengthened in the Lord. If we weren’t, we wouldn’t be called to “hold every thought captive” (2nd Corinthians 10:5), to “put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11), or to “be transformed by the renewal of our minds” (Romans 12:2).
The Mark 16 Commission
17 “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:17-18
The Gospel is incredibly clear about casting out demons. So, there is virtually no argument against the casting out of demons. Jesus cast out thousands of demons (at least) in the days he walked this Earth.
Jesus was also very clear about how “those who have believed [in him]” will be recognized. Interestingly enough, the first sign he mentioned would accompany them was that “they will cast out demons.” So, not only did He say that the followers of Christ would cast out demons, but he said it first. It was that important.
Deliverance is the children’s bread
I also believe that Jesus made it clear that deliverance is meant for His people, the children of the Lord.
In Matthew 15, a Greek woman, more specifically Syrophoenican, came to Jesus seeking deliverance from a demon for her daughter. This is what follows:
“24 But He answered and said, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ 25 But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’ 26 And He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’ 27 But she said, ‘Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.’ 28 Then Jesus said to her, ‘O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed at once.” Matthew 15:24-28
The woman came seeking deliverance for her daughter. Jesus equates this with the bread intended for the children. So, Jesus said that deliverance is the children’s bread. In other words, deliverance is for God’s covenant people.
The Lord Jesus clearly came to deliver His people. He also came and paid the debt for all sin. Not only the Jews. In doing so, He gave all peoples the opportunity to come under His covering and into a new covenant with the Father. Why would we think that His heart for His people is any different in a new covenant?
Submission to Christ is a choice, daily (Luke 9:23)
“And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’” Luke 9:23
Argument: Once you become a Christian, you’re immune to demonization.
We have hope and security in Jesus. The reception of the Holy Spirit truly is a miraculous and awe-inspiring gift. However, we must accept it, it’s not forced on us.
Our God is love, and because of His love for us, He gives us a choice when it comes to following Him. If He didn’t give us a choice, how could He truly be loving? If a parent kept a child in a padded room all its life and made every decision for the child, would any of us call that person loving? As a Christian, I would hope the answer to that question is always “no.”
With that being said, I’d encourage you to read the following verses and see if you notice how the language always indicates that there is a choice involved in following Christ:
“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1
“Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not give the devil an opportunity.” Ephesians 4:26-27
“3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.” 2 Corinthians 11:3-4
Do not be subject.
Do not sin.
Do not give the devil an opportunity.
What’s consistent in these phrases? They are structured as commandments. Do not phrases. This implies that we are able to disobey these commandments.
Why would Paul tell us not to do something unless we were able to do it? More importantly, why would God command us not to do something if we weren’t capable of it?
Rebutting common rebuttals:
Jesus didn’t say to cast out demons. I don’t mean to be disparaging, but that stance completely ignores the scriptures. There’s no way around that. He did it. He called the disciples to do it. He called us to do it.
That was for the days of the apostles, not today. In my studies, I have found that there isn’t any valid biblical evidence suggesting that this commission is not for all believers.
When you become a believer, all demons just leave. If demons leave simply when someone gets saved, why did Jesus call the disciples and the apostles to cast out demons? Why did he call us to cast out demons? If they simply leave when people get saved, there would be no need to take authority over demons. I do understand this point. However, when Jesus arrived at synagogues where there were demonized people, the demons didn’t simply flee. They manifested. They revealed themselves. They couldn’t hide from Him. They are under His authority. They left when he told them to. He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Great I am, Messiah, Lord of hosts, the Alpha and Omega. Demons bow to Him. He reigns above it all. (In reference to the demons in the synagogue, see Luke 4:33-36)
An appeal to compassion
Now that we’ve agreed that the word daimonizomai should be translated as demonized, now that we’ve seen that the Lord only gives “do not” commandments in regards to things that we are actually capable of, and now that we’ve seen there aren’t any verses that explicitly tell us a Christian cannot be demonized, I want to say this:
If you claim to be filled with the Holy Spirit, then you must know how important it is to have compassion for others.
With that in mind, think about this for a moment:
A person who has been a Christian for years, and has clearly exhibited fruits of the Holy Spirit, and by all accounts is a Christian, comes to you and says, “Every time the pastor preaches, I keep hearing blasphemies come into my mind. I feel so tormented, and I don’t know what to do. I’m having so much doubt, so much fear, and so much pain.”
Are you going to tell them that you’re not sure if they’re a Christian? Are you going to act as the Pharisees did, just because they don’t fit into your little box full of law and limited understanding?
If that is what you would do, I pray for your eyes to be opened. If that is what you would do, please send them to someone who is willing to talk about deliverance. In fact, you can even send them to me, because the last thing a person dealing with a demon needs, is an arrogant and self-absorbed comment that questions their salvation and standing with God.
Walk in love. Walk in truth. Test the spirits, ask questions, and above all else, keep your eyes on Jesus, because He will never fail you.
I want to be abundantly clear. Jesus Christ is king. My mission is to serve Him, above all else. I want only for the Gospel of Christ’s perfect life, death, and resurrection to be preached. I want to be clear that even if we disagree, I love you. Even if you curse me, I will bless you. Even if you defame me, I will forgive you. This message is far too powerful to be concerned with worldly quarrels. The only motivation I have for sharing the message of deliverance is because Jesus taught it, and people need it. That’s it. My only motive is built on Christ and Christ alone.
I pray blessings over each and every one of you. May you all come into sweet fellowship with our Lord Jesus, the one who loves you more than you could ever imagine.
May the Lord bless you and keep you,
John P. Ciannello
John Ciannello 