Spiritual Warfare
Q: Can Satan possess a believer?
It should be noted that possession includes both control and ownership. Believers are bought and paid for
by the blood of Christ and therefore cannot be demon possessed. I like the statement of Charles Ryrie,
“Demon possession means a demon residing in a person, exerting direct control over that person, with
certain derangement of mind and/or body. Demon possession is to be distinguished from demon influence
or demon activity in relation to a person. The work of the demon in the latter is from the outside; in demon
possession it is from within. By this definition a Christian cannot be possessed by a demon since he is
indwelt by the Holy Spirit. However, a believer can be the target of demonic activity to such an extent that
he may give the appearance of demon possession.” We are indwelt by God, a place demons would not want
to be, 1 John 4:4 “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is
in you than he who is in the world.”
Q: Does Satan know everything that I’m thinking?
No, where does Scripture teach that Satan is omnipresent or omniscient. To be sure, Satan is powerful, but
he does not have the characteristics of deity. He would be God if he were everywhere, present at all times.
The false notion that he is omnipresent comes from a misunderstanding of the action of demons attributed
to Satan in Scripture. Sometimes scripture tells us that we contend with Satan, meaning that we are dealing
with the demons under his authority.
Q: Can Satan control my actions?
Satan has never been given the authority to control our thoughts. He uses deception to thwart God’s plan in
the hearts of man. He does this both with the nations, Rev. 20:3, and with non-believers, 2 Cor. 4:4.
Q: What is the best defense against satanic attack ?
Satan is defeated by truth. The one thing Satan can’t defeat is a heart of faith derived from the Word of
God. Truth, resident in the heart of a believer, will always defeat satanic attack. Note how Jesus defeated
Satan in Matt 4:3 and the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these
stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on
every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'" 5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city; and he
had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God throw Yourself
down; for it is written, ‘He will give His angels charge concerning You'; and 'On [their] hands they will
bear You up, Lest You strike Your foot against a stone.'" 7 Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is
written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" 8 Again, the devil ^took Him to a very high
mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, "All these
things will I give You, if You fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For
it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'" 11 Then the devil left Him; and
behold, angels came and [began] to minister to Him.