Cameroon Bible Institute

Chapter 21: Dealing with Demonic powers.
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy ghost and with power: who went about doing good, healing all that were oppressed of the devil: for God was with him. Acts 10:38.
I want to share what I have learned from this chapter …
Can demons affect believers?
A true believer cannot be possessed by a demon because the holy Spirit cannot inhabit the same temple as an evil spirit. When you belong to God and are filled with the holy Spirit you cannot belong to Satan and be filled with his spirit at the same time. The holy ghost will not abide in the same temple with Satan.
Note that this does not mean believers cannot be affected by demonic powers. It is these Powers against which we wrestle. Satan uses demonic powers to attack believers from the outside through oppression. But he cannot possess the true believer. To possess indicate inside occupation. To oppress or to bind indicates control from outside. The activities of a believer can be satanically directed if they allow demonic powers to oppress them .
How does demons gain control?
Through generation: demons may oppress or possess a person because of previous possess or oppression of the parents. This accounts for Demonic influence over children.
Through the mind: the mind is one of the major battle field of Satan. If Satan can control your thoughts, he will eventually control your actions.
Through desires: some people desires and request of Satan to be under the control of demons powers and they do this for purpose of having supernatural power or performing supernatural Acts.
Through an empty house: demons consider the body of the person they inhabit as their house. When a person who has been delivered from demonic powers doesn’t fill his spiritual house with the new birth experience and infilling of the holy Spirit, reentry may occur.