Can a Christian be demon-possessed?

(from studies on the Doctrine of Man and Sin)

In your understanding, explain how a person's view on the dichotomy versus trichotomy debate might affect the way he/she would answer the question, "Can a Christian be demon-possessed?"

Surely this is the wrong question to be asking? The substance of man, be it dichotomy or trichotomy in essence is still agreed to be one unified being. While I understand that each view may try to major on trying to find little loopholes for where a demon may sneak in through the cracks and possess a Christian, I fail to see how the make-up of a person, be it two part or three part can ever allow space for a demon. In other words, whether dichotomy or trichotomy, once a Christian, the unified being is filled with the Holy Spirit. The question is then “Can a Christian be demonized?” Next in line would be “Can the Holy Spirit co-exist with a demon?”, as Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit. And perhaps then when considering dichotomy and trichotomy we would even venture to ask “In what part of his being would a Christian be demonized?”, for surely not in his spirit as his spirit is renewed, and surely not in body for then the Holy Spirit and the demon co-exist, so perhaps in the soul (or mind) but this we can only imagine from a trichotomy standpoint, and if possessed in the mind then is this possession or oppression?

However, I digress. To answer the question at hand we must first look at the biblical truths [gotquestions:2011]

• We can see in the bible that demon possession results in complete physical control of a person’s thoughts and actions as in Matthew 17:14-18, Luke 4:33-35 and 8:27-33.- Demon oppression or influence however involves a person being attacked by a demon spiritually or by a demon encouraging them to sin.
• We do not see evidence in the Bible of demons being cast out of believers due to possession, but we do see evidence of a battle against oppression as in Ephesians 6:10-18; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9.

Whether adhering to dichotomy or trichotomy, both agree that Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9, 1 Cor 3:16). How could the HOLY Spirit possibly co-exist with an un-holy demon, never mind to the point of the Biblical example of possession which shows major control of the person’s life. In my view then a Christian CANNOT be demon-possessed, but can be demon-oppressed.  “Demonic oppression is when a demon is temporarily victorious over a Christian, successful in tempting a Christian to sin, and able to hinder a Christian’s ability to serve God with a strong testimony” [gotquestions:2011]. If the Christian allows this to continue then they will act and think out of a place of this demonic stronghold, in which case people may think they are possessed.

In closing, I feel that answering this question from either a dichotomy or trichotomy point of view is insufficient; it must be answered from a Christian point of view.

Cited:

Got questions ministries, Online article “Can a Christian be possessed?”. Accessed at http://www.gotquestions.org 2011.