Can Christians be demonized?

Satan seeks to secure influence and control over our lives. This is clear to all. What many struggle with is the idea of demonization among Christians.

They often can't negotiate the idea that a Believer can be both demon possessed and a temple of the Holy Spirit.

In Scripture, we never see a difference between “possession” and “oppression.” In fact, those are man-made terms that aren't found in the Bible. The correct word is “demonized.”

While the following is admittedly oversimplified, it should help people grasp just how demonization works.

I'm going to substitute the influence of demons with the influence of people. This will help us understand how a third party can dramatically impact us, if we allow it. Of course, people don't demonize us and they aren't the enemy. The point of this exercise is to bring clarity on how outside sources affect us.

LEVELS OF DEMONIZATION: AN EXERCISE

1. GENERAL INFLUENCE: We are impacted by the world we live in. Immoral TV commercials, social media trends, popular culture and the flood of marketing we are hit by causes many to feel like they can't measure up. Rejection, low self-esteem and other negative emotional and mental results are common.

2. INVITED INFLUENCE: When we buy into the lies of culture, it's common to embrace them and alter who we are. The goal is to thrive and break out of our mediocrity, but most often we step right into the trap. We are conditioned to lose our identity in favor of another, all with our eager agreement. We open doors to the influence and affirm whatever is popular, no matter how immoral or inappropriate it may be.

3. MANIPULATION: The next level is much stronger as we find ourselves manipulated to be and do what others demand. This can include culture, but at this point it typically becomes more personal. Other people can put on the pressure to conform to their demands.

4. CONTROL: The chains of people's expectations get heavy at this level. In a very real-world example, it's possible to be in a controlling marriage that is devoid of love. The person being controlled feels angry and hopeless and struggles to find a way out.

5. IMPRISONMENT: Again, to take the example of marriage to this next level, terrible situations can get even worse very quickly. Understand, in a marriage there is a covenant, a union that brings complexities into the situation. Spouses are often terrified to escape this threatening situation and often stay in the prison without any attempt to find freedom.

6. TORMENT: The abuse, whether physical, emotional, psychological or other is all engulfing and overwhelming at this point. The hope of being free, joyful and experiencing abundant life is now gone.

7. HATRED: Every evil emotion now drives the person. Thoughts of death, revenge and much darker emotions take over.

8. DESTRUCTION: Full-blown defeat, destruction and open wounds of anguish now overtake the individual. They are broken, emotionally wrecked, mentally unstable and crushed. Suicide, self-harm, drugs and other attempts at relief are common.

9. DUPLICATION: While not an excuse, the next step for people in this scenario, whether it's the spouse or the children growing up in the environment, is often a life fueled by what they have experienced. Hatred, revenge, drugs, immorality, torment, control and more are passed on to the next generation. Fatherlessness, for example, has a direct impact on the children, and this model is duplicated in the next generation.

DEMONIZATION WORKS SIMILARLY

The above levels are in play in regard to demonic influence as well. To be demonized, at its most basic, is to come into agreement with the influence of the enemy.

If we agree, for example, that nudity in media is okay, we embrace the enemy's influence and we give license to it. Lust and sexual immorality often follow. Agreement is powerful, and Satan knows it. There are next levels that low-level agreement opens the door to.

In the above breakdown, it would be fair to say that demonization begins at number two. When we invite the influence, we align with the influencer.

It's also fair to say that demonization can come when we don't directly invite the enemy to join ranks with us. Torment, trauma and other devastating life issues can result in extreme weakness and hopelessness. If we don't fight back against the enemy's plans, it's common to fall into despair which opens the door for greater demonic influence.

The point of this exercise is to demystify demonization. It's extremely common among Christians. Our thoughts, our beliefs, our decisions and our reactions to culture and life can give the enemy access.

Demons are invisible entities that talk to us. Really, that's their most powerful weapon. When we listen and when we don't respond wearing the armor of God, demonic influence settles in. For many it can last a lifetime.

Of course, we have the victory if we do, in fact, wear our armor, pray with passion, stand on the Word of God and resist the enemy. We are more than conquerors!

No matter how dark and deep the demonization is, whether it's invited influence or fully manifested destruction, we can be delivered. For those influenced by generational curses or those who have passed on the curse to their children, it's time to fight!

Repent, surrender, cry out to God, seek deliverance, resist the enemy and change the future of you, your children and your grandchildren! The blood of Jesus is enough!