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7. Demon inhabitation is real.Demon possession is the stuff of movies. The Exorcist comes to mind as a classic horror movie. However, some scholars contest the use of possession to characterize a demon’s grip on a human subject. These scholars prefer to describe the man presented in Mark 5 as demonized. The traditional descriptor is “demon-possessed.” I prefer the descriptor “demon inhabited.” Mark 5:1–20 provides an illuminating example. Jesus permits the demons to come out of the man and to enter the pigs (cf. Mark 5:10–13). Another example is the parable Jesus told of an unclean spirit going out of a person. The unclean spirit returns to the person who is compared to a house, which the returning evil spirits now indwell (Luke 11:24–25). Spatial imagery is used in both instances. The idea of possession may give the impression of ownership, whereas the demons are squatters. The language of demonized may be too broad to be overly useful.
8. Believers cannot be demon inhabited.
Can believers be demon inhabited? This is a question which many ask. Theologically considered, it is hard to believe that it is possible that a believer can both be a dwelling place for a demon and the temple of the indwelling Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19 and 2 Cor. 6:16). However, there is every reason to believe that a believer may be demonized in the sense of oppressed by demonic malevolence (1 Pet. 5:8–9). Likewise, the devil may actively seek to harass a godly servant as Paul tells the Corinthians (2 Cor. 12:7). In brief: inhabited, no; oppressed, yes.
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