Possession by Demons in the Christian Life
The New Testament describes demonic possession as a condition in which evil spirits exercised influence over both the souls and bodies of individuals, manifesting in physical ailments such as dumbness, blindness, epilepsy, and insanity [2]. These afflictions were distinguished from ordinary bodily diseases in the Gospel accounts [2], and the demons themselves spoke in their own persons, recognizing Jesus as the Son of God [2, 3]. When Jesus encountered the Gerasene demoniac, the man who had been "possessed by demons" was found afterward "sitting, clothed, and in his right mind" [4], illustrating the complete restoration that exorcism brought.
The Nature of Demonic Beings
Scripture presents demons as spiritual beings at enmity with God, possessing power to afflict humanity not only with disease but also with spiritual pollution—hence the frequent epithet "unclean" [1]. They are identified with the fallen angels who "kept not their first estate" [3], the "principalities and powers" against which believers must wrestle (Ephesians 6:12) [3]. These beings acknowledged Jesus's authority, looked forward in terror to future judgment [1], and recognized the power of his name when used in exorcism by his appointed messengers [1].
Possession in the Apostolic Era
The Gospel narratives record demon possession as mysteriously permitted by God during the days of Jesus and the apostles [2]. The manifestations were often violent—Matthew describes two demon-possessed men "exceedingly fierce, so that nobody could pass that way" [5]. One interpretive tradition notes that demon possession was frequently accompanied by violence, revulsion at Christ's presence, seizures, and self-destructive behavior, and that Jesus's exorcisms demonstrated the Kingdom's power breaking into human history [6].
The Christian's Position
Believers in Christ are described as freed from bondage to fear and condemnation [7]. The New Testament distinguishes between the spiritual warfare all Christians face against demonic powers [3] and the specific condition of possession described in the Gospels. The emphasis falls on Christ's decisive authority over these forces—his ministry of exorcism served to "rescue this poor creature out of the hands of Satan" [8], demonstrating that he was stronger than "the strong man armed" [8]. The demons themselves acknowledged this superior power, recognizing Jesus and trembling before God's authority [1].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Demon — In the Gospels generally, in (James 2:19) and in Reve 16:14 The demons are spoken of as spiritual beings, at enmity with God, and having power to afflict man not only with disease, but, as is marked by the frequent epithet "un-clean," with spiritual pollution also. They "believe" the power of God "and tremble," (James 2:19) they recognized the Lord as the Son of God, (Matthew 8:29; Luke 4:41) and acknowledged the power of his name, used in exorcism. In the place of the name of Jehovah, by his appointed messengers, (Acts 19:15) and looked forward in terror to t”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Daemoniac — One "possessed with a devil." In the days of our Lord and his apostles, evil spirits, "daemons," were mysteriously permitted by God to exercise an influence both over the souls and bodies of men, inflicting dumbness (Matt. 9:32), blindness (12:22), epilepsy (Mark 9:17-27), insanity (Matt. 8:28; Mark 5:1-5). Daemoniacs are frequently distinguished from those who are afflicted with ordinary bodily maladies (Mark 1:32; 16:17, 18; Luke 6:17, 18). The daemons speak in their own persons (Matt. 8:29; Mark 1:23, 24; 5:7). This influence is clearly distinguished f”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Daemon — The Greek form, rendered "devil" in the Authorized Version of the New Testament. Daemons are spoken of as spiritual beings (Matt. 8:16; 10:1; 12:43-45) at enmity with God, and as having a certain power over man (James 2:19; Rev. 16:14). They recognize our Lord as the Son of God (Matt. 8:20; Luke 4:41). They belong to the number of those angels that "kept not their first estate," "unclean spirits," "fallen angels," the angels of the devil (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:7-9). They are the "principalities and powers" against which we must "wrestle" (Eph. 6:12).”
- Mark “They came to Jesus, and saw him who had been possessed by demons sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, even him who had the legion; and they were afraid. -- Mark 5:15”
- Matthew “When he came to the other side, into the country of the Gergesenes, two people possessed by demons met him there, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that nobody could pass that way. -- Matthew 8:28”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 8:28: 8:28-34 This episode focuses on Jesus’ authority as well as on the cost of following him; those who walk by faith will, like the Messiah, also experience opposition. 8:28 possessed by demons . . . so violent: Demon-possession was often accompanied by violence, revulsion at the presence of the Son of God (8:29), inability to speak (9:32; 12:22), blindness (12:22), seizures (17:15), and self-destructive behavior (17:15). With Jesus’ exorcisms, the power of the Kingdom broke into human history (12:28).”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 8:15: Ye have not received the spirit of bondage - All that were under the law were under bondage to its rites and ceremonies; and as, through the prevalence of that corrupt nature with which every human being is polluted, and to remove which the law gave no assistance, they were often transgressing, consequently they had forfeited their lives, and were continually, through fear of death, subject to bondage, Heb 2:15. The believers in Christ Jesus were brought from under that law, and from under its condemnation; and, consequently, were freed from its bondage. The Gentile”
- Mark (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Mark 5:1: We have here an instance of Christ's dispossessing the strong man armed, and disposing of him as he pleased, to make it appear that he was stronger than he. This he did when he was come to the other side, whither he went through a storm; his business there was to rescue this poor creature out of the hands of Satan, and when he had done that, he returned. Thus he came from heaven to earth, and returned, in a storm, to redeem a remnant of mankind out of the hands of the devil, though but a little remnant, and did not think his pains ill bestowed. In Matthew, they were ”