Demon possession is a Bible topic long misunderstood. Skeptics deny it, believers are curious about it, and Hollywood is obsessed with it. The truth is the Bible says it happened (2 Tim. 3:16).
Those who choose to ignore the Bible’s claims that demon possession legitimately happened have several explanations for their skepticism. They say the word “demon” was used figuratively to personify moral evil or that the term was used by Christ accommodatively because of the superstitions of the day. Perhaps the writers of the Bible themselves fell prey to these superstitions and didn’t realize that those healed were merely victims of some sort of mental or physical illness. Some would be so bold as to question Jesus’ deity by concluding He must have been mistaken about demons. According to them, because no one has seen a demon possessed person in modern times it must not have ever existed.
The truth is demons and demon possessions were real. Jesus indicated that He actually believed in demons (Matt. 17:21) and taught that demon possession is directly related to the power of Satan (Matt. 12:25-30). One cannot pick and choose words of Jesus to believe or ignore and be consistent. Based on my belief in the Bible and our Lord, I must believe also that demons possessed people in the 1st century.
Why would God allow these demons to take control of a man or woman and cause them to harm themselves and others? Luke 11:20 teaches that this was allowed to show God’s power during the time of miracles. When the Bible, with its testimony of the power of God, was complete such miraculous signs were no longer necessary (1 Cor. 13:10). This would mean that demons cannot possess people today, despite what all the exorcism movies show.
Satan cannot control us, because God promised that we can overcome any temptation (1 Cor. 10:13). The Bible teaches that Satan influences us through the world which is where his power lies (Eph. 2:2; 2 Cor. 4:4). There is no need for the miraculous casting out of evil spirits today, but there is a need for casting out evil behaviors. Satan cannot control us but he can devour us (1 Pet. 5:8). Beware his evil influence and choose to live for Christ instead (Gal. 2:20).
-Ross Haffner