This is modified from a teaching by Dan Rak

CAN A CHRISTIAN BE AFFECTED BY SATAN AND DEMONS?

Some New Testament Examples

  • Matthew 4:1-11 – Jesus is tempted by Satan
  • Luke 13:10-17 – A daughter of faith oppressed by spirit of infirmity
  • Matt. 16:15-17, 22-23 – Peter, after having revelation from God, is under Satan’s influence
  • Luke 22:31-32 – Jesus gives Satan permission to sift Peter like wheat
  • Acts 4:32; 5:1-11 – Satan fills the heart of two believers
  • 1 Cor. 5:5 – A believer is delivered over to Satan
  • Paul after conversion (2 Cor. 12:7-10; 1 Thess. 2:18) 

Some New Testament Teachings

  • All of N.T. warnings and teachings against Satan are directed to Christians
  • Believers told they NEED to fight against Satan in their life (Eph. 5:26-27; 6:10-12; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8; Rev. 12:10-11) 
  • Demonic teaching/wisdom can influence Christians (2 Cor. 10:3-6; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; James 3:13-17; 1 John 4:1-3)
  • Christians can receive evil spirits (2 Cor. 11:2-4; 1 John 4:1-3)
    • Even mature Christians (1 Tim. 3:7)
  • Satan can disturb Christians (Mark 4:4, 15; John 10:10)
  • Satan dwells where Christians are (John 17:15-16; Rev. 2:13; 12:9-17)

Some Old Testament Types

  • Gen. 3:15 – the Seed of the Woman (Christ Jesus, and as an extension those who believe on Him) has power to crush Satan, but Satan may still “strike our heel”
  • Promised Land of Old Testament relates to Salvation of Christians (see Hebrews 3-4).  Even though the Promised Land was a land of good things, there were still enemies that had to be conquered for Israel to capture cities.  It is not that the enemies owned or possessed the land, but they did inhabit the land, and God gave power to His people to drive them out.  In our Christian walk, we still have spiritual enemies (Satan and his minions) to fight and conquer in the Promised Land, demonstrating that the land belongs to the Lord, not the giant enemies.
    • Exodus 23:28-30 – The enemies were left in the land so that God could grow his people stronger in their battling against them, not so that they would be defeated by them.  

Gospel Case Studies

  • Gerasene demoniacs (Matt. 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20)
  • Child with evil spirit (Matt. 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43)
    • “do not enter him again” (Mark 9:25), implies that demons have the potential to return (cf. Luke 11:24-26)
  • Man with unclean spirit (Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37)
  • Syro-phoenician woman’s daughter (Matt. 15:22-28; Mark 7:24-30)
  • Woman with spirit of infirmity (Luke 13:10-17) 

Do Deliverance in a Team

  • Mark 6:7; Luke 10:1,19

Don’t Try to Pray Against Something That Isn’t There

  • Discernment of spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10; Hebrews 5:11-14)
  • Example (Acts 16:16-18)

Christians Have AUTHORITY in Jesus (Matt. 10:1; Mark 3:14-15; 6:7; Luke 9:1; Philippians 2:9-10)

  • Greater things (John 14:12-14)
    • “in My name” (v. 13)
  • Prayer and fasting (Matt. 17:21; Luke 18:1-8; Eph. 6:18)
    • “Avenge me of mine adversary” (Luke 18:3, KJV)  
  • Unbelief can hinder (Matt. 13:58; 17:19-20)
  • Word of God is a sword (Psalm 107:20; Eph. 6:17)
  • Rev. 12:10-11 — Atomic Bomb against Satan
    • Blood of the Lamb (cancels Satan’s accusations)
    • Word of testimony (sharing the testimony of what Jesus has been doing in our life)
    • Being willing to die for the Gospel (see Heb. 2:14-15) 

Results of Demon Being Cast Out:

  • Rejoicing/praising God (Mark 5:20; Luke 9:42-43; 13:13,17)
    • “amazed at the greatness of God” (Luke 9:43)
  • Healing (Acts 5:16)

Protection – Psalm 91

  • “young lion and the serpent you will trample down” (Psalm 91:13)
    • lion shows power of Satan (1 Peter 5:8)
    • serpent shows cunning of Satan (2 Cor. 11:3)
  • 2 Thess. 3:2-3 – Lord is faithful to protect!

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.  Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 10:19-20