Can a Christian Be Demon-Possessed? An Exorcist Explains (Watch)
‘Every Christian Is a Shared Living Space,’ Exorcist Says
It’s a question that probes the very nature of faith, redemption, and spiritual authority: Can a born-again Christian, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, also be possessed by a demon? For many, the answer seems an obvious no. How can light and darkness occupy the same space?
According to the Rev. Dr. Harold Ristau, author of Spiritual Warfare and Deliverance: How to Minister to the Demonically Oppressed and Possessed, the answer is more complex and unsettling. In a recent interview with Faithfully Magazine, Ristau, who admits to struggling with the question for most of his life, argues that while rare, Christians are not entirely immune to severe demonic influence, including possession.
Oppression vs. Possession
The first crucial step, Ristau explains, is to distinguish between demonic oppression and demonic possession.
“Oppression is not the same as possession,” he clarifies. Oppression is a state where a Christian has “less strength to control your life because of the work of the devil.” This is a battle every believer faces. “We still fight with the devil daily. We sin daily… until we get to heaven, we’re not free from the devil’s presence in our lives, in spite of the fact that we’re believing baptized Christians who have the Holy Spirit.”
Possession, on the other hand, is a far more severe and rare condition. “Possession is when you’ve got no control,” Ristau states, describing a state where a person may experience blackouts or have a demon speak through them, similar to depictions in pop culture — although he strongly cautions against using Hollywood as a theological guide. “I’d rather them go to the Holy Scriptures,” he insists.
A ‘Shared Living Space’
To illustrate how a believer can be subject to demonic influence, Ristau offers a compelling analogy: the Christian life as a “shared living space.”
“God’s in control. It’s His,” he begins. “But, you know, just like you might live in a really nice house, there are still rats in the basement or cockroaches in the corners or ants? And until we get to heaven, we’re not gonna be pristine.”
In this analogy, the Holy Spirit is the rightful owner of the house (the believer), but sin and spiritual warfare allow for the presence of unwanted “pests.” For a Christian, Ristau says, “possession is like the worst case of that shared space.”
Opening the Door
How does such a severe infestation occur? Ristau identifies three primary entry points through which Christians can inadvertently “rip the doors open” to demonic powers:
1. Dabbling in the occult: Playing with Ouija boards, visiting occult websites, or engaging in other forbidden spiritual practices.
2. Sexual sins: Willful and unrepentant engagement in sexual immorality.
3. False religions and doctrines: Believing or participating in teachings contrary to orthodox Christian faith.
He also notes that demonic influence can be external, such as curses or voodoo rituals directed at a believer. However, he is quick to add a crucial caveat: “Christ is always the deliverer, Christ is always a solution, and Christ always knows what’s happening. So we never have to despair… we don’t have to wonder if the devil’s stronger than God or something.”
The solution for a Christian facing such a terrifying situation is straightforward: “Repentance… and faith in Christ, return to the church,” Ristau emphasizes. This means actively turning away from the sin that opened the door, such as ending a sinful relationship or ceasing all occult activities.
Biblical Precedent and a Call for Balance
Ristau acknowledges that he once believed a Christian could not be possessed. However, his extensive experience and study of Scripture and church history, from the early Church Fathers to modern accounts, changed his mind.
He points to the Apostle Paul himself as a potential example. In 2 Corinthians, Paul speaks of a “messenger of Satan” sent to torment him, which he prayed three times to have removed. While many interpret this as an illness or a difficult person, Ristau notes that “if you look at some early fathers on this, they would cater to the idea that he was at least demonically oppressed, if not worse.” The conclusion is sobering: “If St. Paul can have that happen to him in a season of his life, you know, why couldn’t anyone else?”
Despite these stark warnings, Ristau concludes with an urgent plea for balance. He stresses again that genuine possession is exceptionally rare. “I’d hate for anyone to walk away… thinking that because they’re having a bad day or they’ve got bad dreams… they’re, like, possessed,” he warns. The danger is blaming the devil for personal addictions or moral failures.
Editor’s note: This article, written with the assistance of AI, is based on an excerpt of a Q&A with Ristau about “Spiritual Warfare and Deliverance.”
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