sunshine307 said:
Pixie, as far as I know a Christian cannot be possessed by the devil because the Holy Spirit lives in us. 1 Cor 3:16 " Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?" satan cannot dwell in the same temple as the Holy Spirit. A Christian can however be oppressed by the devil - one meaning of oppression is "when someone feels anxious and uncomfortable." Hope this helps a little.
This makes very good sense if you support Calvin's theory of predestination. Charles Finney's theory or better known as the Oberlene theory is a good contrast to the predestination theory and when understood , can help bring deeper understanding to this text of scripture.
We all have free will to choose in everthing we do and think concerning our walk. Jesus said, *“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. *He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you. *Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. *Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. *But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! *My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father. John 15:1-8 NLT
So it's not once a christian(Christ follower) always a christian. It's a moment by moment walk and
if we endure to the end we will be saved ref. Matthew 24:13
Agood biblical example is where Jesus sent the twelve out, refer to Matthew 10:5-8
5*Jesus sent the twelve disciples out with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, 6*but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. 7*Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.* 8*Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received!
Judas was also one of the twelve who cast out devils.
Matthew 12:22-37
22*Then a demon-possessed man, who was both blind and unable to talk, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. 23*The crowd was amazed. “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” they wondered out loud.
24*But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan,* the prince of demons.”
25*Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom at war with itself is doomed. A city or home divided against itself is doomed. 26*And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. 27*And if I am empowered by the prince of demons,* what about your own followers? They cast out demons, too, so they will judge you for what you have said. 28*But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 29*Let me illustrate this. You can’t enter a strong man’s house and rob him without first tying him up. Only then can his house be robbed!* 30*Anyone who isn’t helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.
31*“Every sin or blasphemy can be forgiven—except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which can never be forgiven. 32*Anyone who blasphemes against me, the Son of Man, can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.
33*“A tree is identified by its fruit. Make a tree good, and its fruit will be good. Make a tree bad, and its fruit will be bad. 34*You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35*A good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart. 36*And I tell you this, that you must give an account on judgment day of every idle word you speak. 37*The words you say now reflect your fate then; either you will be justified by them or you will be condemned.”
Judas made his own choice and Satan entered into him.
Luke 22:1-6
1*The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which begins with the Passover celebration, was drawing near. 2*The leading priests and teachers of religious law were actively plotting Jesus’ murder. But they wanted to kill him without starting a riot, a possibility they greatly feared.
3*Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, 4*and he went over to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. 5*They were delighted that he was ready to help them, and they promised him a reward. 6*So he began looking for an opportunity to betray Jesus so they could arrest him quietly when the crowds weren’t around.