Can a Christian be possessed?

[Gideon300]

There has been a great deal of heat and not much light generated by this discussion. It's unfortunate because a countless Christians are enslaved by evil spirits and no few have the spiritual knowledge to help them. For simplicity, I'll use the word demon to mean evil spirits also.

The problem starts with the word "possessed". Possession is rare, even with unbelievers. However, demons seek to influence Christians to bring them, so they hope, into a state of bondage.

Most people are bound by demons to some degree at least. Young people are being exposed to pornography even as children. The occult abounds, even being taught in school. Homosexuality and Satan's gender blender ideas are not just being promoted. In some places it is illegal to criticise, discriminate or have the moral courage to reject Satan's blatant rebellion against God's order.

Demons can and do invade the soul of man. It starts with the mind, which is why controlling our thoughts is so vital. The world knows no better. Demons can convince normal people that the greatest evils are acceptable, which is why monsters like Hitler and Stalin are allowed to flourish. Satan is not an idiot. He knows what makes people tick. If every demonised person behaved like a raving lunatic, no one would take any notice. It's the appearance of normality that fools people.

No one is born a Christian. When someone tells me that they've been a Christians all their lives, I don't buy it. So the vast majority of people come to Christ with the same demons that they have picked up through their lives prior to being born again. The new life is spiritual, not of the soul. The demons do not just leave when the person is born again. I wish! Life would have been much simpler.

Demons can be likened to leeches that feed off the soul of man. They attempt to stifle the spiritual growth of believers. How often fear paralyses Christians so that they fail to do God's will. How often spiritual pride and presumption lead Christians into error.

Demons do not just leave. They must be cast out.

An example of Christians bound by demons is the launch of the so-called Toronto Blessing. It is straight from the pit of hell. Countless Christians took on board this counterfeit of the Holy Spirit and have suffered much as a result.

At the risk of being repetitive, I offer this video as evidence.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

There has been a great deal of heat and not much light generated by this discussion. It's unfortunate because a countless Christians are enslaved by evil spirits and no few have the spiritual knowledge to help them. For simplicity, I'll use the word demon to mean evil spirits also.

The problem starts with the word "possessed". Possession is rare, even with unbelievers. However, demons seek to influence Christians to bring them, so they hope, into a state of bondage.

Most people are bound by demons to some degree at least. Young people are being exposed to pornography even as children. The occult abounds, even being taught in school. Homosexuality and Satan's gender blender ideas are not just being promoted. In some places it is illegal to criticise, discriminate or have the moral courage to reject Satan's blatant rebellion against God's order.

Demons can and do invade the soul of man. It starts with the mind, which is why controlling our thoughts is so vital. The world knows no better. Demons can convince normal people that the greatest evils are acceptable, which is why monsters like Hitler and Stalin are allowed to flourish. Satan is not an idiot. He knows what makes people tick. If every demonised person behaved like a raving lunatic, no one would take any notice. It's the appearance of normality that fools people.

No one is born a Christian. When someone tells me that they've been a Christians all their lives, I don't buy it. So the vast majority of people come to Christ with the same demons that they have picked up through their lives prior to being born again. The new life is spiritual, not of the soul. The demons do not just leave when the person is born again. I wish! Life would have been much simpler.

Demons can be likened to leeches that feed off the soul of man. They attempt to stifle the spiritual growth of believers. How often fear paralyses Christians so that they fail to do God's will. How often spiritual pride and presumption lead Christians into error.

Demons do not just leave. They must be cast out.

An example of Christians bound by demons is the launch of the so-called Toronto Blessing. It is straight from the pit of hell. Countless Christians took on board this counterfeit of the Holy Spirit and have suffered much as a result.

At the risk of being repetitive, I offer this video as evidence.

How can the dark cast away the light? If the Holy Spirit dwells in the believer then there is no room for a demon to possess.

 

[Gideon300]

How can the dark cast away the light? If the Holy Spirit dwells in the believer then there is no room for a demon to possess.

The Holy Spirit dwells in the spirit of the believer, not the soul. The soul is intended to serve the Spirit as God's will is revealed by Him. We choose who we serve. We can serve Lord Jesus who leads us by His Holy Spirit. We can serve self, the "natural man" who dwells in the soul. We can serve the appetites of the flesh. And Satan works in the realm of the soul, attempting to bend us to the natural and the flesh. If you have not watched the video, do so. you will see born again Christians controlled by demons. It's not an act. They are deceived and have become captive to Satan to do his will.

It matters because countless Christians are bound by demons and know no better than to put up with it. The first step to freedom is to see that there is a problem. Ignorance is not bliss, it is dangerous.

 

[KarynLouise]

I clicked on this thread because I had seen people saying that Christians can't be possessed, but I've heard these terrible stories if things people in other countries have gone through. I'm so glad that is not a common battle here. Anyhow, I was just curious to see more of what people think on this subject.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

How can the dark cast away the light? If the Holy Spirit dwells in the believer then there is no room for a demon to possess.

“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:22-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

if we pursue evil and sin in the world and allow ourself to desire it and serve it , it will fill us up but if we sow to the spirit we receive and follow after Gods will in the earth for us we will reap the harvest promised.

a crude and extreme example if someone sits around watching pornography , it will fill them Up with a spirit of lust and corrupt thier mind and how they see the opposite sex. Becoming an unclean spirit.

the world is full of things that if we partake of them and refuse to repent will surely corrupt our spirit newly cleaned spirit and destroy our inheritance.

That again was a crude and extreme example of the point but things from gambling , drugs and alcohol , coveting worldly things so much we don’t share with the needy among us in his name.

idolatry in many forms technology , athlete and celebrity worship , so many rumors so many things to get us off track and fill us with the wrong kind of spirit or rather corrupt our spirit because we’re feeding on the wrong food serving the wrong lord

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey;

whether of sin unto death,

or of obedience unto righteousness?”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We fill ourselves up with unclean spirit when we persistently partake of unclean activities

 

[Dino246]

How can the dark cast away the light? If the Holy Spirit dwells in the believer then there is no room for a demon to possess.

Where is that in Scripture?

 

[studentoftheword]

An example of Christians bound by demons is the launch of the so-called Toronto Blessing. It is straight from the pit of hell. Countless Christians took on board this counterfeit of the Holy Spirit and have suffered much as a result

The video to me is what I have heard of being Slain in the Spirit ------which for me is not Biblical at all ----and apparently this Scripture below has been taken out of context and used to justify their actions ----
-The Speaking in tongues is Spiritual and is Reverent today as I myself have this Gift ---So that I know is Biblical and true

Acts 2 ----
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost
3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

Peter Addresses the Crowd
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I say -----
The Video is very strange as it seems that they are speaking in English but a lot of the words they are saying with their lips don't match the English which is being presented --- they seem to be speaking in tongues sometimes and it is just a strange video to me ---that their mouths don't match the speach at times

the Pentecostal movement is big on people being Slain in the Spirit ------laughing ---falling backwards ---etc ---crazy stuff as far as I am concerned ------I think it is just a big SHOW -----I don't think personally they are demon possessed at all ---they are acting stupid in the name of twisting Scripture to suit their own agenda ------
That is my view on that
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As far as the Title of this Thread goes -----Can a Christian be possessed?

Well again this word Christian is used falsely and loosly today -----so if your not indwelled by the Holy Spirit you can certainly be Possessed by a demon ----

if you have the Holy Spirit indwelling in you then you are under the Blessing and you cannot be possessed by a demon as your Spirit Man is HOLY ---nothing can curse what God has Blessed and that is Scriptural --------

NUMBERS 23:20 ----------------------you can read the whole chapter for yourselves to get the context ---I am just posting this verse -----
CSB
I have indeed received a command to bless; since he has blessed, I cannot change it.

True Christians can definitely be harassed and tempted by Satan -----and it is up to us to keep Satan at bay ----God sent His Son who defeated Satan's dominance over us ---but we can allow him access through our thoughts --we have to cast out the thought and stay focused on God and His Word and God says the devil will flee from us -----God did His Job --we have to do our job ---

That is how I see that -----

 

[Proverbs_Four]

Can a Christian be possessed?

NO . . . !

 

[Nehemiah6]

The problem starts with the word "possessed". Possession is rare, even with unbelievers. However, demons seek to influence Christians to bring them, so they hope, into a state of bondage.

So now we are almost in agreement that demonic INFLUENCE is the actual problem. But since the Bible says that (a) greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world and (b) what fellowship hath Light with Darkness? it should be crystal clear that anyone who has God the Holy Spirit and Christ within (i.e. a child of God) cannot be possessed by any demon. Demons fear the name of Christ.

To claim that because the soul and spirit are distinct, therefore the Holy Spirit is within the spirit while the demon is within the soul is invalid. And in fact there is not a single example in Scripture where a Christian is shown to have a demon within. On the contrary Christians are given power over demons so that they are cast out of others.

Demons can only influence Christians who are neglecting their spiritual lives and their spiritual growth (and possibly dabbling in the occult or have failed to get rid of all things occultic). Otherwise Christians should be in communication with God and Christ, and seeking to do the will of God and serve Him, while feeding on the Word.

Since there are also "professing" Christians who may not even have experienced the New Birth (and therefore do not have the indwelling Holy Spirit), they should not be mistaken for genuine Christians. And if they show signs of demon possession or demonic influence, then that is another matter. They need to repent and be born again.

 

[p_rehbein]

An actual Christian can not be possessed IMO. Simple reason being the Holy Spirit will not dwell with a demonic being.

The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit insures a Christian will not be possessed. However, this does not mean they will not be attacked. But that attack will come from outside of them, not from within. As well, the Holy Spirit is far more than enough to protect that Christian from any attacks.

 

[Gardenias]

So now we are almost in agreement that demonic INFLUENCE is the actual problem. But since the Bible says that (a) greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world and (b) what fellowship hath Light with Darkness? it should be crystal clear that anyone who has God the Holy Spirit and Christ within (i.e. a child of God) cannot be possessed by any demon. Demons fear the name of Christ.

To claim that because the soul and spirit are distinct, therefore the Holy Spirit is within the spirit while the demon is within the soul is invalid. And in fact there is not a single example in Scripture where a Christian is shown to have a demon within. On the contrary Christians are given power over demons so that they are cast out of others.

Demons can only influence Christians who are neglecting their spiritual lives and their spiritual growth (and possibly dabbling in the occult or have failed to get rid of all things occultic). Otherwise Christians should be in communication with God and Christ, and seeking to do the will of God and serve Him, while feeding on the Word.

Since there are also "professing" Christians who may not even have experienced the New Birth (and therefore do not have the indwelling Holy Spirit), they should not be mistaken for genuine Christians. And if they show signs of demon possession or demonic influence, then that is another matter. They need to repent and be born again.

Praise the Lord!
Well said and biblical.
Thank you.

 

[Blik]

There is very little about possession in scripture. Because scripture is truth, I went to people who literally worked with possession to learn more about it, always checking what they said with what scripture says. I also checked the authors. The media has made demons something to entertain us with, you must be very, very careful.

People who work with demon possessed people that I have read all agree that it happens only to people who accept sin in their life as OK. It starts when they accept small sins, and they accept more and more sin until they let demons dominate in their life.

 

[Gardenias]

James3:11-12
Doeth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Can a fig tree,My brethren, bear olive berries? with a vine ,figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
2Cor6:14-17
Be ye not unequally yoked together with UNBELIEVERS:for what FELLOWSHIP hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what COMMUNION hath light with darkness?
And WHAT CONCORD HATH CHRIST WITH BELIAL........


I am shocked to see this come from a person I respected. Opression yes possession NO.
Another here supports your ideas maybe you should collobrate this unbiblical thought process together.



Remember NOT EVERYONE WHO SAYS,LORD,LORD
Be born again......

 

[John146]

So now we are almost in agreement that demonic INFLUENCE is the actual problem. But since the Bible says that (a) greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world and (b) what fellowship hath Light with Darkness? it should be crystal clear that anyone who has God the Holy Spirit and Christ within (i.e. a child of God) cannot be possessed by any demon. Demons fear the name of Christ.

To claim that because the soul and spirit are distinct, therefore the Holy Spirit is within the spirit while the demon is within the soul is invalid. And in fact there is not a single example in Scripture where a Christian is shown to have a demon within. On the contrary Christians are given power over demons so that they are cast out of others.

Demons can only influence Christians who are neglecting their spiritual lives and their spiritual growth (and possibly dabbling in the occult or have failed to get rid of all things occultic). Otherwise Christians should be in communication with God and Christ, and seeking to do the will of God and serve Him, while feeding on the Word.

Since there are also "professing" Christians who may not even have experienced the New Birth (and therefore do not have the indwelling Holy Spirit), they should not be mistaken for genuine Christians. And if they show signs of demon possession or demonic influence, then that is another matter. They need to repent and be born again.

My only problem with this is that the believer is not "in the flesh." Believers are no longer attached to the flesh. We have been spiritually circumcised from the flesh. I don't see why a devil could not possess the flesh, the body of the believer. Just a thought...

Romans 8
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Paul reminds us in chapter 7...18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

 

[JStates]

The Holy Spirit dwells in the spirit of the believer, not the soul. The soul is intended to serve the Spirit as God's will is revealed by Him. We choose who we serve. We can serve Lord Jesus who leads us by His Holy Spirit. We can serve self, the "natural man" who dwells in the soul. We can serve the appetites of the flesh. And Satan works in the realm of the soul, attempting to bend us to the natural and the flesh. If you have not watched the video, do so. you will see born again Christians controlled by demons. It's not an act. They are deceived and have become captive to Satan to do his will.

It matters because countless Christians are bound by demons and know no better than to put up with it. The first step to freedom is to see that there is a problem. Ignorance is not bliss, it is dangerous.

I had this discussion with someone in another thread recently. I think you need to make a distinction between demonic possession (indwelling and control) and demonic oppression (external persecution/manipulation).

Both are very real. But the Christian with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit cannot be possessed by demonic powers. They can certainly be oppressed from the outside, which I think can certainly be the bondage you mention in your opening post.

I should also mention it's a bit dangerous to make arguments based on one's understanding of what makes up a human being. Mind, will, emotions, soul, spirit, etc. People have been putting forth theories of what makes up a human being for millennia, and even the Bible's presentation of things is not entirely clear and leaves a lot of unknowns. "No system can fully describe itself." Using such unsubstantiated and unproven distinctions as the difference between spirit and soul is problematic. Firstly, there will be confusion as these things mean different things to different people. Secondly, any conclusions reached will be highly questionable.

 

[Oblio]

Having had this topic revealed to me by the Holy Spirt, that being demonic oppression and deliverance of Christians, and having experienced genuine deliverance through a ministry that knew what they were doing, I understand that many, if not most believers are in the dark regarding this subject.

 

[Roughsoul1991]

The Holy Spirit dwells in the spirit of the believer, not the soul. The soul is intended to serve the Spirit as God's will is revealed by Him. We choose who we serve. We can serve Lord Jesus who leads us by His Holy Spirit. We can serve self, the "natural man" who dwells in the soul. We can serve the appetites of the flesh. And Satan works in the realm of the soul, attempting to bend us to the natural and the flesh. If you have not watched the video, do so. you will see born again Christians controlled by demons. It's not an act. They are deceived and have become captive to Satan to do his will.

It matters because countless Christians are bound by demons and know no better than to put up with it. The first step to freedom is to see that there is a problem. Ignorance is not bliss, it is dangerous.

“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:22-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

if we pursue evil and sin in the world and allow ourself to desire it and serve it , it will fill us up but if we sow to the spirit we receive and follow after Gods will in the earth for us we will reap the harvest promised.

a crude and extreme example if someone sits around watching pornography , it will fill them Up with a spirit of lust and corrupt thier mind and how they see the opposite sex. Becoming an unclean spirit.

the world is full of things that if we partake of them and refuse to repent will surely corrupt our spirit newly cleaned spirit and destroy our inheritance.

That again was a crude and extreme example of the point but things from gambling , drugs and alcohol , coveting worldly things so much we don’t share with the needy among us in his name.

idolatry in many forms technology , athlete and celebrity worship , so many rumors so many things to get us off track and fill us with the wrong kind of spirit or rather corrupt our spirit because we’re feeding on the wrong food serving the wrong lord

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey;

whether of sin unto death,

or of obedience unto righteousness?”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We fill ourselves up with unclean spirit when we persistently partake of unclean activities

Where is that in Scripture?

Here is what being denon possessed looked like.


Luke 8:27-29
New International Version

27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

In the New Testament we never see once a Christian being controlled by demons. We also only have commands on how to resist forces of evil in spiritual warfare and not cast it out. James 4:7


Romans 8:9-11
New International Version

9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.



1 Corinthians 6:19
New International Version

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Where God resided in the temple was the holy of holies. We are now that temple and through Christ we are made holy.

So due to these facts demon possession is not possible for a Christian a true follower.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Here is what being denon possessed looked like.


Luke 8:27-29
New International Version

27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

In the New Testament we never see once a Christian being controlled by demons. We also only have commands on how to resist forces of evil in spiritual warfare and not cast it out. James 4:7


Romans 8:9-11
New International Version

9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.



1 Corinthians 6:19
New International Version

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

Where God resided in the temple was the holy of holies. We are now that temple and through Christ we are made holy.

So due to these facts demon possession is not possible for a Christian a true follower.

“not possible for a Christian a true follower.”

I Agree . It’s when we turn away and start following other things that we are vulnerable so it’s this that keeps us safe

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-17‬ ‭

Truly believing in and following Christ and his ways keeps us safe at times we get away from him being number one in life . I think we can easily fall into other forms of corruption of spirit it matters what we do in life what we focus on and follow after , what our heart is set on.

if we spend time partaking of evil we’re going to Let evil Into our mind and heart where spirit dwells in man. We’re letting evil into Gods place in us his temple when we don That just like israel did.

eventually if we keep choosing that we’re going to have a corrupt and evil spirit and have a serious struggle and spiritual bondage on our hands

there’s many forms of spiritual possession of evil spirit is on your heart it’s trying to possess you and lead you to sin and death

 

[Oblio]

Sigh.

 

[Nehemiah6]

My only problem with this is that the believer is not "in the flesh." Believers are no longer attached to the flesh. We have been spiritually circumcised from the flesh. I don't see why a devil could not possess the flesh, the body of the believer. Just a thought...

We need to be clear about "the flesh". That term is applied in two ways: (1) the physical body of flesh, blood, and bones and (2) the Adamic sin nature inherited from Adam which is called "the flesh". This "flesh" is a part of the soul, but expresses itself through the body. The three lusts dwell within the unregenerate soul and cause the body or soul to sin.

However, when a person is born again (regenerated) the Bible says that he or she receives a new heart and a new spirit -- a new nature, therefore a "new creature in Christ". Therefore the believer does not practice sin habitually: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1 John 3:9)

But as we see in Romans and Galatians (and through personal experience) the old Adamic nature is not automatically eradicated. However the power of the sin nature was destroyed at the cross, therefore sin cannot have dominion over the child of God. And because the Holy Spirit -- who is God -- dwells within the child of God, no evil or unclean spirit can take possession of a genuine child of God: Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he [the devil] that is in the world... Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. (1 John 4:4,13) Christians are "in Christ" and demons fear even the name of Christ.