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I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 6:19,20, which tells us, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you we're bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." The Holy Spirit dwells or lives in the born again believer; our body is a temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell in. The Holy Spirit is not going to cohabitate in the temple of our body with a demon. Can you imagine a demon trying to possess a believer's body when the Holy Spirit is living in that believer's body? Can you imagine a demon and the Holy Spirit residing together in a believer's body? If you do a study on the Temple of God, you will see that it is a Holy place, with no unclean thing within its walls. God Himself dwelt in the temple, so do you think He would allow a demon into His temple? The demons tremble at the very name of Jesus, James 2:19. I believe the scripture teaches that it is impossible for a believer to be possessed by an evil spirit. Believers can certainly be influenced by demons if we let them, but not possessed by one.
Rick, there is no specific Scripture that says that a Christian cannot be possessed by the devil; however we can be oppressed by the devil! As Christians we encounter spiritual warfare, and our victory is in Christ Jesus! May I encourage you to read Ephesians chapter 6? There are many, I am sure that have been possessed by the devil before accepting the Lord Jesus as their Savior, who have received their deliverance from demonic possession, and are now filled with the Holy Spirit! Once a person has been delivered they are free to be filled, and demons can no longer occupy or dwell in anyone who is Spirit filled. See Matthew 12:43-45 as an example! It is important to be filled with the Holy Spirit after demons are cast out, so they will no longer be able to possess that person! We cannot be filled with the devil and the Holy Spirit at the same time! I pray that you will receive insight and comfort from the Holy Spirit!
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