Angelic boundaries

Question: If deliverance is casting demons out of people, then can angels dwell in people?

That’s a good question.  Let’s address demonization first, then we’ll focus on angels.

I remember John Wimber talking about the actual Greek word (δαιμονισθεις – daimonizomai), which is translated ‘demonized’… as in harassed, tormented, oppressed, beset, bedeviled, bewitched, captivated, controlled, dogged, dominated, overpowered, plagued, seized, taken over, troubled, etc.  None of those words specifically implies that a demon is inside of a person.  This seems to be the greater understanding we derive from Scripture.

But we do have a few Biblical accounts of demons coming out of people. Here are a couple…

“And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.” – Matt 17:18
“Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute.  When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke… “ – Lk 11:14

So, although there are accounts of unbelievers getting demons exorcized from inside them, I don’t know that we have accounts of believers with demons dwelling inside of them.  We’ll leave this point open for further research at another time.

Being demonized starts with temptation, and when temptation is yielded to, it becomes sin.  When sin is habitual, we set up alliances with dark forces which either grow in strength or are dismantled with repentance.  But those erroneous alliances can create strongholds in our mind. Eventually, that stronghold can begin to ‘rule’ us.  So, I think that it is possible that a demon may not even be around at times when a person manifests something that looks like ‘demonized’ actions.  It may just be that the demon has sufficiently fortified a strong mindset… so that a historical track record of habitual volition has established a dark internal mental stronghold until we end up doing what we don’t want to do because we’ve been programmed by our own repetitive actions.

“But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires, he is lured away and enticed.  Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.  Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers…” – Jms 1:14-16
“for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate.” – (Paul) – Rms 7:15

People can knowingly or unknowingly give ‘legal’ right to demons to demonize or harass them.  A person’s ‘permission’ at one point in their life, may now be forgotten… but can be ‘remembered’ with Holy Spirit’s help… and then rescinded and/or renounced.

Now check out Jesus.  There was no legal ‘ground’ in him to allow the devil to ‘connect’ inside of Him.

“for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.” (Jesus) – Jn 14:30

Back to Wimber, on severe demonization:

“… severe demonization was actually a rare occurrence.  Mild demonic influence was much more common.” – John Wimber – Power Healing – pg 110

His larger point was – let’s say it like Scripture says it – someone is demonized or harassed by a demon.  That terminology does not specifically say that a demon is inside of a Christian, nor possessed or indwelt by a demon.

According to Wimber, ‘possession’ was an uncommon concept in the Bible.  It was more like degrees of demonization.

“The term ‘demonized’ refers to people who are in varying degrees of levels of demonic bondage.  In all instances of bondage people are subject to periodic attacks by one or more demons that may affect them physically, mentally, and spiritually. In literature on demonization, terms used to describe more mild forms of demonization include influence, oppression, obsession, and subjection. More severe forms of demonization are described as demonic attack, assault, and possession.” – John Wimber – Power Healing – pgs 109-110

More study here:

“Perhaps more accurate than ‘demon possession’ in terms of communicating the overall portrayal of this phenomenon in the Synoptic Gospels is something like “subject to demonic influence” or “subject to demonic oppression.”  A Bible Hermeneutics quote. More here

Now back to the original question… Can angels possess a believer?

First let’s strike a contrast between demons and angels.  Even if demons can enter… or be IN… a person, that would not necessarily have to be the commentary on angelic behavior.  Angels do not have to copy the modus operandi of demons.  For example: demons’ boundaries are only governed and limited by their hate-filled leader.  Remember, demons were judged because they “left their abode” (Jude :6).  Angels, on the other hand, are motivated by Love and they “perform His word, obeying the voice of His word” (Ps 103:20) … and because of that, they stay within their God-ordained boundaries.

Friendship or partnership with angels can be fostered and with permission, angels’ attendance becomes more automatic, predictable and expected.  But as described above, angels will stay within Father God’s limitations of involvement in a believer’s life.  And that is a HUGE ‘polar’ difference of M.O. between angels and demons.

So just as I don’t think that demons live inside of a Christian, neither do I think that angels live inside of Christians.  I think that the external good or evil influences of demons or angels can be just as strong as we give them permission and/or partnership.

One major difference with angels is their motivation.  Demons are motivated by hate, greed and disobedience… angels are motivated by love and obedience to Father God.  A stark contrast!

Outside of the Trinity, I believe that angels are our greatest Heavenly resource.  Nearly 300 mentions of angels in Scripture establishes that angels should be a significant part of the believer’s experience.  In fact, to turn them away would be to nullify the blessing of their ministry.

“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” – Heb 1:14

So, without fear, let’s be more intentional in fostering angelic partnership.  Our Father is the One who established partnership with angels… and their M.O. is to only obey the voice of our Father.  And that sounds like it’s gonna be a win, win outcome for us!

–MLH

More on this subject

Meet your angel activation
We’re in Mt Zion now
Influence with angels