Can Christians have demons?

Some Christians emphatically say no, pointing out that the Holy Spirit and a demon cannot be in the same heart. But think some more. When we ask Christians to yield (dedicate, consecrate) themselves to God, what that implies is that at this time, they are only partly yielded to God, and now they have to become more fully yielded to God. This shows that Christians can be divided in heart, even though in principle they have given their life to Jesus and have the Holy Spirit living in them (Ro.8:9). Going further, we know that some born again Christians are slaves to hot temper, porn, drinks, etc. They have the Holy Spirit in them, and we can observe some fruit in their lives, but they are not totally yielded to the Holy Spirit.

"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold" (Ep.4:26,27 NIV). The Greek word here means a spot (in a place). If we become angry, for example, we need to make sure that we do not end up in sin. That is the practical meaning of the figurative language about not allowing the sun go down while we are still angry. If we let the anger grow, it will lead us to more and more sin. We can see that anger here is only a typical situation. It can be any sin that is not dealt with quickly but allowed to grow. Then we are keeping the moral boundary concerning that sin open, and this will allow demons to find an entrance into our life. Then they begin to exert their control over that particular area of sin they were given permission to. That person becomes demonised (daimonizomai - vexed and troubled by demons) in that area. This explains how born again Christians can have some part of their life yielded to demons, while generally speaking they have the Holy Spirit in authority over their heart. It is true that if demons take over full control over the person, he is possessed, and then, obviously, he cannot have the Holy Spirit also within him.

It may be difficult to understand theoretically how the Holy Spirit and demons can be together in the same person. Just look at how the Holy Spirit lives in us while we still carry an old sinful nature within us (Ga.5:17). The Holy Spirit does not forcibly take control of everything in our life when we invite Him in, but only where we yield to Him. We can say that as long as we are on earth, we will not be perfectly yielded, and there will be things in our life that are still not under the rule of the Spirit. Once we see that this is possible, it becomes easier to understand what would happen if a Christian yields some part of his life so much to sin so that evil spirits take control of that part. If a Christian takes part in the occult, or has not broken off with idol worship from the past, then also he can give place to demons (1Co.10:20).

All who claim to be Christians are not. But true Christians can also go wrong. Jesus has overcome Satan, and He offers us freedom from all bondage.