I have some very good news to share with you. If you have been born again through “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 20:21), then it is impossible for demons to dwell inside of you. Let us see from the Scriptures who is inside each believer and why demons cannot also indwell a believer.

The same moment that you trust in the Lord Jesus as your Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell inside of you. We read in Ephesians 1:13, “In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise” (NASB). We read in 1 Corinthians 6:19, “What? know ye not that your body is THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS IN YOU, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” The Lord Jesus said in John 14:16-17, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; even THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be IN YOU.”

Let us see now that The Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, indwells every believer. We read in Colossians 1:27, “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory.” Finally, let us see that God the Father indwells each believer. We read in Ephesians 4:6, “One God and FATHER of all, who is above all, and through all, and IN YOU ALL.”

With the certainty that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit indwell every believer, let us read 2 Corinthians 6:14-16. “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? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Belial in verse 15 is a name of Satan. Christ has no fellowship with Satan. Since there is no fellowship between light and darkness, it is impossible for demons to indwell the same body where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit dwell. If you had demons inside of you before you were saved, then the demons were cast out the moment that you were saved. Notice that verse 16 says that “ye are the temple of the living God.” It does NOT SAY, “ye are the temple of the living God and demons.” Praise God for this truth!

Further, we read in 1 John 4:4, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” We have seen from the Scriptures that “He that is in you” is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. “He that is in the world” is Satan and his demons. The Lord Jesus said in John 14:30, “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.” The prince of this world is Satan. The Lord Jesus cast demons out of people on multiple occasions while He was on this earth. Therefore, demons are in the world as well. Satan and his demons cannot indwell a believer. Notice how clearly the truth is presented in 1 John 4:4. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are “in you,” and Satan and his demons are “in the world.” Satan and his demons ARE NOT in us! They are in the world.

Although a believer cannot be indwelt by Satan or his demons, we can be attacked by them externally. This is why we need to put on the whole armor of God daily. We read in Ephesians 6:10-18, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor 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: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

May the Lord give you peace about this issue. I pray that you will have certainty from the Scriptures that demons cannot indwell a believer. May you enjoy sweet fellowship with our wonderful Savior.  (DJ)  (497.6)