From the OP:
Most folks don't really want the truth; they want the easy answer or they simply want to debate. And so, as a deliverance minister, I am hesitant to post on this topic. Yet the need is very great and hope springs eternal. I've read this thread thoroughly, and many honest questions have been raised.
The first misunderstanding that needs to be cleared up is the misunderstanding surrounding the word possession in relation to the question of "Can a believer have a devil/demon within his body?"
The "possession vs. obsession" argument often heard is a red herring. I am renting a place, i.e. I am in possession of that unit, but I do NOT own it. Same with devils dwelling within the flesh of a believer. The word actually means a beachhead set up within enemy territory i.e. the believer is the enemy, and a beachhead is what the devil sets up in the believer's flesh. It is a stronghold. The unclean spirit does not OWN the believer, but the believer is oppressed by the unclean spirit.
What saith scripture?
In order to arrive at a clear definition, one must first deal with the key word and then the key expression.
The Key Word
The key word is daimonizomai, which means, "to be demonized." It means, "to be controlled by a demon from within." This is the word that is frequently translated as "possessed by a demon." The problem with this definition is that the Greek word for "possession" is never used in conjunction with demons. What is found is always daimonizomai or "to be controlled by a demon from within." Rather than defining or translating the term as "demon possession," which for many people implies ownership by a demon, for clarity we can simply use "demonic control." This key word is found in the Greek text of Mat. 4:24; 8:16, 28, 33; 9:32; 12:22; 15:22; Mark 1:32; 5:15-16, 18; Luke 8:36; John 10:21.
The Key Expression
The key expression that means the same thing as the word daimonizomai, though the word itself is not used, is "to have a demon." The key expression emphasizes residency. The emphasis of the key word is on control, but the emphasis of the key expression is on residency in that with demonic control the demon is residing within that person. This key expression is found in Mat. 11:18; Luke 7:33; John 7:20; 8:48; 10:20; Acts 8:7; 16:16.
The Definition
By combining the key word and the key expression, a specific definition can be derived. By way of definition, demonic control involves a demon residing in a person and exercising direct control over that person with a certain degree of derangement of the mind or physical upset of the body. This definition takes into account the key word, the key expression, and the results. Again, demonic control involves: a demon residing in a person, emphasizing the key expression; exercising direct control over that person, emphasizing the key word; resulting in a certain degree of derangement of the mind or body, which is the result of a demon residing in a person and exercising direct control.
A good example of this in practice is Mat. 12:43-45, which discusses the demon's place and emphasizes both the key word and the key phrase. In Mark 5:1-20, there is an example of the result of demonic control, both in the physical and mental aspects.
The Distinctions
To get a clearer picture of what is meant by demonic control, a distinction needs to be made between demonic control and two other types of demonic activities.
a. Demonic Harassment
One type of demonic activity is demonic harassment, where a demon harasses a person from without. An example of this is found in 1 Thes. 2:18, which speaks of Satan hindering the plans of a believer. This is demonic harassment, when demons hinder the work of a believer.
b. Demonic Influence
A second type of demonic activity that must not be confused with demonic control is that of demonic influence. An example of this is Mat. 16:21-23. After Jesus made the statement that he was going to die, Peter said that no such thing would come upon him. Then Jesus turned around and, facing Peter, he said: Get thee behind me, Satan. Obviously, Satan was trying to keep Jesus from the cross. At that point, Peter had been influenced by Satan to try to dissuade Jesus from going to the cross. Peter was under demonic influence.
Demonic control should be distinguished from both demonic harassment and demonic influence. Demonic harassment and demonic influence are activities outside the person, but demonic control takes place inside the person.
Can a believer be demonized?
Can a demon control a believer? Normally, this question is phrased, "Can a believer be possessed by a demon?" As I pointed out earlier, the word "possession" is what is causing the misunderstanding. If by possession one means "ownership," then the answer is "No! A believer can never be possessed by a demon in the sense of ownership." According to 1 Cor. 6:20, the believer has been purchased by the Messiah, he is owned by the Messiah, and he can never be owned by Satan; he can only be owned by the Messiah. But the biblical usage is "control from within." If the question is rephrased as, "Can a believer be controlled by a demon from within?", then the answer is, "Yes, he can." There are two passages that make this clear.
First is Acts 5:1-4, the case of Ananias and Sapphira. Peter asked: Why has Satan filled your heart? using the same Greek word that Paul used in Eph 5:18, when he spoke of being filled with the Spirit. Just as to be filled with the Spirit means to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, so to be "filled with Satan" means to be controlled by Satan. The Holy Spirit controls from within and so, then, must Satan, since the same Greek word is used. The Bible does teach that a believer can be controlled by a demon from within.
A second passage is Eph. 4:27, where Paul wrote: Do not give place to the devil. Paul used a Greek word that means "beachhead." When an army attacks, it first sends in soldiers to control a beachhead. This beachhead is inside enemy territory. Once that is done, the reinforcements can come in while those in the beachhead give cover fire. A beachhead is an area of control within enemy territory. A believer can be controlled through a beachhead within, so a believer can be controlled by a demon.
The distinction between believers and unbelievers is not that a believer cannot be controlled and an unbeliever can be controlled. Rather, the difference is a matter of the extent of the control. An unbeliever can be totally controlled, but a believer can only be partially controlled, never totally controlled.
Again, the common objection has been: "How can a demon reside in the same body with the Holy Spirit?" Most believers realize that they still have a sin-nature. The Holy Spirit coexists with the sin-nature of the believer, both of which are within. The point is that the believer has two natures. The Holy Spirit resides in the new nature, not in the old sin-nature. The demon resides not in the new nature, but in the old sin-nature. The fact that there are two natures coexisting within the believer shows why both a demon and the Holy Spirit can coexist within the believer; they reside in two different natures.
The proper way of handling sin in the believer's life is the way of Romans 6: we must recognize that both our sin-nature and old man were crucified with Christ the moment we believed, thus breaking the bondage to sin. Now, we must make the decision not to let our bodies be used as instruments for sin. That is the New Testament pattern and the one we should follow.
One last thing by way of definition is that demonic control can be repeated (Mat. 12:43-45; Luke 11:24-26).
