We know from the Holy Scriptures that it is possible to believe and be baptized in the name of Jesus and still need deliverance. Acts 8:9-24 the story of Simon who the bible says "practiced sorcery” in the city of Samaria, The apostle Philp went to preach Christ to them in Samaria after the church was persecuted in Jerusalem and Judea after the death of Stephen. The Holy Scriptures says that “the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philp, hearing and seeing miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed”, Simon who had claimed to be “someone great” now saw for himself the power of the true God and heard “the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” to “believe” and was “baptized” and “continued with Philp”. Please note that Simon was around when demons were being cast out of other people, not a very common practice in the churches today. I have found when someone has been into the occult as Simon had been, that demons have a legal right to remain in place until there is repentance. It is common for believers who have received the Holy Spirit and have dabbled with the occult to need deliverance in some areas of their lives. Most of us because of the fallen world we live in have practiced in the occult without realising it. Anyone who has ever read their horoscope in the newspapers or thrown a coin into a wishing well and made a wish, the list of things are too long to name have opened up a door to evil spirits entering into their lives. Now when the apostles heard that Samaria had received the word of God they sent Peter and John who laid hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. “Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostle’s hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money saying give me this power also, that anyone whom I lay hands may  receive the Holy Spirit”. Please note Peters response Acts 8:20-24 “the gift of God cannot be purchased with money ” also “your heart is not right in the sight of God” and  “repent therefore of your wickedness”, finally “For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity”. How many of us because of our sins, in the past, even though we are Christians who believe, and are baptized and have received the Holy Spirit still can have the poison of bitterness and be bound by iniquity. If you have practised the occult or you know in your heart that you are not right even though you have received the Holy Spirit this is a good time to heed the word that Peter gave, "Repent, therefore of your wickedness". We are called to be filled by the Holy Spirit this is an on-going battle. I believe and I know that a Christian can have a demon; it has been my experience and many more besides me.

Jesus cast out a demon from a man that was mute when the man began to speak because the demon had left Luke 11:12-26 some of the people asked for a sign from heaven. But some of them said “he casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons”. Jesus answered them knowing their thoughts “every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation and a house divided against a house shall fall." So teaching Satan does not cast out Satan. Jesus then explains what happens when an evil spirit goes out of man Luke 11:24-26 “he goes through dry places, seeking rest and finding none he says, I will return to my house from which I came. And when he comes he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and take with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the state of the man is worse than the first”. This shows that the only way to remain free from demons is to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit who is able to resist demons coming back. So anybody who is empty and has not the Holy Spirit would get worse and worse. The only people that have the Holy Spirit indwelling them are Christians. I believe with all my heart that a Christian can have a demon, and I also believe with all my heart that we can be delivered. We all need to repent and receive deliverance.

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