The phrase “demon-possessed” appears in many Bible translations, but “demon oppressed” doesn’t. Neither of you phrases are used in the original languages. The literal translation I’ll be original words is “demonize.” Being demonized could be just cried I’ve been under heavy your demonic influence. Every person on earth is under your morning influence you some degree, ranging from subtle to extreme.
Spiritual bondage refers to the condition of people affected by a demonic entity to the degree they lose some degree of their freedom to function normally.
Spiritual Stongholds
The best explanation of spirit old I’ve ever heard from a book called Francis Frangipane’s, “The Three Battlegrounds. A spiritual strong hold he says, is another word for an area of our lives we defend against God a wall we erect between us and God through rebellion, ignorance, deceit. Satan may inhabit a spiritual stronghold. But we are the ones who build it.
Here’s how that might work. Since God is light, and walls we build in our minds cast a shadow on our souls, creating a dark place that becomes a natural habitat for sin, lies, and/or demons to thrive. Certain what are into giving him a dark when you set up shop, we foolishly oblige him. A spiritual strong hold, then is a form of spiritual bondage.
In 2 Corinthians 10:3 5 Paul describes a stronghold. This definition is brilliant because the problem isn’t the demon per se, it’s us. Demolish the stronghold, the pride, the argument, the sinful barrier. And in the light streams in. Darkness have no place to hide. Yes sounds a lot like Ephesians 5:8-20 where Paul talks about being children of light and exposing the darkness.
So, what is a spiritual stronghold? A place of darkness, sin and lies in us that we defend against God. What is Spiritual bondage? The result of giving the devil that price to exercise power over us.
That said, even in cases of extreme spiritual bondage, the devil can’t override our free will. When I demon have control it because they’ve been given control in the form of a spiritual stronghold. Most people don’t give Satan control were create a spiritual stronghold on purpose; it happens without them realizing they’re doing it. We give him control by giving him power, and that power over us is the essence of spiritual bondage.
How Does Spiritual Bondage Happen? How Are Spiritual Strongholds Created?
There are four main ways that Satan your dupes us into creating the spiritual strongholds he can use to put us into spiritual bondage:
- Believing Lies (which is agreeing with Satan, the liar). If I could convince you that our piano will fall from the sky and crush you if you go outside (a lie). I could keep you indoors (I’d have power over you). That’s a spiritual stronghold in your mind.
- Choosing To Sin. As Paul said, “you were dead in your transgressions and sins,” in which you used to live when you followed the ways of the world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” (Ephesians 2:1-2). The Bible teaches that persistent disobedience can lead to spiritual bondage.
- Giving In To Fear. Satan is a fear- monger. So what is spiritual bondage? Spiritual bondage is giving Satan a measure of control (a spiritual stronghold) and living under that control.
- Trauma. Satan is a sadist, and he loves to piggyback on our pain. Many people we have demonic infestations or suffer from demonic oppression have experienced painful moments when the enemy gains access.
Can A Christian Be Demon Possessed?
When people asked whether a question can be demon possessed, what are usually ask he is, Can Christian be indwelled by an evil spirit?” Or can Christians be possessed by a demon ? These are very different questions,
It’s possible to give Satan power over us to the point where he is but I won’t run into our own, so that he is able to “set up shop” in our hearts and exercise want a rule there. Just ask Annanias and Sapphira in the book of Acts, chapter 5. Their hearts were “filled” with Satan just as Peter’s was filled with the Spirit.” That’s a spiritual stronghold.
So, a Christian can be filled with a evil spirit, but can a Christian be owned by one? Eternally, ultimately, legally, No. They’ve been purchased by Christs blood. But practically, functionally , in a “who’s calling the shots“ Yes. A Christian can definitely be trapped in the spirit for bondage, a spiritual stronghold.
From Pity to Praise 