CAN AN EVIL SPIRIT LIVE IN ME IF I AM A CHILD OF GOD?
Sakkie Parsons
Translated from Afrikaans: “Kan ‘n bose gees in my kom woon wanneer ek ‘n kind van God is?”
Someone wrote to me with a question that essentially asks whether a person can receive an evil spirit when eating what is called “funeral food” at a funeral.
I am sharing my answer with you, because unfortunately there are also many Christians and Christian leaders who, especially through their actions in church services, proclaim that a true Christian can have a foreign or evil spirit within them.
Now then—
There are many African cultures where there is what I would call a superstition: people believe that “funeral food” eaten at funerals can be contaminated with evil spirits. But, as I read and understand in the Word, this is simply a superstition.
It probably originated from situations where food is prepared for many people, sometimes left standing for long periods, and not always prepared hygienically—so it becomes contaminated in some way.
I now share my response to the person who asked me the question:
Firstly—there is no passage in the Word/Bible that you can even remotely use to say that a foreign/evil spirit—or any spirit—can physically enter a Christian through the mouth. And in that regard, there is also no other way for a foreign/evil spirit to enter a true Christian—but I will speak more about that later.
The only way so-called funeral food can affect a true Christian is physically—if the food is poorly prepared or contaminated.
Look at what the Word, and specifically Jesus Himself, says about this:
Matthew 15:11
“ What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
Jesus explains further:
Matthew 15:17–20
“Do you not understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?
But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and these defile a person.
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.” (It is not good hygiene, but cannot spiritually contaminate you)
I mentioned that there is no other way for a foreign/evil spirit to enter or possess a true Christian.
I specifically say “true Christian,” because, for example, about 80% of South Africa’s population say they are Christians, yet we have one of the highest crime rates per capita in the world.
Why do I know with absolute conviction from the Word that what I am saying is true?
Because, according to what I read in the Word about a true Christian, it is simply impossible for any kind of foreign/evil spirit to live in a true child of God—for the following reasons found in the Lord’s precious Word:
Firstly, we read about a true child of God:
You and I are clothed with Christ. As is my habit, I will share just two examples out of many:
Galatians 3:27–28
“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek (Paul used the Greeks of his time as a synonym for Gentiles), slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
1 Corinthians 12:13
“For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body… and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”
Did you notice this great glory?
The true child of God is, as it were, saturated with the Holy Spirit:
“…we were all given the one Spirit to drink.”
Therefore, every true Christian is completely surrounded by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. Yes, we are, so to speak, soaked in His Spirit. And to emphasize this even more: if I have truly accepted Jesus—not just with words, but as my Lord and—then I am surrounded by His Spirit. Christ now lives in me:
Galatians 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Do you see?
Any foreign or evil spirit that would want to be in you, would first have to get past the Holy Spirit of Jesus—now, what do you think the chances are of that? Not only would it have to get past Jesus, but it would also have to live in you together with Him! The Holy Spirit will never dwell together with an evil spirit in the heart of His child.
I believe you now understand that no foreign/evil spirit—or any other spirit—can come and live in you, a true child of God.
There are only two ways in which an evil/foreign spirit can be in a person:
One situation is when you have not yet truly accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior;
The other, even worse scenario, is when you have accepted Him—and then turned your back on Him.
So, the only protection against evil/foreign spirits is this—and I share again two passages out of many:
Acts 2:38–39
38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. (and here comes your promise of total protection against any foreign/evil spirit whatsoever) And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Read this wonderful assurance Jesus gives:
John 5:24
24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
Do you have that certainty—that no evil or foreign spirit can take possession of you?
In other words, have you truly accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
If you are unsure whether you have done so, then you have not yet done it. This is the most important decision you can ever make in your life, and one does not forget such an important decision.
To explain: I will never doubt whether my wife (who is now with Jesus) and I were married—because that was the second most important decision of my life.
Therefore, make sure in your heart that you have accepted Jesus as your Savior—and then work on strengthening that relationship with Him.
It is a relationship of love. Love is not merely an emotion—it is an action, accompanied by emotion.
Any relationship of love fades if you do not work on it—and your relationship with Jesus will also fade if you do not nurture it.
Therefore, take up His Word and read what He says to you—and speak and talk with Him—your Lord who loves you and is preparing an eternal future for you.
Sakkie
E