Dear Missionaryish Family,

A while back, I had a conversation with a friend that I wanted to share. They asked why Christians can still be influenced or affected by the devil. This reality is both real and daunting, especially for those beginning their journey of evangelism, seeking to follow God for the first time, or returning to faith after a long period of coasting through life.

What Does It Mean for the Devil to Go Into You?

That's a great question. What does it mean for the devil to go into someone? There are many ways to understand this, but one clear example is Judas. Though he walked with Jesus, he did not truly surrender to Him. Judas was willing to betray his Master. In John 13:27, we read, "Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him." This is a clear instance of demonic possession.

Yes, we are all sinners—born into sin and shaped by a fallen world (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12). However, there's a major distinction between:

1. The unbeliever who continues in sin without repentance, and

2. The believer who, though still battling sin, has been radically changed by God, repents, and believes in Jesus.

The eternal destinies of these two individuals are vastly different. Though both sin, one remains condemned (John 3:18), while the other is forgiven and being sanctified (Hebrews 10:14).

Demonic Influence vs. Possession

While all unbelievers are under the sway of the devil (Ephesians 2:1–3), not all are possessed. Possession implies a deeper control, like in Judas’ case. Though even then we are not completely sure how much of himself he gave over. Influence, however, is more common. Satan can tempt and manipulate even believers, though he cannot possess them, because they belong to Christ (1 John 4:4).

So, why does the devil do anything at all? Because he knows God is in the business of saving sinners and reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:18–19). Satan opposes this with all his might. He seeks to distort, enslave, and destroy what God has made good. He usurped authority from Adam and now tries to keep people under his dominion.

Legalism in the Spiritual Realm

Satan operates within the spiritual laws God has ordained. He and his demons are legalistic and cunning, using sin, ignorance, and rebellion as open doors. For unbelievers, it's relatively simple: they are spiritually dead and under the full dominion of the evil one (1 John 5:19).

For believers, it's more nuanced. Believers have been set free (Romans 6:18), and they no longer have to sin. We are told in James 4:7, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." This ability to resist did not exist before conversion.

Even so, Christians still sin. And when they do, they open doors. Imagine your heart as a house. Salvation secures the home, but sin can leave the doors and windows open. Ephesians 4:26–27 warns, "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."

Satan doesn't always attack by making chairs levitate. More often, he destroys marriages through unresolved conflict or weakens believers through spiritual neglect.

The Devil’s Schemes

When believers don't know the Word, Satan gains an advantage. Think of it like spiritual arbitration, if you don’t know your rights, Satan will manipulate you. He wants to enslave free people, distract them from God’s beauty, and make them ineffective in their calling.

Even guilt and shame can be tools. A believer might say, “I know God has forgiven me, but I’m too sinful to be loved.” That’s a lie from hell. God’s grace covers us, not just once, but continually. Satan wants us to forget that (1 John 1:9).

1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." Satan wants to devour your joy, your peace, and your connection to God. But God invites us to come back. Whether you’re the prodigal son or the prideful older brother, the answer is the same: return to the Father.

Biblical Examples

In John 13:2, "During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him." That thought was planted. In Acts 5:3, Peter says, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?" Satan influenced his decision.

So yes, believers are shielded (Ephesians 6:10–18), but they are not invulnerable. Sin still opens doors. And demonic oppression exists on a spectrum—ranging from subtle temptation to outright loss of control. The degree varies from person to person.

Why Does Satan Keep Fighting?

Satan knows he’s losing. But evil is irrational. It doesn’t make logical sense. Evil only serves itself. And because angels and demons are not bound by time and space like we are, they operate differently. That’s why prayer is so powerful. It's the medium God uses to release His power across spiritual dimensions.

In summary, the devil seeks influence, especially where there is sin. Believers have victory through Christ, but must stay vigilant. Keep the doors shut, stay in the Word, walk in repentance, and draw near to God.

Let’s keep going to love our neighbors.

Much Love in Christ,

David & Reagan

New Sponsorships with The Pour Over and 1440

We're excited to announce sponsorships with The Pour Over and 1440, two fantastic news outlets we enjoy for their clear, unbiased reporting.

• The Pour Over: Politically neutral news summaries with a Christian lens, keeping you focused on what lasts.

• 1440: A daily digest of straightforward facts covering politics, sports, and more.

Support us: Each click to visit their sites earns us $1—no subscription required! Prefer to give directly? Head to missionaryish.org/give.

Explore these great sources and help us continue our work!

Fact-based news without bias awaits. Make 1440 your choice today.

Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.

Sign up now!

In partnership with

Not conservative. Not liberal. Just Christian.

Trust in media is at an all-time low (shocking… we know), but let’s keep “walking around completely uninformed” as a backup plan.

The Pour Over provides concise, politically neutral, and entertaining summaries of the world’s biggest news paired with reminders to stay focused on eternity.

Sign up for free today!