What Does the Bible Say About Possession?

James 4:7 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ...

Acts 16:16-18 ESV / 15 helpful votes

As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

Mark 5:1-20 ESV / 12 helpful votes

They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. ...

1 Peter 2:9 ESV / 11 helpful votes

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Jude 1:6 ESV / 10 helpful votes

And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day—

Matthew 25:41 ESV / 9 helpful votes

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Malachi 3:17 ESV / 9 helpful votes

“They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Romans 10:9 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Mark 12:17 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him.

Jeremiah 17:10 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

Luke 4:33-36 ESV / 6 helpful votes

And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, “Ha! What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. And they were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”

Matthew 24:47 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.

Matthew 12:29 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.

Leviticus 17:7 ESV / 6 helpful votes

So they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat demons, after whom they whore. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.

Colossians 2:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Acts 16:1-40 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily. ...

Matthew 12:22 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw.

Matthew 8:29 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And behold, they cried out, “What have you to do with us, O Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

2 Peter 2:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;

John 21:19-22 ESV / 4 helpful votes

(This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”

Matthew 17:14-20 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. ...

Matthew 8:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And when he came to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, so fierce that no one could pass that way.

Genesis 19:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Behold, I have two daughters who have not known any man. Let me bring them out to you, and do to them as you please. Only do nothing to these men, for they have come under the shelter of my roof.”

Revelation 18:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And he called out with a mighty voice, “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great! She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. ...

James 2:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Galatians 1:8-9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Acts 4:1-37 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, ...

John 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Luke 16:1-31 ESV / 3 helpful votes

He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ ...

Matthew 15:22-28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon.” But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away, for she is crying out after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” And he answered, “It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.” ...

1 Kings 18:24-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. ...

Deuteronomy 32:17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

They sacrificed to demons that were no gods, to gods they had never known, to new gods that had come recently, whom your fathers had never dreaded.

Leviticus 20:27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“A man or a woman who is a medium or a necromancer shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them.”

Genesis 1:29-30 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so.

Matthew 25:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.

39 Bible Verses about Possession

James 4:7 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 16:16-18 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 5:1-20 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:9 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jude 1:6 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 25:41 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Malachi 3:17 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 10:9 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 12:17 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 17:10 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 4:33-36 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 24:47 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:29 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 17:7 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 2:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 16:1-40 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:22 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 8:29 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Peter 2:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 21:19-22 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 17:14-20 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 8:28 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 19:8 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 18:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 11:1-19 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 1:8-9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 4:1-37 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 16:1-31 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 15:22-28 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Kings 18:24-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 32:17 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 20:27 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 1:29-30 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 25:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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