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[Dr. Amateur]

Do (Orthodox/Mainstream) Christians believe in demonic possesion?

Also, why is it a common theme in folklore to "sell ones' soul" to the devil? Is that any different than demonic possesion or somewhat of an equally bad opposite scenario?

Even more hypothetically speaking: What if a person sold his or her soul so they could "do whatever the hell they wanted?" Most theologans would obviously say having that kind of "freedom" would be easier if the person was to accept God, but obviously there are people who choose that path for whatever reason, regardless...

[jimwalton]

Yes, we believe in demon possession, but certainly not how Hollywood or novelists view it. In the Bible, demon possession never has an association with sin, or even with Satan. Demons are more like rogue agents of disorder rather than anything connected with sin.

> why is it a common theme in folklore to "sell ones' soul" to the devil?

"Selling one's soul to the devil" is, again, a Hollywood or cultural thing. There is no such thing in the Bible. It doesn't work like that. Our eternities are based on our commitments, our priorities and values, our spiritual orientation, and our nature.

> Is that any different than demonic possesion or somewhat of an equally bad opposite scenario?

It sounds like you're thinking in Hollywood concepts and terms. Satan has angels (messengers and helpers), but they're never identified as demons. The Bible doesn't say anything about a Satanic angel being able to possess anyone. They are agents of deceit, as Satan is the great deceiver. Demon possession is a completely different thing. In the New Testament, people possessed by demons mostly acted in self-destructive ways, and in the book of Acts there's a story of a demon-possessed girl who was a fortune teller. Most of the time we read about Jesus casting out demons we are not told anything about how they were acting or what they were like.

> What if a person sold his or her soul so they could "do whatever the hell they wanted?"

People don't have to "sell their soul" to be oriented toward self. Self-orientation is the quintessential human trait.

These may be new thoughts for you, so let's talk more.

[Dr. Amateur]

Actually this is a fairly concise answer I'll let you know if I think of anymore questions.

Would it be considered a deception of Satan to think that it is even possible to sell one's soul?

[jimwalton]

"Deception" is about as broad a term as you can get. It can include just about anything that's not truth, which is an extremely wide field of possibilities. 2 + 2 = 4, so how many numbers are there that 2+2 doesn't equal? Anything that misleads from the truth or distorts the truth is fair game, right?

[Dr. Amateur]

that's a lot of satan

[jimwalton]

That's funny. "There's a WHOLE LOT of SATAN going on!!!!"

Seriously, since we actually are having a serious conversation (I think), Satan isn't omnipresent like God is. He has some kind of spiritual body (as an angel does) and so can only be in one place at one time. But he doesn't need to be everywhere to be instrumental in disseminating deceit. The right news article, the right president, the right Congressman/woman, the right professor, the right author, even preachers (2 Cor. 11.14ff.)!—and the chain of deceit could be exponential. It's a matter of strategy, not of numbers.

The Bible speaks in several places of the Devil's angels (messengers; minions—not THE Minions, of course; they're cute)—Mt. 25.41; Jude 1.6; 2 Pet. 2.4; Rev. 12.7. There is no indication of how many there are. These fallen angels would do Satan's bidding just as the heavenly angels do God's. But there's no indication they possess people.