"I can't be both a Christian and have demonic influence in my life."
How it sounds in your head: You're experiencing oppression or dark thoughts and Christians are telling you believers can't have demons. So either you're not really saved, or you're just crazy and it's all in your head. Either option is terrifying.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
-- Ephesians 6:12Source: Religion - theological positions that deny spiritual warfare exists for believers, leaving you isolated with no framework for your experience.
Church teaching says Holy Spirit and demons can't coexist, so if you're experiencing oppression you must either be unsaved or mentally ill - both conclusions lead to shame.
Peter, a disciple following Jesus, spoke words directly from Satan's influence - Jesus said 'Get behind Me, Satan' TO PETER. A believer spoke demonic influence, yet remained Jesus' disciple - oppression existed but possession didn't.
I REFUSE the lie that spiritual warfare means I'm not saved. IT IS WRITTEN that believers WRESTLE against principalities and powers - warfare is proof I'm a threat to darkness, not proof I'm unsaved. I am sealed by the Holy Spirit and nothing can snatch me from the Father's hand. The enemy can harass from outside but he cannot POSSESS what belongs to God. IT IS WRITTEN that greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. I stand in the BARAK blessing that protected Abraham's seed through every attack - I am Abraham's seed through Christ and the blessing is MINE by covenant, not by perfect spiritual performance. I am simultaneously beloved of God AND in a battle - both are true.
Your Father isn't confused about whether you're His. He's running toward you in the battle, not questioning your salvation because you're experiencing warfare - He's bringing reinforcements because you're worth fighting for.