Is transferring spirits possible? What does the Bible say about transferring spirits?

TL;DR:

The Bible does not teach that evil spirits can be transferred by touch or proximity. While little is known about demonic possession, believers cannot be possessed.

The Bible does not describe a practice of “transferring spirits,” which is the belief that an evil spirit can be passed from one person to another by touch or proximity. The only time demons are shown moving from one host to another is when Jesus cast a legion of demons out of a man and allowed them to enter a herd of pigs at their own request (Luke 8:26-39; Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20). Even that event required His explicit permission. Nowhere else in Scripture do demons transfer from one person to another, nor are believers warned to fear such a thing.

While the Bible does not tell us whether demons can move freely between unbelievers, it is clear that they cannot enter those who belong to Christ. Every believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:19), leaving no room for a demonic presence. Demons tremble before Jesus’ authority (Matthew 8:29), and believers share in His victory through faith and obedience (James 4:7; Ephesians 6:10-18). Instead of fearing spiritual contamination from others, Christians are called to live in the confidence that the Spirit of God within them is greater than any spirit in the world (1 John 4:4).

from the old testament

When a harmful spirit tormented Saul, Scripture says the LORD sent it as judgment for his disobedience (1 Samuel 16:14). Likewise, in the book of Job, Satan could not touch Job’s possessions or body until God gave specific permission (Job 1:12; 2:6). Both examples show that demonic or spiritual activity operates within boundaries set by God Himself.
Those who belong to the LORD are under His protection. God placed a hedge around Job (Job 1:10), guarded Israel from the curses of Balaam (Numbers 23:23), and promised to be a refuge and fortress to those who trust in Him (Psalm 91:1-10). The pattern throughout the Old Testament is clear: spirits can only act when and how God allows, and those who trust in Him remain secure under His care.

from the new testament

The only incident that could be called a “transfer” happened when Jesus cast out "Legion," a group of demons of unknown size, from a man in the region of the Gerasenes. At their request, He permitted them to enter a herd of pigs (Mark 5:1-13; Matthew 8:28-34; Luke 8:26-39). This “transference” event is unique in all of Scripture. It occurred only with Christ’s permission and involved demons moving into animals, not people. Elsewhere, demons never move from one host to another, and Jesus never warned His followers about such danger..
During that same incident, the demons begged Jesus not to send them “into the abyss” before the appointed time (Matthew 8:29), revealing that even their rebellion operates under His authority. This is true throughout Jesus’ ministry. In Capernaum, when Jesus confronted a possessed man, the spirit cried out, “I know who you are—the Holy One of God” (Mark 1:24) and immediately obeyed when Jesus said, “Be silent, and come out of him!” (Mark 1:25-26).
Luke 4:36 records the crowd’s astonishment as they exclaimed, “With authority and power he [Jesus] commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!” Every confrontation ends the same way—instant obedience to the word of Christ. His power over the demonic realm is unchallenged and complete.
Believers share in that same protection because the Holy Spirit now dwells within them. Paul writes, “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him” (Romans 8:9), and again, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).
The presence of the Spirit leaves no vacancy for an unclean spirit to inhabit. His indwelling is both a seal and a safeguard, confirming ownership by God and guaranteeing His protection. John assures believers, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Because the Spirit of God resides within every Christian, demonic spirits cannot enter or control them—the authority of Christ ensures their absolute security.

implications for today

If you are worried about demonic activity, you need to know that demons are never free to do whatever they want. They can only act when God permits it. That means no spirit can move, speak, or harm without His permission. God is in complete control over the spiritual realm.

At the same time, the Bible makes a clear distinction between those who belong to Christ and those who do not. Only those who have the Holy Spirit living in them are protected from possession. If you have not yet turned to Jesus in faith, you do not have that protection. But the good news is that you can. When you trust in Christ as Lord and Savior, His Spirit comes to live within you, and that Spirit will not share space with anything unclean. Believers are made God’s own possession and brought under His care.

Once you belong to Him, God gives you the spiritual armor you need to stand firm (Ephesians 6:10-18). Truth, righteousness, and faith are your defense, and prayer keeps you dependent on God’s strength rather than your own. Spiritual warfare is not about fighting demons directly, but about staying faithful, resisting temptation, and trusting the Lord to defend you. When a believer submits to Him and stands firm in His truth, the enemy cannot prevail.

understand

The Bible does not teach that evil spirits can be transferred between people by touch or proximity.
Demons act only under God’s permission and cannot freely move or possess believers.
Believers are protected from possession because the Holy Spirit indwells them.

reflect

How does knowing that the Holy Spirit protects you from demonic possession affect your confidence in God?
How do you rely on God’s authority rather than fear of spiritual forces in your life?
What helps you remember the security you have in Christ’s protection?

engage

How does the biblical view of demons acting only under God’s permission challenge common beliefs about “transferring spirits”?
What practical steps can we take to live in the confidence of God’s protection over our spiritual lives?
How does understanding that believers cannot be possessed shape our approach to spiritual warfare and prayer?