Q&A with BBH

Question:

What does the Bible teach about demons?

Answer:

Demons are fallen angels.

Concerning the character and nature of demons:

1) Demons are fallen from God’s favor (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:7-9). They have chosen to rebel against God (Jude 6). 2) They were created good (Genesis 1:31). 3) They recognize Christ as Lord (Mark 1:23-24). 4) James 2:19 tells us they also know there is only one true God and fear Him. 5) Matthew 10:1 says that demons are unclean. 6) They are also violent (Matthew 8:28).

Their location is revealed to be (not hell as many assume):

Some are bound in the bottomless pit, kept there for judgment (Luke 8:30-33; Revelation 20:1-3), while others roam freely and are called demons (Job 1:7). Satan and many of his demons roam freely. Matthew 12:24-27 and 25:41 seems to indicate that Satan is the chief of all the demons.

The works of demons include:

1) Seeking to possess human bodies, which includes indwelling them and controlling them (Luke 11:24-26); 2) they are many in number (Revelation 12:3,4,9) — perhaps the reason for such a great amount of evident demonic activity in Christ’s day was that Satan was trying to prevent His coming and working, in which case the demonic activity may very well increase again before His second coming also; 3) some, not all, mental and physical disorders are caused by demons (Mark 5:2-5); 4) demons can afflict injures upon people (Job 2:7); 5) demons help to spread false doctrines (1 Timothy 4:1; 1 John 4:1-3); 6) demons work deceptive miracles (2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:13-14); 7) demons encourage and receive all idolatrous worship (1 Corinthians 10:20); 8) they influence human governments (Daniel 10-12).

However, we also know that demons are subject completely to the Word of God (Matthew 8:32) and that even Satan is bounded by the permission of God (Job 1:12; 2:6).

Regarding demon possession:

It is demonic control from within a person’s body (Luke 8:30). Possession can take many forms, including epilepsy-like symptoms, insanity, and occult practices like fortune-telling.

Many good Christians debate whether God’s people can be possessed; however, it seems that if the Spirit indwells a person, than that “strong man” could not be overthrown or co-habitated with (Luke 11:21; Matthew 12:29; 1 John 4:4). Regardless, we should certainly put on the whole armor of God in order to effectively defend against them (Ephesians 6:12-20).

Exorcism is the casting of demons out of people. The only advice in Scripture on this subject is that 1) we should not lock horns with the spiritual world in our own strength or by our own efforts (Jude 9); 2) we need to proclaim the gospel message which causes them to shudder; 3) we need to stand on the Word of God (as Jesus did when confronting Satan); 4) we need to not doubt God (as Eve did with Satan); 5) we should utilize prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29).

Demonic influence is the external influence or control (not from within a person). Most of our sin is because of our own sinful nature and cannot be blamed on demons; however, demons can influence us toward evil, whether believers or non-believers. Exodus 7:8-12 reminds us that God is more powerful than the strongest of demons and the occult arts.

The final destination of demons:

is the eternal torture and misery of the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10; Matthew 25:41).

While we are not to dwell inordinately on the demonic world (Philippians 4:8), as Christians it is vitally important to realize that we are engaged in a spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Do you have the full armor of God on right now? Are you living a life of truth and righteousness and faith? Have you mastered the only offensive weapon that we are given, God’s Word?