DEMONS: In today’s society we can find many people, cultures, and secular churches with a variety of beliefs about the devil. But in our newsletter this month I would like to discuss with our readers what the scriptures say about demons.

In the King James Bible the word devil should be noted as demons since there is only one Devil, or Satan.  Demons are invisible creatures, spirit beings, who oppose God and man. They are very real, unholy spirits who like to indwell humans, even children. They apparently followed Lucifer in his rebellion against God, so just as Lucifer was, they were cast out of heaven with Satan.  

And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Jude 1:6

Demons appear to be used by Satan to achieve his diabolic work against God.  They are evil, and they are of different ranks of power.  During the ministry of Jesus there were many mentions of demons afflicting people, and Jesus would cast them out.  Jesus even gave his disciples power to cast out demons as they went about ministering. But interestingly enough, there is no direction in the Bible for those of us living today in the church age to cast out demons. We are told to “Preach the Word.” Where the Word of God is freely preached, there appears to be less demon activity than in countries where there is predominately cults and false religions. Demons make people miserable. A good example of this can be found in 1 Samuel where we see how King Saul was very often troubled by a demon spirit.

This evil spirit made him miserable and restless. The only thing that ever seemed to calm him was when David played his harp. King Saul’s problem was from an evil spirit God used to harass and disturb him, and not from any type of bodily disease, so it was out of the reach of physicians to help him. Even so, it was not out of God’s hands. Remember, although demon spirits can, and do trouble people God is sovereign, and always in full control. He can allow, or not allow what any demon does. But because King Saul was disobedient God allowed an evil spirit to trouble him.

A Legion of Demons
In the scriptures we can find many accounts of demon activity, or power. Another powerful account can be seen in a man living in the country of the Gadarenes. The gospel of Mark, chapter 5 shows us a man who was under the control of a legion of demons, somewhere in number between three to six thousand.

In this account, when Jesus and his disciples arrived in  Gadarenes, Jesus was spotted by this man with the unclean spirit. The Bible tells us that this man, who was controlled by this legion of demons, was a danger to himself. He lived naked among the dead, crying and cutting himself, and he was totally out of control.  When the demons who possessed this man recognized Jesus they were fearful because they knew who Jesus was.  They were afraid Jesus would send them to hell before their time so they began to plead for him to allow them to enter into the swine near by. 

And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. Mark 5:12

Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Ephesians 6:11-13

This is the Christian’s only defense against the enemy of our souls.  Our enemy is more powerful and shrewd than we are, and Paul instructs us in how to defend and protect ourselves.

“We Must Put on the Whole Armor of God.”

The word PRINCIPALITIES refers to principal rulers, or chieftains, as well as those who had power, or to whom the name of powers was given.

Demons in the Last Days
The Apostle Paul warns us that in the last days of the church age, many would depart from the Christian faith;

It’s hard to imagine, but demons have a doctrine, or a teaching on their evil.  You can be sure none of these teachings are helpful or profitable. However, many people are persuaded by them - Cults, Occult, false religions, false teachers, Atheists, etc...

We see this even today, as Bible believing churches are on the decline as prophesied.  Many churches preach a false message. Many are just activist churches, stirring up bitterness and hate.  When Jesus told John to write the seven letters to the churches in Revelation he said the last church had Jesus standing on the outside. Folks, it saddens me to say but many churches today can be compared to the Laodicean Church in the book of Revelation where we see Jesus on the out side of the church.

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth .... Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:14-16, 20

Here are a few more scriptures regarding demons;

Unclean Demon in Luke 4:33-35;
And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.  And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not.

Also in Luke 8:29 and 9:42 there is a mention of an unclean spirit which is a demon.  This kind of demon must be one who is vulgar and full of profanity.

Luke 11:14 Speaks of a Dumb Devil;
And he was casting out a devil, and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered.

Can you imagine that a demon would be dumb, but here the Bible says this demon was a dumb, spirit being who could not talk.  Since this demon indwelt a human being, this person could not talk either.  But once Jesus cast the demon out the man was free to speak.  

In Mark we find another example of a dumb spirit;

And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.  He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? a him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.  And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. Mark 9:17-21

Luke 11:26 Speaks of More Wicked Devils;
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.  And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.  Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.

Here is a man who had a wicked spirit in him and the wicked spirit decided to leave, but after some time he decided to return to the person he had left.  When he went back, he took with him seven other spirits more wicked than he was.  So apparently some demons are more wicked than others.  In fact, the Apostle Peter tells of those so wicked they are chained in Tartarus.

For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 2 Peter 2:4

Acts 19:14-15 Tells of an Evil Spirit;
Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.  And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

Evil spirits always have evil plans against someone.  Satan and his cohorts never have real blessings, and their end is often ruin and pain.

Demons Can Indwell Unsaved People
I want to be clear, so everyone who is a born again child of God does not think they can be indwelt by a demon.. Demons cannot take possession of a saved person. Apostle John assures us of this;

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.       1 John 4:4  

But demons can take up residence in any unsaved person they choose if it serves the purposes of God.  Frankly, I think some of the horrific crimes we hear about may be the result of one who is under the control of a demon, or demons.  Often we hear of people who say they heard a voice that told them to do certain things.  People should never fail to understand that Satan and demons are real, and we are all living in Satan’s territory while we are in this world.

Taken from Pastor Ellis’ Christian Study Booklet

Satan - A Fallen Creature

Satan is a fallen angelic creature who once had the most privileged position in heaven. He was once the most beautiful, and most powerful of all the angels. He was created perfect, but at some point, he became dissatisfied and wanted the throne of the Creator. This would be his undoing. There would be no forgiveness offered to him once he committed this heinous act.  The first time we see him is in Genesis the third chapter when he approaches Eve and entices her to eat forbidden fruit.
 
The Scriptures have much information about Satan. Let us first note;  Satan is a deceiver, Satan is a murderer, and Satan never, ever, tells the truth. Satan is always at work behind the scenes to accomplish his ministry. Some of his purposes are to:
a. Destroy
b. Hurt
c. Create doubt
d. Create fear
e. Hinder
f.  Strike at God and man