What Is A Demon? – Know What You’re Up Against

In today’s time, it’s normal to hear of angels, demons, Satan, God, vampires, witches, miracles, and heroes. So, to ask this question comes only naturally, what is a demon?

Demons are commonly known as supernatural evil entities that are or do bad things. Even though movies or books sometimes give demons a rather playful character role, the Bible presents them as a negative influence that either possesses or oppresses people but can be cast out. Are they actually real though? Do you have to fear them? What does the Bible say about them?

Let’s look at this together.

What Is A Demon in The Common Understanding?

In the common understanding of the word “Demon”, people associate an evil entity.

A quick Wikipedia search tells us:

“A demon is a supernatural being, typically associated with evil, prevalent historically in religion, occultism, literature, fiction, mythology, and folklore; as well as in media such as comics, video games, movies and television series. (…) In Ancient Near Eastern religions and in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered a harmful spiritual entity which may cause demonic possession, calling for an exorcism.” 

Wikipedia

In any kind of fictional fantasy story in movies or books, demons are often used as antagonists or helpers of an antagonist to symbolize evil, fear, or terror.

They are supposed to characterize the dark side with a supernatural touch.

Sometimes they appear playful, sucking the consumer into the idea that demons are actually not too bad to be around.

There are tons of Metal bands for example that thrive on that theme of “darkness”, “demons”, “gothic”, etc.

When I was in my teenage years I can remember playing a fantasy computer game called World of Warcraft that had as the main storyline a battle between the good side of humans, elves, dwarfs, etc. fighting the bad side of orcs, trolls, the undead, etc.

In that game, I would literally summon and play with or against “demons” per mouse click.

I can remember being sucked into this world and being mesmerized by every “magical” component of it.

This, by the way, is one manifestation of witchcraft. It entices you and draws you in until you almost can’t get out anymore.

I would play hours at a time all at the cost of my school grades, my health, and my social interactions with friends and family.

If my mom would try to get me to stop playing I would throw a decent teenage temper tantrum.

In short, I was truly addicted to a game and a world full of playful fantasy witchcraft with demons.

Thankfully God turned it all around and delivered me completely after I got saved.

Not only did I learn more about Jesus, but also His angels, demons, and the supernatural.

I learned that this supernatural realm is real and nothing to be taken lightly.

If you want to learn more about the supernatural realm or want to get to know me more and what this website is all about, visit yeshuahboyton.com.

What Is A Demon? – The Biblical View

The Bible is very clear about what a demon is.

It is a “Spirit being who is unclean and immoral in nature and activities.” (Biblestudytools.com)

A good example is a story in which Jesus meets the man with the demon called “Legion”.

In Luke 8:26-39, the writer of the gospel uses the word δαιμόνια (demons or devils, but actually meaning evil spirits) and in Mark 5:1-20 it is the word πνεύματι (spirit, movement of air, wind, breath).

Therefore we can see when the Bible mentions a demon it actually means an unclean spirit.

These unclean spirits are lead by Satan or “the Satan” as the Hebrew word expresses in the Old Testament.

We see this concept also in the New Testament in Matthew 12:24 where the Pharisees name Beelzebub as the ruler of the demons.

The mission of a demon is to come into your life like a thief to kill, steal, and destroy what God has given you (John 10:10).

As you might have noticed in the scriptures above they also have names that usually are closely tied to their function.

You see that in Luke 8:26-39 with the demon called “Legion”.

Or in Exodus 12:23 an entity called “the destroyer” is released to kill all the firstborn children in Egypt in the houses without a sign of blood on the doorposts.

Another example is in Revelation 6:8. This Spirit’s name is death.

These are some of the examples to just name a few.

This video here answers these questions very creatively and gives you further information.

Do Demons Come From Fallen Angels?

I believe this question is highly debatable.

Some people say demons are the fallen angels that rebelled together with Satan and were kicked out of heaven (christianity.com).

Other people say, they are two different things because this connection was only made in late ancient Christian writing (jstor.com).

Here is what I believe.

I think they are two different beings.

The Bible does not explicitly say “demons come from angels” or “rebellious angels become demons” or the like.

Therefore I can only make an interpretation, and when I meet Jesus in heaven one day this is one of my questions from the “One day to ask Jesus face to face”-questions.

But in Jude 6 we read:

And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day;

Jude 6 NKJV

There are some angels that rebelled and died in the flood.

Then there are angels that left their authority and became what we call “fallen”, even though the Bible doesn’t use that explicit word.

Again Jude 6 says that God bound them up for the great day which I could see is a day soon to come described in Revelations 19:17-21.

I don’t believe they became demons simply because God bound them up.

On the other hand, the Bible does say that angels are ministering spirits (Hebrews 1:13-14), but it’s talking about the angels of God, non-natural beings.

In the end, it doesn’t matter if they are or aren’t the same.

They’re both bad and will all be crushed and thrown into the lake of fire (Revelations 20:13-15).

What Is A Demon? – Are They Real?

Having come this far in the article I would assume that you already believe what the Bible has to say about demons.

But should you still not be sure about this whole “demon-talk” then I want to start answering this question with the following.

Did you know that witches, warlocks, Satanists, shamans, gurus, etc. are a thing and actually pray and release demons over people?

I found this Wikipedia quote:

“In Western occultism and Renaissance magic, which grew out of an amalgamation of Greco-Roman magic, Jewish Aggadah and Christian demonology, a demon is believed to be a spiritual entity that may be conjured and controlled.”

wikipedia

Now you might be doubting this whole topic but I want to encourage you to listen to some testimonies that were involved deep into the occult and how Jesus encountered and got them out.

You should listen to John Ramirez for example to get an idea of what I mean.

What he will tell you about the spiritual realm is quite something.

Yes, occultists and demons are real, but so is God! There is a supernatural realm if we believe it or not.

Anything that happens in the physical has been prepped or decided in the spiritual first.

What’s The Dealio between Us & Demons

See, you and I are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). God is without sin. Therefore we, in our pure image-of-God-nature, can’t sin.

So, in order to sin and break out of your God-given behavior, you need “help”. That help comes from a demonic spirit.

Don’t get me wrong!

If you sin you are fully responsible for your actions before God.

Temptations come in and through the flesh, but you make a conscious decision to sin.

That opens the door to a spirit to help you commit that sin, which brings a consequence (a curse) on you and to the third or fourth generation after you (Exodus 20:5), if not broken and brought under the blood of Jesus.

God’s heart in this all is to bring correction to rebellious people and lead them back to repentance. It is an expression of God’s love for you (Revelation 3:19).

Two examples of sin bringing a curse and being carried out by a demon can be the last plague before the exodus of Isreal and King Saul being tormented by an evil spirit.

In the book of Exodus God tells Pharaoh to let His people go, but Pharaoh wouldn’t and hardened his heart (in sin, rebellion, pride, etc. – Exodus 10:27-29).

That’s why God releases the consequence (the curse) in Exodus 11:1.

Then in Exodus 12:23, the destroyer carries out that consequence/curse and all the firstborn children of the households not marked by blood die.

In the story of King Saul in 1 Samuel 16:14 a tormenting spirit comes to Saul because he committed a sin before God (1 Samuel 15).

Now, my point in all this is, that demons don’t just do anything they want.

Demons are actually just obedient to God’s Word and/or your words or actions that give them a right to kill, steal, and destroy in your life.

You can see this in the book of Revelation chapter 9 where it says that they (demons) were given authority to torment.

They were given authority.

Demons only act upon command, such as God’s angels do too.

As a side note, I also want to point out that demons do have weapons and armor. Just like the followers of Jesus.

Christians are even commanded to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20). But I get ahead of myself, this is a topic for another post.

Do You Have to Fear Demons?

Well, it depends… Let me explain.

You do have to fear them if you live a life without Jesus.

If you live a rebellious life and dabble with the occult, don’t be surprised if weird stuff starts happening in your life.

But if Jesus is you Lord and Saviour you don’t have to fear any evil.

Jesus has given you an authority in Him as a follower of Christ (Matthew 28:18-19; Mark 16:15-19).

Jesus won the victory once and for all on the cross. He defeated death and the grave.

Now He gives His disciples that everlasting life and resurrection power through the Holy Spirit to conquer any power of darkness.

Therefore, the gates of Hell shall not prevail (Matthew 16:18)!

In the name of Jesus, you are equipped to come against any evil spirit in your life or even in other people’s lives.

Jesus is even commanding His disciples to cast them out of people in His name (Mark 16:15-19).

He wouldn’t say that if He knew we couldn’t do it or it would substantially hurt us.

In Jesus, you don’t have to fear any power of darkness!

In fact, the Bible says perfect love, God’s fatherly, respectful, and honoring love, will cast out the spirit of fear (1 John 4:18; 2 Timothy 1:7).

The Spirit of fear – there you can see another demon in the Bible.

But God tells you, that His Love overcomes and defeats that demon!

In this life, we do have authority over demons in the name of Jesus.

We ought to cast them out of ourselves, the oppressed, and the captives to proclaim and manifest the kingdom of God (Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-19, Luke 4:18-19, John 20:21).

Learn more about the gospel message of Jesus in this post I made for you.

Have you had any experience with the supernatural? If so, what was it and how did God move on your behalf?

I made a helpful guide leading you through self-deliverance. You should definitely check it out!

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