What do we know about demons?
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By French artist Gustave Dore (1832-1883)
What do we know about demons?
We know that Satan commands many demons, although the exact number is unknown. We understand that demons are fallen angels (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6), but we have no idea when they fell. Demons have been described as "evil angels" and they attack our faith in different ways, depending on our particular weakness. Everything we know about demons, we learn from the Bible, but there are still many unanswered questions.
The Bible tells us that -
"Demons are spirits (Matthew 12:43; 12:45), Satan's emissaries (Matthew 12:26-27), and so numerous as to make Satan's power practically ubiquitous (Mark 5:9). They are capable of entering and controlling both men and beasts (Mark 5:2-5; 5:11-13), and earnestly seek embodiment, without which, apparently, they are powerless for evil (Matthew 12:43-44; Mark 5:10-12). Demon influence and demon possession are discriminated in the New Testament. Instances of the latter are Matthew 4:24; 8:16; 8:28; 8:33; 9:32; 12:22;
Mark 1:32; 5:15-16; 5:18; Luke 8:36; Acts 8:7; 16:16. Demons are unclean, sullen, violent and malicious (Matthew 8:28; 9:33; 10:1; 12:43; Mark 1:23; 5:3-5; 9:17; 9:20; Luke 6:18; 9:39). They know Jesus Christ as Most High God and recognize His supreme authority (Matthew 8:31-32; Mark 1:23-24; Acts 19:15; James 2:19). They know their eternal fate to be one of torment (Matthew 8:29; Luke 8:31). They inflict physical maladies (Matthew 12:22; 17:15-18; Luke 13:16). However, mental disease is to be distinguished from the disorder of mind due to demoniacal control. Demon influence may manifest itself in religious asceticism (1 Timothy 4:1-3), degenerating into uncleanness. The sign of demon influence in religion is departure from the faith, i.e. the body of revealed truth in the Scriptures (1 Timothy 4:1). The demons maintain a conflict with Christians who would be spiritual (Ephesians 6:12; 1 Timothy 4:1-3). The Christians resources are prayer and bodily control (Matthew 17:21), "the whole armor of God" (Ephesians 6:13-18). All unbelievers are open to demon possession (Ephesians 2:2). Exorcism in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 16:18) was practiced for demon possession. And one of the awful features of the apocalyptic judgments in which this age will end is an emergence of demons out of the abyss (Revelation 9:1-11; 9:20).
("The New Scofield Reference Bible" published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; page 1003)
We know that Satan commands many demons, although the exact number is unknown. We understand that demons are fallen angels (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6), but we have no idea when they fell. Demons have been described as "evil angels" and they attack our faith in different ways, depending on our particular weakness. Everything we know about demons, we learn from the Bible, but there are still many unanswered questions.
The Bible tells us that -
"Demons are spirits (Matthew 12:43; 12:45), Satan's emissaries (Matthew 12:26-27), and so numerous as to make Satan's power practically ubiquitous (Mark 5:9). They are capable of entering and controlling both men and beasts (Mark 5:2-5; 5:11-13), and earnestly seek embodiment, without which, apparently, they are powerless for evil (Matthew 12:43-44; Mark 5:10-12). Demon influence and demon possession are discriminated in the New Testament. Instances of the latter are Matthew 4:24; 8:16; 8:28; 8:33; 9:32; 12:22;
Mark 1:32; 5:15-16; 5:18; Luke 8:36; Acts 8:7; 16:16. Demons are unclean, sullen, violent and malicious (Matthew 8:28; 9:33; 10:1; 12:43; Mark 1:23; 5:3-5; 9:17; 9:20; Luke 6:18; 9:39). They know Jesus Christ as Most High God and recognize His supreme authority (Matthew 8:31-32; Mark 1:23-24; Acts 19:15; James 2:19). They know their eternal fate to be one of torment (Matthew 8:29; Luke 8:31). They inflict physical maladies (Matthew 12:22; 17:15-18; Luke 13:16). However, mental disease is to be distinguished from the disorder of mind due to demoniacal control. Demon influence may manifest itself in religious asceticism (1 Timothy 4:1-3), degenerating into uncleanness. The sign of demon influence in religion is departure from the faith, i.e. the body of revealed truth in the Scriptures (1 Timothy 4:1). The demons maintain a conflict with Christians who would be spiritual (Ephesians 6:12; 1 Timothy 4:1-3). The Christians resources are prayer and bodily control (Matthew 17:21), "the whole armor of God" (Ephesians 6:13-18). All unbelievers are open to demon possession (Ephesians 2:2). Exorcism in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 16:18) was practiced for demon possession. And one of the awful features of the apocalyptic judgments in which this age will end is an emergence of demons out of the abyss (Revelation 9:1-11; 9:20).
("The New Scofield Reference Bible" published by Oxford University Press, New York, New York; page 1003)
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