Foundations of Faith
DEMONS

In the last few issues we have had lessons on angels and on Satan, the chief of the fallen angels. For completeness of our subject, let us say a few things about the followers of Satan, known as Satan’s angels (Rev. 12:9), devils or demons (Matt. 7:22; Luke 8:27-38), unclean spirits (Matt. 12:43; Acts 8:7; Rev. 16:13), or evil spirits (Luke 7:21; Acts 19:12,13). The King James Version uses the word “devil” for both Satan and his angels. However, the words are different in the original Greek text; most other versions of the New Testament properly translate the Greek word diabolos as “devil,” referring to Satan, and the Greek word daimon as “demon,” referring to Satan’s angelic followers. The demons were created by the Son of God (compare Col. 1:13-16 with Eph. 6:12). They apparently fell along with Satan from their original state of perfection, and are ruled by Satan (Matt. 12:24-26; Rev. 12:7-9). Demons are spirit beings without bodies (Matt. 12:43,44); however, their full power seems to come from occupying the bodies of humans or beasts (Matt. 9:32,33; Mark 5:1-13; 9:17-26; Acts 19:16).

Demons have the power to cause physical disease (Job 2:7; Matt. 12:22; Luke 9:39), insanity (Luke 8:26-35), and even death (Job 1:15-19; Rev. 9:14-19), However, their power is limited by God (Job 1:12; 2:6), and they have nothing to do with many cases of illness and death (see Assignment 13).

Demons, like Satan their leader, have great knowledge, and they communicate their knowledge to people such as fortune tellers who yield themselves to demonic power (Acts 16:16-18). They also impersonate the spirits of the dead; thus through mediums (or those having “familiar spirits”) people think they are communicating with their departed loved ones (Lev. 20:6,27; 1 Sam. 28:3-8; 2 Chron. 33:6). When King Saul was in trouble, he went to a medium and asked her to bring up Samuel–who was dead–so he could get Samuel’s advice. The medium got the shock of her life when Samuel himself appeared, rather than a demon impersonator (1 Sam. 28:11-15). The Bible strictly forbids every kind of communication or playing around with evil spirits:”There shall not be found among you anyone who … practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord” (Deut. 18:10-12, The New King James Version).

Can a born-again Christian be possessed by a demon? There is no evidence of this in the Scriptures. The Christian is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:9,11; 1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19), and so cannot be demon-possessed (see also Col. 1:13; 1 John 4:4). However, the Christian can be oppressed or influenced by demons who seek to hinder him from following the Lord (Eph. 6:11-18; see May-August issues of GROWING).

Running the Race
DEMONS LURKING–KEEP OUT!

Have you ever thought it would be cool to go to a fortune teller, have seances with the dead, or observe a witchcraft ceremony? Here is just one of several experiences a young woman had when she tried to get herself out of a very deep involvement with evil spirits:

“The dark mist was swirling, alive, filled with the presence of something more monstrous than anything I had ever before encountered…. Voices shrieked in hideous laughter. ‘We’re going to kill you!’ I panicked and broke into a run. Something like a giant fist slammed into my back between my shoulders…. I tried to scream out ‘Jesus!’ but an iron hand closed upon my throat choking off the word. All I could do was scream in my mind, ‘Jesus, Jesus, help me!’ ‘He can’t help you,’ the voices shrieked…. Suddenly the grip around my throat loosened–the blackness lifted…. I could see the faces of countless demons, contorted, twisted in indescribable rage” (from The Beautiful Side of Evil by Johanna Michaelsen, Harvest House Publishers, copyright 1982; used by permission).

Ms. Michaelsen tells how she had many beautiful, peaceful, ecstatic experiences while communicating with evil spirits. But once she began to be convicted that she ought to get away from such activities and return to following the Lord Jesus, it was anything but peaceful for her. (See Assignment 14)

Ms. Michaelsen, along with others who have written on this topic, say that occult practices (that is, getting involved in the world of demons) are often disguised as innocent games. Many young people have no idea what they are getting into.
Have you ever played around with a Ouija board, tarot cards, tea-leaf or palm reading, or crystal ball gazing? Have you played Dungeons and Dragons or other fantasy role-playing games that involve casting spells or other magical arts? Do you play video games that involve the same kind of thing? Are you attracted to movies or television programs that focus on ghosts, witchcraft, communication with the dead, psychic powers? Have you ever visited a fortune teller (usually advertised today as “reader and advisor”)? Do you have a fascination with astrology or do you look to the daily horoscope for guidance?

All of these may involve dabbling in Satan’s world, the world of demons and evil spirits. The Bible warns us against astrology and turning to sources other than God and His Word for guidance: “Take … heed … lest you lift up your eyes unto heaven, and when you see the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, should be driven to worship them and serve them” (Deut. 4:15-19; see also 18:10-12 quoted earlier). Every excursion that you make into the world of demons only encourages the demons to pay more attention to you–often with tragic consequences.
If you have already gotten involved in the world of demons, confess this to the Lord and call upon Him to help you to escape from it. Seek the aid of a godly counselor as well. While you may experience much opposition from the demon world, as did Ms. Michaelsen, you will also find, as she did, that “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Assignment 13: Write out verses in John 9, 1 Corinthians 11, and Hebrews 12 that give causes of illness and death other than the activity of demons.

Assignment 14: Write out a verse in 2 Corinthians 11 that tells why one might find it enjoyable to be involved with demons.