02.09. Demonology (Demons)
DEMONOLOGY (Demons)
SATAN I. Origin (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:12-19)
II. Character
Adversary (Satan), Slanderer (Devil), Destroyer (Apollyon), Serpent, Tempter, Prince and God of this world (John 12:31; 2 Corinthians 4:4, 1 John 5:19; 1 John 2:16); Father of lies (John 8:44); wicked one (Matthew 13:19)
III. Activities
A. Nature 1. Opposes God’s work (1 Thessalonians 2:18; Matthew 13:19; 2 Corinthians 4:4) 2. Snares the wicked (Luke 22:3; Revelation 20:7-8) 3. Presumptuous (Matthew 4:4-5);
4. Proud (1 Timothy 3:6) 5. Powerful (Ephesians 2:2);
6. Malignant (Job 2:4) 7. Subtle (Genesis 3:1; 2 Corinthians 11:3) 8. Deceitful (Ephesians 6:11) 9. Fierce and Cruel (1 Peter 5:8) 10. Can cause physical illness (Job 2:7) B. Sphere – Highest Circles (Ephesians 2:2) C. Motives – Intent on our ruin (John 10:10) D. Limitations – Only with God’s permission – Time Limited (Revelation 12:12) E. Destiny – (Genesis 3:15; Revelation 12:9; Revelation 20:10; Matthew 25:41)
DEMONS Gr. Daimon, daimonion – fallen spirits
I. Description: angels who fell with Satan (Matthew 12:24), divided into two groups: one group is active in opposing God’s people (Revelation 9:14; Revelation 16:14) and another is confined in prison (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 1:6), intelligent (Mark 1:24), know their doom (Matthew 8:29), have their own doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1-3).
II. Pictures: Scavenger Birds (Revelation 18:1-2) – unclean and dirty; Frogs (Revelation 16:13-14) –living in dark regions; Locusts and Scorpions (Revelation 9:2-3, Revelation 9:7-10) –torturing men; Serpents and Vipers (Luke 3:7) – totally, morally depraved in character.
III. Activities: Seek to hinder God’s plan (Daniel 10:10-14; Revelation 16:13-16); inflict illnesses (Matthew 9:33; Luke 13:11-16), possess animals (Mark 5:13), promote false doctrine (1 Timothy 4:1); influence nations (Isaiah 14:1-32; Ezekiel 28:1-26; Daniel 10:13; Revelation 16:13-14); possess unbelievers (Matthew 9:32-33; Matthew 10:18; Mark 6:13).
IV. Limitations: Limited by place like unfallen angels (Matthew 17:18; Mark 9:25), are used by God for His purposes when He desires (1 Samuel 16:14; 2 Corinthians 12:7); may be expelled and return back to the one from who exorcized (Luke 11:24-26).
V. Destiny: Will be cast along with Satan into lake of fire forever (Matthew 25:41).
VI. Expelling Demons
1. As a believer, you have Christ-given authority to cast demons (Matthew 10:1,8; Mark 16:17). It is Christ’s power, not yours. You’re only safe in Christ.
2. Christ cast them out by the Spirit of God (Matthew 12:28).
3. Prayer, fasting and total submission to God is required (Mark 9:29; James 4:7).
4. Pray for the gift of discerning the spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10).
5. Do not talk with demons, as a general rule (Mark 1:24). They are deceivers.
6. Cast them out in the Name of Jesus (Acts 16:18).
7. Do not close your eyes when casting out demons: you are commanding, not praying; demons are sometimes seen to be physically violent (Matthew 17:15; Acts 19:15-16).
8. Do not allow the demon to weaken your faith in God, His Word, and the power of Christ’s Holy Spirit.
9. In every deliverance session, there must be order and discipline among the servants of God; let one minister in authority while the rest back him/her in prayer.
10. All amulets, charms, fetishes, and occultic objects must be removed before any deliverance can take place. The possession of such things provide strongholds for demonic oppression. (Acts 19:19).
11. The delivered must be guided into confession, repentance, belief, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit to avoid serious consequences of demonic return (Matthew 12:44-45). A life of holiness and keeping in the will of God is imperative (1 John 5:18).
VII. Can Believers be Demon-Possessed?
1. No, for they are ruled by the Spirit of God.
2. Yes, if they fall from faith and favor with God (e.g., Saul, Judas Iscariot); which obviously means they have forsaken faith and are no longer believers. Some would choose to say that such forsakers (or apostates) were never true believers; either way, a believer is not demon-possessed. Forsaking faith refers to making a final, decisive, and willful rejection of Christ in a way that repentance is impossible (Hebrews 6:4-6).
3. Christians must guard themselves against demonic wisdom (James 3:13-16; Acts 5:1-4; 1 Timothy 4:1-5).
4. Christians must be sober-minded, watch and pray (1 Peter 5:8).
5. Christians must resist the devil being steadfast in faith (1 Peter 5:9; James 4:7) on the basis of the blood of Christ and the wielding of God’s Word (Revelation 12:11; Matthew 4:4). Know that Jesus is with you (Matthew 28:20).
6. Watch your words, temper, actions, and relationships (Ephesians 4:26-27; 2 Corinthians 2:10-11).
7. Live a Spirit-filled life (Luke 4:1, Luke 4:14; Jude 1:20-23; Ephesians 6:10 ff).