Warfare Spirituality part 8

Warfare Spirituality part 8

2. The Nature and Work of Demons

The Scriptures are filled with evidence of the reality of demons (fallen angels) who oppose Jesus Christ (though they are defeated). His people and the preaching of the Gospel to the lost.  Here is a smattering of verses.

They must no longer offer any of their sacrifices to the goat idols to whom they prostitute themselves. This is to be a lasting ordinance for them and for the generations to come.' Leviticus 17:7
 They sacrificed to demons, which are not God-- gods they had not known, gods that recently appeared, gods your fathers did not fear. Deuteronomy 32:17
 They sacrificed their sons and their daughters to demons. Psalm 106:37
 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out,
 "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!"
 "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!"
 The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.
 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching--and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him." Mark 1:23-27
 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.  Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 1 Timothy 4:1-2
 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment; 2 Peter 2:4
 And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. Revelation 12:7
 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation." Matthew 12:45

The Properties of Demons

• They are depraved in their persons and work. In their fallen state, demons are twisted and perverse. They are creatures of darkness, bitterly opposed to the holy character of God.
• They are spirit beings (Matthew 8:16; Luke 10:17,20). They are not limited by normal physical barriers (e.g., a legion of demons in one man; Luke 8:30). Demons are incorporeal, but as creatures, they are finite and limited (Matthew 12:43).
• They are invisible but capable of manifesting themselves (Revelation 9:7-10; 16:13-14).
• They have the power of speech through the people they inhabit (Mark 1:24).
• They possess superhuman intelligence. They knew the true identity of Christ (Mark 1:24,34; 5:7) and enabled a girl to predict future events (Acts 16:16).
• They have supernatural power. Demons can physically overpower and afflict humans (Matthew 8:28; Acts 19:13-16). They can also afflict the mind and emotions.

The Program of Demons

• They obey Satan (Matthew 12:24; Revelation 12:7) and greatly extend his power and influence on people, nations, and the world system (Daniel 10:13,20; John 12:31; Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 5:19).
• They induce physical and mental ailments (Matthew 12:22; Mark 9:17-29; Luke 8:27-33; 2 Corinthians 12:7). For example, Jesus cast out a "spirit of infirmity," a "deaf spirit," a "blind spirit," and a "dumb spirit."
• They promote idolatry (Leviticus 17:7; Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm 96:5).
• They seek to enslave people to the occult. This includes spiritism, foretelling the future, physical and psychic phenomena, magic, and witchcraft (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:9-12; Acts 13:6-11).
• They support temporal value systems and philosophies (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).
• They encourage lawlessness, immorality, and rebellion among people (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4, 7). Like their master, demons try to steal, kill, and destroy.
• They pervert the gospel of grace (1 Timothy 4:1-3; Colossians 2:18).
• They inspire false teachers and spiritual counterfeits (2 Corinthians 11:13-15; 2 Peter 2:1-2; 1 John 4:1-4). They are part of the dynamic behind pagan religions and pseudo-Christian cults.

·         They oppose believers and seek to defeat their spiritual life (Ephesians 6:10-11). Demons are active in promoting strife, jealousy, selfish ambition, and divisions in the church (1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:1-8; James 3:14-16). The devil and his demons seek to hold us captive to do their will (2 Timothy 2:26).

 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:15