DEMONS
Andres C. Guevara Jr
August 7, 2003.
Demon, signified, among pagan Greeks, an inferior deity, whether good or bad. It
is translated in the greek word as “Daimon”. In the New Testament it denotes “an
evil spirit.” It is used in Matthew 8:31, as frequently mistranslated “devils.”
There is one “devil”, there are many demons.
THE ORIGIN OF
DEMONS
The origin of
demons is not revealed in the Bible.
They are thought to be angels who fell with Satan (Matthew 9:34; Matthew
12:24; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:7-9).
Not to be confused
with the fallen angels who are now bound (II Peter 2:4; Jude 6). Satan is their
prince (Matthew 12:22-28), ruling them through an evil hierarchy (Ephesians
6:12).
THE NATURE OF
DEMONS
1.
They are spirit---do not have bodies (Matthew 8:16)
2.
They are subtle----intelligent and have personality
(Mark 5:10; Luke 4:34)
3.
They are strong----have great strength (Acts 19:16; Mark
5:2-4)
4.
They have spot----unclean (Matthew 10:1; Mark 1:27)
Being unclean they tempt human beings with unclean thoughts.
5.
They are sinful----evil (Luke 7:21; Luke 8:2)
They differ in degrees of wickedness (Matthew 12:45)
THE WORKS OF
DEMONS
1.
Fulfilling the will of Satan (Jude 1:6; Ephesians
6:11,12)
2.
Opposing and hindering the will of God (Daniel 10:12,13)
3.
Following their leader which is Satan or Lucifer
(Ezekiel 28:1-15; I Samuel 14:12-14)
4.
Acting under Satan (Revelations 16:13-14)
5.
Deceiving men into the supposition that through mediums
they can converse with deceased human beings (Leviticus 20:6,27).
6.
Helping Satan control this evil world (Ephesians 6:12)
7.
Oppressing and hurting men (Luke 13:16; Mark 5:1-20)
8.
Possessing people to be subjected to them (Matthew 4:24;
Matthew 8:16, 28-33; Matthew 9:32; Matthew 12:22)
9.
Deluding men into holding and teaching false doctrine (I
Timothy 4:1)
10.
They will have part in Armageddon (Revelation 16:13-16).
They will instigate the rulers of the nations at the end of this age to make war
against God and His Christ.
THE WAYS OF
DEMON PRACTICE
1.
Idolatry (I Corinthians 10:20; Leviticus 17:7;
Deuteronomy 32:17; Psalm 106:37; Revelation 9:20)
2.
Witchcraft, astrology, etc. (Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Acts
16:16-18; Acts 19:13-19; II Chronicles 33:6)
THE WEAK
CHARACTERS DEFEATED BY THE DEMONIC POWER
The devil or
the demons can not make you sin. He can only open doors for you to fulfill your
secret lusts.
Satan and his
demons will use doubt, discouragement, confusion, false teachers, your past,
guilt, pride, old friends, old dates, hypocrites, jobs that make you work
Sunday, and relatives. The devil and the demons do not use the same temptations
on everyone. They usually try to work on your weakest point.
The demonic
temptations come in seasons. Do not
get discouraged. God provides us grace.
The devil and demons are hungry for those Christians who will glorify God
the most. So it is not unusual that
plans go wrong, persecution, financial problems, physical illnesses.
Don’t be surprised. When the
devil is resisting, it means victory is close!
THE WEAPONS
AGAINST THE DEMONIC ATTACK
1.
The WORD OF GOD—Ephesians 6:17.
Daily bathing in God’s Word will keep us filled with Holy desires and
therefore reduce areas in which the devil can tempt us.
Memorizing
scriptures that pertain to our weak points are also effective in times of
temptation.
2.
Our TESTIMONY—Psalms 119:9.
The tool of our testimony also resists the devil.
Constantly be witnessing to others, telling them how the Lord saved you.
You’ll be too busy to fall for temptations.
3.
Cast out in JESUS NAME—Acts 16:18; Matthew 17:20.
Demons trembled before God—James 2:19.
The Demons know Jesus Christ will some day judge and condemn them
(Matthew 8:29).