Demons
Introduction:
A. Devil and demons are different:
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There is only one Devil, Gr: diabolos, "an accuser, slanderer"
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There are many demons, Gr: daimonion "a knowing one"
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The Devil and his angels: Mt 25:41
C. Terms used to describe demons:
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Demons=spirits: Lk 10:17+20; evil spirit: Ax 19:13
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Possessed by spirit of unclean demon Lk 4:33 = a man with
unclean spirit Mk 1:23
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Cast out demons by ruler of demons (Satan): Mk 3:22
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Demons = Satan = unclean spirit Mk 3:22-23,30; Lk 11:24
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Unclean spirit = unclean spirits=demon-possessed Mk 5:2+13+15
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Unclean spirit = demon: Mk 7:25+30; Lk 9:42; Mt 12:43-45
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Not every spirit is from God: 1 Jn 4:1-4
E. Demons will be cast into hell: Jn
16:11; Mt 25:41; 2 Pe 2:4; Jude 6; Rev 12:7-9
F. Demons are intelligent powerful
spirit-beings capable of reason
D. Existence of demons appeared to
be generally accepted by the Jews: Lk 4:36
G. The Gentiles viewed demons as both
good and bad, to be feared and worshipped:
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In Athens for example, they considered themselves "demon-worshipful"
of idols.
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Ax 17:16-23; v18 ("deity" = lit "demons"); v22 ("religious"
= lit "demon-worshipful")
I. Different Views Of The Origin Of
Demons:
A. Since the Bible is silent on exactly
where demons came from, the best guess as to the origin of demons is that
they are most likely angels who sinned: Rev 12:7-9; 2 Pet 2:4; Jude 6.
B. Other views do exist:
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Justin Martyr, a Christian who lived about 150AD, believed
demons were the offspring of (angels + men = demons) based upon Gen 6:2-4
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The Greeks viewed demons as the spirits of wicked dead men:
Heb 9:27
C. False view: Demons are a personification
of evil and/or physical illnesses
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This false view sees the origin of all demons as merely physical
diseases. Today we could cast out demons by giving someone an aspirin or
a flu vaccination. It is a superstitious outlook to medical problems. This
false view teaches that Jesus spoke of demons only to accommodate the popular
ignorance and superstitions of the time.
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Sometimes demons were clearly the CAUSE of physical illnesses:
Lk 13:11; Mk 9:17,25; Lk 11:14
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Only an intelligent powerful spirit being could do any of
the following, illnesses could not:
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Recognize Jesus as God's son & Mt 8:29; Mk 1:23-24; 3:11;
5:7; Lk 4:41; 8:28; Ax 19:15
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Recognize Paul as God's servant : Ax 16:17
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Demons are unclean spirits that can reason: Mt 12:43-45
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Knew of coming judgment against them: Mt 8:29; Mk 1:24; 5:7;
Lk 4:34; 8:28,31
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"demons believe God and tremble" Jas 2:19 (gr: "tremble"
lit: to bristle up hair)
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If merely an illness, how do we account for the reaction
of the heard of swine?: Mk 5:13
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How could an illness exert supernatural power to break chains
& shackles: Mk 5:4
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Illnesses and possession clearly differentiated:
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Mt 4:24 "ill with various diseases & pains, demoniac,
epileptics (lit: lunatics), paralytics"
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Mt 10:8 "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers,
cast out demons"
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Mk 1:32-34 "all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed"
II. False doctrine has its origin in
demons
A. Demons are behind Idol worship:
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"the Gentiles sacrifice things to demons and not to God"
1 Cor 10:20
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"Deceiving spirits in mouths of prophets" 2 Chron 18:21-22
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Athenians were demon-worshipful as they worshipped idols:
Ax 17:16-23
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"they shall no longer sacrifice to the goat-demons" Lev 17:7
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"They sacrificed to demons who were not God" Deut 32:17
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"They even sacrificed their sons and daughters to the demons"
Ps 106:37
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"they did not repent so as to not worship demons and idols"
Rev 9:20
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"three unclean spirits like frogs, for they are spirits of
demons" Rev 16:13-14
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"Babylon, a dwelling place of demons, prison of every unclean
spirit & hateful bird" Rev 18:2
B. Denominationalism and divisions
of the church:
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"Hippocratic liars with seared consciences will fall away
from faith paying attention to deceitful spirits & doctrines of demons"
1 Ti 4:1-2
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"Even though we or an angel preaches a different gospel let
him be accursed" Gal 1:8