Demons are often portrayed in scary stories, but what does the Bible actually say about them? Scripture gives us insight into their nature, their purpose, and how believers can stand firm against them. Today, we’ll explore what God’s Word teaches about demons.
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What Does The Bible Say About Demon
Mark 16:17-18
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
This verse emphasizes the power and authority that believers have in the name of Jesus. It highlights that believers can drive out demons, speak in new tongues, handle dangerous situations without harm, and bring healing to the sick through the laying on of hands.
It reminds us that as Christians, we have received the Holy Spirit and are equipped to confront and overcome demonic forces through the power of Jesus.
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
This verse encourages believers to submit themselves to God and resist the devil. It emphasizes the need to maintain a strong spiritual posture, rooted in obedience to God.
By firmly resisting the devil and his temptations, we can experience victory and see him flee from our lives. It reminds us that our true power comes from God, and when we align ourselves with Him, the devil’s influence is weakened.
1 Peter 5:8-9
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
This verse cautions believers to be vigilant and watchful, recognizing that the devil seeks to bring destruction and hinder their faith. It urges believers to resist him and remain steadfast in their faith.
By standing firm and united with other believers who also face similar challenges, we can find strength and encouragement to overcome the schemes of the enemy.
Ephesians 6:11-12
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
This verse highlights the importance of equipping ourselves with the spiritual armor of God to withstand the devil’s schemes. It reminds us that our battle is not against human opponents but against spiritual forces of evil.
By putting on the full armor of God, we can effectively resist and overcome the attacks of the enemy, recognizing that our source of strength lies in the Lord and His mighty power.
Acts 19:11-12
“God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them.”
This verse demonstrates the power of God working through the Apostle Paul to perform extraordinary miracles, including the casting out of evil spirits. It highlights that God can use ordinary objects to bring about healing and deliverance.
It reminds us that God’s power is not limited by human methods and that He can work in supernatural ways to set people free from demonic oppression.
Matthew 12:43-45
“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 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 person is worse than the first.”
This verse warns of the dangers of allowing an evil spirit to be cast out without filling the void with the presence of God. It illustrates that if the house (person) remains empty, it becomes vulnerable to a return of even more wicked spirits.
It emphasizes the importance of not only driving out demons but also cultivating a close relationship with God and filling our lives with His presence to prevent further spiritual oppression.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
This verse highlights that as believers, our spiritual battles are not fought with worldly weapons but with the divine power of God. It emphasizes our authority to tear down strongholds and bring every thought into obedience to Christ.
It reminds us that our primary focus should be on aligning our thoughts and actions with the truth of God’s Word, enabling us to effectively combat spiritual opposition and overcome the schemes of the enemy.
Luke 10:17-20
“The seventy-two returned with joy and said, ‘Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.’ He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.’
This verse reveals the authority that Jesus has given to His disciples to overcome the power of the enemy. It highlights the joy of witnessing demons submit in Jesus’ name.
However, Jesus reminds them that their ultimate cause for rejoicing is not in their ability to cast out demons but in the certainty of their salvation and eternal relationship with God.
1 John 4:4
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
This verse affirms that believers, being children of God, have overcome the forces of darkness because of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit within them.
It reminds us that as believers, we have the power and authority to overcome the influence of evil spirits because the Spirit of God in us is greater and more powerful than any force in the world.
1 Timothy 4:1
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
This verse warns of the spiritual deception that will occur in later times, with some individuals turning away from the faith and being led astray by false teachings originating from demonic entities.
It serves as a reminder to remain discerning, anchored in the truth of God’s Word, and vigilant against the schemes of the devil and his attempts to lead people away from the path of truth.
1 John 5:18-19
“We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”
This verse declares that those who have been born of God are protected by Him, and the evil one cannot harm them. It affirms the security and divine protection that believers have in God.
However, it also acknowledges the reality that the world is under the influence and control of the evil one. Therefore, believers need to remain grounded in their identity as children of God, relying on His strength and guidance to navigate through the darkness of this world.
Acts 8:7
“With shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.”
This verse describes the deliverance and healing that occurred through the ministry of Philip. It reveals the power of God to cast out impure spirits and bring physical healing to those who were afflicted.
It serves as a reminder that God’s power is not limited and that He can bring freedom and healing from the influence of demonic oppression, both spiritually and physically.
Colossians 2:15
“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”
This verse declares that through His death on the cross, Jesus disarmed and publicly humiliated the powers and authorities of darkness. It underscores the victory that Jesus achieved over the enemy.
It reminds believers that the power of the cross is sufficient to triumph over any demonic force, providing assurance and confidence in the authority and victory that we have in Christ.
Revelation 12:11
“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
This verse reveals the means by which believers are able to overcome the devil. It highlights the significance of the blood of Jesus and the power of our testimonies in defeating the enemy.
It challenges believers to be bold and unyielding in their faith, even in the face of death, knowing that ultimate victory has been secured through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Mark 5:15
“When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.”
This verse showcases the remarkable transformation that occurred when Jesus delivered a man from a legion of demons. It demonstrates the power of Jesus to restore sanity and bring complete deliverance.
It reminds us that the authority of Jesus is greater than any demonic influence and that His power can bring freedom from bondage and restore individuals to wholeness.
1 Samuel 16:23
“Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.”
This verse recounts an incident where David’s musical talent was used to bring relief to Saul when he was tormented by an evil spirit. It demonstrates the power of worship and music in combating spiritual oppression.
It serves as a reminder that engaging in worship and drawing near to God’s presence can bring peace and drive away demonic influences.
Luke 11:14
“Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed.”
This verse illustrates the authority and power of Jesus to release an individual from the bondage of a mute spirit. It showcases the miraculous and transformative work of Jesus in setting people free from demonic afflictions.
It serves as a reminder that nothing is impossible for Jesus, and He can bring healing and deliverance to the most hopeless and oppressed situations.
Matthew 8:28-32
“When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. ‘What do you want with us, Son of God?’ they shouted. ‘Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?’ Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. The demons begged Jesus, ‘If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.’ He said to them, ‘Go!’ So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.”
This passage recounts the encounter between Jesus and demon-possessed men in the region of the Gadarenes. It reflects the authority and power of Jesus over demonic forces, as the demons were cast out and allowed to enter a herd of pigs, causing their destruction.
It demonstrates that Jesus has complete control over evil spirits, and His power extends to all creation.
Acts 16:16-18
“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.’ She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.”
This passage describes how Paul and his companions encountered a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. It reveals Paul’s authority in commanding the spirit to come out in the name of Jesus.
It shows that believers, through the power of Jesus’ name, can confront and cast out evil spirits, releasing people from their influence and bringing them into the freedom found in Christ.
Mark 9:25-26
“When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. ‘You deaf and mute spirit,’ he said, ‘I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.’ The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently, and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, ‘He’s dead.'”
In this account, Jesus encounters a young boy who was possessed by an impure spirit. Jesus exercises His authority to drive out the spirit, resulting in the boy being freed from its grip.
This verse demonstrates Jesus’ power over even the most severe cases of demonic possession, bringing healing and restoration to individuals who were oppressed by evil spirits.
Acts 16:16-18
“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.’ She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.”
This passage describes how Paul and his companions encountered a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. It reveals Paul’s authority in commanding the spirit to come out in the name of Jesus.
It shows that believers, through the power of Jesus’ name, can confront and cast out evil spirits, releasing people from their influence and bringing them into the freedom found in Christ.
Mark 9:25-26
“When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. ‘You deaf and mute spirit,’ he said, ‘I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.’ The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently, and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, ‘He’s dead.'”
In this account, Jesus encounters a young boy who was possessed by an impure spirit. Jesus exercises His authority to drive out the spirit, resulting in the boy being freed from its grip.
This verse demonstrates Jesus’ power over even the most severe cases of demonic possession, bringing healing and restoration to individuals who were oppressed by evil spirits.
Acts 16:16-18
“Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.’ She kept this up for many days. Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, ‘In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!’ At that moment the spirit left her.”
This passage describes how Paul and his companions encountered a slave girl possessed by a spirit of divination. It reveals Paul’s authority in commanding the spirit to come out in the name of Jesus.
It shows that believers, through the power of Jesus’ name, can confront and cast out evil spirits, releasing people from their influence and bringing them into the freedom found in Christ.
Mark 9:25-26
“When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. ‘You deaf and mute spirit,’ he said, ‘I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.’ The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently, and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, ‘He’s dead.'”
In this account, Jesus encounters a young boy who was possessed by an impure spirit. Jesus exercises His authority to drive out the spirit, resulting in the boy being freed from its grip.
This verse demonstrates Jesus’ power over even the most severe cases of demonic possession, bringing healing and restoration to individuals who were oppressed by evil spirits.