The concept of demons has intrigued and frightened humanity for centuries. Today, we’ll look into the Bible’s teachings on demons, examining verses that shed light on their existence, influence, and the spiritual warfare against them. Discover how the Scriptures guide us in understanding and overcoming the forces of darkness.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Healing The Mind
Bible Verses About Demons
Mark 16:17
“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;”
This verse highlights the authority given to believers in the name of Jesus to drive out demons. It demonstrates the power and effectiveness of faith in overcoming spiritual oppression.
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
In this verse, believers are reminded of the importance of submitting to God and resisting the devil. By resisting the devil through faith and obedience to God, we can experience victory over demonic oppression.
1 Peter 5:8
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
This verse cautions believers to be watchful and discerning, as the devil seeks to devour and destroy. It serves as a reminder to stay vigilant and rely on God’s strength to withstand spiritual attacks.
Ephesians 6:11
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
Believers are encouraged to put on the armor of God to stand against the schemes of the devil. This verse emphasizes the importance of spiritual preparation and relying on God’s strength to resist the enemy.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
“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.”
These verses emphasize that the weapons we use to fight against demonic strongholds are not physical but spiritual. Through the power of God, we can demolish arguments and thoughts that oppose the knowledge of 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.”
Believers are assured that they have the power to overcome demonic influences because God’s presence within them is greater than any force in the world.
Luke 10:19
“I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”
In this verse, Jesus affirms that He has given His followers authority over the power of the enemy. This verse speaks to the supernatural protection and victory over demonic forces that believers possess.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
This verse reminds believers that God’s Spirit gives them the power to overcome fear and to exercise self-control. It is through the Holy Spirit’s presence that believers can resist the influence of demonic forces.
Matthew 10:1
“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”
This verse showcases Jesus granting His disciples the authority to drive out impure spirits and heal sicknesses. It demonstrates that believers can take up this same authority to confront demonic forces.
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 highlights how Jesus disarmed and triumphed over the powers and authorities through His death on the cross. It emphasizes the victory believers can experience over demonic forces through faith in Christ.
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.”
In this verse, we see that God worked miraculous healings and deliverances through the hands of Paul. It reveals the power of God to set people free from demonic oppression and bring about physical healing.
1 John 5:18
“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.”
This verse assures believers that those born of God are kept safe from the evil one and cannot be harmed. It speaks to the security and protection that followers of Jesus have against demonic attacks.
Mark 1:27
“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 impure spirits and they obey him.””
Here, the people are amazed at Jesus’ authority over impure spirits. It underscores Jesus’ power and dominion over demonic forces.
Matthew 17:18
“Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.”
This verse demonstrates Jesus’ ability to rebuke and cast out demons, resulting in physical and spiritual healing for individuals. It showcases His authority and power over the demonic realm.
Acts 16:18
“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.”
In this verse, Paul exercises his authority in the name of Jesus to command a spirit to come out of a woman. It illustrates the power believers have through Christ to confront and cast out demonic entities.
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 passage warns of the dangers of not filling the void left by casting out an impure spirit. It highlights the importance of spiritual discernment and actively pursuing a relationship with God to avoid further demonic oppression.
Mark 5:18-19
“As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.””
After being delivered from a legion of demons, Jesus instructs the man to share his testimony with others. This verse demonstrates that deliverance from demonic oppression can be a powerful testimony to God’s mercy and grace.
Acts 13:8-11
“But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.””
In this account, Paul confronts and curses a sorcerer named Elymas, who was opposed to the spread of the Gospel. It reveals the authority and power believers have to confront and challenge demonic influences when operating under the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 5:16
“Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.”
This verse describes how people were brought to Jesus with physical illnesses and torment by impure spirits. It showcases the deliverance and healing ministry Jesus carried out, including the casting out of demonic entities.
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.”
Here, Jesus encounters two demon-possessed men and casts out the demons, allowing them to enter a herd of pigs. This passage highlights Jesus’ authority and the immediate obedience of the demonic spirits.
Acts 8:7
“With shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.”
In this verse, as Philip proclaimed the word of God, impure spirits were driven out and people’s physical infirmities were healed. It demonstrates the power of the Gospel to bring deliverance and healing from demonic oppression.
Acts 19:13-16
“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.”
In this account, unauthorized individuals attempted to use the name of Jesus to cast out demons but were overpowered by a demonic spirit. It illustrates the importance of having a genuine relationship with Jesus and exercising authority under His covering.
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.”
In this narrative, Paul confronts and casts out a spirit of divination that had possessed a slave girl. It demonstrates the authority believers have to confront and deliver individuals from demonic influence.
What Does the Bible Say About Demons?
The Bible teaches us that demons are real spiritual beings who oppose God and seek to harm His people. In the New Testament, we see numerous accounts of Jesus casting out demons from individuals (Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39) and empowering His disciples to do the same (Mark 6:7, Luke 10:17). These passages reveal the reality of demonic forces and the authority believers have through Jesus Christ to confront and overcome them.
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. This verse highlights the existence of demonic forces and emphasizes the spiritual nature of the battle we face as Christians. It also underscores the importance of putting on the whole armor of God, which includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) (Ephesians 6:13-17).
Furthermore, the Bible warns us about the deceptive nature of demonic activity. 1 Peter 5:8 urges us to be sober-minded and vigilant because our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. This verse reminds us of the need to be alert and aware of the schemes of the enemy, who seeks to deceive, discourage, and destroy believers.
Despite the reality of demonic activity, the Bible assures us of God’s power and protection. 1 John 4:4 declares that He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world, affirming that as believers, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, providing us with strength and victory over the forces of darkness.
In conclusion, the Bible acknowledges the existence of demons and the spiritual battle we face but also assures us of God’s sovereignty and the authority we have in Christ to resist and overcome demonic influence. It encourages us to stand firm in our faith, equipped with the armor of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to combat and triumph over the forces of evil.