Demons in the Bible
In the Bible, there is not one demon but demons. These are fallen angels, evil spirits. These spiritual creatures, formerly angels of God, decided to turn away from Him. This rebellion initiated by Lucifer, also known as the devil or Satan, led to the fall of these creatures. Having separated themselves from God's love, they ceaselessly try to turn humans away from God and prevent them from tasting eternal bliss. But the Bible teaches us that in this battle between Good and Evil, we have support and a victor in eternity!
The Invisible Universe, Populated by Angels and Demons
Demons Were Originally Angels, Creatures of God
"For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him." (Colossians 1:16)
The Fall of Lucifer, the Most Beautiful Angel
"How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit." (Isaiah 14:12-15)
"Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. By your many sins and dishonest trade you have desecrated your sanctuaries. So I made a fire come out from you, and it consumed you, and I reduced you to ashes on the ground in the sight of all who were watching. All the nations who knew you are appalled at you; you have come to a horrible end and will be no more." (Ezekiel 28:17-19)
Demons Are Fallen Angels
"The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him." (Revelation 12:9)
How Many Demons Are There?
In the book of Revelation, using imagery, it is said that Satan led a third of the angels in his fall: "Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth." (Revelation 12:4)
God's angels are therefore more numerous... even very numerous, as highlighted in the book of Revelation: "Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders." (Revelation 5:11)
What Are the Demons Named in the Bible?
In the Bible, different names are used to refer to the devil: the beast, the prince of this world, Satan, Lucifer or Beelzebul, the accuser, the adversary, the tempter, the seducer, ...
Certain other demons are also mentioned, for example:
Abaddon: "They had as king over them the angel of the Abyss, whose name in Hebrew is Abaddon and in Greek is Apollyon (that is, Destroyer)." (Revelation 9:11)
Asmodeus: "She had been married to seven husbands, but the wicked demon Asmodeus killed each one of them before the marriage could be consummated." (Tobit 3:8)
Mammon, representing money: "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:24)
Molek: "Say to the Israelites: ‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing in Israel who sacrifices any of his children to Molek is to be put to death." (Leviticus 20:2)
The Devil and the Demons: Their Actions on Humanity
Demons Are Active in the World
"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." (Ephesians 6:12)
"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)
"One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the Lord, ‘From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.’" (Job 1:6-7)
"So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head." (Job 2:7)
"For God created mankind to be immortal, and made them in the image of his own nature. It was the devil’s envy that brought death into the world, and those who belong to his company experience it." (Wisdom 2:23-25)
"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." (Acts 16:16)
What Behaviors Open the Door to Demons?
"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21)
"Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead." (Deuteronomy 18:10-11)
"When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult God’s instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn." (Isaiah 8:19-20)
"‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." (Ephesians 4:26-27)
The Defeat of Satan and the Demons
The Bible Gives Us Weapons for the Spiritual Battle We Must Wage
"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." (1 Peter 5:8-9)
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then,
- with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
- with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
- and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
- In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
- Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:13-17)
Jesus Casts Out Demons...
"But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." (Luke 11:20)
"When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word." (Matthew 8:16)
"Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him. All the people were amazed and said to each other, ‘What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!’" (Luke 4:35-36)
...And Gives His Disciples the Power to Do So
"Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." (Matthew 10:1)
"‘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.’" (Luke 10:18-19)
(If you think you are prey to evil spirits, approach a priest to discuss the possibility of proceeding with an exorcism ritual. You can also recite this prayer to Saint Benedict, patron saint of exorcisms, to ask him to free you from evil spirits)
The Archangel Michael and His Angels Fight Satan
"Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven." (Revelation 12:7-8)
Saint Michael is an ally in our spiritual battles; through prayer, we can place ourselves under the powerful protection of the chief of the army of angels.
Christ is Victorious...
"And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day." (Jude 6)
"And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (Colossians 2:15)
"Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.’" (Revelation 12:10)
...And, In Christ, We Are Also Victorious
"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." (1 John 4:4)
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7)
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