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TEACHING: WHAT ABOUT DEMONS?
VineLife Network, Inc.

INTRODUCTION:

There seems to be a continuing debate in religious circles as to whether or not a Christian can be oppressed, or attacked by a demon or demons. There are some major considerations that must be taken into account to give a proper answer to this question. Although this paper is doctrinal, I do not consider it to be an exhaustive study of the topic.

The First Major Consideration: The absolute authority of the Scriptures. We therefore assume biblical inerrancy.

The Second Major Consideration: Who is man and what is involved in and what are the provisions of salvation?

The Third Major Consideration: What are demons and the theological arguments for and against the demonization of believers?

WHO IS MAN?

  1. Man is a spirit being, created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27).
  2. Man dwells in a body, formed from the earth, into which the pneuma (spirit) was breathed and man became a living being (Gen. 2:7).
  3. The first man, Adam, died a spiritual death when he sinned against God, that is, he separated himself from his relationship to God (Gen. 2:16-17, 3:6). Adams body died later.
  4. All of mankind since the time of Adam is spiritually dead and must be regenerated in spirit by being born from above (Rom. 3:23, 5:12).

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN SALVATION?

  1. The second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ, was conceived by the Holy Spirit of God and born of the Virgin Mary, with no indwelling sin (Luke 1:31-35).
  2. Jesus lived a sinless life and therefore was not legally bound by God’s law to die as a sinner (Romans 6:23, 2 Cor. 5:21).
  3. He chose to lay down His life, take upon himself the sins of all men, and thus suffer separation from Father God, in order to legally redeem mankind as our Kinsman Redeemer (Rom. 5:17-19).
  4. God the Father raised Him from the dead, thus defeating death itself, and gave Jesus all authority in heaven and earth (Acts 2:24, Matt. 28:18).
  5. The Holy Spirit places the seed of God in all who by faith appropriate the completed work of Christ on the cross as their own, and they are birthed from above, a new creation with a new sinless nature (2 Cor. 5:17, I John 3:9, I Peter 1:22-23).
  6. The “old man”, which includes his old sinful nature, is declared dead by God’s word, having been crucified on the cross with Jesus (Romans 6:1-9).
  7. This reborn man then, is a new created being, birthed into God’s family through the Holy Spirit, residing in an earthen vessel called the body, and possessing a soul (psuche = mind, will and emotion).
  8. The body is not born again and will die because it is “born of the flesh” and houses “sin” in its members (John 3:6, Rom. 7:19-25).
  9. The soul (psuche) and the spirit (pneuma) are not the same. The scripture never says they are the same. As a matter of fact the scripture says that the “word of God has the ability to separates the spirit from the soul.” (Heb. 4:12, I Thess. 5:23).
  10. The soul (mind, will and emotion) is not born again. Any change for the better in one’s soul requires that the mind be renewed! It is then, and only then, that transformation can take place that will be reflected in a Christ-like walk (Romans 12:2).

WHAT ARE THE PROVISIONS OF SALVATION?

1. The salvation that Jesus Christ provides us is absolute and certain. That is, regardless of all the forces of Satan and demons, they cannot destroy but they can diminish our eternal relationship with God! When we speak of spiritual warfare, oppression, or demonization, the believer need never fear separation from God now, or ever! Jesus said, “I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the (very) close and consummation of the age (Amp. Bible).

2. The finished work of God the Son includes:

  • Redemption, the ransom from sin (1 Pet. 1:18-19).
  • Propitiation, the satisfaction of God’s righteousness (Rom. 3:24-25).
  • Reconciliation, the restoration to God (2 Cor. 5:18, 21).

3. The finished work of the Father includes:

  • Forgiveness, the erasure of guilt (Col. 2:13).
  • Justification, the position of right standing before God (Rom. 5:1).
  • Rights of sonship, the placing as full sons and heirs of God with Christ (Gal. 4:4-6).

4. The finished work of the Holy Spirit includes:

  • Regeneration, the creation of a new life through new birth (John 3:3-6).
  • Indwelling, the permanent presence of the Holy Spirit within the believer (John:14:26).
  • Sealing, the Spirit’s presence which guarantees our acceptance by God and our arrival in glory (Eph. 1:13-14).
  • Baptizing, His placing us into Christ and into His Body, the church (Rom. 6:1-10; 1 Cor. 12:13).
  • Empowering, as a result of being baptized by Jesus in the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Acts 1:7-8; 2:4).

ARE DEMONS REAL?

There is considerable biblical evidence that demons are fallen angels:

  1. A third of all created angels – Ezek. 28:18, Matt. 25:41, Rev. 12:7.
  2. There is no further evidence of their origin.
  3. There are some who believe that demons are the offspring of human women and angels and draw this conclusion from Gen. 6:1-4, but there is no factual or scriptural evidence for these views. There is no place in scripture where God gave angels the ability to procreate.

New Testament Evidences of Demons:

1. There are more than 100 references to demons in the N.T.

2. There are four Greek terms that definitely refer to demons:

  • Daimon – Matt. 8:31 - Used 1 time.
  • Daimonion – Occurs 63 times.
  • Pneumata – Occurs 43 times in the context of unclean spirits.
  • Angelos – Matt. 25:41, Rev. 12:7, 9 - Describes demons in context several times.

Evidences from the testimony of Jesus:

  1. Satan is the ruler of many demons – Matt. 12:22-28.
  2. Casting them out – Mark 9:29, and many more references.
  3. They will be extremely active during the Great Tribulation period – Rev. 9:3-11, 12:7, 16:13-14.
  4. They will continue their work until Christ casts them into the abyss – Rev. 20:1-3.
  5. They will be bound for a while and then, with all unbelievers, will be cast into the lake of fire – Rev. 20:7 – 10.
DEMONS AND THEIR ACTIVITY

Let us now look to the issue of demons and their activity, with respect to whether or not they can inhabit, or oppress, the body and/or the soul, of a believer. We need to ask ourselves some questions.

1. What are some scriptural evidences against the demonization of believers?

  • Some theologians take Rev. 20:1-3, as having already taken place and, as a result, Satan and his demons are not free to do anything…, period! The problem with this view is that it takes place at the second coming of Christ, which has not yet occurred.
  • Additional scriptures that are used as evidence against demonization of believers: “Now is the time for judgement on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out” (John 12:31). Jesus also said, “… because the ruler of this world has been judged” (John 16:11). Although judgement has been passed, it has not been carried out! Satan and his angels are still loose! See Rev. 20:1-3.
  • People also use Hebrews 2:14-18, as evidence against the possibility of demonization or the devil in any way entering into man. Careful reading in context shows us that Christ has made it possible for us not to succumb, however, it does not say that it is impossible. The choice is ours!

NOTE: It is not my intention to give every scripture on this topic, but rather to show that there are scriptures that are used to prove one’s predetermined theological position.

2. What is man?

  • We have already established that man is a spirit, created in the image of God. This being so, the regenerate man, that is the new, born again spirit being, cannot have a demon indwelling him. As a matter of fact, this new, born again spirit being “cannot sin” because the “seed” (sperma) of God is in him (I John 3:9).

3. What are some scriptural evidences for the demonization of a believer.

  • Demons seek embodiment in man in order to find expression in this physical world. Their second choice is embodiment in animals (Matt. 8:28-34).
  • Demons have the right to be where sin exists and “ground” is given to them through sinful actions! (Romans 7:20-21).
  • These unclean spirits are torturers and tormentors of man.
  • Illustration: Let me illustrate this with the issue of unforgiveness as related by Jesus in Matt. 18:15-35. When Jesus said to His disciples, "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart," who were the tormentors that He was going to turn them over to? It was not the county sheriff or the state or city police. The tormentors are unclean spirits, or demons!
  • If we were not susceptible to demonic activity we would need no warning such as is in Ephesians 6:10-12.
  • Matthew 8:16, in speaking of God’s people being brought to Jesus for healing, refers to “…. many who were demon possessed.”
  • Ananias and Sapphira were believers of whom Peter said, “… Satan filled (pleroo = the same word used for filled with the Holy Spirit) your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 5:1-11).
  • Simon the Magician was a believer who apparently remained under the influence of sin, and perhaps demonic control, left over from his pre-conversion activities in demonically empowered magic (Acts 8:9-24).

· “Can demons cause sickness in God’s people?”

  • Yes! Jesus’ Galilean ministry was to the people of God. He healed all manner of disease and sickness, and cast demons out of God’s people (Matt. 4:23-25, Luke 4:31-36).

4. What recourse does the believer have against Satan and demons?

  • A believer does not have to allow demons into his body or soul and can prevent them from coming in by “presenting” his body to God and renewing his mind with God’s word (Rom. 12:1-2).
  • Jesus has given believers authority to heal and cast demons out (Matt. 10:8, 28:18-20; Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17-20).
  • James says that we are to, “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7).
  • Peter writes, “Be self-controlled and alert. 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 your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8-9).
  • Make very sure that what you believe is the truth as presented in God’s Word. It is very common that as we grow through the painful events of our lives that we will begin to believe lies that seem to explain those events and/or will distort our identity. When this occurs, demons can and do begin to change our thought life and thus our behavior. Demons will leave us when we know the truth, for truth does indeed set us free.

SUMMARY STATEMENT:

In summary let me state clearly what our position is here at VineLife, regarding the “demonization” of Christians. We believe that a Christian who is walking after the flesh can knowingly, or unknowingly, give ground to demons and become demonized. When this occurs the need for ministry from someone who is skilled in “setting captives free”, may be required to get that person out of bondage.

NOTE: As founder and director of VineLife Network, Inc, I do not speak for any other movement or denomination. Nor do I speak against any other church, movement, or denomination. My spheres of function, placement and government, along with the measure of authority in each of these are wherever the Lord places me, and I speak the word of the Lord in these spheres.

David L. Shirkey

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