12 Facts About Demons

12 Facts About Demons

Introduction

A Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson go on a camping trip, set up their tent, and fall asleep. Some time later, Holmes wakes Watson-“Watson, look up at the sky and tell me what you see.” Watson replied, “I see millions of stars.”

“What does this tell you?” asks Holmes. Watson replied, “Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and perhaps billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, it appears to be approximately quarter past three. Theologically, it is evident that the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.”

After a pause, Watson asks, “Well, Holmes, what does it tell you?” Holmes is silent for a moment, then replies, “Watson, can’t you see that someone has stolen our tent?”

There can be a danger in looking for the complicated rather than the obvious.

B There are at least 9 times in Scripture that Jesus confronts demons.

1 Part of His ministry was the confrontation of demons (1/3 of heaven’s angels)

a The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted ; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to captives and freedom to prisoners;2 To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn...Isaiah 61:1-2 (NASB)

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor . He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives , and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed...Luke 4:18 (NASB)

b We can gather a treasure trove of information about the enemy.

aa Demons have unique personalities, use speed

bb Express the emotion of fear, promote uncleanliness,

cc Torment, create mental disorders

dd They must obey the commands of Christ.

2 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.27 And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs.28 Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, "What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me."29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.30 And Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Legion"; for many demons had entered him.31 They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.32 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission.33 And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and out in the country.35 The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened.36 Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was demon-possessed had been made well.37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned.38 But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying,39 "Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:26-39 (NASB) We can find some interesting tidbits about demonic operation from the man in Gerasenes.

C “Daimonizomai” is translated, “possessed by devils” in the KJV (present-tense word with an active voice with a passive ending).

1 This word describes a condition of someone affected by demons.

a Possession never occurs in the New Testament.

b “Damonizomai” describes how a person is controlled to the point of passivity by a demon.